Planes, Pre-school, Parties, and Hot Caramel Pear Sauce

WARNING! Vacation slides ahead, but there is a delicious recipe at the end!

Planes:
We have had a busy October, like many of you. . . (Why is the week of Halloween always so crazy?!) and it's time to catch up. In the last couple of weeks MJH and I had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC for a little trip - all pleasure - no kids. It was insanely wonderful. MJH had not been there before so we stuck to all of the basics when it came to sight seeing - the Smithsonian museums, art galleries, The Capital, monuments & memorials, Arlington cemetery, the national cathedral, Library of Congress, Georgetown, and shopping and eating at fabulous restraunts of course. I had my first taste of Afghani food and ate at the famous Five Guys burger joint. MJH was even able to meet up with one of his old mission companions a few times while we were there. And as much history and beauty that we took in, the highlight of our trip was spending tons of time with MJ's brother brother Brad and his wife Autumn and their darling boys. What a blast - they were terrific hosts. We had plans to watch movies and play games but instead we had many late nights just staying up talking. Thanks SO much guys!! A little get-a-way refreshes everyone.

Us on the Mall in front of the Capital


Me at the Julia Child exhibit at the Museum of American History. It was rainy and so my hair looks like Shirley Temple. Yikes!


Me at the National Cathedral. I felt like I was in Europe while we toured the cathedral. I was so beautiful.


MJH and his brother together as we headed to Roosevelt Island - that's Georgetown in the background.


MJH and his mission comp. (He's still single ladies.)


This is the rotunda of the Capital. I can't believe my little Kodak point and shoot took such a cool picture.



Us on the metro - such a sweet way to get around town!

Pre-school:
We got back into town just in time to get AVH ready to start pre-school!!!! His first day was Monday and he did great. I have known this was the next step for him but it seemed fairly illogical to send such a tiny, young, and inexperienced child to pre-school. On the flip side I have been planning what I would do, what errands I would run, where I would go during those first two-and-a-half hours of freedom. I got up Monday and started feeling like I was ready for this, I was going to keep my emotions in check after all. Uh, that only lasted until we got to the classroom and it was time for me to leave. I shed a few tears and the teacher even came and put her arm around me. It did make it easier to head out the door seeing that AVH wasn't bothered one bit that I was leaving him there - in fact you can see by the pictures that he wouldn't even look up at me so I could take his picture. As soon as I headed off ON MY OWN the warer works ceased and I was a free woman! I hit the gym mid-morning instead of at the crack of dawn and then headed to Wal-mart. Exciting huh?

On our way to pre-school


He could care less that I am leaving him here.

After only three days of school this week I can already tell what a positive thing school will be for AVH. He is getting far more attention and stimulation than I could give him. And he doesn't seem as small and out of place as I expected. I am thrilled for him and can hardly wait to see his progress.

Parties:
AVH started preschool this week because he also had a birthday. He turned three! It is hard to believe, and he may be on the small side still but he is very much a little boy now and not a baby - he is growing up and he is super fun. We had some ice cream (AVH doesn't like cake) with family to celebrate and he had waffles for breakfast on his birthday (a favorite). It is nice that little pomp and circumstance is required at this age. I didn't even wrap his presents - terrible, I know. We have another birthday right around the corner for CMH who will be nine. Wow, that one is hard to believe. I am getting old.



Pears:
Since we only served ice cream at AVH's little birthday party I thought I'd throw in something nice for the adults. I found a recipe for a Hot Caramel Pear Sauce that you serve over vanilla ice cream in a cook book and I have been dying to try it. This seemed like the perfect occasion. It was YUM-O!!! Even the kids came in for spoonful after spoonful. We devoured the whole bowl. If you keep some pears on hand this is a simple dessert to whip up quick on a whim.


Hot Caramel Pear Sauce

29 oz. can pear halves (reserve the syrup)
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 C brown sugar
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 C pear syrup
1/4 C butter

Drain the can of pears and reserve the syrup. Chop the pears into small pieces. Combine the cornstarch, brown sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan. Add the pear syrup and cook over medium-high meat until the mixture boils; reduce the heat and cook 5 minutes. Add the butter; stir until melted. Add the pears and heat through. Serve warm over vanilla ice cream.

Notes: Stir well while it's cooking so it doesn't scortch. And it's OK to lick the pan, just turn your back so your guests don't see you - it's that good.