Poached Pears

We got fancy with our FHE treat this week. Poached Pears. Mmmm. Seriously good, easy, and looks impressive (that is if you are better at drizzling the chocolate than I was :)). Even Boz, who doesn't like pears, really enjoy this one.

Poached Pears
courtesy of Karissa Winkel (THANKS Karisa)

Bosc Pears (one per person you are serving, any firmness, stem intact)
1 bottle cranberry juice
juice of a lemon
1/2-2/3 cup sugar
White chocolate chips
Cinnamon sugar

Carefully peel pears, leaving stem on. Trim the bottom slightly so that the pear sits upright. Combine cranberry juice (enough to cover the pears), lemon juice and sugar. Add pears and boil together for about 30 minutes or till the pears are soft. If boiling uncovered be sure to turn the pears often. Chill for 2-24 hours (we didn't have time to do it that long, so really whatever works).

Just before serving, melt chocolate in a double broiler (we probably should have added a bit of butter to get a better "drizzle" effect?). Stand pears upright on plate and cover in chocolate. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and ENJOY!

Boz and Maegan + 3

Well, maybe that is a typo. More like Boz and Maegan + 2 1/2 (or even just 2 1/8). Anyway, we're expecting #3! :)Granted she's looking a bit less like a jellybean and more like a real baby now. This was taken at 9 weeks. I'm about 14 weeks now (due March 24th). And yes I called it a "she". That would be Elyette's doing. She's convinced its a girl (mostly out of weariness for little brothers, I think) and always refers to the baby as "she", so until we know for sure we call it she :).

Apparently both Jack and Elyette are having babies too! So we are soon going to have a very full house! Elyette even has the occasional morning sickness, exhaustion and seems to have a very heightened sense of smell. Ah, the joys. We're all very excited for our Spring baby!

Back to School

PRESCHOOL that is! Well, Mommy's preschool. Just the kids and I. I'm sure we are the last to actually start school, but I finally got on the ball.
Its geared toward Elyette, but Jack is doing awesome (his attention span amazed me today, he's a smart kid). And we're having a blast. Went for 2 hours today non stop and Elyette asked if we could keep going all day :). The best part... the food of course. We made our initials out of pretzels (and some cheese sauce for dipping, mmm). Elyette did a great job on her "E". We made you "B" too daddy!

So to anyone else who wants to take the "economic" route to preschool, as it was put by a friend :), I highly recommend Teach Me Mommy. That is if you're like me and don't have time (and don't always want to :)) to invent and create everything from scratch. It has enough lessons, that include a topic intro, crafts, songs, books, activities, and even a snack activity, to occupy about 1-2 hours a day, 3 days a week for an entire school year. We're looking forward to seeing all it has to offer.

Happy Birthday Jack

Jack Gregory Millar

Born September 4, 2007, 9:35am

Head Circumference: 20" (94%)
Weight: 29lbs (64%)
Height: 35.5" (80%)

Favorite Book: Where the Wild Things Are
Favorite Song: Wheels on the Bus, Itsy Bitsy Spider, I am a Child of God
Favorite Song to Dance too: Madagascar's "I like to Move it Move it"
Favorite Food: Blueberries, Pirate Booty
Favorite Toy: Cars, Stuffed animals (namely Kitty, Doggy, Poss, and Seal)
Loves too: Jump off or over things, Build elaborate block towers, assemble objects in varies patterns, push the stroller, Color, tease my sister, make cookies, take long baths, care for babies and stuffed animals, hide, read stories, shut doors, do stunts at the park that give mom a heart attack, and the list goes on...

Happy Birthday Dude!

Bath... check

Laundry... check

What a good helper.... PUNK.