13 going on 30

Jr. Cards Fans

2011-11-01T06:47:00.001-05:00

After the Cardinals won the World Series, I had the kids put on their Cardinals shirts to celebrate because a friend of mine posted a picture of her kids (those kids are now 19 and 17) in their Cardinal shirts (wich were all #25 Mark McGwire) from when they were little. A fun little memory for them and the 2011 series, one of the greatest World Series of all time.

Two Engineers

2011-10-31T14:24:00.000-05:00

It has been a while and I am trying to get back at blogging, so here is what I have for you. Teddy was supposed to be Buzz Lightyear for Halloween, but his costume was a little bit too tight. So we went with plan B, a railroad engineer. The same thing Sonya was when she was two and half years old. Here is a photo by photo comparison of these two cuters.

Sonya

Teddy

Sonya

Teddy

Sonya

Teddy

Sonya

Teddy

Sonya

Teddy

Sonya

Teddy

Sonya

Teddy

All Aboard!!

Monday Manifest on Thursday

2011-08-25T19:49:00.000-05:00

Game Shows I Used To Watch As A Kid

Win, Loose, or Draw hosted by Vicki Lawrence (or how I like to think of her Thelma Harper. I also think, "Blow It Out Your Ear," was also one of the phrases that was played a lot.)
Super Market Sweep
Price Is Right
Wheel of Fortune (I loved when you won a round and you go shopping in a "room," and everything had price tags on it. Contestants would say things like, "I will take the ceramic panda for $200 Pat, and put the rest on a Service Merchandise gift certificate.")
I'm Telling (A Saturday morning kids game show)
Funhouse
Double Dare
Press Your Luck (No Whammies, No Whammies, No Whammies...STOP!!)
$100,000 Pyramid
Jeopardy!
Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?
Remote Control

Gretchen, did I miss any??

JK

2011-08-25T13:46:00.000-05:00

Last week Sonya had her first day of junior kindergarten. She was acting nervous the week before school started. She even skipped the back to school picnic where she could have seen all of her friends. I had still had to go because I was scheduled to paint faces. So Josh and I went to the back to school picnic sans kids. It was actually pretty nice because we were able to actually talk some of our friends. Sonya and I headed up to school on Wednesday to meet her teacher and see her the classroom. She was pretty amazed by her classroom. They have a science center, art center, library center, pretend kitchen, pretend office, trains, blocks, games, computers and no pre school classroom would be complete without a guinea pig. Her name is Nibblets. The first morning of school was a little rough, the kids were up early and Sonya was on edge. I let her pick out her outfit, and she chose her fourth of July dress. I will be honest and say I wish she would have picked out one of her new outfits, but she still looked adorable. Sonya made herself a nutritious breakfast of Trix and chocolate milk. I had to let it go because I wanted to keep her nice and calm, because like I said she was on edge. I also turned on a show, so she could lay down with big baby T for a little bit.

It was finally time to go to school, but I had to get a few shots of my big girl.

The poor girl looks exhausted.

I got her a new back pack from Pottery Barn Teen, with multiple shades of her favorite color blue.

I also got her the matching lunchbox, but she had hot lunch on her first day.

I kept trying to get a few more shots of her on her first day, and this is what she gave me.

This is what happens when I ask for a smile.

All four of us headed off to school. We left early because we parking would be crazy on the first day of school, and I was right. I had to park two blocks away from school. As we walked up to school, I knew Sonya was nervous. On the way to her classroom we saw her teachers from last year Mrs. H and

Mrs. M, and they both gave Sonya a big hug and sent her down to the JK room. She hung up her backpack, and headed in. She showed Josh around the classroom. I could tell she was a little confused because in her classroom the dividing wall was up that separates her class from the other JK class. It wasn't up when we went to visit the classroom. She only knows two other girls in her class from last year and she spotted them right away, but was still acting shy. As Josh, Teddy, and I left the were getting ready to leave the classroom, this is the face I saw.

Sonya is so blessed have amazing teachers this year.

I know she will be loved well this year, grow spiritually and also be challenged academically...as much as preschooler can be.

This is why I was able to leave my girl in her class with such a sad face.

Her teacher, Mrs B., picked right up on that face and plopped right down on the floor and started playing.

As I rounded the corner of the hallway out to the parking lot, I lost it. My shoulders were bouncing up and down as my tears were pouring out. My sweet baby girl is in school five days a week from 8:20-3:20, it might as well been college with the way I was feeling at the moment. I know this is the best thing for her After I left I realized I skipped the back to school breakfast for parents. I wondered how she was doing all day, and as soon as 3pm hit I was out the door to see how her first day went, and to beat carpool traffic. She seemed to have a great first day, but I could tell she was still a little nervous. On her second or third day of school she got in the car after school and we were talking and she said,

"Mom, I wish I was in Mrs. F's (the other JK teacher) class."

I felt like I was punched in the gut because last spring I agonized over the decision to put her in school five full days or three full days. Had she been in three full days of school she would have had Mrs. F, and been with most of her friends.

I asked her why she wanted Mrs. F as her teacher,

and she said,

"because I really just want to play with those computers."

If you know Sonya at all, you know she loves technology (just like her daddy), and the computers in her class that she spotted on the day we visited classroom are on Mrs. F's side of the classroom.

Behind the dividing wall.

I was so relieved.

Now that Sonya has been in school a week I think she is finally finding her groove.

Here is look at Sonya and her first days of school over the past three years.

Pre-Three

Next up, baby T starts school in two weeks.

Colorado- Part 1

2011-08-11T22:02:00.000-05:00

Last month we took a big family vacation to the quaint little town of Grand Lake, CO. When I say big, I mean we went with Josh's whole family, there were 10 of us total in one house. The first round of photos will be just hanging at our amazing house. I am kind of kicking myself for not taking more of the aesthetics of the house, I know better for next time.

Here is the house.

Here is the view from the back of the house.

View from our Shadow Lake neighborhood.

Papi Fred and Nonna Marsha playing and singing. Papi Fred learned how to play one of Sonya's favorite songs on the guitar Empty Heart by Josh Ritter.

There were also a few renditions of To be With You by Mr. Big, thanks to Kurt and Matty.

Even though we were in the mountains, we enjoyed our technology.

We did two Star Wars Puzzles. The first one was 300 hundred pieces, and we thought it was tough. Then we did the 500 puzzle, wowza it was near impossible. I did not get a picture of the 500 piece when completed puzzle, but here is the 300.

Teddy and his rock.

Teddy and his cars.

Sonya got a hair cut.

Cute sleepers.

It will be all Colorado all the time for a few more posts.

Trying to get back in the blogging groove.

I miss having a documentation of our life, and I sure you all miss my lame stories like crazy.

HA!!

It is good to be back blogworld.

I Could...

2011-08-04T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just eat him up.

The Fourth

2011-08-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

LONG OVER DUE POST!!
Most people that know me, know that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday of the year. Growing in WG, it is the highlight of the summer. The carnival, parade, BBQ, funnel cakes, fireworks. As an adult I have grown to appreciate the 4th in even more ways. I love buying red white and blue outfits for my kids, and I love spending the day with so many friends.

We kicked off the holiday weekend by heading up to the carnival.
Normally this night is really fun, and we get to see lots of friends, this year was so HOT, we could barley enjoy ourselves.
We got each of the kids wristbands so they could go on as many rides as they wanted.

Sonya was dying to ride the ferris wheel, so I went with her and took some "aerial" photos of the carnival.

The kids rode the cars, boats, went down the tiger slide (the one from last year), the cobra roller coaster, and the carousel. It is all just kind of a blur because it was so darn hot.

This is how the kids looked all night

We did find some relief with some snow cones.

We only made it two hours before we were all ready to go home.

The fourth had much better weather.

There was a little bit of rain before we went to the parade, but it cooled the day down.

We sat with friends and family in our usual spot.

Sonya was so happy to sit with her cousin Stella.

Sweet Stella just turned three. She is so grown and beautiful.

The past couple of years the Budweiser Clydesdales have been in the parade, and I LOVE them.

You don't realize how big they until you see them up close.

I finally got some good shots of them this year.

A few of the others from the parade.

My favorite was the car with the bubble machine.

All of the kids ran out into the street to play in the bubbles.

I LOVE these photos of Sonya and Teddy.

We ended the day at our friends the Hogans house, I think there were 20 families there with 800 hundred kids running around. The Hogans have a great trampoline in their backyard, and I have to say Teddy is an awesome jumper.

As the sun went down, we passed out sparklers to all the kids.

I mean all of the kids, like there was an 18 month old with a sparkler, but I have no photographic evidence.

I do have some two year olds with fire.

We also set off a few fireworks in the backyard, all of the kids LOVED it.

Teddy would get really scared, and then clap when the fireworks would pop open.

Around 9 pm we walked down to Old Warson Country Club for the fire works.

My heart does break a bit to not go the WG fireworks, but it is so crazy and crowded.

Going with up there my little kids sounds pretty terrible, so going to Old Warson works great for our family.

