Little Chef

Meatloaf. It's a common weekly meal in the D'Amato home. We make a paleo version-no bread crumbs, but we use almond meal. It is delicious. Everyone gobbles it up...including Emma!

I had told Chiara when I was making it that the next time it was on the menu she could make it. She remembered. I had forgotten. Kids are great like that. Ask them to clean up and they forget, but something they want to do....different story.

Anyway, I had already used the food processor to dice up the onion and garlic when she asked to take over. Perfect. She followed the recipe, measured everything out, mixed, made, and even put it in the oven. There was so much learning going on! I gave her little pointers and tips through our conversation; just things that you pick up along the way. Apparently she thinks I should teach a cooking class! LOL! I can't remember what the tip I gave that solicited her to say that, but she warmed my heart!

She was so proud of herself and we all made sure to let her know how delicious it was. I know she was excited to add another dish to her growing list of things she makes in the kitchen!

Do you know your garage door is open???

After leaving the outdoor expo (you can read about that here) we headed over to surprise Nanny for her birthday. I had told my Dad we were going to come by, but not to tell Nanny. Her birthday was the following day so I knew she would not expect us.

When we arrived at the house their garage door was open. So, we thought we would just sneak in.....unfortunately the door into the house was locked. This put Leah into a panic-she thought we were going to close the garage door and loud sounds freak her out right now. We tried to assure her we were not going to.....while frantically knocking on the door now. No answer. More knocking. Nothing. David decided to call. How no one could here us knocking and Leah screaming is beyond me!

When my mom answered her phone David said, " Hi, do you know your garage door is open?" Pause. Confusion. "Yes, how do you know it's open???" Hilarious.

Leah was so relieved when she opened the door! Surprise! Not the way we planned, but still a great surprise. We brought ice cream cake (one of those "logs" with no actual cake!) and cards.

Nanny's favorite part....feeding Emma some ice cream. Emma loved it and it made Nanny's day! Perfect.

Arizona Game and Fish Expo

For the second year in a row David and I took the girls to this great outdoor expo. The girls love the hands on stuff they get to experience and we love teaching them about nature and developing a love for being active.

This year it was awesome to see Leah get into what we were doing. She wanted to touch every snake and lizard she could....even the PYTHON! No fear! Oh, to be young!!! Her big sisters were not as eager, but Mayah does still love seeing the snakes and lizards too.

If you ask Leah she was touching a Kimono Dragon, but it was just a really large lizard.

All of the girls said hi to the tortoise.

Smokey the Bear was taking pictures so we stood in line to say hi. Leah is missing from the picture...apparently she is ok going to pet the head of the HUGE python, but draws the line at a oddly shaped bear.

We went over to the mounted shooting show/competition again. All three girls LOVE horses. Leah was not a fan of the gun noise, but it was cute to here her call every horse "Maximus" (from Rapunzel).

Emma getting a good view of all the action.

Chiara and David did the little off road course that Jeep had. I have seen David do stuff way harder than this, but Chiara thought it was so cool.

Chiara was able to check out and sit on this historic covered wagon. She is reading a novel for school about a family who moved from New Hampshire to the Nebraska territory in a wagon just like this. I love that she is now able to better experience the journey they were on.

And of course, we wore Emma Lynne out! She would have much rather been in her bed, but finally fell asleep with me.

Going back to bed after getting up

I am a morning person. I love waking early and enjoying the quiet of God's creation before my girls wake up. I also love seeing my gorgeous husband before he leaves for work. And for some reason coffee tastes better in silence. Of course this part of me has been adjusted because we are in baby season. I am slowly getting back there when Emma sleeps all night (or at least until 4:30AM because I am ok getting up then).

On those days when I am up early my sweet Leah is usually not happy with me. Over the past few months she has come to LOVE crawling into our bed and laying (not sleeping) there with me. So, when she wakes and I am already downstairs she lets me know I am supposed to be in bed so she can come lay with me.

Most times she will let me know of her displeasure but move on...other mornings.....I am headed back upstairs (yes, fully dressed) and we crawl back into bed together. It may only be for 5 minutes, but it fills her cup in the morning and why not start her day off with joy.

So, if anyone ever wonders why I do not make my bed until later in the morning.....this is why.

"Missing Mona" Play

Our home school group put on another spring play. This one, written and directed by one of our members, was about the theft of the Mon Lisa in 1904 from the Louvre.

Chiara had a very minor role this year, which suited our very busy schedule just fine. She was thrilled with her part and did a fantastic job! She was an obnoxious tourist. She got laughs and loved it. I am so proud of her for getting up there again this year and delivering her lines like a pro! I love the theater and seeing her develop a love for it too brings me great joy.

What do you do when Mom says no Wii?

Leah is 3. That is a loaded sentence. Three has been associated with demanding, tyrant, terrible 2's on steroids, etc. Leah is 3. Most days I believe she is trying out to be the poster child for 3. Three. It's lovely, really.

In the mornings lately Leah has been asking, in a very demanding tone, to play Wii. Of course my response is always a firm no. After a morning show, breakfast, and devotion time with the girls they are to get dressed, do their morning chores and we start school. No tv. No Wii. Wii is really only every allowed after dinner for family time and on the weekends. She knows this, but of course she is more than willing to press the issue.

One afternoon I again told her no Wii when she asked. Then I told her she could do bowling without the Wii. Huh? Ahhhh, I've got her! She watched as I set up cups and got the ball.....let the fun begin!

Of course her sisters thought this was way cool too and had to join in!!!

Let's Get Wild!

ON Friday, March 23rd (yes, I am BEHIND on my blogging!) our home school group had a field trip to the Wildlife World Zoo. Since it is only 15 minutes from my parents house we invited Nanny to join us. Everything is more fun with Nanny!

The zoo, overall, is not that impressive. Lots and lots of birds. I do enjoy the aquarium side...mostly because I have a love of penguins! The girls are not zoo snobs like me (HA!) so they enjoyed it.

Nanny and the big girls taking in a brief "show" highlighting a few animals. Of course this was snack time for Leah....our sweet bottomless pit.

Leah was not afraid to touch anything and everything! The two older ones get squeemish, but not Leah....NO FEAR!

Mayah has a way with all animals. They are drawn to her! At the Phoenix Zoo it was a turkey and here it was this penguin. She went down it went down. She went back up it followed her. Awesome.

Yes, we wore Emma Lynne right out! She is not the kind of baby to fall asleep on me (like the other 3 did with ease), so when she does this I just melt. Had to capture this one on my camera.