Where My Money Goes - Toddler Activities!

Here is a list of the activities I have tried with my 2.5 year old:
Gymnastics
Library Story Time
Swim Lessons
Occupational Therapy
Feeding Therapy
Music Classes
Art Classes
Children's Museum Activities
Botanic Garden Classes
Play Places
Mom's Group Play Dates
Classes on a Working Farm
More stuff I don't even remember but have pictures on my phone to prove I did it.

Most of the classes in my area that meet weekly, average $80 per month. I struggle because as a parent of a child with special sensory or other needs, I find myself trying, hoping and sometimes investing in programs that may or may not be a good fit. What I've learned is that trying a new thing is okay and even investing in that new thing for 4 sessions of something your child shows an interest in, before moving on. It is also sometimes necessary to pay more for the smaller, my personalized class to get what you want. On the flip side, I found myself paying that hefty monthly charge for my then 9 month old to shake a rattle in music class, while a wonderful woman played guitar. In retrospect, free library story time would have been just fine at that stage.

Often times what it comes down to for us in the toddler stage is the teacher. That warm friendly face that takes the time to engage with my son, even if he has his hands over his ears blocking out the other kids, is what makes or breaks the class experience.

Are "swim schools" big where you live? They are here in the Midwest. We have found ourselves more than once, in a pool with 6 or 7 splashing toddlers, trying to get my son acclimated to the water. Recently, I watched my son try a new place called the Big Blue Swim School. We went in and there were kids, parents and Starbucks cups galore. We got our son changed and my husband helped my son step into the pool to meet his two new toddler friends and teacher. By the way, does anyone else immediately refer to all other children around your child's ages as friends. A la, "Share with your friends, Annie!" or "Don't bite your friends John!" I digress. So as soon as my son entered the pool he started talking to get the instructors attention. Guess what? She immediately gave him her attention. For two whole minutes she asked him questions and showed him floating toys. He did very well. He was excited about trying to float on his back, but alas he tried with her encouragement. I know that the little time investments and moments mean so much to kids coming from parents, but as parents we should hope teachers, instructors and helpers in their lives give them that as well.

The jury is still out on whether we will be making the $85 a month toddler swim lesson investment, but if we do, we will be signing up for that one teacher's class, because she is investing right back into my son's life.

Preschool at Home for a Year, an Accidental Choice

I am a mom who does ALL of the research. Like all of it. All of the Youtube videos, tutorials, asking the Facebook mom's group, I do it. I also have worked in small business marketing and taught in the Montessori and the public school system. So last summer, I did all the research on two year old preschool programs. I asked the neighbors about the park district versus the church school. I visited four schools with my son in tow. I talked to my husband about cost and felt anxious about prepping my child for the public school kindergarten program that discussing coding instead of the silly putty and tree climbing of my youth. 

Then it happened. On the day registration opened, I signed baby boy up for 2 year old preschool at a local church. I told the teacher about his inability to drink from an open cup, his love of long, long books and about the Occupational Therapy he was receiving to address tone and sensory issues. I felt pretty good. Summer flew by and on the day we were to meet the teachers and other students in his class, I walked my son to a park for the gathering. Once there, I noticed the kids were sitting at the picnic tables being told to color in the lines while teachers said hello to the parents. My son was the one climbing the picnic table. By the end of the "play and meet" session, we were no longer enrolled in 2 year old preschool. 

As a former teacher, I can appreciate how the traditional classroom provides socialization and structure that is beneficial. But I also know my child and I encourage parents, especially if the plan is that at 6 years, your child will enter the traditional school system in the U.S., to really get to know your child and his or her learning style. This setting wasn't right for the boy that has to bust a move every time he hears a great song. Along the way, through trial and error I have become a more flexible parent than I ever thought my anxious, city-girl self could be. Because of that I began "homeschooling" my 2 year old. Yes, I did ALL the research again. I even found an art and movement based program that meshed with my son's personality and didn't penalize him for having certain movement or sensory needs. So if you are someone who also does ALL the research, don't be afraid to change course or follow a path that isn't what your brain is set on. I am not terribly far along the journey, but I truly feel that engaging with your child and finding what really works best for him or her, will prove to be an investment that pays your family back one hundred times over. 

80% Paint and Mud, 20% Pencil and Paper

It was 30 degrees out this morning when I 20-point harnessed my son into his car seat, to head to swim lessons. We made it just in time....for him to see that the school has a brand spanking new train table set up in the lobby. Great. I carried the boy to the changing area that doubles as a try outs for the upcoming reality show, "Change your winter clothed toddler into a swim suit while surviving other toddlers trying to break down your door to eat your coffee-fueled brain."

We made it through the lesson and he even got a little ribbon for dunking is head and trying to float with help on his back. These are extra tricky skills when you have sensory issues and a fear of moving out of mid line. I was a proud mom and the owner of 20 blurry iPhone photos, so I carried my wet toddler to changing room battle round 2.

