Summer Bucket list: Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo, First Day of Summer Bucket List 2015 > > My younger son graduated kindergarten, we actually call it the end of year celebration ceremony (we believe you don't "graduate" until high school and then college. We want to hold school standards in a high regard, and if the kids keep having these "graduation ceremonies" then they will start to lose their value. (Their 8th grade graduations will be recognized with a small family dinner at a restaurant of their choice.) 

Younger sons first day of summer starts this Monday, or my older son still has one additional week of school. I asked my younger son what he wants to do on his first day of summer, he said let's go to culvers for ice cream. I said are you sure there isn't more you want to do, we have a whole day of fun we can have, so he said let's go to the zoo. 




And so we did, on Monday we hit the zoo first thing in the morning with our popcorn made it home. We saw the animals that he wanted to see and that he picked. Baby girl did not mind at all her brother making all the decisions that day. Then we drove straight to culvers and thankfully since it's about 30 minutes from the zoo both the kids took a nap in the car on the way there. 

> > It was an all fun day! > > 

Tuesday we were bums, and got started on Father's Day gifts (which is coming up this Sunday) and I finished my sanding and painting of frames. Its gonna be a rainy week to boot. 

I had looked up some ideas on Pinterest and questions to ask the kid regarding their dad. And I knew I would make the handmade card for him. That night of making Father's Day cards, baby girl told her dad she's going to make him a card with the sun on it. Well that was not on our list, so of course we added that to the list and made her card the next day.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud


Lincoln Park Zoo, First Day of Summer Bucket List 2015

Summer Bucket List: New Parks, Bowen Park Waukegan Il. Week 7 2015

Summer - week 7 > > After visiting Il. Beach state park, we made a pit stop at Bowen Park in Waukegan. We spent the entire day collecting rocks, playing in the water, snacking and playing. It was empty, with only a few other people on the beach. We like walking thru the nature center to access the beach, quiet, natural, and beautiful. > > As for the park, its off route 137 and It.Is.Huge!!! There is a map of all the activities, including this spinning cage, a 2-story climbing spider web, sprinkler, and so much more. My daughter loved the 2-stories to climb up for the slides. They are fast and fun. > > Monkey bars, surfboard swings, really so much more. The kids had a blast!! 

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Ah-mazing Tomato Soup made from our Chicago Garden Tomatoes

Ah-mazingly Delicious Tomatoe Soup because our Tomatoes are Coming in. I was sad a month ago when it seemed we'd have none! However my cherry tomatoes and the large yellow and black ones are all ripening. A mix of these variety gives the soup a delicious taste. Bon Apetit! 

Tomato Soup Ingredients

2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 

1 Tbs. unsalted butter 

1 large white onion, finely chopped 

1 large clove garlic, smashed and peeled 

2 Tbs. all-purpose flour 

3 cups lower-salt chicken broth 

28-oz. can whole peeled plum tomatoes, puréed (include the juice) **

1-1/2 tsp. sugar 

1 sprig fresh thyme 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

3 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh basil, chives, or dill, or a mixture of all three (omit if using one of the garnishes below) 

Tip: If you don;t have an immersion blender (get one, because otherwise you have to) be sure to purée in small batches and crack the blender lid slightly (or remove the center cap from the lid). Steam can build up once you start blending, and if the lid is on tight or the blender is overfilled, it will spray hot soup all over you and your kitchen. For protection, cover the top with a dishtowel while puréeing. 

**We used our FRESH Tomatoes from the garden. A wide variety this year too.
 


In a nonreactive 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat the oil and butter over medium-low heat until the butter melts. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 8 minutes. Add the flour and stir to coat the onion and garlic. > > Add the broth, tomatoes, sugar, thyme, and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat while stirring the mixture to make sure that the flour is not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes. 

Discard the thyme sprig. Let cool briefly and then purée in two or three batches in a blender or food processor. Rinse the pot and return the soup to the pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reheat if necessary. Serve warm but not hot, garnished with the herbs or dolloped with one of the garnishes below. 

Make Ahead Tips: This soup stores beautifully and tastes better the second day. You can keep it in the refrigerator as long as you bring it to a boil every two days. Or you can stash it in the freezer for up to three months. 

Serving Suggestions:

 To add a creamy touch, try one of these garnishes: 

Serve w grilled cheese. 

