The Coffeehouse

happy

2017-10-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday,

Happy Fall!

trash cake

2017-10-13T13:56:00.000-05:00

We went from smash cake to trash cake.

We went from a sugar free cake to a sugar on sugar on sugar cake.

Oh how things can change in a few years. :)

When I asked Porter if he wanted cupcakes or cake for his fourth birthday he screamed "trash cake! trash cake! trash cake!" Well buddy, that wasn't really an option, but okay. Thank goodness I was already familiar with The Grossery Gang, so the idea to use those as cake toppers was an easy one. Then I just roamed the candy aisles for candy that resembled rocks or dirt or worms. #boymom

And the best thing about a trash cake ... the uglier the better!

My cake is tilting? Great! It's a trash cake!

The frosting is too thick? Perfect! It's a trash cake!

I accidentally ate 12 of the sour gummy worms? Awesome!

Wait. No.

One ugly trash cake for one adorable four year old birthday boy.

A trash cake just for you, Porter "Trashman" Jones.

porter turns four

2017-10-13T13:20:00.000-05:00

Porter Gray, you turned F O U R this month! You tell everyone you meet that your name is Porter "Trashman" Jones, followed by giving them a compliment. Or five. "I like your shirt. Your necklace is pretty. I like your hair." And your favorite thing to do, aside from playing "trashman", is help people. All you want to do is help people with their trash. With their gardening. Help them take in their groceries or mail. Keep being the kind helper that you are ... we are so proud of you and love you so much. Happy Birthday buddy.

honey harvest

2017-10-11T14:00:00.003-05:00

This is a great time to share some honey pictures and type out that we got another glorious 15 gallons of honey to share with family and friends. But really I'm just using this post as a good excuse to compare pictures of my cute, growing boy. The honey pretty much looks the same each and every year. And so does our kitchen. But no matter how many times I tell him not to, Porter just keeps growing and changing. Baby P back in 2016 and 2015. Oh my. Sweet as honey.

life lately

2017-10-10T14:58:00.000-05:00

S E P T E M B E R

keller turns two

2017-10-10T14:47:00.001-05:00

This sweet boy turned two on September 20th. His favorite things? Football, basketball, baseball and any other ball you can throw in there. He is sweet and smart and wild just like his hair. Keller Wine, we can't imagine this silly life without you in it. We love you to the moon and back, baby boy.

back to school

2017-10-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

Porter started three year old preschool last month! He loves his new teacher, Miss Molly, the nine other kids in his class, and SNAAACK time. I am in awe at how this little boy changes schools and teachers and friends without a care or complaint. He is so flexible and so brave. We are proud of you Porter Gray.

life lately

2017-09-18T16:18:00.000-05:00

A U G U S T

best banana bread

2017-09-18T15:28:00.003-05:00

Once a month, I make two loaves of yummy banana bread. And I cut both loaves in half, vaccuum package the heck out of them, and throw them in the freezer. Then once a week for that month, I grab a half loaf out of the freezer the night before I want to serve this particular breakfast to the boys. And then I throw a couple of chocolate chips on top, so that they are well aware that I am THE BEST MOM EVER. ha. ha. ha.

But seriously.

Life isn't meant to be hard.

And this plan-ahead, make-ahead, grab-out-of-the-freezer

banana bread makes life a little bit easier.

And chocolate chips do too.

Honey Banana Bread

(makes 2 loaves or 24 muffins)

6 ripe bananas

1 stick melted butter

3/4 cup honey

2 eggs (beaten)

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

pinch of salt

In a large mixing bowl, mash 6 ripe bananas. Stir in the butter, honey, eggs and vanilla until well blended. To save dishes and time, I simply put 3 cups of flour on top of this mixture and add the baking soda and salt to the flour, mixing the dry ingredients together a little first. Gently fold together the dry flour mixture + wet banana mixture, being cautious not to over-mix. Bake at 350, 45-50 minutes for loaves or 18-20 minutes for muffins. Enjoy!

not much longer

2017-09-18T15:13:00.000-05:00

I could be wrong. Because I usually am.

But I don't think I'll be posting many more photos this year of bare feet and green grass and after-nap blanket snacks. Pretty sure fall is coming and it is coming soon! Yippee!

growing

2017-09-18T15:10:00.000-05:00

Porter Gray recently had his first day of preschool.

