Toddler Approved - Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pancakes

Now that Charlie and Adella are consuming more 'real' food and we don't have to buy Formula (OH HAPPY HAPPY DANCE!)  I've been looking for more ways to give them healthy foods that they can feed themselves.  They are pretty independent eaters, plus its hard to try to feed both of them by myself  - I can't keep up with how fast they want it!  I'm trying to make a lot of my own foods rather than resort to Cheerios and other store bought snacks - don't get me wrong I'm still using those because I'm not superwoman, but I figure if I can add some homemade things in here and there then its a start!  So with that in mind I thought I would share some of our favorites so far and as I try new recipes I'll share the results of those too for anyone else who might be in the same boat!

Both kids LOVE breakfast!  They consume so much during that meal so I am trying to make sure I pack in some good stuff!  Other than bananas, berries or other fruit, pancakes are a huge hit here!    And this is one of their favorites!

Sweet Potato OR Pumpkin Pancakes
(adapted slightly from here)

About 3/4 to 1 Cup mashed Sweet Potato or Pumpkin (I use can pumpkin or make a big pot of sweet potatoes to have on hand for recipes like this)
1 1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour (can use AP Flour, but my kids don't mind wheat and we like it too so I go with it!)
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs beaten
1 1/2 C Milk
1/4 C melted butter

Sift dry ingredients together.
Mik egg, milk and butter and gently stir into dry ingredients.  Fold in sweet potato or pumpkin.  Cook at medium high heat.

This batch makes enough for all of us and a few left over that I freeze and reheat in the toaster for Charlie and Adella.   I love this recipe because there is NO sugar in it!  We don't give them syrup and they totally gobble them up (Seriously, Charlie ate 4 average size pancakes yesterday!) We of course do use syrup but I find I don't need all that much - and I don't need to butter them either.  They are so tasty!  Great way to get veggies in first thing in the morning!

If you try it let me know how you like it!

Not a bad view

While we dealt with the sickies, I spent a lot of time looking at this view.

Not gonna lie it was pretty great to just sit and read.  We actually made it through whole books without them tearing them apart or wanting to eat them.   I am so glad they love books and love when we read to them.  Now only if they would stop trying to eat them all!!

Little sick guy

This guy did not feel good for several days, he didn't really have any visible symptoms except for a fever and that he was super whiny, clingy and tired all the time.   He's such a sad little guy when he's sick!

He was so tired he fell asleep before I even got Adella changed and into her crib.  Didn't even wake up from the flash.  Poor thing!

For Mary

Dear Mary,

We are learning to brush our teeth and we like it!  Thought you would be excited that Mommy and Daddy are taking good care of our teeth.

Love,
Charlie and Adella

PS.  Come visit us!

Sunday Fun Version 2.3.13

Sunday began a not so fun week for us, lots of sickies around here!  Adam was sick enough he didn't even go to church on Sunday.  I woke up with a little bit of a sore throat and couldn't imagine wrangling both kids through church by myself so we all decided to stay home and rest.  Too bad that rest didn't fully prepare for the week we were in for!

Since we didn't go to church, we didn't get dressed up either and didn't really do anything out of the ordinary to warrant any great picture taking.  However, I just had to catch these two playing together so sweetly.  I love when they share and play quietly together (ok the toy makes noise, so not THAT quietly!) We are starting to get to the stealing toys stage, so I cherish when they just share and love each other!