When we made it home, I thought now that he has gotten some energy out we could possibly get a bit of workbook "work" done. Dun Dun Duuuunnnnnn...Yes, I probably ask my son 3-4 times a week for 15 minute session if he would like to do some work sheets or Leap Pad style work. He gets really into it...for that 15-20 minutes. I am very cool with that. My husband and I are still working alongside him, reiterating directions, helping encourage good grip on his marker or crayon etc.

This is a supplement to our creative arts based curriculum that we follow. Our son, occasionally, as many sensory parents know, likes for expectations be black and white. It almost organizes his brain to follow the prescribed directions and be done at the end of the page or lesson.

Thus far, we have used School Zone Preschool workbooks and my son likes them. We received a Leap Start device (not a tablet) as a gift. To be honest, our son can take or leave these Leap workbooks. I wonder, because he doesn't have a great triangle grasp and his and hand leans, he may be frustrated with the accuracy needed with these interactive Leap books.

I have considered ABC Mouse and Hot Dots, for on the go interactive work, but have yet to try them out. Do you supplement with any programs or work books? I'd love some toddler parent feedback! Happy Weekend.

Lamb and Barley Soup

I'm back and debuting some new recipes that I enjoy making in large batches. I now come complete with toddler, so batch cooking is a life saver! Plus, in this recipe I get to use a giant spice infuser that I found at World Market! I will have more thoughts to come. In the meantime, please enjoy a family favorite: Lamb and Barley Soup!

  

 

Ingredients 

1.5 pound leg of lamb (a less expensive piece can be substituted, but it usually yields less actual meat)

6-7 cups of low sodium vegetable stock (enough to cover the meat)

2 carrots roughly chopped

1 medium russet potato diced into small cubes

12 ounces "strained" tomatoes

2 tsp. tomato paste

1 Tbsp. butter

4 whole cloves

2 tsp. coriander seeds

4 bay leaves

2 cinnamon sticks

2 tsp. cumin seeds

1/2 tsp. black peppercorns

1 small piece of ginger (about 2 inches in length, peeled)

1 cardamom pods

1/2 tsp. caraway seeds

1 Cup barley

Method

Chop the lamb into 2 inch chunks. You can brown the meat in the pot for added flavor, but it isn't essential. Place the meat in a pot and cover with the vegetable stock. Slowly bring the stock to a boil and occasionally skim the foam that is created from the fat that is rendered. Reduce the heat to a medium-low setting and allow the meat to cook for 30 minutes. Place all the spices and ginger into an infuser or cheese cloth and add it to the pot along with the barley. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for an hour. Remove the lid and the spice infuser, then add the chopped carrots, potatoes, tomato paste and strained tomatoes to the pot. Allow the soup to simmer for 20 minutes at a medium low heat. Add the butter and salt to taste. This recipe freezes quite well, so once you figure out the spice ratio you prefer, I recommend making a double batch!

Enjoy!

Delicious Date Night In: Garlic, Thyme & Dijon Marinated Pork Tenderloin

I cannot say enough about pork tenderloin. I love how it stays juicier than chicken breast, while still being low in fat. It has a beautiful flavor on its own, and also acts as a great canvas for many ethnic dishes. 

This recipe is perfect for a date night in and it is great for company.  It is easy enough to double or triple in size, depending on how many people you are serving.

I hope you will try and enjoy this recipe. Feel free to experiment with different herbs. While I prefer thyme, I think rosemary would work for a stronger flavor and possibly tarragon for a sweet, floral scent. 

Ingredients 

• 1/4 Cup Dijon mustard

• 1 Tbsp. Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small pinch of salt
• 1 Tbsp. Freshly chopped thyme leaves, plus 6-8 sprigs thyme with woody stems 
• 5 Large garlic cloves, 2 cloves minced, 3 cloves smashed 
• 1 Pork tenderloin about 1.25 pounds
• 1 Slice of bacon

Directions

In a bowl, combine Dijon mustard, ground black pepper, chopped thyme, salt and minced garlic. Rub the mustard mixture over the surface of the tenderloin and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 
 
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
 
Lay out the extra thyme sprigs and smashed garlic in the center of a roasting pan or baking dish. Remove the plastic wrap from the tenderloin and place on of the bed of thyme and garlic. Cut up the bacon into four pieces and place evenly distribute along the top of the tenderloin.

Place the pan in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads at least 155 degrees. While authorities might tell you pork must be cooked to 160, carry-over cooking will occur. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the tenderloin to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Slice the tenderloin on the bias and serve. If serving for company, feel free to garnish the dish with thyme sprigs. You can even smash the garlic into your mashed potatoes. Enjoy!

Low Fat, Full Flavor Pork Carnitas!

I absolutely love carnitas. One of my fondest memories from the two plus years I have spent in Mexico, is driving to a ranch in the middle of nowhere in a Suburban with six other screaming girls for my first experience with carnitas. I was about seven and I remember pulling up to what appeared to be a small house with holes scattered throughout the front (dirt) yard. In those holes were spits with whole pigs slowly turning, basting themselves in all of their family-farm raised glory. We scattered out of the car and into the “restaurant” where we each received a real coke (no corn syrup) and clay tortilla holder. Upon opening the lids, we discovered small hand formed corn tortillas that happened to be dyed green, for an extra touch of Mexican pride. The leading lady of the restaurant then came flying through the door, not once or twice but three times, with platters of glistening carnitas. Each of us dove in, elbows on the long wooden table and put together amazingly fresh tacos to eat until we burst. Okay, maybe we didn’t burst, but we did get really quiet for a while. Everybody won.
 

