Weekend Recap

Keeping up with blogging has been a real challenge lately. I don't think I'm any more busy, probably just a little more tired! Maryclaire is still sleeping pretty poorly and I am one tired mama. While I was rocking Asher tonight (yes, I still rock Asher and the older he gets the more I cherish such a sweet moment) I was thinking about how in 2 wks I will have a 4 yr old. It just doesn't seem possible. My how time gone by quickly! I try to think about this as I get up multiple times a night with Maryclaire-it's only for a season and in a few years I will probably miss this time with her (of course I am speaking from my future well rested self!).

Maryclaire loves the jumper!

We had a busy weekend and we are in full party planning mode for our small family party for Asher next weekend. On Saturday, my parents offered to let Asher spend the night and I quickly agreed. Vaughn and I got lots done for next weekend and we always enjoy spending some one-on-one with Maryclaire. She must have missed her brother b/c she smiled at Asher the whole way home the next day. It was too sweet! Asher on the other hand was so worn out from his over-nighter that he fell asleep on the way home.

Asher got an early birthday gift from my sweet friend Melanie. He loves it!

It will be another very busy week gearing up for Asher's party. My big project will be getting my house ready and making his cake, so it it'll probably be another week with little blog time.


I'm looking forward to having Vaughn around a little tomorrow. He has a few appts. in the morning at his office and then he is headed home for a little grill and chill!

Hope my fellow bloggers have a Happy Memorial Day!

My Little Cubbie

Asher had his Awana Ceremony on Wednesday night. This is something that Vaughn takes him to every Wednesday, andI stay home with Mc since she goes to bed so early. Asher has really loved going for the past 5 months. What are we going to do this summer over the break?

Nana with Mc, Asher and Mozzy b/f we left.

My mom babysat Maryclaire so I could go and watch the awards ceremony. It was really neat to see Asher in action and get a feel about what he's been up to on Wednesday nights for the past few months. I knew he was a bashful kid, but he is SO shy and goofy around other children. I loved watching him interact and he was pretty proud of himself. We had a great time and I'm so glad I got to go. It felt pretty special to do something with just Asher.

Goofy little boy covering his face so his friend couldn't look at him.

Asher front and center holding the Bible during pledges.

My mom on the other hand did not have as good of a time as we did. We have been having a time with Mc going to bed. She's clearly tired and ready to go to bed, but seems to just HAVE to let off some steam before finally throwing in the towel for the day. She is inconsolable. If she's going to cry, which she always does, she's going to cry in her bed. I am not going to rock a baby who is screaming at me to go to sleep. Sometimes she only fusses for a few minutes, and sometimes she cries hard for 20 min, and sometimes she'll keep off and on for an hour. We try to console her, but she won't have it. My poor mama got to listen to her for almost an hour before she decided to call it a night. She said we had to find a new babysitter until Maryclaire worked her bedtime out! Her nerves were shot! Poor Nana-we hope she'll give it another go sometime!

Easy Cookies and Cream Pie

Today is Kelly's Korner SUYL desserts. I couldn't be more excited because I LOVE SWEETS. At he same time, I'll have to file most of these recipes away for another day until I add dairy back into my diet. Since nursing Mc, I've had to cut pretty much all my dairy b/c it makes her reflux flare up. Boo! So, until then, I'll just drool all over my computer keyboard reading all these delicious recipes.

My recipes are great for cooling down on a hot summer day and super easy (do I do anything that is not super easy? No!).

Here's what you need:

• Vanilla Pudding
• 1.5 cups milk
• 8oz tub cool whip
• 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies
• graham cracker crust (I like the pre made kind)

Mix up your pudding with the milk. Stir in the cool whip and cookies. Spoon into the crust. Freeze for 6 hrs or overnight. Thaw for 15 minutes before serving. Super Yummy, Super Easy! You will love it and so will your kids.



I love this recipe because you can pretty much change it up up by using different cookies. I love switching the Oreos for Nutter Butters, gingersnaps or mint cookies-the possibilities are endless. I haven't done it yet, but I bet you could switch the pudding for yogurt and at least get something mildly nutritious in there.


I wish I had time to include more of my recipes, but duty calls! I have spaceships to build and bad guys to fight....not to mention cleaning my kitchen which has been neglected for at least a day-YIKES!

Happy Eating!

Teething, wasps, holey pants and a whole lot more!

