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We got to celebrate Avery's 5th birthday at a lizard party! Abby coerced me in to making a party outfit for Avery's lizard, Crickie. Avery was thrilled, so it was definitely worth it.
Crickie, the party lizard.
Avery, the birthday girl.
Excited to be 5!
The party kids!
Saturday Night
We met the Hoefer's in their neighborhood for a concert in the park. The kids had a great time playing in the giant sand box (which was actually a volleyball court), dancing and eating popcorn and ice cream bars. The adults had a great time chatting and enjoying the warm evening.
This is a recipe that goes way back in my family. My mom (or maybe grandma) found it in the newspaper. They were originally called Vietnam cookies because they were a great cookie to ship overseas. Apparently women would make them and send them to their boys in Vietnam. At any rate, they are a moist delicious cookie and that makes them a staple in our house. Think cross between oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip banana bread.
The ingredients.
I forgot that I wanted to add whole wheat flour. (Sidenote: I learned that when making quick things (cookies, quick bread, etc.) use whole wheat *pastry* flour. And if making something that will rise (regular bread, rolls, pizza crust, etc.) use whole wheat flour.)
I know these look disgusting, but seriously overripe bananas are the key to awesome baked goods. Provided there are supposed to be bananas in the recipe.
Your dough will be really soft. After mixing, make sure you mix a few times by hand with a spatula and really incorporate the batter together. Dig down to the bottom of the mixing bowl.
When you put them on your cookie sheet, you will not be able to shift them around without making a mess.
You want them just a little brown around the edges.
Cool them fully on cookie racks.
This is what happens if you don't do a little hand mixing. These few cookies were the last to be scooped and baked.
He loves these cookies, but wasn't into having his picture taken.
The Recipe:
3/4 Cup shortening (horrible, I know.)
1 Cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 Cups flour
(I used 1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour and slightly more than 3/4 cups white flour.)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 Cup chocolate chips (I used mini, so I took it down to 3/4 cups)
1 Cup shredded coconut
1 Cup bananas (I use 3 med-large bananas)
1 3/4 Cup quick cooking oats (Honestly, I use regular oats because that's what I normally buy)
Beat brown sugar and shortening. Add in egg and beat for at least a couple minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add in soda, salt, spices and banana. Mix well. Add flour, mix. Add chocolate chips and coconut, mix. Add oats, mix. Don't forget to hand mix, making sure that all the banana and brown sugar from the bottom of the bowl gets incorporated in.
Bake in 350* oven for 15 minutes.
Other potential mix-ins:
raisins (not my favorite, but if you like them go for it.)
butterscotch chip (my sister Abby did this instead of the chocolate chip and they were awesome.)
white chocolate chips (I may do this next time)
walnuts (also not my favorite)
One more thing, these aren't the kind of cookies that can be left out on the counter. I usually divide the batch into two ziploc bags and store one in the freezer and one in the fridge.
4 year old preschool. 9.7.2011
A couple of silly shots.
New dinosaur shoes.
In the classroom.
The preschool crew. Typical, Alex laughing hysterically at something Emmett did or said.
Today was Emmett's first day at his new preschool. We had talked about it all summer and he was excited to go. And he's fortunate enough to have his two cousins, Alex and Avery in his class. I guess it didn't take long for the teacher to realize that Alex and Emmett aren't allowed to stand next to each other during line-up time. Something about hanging on each other? Not sure what she's talking about. At any rate, we are looking forward to a fun school year!
