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{Pics from my Instagram}

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We've been addicted to these streusel-topped banana muffins ever since our sweet friend Janice first made them for us in 2004. JD and I had just made our big move to Canada. We were in a totally different country, initially staying in the home of our co-workers, and experiencing many, many new things. One of our first mornings there, we walked into Janice's kitchen and discovered a plateful of these fabulous muffins. Isn't it amazing how something simple like a homemade banana muffin can be so unbelievably comforting? They were a comfort to us then, and they still are today. The kids often ask for this particular muffin when they are sick. Comfort I tell you. Delicious comfort.

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{~INGREDIENTS~}

{~THE PROCESS~}

1. Mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.


2. In another bowl, mix the bananas, sugar, and egg. Slowly add in the melted butter and mix.


3. Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix until moistened and spoon into greased muffin tin.


4. For the streusel, mix the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in the tablespoon of butter until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping on top of muffin batter.


5. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

{~NOTES~}

* Sometimes I add 1 teaspoon of vanilla as well. You can't go wrong with vanilla.

* I'm a butter gal myself, but you can certainly use 1/3 cup vegetable oil instead of the melted butter.

* Cut in the butter for the topping thoroughly so large bits don't end up "sinking" into the top of the muffins.

* Recipe via All Recipes

via Hello Jack

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"Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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So far some of them have been added to the walls in the kids' rooms. I have plans for the remaining photos, but we'll see how long it takes me to get to them!

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Here we are at 4 months ~ the equivalent to 1/3 of a year. I'm not sure how we got here so quickly! At her four month check-up, Emryn was 13 pounds 7 ounces and 25 inches long ~ in the 50th percentile for both. I'm pretty sure she had a hefty growth spurt this month, evidenced by her crazy nap schedule. Thankfully her nights weren't affected, and she's back on track with 3 full ninety minute naps each day plus an occasional 45 minute suppertime snooze.

She also has a new "big business" routine which really bewildered me at first. Apparently it's not that odd for a breastfed baby to switch from filling diapers daily to suddenly going a long stretch without messing a diaper, but it still caught me off guard. Her new M.O.? Mondays and occasionally Sundays. Yep, once a week. And when she's ready...the girl doesn't mess around. In the last month she's done her thing at a thrift store, a mall, the post office, and while she was being held by our friend Trevor who described the event like a tsunami coming from her diaper! It's been comical to say the least. But hey, at least she's fairly predictable.

The last four weeks Ems has graced us with hundreds of smiles and giggles, rolled over for the first time, and slowly become a fan of the Bumbo ~ yay! We've tried the Johnny Jumper a few times, and I think she'll continue to enjoy that one more and more.

Like I've said in previous posts, Emryn is such a happy little gal. She truly brightens every day. And as my Granny used to say ~ we love her to pieces!

{OUR MINI MARSHMALLOW LAUNCHERS}

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Thanks guys for stopping off in Colorado! We had a terrific time and miss you already!

View Full Photo Story (17 Photos)

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At the end of that unit we had a dairy party. Using different dairy products, A&A mixed up a fruit dip and a veggie dip. We also put together a cheese plate to go along with summer sausage and crackers.

I tried to use the party to give the kids an idea of what was involved in hosting others in their home. First, we invited JD, Uncle Joe Joe and PaPa to join us. We then planned our menu, went grocery shopping, and prepared certain things in advance. On the day of the party we set the table, got all the food together and then gathered everyone for a fun lunch. We ended the meal with some mint ice cream ~ yum.

As PaPa finished off his last strawberry dipped in cream cheese fruit dip, he said, "Well, that was berry good!" Addie quickly came back with, "No, it was dairy good!" to which PaPa replied, "Touché!" It was hilarious.

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After the dairy party we got to work on our ant farm. The first set of ants we ordered died a sad, frozen death in our mailbox which is located down the street. So we ordered another bunch, but that time I had them delivered to my friend Katie's house since her mail arrives directly to a slot in their front door. Thanks Katie for keeping them alive for us!

He was hesitant at first, but AJ eventually decided he was brave enough to hold the jar of ants. He seemed to really enjoy our insect unit. It was the cutest thing to hear him telling people, "Insects have six legs and three parts ~ a head, thorax, and abdomen!" It amazes me how well he keeps up with Addie's lessons. He's lucky to have a big sis to learn alongside.

I volunteered PaPa to take over the job of transferring the ants to their new home.

It was quite interesting watching the ants build their tunnels and interact with one another. I think they stayed alive for a month or so. We fed them little pieces of carrots and apples and gave them water every 3 days.

Addie is doing a great job with her drawings this year. Everything is starting to get more and more detailed and her creativity is blossoming. Ayden is now starting to draw real things...but of course, sometimes his creations still require an explanation!