4th of July Weekend

It was our last weekend in NY

So naturally we had to have one last shopping trip to wegmans.

One - to prepare for our road trip to Ohio

Two - Buy some goodies for a weekend full of parties.

Andrew was sick at our friends' bbq.

Just wanted me to hold him. He kept asking to "go home" but we didnt want to leave, and Samantha was having a great time with her friends. My friend handed me this therapy in a glass (below) and he snapped right out of it, it was a miracle. Bouncing up and down and laughing

wa

We stayed super super late... threw the routine out the window 

Samantha stayed overnight and we left around 11 pm ... with a wide awake Andrew (hes never tired)

The next day I made these little pineapple cookies to bring to my Aunt's 4th of July party

They were so cute and even tasted just as good as they looked.

I knew since he was up till about midnight the day before, that he needed to nap.

Samantha came home and fell asleep on the couch for 3 hours, and I walked in our little village for probably the last time that day... enjoying the cute scenery and good old Main Street.

He napped and then was in a pretty good mood for the next party.

As she was spoiled last year with presents, cake and more,... the same stood for this year. 

It was so nice. 

We stayed up again till around midnight that night due to the fireworks, etc. 

Andrew's first firework experience, and he did great... as long as someone covered his ears (hehe)

We came home, and put the kids to bed, and I got to work on her little birthday table as I always do, and hung balloons from her door as usual. 

Six. 

Man did that go fast... I wonder if i'll feel the same way when she's twelve.

Six seems so big. 

Not a baby, not a toddler, not even a Kindergartner anymore.

Geesh. You cant stop time.

But I just still cant grasp that I have a child this old, and this fast.

Happy Hearts

Valentine's Day 2015

I set up some goodies for my loves after all were in bed.

Samantha got some erasers, chocolate, a mini gumball machine, pens, perler project and then I sent her on a little scavenger hunt throughout the house and the "treasure" at the end was a dry erase Frozen (of course) math board to practice her math problems, a new pair of gingham sneakers, and some heart shaped lollies. She had so much fun going from place to place.. I think the Easter bunny may have to go about this way for her to find her basket in a few weeks.

Andrew got some dino erasers, school bus, a max and ruby dvd, and some of his favorite heart shaped lollies. My sweet boy doesnt have that much of a sweet tooth... except for a few things.. He does love cake *... keep reading....

Daddy got some Guinness, some new sponges and a soft rag for cleaning floors... He does all the cleaning around here.. mostly... and I love him even more for that.. Oh, and I made him a batch of his favorite salted pecan chocolate ice cream.. mmmm

I also made my main squeeze this funny card (below) I found an image like this on instagram, and decided to draw it and make my own for my hubby. 

The kids thought it was Christmas .. screaming "presents!!" haha...

I like to make a big deal out of all the holidays for them. I know it is shaping their memories and childhood, and I LOVE LOVE doing it so much!

I made some PINK chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and Sam (and I... ) scarfed them up they were soo good.

The weather round these parts is so so frigid 

Frigid, and snowy.
There is so much snow, theres no where to put it anymore. 

I have to inch out of my driveway because I cannot see above the snow mounds.

So.. we have been stuck inside for a while.

I think i went to the grocery store a few times just to get out ... 

But winter... meh.. We're so over it..

Back to our Happy Heart Day..

Lunch was served in heart shaped form and pink and red hues.. of course..

And my sweet hubby cooked a delicious pork tenderloin, roasted carrots and yummy fries.

Samantha set the table and gave everyone a little crayon heart favor on their napkins.. my little mini me hostess... I love that girl.

Since he doesnt eat ... hardly anything.. 

We had a lovely serenade from Andrew George while we ate as a family of three.

He was proud of his latest ballad. 

He's been working on it for weeks.

I started a tradition last year and made another cookie cake this year. 

It tastes JUST like the cookie cakes from Original Cookie Co. back in the day at the mall.

So we arent enjoying being trapped indoors..

But we sure had a warm and wonderful Valentines Day.

xoxo

Hot Cocoa Party

A few days before Christmas we hosted a

Hot Cocoa Party for some close friends and family 

I had so much fun decorating for the party.. of course.

I made bunting, ball fringe and recycled some book page garland from the mantle.

 I just had some treats and sweets

a few snacks, pretzels and bison dip

 

I had big plans for jalapeno dip, chips, and one more baked dessert.

But the party almost didn't happen at all.

We woke up to our sub pump going crazy, and a flooded basement.

Thank goodness it was only around the walls of the basement .. so thankfully, no Christmas presents, or anything else was harmed...just a few paper boxes..

 

But the flow of water coming from underneath the basement floor into the pump ... was scary.

So fast, and the pump was filling to the top and turning on every 2-3 minutes..

Thankfully it never broke down...

 

So I texted everyone ... cancelling the party..

Then the water slightly let up, .... and I had prepared and baked... so we ultimately decided.... Lets just have the party.. and if the pump breaks and floods the basement... then we kick everyone out.. ha!

So on with the re-texting and the party was on....

 

Samantha was so excited.. Her two friends from school last year were coming, and she was literally in tears when I told her we couldn't have it...

 

So I did the best I could with running around like a crazy person, and got everything ready and cooking.

We had such a great time with our friends & family.

I wanted to take time out to see people who we werent going to get together with before and after Christmas, since we'd be in Ohio for a long time.

Blakely & Andrew.

She just the cutest thing! She went right up on the couch next to him & they sat there for almost 25 minutes watching Max & Ruby. We kept telling him to give her kisses.

Samantha & Allie

They came down to model a fashion show for us.