This just might be the most random blog I've posted yet, so forgive me for being all over the place!

This is where little Mc's fingers are all the time. Teething much? I'd say so. Between the buckets of drool and her fingers always in her mouth, teeth are imminent. I'm not sure how that's going to go over with me nursing her. She already is not very gentle. Ouchers. For her and for me!


I've been trying to get Mc on more solids. It's been tough to fit it in between nursing. I've been mixing small amounts of sweet potato and now banana with rice cereal since she doesn't like just the rice cereal. I think we might give sweet potatoes a break. Even the tiniest amount gives her the stinkiest gas It rivals what comes out of my dogs....Yuck.

Just when I thought Mc's reflux was getting better, it reared it's ugly head again. Poor baby. We've got to get your meds figured out. Which reminds me I need to call and make you an appt. for a well visit. You are past due.

I got Asher to wear these today. What, your wondering? Holey pants. He has refused to wear these because he wore a hole in the knee. I think it's cute. The sign of a real, hard playing, silly little boy. Not sure what his deal is about the hole, but he's funny about things sometimes...gets it from his daddy for sure.



I need a new pair of sweats. I wear the same pair probably 3 times a week. Where does one find cute sweatpants? Really, where? And I don't want anything that has anything written on the booty or anything too low riding. I squat up and down all day and don't want to be showing my stuff all around. The pair I currently wear came from The Limited...like 4 or 5 years ago.

We have wasps in our house. I've been killing 3-5 everyday. I'm afraid they have a nest somewhere. We have yet to pinpoint where they are coming in. Asher flips out every time we find one. I mean really. flips. out. I've been trying to get him to "man up." I know he's only three, (I can say that for all of 3 more weeks) but we've got to get a hold of his bug phobia...which I'm sure he got from watching me, but still a full on freak out at bugs is getting old. And embarrassing. Back to the wasps...where could they be coming in? I'm so afraid we're going to get stung in our sleep!

I've been doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred for about a month a half now. I'm only up to level 2. I did level 1 for about 4-5 weeks. I aim for every other day and I usually don't do it on the weekends. On the days I don't do the Shred, I have been doing Tony Horton's 8 minute abs on YouTube. It's brutal. BUT, I can finally fit into more than one pair of pre-pregnancy pants. Yay! I sure don't have the funds to go buy all new pants/shorts because I can't fit into them.


Oh, and one last thing, I chipped a tooth last night. Actually, a filling in a back molar. Oh bother! It doesn't hurt, but its feels pretty weird to feel it with my tongue...which I can't stop doing. I really don't like the dentist. I like the dentist even less when I have a problem. This is not going to be fun.

Simple Meals

Today's post is for Kelly's Korner Show us Your Life Friday! Today's post is to share your favorite main course recipes. I am eager to see what other bloggers post, 'cause I sure could use some meal makeovers!

I don't really "do" recipes, so I'm eager to see what other busy bloggers feed their families. I do have a few good, easy and inexpensive main courses that I go to often. I usually try to stay away from dishes that require more than 5-6 ingredients and more than 2-3 pots! I don't like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen...cooking or cleaning! That being said, I cook 5-6 days/wk. We don't go out to eat much at all!

1. Cilantro Lime Chicken: Now bear with me, 'cause when I said I don't do recipes, that means I really don't measure anything out. For this recipe you need Chicken (I like to use chicken thighs for this), cilantro, cumin, lime, olive oil, salt and pepper for taste. Mix up the above ingredients and put them over your chicken in a glass baking dish. Bake and Viola', a main dish.

2. In the winter, my family lives off of soup. My crock pot gets a good workout. Some of my favorites are soups that I've made up with whatever ingredients I have on hand. A few months ago I made up a new soup that became one of our favorites. It goes like this: Finely cube 1/4 of a summer sausage (like Hillshire Farm). Put in a pot of whatever stock you wants with 1 cup of rice, one cup of red beans and a bag of soup vegetables. The flavor of the summer sausage goes a long way. It's super hearty, easy and yummy (not to mention cheap!)


What's you favorite "go to" main dish? I'm definitely looking for some new, EASY dishes to try! My family will probably thank you! I'm pretty sure I cook the same 6 things over and over every week.

