Four kids, a mini-van and a lot of love

Sun & Tea!

2013-05-15T15:22:00.000-05:00

One of the best things about your kids, is watching them play the way you did as a child. Abby asked it have a tea party outside with her pig and needed a blanket to sit on.

What better blanket than the one my mom made me and one that I had tea parties on as a little girl?!

Just a little sunshine, a blanket, a tea pot and a friend!

Sometimes I wish I was still a kid. So innocent, fun a such a BIG heart!

Trendy Little x4

2013-05-14T10:05:00.002-05:00

One day I'll look back on these pictures and just smile...what am I saying, I am smiling right now. To know that I am a huge influence and am a big leader of my kids lives make me grin from ear to ear. I love teaching them how to be polite and well mannered....cause lets face it, we do need more of that in this world!

They might not show it all the time, but they really do LOVE each other!

They each have their own personalities and I love each and every one of them!!

It is getting harder to get a picture of them all looking and smiling for pictures!
(Bribes aren't working for the littlest man...hehe!)

My two boys...smiles from ear to ear and more love than one can put into words!
Priceless.Moment!

My little sassy divas!
Two.Peas.In.A.Pod!

I might have to jump around behind the camera and say silly things, but you do what you have to do to get those goofy, fun cheesy grins!

I thank God they are mine...
All.Mine!

Linking up with Chelsea over at Sunny with a Chance of Sprinkles

How Much?

2013-05-12T07:05:00.000-05:00

There isn't really a price for our worth, but if we had to break it down...

I know I am not the only one that feels like this sometimes...

Many mothers are the leaders of their respective households. And what is a CEO if not the head of a family?

Unlike the CEOs who take home huge bonuses, sometimes moms simply have to settle for hugs and "thank yous" instead of a golden parachute.
{which is usually pretty rewarding!}

Here are a 'mom's jobs' and how they estimate the breakdown...

Stay-at-home moms work an average of 94 hours per week for a total estimated "mom salary" of $113,586 a year. Working moms -- in addition to their 40-hour work week -- spend an additional 58 hours on household and childcare jobs, and would earn a total of $67,435 if they collected a paycheck.

Wow, not that any of our time with our precious little ones can be justified into a dollar amount, but for the times that people don't think that we do much or think that a stay-at-home mom 'isn't worth much'...think again!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

to all the amazing mama's out there!!!

Especially the amazing one who raised me...

Saturday Satisfaction

2013-05-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Step 1...entertain your littles!

What you'll need:

2½	cups flour
2	tsp. baking powder
½	tsp. salt
2	tsp. cinnamon
1	cup butter softened
2	cups sugar
3	eggs
1	tsp. vanilla
¾	cup sour cream
1	pkg. Hershey's cinnamon chips
3	TB sugar
3	tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Cream butter, sugar, salt and cinnamon until fluffy.

Add eggs and mix well.

Add vanilla and sour cream and mix well.

Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.

Add to wet ingredients and mix until all combined.

Add cinnamon chips and stir into batter. Set aside.

Spoon batter into 4 mini (greased) loaf pans until about 2/3 full.
(I used a loaf pan and muffin cups together)
Mix 3 T. sugar and 3 t. cinnamon in a bowl and sprinkle over the batter in each loaf pan.

Bake at 350 for 35-38 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan

A-MAZING!!

Friday's Letters

2013-05-10T07:50:00.000-05:00

Dear self - For the love of pete, realize that at the moment, you are 'out of commission' and need to take it easy. The laundry can wait, the dishes are ok to sit till the hubby gets home and the floor doesn't need to be vacuumed every other day. Having to 'take it easy' is really tough for me. I am not used to the words 'slow down.'

Dear life - Being out of my norm for a few weeks, I would greatly appreciate you slowing down. I can't remember the last time I was this stressed. Please feel free to pause and resume in 2 weeks.

Dear spring - Thanks for finally coming and deciding to stay. The glow of my casper skin appreciates the vitamin D!

Dear my two girls - Please bear with mommy and give me a hand or two in helping me keep your room clean. I know that it isn't the biggest room for two little girls with tons of clothes and toys, but honestly, if I ask you to pick up your stuff again, I just might loose it!