Preschool!

And he will be turning four next month.

Four!

At least he still wants to sleep with stuffed animals and give his mama kisses.

Thank. The. Lord.

the good news

2017-08-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

It has been a long week of wiping snotty noses from one heck of a summer cold shared between the two boys. But the good news is ... it's Friday! And we're all still smiling! I'll take it.

brothers

2017-08-14T07:41:00.000-05:00

It is amazing what these three will do for a couple of suckers and a spoonful of peanut butter.

Love them so so much.

a green thumb

2017-08-13T13:36:00.000-05:00

Just a quick little update on Porter's first garden:

He has successfully grown more vegetables in one summer than I have in my entire life.

So yeah.

He's good.

life lately

2017-08-13T13:29:00.000-05:00

J U L Y

keller's first cut

2017-08-12T07:41:00.000-05:00

Keller got his first big salon haircut on July 15th. Three whole inches! Of course now it doesn't look like we even cut one centimeter, but I promise we did. His hair grows like crazy, but I'm secretly thrilled that it doesn't look like we cut any off. Best ten bucks I ever spent. :)

going to miss this

2017-08-12T07:35:00.000-05:00

The popsicles.

The swimming pools.

The long evening walks.

Porter collecting locust shells.

Keller crushing locust shells.

The boys picking tomatoes every night.

And even the hot summer sun.

I will miss it all.

But I will not miss the summer electric bill.

So you can come whenever you want Fall.

I'm ready for ya.

And Sherman is too.

the day dan decided to make pickles

2017-08-11T22:43:00.000-05:00

For the most part our Saturday mornings this summer have consisted of cinnamon rolls and coffee, followed by swimming lessons for the boys, followed by a trip to our local Farmer's Market, where we always have big plans to buy tons of fruit and veggies and end up coming home with a bag of chocolate chip cookies. But during one of our morning market trips, Dan spotted some canning cucumbers and said, "hey I think I'll try making some pickles today." He brought home a dozen little cucumbers and somehow turned them into what you see above.

HUH?!?!

Some people get all the skills.

life lately

2017-08-11T22:41:00.000-05:00

J U N E

all the heart eyes

2017-06-23T13:53:00.000-05:00

... for these two.

trying to get a three year old to stand still and smile

2017-06-23T13:48:00.000-05:00

Really mom?

Reeeeaaallly mom?

*gets distracted*

*smells flowers*

*gets distracted*

*finds daddy's earplugs*

Yuck.

Get those earplugs out of your eyes, boy!

Oh boy.

Here comes the singing.

I mean at least he's kind of standing still?

I'll take those earplugs, please.

*gasp*

What's that I see?

A smile?

Just a little forced.

Okay, a lot forced.

I'LL TAKE IT!!

a few less than brother

2017-06-22T14:04:00.000-05:00

Porter got 19 pictures that one time I just couldn't narrow it down.

This kiddo only gets 11.

But Keller got a hat and a swimming pool.

So being the second child isn't so bad after all.

a first garden

2017-06-22T13:57:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Porter's first summer garden. With daddy's help, he is currently growing lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes. He helped plant the seeds and helps water daily and drags every neighbor and every friend over to the side of our house to see his very small but VERY IMPORTANT garden. His very first garden. Talk about cute.

floatin' the huzzah

2017-06-21T13:21:00.000-05:00

Hands down, our annual Jones family canoe trips are my favorite trips to take with Dan. They always have been and I joke with him that these low-key camping trips are one of the reasons (if not THEE reason) why I married him. And this time ... for the first time ... we got to bring Porter! P did great and loved every minute of it. Baby Keller stayed home, but I was daydreaming the entire time about having three cute boys in my canoe. Maybe next year. We floated the Huzzah this year; it was clean and clear and absolutely beautiful. And can I just say once again how much I adore camping. Especially when camping includes cute cabins. Cute cabins with AC and refrigerators and coffee pots.

out for summer

2017-06-20T14:38:00.002-05:00

Pools and splash pads and parks and ice creeeeaaaam.

School's out for summah!

Okay, so it's been out for like a month now.

I'm still catching up.

P.S. I blogged about Porter's very first day of school over here.

Next up is three year old preschool.

Two days a week.

TWO.

I still don't understand why they have to grow up so fast.