Soccer End of Season

Well it seems like forever ago that the kids' soccer season ended, back at the beginning of November. Spring season will start in no time. Well, in March. Jackson's team had a tough fall season, playing against more competitive teams from other towns for the first time, instead of just inter-league play.

It started getting dark earlier and by the final game, it was dark by halftime. But the boys were still ready to party afterwards so we headed over to the gazebo for treats and awards.

Such a good group of boys. They have all become friends, which is more important than how many games they win.

Cupcakes and juice boxes, a well-earned reward for a dedicated season.

Early dinner eaten before the game, Appetite for Reduction baked falafels in pita with lettuce, tomato, and lemon tahini dressing.

Lemon Lavender

Today was a hot one. We wanted to be indoors, so we went to the children's museum. Jackson did a bit of building.

Olivia did a bit of painting.

Then we went out to the courtyard fountain and it went downhill from there. All the kids were climbing into the fountain and getting completely soaked. Of course this looked like great fun to Jackson and Olivia. On a hot day who can resist? Since I did not bring a change of clothes, we could not go back inside to continue playing. So, I let them splash around in the fountain for awhile, then we headed home. Note to self, always bring a change of clothes.

For dinner I made the 40 Clove Chickpeas and Broccoli from Appetite for Reduction, with red lentils and naan.

A special treat just because: lemon lavender bundt cake. It was inspired by a similar cake I had at the Steeping Room a long time ago. Nothing says summer like a bright burst of lemon goodness, and I am really into culinary lavender at the moment. It was a lovely cake and did not last long.

Two-Fer

Last Sunday was Father's Day and also our 13-year wedding anniversary. Lucky #13!

We enjoyed a patio beer at ABGB, then I made some chili. I will forever and always use the Appetite for Reduction chili recipe, it is the ultimate chili. I sub lentils for the beans.

I also baked some sweet potato tater tots and made some cheezy sauce (also from Appetite for Reduction) so that we could assemble...drumroll...chili cheese tots! OK, I thought this was an appropriately manly Father's Day meal, but I was also super excited about it myself. I had never had chili cheese tots before. They were pretty darn good.

After stuffing ourselves, we spent the evening at an inflatable play center, letting the kids run out their energy while we chilled at a table.

Drawing Lessons

I attempted to make overnight chia pudding with chia seeds, almond milk, and blackberries. It didn't really gel and I realized 'llI need to add cashew cream or something to thicken it into an actual pudding. So my breakfast was blackberry milk.

Morning snack, lemonade with chia seeds. This I love.

Lunch, avocado toast with basil and hemp seeds. So...I'm weird about foods not filling me up. Like I'm always complaining about quinoa...I eat it and I'm hungry again and hour later. Well friends, this was so good and so damn filling.

Dinner, baked falafel from Appetite for Reduction, tabouli, and lemon tahini dipping sauce. Satisfying in spite of the fact that the tabouli was made with quinoa.

Tonight I took Jackson and Olivia to a drawing class at the library. The teacher is fantastic with kids; she also runs the farmer's market at Jackson's school.

They drew several different dinosaurs and learned to use a grid to keep things proportional. An educational and fun evening.

Aztex and Teacher Appreciation

Awhile back (before the field you see below, completely flooded during the May storms, yikes!) Jackson and his soccer teammates attended an Austin Aztex pro soccer game and had the honor of walking the team out onto the field.

We watch soccer on television, but this was Jackson and Olivia's first time at a live game. They were pumped!

The kids also got to have a scrimmage on the big field during halftime.

The Aztex ended up winning, yay!

My handsome husband chillin in the beer tent.

Prickly pear beer! I support this.

Slushies for the kiddos.

It was also around this time that we had Teacher Appreciation Week at school. One morning a bunch of us moms made breakfast for the teachers. I made chocolate chip banana bread pudding...

coconut almond granola from 1000 Vegan Recipes...

and blueberry muffins!

The granola is now my go-to granola recipe; I have been making big batches of it for Tony to take to work in the mornings.

Also, I didn't have any overripe bananas lying around, so I tried baking some unripe ones, and it totally worked! They look ridiculous, but on the inside I assure you they are soft, sweet, and ready to throw into some delicious bread pudding.

Another day, we catered a lunch for the teachers. I made my favorite pasta salad, the Goddess Rotini Salad from Vegan on the Cheap...

and the Arabian Lentil and Rice Soup from Appetite for Reduction. I got so many comments on this soup! It is so good. I think the key is using lots and lots of lemon juice.

Dental Assistants

I rarely eat fruit for breakfast except in smoothie form, but I've been loving raspberries lately.

Jackson and Olivia had a dental cleaning this afternoon. I immediately loved the new hygienist when she asked if they wanted to put on some gloves and give her a hand.

They each took their turns with "Mr. Thirsty" the air-sucker. It was a fun and successful visit. Still zero cavities for either one.

For dinner I made my favorite lasagna, the one from Appetite for Reduction. 

So full of goodness - cauliflower, spinach, tofu ricotta, and lots of tomato basil sauce!

Park Play

I'm so happy spring is on its way! After school it was warm and sunny, a perfect afternoon to hang out at the neighborhood park for awhile.

Creek exploration!

We had a simple Mediterranean feast of baked falafel (from Appetite for Reduction, our favorite falafel recipe), bulgur tabouli, hummus, and tahini lemon sauce.

Pink Eyes, Big Heart

Olivia came down with pinkeye recently. She had it once before and it cleared up on its own, but that was not the case this time. Just when I thought I had better take her in to see the pediatrician, she started running a fever and wheezing. Off we went!

When the doctor said she wanted to do a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia, I panicked internally. That's not a word any mama wants to hear. Thankfully, Olivia did not have pneumonia! She got some antibiotics and she was also given a breathing treatment to help her lungs.

She was so happy she didn't have to get a shot.

I made some of her favorite foods to help her get better, including whole wheat toast with jam.

Our favorite hummus, Horseradish Dill Hummus from Appetite for Reduction.

Perfect Kale Chips from Oh She Glows. They really do turn out perfect every time and Olivia will eat a whole tray.

15-Minute Creamy Avocado Pasta from Oh She Glows. If this was the only pasta I made for Jackson and Olivia, they would be fine with that.

What are your favorite foods when you are sick?