Dear Garbage Man - I am sure you are getting used to me running things out last minute, and I greatly appreciate you taking all our junk and garbage. The other day was it really necessary to honk and wave when you saw me running back into my house?!

Dear 'BFF' - Thank you SO much for all your help this week with my kiddos!! I greatly appreciate all your help and taking time out of your day to come and help me. Not to mention, I do love our fun conversations and enjoying coffee together! You rock!

Dear Hubs - Thanks so much for all your hard work and help too! Maybe this is just a small taste of how amazing I really am when I am 100%! Love you!

Dear Abby - I can't wait to watch your dance recital...you amaze me with how much you remind me of myself as a kid! Dancing around with a huge smile on your face!

Dear weekend - Please take it easy on me and stay awhile!

At His Best!

2013-05-08T07:37:00.000-05:00

My kids put everything into the things they do...

whether it be baseball, dance, soccer...even singing...they love it and try their best.

My little All-Star at his best!

I couldn't have had a bigger smile on my face, when Chase slid into third, head first, and was safe. The parent behind me said, 'Man does that kid have a love for this sport, he really loves baseball.'

{I am pretty sure he breathes baseball}

He is in his element when he is playing baseball. He has passion for the game that is unbeatable.

He.loves.the.sport!

He'll try any position...

Trendy Tot Tuesday

2013-05-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

Boys are not nearly as fun to 'dress up' as girls are. They don't like frilly tutus, leggins, big hair bows or matching earrings...but they can look pretty dapper at times!

My oldest trendy is my lil' stud Chase!

He actually agreed to this little photo shoot, that never happens!

He even gave me a few real smiles!

It wouldn't be Chase, if we didn't have a baseball posed shot!

Maybe it had something to do with the sun shining!?

He is getting so big and gaining his own style, he won't let me dress him for long! I'd better take advantage of it while I can!

Here are some of my favorite boy styles for the summer...

Linking up with Kelly over at Mrs. in Training

Let's Have Coffee!

2013-05-03T14:09:00.003-05:00

It's FRIDAY!!!

I could literally re-tape myself 20 times and still not be happy with my video, but unfortunately I don't have that kind of time...so you are stuck with me...fast talking weird faces and all!

I'm Loving...

These great hair binders!

You can find them here

These AMAZING WoodWick candles!

(Cinnamon Chai is my favorite and it is more potent than my Scentsy candle)

You can find it here

This springy nail polish! Love this color!'

You can find it here

My, oh so comfy, new Power Up Crop pants from Lululemon

You can find there here

linking up with Alissa from Rags to Stiches

What they really think...

2013-05-02T07:35:00.000-05:00

I did this a few times when the kids were younger and thought it'd be cute to see what their answers were now. Here is Chase's answers when he was 4 1/2 year old and 3 1/2 years old.

What Kenzie (3 1/2), Abby (5 1/2) & Chase (7 1/2) really think of me...

Abby's answers are in pink | Chase's answers are in blue | Kenzie's answers are in orange

1. What is something mommy always says to you?
'Keep your room clean'
'Moon and back'
'Sweet dreams, moon and back'

2. What makes mommy happy?
'For us to help you'
'When we are nice to others'
'When I'm good'

3. What makes mommy sad?
'When we don't follow directions'
'When we hit each other and when we are naughty'
'When I'm sassy'

4. How does your mommy make you laugh?
'By tickling me'
'By saying funny words and making funny faces behind dad's back'
'Make silly faces'

5. What was your mommy like as a child?
'Nice and funny'
'She liked dance'
'Played'

6. How old is your mommy?
'31'
'23'
'5'

7. How tall is your mommy?
'31...I don't know'
'One fire-truck tall'
'4'

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
'Work on your computer'
'Work on your computer'
'Play with me' (awww!)

