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.

One Week to Go

In one week from now (evening) we (the kids and I) will have said goodbye to our house, our neighborhood, our village, our lives in the north east. We are going to begin our journey by staying in Ohio for a few days while Daddy and his friend pack up, clean up and close up our house. 

We decided it would be easier to remove the kids... rather than us sleeping on the couches in our last night at the house. 

I've been preparing them here and there. 

This week we did a lot of fun things. Im trying to keep our routine normal. I cant sit in the house and pack boxes and organize while they are around.. Its near impossible most days.

We did some crafts at the park (below) We are constantly outside. I cant get them to come in sometimes. Thats a good sign for moving south.

And during the evenings.. thats when I usually get more packing, and moving done.

We've been at it for a while, so its mostly last minute things that I've been procrastinating doing. 

Samantha is ready and I am so proud of her. She has been totally on board with moving and big changes coming. She came into the kitchen like this, and said "Mom, Im ready to move to North Carolina"... my heart almost melted. She brightens my days and continues to amaze me. And she's gonna be six in 3 days.. 6. Someone hold me.

There's been a little cold front here .. so swimming has been out of the question this week. So instead we have been running errands, picking out some birthday goodies with some of her gift cards she received, and more parks and playdates. 

We started moving boxes and totes into the garage, just so I could feel like I am making some progress, and so we can breathe in here. The truck comes next week, so I am trying to be as ready as we can be. 

We have parties to go to the next two days in a row, and then Sam turns 6 on Sunday so technically another party that day too.. I dont want her to feel slighted, so Im doing all the fancy birthday stuff I normally do every year. She deserves it, my sweet girl.

The days are going by soooo fast and I just hope

 I have enough time to remember to do everything before next week.

So at night I sit here with my cheese tray and my thoughts and document what this crazy wonderful life is like right now. The end result is going to be worth all this weirdness around here. Bare cupboards, walls, empty shelves, almost no toys, all my favorite things packed away, pre-packed wardrobe for the next two weeks plus, eating what we have in the refrigerator, deciding what to keep and what to toss, saying goodbye to friends and family, .... Carolina awaits, and I know we cant wait either.

Bunch of Stuff

Holy Cow.. Blogging Coma

Well, Im back. Trying to gather what has been our life in August of 2014 

Ill make it short an sweet (hopefully)

Our garden this year has been lush with gorgeous veggies and herbs, and we try not to let a thing go to waste. We made a TON of zucchini cakes one night an tossed them in the deep freezer. I cant wait to find these on a night I dont feel like cooking in the fall. 

Baby P

My sister was here with her precious absoutely perfect baby for a few weeks, and we were just eating him up and loving getting to know our new cousin

Quinoa

I've been turned. I love it.. much better than couscous. Every party or family gathering this summer, and someone always made a quiona dish. So I put together my own spin on it, and it is so good.  Its like a blank canvas really. I just threw together what I had, mixed it with a really yummy red pepper dressing and I was picking at it in the fridge for days.

Surprises

If you follow me on Instagram, I love packaging stuff and giving little packages to people/customers.

Well, our previous Nanny surprised ME one day with the cutest little care package... and a sweet note with it saying how much she thought I needed it.. Boy was she ever right! I love everything about this gift and she is one of thee most thoughtful people I know. Thank you Shea Shea!!!

Cleveland

Well...Andrew's sleep habits and skin, ear and allergy issues had had us about fed up and we decided to take him to the Cleveland Clinic for an objective view and some tests. 

We spent 4 days in Ohio, and he was seen and tested and found to be allergic to a bunch of things... too many to name, Nuts being one main concern. None are extreme but as he grows they could get worse or better we just dont know. 

The fact is he has never ever slept through the night. No, never. 

Im not sure if this is part habit, and part allergies/ears? Who the hell knows. 

We may be headed for another ENT appt in the fall to the clinic to rule out sleep apnea/adenoid issues. Overall he has been sleeping I guess better (knocking on my wooden coffee table)... But the issues are not resolved. Im thankful it isnt more serious.. but also it does bother him at night and I just want he and I (ahem!!!) to get some solid sleep.

The kids were in their glory. A bonus visit to Ohio!

This and That 

So we're back and getting ready for school in a few days now.

The kids have been so funny lately, getting along and Sass being a little momma to her baby brother. 

We've enjoyed the festivals and parties in our village

And Daddy and I even got out for a date night after we got back from Ohio... boy did we need it.

Visiting relatives, and swimming

Running the kids like dogs, hoping A will sleep well.. Sass is a non-issue.. best sleeper ever... 

