Chocolate croissants, that's what! Happy Wednesday! My son opted out of making breakast (he wanted to watch "bubble guppies"- a show from the gym and eat boring 'ol lucky charms). Em was running around in her apron and toque shouting "I bake, I bake chalk-yyy." [Her word for "chocolate".] Since she was helping, we just did it the easy way- croissants with chocolate chips drizzled with bakers chocolate.
Mmmmm!
Perfect-o!
Random fact: The -least- successful Harry Potter film made over 90 million more than the MOST successful Twilight film. Hmmm, that's because Harry Potter is amazing, and Twilight is teenage girl drama. :)
I could rant about how my daughter scribbled all over my white kitchen wall today while I got dressed and I had to use FOUR magic erasers to get it off. I could tell you how my dogs made a mess in their kennel (the smelly kind) after just having been outside for 2 hours and that I had to get up and clean it at 4:30 a.m. I could tell you that I am sad and that I miss my husband. I could say that I'm always in pain sitting, laying down, standing, walking, running- my back hurts constatly [still] because my drs office is incompetent and never treated me 8 months ago when I was first seen.
But my daughter is almost 3, and she's never done anything like that until the last few days. My dogs are dogs, I chose to have them. My husband is safe and sound and I at least get to talk to him (almost) whenever I want or need to. And I have insurance to go to a better dr to help with my back. I got to lay around and play with my kiddos till they were turning colors from laughing so hard. Even when it's difficult, it could be worse. Forcing things into perspective because it's all I can do some days. This too shall pass.
Oh my word. So I made dinner tonight, I already didn't do the recipe I wanted to from pinterest because I was too tired. I improvised and made ranch chicken with mushroom rice and a veggie, it was so good Em even ate her chicken. She -never- does. Well, while I was preparing it... SHE was filling up our entire toilet bowl with T.P. Cute, right? UGGHHH! I laughed it off. I couldn't even be mad at her. I gave her a calm, stern "No, Em. That's NOT what nice girls do!" which was enough to send her crying in another room.
She has the "baby" thing down. I couldn't even be mad!
While I cleaned this up, she covered herself in sunblock. Ohhh my word, I was done for the day. However, I found her a pink supergirl cape for $1 (Everyone, keep your eyes peeled- I need a red one for Keg!), I'll pay you back for it but am not willing to pay more than a few bucks. K-meister got a brand new pair of (nice) cowboy boots at goodwill for $3 (40 bucks at Cavenders!) and we had a pretty good little photo session/dress up playtime at the park.
I think tomorrow we're making chocolate croissants for breakfast and then at some point this week, chocolate quesadillas! M'hmmmm! I made frozen oreo pie tonight... I haven't made dessert in awhile -except the strawberry shortcake on a stick and the kids and my family each had one.
Looking forward to more fun with them this week. I love my job. :)
It's been awhile, I know. Truthfully, I'm writing this so I can procrastinate moving my bedroom furniture around (making room for the new bed, hooray!). Let's see... what's happened since last time? Well- we went to "A day out with Thomas" the train for K's birthday gift from his Nana & Papa. We left at 9:30 p.m. on that same day to head to TX and arrived at 8:30 a.m. I'd been up 26 hours and crashed HARD. I think I napped more in that day than I had for the collective 6 months before it. We had a good week... went to the beach, spent tons of time in the pool and just enjoyed family time. Before I get ahead of myself, I'll throw in some photos from THAT. :)
Okay, sorry. I just had to get that out there. K-man got a Thomas the train catalog today from his pa-pa and has informed me that even though it's 10 (almost 9) months away, he wants a Thomas the train birthday and he would also like every single thing IN the catalog. ha. Good luck with that, little man. Ask your daddy. Em, I've just decided at some point in her life, will have a baking birthday party. I just found the MOST adorable cooking birthday party in the universe. it's here: So cute! What's amazing? It was done in TEXAS! And I can likely duplicate much of the idea. :) She needs to be at least kindergarten age for it to work out, and I will probably have to have mucho help as well as friends to invite (since we will most likely not be living here at that point). But, it must be done.
