Never, Ever, Ever Assume

Reflection of my day...

Never, ever, ever assume that just because you can hear laughter from both of your children that they are playing nice. Tonight I was cooking dinner, and just on the other side of the bar I could hear Mason laughing and Addison giggling. I totally assumed that they were having some great sibling bonding time. And come to think of it they were. I could hear Mason laughing, saying, "Addison a baby monster." Didn't think a thing of it. We often play chase and Addison comes to get us. All the while saying, "It's the baby monster!" Didn't even pick up on this clue, "Addison you a scary baby." Just thought he was venturing out with his vocabulary. What finally got me was noticing the green marker missing from his art box. Put it all together and figured it out.

Mason used his sister's face as his canvas!

I have to admit she did look a little scary. Thank the Lord for washable markers!

Parmesan Pork Chops with Herb Roasted Veggies

I know pork chops aren't for everyone, but I have learned to love them. After all my husband refers to the pork chop as the "Puerto Rican steak" He's quite the character I tell you!

Parmesan Pork Chops

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsps all-purpose flour
2 tsps italian seasoning
1/4 tsp pepper
4 boneless pork loin chops
2 Tbsps olive oil

• In a small bowl, melt butter. In a large Ziplock, combine Parmesan cheese, flour, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Dip pork chops in butter and then place in bag to shake one at a time.
• In a large skillet, cook pork in oil on medium heat for 7-8 minutes per side or until juices run clear.

Herb Roasted Veggies
1 medium zucchini sliced
1 yellow summer squash sliced
1 medium tomato seeded and chopped
1/2 cup onion
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil

• In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Drizzle with oil and toss to coat.
• Put veggies in a 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake uncovered @ 450 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned and tender.

Another quick and easy recipe, but oh so delicious! Happy Cooking!

"I HAVE TO GO PEE PEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Since Mason has been in his big boy bed (almost a year now) he has not once gotten up in the middle of the night and wandered to our room. Once we put him to bed, he stays in his room. You're probably thinking, "Wow! How did they train him to do that?" or maybe even, "Man, they have magical parent powers." All kidding aside, I don't know why he doesn't wander in the night like most kids. However, there is a BIG downside to this. Instead of leaving his bed, he'll yell what he needs. For example, last night it was 12:30am. I was on my second dream and snoozing so peacefully when I was abruptly awakened by loud yelling, "I HAVE TO GO PEE PEE." This is not unusual. At least once a week, basically when he refuses to go to the bathroom before bed, Mason will wake up having to go pee. So he just yells until someone comes to get him and takes him to the bathroom. He does this with stormy nights too. Most of the time he sleeps right through storms, but on occassion you wake up to "THUNDER...THUNDER!", and Steven or I will go in there and lay by him. He will NOT sleep in bed with us. We have tried this, and he just cries that he wants to go back to his room. So on one hand I'll count my blessings that our bed is 'our bed', but on the other hand it is completely startling to wake up to someone yelling in the middle of the night. Now for his sister on the other hand...

Crumb Coated Ranch Chicken

There are only so many ways you can re-invent the chicken meal. However, this is one I likey!

Crumb Coated Ranch Chicken

2/3 cup ranch salad dressing
2 cups coarsely crushed cornflakes
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breast

• Pour ranch into a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the cornflake crumbs, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Dip chicken in ranch, then coat with crumb mixture.
• Place in a greased shallow baking pan. Bake @ 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until juices run clear.

There you have it. Ingredients you probably have on hand combined with simple prep work. My kind of recipe! Happy Cooking!

Nap Time Hair

You know you've had a good nap if you wake up with hair like this...

Torres' Take on the Aquarium

We've been wanting to take Mase to the aquarium for a while. Originally we planned for him to go with us without little sister, but it never worked out that way. So little sister went and we are super glad she did. I think she had just a good of time as Mason. Not to mention, Mase was showing her all the 'fishees'. I still marvel at how kind hearted he is to her.

The Torres Clan taking on the Alligator...

Checking out the stingrays. Addie was very intent on trying to touch them...
My little princess having a grand ole time...

Daddy and Mase going after the shark...

This next one creeps me out.

Someone actually caught a fish this size in a lake here in OK...

Me and my baby boy.

I love this little dude...

Daddy telling Mase all about the fish...

Touching the starfish...

In other news, Addie is pulling up on everything. Her cousin Linc has been for quite some time now. It is still so weird to see them up on 2 legs. I'm praying for a little bit more time before they take off. However, both babies are getting brave. Their days are numbered and my days are getting ready to get WAY crazier!

