Belongs to Andy...Rustin

Officially his.

Milestone

We hit a major milestone this week.  It really was huge (to me).  For the first time in nearly 5 years, I walked into the mall with both of the boys....and no stroller. 

It felt strange, but free.

It was a short trip that was perfect for testing the waters.  I've been pretty attached to my stroller.  It is my security blanket.  When I feel I've lost all control of them (the boys), it was there to tie them in place.  It is always in the back of my car...never leaves us.  Actually having the guts to do this on my own was a big deal...I almost think I needed it more than the boys did.  I officially feel like I have big kids now.

Since it is Friday, lets play Flashback Friday  ;)

Rustin

You are without a shirt because we were painting on the driveway and we didn't want to mess your Mickey Mouse T-shirt up.

You are just getting over a 24-hour fever that left you tired and clingy to me.

You love to make me laugh.  You say silly things like..."Do you LOVE spinach, MOM??"...and then squeal with laughter when I say "No!".

You were drinking some lemonade and pretending to eat some goldfish after a long morning of playing with Action Chugger and KoKo.  Daddy brought them home to you last night after hearing you weren't feeling well.

You were sleepy as I sat next to you snapping these pictures...even though you argued, "I not sleepy, Mom!". You fell asleep fast...almost as fast as your head could hit the pillow.

You looked at these pictures after your nap and said, "That's me without my shirt!".

You are so special  to me Rustin Walker and I am so thankful God picked me to be your Momma...what a lucky girl!  Always keep my love in your heart and this amazing smile on your face!

4th of July Wreath

 I have a very good friend who is an awesome wreath maker.  I am not.  Yesterday, I dug down deep and channeled my inner Kelly.  (In case you were wondering, Kelly is one of my best friends.  She is a Momma of 3 boys, wife of a police officer, keeper of a really old cat, lover of burlap, baby bunching, healthy food feeding, hanging out in her "girls only" closet, Jesus loving, call her in a moment of despair for some encouraging words kind of girl).  I hope I did her proud ;)

It was time for a new wreath. Yes...the Red Christmas Berry Wreath had to come down.  It had served 6  worthy months as keeper of our front door.  It needed some rest.   I recently saw an idea on Pinterest for a Monogrammed Letter/Flag Door Decoration.  It uses a Cardboard Letter, Painters Tape and Spray Paint to create a festive 4th of July wreath.

The boys and I picked up the supplies at JoAnn's and decided to give it a try.

 It is super easy:

1.  Spray paint your letter completely white.  Or not...I think I would've liked having the cardboard as my white stripe color.

2.  Get your painters tape and put it on your letter to make stripes along the bottom half.  I wish I'd done my horizontal, but I had trouble getting them straight on the curves of the "S".  You put them however you like.  I didn't measure or use a straight edge.  Just put them on to where they looked straight to me.

3.  Spray paint over all of the area your put the tape in  Red.  Let it dry and then remove the tape.  You'll have red and white stripes.

4.  Cut some stars out of painters tape or vinyl.  I used my cutting machine, but if you don't have one you could draw them off on painters tape and cut them out.  It will take F-O-R-E-V-E-R though.  I'd look for some star stickers, they'd do the same thing.  Put them on the top half of your letter.

5.  Spray Paint Blue all over the area where you placed the stars.  Let dry and pull the stickers off.

That's it...you are done!  Mine didn't bleed too bad, but I used a white paint pen to fill in where I needed some touch-ups.

Trains

Some days it's all about trains....and those are the best days.  May they always remain this innocent.

Father's Day 2012

Happy Father's Day to the Best Daddy in the Whole Wide World...We love you more than Syrup and Sprinkles in the morning...and that is a whole lotta lovin!

I found these "Meet My Dad" printables on the Pink Peppermint Blogger and had the boys fill them out.  I laminated them and included them as part of Matt's gift. 

Happy Daddy-O Day!!

Tasty Tuesday

I haven't done a Tasty Tuesday post in ages...but these are worthy of a post! Ryder asked for doughnuts this weekend, and because I was too lazy to drive the 10 miles to the closest doughnut shop...I told him we'd make some at home instead.  I jumped on the computer and found the recipe here:  Sunday Baker: Cinnamon Breakfast Puffs

Oh they were heavenly.  I made 24 and ate approximately 20 of them myself.  Ryder had the other 4 that were left. " Matt and Rustin fell victim to "You snooze you lose".  Actually Matt was awake....I just inhaled them quicker than he could grab one.
 
I followed the directions exactly and didn't deviate from the ingredients:
 
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/3 c. melted butter
1 large egg
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1-1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. milk


Glaze
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 t. cinnamon (mix together with the sugar)


In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.


In a large mixing bowl beat together the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the egg, beating well. Slowly add in the flour and milk, alternately, starting and ending with the flour.

With a small ice cream scooper, fill a greased mini muffin pan (each to 3/4 full). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden.

Remove from oven. While warm, dip each puff in the melted butter, then the cinnamon/sugar glaze.

 Y'all make some...they're so good....eat the whole plate (it will make me feel better)!

Baseball, Family & God Bless America

Our whole Smith family made it out to see the Ft. Worth Cats last night.  The Cats are a minor league team here in North Texas. We had the honor of watching our oldest nephew, Colby, sing the National Anthem.   Colby made an encore performance of God Bless America during the 7th Inning Stretch.  It was a picture perfect evening of baseball and family...I truly love summer.

The National Anthem

Ft. Worth Cats at LaGrave Field

The First Pitch!

Miss Syd!

This boy LOVES Popcorn!

Yum!

Colby and his Mom...Matt's sister Kristie right after he sang.  We were all so proud!

God Bless America with Dodger during the 7th Inning Stretch

Cousin Love

Ditto!

Madison Leigh

Ryder was more interested in talking us into buying him a Sno-Cone than watching the game...he got the Sno-Cone.  After he ate a Hot Dog.  He told me today that the Hot Dog was good, but he doesn't ever want to eat one again...EVER.  (It looked a little questionable so I don't blame him.  It was our mean parent test...to what extremes would he go to get that prize)

Great Job, Colby!

My SIL, Min!

You did AWESOME, Colby! We are so proud of you and had lots of fun last night!

We ♥ Summer

 

Thanks to Pinterest and an awesome Daddy...this is one happy 4 (almost 5) year old!  We ♥ Summer! 

Here is a link to the supplies and basic directions to build a "Car Wash".