Happy Birthday America, it was a great party.

Our Big Summer...So Far

2011-07-03T23:06:00.000-05:00

Popsicles

The Backyard

The Butterfly House

Morning at Laumeier Sculpture Park

World Bird Sanctuary

Sick Kids

The Jumping Pillow

Silver Dollar City

Swimming

Tired Babies

How is your summer?

A Good Meal

2011-07-01T22:52:00.000-05:00

On the way home from Branson, I insisted we stop at one of my favorite restaurants

Lambert's Cafe in Ozrak, MO.

Lamberts is like Cracker Barrel on steroids.

Josh has never been to this Missouri treasure, and I knew he would love it.

Like the sign says Lambert's is, "home of the throwed rolls." One of the workers walks out every couple of minutes of yell, "hot rolls," and you raise your arms up in the air and prepare to catch the hot doughy goodness in your hands.

Lambert's is also known for their "pass arounds." Pass arounds are basically free food the staff walks around with and pass around to whomever wants them. Pass arounds include fried okra, macaroni and tomatoes, black eyed peas, my personal favorite fried potatoes and onions, and sorghum molasses.

Funny story about sorghum molasses.

One time I was at the Lambert's in Gulf Shores AL with a group of high school girls (there is a Lambert's down there for some reason). Anyway all these cute little high school girls were sitting at a table and cute guy about their comes around with the sorghum molasses and asks the table of girls if they would like some .

To which one of the girls ( I will keep her identity secret, but many of you know her) answers,

"Sure I will try some of that scrotum."

Ahhhhh, what?!?

The young man walked away a little embarrassed, and the young lady was clueless to what she had said.

I am sure this is how the young lady felt after her encounter with the server.

Here is the delicious meal I ate fried chicken wings, chunky applesauce, peaches, and pass around potatoes.

Now friends, if you were wondering what the secret is to achieve my round and squishy figure,

here it is.

When the guy comes around with pass around potatoes and only gives you one scoop you look at him like he is crazy and say this,

"I am not embarrassed or shy, please give me another scoop of those potatoes."

Then clear your plate like this,

and you will be well on your way to a bigger backside.

Don't worry, I know you can do it.

The Step and The Swim

2011-06-25T15:52:00.001-05:00

This past week at family camp, Sonya and I had to deal with some fears. In the beginning of the week the camp directer went through the list of activities that were available to do at camp. One of the available activities was something called Hi-O Falls. Hi-O Falls is a paratrooper training device. You get harnessed into a rope and you have to step off the edge of a 40 foot platform, not run or jump because you will barrel down to the ground if you do, just calmly step off.
It basically defies all logic in your brain, at least in my brain.

In the beginning of the week I said there is no way I would do that, and I put it out of my head.

My little Sonya C. had a little bit of a hard time in the pool this week. She took swim lessons all winter, so I thought swimming at the pool this summer would be cake. I thought wrong. She does fine in the baby pool but was utterly petrified in the big pool. The first night we were at the pool we put her in her puddle jumper, and let her go in the big pool. She screamed bloody murder and pretty much panicked in the water. For rest of the week she would not go into water deeper than 18 inches. Let me just say the girl swims like a fish in shallow water paddling her arms and kicking like a mermaid.

Here she is checking out the big pool.

On day seven at camp after we listened to the speaker for the day people were sharing what they had learned during the week. Our speaker Miles's wife Bonnie shared about taking the step off Hi-O Falls. She said when she did it, it was a physical way to take a leap of faith. You had to trust in the harness with your life and the promise that it would keep you safe. Just like our relationship with the Lord, I have to trust him with my life and believe that he will keep me safe. I decided I needed to step off the platform, and got really excited about doing it. I had wait all afternoon to do it because Josh was doing something else, and I wanted him to watch me.

While I waited for Josh Sonya and I went swimming in the lazy river. I even tried to bribe her to swim by herself. I told her she could get a special treat from the snack bar, pick out anything from the camp store, or get a new princess Barbie when we got home. She still would not swim. All week she would just play on the steps of the pool, not letting us take her around in a tube or in her puddle jumper. I could tell her confidence was growing and she was wanting to go around the lazy river, so I put her in a tube, against her will, and took her around the lazy river. She was scared at first, but then she really loved it. The next time around she walked with the tube around her head, she was so close to swimming by herself. When we rounded the corner of the lazy river on our third pass, I told her I was going to jump off the tower today. I told her I was scared but I needed to do it. All of the sudden she looked at me and threw the tube off her body and started swimming all by herself in the lazy river.

No tube, no puddle jumper, no hands, and NO FEAR!!!

I almost started crying, my girl did it, she made the decision to not live in fear.

She knew she was safe.

She was literally squealing with delight.

We could not pull her out of the water the rest of the day.

When Josh made it up to the pool with Teddy, he couldn't believe that she was swimming all by herself. Then I knew it was my turn, so I put on my clothes and close toed shoes. One of the staffers Will put me in my harness and I made my way up the tower. I was well aware of the height of the tower because it also where you got on the tallest water slide. When I reached the top, I was terrified. My heart was beating out of my chest, I could barely catch my breath. I kept telling this cute college boy that I couldn't do it. He kept reassuring me I could do it, and that all I had to do was take a step. I started getting really mad because I knew I had to do it, there was no way out. Since we were at a Christian camp, I couldn't let all of the foul words come out of my that were on the tip of my tongue. I had to do it for Sonya and for my relationship with Christ.

I called down to Josh and said I couldn't do it, he told me I could do it.

I waited for my family to round the corner in the lazy river so they could watch me step.

Finally I was ready to walk off the tower.

closed my eyes,

held my breath,

and

stepped.

Honestly, I was still scared when I hit the ground, but so glad I did it. As I was walking out of the landing zone, and Will said, "You know you can go again. There is no one waiting." My first response was NO WAY, but then I made my way back up the tower to prove to myself I could do it again, that I wasn't a fluke.

I stepped again.

Hit the ground, and felt empowered.

Again, there was no one waiting.

So I stepped a third and final time.

This time it was encourage another mom to take the step.

My short journey with Hi-O Falls is a true reflection of my relationship with the Lord.

Jump One:

I have to have faith in God's promises.

Jump Two:

I have to keep trusting him through trials and blessings.

Jump Three:

Our faith encourages others.

(these photos are not me)

While I was stepping off the tower a couple more times.

Sonya pushed herself a bit further and decided to jump in the pool with no one to catch her.

The girl went from 0 to 60 in one day.

Sonya reminded me that she could pick out a treat for being so brave.

Here is what she picked out.

I got off pretty cheap.

A very good day for the Lang girls.

I Heart Faces- Let's Hear It For the Boys

2011-06-19T23:57:00.001-05:00

This week on I Heart Faces, the theme is let's hear it for the boys. This past week when we were on vacation, my two boys were best buddies. Josh and Teddy have become so close in the past couple of months and this photo is perfect to me.

Click the button above to see all of the other great entries at

I Heart Faces.

Scenes from K'Kauai

2011-06-19T23:36:00.002-05:00

Here is some of the scenery from our trip to K'Kauai, Kanakuk's family camp in Branson MO.

The 5K

2011-06-09T09:54:00.001-05:00

So as I mentioned in a previous post I mentioned I ran a 5K. I feel like all over facebook people are running marathons, half marathons, iron mans, posting their milage, etc, so my little 5K race is pretty puny for most people, but it is a big deal for me. Lets get a few things straight about me I am not a goal setter, my nerves are the opposite steel more like water the tiniest pebble can send a ripple right through me, I am not slim, and I have not exercised on a regular basis in quite some time. So this winter I was just done with being lazy and after 2010 kind of kicked my ass, I needed something. I felt like I could honestly hear the Lord say to me, "Just move your body." I needed a tangible goal to work towards, and Couch to 5K seemed like to best route for me. This winter in the Lou was one of the coldest and wettest I can remember so I did not start training for the race until March 12. It the first nice day we had in ages, I had gone to Fleet Feet that week and bought my new shoes, and I decided this was the day I was going to run.

Here is the very first work out in C25K:

It was the first time I had real sweat, and not from fear that I had lost my child in the park, but from moving and working my body hard. The first couple weeks of training I was running at all different times of the day because I had thoroughly convinced myself that I would not be able to run in the morning for a couple of reasons.

1. It takes me a couple of minutes to wake up in the morning and popping out of bed to run sounded terrible.

2. I had some guilt leaving Josh with the kids in the morning before he had to go to work. Since our kids are early risers I was never sneaking out of the house before everyone was out of bed.

