I wanna Have some Pancakes with you Song.

Where do fireflies go during the day?

"Pancakes recipe song"

My mama wakes up,

real early in the mornin, 

Gettin ready to make, 

a treat for me.

She knows I love, 

to fill um up in my tummy, 

With her special pancakes that are just for me,

((Treat that's warm and yummy.))

I wanna eat some, pancakes with you,

oh dont'cha know it

pancakes with you, 

I wanna share some 

pancakes with you, with you, love you.  

She takes an - egg, a cup of flour and milk,

And whisks um all together smooth just like silk,

She adds a pinch of salt, some sugar too,

A little spoon of oil I don't know what its supposed to do? 

and then, she asks me

You wanna eat some, pancakes with me,

oh dont'cha know it,

pancakes with you? 

I wanna share some,

pancakes with you, with you, love you.  

Inn'a bowl mama sprinkles in the chocolate chips.

The pans gettin warm, waiting just for them

From batter to the laddle, 

to become a pancake!

I can't wait to have some

You wanna eat some, 

pancakes with me,

oh dont'cha know it

pancakes with you, 

I wanna share some,

pancakes with you, with you, love you.  

Sometimes mom adds blueberries, peaches or jam,

She likes them with bananas, I prefer some m&m's.

She pours in the mixture, counting one, two, three,

Then she sings a song she made up just for me,  

I wanna eat some, pancakes with you,

oh dont'cha know it

pancakes with you, 

I wanna share some,

pancakes with you, with you, I love you.  

Today was a gift

If you want the I wanna have some pancakes with you song actual Pancake recipe . . . and some of the tips to making mama's pancakes - that articles here. Along with more about my unwritten - well - it's written but not recorded song.

Make mistkaes breathe and laugh out loud - and sing to your babies.

 

Another You Tube Video from the boys: Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT Roar Junior and introducing Croak playing with art

Suddenly I See the Froggy Olympics. Oh boys this is fun! 

Our boys take a Japanese language class in school, and one of the bonuses is learning origami. Origami (often misspelled Oragami or Orygami) is the paper folding art form that originated in Japan. On this intro is a popular video. In this paper folding wonder, the boys made this art, they made origami paper frogs. But not just any frogs, these are frogs that jump, move and compete in the Froggy Olympics. 

Another You Tube Video from the boys: Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT, Roar, Junior, and introducing Croak playing with art

The Origami Froggy Olympics by the frogs BLT, Roar and Junior, and introducing Croak, origami paper frogs that leap, jump, hop, and race, Happy Viewing. The boys were playing before bed. They had at least 12 frogs each. Creative names they created for their origami frogs: BLT, roar, and junior. And introducing Crook a.k.a. "cramp"! He does flips, tricks, and leaps.

The other teams frogs were up for the challenge. The queen - your majesty - was ruling the game. She got busy telling the rules like: "say your majesty." Come on queenie. 

In this episode: "Another You Tube Video from the boys: Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT, Roar, Junior, and introducing Croak playing with art" we hear the Queens voice. Queens say is final - she will judge the Froggie Olympics. "Who goes first?" Unfortunately we did not video the match or the winner due to technical issues. But it’s still a cool thing to see these paper frogs JUMP! 

In this corner: BLT, Roar and Junior versus the other team: Crook (stands for Cramp) and Suddenly I see the froggy Olympics. . . WHHHAT ? Origami happens at our house sooooo the fun continues at home. BLT, Roar, and Junior frogs, are competing in the froggy olympics. Apparently here is a player called CROOK (I think It’s croak) — and he does tricks. 

Frogs are up to the challenge. And the last frog standing wins! Who goes first?

SEE THE Froggie Olympics here:

Another You Tube Video from the boys:
Origami Paper Froggy Olympics with frogs BLT Roar Junior and introducing Croak
playing with art

https://youtu.be/-vBMlZI4wEo

WANT TO LEARN ABOUT OUR YOU TUBE CHANNEL ... 


Our family has had many adventures through the years. Mom, the @Minstr0Interior had an a-ha moment . . .  Suddenly I See what we will fill our life with. 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.

More in our You Tube Adventures: Baby Girl Films Brothers Saxophone Practice

After only 3 months, my son was playing, actually playing sax. We were impressed. He of course will keep learning and practicing, but we're glad baby girl caught this clip.

Watch Here:

More in our You Tube Adventures: Baby Girl Films Brothers Saxophone Practice

More in our You Tube Adventures: Baby Girl Films Brothers Saxophone Practice

Practicing for Band, After only 3 months of lessons. Saxophone, keep practicing.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL INFO

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.

Safe Fear versus Real Fear

When my older son was very little I have blogged about an idea of boys and violence, and what is considered "safe violence," You can read about that here in the post "My Son "Plays Rough" - How to Distinguish Violent Versus Rough Play. And I still recommend that documentary about "Raising Cain."

