Tuesday, August 31, 2010

#483 - making lunch fun!

I try to make lunch fun for Oster by trying new ways to get him to eat (ie: going on picnics, using cool bibs, etc)

He ended up dipping the peanut butter puffins in the salad dressing and nibbling on some chicken.

Anyway, I'm loving the way this mom packs her kids' lunches...so adorable.  (via Design Mom)
Ohhhhh, I really want to try these granola bites.

Monday, August 30, 2010

#482 - Happy 1st Day of School - "G" is for...

"G" is for Geography Teacher
Happy first day of school to all my nieces, nephews and everyone else out there!

Another page for Parker's ABC book.


Details:
ABC frame -  from Oster's room
Wooden Apple - from Costa Rica
Pencil holder - cup from Pepe's grandma
Table - cookie sheet
Map - fabric from JoAnn's that I'm using to make a blanket
Map dispenser - picture holder (that black thing)
Pointer - An old stick we found at our house when we moved in
Map puller downer thing - string from a bag
Background - gray/red fleece blanket from my sister Kar
Pencils - just pencils :)
Outfit - Carter's from the Hubers

This could also be "T" is for Teacher.

Friday, August 27, 2010

#481 - BBQ Chicken Pizza

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

I made homemade Barbeque Chicken Pizza the other night, using this recipe as inspiration.

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and shredded (I actually used 3 chicken breasts, that was way too much!  I should have used halves.)
  • 1 cup barbeque sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon molasses
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
  • 3/4 - 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  •  1/2 - 3/4 cup thinly sliced onion
If you make this, I would use the original recipe and not mine.  I didn't have all the fancy ingredients on hand that the original calls for, but mine worked.  Oster couldn't stop eating the BBQ chicken and even Pepe loved it!

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine chicken, barbeque sauce, honey, molasses, brown sugar and cilantro. Bring to a boil.
  2. Spread chicken mixture evenly over pizza crust, and top with cheese and onions. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

#480 - The Bib Awards - "what's the best bib?"

Most Stylish Bib with a Handmade Touch - Homemade Bibs From My Cousin Lizzy
(Lizzy, you are so talented, you should open an Etsy shop)
Oster loves wearing these bibs around the house, no need to be eating.  They are also asorbant, so they catch the spills.

Best Bib for Overall Coverage and Easy Clean Up - Dex Dura from Walmart 
(not a fan of Walmart, but this bib was only $4-$5 there)
 I first heard about this bib from her.  I love how it catches everything, including liquids.  I usually just wipe it down or throw the bib in the washer and let it air dry.

Best Bib To Get Your Kid To Eat 
or Most High Tech Bib 
Pepe bought this bib recently to get Oster to eat more...it's helped!  
It really lights up and the jet spoon even has flashing lights.  
Con - way too small and doesn't catch any of the food.

Best Message Bib - I Love Mommy and I Love Daddy Bibs from my mom
Can't get any better message than that?!
It's the perfect size for Parker and it soaks up all his slober.
The "I Love Mommy" bib was in the wash, I guess I use that one just a tad more :)
What about you?  Do you have a favorite bib?  What works best?

I really like this bib tutorial for a waterproof catch all bib.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

#479 - bike phone

Yesterday my mom called to talk with Oster while I feed the baby (huge thanks mom and Kar!) 

It was so nice to put my mom on speaker phone, so she could entertain Oster.

When I returned, I found that Oster had found the perfect resting spot for the phone.

He could play on his bike and have Grandma handy...

I think I have a little engineer on my hands!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

#478 - snapping our walks

Oster, Parker and I like to go on walks during the day....
Oster gets out his energy...
Parker falls fast asleep...
I burn a few calories...
I usually bring my camera, but the pictures I take never see the light of day.
 So, I decided to shrink the pictures from one of our walks to fit on a 4x6 layout (I added white on the top and bottom to make a 4x6 print)
I spent $.09 (on sale at Costco)
Cut up the picture into mini pics
 Drew a little map of our walk in Oster's journal
Pasted the pics
 Added some commentary
And put a piece of packing tape over the pictures, since Oster likes to tear things.

On this day Pepe came home for lunch, so he drove up while we were walking.
The pics aren't spectacular,
the journal entry isn't the cleanest,
but it will spark loads of memories one day to see all the tiny details about this walk.

Monday, August 23, 2010

#477 - shout out

I've been super lucky and won 3, yes 3, blog giveaways in the past few months.  Ok, one of them was from my sister Casi and I was the only one that entered :)
Anyway,  I won a cool, super soft Scott Free Tshirt from Paige at I *Heart* You (seriously, i heart that blog!)

I also won this awesome book (I was hoping to win the bag of yarn) above from Donna at Bardsleyland.  You've got to read this blog...very honest and funny!
And from my sister, I won a C.S. Lewis journal.  If you know me, I can never have enough journals to fill!

Thanks to all 3 of you!

Friday, August 20, 2010

#476 - "D" is for...

For Parker's ABC book
D is for Dog Walker.