I decided to bite the bullet a few weeks into training and run in the morning because looking for child care at random times of days was wearing me out.
Luckily Josh was super supportive about the mornings because in reality I was only out about three days a week, gone for about 30 or 40 minutes, and home by 7am. I quickly realized running in the early morning was the way to go. I feel like that is when my running changed, I really started to enjoy it and felt successful. I really started challenging myself with the hills in my neighborhood, and running through the walk cycles and the cool down.
About a month before the race I also started doing Insanity workouts with my 19 year old friend/babysitter Kalie. If you want a good work out, Shaun T will give it to you, and working out with a 19 year old will also kick your ass. This also helped my running immensely, honestly I don't think my I could have completed the race without doing Insanity.
As the race approached I became more and more nervous. As I mentioned before I have the worst nerves and I am usually overtaken by them. As I wondering around aimlessly in front of the science center before the start of the race I think I held back tears three different times. I tried to get a picture of the fear in my eyes with my phone.

A few minutes before the race started Josh and the kids met me at the starting line. I wish I could say it calmed my nerves, but it didn't. It was nice to get one more hug and kiss from my little family. The horn sounded, and I was off...sort of. It is so crowded in the beginning and everyone was trying to find their own pace. I am also used to running all by myself in the early morning, when there was a pause in my music I hated hearing the footsteps of all the other runners. Mentally it was really tough to get passed by what felt like 800 people. I had to let it go, and just keep running and not worry what everyone else was doing. This past week I was reminded that comparison is just making yourself feel better than someone else or worse than someone else. While I was running I stopped comparing myself to other people because I didn't want to put anyone down who was working as hard as I was. It did take the entire first mile and half to calm my nerves down. It took everything I had in me to not turn around and walk back to the starting line because I felt like was a fake. I felt like I didn't belong there with all these people who knew what they were doing. When I hit mile three, I finally realized I was doing it, I was running in a super hot race and I was almost done. The sun was blazing on mile three, but all I wanted to do was run the entire race. I didn't care how slow I ran, I just didn't want to walk. About a quarter a mile from the finish line Josh and the kids were there to cheer me on. I almost started crying because part of the reason I started running was for them. I wanted to be better and stronger wife and mother. In the beginning of my training when I was trying to get up some killer hills, I would picture my little sweet family cheering me on, and it would bring tears to my eyes. Then to see them really there in Forest Park, I almost couldn't take it. I kicked it up as best as I could after I saw them, and then there it was, the finish line.
I had made it.
My hard work had paid off.
It felt so good.
My official time was 34:07
14th in my age group
42nd in overall women.
I did check to see where I would land in the 20-29 age bracket, and it was 18th.
Here I am very hot, but FINISHED!!!

I went inside the science center to use the bathroom since I had to pee since mile two. The air conditioning felt amazing. I couldn't believe more people weren't inside.
All in all it was a great morning. I am so glad I did it, and stuck with it. A huge thank you to friends and family who encouraged me, watched my kids, and believed I could do it.
Thank you to the Lord for whispering in my ear to move more.
I am so grateful.

Now 10K training, who is with me?

Six Month Check-In

2011-06-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

Well it has been six months since I made my 2011 To Do List.

I have accomplished five out of nine on my list.

Not to bad if I do say so myself.

I know you all five of you are dying to know what I have done.

Check it out:

1. I have an appointment set up with a primary care physician. My appointment is not until September because this physician set asides an hour to hour and half for your first visit, so those appointments are limited.

2. I went to the dentist got my teeth cleaned and an old filling fixed. Sonya also had her first trip to the pediatric dentist this winter. She did awesome and got a "keep up the good work" report from the dentist.

3. I am headed to the dermatologist this week to my skin and moles checked.

4. I ran a 5K race on June 4th, more on that later.

5. Be with my kids and not entertain them. I know I am only one week into summer, but I have to say we are having a good time. We have a lot of fun things planned and my two sweet kids are really becoming best friends.

Ummm Good

2011-06-01T22:08:00.000-05:00

This past week I was scheduled to bring an item for a potluck style brunch for my summer moms bible study. I was trying to think a little bit outside the box on what to bring instead a boring breakfast item. Two weeks ago a Great Harvest Bakery opened in Kirkwood, and I think I have already been there three times. My absolute favorite bread from there is the cinnamon chip bread, it is to die for.

I thought about what would taste good on the bread, and this what I came up with.

I sliced the cinnamon chip bread as thin as I could, then buttered it on both sides, and then grilled it on a flat griddle.

What would be better on grilled cinnamon chip bread, than pork tenderloin.

The day of the brunch, when I got up first thing in the morning and prepared a brine (two quarts of water and 1/2 a cup of kosher salt) for the pork.

I did a quick brine, only one hour.

I rinsed the meat off, and then seasoned it.

I made up a rub with smoky chipotle seasoning and then added brown sugar and raw sugar to get a nice caramelization on the crust.

Then I cut the sliced bread into thirds, and made little sandwiches.

Let me introduce you to what I like to call the

french toast slider.

I think this little sandwich was down right delicious.

I will say this sandwich could have probably used a sauce or a chutney of some sort, but there was no time for that.

This dish also makes me think of my sisters, it is true Orwig food at its finest.

This is a super simple fun food to take to party and look fancy.

Enjoy.

Last Day of School

2011-05-29T21:33:00.000-05:00

I can't believe the school year is over. I feel like I took Sonya to her first day of 3K yesterday. Hands down she had an amazing year. Mrs. H and Mrs. M loved my girl like she was their own. Sonya's character, imagination, literacy skills, have grown by leaps and bounds over this past year. As much as we are excited for JK next year, my heart is a little broken that this time is over. 3K just has such a special, almost sacred, feel to it. I know the Lord was planting seeds in the kids hearts over the school year, that will bloom when the time is right, and ways we don't even know how.

Our entire family was blessed by this year.

Here is my girl on her last day.

Sonya wrote notes to her teachers.

To Mrs H she wrote, "I love the 3K friends."

To Mrs. M she drew her whole family as snowmen.

It was adorable

We also gave gifts to Sonya's teachers. I know I should have given them giftcards but I wanted to given them something from my heart. I love to bake and cook for people, so I made them each a loaf of this bread with three little jars of olive oil, parmesan cheese, and kosher salt. I attached a noted that said, "Thank you for teaching Sonya she does live by bread alone." Her teachers really did love their gifts, I am sure they would have loved a giftcard more, but oh well.

Sonya decorated the bags with the other gift we gave her teachers.

It was really a gift for the next years 3K class.

Sonya and Teddy love these dot paint/markers, so I thought they would be the perfect thing to give to the classroom.

Teddy decorated this bag.

Well, I made the three, Sonya made the K, and TR did the rest.

I also made the secretary at school a box of cookies. She is a dear friend of mine from back when I was involved with Young Life, and I loved reconnecting with her this past year. It was so nice to have familiar face at a new school, and know we would be taken care of.

I made her salted chocolate chip cookies and put them in a super cute box.

She loved them!!

All in all it was a great year.

We made awesome new friends, connected with old friends, and we knew we were in the exact spot the Lord wanted us to be in.

I can't wait for Teddy to be in 3K.

The Boy and I

2011-05-20T07:25:00.000-05:00

Sonya goes to school three days a week, so it is just Teddy and I on M-W-F. Normally I just drag in him on errands to the grocery store, Target, etc. I have felt really bad about not spending intentional time with him. Teddy can be a tough cookie. I feel like I am still figuring him out, and how to really meet his needs. One thing I have figured out about my boy is that he wants, or should I say needs to RUN on a regular basis. We have finally had a few nice days in the Lou, so Teddy and I headed to Powder Valley. I thought about just doing the short trail with him, but then I thought what the heck I am going to see if he can walk the entire long loop, 1 and 1/5 mile.

He did not disappoint.

He loved running over the bridges and looking at the "wawa."

Here is the view from the bridge.

We stopped and I let him throw rocks into creek.

We walked over to an especially jagged rock, and he needed my help to climb on.

"Mama, pease hans."

Yes folks, my two year old wears a size nine shoe.

He also has banana hands.

After the creek, Teddy kept trucking along. We I talked about how God created the birds, leaves, trees, rocks and we have to take care of what God gave us. He kept wanting to "push" the trees, but I told him we have to give the trees a "nice touch," and love what God made.

After I explained that, he started kissing the trees.

We had a wonderful morning together.

What he needs from me is, is just me.

He likes to have my undivided attention, which I don't like to always give him, but when I do he is in heaven.

I love him, and I love how the Lord is teaching me through him.

Teddy likes face to face time with me, exactly what the Lord wants from me, too.

Thank you Jesus for showing me what my son needs and what I need.

Tape Paint

2011-05-19T14:40:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago the kids and I needed a project to do. I had picked up a few canvases and some acrylic paints at Hobby Lobby (those are words I never thought I would say). I pulled them out and started to brainstorm. I got the blue painters tape out to make a pattern on the canvas. I am sure I had seen this idea some where among all of my blog reading, but I have no idea where. I tried to explain to Sonya how to make a pattern, she made a pattern in school so I thought we could build on what she had already learned. She didn't care to listen to me. Then I tried to encourage her to make some letters, again my words fell deaf on her ears.

Finally I let her create whatever she wanted.

Here is what we did

I tore up strips of blue painters tape and let Sonya place them on the canvas...however she wanted.