We had some fun the last few days. Photo sessions with the wee ones, and I think 3 or 4 good photos is enough to make me feel accomplished. Her party invites (tickets!) are printed and ready to be mailed (but I'm putting that off so they're not TOO early and people lose them). My amazing husband called me randomly from a hobby lobby while I was on the treadmill this morning and without even SEEING the things I bought for E's party, sent me a picture of the SAME cake stand I purchased (and have been searching for with no luck because it's clearanced out of every Hobby Lobby in the area). Great minds, eh? Yeah, he's my soulmate. I had my grandma and cousins over on Friday to practice one of the recipes (and for something for the kiddos to do, that's important).
Fit for a princess party!! :)
Here are a few from our photo sessions. The intent was for Em's birthday photos to send out with her invites. These are the ones I love the most.
That's all for now. :)
Ohh, p.s. waking up feeling good about myself (looking cute in my dress) and losing a whole pound makes 1 hour pushing myself on the treadmill yesterday (and waking up sore today) worth it.
I should be sleeping, but I need to get this down before I forget.
Instead of brownie PIZZA... what about mini-bundt cake brownies, with the cream cheese spread and fruit on the individuals brownies? All the fruit slides around when I go to slice the "pizza" and I've been unsure of how to prevent this till tonight when I was dealing with my stinkin', ridiculous tupperware cabinet (who doesn't have one of those that's tricky? Tell me your secret.) and the mini-bundt cake pan just slid into my lap. Literally.
Tralaaaa!
... Now I'm going to sleep. I'll leave you with our (belated) What's cookin' wednesday for this week. French toast with strawberries. Magnificent.
There's much more to share from the last... 2 days? But it's nearly midnight and I'll be lucky to get 5 or 6 hours of sleep at this point. Family coming in the morning and we're making strawberry shortcakes on a stick! I need to start experimenting with recipes before this party- what better to bring MY family together than something like this? Nada. Cannot wait!
Are there any other parents (mostly moms) out there who can't remember the last time they ate their food warm when it was first finished? haha. I have those days. I sit down and forget to grab their juices or sippy cups, OR I make their plates and put them on the table and by the time I make MINE and sit down one of them is saying "More, mommy, more" of whatever their favorite thing on their plate is. So I'm up again and have generally made 3 or 4 trips back to the counter or fridge before I get to my food. Just something that seems to be a reoccuring theme in my day. Not a complaint, just an observation. Suggestions on how to avoid this? I get so caught up in pre-cleaning before I sit down too, because I know they'll be ready to leave the table before me and then I'll have to wrangle them WHILE trying to do dishes and put away food. Which makes it -really- difficult for me not to be tempted by take out and pizza. My oh my.
I think I've found my muse, I'm not sure what it is- but it's been an inspirational week (ha, it's Tuesday- not a calendar week, you know, since last Tuesday when K was at VBS and Em and I were spending 2 hours a day in craft stores!). Honestly, something that had disconnected fell back into place and put things in perspective. I was ready to go back to a part-time job... I had had it with the S.A.H.M. (Stay at home mom) thing. Not because I don't want to be with them, but because when they DO have (rare) bad days, they're so bad that I'm thinking "What could I possibly be doing wrong as a mom to make them do THIS?!" I've come to realize that they're just kids- and overall, they're very polite and generally as well behaved as most toddlers. Anyway- I have a sense of fulfillment and purpose again. Like I'm genuinely doing something good with my life by raising these sweet babies and giving them the things they need. Maybe I'm growing up, but I find that the least likely conclusion. ;)
I digress.
So, here are the party invitations. I've decided to save the "Emily" cards for thank you notes or something similar. THESE are the new and improved princess party extravaganza invitations:
Ohhh, and these are a MUST! Strawberry shortcake on a stick, seriously?? Noms!
Photo from This fabulous blog! that I found via Pinterest! Which happens to be my newest addiction. It's invitation only or you have to request one, so if you want to join, let me know. It's got great ideas for just about anything and everything as well as quotes, photos, clothing trends, etc! Craft ideas for kids, recipes... anything and everything. I love it, and you will too. I promise. It's the next facebook.
