Treyton's 6

This summer Treyton turned 6

I'm a little behind as his b-day is in June but thought I'd share his day anyway.

Everyone loves birthdays at our house.

Treyton is really into dragons and lizards right now.

Thanks to the movie How To Train Your Dragon. 

We've watched it at least 50 times.

What boy doesn't love a Nerf gun?

Treyton really wants to learn how to play the guitar.  But I was told to start him off on piano at his age rather than guitar.  Well, we tried that but he wasn't much interested.  So perhaps we'll wait and start him on guitar when he's older

He also wants to play the drums but I wasn't ready for that yet.

Galina is ready for the big stage in so many ways.

Since we were at the zoo in the morning and pretty tired out, we decided to make homemade pizzas for dinner.

So after naps, showers, and baths we got to work.

I'm currently searching for the best pizza crust recipe.  I haven't found it yet but promise to share when I do.

We all had fun piling on the toppings.

Even sweet little Brielle.

She's got the cooking gene, I just know it!

A strawberry cake was requested and what mommy could refuse to make one for her firstborn?

Six years before this day was probably the greatest day of my life.  When God made me a mom.

 I get to look at that excited face everyday.

 Excuse me while I go kiss him to pieces.

Love you, Mister-Mister!

B-day Zoo Trip

Instead of having birthday parties this year, our family decided to get a zoo membership.

So we headed off on Treyton's b-day since he's the first summer birthday in our family.  Bryce's is a week later, and a month after that is Galina's.

Brielle had never been before and absolutely loved it. 

 I knew she would since she loves seeing the cows and horses that live by us.

 It was a gorgeous Saturday in June; a perfect way to spend the morning.

 It's so fun for me to see how excited the kids get over the animals.  I love seeing the world through their eyes.  I never tire of it.  People keep asking me why we're having a fourth child.  This is part of the reason.  Childlike perspective on the world is something I want to continue to re-learn and never lose again.  My munchkins are helping me with this goal.

 Oh man, can you see how close that tiger is?  Galina found it first.

 I think she made it roll over.  If anyone could do it, it'd be Galina.

 Gotta love those big and baby giraffes.

 Our boy's a little over 3.5 feet tall.

 Galina, just over 3 ft.

 And Brielle did NOT want to get measured, but I reckon she was 2.25 ft. tall.

 They had this cute carved canoe which we tried to get all three kids looking at us and smiling.  Didn't work.  We made a scene trying.  Brought Brielle to tears.  Oh well.

 Brielle loved the bird's eye view from her daddy's shoulders.

 We concluded the morning with an elephant show.  These are my favorite animals.  A great way to close out the morning.

Popovers

These are delicious.  One of the great secrets of living in Minnesota. 

 I've searched for the perfect popover recipe. Living in Colorado brings about some challenges when it comes to making popovers.   I've tried probably a dozen.  Most turned out like hockey pucks.  And then I came across this one that actually works in high altitude.  And it's from Minnesota!

There was this restaurant in the old Dayton's department store called The Boundary Waters Cafe.  Then it changed to The Oak Grill when Marshall Fields took over.  Now that it's Macy's I'm not sure what the restaurant is called, but the popovers have lasted through all those years and changes.  I think that says something about how good they are.

 So when I found the restaurant recipe I was so excited.  AND IT WORKED!  The only popovers I've ever successfully made in Colorado, not for want of trying, mind you.  These taste exactly like the ones from the Minnesota restaurant.  They serve them with honey-butter, by the way.  Or they're good with syrup.  Or dipped in soup.   Or just plain.  Mmmmmmm......

Here's the recipe:
Boundary Waters Cafe POPOVERS
3 lg eggs
1 C milk
3 Tbsp melted butter
1 C flour
3/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Liberally butter or spray popover pans or deep custard cups. (Popover pans are sold all over the place.  See picture below.  They run about $10-$15.)
Beat eggs with an electric mixer until frothy.  Add butter and milk and mix well.
Add flour and salt and mix to just combine--batter will be a little lumpy.
Divide among prepared pan filling only half full.  Bake until puffy and well browned.
DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN WHEN BAKING!  It takes about 35-40 min.  And really, use your oven light to peek.  I can testify to that one too.  Many failures makes for a jubilant success when it comes!

Here's a what a popover pan looks like:

Enjoy!

Tigers

Treyton's favorite sport is baseball.  Even though neither Bryce nor I was into it, the boy has it in his blood.  I know my grandpa was a terrific baseball player, and I remember Bryce telling me his was too.  So I guess it skipped a generation but the boy is pretty good.

 His team was the Tigers this year.

 Treyton had to learn positions this year.  At the beginning of the season he kept running to the ball no matter where it landed on the field.  Then he'd scoop it up and throw it to 1st base.  Some kids just stood there.  Even if it landed right in front of them.  I would've been one of those kids.

 By the end of the season he had the positioning down.  He liked playing short stop and the pitcher's position. 

We've observed that he's not big into contact sports (just like his mom and dad) but he loves being part of the action.

I think coaches of Little League should have a special place in heaven!  The coach, PJ, was amazingly patient, encouraging, and organized.  Best coach we've had yet!  They really learned things this year.  And recently, we saw PJ again at Treyton's school for kindergarten.  His son is in Treyton's class!

Someday I'm sure I'll be able to watch all of a practice or game.

But I had two little ladies to keep track of as well.  Ones with lots of spunk and energy.

So I showed them how to roll down the hill.

That kept them busy for almost a whole practice.

Then there was this amazing park near by.  Not close enough for them to be off by themselves, however much they tried.  A constant temptation.

 We passed it to and from each practice and game and, if time allowed, I'd let them play a little.

One thing I love about T-ball season is how it turns Bryce into a shameless sports hero.

This year he taught Treyton how to practice throwing at a pillow target.

It was pretty cute when Daisy dog went after the fly balls.

The season is over now but I know will be back again next year.  So until then....