Baked Lasagne

Tried this today as the box of lasgne sheets have been sitting in my cupboard for the longest time. Got this recipe off the net http://www.recipezaar.com. Comfort food.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• 1 lb ground beef
  
• 1 small onion, chopped
  
• 1 garlic clove
  
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes
  
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
  
• 1 tablespoon parsley
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
  
• 1/2 (8 ounce) package lasagna noodles
  
• 1/2 lb ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
  
• 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, grated
  
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1. Lightly saute onions, garlic in oil.
   
2. Add meat and cook until brown.
   
3. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, salt, pepper and 3 T grated parmesan. Mix well and simmer for 45 minute.
   
4. Cook Lasagne noodles in 6 qts of boiling water for 20 minutes or until tender.
   
5. Put a couple of spoonfuls of sauce of bottom of 13 x 9 pan. Arrange half of noodles on next. Spread 1/2 the ricotta or cottage cheese and 1/2 the mozzarella over noodles. Top with 1/2 the sauce. Then repeat the layers. Top with 1/2 C parmesan cheese.
   
6. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
   
7. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Playdough and Paints

I decided to let Jedi have some creative time at home to keep his active mind busy while I cook and while Krisa is asleep. Busy minds keep busy hands busy! Also used his opportunity to play playdough or paint as a bait in a bid to ask him to keep his diaper dry at night as we realise he only pees in it in the morning when he is too lazy to come and ask us to bring him to pee. Started this on Monday and so far seems to be working. This would complete the final step of his potty training! I hope! Praying hard! Diapers esp the night ones are ex!! hee! Well here are some pix of him enjoying himself:

Krisal's sleepmate

Just this week, Krisal began to be very attached to her doll we bought a few months back. She insists on sleeping with the baby doll. She would ask me to put in the pacifier for the doll as well and let the doll sleep next to her. Then, she would kiss the doll and I can hear her in the room talking in intense gibberish to her doll. (prob nagging like me to ask the doll to sleep!) Since then, she has been sleeping really well and doesn't call me in the wee hours of the morning for water or to be put back to sleep. So interesting the way girls naturally gravitate towards dolls and being mummy-like. Here's how they look together!

Homemade Play Dough

Homemade Play Dough (superior):

Mix together:

1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of salt
2 teaspoons of cream of tartar
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of cooking oil

Mix until you have a smooth paste. Cook on medium-low heat in a saucepan, stirring, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the saucepan and forms a ball. Take the saucepan off the burner and let cool for 4 to 5 minutes, or until the dough is cool enough to handle. Remove the dough from the pan and knead it for a few minutes. Voila! You have a superior homemade play dough. Store the dough in a plastic sealed container or a plastic ziploc bag.

Add color to your dough, if desired:

Use food color to add color to your play dough. This can be done by adding food color to the water before cooking the dough, or you can knead the color into the dough.

HAVE FUN!

Kor Kor Understands

Since Jedi has turned three, he seems to be more mature in his emotions and is able to empathise with others. One day, Krisa was being whiny and grouchy as she wasn't feeling well. I was ignoring her as I was busy with prepearing dinner and also to cool myself down as I could feel my nerves fraying with the incessant crying. Jedi walked over to me and said:

"Mummy, Mei Mei just wants you to sayang her and give her a hug" .

So taking his advice, I went over to Krisa and did just that. It worked! No more tears!

Another incident was recently, when Krisa was spitting out her food and I was nagging at her not to do so. Jedi once again calmy told me:

"Mummy, you put too much food into her mouth. That's why she can't eat properly." He promptly took her water bottle for her to drink.

Sometimes, I think my common sense is dulled by all the activities in the day!

These two incidents really touched me as I realized that Jedi understands and loves his little sister despite thier little tiffs and squabbles here and there. He has begun helping her to wear and take off her shoes when we go out or come home and sees it as his duty as a big bro. We can see Krisa also enjoying his attention and she would repay it at times by hugging him if he cried and would bring his doggy for him to comfort him. I;'m daily praying for a close and good relationship between them and that they will love and look out for each other as they grow up together. These are one of the rewarding moments of seeing our kids grow.

Thanks Aunty Elaine!

This is a looooooong overdue post! Promised my dear friend Elaine a pic of Krisal enjoying her brithday present! She loves the pink camera! Soon she will start posing lessons with Mummy! Thank you Aunty Elaine!!!!!!!!! *muacks*

Krisalyn at 18 months

Our little girl is now 18 months old! I still remember Jedi was this age when Krisa was born! She has grown so much these past few months and time has really flown jugglling time with our two little bubs. Sometimes I wish time would slow down a little so that I could have more time with them. She has grown from a little baby to now a little toddler. She has begun talking and said: "Mummy!" for the first time since 2nd July. t was wonderful to hear but then when I heard her calling me at 2am, I felt more sleepy and not as wonderful! Much to Dan's delight she has sarted calling him "DarDee". Some of her other phrases are "See See!" (when asking me to look at something), "No More!" "Peace" (Please), "rorry" (Sorry) "Tar Q" (Thank You), "Bye Bye", "Arpel" (Apple), "kel" (Uncle). "Tea" (aunty)... Soon Jedi will have a better conversation partner...