Sour cream, goat cheese & Parmesan garnish: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sour cream with 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese. Add 1 Tbs. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1 Tbs. thinly sliced chives, and 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil. Mix thoroughly and season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add a dollop to each serving. 

Crème fraîche, herb & horseradish garnish: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup crème fraîche with 1 Tbs. minced fresh dill and 1 Tbs. minced scallion. Add 1/2 Tbs. well-drained prepared white horseradish and mix well. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add a dollop to each serving. 

Nutrition information (per serving): 

Calories (kcal): 110; Fat (g): fat g 5; Fat Calories (kcal): 50; Saturated Fat (g): sat fat g 1.5; Protein (g): protein g 3; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 3; Carbohydrates (g): carbs g 11; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 0.5; Sodium (mg): sodium mg 430; Cholesterol (mg): cholesterol mg 5; Fiber (g): fiber g 2; 

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Pop Culture References and Being a Mom, How I incorporate mainstream subjects into Day to Day Parenting with Love, Trust, and Respect Model

Pop Culture References and Being a Mom

When I am out if the house and hearing and seeing the world thru the lens of pop culture, these new terms and ideas often enter our home. We cant run away from the outside world! Whether it's a new movie or book, or even a song, my sons want to know what there about, and the underlying meanings. Even if my sons don't "pick up on" the undertones, there friends do... To my shagrin :-( > > Whether its a movie reference or a new term my kids either bring it up or I do. I reflect on the subjects, usually as a blogpost or a tweet. I work through some thoughts, if needed, and then bridge the conversations. Twitter comments are linked here too.

NEW UPDATE >>> 

Learn About our new You Tube Channel at the end of this blog. 

See It Live >>>  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

> > Pop Culture and Teaching my Kids, at the movies: Kingsman and 50 Shades of Grey > > When my husband and I saw "Kingsman" on Valentines Weekend 2015, there is a scene between the leading men discussing what makes a gentleman. "Manners make the man." And you don't have to be born with a silver spoon in your mouth to learn manners. For example, when entering a room, if not invited, you ask permission to sit and join them /someone already seated.



Or you knock on a door before entering. > > These Manners reminders came home with me, especially when mom is using the bathroom.

> > Follow me on twitter for the immediate #popculture #learning > twitter.com/minstr0interior/status/567859396190978050 > >

Another example is either beloved or dreaded: 50 Shades of Gray. When my kids asked what the fuss was about, I summarized that you have to think through your own personal feelings on a subject, and this book forced some "non mainstream" ideas onto our society, making people talk about it. And many people have strong opinions.

> > My under 140 characters #popculture #learning about #50ShadesofGray > twitter.com/minstr0interior/status/567860091115810816 > >

"Whats do you think mom?" I gave my kid my house philosophy "sex ed / talking about it with my kids" answer. "Love, Trust and Respect should be the reason for doing anything in a relationship. When your older, life can get more complicated, maybe your curious about something new, or your partner wants something that you may / or may not want. How do you decide? Let Love, Trust and Respect guide you." Luckily older son assumed plain vanilla Kissing or Sex (phew!).

>> NEW UPDATE Learn About our new You Tube Channel at the end of this blog. 

See It Live >>>  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Clearly we had a busy Valentines season in 2015!!!

Pop Culture: Jian Ghomeshi, Q CBC Radio and beating charges.
Before both these movies there was another instance of two similar stories, where one without the other might not have made me say anything. Facebook had an article on another rape case on a college campus, however this article said many young man rapists don't realize what they're doing is wrong. The second story was the sudden firing - from one of my favorite public radio shows on NPR via CBC radio, Q - the shows creator and on air host Jian Ghomeshi. He was fired for his alleged sexual beating of multiple women. Situations where he dated women and pursued aggressive, non consensual BDSM sex scenarios with these women. He claims the women were in agreement - however the countless women claimed otherwise.

I sat in my car and realized I don't ever want my sons, or my daughter, to ever have a moment of doubt for what is / is not consent! There can be no question for themselves or their partner... Which lead to another Love, Trust, Respect talk. It was a little more in depth, saying girls have to say yes BY Themselves, you don't try to "convince them, beg or ever force." There is no game around these types of things. If a girl is drunk or on drugs, that means No! You can't do anything. If a girl is hurt or sleeping, that means No too. We will be revisiting this conversation many more times, I assure you.

