Piggies & Pizza!

We went to the Del Mar Fair today (post on that later)...or San Diego County Fair, excuse me! 

A first--Riley didn't have a bow to match with her horsey shirt! Can you imagine the panic? So, I finally used those teeny tiny plastic ponytail holders on her super fine and straight hair to create her very first Piggy Tails! Fitting since we watched the pig races first at the fair. 

Once we were home from a long and fun day, Riley made a pepperoni pizza while I made a chipotle chicken salad Sierra and I love...and you might, too!

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Source: Nutmeg Notebook 

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2/3 cup light sour cream
• 1 tablespoon minced chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Salad:

• 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup diced peeled avocado
• 1/3 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (8 3/4-ounce) can no-salt-added whole-kernel corn, rinsed and drained

To prepare dressing, combine first 7 ingredients, stirring well.

To prepare salad, combine lettuce and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad; toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.

Tip: Add a spoonful of adobo sauce for a spicier salad. Kidney or pinto beans also taste great in this dish.

Yield: 4 Servings   Servings Size: Approx 2 1/2 cups

Nutritional Information

Calories: 249, Fat: 8.2g, Saturated fat: 2.8g, Monounsaturated fat: 2.9g, Polyunsaturated fat: 0.7g, Protein: 23.3g, Carbohydrate: 25.1g, Fiber: 7g, Cholesterol: 50mg, Iron: 2.2mg, Sodium: 650mg, Calcium: 106mg WWPP 6

Our Favorite Membership: SD Botanic Gardens

...It really is. We have passes to the Zoo, Birch Aquarium, Sea World, and the Botanic Gardens. Our favorite recently has been these gardens in Encinitas. There is so much to do and see...and tire these two out! 

Last week we met our buddies Celeste and Max for a fun filled morning of crafting, playing with sand, bubbles, water, mud, boats, blocks, tree houses, plants...it's endless. If you haven't been--pack up a lunch, extra clothes, and GO NOW! I promise you and the kids will have an awesome time. 

So cute how Celeste always grabs Riley's hand.  :)

Bring a change of clothes--you will need them after the creek! 

This Kid!

As soon as Jackson started Tae Kwon Do a few months ago, he asked when he could test for his Black Belt. He sees the belt rank at each class...lots of belts before the big one. He sees the trophies, the ribbons, the certificates...he wants them all. Two weeks ago we were given the "golden ticket" -- the permission slip (and testing fee information) to move to the next belt--the black stripe.

Finally the testing day was here. Jackson couldn't stop taking about how the test would go, what he needed to wear, who would be there...you get the picture. Times two weeks...

Needless to say,  he was ready to go 30 minutes before we needed to leave to watch him test along with 30 other kids, parents, and family members watching anxiously. Jackson was the only white belt to test during his session so he was alone in front of all those people as Grand Master Hong asked him the oral study questions. I knew Jackson knew the answers but I had no idea how he would respond to the pressure of the audience/intimidating Master Hong. It was nerve racking. I got teary eyed as I watched behind the glass window with Riley (who was snacking on pretzels). Sierra had a front row seat on the mat and videotaped for us. 

After the oral exam the kids were all put into groups and given directions (in Korean) to do their moves. It looked pretty much like a normal class, only with a larger audience. We were surprised at the end because Master had him break a board. 

We found out this week at the beginning of his class that he had moved up to the white belt with stripe! We are so proud but Jackson is the most proud of all. This picture doesn't capture nearly the excitement he had as he came running across the mat to me and said, "Mama, I did it! I got the next belt! I DID IT!" 

Now he is allowed to spar...today was his first day...and of course he was ready to go two hours before his class. The sparring equipment bag is bigger than him! 

...and of course Riley wants to wear his "hat."

Dad's Day

We are so thankful for our hardworking and handsome Daddy! Sierra we love you so much. You put your family's needs ahead of your own (except during football season...kidding) and you always are thinking of ways to improve our lives...we are so blessed to call you "Daddy." We love you so very much!

Here's what we are gifting you on your special day:

I saw this idea on Pinterest (of course) and I should have looked for ideas about how to get two kids to sit still AND look at the camera. SIGH. Chocolate chips helped...however some pictures came out with chipmunk chocolate cheeks. Ha! We think Daddy will like this on his desk at work. It was a fun photo session to say the least. Riley was so helpful at bringing the chairs out with brother and returning them inside when we were "all done." 

Jackson sent his Grandpas these questionnaires. Lots of fun! We also made them some I Love You This Much hand cards...again, trying to get a busy toddler to keep her hand still so I can trace? What was I thinking? I told Jackson that Riley's cut out hand turned out a little creepy. I had to retrace and re-cut so it looked more like her hand and less like witch fingers.

We also made a new stepping stone--we have one from Jackson's prints at four months old. I wanted to make one last year when Riley was the same age but I had one hand and two kids...didn't work out. So here's our second stone to a garden path (someday)...Jackson is 4 years, 4 months, and Riley is 16 months. They both enjoyed decorating the stone and Riley said, "star" for the first time. 

And these on his feet next time he plays golf...maybe when he's 50 or something. 

Pre-school celebrated dads with a special breakfast and treats!

The kids helped make berry bars for breakfast, snacks, and dessert. Yum!

We are surprising him today after I prepare breakfast (which never happens on the weekends by me) with a quick trip to Temecula for some Ponte wine tasting and lunch...kid free. I figured breakfast and dinner with the family is good enough...Daddy and Mama need some adult time on this day! We're celebrating with Uncle Marco and Auntie Autumn and Mommy Nannette is on kid duty. 

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies out there! xoxo

Gram's 65th Birthday Celebration!

We were in Ventura over the weekend celebrating Gram Roni, who turned the big 65! We planned a BBQ picnic at the Mandalay Beach Park which was perfect--the kids had so much fun on the playground and running around, as did the adults. Gram was SO happy to see her family and friends come together, share stories, laughs, and cupcakes.

Noah, Terry, Orion, Jackson, Amber, Riley, Sierra, Don,
Ella, Roni, Eleanor, Sid, Zoey, and Laura

Gram and Grandpa raised three handsome boys...
Pender thinks he's one of them!

I made this book to capture her special party day--her birthday is "officially today," as Jackson would say.  Happy birthday, Gram! We love you!

Click here to view this photo book larger

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