Super Yummy Banana Bread

1 stick butter, softened (1/2 cup)
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the butter mixture until smooth.

Finally, fold in the sour cream, walnuts and bananas. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

A few tips for baking with your toddler – before Cameron and I got to baking, I set out all the ingredients on the counter and all the measuring cups and spoons we would need. This way everything moved along smoothly once we got started.

I also did all the measuring while Cameron watched, and Cam got to do all the dumping into the mixing bowl, as well as turn on and off the mixer. Operating machinery is fun, after all!

I let Cameron crack the eggs in a small bowl. His method of egg cracking is basically smashing the egg repeatedly in the bottom of the bowl until the egg guts spill out. Having it in the bowl gave me the ability to pick out the egg shell bits that ended up in there. Then he dumped the eggs into the mixer.

Cameron had a great time mashing up the bananas – I put them in a big tupperware and gave Cam a potato masher and let him go to town.  Squishing things is almost as fun as operating machinery.

Every now and then during the baking we turned on the oven light so Cameron could watch the bread get bigger and change. This added to the excitement and the anticipation. He was so excited to eat it when it was done. And, it was SO tasty! This is a really yummy recipe!  Enjoy!Related Posts:

• What’s Cameron Eating? – Banana Applesauce Bread!
• A Tasty Home Made Fruit Treat for Your Toddler
• The Best Apple Pie EVER!
• What’s Cameron Eating? – French Toast!
• What’s Cameron Eating? Cream of Wheat!

So, I was excited to hear about a book called We Grew It, Let’s Eat It.  It was written by two young twins in Washington, DC who learned about the White House Garden and wanted to start one of their own – but they lived in an apartment with no outdoor space.  They started their project at a Community Garden – planting, tending, harvesting, and preparing their homegrown food, and writing about it.

Help your kids get excited about gardening and homegrown food!

Simply put, We Grew It, Let’s Eat It illustrates how exciting and rewarding creating and enjoying homegrown food can be to little ones.  And, this weekend (April 14th at 3:00 pm) at the Tenley Friendship Library (Wisconsin Ave at Albemarle St) the twin authors Annie and Veda will be reading excerpts from their book and talking to fellow gardeners (young and old) about their experience.  Bring your little ones and learn and help them get excited about gardening!

To learn more about Tenley Circle Press, the publishers of We Grew It, Let’s Eat It!, check out their website.Related Posts:

• A New Layout for the Tenley Friendship Library Children’s Section
• Mommy FTW Has a New Home!
• Checking Out the New Tenley Friendship Library
• Gardening With Your Little Ones – Planting Tomato Plants
• Mom’s Night Out – This Wednesday!

Moo! Come for the book, stay for the stories!

Families with young children are invited to visit the Kids’ Farm for a special story featuring our farm friends. Sponsored by State Farm®.

State Farm in partnership with Reading is Fundamental will provide a free book to children attending Story Time at the Farm while supplies last.

Yes – a free book!  Sounds good to me – see you there!!Related Posts:

• More Fun for Your Toddler at the National Zoo on a Cold or Rainy Day
• A Week Of Storytime Options – for Free (In NW DC)
• Story Time at Greenlight Bookstore – Saturday 10/24 – Via Fort Greene Babies
• Story Time at the DC Public Libraries
• Children’s Programs at the Chevy Chase Library

Yummy yummy in my tummy!

So get yourself some chicken soup, and fish out all the chunks – the veggies are usually really nice and soft and easy for baby to handle (Violet still only has 2 teeth!) and the chicken bits and noodles are easily made into little pieces.  Violet even let me feed her little spoonfuls of broth.  Just make sure it’s not too hot!Related Posts:

• What’s Cameron Eating? – Chicken Noodle Soup (Without the Soup)
• Butternut Squash Soup – Easy, and Cameron Approved!
• How to Detect and Deal With an Ear Infection
• What’s Cameron Eating? – Roast Chicken Breast!
• What’s Cameron Eating? – Butternut Squash Soup!

"I'm totally not napping mom, so make with the entertainment already!"

Monday -

10:30 am Politics and Prose Story Time with BearSong the Guitar man If you need a snack or some lunch, Politics and Prose has a coffee shop, and there is also one of my favorites, Marvelous Market, just down the block.

10:30 am Palisades Library Crafty Tales for Toddlers age 2  Palisades Library is my favorite library for kiddos near me – they have a train table and lots of spots for the kids to draw and do puzzles.  And, FYI, there is a Safeway just around the corner from the Palisades Library which makes really yummy deli sandwiches if you are looking to pick up some lunch while you are around!

11:15 am Palisades Library Baby Lap Time ages birth – 12 months

Tuesday -

10 am Chevy Chase Library Toddler Story Time Stories, songs and so much more ages 1-5

10:30 am National Zoo Bird House Story Time in the Bird Resource Room for special stories featuring our feathered friends. Come for the story time, but stay for the zoo!  There’s so much to see, be sure to make a morning of it!  And, if you are looking for some yummy lunch, check out my favorite Italian Delicatessen Vace just down Connecticut Ave for some to-die-for (and cheap) pizza and sandwiches.

