Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Now with 50% fewer boys!

For three days this week, I'm down to two boys. My husband and the two big boys are at Cub Scout day camp doing manly things like shooting BB guns and arrows (hopefully not at each other), hiking, creeking and making volcanoes out of water bottles. [Yes, I'm fully aware that Mike deserves a medal for volunteering.] After the morning insanity of packing lunches and getting the three of them OUT, the house is pleasantly still and quiet. With the little boys still in bed, I can grab a quick cup of coffee before starting my second shift.

I truly enjoy getting out and going places with all four of my kids, whether it's a playground, bike ride or museum. Sometimes, though, I feel more like a boy-herder than a mom. Having only two around lets me put down my shepherd's crook and play. While the little boys nap in the afternoons, I get to hang out with my big boys but I'm rarely alone with the little ones (that is, until school starts!) The energy in the house is very different with only two...I suppose that's because there's alot less energy. I don't have to mediate arguments over who looked/poked/bumped/touched who or what tv show to watch or who took (insert name of item here) from (insert name of brother here). Winter3 and Fall22months are brothers after all and I know that they too will have these arguments. But they're not yet. And I'm fine with that!

Being alone with two has a downside. Over the course of the summer, I've grown accustomed to having big brother helpers around. Right now, there's no one to sound the "Mmooooooommmmm" alarm when a little brother gets into something. And oh, my sweet little boys will play very nicely when I'm around and playing with them. The moment I leave the room to say put laundry in the washer, they spring into action. My feet are barely out of the room when I hear a chair or stool being dragged across the kitchen floor. If I stop and call out a name "Winter3!!!!!", the dragging stops, if only for a moment. They move faster than the speed of light and as I walk back into the kitchen, I might find two little boys being "helpful" by cleaning the sliding door with the dish sponge or eating a pint of blueberries.

These two darlings work together to get into trouble. Winter3 ran up to me today to say, "Fall22months is playing in the toyyy-let." I cleaned up the mess and asked, "Winter3, your brother can't open doors. Did you let him in the bathroom to play?" "Yes Mommy!" is the answer I already knew. They haven't yet figured out that if one creates a diversion, the other can get away with anything. Key word, yet. Hopefully they won't until next June when I can count on having my two big brother shepherd boys around to help for a couple of months, at least.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Let Me Fix You a Little Something...Avocado Feta Salsa

At first glance, you might say "avocado and feta, really?" but if you taste this salsa, it will become a favorite. This recipe was given to me in the b.c. (before children) time of my life and I've made it frequently since then. And yes, I'll admit that I had to look up the spelling of avocado. The more I repeat the word, the sillier it sounds.

Avocado-Feta Salsa

1 avocado, nice and ripe, chopped. You'll be sorely disappointed if you use one that's rock hard.
2 plum tomatoes, chopped (chop up whatever tomato you have, this isn't rocket science)
1/4 c. red onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped (see a chopping theme?)
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano (I rarely use fresh oregano. Start with about 1/2 tsp. dried and add more as you like.)
1 TBSP olive oil
1/2 TBSP red wine vinegar
1/2 of a 6 oz. package of crumbled feta cheese

Combine the chopped avocado and tomato in a large bowl Add the remaining ingredients except for the feta. Combine well then fold in the cheese. I typically add some salt and a little more vinegar. Serve with tortilla chips.