RECIPE::: Fat Free Zucchini Carrot Muffins

It's been a while since I've logged into the ole Blogger Platform...but here I am with a YUMMY recipe. It's a great snack for Back to School!

I posted this recipe a few years ago, but I've since changed it to make it fat free for Emerson, so I thought I'd post it here! Several of you had asked for it, and I aim to please... It was a BIG HIT!

Easton took these to school a few days last week and Emerson had them for snack as well!  I love when I can find something they will both eat.  NOT TO MENTION it's got veggies!  

Zucchini Carrot Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup finely shredded, unpeeled zucchini **I used a half of a large zucchini and 3 carrots. I threw it in my NINJA and it was perfect for this!  Emerson also chomped on a raw carrot while I made these!  #winning
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a muffin pan.  I use mini muffin tins.  Set aside. In a medium bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. Set aside.

2. In another medium bowl combine egg, sugar, zucchini + carrot mixture and applesauce. Add zucchini mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy).  Spoon batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. 

Makes 24 mini muffins

ENJOY!!!

 

 

Kindergarten: Easton's First Day

Well, we survived our first day of school! Actually, the first week now.  

It's so surreal thinking that my first born is now in Kindergarten.  That's a big deal.  A really big deal.  

I knew he was ready, but I wasn't sure that Lance and I were ready.  

But we took the leap and he's done so wonderful!

After a full week in, he's made some friends, he's had his feelings hurt and he's learned new things.

I'm not sure he'll ever get past the little girl 'smacking' him on the first day of school in the cafeteria, however after seeing her response when I dropped him off on Monday, I'm certain that 'smack' was a love pat.  She seems a little boy crazy over my Easty.  #tooearlyforthis

They allowed us a week to walk them in and then we had to start dropping them off at the door with the rest of the kids.  I think this was the hardest for me, because it's a long walk from the gym to his room, but he did it with confidence.

I cannot wait to see how much he grows in this school year and see all that he learns.  

He amazes us daily with just how smart he is.  

His love for others and his tender heart is such a blessing.

Easton Garrett, you make us proud buddy!

Easton's First Day:: Pre K

My Baby Boy.

PreK.

What on earth is going on here?

I feel like he was just born.

We took a year off from school, but it was time to go back.

He's just going part time and he was so ready!

He went back to his old school, so he was so excited to see his old friends.

With nap mat ready, lunch packed, school supplies bought, back pack on, he was ready to go.

I was excited for him, but anxious to pick him up and hear all about it.

He had a great day.

"The playground wasn't as big as he remembered"

And when asked what they did, he just said they played all day.

He said 'school is pretty fun mom...reeeeeal fun.'

The director approached me Thursday when I picked him up and told me how happy they were to have him back.

She said it was like he'd never left.

All the children were so glad to see him.

He'd picked up right where he left off.

I am so glad he's back.

But it sure is quiet at home when he's gone.

We'll find our rhythm.  We'll get used to him being at school.

But for now, I keep looking around the corner for him.

Waiting for him to talk to me.

My little friend...off to school. 

What a handsome little fella.

I am so proud of this little boy.  He's such a good boy.  He's a little magnet.  You can see that everyone loves to be around him.  He has the best heart.  He's tender.  He's funny.  He's thoughtful.  I am so thankful that he's ours.  

New School:: Update

This post is a bit delayed.  Such is life. 

 

We moved Easton from the school he'd gone too since I returned to work from maternity leave in April.  When we moved to our new house, we knew we'd eventually move him to a school closer to home.  This was NOT a decision I was looking forward to.

 

Not because the new school would be bad, or less than, but just different.  I've taken Easton every day but maybe 5 days since he started.  I picked him up.  I went and nursed him on my lunch break.  We we both comfortable there.  We both had friends there.  Friends we would miss dearly. 

 

Lance is now the responsible party for the most part.  He takes him and picks him up most days.  He knows his friends.  He sees his teacher.  He hears the first words out of his mouth when he gets in the truck.  He gets the trinkets (mulch, rocks, random sticks) Easton puts in his back pack every day.  He's getting what I used to get.

 

Yes, my commute is a little more peaceful, and a lot more quiet.  But I miss that little face in the backseat.   I miss our funny conversations.  I miss his music selections.  I miss his funny stories about his friends in the afternoon.  It makes me sad knowing I don't get to participate in that part of his day anymore. 

 

I know this time is good for he and Lance.  They get donuts more mornings than I'd like to admit.  They stop at the gas station in the afternoons for a snack.  They get that time together that they didn't have for 3 years. 

