How to get tapioca pudding out of the microwave.

I had to buy tapioca pudding this weekend for a plum crisp that I was making for a family get together. This morning I thought since I have left over tapioca I would make some. It has been years since I have had tapioca pudding and I have never made it before. Keep in mind this is instant tapioca so it can't be that hard. I read the directions and decide to try the microwave recipe. I put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir it up. The bowl I am using is a little small but it is the only glass bowl I have clean at the moment, it will be OK. I am supposed to cook it for 10-12 min stirring every 3 min. I put it in the microwave set the timer and go down stairs where Esther is, Henry is napping. After a couple of minute I return upstairs to stir and then return back down stairs. Do you see where this is going. After a couple more minute I return back upstairs and open the microwave to reveal tapioca everywhere. The bowl that I thought would be OK was of course way to small and all the tapioca boiled out all over. I have to use oven mitts to get the bowl out of the microwave and wait till the tapioca cooled before I can start the clean up. After about 15 min I return back to the microwave. I pull out the glass plate which drips all over the floor as I move it to the sink. Then I have a brilliant idea. I will just scoop all the tapioca out onto a plate. Of course as I am pushing it out of the microwave onto the plate it runs all down the microwave into cracks that I have no idea how I am going to get it out. Then the piece that the glass revolving platter sits on has tapioca underneath it so I just pull it out. Now there is tapioca inside the inside of the microwave. Finally after 20 minutes of cleaning I get most of the tapioca taken care of. The kitchen smells like tapioca and I don't have any to eat. I return downstairs to find Esther licking the mouse to the computer. This is just how my days go and today it just 10am.

11:30
I am fixing lunch for Esther and Henry who are not the most patient kids when it comes to food. Sometimes if a need a moment to get things ready I give them gold fish crackers. In the past I have given Henry half of one but Michael gave him a whole one the other day and he did just fine, do you see where this is going. I give him a whole one and he does just fine so lunch continues. After about 20 minutes Esther starts throwing her food on the floor so get her down which produces an outburst. I give Henry another gold fish to keep him busy while I deal with Esther. Now Henry is very sensitive to textures and has gaged/coughed before but nothing real serious. So of course this time he didn't chew enough and starts to choke. I encourage him to keep coughing but this time he starts to go dusky, thank goodness I know the Heimlich. With Esther continuing her fit and Henry going blue I give one quick thrust to his back and out comes the goldfish. After tears and noses are wiped everyone is back to their happy selves. I can't wait to see what the rest of the day has instore.

PS. I have lost my cell phone

A hint of spring

As many of you know we have a tangerine tree in our house and we are very fortunite to have it bloom twice in the last 6 month. Right now there are about 5 blossoms opened and our back room smells like a tropical island. In a couple of days more will open and the sweet smell can be smelt through the entire first floor. I love to just sit on the couch in the sun and take in the smell. It makes me long for spring even more. If you would like to come for a visit you might just catch the sweet frangrance.

New Pictures

We had family pictures taken after christmas. Here is a small sample.

New Rooms

We have always planned on switching Esther and Henry's rooms. The plan was to finish the basement, before Henry came, then move Esther into the old guest bedroom and Henry into her bedroom. Well the basement took a lot longer than planed so non of the above happened. It has been bothering me for quite some time so, a couple of weeks ago I decided to just get it done. I moved Henry into the new guest bedroom so that we could finish mudding walls and painting. Then Esther was moved into that room. Next Esther's old room was painted blue for Henry. Now all the cute decorations that I purchased months ago are up and everyone is in the correct room. It has been great and such a relief that it is finally done. Esther's room still needs the floor refinished along with our bedroom floor but it has to wait till it is warmer and we can have the windows open all day.

Why 2 kids are better than 1

It is so much fun to have two children. I know that once Henry becomes mobile the fun will only get better. Henry and Esther will have such a blast chasing each other around.

Eating buddies

I have been feeding Henry solid foods for a month or so now and he has really taken a liking to it, mostly because of Esther. Henry wants to do everything Esther is doing. If I am feeding Esther and Henry is watching he cries till he gets some food too. So we decided it was time to buy Henry his own feeding chair. We bought the same chair as Esther's just a different color. Henry gets so excited when I put him in his chair. Esther is not too happy about the whole thing. Solid food was her thing and she does not like having to wait while I give him a bite. Henry is a little more gracious and patient with food. Come on, we have all seen Esther eat.

The Aliens have landed!

My house has been overtaken by Aliens! They drool all over the house and emit smells that can not be explained. They have an intoxicating giggle that makes me do what ever they want and only feed them candy. I think they have taken over my brain. They keep me up all hours of the night and expect me to feed and entertain them. I guess I will just have to love them and hope that one day they will depart from my house.

What's in her mouth?

Here is a list of things Esther has eaten or put in her mouth.(most of these were just today)

Rocks, leaves, dirt, bark, dry wall, lint, toilet paper, dirty socks, shoes, old food off the floor, Henry's toes, my toes, Michael's toes, flowers, steer manure, dandelion seeds, and dog poo. We do keep an eye on her but she is fast. Esther will eat anything once and sometime twice.

Halloween 09

Here are a few photos from this years Halloween party. Michael had to work so my dad helped out as papa bear in Goldi Locks and the Three Bears. We held the party on Halloween. We ate soup and then the cousins went trick or treating.

Saint George

We went to visit Michael's parents two weeks ago. Saint George is always a fun trip for us. We don't do much while we are there and that is what makes it the best. We read, catch up on sleep, enjoy Grandma and Grandpa, and do a lot of cooking. We were also there to celebrate Michael's dads birthday. For his birthday we made a shadow box spotlighting him running in the Saint George Marathon this October.

How we clean the floors

It is not always easy to entertain a 13 month and a 3 month at the same time. Sometimes I place both kids on a blanket and pull them around. It makes great entertainment and I get my floors dusted at the same time.

Old man winter?

With fall approaching old man winter has started to make his appearance. Henry had just finished eating and fell asleep with the burp cloth still around his chin. It looks like he is a very old man with a white beard.