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around?
'Watch all the kids'
'Hang out with daddy'
'Cry' (Bahaha)

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
'For being creative'
'Being rich' (sounds good to me)
'I don't know'

11. What is your mommy really good at?
'Making lunch'
'Exercising' (wow, not sure where to came from)
'Dancing'

12. What is your mommy not very good at?
'Baseball'
'Doing kart-wheels as a big kid'
'Singing'

13. What does your mommy do for a job?
'Make invitations and do daycare'
'Make birthday invitations and watch kids'
'Spank my butt' (Bahaha)

14.What is your mommy's favorite food?
'Burrito bowls'
'Egg sandwich'
'Pizza'

15.What makes your mommy proud of you?
'Helping clean the house and following directions'
'Being good doing good in school'
'Do good things'

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?
'Bat woman'
'Belle, cause you both have long brown beautiful hair'
'Dora'

17. What do you and your mommy do together?
'Read books and do my homework'
'Cuddle, art projects and dance class'
'Play games and cuddle'

18. How are you and your mommy the same?
''We both like toast and milk'
'Cause we're ladies we are kind'
'We get dressed the same'

19. How are you and your mommy different?
'Mom doesn't go to school'
'Cause you're bigger and I'm littler and we play different things'
'We have different color hair'

20. How do you know your mommy loves you?
'Cause you're the mom and you buy us toys'
'Because you give me hugs and kisses and tell me you care about me'
'You tell me all the time and give me kisses'

21. What does your mommy like most about your daddy?
'That you guys like to wrestle' (no seriously...that is not a key word for anything)
'That he's funny and that he's your husband'
'You like to be funny with him'

22. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?
'The mall....shopping shopping shopping!'
'Shopping' (my kids know me too well)

'Dance class'

It is fun to see what goes through their minds at different ages!
{my kids amaze me everyday}

Or...so we thought!

2013-05-01T16:25:00.001-05:00

We thought that spring was here...

We played at the park and even got a few days in with sunshine, shorts and t-shirts.

He's so independent!

He LOVES watching the 'big kids' play!

My two happy boys!!

AND...now there is a picture of what's to come tonight...

When is spring going to stay?!

Never Ever Ever!

2013-04-30T11:22:00.001-05:00

Never, ever, ever will you EVER hear me say any of the following things…

Make it a double
I don't want any coffee (bahaha)
I don't need any new clothes
I really don't like naps
I love eating oysters
I enjoy doing laundry
I miss my single days
I don't want to go to the beach
I have enough money
No thanks, I don't need a date night
I can't eat another bite of carbs
My favorite thing to do is clean the bathrooms
I hate driving a mini-van
I would rather be golfing
I have plenty of free time
I love my after baby body
Pinterest isn't addicting
I can't wait for Monday
I have enough shoes
I wish I didn't have kids
I am a bug person
I'll only be on the computer for a few minutes
I love running
Keeping in shape is easy (yes, if that shape is an orange)
I hate Target

What are some things you'll never ever ever say?!

You Do What?!

2013-04-29T10:07:00.003-05:00

Everyone has their quirks, everyone has their faults and everyone is entitled to their pet peeves!

I definitely have mine!

I am a compulsive 'vacuumer'! I can't stand my carpets and rugs to be dirty. I vacuum at least every other day.

(I also shampoo my carpets about once a month)

I don't like clutter on my counters! I hate seeing papers and stuff setting out, or stuff being out where it shouldn't be for too long.

I yell too much and need to practice patients!

(first step is admitting a problem...right?!)

My pet peeve is lying someone lying to my face!

(you want to go behind my back...chances are I'll find out, but to my face...not a good idea)

I am obsessed with having my house smell good. I love burning candles and spraying air freshener!

(one can never have too many candles)

I am addicted to coffee!

(is that such a bad thing?)

I have never been a procrastinator till lately!

(time to nip that in the butt ASAP)

My pet peeve is bigger kids at the park with potty mouths!

(would you talk to your grandma like that?)

I am a terrible green thumb. I kill almost every plant/flower I have. Yet...I am going to attempt a garden this summer!

(wish me luck)

I might have a small obsession with heels. Ok....truthfully I love them and wear them whenever I can.

(I have gotten more practical over the years though)

I secretly wish my car could smell like 'new car' all the time! I love that smell!

(guess it isn't a secret anymore)

I sometimes think I know everything and if I don't I will still pretend I do!

(who doesn't now and then)

My pet peeve is having the toilet seat left up. Not just the bottom seat, but the lid too. There are more germs than I can even imagine in there..shut the lid!

