The Big oh-2! (Part 1)

Our sweet love Kai turned two this past week. It is hard to believe because it has gone so fast. On the other hand, I can't remember my life before him. He is our everything. He is so kind and funny! I'm so lucky to be his Mommy! I used to think I would never meet another person as kind-natured as my grandma. Now I know I was wrong.

10/01/2008

10/17/2009

9/18/2010

I have read "The Prophet." I know intellectually that Kai is not "mine." That he "comes through me, not of me." Though this is hard to see when you have a very dependent baby who can't express himself very well. On his birthday this year, I started to really see glimpses of this little independent person start to shine. I suddenly realized what a precious and fleeting time this is, that we have been given. Someday, God willing, Kai will be grown with a family of his own. Now is our time to enjoy the tiny miracles in life with each other. What a blessing. My job now is to love and guide him.

We started his birthday week on Sunday the 19th. We drove to St. Augustine to pick up a used Learning Tower I found on Craigslist.com. I have wanted one for quite some time, but now is just the right time after all. I wanted Kai to be able to make food, smoothies, play and be with me in the kitchen. The tower retails for $200, and this well-used one we bought for $40.

The children of the woman who sold it to me came outside as we were loading up the van. They put on helmets and pedaled on their bikes around as we talked and wiped the tower down. As we were about to leave, the Mom said she had a tricycle for sale for $40. It was a red radio flyer with a parent-steering handle. Kai hopped on, and said, "MY bike." Dan looked at me and said, "How can we turn that down?" I offered $30. Sold. And with that, birthday shopping almost complete! We went to eat at Manatee Cafe. Yum... Kai kept saying, "I taking
it home" referring to his bike. Yes you are sweetie!!

That afternoon we took a long bike ride- just Mommy and Kai. Our neighbor and her little dog, Chutes, joined us along the way- which Kai loved. Then we went to a special birthday dinner for Dharma, Michael, and Dan at Grandma's house. Kai especially liked watching the candles and cake part. He was taking notes for his turn.

The next day, we made delicious vegan muffins- together!. Zuchinni, carrot and apple muffins on the recommendation of a wise friend of mine. Yes, I am now the Mom who sneaks vegetables into food. I never would've guessed! The story of motherhood is unpredictable! The recipe is from vegweb.com.

Top bowl: grated zucchini and carrots. Bottom bowl: chopped apple and banana.

Left bowl: wheat flour, cinnamon, ground flax, etc. Right bowl: vegetable/fruit mixture

 Kai loved the batter! As with all great chefs, he kept tasting it over and over again.

Topped with chopped walnuts

At that point, "Ama" stopped by after yoga class. Just in time to take Kai for a bike ride while I did the dishes. :)

When they got back, we had hot muffins with Earth balance buttery spread. Scrumptious! Kai ate 3!!

A few other items we've whipped up in our tower are white bean quesadillas and falafel pitas. Kai is all about the quesadillas too! Score!!!!!




There is almost nothing like the smell of cooking garlic and onions...mmmmm.













White beans, tomato, and nutritional yeast

With spinach, tomato, and onions

Kid-approved and devoured!!

Daddy liked it too ;)