Brown Sugar Kale Chips (a post about cooking with children and a tasty recipe)

One of my favorite things to do with my big boy while Little Brother is asleep is to play in the kitchen.

Baker is wild and active.

He embraces all things three.

And he embraces all things boy.

 

We can be found on any given day making and baking and stirring things up in the kitchen!

 

Involving children in the kitchen is mutually beneficial. You get an extra set of hands, and your child learns the importance of proper nutrition, how to follow directions, measure, listen to instructions, tell time, and to increase their fine motor skills, among so many others.

 

Baker's favorite things to whip up are pancakes, brownies, and banana faux fro-yo.

My all boy boy prefers anything that requires the use of a mixer, blender, or food processor.

He loves power, and machines (errr, small appliances), and noise!

 

More recently, we've expanded our menu to include foods for all times of the day.

 

Baker has a slight aversion to things with different textures (as do many children with Down Syndrome), but we continue to encourage him to try new things.

He is a great eater and rarely refuses any food.

 

His newest love, brown sugar kale chips.

Three year olds who request kale chips, who knew??

 

 

 

Here's what you need to make our favorite afternoon snack:

• 4 cups fresh kale
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 cup of loosely packed light brown sugar

To make, combine first three ingredients in a large mixing bowl or plastic bag. Toss or shake lightly to ensure all leaves are coated with olive oil and garlic salt.

 

In our kitchen, we alternate between a zip-close gallon size plastic bag and a mixing bowl with tongs. Both promote the use of fine motor skills, which is especially important for Baker. He loves sliding the zipper to open and close the bag and shaking it all around. He also benefits greatly from manipulating tongs. Especially during the summer, when his therapies decrease, we try to make our time together meaningful - both fun and intentional. 

 

Here's how to cook:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Arrange kale chips in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet
• Cook for 12-15 minutes (or until the edges begin to brown slightly)
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with brown sugar
•  

 

The sugar will melt and adhere to the chips giving them a wonderfully delicious flavor that appeals to both your salty and sweet cravings.

 

PS - they're healthy

PPS - and totally toddler approved

 

 

Barrett's Birth Announcement

We have mad love around here for Tiny Prints.
 

They did Baker's birth announcement a few years ago and have done our

family's Christmas cards for several years.
 

Their templates are beautiful, and often allow for customization (which I love big time)!

  

I (very temporarily) considered not mailing birth announcements.

I know, all the gasps!

With social media, email, texts, and our family's blog,

 Barrett's picture was sent out within hours of his birth.

But even with technology being so readily available, I couldn't resist.
 

Consider me old fashioned, but I am partial to snail mail.

One of my favorite things to do is sit down with my favorite pens,
a fresh book of stamps, my beloved address book,
personalized stationery (or in this case, paper boasting the most beautiful pictures),
 a piping hot cup of coffee, and carefully script letters for my nearest and dearest.

Each announcement was pored over.
Prayed over.
I took great pleasure in addressing each envelope.

As I dotted i's and crossed t's, I considered each family and the role they have played in ours.

How grateful I am for this village.

I love the idea, that this week, across the street and across the states,

people are opening their mailboxes to our sweet boys' faces,
thinking prayerful thoughts for our family
and wishing us the sweetest wishes as a new family of four.


 

front



back

Yes, I quite love this.



And just for kicks, Baker's birth announcement, mailed out exactly 3 years ago today.
 

You might also like:

2014 Christmas Cards

2013 Christmas Cards

2012 Christmas Cards

ps - Zulily is featuring Tiny Prints for the next five days - $20 for $40 or $30 for $60 worth of fabulous goodies! See here! 





The Talk (not that talk, the special needs talk)

This summer is the first summer Baker has been three.

(Photo creds: Katie Thompson Photograpy)

Silliest of statements, I know.
Of course this summer is the first summer Baker has been three.
Hear me out.

Three year olds get to play with the big kids.
Three year olds are no longer considered babies and given the grace babies are given.

Babies are allowed to sit quietly.
Babies are allowed to keep to themselves.
Babies are allowed to play in their own safe area.

There are no expectations surrounding play with babies,
except that babies will be babies.
Babies do what babies do.

Last summer, and the summer before, and the summer before that, Baker was a baby.

This summer is the first summer Baker has been three.
This summer is the first summer Baker has gotten to play with the big kids.
This summer is the first summer Baker's play has been laden with expectations of looking and sounding a certain way.
This summer is the first summer Baker has been noticed as different.

Before, Baker could sit on the sidelines.
Before, Baker could bounce on my lap and giggle and coo to everyone's delight.
Before, Baker was a baby.
Before, it was okay that Baker could not talk, could not run as quickly, could not jump as high.

