Strawberry Oat Bars {Pioneer Woman}

Strawberry Oat Bars

I got this recipe straight from www.foodnetwork.com

Its the Pioneer Woman's

 

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 sticks salted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• One 10 to 12-ounce jar strawberry preserves

  Grease a 9x13 inch pan with butter.

Mix the butter, oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt together with a pastry cutter until well blended and crumbly 

The best part was I used my Aunt's homemade jam from my sister's shower ...

Strawberry homemade jam... so so good

Spread 1/2 of the oat mix into the pan and press down until even.

Add the jam/spread of your choice.

I didn't have enough in the homemade jam department, so thankfully I had my favorite on hand to finish the middle strawberry layer.

Then you cover the jam with the remaining 1/2 of the oat mixture and that is it!

I baked them at 350 for about 35 minutes.

I was trying to let them cool before I cut them into bars.. and I walked into the kitchen to find the scene below....

 

husband....

never fails.

He openly claims he doesn't like sweets.. yeah.. okay.. sure.

 

So.... after I cut them into bars.. and tasted one myself.. they were so so good. 

This recipe was so easy.

I made it after the kids were in bed, and it didn't take me any time at all..

They were a great treat for Samantha's playdate with her friend Meghan.

And good for breakfast too!

Soaking it All In

Here's what we've been doing in the last few weeks.

Summer is coming to a close quickly. A few schools & family members around the country have already started school.. we begin next week.

So we've been trying to enjoy every day, and squeeze in some fun things before we get back into our routine.

 

Ballet came to an end a few weeks ago.

The parents got to watch the final class.

There's my girl in the blue .... doing her own thing.. while all the other girls chose pink and purple.

I was a proud Mama for this.

 

 

Of course little brother just loooved watching...

He was pretty good.. he was even mimicking what the teacher was telling the girls to do. He is hysterical .. every.single.day.

Our summer garden fell victim to a lot of night rainfalls.. with little chance to dry out, thus, a lot of crops did not do to well.. mostly the tomatoes.. but we still have lots of celery, carrots, onions, herbs galore, and tons and tons of peppers of all varieties. Im hoping to make Jalapeno Popper Dip soon with our homegrown jalapenos

 

We have about 10 sunflowers lining our backyard fence, they all opened within the last 2 weeks, and they are so beautiful

We celebrated my lil sis's upcoming wedding with a beautiful bridal shower at my Aunt's house

The favors were adorable.. homemade jam.. so. good!!!

Samantha got to attend with me, she was so happy. She loved "helping" Aunt Shauna open all her presents & collect the wrapping..

More beautiful flowers in bloom in our backyard.

School Supply Shopping with SJ.

She had a list of things needed for this year. One of them was a notebook for writing which I am so excited to see as the year goes on. The program she is in is a very progressive one, which I a excited for. It should be a great prep for Kindergarten next year.

 

We picked up the traditional Tissues, Wipes, Folder, Notebook, and little school shoes that I think are so cute! And, the cherry on top, Mama even got a planner too! The past few years I've ordered an Erin Condren planner. But I found this rainbow one at Walmart... yes Walmart... and its the perfect size, fits right in most of my day purses/diaper bags. And it was $3.50. Yes I'll take it. 

 

We got together with some friends from preschool for a playdate last week

This is one of Sassy's best friends from last year. They wont be in the same school this year, but I hope we can keep the girls connected

 

Little Fish.

Only swimming with little water wings.. she is so so comfortable and brave in Grammy's pool. Im so glad. She came a long way this year. Next year I bet she'll be almost swimming by herself.

 

We made a trip up to Lake Ontario this past weekend to a little town that has an adorable little kiddie carousel/amusement park. We packed a lunch and the kids did great... (im always worried about AG... he gets pretty worn out sometimes, and cranky) But he did great!

This was his first kiddie ride ever, and he loved it.

I told the girl operating it that she may have to stop the ride if he started screaming, or jumping ship.. but he sat there laughing and smiling.. and threw a fit when it was time to get off.. 

This little queen is a veteran.. she loves all the rides...

The kids had so much fun!

And another party... Samantha's friend from preschool turned 4 and all the girls got together for her birthday party. There were 4 girls all from her preschool there, and they all got along great.

Samantha busted open the pinata, and they were all collecting the candy loot 

comparing candy bags... ha!

And that's what we've been up to.

Labor Day is right around the corner, and then school right after that.. summer is over (tear*)

Until next year.. But I think this summer we had lots of fun and we have some great memories.

Fall is my favorite, I just hope its a LONG fall..

So Glad I Blog {Relating to Other Blogging Moms....}

I don't blog every day...