Wednesday -

10 am Cleveland Park Library Terrific Twos Storytime ages 2-3 FYI – Vace is right across the street from the Cleveland Park Library – now you just have to try it!

10:30 am Palisades Library Preschool Story Time ages 2-5

11:15 am Palisades Library Music and Movement Music, dancing and instrument playing ages birth – 5

Thursday -

11 am Chevy Chase Library Toddler Story Time Stories, songs and so much more ages 1-5

10 am Tenley-Friendship Library Bilingual (English/Spanish) Story Time Stories, songs, rhymes and lots of fun with Miss Veronica 2nd and 4th Thursdays only

Friday -

10 am Tenley-Friendship Library Tales for Twos and Three Listen to stories and enjoy music, movement and other fun activities ages 2-3 Whole foods, and a just added Panera Bread are right across the street from the Tenley-Friendship Library.  These are both great spots to grab some snacks or lunch.

11 am Tenley Friendship Library Baby Toddler Lap Time ages birth – 24 months

I realize that a lot of you don’t live near me -  sorry that was so hyper local.  But, I do suggest that you check out your local library and see what they have going.  I am so impressed with the DC Public libraries – they offer so many incredible programs!  And when we were living in Brooklyn, Cameron was a big fan of the story time at Clinton Hill Library.  It’s great that there are so many free options out there to get our little ones interested in books – so be sure to take advantage of them!!

UPDATE! As of this week, story time on Tuesday at the Bird House is on break for the summer, but a new story time is starting up at the Kids Farm.  Check out this post for more information.Related Posts:

• Children’s Programs at the Chevy Chase Library
• Story Time at the DC Public Libraries
• Update on Story Time at the National Zoo
• Mommy FTW Has a New Home!
• Looking For Sprinkler Parks in DC? Here’s a List!

Cute clips to match any outfit! Even Violet's Cameron-hand-me-down jammies.

Violet’s hair clips came from Etsy seller Stellina B – I like her clips because they are pretty basic, but come in a varity of colors so you can match any outfit.  Also, there is no exposed metal part on the back (and as a hair clip novice, I admit I have a fear of impaling Violet as I try to wrangle her hair).  Check out her Etsy shop to see more of what she has to offer.  And, I found out by being a fan of her facebook page that until Monday (2/13) you can get 30% off with the code 1000SALES !Related Posts:

• Creative, Cute, and Fabulous Halloween Costumes for Kids on Etsy!
• Looking for Something Special for Holiday? Think Tea Collection!
• Cute Winter Baby Hats From Etsy – 2010 Edition!
• Cute Winter Hats for Your Kiddo from Etsy – 2011 Edition!
• Wedding Attire For Your Little Man

6 large eggs, beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
A dash of nutmeg (optional)
A dash of hot sauce (optional)
1 cup shredded cheese (swiss, cheddar, whatever you have on hand)
Options for fillings – choose as many as you want, or get creative!:
1/2 cup cut up ham
1/2 cup broccoli florets (steam first to soften)
1/2 cup cut up asparagus (steam first to soften)
1/2 cup defrosted frozen chopped spinach (squeeze as much water out of it as you can first)
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 (9-inch) frozen pie crust

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine the eggs, cream, milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and hot sauce in a food processor or blender. (FYI if you only have milk on hand, just use that). Layer the fillings and cheese in the bottom of the pie crust, then pour the egg mixture on top. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes until the egg mixture is set. You can really put anything you like in a quiche – get creative! You really can’t go wrong with all that cheesy goodness. The one I made had cheddar and emmentaler cheese, ham, green onions, and broccoli.Related Posts:

• What’s Cameron Eating? – Butternut Squash Soup!
• Butternut Squash Soup – Easy, and Cameron Approved!
• What’s Mommy Eating? – Fast and Tasty Pasta!
• The Best Apple Pie EVER!
• Spaghetti With Hidden Vegetable Tomato Sauce

When my son started to drop his nap time (first he would skip one day a week.. then it was three…) it really started to stress me out.  We would have fights about it every day.  I would give him toys I got at yard sales when he napped, and take toys or privileges away when he didn’t.  We were all pretty miserable!  I decided to bring up the topic at my son’s 3 year check up with his pediatrician.

During our discussion of Cameron’s sleep I mentioned that sometimes Cam wakes up with what I called ‘night terrors’ – he is sort of awake, but a bit delirious, and usually inconsolable and screaming.  The pediatrician asked me when Cam went to bed, to which I answered, on days he naps around 10pm, and on days he doesn’t around 7:30.  She noted that those 10 days must be “long days” – you got that right!  And then she made what was to me, an earth shattering suggestion: drop nap time.  She said that night terrors are often linked to over tired children, and with Cam going to bed so late, he wasn’t getting the solid chunk of night sleep he needed.  She said, still give him “rest time” (quiet time in his room for an hour or so) – if he falls asleep, fine, but take the pressure off and don’t stress over it.

