SuperMonkeyGirl

I was cruising Facebook while I nursed Mr.Man today. I usually look at Code Name: Mama, peaceful parenting, Leaky B@@b and SAHM natural businesses. I came across a post by Code Name: Mama. She stitched a new superhero cape for her son. I have some extra flannel and now I have an inspiration. CNM linked back to this tutorial, so I checked it out.

E-Girl!

My MonkeyGirl loved it. After running around being a superhero and training our dog as her side-kick, it was time for an episode of WordGirl on YouTube. I like cuddling and watching this show with her in the evenings. I may even learn a new word or two.
The next morning E-Girl wanted to wear her cape to school but decided against it last minute because of our rainy climate.

Apple Crisp

MonkeyGirl requested this delicious and easy recipe for dessert tonight.

Preheat oven to 350.

3-4 apples, peeled and sliced
Place in a glass baking dish (we used a loaf dish)

Combine:
1/2 cup Earth Balance
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup GF oats
1/4 cup GF flour (we used soy flour)
2 tsp cinnamon
Spread evenly over apples and bake for 30-40 minutes or until apples are soft and bubbly and crust is golden at the edges.

MonkeyGirl using the apple machine

Dress for Sage

I did it! I created a dress on my sewing machine. I have been searching the 1/2 off bin at my local fabric store for 1-2 meter bits that I can use for practice. I found this beautiful fabric that I used for the skirt there for $3 and I only used half of it on this dress. After a lot of trouble with the fit of the dress I decided to use no-sew snaps to make it easier to get in and out of. I hope Sage and her mommy love it.

Front of dress

Back of dress with no-sew snaps

Sore Loser

My daughter and I are affected by cold sores. These nasty little sores have bothered me since I was 7 years old. I feel like I have tried every remedy: OTC, prescription, natural, preventative with varying degrees of success. I recently came across a product by My Mama's Love called Sore Loser. This is an all natural product that according to their trial participants can stop a cold sore in it's tracks or after the blister erupts can cut healing time to 3 days. MonkeyGirl has had numerous cold sores this winter and we usually use Zovirax, which is a prescription cream. Her healing time is somewhere around 5 days while using Zovirax. She woke up the other day with the start of a cold sore. I immediately put some Sore Loser on it. She said it smelled nice and didn't sting. A great review from 5 year old MonkeyGirl. Today is the end of day 2 of her cold sore and the blister is completely gone. She has a small red mark on her lip where the cold sore was yesterday. I can't believe, it seems like a miracle.
Opinions of a Moody Mama is having a giveaway of some My Mama's Love products. I have entered the contest, have you?

Wool Longies

Mr. Man in his recycled wool longies.

I recently found an Elna sewing machine at the thrift store near our home for $10. After having it cleaned and tuned up at the local sewing shop, I began sewing. I raided my Dad's closet and scoured the local thrift store racks for wool sweaters. I found a tutorial with great photo step-by-step directions here at The Sewing Dork. Thanks for the inspiration and clear instructions. I love the creative feel of wool. It's very forgiving and perfect to learn how to sew.

Brown Sugar and Spice Pudding Cake

Preheat oven to 400.

In a bowl mix:
1/2 cup white rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1/4 cup potato starch
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Boil 2 cups of water to make sauce.

In a liquid measure add:
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup olive oil
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Mix well. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Spread batter into baking dish (I used a glass pie plate and the sauce spilled over a bit). Place 6-8 tsp of butter, I use Earth Balance, on top of batter. Add 1 cup of brown sugar to 2 cups boiling water.  Pour over batter in baking dish. Bake for 30-40 min. Serve with my Coconut Whipped Cream. Serves 4-6.

Effective Listening

My daughter, MonkeyGirl, has been coming home from school with a 'sore tummy'. The school will call me at lunch time and I go pick her up. We drive home and she jumps out of the car, runs inside and asks 'Can I watch a movie?' Well. . .this does not seem like a girl with a 'sore tummy' but I play along for a day, two days, three days. During our days home we have been discussing her tummy aches. She says she doesn't have enough time to finish her lunch at school so she gets hungry and then her tummy hurts. This makes sense to me so I try to help her by cutting and peeling all fruit, offering lots of snacks as well as a sandwich. I talk to her teacher about allowing Emalee a bit more time if needed to finish her lunch. Day 4 - another 'sore tummy' and another phone call home at lunch.

MonkeyGirl and I, posing in the sun!

I have just started reading Parent Effectiveness Training by Dr. Thomas Gordon. The ideas in this book are helping with my listening skills. I ask Emalee about her 'sore tummy' again. She tells me that she goes outside to play but no one wants to play with her then they come inside to eat and her tummy hurts and she doesn't feel like eating. Ah ha! We have identified a different problem. The AquaMom I was before reading Dr. Gordon's book would offer a list of suggestions. 'Why don't you ask someone else? How about you ask a friend from your class before you go outside? Try joining in without asking.' After reading his book (at least the first half) I try listening to her instead. This is Emalee's own problem, this doesn't effect me personally or so this book says. It does make me incredibly sad that no one wants to play with my sweet, loving Monkey but for the sake of listening and helping her to solve her own problem I try to listen without advising or suggesting. I validate her feelings by saying that it looks like it makes you very sad when no one will play with you. She tells me more about her efforts to find a playmate. I continue to validate her feelings and listen as she tells me about what has been happening on the playground. When our conversation has come to an end we play and read a story.
This morning I ask her if she is feeling worried about outside playtime. She said nope, I'm not worried. This makes me feel great. I hope she has solved her own problem. This type of listening is very hard for me. I want to help my MonkeyGirl and I now realize that I can't solve all her problems. I enjoy listening to her feelings and she seems to relax when I validate them for her. This has helped us both when she is hurt or sad and crying. If I validate her feelings by saying 'You are feeling sad because you banged your knee and it really hurt you.' or 'Are you feeling frustrated because Mr.Man messed up your game, again?'
I plan to continue using listening and validation of feelings with all the relationships in my life.