"Healthy" Banana Nut Bread

Woke up to spotted bananas - you know what that means - Banana Nut Bread Day!!!  

Ingredients

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

1 pinch nutmeg

1/2 cup applesauce

3/4 cup honey

2 eggs, beaten

3 overripe bananas, mashed

1 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.

2.  Lightly grease and flower a loaf pan.  

{We don't have a loaf pan so we use a cake pan and it still turns out great.}

3.  In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

4.  In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey.

Sir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended.

5. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; just to moisten.

Add walnuts

6.  Pour batter into prepared pan.

7.  Bake in preheated oven (turn down oven to 170 degrees C when you put the bread in) for 50 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

8. Let bread cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool on a wire rack.  

This recipe is so easy and Alessandra can help quite a bit.  I put the bananas in a gallon sized ziploc baggy for her to mash while I mix the dry ingredients.  Then while I'm putting the wet ingredients together I give her the walnuts, in a sandwich baggy, and the ladle so she can bang on those until they are "chopped".  Between those two tasks she stays pretty busy for most of the dry and wet combining.  She then helps to grease and flour the pan and do the final combining of wet and dry ingredients and adding it to the pan.  It's a pretty fun activity for us and the finished product is sooooooo yummy!!!

Charmian

Karneval Fiesta

We had a little fiesta to celebrate Karneval (for all of my American buddies think Mardi Gras).

The girls wore costumes, made/decorated paper plate party masks, 

ate some yummy pizza and cake, and did a little dancing.  

The mamas stole a few bites of pizza, pieces of cake, and enjoyed a bottle of chilled sparkling wine.  

We had so much fun.  

I was amazed how well Alessandra did during the mask making with all of the big girls.  She actually focused in on her mask with only a few distractions the whole time the big girls worked on theirs.  

As our little party was coming to an end the sillies were definitely coming out hence all the giant grins.

To finish off the evening the girls took turns pushing each other in the play stroller.  You would have thought they had just been given the hottest new toy/game the way they were running and squealing.

 Charmian

I Believe!

Alessandra has been sick and I've been dealing with her and the rest of the household responsibilities solo.  Last night was just like all the others.  I finally got her settled into bed, and I took Dotty out for one last bathroom trip before I tidied up the house and turned in myself.  

This morning I opened up the front door to get Alessandra's boots - I left them out because they were all muddy.  And that's when I saw this.  Sitting quite perfectly on the top of our doggy potty shoes and muddy rain boots.

I wish someone was recording my reaction because if it was half as good as what it felt like, it was pretty darn amazing.  I felt like I was 6 again.  Like I just walked out and saw the one thing I asked Santa, and only Santa for.  

There Is A Santa!

But then I got really confused.  It's the beginning of December.  I asked one of my neighbors who said "Oh yes, Sankt Nikolaus comes last night.  I hope you were good all year!"

My response was, "I must have been, our shoes were filled." 

I came inside, got online with the intention of looking up this holiday and it's traditions when of course I got a bit distracted by facebook, and that's when I saw all of the posts between my expat-parent-friends from the night before.  Warning each other not to forget about this German holiday.

I guess I didn't need to worry about forgetting because the Eich's were just that good that the 

REAL SANKT NIKOLAUS

came and filled our shoes.

And just like that...

I'm still a

  BELIEVER!   

Daddy's Birthday

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday Dear Daddy!

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Autumn Approaches

It's getting colder.

Blankets have been pulled out of storage and are lying on the couch and bed.

Windows are being closed for the first time since spring. 

Sweaters are being pulled on.

Jon's Homemade Veggie Soup is on the stove.

Soon the leaves will start to fall.

Autumn Approaches. 

Charmian

Photo Source:  allthingseurope.tumblr.com for the beautiful photo.  

Last Minute Dinner

A quick stay over in Leipzig before our little biking adventure left us with the tiniest bit of time to be able to see our GKS's.  We had a great dinner, some good wine, great homemade beer, stories, and lots of laughs.  

I was amazed how well the girls got along.  It's been over six months since they've seen each other and they played just like they did when they were seeing each other every week.  Is it possible that they remembered each other?  

They colored.

How stinkin' adorable is Sophia?!?

Look at those curls - too cute!

We finished off the night with Ring Around the Roses.   

Too much fun.  I can't wait until next time.  