Before, none of the other kids saw Baker any differently than they saw their baby sister or little cousin. He was a baby (and a darn cute one). He did what babies did. Because of his different abilities, some of it came at a slower rate, and took much greater effort. His hypotonia caused his chubby little legs to frog out when he slept and his little body to collapse into mine winning him all the awards for world's greatest snuggler. He was a baby, and everybody loves a baby. Especially Baby Baker.

This summer is the first summer Baker has been three.
And because of that, this is the first summer our little sphere has been expanded.
And because of that, two things have happened to this momma's heart.

It has experienced both unspeakable joy and unspeakable ache.

My heart has threatened to overflow watching Baker create new friendships.
I have been so encouraged as I have listened to other mommas enlighten and empower their children with knowledge about Down Syndrome as questions have presented themselves about why Baker's play and talk differ from their own. I have loved watching the innocence of children, as they love with their whole heart, without judgment and with unhindered acceptance.

My heart has also threaten to shatter into pieces as I see other children notice Baker's different abilities. "Is he special ed?" one asked innocently. Others can't understand his fascination with perfectly folding all of our beach towels instead of bounding down the slide like all the other children. Why, when their conversations flowed as easily as lemonade on a summer day, did Baker prefer silence? Why, when he does speak, does he often do so first with his hands and then with words that sound so differently than our own? Why does he often drift to the perimeter when all of the action is in the center?

Why is he different than me?

Could you answer that question?

Little more than three years ago, I would have stuttered through it,
preferring to brush it under the doormat, or
opting to combat it with the eye that commanded silence
instead of opening doors to a conversation of acceptance.

As the mom of a seriously great kid, who happens to have unique needs, I beg you to have the talk.
The talk about alikes and differences, and how often we're more alike than different.

If you need a name, use Baker. If you need a face, I think his is pretty perfect. If you need words, use a picture book (spoken like a true teacher, ha!). I love "We'll Paint the Octopus Red."

Your children won't mind if the words aren't perfect or eloquent or include textbook terminology. They can be simple and succinct and from the heart.
From the bottom of mine, thank you.

More than you know, thank you.

You might also like:

What if we have two children with Down Syndrome?
I never knew I wanted a child with Down Syndrome until I had one
A missed opportunity

Barrett is Two Months Old!

My sweet boy,


Our love for you grows with each quickly passing day. Somehow we blinked and you are two months old!

We are still learning life with two and you are quick to give grace when our arms are too few or our energy runs dry.

You are becoming more and more alert and love taking in this wild world around you. Your gaze is always fixed on Baker. Maybe because he is the most animated and entertaining little thing, or maybe it's because you know he's coming after your sweet, sweet sugar. He loves you to the moon and back and kisses you no fewer than 107 times per day. You scored big time with Baker as your big brother!


I am sometimes tempted to hook my pedometer to you just to track your kicks. If they translated to steps, I am confident you could travel to Disney World and back each day. You are a busy little bear.


You make the most adorable little sounds. Your sleepy pur, your noisy hiccups, your contented little sigh, even your boisterous screams are music to our ears as we love filling our home with all things you.

You still love to eat, and keep this momma on a tight schedule. Nursing you is such a blessing and has bonded us in the most incredible way. You like to eat every 2 to 2 1/2 hours during the day, and sometimes go 3-4 hour stretch during the night. Not even sleep can deter you from eating!


You like to be a part of everything, and you love being held. You spend a lot of time in your baby carrier and are happy as can be snuggled close to mine or your daddy's chest.

Little Bear, this momma of yours loves you crazy big!

XO

Monthly Stats

Weight: 14 pounds
Height: 24.5 inches
Diaper Size: twos
Clothes: 3-6 months

Fun on the Fourth

 

What a fun Fourth with my sweet peeps!

 

 

We started our long weekend celebration at our Splash Pad.

 

Baker had a blast!

 

 

I'd say Barrett quite enjoyed himself also.

 

 

 

Not pictured is our sweet little babysitting friend who accompanied us.

She has made it possible to get out with two.

Praise all things good and holy for an extra set of hands.

(And feet! Baker is quick!)

 

 

 On Friday, we travelled over the river and through the woods to visit grandparents.  

 They set up a pool on their back deck and after a slight code blue situation

(too many blueberries turn once brown things blue), our boy had a big time dipping skinny!

 

 

We stayed in town on Saturday for a fun day and too much good food with my parents.

Such a wonderful weekend for all!

 

 

 

 

 

 I am so very thankful for freedom.

To be able to worship and work and play in this land that I love.

To be able to raise my boys in America the beautiful.

To live with these in this home of the brave.

 

 

 

 

 

From our family to yours, Happy Fourth.

 

 

And this, y'all.