One of my fav's...easy and delicious!

Greek Tacos

1 lb turkey meat
1 can (14-1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tsp Greek Seasoning (Cavendar's Greek Seasoning)
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 can (2-1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives
1 pkg taco shells/pita bread
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped red onion

Cook meat. Stir in tomatoes, Greek seasoning, garlic, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 8-10 minutes or until thickened. Add spinach and olives; cook and stir until spinach is wilted.

Serve with your choice of taco shells or pita bread. Top with feta cheese and onions.

Happy Cooking!

Mason Meets the Ice Cream Man

The ice cream man must have a pretty good market in our neighborhood because he's here at least 3 times a week. Up until now Mase thought it was the music man. Then he parked RIGHT in front of our house and all the neighborhood kids came sprinting down the street. We aren't heartless parents so we ran inside to get him a dollar. He was so cute standing there looking at all the pictures. In the end, Little Mase chose the classic 'Bomb Pop'. He LOVED it as you can see below...
His shirt just made it in the wash tonight. We'll see if those stains come out. I should totally buy stock in stain remover!

A Little Change is Always Nice

Right now my son is on the potty, my daughter is crying, and I am in the bedroom...ahhhhh...my own peace. Thank the Lord for husbands! He sure new I needed a break after the day we had. Trying two's (he's never terrible), teething baby, and sinus pressure that won't quit!

Now for a little announcement, our family blog is changing a little bit. You will still read probably more than you ever wanted about the kids, but I'm going to share a little bit of my domestic side too. A few posts back I challenged you to cook at home for a full week. Hard, I know! So I decided to start adding some of my favorite recipes on here.


Bacon Chicken Cresent Ring

2 tubes (8 oz each) refrigerated cresent rolls
1 can (10 oz) chunk white meat chicken drained and flaked
1-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cups mayo
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
6 strips of bacn, cooked and crumbled
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp Italian salad dressing

Grease a 14 inch pizza pan. Unroll the cresent roll dough; separate into 16 triangles. Overlap the wide end of the triangles in the shape of a ring.

In a small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients. Spoon mixture over the overlapped cresents. Fold points of triangles over the spooned mixture and tuck under the wide ends. You will still see the filling. Bake @ 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Pictures to show how to lay out the cresents and fold over...

(sorry, they aren't too clear, but you get the point)

This is a great recipe to put on the same menu with the Balsamic Bowtie Chicken Pasta Salad. Just cook an extra chicken breast (if you don't use the canned chicken), chop up extra onion and bacon, and store it for this recipe. This is simple to throw together and bakes fairly quick. I usually save this one for a night filled with craziness. Happy Cooking!

Some Good Clean Fun

This past weekend we had some friends over who recently had their second baby. Their first is Mason's age, so we were stoked that their second child was born within the same year of Addie. We want our kids to be close and enjoy their time together, and I have to say they did! They are both completely WILD together...dare devils, if you will. Their behavior is almost paralleled. A little freaky in fact. Here are the two monsters (oops, I mean cherubs) playing with the car.
So mentioning about that they are completely wild together you will totally love our lack of parenting here. For some strange reason, all the adults got into a deep conversation and didn't notice all the giggling behind us. Finally, I looked back to check on them and I found...

Toddlers + Potting Soil=Dirt in every crevice.

(Yes, G is putting it down her pants)

Mason, being so well trained in chivalry, is throwing dirt on G. We're so proud :)

Needless to say, to the backyard they went. Stripped them down and Steven and Jeff went to town on them with the water hose. Nothing like seeing two naked booties running around screaming. They had a blast and I don't think Mase has slept so soundly since...well, ever!

Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad

This recipe is my new favorite recipe. It makes for 6, so you can cut it down if you need to. However, I make it for 6 and it is gone so quickly! It's easy and delicious. Such a great summer recipe.

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked bowtie pasta
4 cups cubed chicken breast
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion
4 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh basil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Cook pasta according to directions on package. Drain and rinse in cold water; transfer to a large bowl. Add chicken, tomatoes, onions, bacon, and Gorgonzola cheese.
• In a small bowl, whisk the oil, basil, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

That's IT! I make it a little easier by throwing 3-4 frozen chicken breast in the crock pot with about a cup of chicken broth, salt and pepper for 4 hours. Then I always use 'ready' bacon. So much faster! I hope you enjoy. I'd love to know what your family thinks if you try this one!