Then she painted over the strips of tape.

Once we were done, I let it set for just a little bit then tore the tape off the painting.

A fun and easy project that has endless possibilities.

As always, here is the mess...

And here is what Big Baby T did while we painted the canvas....

He painted himself.

The Birthday Girl

2011-05-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

My girl turned four years old on April 28th.
You can read about her entrance into the world here.
Here is what she has been up too:
She had a great year at 3K, and we are looking forward to JK next year.
She lives in a fantasy world of princes, princesses, and Star Wars characters.
When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grows up her response was,
"a mermiad."
She loves paint and draw.
Her favorite color is still blue.
She takes a "swim" in our bathtub almost every afternoon with all of her Barbies.
She and Teddy race to turn off the TV every night after their night time show.
I think she has a slight addiction to fruit bars right now.
She took gymnastics and swimming this past school year.
She sleeps in the top bunk in her bunk bed.
She is a very good eater.
Her favorite foods are
noodles
fruit: blueberries
veggie: belle peppers
dessert: Yo My Goodeness
restaurant: Deweys or Woofies
She LOVES all of her friends.
She is just like her daddy and THRIVES in a social environment.
Recently at school Sonya and another boy were kissing in the carpool line. It wasn't just a peck, as her teacher put it "It was kind of a long kiss." I told her teacher I would have a conversation with her about appropriate behavior at school. When I had the conversation with Sonya about who we are allowed to kiss her response was so simple and sweet. She said,
"But mama, I love my friends."
She is always able to find her favorite videos on YouTube, here are a few:
Little girls swimming in their Mermagica Tails
Star Wars Tom Tom commercials
Princess cake tutorials
She is my buddy, my love, my girl.
Happy birthday little thing.

Granola

2011-04-21T21:59:00.001-05:00

I have a really hard time with breakfast.

I don't love cereal, I don't eat eggs, I don't like oatmeal, etc.

I like bacon, sausage, bagels with butter, pancakes, french toast, and my favorite drink in the morning is a Coke.

I know those are not the best choices and would not help my already round figure.

With all that being said, I do like granola, which is a decent choice for the morning. I have been on a quest to find the perfect granola recipe, and I have gone through two or three recipes that have been OK. I found a recipe for no-bake granola bars, but they were a tad sweet when eaten on their own.

So one day I decided to crumble up the bars and pour milk over them.

Jackpot!!

It was the exact texture I had been searching for, soft with all the tasty granola clumps.

I changed the recipe, just a tad.

Click here is the original recipe.

4 cups of old fashioned oats
1/2 tsp of kosher salt
2 Tbsp chia seeds (You could use wheat germ or ground flaxseed as an alternative.)
3/4 cup SunButter, warmed (Again, you could use peanut butter, almond butter, whatever you like.)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

In a large bowl combine oats, salt, chia seeds, and chocolate chips.
Next add honey and mix.
Then add warmed SunButter and mix until well combined.
Press into a 9x13 greased pan and stick them into the refrigerator for at least an hour.
When it has all come together, I move it to a smaller bowl and crumble it up.

It is really delicious and filling breakfast.

Enjoy.

Beauty and the Beast Tea

2011-04-20T14:15:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Sonya and I attended the Beauty and the Beast Tea at the Magic House. I didn't tell her about it until the day before we went because I did not want to hear about it everyday. She was so excited when I told her about it, and kept asking if it was the afternoon, meaning time to go. On Sunday, she kept asking to put her Belle dress on, but I had her wait to put it on so it wold not get all messy. When the time finally came to get dressed, she ripped her clothes off and put her Belle dress on with lightening speed. Since it was a special day I put a little bit of princess make up on. Back story: Sonya is obsessed with this girl on You Tube who does different Disney princess looks. She is always pretending to put a "look" on herself with paint brushes and colored pencils, or she putting the "look" on one of her Disney princess barbies.
This was our Belle "look," a little gold eye shadow and pink lip gloss.

The girl never smiles for me.

She also insisted on wearing her crown forward and down of her forehead.

We went to the tea with my friend Cary and her daughter Winnie, and Cary's sister Jenny came in town with her daughter Remi last minute and they joined us.

Here are the three most beautiful Belles I have ever seen.

We were all super impressed with the set up at the Magic House.

They had a bunch of art supplies set out on the table to decorate crowns right when you sat down.

Then they had a little play read by the fairy godmother.

During the intermission of the play they served us some great tea and snacks.

They even had real china.

I couldn't believe how beautiful these little girls looked.

When the tea was over the girls were able to each take a rose, meet The Fairy Godmother, Belle's Papa, The Beast/Prince, Belle and get their autograph.

The Fairy Godmother

Belle's Papa
Here favorite line from the Beauty and Beast movie is,
"My father's not crazy, he's a genius."
I was hoping she would say it to him, but she didn't.

The Prince.
Sonya was a little star struck by him.

Now Belle.
Sonya gave Belle her rose.

It was a great afternoon.
The girls were very well behaved, perfect little ladies.
These are the times I love being a mama to a little girl.

Happy Birthday Baby T

2011-04-18T20:22:00.000-05:00

My precious boy turned two last Monday.
You can read about his entrance into the world here.
Here is a little list of what he has been up too.

He is 37. 5 inches tall, that is the 98 percentile.
He weighs 33 lbs, that is the 94 percentile. I think that is the first time he has been on the charts since he was two weeks old.
He has had three haircuts.
He LOVES trains. We live right next to railroad tracks and we have multiple trains come by our house everyday. Every time a train comes by he always runs to the backdoor or the window to watch it go by.
He calls Elmo, Melmo, and Cookie Monster, Cacoo. That is he word for cookie.
Here is some more Teddy speak: sotty-sorry, mott-milk, shashie-shower, roo roo-Rooney (our dog), bebes- babies, helt-help, wawa- for water he wants to play in, wa wee- for water he wants to drink,
His favorite book is Waiting For Cookies. It is a book I got from the dollar bin from Target. He likes to pretend he is Cookie Monster and eat the book.
His new favorite show is Go, Diego, Go.
He sleeps is footie jammies every night because he likes to stick his hands down his diaper. Which in turn makes him pee all over himself.
He is left handed.
He LOVES fruit: strawberries, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, apples, pears, raspberries, bananas.
He is still an early riser, getting up most days between 5:00am and 6:00am.
He is extremely strong. We were at Yo My Goodness and he pulled on wooden stake in the ground and it broke in half. That is when I decided he is going to be Bam Bam for Halloween next year.
He will make anything into a track for his car or train. One of my favorites is when he makes the straps of my camisole into a track.
He loves to ram and crash things into each other.
He talks very loud and has a deep voice.
He is the gift I never knew I wanted, the greatest trick on my heart.

These photos of Baby T running around the backyard were taken on his actual birthday.

Getting so long and lean.

A perfect Teddy face.

This what he does when you ask him to do something and he doesn't want to...

he closes his eyes to be dramatic.

Watching the train go by.

Just being 100% boy.

I love you Theodore Russell.
The Lord has made you perfect.
You are true joy to me.

I Heart Faces Wind

2011-04-17T07:09:00.000-05:00

This week's challenge on I Heart Faces is wind.

I had taken this photograph of Gracie before the big Statesmen football game last fall.

I love the perfect billowing flag, as she gave me her fiercest pose.

Click the button above for all of the other great entries at I Heart Faces.

The Cut

2011-04-11T15:53:00.000-05:00

Every morning when I have to brush Sonya's hair it is a battle. I don't like to let her wear her hair down because I hate when it hangs in her face, drags in her food, and it makes it easier for Teddy to pull. She screams and cries almost everyday when putting in one of her three hair style choices; pony tail (popo), pig tails, or a unicorn (single pony tail on top of her head). Everyday I would ask her if she wanted to have long princess hair, and if she did I explained that we must take care of it, ie wash it, brush, etc. I also asked her if she would like to have short hair like her friends Campbell, Capi, and Lizzie. Everyday the answer was always long princess hair, until last week when she answered,

"I want to cut it."

What the what?!?

I will admit, I panicked a little bit. She really wanted to cut it off, I never thought she would do it.

Not that I don't like short hair on little girls, I do, but she has always had this beautiful wavy hair.

I was acting like one of those girl's on Top Model about my daughter's hair.

Ridiculous!!

So I called my sister in law Erin, our family hair stylist, and let her know what Sonya wanted. She was so excited to give Sonya the "big" cut. Josh and I discussed the haircut before hand so we would be on the same page. He told me that he wanted to go with a super short pixie cut. I was a little nervous to cut her too short. I did not want her to hate her hair and think she looked like a boy. I had a short haircut that I hated as kid, sorry mom, and I did not want that for Sonya. Josh and I looked on the internet and consulted with Erin, and decided on a cut.

Here is what we agreed on.

Here is the before:

The first cut:

Cutting:

The funny face:

The finished look:

Can you stand the cuteness??

I am still in shock with how old she looks, but I love it. More importantly so does Sonya.