(then wash your hands!)

I hate my nails. I had acrylic nails for 7+ years and my real nails are thin, short and never grow. If they do grow, they break instantly. I do however keep them painted, to make them look a little better!

(you always want what you don't have)

I love Facebook, but at the same time I hate it. I feel like sometimes it gives us a reason to not see people face to face. It also turns into a place to stalk people from your past and vent about your life.
(yet I still keep up with it daily)

I am slightly obsessed with taking pictures of my kids!

(yet Blogger won't let me upload a picture to leave you with...boo!)

Happy Monday!

Let's Have Coffee!

2013-04-26T11:11:00.001-05:00

Ahhh...my first Vlog!
I am dropping in for a coffee date, care to join me?!
I have been wanting to do a vlog, to link up with Alissa, but first I couldn't get the video to work, then I was sick, then I had an awful night on Thursday...so I didn't get ready (that is a scary site)

So finally...here it is...

{I am sorry it is bouncing, I was tapping my leg under the table}

linking up with Alissa from Rags to Stitches

::

The girls new found love!
(of course I had to get them girl colors)

He shoots and he scores!!

Happy Weekend!! Enjoy it!

Bucket List

2013-04-25T09:52:00.004-05:00

There are always SO many things I want to do with the kids over the summer and when summer {sadly} comes to and end...I usually still have things I did get to do that I really would have liked to!

How did I solve that this year?!

{I have so many more ideas, but lets be realistic here...4 kids all wanting to do different things!}

Here are a couple projects/crafts that we will be doing...

{have I mentioned how much I love Pinterest?!}

What fun things are on your SUMMER BUCKET LIST?!

{I could always use a few more ideas!}

Handy...I'd say so!

2013-04-24T07:38:00.000-05:00

Remember this post where I mentioned to my hubby that I couldn't wait till we were done with Chase's new bed?!
Well...guess what?!

It's done!!
{less than 8 days to build Chase a new bed}

This is Chase's bed before...

Here are the progression pictures!

...and after!

I will say, when I was making his bed, which I didn't really think about how difficult it would be, I realized he is so much higher than before. Then again, that was the objective. My 'big' boy is growing up so fast! His room now reminds me of a dorm room. He loves his desk and as you can see, his little brother loves his chair.

I don't like things being messy and out of commission for very long, so I did do my fair share of helping with the building and staining. {I just might have gave myself a pat on the back}

Is it bad that I am already thinking of our next big project?!

A BIG special thanks to my awesome and wonderful hubby for doing such a great {and fast} job!

What is your biggest project(s) lately?

Trendy Little

2013-04-23T13:54:00.000-05:00

Today I will be guest posting

Trendy Little

Over at

Come check out who my little trendy artist is...

Coffee Filter Butterfiles

2013-04-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

Spring still hasn't sprung in the frozen tundra! Ugh!

We are supposed to get 3-6 more inches of snow tonight.

So...unfortunately my spring crafts aren't helping change the weather, but they do make me smile!

What you'll need:

-Coffee filters

-Water colors (the kind in the flat pallet work too)

-Paint brushes

-Paper towels

-Pipe cleaners

Lay some paper towels under the coffee filter and have your littles start to paint!

Keep coloring...load it up with color!

When they are done painting, let it dry on the paper towel.

Take your pipe cleaner and bend it in half

Then gather your coffee filter and pinch it in the middle

Close your pipe cleaner over the gathered middle and twist close. Leave and little at the bottom and twist to keep in place. Then twist the top and curl the two separate ends the opposite ways to resemble antennas.

There you have it...pure cuteness!

Saturday Satisfaction

2013-04-20T09:25:00.002-05:00

Taco Bake

What you'll need:

1 lb. ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
2/3 c. water
3/4 c. sour cream
1 1/2 shredded cheddar cheese-divied
8 oz. of Velveeta
1/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp. butter
1 c. salsa
3/4 box of elbow maccaroni
1/2 c. crushed tortilla chips

Preheat the oven to 400*.

Brown the ground beef. Once it is cooked, add the water and taco seasoning and simmer on low for 5 minutes. Set aside.