 

But for now, it's what we do.  I leave the house at 6:45 to make it to work by 8 and return home by 5 most days.  Some days he's not even awake before I leave.  It's not ideal, but it's life.  We're adjusting to this new 'normal' and trying to make the best of it.  

 

I do believe it's making me more intentional with my time that I do have at home.  With dinner, packing lunches, bath & bed, it leaves little time for fun.  So we must make the most of it.  Lots of afternoons are spent outside before supper.  Lots of times after bath are spent in the Bonus Room playing.  He helps me a lot in the kitchen.  We bike ride.  It's not easy only getting 3 hours a day with him.  Especially when those are the most tired hours of his day.  It sometimes leaves for exhausting nights but it's a season.  This time won't last forever.

 

So, here's the first day/week at his new school {in phone pictures---sorry for the blurry ones, I was trying to blur the kiddos and the school t's}. 

 

To say I was PROUD of how he marched right in on day 1 is an understatement.  We took him in, put up his lunch box, back pack and nap mat.  The children were already up front in the common area about to start their morning devotion and we were going to encourage him to sit with them and we'd head on out.  He wanted to 'tell you bye at the door' first.  He hugged us and turned right around, never missing a beat, never once acting unsure.  We had nothing but good reports all day at how well he was adjusting and how his new friends loved him.

 

 

And nap time was a welcome relief for him. They are on the go all the time at the new school. Changing rooms, doing different activities in different locations, even walking to the local libraray. I really like that about this school! 

This was our Friday picture!  We made it through the first week!



It's been about 6 weeks now since he started.  He's doing so good.  He's had a few rough days where he didn't want to stay but he jumped right in after drop off.  He really is a trooper.  There's definitely a transition happening though.  And maybe it's just being 3.  But we're struggling with listening, some back talking and a little bit of 'tude.  I don't know if it's new friends or if it's just new everything or just adjustment but it's taking extra patience on all of our parts.  But we'll make it.  He's a good boy and we're so thankful at how wonderful he has done with this!  Kids really are far more flexible than we think they will be. 

 

Give them the confidence and the encouragement they need and they will soar!

 

 

Head on over to Bridget's blog and check out her mother's day: part i.  If you don't read Bridgets blog, you should.  She's one of my FAVORITES! She's real.  She's hilarious!  She's a wealth of knowledge about all things natural.  She's a wonderful mother- to a few kids that became her own after their mother passed away and she married their father, her professor, (love story here- it's amazing, inspiring, tear inducing) and one really cute little fella that she birthed. She's a wonderful writer, style that's amazing.  Just an all around great gal!   Head on over and check her out!

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Easter Party & Last Day of School {cue the tears}

 

It feels like just yesterday I wrote about Easton's first day of school. 

 

And now, 3 years later, I'm writing about his last.

Friday was his Easter party at school.

What better way to go out than with a party!?

Complete with the Easter Bunny, cupcakes and cookies!

It's a shame The Mother couldn't hold her tears back the entire time...

 

 

Most of the kids in his class have been there from the start just like him.  If not, very soon thereafter.

We don't have a conversation most days without it including most of these friends.

They are the sweetest group of kids a mom could ever want for her child's friends.

It was a very hard decision to move him to a new school, and one I debated for MONTHS.

We commuted an hour and fifteen minute each day, one way.  This is hard on him, and me.

So, when we moved into the new house, we knew we'd move him to a closer school, but that didn't make it any easier for me.

 

This group of Directors and Teachers have been absolutely amazing.  From the first day we toured the facility, even now that we're gone, they are truly some of the best friends I could ask for.  They love Easton as if he were there own.  They have answered numerous phone calls from me, his detail loving mother, wondering how much breast milk he'd drank, if he'd had a BM, how he'd napped, the list goes on.  They have listened, they have talked,  they've supported, they have loved, they have hugged and they have cried with me.  To say I'll miss these girls is major understatement. 

 

 

There really is not enough words or sentiment strong enough to say how strongly I feel about this group. Directors, Teachers & Little Friends. They will be missed every day!

 

A sweet little song Aunt Janice sang the other day was:

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

{source}

 

That's exactly how we're looking at this new chapter.

Keeping the old, but making new too.  Both are a treasure!

{a first} potty edition

Milestone Day in the Farrar house!

Easton used the potty for the FIRST time!

We've tried several times, they've tried at school several times, but no luck.

...until yesterday!

They sat him down after nap...and as you can see below...SUCCESS!

Boy, was he proud of himself too!

It was so fun to see how excited he was to tell us! 

I don't know if it was fluke, or what, but I'll take it! 

You've gotta start somewhere.

Maybe once we get moved and settled, we'll try some big boy undies.

I don't know if I'm ready for all that just yet!