She was so excited to show her friends at school, and kept talking about how she looked like Campbell and Snow White.

Thanks Erin for doing such a great job, and being so patient with my girl.

Monday Manifest

2011-04-11T09:07:00.000-05:00

Babies I Have Helped Name Over The Past Three Years, Not Including My Own

Poppy Caroline
Stella Rose
Haper Susannah
Charles Frank
Reese Katharine
Mary Jane Grace
Liv Katherine

My services are available to all if you need help naming a baby, HA!!

Then and Now

2011-04-05T15:11:00.001-05:00

Last week we had Sonya's conference at school. I know some people might think a conference for a pre-schooler is silly, but not me - I love checking in with her teacher. I never realized how controversial pre-school, or school in general can get between parents. To send your kids to pre school or keep them home, where you go, how often you go; and why do other parents care where other people's kids are going to school? The view on pre-school, in our family, is that we are partnering with the school/teacher to help us nurture and teach our children mentally, physically, and spiritually. The bottom line for us is we can't do it on our on our own. Don't get me wrong, school defiantly gives me a break in the day, but more importantly when I send Sonya to school I know to she is cared for in that ways that I fall short.
My thoughts for pre-school (homeschool, public, private, etc.) are that you do what works for your family. Since becoming a mother, one of the biggest lessons I have learned is that there is not one formula that works for every family. As mothers we should not judge or throw out opinions that aren't asked for, but we should come along side one another and encourage each other to make the best and right decisions for your own family.
OK, off my soap box.
I am super excited for Sonya to enter JK next year, but my heart is starting to break as 3K ends. Sonya's sweet teacher, Mrs. H, writes up a description of each child in the class and has you read it at their conference. After I read the description from her teacher, I realized how well her teachers know her, understand her, and love her.
I am so grateful for the amazing year Sonya has had.
One of the other things Mrs. H shows you is your child's self portrait,
one from first semester and one from second semester.
This was Sonya's self portrait from October.
I love it how it is so scribbly, and not a lot of detail.
I also love that it has how she wrote her name before she could write all the letters at the bottom.

This portrait is form March.

Look at the difference, so much detail!!

Fingers, stripes on her dress, ears, irises in her eyes, a blue

(of course) bow in her hair, the sun and her name written so well at the bottom.

This is such a great project to get a tiny view into how Sonya sees the world, and especially how she sees herself.

I am feeling rather sappy lately as both my kids birthdays approach, so sorry for all gushing lately. It is such a joy to watch them grow and learn.

I am one blessed mama.

The Big Guy

2011-04-03T16:37:00.000-05:00

This post is long over due.

We cut Teddy's hair a few months back because he was getting go shaggy and I could barely stand too look at him.

This photo was taken around Thanksgiving, right after a bath.

Let me just say these luscious curls only stayed like that for like an hour after his bath, then it would just turn into a scraggily mess.

He has his first big boy haircut right after this, where it did change his look.

I don't have photos of that.

Shocker I know.

Then at the end of January we cut it again, and that is when he became a big boy!!

He looked like a little stockbroker heading off the Wall Street, or like he belonged on a yacht wearing a pink polo shirt with his initials monogrammed on it.

This was also confirmation that Theodore was the perfect name for this uber preppy looking kid.

I took these photos of him because I needed a recent photo of him for a toddler class he is taking, and they really solidified his bog boy status.

I can't stand it!!

So cute!!

Now, I am going to give you a peek into my shallow heart.

When he hit about 6months old, I didn't think he was that cute. Let me say he had a nasty rash that covered his chin all last winter, bad eczema on his back, and still got up about three times a night. All of those things probably played into psyche at the time.

Now I think he is the bees knees.

He will be two next week, is a baby boy no longer, and turning into a true heart breaker.

I love you TR!!

Art Project

2011-03-30T06:37:00.001-05:00

The past couple of weeks I have just kind of been muddling through everyday life. I have not been super productive or creative with the kids. I do not consider myself an artist or even creative, but I have realized I am someone who needs art and creativity in my life. I haven't had my camera out, baked anything new, or had the paints outs with the kids. With that being said, I have felt myself crumbling a bit. I need to create on a regular basis, or my soul truly suffers. So today Sonya, Teddy, and I headed to Hobby Lobby to pick up some art supplies. As we walked down the aisles we spotted some masks that were perfect for painting. I wish I could say we read some great book and I am tying this project back to the story, or I am teaching the kids about Mardi Gras, but I can't. I think I get so worried about making a themed educational project, instead of having fun.
This was just a fun project to do.

Take a look.

Of course Sonya started with blue paint on her mask.

Baby T went for the rainbow approach.

Sonya showing me her paintbrush.

I love this picture of Sonya.

I was focused on the paintbrush, and then I saw her face on the viewing screen.

I tried to get her to make the same face so I could get it in focus, but no such luck.

Now I kind of like that it is blurry.

I think she looks lovely and old fashioned.

I know I am gushing, but she is my girl.

Now this picture of Teddy on the other hand, is well...less than stellar.

Here is the mess, I was left to clean up.

I think this is why I take such long breaks from art projects...

Here are the completed masks.

Baby T wouldn't wear his.

I love these masks, a bit creepy looking, but a super fun random project.

I hope to be showing a lot more creativity on here.

Monday Manifest on Friday

2011-03-25T06:40:00.000-05:00

Things I Plan on doing with the Kids on this Snowy Day

do a color hunt
blue tape hop scotch
paint
dance party
play restaurant
read some books
watch a movie
take a rest
photograph our day

Good Breakfast??

2011-03-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

Monday Manifest on Wednesday

2011-03-23T15:50:00.001-05:00

Random (superficial) Things I Want My Kids to Remember About Me When They Are Grown

That I am always on quest to find the perfect water cup, and I ALWAYS drink out of a straw.
That I wear a yellow apron with my initials embroidered in blue on it, to cook in.
That I always smell good after a shower.
I make really good cookies and bread.
I totally care about what they wear.
I sleep in the most awful pajamas.
That I enjoy making food from scratch.
I only paint my nails light pink.
I like my food spicy and salty.
My wedding rings.

A Family that Sword Fights Together....

2011-03-17T15:04:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago Josh and I went on a romantic date to Toys R Us. We are so lame, that we always just go to Target, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Toys R Us when we have a babysitter on a Saturday night. Anyway while we were walking the aisles deciding ways to spoil our kids, we spotted some Nerf swords. We picked up one sword for Sonya and one for Teddy, and then Josh and I decided to get one for each of us. We figured we could have family sword fights. That's fun right?

The kids love the swords, and so do we.

We always hold our swords two handed like a Jedi Knight would, and it is a little safer.

I like to pretend I am Beatrix Kiddo, aka The Bride from Kill Bill. She is possibly my favorite female character from a movie of all time. One time we were at a meeting for church leadership, and we had to go around the room and say if we could be any movie character who would you be. One lady said Princess Leia, somebody else said Annette Benning in Open Range. I proceeded to say The Bride from Kill Bill, and was met with a room full of blank stares. If you don't know the background of Kill Bill, The Bride basically goes on a killing spree rooted in revenge.

Isn't that your movie idol?

She just plain kicks ass.

I was offered some phone numbers of qualified counselors after that statement to help me with any issues I might need to talk about.

Just kidding.

How do you all have family fun?

Imagination

2011-03-14T22:40:00.001-05:00

Sonya's imagination has exploded recently. Over Christmas Sonya received a karioke machine. We bought her a few CDs for her to sing along and listen to, one of them being a compilation of Disney Princess songs. Lets just say this broke the princess dam in our house. The girl's entire world became "the princesses, the princes, and the star wars characters." The "princesses, the princes, and star wars characters," in that order, have become Sonya's new best friends. She talks to them and shows them her outfits. They sometimes ride in our car, sometimes they ride in their own rainbow car, sometimes if there is not enough room in our car, like the other day, Rapunzel rode on top of our car, and sometimes the Millennium Falcon flies next to our car. There are times when only certain "friends" come with us places. Like one day when we went to swimming lessons and Luke came with us because he knows how to do a flip into the pool. Things did get a little awkward, after swimming when Sonya was taking a shower and Luke joined her.
I always ask her what all her "friends" are doing because I want to her encourage this imaginative state for as long as possible.
Here is what a typical afternoon at our house looks like:
Music

A princess puzzle.
Side note: Sonya doesn't really get edge pieces, so I taught her to do a puzzle by looking for the faces first. This is a great way for her to find specific pieces. My girl is can work a 100 piece puzzle all by herself, of course I think she is brilliant, but I am her mama.

Always wearing a princess dress.

She pretty much hates the camera.

Sonya is the type of kid who obsesses about a certain subject for weeks at a time, ie Star Wars, Princesses, Taylor Swift, handwriting, puzzles, trains, etc. So I have taken the philosophy with her to strike while the iron is hot. So if I can find cheap puzzles, dress up clothes, whatever it is, I will buy it, talk about it, make it a big deal. My hope and prayer for my kids is them live a life full of passion and inspiration. I want them to know, I love what they love. Right now for Sonya it is Star Wars and princesses, later on it could be music or sports, whatever it is I love it.

