best oatmeal ever.

we love oatmeal. 

remember our favorite oatmeal raisin cookie oatmeal?

well. it got a summer makeover.

peaches and cream oatmeal:

bob's red mill gluten free oats

cover with water, about an inch above.

add vanilla. salt. cinnamon.

and stevia.

cook.

add fresh sliced peaches.

make sure you smell them 

at the store to get the best ones.

cover with cold rice milk.

and a good bit of good maple syrup.

best oatmeal ever.

one day we ate it for all three meals.

smoothie smoothers.

banana smoothie smoothers are our go to for an upset tummy.

banana. rice milk. grated ginger. ice. and a bit of agave.

perfect for nervous tummies. tummy bugs. and growing bellies.

the gingerbread challenge.

we got serious about our gingerbread house this year.

we challenged a few couples to a contest.

we had official kits.

official rules.

and plenty of good cheer.

some fierce festive competitors.

who pulled out all the stops.

and worked like little elves to build the perfect confectionary creation.

a woodsy winter wonderland.

by far the cutest one of all. and dairy free to boot!

a perfectly piped palace.

and a candy cane creation, quite fitting for mr. and mrs. clause.

we may not have won.

or even come in second place.

but a jolly good time was had by all.

and blueprints are already being drawn up for next years.

do you think the gingerpoolhouse should have a fireplace too?

cookie party.

our gigi invited us and over for a cookie party.

the cookies were made. and ready for decorating when we arrived.

the tables were filled with (dairy free) confections to cover the cookies.

everyone had different techniques and skills.

some enjoyed eating more than sprinkling.

nothing went to waste.

no cookie. sprinkle. or crumb, was left behind.

lila did make one cookie.

a touch of frosting and just a bit of green sprinkles.

my kind of girl.

then we were off to take the normal looking cookies to the neighbors.

a joyful night spreading sprinkles and love to those nearby.

and then the sugar kicked in.

white christmas.

christmas celebrating is in full swing.

and our fave family advent activity is christmas movie + popcorn.

newmans own organic plain popcorn. and a bit of melted "butter".

into the butter we add one packet of stevia and a bit of garlic powder.

drizzle butter over popcorn and sprinkle with salt.

enjoyed best in jammies. on the couch. with the crew.

and every blanket, pillow, and stuffed animal.

our fave christmas movies:

a muppet family christmas. elf. elmo's christmas countdown.

the grinch. the wonderpets save the nutcracker. prep and landing.

charlie brown. the santa clause. home alone. 

the holiday. love actually. and christmas vacation.

dairy free guide to halloween.

ever since trent's sad thanksgiving

I have loosened up on my ban of sugar. coloring. and artificial food rules.

well just for a few days a year.

we fill our mason jars with tangerine jelly belly's.

sour gummy pumpkins.

and candy corn. that's a vegetable right?

I can give you a whole post on why we love these.

and always have them on hand. no holiday needed.

Divvies has chocolate ghost.

for the kids class parties, I make up a box with 

orange or otherwise festive treats.

carrots and hummus.

cantaloupe (skipping this year)

ants on a log, with candy corn and raisins.

and babycakes pumpkin muffins.

we sip hooker tea fall classic.

yes it's decaf. 

or my new love, pear cider.

and for the pre trick or treating fuel up it's

white chicken chili. with roasted butternut squash and arugula salad.

for a very special treat, Udi's bakery makes cinnamon rolls.

perfect for a saturday morning pre-playground treat.

note: as a teacher, I would never recommend you give your child these before school.

and you're welcome teachers of america.

here's to a happy dairy free halloweenie!

7:18

a favorite time of day. 

bed head. sleepy eyes. cuddly babies.

one proclaiming "I awake! I awake!"

sometimes its eggs. or waffles with peanut butter. but their fave is:

Cinnamon Raisin Cookie Oatmeal

Bob's Red Mill Extra Thick Rolled Oats

a tad of vanilla. cinnamon. stevia. and a smidge of salt.

a handful of raisins and a drizzle of agave.

sprinkle the top with flaxseed meal.

and serve with a smile. 

Lila likes hers with rice or coconut milk on top, its easier to eat. 

but best to get dressed after breakfast on oatmeal days.

happy friday.

post school chillin on the porch.

it's Friday, and we couldn't be happier.

time for friday happy hour.

peanut butter and jelly smoothies.

baby food.

reason #42 I love gelato.

gelato spoons just happen to be the perfect size

and the best colors

for teaching your baby to use a spoon.