Smotherhood and miscellany

To steal a term from Michelle, this has been a week of smotherhood. Between Olivia being sick, then Ashley, then me (Sunday), now Austin... I am losing my mind! We've had a week and a half of Spring Break and we've been to the beach once! That is just not right. I had plans to go to the movies, do things with cousins, etc. It seems like I can't get out of the house. Jared got home from camping on Saturday (alive, thankfully!) but then left again on Monday morning to drive a few hours south for work. ARGH! It's nice of him to stop in, but seriously, this is just ridiculous. I know it's hard for him to travel too. He is tired of being at hotels and he is so sick of the job. They've hired a new guy to replace him so hopefully his days are numbered!



I have been playing games, baseball, soccer, drawing pictures, Mr. Potato head, reading books, making cookies, watching DVDs... if I were to get points for Mommyhood this week I would be the high scorer. I know this is my job, it's all good, but I like an even balance. I need a break now and then. I have to get out people! I am suffocating. The walls of my home are going to close in on me. I am not a home-body. I like to get out and do things!

Here are some photos of our week:

Olivia says, "But Mom, it matches. See, red and white." What do I say to that?!



Ashley eats all day long. We've established that, right? Well today I come out of the shower to find that she has pulled out the box of Weetbix (Aussies love their Weetbix!), gotten herself a plate, and is eating it dry! Naturally, the floor was littered with the dry, husky bark-like Weetbix that she dropped while preparing her meal. She just looks at me like, "What?"



Austin had a haircut this week. I hate paying for something that takes 5 minutes but I am not skilled enough to do it myself unless we're talking about a number 3 on the clippers and I just go for it- a look I do not like.

BEFORE


I have loved his hair long so I told the barber to just clean it up with the scissors, a trim. Well, apparently the barber has been trained by the same woman that cuts my hair b/c this was the result!

AFTER


My poor boy has this nerdy, feathery, 1980's cut now. At least it grows fast, I guess. He wouldn't let me take a picture and kept saying "Delete it Delete it!"



Of course, to keep my sanity this week, I turn to baking. I have made pumpkin pie, cinnamon rolls, chocolate cookies, etc. Not so good when I can't get to the gym! Oh well. I love my cookbooks. My friend Prue knew I had a crappy week last week and bought me this Donna Hay cookbook that she knew I wanted. It's called "Off the Shelf" and it's supposed to be fast/easy recipes that you can make using things you have in your cupboard. There is a whole section of Mediterranean dishes and another of Asian dishes, probably why I like it so much.



I also got a new cookbook a few weeks ago. It's called "Food Power for Kids". I wanted to get some new ideas for healthy meals for my kids. I try to serve lots of veggies and make healthy meals but I think I am pretty boring- like pasta with veggies or I don't know.. can't even think of any right now. Hence, my problem. This has things like smoothie recipes, falafel wraps, hummus/pitas, Super Nut Paste (a substitute for peanut butter), Stir frys, stuffed potatoes, grilled pizza, no cook brownies, etc. I love falafels so I will share that recipe. Maybe one of you will get adventurous and try them:

2 cups cooked chickpeas
1 handful brazil nuts
2 cloves garlic
1/4 spelt, or other flour
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp sea salt

Combine all ingredients in food processor and process until consistency of peanut butter. Set in fridge for an hour to set. Once set, wet hands and form balls or patty shapes. Roll in flour and seat aside for 10 min. Fry in a non stick pan until golden brown, drain. Serve on a pita, in a wrap, toasted bread, with rice, etc. Hummus, lettuce, tomatoes, onions are good on the side. Drizzle some lemon juice and sprinkle with parsley.



I am also perusing my cookbooks for a good recipe to make for my next Baking Group, a few weeks away. The theme is pies and tarts. I found a delicious one in my Nigella book called Chocolate-Raspberry tarts. The pastry is chocolate, the filling has mascarpone- that can't be bad! and they are topped with fresh raspberries. I can't share the recipe yet b/c I have to convert it. It's all in grams. Let me tell you, I am tired of converting things- mililiters, grams, ounces, pounds, cups, teaspoons. Almost enough to put me off baking and cooking... almost.

So tomorrow I am off to Sydney, for the day. I fly out at 6:30 am and come back at about 6pm. My appointment at the consulate is at 10am. I hope that everything goes well. I have a file with all the photocopied documents, passports, marriage certificate, etc. so that I can put in the petition for Jared's visa. I just need to start planning this move. I need to know WHEN we can fly, ship our stuff, pack up, etc. It's killing me NOT to know what is happening one month from now, two months from now.

And it's 12 weeks til Christmas! When did that happen? Those Christmas cards in the shops are freakin me out!