Sonya's List

2011-03-11T20:37:00.000-06:00

Tonight at dinner Sonya was particularly chatty.

So I just asked her,

"Sonya, do you like to talk?"

She replied,

"Yes."

I then asked her what she like to talk about, and this is her list.

1. Princesses

2. Ice cream, more specifically blue ice cream

3. Mermaids and ponies

4. Mermaids riding ponies

I love her.

Tell Me How....

2011-03-10T22:16:00.000-06:00

A little boy can soak himself like this,

during his nap.

Monday Manifest on Wednesday

2011-03-02T13:55:00.000-06:00

What I need to make by Friday

Fajitas
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Two Loaves of Almost No Knead Bread
Two Batches of Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pizza Crust

I Heart Faces- No Face

2011-02-27T23:50:00.000-06:00

This week on I Heart Faces the theme is any body part but a face.

This photograph I took of a friends antique bee tattoos on her back, and I love how it turned out.

Check out all of the other great entires from by clicking the button above.

One Year

2011-02-24T06:30:00.000-06:00

I can officially say that I have been blogging for one year.
I have published 178 posts, this being 179.
In honor of my one year anniversary,
I thought I would let you all get to know me better.
So here are

"20 Things You Didn't Know About Me"

1. When I was little I liked to eat all of my food burned.
2. My favorite flowers are pink peonies.
3. I was very involved in Young Life for seven years.
4. I got fired from my job at Ann Taylor Loft for wearing my flip flops before I bought them.
5. I have donated my hair to Pantene Beautiful lengths campaign.
6. I have been in three commercials.
The last one I was in was with Teddy when he was two months old for Southeast Missouri Medical Center.
He played a baby girl named Carly.
7. When I was nine years old I was hospitalized for a staph infection,
and then a month later I was hit by car in front of my house.
8. I keep my blog simple and full of photos because I don't have a lot of confidence in my writing skills.
9. My favorite colors are blue and pink.
10. I have been the primary driver of eight different cars.
My favorite ones being my silver 1988 Nissan Sentra, silver 1984 Honda Prelude, white 2000 Honda Civic,
and my current car a navy blue 2003 Acura MDX.
11. I have had multiple miscarriages.
12. I used to have a really good memory, but my brain has been slowly disintegrating since having children.
13. I prefer the ocean over the mountains.
14. I became a Christian when I was 15 years old.
15. I have worked at CJ Muggs, Northwest Coffee, Babysitter, Work Crew and Summer Staff at YL camp, The Gap, Ann Taylor Loft, and Pottery Barn Kids.
16. My biggest irrational fear is a plane crashing into my house.
17. My biggest struggles are pride, envy and fear of success.
18. The first blog I ever read was jodified.
19. My favorite pizza from Deweys that I made up has olive oil, minced garlic, fontina cheese, mozzarella cheese, pesto, chicken, pine nuts,
roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and then I add little bit of salt when it comes to the table.
20. I have 100 subscriptions in my google reader.

Anything else would you like to know?
Go, ahead ask.

It has been crazy to look over the past year, and how my family has grown and changed.
It is so fun to receive emails from, run into people, and get comments from strangers that read my blog and actually enjoy it.
Who knew??
Thank you all for stopping by.

I Heart Faces-Cell Phone Pictures

2011-02-20T23:43:00.000-06:00

This week on I Heart Faces the challenge was cell phone pictures.

I just got my i-phone two weeks ago, so I am still learning the ins and outs of all the photography apps.

This is picture of my kids in the backyard when we had unseasonably warm day in February. I love how it captures them in the moment.

Click the button above to see all of the other great entries at I Heart Faces.

Silhouettes

2011-02-18T14:44:00.000-06:00

Growing up my Grandma Rosie had silhouettes of all the grandkids displayed in her home. I LOVED them. This may sound morbid, but through out the years my Grandma had us put our names on her possessions that we wanted after she passed away. Hey, it just how our family rolls. The one thing my name was on were the silhouettes of my sisters and I, and they became mine in 2008.

I always knew I wanted to get silhouettes done of my kids by the time they were five. My sister Cate called and told me the they that the "Silhouette Man" was going to be at Dillards at the Galleria, but I totally forgot to book an appointment. Randomly, I took Sonya to the Galleria to get a Cardinals shirt for school and we cut through Dillards, something I never do, to get the mall. As I was ushering Sonya through the maze that is Dillards, there he was the

"Silhouette Man,"

with nobody at his table.

I asked how long it would take to cut, and he said,

"Five minutes."

Sold.

Here is a mirror image of my silhouette from 1980, when I was two years old, and Sonya's done two weeks ago at age three and half.

Missy Sonya

I had super curly hair, like when kids when I was little, you can totally see in my picture.

I love that Sonya and I have the same nose.

I love the that you can see the wisps in her hair.

I love her chin and forehead.

These images are so precious to me because they remind me of my grandma.

They are such a sweet moment captured in time.

I hope Sonya and future generations treasure them the same way I do.

Sorry to be so cheesy and sentimental, but I just adore these images.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T14:30:00.000-06:00

Blog world, sorry for the lack of posting. I think winter has finally gotten the best of me. The paleness of my skin, my growing winter waistline, snow, ice...the past couple of weeks I have found myself rather glum. Now finally the sun is out in the Lou, I just signed up for a pilates class, and I got to see two of my besties last night for dinner so there is finally spring back in my step.

So back to the matter at hand Valentine's Day. In the midst of the weakest snow storm in history, I got a little crafty with Sonya . I had read on a blog about making salt dough ornaments at Christmas time, here. I didn't have time to do them at Christmas, so I kept this little project in my back pocket for Valentine's Day. I made sure I started this project two weeks before Valentine's Day because I knew it was going to take a couple of days to complete.

All you need is:

4 Cups Flour

1 Cup Salt

1 & 1/2 Cup Warm Water

Here is what you do:

Whisk dry ingredients together

Then add a dough hook to a standing mixer

Gradually add warm water while the dough mixes together

When the dough has pulled together, take it out of the bowl and roll it out

Quick side note: Notice my rolling pin in the back of the photo, I have recently switched to a tapered french rolling pin.
It is amazing, so much easier to manipulate dough than a standard rolling pin.
I got this from Williams Sonoma for $14.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Back to the salt dough.

I rolled out the dough and decided to just cut out hearts for all of Sonya's classmates.

Then I lined cookie sheets with parchment paper, just in case they stuck.
Then I took a straw and put holes on through the tops of the hearts so we could tie a string for a necklace.

Now when I baked them at 250 like the other blog said, it took longer than two hours. So I cranked up the heat to 350 and just kept my eye on them. When they were all done, I tried to brush off all of the excess flour, but it wasn't working. I went ahead and washed them off in the sink and threw back in oven, that worked great.

That was phase one of this project.

When the temperature finally warmed up, and we were able to leave to house without getting frost bite walking to the car. The kids and I went Ben Franklin to get some acrylic paint so we could decorate the hearts. Sonya's favorite color is blue. Favorite is an understatement, she has an obsession with the color blue. I knew she would pick out blue as one of her paint colors. When she went to pick out the two other colors I gently pushed towards pink and white. I knew when we started painting the colors would get all mixed together, so I wanted something that would make a nice color and not just brown. She gladly took my direction, HOORAY!! So that afternoon when TR was down for his nap, Sonya and I painted. Since we were using acrylic paints I had her wear gloves.
They were a little big on her.

I helped her paint all of the hearts.

That was phase two of this project.

A day or two later I went to one the scariest places on earth for this novice crafter...Hobby Lobby. I was on a mission to get glitter, some ribbon, and then get the frack out of there. After my heart palpitations stopped and I wiped the sweat from my brow, I actually enjoyed myself at Hobby Lobby. I even picked up a few more art/craft supplies that I needed, and look forward to going back.

Phase three of the salt dough necklaces was the toughest. Sonya decided she wanted to write the names of all 15 of her classmates on the hearts, all by herself. I asked her she just wanted to write LOVE or FRIENDS, but she insisted on writing their names. I knew this would take a couple of days because there was no way she would write more than three or four names in one sitting, and I was right.
Here is how we did it:

I would give her a sharpie
She would pick a heart for one of her friends
I would spell the name very slowly as she wrote all the letters,
We would sprinkle glitter on the heart,
Then I would coat it in Mod Podge.

This is the first time I have ever used Mod Podge, it has been sitting in my craft box for almost a year, but I have to too scared to use it. Now, I think I am addicted. Don't be surprised if a lot of shellacked items start popping up around my home.