Here’s how I made it happen – For Cameron, rest time is from 2 – 3:15.  2 is also when his sister goes down for his nap – so for my sanity I like to have them be in their rooms at the same time.  The reason I picked 3:15 as the end time is because it is very easy for Cameron to see on his clock – both hands point to the same spot.  We have a great clock from IKEA that is perfect for this.  Cameron’s door knob used to have a ’safety cover’ which we got from Amazon that keeps him from being able to let himself out – we don’t need this any more as he is with the program and knows that he has to stay in his room for the designated time period – but you might want to try something like that initially.  Finally, we have a video monitor in Cam’s room (honestly we bought it for Violet but we get a lot more use out of it with Cameron!)  I use it to make sure he isn’t getting into too much trouble up there.  It has a PA system so I can talk to him if I need to.

Cameron is allowed to play with toys (nothing electronic) and read books.  For now, the system is working great – Cam generally doesn’t give too much of a fight about staying up there the whole time.  In the evening, my husband has an alarm on his iPhone that signals that it’s time to get in the bath and then go to bed.  Cameron is usually quite happy to start his relaxing routine!  I think if you are getting to the point of stressing over and fighting with your child about nap time, it might be time to try switching to a ‘rest time’ or quiet time in the room.  It revolutionized the evening routine at my house and I couldn’t be happier!Related Posts:

• How to Detect and Deal With an Ear Infection
• Sleeping through the night with Huggies Overnites
• Labor and Delivery at Sibley Hospital Part 2 – Tips and Tricks
• Cameron’s First Really Bad Cold – how we both survived
• Going back to DC for a visit

My poor sick baby snuggles up to dad.

A cold virus usually runs its course over 7-10 days.  Try to note when your little one gets ill (I happened to call Violet’s pediatrician when she first got ill so I could see in my phone history when I made the call).  If your child has been sick longer than that, and maybe even seemed to be getting better but then takes a turn for the worse, you might be looking at an ear infection.

If your child has a fever, and they have had that long lingering cold then it’s not looking so good!  I know with Cameron I was nervous about taking his temperature rectally… it just seemed like it would be uncomfortable for him.  But I’ve gotten over my squeamishness with Violet and honestly, it doesn’t seem to bother her at all.  This will give you the most accurate temperature reading.

At this point I’d call your pediatrician and tell them what signs you’ve seen – they will ask you about the fever, so be sure you get that reading!  It’s pretty likely they will have you come in for a sick visit.

Your little one might be in a lot of pain from the possible infection, and is certainly uncomfortable from the fever.  I tend to give my little ones Advil (ibuprofen) rather than Tylenol (acetaminophen) because it lasts longer (6-8 hours vs 4 hours).  This is especially key in the night because it will hopefully help everyone get more rest.

Feeling much better and eating again!

Violet had a pretty rough time with this infection – her fever was up to 104 for a few evenings.  It took about 4 days on the antibiotics to get her back to herself – eating, drinking, and smiling again.  There was a time that we had to force feed her pedialyte because she wasn’t having any wet diapers.  The pediatrician suggested buying pedialyte frozen pops (in the baby isle) and cutting them into small chunks so Violet could feed herself the pieces, or just try sucking on the pop.  This didn’t really work for her – but maybe it will for you.  In theory it would be a lot more pleasant than squirting pedialyte into her mouth every 10 minutes!

Finally she recovered – we’ve got 2 days left on her 10 day antibiotic course (always be sure to complete the antibiotic course even if your child seems all better) and then we will head back to the pediatrician for an all-clear on her ears.

If your little one comes down with an ear infection – just get them to the doctor quickly, and give them as much TLC as you can while they are recovering.  It seems like a long road, but they will get there!  Good luck!Related Posts:

• Why I thought Cameron had an ear infection
• Cameron’s First Really Bad Cold – how we both survived
• The fun keeps on comming! Cameron got Roseola
• It’s That Time of Year – Be on the Look Out for Roseola
• What’s Violet Eating? Chicken Noodle Soup (Without the Soup!)

Check out the MALA Easel from IKEA.  It’s only $14.99 – a great bargain!  On one side is a chalkboard, the other is a whiteboard.  There is a tray for supplies, and a spot for a roll of paper which fits nicely over the blackboard side.  Also check out the other MALA items (markers, chalk, rolls of paper) which are all VERY affordable.

Cameron has the Melissa and Doug spill proof paint cups.  Yesterday all four of these actually fell on the ground completely upside down and not a drop of paint spilled out.  I kid you not!  It was amazing.

Cameron also has Crayola Washable Paints which are indeed, very washable, and things you can add to the paint (“Mixing Medium“) which make the paints glittery, pearly, or give them texture.  I got that idea from his preschool and it makes the paint extra special.   Be sure to get lots of paint brushes, and a mister clean magic eraser which is great at removing marker or crayon that might happen to get somewhere it’s not supposed to.Related Posts:

• A Fun And Simple Fall Craft To Do With Your Toddler
• Navigating the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort with your Toddler – Part 1
• What To Do With All Those Broken Crayons!
• DC Area Parents, Check Out This Website!
• New Kids Consignment Shop in Prospect Lefferts Gardens That Does Pick Ups!