Cook macaroni according to box. Place milk and butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. Once they are melted, add the cooked macaroni, Velveeta and 1/4 cup of the cheddar cheese, stir till the Velveeta is melted.

Add the sour cream and mix well!

Grease a 8x8 pan. Layer the meat, then the macaroni, then about 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese.

Repeat this twice, ending with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Then top with the salsa.

(My two girls don't like salsa, so I left 2/3 of my dish without salsa)

Cover with tin foil and bake at 400* for 15 minutes.

Take out of the oven and uncover. Add crushed tortilla chips and bake an additional 5 minutes.

ENJOY your amazing Taco Bake!

Friday's Letters

2013-04-19T15:40:00.002-05:00

Dear Chase - Listening to you talk to your buddy this morning made me laugh. You told your friend that you only had one girlfriend but all the girls liked you. Then he told you that, that was nothing, he had six girlfriends. Oh my! Thanks for the Friday giggles.

Dear Hubs - Thanks so much for becoming a handy man and building Chase's loft bed. Just think, hopefully by the end of this weekend, it will be done. {If not done, hopefully close}

Dear Mother Nature - I don't want to be a bother, but it is nearing the END of APRIL! Come on...enough of this white crap! I love snow, but not in April

{10 inches now covers the ground}

Dear IPhones - I truly hate you mass text 'reply alls'. As much as I love feeling special when I get text messages, I get so annoyed when there are a billion messages, from people/numbers I don't know, in responses to a prior mass text, from an IPhone. Grrr!

Dear Blake - Mommy can not keep up with you...climbing on the fireplace, ontop of the playhouse table, trying to pull down the phone and internet cords, unplugging things. Oh my...you are such a busy boy!

Dear Keurig - Thanks for keeping up with me today...cup #2 and still roaring with energy to chase the little ones!

Dear paint - I am not very fond of painting and I know you have been hovering on my To Do list..I hope to get to you this weekend, but if I am too busy, please send a painting fairy to finish the job!

Dear Instagram - Once again, you have become an addiction. I guess this way I keep my photos on FB to a minimum and load Instagram with all my crazy photos!

DIY: Coffee Filter Flowers

2013-04-18T15:29:00.003-05:00

This is my view right now...

So...I am wishing spring to come and for Mother Nature get in a better mood and stop this nonsense!

So....with that...have fun with these adorable flowers!

There you have it, simple cute and fun!

What my Hubs says about me...

2013-04-17T15:33:00.000-05:00

I honestly don't think I have ever laughed so hard since I've met my hubs. When I opened up my email, to find my hubby completed the assignment that I gave him, there were tears streaming down my face! It was so true and just made me love him even more!

So here it is...truth be told!
What my hubby says about me!

Things about the love of my life (other than sports)

1. Kelly loves her coffee, but really its not coffee. Its 90% caramel flavoring and cream, perhaps 10% coffee, but she still calls it coffee which makes me laugh. Kelly has this weird mini-van club delivering service for her coffee, where Kel and her friends will take turn randomly stopping over at each others houses bringing "happiness."
this is true, it is called the white van delivery...and it is pure happiness!

2. When an idea pops into her head, she will go full steam ahead until it is complete.
Situation: We need a car
What I say: Lets shop around and find the right car for us
What she hears: The first car I see, we are buying it

Situation: We should paint some rooms in our house
What I say: Ok lets talk about it when i get home from work
What she hears: Go buy the paint and when he gets home from work we will paint the house

Situation: Chase needs a new bigger bed
What I say: This weekend lets look for new bed options
What I come home to: current bed is taken apart and already sold, plans for new loft are printed out and we are heading out to pickup the wood now.

This full steam ahead process can create issues because typically she thinks in the now, so it may be efficient in accomplishing tasks, but can create problems if we aren't on the same page.
I am a 'dooer', if I want something done, I want it done then, so I do it!

3. Kelly loves the color pink
I do...I might be taming this color obsession

4. Kelly can't say the word chipmunk without sounding like a 3 year old.
That is just mean. I can say it correctly, but when I say it and I am not thinking, it may come out jumbled!

5. Kelly thinks that "crocodile tears" or "[insert name] is happy as a ham/is a ham" are a widely accepted expressions. I'm pretty sure croc's dont cry nor is ham happy, its dead, nor is my kid a ham, he/she's a human.
Who hasn't heard of those expressions?!