NEW UPDATE :: YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THAT BLOG

Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will have filled our life with, ADVENTURES! We travel, craft, sing, dance, collect insects and spend loads of time together. Sometimes too much time together. Our kids have recently begun to document their own adventures, and so this channel was born. Enjoy our adventures. Or not. WANT MORE? If there is a blog post accompanying this video we will share it here. Sometimes we will include the ingredients list of the craft or recipe, or the itinerary of our trip. In the meantime click play. 

From our family: 👍 + 🙃 + ❤️ ( Thumbs up, emoji face, hearts! )

See It Live >>> 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2mGpujQIVgxdfTImFnQuLA

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud

I wanna have some Pancakes with you - an Unwritten Song. Pancake Recipe Included

I am so happy to take some notes here about the Pancake song. You know how you stand over the stove and prep the batter, this little melody just popped in my mind as I poured batter into the pan, and my littles waited at the breakfast table. 

I wanna have some Pancakes with you, an Unwritten Song. Pancake Recipe Included

From: I wanna eat some pancakes with you! Summer 2015 > > 

The Summer Routine > >  eating. . . 

Being a mom, staying at home, can feel mundane. You are a slave to the stove, snack queen, mediator of the sibling rivalry, etc. Etc.  While I am making pancakes this morning, a moment of I can't believe I'm cooking ... again ... overtook me. However we aren't rushing. 

Eventho I sort of put this burden on myself (since we don't eat cereal every morning) and the kids eat something fresh everyday! Toast and fruit, leftovers, potato pancakes, etc. 

Today I am making pancakes from scratch, but we are not rushed - we have very little planned. We are on summer break, so why rush? The schedule today calls for some vintage shopping and the beach. I can use an iron skillet, and put a pat of butter before I ladle each little pancake. If course its more time consuming working on a small iron skillet (in the bottom photo I used my mom's skillet, but at home it's my 'plancha' from when we got married for heating tortillas - way too small), but ridiculously yummy too!! 

You know that moment as a parent - we feel it deep inside that we are nourishing our kids - and with the best ingredients we can. I was careful not to burn pancakes, or walk away from the stove to get the just right finish on them, . .  That just feeds my mommy soul.

When little younger son was born I think this song started. I would hum "I wanna have some pancakes with you. Oh don'tcha know it, Pancakes with you, I wanna show it." - Then one day I asked - as if a lyric was written - wanna add banana - or chocolate chips? What a yummy treat! "Pancakes with you, with you, love you."

The kids get plates and forks for breakfast, my older son came in the kitchen mid pancake making and started playing the iPad songs. By the time I get thru the batch of pancakes, and last few cup size pieces they are discussing their dreams, Men in Black and Donna Summers "I survive" which is playing on the ipad. Baby girl always adds a bonus to our time together: she was practicing her ballet spins. 

As we eat We will talk about the plan for the day and "make a plan." We posted about making a plan to help manage kids expectations here.

If you want the song lyrics I wanna have some pancakes with you song - they are here.

 Our recipe: "I wanna have some Pancakes with you" pancake recipe

・ 2 eggs 

・ 1 cup flour 

・ 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk 

・ Pinch of salt 

・ 2 teaspoons flat baking powder 

・ 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil 

・ Several pats of butter 

・ Iron Skillet if you have one 

・ Add ons: either: chocolate chips, Banana slices, Blueberries or what ever mix in you enjoy from the fridge 

Pancake making instructions - the Steps: 

IN a large bowl, make a flower mound, put a circle hole in the middle with your spoon (think volcano projects) and cracked the eggs in to be in that area, begin to incorporate flour, and slowly start to add milk and continue whisking. 

Watch out for lumps - however don't worry if you have them. These are part of the homemade fun. Keep whisking. The secret to NOT getting lumps for me - is to add milk slowly to the bowl (1/8 - 1/4 cup at a time and keep on whisking. 

Warm the skillet, add a pat of butter, ladle in a quarter cup of pancakes - in small sizes. WHY? I just hate flipping large pancakes, or under cooking the center. So small makes for easy consistent meals.

The recipe here can make approximately 30 small pancakes. 

Layer in your chips or banana slices (or chips or fruit) into the freshly poured batter. Then take a spoon and just smooth over the banana slice with the freshly poured pancake batter with some of the batter on the cakes - it hasn't hardened yet.

Heat until one side is golden brown, (2 mins depending on your pan and the heat. The first batch it takes approximately three minutes, in sequential batches it'll take 1 to 2 minutes each side. 

