Owen Loves Pinterest

So I've been spending FAR too much time on Pinterest.  I find all these amazing things to make with my hands and I get really excited about my future projects.  But instead of turning off my computer when the "work' day is done, I continue to pin and not create.  Vicious cycle I tell you.  Vicious cycle.  Alas, I have made a few recipes (some good, some flops) and I am absolutely LOVING all of the great ideas on entertaining a toddler and allowing him to explore!

He LOVED this little project: paint and tractors!  Owen is obsessed, I mean OBSESSED with tractors (fitting we live in Kansas!).  So I lined the the tractors up, squirted some paint on some packing paper and let him go!

Luckily we have linoleum floors in our kitchen, so the paint came right up with a damp paper towel.  And, more importantly, it came right off of Owen as he got it all over himself!

Please note that he sort of dragged his diaper through the mess.  At first I was concerned that I would have a bit of a tie dyed cloth diaper on my hands.  Alas, BumGenius never fails me!  EVERYTHING comes out!  Including paint!

It came out nice and clean.  I love, love, love my cloth diapers!!  I can't wait to buy more for Baby #2 - and you better believe I will be getting some pink and purple ones if this little gummy bear is a girl!!

And for activity two, I got out a few different muffin tins and a table cloth and let him sort different colored beans and pasta.  This is a fave for Owen - he actually requests beans and "noo-nels" regularly.

This activity, as opposed to fun with paint, keeps him occupied and quiet for a solid 30 minutes.  Not to mention the clean up:  just dump the table cloth in the ziplock baggie and we are done!  WINNER in my book!!  Please note, he is trying to put his teeny tiny foot in the muffin tin...

Eventually he gave up, realizing that his foot was a little bigger than the cup :)

I love this little boy SO MUCH!  Yay for little boys!

We've hired someone to clear the driveway...

He removed his mittens specifically to play with his new shovel.

So, do you think this violates any child labor laws in Kansas??  We had our first real snow this season and O took full advantage (and so did I) of being outside!  Why is there such a difference playing in the frigid windy weather versus the snow?The picture above was taken when daddy got home and introduce O to his new snow shovel.  It would be an understatement to say he loved it.

His first steps in the crunchy snow - he motored all over!

We played for quite a while in the backyard: we marched all around, played on the fort, made snow angels and snowballs, and finally he was worn out!

This was right before he headed down the snowy slide!  He got stuck a few times, but enjoyed it none the less!

I love how bright blue his eyes are in his blue snow gear!  He worked up quite the appetite after our little snow day and I made him this:

He goes back and forth with eating veggies.  The only sure way to get him to eat them is to incorporate them into a dish.  He not only gobbled this up, but stood on his stool, in between my arms, as I chopped the peppers and rosemary and kept stuffing chopped peppers in his mouth.  I refuse to have a picky eater!!!

Orzo with Rainbow Veggies

Adapted from "Cooking for Baby"
Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

Salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 cup orzo
1 Tbsp EVOO
1tsp minced rosemary (yay, my rosemary plant is still thriving - in the basement no less!)
1/2 cup diced red and yellow bell peppers (I used orange instead of yellow, obvi)
1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas
1 tsp fresh lemon juice (oh how I wish I lived in CA where I would have my very own lemon tree and wouldn't be forced to pay up to $.50 for a lemon.)

Instructions

• Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Add a large pinch of salt and the orzo.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 10 minutes, or according to package directions.  Drain.
• In a frying pan, over medium heat, heat the EVOO.  Add rosemary and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Add bell peppers and peas and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add orzo to the pan and toss with veggies.  Sprinkle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Bon Appetite for your little ones!