Monday, July 29, 2013

Birthday Boys



 This weekend we celebrated birthdays.  Jacob and Wheeler were born 15 days apart.  Until this year we have had separate parties for them but decided to do a joint party this year, and the boys went for it. We asked them how they each wanted their cupcake decorated.  Jacob wanted balloons and streamers and many other items.  Wheeler wanted Spiderman.  Kelli and I decided to make a big cupcake for each of the boys and serve cupcakes in lieu of cake.




The birthday boys.


Aunt Kelli brought the boys balloons.  Wheeler's was Spiderman.  Can you tell he loved it?



Mom's birthday falls between the boy's birthdays, so we made her a huge cupcake, too.


This was not the best pic, but the only one on my camera.  Sorry, mommy!





 The kids started a game of Duck Duck Goose.  This was on Wheeler's summer Bucket List.



Unfortunately when you have a double birthday party, you don't get all the pics of the kids opening gifts that you want to get.  I did not get any pics of Jacob.



Loving on Aunt Patty.



And then we swam!





The boys had a great time.  Thank you to all who were able join us.  And thank you for the boys' gifts. We love you all.



















Saturday, July 20, 2013

Love

Some things I'm loving right now.

I love when Wheeler hollers at me from the next room: Wheeler- hey mom! Me- what bubby? Wheeler: I love you! {heart melts}

I love when Caroline snuggles up close as she's falling asleep.

I love my little family.

I love spending the day with my mom, aunt, and sister.

I love hearing the thunder outside and seeing the lightning.

I've loved all the time Wheeler and I have spent together this summer.  This has been a memorable summer for me, I hope it has been for Wheeler as well.

I love that Caroline is about to take off crawling.

I love all the things Wheeler knows.  He's a little sponge!

I love my husband, how he worries about our future, and is working hard to ensure the future is wonderful for us all.

I'm loving these Jamberry nail colors I've been looking at (yes, that ones a bit random considering the rest of this list!)

I'm feeling incredibly blessed.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Favorite Pins Friday



It's time again to link up with Cara and The First Grade Parade for favorite pins Friday.  The state has been professionally developing me this week, so I've not been on Pinterest too much, but here are a few things I found.

I want to find a coffee mug/tree stand to make this from One Artsy Momma 

                                                

So cute and easy!


I pinned a few ideas from the 25 Clever Classroom Tips article.

 


I definitely intend to put rubber bands on my hand sanitizers this year.  This stuff is like crack to a 6 year old!  If only I could do something like this to the tissues as well.



These salted caramel apple hand pies look yummy and I think Wheeler will like them.

                                                 

I'm pretty sure I will be putting this to use, free printable banner letters from Shanty 2 Chic




Now it's off to McKay's and to start planning a little boy's 5th!!!! birthday party.

Monday, July 15, 2013

How Caroline Does Food

With Wheeler, I made all of his baby food, except for the prunes.   I made it because I wanted to, not because I felt like commercially made food was bad or anything.  I enjoyed coming up with new combinations for him.  In the beginning, I think he had a huge repertoire of foods he would eat, I don't know what happened, though.  Now, it's not that there are foods he doesn't like, I call him a moody eater (unlike his father, who is a picky eater!)  Luckily he is at the point that he will try pretty much everything I ask him to try.

I planned on making Caroline's baby food all along, as well.  Life is getting in the way.  I kept saying "oh when school is out, she will be six months old, I will have moe time."  Ha!  Have you been following along this summer?  I have crammed this summer with so many fun activities, there has been no time for making food.  We have improvised.

Back in June, we started with avocado.


She wasn't sure about it at first.  I mashed up a little bit for her.







Brother got in on the action.


About five minutes after she finished eating, it ALL came back up.  We waited a couple of days and tried again, only this time, I just chunked it really small.


I put it on her tray, she played with it, but didn't try to put any in her mouth.  I used a spoon and my finger to give her some.  I was surprised at how she immediately began to gum it she she did so well mashing it with her gums.  She loved it.

A few days later I cooked carrot and cut it into tiny pieces.  I figured since it worked so well with the avocado that we might as well try other foods.



Carrots were a hit as well.  Next was applesauce.  I don't make it.  I have made it, and it was delish, but for the money and time, I don't make it.


She loves her applesauce.  But now that I put some oatmeal in it, she loves it even more!

I decided a couple of weeks ago that it was time to introduce the prunes.  We need the regularity, if you know what I mean.  Again, she loves them. 



In fact, I've yet to give her anything that she doesn't love.  So far she's had peaches and sweet potato, in tiny chunks, and peas, as well as all of the above.  We've been putting oatmeal in the applesauce and prunes for a little extra texture.  She will now pick up the pieces, and at least aim for her mouth.  She only hits her mouth about a third of the time.

I've tried not to stress.  We've been having so much fun this summer that I have needed this to be easy.  I am trying to decide what to do about food when school starts back next month.  She won't be in full time care, but I want it to be easy on the sitter we are lining up for Mondays and Fridays.  I have the ice cube trays and steamer ready to go if the urge to make and freeze some food hits me.

I'm so glad she has not been a picky eater.  So far.



Friday, July 12, 2013

Favorite Pins Friday


         

I'm linking up with Cara Carroll at The First Grade Parade again for Favorite Pins Friday.




First, the family loves this spaghettin bread from Rhodes Bake n Serve Blog.  It's really good, easy, and makes a ton!!!



Another one from the blog Smashed Peas and Carrots I love is these no bake energy bites.  This one has been around a while, but they are oh so good!


                                        

     
I've been having fun with this site!  Customize your dream home!  A girl can daydream, right!



My mom is extremely crafty and talented, so I am all the time pinning things for her such as this cute lunch sack I know she could make.


She has an etsy store with adorable items called Scraplady Creations.

And I REALLY want this for next year



That's what I've been pinning.