After you clear the pancakes from the pan, add another pat of butter before adding more of the batter, this just adds an extra nice flavor to each batch of pancakes. 

As for the song, I wanna eat my pancakes with you . . . I'll write it one day. Until then the mellody is in my head.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud AND SING! 

a quickr pickr post

Nursing Baby Girl and Her Feet

Baby Girl would nurse and always put her little feet between my legs. Perhaps she kept them tucked under my ribcage in utero? That sure is how it felt! These days were long ago. By the look of her little pants I'd say at least 3 years ago...

She comes to our bed at night, now age 3 1/2, and hse still tucks her legs into mine ... sweetness.

Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect, and laugh.out.loud.

Kids Don't Care if their Project Does Not Look Like Pinterests Pictures

Pinspiration has been the tragedy for some, and something fantastic for us. Fantastic with mistakes. But I have always taken the time to show my kids that even when our project doesnt look like the Pinterest picture, we still learned something and still had fun making it.....In addition. The kids DO NOT CARE that it doesnt look like Pinterest. How About That!

They care about their day to day interactions. Their attempts at science, the project, or whatever weird craft alley I was dragging them down. Here my Older Son, then 4 or so, was exploring with paint on the floor. I remember how he loved the "new venue" to craft. So simple.




Pinspiration melted broken crayons repurposed into new cookie crayons. Fun.



Make mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years

Exploring Insects has been tremendous for our family. Learning, experiencing, and sharing wonderful moments together.

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years

The big reveal!

We are excited to share our FIRST BUG BOX! 

We made plenty of mistakes in making this collection. AND we learned more then our mistakes. That's probably why we keep doing it? We are avid bug collectors as our family hobby - Learn more at areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years 

These were some of the tools - totally amateur that made this bug box collection happen. 

• Empty containers (cleaned after the nutella was gone!)
• Pin cushion (I would use a box tho - little yucky bug bits and all)
• Clear nail polish - that is ONLY for the bugs.
• Nail polish remover - the poison that kills them in the bug jar (on a cotton ball- toxic!)
• Plastic tupperware container - to hold the stages bug in an air tight lid while they "cure"
• That PLUS Sign cut out - was for the moth balls. Now we just shave bits into the box directly . . . easier and clean.

We love insect collecting. Check out our blog to learn more about how to set up your own supplies. areyousureaboutthatblog.blogspot.com

How about in video versions. . . 

Our Very First EVER Insect Collection Bug Box it only took 2 years

Fathers Day Gift, Easy Handmade Kids Craft, Summer Fun, Week One

My younger son graduated kindergarten, we actually call it the end of year celebration ceremony (we believe you don't "graduate" until high school and then college. We want to hold school standards in a high regard, and if the kids keep having these "graduation ceremonies" then they will start to lose their value. (Their 8th grade graduations will be recognized with a small family dinner at a restaurant of their choice.)

Younger sons first day of summer starts this Monday, or my older son still has one additional week of school. I asked my younger son what he wants to do on his first day of summer, he said let's go to culvers for ice cream. I said are you sure there isn't more you want to do, we have a whole day of fun we can have, so he said let's go to the zoo. And so we did, on Monday we hit the zoo first thing in the morning with our popcorn made it home. We saw the animals that he wanted to see and that he picked. Baby girl did not mind at all her brother making all the decisions that day. Then we drove straight to culvers and thankfully since it's about 30 minutes from the zoo both the kids took a nap in the car on the way there.

> > It was an all fun day! > >

Tuesday we were bums, and got started on Father's Day gifts (which is coming up this Sunday) and I finished my sanding and painting my frames (for my Chicago Water Colors I wanted to hand in the powder room). Its gonna be a rainy week to boot. I had looked up some ideas on Pinterest and questions to ask the kid regarding their dad. And I knew I would make the handmade card for him.

A picture of my dad, I drew Daddy behind a Rainbow.

"Hanging Out" with Older Son.

All About my Dad, these were fun to ask and write. 

All About my Dad Questions: (Thanks Pinterest)

I loved some of the 1 or 2 question cards for dad - So of course Type A mom decides to make a chart. Specifically with open ended questions so the kids could give me loads of details. 

