Catch Up

Tomorrow, Ava will make her stage debut in her school's performance of The Nutcracker. I have no idea what they have the two-year-olds doing, I just hope Ava does it.

The Christmas funk has descended on me. I got through the tree decorating with out scotch, so I thought I was doing pretty well. I don't know what it is- maybe the busy stores, mindless consumerism, rude shoppers, or the people in parking lots that clearly should not be driving.  I do enjoy Ava's uninhibited excitement about Christmas.

I had a random crying incident for the first time in quite awhile.Yesterday, I checked Ava's mailbox at school after I dropped her off in her classroom. Apparently, they took make-up school pictures for the kids that missed them. She started school after picture day. I looked at them and that feeling that I had to get out of there came over me. I held the sobs in until I got to the car. The pictures looked so much like Kevin. Messy hair and goofy smile… I was caught off guard. They need to warn me if they do shit like that. Of course, the school would have no idea that school pictures would send me over the edge. I think what brought the tears was the fact that Kevin did not live long enough to get school pictures. I will never have any awkward photos of him with his hair sticking up. Something so simple, yet it hit me like a ton of bricks.

My brother, his wife, and adorable baby are in town this weekend. I am looking forward to spending time with them.

I will sign off with the announcement that Matt ate roasted squash. Much to his surprise he did not die. He actually kind of liked it.

A Healthy Attempt

Despite my attempts to totally avoid dairy in Ava's diet, she has had macaroni and cheese. In weak moments, or when she is with others, she has tasted and loves the culinary delight of boxed mac and cheese.  Yesterday, mac and cheese was on the menu at her preschool. I normally pack her lunch, but I knew if she saw the other kids eating she would be upset. In the car on the way home from school she asked if we could make more mac and cheese. I was trying to think of a good alternative and decided that we would make vegan mac and cheeze. I have made this recipe before, but it has been awhile. It is full of good fat and protein from nuts, seeds, and tofu.

Ava and I made it together, she carefully dumped the ingredients in the blender as we announced what they were. I thought that there was a better chance of her eating it if she helped make it.

 

Once it was done, I put some in her Elmo bowl. She took a bite and promptly pushed it back at me. " I don't like this" , was the response I got. Sigh…

All was not lost though. The kid will eat anything with ketchup on it. Being the mother of the year that I am, I put ketchup on the mac and cheeze and she ate it. I am not sure which is worse, Vegan mac and cheeze doused in organic ketchup, or the box stuff with who knows what in it. 

So for now, the boxed mac and cheese wins. I think I will pretend that I don't know that the Annie's organic kind is a polished turd and let Ava eat it on occasion.