Completing some Etsy orders.. clothespins and custom stool coming soon

And lastly crossing off the last few things off our summer bucket list.

This week we conquered pancakes.. 

Andrew was a fan 

So thats about it.. 

Im getting ready to be Momma to a Kindergartener.

Im not ready

So not ready. 

Thankfully she is. I even asked her. "do you want me to drive you on your first day, or do you want to take the bus?". She quickly said... "take the bus!".. My big girl has come a long way since crying her eyes out at Nursery School and Pre-K. 

So its the beginning of a whole new world for all of us. 

packing lunches, bus stops, taking care of just one... it will be weird... but change is good.. and I think our girl will embrace it head on. 

Princess Ballet Camp

We were pretty excited about Princess Camp

The week was filled with all sorts of magical wonderful things, and a little etiquette as well

It was every day 9-12

The costumes alone were just a glimpse of how magical the studio made the week for the "princesses"

It also gave me a glimpse of what it will be like in just a few weeks with just one child.

Very surreal, easy, and weird all at the same time. 

Andrew and I had some very nice mornings together, checked out some new parks, grocery shopping, flower picking. 

The last day of camp there was a royal parade....led by Elsa and Anna. haha.

They each had a buddy to hold hands with as they paraded around the plaza and into the grocery store that was in the plaza..

She really thought these were the REAL Elsa and Anna. 

So much so that she didnt want to leave the studio until they did, because she wanted to see what kind of cars they drove, and how they got there.. 

I finally had to break it to her and said I think that the real Elsa and Anna are at Disney, and these are just pretend.. Because she was INSISTING we stay to see how they leave... Oh goodness..

After camp on Friday, she was on to her 5 year check up.

She did great.

Got the rest of her vaccines that we needed to catch up on, hearing test, eye test.. all set.

And if that wasnt a busy day.. we finally met our baby cousin Preston!

We're just a little in love with him. 

He's been visiting for a little over a week now, and its been so nice to spend time with my sis and her little family of three.. and for me  to get my baby fix and hold a teeny tiny 

Cousins!

Artichoke Bread (recipe) & Weekend Recap

"NC Poor Couple Artichoke Bread"

This Artichoke Bread was born when I visited Mathew when he lived here:

Poor couple we were... little to no money, just scraping by to see each other while I was living in Ohio...So instead of eating out every night I was there visiting..we went to the grocery store in search for some cheap inspiration. I vividly remember walking around Food Lion in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and I though of making this yummy bread... I bought:

Ciabatta Loaf

Olive Oil 

Fresh or Shredded Mozzarella 

Grape or Roma Tomatoes

Can of Marinated Artichoke Hearts

I beleive this was the secret ingredient... 

Not fancy but like I said, we were poor & there was no kitchen in his barracks room, just a lonely old toaster oven. 

Directions: Preheat oven or toaster oven to 400

Line toaster or baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. 

Cut bread in half lengthwise & then again into single portions of your choosing.

Drizzle with olive oil - cut tomatoes & artichokes into about 1/2 - 1 inch pieces and spread evenly onto the bread. Cover with cheese. Grind a generous amount of the Italian Blend Grinder onto the cheese. 

Bake at 400 for about 15-20 min, or until the cheese melts & slightly browns. 

Cool, cut and serve. 

So this is what we had for dinner Friday night, along with our first lettuce from our garden for a side salad. It was perfect. 

Then we headed on a little village adventure.

First stop of course was ice cream

Then we visited the park where this little guy loves to throw rocks and feed ducks

Saturday we enjoyed another park day, and we prepared for a little cookout with friends. 

BBQ'ing is one of our very favorites in the summer.

Its just so much easier to eat outdoors, and thankfully there were no bugs!

These girls.

Samantha laughed so hard with them and they had the best time.

Little brother always in tow.

He bounced, and played by the girls ...and he was outside for the better half of the day wearing himself out.

Our friends brought this amazing homemade Carob Cake - which I am going to make soon. It was so amazing. I had a slice for breakfast too.

Since the kids were really loving being outside, we decided to forego the routine schedule, and let them stay outside until it got dark. We built a bonfire & they just layed in the grass having their evening snacks & relaxing from a long fun day.

We have a few more weeks of school still, but we got to work on our summer bucket list this weekend as well. I know two months will go super fast, so I want to try and get as much in as we can.

And I finished the third order of clothespins this weekend

a little work and a lot of play. 

It was a good weekend.. Looking forward to celebrating our Daddy next weekend & more fun!