Calling All Super Heroes

My brother, Jimmy, did me the honors of taking Asher's 4 yr old pictures for his birthday invitation. It's kind of a tradition. He's done it every year for me for the last three years. And he's super talented. I'm a just a little proud of him. He currently does freelance projects and teaches at the The Creative Circus in Atlanta. Check out more of his work here.

Our birthday theme this year? Super Heroes!

I can't believe this little super guy is about to be FOUR! Where oh where has the time gone?

Happy 5 Months, Maryclaire!

Happy 5 Months, Maryclaire! Here are a few highlights from the past month.


1. You weigh almost 13 lbs and are 26 (ok, like 25 and 3/4) inches tall. You are very petite!

2. You are wearing size 2 diaper and 3 and 6 month clothes.

3. You found your voice and you squeal and squeal and squeal some more. You are such a girl and love to hear yourself talk.

4. Your head control has got really good in the last few weeks.

5. Your sleeping is not so good. You wake up more now than you did at 2-3 months old. It's usually every 3-4 hours at night and you won't go back to sleep without being fed.

6. Likewise, you have started waking up a little earlier too. Sometimes you won't even go back to sleep after your early morning feeding at 6:30am.

7. We are finally establishing solid nap times. Yay! But of course it usually depends on when you wake up. You will take your first nap about 2 hours after you wake up. You take 2-3 naps a day.

Sweet Smile

8. You love to roll and roll and roll around. One day I set you in the floor, went to the bathroom and when I came back in the room you were about 5 ft away from where I put you!

9. You finally made peace with tummy time, but it's still not your favorite part of the day.

10. You will sit in the bouncy seat, swing, bumbo and jumper exercauser.

11. You are still not friends with the carseat...especially when you are tired.

12. Likes to be held facing out-you are a nosy girl. I can also put you on my hip a little but I have to keep both arms around you or lean.

13. You laugh out loud...a lot.

14. Are not on any reflux meds and I have started eating a little dairy again. We were switching meds and just couldn't administer it to you properly. You seem to be doing ok without it.

15. You don't really take a paci anymore. I guess I don't have to worry about taking it away from you when you are a little older.

16. We tried cereal several times this past month. You are not a fan. So, I switched to sweet potato yesterday. You seem to enjoy it a little better. You are wanting to nurse several times a night so I think we need to start getting some solid food in you.

17. Things you like: eating your feet (my girl has skills!), peek-a-boo, and being naked!

Everything seems to be going in your mouth these days.

Happy 5 months, sweet girl! I love you!

For Hire

This is what kept me so busy this week.



My sweet friend Kelly had enough faith in me to let me make her son's first birthday cake...with pretty much a limitless budget. Wow! She designed the cake herself. It was too cute! I was a little overwhelmed when I saw what she wanted...I think she had more confidence in my abilities than I did! It was a HUGE challenge, but I think it turned out pretty well.


I started almost a week ahead of time gathering materials and making fondant. Through trail and error, I realized I needed gum paste to make those dog figures and not just pure fondant. BUT, the more I made figures, the better I got at it (imagine that!). I had to re-do a lot of things because I wasn't happy with them, but it was worth it.



I wish I could do this to supplement our income. It was hard work, even frustrating at times. Plus, I don't have the proper tools and that makes it a little more challenging and time consuming too. But, I felt so accomplished when I was done. I don't know too many people who would pay $100 for a cake like this. I know people do, but I don't know them!

If you would care to see more of the cakes I've done, click here.

M.I.A.

I've been up to my elbows in crisco all week...literally. My husband is complaining that everything in our house feels greasy. I'm pretty sure he's right, but being I'm all greasy myself I haven't noticed. I took on a huge baking project for a friend and it took every last free second I have had this week.


So, needless to say, I've had a BUSY week! I hope to catch up on blogging this weekend. I have lots to "talk" about. I haven't even posted about Mother's Day yet! I'm so behind! Ack!

So, for now just enjoy a few pics of my sweet babies.

And yes, that is Asher's lunch left on his face. How I could forget to wipe his mouth off I don't know...but I did!

Long sleeves? We had a "cold" spell last week when I took these pics.


Stay Tuned! Lots more blogging coming soon!

Party Planning Superhero Style

I cannot believe I am planning Asher's FOURTH birthday! Where does the time go? The older and more independent he gets the faster time flies. Asher is all about Superhero's these days, so a Super Hero party it will be.