6. Kelly loves wearing workout gear....even if she plans on sitting on her butt all day. I think she has the idea that if you are wearing workout gear that your body thinks you are burning all those calories.
You might as well be comfy and look good too :)

7. Kelly always dresses nice when she leaves the house. You won't catch her wearing her PJ's while she is out running errands.
I love my heels and don't get to wear them very often, so might as well

8. Back when we were dating in college, Kel would drive to LaCrosse almost every weekend to visit me and bring "homemade" cookies. Years later she finally confessed they were store bought. Pretty sure I wouldn't have cared either way, chocolate chip cookies to a college student = JACKPOT...not to mention a drop dead gorgeous girl caring enough about you to drive a few hours to see you every weekend.
Some of the batches were homemade...I swear!

9. I have had to teach her the notion of saving money, she had a grade of F when I met her, 13 years later I would give her a grade of D+ and I consider this progress.
You can blame your in-laws for that one...no lessons there

10. She is a SUPERMOM, in all aspects of the word. Everyone I know is amazed and what she accomplishes in a day. Aside from running a daycare during the day and taking care of our 4 amazing children, the house is always clean, laundry is always done, dinner is always made. She somehow packs what would take a normal person 40 hours to do into a single day. I also love that she wants to be home with our children and raise them as a stay at home mom, I feel very fortunate that my kids will be raised by her during the day and not in a daycare. Not everyone has that luxury or patience for children.
It's all in a days work!

11. She has NO FEAR, she will take 4 kids shopping, running errands, to the library, doesn't matter. Things that stop normal people don't stop her.   I remember trying to take 4 kids to Costco, pretty sure it took me an hour just to get the kids in and out of the car before reaching the store. I guess its not difficult once they are in the store as long as there are free samples to keep them occupied.
1 or 4 kids...I dominate it!

12. Her best trait is her love and compassion for her family and friends, she will always go out of the way to help out.
:)

13. Her worst trait is her temper. She can go from happy as a clam to pissed in 0.23 seconds (yes I have timed it before).
It's true, I got that from my dad.
thanks.dad!

14. The very first meal Kel cooked for us when we were married was what I refer to as "rubber chicken" because if you can imagine the texture/hardness of a rubber chicken, thats what our meal was. I am happy to report, since that day, there has been nothing close to that. She is an amazing cook!
Everyone has their 'rubber chicken' when learning

15. Kelly has this thing that she pretends to want to know who sings a particular song if I am singing along, then she says "hey bri, who sings this song?", and as I start to answer she says "lets keep it that way," and I fall for it every time. You would think after all these years I would catch up, but I don't.
Bahaha!

16. Kelly is EXTREMELY stubborn, therefore, she is never wrong. That shirt "who needs google when you have a wife" is 100% accurate.
I am wrong...it is just VERY rare!

17. She has an endless obsession for popcorn
This is true and I am not ashamed!

18. She says "I know...right" a lot
I get this from my soon-to-be SIL.
Thanks.Kendall!

19. I like to play pranks on her because she i a bit gullible. Some of my finer moments are I once convinced her that "Hobby Lobby" in La Crosse was a big porn store, and she thought this for probably a year until her boss at Fridays asked her to pick up some decorations for the restaurant, she asked "what kind of decorations would i get at a porn store?" Needless to say that provided quite a bit of amusement. Another instance was back at home a new building was being built and convinced her it was the world's biggest Wendy's where they had a drive thru in the middle of the store (i know right, awesome)....CRAP I've just been infected by "i know...right"....anyhow this story held up for a while until a big Edina Realty sign went up, at that point my gig was up, but the moment she found the truth was hilarious :)
I am gullible, but now I challenge everything he tells me

20. She is STILL drop dead gorgeous!!! 4 kids and countless amazing memories later, she is just as beautiful as that first time I ever saw her walking towards me in Target. I consider myself the luckiest guy in the planet to have found such a smart, silly, caring, compassionate, amazing woman. We always laugh together, we have the most adorable children (thanks to my genes), and life is just better when we are together. This sports loving geek (yes i know, weird combo) is very thankful to have found the love of my life!!!!
Aww...thanks babe!

