MacGruber's Mama

Happy 3rd Birthday to MacGruber!

2011-11-08T15:28:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to MacGruber, who thinks he is 7!!

When you ask my sweet boy how old he is, he often replies "Seven!" I think it's his favorite number in life right now because everything is 7! However, my big guy is now 3. I know, I can't believe it either!

Life if just cruising on by and now I have a three year old...booohooooohoooo! Before I know it, he'll be eighteen and I sure hope he loves me then as much as he does now! He is quite the Mama's boy and I really have no complaints! I loooove my boy!

Ok, enough blathering on about me getting old and my kiddo growing up too fast...on to the birthday celebration!

I made a countdown chain a week before MacGruber's birthday and he adored tearing off a link each morning and counting the days until his birthday. I am so thankful I only did seven days because it was still difficult to explain that his birthday wasn't quite yet!

On the day of his birthday, we both got struck down with a pretty terrible cold, so my big plans of visitng the Shedd Aquarium or children's musuem didn't quite happen. However, we prevailed (on a much smaller scale) and had a really wonderful day with Nana and Baba in town. We hiked through Hawthorn Hollow and stopped by Barnes and Noble for coffee (for the grown-ups) Green Machine juice (for MacGruber) and a huge chocolate cupcake!

MacGruber loves to hike! He always finds a big stick to use too!

Having fun with silly Baba!

The best way to see the sights after exploring the woods for an hour! MacGruber was a trooper!!

While MacGruber was napping, Nana went wild with the crepe paper and we also picked up his balloons and cake. When MacGruber turned 1, I vowed to always make his cakes.every.single.year. Wellllll....never say never! I was so excited to spend time with him this year, that the cake making business went right out the window and into the hands of a professional. And, with the cake that MacGruber picked out, I was so happy that I did!

When Daddy got home, we headed out to an awesome pizza dinner where we "toasted" MacGruber several times! He was such a cutie pie, standing in the booth at the pizza parlor, letting everyone toast him birthday wishes and clinking cups. We actually did it several times upon his request!

Once, we arrived home, it was FINALLY cake and present time! MacGruber was so pumped to get his "easy bakey thing" and couldn't wait to open his presents. His best friend J-Rod came over to help and celebrate too.

My big 3-year old ready to open his gifts!

Baba showing MacGruber how to use his new HotWheels truck!

J-Rod showing MacGruber how to say "cheese" and model clothes on your birthday!

A super awesome present from Auntie Hollie--Pizza, anyone?
(Nana and Baba also got him the felt sandwich set, which was a huge hit. My kiddo is a foodie, what can I say!?)

So excited over his very own Easy Bake Oven! He was pretending to "eat it up!"

While we were singing, MacGruber was actually tapping his foot to the song! The expression on his face shows the concentration it took to tap! And...can you say, "awesome cake!?" Don't let the whiteness fool you...

Make a wish, buddy!

MacGruber's rainbow cake!
He picked it out on Pinterest and wouldn't stop talking about it! It was a huge hit and tasted great too!

Another year of my sweet ~~baby~~ boy's life has flown by and we are continually blessed with his love, his laughter and all his talk about poo! We had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday and look so very forward to this next year's adventures!

Chef MacGruber and his Halloween Adventures!

2011-11-07T18:59:00.000-06:00

Happy Halloween...about a week too late! On Halloween Eve, MacGruber, Daddy and I carved our pumpkins. Actually, let me clarify. I scooped and carved two pumpkins, both poorly, because my hand was killing me, Daddy carved one masterpiece and MacGruber watched "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I totally thought MacGrubes would be into it...maybe next year! We whipped up some toasted pumpkin seeds and enjoyed taking pictures of ~~our~~ Daddy's masterpiece!

On Trick or Treating day, Chef was super excited to go with his best friend and neighbor J-Rod, and one of his other best pals, Mymy and her mommy!

Our first house! He was waving to us....aww!

The Chef, Princess Jasmine, and Mommy Raja in a Tigger costume! Hey, parents will do ANYTHING to make their kiddo's happy and she is one amazing mama!

Showing me his loot!

Cooper the Firedog! Or...fat dog in a little coat! Poor Coop's..he hated being in costume...it didn't even stay closed!

J-Rod and Princess Jasmine

Two happy kiddo's and lots of candy!

Near the end of Trick or Treating, the Chef was exhausted! He slouched over in a big, dramatic way and sighed as he walked to each house! It was quite hysterical and he kept asking for "energy" aka candy so he could make it to the front door of our neighbors!

Later that evening, we got the best surprise! Daddy's dear friend, Eric, surprised us with a visit! This awesome guy had never met MacGruber before and they definitely hit it off. MacGrubes had to bring his Strider bike in the house and show Uncle Eric how he rides. Now, a challenge is on for a bike race! We adore Uncle Eric and were pretty stoked over the whole night!

We had a wonderful Halloween! Another year of lots of treats and no tricks! Just the way we like it!

Once upon a Fall....

2011-10-25T22:28:00.001-05:00

....there was the sweetest little MacGruber and his Mama who played and played wishing the beautiful weather could stay forever and the big bad winter would stay away! Unfortunately, winter is just around the corner and what may be the last day of gorgeous weather is behind us. But, that's not say we haven't enjoyed every second of it. We always do, MacGruber! That's how we rollllll....

As you always say, MacGruber, "This is a fun day Mama. I like fun days." Well, this has been a fun couple of weeks too! Between the sunshine, cool air, visits to the Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo, playdates with your best pals and all in all, just soaking up the delicious sunshine, we have been busy.

Two silly monkey's! And, you are totally saying "cheese" rather than cheesing!

For some reason, this is how "painting" always ends up in our house!

A day of fun and your attempt at phasing out naps! See MacGruber!? You still need your sleep kiddo!

Pizza dough in the bread machine...you, Mr. Chef., were amazed at this process!**
**Please note, I did not leave my child recklessly balancing on the edge of the counter! I did back away from him just for photography sake!

Ready...

Set...

Wheeeeee!!!

Green Meadows Petting Farm was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
The goats were the first animals we visited and you thought they were awesome!

The kitty barn with Miss A! Does life get any better!?

Bunnies and chicks and ducklings, oh my!! We got to hold and pet and love on some adorable little pets!

Tractor time!

Riding the bumpy hayride for the second time! We all laughed so hard, and thought this was such a blast! Your favorite part was all the mud we drove right through!

MacGruber and Lad
I was so proud of you riding the horse all by yourself! You just jumped right on this big guy! I was waving and shouting, "Yay MacGruber! I am SO proud of you!" I even got a little teary-eyed! (I'm a total baby over my boy!!)

Ahhh..my MacGruber sweet cheeks!

With "trick or treatin'" right around the corner, and the BIG third birthday soon after, life will continue to be full of excitement and fun! I can't wait to post about MacG's super adorable Chef costume and the birthday celebration we have planned!

Bedtime Chats

2011-10-01T22:44:00.000-05:00

I love those nights when the bedtime routine is a breeze and you are filled with cuddles and stories for me. Tonight, was one of those nights. You continually asked me to "get closer, Mama, get closer" until I was just about lying on top of you, then you giggled hysterically!

Lately, you don't want to read bedtime stories, but hear stories. You often interject your own thoughts and hijack my story. Once you start talking though you say, "C'mon Mama, keep talkin." The stories we tell are mostly about our day together, but with Momo (your monkey lovey!) as the main character. Momo rides a strider bike, Momo goes to the fishy store with Dada..it's very sweet and funny and I love that you want to "write" your own stories.

The thoughts that come into your sweet little head as your eyelids get heavy, secretly make me giggle. I have to pull the blanket over my face so you don't see me laughing. Tonight you told me about the fishies with legs at the store today. You and Dada saw those white fishies and thought they were so cool. I asked the name of the fishies and you told me to ask Daddy!

You also told me this story,
"Mama, that guy has dip on his face."
"What guy, bubba?" I asked.
"The guy on Scooby Doo. He ate a big fat hotdog and then had dip on his face. It was soooo red."
I proceeded to remind you that the "dip" was ketchup and then you told me all about the yellow dip (mustard) you saw too!
I'm not sure what made you think of the "dip" story as you were falling asleep, but it was a very important thought you felt needed to be shared right as you were dozing off!

I hope you always (well until you're in high school or so!!) have bedtime chats with me, MacGruber! I love hearing the most important and memorable parts of your day. Sometimes, I think how nice it will be when you're a really big boy and you don't need bedtime stories or snuggles. But then, I realize that that moment will come too soon and I will be wishing for it back. My time with you is so precious, sweet boy!

Thanks for sharing all your very important dip stories with me, MacGruber. They are the best stories I have ever heard!

xoxoxo

Summer 2011 in Review: Warning, WARNING...LOTS of pictures!

2011-09-21T08:06:00.001-05:00

Is summer really over!? It seems as if we wait all year for those 3 perfect months and it just flies by, doesn't it? MacGruber and I had a wonderfully busy summer filled with lots of sunshine and water. We had special adventures taking bike rides, exploring parks and visitng family and friends! I can't even begin to tell of all the little moments we had this summer, so instead, I will summarize with pictures. (I should post the many (like 20!) blog posts I started the past couple months and never finished. The little tidbits are humorous but when the beautiful weather is calling, it's hard to sit at the computer. And, ha! Who am I kidding!? I have a very busy little man who doesn't really allow for much sitting anyway right now!)

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James

St. Louis Zoo with Baba

MacGruber and Mama (I had to grab my camera-shy guy for this pic!)
By the way, what's up with kids who actually pose for the camera!? Sigh..I wish.

Visiting the bunnies near Nana and Baba's house!

Lake Michigan with one of your best pals, Mymy!

Strawberry pickin' time and a VERY happy little guy!

4th of July and our favorite "secret" place!
We play at this park often and MacGruber loves hiding out in here!

4th of July with Ye and special Cambodian cake! YUM!

Lots of window watching!

New fancy schmancy Lighning McQueen chair!
(Before I had a child, I vowed never to buy one of these...ahh..the things you say!)

Batting cages at Wisconsin Dells!

Backyard pool fun!

Chill time after playtime with some of your besties!

Gumball machine from Ye...eeek!

Playtime!

The King of the World on your super Strider!

Bike rides to the park to play football with Daddy and J-Rod! There were SO many bike rides this summer...like every.single.day. up and down the street....our poor neighbors were probably so sick of seeing us!

Garage sale find and races with Baba!

Lots of excitement (Yes, MacGruber still does his "shake!") over another awesome garage sale find!
Can you say $6?! Woot!

Transition to the big boy bed! MacGruber chose this on his own timing and has done beautifully!
You are such a big kiddo, buddy!

Angry birds with Nana!

One big cheer for summer!!

Fishing with Baba!

Speedy guy on the Strider!

My silly boy who loves playing with these beads!

Big Guy!

A few thoughts for memories sake:

-Does ninja moves after watching "American Ninja" show with Mama and Daddy.

-Says, "like and kinda" all the time, example, "Mama, that food was like so kinda good!"

-Loves hearing and telling stories we (or he) make up!

-Still dislike getting hair washed in the bathtub and often say, "I just don't like that, Mama!" however, you have become such a great swimmer and don't mind getting splashed at the pool.

Moments with MacGruber

2011-09-07T08:06:00.000-05:00

Last night, as MacGruber and I were snuggling down for a long night's nap, he told me he wanted a "yittle blue fwoggy, and a weally, weally cute kitty cat and a yittle doggy for Cooper to play with!" I asked what he wanted to name the little doggy, he said, "Little Pooper" and then proceeded to laugh hysterically!

Just a little update for memory's sake as I work through a gazilion summer pictures and thoughts to share with you, hopefully, before the snow starts falling here in Wisco!

A Collection of 4 Little Ditties for a Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-03T22:26:00.000-05:00

Well, apparently, I am on the "updating the blog" once a month track here. Yowsa's! I can't believe it's been exactly a month since I last posted my super adventures with MacGruber. But, with the hubs at the Ben Harper concert at Summerfest (yes..I want to cry, but, alas, our favorite babysitter is gone for the weekend!) and sweet MacGrubes asleep, now seems the perfect time for a little update!! Now..to tell you about our entire month of June...hmmm..where to begin?? Just teasing! I would be exhausted and you, my friend, would most likely be b-o-r-e-d! Tonight, I have a collection of little ditties for ya, as I like to call them, and later I will post about our awesome trip to Nana and Baba's and our fantastic 4th of July weekend, thus far anyway.

So here goes.

Ditty #1-
MacGruber makes me laugh nonstop throughout the day. At dinner tonight I had to hide behind the pickle jar, (Not kidding, this thing is ginormous and I could actually hide my entire head behind it!  Thank you Sam's Club!) and snicker...because this boy is fun-ny!

Let me transcribe a very one-sided conversation he was having with me (kind of..) while he was enjoying Kipper tonight.

"Mama...hahahahaha..look at that big froggy..I yove (love) froggies. Auntie Hollie has a Big FAT green froggie in her garden.  It hops hops hops like this Mama.. (MacGruber starts hopping.) Do you yove (love) froggies too Mama?  I yove them soooo much. I yove chocolate too Mama!  Cooper no have chocolate. He could get very very sick. And poop soo much! YUCK! There was a Big FAT poop in the yard, Mama. Do you yike poop too?" Now, imagine that being said and done all within a couple of second or less! Whew! (And, I apologize for the poo reference..again. Apparently, with a 2 year old little man, the doo doo is inevitable!)
An older lady at the store last week actually said, "Oh boy..I forgot how much they talk." Tell me about it sister...this guy is a talker!

Ditty #2-
While enjoying your favorite Arby's roast beef (I know, I know...not uber-healthy. But, listen, folks..they must be laced with something because he sure does love them..and it is protein, right?) you held up a tiny piece of meat, wiggled it between your fingers and said, "Come here yittle beaver." I completely choked on my soda because really MacGruber, little beaver!? Where in the world did you hear that one?

Ditty #3-
You are definitely a teacher's child. Especially a kindergarten teacher. In the womb, you must have been memorizing my favorite teacher phrases like "Sit down, friends" or "Come to the circle, friends." When you play with your cars, I often listen to your sweet little conversations.  I hear "okay friends, let's go" and "c'mon friends, time for the big race!" Those cars really are your best friends..they travel everywhere with us.

Ditty #4-
Okay..back to the poop here. But this one is laugh out loud funny. Hopefully anyway...:)
A couple of weeks ago, while you were playing in the tub, I noticed those familiar signs. The red, watery eyes, the holding of the breath, the grunting..I knew what was about to happen and I was determined to stop it!! I looked at you and before I could even say anything.. you said, "What Mama!?!? I not doin' nothin!" Hahaha..you were caught red-handed..err..butted?! And, you totally were doin' somethin'!

Tonight, we were snuggled together reading some Little Critter and you started playing with my hair which you haven't really done before. It was so sweet, and gentle, and I wanted to squeeze your cuteness to pieces!  Daddy and I are soooo lucky!

To MacGruber at 2 1/2 years old...

2011-06-03T09:22:00.001-05:00

Oh Boy! I meant to post this letter the last day of May. I'm such a slacker. Not the kind of mama watching soap operas eating bonbons slacker. More like the taking walks with the new strider bike, potty training business, started another blog called Kenosha Coupon Queens kind of slacker! Whew! It's been a busy 2 weeks and now the weather is amazing! And my boy pee-pees in the potty! Here is my letter to MacGruber at 2 1/2 years old. He sure is full of spunk. I wonder who he gets that from?!

Hi Buddy,
Today is the last day of May. It's been an exciting month for you big guy. On May 4, you turned 2 1/2. It seems like you're a baby no more. All boy. And getting to be such a big boy at that. The other day you said, "I a big boy like those other boys!" Not sure who the other boys are...but, yep, buddy, you sure are getting big. Too fast!

You used to stand and hide in my legs when people would say hello. Now, you boldly proclaim to anyone nearby that you "weaw undiewear". You love to stand on the sidewalk, wave, and say hello to all our neighbors. You know them by name too. You're a huge fan of Herbert across the street. Poor guy. Everytime he gets home from work, you are standing out there waving! You also still adore your Auntie Hollie, Uncle Steve and their boys Justin and Jared. Auntie Hollie lets you take walks with her and you even get to hold Boo-Boo's leash! A day is not complete unless you get to play with Jared. We seriously have the BEST neighbors ever.

Speaking of underwear, you are finally wearing them! And most of the day they are dry!! You are so proud of yourself. This entire potty training process has brought out the encourager in you. When I go potty, I get high fives and "good job mama..I so proud of you." Poop is another disgusting story though. Really MacGruber..poop in the undies, poop in the TUB!?! You're killing me here (and grossing me out too!) but I know you will eventually get the hang of it!

Last week your new stinkin' awesome Strider bike arrived in the mail! You love it. We love it. Best.investment.ever. A pricey investment but I foresee lots of little MacGrubers enjoying that bike too. The Strider is pedal-less so it initially teaches balance and he uses his little legs to push. The bike weighs only 7 lbs. so MacGruber can lift it all by himself and proclaim things like "I so strong like Daddy." To check out how the strider bike works and see another wild child ride it click here. We"ll post video and pics soon. After only a week, I caught myself jogging to keep up with him yesterday. I do have short legs though!

Memorial Day was bea-u-ti-ful! We got to enjoy a wonderful day at the beach here in town complete with your super fast, super awesome Lightning McQueen water shoes. (Thanks Nana!) This mama got sunburnt..MacGruber and Daddy got nice and brown. Surprise, surprise! I recently bought a big, fat beach umbrella so we can spent lots of time at the beach this summer. Nothing makes me happier than MacGruber enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and sand while I am enjoying my Kindle!

Baseball season is in full swing around our house. Since enjoying your first White Sox game with Daddy and I, we have been playing baseball (t-ball) in the backyard. I can't wait to have lots of evenings this summer where you practice swinging that bat and perhaps catching a few fireflies! Oh wow. Speaking of catching bugs..you are definitely a future entomologist, you little bug lover you!

I have this memory from a year ago or so, when you weren't really saying much yet. I had some concerns naturally. That's what mamas do. Not sure why I ever really worried though..you are a talker. Non-stop! And you say everything...all the time! Most of the time, your words have us crackin' up. Sometimes, lately, your words (and sassiness) have you in time-out MacGruber. One of my favorite quotes recently was when I was fretting over something. You must've heard the worry in my voice. You walked right up to me, and said, "No worries, Mama. No worries."
Another evening at the park, you walked over to Daddy and said, "Hold me up high Dada. I want to reach the moon."
I hope you do reach the moon someday little man! And beyond.

We've had another busy month full of adventure and always full of love.
Love you so much MacGruber. Always and Forever,
Mama

Mama!! What.is.on.your.BOOBIES!?

2011-05-23T21:06:00.002-05:00

"Uh...a shirt?" I replied, more shocked that my son has just said the word boobies. Apparently it was a shirt MacGruber had never seen before. A black shirt with sparkly silver writing that said SOX.  I think the sparkles threw him off. I don't typically rock the sparkly shirts!

We were getting ready for MacGrubers first ever Chicago White Sox game. He was pretty pumped. Days prior to the game some phrases being heard in our house were, "Mama..I so cited!" (excited), and "I yuv those White Six so much." We laughed out loud when MacGruber yelled, "I go see White Six play SOCCER!!"
Oh boy! So much to learn, young MacGruber.

MacGruber and I got Mr. Daddy-O, White Sox tickets and a fancy schmancy tool chest for his birthday. Pretty exciting presents, right? I intentionally bought the tickets for the family fun day. MacGruber could participate in fun kids events, including running the bases at the end of the game.  However, I did not think to get tickets in the shade and oh.my.goodness. was it HOT!  Especially when our bodies are not accustomed to this quite yet..wasn't it just in the 50's last week??

Anywho, the game started at 1:10..here's a play by play of the action.

1:10-Game starts, MacGruber seems to like the lady singing the national anthem. So far, so good!

1:15-Mama starts furiously rubbing sunblock all over MacGruber's legs, arms, (don't forget the ears!) for fear of massive sunburn. Even though he is my little tan man..I still gotta do the block.

1:20-Ooh, ooh, guy selling 3ft. long licorice rope, over here pleeaaassee!

1:25-Aah..Mr. Lemon Chill. Where has your coldness been all of my life??

1:45-Homerun. Yay, Sox! Jonah seems excited and not too freaked from the big bang of the fireworks.

2:00-2nd inning. The Hubs recommends taking MacGruber to the kids zone. In complete shock, I reply, "But it's only the 2nd inning!?" As in..what the heck am I going to do later!?!

2:35-Return from the Kids Zone. Total bust. Kids had to wear gym shoes. Macgruber had on his crocs. One big fat fail for this Mama. He seemed sad...I tried to make him happy with his first ever taste of cotton candy which he told me "was like doggy hair!" Yep, I am totally one of those mama's who feeds my child dog hair!?!

2:40-Seriously, who's up to bat? What's the score? Have I seen any of this game?? Uhh....GO SOX!

2:50-Daddy and MacGruber take a little walky walk. They return to our seats with a big fat juicy snow cone! Apparently we have no problem buying our child a gazillion treats on these special days! (In all seriousness, it was so hot, we were a little concerned with MacGruber dehydrating.)

3:15-The hubs mentions the word home...it's over. It's official. We are done. Forgetabout (in a chicago accent!) running those bases. We lasted till the 5th inning. MacGruber attended his first game. He experienced a lot of sugary goodness, he got a certificate for attending, he loved running up and down the ramps from one level of the stadium to another, he got a kick out of seeing all the trucks and trains in the city!!

Overall, we had a fantastic day! MacGruber was a champ and stuck out the game for nearly 2 1/2 hours. I love that the hubs got to take his son to see his favorite team. Those two were pretty stinkin' cute, MacGruber riding on Daddy's shoulders in their Sox gear.

I has big visions of how this day would go. Not quite as perfect as I had planned..but does anything with kids go as planned?  That's the adventure of parenthood. Our day did complete itself though as we stopped at Tank Noodles  to eat big, delicious bowls of pho.  Yummmm...now that makes for a perfect day!

YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD...YES!

Here are some pics from the day. Decided not to take the big fatty Nikon, but instead the small point and shoot. Big mistake! Good one Mama..so much for capturing this big day!! Taking pictures is torture for MacGruber anyway:)

Daddy and MacGruber checking out the 2005 World Series Champs Statue.

Mmm...a bag full of doggy hair!

One sad looking future White Sox Player

Wordless Wednesday- The Past 3 Merry Merry Months of May!

2011-05-17T22:37:00.004-05:00

May 2009-Look at the sweeeeet baby!! Awww..

A little picture flashback of MacGruber from the May's of years past.

May 2009, Our All-Star MacGruber

May 2010, Mama's Kitchen Helper

May 2010, An Armful of Treasures-2 Momo's, one Cooper the dog, and a truck

May 2011, "I do it, Mama!"

May 2011-Such a big guy!!
You have at least 14 more May's before you can even think about driving Mr. MacGruber!!

Delicious (and Healthy!!) Whole Wheat Banana Bread

2011-05-16T08:35:00.001-05:00

I love baking. I especially love baking when Mr. MacGruber hops up on the big dining room chair and helps me. Mostly, he wants to stick his little fingers in everything and sample. He sampled a big gob of baking soda once..poor guy! That's what you get for not letting mama mix it all together first!!

My mom (and her mama too) have always been bakers. There's something about making goods that you grew up with. It takes you back. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside!
My mama always made banana bread when were little. And her banana bread is the BEST! It's so moist and delicious and I love it all warm and schmeared with butter. C'mon...who doesn't?

I stumbled across a recipe a while back and wanted to share it with you. I seemingly always have bananas stashed in the freezer and this is a great way to use them. It's delicious, it has no refined sugar, and it's the healthier version of my mama's. In my mind anyway...

Here we go...

Not Your Mama's Banana Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour (if whole wheat is too "wheaty" for you..do half white/half whole wheat!)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 egg whites
1/2 cup honey or agave
2 tbsp. canola oil
1/4 cup milk (non-fat) or almond milk,
1/4 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
3 ripe smooshed bananas
3/4 c. of pecans, or walnuts (I'm a nutty girl, so I like nuts..you can reduce the amount!)

1.)Pre-heat over to 350 degrees. Spray 5 mini loaf pans with Pam.
On a side note-I buy the disposable aluminum loaf pans and reuse them FOREVER!! I even throw them in the dishwasher to wash. That's totally the frugal side of me!

2.)Mix all ingredients in a large bowl using an electric mixer.

3.) Scoop the batter into each pan using a measuring cup. I do this so I can divide it evenly amongst the pans. Make sure each pan is approx. 1/2-3/4 of the way full.

4.) Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until your toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Disclaimer- At first taste, this bread has that "good for you" taste. But with no butter, no refined sugar or flour, and packed with potassium, it's a "no guilty Mama" treat for MacGruber. On his super picky food days, he will still eat this bread. To make it extra special and yummy, I sometimes schmear it with peanut butter! YUM!

**This recipe was adapted from The Gracious Pantry's Clean Eating Muffins. To check it out please click here.

Some "double talkin" up in here!

2011-05-14T00:15:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when I talk, I listen to myself. (Do you like how I said "sometimes!") When I really listen to myself I am a-mazed at the words that actually come spilling out of my mouth. Perhaps it's because I spend ALL day talking to MacGruber and my adult interaction is somewhat limited. Let me just clarify one point here for a moment. In my bias-I think my child is the cutest, smartest, etc. in the whole world-opinion, MacGruber speaks pretty darn well. I like to believe that's because the hubs and I are NOT, let me repeat, ARE NOT baby talkers. Maybe it's the kindergarten teacher in me or maybe it's because MacGruber's a boy. I feel like it to would soooo easy to talk baby to a "schweetie peetie squishy wishy face little girl!" See...it IS easier. Little girls and cutesy talk just go together. Oh boy..I just got so sidetracked thinking of squishy face baby girls...sigh...maybe someday. Although I feel like I am destined to be the "mom of boys!"

Anywho, back to my original point here:) We are not baby talkers. But, guess what?? After listening carefully, I realized we are DOUBLE TALKERS! Yep, everything around here is double double the pleasure and the fun. Do you remember those Doublemint commercials from back in the day?? Just had a flashback! Geez...I am super drifty tonight. So..being the double talkers that we are..is kinda cracking me up. Here are some examples of words we always "double talk." Food is not food. It's food food as in "MacGruber eat your food food." Or "MacGruber put on your shoe shoes." I've heard, " Drink your juice juice" and "Eat your egg eggs!" Seriously, we have a double talkin' epidemic around here! When I think of what this could have stemmed from...there are so many sources. We have Momo (the beloved lovey!), Mama, Dada, Boo-boo (the doggy next door) pee-pee, poo-poo,...the list goes on and on! Each of those words is a double talkin' word! Everyday is a double talkin' party up in this House of MacGruber! How many times can I say double talkin' in this post? How about some double talkin', double talkin'? See...it's sooo addicting?! And..it's so our little family! This may be a strict no baby talk zone, but apparently we are all over the double talkin' here. Oh well...food food just doesn't sound as tasty as just food. And really, you can't wear just one shoe..you totally need your shoe shoes!!

Spill the beans...does your family double talk? Or even baby talk? (It's ok..you can still hang out with us!!)

Wordless Wednesdays-Beach Bums!

2011-05-10T22:54:00.003-05:00

On Wednesday's, I will attempt to be wordless. This has never been easy for me, friends. I am definitely not a wordless kind of girl. If you know me, you know I am a Chatty ~~Cathy~~ Cassie. We had a GORGEOUS day last week (Has spring finally arrived? Hallelujah!) so MacGruber and I headed to our favorite summer stompin' grounds! He adores the beach. Needless to say, I had to do A LOT of bribing to actually get him in the car to head on home. Enjoy!

A meatball-y kind of day...

2011-05-09T22:36:00.005-05:00

Photo Courtesy

Today was one of those days. You know those days fellow stay-at-home mamas. The kind where you want to wave the white flag at approximately 4 pm. Because you seriously cannot.go.on. MacGruber wore me down today. He is 2 1/2. He is full of it. AND, he has been quite sick lately. Sick with the "I WANT IT NOW" bug and the"It's MINE" virus. At one point, he grabbed the dogs paw, pulled on it and yelled, "It's mine...I want it!" Seriously, MacGruber!?!
Oh boy. I knew this day would come. I secretly giggled when my friends children didn't want to share and I told myself that silly little thing mamas so often do. I thought to myself, "my sweet boy will NEVER do that." Doh! Why dooo weee dooo thaaattt?? (In my most whiny voice..) C'mon, do we really believe our child will not be like ALL the other 2 1/2 year olds in the world?
Well, just like all the other amazing, wonderful, loveable kiddos in the world, MacGruber completely redeemed himself today with his awesome little being. Thinking back on our days adventures, I don't really recall all the yucky moments like the numerous time-outs, the taking of toys from friends, the screaming or the gazillion potty accidents. (Okay..maybe I recall them, but I am choosing not to focus on them!) I see the face of my squishy little MacGruber and think of all those moments that made me smile.
While on Poop Patrol, as we call picking up the doggy business around here, MacGruber, aka the doo-doo detective was taking his work quite seriously. He pointed to a pile and yelled, "Mama...look at this BIG, FAT, MEATBALL!" As I leaned down to pick up the doo, I couldn't stop laughing. Really, a dog turd, as a meatball?? Hilarious, you 2-year old boy, you!! At another point, he pulled the big dining room chair over to the counter to "help" with lunch. As he was pulling the chair, he grunted and groaned, and said, "Mama, I soooo strong." Yep buddy, the strongest.
I have no idea what adventures tomorrow may hold in the life as Macgruber's Mama. For goodness sake, it could be WORSE! So, tomorrow at 10 am when I am ready to surrender and furiously wave that flag I need to remember that I am so so blessed to be able to stay home and enjoy all these moments with my boy! Before I know it, he will be "so so big" and grown-up and maybe a real-life doo-doo detective. Or not.

Blowing DQ out of the water....

2011-05-06T23:35:00.000-05:00

I invented my own ice cream cake recipe. And, yes, it blows Dairy Queens out of the water! Today was the Hub's 31st birthday!! This is the ninth birthday we have celebrated together. I'll tell you a little story filled with romance and ice cream of the first birthday we celebrated together in just a bit.
Anywho, the hubs, isn't the biggest cake guy but does enjoy other tasty treats like pink frosted donuts with sprinkles from Dunkin Donuts. He says he likes the strawberry flavor, I say he likes the sprinkles! SO...I created a mish mosh of tastiness to celebrate this birthday that will officially push him into his thirties. (I like to tease him about this for the time being. Give me another 6 months and I might have a breakdown at the mere mention of the word thirty!)
Let me just clarify, as much as I love love love to bake, I am no creator of recipes. More like the opposite. I follow recipes to a tee. But what the heck, friends? Can you really go wrong with gooey brownies, hot fudge, crushed oreos and strawberry ice cream??? I think not. Especially when you have a tiny sous chef named MacGruber.

Ingredients...

brownies (totally used a box, folks!)
hot fudge
crushed oreos
strawberry ice cream
cool whip
fresh strawberries on top for some pretties (and fruit=healthy!)

First, bake your brownies according to the directions on the box. Be sure to lick the bowl!

So, while you're brownies are a bakin'...here's a little story. The hubs and I were barely dating... and I mean barely. It was his senior year of college and just a couple days before he was to graduate. We had plans to meet at the campus union to ~~make-out~~ hang out. I knew he liked ice cream so I had quite the grand plan up my sleeve. Ok...looking back, this is super lame. But at the time, I apparently thought this was cool and sweet. I bought the hubs a mint oreo blizzard from DQ which was a really long way from the union. It was May, it was warm, and my sweet blizzardy treat was mellttinngg!! So, I pushed it hard and started running this hugely long stretch of Green Street. Picture a frazzled, sweaty girl running down a heavily populated college street carrying a dripping blizzard! Eeek...it's still a scary picture. Finally, I arrived at the Union and saw the Hubs standing there. Bestill my heart! I put a birthday candle in that mess of an ice cream treat and proceeded to sing Happy Birthday to him!! How could a guy resist a girl like that?

Back to this gooey deliciousness-once brownies are cooled, start putting the cake together. I used an angel food cake pan, took out the middle insert, and put a round cake pan under the angel food pan as sort of a bottom. I knew I would want to flip this bad boy upside down once I took it out of the pan, so I started on the "top" layers first. Spread the slightly frozen cool whip on the bottom, then the strawberry ice cream on top of that. I wetted my hands with water to help melt and spread out the ice cream a bit. Pop that baby in the freezer for a bit to get that ice cream solid again. Next, schmear on that hot fudge, take a big ol' spoonful for yourself, then throw on the crushed oreos. P.S. My oreos were totally double-stuffed!! Then, I cut out big chunks of the brownies and kinda mushed them together as the final layer. I covered that sweetness and threw it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Preparing the grand masterpiece-I quickly ran the pan under some warm water just to loosen the sides. I flipped it onto a plate, gave it a few smacks, and wha-la...it actually came out in one piece!! I'm pretty sure I shouted "Hallelujah" at this point. I decorated the top with some fresh berries and friends, let me tell ya...it is good! Ice cream cake might just become a birthday tradition in the house of MacGruber! (I whipped up some of hubby's fav rice krispies treats too!)
Tell me..what birthday traditions do you have in your home?

I added one more tradition this year in honor of this post from one of my fav. family's, Young House Love. Check out the photo below. Not sure if we will continue the signage for the grown-ups. Can you imagine me standing in front of my sign that will someday say "50?" However, I LOVE the idea for MacGruber and his future siblings.

