Teagan James

Perfect Banana Muffins; A Baking Adventure with Toddlers

I love my kids, they are amazing, adorable, sweet and stubborn little jerks. Most days we play, color, practice writing, read and eat everything they can get their hands on but there are some days that are rough and I'm not afraid to admit that I bribe them to take a nap.  These are the days that something along the lines of "sure we can make muffins, now go to sleep" escapes my mouth when I actually meant to say "no, we are going to clean your playroom after nap - won't that be fun!" The results are delicious banana muffins (my new favorite,) one salivating dog and two toddler covered in flour and giggles.

I found a promising recipe on Pinterest (yay for it not being a Pinterest fail because I've had my fair share of those) and we started getting the ingredients in order. Out come the stools that Grumpa, my dad, made for the kids and there is bickering and pushing as they fight there way up for one of the two equally prime locations to access the counter. For Christmas they received a Pampered Chef kids baking set from their Auntie Owlie and every time we use it there is tons of excitement quickly followed by tug-o-war then drum playing and then ends with me washing all the slobber off the spatula and bowl because my spicy (thanks for that term, Magan) two year old likes to put everything in her mouth. Next, I re-wash everything because while I was washing the spatula and bowl Quin put the remaining items in her mouth. Finally, side by side they are lined up with extra clean bowls and measuring equipment and are playing the "me first, no me first game." Love that one *eye roll.* Soon they are in the swing of things and carefully measuring out somewhat close to full measuring cups and spoons and adding the ingredients to the counter....and then remeasuring and (with mom's help) adding them to the bowl. Cue giggles and the inhalation of flour as they begin a flour fight to where I'm pretty sure the spicy two year old won. Once (the majority) of all the dry ingredients were in the bowl we pulled out mommy's bowl and started in on the wet ingredients. Which would have been about 17 eggs if let them have their way. I was pretty impressed at how well they cracked the eggs as I expected to be crunching shells at some point but not a one made it in the bowl!! Shout out to our chickens for finally not freeloading after the cold spell we had earlier this year. After mixing all the ingredients we brought the bowl over to the greased muffin pans (we did a double batch and added chocolate chips to half) and I started to spoon the batter into the pans.....imagine me squished into the corner of our counter with one child trying to climb up my body to get a good view and the second pushing the other, and me, from their stool to insure that THEY get the better view. While I'm trying to keep my balance and restrain myself from flinging batter at my crazy offspring, suddenly there are tiny fingers going from bowl to mouths and all I can do is laugh since it's finally silent for the first time in almost five years... If you are a guest at my house in the next two day - I'd recommend you don't eat the muffins.....

Soon the muffins are in the oven and as I'm closing the door the silence is broken with "are they done yet?" and "Nana muffin, Mama, nana muffin!"

Needles to say it was a pretty long 15 minutes but well worth the wait when hubs and I got to enjoy a muffin...and another moment of silence since they both shoved the whole things in their mouth at once. I do have to say that the cuddles and kisses were pretty awesome afterwards, even if it's just because they wanted more muffins.

Below is the recipe that we used in case you wanted to make your own batch....I MAY have added a few ingredients and steps..... also, scroll down to see some cuteness!

Love my two crazy, energetic tots.....even when they drive me bananas....


Perfect Banana Muffins

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 large bananas, mashed
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ⅓ cup butter, melted
  • (Toddler slobber - optional)
  • (One toddler sneeze- optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Coat muffin pans with non-stick spray, or use paper liners.
  3. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  4. Combine bananas, sugar, egg, vanilla and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, and mix until dry ingredients are just combined. Do not over mix. Scoop about ¼ cup of batter each muffin tin.
  5. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Muffins will spring back when lightly tapped.
  6. Try not to eat them all in one sitting.
  7. Hide the remainder so the rest of your family doesn't eat them.
  8. Get up at the break of dawn so you can eat said hidden muffins without little fingers stealing them all.
  9. Make your kids eggs for breakfast.