Makes Me Feel Old

2013-04-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

Spending the day with the kids I used to babysit for...

Makes.me.feel.old!

Especially when the oldest is graduating next month!

Ahh...oh well, I'll just keep telling myself 30 is the new 20!

This family was like my second family. They have been talked about many times on my blog, like here, here, here, here, here and here!
{oh my, are they popular around our house}

I grew up babysitting, but never had a family that I stayed so closely knit with. One that took me on trips, cared about my personal life, was there when I graduated, got married, had babies, and are still there to this.very.day!

Have I mentioned...I love this family...

...so do my kids!

The girls loved watching the bearded dragon

He even came out to 'play'

My smiley little!

Remember this picture from my post the other day?!

Well, it wasn't the one of my kids that held it, he was however brave enough to 'pet' it

It wasn't this naked baby, he was busy counting wine bottles

It was however, my animal, bug, mammal loving daughter

{look at that smile on her face...crazy girl!}

I really am not that short, and still wondering how all 3 of them got taller than me!

This is a flash back to back in my babysitting days...

{Disney in 2000}

{Dying Easter Eggs in 2001}

From before kids to now
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Trendy Little

2013-04-16T11:26:00.000-05:00

All.about.fashion!

She loves matching headbands with outfits, picking out sparkly flats and suede boots that make her outfits even more adorable.

She loves her sock bun.

I would be lying if I said I didn't love doing her long hair!

There is a lot of sass in that little girl!

Leggings - The Children's Place | T-Shirt - Target | Shoes - The Children's Place | Headband - Michael's

I love having girls! Dressing them up, all the accessories...it is so fun!
{In all that fun, there is drama...got to love it all}

Linking up with Sunny with a chance of sprinkles

Beaming with joy!

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Look at that face!

Can you tell he is so proud of himself?!

{my earliest walker @ 12 months}

We have a mastered walker!

Next step...potty training!

{only kidding...kinda}

(he loves shoes)

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Our big project..underway!

So...remember this?!

This is Chase's loft bed, when we first got it for him, he has the slide on it and the tents around the bottom. It was the prefect bed for more room and definitely a hit with the kids.

Well...fast forward....now Chase is 7 and he doesn't quite fit under the bed to play. It is pretty much toy storage, which he does need, since his room is small.

Well, this mama, decided to put the hubs to work (and of course I am helping) to build him a new bed. More fitting for his size!

Here is the picture from the plans we are using...

If you haven't ever heard of Ana White...she is amazing. I got the loft bed plans here. There are complete step by step directions to just about everything.

Things you didn't even know you needed!

This is a similar picture of what the bed will look like when it is done.

Here is our progress so far...the frame is up!

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I was going through Chase's old clothes to wash them for Blake and found one of my favorite sweaters.

Yes, it is April and the word sweater shouldn't even be used...but with 8+ inches of snow in the last week, we won't be seeing spring to next week...at the earliest!

So, I decided to do a comparison picture...My boys look more alike than I thought.

My matching boys...who is who!?

(the answer is on the bottom of this post)

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Which daring child of mine is holding this very large, gross, hairy, poisonous tranchula?!

Check back on Wednesday!

Answer to the comparison picture: Blake and Chase

Saturday Satisfaction

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What you’ll need:

1-2 lbs of chicken breasts – I used the breast tenders pieces

½ sleeve of Ritz crackers - crushed

½ sleeve of saltine crackers - crushed

2 eggs

1 cup of flour

¼ cup of oil – for frying

Directions:

Defrost your chicken.

Pour oil in a fry pan, on medium-medium low heat. Beat eggs in a bowl, pour the flour on a plate and pour the crackers on a plate. Place in an assembly line, flour, egg, crackers, with the crackers closest to your frying pan.

Dry off your chicken breast.

Then coat in the flour. Next Dip in the egg and finally coat with the crackers.

Then place the coated chicken in the fry pan. Make sure to turn the chicken about every 4-5 minutes. Cook till they are no longer pink and until the coating is a light golden brown.

Enjoy your amazing meal!

Full disclosure...your hands will get messy during the coating process