Details:
Ground - brown baby blanket from Gap (from Aunt Kim)
Tree stump - brown maternity pants (love them!)
Green leaves on tree - Brazilian sweatshirt
Yellow dog - Oster got this when he was in the NICU
Leash - phone charger cord
Parker's outfit - Ralph Lauren outfit from Aunt Wendy

#475 - 6 year old love note

I was reading through my journal from 1999-2004 and I found an old love letter from Pepe.  It was just what I needed.

Let me go back up just a bit.

Yesterday I woke up tired, but I couldn't help but think how happy I was to be able to be home with my boys.

We watched home videos of their births (don't worry, it was the footage right after their births) and videos of fun moments in the past few months.

It was a good day.

Then, things took a downhill turn.  Don't worry, we're all ok, but it was a hard second half of the day.

For one thing, I'm starting to worry about what the future holds (sorry hate to be vague).

Fast forward to me finding Pepe's love note he wrote 6 years ago.  He gave it to me when I was also having a hard day.  Here's an excerpt:

"I'm so sorry you had a rough day.  I know it will get better...Things will work out for you.  Maybe it will just be in the Lord's time!"

So, if you have a chance today, write someone a love letter!  It might just help them some time in the future.

Stop by later today, I have a cute photo to share (hint above).

Thursday, August 19, 2010

#474 - What Would You Do?


I don't watch a ton of tv and the tv I do watch is almost always on hulu (ie: a lot less commercials). Really addicted to What Would You Do? right now.  Have you ever seen it?

My favorite clip is above and second here.  (you might have to click through to see the video if you are reading in Reader).  I alwasy tear up when I watch these types of shows.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

#473 - Oster's first race track

I don't have $18 laying around to get this, but I do have $3 painter's tape and a sharpie.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

#472 - banana pudding


Yes, we love bananas in our home!  But I think you already knew that.

A few weeks ago I decided to try Paula Dean's banana pudding recipeI Heart You had a link to it.

If you know Paula Dean, you know she loves butter and surprisingly this recipe doesn't even call for butter...

...that is if you don't count the butter cookies she uses.

I totally recommend this if you are looking for a fast and yummy dessert to bring somewhere.

Ingredients:
  • 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies (they look like chess pieces)
  • 6 to 8 bananas, sliced (I used a little less)
  • 2 cups milk (for the pudding)
  • 1 (5-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream (I used about half this and it still worked) 
Directions:

 Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

 In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well (bowl to your left). Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth (bowl to your right).

 Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended.   Love these colors!
 Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Monday, August 16, 2010

#471 - glass top stove and a new dishwasher

Oster is my new dishwasher...his grandma taught him how to help out in the kitchen (thanks mom!)

Also, I love having a glass top stove...really such a great invention.  I've had a new gas top stove in another home and I think I like the glass top better because it is so easy to clean.  What about you?

And, this is embarrassing to admit, we spilled some oil in our oven a few months ago and I finally decided to clean it.  I was scrubbing and scrubbing, then I decided to hit the "self clean" button.

Oh My!

It was awesome!

I've never "self cleaned" my oven before.

All I had to do was sit around and sweat.

Now I will do it all the time, just not on 90 degree days.

Guess this post is just about "easy cleaning"...my type of cleaning.

More notes about this picture:

-Oster is wearing his batman pajamas and an apron my mom bought from Mexico
-Notice the pictures the background...still look pretty good
-Still need to get new top kitchen cabinets
-Oster is washing out his penguin Ikea cup from Aunt Patty
-I hang Oster's bibs on the cabinet door handles - more on the bibs later

Saturday, August 14, 2010

#470 - conch shell horn

Have you ever heard a conch shell...seriously, so cool and so loud, even the US Coast Guard approves it as a sound making device.

I bought this for my parents in Hawaii over 12 years ago (really has it been that long?!) and I think I only paid $20 at the time.  While we were visiting my parents home a couple of weeks ago, it was so much fun to sit on the porch and try to make this work.  Only my dad can really get the deep rich sound from the horn.

Makes me want to get one for my house someday...you know, to call the kids to dinner :)

Friday, August 13, 2010

#469 - suede shoes and cowboy boots

There's not a pletheral of cute little boys shoes, like there are for little girls.  But I must say that I've really loved these two pairs of shoes Oster has.

The suede shoes (above) that Aunt Kar got for Oster at a thrift store last summer and now he wears them to church every week.

And the cowboy boots (below) that grandma got Oster to remind his of his "western roots".  He wore these last summer, but has long since grown out of them.


Thursday, August 12, 2010

#468 - surfer boy

"S is for Surfer"

My version of this.

Details:
sun - tissue paper
clouds - reusable diapers
surfboard - poster board
surfer outfit - Carter's from Aunt Alyssa and Uncle Joseph
outer blue blankets - from 2 ladies at church
middle blue blanket - "Little Giraffe" blanket from my mom

i already have a few more photo shoot ideas (mostly sports), but if you have any ideas, let me know...