I don't even blog every other day... Sometimes I find myself going a very long time without blogging. Life is busy these days...more than I could have ever imagined as a stay-at-home Mama.

I love my job as Mama & Wife.

But I've had to adapt to a lot of changes since staying at home. I've always had a job since I was 12. I've always had my own money since I was 12. So now that Im 33, I gave up working for a few years to be with my kids, which took me all of about 1 minute to decide. I actually decided when Andrew was still in my belly...I thought.. "After this Im staying at home".. and that's what I did.

 

But some days I get really overwhelmed and down on myself. I beat myself up about being a good Mom. Some days I have it all together.. playdates, parks, lunches packed, naptimes, etc. And others we are a hot mess with meltdowns, no meals made, late naps or no naps, and not a whole lot to do.

I love my kids unconditionally, and I try so hard, maybe too hard? To raise them right, discipline the right way, eat the right way, play, act, talk, get a long... etc.. But sometimes I snap, I become this monster momma that I look back at and dispise... I'll yell or even scream, and become someone so unglued and so not full of grace, and I forget that all I need to do way more often than I do is turn to God for strength.

 

I may not be a good catholic church goer very often, but that doesn't mean that God loves us any less, or that we shouldn't lean on him, or forget that he's right there for us, if we let him in.

 

I was having one of the off days yesterday, and then I read a post by one of my other SAHM bloggers Blue Eyed Bride. She read my mind... and I decided to copy a little of what she wrote about in case some other Moms who read my blog are feeling the same way some days.

 

Blue Eyed Bride writes:

 

Because some days I am doing great! And other days, I know that I need Him to carry me through from one hour to the next. And what a joy it is to ask Him to do that. I can delight in that!
I may not be a perfect mother, but I love my babies immeasurably. I may not have it all together, but I certainly don’t have the energy to waste on pretending to have it all together. And some days I may beat myself up over these things, but my God loves me and has me covered.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

 

Thank you for writing this, I sure needed to read it. I think all Moms, ones who stay at home and ones who don't really need to give ourselves more credit. Motherhood is hard work!
I love my kids, and although these days are hard at times, they are also so much fun, and there's no place I'd rather be then right here, right now.

 



Andrew George {19 Months}

Oh Andrew, finally a semi-correct update.

I've been slacking on regular updates for BOTH kids. So before any more time goes by, I have to get this one in the books! We've had a busy summer, and this post has been on my mind, but I never sat down and actually did it till now.

 

I cant remember if my "updates" had a formal pattern, so here goes...

 

19 Months

You go to the Dr in a few weeks again, but last time you were there around 17 months (late 15 month appt pushed back) You were:

80% for height

90% for weight and head circumference.

We have no idea why you are in the 90% for weight because good lord my sweet boy you do not like to eat.... totally opposite of your sister at this age.. I hope you come around soon...

Here's some things you DO eat (but again.. some days you just dont want anything but milk & puffs...no, really)

 

Pumpkin Muffins

Chicken Soup

Popcorn

Puffs, Kix, Cheerios

Strawberries & Bananas

Veggies? FORGET about it.. maybe a French fry here and there

Waffles & Pancakes

Rice Cakes

Yogurt (YoBaby & Toddler Brands)

Bacon & Homemade Beef Jerky

 

That's about it...I hope this sad little list grows.. Im writing all this down so I can look back and say.. "holy moly... how did you grow?" But you are growing.. everyone says "how old is he? .. he's huge!" You definitely hide your dislike for food well among the public eye.

You are very solid & stocky .. ha!

 

You love animals..

Here you are (below) with Daddy after just petting a Goat at our local farmers market.

Sleeping... (do I dare tell all?)

Naps are good... you'll go down around 1pm and sleep anywhere from 2-2.5 some days 3 hours..

Night time routine..

We put you and your sister to bed anywhere between 8:30 & 9pm.

You go down pretty good. We put your dream light & noise maker on, and we put you in bed.

Sometimes you say "bye" to us..

But that's not where our night ends.

You wake up at least once if not more each night.

You were turning a corner last month & sleeping through at least 3-4 times a week, but I am beside myself with why you still get up!

I know it all will pass.. but some nights I am a beast, and so frustrated...

Most days you're pretty happy though, so I have to be thankful for that.

Last year you were still fighting screaming bouts and colic moments.

 

But you are certainly very stubborn about various things...

Here you were mad at me because I put your shirt on ... Winter should be fun...layering on clothes

Teething got the best of you this past week... I even let you take your nap on me one day (just like the old days)... ha. I hope your near done getting your teeth mister.. because I am tired this week!



