This was an interesting year for SBean. Moving to a new school was tough on her and it took her a few months to settle in. She made some nice friends, loved her teacher and she really began to fit in. She adjusted pretty well to a heavier dance schedule and was enjoying her skating lessons. And then COVID hit. Covid hit at the exact same time we moved into our new home. The move was tough on SBean and it has taken her a while to feel like the new house is home. Even though we just built up and Papa is right below us everything in her world changed so dramatically.
SydneyBean rolled with the punches very well, considering.
Getting to work with her every day during home learning was wonderful. I was able to see what a clever little girl she is and how quickly she picks things up and learns things. SBean is feisty and loud lol. She loves to laugh but watch out when she is angry 😂. She is very good at communicating and LOVES snuggles. She feels things hard and let’s everyone around her know how much she loves or how mad she really is. She likes everything to be fair and has a clear sense of justice as she sees it 😂. She has a wonderful imagination and loves to play LOLs especially with her cousin/BFF SweetPea over FaceTime. She enjoys being home where she is comfortable and safe. She dislikes the news and hates Covid. She loves FaceTime play dates with her cousin. Socially, that has satisfied her during this time of social distancing. However, she missed the carnival, and LocoLanding, and her family visiting this summer. She felt all these losses hard.
SBean loves dancing and is excited to show off her abilities in her very first lyrical trio with her DanceBesties. She also enjoys skating, riding her bike, art, and singing.
During the school lockdown she has found a love for baking. She even made up a recipe with her friend and we followed and the cake wasn’t that bad! Her favourite foods are popcorn, steak and waffles. Not all together but she would love it if they were 😂. We also started music class during home learning and Ninja began teaching her how to play the piano! She picked it up so quickly and really enjoys playing.
Where HBear needs to always be moving, SBean’s perfect day would be playing Lego in front of the TV. Her favourite shows are Full House, Ritchie Rich, Cupcake and Dino, and The Simpsons. I try to get her to try new shows but she has no problem re-watching the same episodes over and over and over again 😂.
She also loves to read. Her favourite books are Dogman, Cupcake Diaries, Bad Guys, and The Land of Stories. She also likes to steal her big Sister’s graphic novels 😆.
We are so very proud of the smart, talented, kind, funny and beautiful little girl SydneyBean has become.
Happy Birthday My Love!
Check out How Was Your Week, Honey? Episode #200 I’m Not Grinchy! HERE
Topics: Monopoly, decorating, tree lights, new closures, news interview, drink minimums, public tension, mail package, email from Matt, birthday weekend, & Goth.
A while back I made this delicious chicken dish. Soooo awhile back, we were still living at Dad’s when I cooked it! However, I kept it in my draft folder and titled it, “don’t forget about this one it is delicious!” I mean can maple glazed chicken breast be bad? I was looking through my drafts the other day for dinner ideas and I came upon this one and just had to share it with you. Another recipe I’ve been holding onto is my oatmeal raisin cookie granola. We made this at the beginning of lockdown in March or April and we’ve made it a few times since! Both of my Girls love homemade granola and like to add it to their daily yogurt and fruit. I saved this one because to me, this granola screams comfort and warmth. While it’s cooking it smells just like my Nana’s house used to 💛. Enjoy!
Maple Glazed Chicken Breasts with Mustard Jus
Adapted from Food & Wine
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Preheat the oven to 450°. In a large ovenproof skillet, add the oil and heat until shimmering. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the skillet. Cook over moderately high heat until the browned, 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and roast in the oven for 7 minutes, until just cooked through. When cooked, transfer to plate and cover loosely with foil.
Return the skillet to the burner. Add the syrup and vinegar; bring to a boil.
Add the chicken and cook until richly glazed, about 30 seconds; transfer to plates.
Add the stock to the skillet and boil until reduced by one-third, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the mustard and season with salt and pepper.
Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
Adapted from The Food Network
1 3/4 cups quick oats
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
Let cool completely on the baking sheet. Stir in raisins and almonds.