Charmian

Dallas

July 7th - 9th

We took a quick detour to Texas to see Grampa, Gramma, GG Dee Dee, 

Uncle Ryan, Aunt Bucket (Camile), and Jackson.  

It was so relaxing.  

We enjoyed some shopping,

(I want to put this in just so I don't forget that it happened.  While shopping in Dallas Alessandra was offered her first modeling job at a show that was going to be taking place next week.  We had to gracefully decline because we had to head back to CO.  But it was pretty flattering.) 

"Ommy - look at my new pretty dress!"

slip 'n slidin,  

good food, 

and even better company.

Charmian

Updates

Why is it that when you have things to blog about those things actually keep you from blogging.  Oh time, you're such a precious thing, why do you slip away so quickly and quietly?

A few updates.

Jon and I finally got hair cuts about 3 weeks ago.  It was so crazy - we called this lady and she came to our house and cut our hair.  They aren't the best hair cuts we've ever gotten but for the price and convenience we may just do it again.  Maybe.  But I am happy to say that I finally have my short hair back.  I tried really hard to like it long again but I just couldn't do it.  I guess I'm a short hair girl, which is  weird because when I picture myself I don't have short hair.


After nearly six years of being a vegetarian I am slowly adding meat back into my diet.  It is really hard to be a vegetarian here in Germany.  None meat protein is hard to find and when you do find it it's usually pretty pricey.  Which has led me to relying on eggs, nuts, and dairy for my main source of protein.  Now that Alessandra is definitely not a baby anymore I decided it was time to start losing my baby weight.  I've been trying to lose the weight by cutting back on the nuts and dairy I was consuming.  When I started cutting back I started craving meat for the first time since becoming a vegetarian.  So I have been very slowly adding meat back into my diet.  A few nights a week I'll have fish or shrimp.  My stomach still gets upset when I eat it but my cravings have gone away so I think I'm on the right track, for now.

Alessandra has started potty training herself.  You may think I'm being crazy but I'm not lying.  Well, to be honest I did start potty training her about a year ago I guess.  When she was really small whenever I noticed her going pooh (and I don't mean winnie) I would set her on the potty because - well let me be frank - it was way easier for me to pay attention to her and set her on the potty than to have to clean up a poopy diaper.  Lately I've been noticing that at some diaper changes she was dry or mostly dry so I'd plop her down on the potty and tell her to let all of her pee out and she'd go.  Before long she was running to the potty and telling me when she needed to go.  So for the past week while we've been home sick we've started naked time.  Alessandra is naked or bottomless the entire time we're home.  Obviously I put clothes on her before we leave the house but when we walk in the door the shoes and pants come off.  She has done really well.  In the past week she has had less than 10 accidents.  When she does have an accident I have her "help" me clean up and we talk about where we should put the pee and poop.  I also bought some Smarties for her when she does go in the potty.  So far so good.  But I still don't feel like I really know what I'm doing so...

When did you start potty training your kids?
How did you do it?
Did you use treats/awards?  If so what did you use?
How long did it take?
How did you know when they were ready to go out and about sans diaper?

Thanks for helping a mommy out.


Jon also found out today that he has been invited to join Beta Gamma Sigma because of his academic performance at HHL.  So, my life long dream of marrying a frat boy is finally coming true (okay, not really) .  :o)  I always knew he was a smarty pants in fact it was one of the many things that made me fall in love with him.  But now it's officially official.  Jon's super smart!


Well, I guess that's all the updates for me - for now.

I will however leave you with one more super cute clip.  It's Alessandra having a dance party with her reflection that is of course until she bonks her head.  Enjoy and have a happy long weekend to all of my American friends and family.

Charmian

Happy Birthday Auntie Lisa

I promised Auntie Lisa we'd have a drink in her honor for her birthday.  

So here it is - the dinner time production of "Cheers Auntie Lisa"

Please forgive the squeeky voiced singing and poor lighting.

And Auntie Lisa...  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Peanut Butter Bath

We had just gotten back from the park and Alessandra was filthy.  

So, I stripped her down for her ants-on-a-log snack 

knowing bath-time was the next thing on our to-do list.

I just didn't know she'd be able to get the peanut butter on quite so thick.

:o)

Charmian

The Cookie

Let me give you a quick back story before you watch the video - it won't be nearly as funny if I don't.  So, I always put Alessandra's pacifiers in my top so they're always with me and I can get to them quickly.  Alessandra has learned this is wear you put/store things that are important. Just before I filmed this video I gave Alessandra a cookie.  The Girls were of course very interested in the cookie.

