The 3 Year Old Chef

Tonight was Reuben's turn to make dinner.  Here's the play-by-play for  

Reuben's Pizza Rolls...

He makes his pizza dough from scratch.

Then adds his secret sauce.

Pizza sauce, pepperoni, and spinach, of course.

A pile of cheese yet to be scattered around.  And a cute chubby finger.

Since they're pizza ROLLS, you have to roll them up, which I've heard is the funnest part.

So proud.

Into the oven, 400 for 25-30 horribly long minutes.

He looks so fierce.

Everyone loved them.  Thanks, Reuben.

Noah

We braved the wind and freezing rain to go to the local school's Holiday Program last night. After the show, Santa came on stage and the kids could go up to greet him. You'll know our family's take on Santa when you hear that Reuben said, "I want to go up and see Noah!" Thank you to Rita, Reuben's Sunday School teacher.  You've done a good work.

Actually, it really surprised me that he didn't recognize the Jolly Guy.

Then we came home and devoured this Rustic Apple Pie I made.  That's cream cheese under there and I just use a bottom crust and fold over the extra crust on top.  Yum.

Sweet Meat

This morning started as many do: All four of us snuggling in our bed, putting off getting up as long as we can.  Reuben and I usually rub noses and Peter climbs on us trying to wedge himself into the perfect nook.

At one point Paul declared that he found 'Mom's Sweet Meat' – my puffs of extra fat around my middle. Thank you, Paul. So we get out of bed and Reuben says to me, “Mom, I want to see your meatballs.” Nice.

Snow Day

We woke up to our first substantial snow this morning. Pete and Dad are already out on the job and little brother Reuben really wanted to help. So he's out now in the 29 degrees clearing our lawn, so it seems. The pictures aren't dark, it's just dark outside at 7:30am. Rube double checked with me before he went out that hot chocolate will be waiting for him when he's done. Better go make that.

Small to Not-So-Small

Our small family is on the brink of two new journeys so I thought this would be a good place to keep The World updated.

First, we are going to welcome another child into our family, thus making it not so small. On December 4th, we formally began the adoption process, again. We are open to either gender, age 0-3.  I'm predicting that he/she will join our family late summer 2011. (That's so it will feel great when it all comes together earlier.) Peter's concern about this new addition: "Chocolate bananas. There's only 4 in a box and there will be 5 of us!" We gave him some time and he figured out we could buy two boxes of Trader Joe's chocolate-covered bananas. Phew.

Then, once The New One and all of us are settled nicely together, we are aiming to MOVE to a far off place.  Perhaps you've heard us mention it. Maybe even seen our pictures from our trip there. So if you know anything about blueberries, or know someone who knows something about them, could you let us know? Random it may seem, but Dear Paul has a plan. At least the excitement that could lead to a plan. Then we'd really be set.