Like I said, this part of the project took a couple of days. Sonya and I took a little break from the hearts so we could create her Valentine's Day box for her school party. I was going to go old school, like my friend Cary suggested, cover a shoe box in foil, but it looked awful. I did pick up a heart shaped box from Hobby Lobby, just in case the shoe box didn't work out, and I am glad I did. Sonya and I painted the inside and outside of the box a combination of blue, pink, purple, red, and white. After it was dry, we sprinkled it with glitter and then I, of course, Mod Podged it. I had picked a bunch of stickers at Hobby Lobby to decorate the box. My favorite ones were these old vintage looking stickers that I tried to get Sonya to use.

Here is what she chose to use.

If you look close, you can see where she covered up the stickers I chose. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this box. I think it turned out so sweet. This is something I want to keep for Sonya, and give it to her when she is an adult.

Back to the necklaces.

After Sonya finished writing all of her friends names, I moved onto phase four. Tying the ribbon the heart to complete the necklace. Some of the paint and Mod Podge had seeped into the holes, so I just took a tiny screwdriver back through the hole so I could get the ribbon through.

The finished product.

I asked Sonya if I could take her picture wearing her necklace.

She said yes, but only one picture.

Here is what I got.

Lovely, I know. At least you can see the look of the necklace.

All in all a two really great projects.

The salt dough ornaments are really easy and can be used for all types holiday shapes, or you could cut out letters. The possibilities are endless.

Sonya and I had way fun more creating these Valentines, than having her sign her 15 store bought Disney princess cards that we also passed out

I never thought I would say those words, but just goes to show you never know.

I Heart Faces - Hearts

2011-02-07T20:02:00.000-06:00

I was trying to take some photos of Sonya for her Valentine's cards to pass out at school.

She insisted she wanted her eyes closed like a ballerina.

Check out all of the other great entries by clicking the button above.

Monday Manifest on Wednesday

2011-02-02T14:55:00.000-06:00

I found this list of 30 Healthiest Foods on this blog here. She got it from an article in Real Simple Magazine, you can read here. I have bold faced the foods we eat, or I should say my kids eat on a regular basis. I do eat some of those foods, but I am a very picky eater. I have come light years from where I was even five years ago, ask my husband and family. I am NOT a super healthy person, I am trying and failing miserably. I ,in reality, need to lose quite a bit of weight, but that is whole separate post. I do work really hard with my giving my kids good foods, and explain to them (really just Sonya right now) why we eat foods that are good for us. I am also not saying my kids never eat junk, because that would be a lie!! Anyway I thought I would share this list because it is good info and great things to add to your diet.

Mushrooms
Walnuts
Whole-Grain Pasta
Peanut and Nut Butters
Oatmeal (They only like this sometimes)
Barley
Quinoa (I actually really like quinoa, but I am scared to make it. I made it once and it was a big fail.)
Lentils
Bulgur
Almonds
Eggs
Nonfat Greek Yogurt (Sonya like regular yogurt, trying to switch her. TR cannot have yogurt)
Chicken Breasts
Wild Salmon
Sardines
Kale
Kiwi
Blueberries (I think my kids are blueberry addicts)
Brocoli
Avocados
Black Beans
Sweet Potatoes
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Edamame
Chard
Kidney Beans
Oranges
Pumpkin (I have 6 cans of pumpkin in my pantry I keep forgetting to use)
Spinach
Skim Milk

Monday Manifest on Sunday

2011-01-30T16:18:00.000-06:00

Things I plan to do this week while the weather is freezing cold.

Make banana bread
Make salt dough valentine ornaments with the kids
Have Sonya and I make her Valentine's Day mailbox for school
Work on shapes with Teddy
Try to make a home made cake again
Do laundry
Help Sonya write her classmates names
Make a list of all the words Teddy can say
Bake a loaf of almost no knead bread
Get the blue painters tape out and make a hop scotch game on the floor
Hang out with Jillian 20 minutes a day

Dip

2011-01-28T20:34:00.000-06:00

I made a super tasty dip with some of my favorite things to eat.

It all started with a scoop of nutella.

A little bit of valencia butter with toasted flaxseed.

Then, microwave these two for 30 seconds.

Add a scoop of chia seeds.

Some pumpkin seeds.

And a pitch of kosher salt.

Here is deliciousness before mixing.

I chose to dip my favorite kind of apple, a honeycrisp, in this glorious mixture.

So GOOD!!

A great salty, sweet, crunchy treat.

Give Away

2011-01-27T15:17:00.000-06:00

My friend Greta is giving away one of these.

Click here and leave a comment with who you would give this lovely kid's initial necklace to.

Check out the rest of Greta's ETSY shop here.

Monday Manifest on Tuesday

2011-01-25T22:10:00.001-06:00

My friends Cary and Katy have recently done this list, and I am going to follow suit.
Things I am looking forward to.

Warm weather
Playing in the hose on our deck
BBQ
Our trip to Colorado this summer
Sonya and Teddy's hair getting curly again
JK for Sonya
Pre-3 for Teddy
Art in Air
Swimming lessons with Teddy (I truly love this child bc I am getting into a swimming suit in March for him)
Walking to the library
Possible trip to Chicago to see the Vivian Maier exhibit....anyone anyone??
Dinner with friends
Girls Weekend!!
Taking Sonya to the art museum
Baby Woodard
Getting a Verizon iPhone

I Heart Faces - Innocent Wonder

2011-01-23T23:36:00.001-06:00

This week on I Heart Faces the theme is innocent wonder. I feel like that phrase describes my daughter Sonya's entire life. She is constantly living in a world of princesses, princes, Star Wars characters, three little pigs, Wizard of Oz, and Peter Pan. Here is a perfect example of her little world, here she is dressed as Dorothy watching Dorothy.

Click the button above to see all of the "innocent wonder".

Monday Manifest On Thursday

2011-01-20T07:17:00.000-06:00

My Grocery Lists For This Week
Target:

organic milk
almond milk
organic chicken broth
nutella
juice
applesauce
soup carckers
syrup
nutella
cake flour
tin foil
dish soap

Trader Joes:

parmesan cheese
bananas
very berry cherry frozen berry mix
frozen blueberries
chicken sausage
organic yogurt
string cheese
cereal
valencia peanut butter with toasted flaxseed

Whole Foods:

organic honeycrisp apples
oranges
lemon juice
lime juice
kale
celery
brussel sprouts
organic sweet potatoes
bell peppers
onions
organic carrots
organic boneless skinless chicken breast
whole wheat pita bread
organic cage free eggs
organic butter
ground flaxseed
corn tortillas

boys + girls

2011-01-19T20:28:00.000-06:00

Boys

Girls

I Heart Faces- Winter Wonderland

2011-01-17T11:57:00.000-06:00

This week on I Heart Faces the theme is winter wonderland. We had a "big" snow last week, so I bundled up the kids and headed outside at 7:45 am, we lasted until 8:00 am. I did get this cute shot of my girl eating the snow.

To see the rest of the great entries at I Heart Faces, click the button above.

Hash

2011-01-13T18:26:00.001-06:00

Recently I was able to purchase a Le Creuset 7 1/4 quart dutch oven. I think I am in LOVE, within the first two weeks of I have used the pot six times. The latest meal I made was so good and so easy. I thought about making a hash type dish. I was talking to my friend Cary about it and she said, "Silver Dollar City has the most amazing hash that they cook in a five foot long skillet and stir it with a paddle." Then I asked Josh if he would eat hash, and he goes on to say, "Silver Dollar City has the most amazing hash that they cook in a five foot long skillet and stir it with an oar." From there I googled Silver Dollar City hash, and found a recipe that sounded good. The recipe I am posting on here is exactly what I used. This is a great dish because you can take liberties with recipe, add more veggies use a different protein etc. Taking photos this time of year in my kitchen is terrible, so I don't have many.

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato
2 small white potatoes (I used yukon gold)
2 green bell peppers
1 white onion
1 bunch of scallions
2 T olive oil
smoked sausage (optional)
spicy Italian sausage (optional)
pepper to taste
kosher salt to taste
season salt to taste

Cut sweet potato, white potatoes, bell peppers, onion into cubes. Try to cut them to as close as the same size as possible because this make everything cook at the same time.
Cut up sausage into bite size pieces. Cook in a separate skillet and then set aside on a paper towel to soak up the grease.
Heat dutch oven or large skillet with 2 T of olive oil. When oil is shimmering add veggies. Stir them continuously and cook for about 20-25 minutes.
If veggies begin to stick pour a little liquid in the pan. Water, chicken broth, white wine, etc.
When veggies taste close to done mix in sausage. Cook another 5-10 minutes.
Then mix in scallions and serve.

Prepped veggies.

My beautiful dutch oven.

What was left after dinner.

I think I need to head to Silver Dollar City and pay homage to this great dish.

Red Ruby Swippers

2011-01-11T07:05:00.001-06:00

I have to admit blogworld, I am feeling very out of the habit of blogging. I feel like my a need to write some profound blog post with all the thoughts rolling around in my head as of late, but honestly I feel frozen.

So to get back in the saddle I am going to show you Sonya as Dorothy.

