Confessions of a Fauf: August 2011

The End of Summer Vacation

I know it's still technically summer, and I am not starting work anytime soon (I have a new job :) But summer vacation is over because Daddy went back to work. I shouldn't complain at all, after all I am SO blessed to have a husband who gets summers off. But I can't help confessing I always get bummed when he goes back to work and it always takes me a good week or so to adjust to his being gone. Especially this summer I really appreciated him home to help with the Mini Doodle. I felt like I got a little vacation too.

But enough moping. Westly and I have busy establishing a routine to our lives while Daddy's busy working to take care of us and let me stay home (I am so privileged).

Here's how Westly's and my days are going:
8-8:30am: we wake up (well, he wakes up first usually and lets me know he's ready to start the day) We cuddle in bed a little.

9-9:30am: we go for a walk. He enjoys his stroller now. He chews on his toys and watches the scenery go by as I get my exercise and prayer time in.

10-11am: he takes his morning nap so I can shower and do my quiet time.

When he gets up from his nap, we do all kinds of things. He plays on his mat and practices rolling around. Or we read books. Or we go meet with friends, or do errands. He usually gets in an afternoon nap and wakes up in time to greet Daddy at the door.

I think I'm gonna like this whole stay-at-home Mom-thing! :)

Sneak Peek!

Go to www.sherlockacademy.com for a sneak peek of The Holmes Brigade. And mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8! More info to come....

Westly's First Road Trip

This weekend we headed down south for a weekend of fun and family. It was Westly's first long trip and he did wonderfully. He slept through half the drive on the way down. And played the other half. He charmed everyone with his smiles, and barely fussed the whole weekend! Here are some highlights of his first trip:

He was quite cozy and content in his pajamas

He enjoyed playing with his book and fingers

He had no problem sleeping in our hotel room

He got to meet his older cousin Mina for the first time. She was very friendly and enjoyed holding his hands and babbling to him.

He finally met his Mimi. He gave her lots of smiles and thanked her for all the great Disney clothes she's been sending him.

We've concluded that Westly loves to travel and be out and about with people. He especially loves all his Shaw and Drazin family. Still he knows there is no place like home!

Honey Cookies

When I was little (had to be like 6 or 7) my mom sent away for a kids A-Z cook book sponsored by Gold Medal Flour Company. And from that little cook book, I had my first lessons in cooking and baking. My mom saved the book for me and gave it to be a few years ago. I decided to try out some recipes for fun. One of the best has been the honey cookies. A few friends have asked for the recipe and I keep forgetting to share it. So here it is!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margrine (softened)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup honey (I use local honey cuz it tastes better and helps with allergies)
1 egg
1 and 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375
In large bowl beat butter, brown sugar, honey, and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop teaspoon-size batter balls on cookie sheet. Bake 7-9 min. or until edges are slightly golden brown. Tops will appear shiny. Let cookies rest on sheet 3-4 min. before removing them to cooling rack.
Optional: top with cinnamon-sugar mixture right when you remove cookies from oven. Mix 2 tbsp of white sugar with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and sprinkled on top of hot cookies.