Hannah Says...

A weekend of fun

Emmett and I had a chance to travel to Oregon over the weekend.  We left Thursday after Bible study and came home late on Saturday.  The main reason we went was so I could go to a bridal shower for a good college friend.  But, of course, we made sure we had lots of playtime as well!  Emmett had a great time with his friends, Gracie, Claire, and Sophia.  And we even were joined by more friends, Baylie and Kaleb.  The difference in the way that girls and boys play is becoming more and more distinct with each visit, but they still had a lot of fun.  While I was at the shower with friends, Emmett got to spend the afternoon with Auntie Rachael and her puppy, Sevilla.  Their fun included walking to a self-serve frozen yogurt place!  Oh how I wish we had one here. 

 
(Just a few details from the shower.  Seriously yummy food!)

Emmett was an awesome traveler this time.  I have gone quite a few times without him recently, but he did such a great job that I think I will start taking him more and more.  In fact, we have at least one more weekend planned already!
 

Back into the swing of things

This is our first full week of a new routine.  Not totally new, I guess, but we have added some new things for Emmett.  First, he started preschool.  He's loving it, and I am glad he has an activity that keeps his busy.  I also decided (yesterday) to go ahead and put him in Cubbies.  I had gone back and forth, not wanting ot add too many new things at once.  But, he seemed to enjoy it and I think I will enjoy having some time just to myself every week.  We are doing it at Terrace Heights Baptist (where Josh and Katie go), so Emmett gets to be with his cousin Sadie.  (They do have it at our church, but apparently they were serious about signing up and the 30 kid limit!)  Lastly, we started BSF again this morning.  I enjoyed it last year and I'm so glad to be doing it again.  Emmett was a little nervous when I dropped him off, but one of his teachers is one he had last year and there are a bunch of the same kids too.  He was all smiles when I picked him up.  As much as I love summer and it's carefreeness (is that a word?), I also enjoy the consistency and comfort of routine.

Delicious Apple Cake

I made this delicious Apple Cake Tatin for our 4th of July celebration with Brent's mom and step-dad.  I know that apple pie is a traditional Independence Day treat, but I wanted to do something a little different.

I first gathered my ingredients.  (For some reason a lemon isn't pictured.  I can't remember if I left it out of the recipe, or just the picture.)

Then I buttered my pie dish.  Generously of course.

And started my caramel.  Frightening.  I haven't ever made caramel from just sugar and water, so I was super nervous that it wouldn't turn out.

Then I layered my granny smith apples.  I really don't like granny smith apples on their own.  But with the sweetness of the caramel and the cake, it's a perfect combination.

And then start creaming your butter and sugar.

After the eggs, flour, sour cream, etc, it will look like this.

 My trusty mixer.  If the house ever catches on fire, this is coming with me.  (I mean once I get my son, camera, and hard-drive out of course.)

 Pouring the caramel over the apples.  I think I pulled it too soon off the stove.  I was terrified of burning it, and I guess a little light was the better option.

 

Then pour cake batter over the caramel and apples.

 Now smooth it all out.

And bake it until it's golden brown.  Poke it twice if you want to make double sure that it's done.

It gets all bubbly on the bottom and crunchy on the crust.

And, since you buttered it generously, it will come out of the pan perfectly!

And you are supposed to sprinkle it with powdered sugar, for looks.  But I didn't.  For no reason. 
  

I think I may be back

I'm not sure really why I took the blogging break.  Maybe time issues, lack of motivation, I'm not really sure.  I really want to get back into it though, and I have some new post ideas.  Things that will pop up weekly (if you are lucky, maybe more often than that!)  You will see a few in a row here, but I am going to stagger them  so as not to overwhelm you (or myself!)

Preschool

It's hard to believe that my little boy is actually old enough for preschool!  He has changed a lot over the summer, becoming more and more like a kid instead of a baby.  I knew he would be ready for something fun to do, with a little structure and hopefully some learning involved too.  I haven't ever worked with him on anything academic, but it's obvious he picks up on things.  He doesn't know any letters or numbers by sight, but seems to know that they are two different things.  If I ask him how to spell something, he always uses letters.  And if I ask to quantify something, or a phone number, a measurement, etc, he will always used numbers.

Back to school.  Today was his first day.  It was more like a get to know the classroom day.  I went with him (all the parents stayed), met his teachers, saw his room, learned their daily routine, etc.  He had a great time and couldn't have cared less if I hadn't been there.  Next week he will go on his own, and start his Monday/Wednesday routine.  I have never left him anywhere that I haven't been, other than a family member's house.  I will admit that I am kind of nervous, but I'm sure it won't take long for me to recover!

I tried to get a good "first day of school" picture.  He was not into sitting or standing still, which was fine.  I ended up just letting him goof off and ended up with a few that show his energy!

(I'm having trouble uploading any photos here, so I guess you will have to go without.  Fortunately, I'm quite sure my entire reader-base is friends with me on facebook.  You've probably seen them already.)