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! 

Fancy Cards

I sometimes live vicariously through my four nieces.  That's what you have to do when you live with all boys.  My older sister's little girl is Fancy Nancy crazy.  Her Birthday is coming up soon and she wanted some "Fancy" Invitations for her "Fancy" party. 

Ryder and I busted out the printer this morning, a cutting mat, some scissors and a little bit of tulle...here is what we came up with:

 We printed on the back side of some scrapbook paper I had in the closet.

 Next we cut them out into a simple shape that folds like a purse.

 Added some Tulle for the Purse Straps.

 Ooh La La!  We had some Fancy Purse Invites!

 

They'll fit in a 5x7 Envelope that she can mail out to all of her Fanciest Friends.

The little things...

It's the little things...like watching a train ride around the track...that makes him the happiest. Please ignore the half-dressed little in the background.  That seems to be a trend with him lately...it's either shirt on or shorts on...but never both at the same time.

Happy Friday, Ya'll!  We're headed out on a date tonight which means we'll probably eat dinner and hit the Children's Place for some Tax-free deals paired with my 15% off Total Purchase Coupon.  We're real crazy like that ;)

Colorful Wordless Wednesday

Pillows Make Everything Pretty

I love this new pillow.  It is amazing, isn't it?  My sweet friend Abbey is now making and selling these little gems.  You can find her Blog here.

They are so cute, that I just had to have one made for our bed.  Its my inspiration piece.  I want new furniture in this room, but I don't want to spend a lot of money.  There are so many little DIY projects I'd love to try out in this space .

Like this new Headboard as seen on Living Under Spanish Moss:  I've looked at these at online stores and they are pretty pricey.
 

Then I found this tutorial featured on Centsational Girl...

















I can do this...right (Matt)? Just a few things I've been dreaming about on Pinterest.  If you haven't joined Pinterest, you must!  It is my newest addiction :)

Rustin's New Digs

Out with the crib and in with the Big Boy Bed.  A Bunk Bed to be exact!  R&R are super excited to have a bunk bed in the house.  It makes me a little nervous, so we're not putting the ladder on for now.  It was an easy solution for not having a "guest bedroom".  Ryder can just bunk with Rustin on the rare occasion we have a guest now.

It was bitter-sweet for this Momma.  My Baby is officially not a Baby anymore.  Its the first time in 4-years there has not been a baby crib in our house.  I wish I could bottle them up and keep them little forever, but I also love watching their personalities explode as they grow.  They are the Biggest Blessing. 

Dirt

 If there is dirt, this kid will find it. (Oh and yes...this is our dead yard.  108 Degrees for 30 days straight without rain will do that for ya!)

I got him to come back to the porch by telling him I had food.  Similar to what you would do for a dog.  Only he's much cuter than a dog...don't ya think?

 He realized he'd been tricked and that I wouldn't hold him because he was so dirty.  (His new catch phrase is "My Lap, My Lap" which translates to "Pick Me Up".)

At least she loves him...apparently she didn't care that his backside looked like....

THIS!

I gave up...when you're already this dirty, who cares if you drink from the dog's water bowl.  This is where Matt and everyone in my family throws up a little bit in their mouths.  I mean, even I admit this is disgusting and if I saw anyone else letting their child do this I'd have harsh things to say about the matter.  Rest assured...it was fresh water.  ;)  He is now fed, bathed, teeth brushed and sweetly sleeping in bed.   

Finding Time

Do you ever have those weeks that seem crazy busy, but nothing is really accomplished.  Its been one of those weeks for the past 3 weeks for me.  We are going 100 different directions with nothing really to show in the end, except for being really tired.

I haven't even had my camera out to snap any pictures of the things we've been doing.  By the time both boys are in bed at night, I'm exhausted and all I can do is lay on the couch and stare blankly at the TV.  Obviously, my Blog has been lacking content.  I think the heat has added extra exhaustion and my brain turns to mush by day's end.

So here are a few updates:  It's hot.  So we've either stayed inside or gone to the water park.

Ryder has been in a gym class this summer at my new Brother-in-laws gym in East Texas.  We drive down on Wednesdays and spend the day with my parents once he's done.  That is all about to end as school starts back up.  My Mom will go back to work and Ryder will be in Pre-school on Wednesdays.  He's really enjoyed running around like a crazy monkey though!

We've squeezed in a few McDonald's / Chick-fil-A lunches when we can.  We'll take all of the air-conditioning we can get!

We Build trains every day and have probably watched Toy Story 3 no less than 700 times.  Rustin LOVES it.  Trains and Toy Story that is.  He can name every single Thomas Train which is something Ryder never really cared about.  Funny how different they can be.

They both still love the Car Wash.  I have been guilty of using it as a form of bribery.  We'll go wash the car as a reward for being good.

Uggg...and I'm trying to watch my diet.  I hate paying attention to what I eat.  I wish I could just eat whatever and whenever, because I do love me some food....especially in the evening.  All of the sudden an alert goes off in my brain that tells me I need candy, ice cream, whatever...just so long as it is sweet.  So that's it I guess. 

Here is a picture from not this week but sometime this summer of each stinker.  What is a post without a picture?

 Rustin (Summer 2011)

Ryder (Summer 2011)

Great Grandma's Building

Oh the things you can do in Great Grandma's Building....

....like drinking lemonade from a Fancy Glass....

 ....and carrying on "Grown Up" Conversations while devouring 4 Rolls.

Not hungry?  No worries...they even let you watch Toy Story Three at the Table!

You can go on an outdoor fountain exploration...

.... and Nature Walks Complete with Lizard sightings.

Back inside, it's always fun to race to be the first one in the Elevator!

This Elevator even has a special bench to ride on!  Needless to say, Ryder thinks Great Grandma's Building is a pretty cool place to visit :)

Strange Resemblance

Rustin...is that you?  Nope, it's his Grandpa Smith.  Going through some old pictures and I did a double-take at this one.  Happy Monday to ya!

Tasty Tuesday- Sprinkles Edition

Our morning was....ahem...rough.  Let's just say that when I caught this one chugging sprinkles at ten o'clock a.m....I didn't say anything.

I took a picture instead.  He was happy and that made me happy.  I did eventually have to take them away, but promised we'd use them to bake with in the afternoon.  We made Cookie Pops!  I totally cheated (don't I always) and really wouldn't feel right calling this a recipe...because...well it's not.  It was a Pillsbury Funfetti Cookie Pop Kit courtesy of Good Ole' Wal-Mart!  We sampled them after dinner and they are "tasty"!  

You'll need the Funfetti Kit (if you're going to cheat like me), a stick of butter and an egg.

Ryder is convinced that if you eat an egg, a baby bird will grow in your tummy. Ha!  

Pre-heat to 350 Degrees and follow the directions on the box.  Note:  Melt the butter all the way.  It says that it should be really soft so I didn't melt it completely.  It made mixing a little more difficult...especially for little hands.

Stir, stir stir and then roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls and place them on a baking sheet.  I had to insert the sticks.  The cookie would fall apart when R tried which was very frustrating to him.

Bake them for about 12 minutes and let cool completely.  You can use the provided "Sprinkles" to decorate, but we of course needed more!  We like lots of sprinkles.  Here is the end result...

Not the best picture...but it gets the idea across :) 

He was super excited...I am pretty sure this was the sprinkles talking!  Love him!

Too Dang Hot

Because it's just too dang hot to wear clothes...especially when cooking.  OK...I'm only speaking for him and not myself!   Tasty Tuesday coming up later tonight!