#467 - playing ball with the babe

Have you seen Mila's Daydreams yet?  I just saw it via 100%Cottam.  It reminded me of some photos I want to try when the boys got older.

Parker's not a great napper, so I can't really catch him while he's sleeping, but I can set up some fun photos with him while his older brother (Oster) naps.

I think it might even be fun to do pictures like this for their "ABC" book.  
This one would be, "B is for Baseball".

Here's the details of the photo:
sunshine - left over tissue paper from Oster's birthday pinata
clouds - reusable diapers from my mom
grass - my moby wrap
bases - Pepe's socks
monkey's outfit - Oster's premie outfit
Parker's outfit - a Baltimore Orioles jersey from our neighbor

ps....check back later today to see another cute photo I snapped of Parker

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

#466 - ABCs in pictures

I take a gazillion pictures, especially of my boys. 

I've decided to make an ABC picture book (this may take a while) for the boys.

Here's "A":

and here's "B":

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

#465 - mint chocolate chip "anything"

i'm sort of on a diet right now (trust me, i'm not being too strict, but trying to lose a little of the baby weight) and thought i would share 2 diet secrets that are both mint chocolate chip:

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Philosophy Shower Gel - seriously, smells like you are eating mint chocolate while you are taking a shower! (thanks Kar!)

Skinny Cow Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones - delicious!

Speaking of "delicious", Oster smelled Parker yesterday and said, "he smells delicious!"

Monday, August 9, 2010

#464 - rockin

wanna know my achilles heel?

well, at least when it comes to my kids...

when they want to cuddle/snuggle or just sit with their mama (ie: me)

i know i should be more consistent with them, but i'm selfish...
and if it is their bedtime and they ask to cuddle...

i cave

perfect example:

last night i rocked Oster for 1 hour straight (he's still getting used to east coast time)

we sang "doe a dear" 

 i figure they'll only want to cuddle/snuggle for so long...i might as well get as much of it now!

ps - picture is of Parker's feet and my foot (that needs a pedicure)

Saturday, August 7, 2010

#463 - cherry passion tic tacs and black licorice scottie dogs

I just flew home with Oster and Parker by myself (yes, I am officially crazy!)

Appx 6 1/2 hours of flying time and a 3 hour layover in Denver (if you saw a lady pushing a massive stroller with 2 carseats, a few carry ons, with one kid strapped to her and the other throwing himself on the floor crying, that was me.)

Two things that did keep Oster occupied were Cherry Passion tic tacs (by far my favorite tic tac) and licorice scottie dogs.

At first I was giving Oster just one tiny tic tac after he would run a relay in the Denver airport.

By the end of the flight, I was pouring the tic tacs into his mouth to keep him quiet!

Do you have a favorite tic tac and food that keeps your kids quiet?


ps...so nice to be back to high speed internet


scottie dog pic via

Thursday, August 5, 2010

#462 - taking a walk in the middle of nowhere

Oster and Pepe took many walks in the middle of nowhere while we drove across the county.

And I watched from the backseat of the car as I fed Parker.

This picture was taken in Eastern Montana.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

#461 - Huckleberry picking

Do you know what a huckleberry is?
Sort of like a blueberry, but a little more tart and smaller.
It's also the state fruit of Idaho.

We just went huckleberry picking, they grow in the wild near my parents' home.
Oster ate every one that he picked, plus some of mine.
We've had huckleberry pancakes and huckleberry shakes.

If you live near or are visiting a place with huckleberries, I highly recommend picking them...so delicious!

 ps...my brother took the picture above

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

#460 - home after 1.5 years

i've been MIA for the past week or so...

we were driving across the country...
to visit my family...
left thursday at 9pm...
arrived monday at 12:30am...
2,457 miles...
2 kids...
one 2 year old...
one 2 month old...
one dead raccoon...

i spent 90% of the time trying to keep the kids entertained...
-tried watching movies...the only thing that worked was the song, You Are My Sunshine with the psychedelic computer lazers/lights that light up when the music played (you know what i'm talking about?)
-we "caught trucks" (Pepe would pass a semi and then the truck would be caught)
-i said, "look at the tree", "look at the sign", "look at the birds", etc, every 3 seconds for at least 10-20 hours
-Oster took over 200 pictures of the back seat
-read a few books
-i nursed Parker every 2 hours or so...lots of stopping

i can't believe it has been 1.5 years since i've visited...
SO GOOD TO BE HOME!

ps...i have a ton of pictures to post, but my internet access is way too slow

Monday, August 2, 2010

#459 - little things by Min

image via
"Everyone tries to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of many little things."
-Frank A. Clark

Here's Min's list of the little things in her life:
-Just budding flowers
-The morning light on my husbands face
-My new drop spindle
-When my husband lights the pillar candles
-sitting on our front porch eating dinner and neighbor watching

I love eating dinner outside on the porch (or any meal for that matter).  What are some of the little things that make up your life right now?  I'd love to share them!  

 (email me:  amillionthingsilove@gmail.com or share them below)
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