• My Favorite thing to do with my dad is:
• Describe Dad:
• If I could take my dad anywhere in the Tardis, we'd go: (yes we were going thru a phase)
• My Dad is special because:
• About my Dad:
• My Dad Makes: $____
• The most awesome thing  about my dad:
• My dad works:
• If I could take my dad anywhere in the world we'd go:

That night of making Father's Day cards, baby girl told her dad she's going to make him a card with the sun on it. Well that was not on our list, so of course we added that to the list and made her card the next day.

Baby girl wanted to make dad a card with the Sun on It! 

WE LOVE YOU DAD

 Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.

Monarch Caterpillar Discovery in our Chicago Garden with 3 year old toddler

Date: June 22, 2015 > 

Monarch Caterpillar Discovery in our Garden > > 

Baby girl was playing In our yard on her stroller and she discovered twi lovely caterpillars. Both were on opposite ends of this plant bed, but both enjoying the Dill Weed. 

She is happy to pose with her discoveries. While I do have glass viles to collect soft body specimens in alcohol, however I haven't developed an interest or a need to collect soft body insects. 

How about in video versions. . . we have more monarch caterpillars - and a BUTTERFLY CAGE with caterpillars on the youtube channel. We even filmed a butterfly release many, many, many times.

Monarch Caterpillar Discovery in our Chicago Garden with 3 year old toddler

Carpenter Bee Fed Sugar Water

Carpenter Bee, fed sugar wAter, but was found again. > > We found a carpenter bee on May 4, on our walk back home from dropping the boys off at school. He was soaking wet, probably from the nights rain storm that had just ended a few hours earlier. Baby girl (3 years old) picked him up even tho his legs were still moving. She screamed a little and I calmed her saying "he wont hurt you." I found a small piece of paper and placed bee on that. She held him - gently - the entire way home. I asked her if we should try to save him first? Or just pin him? She said lets try to help him live. > > I had just read an article on bees that lay helpless, sometimes all they need is a little sugar water to get them back on their feet again. > > When we arrived at home I filled a short lipped lid with a splash of filtered water and teaspoon of white sugar. I use agave in my coffee religiously, but I keep sugar on hand for baking. Chocolate chop cookies just aren't as good without white sugar... > > See more of our adventures at areyousureaboutthatblog dot blogspot dot com > > I angled the lid on a brick piece - and baby girl placed him (upside down) on the lid. I picked him right side up and near the waters edge.then we covered him with a paper tent so a bird wouldnt get a quick snack! Then took this picture. We waited a few minutes, but he just sat there. So we went inside to go about our day and check back later. > > > > Maybe an hour later we peeked out the kitchen window and noticed he was gone! Yaayyy. But our success was short lived. The afternoon was sunny and humid. So after school chores and homework we headed to the park. > > On our walk home, there was the same bee, laying by our garage in the alley. Is it the same bee? Sure is, notice the markings on his back. Same bare spot. Also a good way to Identify carpenter bees (bald back). > > Here he is pinned using an 001 stainless steel pin on the pinning block. > > > > > Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud

Handmade Easy Elephant Paws for Baby Girl or as a Gift.

Homemade Easy Elephant Paws Costume for Kids

After sewing the schools costumes this year, my daughters reminding me that she wants elephant paws (a la one of the shows characters). I finished embroidering my boys jerseys, which was thrilling all its own. I can't believe sometimes how easy it is to learn new things. So of course after I showed baby girl that I had finished the boys names, she asked "Whats for me?" Mommy suddenly remembered the Elephant Paws request. And so a star was born... 

Well a basement singer. My universal sewing machine made in Japan is the rock star of this performance. I had made practice stitches of each setting to remember for future use. Said sewing stitch aid as also used here in this project. Baby girl pulled up a chair and sat next to me the whole 20 minutes of sewing. She asked lots of questions and I answered each one as I sewed. Logistics: the elephant paws were sewn wrong way facing first to be inverted when complete. First sew on nails. Then 3 layers if felt. Between the top two layers I stuffed the bunting (using what I had on hand). Then I sewed layer 1-2 closed. I don't want her hands touching the stuffing, pulling it out, getting it dirty, etc. 

Beautiful Purple Elephant Paws, with pink nails. My Daughters color choices can't be beat!  Getting paws on by herself, "but mommy I need help." Nope! "Just like daddy said, if you want your new bracelet - or in your case paws - you need to be able to put it on yourself."  And she did!! 

Baby girl is so excited to try on her elephant paws! 

Trying on her new elephant paws. Pink painted toe nails. Nice touch! 

Date: May 15, 2015

 Make Mistakes, breathe, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud.