Friday Fave

Today's fave has to be one of the world's most simple and fabulous inventions! But why no one came up with it before, I'll never know!

Pampered Chef has this random little gadget (and I'm not even sure what it's called anymore!) But it's this little corer tool...and it is the most wonderful thing for taking the tops off of your strawberries. You don't waste a single part of the berry and it is the easiest thing to use ever!!! Seriously, it is my favorite (and smallest) thing in my kitchen drawer! It is just a small tool...about 5 inches long. It has a small handle on one end...and on the other is this little claw thingy. It's almost like a melon-baller...but the 'baller' side has serrated edges! This is the closest thing I can find on the PC website (Core & More)...they must have snazzed it up a bit!

But really, I honestly can't live with out it! I've also heard it is great for taking the eyes off of potatoes and other such uses...but I honestly have only ever used it for the berry topping! We eat strawberries daily in our house and I am addicted to my Grandma's freezer jam which I make on a monthly basis almost...so this little handy tool gets a real work out around here.

So if you're ever invited to another Pampered Chef party and don't want to spend a pretty penny...pick up one of these (the one I bought was only about $3, so if they still make my old version, you can't go wrong!)

Other Pampered Chef random faves...just 'cause I'm now thinking of them...

• The bamboo spoons...they are fantastic! Durable, they don't stain, they're the perfect sizes and I've had them for years and they still look almost new - even though I use them all the time!!! And a great deal...for less than $10, you'll never have to replace a gross, chipped wooden spoon again!
• Those little brown square scrapers. They're mostly for using to clean your stoneware...they work great on that...but they also work great on anything else. They are GREAT on your crockpot, anything stuck on your glass cooking dishes...all the totally stuck on stuff comes off with hardly any effort at all when you scrape one of these over it! I don't know why...but they totally work.

And of course, there's the obvious classics like the

• Scraper/spatula's - soooooo wonderful, no other spatula comes close!
• Food Chopper - can't live w/o it.
• The Garlic press - so handy...and we love fresh garlic!
• The Quick-Stir Pitcher - again - why didn't anyone think of this before.
• And of course...the stoneware - I love cooking on my pizza stone (though it's not pc) and I have the muffin stone - LOVE it - I can't even cook muffins in a regular pan anymore!!!

Okay...sorry this is now a testimonial for Pampered Chef...I really didn't mean for it to sound that way! :) So share you're favorite kitchen gadgets...pampered chef or not!

boys will be boys

What makes boys such boys??? Seriously, I watch my two little ones together and I marvel at how boys are just boys - plain and simple. These two wrestle and growl and chase each other around like it's the most natural thing in the world! How does a one-year-old little boy even know how to do those things? And how does he know with such surety that there isn't anything better in the whole world than wrestling his brother (or his Dad!)??? And how does he instinctively know (and has known for at least 4 months now) to little motor noises every time he picks up one of his cars??? Seriously, these things just baffle me! Maybe it's because I am the lone girl in the family...the art of motor noises and wrestling is lost on me! :)

And yes...Ethan's little grimace in this picture is due to the fact that Garrett bopped him on the head with his bubble wand while heeding my request to put his arm around his brother! Why I didn't see that one coming, I'll never know! But true to form...Ethan proves to be a tough little cookie and just flashes his brother a 'why'd you do that' look and keeps on playing!

New things

I know...sound the alarm...I am posting again! Wahoo!





So this week has been a week of newness for little Ethan! He's taken off walking and is LOVING the freedom this brings! He is so cute as he toddles around, hands in the air, shrieking with delight that he is moving of his own free will! And I am glad to report that he is the most cautious early walker ever...he is the most graceful faller (usually) and is very good at just plopping down whenever he thinks he might lose his balance! I love it...mostly because I don't have to worry so much! Now, that being said, he does have matching bruises on both sides of his little forehead...ones that uncannily look like little horns if you catch a glance out of the corner of your eye! Hmmm....quite fitting since we usually joke about him being somewhat like Jack-Jack from Incredibles...you know, the little baby who turns into the shrieking little demon-child when provoked??? Yep...that's Ethan...his ear-piercing shrieks are a bit much sometimes! :)

We took Ethan to get his first haircut! Finally, I know! But I loved his little shaggy hair! But the day came when it was time...you know, when they wake up and their poor little moppy head just isn't so cute anymore??? :) So we took him into a salon...I know, we totally wimped out - but we had such bad experiences cutting Garrett's hair when he was a baby, that neither Steve or I were up for the challenge! But let me just say this...I don't think we'll be doing the salon thing anymore either. Ethan screamed...and I mean SCREAMED the entire time! He was so mad for the entire haircut and would not calm down...even though I was offering his most favorite treats and everything! Yeah, so much for thinking I was so prepared! Don't let the picture fool you where he looks to be mildly enjoying himself!!! So, it's a good thing he's cute with his new little do...it's going to have to last for a while! I don't know when we'll be up for that battle again!