Our last four Fourths.

Each year has gotten a little sweeter and a lot more fun! 

 

 

Waves

I started blogging shortly after Baker was born. It was a wonderful means by which to share our new addition with family and friends, but it was also something more. God called me out upon the waters to be open and transparent about our journey in raising a child with Down Syndrome. He equipped me with a boldness I had never known for His name to be glorified for what he was doing in our lives. Over the next three years, I began to blog less and less about Down Syndrome and more about life because Down Syndrome became less and less our life and more just a part of our life. The emotions and fears that were so raw and so present began to subside and were replaced with encouragement and hope for the future. But some days, even days more than three years later, a conversation, or a seed of discouragement, or a label tossed about flippantly brings back the waves of emotion so big they threaten to pull my feet right out from under me and leave me fighting for breath. 

 

 

 

 

 

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders 

Let me walk upon the waters

Wherever you would call me

Take me deeper than my soul could ever wander 

That my faith would be made stronger 

In the presence of my Savior."

 

 

Original post on July 17, 2012.

Emotions, for me, are like waves. Some are so big, they pull my feet right out from under me and leave me fighting for breath. Others are soothing, comforting, rafts upon which I find comfort and solace.

The emotions I have experienced upon learning of Baker's diagnosis have been no different. From the dark December day we learned there was a heightened chance of our child being born with Down Syndrome, to this cheery day with sunshine illuminating all, emotions have abounded. What began as fear, uncertainty, trepidation, bitterness, and worry, intense worry...emotions so strong, they pulled me under, drowning me, have transpired into joy, unspeakable joy, a wave begging to be ridden.

For me, fear lies in the unknown. How will Baker's kindergarten classmates accept him? Will he share his daddy's passion for the outdoors and be able to hunt and fish and do all things boy? Will he drop a love note in his crush's locker? Will he be sent to detention for shooting spitballs at the ceiling? Will I get to see my son wait for his bride at the end of aisle? Will he make me a Nana? Will he? Will he? Will he? All questions a mother asks herself as she anticipates her child's future. When I think about these things, these things that pale in comparison to the one dream I should have for my son, then I worry, then I am sucked under by the crashing waves. 

But when I trust God with Baker's life, He reminds me of my one responsibility as Baker's mommy. It has nothing to do with his life on this Earth and everything to do with spending Eternity with my son. When I focus on raising my boy to live a life glorifying his Father, then I have peace. The worry disappears, and I have faith in God's plans for our lives.

Grab your boards, folks, cause that's a wave worth catching and riding all the way to the shore!

Barrett is One Month Old!

Dear James Barrett,

Just one short month ago, your daddy and I were checking into the hospital preparing to meet you. We were still wondering if you would have your daddy's beautiful green eyes, or your mommy's nose, or your big brother's extra kissable lips.

My sweet boy, this has been the fastest and the sweetest 31 days of my life.

You have changed our lives in the most incredible way. Our hearts have doubled in size to know a love that can only be described as utterly indescribable.

You love to eat, and you keep me on a tight schedule. I prayed and prayed about breastfeeding you.

I wanted it so badly, and my precious angel, you do it so naturally. It is such a blessing and has bonded us in the most incredible way. You like to eat every 2 1/2 to 3 hours during the day, and go almost a 4 hour stretch during the night. It's no wonder you're growing like a weed!

 

 

Just like your big brother, you love bath time! When you were first born, you just sat and soaked in the warm water while I bathed each of your wonderfully made parts. But now, you kick in delight and wriggle with each splash.

 

You have started holding your head up and turning it from side to side. You love to lay on your daddy's chest and pull up and squirm until your cheeks are touching. You love attention. You want to be held and we eagerly oblige. You love when others talk and sing to you and around you. You are so attentive and want to be included in everything, except when you sleep. And boy, you still love your sleep. It would be so easy to lay you down for your naps, but I just cannot. You spend most of your naps snuggled in my arms with me just watching you sleep. It's such a beautiful, fleeting sight, and I don't want to miss a single breath.

 



 

 

You are crazy about your big brother, Baker, and he is crazy about you! He would hold you all day if we would let him. He loves to share his favorite books to you. He kisses your forehead a gazillion times a day. And you coo the most joy-filled sounds when he sings "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." One of my life's greatest gifts is getting to see him love you. I cannot wait to watch you two grow together.

 



 

 

Little Bear, as you have been affectionately named, are what we never knew our family was missing. You fit our family so perfectly and I am so grateful God chose you for us.

 

 

I love you,

Mama

 

Monthly Stats

Weight: 11 lbs 3 oz
Height: 24 inches
Diaper Size: ones (you outgrew NB while in the hospital)
Clothes: newborn and 0-3 Month