Cold is bringing us together!

Who knew sub zero temperatures would turn out to be a good thing! After two weeks of my kids being home on winter break from school they were getting restless from being out of their normal routine and  I was starting to go a little batty from all there teasing and bickering about each other! Then I got the word that school might be closed on Monday because of the ridiculous temperatures outside! My first thought to myself was "why doesn't someone just push me over the edge, these kids are making me crazy!" In all honesty though my kids and I don't get to much time together between work and school. 4 days in a row just the three of us (for the most part) is a rare occasion. This nice 4 day weekend has  been really special to me. Sure we've been cooped up in the house but its been so nice. We've bonded over some of my favorite childhood movies (Mary Poppins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) that are now becoming theirs! I love that!  We've all improved our Mario skills on the Wii! Luci is currently showing me her dance moves on Just Dance Kids (all the while Gavin is creating a bit of a brotherly obstacle course for her to dance around!) The giggles are the best!

Lets not forget the fact that we are a kitchen family! We spend more time in the kitchen together than any other place in the house. Its wonderful! Gavin had his buddy spend the night on Saturday. So Sunday morning we had my brother and his family over to hang out. The kids all helped me prepare some food. They are great little chefs! All of them. Kids are all about hands on things and helping and being apart of what is going on! Working in the kitchen together is one of our best bonding and memory making moments!

 

Egg Salad Professionals! Luci says "can we have this every time you are home for lunch, mama?"

 

Yesterday, was when the cold really struck. I was grateful to be home with the kids but itching to do some baking. I started with a baked oatmeal for breakfast. Oh my! My kids absolutely love oatmeal. Especially Gavin! We loaded it with fresh blueberries and it didn't stand a chance! Delicious. I'll post the easy peasy Gavin and Luci approved recipe and the end of this post!

I have to say though what I really wanted to make was a really good, can't stop eating cookie. I was searching, and scrolling and pinteresting for about an hour. Blah. Nothing was really looking so great. All I kept thinking about was Grams Gobbs! They are my all time favorite cookie. I can not stop eating them once I start. So I start searching and digging for the recipe she gave me. I couldn't find it anywhere. Shocker! I am one of the most unorganized people you will meet. Except in the kitchen! So that just gave me a really good reason to call Gram and catch up with her like we normally do. They were expecting the same cold temps in Pennsylvania the next day. Good thing she got all her running around done before. Gram is one of my favorite people to talk to. I have a huge respect for her and her life. She too was a single mom for many years. Raising three, with even far less help than I have, in times where it was probably even more unacceptable and judged than it is today. I can not imagine. I really can't. I think her an I have a real understanding of each other and what we do day in and day out. I sometimes wonder how she did it, and then I think of what I say when people ask me that question. You just do it.

Grams Gobbs! Far better than those damn whoopee pies that have come to be kinda sorta popular, but not really! These babies are my all time favorite and I grateful to have an entire plate to eat today!

 

 

BAKED OATMEAL RECIPE

 

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup  brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons oil

1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats

In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat egg. Add rest of ingredients except oats and mix thoroughly until well combined. Add oats and stir. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.   This was so easy and delicious. We even had some leftover for this morning. Tasted just as great! I feel as though its a great base recipe that you can add so much too! Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did! Stay Warm and cuddle those kids!