I am basically making this post so I can organize my thoughts and ideas in one post to reference in the next month as I am buying, making, crafting, planning, etc. I have always had really simple birthday parties for him so far, and I guess I am justifying going a little more out because he'll start to remember these as some point, right?

I'll start with the cake. Asher and I have scoured the Internet gathering cake ideas. I always make his cakes, so it also has to within my skill range. These are a few he likes that we both agreed on!

Asher request was for a figure on top on the cake like Spiderman or Batman.
These cake are almost identical.

I want to do some sort of backdrop and cool banner. I have lots of huge cardboard pieces in our garage I think would be pretty easy to spray paint black and add some yellow construction paper windows so it looks like a cityscape.

I love this idea for the backdrop for the cake/dessert table. Very colorful while sticking to the theme.

I also love this vintage comic book theme. Asher isn't so much into the vintage super heroes, but int the end, I don't think he'll really care. I really like how the drinks have cute little wrappers around them.

Food ideas are where I'm getting a little stuck. If we have a lunch party I thought hero sandwiches would fit the theme. They would be really easy (I mean, think a large order at Subway or Publix) and fairly affordable. Where I'm getting stuck is the side items. I thought we could serve chips and have guacamole or some other green dip and call it Green Goblin dip.But what else???? I'm stuck after that! Any ideas? I would like at least one or two other simple side items.

Just more ideas for a table spread. I don't really have a big table to decorate, but will have a few small ones to work with.

Cake pops! Love them in the Batmam buckets.

I already ordered this shirt for Asher. It should be here in a few days. He picked it out himself and is super excited about it arriving in the mail.

His is short sleeves, of course and will have his name monogrammed on it.

Lastly, I want to make capes for all the little people party guests. We'll only have to make a few for his cousins who will be there. We don't really do friend parties yet...just family ones right now. My mom is a great sewer (i think seamstress is the correct term) and I can do alright with a little direction, so between the two of us, I think we can manage to pop these right out.

These are made of felt and actually require virtually no sewing. Hmmm, less prep time is always good and felt is pretty sturdy for some hard playing kids.

I know Asher's birthday isn't until June, but that will be here before I know it. Plus, I have so little free time now I am juggling TWO kids. I know it will take me awhile to tackle and finish projects. I'll have to be super organized the next month while I getting my craft on and organization isn't my strong suit. Somebody will surely have to remind me to relax, have fun and don't stress too much over the details. Here's to some happy party planning!

Weekend Recap

Did I just blink or was that the weekend?

I think Vaughn returning home after being gone all week really made the weekend fly by extra fast. I picked him up from the airport on Friday evening. My parents live pretty close to it, so they kept the kids while I drove over to pick him up. Unfortunately, his plane was a little late and we were already cutting it really close to Mc's bedtime and when girly wants to go to bed, well, let's just say she has a way of "telling" us. Sweet girl hollered (i.e. screamed her head off) until we got home to put her to bed. My mom said she just laughed b/c she doesn't shed any tears, it's strictly screaming. Glad she can see some humor in it 'cause it sure does rattle my nerves!

It was perfect weather for some sprinkler fun on Saturday.

I was so glad to have my reinforcement back home and I was itchin' to get out of the house since we really didn't venture out anywhere while Vaughn was gone. I gave Vaughn the ok to give Maryclaire a bottle so I could be gone a little longer. He called me in a panic telling me she wouldn't take the bottle. This also happened during the night Friday when Vaughn was trying to help me get a little extra sleep (don't I have the BEST hubby). Uh-Oh! We don't use the bottle very often (maybe 3-4 times total since Mc was born) but I sure am up for it if it means I can get a little extra sleep. Not sure what is what is up with that, but hopefully she'll come around soon.

Boys will be boys-There's a worm on that finger!

The rest of Saturday was spent out in the yard playing and giving the dogs a bath. Asher sure did enjoy playing in the sprinkler.

Sunday we drove to Marietta to go to the Shiner's circus and fair. We met my sister and her family there. Asher loved the rides more than he did the actual circus show. I'm pretty sure I spent half the time in the car feeding Maryclaire.

My super cute nephew. He scored a bubble gun since he was too little to ride with the "big" kids.

I love this kid! His smile just melts my heart to pieces!

His favorite "ride"-the kiddie obstacle course.

A couple of hours getting everybody ready to head out the door, plus 2 hrs of driving, a couple of hours there and Sunday was mostly over! We were so tired when we got home we all went to bed super early Sunday night.