A little bit about safe fear. Walking dead is a hugely popular program right now. And I find my kids are very into playing hide and seek, and really scaring each other.

"I think all of us like to be scared once in a while, but it's most fun being scared when you know you're actually safe." The scary holiday, dressing at scary face and ideas of scary places, halloween of course has always been big at our house. I think all of us like to be scared once in a while, but it's most fun being scared when you know you're actually safe. You can enjoy this year without that feeling of horror. Goosebumps is a program that we love to watch on Netflix, we discovered it when our cousin came to live with us from Guatemala for that month. We'd watch goosebumps and my children would get startled and squeeze my arm and tell me to hold them. And then we would laugh about it afterwards because we knew it always had a scary and then funny part, and a safe ending at the end.

Safe fear is important for children to experience. They can talk about zombies and hitting them over the head with the television or shooting them in the brains with a gun as they might've seen in previews of the walking dead. It's important for children to understand what real fear is so when they do experience it in the life, which they most certainly will at some point, they'll have a concept of the feelings they have/haven't experienced and the concept of what to do when that moment arrives.

For example all this year on Halloween and preparation for Halloween my children remember the zombie mask my dad had given them the year before. They hate that mask. It is terribly scary. They told me even though I had begged and begged and begged that no, I could not dress up like a zombie from the walking dead. My make up would probably be "too good" said my younger son. I did buy a costume that was a zombie t-shirt and I asked to put it into my sons chupacabra costume he requested this year. But he overrode the piece that was the zombie part - too gross, too scary.

Finally Halloween had arrived, and to my shock and amusement. My children said that yes I can dress as a zombie next year. But the pirate costume has gone on too much and I need to change it up a little.

We went to see the new goosebumps movie that was released this year 2015. Yes we took my three-year-old. And she loved it along with her brothers and mom and dad. We were familiar with nearly every story line, except the aliens who freeze people, and praying mantis, and the abominable snowman. Those were storylines we had not seen on netflix.

Older son is getting very interested in the goosebumps books and he is starting to be done. My younger son wants to buy some of the Scholastic book fair. I said "don't you know the stories are scary?" "Yes but they always have a great ending" said my son. And that's a fear. The children explore the idea of being afraid and seriously in danger and having their wits about them and figuring out how to get out of the situation.

I don't know if this fear obsession comes back from nature were boys are determined to protect us and so we dream at night about running away from werewolves or fighting a small little rodent get me biting at our feet. It's our brain's way of processing through scenarios that could actually happen.

So when my kids are asking to be afraid, I encourage it. With in reason. My son wanted to watch scary movie, the hilarious comedy based on the screen series. So I insisted he watch the beginning of scream just the parts where the girl was home alone is getting phone calls. On the moment when the killer came in and the actual murder scene of course I covered his eyes and switched the TV channel. That's allowing fear within reason (it works for us) and pushing the boundaries of safe fear. We watched scary movie. He understood what the storyline was about. And he still slept in our bed that night. He was not happy with the scream mask that uses blood all over itself that his cousin offered him to wear for the next Halloween.

Make mistakes, breathe, reflect. And definitely laugh. out. loud.

Kids Shoes for the Very Young Under 2 year old crowd

When my munchkins were little I really took time to think about their little feet and best bets for when they learn to walk.

The Mix of advice from the grandmas and the experts helped me make my mommy plan.

Barefoot is best. 

In safe places where we know there is no glass or HOT ground (in summer), well you can find us barefoot. The days gone by that meant - for my grandmas generation - you were too poor to own shoes. To her horror I let my kids run around barefoot, and they run fast!!

Mommy too walks barefoot whenever I can. In the yard we are constantly barefoot.

In the house we can be barefoot or with house slippers. 

We dont tend to wear socks or shoes at home to prevent bacteria from transferring indoors. We also dont wear socks on bare floors due to slip and fall danger.

Always be sensible about kids feet. 

Shoes matter for long lifetime impact and a pain free life. Stride rites are a great brand, as are Hannah Anderson. However sometimes the trendy design like a boot or clog is just too difficult to flex their foot in and makes tripping easy.

Stylish is fun, but comfortable is first.

We do not, ever, wear flip flops. Not for mom or the kids. Slides have a tendency to make kids trip when the tips get folded under. Flip flops flip right off when running and making scrapes so much more common. Gym shoes for running activities are always a great choice, for the 3 tear old and up crowd. But what a out the 2 year old and under kids. For these soft soles with snug fits are great for foot formation AND comfort.

As for Shoe Brands for kids:

'Skidders' are great for under 2YO -- rubber bottom and sock top. 

Great for in and outdoors w safety non skid. These flexible shoes allow babies feet to grip and get a good feel for standing and those first steps.

Also great for little feet are Soft sole leather bottoms with soft tops: 'Robeez' -- We loved them. 

These are fab for dry weather in and outdoors, altho use caution on playgrounds. The leather or soft bottoms can be slippery on some jungle gyms at the park. But for a walk around the block on cement is perfect.