Way to go Easton!

First Visit with The Easter Bunny...and Egg Hunt

We ran into the Easter Bunny at the mall last weekend.

The Boy didn't sit in his {her?} lap, just gave her a five.

Enough to warrent a dum dum sucker that was in the basket beside of her for those brave enough to sit.

This time, however, was a success!

The cutest, most sweetest Easter Bunny made a visit to his school on Friday for their Easter parties and Egg Hunts. 

He wasn't sure about it at first, but as you can see, he warmed up quite well. 

Also, another first.

Our first Egg Hunt.

I think it's safe to say, he's not aggressive or super competitve yet.

We ended up with about 7 eggs and 1 pack of skittles.

The skittles were enough for him to be satisfied. 

I'd say we're off to a good start!

I have been thinking more about Good Friday and what it means.  Perhaps after having a child of my own, I realize the sacrifice that was made on that hill so long ago.  A sacrifice not because we deserve it, but because of grace.  To think of all Jesus went through on that day, for me, has me feeling very grateful but at the same time a smidge sad.  The pain and suffering He endured along the way was for us though.  He didn't come so that we would be sad, He came so that we may have LIFE!  And that my friends is reason for Celebration!

I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend! 

Happy Gram

When I picked up Easton he had a little note on his clipboard.

Here's how it read:

8-1-11

Easton really impressed us today.

Ms. E was passing around lunch and Easton said 'Thank You' to her when she gave him some!

He is so smart and polite!

We are both excited to have him and get to know all of you more throughout the year.

Easton is such a sweetheart and we look forward to watching him grow.

We can't wait to see what he shows us next!

Love,

Ms. C & Ms. E

Sweet little boy!  I could just eat him up.

OUCH!

This morning when I dropped Easton off at school, a mom in Easton's class stopped me in the hallway.  She asked if Easton had been bit yet?  My heart sunk.  Well, no, he hasn't.  She proceeded to tell me that Eli had been bit 10-12 times in the past few weeks.  What?  What the?  Biting?  12-18 month olds??? Seriously?  I thought about poor little Eli all day.  I thought about how he must have felt when "the biter" bit him.  We narrowed down who we thought the biter was and we decided we'd step on their feet on Monday morning.  Just kidding...  Sorta...  No, really, I am.  Anywho, I thought about Eli all day long.  His sweet smiling self being bit.  It just hurt my heart to think about it.  And hurt my heart for his momma as she ached for him.  You never want your child to be hurt.  Much less bit.  What do their little minds think while being bit?  Are they sad?  Do they bite back?  Will my child become a biter if they get bit? An array of thoughts ran through my head.

When I went in to pick up my little angel bucket today, there was an Incident Report on his clip board. My baby boy had been bit! I had to fight back tears as Ms. K told me that during transition from play to snack time 'a friend' had bitten Easton on the arm. Some friend!




 :(  Look at that little bite mark!
Don't think I haven't already analyzed the teeth prints.
Looks to me like 4 tops and 2 bottoms...I'm gonna do a good scan on Monday of mouths!
Ok, sorry...



Ms. K said he 'handled it very well.'  What does that mean?  Really? I mean, did he cry?  Did he want to be held?  Did he do something to 'the biter' to make them bite him?  I wanna know details.  And, how freaking hard do you have to bit in order to leave a teeth print bite???  Anyways, I held back the tears, gathered our things and headed out. 

We made a stop by the front desk to have little chitty chat with the Directors about the 'Incident' and they were aware of 2 certain children that are biting and have addressed the problem with the parents and with the teachers.  They were very understanding and I felt like my concern was valid.  Again, another reason why I LOVE our school!  So, with 2 kisses on his little arm, we were off. 

As we played outside I just couldn't help thinking about this incident.  So much of me really wanted to know what child bit him, cause you know, I'm the momma, I need to know these things.  But, really, would it have made any difference?  What was I going to do if I knew?  Would I corner their parents? Would I give the child a mean look?  Absolutely not!  My heart began to soften toward that child and their parents because there must be a reason that they are biting- maybe they'd been bit at some point, maybe they were hurting, who knows.  I'm sure the parents feel terrible enough without  me making it worse.  So, my anger very soon turned to compassion.  Isn't that what Jesus calls us to do anyways?  I would never want Easton to be that child that bites and I don't want to be that parent of the child that bites.  I just gave my little buddy some extra loving and tenderness, because really, that's all he needed anyways.  So, we move forward, heart hurting, but we move forward. 

Young Toddler

Today was Easton's first full day in the Young Toddler class at school.  He transitioned last week and did wonderful (even though I wish he would have pitched a fit every day so he could have stayed with Ms. Tabitha). 

