Dinner alternative: "Wine" and cheese tasting for kids

Last night we had Keely’s back-to-school night, which meant I didn’t have a lot of time to make dinner. I had some leftover cheese from my weekend’s housewarming, so I got out the more kid-friendly types—in this case, smoked cheddar and muenster, threw on some fruit, melba toast and nuts, and voilà! We turned this fast and easy dinner into a night-before-school celebration.

Other than substituting a juice for the wine (we used tangerine) and pre-slicing the cheese, you can really do everything you would do for an ordinary tasting. Add in any fruit that’s in your fridge—pears, figs, apples and olives are traditional choices.

This is also a good time to introduce new foods, as kids, at least in my experience, are typically more willing to try them if it’s in a fun or party setting, or if they feel like they’re being treated like grown-ups. Cheeses are also an easy food to start identifying subtle differences in texture (even Amia announced that the muenster was softer than the cheddar) and flavor, to help children start really appreciating what they’re putting in their mouth.

 

Farm-themed birthday

I'm just getting ready to start planning Amia's 4th birthday next month, but this is a look at what we did last year. Destination: Alstede Farms in New Jersey, where the kids (and grown-ups) got to pick apples, play in corn field mazes, go on a hay rack ride and more.

Animal cupcakes: Marshmallow, fruit roll-up and red dot pigs, coconut and dot chicks and marshmallow lambs. I used M&Ms for the eyes.

Of course, pony rides.

Keely - still not too cool to participate.

oh my. face a mess, barrettes falling out. all of the signs of a successful party.

Our friends David and Walt wanted to climb the hay mountain, but felt silly doing it without a child. Thankfully Amia was willing to be their prop.

Nothing without Providence: Colorado vacation

So a couple of weeks ago, my sister, brother-in-law and I drove up to Colorado to meet up with the girls (already on vacation at their dad's house there). We spent a long weekend jam-packed with Colorado-y activities. First we went to the Flying W ranch where we explored Old West and Native American villages, hiked up a big hill, rode in a mini mining cart and then sat down to a cowboy dinner, complete with tin cups. The next day we hit up some mild white water rafting, went panning for gold and did some cave exploring. And because Keely is fascinated by all things prehistoric, Sunday we went to a dino museum that we kept passing (apparently Colorado is a hotbed for dinosaur excavation). And not without note, after dropping the girls off, the three of us adults hit up a dive-y Mexican restaurant on the way home that was some of the best I've ever had.

I couldn't resist the cowgirl gear for the ranch. I mean, come on.

Thrown into cowboy jail at Flying W Ranch

Face-painting at a Native American cultural education demonstration

Amia was falling asleep in the chair while getting her face painted. Thankfully she caught her second wind.

Rafting was the winning activity of the trip. Both girls said next time they want to take on some rougher waters.

Panning for gold with Aunt Mandi

In the caves. It was so dark, the girls couldn't keep their eyes open for any of the flashes. This was our third try.

At the dino museum. Amia's still in mining mode.

The mascot of our trip was this mule deer who probably would have let us pet it if we had tried to.

About Us

Hello world.

We are a family of three girls who after a bit of a life transition (and a stint at a gypsy-esque existence) have recently relocated from the urban NYC sprawl (loved!) to a cottage in a bucolic little river town. I grew up in the Midwest, so let’s just say I know my way around a Paul Harvey discussion, but it’s been fun watching my girls marvel at their new surroundings. From “Look mom! Cows! Eating grass!” to the more tragic, “Why is that raccoon sleeping on the side of the road?”

My 9-year-old Keely is a sweet, thoughtful girl who adores animals, art, drama, and inexplicably, the Ghostbuster’s franchise.

At a friend's rooftop barbecue in Brooklyn.

With godmother Marissa (1 of 2 godmothers, I'm sure you'll meet the other soon.)

Amia, just on the heels of turning 4, is part fairy princess dipped in glitter, part slapstick comedienne.

Budding fashion stylist, she's required a say in her daily outfits since she could walk.

Impromptu restaurant dress-up with my sunglasses. It's always a mod, mod world with Amia.