Que video...

Charmian

Moskito

Here we are at Moskito - our neighborhood restaurant and bar.  As you can see I haven't quite figured out my phone yet but it was too funny not to share.  And yes, the light was REALLY bright.  :o)

Charmian

A Year

It's amazing how different things can look a year later.  I remember pulling up to my flat a year ago and how scary it seemed.

"Which building is ours?" 

"How do you get in?" 

"Where can we park?"

"Is this a two lane road?"

Now I walk down the street and get mad at the drunkard who's peeing on the lamp post - again.  And I find myself wanting to yell "Schlecht Hund!" at the lady who refuses to pick up her dogs poop (especially when they poop in front of our door),  just like the old men used to yell at me (even though I was picking up the poop).

This is our home and although our stuff isn't in here, the things that are here are starting to feel more and more like mine.  I'm starting to forget how nice it is to cook with my pans that don't have loose handles and my really nice wooden spoons because I've been using this plastic one for so long.

Some things still haven't changed though.  I still HATE sitting down to eat and having our plates be mismatched.  I hate that all of our chairs are sunken in.  And I hate how I can't seem to get the windows all the way clean no matter what I use or how I clean them.  But I love that Dotty is asleep in the chair next to me chasing her squirrels,  paws running, softly barking.  I love that Jon and I were able to enjoy our meal of leftover veggie soup for dinner.  And I love that my sweet baby girl is sound asleep in our bedroom (and when I say our bedroom I mean the room with all the beds that we all sleep in).

I have come to really love it here, and although it still isn't as comfortable for me as The States were, it's growing on me.

A little more everyday.

It's amazing the things that can change in a year.

Charmian

Happy Birthanksdaygiving!

Jon said we couldn't do Christmas until we did Thanksgiving.  And I told Jon we couldn't do Thanksgiving until we "officially" did Alessandra's birthday (with a strip down cake eating frenzy).  Being the practical folks that we are, we decided to do Birthanksdaygiving.  

We first planned the event and the menu, found the  recipes online, made our shopping list, scoured the city looking for all of the necessary ingredients to make as authentic of a Thanksgiving dinner as we could.  

Not to toot our own horn but Jon and I thought it was pretty darn spectacular!

We dirtied just about every pot, pan, dish and utensil we own - 

including the three new ones we had to buy just to make all the food.

With our tiny little oven we had to put the sweet potatoes on the very bottom 

and the stuffing and the green bean casserole had to share the only rack in the oven.

Here's the spread!

The only thing that was off was the turkey - but that's just because it was actually a rotisserie chicken.  :o)

We even had a real live Indian at our Thanksgiving ;o)

After we stuffed ourselves just shy of puking, 

Alessandra opened a couple more birthday presents,

and finished off the night with some carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

It was a complete success.

Happy Birthanksdaygiving!!! 

Wuz Up Dawg?

Just a quick update.  Lots of news but no pictures, my camera's acting up a bit.  I'll start with today and work my way backwards.

25 - Alessandra and I enjoyed a beautiful walk today through the forest and then stopped by HHL to surprise Daddy at school.

24 - We got to visit with our Enfumes for a little bit and we finally got our replacement stroller ordered.

23 - Found ridiculously cheap tickets to Spain so we're going to go meet up with the Enfume's for a long weekend in Barcelona.

22 - Jon's birthday!!  We had a great time with some friends at our little kegeln alley.  A little bowling, great food, a few drinks, and some awesome cake made for a pretty great night.

21 - After going to 3 different bakeries to find out they don't know what carrot cake is (Jon's favorite) I headed over to Katrin's house to make one from scratch.  All we had to do was find a German recipe for this American cake, do a little shopping, baking, and hope for the best.

20 - Pumpkin Carving with Katrin and Sophia.  It was the girls first time carving pumpkins and when I say girls I mean Katrin too.  We had such a good time - I'm hoping Katrin will share her pictures with me so I can share them with you :o)

19 - We took a walk through the farmers market - man I love fall.

Well that's what we've been up to this week.  I think I failed to mention earlier that the hookers moved out so there's one more thing to be happy about.

Okay, I think that's all I've been up to - what about you?