I made some delicious Hot Cocoa in the slow cooker, and set up a little Hot Cocoa Bar ... what I could get set up ...

 

Of course I made cupcakes.... cant let a party happen without em!

Hot Cocoa with Marshmellow Buttercream

So the party prep & food got cut short...

But it was a nice party ... full of friends, laughter, and good memories

Christmas Home Tour 2013 & DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

Christmas came and went, and now that we're relaxing in Ohio, Im catching up.
Here's a little look into some Christmas in our home this year.

Our Mantle.
I love decorating our mantle, I think I will always want to live in a house with a mantle.. it seems to serve as the decorating centerpiece, and its where I start decorating for every season, birthday, etc.. and the rest of the house just flows from here.

The lights are super old from World Market when we lived in Wilmingon
The tree felt garland... Target dollar spot, -- too much time was spent in  that section this season!
The paper book page chain was made by me

Pinecones, Little houses, Vintage Ball Jar Snowglobes, Rustic Frames, and Chalkboards

 

DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

I saw these done last year on a few blogs, and I knew I wanted to do my own this year.

 

Here's how I did it.

 

Supplies:

Large Ball jars/mason jars - Mine are vintage from the Goodwill under $1.00 each.

Epsom Salt - Dollar Tree $1.00

Miniature Deer - Michaels - $1.49 for 4 or 5

Bottle brush Trees - Michaels - @ 2.00 with 40% coupon.

Elmer's Glue - Dollar Tree

 

I first glued the trees all down and let them sit a while

Then poured in the Epsom salt making a little "hill" in one area.. (just the way I was pouring I guess)

Then I used tongs to lower the deer into the "snow"

That's It!

And they look so so pretty....



Almost every room had a little tree in it...

Even our room & Samantha's  it made the rooms so cozy.. even though our house is freezing.

 

Advent Calendar

This year.. Yet again inspired by pinterest, I created a really cool advent calendar.

I wrapped 25 little presents up, and then hung them by an old branch (used to be Andrew's mobile in his nursery) .. and added a few woodland creatures, and voila!

 

The kids.. well, Samantha .. loved picking out 1 present each day.. the presents were a mix of food, coloring books, little cars, card games, and little toys

 

The Gingerbread House.

 

This year, Samantha chose a really cool gingerbread house from Trader Joe's.

It was really easy.. and she did most of the decorating himself.





I did a few little festive things throughout the month..

Reindeer Sandwiches with Cookie Butter

And sharing our love of cookie butter also was shown in our teacher gifts this year. 

 

Santa Pancakes one morning were a big hit!

Especially his chocolate eyes.. of course..

 



 

Family Granola Gifts were given on Christmas Eve

 

And I wrapped all our presents.. most of them in brown paper this year..

It was cheap, easy and looked so wonderful all tucked under the tree.

'Twas the Night Before Pre-Kindergarten

Twas The Night Before Pre-K

NOT Preschool... Pre-K.

The grade before Kindergarten... and until today it hadn't really sunk in.. and Im a little sad.

The lazy days of summer are over, the days where we have such fun things to do, or we spend the day in our pajamas, and hop from room to room having fun.

 

I went for my morning run (hadn't gone in a while)... and so I was feeling human again after a couple miles in the books.

We were having some family over for Labor Day, and I made these cute red, (sort of white) and blue sushi. Daddy was cooking ribs on the grill and they smelled so good.

I finally got my act together and set out all the school gear.

Labeled everything and packed her little backpack.. My baby is going to school...and not just a 2 hour glorified playtime twice a week, but real school ... every day.. with morning journals, and testings, and goals, and I am so so grateful that she got accepted into this program, but at the same time.. its one of the first times its really hitting home that she is growing up..

Okay back to the non -emotional part of the day.. ha!

We had an all American dinner.

Ribs, Corn on the Cob,

Deviled Eggs, and Dessert was cake and candy sushi!

We decided to be twins today... She truly is my mini-me, and I am so proud of her.

The little guy wanted to try corn with us at dinner tonight.

Whatever sister does, he does.. so that's fine if she is encouraging him to EAT! ha!

Oh, and under that Band-Aid? That would be 6 stitches.

We had a rough rough week last week.



I know this week is going to be better.

Its back to school time!

S'Mores Cookie Bars & Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies {Tried & Loved Recipes}

S'mores Cookie Bars!

 

I made these for our family's 4th of July party.

They were a hit!

Original recipe from www.noshwithme.com

 

Ingredients 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 (1.55 oz. each) milk chocolate candy bars
1 cup marshmallow crème (I would use more*)

Heat oven to 350 - Grease an 8x8 pan

 

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Press half of dough into prepared pan.

Layer on the Hershey bars... it doesn't need to be perfect...

Then spread the Fluff on top of the chocolate...

*One note.. the end result doesn't quite look like the picture on the blog Nosh With Me, but Im wondering if you doubled the Fluff & Chocolate Bars if it would? I may try this next time...

 

Press remaining dough onto the Fluff

Bake for about 30-35 min. 

Let them cool a bit, and then I cut and decorated them

 

Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies

I found this recipe HERE via Pinterest

It was very very good..

The Sea Salt adds such a good flavor



 

I didn't follow the recipe for the dough.. I used a Betty Crocker Pie Crust (just add water) mix, and it was pretty good.

 

The filling consists of Apples, Lemon Juice, Sugar, Flour & Cinnamon

 

I used a 3 inch circle cookie cutter, and it made 6 cute little pies.

 

After you put the apple filling on the bottom half, then you add chopped up vanilla caramels & a sprinkle of Sea Salt... the BIG flaked kind.



I cooked them at 425 for about 15 minutes.

 

They are adorable, and delicious!