Recipe From My Mommy Style

XOXO,

Sarah

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Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Children's Posed Portraits vs. Lifestyle Photography | Olympia Photographer

When it comes to documenting the childhood of your kids there are several types of photography to choose from. One is posed - this is a very traditional type of photography and has been popular for a long time. Think school pictures!! Posed images can be taken indoor in a studio session or outdoor as well. Posed portaits are a great way to document your child's milestones and can turn out pretty stinkin' cute!!!

Big milestones are happening (back in December HAHA) at my house! I finally got around to taking some milestone portraits of my babies! Quinlynn turned two in September, Teagan turned four in October and Avalyn turned six months in November! Here are some cute little pictures of my babies that hopefully make you smile! If you have met these sweet kiddos you know that they are a pretty good representation of their personalities. There is the wild and Spicy Quinnie with a "Ba" (Pacifier) always in her hand, Avalyn with her constant smiles and chubby cheeks that make her eyes disappear when she grins and my sweet, giggly and giant Teagan. As an example of posed portraits, see these increcibly adorable studio portaits I took of my kids.

For many families professional photographers are hired once a year for family photos to put on a Christmas card but photography is so much more than that! Posed images with a flawless background are awfully adorable - and very convenient in winter months- but a more candid, lifestyle approach is really what speaks to me. Those little moment where my babies are concentrating on a project, learning a new skill, delighted with their favorite snack, playing dress up or hugging each other are the ones that I never want to forget. I love a good smiling picture and I do want some of those once in a while but the ones that capture the magic of their childhood at it's purest are my most treasured possessions. As examples I'll use my favorite images of 2016 and a couple irresistable ones from 2015.

Life is busy, parents, but no excuses. These moments with your child pass so quickly - it's easy to get caught up in life and put off photos over and over and then before you know it they are driving and applying to colleges. When they are tiny and sweet and just discovering the world there are so many little moments that your heart will miss so dearly. So get out your camera, or your cellphone and snap away.

For those of you that are reading this and shaking their head in laughter, thinking - "No way, not my kid, they are too crazy!" Hire a professional!! MOST kids are different with any other human on the planet than their moms. We've all seen it - we are at our wits end with a cranky baby and then a friend, or daddy shows up and they are smiling and giggling!! It's frustrating, but we share a deep connection with our kids that no one with ever experience so although they can be little turkey's for us time to time it's so worth it. Hiring a professional photographer can take some of the stress off of you when it comes to getting great pictures of your kids! It's part of our job - so sit back and relax and let's go capture your kids' personalities....don't forget to jump in a few too! Your kids will thank you when they are older.

In the end,  it doesn't matter if you choose posed or lifestyle photography - just choose! Remember, you have options and pick one or the other or, like me, a combination of both- what matters the most is that you do it!! Happy documenting! Call me if you want advice on great areas to take pictures of your kids, or better yet let me show you. <3

Happy Saturday! Have a great weekend and hope you get to spend some quality time with those you love the most.

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

Teagan Turns Four

Dear Teagan,

Wasn't I just pregnant with you, my tiny boy? Wasn't I just feeling your daily hiccups and waiting anxiously for every (not so) tiny kick? Seems like hardly any time at all has passed since I was (im)patiently awaiting to hold you and kiss you and snuggle you. Four years. HOW has it been that long?? I think back about all our moments we've had, the funny things you've done, the hilarious things you've said and it makes me sad because I miss your chipmunk cheeks and the Grand Canyon sized rolls in your thighs that swallowed pants, fuzz, food and whatever else was unlucky enough to come near those things. BUT, every day is a new adventure with you and as much as I miss all times we had together I also look forward to all the new things coming, all the new funny things you'll do and all the new hilarious things you'll say. I very much look forward to watching you grow up and I hope that you never lose your sense of humor or desire for adventure. I love you, (not so) tiny boy. I love you today more than I did yesterday but not as much as tomorrow. I will always love you, unconditionally and with all that I am. So, keep growing up - not too fast though - and always remember to be kind, love those around you and always be true to yourself.

Always,

Mama

XOXO,

Sarah

Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page!

Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful

XOXO, Sarah Like what you see? To see more please like Sarah Gonia Photography's Facebook page, follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest page! Contact me today and lets document all those little moments that make life beautiful