Overnight Oats, Park Fun, and Play Date!!

On the plate:  Overnight oats

Soundtrack to cook to:  Still hooked on Pharrell Williams' G.I.R.L.  It's really reminiscent of a mix between 80s Michael Jackson and 00s Justin Timberlake.  I'm really diggin' this album.

It's so crazy, but I swear, as soon as it's above 40 degrees outside, it feels like summer!  The boys and I have been getting outside as much as possible because we had a serious case of cabin fever.  Each day, I have found a way to get the boys (and dog) outside to a different park so that they could run around as much as possible.  We've had a lot of fun exploring our (not so new) neighborhood and checking out all of the parks that are nearby.  What's nice is that almost all of them are dog-friendly, so I can bring Oscar along with us.

Alex and William, cheesing around at a playground.

Last Tuesday, it was pouring down rain in the morning, so I decided to take the boys back to Sky Zone once again.  This time, I got there early enough so that we had an entire hour to jump around and play.  HA!!  I quickly realized that 30 minutes is pretty much the kids' limit in regards to having enough energy to jump and run around.  They were pooped after 30 minutes, and were continually taking breaks along the side of the trampolines.  :)

The boys at Sky Zone.

After a while, they enjoyed lying on the trampoline and
letting me bounce them.  :)

More music class fun!  The boys were given scarves and were asked to move the scarves around with the music.  William enjoyed playing "Peek-a-boo" with his scarves.  :)

Our happy guy, playing "Peek-a-boo."

Shhhh....he's hiding!  :)

Silly William playing "Peek-a-boo" in music class.

New breakfast obsession!!  This is something that I've read about and have played around with the recipe until I finally found the perfect preparation/combination.  The new sensation:  Overnight oats!

Ingredients:
-1/3 cup Banilla lowfat yogurt (banana vanilla yogurt) (or use your favorite yogurt - although I tried Greek yogurt with this and was not a huge fan of the thickness)
-1/3 cup Oats
-1/2 cup lowfat milk (If you want it more thick, use 1/3 cup milk)
-1 tbsp peanut butter (however, sometimes I use  1 tbsp cookie butter)
-1/2 tbsp chia seeds

In a small bowl, mix together the oats and the chia seeds.

Then add in the yogurt and cookie butter (or peanut butter).  After that,
pour in the milk.  Now here's the secret:  Mix this well to combine!!

(I was so disappointed when I would see people on websites putting big globs
of peanut butter on top of their overnight oats.  It's not incorporated and you
only get a few bites with the peanut butter.  Mix that deliciousness in
so that the peanut butter (or cookie butter) flavor is well-incorporated.)

Pour the mixture into a sealed container overnight (or at least 3 hours).
You'll have a delicious breakfast that you can top with some yummy
fresh fruit for the next morning.  Plus, it's super fun to eat out of a
mason jar in the morning.  Reminds me of drinking sweet tea out of mason
jars at my grandparents' home in the summer.  :)
It's a delicious new spin on yogurt and granola and is my new breakfast obsession!
Enjoy!

Since it was such a beautiful and sunny day, I decided to pack a lunch and take the boys on a picnic after music class.  We found a local forest preserve, parked, had a delightful picnic at a picnic table, and then went on an adventure, exploring the forest preserve.

Alex and William enjoying a peanut butter
and jelly sandwich at the forest preserve.

Me and the boys on a beautiful day.  :)

We found a huge soccer field that the boys
enjoyed just running around and chasing each other.

They're so stinking cute.  :)

William and Alex, running around and chasing each other.

William and Alex on a tire swing. 
For 17 months old, William is very strong
and good with his hands.  He hung on like a pro
and enjoyed spinning just as much as Alex.  :)

"Higher mommy!!"

This fuzzy little chick loves to get his picture taken.  :)

Alex enjoyed bouncing William on this
playground equipment.

After breakfast each morning, we have a little down time where I'm cleaning up and putting away dishes.  During that time, the boys usually go to the living room and play with their toys.  This particular morning, I saw William scurry to the front of the house and wondered what he was doing.  I looked down the hallway and saw that William had found his "happy place" and sat himself down on the shoe tray and was "reading" a book to himself!  Alex saw this and thought he would join William as well.  :)

Alex and William, in William's comfy spot.

Oscar wanted to check it out as well.

Our fuzzy little chick, making himself comfortable.

Love.

We had an amazing weekend, weather wise.  It was around 70 on Saturday, so I set up a play date with one of Alex's friends from school and we met at Larz Anderson Park(one of our favorite places).  We had an absolutely wonderful time playing on the playground, in the park, and then enjoyed a delicious picnic together.  Joseph was on back-up call, so he took a separate car, just in case he was called in, and joined us for this play date. 
We had such a great time with this family.  I swear, play dates are as much fun for the parents as they are for the kids.  Lots of laughs and good times were had by all!  Thanks so much, Qing, Nader, Kian, and Kamrin! 

Qing and the cautious Kian on the playground. :)

Our little Hulk, William Billiam.
(Part of his pasalubong from Tita Kristen and Uncle Pete!)
Thanks! :)

William and Kamrin loved playing with the mulch exploring their surroundings.

"Uh-raaaaayyyy!"  (William's "Hooray!")

Kamrin and William - two cutie patooties

I monitored Alex while Joseph monitored William.  :)

William was in the middle of throwing a tantrum.  I'm sure Kamrin
was thinking, "Dude, chill out.  It's not that bad."  :)

Kian and Alex loved chasing each other around the playground
escaping an imaginary "monster."

Big boy William, at the wheel.

Alex and William on the field - after they tired of the playground.

Kian was such a professional, showing Alex and Kamrin how to
dribble the soccer ball.

Kian, setting up the ball.

The boys in action.

After a rollicking game of "chase the ball," the kids were starting to get a little "hangry" (angry because they're hungry).  So, we found a picnic bench, set up shop, and had a delightful picnic together.

Kian's in-depth conversation started off by whispering, "Boo boo," to
Alex.  Then, it continued with some more silliness and non sequiturs.
Kian and Alex were in stitches, laughing at each other.

Joseph and wiggly William.  Joseph had to master the art of eating
one-handed since he was holding wiggly William during the picnic.

Oh my goodness!!  Lol!  Kian.is.hilarious. :)

Alex was quite amused.

After the picnic, the boys wanted to go back to the playground to run around.

The little boys, acting like big boys. 

Whatcha doin', buddy?

William loves climbing up the stairs and then going down the slide.

William insisted on holding his sippy cup almost the entire time.
He would NOT allow anyone to hold it for him.

Joseph, doing his best Michael Jackson impression
with William.  LOL!

Alex and Kian, running away from the "monster."

Kian, Nader, and Alex, playing on the playground.

William, practicing to be an accountant when he's older.

William, climbing up just like the big boys.  Oy!  This kid is fearless!

Qing and Kamrin, having some silly tickle time.  Too cute!!

We were so thankful to get out of the house and enjoy the beautiful weather last week!  It was so much fun to share this with Joseph and to make new friends with a wonderful family. 
Until next time...

Love and kisses,
Nikki