You guys, kids are just…something. They bring out all of the emotions – the good and the bad. And the past few days, it has been ALL GOOD. If I’m being truthful, I’m usually ready for Monday mornings – a break from the girls and some mental energy expended in different ways. (Yes, I’m one of those people who loves their job and enjoys work!)
Except this week, when Monday rolled around, I wanted nothing to do with going to work. My summer groove was in full-gear and after a weekend of strawberry picking, pool time, tennis playing with my cutie husband, time with my bestie, a date night, and lots of snuggles, I wanted the weekend to stretch on at least another 30 days or so. I mean, is that really too much to ask?
I do feel as though I am fortunate enough to have kids who genuinely like each other. It’s a good thing because they’re in the same classroom at daycare and spend all of their time at home together. As I was preparing dinner last night, they each sat reading books, side-by-side. Shea is reading-reading some beginner books with lots of 3-letter words while Piper looks at the pictures and makes up a storyline of her own. While I miss the days of carrying a baby on my hip while I prepped dinner, this new routine is amazing…and much more efficient!
After dinner, I hopped in the shower and returned downstairs to find them doing perler beads together. They were collecting the desired color for one another and just chatting away while Mark and I listened in. I have no idea what they were talking about, but it was a hybrid conversation about their new favorite TV show (Mira Royal Detective) and real-life. Again, ADORBS.
While the TV is normally allowed on at 7pm in our house (they stalk the clock for 7pm!), I let them know at 7:30pm that if they wanted a TV show, they’d need to pause on their beads. They raced in and rather than sitting on either side of me (always), Shea wanted Piper to sit between she and I. She then proceeded to say, “Piper, we can watch whatever TV show you want because your foot has a boo-boo and it might make you feel better if you get to choose what we watch.” Shea didn’t even complain when she chose Paw Patrol (the show Piper loves and Shea pretends not to). CUTENESS OVERLOAD. And oh by the way, Piper will EAT UP any opportunity to be doted on and babied. She’s meant to be the youngest, fo sho.
I hope that the family time that is thoroughly enjoyable continues into next weekend. Hold the tears and ‘tudes, please! Also happening next weekend (not a hope, a guarantee) – more strawberry goodness! I mean, we picked 23 pounds, after all! We ended last weekend, that most fabulous weekend, with these parfaits for dinner. We’d noshed all afternoon and I felt good enough about offering these as a stand-in for dinner while doubling as dessert 😉
Strawberry Pretzel Parfaits
A little sweet and a little salty!
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced strawberries
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 cup pretzel mini twists (1.5 servings)
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk plain Greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Place strawberries in a bowl and sprinkle with sugar; gently toss and set aside and allow strawberries to absorb sugar.
- Add pretzels to a mini food processor and pulse until broken up into large pieces. Drizzle with butter and cinnamon; pulse until pretzels are in small pieces.
- In a bowl, combine the yogurt and brown sugar; mix until well-combined.
- In 3 small bowls or parfait dishes, layer yogurt followed by strawberries and pretzels. Repeat a second layer. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Dessert for Two
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1 parfaitAmount Per Serving: Calories: 335Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 284mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 4gSugar: 27gProtein: 13g
Want more of something sweet and fruity? Check out these recipes!
Be well,
