Pumpkin Pancakes

When you think of "fall" something must possibly come to mind... and that something couldn't possibly be anything shy of PUMPKINS!

In my willingness to experiment with the lack of food in my home, I decided we were going to have pumpkin pancakes. They were delicious. Like little flattened pumpkin pie cakes. Here's the recipe if your daring enough to try...

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups pancake mix
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground allspice (apple or pumkin pie spice work too!)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2- 2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoons vinegar

Directions:
1.In a separate bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt, stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

2.Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot with whipped cream.See More

Our Honey Bear's FIRST day of Preschool!

After a much anticipation, Jay and I finally sat down to crunch some numbers. When I started back to school this past semester, Brenden decided that it was only fair that he get to go to school too. It took him a while of pleading before we finally caved. Because Brenden's birthday falls at the beginning of October, according to Texas state regulations, he misses the September deadline and will be unable to start kindergarten until he is 5, almost 6 years old. I find this to be ridiculous. Especially considering Brenden's ability to say and recognize ALL of his letters, write his own name, dress himself and count to 30- at 2 years old. After searching endlessly, we found a private school that he can attend 2 days a week that we're all happy with.

His excitement was almost unbareable... I was on the verge of tears, while he was smiling bigger than we had ever witnessed before.

Here I am, trying to distract him with bugs, birds and plants outside in hopes of spending every last second together, before his first day.

As soon as we found his classroom, he was across the room in a matter of seconds. Even Miss. Meriam couldn't stop him. This was the day he had waited for for so long... as he was going to enjoy every ounce of it!

Even Connor wanted to stay!

He had a wonderful first day of school and was excited to know he would be able to come back and play with his new friends very soon. We're excited for him too. This year will be filled with lots of fun and excitement as the schools fall carnival is just around the corner and future visits from the fire department, movement through music, vantrilliquist and many more things are to follow.

A Whole New World

I've found that being a Mom has allowed me to act out more of my childhood dreams than I ever before.  This includes the fantasy that every child should experience a magic carpet ride!

And what I believed would be a magic carpet journey of a few minutes, turned into a magical "night on the town." Enjoying all the sights along the way.

Much thanks to a wonderful Daddy for making this hour long ride possible!

Pickin' Produce

I have a hard time believing parents find difficulty in feeding their children fruits and vegtables. Was I just blessed with children who ask for veggies by name, or is my time still coming? Either way, I'll take it!
I've never been wise when it comes to eating right, and it wasn't until I had children of my own that I decided how important it was not to feed them junk. A body is only as good as the food that fuels it. My children enjoy whole wheat bread, whole grain cereal, oatmeal, beans, rice, fruits and vegtables.
Todays adventure took us to the local Farmers Market, where I let the boys choose what we should buy with my $10 budget.

Here's our outcome....

We arrived home just after 10am, and Brenden asked if we could enjoy some of our new watermelon. I cut into it, and it was PERFECT inside. Watermelon juice coated my kitchen floors and soaked both the boys shirts- but it was worth it!

I plan to make the vegtables as sides to main meals over the next 2 days. Maybe corn off the grill, garlic butter green beans, and pan seared squash & zuccini. Who knows though, Brenden might have something else in mind.

We Love to See the Temple

I've always considered what it would be like when our children were old enough to walk the temple grounds with us. Here's a glimps at our fist experience at our Temple here in San Antonio.

Brenden LOVED hearing about the "Angel Moron-i" visiting Joseph Smith, and his special place on top of the temples.

Daddy teaching Brenden & Connor about "Baptism By Immersion." I'm not sure who enjoyed this more.

Playing in the temple fountain. The lesson? The temple is a fun place to be, even in 100 degree weather!

My boys are the reason the temple is so special to me. It was a joyous occassion to have them at the temple, learning, playing and enjoying it's beauty- and knowing that this is just the beginning of our eternity.

Eat Right- Live Better

I can still hear the words of my mother:

"You can eat that entire batch of cookies now while your fast in your youth and think it will have no effect... but you just wait. They'll catch up!"

Although I don't believe calories seek to haunt me from my childhood, I still think she had a point. My habits now are reflective of what they were in childhood. I still eat the same "junk" in hopes of finding the happiness and satisfaction it gave me so many years ago, only now I consume an entire batch of cookies longing to feel even a glimmer of the same pleasure and am left with nothing, but calories.

I've decided it's time for a change. I'm interested in learning how to eat right- the right way. Our second freezer is filled with processed, "quick meals" that are geared toward making my life better. The truth is, they don't. And my biggest fear (aside from not looking very skinny in my skinny jeans, is the habits I'm teaching my children.

Don't get me wrong, not EVERY meal I make is from the freezer aisle. Not EVERY meal I serve to my family consists of unhealthy, processed, high in fat foods. The point here is that I want to COOK- really, truly, cook.

My slate is no longer clean

I've come to the realization that I'm a terrible blogger. Truly. It's not that I don't want to write about my days accomplishments, or the comical life of raising two... no, three boys. I just sit with eager intent, and stare blankly at a white slate, and think to myself

"Why would I ever want to clutter the only thing in my house that remains clean
after a long days work?

It makes perfect sense. But then as the months go by, I'm left with exactly that- a clean slate. A memory wiped away because of my inability to sit and "blog."

Today is a new day. Today is the start of a new tomorrow. Today, I'm a story teller- and that is exactly what I have planned... Be prepared, today is the day I will catch you up on life in the Hinojosa house.