With that comes many new changes- sippy cups, 1 long nap (which he has transitioned great too---other than today- hello 1 hr nap- he played on his cot while the other kids finished their nap), introduction of the spoon, center time, and going outside twice a day...and oh yes, SHOES.  We have to start wearing shoes.  This will probably be the most challenging. He did wear them Friday and seemed to do ok---but he wanted them off PRONTO when we got in the car!  Little pigs were all hot and sweaty. 

Lovey likes to be barefoot.  Like someone else I know.  What can I say? 

But, he had a great first day in his new class!

What a big boy!

Eating off a plate- with a spoon!

And a sippy.

God love that little sweet angel!

It felt a bit like the first day of school again for me.  I was sad to leave him in a new room with bigger kids.  He looked so overwhelmed when we first got there but soon enough he wiggled out of my arms and into the floor with the rest of his new friends. 

And off he went. 

See ya mom. 

Love ya.

Have a good day.

sniff sniff

Toodles Easton.
Love you too Buddy.

A BIG milestone!

Hold your french fries folks...this is BIG news!

Easton moved to a cot today at school!

He napped like a champ...or...like Easton.

2 different 1 hour naps is success for me!

Ms. T & Ms. C were pleased!

Yay Easty!  SOOOO PROUD of you again!

Easton has a favor...

Easton told me to write this for him, so here goes.

He would like to ask that you all pray for his very special teacher, Ms. T.  Ms. T has survived a few run in's with breast cancer but was just diagnosed again yesterday with cancer.  She may be a candidate for a radiation pill but if not she will have to do chemo.  They do feel that chemo is the better option over surgery right now.  She is young.  She's getting married in March.  'Easty' loves her. 

He'd really appreciate your prayers!
(and so would I, I am really quite fond of Ms. T)

First Day of School- We ALL survived!

I've been dreading this day for, oh, 12 weeks!  I never dreamed that I'd love staying at home so much.  I really hated to see my 12 week leave come to an end, but, I had to get back to work. 

Yesterday was hard, knowing the events of today would lead to tears, and no doubt, it did.  Yesterday ended in tears, today began with tears. 

Lance was able to go with me this morning for his first day of school and I'm so thankful I had him by my side.  He's my pillar of strength and I can't imagine not having him.

Easton got up at 6 to nurse like he knew that was the 'plan' and then fell back to sleep with Lance.  He napped for a short time while I got ready.  Once we were ready we took a "First Day of School" picture.

He looks a little skeert! 

I had a rough time on the way in.  I sat in the back with Easton while Lance drove.  This morning he discovered that he could look in his mirror and see the person in the front mirror...he and Lance were making eye contact and it was priceless.  He wasn't too concerned with looking at me, not when he could see his Daddy. 

We arrived at school with all our gear, ready for our first big day.  Easton did wonderful.  I, however, couldn't keep it together.  His teacher is wonderful.  She got right down in the floor with him and talked with him while we got his things settled in and filled her in on all his little in's and out's.  He smiled at her.  I knew he was at the right place.  It's amazing the peace that you feel when you go with your conscience, especially when the Lord is your guide.  I'm so glad we switched to this school. 

Ms. S called me around 10:45 to say that Easton was ready to eat.  They had fed him a bottle at 9 but he only took 2 ounces.  Now, you can look at my lovie and see that he eats more than that.  They wanted me to come in BEFORE he got too fussy.  It's wonderful having him so close to work because I can go nurse at lunch...at least for a little while...and only have to prepare 2 bottles.  I got there and he was happy in his bouncy seat.  There's only one other infant in his class so he's sure to get attention and love.  When I left he was getting his diaper changed and was content.  I felt SO much better once I left him after lunch.  I knew I only had a short time until I picked him up but I also knew that he was well cared for.

When I picked him up this afternoon they said he did wonderful.  He had 2 naps in his bed! 

Yes, you read that right...he napped in a bed!  Praise the Lord!

He fell asleep the first time in the bouncy seat but they moved him to his bed...the second nap Ms. C rocked him and put him in the bed...both times he stayed asleep!!!

This school is so wonderful.  They sent us the picture of him napping and this one...

along with a little letter 'from Easton' about his first day at school.

He looks pretty happy to me, what do you think?

He was out like a light this afternoon when I put him in the truck.

All in all, I think it was a good day.  Lance said "Boo, this will probably be your hardest day and even at that it wasn't that bad was it?" 

Love his heart, always helping me look on the bright side.

For now, I'm going to sit her and watch lovie sleep.  He's so content on the couch...it's our night time routine and I couldn't be happier.

Praying for a good tomorrow.