Two Again

Dinner time is always an interesting time. I never know what Landon is going to say or do come dinner time. The other night was no exception. I put Landon's plate down in front of him and he wasn't thrilled. I made baked chicken tenders, potatoes, and carrots with sugar and cinnamon. I refuse to make dinner time into a battle in regards to Landon eating his food. I do, however, try encouraging him to at least take one bite of everything. Landon eventually licked all of the sugar off of the carrots, but refused to actually take a bite of them. When I asked him to take a little bite his response gave me quite the laugh. Landon folded his arms to his chest and said, "I don't want to take little bite. I want to be two again." I guess two year olds aren't made to eat their carrots! 

Later on that same night we did our normal bed time routine. Landon picked out three books and I read them to him. I then told him "I love you, goodnight". He responded with a little grunt and said "loves you too, but I don't like you!" My precious little three year old told me that he didn't like me because he had to go to bed. At least he still loves me!

Peanut Butter Cake

Landon loves his "pb cake". I can't keep enough of it in the house. I have to bake a batch every three days. The peanut butter muffins are a great alternative to sweet, sugary snacks. I always pack one in his snack cup for when we're out of the house and they freeze amazingly well. I came across the recipe in "Deceptively Delicious", one of my favorite cookbooks.

Peanut Butter and Banana Muffins:
Ingredients:

• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup carrot or cauliflower puree (I always use carrots and 1/2 cup puree equals about 1/3 pound of carrots)
• 1/2 cup banana puree (equals 1 1/2 bananas- I just use two whole bananas)
• 1 large egg white
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or line with baking cups. 
• In a large mixing bowl, mix 1/2 cup of the brown sugar with the peanut butter, the vegetable and banana purees, and the egg white.
• Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and mix. Add to the bowl with the peanut butter mixture and stir just to combine (the batter will be a little lumpy- do not over mix). Add the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and stir once or twice.
• Pour the batter into the muffin tins and bake until the muffins are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center, 15 to 20 minutes. Place the muffins onto a rack to cool.

These can be stored at room temperature for two days or wrap individually and freeze for up to one month. I also add 2 tablespoons of flax seed meal to the muffin mixture.

Thanksgiving- a Day of Double Turkeys and Sleepless Nights!

Landon's Thanksgiving outfit

This Thanksgiving was extra special this year because it was Landon's first. He couldn't eat anything other than his pureed sweet potatoes and carrots, but I was so thankful that he was there with us sitting at the table this year. I told everyone that next year Landon gets dibs on a turkey leg. It will make the cutest picture seeing his little hands picking up a turkey leg and trying to eat it! Kevin, Landon, and I headed down to Keystone early Thursday morning to do Thanksgiving dinner (lunch) with his family and then headed back up to Jacksonville for dinner with my family. This was definitely the last year pulling a double dinner. It was a lot to take Landon back and forth. I guess we'll be hosting all holiday dinners for now on so that we can escape the hassle of double dinners. All of the Thanksgiving excitement threw Landon off schedule and he woke up for a midnight feeding and did not go back to bed until 2:30 a.m. I haven't had one of those nights in months! Of course I had to be up at 3:00 a.m. for Black Friday shopping so I got no sleep. It was worth it though. I finished Landon's Christmas shopping. I can not wait for Landon to open up his presents. I am so excited for Christmas morning.

Thanksgiving picture

Getting ready for his Thanksgiving feast!