I've also considered just doing the PB&J uncrustables instead of the tiara sandwiches. It's tea-party-esque, no mess AND I can get a TON of them at sam's for like $9.
I've been trying to come up with ideas to entertain the boys too. Even if it's only just Kegan, that's no fair, right? So... I think I'm going to try Dollar Tree! I love Target's $1 section, but they're so hit and miss, it's rough finding it at the right time. I'd love to make shields out of cardboard with the kid's names on them.
I came across this as an idea for summer to keep kids busy, I'm starting it next week!
Life is good. The only thing that would make it better is having our family together. I miss my husband, but I can't complain when so many of the people I care about are sacrificing time with their loved ones for our country's bigger picture. They're brave and strong and they inspire me. Love you, girls.
Ahhh, a month and a half! I am really resisting the urge to set up a table in my kitchen and start toying around with the layout of Em's Princess extravaganza royal finger food (ha) display. Okay, she's going to be 3... but she's probably the only daughter I will EVER have, and this is as close to "catering" or "event planning" as I'm gonna get for awhile. Plus, when I -do- get there, my kiddo's parties are good guinea pigs to figure out what works and what doesn't. It's much easier for me when I can physically SEE how things work out and look... but I still have a month and a half so that might look sort of ridiculous if someone were to come over. "Ohh, pretty! When's the party?".... "Uh, September." Yeah, I'm that mom. But the "magic" doesn't happen overnight. I find all this nifty stuff at thrift stores or on clearance (I love you, Target!) so this year I intend to set up a table outside with places for each of the girls. I love that they sell them all in a book with perforated edges- placemats, napkin rings, etc.
For food:
Chocolate fountain
strawberries
pretzels
marshmallows
Cookies (maybe)
Choc. Covered strawberries (already finished)
Veggie pizza
Fruit pizza
It's a lot of work, but I wanted to make rice krispie treats in "royal" shapes for the kids to decorate, but I do it all myself, so I'm not sure how realistic that is. I entertained the idea of homemade powdered sugar donuts (like whatever Princess Tiana made in PATF) or tea party type menu (just dainty sugar cookies) for princess Belle. I just want something different from my fall-backs the last 2 years for the kid's parties. There's so much to think about and plan, and for the most cost-effective route, I guess I don't feel bad for being this far ahead of the game. :) Now I just need some really good, semi-nutritious ideas for party finger foods.... so, shoot! Comment here, message me, whatever. I need to be inspired. :) We're having strawberry lemonade with raspberry ice cubes.
These are cute, but also a lot of work- and wasteful since you're throwing the rest of the sandwich away. And waht would you put inside? How do you keep them from drying it out before the guests arrive?
I love this also! But still a lot of work. Hubby is always busy getting things ready outside (the moon bounce castle!) so I'd have to have help, I think. And probably a deep freezer for extra space.
I considered caramel corn- like 'royal golden popcorn' or something. And as much as I love it, I have NO idea how to make it.
I was so ready to kick my kiddos out of the kitchen this week. Then I remembered the quote I found in my cooking scrapbook from a good friend and changed my mind.
"When I was little, I always wanted to be in the kitchen, because it was warm, and that's where my mother was." -Dolly Parton
So, I made it fun and finally started the zebra print cupcakes I'd been wanting to do since I saw them in a book at Sam's club! Well, they were a bust. But the kids and I had a blast making them. They didn't turn out and I had to redo them tonight. It's been a hectic week(end) so I'm ready for Monday- time to relax. First things first:
Dora the Explorer eggs- love the commissary!
Mama's chefs in training.
Such a happy girl.
Always check your work!
Oh, I just love them!
My fabulous princess.
Cute as a button!
I found some of the coolest stuff when I started looking for more ways to branch out with them in the kitchen. We always seem to bake, but I really want to teach them OTHER things. So I was looking through ideas and recipes in random blogs and found a link for "Curious Chef" items!
Check this out: Curious Chef!