Sonya has been very into the Wizard of Oz. I was a little hesitant to show her the movie because she gets scared very easily. She hides her eyes at the parts where she is scared, and asks a lot of questions to make sure she understands what is going on. There was one day where I was talking to her and did and she did entire mash up of Wizard of Oz and Star Wars. She said the "Wica Wits of da Wist" and her "boys" would go with Darth Vader and the stormtroopers. Then Dorothy, the Straw Guy, the Sliver Guy (her favorite because he is handsome), and the Lion would all ride in the Millennium Falcon. I can't remember the rest of the story, but I was impressed on how she separated the characters into good and evil. Anyway, for Christmas I got Sonya a pair of red ruby slippers from Target, and she loved them.

She also received a blue and white checked dress from my aunt and uncle. It is actually a really nice dress from a fancy children's boutique in Lake Forest IL, but it is not really my style of clothes for her. The dress is also tad small, and the definitely won't fit in the spring when it is supposed to worn. So it became a part of our dress up clothes, and she wears it when she watches Wizard of Oz.

I asked her to pose, here is what she gave me.

Here is another pose.

I love how one second she can be so into movie to where you can't even get her attention,

and the next minute she is spinning in circles.

Here is a little face time.

Bare with me blogworld as I get back at it.

2011 To Do List

2011-01-06T08:29:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posting blogworld, I am sure all five of you that read this blog have missed me like crazy. Basically the holidays got crazy and I didn't take a ton photos because the light has been terrible inside our house. If you read my blog on a regular basis, you know my photos generally do most of the talking. Anyway life has slowed down a bit, so I will be back on a more regular basis.

First things first, I know I am few days late but

rather than having New Year's Resolutions, I have chosen to have a 2011 To Do List.

Establish a relationship with a primary care physician and get a full physical.
Go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned. (I missed my appt in Oct. and never rescheduled.)
Go the dermatologist.
Get my eyes checked.
Do 50 in 52. More on this later.
Move my body more. C2-5K
Be intentional with my kids, not just entertain them.
Make it the beach.
Get in front of the camera.

I am not a good goal setter, so I went with things that were very attainable.

I plan to keep you all posted the progress of this list.

Here's to a great 2011.

I Heart Faces- The Face

2011-01-03T09:06:00.000-06:00

This week on I Heart Faces the theme is "the face."

I took this photo on Mother's Day last Spring.

It is of my mother in law, grandmother in law, and sister in law.

Since then Fae, my grandmother in law, has gone home to the Lord.

I love that I was able to capture three generations of women in my husband's family.

Can you see the resemblance?

Check out all of the other great entries by clicking the button above.

Monday Manifest on Sunday

2010-12-19T19:44:00.001-06:00

All the Christmas Books We Own

The Animals' Merry Christmas by Richard Scary
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
The Christmas Alphabet by Robert Sabuda
The 12 Days of Christmas by Robert Sabuda
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
The Silent Night Book no author, it plays the tune to Silent Night
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
Saint Nicholas, The Real Story of the Christmas Legend by Julie Steigmeyer
The Story of Christmas, Fear Not Joseph by Julie Steigmeyer
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren
The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Meador Lambert
The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry
My First Christmas Word Board Book by Dawn Sirett

Today Was A Good Day

2010-12-15T14:27:00.001-06:00

A couple of weeks ago when I was dropping Sonya off at school one of the moms said to me, "Two weeks and six days. Two weeks and six days until Christmas break. I can't wait." I was blown away because I have been feeling the exact opposite. I must admit I have been nervous and somewhat dreading the upcoming Christmas break from school. The long cold Antarctica winter days can get the best of me and the kids. That statement has been rattling around in my head all month. So today I was going to make today a good day, all day. I did gave myself a few rules for the day.

Be with them, don't entertain them.
I don't need to capture every moment with my camera.
Relax, no pressure.

With that being said, here is a look at some of our day. I told Sonya and Teddy to give me a few minutes so I could get ready for a really fun project. My two children would not give me those few minutes, and I lost it. I explained to them that I love to do fun things with them but when they aren't patient and don't listen mama doesn't have any fun. This is all I was trying to do.

So that we could do this.

At 8:30 am I decided to get out the Pillsbury sugar I had picked up at the store to have for a day just like today. I got the dough out and tried to roll it out but it was super sticky so I just had the kids mash it up like play dough. Teddy was not shy about using the sprinkles. Notice the empty container...

I made the letters of all of first names, that was the only recognizable thing we made.

Here is my favorite cookie of the day.
Before

After.

Here is the mess we were left with.

I didn't mind this cute messy face.
Please excuse the snot...

Here is what Sonya did with all of the sprinkles on the floor.

It is a good thing that one of my kids new favorite activities is vacuuming, because we had to do a lot of it while the cookies baked. After I pulled the cookies out of the oven, pandemonium ensued. Sonya and Teddy were loosing their minds trying to get to them while they cooled. Once again I lost it, but this time I stopped myself. So right there in the kitchen I sat down and scooped up my kids and prayed. I asked God to help us make it a good day. For us to show love to one another, for mama to be patient. For Soso and TR to be good listeners and be patient when mama asks them too. Then I thanked God for the day were going to get to spend together. When I was done Teddy gave me the nastiest snottiest kiss on the cheek, and Sonya and I apologized to one another and hugged. I am so thankful that I can go to God the tiniest things, and He hears me. There was a sense of calm and peace and just remembering that we love each and wanted to have a good day. After the cookies, we played in Sonya's room. Josh and recently cleaned her room out it honestly looked like an episode of hoarders, but now we space to play again. We played trains, blocks nothing out of the ordinary. I left them to play for a bit by themselves so I could finish cleaning up after the cookies. Sonya decided to set up a picnic in the living room. I joined her and got out some of our Christmas books and read.

The Snowman is fun because there are no words just pictures, so you make up the story as you go. I had to help Sonya do this she was a little confused at first then she got the hang of it. I tried to read a few more stories, but the lost interest. By that time it was time for lunch, but when I walked into the kitchen I saw this familiar sight.

Both my kids are obsessed with playing gin the sink.
When Teddy was a newborn, Sonya spent hours just playing in the sink when I was trying to nurse him.
Now back to lunch. These were in the freezer, so I made them.

They are so good, I will even say they are better then chik-fil-a.
Here is the rest of what we ate for lunch, this was Sonya's plate.
What we were lacking in protein we made up with fiber.

After lunch, I put big baby T down for nap around 1:30 pm. He slept until 4:30, which usually doesn't happen. It was awesome!! While he napped Sonya played on Starfall on the computer and I caught up on Giuliana and Bill and Watch What Happens Live, two of my favorite shows. After my shows I decided to make a batch of granola for a teacher gift.

I decided to keep the granola for myself, because I realized it was a lame gift. Then I prepped some chicken for dinner, and cleaned up the kitchen for the 100th time. When Sonya was done painting she decided she wanted to watch Shrek 2. It worked out great because Teddy was getting up and I could make dinner in a little bit of peace when the movie would catch their interest for five minute intervals. The menu for dinner roasted bone in chicken breasts and brocolette. What is brocolette you ask, the package says a tender sweet cousin to broccoli. It was on sale at the store, so I was sold. Here is what is looks like.

It has really long stems, so I cut those off. Then I just tossed them in a bit of olive oil, some shallots, and my favorite seasoning. I baked them at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes. Super tasty, and kids ate them with no complaints. After dinner S and T watched a some Dr. Suess show on ABC family about a flying piano, while I cleaned up the kitchen...again. When that was done it was bath time, and they needed it after a day of playing with cookie sprinkles and markers. The bath went on like normal lots of screaming while I washed their hair and faces. Then lots of laughter when they could play. Our favorite part of our whole day is when Daddy gets home, and last night it was around 6:45pm. Josh ate dinner while the kids finished up their bath, and then they got to play with Daddy. The evening routine at our house is dinner, bath, play time, show with a half a cup of milk, books, then pray. Here are S and T watching their show.

We read to them separately after their show because they get to riled up when they are together. Teddy also can't sit through some of the stories that Sonya likes. Josh and I usually trade back and forth with who gets which kid. Neither one is exactly easier at bedtime. They both have their challenges and their joys at bedtime. Last night they were in bed and asleep a little before 8pm. LOVE THAT!!! The house was in pretty good shape, too. So Josh and I didn't have to do a big clean up, again LOVE THAT. We had a great day. I will definitely take more days like that this winter. Even though we didn't take one step outside we had a great day, and the kids actually were worn out. Yesterday I found balance that worked for me and my kids. We all got to do things we enjoyed and enjoyed one another. Now, talk to me in 24 hours, I could very easily be whistling a different tune, but I hope this encourages any you moms out there to do what works for you, and you will hopefully make it through the winter.

Monday Manifest on Saturday

2010-12-11T08:48:00.000-06:00

What Sonya Calls The Characters in Wizzard of Oz

Dorfy
The Straw Guy
The Silver Guy (he is her favorite becuase he is "handsome")
Lion
Muskins
The Wica Wits of da Wist