HELLO BEAUTIFUL! { weather that is! }

Have you stepped outside lately? I mean, more than that brisk walk to the car. Have you actually spent time out there? Enjoying the fresh air, feeling the warm sun soak into your skin, & totally consuming yourself around sounds other than televisions & blocks being knocked over. I will admit, the chill has kept us in lately but we decided to chance it.


(I'm afraid he doesn't quite understand the difference between snow & grass yet.)



It took at least 15 minutes to gather & put on all the gear. Boots, snowpants, jackets, hats & mittens. Daycen helped choose what Baby Sister was going to wear; she wasn't quite thrilled with the layers of clothing. It would be her FIRST time actually encountering the snow.



Yes, she knows what snow is. Don't get me wrong. However, the first year of her life was a in & out of places without really touching it. This year so far, she was able enjoy it from a stroller. This was her first time getting right there in it - & at first, she wasn't too thrilled.



She didn't want to sit in it. She isn't a very good walker to be able to stand in it without face planting. So, I offered her the sled. Oh, I'm SO glad we picked this old thing up from a garage sale last year for $2.







It amazes me how much a little fresh air can change everyone's mood. Instead of being cranky & frustrated; the kids were full of smiles & laughter. Nobody was focused on picking on the other - we all just got along. So, much so that I was able to attempt a group picture. (THIS IS A BIG DEAL) The kids don't normally like being close to each other, especially not close enough to snap a picture of all three of us in frame.





It's not perfect photography wise. It's not even centered. The settings were WAY off. I moved in too close & Daycen was eating snow. However, it IS perfect. Frame worthy. I've learned through the years that even the not so good shots are the best moments captured. So, don't worry so much on your camera settings - focus on preserving those quick moments. Sometimes the best shots are the crappiest composed.





After playing outside, we walked down to the local auto body shop & got treated with sweet treats. (COOKIES!) What a perfect ending to a long afternoon playing in the snow. ♥





WAIT!

BACK UP!

DID YOU CATCH THAT?!





After TWO-AND-A-HALF years Daycen finally got his haircut! He did SO well at the salon & is SO proud of his new hair. I can't believe it finally happened but I am thrilled with the new look & great attitude change that came along with it. ♥



haven't done this in awhile ♥

EATING AWAY FROM HOME {can be quite a challenge}

In some situations, it seems, eating in a restaurant can be a pleasant experience. Both kids can either quietly eat, while other times complete chaos. It doesn't matter if they are well rested, or falling into the tired "quite" stage. It doesn't matter if I bring them toys to play with or if we put a rush on the food to keep them from getting bored. I have come to believe it is all about the atmosphere.





This past weekend we went out to lunch with Grandma at Subway. She was a bit hesitant about eating in, but Daycen insisted. There was a couple finishing up their meals when we arrived, otherwise, the entire place was quite. (other than the workers who were chattering away) We ordered our Sub, choose a quite spot to eat & hoped for the best.



The only fuss we received was the sudden change in attitude about eating black olives. No wails, no screams, absolutely not problem.

However, this, was not the case when we went out to dinner with my husband a few days later. We arrived at Noodles & Co. mid-afternoon. About two thirds of the tables were taken, bustling & voices circled the small room. We ordered our food, took a seat, & within minutes (I'm talking QUICK service here, with as many bodies in that place, they were not behind one step.) we had platters of delicious food placed before us.







Baby sister took ONE nibble of her macaroni (& cheese) before the fussing began. I tried to console her from her highchair, but it didn't ease her. I allowed her to sit next to me in the booth -- her pouting quieted slightly.



The boys didn't seem to notice.



I offered up my phone to play baby balloons.

One bite. Two bites. Almost Three.

The phone was down, her eyes were wide, & she was crawling up my arm. Her whines began to top the chatter of the other guests around us. I smiled lightly. Yes, I love eating out but not on the expense of someone else being uncomfortable.



So, to go it was.

I had inventory at work that night & the family thought it would be a surprise to meet for for a late night dinner. So, they arrived in pajamas & took me out to a classy fast food restaurant. 7:00 at night. The only guests in the place was a group of four young teenagers, & an older man in his 50's.

Yes! You guessed it. She was PERFECTLY content.



So, if you'd like to invite us out - we have special regulations. These which include; Off times, non-hopping restaurant locations, delicious food that can be quickly packaged to go, & of course the acceptance plans changing at a rapid pace. I'll be honest, eating out with young children is a challenge BUT it's such a treat when all goes well. ♥

THANK ( GOODNESS ) IT'S FRIDAY.

I hate to admit it, but it is undeniable. I've neglected my blog for a little while til a few days ago -- with this neglect, came the overwhelming amount of camera phone pictures that built up on my phone. I captured them, I love them. So, I found today no better day than to dump them all on you.

Sort of like, how the snow is being dumped on us (slowly.)











WHEW! It felt nice to unload them. Oh, & My phone feels 100 times lighter now.