And now, for probably the most over-due news of this post...Ethan has officially sprouted his first tooth. Yep, that's right...what one year old doesn't have teeth??? But, his first one is well on it's way - one big ol' bump in his gums a tiny little tooth speck that you can feel poking through. But hey...we'll take what we can get! This poor kid needs teeth! The variety of his dietary options are quite limited without them!

Hmmmm...what else can I write about Ethan? Oh yeah...I took him in for his 1 year check-up on Monday and of course, I get the lecture about "he's a little on the small side...you really need to feed him" lecture. Like I don't feed my child?!?!?! Just kidding...we LOVE our pediatrician...but I always have to mentally gear up a bit for every appointment and the 'your children are too small' talks. But come on...would he really be a happy baby if he wasn't ever fed??? He really is the happiest baby ever! And it's not like my children look malnourished...they're healthy, just a bit on the smaller side of the scale! He was a whopping 17 pounds...I think Garrett was 18 at one-year, so I'm really not worried. Plus, I don't mind him having to stay facing backwards in his car seat still...it's soooo much safer, he loves it and he doesn't know any different anyway! Anyway...back to the appointment. I have always thought Ethan was allergic to something...he would have reactions even from foods I would eat. Thus the reason I haven't had milk in almost a year!!! So I asked the doctor if we could test for allergies before I introduced whole milk and such. His allergies have always seemed mild, but he'd get a rash under his chin and it just seemed to bother him more and more. I thought I had it all figured out months ago...but the past few weeks, it's been worse than ever...so I've been desperately trying to find out what is causing it! So thus begins the hardest few hours of my life! I had to take him into the lab and they had to do a real blood draw...not more pricking his little heel anymore. The nurses were nice...but they really struggled and had to poke him 3 times before they got a good stick. Ethan was beside himself and was so angry that he had to go through that! The nurses just kept saying that they had never seen a stronger baby - he was fighting them so hard for his freedom!!! So yeah...his veins may be hard to find, but those muscles stand out for all to notice!

We also went swimming this week for the first time of the summer. I took the boys to our pool with some friends and we had a blast! The water was great...and after a bit of coaxing, I think Ethan really enjoyed it! He wasn't so sure at first!!! Garrett did great too...I'm always nervous for the first swim of the season...I don't want the proof that an entire winter off from the pool has completely erased any swimming progress we had made the year before! But he did great...he wasn't afraid at all. He'd jump right in - with floaties of course, but we'll work back up to the no-floatie status soon!

Well, that's our week in a nutshell...with a slightly Ethan skew on things! I'll be better about posting this week...I'm really thinking life is about to slow down a bit! But of course, in admitting that, I'm probably just inviting more business to tempt us! :) But, we'll hold strong...we're all up for a bit of calmer times!!!

The Classics...

So, the past few weekends, Garrett has been begging Steve to play computer games with him. He's recently remembered the classic Nintendo games that we have on our computer and has been obsessed with them! So Steve, being the non-gamer he is, but the incredible father, has been introducing Garrett to some of our old classic faves! But can I just say, I LOVE that he loves Super Mario Brothers??? It is so fun knowing that my old favorite Nintendo game is now his favorite game too! I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...and I guess it's a good thing that those apples are very easily amused. Those graphics and music are so classic! :) But, I'd have to say, my favorite part about all this (as I took a turn playing with Garrett today) is the fact that you really don't forget. It comes back to you like you are once again 8 years old, sitting cross-legged in front of your parents TV, taking turns with your brothers and sisters, playing those intense games! :) I remembered exactly where all the secret extra players were, the mushrooms and fire-power flowers, how to 'warp' and all those essential life skills! :)

The only problem I found while playing with Garrett today was that playing on the keyboard was all backwards and I was getting so frustrated...needless to say I only played one game - and played it very poorly at that! But being the nerds that we are, Steve just downloaded Super Mario Brothers for the Wii. Garrett is going to be so excited when he finds out...and I have to admit, Steve and I are just as excited!

One year old!

My baby is turning one today.

Seriously, I don't see how this is quite possible since I feel like I just brought him home from the hospital not too long ago! I am really having a hard time figuring out where an entire year has gone! Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but I'm hoping that it's because time flies when you're having fun. And honestly, this year been fun! :)

I never imagined that having 2 kids could be so great! (now don't get me wrong...it is hard. VERY hard!) But I have loved it. I really can't imagine a more precious thing than to watch your children interact and see the bond and love that is there - complete and unquestioned! I love it!

So here's to you sweet Ethan! Thank you for the amazing year and for brightening our lives...more than we ever could have imagined! I think back to all the doctors who told us that I couldn't or shouldn't have kids. And then when we got our one child, they told me that I should be happy with that and not face the risks of having another. But I cannot even imagine life without our little Ethan! He is such a joy - a loud, ear-splitting joy at times - but we wouldn't be complete without him!

the end of life as we know it...