Words:

You can tell me a little bit more now a days

Milk (Muk), Juice (Ju) Dada, Papa, Mama, Down, Bath (Ba), Cone (another food like that I forgot), 

You run, jump, play on all of Sister's toys, you are fearless.



You are still volatile at times, and Im afraid to take you in public at certain moments.

Im glad I have Daddy as backup. Although some days when its just you, me and Samantha we do just fine and you are so good.

 

Your belly laugh is the best, and you love getting tickled, playing hide and go seek, playing Daddy's piano, closing doors, turning on light switches, fans, climbing stairs, running, bouncing...

You are my adorable, crazy, furry headed, maniac, cuddle bug, sweet boy...

Random Update

After our 2 weekends almost back to back in Ohio

Its nice to get back into our little routine around here.

This summer has been very very mild. Last year was a scorcher.

Anyways... our garden has been suffering, but clearly not our other surrounding plants & flowers.

Here's Daddy and Lil Man by our tallest sunflower.

We had our cousins over this past week for a little bouncing playdate.

The blondie boys, Andrew & Joe

And the brunette girls

Sam & Clare

We have many many nicknames for Andrew.

One is "Bullshark".. Mainly because he's a biter sometimes, hard to handle, loves water, and I guess has very sharp teeth.. he bit the nipple off one of his bottles this week... clearly part Shark.

And my little artiste.

Lover of all things fancy, sparkly, princess & painting...

She loves coloring and painting princesses.. I do the sketch, and she colors them in.

I let her use my acrylics this week in the backyard during A's naptime.. she loved it.

One thing about the cooler summer is I can cook more, so that's good!

I tried the Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Noodle Bake this week.

It was so so good.. I made 1/2 and froze 1/2.... I need to start filling our freezer more.

 

We're enjoying taking dance class too.. (Samantha is)

Andrew found some girls to flirt with while we waited. The girls just loved him, playing peek-a-boo.. and thought he was hilarious.



And we got some mail this week from Samantha's new teachers.

Along with a list of school supplies that I am VERY excited to shop for.

I love the beginning of the school year.

And I love school supplies! I always have loved shopping for pencils and folders.. ever since I was a little girl.

 

My little bubble wonder

She has been struggling with a few things lately. Listening is the biggest challenge for her lately. And we've had some trying days... Im not quite sure where this phase snuck in from, but I hope it doesn't last long. I've heard from many people that its just "the age".. but man, I feel like all I do is discipline her these days.. 

And little brother is no saint either.

He teases her, and runs away.. But then in the next minute he's kissing her, and following her like a puppy, wanting to copy everything she does. 

See what I mean (below)

He flipped out because I put a shirt on him.

He'd rather be naked all he time.. I hope THIS phase ends real soon.. before our cold winter settles in. 

So its been a fast summer, feels like it just started, and its about to end in 2 short weeks.

Bachelorette Swag Bag

A few weeks back I put together these little Bachelorette Goodie Bags for the girls overnight in Ohio

For the bags: Plain Brown Paper Bags, Doilie, Clothespins, Pink Cardstock Tags & Fabric Tie

 

 



I filled each bag with:

Tissues

Band Aids ;)

Ring Pops

Chocolate

Starbucks Via packet

Personalized Lip Gloss



The lip glosses I ordered from Etsy.

They were Adorable! Probably my favorite thing about the bags, and something each girl can keep for a while.

Ohio Take 2

We were on the road again.

Ohio Take 2

The ride was smooth.

We made it in record time, and Andrew only slept 20 minutes the entire way.. but was pretty happy. I cannot remember for the life of me how we kept him that way for 3.5 hours..

Anyway...we arrived, and swinging was in order.



 

We made a stop over at the cousins house after dinner for a ride.

He just wanted to sit in in. I think he thought it was a real car.. he was laughing and giggling..

 

3 girls and a boy... am I fast forwarding to 20 years from now?

Sunday I attended a wedding shower for one of my best friends from college.

It was so nice to see these girls again, Im getting so excited for the wedding!

and eat cake! 

really good cake...

I made the soap favors & I think they turned out so cute!

back at Baka's Daddy said they both took excellent naps.

We packed up that night, and got ready to head back.

 

After the shower, I met up with one of my good friends Lisa!

She brought me some more sweets from her parents bakery.

I did indulge and sample everything she brought me. 

 

We talked & laughed, and I swear I could have sat there for hours!

It was so nice to see you Lisa, since I know you read my blog.

Like I said, maybe one day we'll live closer, I hope!

Before we knew it .. it was time to go already.

We stopped by Trader Joes, and had a little game of chess...

It was a quick whirlwind trip..we'll be back in September!