HIS FIRST SCHOOL V-DAY PARTY { I can't believe this day has come }

I remember as a child going to the store & getting one of those pre-packaged Valentine's Day kits in the cartoon character of my choice (or animal). Than, once at home, carefully selecting which one of my classmates got which one. I'd wait, excited to see who got me some in return.

After all these years, I got feel that entire feeling all over again through my son. We got the Valentine's, we chose designs for each of the names on his list, & today he took them to school. I sat all morning, hoping that inside his bag came back some cute Valentine's...



Five minutes earlier than our normal time, as excited as me & Ripsi were, we headed towards the bus stop. Did he have a good day? Did he feel special? Was anyone else SO into this as I was?



The bus didn't come fast enough. When the doors opened, I heard, "Mom! HAD FUN!" He had fun. It was a good day.




As we headed home, I couldn't wait to open his backpack & have him tell me all about his day. Show me all of his sweet little notes from his friends. I knew not to expect much since his class is very small, but I was excited to see that he got some.

I can't wait til next year.

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH ♥

I had ever intention to make heart shaped, pink & chocolate chip pancakes for the kids on Valentine's day. I had everything out on the counter awaiting Daycen's arrival home from school. I knew he'd be SUPER excited.However, his bus was almost forty-five minutes late because they got behind at the play at the Grand Theater. By the time we walked home, it was already after noon & it was almost time to head over to Grandma's.

So the pancakes had to wait.

Until today of course. :-)



I've have a difficult time getting Daycen to pose for pictures without screaming "SMILE" at the top of his lungs or hollering REALLY loud. So, capturing these were priceless. My little man model is back sort of. He will still throw a fuss every now & than when it comes to pictures --- but at least I am finally getting some decent ones! ♥







After burning my fingertips last year, I invested in a actual heart shape pancake mold (yes, grabbing a cookie cutter out of a scorching frying pan will result in burned fingers. No thank you needed for being the "test" subject on this theory.) The best $2.50 I have ever spent.





Not to toot my own horn or anything, but these pancakes sure did turn out looking like ACTUAL hearts & not some smashed up triangle. My awesome pancake making skills may have finally surfaced after all these years. (or perhaps, the new mold had something to do with it.)



I never make pancakes.

I really, honestly, never do. I buy this mix once a year because I like to see this excitement.



I'm a firm believer that fun food makes for a happy heart.



I'm also a firm believer that someday, she'll get it.
Until than, I'll just keep trying.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2012! { heart-shaped pizza }

Tradition.
— n
the handing down from generation to generation of the same customs, beliefs, etc, esp by word of mouth


For those of you who have been a follower of my blogging over the course of the past three years have come accustom to seeing our Heart Shaped Pizza on the eve of Valentine's Day. This being one of the most viewed pages from our blog (thank you, thank you.) So, without further adieu & in a lot more pictures --- here is this years ♥



When making the crust of your pizza, be sure to follow the directions exactly. We always mix ours in a medium sized mixing bowl & cover it with a towel for the time suggested on the package. When they say cover, they don't necessarily mean you need it in an air tight container. Just cover it enough to trap the air inside to help the yeast in the bread begin doing it's thing. Whatever you do - DON'T SKIMP ON THE FLOUR. Load it up. Load the table, load your hands, load the dough, & load that rolling pin!! You can never have enough, & when forming it into a heart, you want it as easy & non-sticky as possible. I've learned in the past few years, when you roll the dough out; shape it like a triangle.



You can try to roll the dough out to form the heart, but I've found it easier to just roll the triangle shape & with a knife just slice out a small piece of dough. I never throw this piece out, I just mash it into a spot on the crust that perhaps I rolled out a little too thin.



Transfer the dough to a greased pizza or cookie sheet. If you have more than one set of hands available, I recommend asking for a little assistance. The dough is thin & floppy, so slide you hands underneath & try to lift all corners at the same time. Once placed on the pizza sheet, pinch the sides of the crust up. This will help keep your sauce in place & the pizza toppings from burning.



Be sure to perforate the crust slightly with a fork. This allows the crust to breath as it cooks.



My husband insists on spraying the dough with cooking spray, I however, do not. It's all your preference. I haven't really noticed a difference between the too - but I'm not a professional pizza buff like those guys down at the Pizza Hut. This is where you add the pizza sauce; we use a ladle to spread it. Anything with a nice round bottom makes this task easier.





At this point, it's time to load the pizza up with your favorite toppings! Have fun with! ♥ We added colored peppers to ours this year for a little color splash & a bit of crunch! Delicious!


Once you have the pizza created, pop it into the oven following the directions on the crust.



At our house, this is when the aroma circles the kitchen -- & that smell brings visitors from the other room. Ones with wide grins, & very hungry appetites!



Remove the pizza when the allotted time is over. Remove from pizza sheet & allow to cool slightly. Cut into small squares. & Enjoy!



Homemade is always better.
♥ Happy Valentine's Day everyone! ♥