Random video compilation of Asher

Here is a little bit of everything... a day with a toddler is always interesting!

Random photos of the week

Asher's first haircut, by Aunt Gail ("Dale!")

Dave and Asher examine a crawdad at Raby Park. Dave notices it it a girl and has parasites.

New tire swing! We had to convince Asher to get in but once he was in he was happy. Note that it is about 6 inches off of the ground.

Asher loves to help me by pushing the button on my chopper. After I took the blades out I gave him the little bits of almond that was left. He ate some, then all was quiet. I found him loading his train with he almond meal.

Layered Mexican Casserole

Layered Mexican Casserole 

(based on this Betty Crocker recipe)

The original recipe called for spanish rice and tortilla chips. I found it rather dry and crunchy. This version came about as I often "hide" vegetables in what I cook and tried that instead of the rice.

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 jar salsa
8 corn tortillas (6 inch)
1 can refried beans
1 1/2 cups cheese 

1 can diced tomatoes
1 grated carrot
1 cup zucchini, grated
1 onion finely chopped
1 bell pepper, diced

Procedure

1 Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In frying pan, sauté vegetables until tender, set aside.

2 In same pan, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in salsa; heat about 2 minutes or until hot.

3 Line baking dish with 4 tortillas, overlapping to fit. In medium bowl, stir together refried beans and diced tomatoes; spoon over tortillas, and spread evenly. Top with half of the meat mixture and 3/4 cup of the cheese. Layer 4 more tortillas over cheese. Spoon and spread vegetable mixture over tortillas. Top with remaining meat mixture and cheese.

4 Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until hot in center and bubbling along sides. Serve with sour cream.

Reasons my two year old is having a tantrum

Following along the theme of the popular Reasons my son is crying blog and the post 46 reasons why my three year old might be freaking out we introduce... Reasons my two year old is having a tantrum*...

(*Asher really is a mellow child. His tantrums involve a peaceful protest laying on the floor, or a screech, a cry or knocking over something in annoyance. It is more that his tantrums are caused by the unexpected and unexplained things. All this didn't happen in one day, by the way, this list covered nearly a month!)

Reasons My Two Year Old is Having a Tantrum

- he has a booger up his nose
- there is a hair on his toy
- mommy is singing
- there is something in between the slices of bread in his sandwich
- we won't let him continually flush the toilet
- he doesn't want his train turned on
- Mommy came to get him when he woke up
- Grandma wanted cuddles
- his sock has scrunched up in his shoe
- the sprayed himself with water
- he woke up
- he couldn't take his plane to bed
- he had to put shoes on to go outside
- Auntie Mimi isn't here RIGHT NOW!
- we wouldn't let him go in the car with Auntie Mimi
- he wasn't allowed to hang off the side of the shopping cart
- Daddy is asleep
- we stopped him from pulling everything off of a shelf in the grocery store
- he couldn't splash in the puddles in the middle of the road
- he had a hair in his mouth
- he missed getting the ball in the hoop
- Daddy put his shoes on and Asher didn't see him do it
- we wouldn't turn a corner in the car (as we were driving on a straight stretch of road)
- we didn't have popsicles

Bluebonnet Photos 2013

We went out to the Morgan's house for this year's bluebonnet photos. The bluebonnets were scarce everywhere but plentiful in their yard.

 I took these two photos of Dave and Asher playing together (above). Meredith took the photos below. It is hard to capture a toddler but she does a great job of it!