Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to two of the three best things in my life.  I love you both with all of my heart.  I can't imagine forging through a single day of this life without my husband by my side.  He is my strength, he makes me laugh, he fixes all things broken...even me on those occasional days. I truly am a lucky girl.

Rustin Walker..you're two today.  You're a feisty one.  You stand up for your brother.  You love your blanket.  You know every word to the Thomas Song and will sing it at the top of your lungs.  You love your Momma and I treasure it, because I know that I won't always be the only woman in your life.  Eggs are yummy to your tummy and you still drink all of your milk...even if it doesn't have strawberry syrup.  You're scared of monsters even though I promise you that there aren't any in your room.  You always repeat the "you promise" part.  You love books, trains, a good push in the swing, sonic slushes, the sandbox and all things Toy Story 3.  You have soft, white hair that stands straight up.   You like to say "No Mommy"...even if you don't know what you are saying "No" about.  You also say "My lap" and "Mommy Hold You"...my key you need some love.  You are my perfect little man and I am so thankful that God chose me to be your Momma. 

Happy Birthday Boys...may it be filled with sweet blessings and all of the love I can give!

Kites

Yesterday was the first day in what seems like 90 days that our high temperatures dropped out of the triple digits.  Hooray for a day outside! 

Happy 60th Birthday Grandpa Smith

Here is to one of the greatest men I know.  Happy 60th Birthday to my Father-in-law.  We threw a little party for him this weekend to celebrate this amazing husband, father and grandpa.  We couldn't ask for more...enjoy your day Mr. Smith!

Saturday Afternoon

Saturday afternoon is made for watching College Football, trying out your first PEZ Dispenser, and hoping you'll get lucky when a few pieces of candy hit the floor.

Two Men Down

I've been doing this Mom thing for almost four years now.  Yesterday was a major test.  I'm pretty sure I passed, but it wasn't pretty.  I don't frazzle easy and I was frazzled. Thank goodness for the sweetest Pediatrician who put me back in the safe zone and didn't judge my frazzled pony-tail, smeared make-up, stained shirt self.  Please say a prayer that our two littles get better very soon. Today is bound to be a better day...has to be :)

I'll try to find something "Tasty" to post later today...since it is Tuesday and all!

Our Week

She got in an argument with a skunk...the skunk won.  Doesn't she look sad?  She was even more sad when she realized she had to stay outside until we could find some kind of remedy to rid her of STINK.

The thing that every parent dreads paid a visit to our house.  The Stomach Bug.  Y'all I despise it more than anything..even more than my HP Photosmart Premium Printer...and I really despise that.  Ryder took fall first.  I Lysol'd everything.  I sanitized sheets and clothes and car-seats (since it of course reared its ugly head while in the car).  I still got it.  If there is anything worse than your kids having a stomach bug, its their parent's having it.  I felt so bad for the boys on Wednesday and  Thursday.  I was here, but I wasn't.  They were essentially on their own to eat as many Oreo's out of the pantry as they could and swig down every last Sprite out of the fridge until I finally became human again late in the day.  Needless to say, we spent a lot of time in the Laundry Room washing out clothes and sheets.  When does it transition from being "cute" to "inappropriate" to stand around on a step stool wearing Tighty-Whities?  You might say now and I apologize for offending anyone..but I think he's pretty cute!

In the midst of it all, I managed to make these little jars for Ryder to give to his Preschool Teacher as a Back to School gift.  I had seen the idea done with Andes Mints on Brown Paper Packages.  Instead of using the mints I made a Peppermint Sugar Scrub.  It feels so good on your hands and is so simple and easy to make.

Here's the basic recipe:  Place 1 Cup of Sugar in a Mixing Bowl.  Add enough Olive Oil until it is "pasty" but still has a granular texture.  Add some Peppermint Essential Oil (you can find it at places like Whole Foods) and you are done!

Wal-mart sells little 8 oz. Ball Jars in a 4-pack for $3.98.  Less than $1.00 a jar, woohoo!!!  Perfectly sized for little gifts like this. I filled them with the scrub and added a tag like Brown Paper Packages did. So simple!

We also mailed out some invitations this week.  R&R are having a joint party this year.  My Mom thinks this is terrible.  I was lectured on the fact that her grandsons each have their own Birthday.  I was also informed, that she would have NEVER done this to my sister and I, who share the same Birthday month.  My response...it's either One Party or No Party.  September is crazy this year and there physically is not two free weekends to host separate parties.  Plus, we're taking the boys to Disney World (thank goodness we'll have grandparents with us)...I think they'll be fine. ;)

Need some easy Return Address Labels?  I found these blank labels at Michael's, in the spring, when Em was getting married.  We stuck them on Favor Bags for the wedding.  I had a few left over and thought they would make cute "Return Address" labels. I'm gonna go get more...I used them all up once I realized they fit perfectly on top of the sugar scrub jars, too!  You can download templates that make them super easy to print on.  If you don't own a "Cutting Machine" these are an awesome alternative :)

Hope your weekend is full of wonderful!

Tasty Tuesday

Pinterest is my new addiction.  If you haven't used it, you must.  All of your ideas, dreams and inspiration in one place is brilliant.  No more searching through bookmarks in your internet browser...it is fabulous.

 

(Straight out of the Oven...minus the Blueberry Syrup.  I was taking this somewhere and didn't want it to be soggy.  I placed the syrup in a separate, not so pretty tupper-ware :)) 

I pinned a Blueberry French Toast Casserole recipe, after reading about it from a FB friend (Miss Sundey).  I've never physically met Sundey.  I know her strictly through FB,  her Pinterest dreams,  AND she and I share a lot of the same friends.  We now live in the same town...both moving to this town from the same previous town.  Strange, I know.  The relationship works, so don't judge...only kidding...you can judge.  

 

Anyway...I decided to give this dish a try, making a few modifications from the original recipe posted on Chef in Training.  The recipe listed here is exactly as I make it.

French Toast:

• 16-18 slices of Sunbeam Texas Giant Bread, No crust and torn into little pieces.
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut in cubes
• 1 cup blueberries (fresh)
• 10 large eggs
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Cinnamon & Sugar for sprinkling

Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup blueberries (fresh)
• 2 Tablespoon butter

1.  Arrange 1/2 of the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 pan.
2. Place cream cheese cubes and blueberries evenly over the bread cubes.
3. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and sugar mixture.
4. Top with remaining bread cubes.
4. Mix together eggs, milk, cream, and syrup.
5. Pour over bread cubes and sprinkle again with cinnamon and sugar.   Cover the pan with foil. Let chill in refrigerator overnight.
6. Bake covered with foil at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or until fluffy and golden. Top with sauce. Serves 8.
Sauce: Cook water, sugar, and cornstarch until thickened. Stir in blueberries and simmer for 10 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted. Serve over the french toast.


Melt in your Mouth, Mmm-mmm good!