Fillo Fun Day

In a few fun ways, I decided to step out of the box we all habitually create for ourselves. I decided that on Sundays or one day out of the week my boys can only play educational electronic games. I realized there are so many great ones out there. The other adventurous quest was centered around a game in our kitchen with a few new things. My Sergeant and little creature of habit I know is going to need some warming to these ideas... and these ideas totally made Benny's day. 

My boys are starting to type papers and I realized that they are like half of our population out there who don't use the keyboard on the computer properly. I watch even adults struggle with this. I will not have chicken peckers on the computer. Mavis Beacon taught me long ago to be the quickened typer that I am and I want that fluency for my children. I promise that they will thank me later some day. So, very appreciative towards Apple and it's wonderful Apps my boys are now learning the home row. Benny even found a game to school him on all of our different states and their geographical locations. This really broadened our horizons to what is out there to download and intelligently filled some of our time with. 

Our journey in the kitchen sparked when Benny and I were in the grocery store one day. We like to pick at least one new thing just to try and this time in our cart was a strange looking Kiwano Melon. We even had the grocer at checkout stumped to find the fresh produce code. It's also called a horned melon and is a fruit in the cucumber family. It looks quite odd. I decided while my Benny ran to the bathroom, I was secretly going to grab a few other things for a game in the kitchen. Another virgin item to be in the kitchen was fillo dough. Today, after dinner we were experimenting. 

I had the boys go in a separate room while I gathered the delicious supplies and put them in a paper bag. I had an array of items that they can use. 

 The rules were that they had to use all of the items in the bag, but they can use other things in the kitchen as well. They have 30 minutes, inclusive of cooking or baking time. Benny knew right away what he wanted to do. He loves to mash things and made a fruit puree to go into a delightful dessert he declared he was making special for me. 

The Sergeant was running out of time, didn't really know where to start and cooking is not his thing, so he forfeited. He started making a sauce out of the yogurt chips so I decided to jump in and make a little strudel for my babes with it. Benny topped his special dish with a cinnamon and sugar glaze. I drizzled chocolate over his and carmel over the Sergeant's that I created. They came out absolutely wonderful and there wasn't a single morsel left on anyone's plate. 

Benny had a good time playing on the keyboard and in the kitchen today. My Sergeant had a good time eating in the kitchen and that was about it. For myself... I can't wait to learn a few new fillo recipes. γευστικός!!!

The Adventures of a Sick Sergeant

It all started with our divided house on the football field. As Benny rooted for the Cardinals with his bright face, his brother wore a star eyed gloom on his as he sorely watched his Texans sink. I was happily in the middle and knew I would be walking out of the stadium with at least one wanted win. I was for certain there was a little something more that was brewing with my Sergeant than a team loss... and mama knows her children best. 

Sunday morning my stoical boy tells me he doesn't feel good. I could see it on his face a day ago. I took him home early and ended my after-church errands in a swift. He stripped down and lethargically laid on the couch. I drew an herbal bath for him and as he soaked, I started on some homemade chicken noodle soup with rosemary bread for his ill soul. Benny was delighted to reap the benefits of his sick sibling. 

I don't ever sleep well when my boys aren't well. There is some sort of mom-alarm that is on preventing me from that deep sleep I love to get. I fell into the partial snooze as I was tucking in my boys. I tried to get up and go back to my bed and I just couldn't... it left me watching a netflix series hoping I would drift off. My Sergeant came out to be with me for cuddles and we watched the science show "Monsters Inside Me" episode marathon until the sun came up. He told me he was dizzy and had a headache, which won him a ticket home and out of school for the day. 

I cancelled my morning plans and schooled my boy from our house, editing his paper then grading his math. He blew his nose and coughed comfortably when needed as I ultra-hydrated him out of a dizzy state. Another herbal bath and eucalyptus chest rub was mixed in. Though I don't wish sickness on the Sergeant, it was so nice to have my little buddy home unexpected. He has always been well attached to his mom, right out of the womb... I called him my little velcro baby always in a mama crave he was if not physically attached, and still is... especially during these times. I love it. When he gets tired he crawls onto my lap with a blanket and embraces a snuggle. He did it early that day and I had to carry him off to bed. Benny watched me in amusement. He is getting so big. I could barely carry him and I know the day where I can't is coming soon... but until then, his drifts to sleep on my chest are relished with motherly delight. He told me something that day how I love to take care of people and thats why I'm a Nurse. I told him absolutely... and what a treat it is to take care of my very own, the very best I can sweet boy.