Fast forward 20 years and I have been experimenting with how to scale down on the size and fat in this dish. I actually starting with a whole pork butt (shoulder)  and found the fat actually watered down the flavor of the great spices. Enter the pork tenderloin. Did you know that a trimmed pork tenderloin actually has less fat than an equal portion of boneless, skinless chicken breast? Everybody relies on chicken for a go-to weeknight, healthy meal! Frankly, I think the pork tenderloin is more versatile. It grills quickly, it bakes beautifully and it holds up perfectly in the slow cooker. Seriously, stock up on these babies. You can freeze them easily if you can find a good deal. 

I have adapted this recipe for 3-4 people. It can be served in a burrito, as tacos or as I did tonight; you can make a delicious burrito bowl with brown rice and black beans!

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• ½ tsp. cayenne
• ½ tsp. dried oregano
• ½ tsp. onion powder
• ½ tsp/ garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 small sweet onion
• 1 1/2 pound boneless pork tenderloin
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil

Method

Stir together all ingredients except for the pork, onion and oil in a small bowl. Roughly chop the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker. Trim the tenderloin of any larger pieces of fat and silver skin. Pat the tenderloin dry with paper towels. Pat the spice mix onto the roast all over, reserving any leftover spice mix for later. 

Heat vegetable oil in a grill or cast-iron pan on high heat. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides. This usually takes 2 minutes per side. Place the roast in a slow cooker and add any extra spice rub. Cook on a low setting for 8 to 10 hours or until the pork pulls apart easily with two forks.

Remove the roast from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. I chop the pork into small chunks. You can leave it in chunks or shred it with forks. Return the chunks shreds to the slow cooker and mix the pork so that is well coated with the onions and remaining juices. 

Enjoy!

The Beauty that Stems from Contradictions

Five years ago if you had asked me if I would be living in a house in the suburbs with an 11X20 ft. garden, a picket fence, two dogs and canning everything from pasta sauce to pickles; I would have informed you kindly that you are out of your mind! Having grown up in a condo overlooking Lake Michigan, I always considered myself a person of contradictions; a brick and mortar city girl who appreciates natural beauty, if you will.

The contradictions started at a young age. My window overlooked the beach bike path, but I resisted learning to ride a bicycle. Even when my friends were driving up and down Lincoln Ave in their SUVs, listening to the Backstreet Boys, I never wanted a car. If the destination were two miles or less, I walked. If it were more, I took public transportation. 

These contradictions were apparently a heredity trait. Even though we loved a good Target or Costco deal, my family rarely loaded up the car with tons of groceries at one time, favoring more frequent trips to a farmer’s market or European style grocery store.

In my new, “adult” suburban life I often see food, laundry and flower delivery services buzzing around my neighborhood. I think back to all of the flower shops that were just blocks from my door as a child.  Regardless of the premade convenience, I am reminded of how crafty my family actually was (and this was pre-Pintrest.) Never did my mother buy arranged flowers for the Christmas table or any holiday for that matter. Every year, our home was adorned with beautiful homemade creations; from handmade bird’s nest centerpieces with pastel-painted eggs for Easter, to a gathering of gourds and fall colored candles, arranged in colorful clay pots that my mom brought home from Mexico. 

Feeling ashamed of my latest rash of purchases from 1800-Flowers and Edible Arrangements, I decided to embark on a mission to create a handmade floral arrangement for my Mother-in-Law’s birthday gift. I still wanted to stay within my budget, so I had to get creative. 

I began by heading to my local Goodwill. They have a whole rack of nothing but vases, baskets and ribbons. One dollar and fifty cents later, I had a nice, sturdy vase and some pebbles to help secure my arrangement. After polling some fellow couponing and savings junkies on one of my favorite sites – jillcataldo.com, I found out that both Trader Joe’s and Costco have great deals on really fresh flowers. After checking out both stores, I found two dozen beautiful peach, yellow and pink roses for $14 at Costco. All that was left was to put a personal touch on the arrangement. My mother-in-law happens to love citrus, especially lemons. She had mentioned wanting to plant a lemon tree in the yard of the town home were she and my father-in-law plan to retire in California. Fifty cents later, I had some fresh citrus. 

A view I never had in the city :)

It took be about 15 minutes and $17 to pull this arrangement together. I know that some naysayers may point out that I could have paid a bit more and had a prearranged bouquet delivered. Yes, and after a couple hours of research I found that had I been willing to spend $10 to $20 more I could have saved myself some time, but only gotten a dozen roses delivered, without a vase.  

My final ruling on this topic is that if I am going to be in the area of or even at one of these stores, I will definitely be making my own arrangements from now on.  Don’t worry, since my childhood in that condo, I have learned to ride a bike, I own my own car and while I would never call myself a crafter, I now know that I can be crafty in my own way.