Little Banksy surprised us all yesterday by counting to 11! It really is miraculous how children will eventually learn the necessities of life without coaching. Really, I didn't believe that with Benson, but it's very much the truth. Except for that Banks still thinks every color is black. Ak! See?! Take my own advice! He'll figure his colors out before he really needs to know them.

Anyway.

Seeing as how he counts to 11 on a regular basis now it makes me think that in just 1 short number he'll be able to sing and count to this, my favorite Sesame Street ditty ever:



Isn't that the best? I also loved those little aliens who went Yiiip yipyipyipyip AhHuh Ahuh (uh, did that make sense to anyone?). What's your favorite Sesame Street memory?

still here, just...

Playing with cousin(s)...


Looking pensive...


Playing with our newest cousin baby Destry, in an entirely homemade ensemble (besides the shoes)! What a talented sister/mom I have!

What a beautiful place we are visiting right now! Oh the green I see here in this desert that is less deserty than good ole 'Burque! I've missed laying on lush carpet-grass in the cool evenings, enjoying flowers and rainstorms. We are recharging our batteries and enjoying good company.

Sigh. I love vacation.

vanilla ice pops

Yesterday was H-O-T, as it has been for a while now so we decided to make popsicles. Ok, spell check isn't liking "popsicle" so I just looked it up and did you know that popsicle is a brand?! Like "Kleenex," or "Levi's" (as my grandma says), or "McNuggets" (as we said as children)? <--not sure where to put the punctuation there, as we have quotes and parenthesis-- How did I not know this treat should really be called an ice pop until age 25?! Does anyone call them that?!

I digress.

Anyway, I give you Vanilla Ice Pops (apparently I was kidding with that last post about not needing any more recipes, although this really hardly counts as a recipe).
Simple, simple, lightly sweet, and very refreshing. Our new fav.

Vanilla Ice Pops

2 cups milk (we used whole but do whatever you want)
2 Tbs sugar
2 tsp vanilla

Mix all together until sugar dissolves. Pour into molds and freeze. Mangez. Fin.

did I ever mention that i found the last recipe I'll ever need?

Seriously. This.stuff.will.kill you with it's goodness.

I'd post a picture but the site but it's frowned  upon that without permission, and I didn't get a picture of it when I made it because... well, laziness really but she has lots of photos on the site so go! go! go!

Chocolate Caramel Crackers

• SERVINGS: ABOUT 36 PIECES
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• TIME: 30 MINUTES 
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• SOURCE: smitten kitchen.com

• About 4 sheets matzo or approximately 40 saltine-style crackers
• 1 cup (8 ounces or 225 grams) unsalted butter, cut into a few large pieces
• 1 cup (190 grams) packed light brown sugar
• Sea salt, preferably flaky
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups (9 ounces or 255 grams) semi- or bittersweet chocolate chips, or 9 ounces chopped semi- or bittersweet chocolate
• 1 cup toasted chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts or a nut of your choice (optional)

Prepare your pan: Heat your oven to 350°F. Line an 13×18-inch (half-sheet) pan completely with foil, then line it again with parchment. This seems excessive but the foil will keep your pan near and the parchment will keep the crackers from sticking to the foil. You’ll be glad you did.

Line the bottom of the baking sheet with matzo or crackers, covering all parts in a single layer. [If using matzo, you’ll need to break pieces to fit any extra spaces, which will be annoying because despite being perforated, it does not actually break in straight lines. I have some luck making cuts by gently, carefully sawing with a serrated knife.]

Make the caramel/toffee: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together, and whisk it over medium heat until it begins to boil. Once it has begun boiling, let it bubble for 3 more minutes, whisking it the whole time. The butter and sugar will come together, and the mixture will thicken a little as it cooks. Remove from the heat and add a couple good pinches of sea salt and vanilla, if using, and then quickly pour it over the matzo or crackers. Use an offset spatula to spread the caramel quickly over all the crackers, as it will begin to set as soon after it is poured.

Bake: The caramel-covered crackers for 13 to 15 minutes, watching carefully as it will bubble and the corners might darken too quickly and/or burn. You can reduce the heat if you see this happening.

Finish the crackers: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes, and then use an offset spatula to spread them in an even layer over the caramel. If you’re using them, sprinkle the chocolate with toasted chopped nuts and/or sea salt. (The extra sea salt is great on matzo. On saltines, it’s really not necessary.)

Cool: Once completely cool — I speed this along in the freezer, impatient as should be expected in the face of caramel crack(ers) — break or cut it into pieces and place in an airtight container. When cleaning up, you’ll see a lot of messy crumbs and bits; sweep them all into a jar for the best ice cream topping that has ever existed, trust me.

2 notes before you go:
1. I made it with saltines. Yum.
2. I wouldn't bake it as long as she says. I'd knock off 5 minutes of the baking time to ensure that it doesn't taste burnt.

attachment

It's 4:16. My babies just pulled out of the driveway, headed for Socorro, and left me to have fun for the night.

I miss them already.

Image credit here.

i cannot think of a clever title to save my life

Translation: Boom, boom, fire power...

The kids have been watching the trailer for the new Night at the Museum movie. Apparently a little too often, as Banks walks around the house quoting this one part... Isn't he so cute though?

on saturday we went fishin.

At first there was much hesitation


to touch the 2 inch fish.


But then Banks was intrigued,


and in the end he hugged his fish before setting him free.

the end.

mother's day

Today at dinner Ben asked the kids what they love most about me. Benson said, "She makes me yummy food," and Banks said, "Ummmmmm... Babies, soon."

No, this is not an announcement, unless Banks knows something I don't. But what a sweet thing to say! He loves me because I have babies! haha

I love being a mom, and although sometimes it gets a bit tedious, I really wouldn't trade my job for anything. I love those little babies more than I ever knew possible, and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to raise them.

I love you too, Mom, and I find that as I learn more of the sacrifices of being a mom, my love for you grows. Thank you for being you, and for all the sacrifices you've made for me.

ametrines are a girl's best friend

Here is a picture from wikipedia that shows the colors better



Take note that it looks kinda weird here because Ben took the photo of the back of the silly thing.

Moments ago we got back from a gem show at our friend Jordan's workplace (he is a watchmaker and works at a jewelry store). There were so many beautiful stones (I of course loved the 70 carat monstrosities best), but the best part... the BEST part... Banks found a stone in his "carat" cake! AHHHHH! I'm so excited. I kept saying, "This is the best day ever!" Anyway it is super pretty and I think I'll have it set into a ring. I never win anything! Good thing I have children to win things for me.

It has begun

Ben started filling out his application for medical school this week. AHHHHH! I feel like we've been waiting for this forever and now life is moving in fast motion and it's freaking me out.

catching up

Whew. I've been kinda MIA from my blog this past week. It's been a little hectic with Ben studying like crazy (which paid off with a 95 on his Quantitative Chemistry test, go Ben), May Day awesomeness, and then a bout of food poisoning this weekend. Ben and I pretty much spent all of Sunday laying on the couch saying, "Can you just get it yourself, Benson?" which he could, but I'm paying for it in messes today. So today we catch up a little with blogging by scanning a favorite drawing that Benson did a few weeks ago, cleaning cleaning cleaning, and attempting to put some calories in a still lingeringly unhappy stomach. Happy Monday!