I mean, HOW COOL! Knives that cut fruits and veggies but not fingers. They come with other things (whisks, etc) that the kiddos already have from other places, friends or family members. There's a pizza making kit as well as boy and girl sets with aprons, etc. Most of the "cooking with kids" recipes I'm coming across are not the kind of recipes my kids would eat (or maybe that they'd eat, but I'M too picky to eat). I really need to work on branching out... I tried a salad with spinach leaves this afternoon and it was delish! I have no idea how I'd never had it in my salad before.
All that said... ideas for involving the kiddos in the kitchen? Recipes? I want to incorporate healthy foods- lots of fresh fruits and veggies!
Princess party planning was a success today! Helloooo hobby lobby 80% off and JoAnna's dollar section! I'm keeping the hobby lobby stuff on the DL till the party (it's just serving stuff, but it's GORGEOUS and very princess-y!)... but I took photos of the invitations and 2 of the favors. Oh, and the shirt I made her!
Tiara favors and the shirt I made. :)
Another favor and the invitations. :)
I have some other things planned, making the most of my time while I only have one kiddo to drag around. Keg really enjoyed his first day of vacation Bible school. Em and I had time to go to JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby and Maurices! Tomorrow we're headed to a different hobby lobby, Party City and if we have time, Sam's club. SO many pictures to develop- I'm about 2 months behind! Since before K's birthday at least.
Got my new bed with zebra print/red sheets! I have no idea what to do with myself and all this ROOM. Kiddos are all snuggled up with me and everyone has plenty of space!
and the monkey likes to jump on the bed! haha.
Also had a girl's night. Cheeseburger in paradise followed by midnight harry potter! Loved it. I need to do that more often- big thanks to my cousin for keeping the kiddos for me. :)
My last blog was a LITTLE dark and twisty. Some of this might go there too, given recent events. But mostly I want to share my ideas for my princess' princess party! I am too blessed to stay dark and twisty... so there you have it.
First... WHAT is with the jurors on the Casey Anthony trial? Really? I can wrap my mind around their verdict and the reasoning- but I don't understand it. The witch killed her baby, and now she's gotten away with it. Even if she admits it now on national television, they can't touch her. Double jeopardy. I keept hearing that someone else will come after her because everyone hates her... but that doesn't make the vigilante any better than the baby killer herself. I hate that she's not rotting in jail, but what's coming to her on judgement day is far worse than anything that anyone on earth could do to her. Justice WILL be served for Caylee, even if it takes longer than we'd like to see.
Secondly... I found my military ID. I was majorly stressing. I cried on Saturday because of how badly the guard at the gate treated me without an ID. made me get in the "visitor" lane behind a dozen cars (I was picking up food for the reception and already almost late), ON a strict time schedule and then the guy in the "visitor" lane didn't even inspect my car!! UGH! On top of that, some units discipline the soldier if an ID is lost, I would have to make a report with the military police to get a new one. Major bad news bears. Where was it? I separated K and E's clothes into different baskets and stacked them with K's on the bottom. So when I dumped his laundry out in his room last night, my face on that shiny pink card was just smiling (smirking) at me. What a dummy. Ugh. I called everywhere I'd been here as well as out of town for wedding prep. Big thanks to my hubby for keeping calm and not getting mad at me, as well as keeping ME calm (as it was possible for me to be.) haha.
As for this princess party.. I have so many ideas and things I want to do and I can't decide where to start. For the Royal invitations... disney princess cards that say "Emily" in pretty pink with shiny tiara stickers for the envelopes. The cake...
I'm kind of thinking of doing something like this in whatever flavor of cake that's different from the main cake.
Which will look like... THIS!
I have a friend who's an AMAZING baker/cake artist! I could not be more excited! If I could pull it off... I'd incoporate it:
HOOOOOWWWWW beautiful is this??
I have the background from last year... so I could TOTALLY pull off something like this if my hubby was okay with it.
Suggestions? Ideas? Websites?
I'm getting so excited. I have a feeling after this birthday, I'll have NO say in her party themes. I also need to find her a gorgeous dress and track down as many play dress up dresses as I possibly can for the party itself.