Charmian

My Sweet Pea is Eleven Months Old

OH MY GOSH!!!

Did I really just type that!  I can't believe that in one short month my newborn, baby girl will be one year old and on the verge of toddlerdom.  

11th Month Milestones

HEIGHT/WEIGHT

 

 Still just a peanut with a few rolly polly areas.

SLEEPING

Two naps a day, just like before but they are pretty set nowadays.  

You'll nap from 10:30-11:00 until 11:30-12:00 and again from 3:00 to 4:00.

What I'm most happy about is your new trend of nighttime sleeping.

We usually put you to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 (p.m.) and you'll sleep until 4:00 (a.m.).  You wake up, nurse, and then will go back to sleep until 8:00 a.m.

HOORAY!!

EATING

Besides nursing every four hours through the day you eat everything I eat with a few exceptions.  You're current favorites are beans, eggs, and Daddy's Veggie Soup (okay, I'll be honest, you love anything your Daddy makes).

PLAYTIME

We have different stations set up around the house for you to play at.  So depending on what room Mommy is working in you have different things to play with.  In the kitchen we have all of your kitchen gadgets, water bottles, and bags.  In the bedroom we have the schrank (wardrobe) where you keep yourself busy pulling the dirty clothes out and putting them back in.  In the bathroom there is the cool contraption that hangs on the wall and it holds the prettiest white paper with pink writing.  You love pulling it out into a big pile on the floor and then ripping the squares apart.  Oh, and the purple stool, towels, and doggy brush are pretty cool too.  And last but not least the office/living room which has your toy box (read bright orange OBI crate) with all of your "real" toys in it.

You absolutely love to dance - I know I've said that on every monthly update but it's true.  You started out just headbanging to the music and now you have a whole set of different moves.  Whenever you hear music the biggest smile comes across your face and you groove to your little hearts content.

You are a pickle, not a normal pickle or a sweet and sour, you're a Zesty Dill.  You have so much spunk and sass that most days we don't know what to do with you.  We are constantly having to remind you to be gentle and not scratch, or pull hair, or pinch, or bite, or hit, or... you get the idea.  Someone told me once that you're too young to know what your doing but I can tell by the look on your face that you know exactly what you're doing which is why we've had to figure out, VERY quickly, how to handle it.  The solution we found is actually quite simple and it leads me to my next paragraph.  We tell you "No" or "Stop" and set you down or move you out of arms reach.  Once you're there we explain that you need to be gentle and that whatever your doing hurts us.  You then pull your bottom lip out so far you could wrap it around your head and you turn on your big crocodile tears.  You continue to pout and cry until we pick you back up and explain how that makes us feel.  This normally stops the behavior for at least an hour sometimes longer.  

You are a social butterfly in every sense of the word.  That's why the only punishment that actually hits home is being separated from people.  You love to flirt with adults, watch big kids play, and play with other kiddos your size.  You, quite simply, love people! 

WHAT'S NEW

You're crawling everywhere and can stand up with very little support.  You will cruise but you much prefer holding onto either your Mommy or Daddy's fingers and walking around.  

You have another tooth - so, four in total (Two American, One German, and One Italian).  Your most recent tooth came in somewhere between Italy and Austria but we're calling it your Italian tooth because you got it during our Italian vacation.  

Speaking of Italy, you can add two more countries to your list because we recently took a road trip through Austria to Italy.  

You are talking so much these days and now you say more than just "Nein, Nein!"  Whenever you see your Daddy you yell "Da Da".  If you want us to look at something you'll point and yell "Tha Tha".  We taught you a few signs and instead of just signing "all done" you yell "Du".  When you see your Mommy and you want to cuddle (but only if you want to cuddle) you yell "Ma Ma".  Notice I said you yell, that's because you currently only have one volume for your words and that's loud.  For all your other babbling though you do have a regular talking volume which is nice.  We are constantly having to remind you not to yell and to use your talking voice.  Oh, and sometimes, if we don't pay attention to you quickly enough you just scream at the top of your lungs.  We've found the only way to get you to stop is to blow in your face.

You are a total ham, and you make some of the funniest faces.  Just tonight your Daddy jokingly said to you - "Do you think you could be a little more boring!"  Of course we don't want you to change, we love you just the way you are, but there are days when you definitely test our patience.  

Happy Eleven Month Birthday!  We love you Sweet Pea!!!

Mommy & Dad