Then the 3+ crowd believe it or not I love 'crocs.' 

As long as they are sized perfectly. Kids can put them on and off, and manage them alone. We are croc converts! Great for their foot shape growth, as long as they are snug. When we have hikes or we trek in wet and dry conditions like running thru sprinklers, snug crocs are a safe bet, and more durable them the more common "wet socks" or snug wet shoes that I have found fall apart after use in a season around chlorine water mix.

Where to buy?

Frequently you can find these in big box over run stores like Big Lots or TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Target recently carries Skidders.

For off mark brands, check the sole attachment and make sure the glue is durable. No separation should occur with slight pressure from your fingers. And when you do find the shoes on sale, but 1 size up for next year. You'll be thankful your not scrambling for another shoes when that growth spurt happens.


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

Summer Bucket List - Second week of Summer

Second week of Summer 2015

We have had a wonderful start to the summer. Logging long days, early mornings, and we are only in our first week with all 3 kids. My younger sons school dismissal was a week earlier then older sons.

The Summer Routine

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 dont eat cereal every morning, the kids eat something fresh everyday! Toast and fruit, leftovers, potatoe pancakes, etc. Today I am making pancakes from scratch, but we are not rushed, so I can use a skillet, and put a pat of butter before I lattle each batch. If course its more time consuming, but ridiculously yummy too!! We are on summer break, why rush? The schedule today calls for some vintage shopping and the beach.

The kids get plates and forks for breakfast, my older son came in the kitchen mid pancake making and started playing the iPad songs. As I finish they are discussing their dreams, Men in Black and Donna Summers "I survive" which is playing, and baby girl was practicing her ballet spins. 

As we eat We will talk about the plan for the day and "make a plan." 

Chicago City Limits: New Ordinance

New CHICAGO City Ordinance

NOTICE

It is Considered

BAD MANNERS

and harmful to your taste buds

to put ketchup on your hot dog

within the City Limits of Chicago.

NEW CHICAGO CITY ORDINANCE

It's Chicago!

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

a quickr pickr post

Getting to know your kids, interview questions

Getting to know our kids can be a little easier than usual. Sometimes we adults struggle with what to talk about with kids. They really are similar to us adults. They have interests, desires, want attention and respect.

I came across some first / new date questions to ask when you are getting to know someone. I narrowed them down to a version for "getting to know my kids."

Pick one question, or two, go ahead and interview you kid/s, and know that their answers will be fun and hopefully you'll learn something new.

I keep this list as a note in my iPhone. When we are at a restaurant or bored in the car and we need a distraction... I will reference the list. Really, this has been such a fun occasional activity. Go ahead - try it!!

These questions have also encouraged conversations to guide the kids naturally on situations that happened at school. Like fighting, arguing, or hurt feelings. And how to cope and talk it through. 

1. What do you like to dream about?
2. What is your best memory this school year?
3. Who is your hero? Why?
4. How would you describe your family?
5. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
6. What are you most proud of yourself for?
7. Who is the kindest person you know? Why?
8. What do you like most about your best friend?
9. What is one thing you would like to learn to do well?
10. If you were an animal what one would you be and why?
11. When is the last time someone hurt your feelings? How did you react?
12. Do you know someone who is going though a hard time? How can you help them?
13. What is the scariest thing that happened this year?
14. If you could keep only one thing, out of everything you have, what would it be?
15. Who do you think is really successful? Why?
16. What’s the best thing about your teacher this year?
17. When do you feel misunderstood by grown-ups?
18. What three words best describe you?
19. What’s something that makes you angry?
20. What’s the best compliment you ever received?

Young Son and Baby Girl on our daily walk. They took off talking on one question without mom.

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

Baby Girls Birth and Older Sons Questions over the Phone

Older son was at my Babcia's house when I called him to announce the birth of our baby girl. We knew when she was coming. That morning mom and dad went to the hospital early and his Tia took him to school. After class aunt picked him up and walked him over to grandmas. 

He usually doesn't like talking on the phone. He is 7 years old. The enthusiasm I experienced from talking to him was so wonderful.

Here were his questions that mom had the pleasure of answering:
From the boy who doesn't like talking over the phone:...

How is the baby?

Can u take a picture of her and bring it home for me to see?

Can we print a picture for my 1st grade teacher cause she wants to see her for sure (with emphasis)!

What did she eat? "Mom's milk" I said, and he asked: "well when can she eat a banana?"

When can I meet her?

Mom - you know that song, (mumble/hum and sings) "My baby is one day old,' [Five Days Old from Laurie Berkner cd] 'mom you can sing it to her... No sing her mama's don't let ur babies grow upto be cowboys..."

Mom: "I think you should sing her all of those" - son said OK

Ok bye mom - the whole phone call was crazy happy!!

Welcome to our lives Baby Girl! 

Make mistake, 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