I would also like to clarify that I am in no way a food stylist. I am also no Cake Boss, kids! I love that I "tried" to take a side profile pic of my beautiful cake to show you the layers. Wait..what? You don't see layers...yeah, me neither. Must.work.on.that. Enjoy!!

2011-05-05T17:15:00.001-05:00

MacGruber is sooo excited to rock his new Lightning McQueen water shoes! Beach weather...where are yoouuuu??

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The bacon has officially been brought home..

2011-05-02T16:19:00.003-05:00

My Dad has retired...and I couldn't be more proud of him and excited for the adventures that lie ahead. My Dad, aka Baba to a little MacGruber in this house, is pretty much a superhero. Did I mention I have no problem confessing that I, MacGruber's Mama, am a Daddy's girl? I still snuggle up to my Daddy-O and beg for back rubs every time we visit.
My Dad was born in the mid-50's. He is truly an All-American classic kind of guy. The kind of guy who likes cherry pie, hamburgers with a milkshake. He can fix ANYTHING, he can sew on a button, he can build a car. Literally..build. a. car. He enjoys a John Wayne movie once in a while and introduced me to Shirley Temple as a child. He is incredibly patient with MacGruber and quite impatient with technology. Although he is getting a big ol' kick out of his new I-Pad. My Dad is awesome. He believes in traditions and taking vacations each summer to rekindle the family bond and create memories. He is sensitive and never fails to get a bit teary-eyed over a Hallmark movie. (Sorry Dad, you know it's true!) My Dad is truly such a good man and I am so proud to have had him as my role model for nearly 30 years. I have never known him as anything but a hard-working guy. And now, he gets to take it easy. I have a feeling it won't be too long before a new project sparks his interest but for now he can just...be. That is, until he comes to visit me, because I have quite the "daddy-do" list waiting for him, hint..hint. Congratulations Dad for working so hard for so many years. Enjoy your retirement!

My Dad with his 1968 Camaro.

Baba and MacGruber meeting each other for the first time.

A wish for world peace...

2011-04-30T22:10:00.001-05:00

I had the best childhood. The quintessential small town life. So many memories of my sweet childhood revolve around distinct features of our town, such as the town square. The same town square where we waited to catch that first glimpse of Santa during the Annual Christmas Parade. The town square where prom pictures were taken and choir shows were performed. Tonight, the hubs and I had the privilege of taking a nice little walk around the town square with MacGruber and our dog. In the middle of the town square is big fountain that has coins at the bottom. There have been a lot of wishes made there...one more was added tonight. Here was the dialogue that ensued..

The Hubs- "MacGruber, would you like a coin to throw into the fountain?"
(Of course, he said yes! What 2-year old would deny throwing anything?)
Mama-"When you throw your coin into the fountain, you get to make a wish. A wish is something you want so so bad...like world peace." (I know, I know..I tried to convince my 2-year old to wish for world peace..it was my beauty pageant moment..what can I say?)
Mama-"Here's your coin, Bubba. What do you wish for?"
As my sweet boy threw that nickel into the fountain with all of his might he answered, "Lots of trucks, Mama."

After I laughed and gave my sweet boy a snuggle, I realized how perfect his answer was. It wasn't something fancy that he wished for or something that seemed impossible to attain. He told me what he wanted so so bad...and in this moment, it's truly "a lot of trucks."

Why MacGruber, you ask?

2011-04-27T18:45:00.000-05:00

All the other bloggity blog names I liked were taken. All. Of. Them. So, here I am thinking of my sweet boy who is currently staying at Nana and Baba's and I MISS him like crazy. My awesome little MacGruber. Nope..it has nothing to do with the SNL spoof or the terrible movie that came out last year..it's just fun. And our house is a barrel of fun! My husband likes to think he nicknamed our boy MacGruber but I'm pretty sure it was me. (This is a topic of contention around here.) Our big guy has lots of nicknames...dude, little man, even bagoo! Yep, Daddy made up that one! But for some reason MacGruber seems to be sticking, at least in my world. Is it what I want him to be called when he's 10? Ummmm..No!! But for now, it works. When I think of his sweet at times mischevious smile, or how lately he pulls his little chair right up to the pantry to scope out "the goods" , I know that MacGruber fits. It just fits...

No way, Jose...

2011-04-27T10:04:00.001-05:00

I used to think blogging was so self-serving. Perhaps, it still is..but I know the intentions I have with this blog, and it's more for preservation sake. I have a son. He's growing up ridiculously fast. It had to be yesterday when I held that little bundle of boy in my arms, wasn't it? He's got these beautiful brown eyes, and loooong eyelashes I know all the girls will go crazy for. I know I do. He's 2 1/2 now. His favorite words revolve around bodily functions and no mess is too big for him. I'm in love. I'm infatuated. And, I want this blog to be a place where I can share the daily adventures I have with him. A place to show the crafts we so lovingly make and the food I pour my heart into because I know it will help him grow big and strong. I'm not quite sure where this blog will go, but for now it feels right. A place to record, a place to plan, a place to be in the world of my MacGruber.