Alexander at 11 Months

Well this is getting up very late as Alexander will be 1 year old in just over a week (we've been busy moving again, but now we're basically settled), but better late than never. I really can't believe how fast this year flew by, each kid seems to make time go faster.

At 11 months Alexander:

• Is 23 pounds and 31.25 inches
• Is wearing 12-18 month clothes
• Has 8 teeth (yeah he got 4 in a week, not fun)
• Got his first haircut last month
• Got to try McDonalds double cheeseburger for the first time last month and loved it
• Says mama, dada, nigh-nigh (night-night)
• Waves hi and bye, signs diaper and water sometimes
• Loves to clap for himself
• Likes to do things he thinks is funny and then laugh hysterically at his own jokes
• Loves to play with his brothers
• Loves to play ball, he'll play catch and "fetch" for a long time
• Like to look at his books and flashcards and points at words

Mandarin Mondays: Bananas Inside (The Chinglish Files)

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Mandarin Mondays: Please Don't travel Over the Railing (The Chinglish Files)

DIY Chocolate Covered Bananas

So this isn't so much of a recipe, as an nudge to go make this quintessential summer treat. My kids loved the experience of making and eating these creamy chocolatey wonders.

Homemade Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas Recipe

• 5-7 Bananas
• 1 (12 oz) package chocolate chips
• sprinkles or nuts (optional)

1. Cut bananas in half and place on popsicle sticks (or in my case chopsticks). Place in freezer at least 30 minutes or until frozen. (At this point you have all natural, 100% fruit banana popsicles, perfect for an everyday treat. Also great for the teething baby in the house. But if you want to make something really special carry on.)
2. Melt chocolate chips carefully in a double boiler or microwave.
3. Dip frozen bananas in chocolate. I spread the chocolate around some of them with a spatula too.
4. Dip in sprinkles or nuts if desired. (This was my boys favorite part!) 
5. You can eat them immediately, but they hold together a little better if you return them to the freezer for at least a few minutes. Once frozen you can also wrap them up and save for later.

It's funny, I didn't realize there was a goat in the kitchen until now.

Mandarin Mondays: For Your Text (The Chinglish Files)

Forget something?

Somebody else did too.

Alexander at 10 Months

At 10 months Alexander:

• Is 22.75 pounds and 30.75 inches
• Wears 12-24 month clothes
• Loves to be a part of everything, even trying to "help" with chores
• Is a chatterbox who loves to babble constantly
• Says mama, dada, nigh-nigh (night-night)
• Waves hi and bye, signs milk, more, and occasionally diaper
• Gets himself into and out of sitting position easily, so it is more fun for him to play sitting for a couple of minutes
• Loves to eat pretty much everything. In one meal he can eat a whole egg or banana or piece of pizza.
• Is doing a little better about not constantly getting into everything 
• is getting better at entertaining himself/playing by himself for a little bit
• Loves to learn
• Loves attention and affection, will come up to us just to give a hug and kiss