To California And Back, With A Short Trip Down Memory Lane (30 Day Challenge - Day 7)

This is our last summer in Florida.  It's a little bittersweet since Pensacola has been our new, albeit temporary home.  When we moved here three years ago, Hubs and I were just talking about dating.  Now as we leave, we're married with 3 full time kids, 2 dogs, and 1 part time kid.  It's been an amazing three years that I wouldn't change.  On Friday, I embarked on a journey with Kennedy, Von, and Dexter.  We said our goodbyes to Hubs, Sylvia, and Duchess then we were off.

This trip wasn't a leisure, take your time kind of trip, but a strictly scheduled trip.  We headed to Bossier City, LA then Roswell, NM and ultimately Chula Vista, CA at my mom's.  It took 3 days to get there and it was going to take 3 to get back.  By the time I left California, I had dropped off the last of my passengers and was riding solo.

I had plenty of time on the road to remember the past few years.  It's hard to believe that Kennedy had just turned 4 and Maguire was 6 when we moved.  The kids lost countless teeth and new allergies emerged.  They both became huge sport nuts.  Kennedy became quite the accomplished cheerleader and Maguire was awesome at football, basketball, and baseball.  We've made plenty of friends and hope to continue these relationships.  I am saddened that we will be leaving what is normal for the kids and starting over.  Hubs and I still have friends and family in or around San Diego, so it's not that hard on us.  The kids though, that's something else entirely.   

Now, I never said why the rush.  Hubs and I will celebrate our first anniversary on July 6th.  He proposed last year during the fireworks, and we went to the courthouse 2 days later on a Friday and were married.  The very romantic, sentimental side of me couldn't dream of him being alone on the 4th or our anniversary.  So I made it happen. We don't have any plans bigger than just staying at home with Sylvia and watching a movie.  It may sound lame, but we truly do love each other's company.

Here is my little trip down memory lane.

Our first summer vacation, 2011.

Main Street Disney, 2011.

Maguire

Sylvia - 2 months

Maguire and Kennedy, 2011.

Kennedy's Cheer Squad's Trophy for Competition, 2011.

Daddy with Sylvia, January 2012.

Von, July 2012

Sylvia, 2013.

McGuire's Fun Run, March 2013.

Sylvia playing in the kitchen, July 2013.

Patriot Pancakes: A 4th of July Breakfast Idea (30 Day Challenge - Day 6)

Pancakes.  The breakfast of champions in this household.  All of the children love them, even the adults.  We used to buy the Hungry Jack mix since most mornings I don't have all that much time, but since I've been trying to make sure that my kids are eating as healthy as possible I've been looking for a homemade mix.  Thanks to Pinterest, I've managed to do just that.  The link ultimately originates at this blog, Super Healthy Kids.  The recipe that I use from their website is below.

Homemade Pancake Mix

This recipe is copied from www.superhealthykids.com/blog/homemade-pancake-mix.php

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Instructions

Pancake Mix:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 3 cups white flour
• 1 1/4 cup powdered milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 Cup baking powder
• 1 Tbsp salt

Mix together with a whisk and store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.  

To Make Pancakes Add:

• 1 1/2 cups mix
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbsp Canola oil
• 1 egg

Mix together.  Pour batter onto a hot griddle or pan.  

When I make pancakes, I always double this recipe.  The pancakes cook up great and they also freeze well.  The kids love to reheat them during the week for breakfast.  Maguire normally loves to use them to make peanut butter tacos in the morning.  I love these for when the kids want me to make shaped pancakes.  They hold their shape well since the mix is a little thicker than the other ones that we used before.

Patriot Pancakes.  I thought it sounded better than Freedom FlapJacks, but call them what you want.  These pancakes came about since I had a bunch of berries that we needed to use.  We normally have quite a bit in the house since Sylvia loves fresh fruit for breakfast, blueberries being her favorite.  Her second favorite breakfast item is pancakes.  When dealing with children, you've got to change things up and Patriot Pancakes were a big hit.  I made my usual homemade pancake mix and got the griddle hot, but decided to pull out some cream cheese and let it warm up.  I mixed it with some honey for sweetness and layered it between their pancakes.  I added a dollop on top, covered with strawberries and blueberries.  Von and Kennedy love to add strawberry syrup on top as well, as for me, I like it plain.  I hope that everyone has a Happy 4th of July!  

Patriot Pancakes

For the cream mix:
8 oz cream cheese
2 Tbsp honey (or to taste)

Bring the cream cheese to room temperature.  Add the honey and whisk until mixed.  Serve.