It is official. Ethan is now a stair climber! This drastically changes every second of my day...but he loves it! And Garrett loves it too which is so cute! They both get more and more excited the higher Ethan climbs!

And really, how can you say no to a mug like that! :)

A Mock Camp-Out!

This past weekend...we had decided to try our hand at Texas Camping. Yep, that's right, we haven't been camping since we moved here but have been wanting to go...so this weekend was to be it...our big trip! (Okay, not so big, but our overnight adventure!) But then, Ethan came down with a fever and just wasn't himself late last week, so we weren't sure that it would be the best possible weekend for camping, so we had a quick change of plans!

Here are some pics of our fun times! If anyone ever wants to try out our 'local' campground, let us know...we'll leave the gate to our backyard open! :)

Our picnic dinner of pigs-in-a-blanket (recipe straight from Steve's Cub Scout book!) Garrett was our chef that night and did a great job! And since my stomach turns at the though of eating nothing but hot dogs for dinner...we had a nice big bowl of yummy strawberries and big frosty smoothies to wash these fine delicacies down!

Garrett's How to Set-Up Your Tent 101 course! He's such a great helper!



The Texas Wildlife!!!

Can you guess what Garrett and Steve were doing until the wee hours??? Garrett came prepared with about 47 books that he had checked out of the library special for this camp-out! And Steve is so nice...he read for hours! I would have chucked the flashlight over to Garrett and told him that it was his turn to read! But Steve persevered and read for quite some time! But did that tucker our little 5 year old out? Nope. About 11:00...and after book #400, Garrett announced that it was then time for the pillow-fight! :) So funny!

Is it even considered camping if you don't have smores??? Of course not...so we were well equipped for our yummy treats!

Here's Ethan making a late-night break for the tent. Poor guy, I made him sleep in the house with me, but he just wanted to be with the other boys!

Yeah...we know he needs a haircut...but I just had to post this picture because he really is so cute with his little curls/mad scientist hair-do!

Friday Favorite

This week's favorite comes out of pure necessity. It also is related to the reason of why I never blog anymore...why my kids don't ever get the chance to play with other kids...why I hardly leave my house...why we've been eating dinner at 7:30 most nights lately...and why I rarely get to bed before 12:30 am!!! I am a quilting fool these days...and I'm still trying to decide if I like it!

For some crazy reason, they asked me...yes ME...to be in charge of part of the Interfaith Quilting Bee in our area. Hmmmm...let's see how fast I can teach myself to sew! :) So now, every night I hide out in our office (in my new designated sewing corner) and sew for hours! It's fun...but I'm really starting to wonder...I think it only takes me days to do what normal, knowledgeable, crafty quilters could do in about 30 minutes...is that a bad thing?!?!?! That being said...I am learning quickly, having a good time (most of the time!), and am loving the fact that I am seeing some sort of progress on these multiple projects that I am tackling!

Oh yeah...the 'favorite' in all my ranting! I am soooooo in love with my rotary cutter! I can not even imagine attempting to do any sort of sewing without it! I bought the OLFA 60 mm Deluxe Rotary Cutter last year (I didn't know why exactly at the time...but talk about serious inspiration!). But this thing is amazing...and I think I may be the world's biggest fan!

I'll have to post some pics of what I've done...just so those of you who really know me, and can hardly believe that I can sew a straight line, can see some proof that I am getting it - slowly but surely! But the pics will have to wait, I'm taking the night off from anything quilting related, yep, all those quilts draped over my stairs, and all over the floors of my house will be picked up and put away!!! Ahhhh, that will be heaven! :)

I see Red!!!

We have a red tomato! There are hundreds of green ones...but one beautiful RED cherry tomato and one other close behind!!! Can't wait to go check tomorrow and see if any others can be convinced to ripen!

AAAHHHHH!

"Wow, Mom! The doorbell hasn't stopped ringing all day!" This is what Garrett said this morning after what seemed like our 700th visitor, all before noon today! Now, don't be thinking that we are just extremely popular and the social hub of our neighborhood! We all know that that just isn't possible...me being the not-so-social person that I am...but we have had a constant stream of warranty men, home-builders, electricians and roofers coming in and out of our house the past few weeks...but today especially! My poor kids have been wondering who was coming next? Maybe our lovely warranty guy can bring his kids next time...why not make a play date out of it, right??? Garrett would love it!

At least today, I convinced a few of these "know-it-all...don't have time for a silly housewife's complaints" workers that I actually do have real issues in our house right now! Finally (I hope), someone has figured out why the electricity to our utility room seems to come and go as it pleases. Yeah! Maybe I'll be able to do my laundry now...from wash to dry! I can't even remember what that's like!!! And by how often our friendly electrician assured me that the problem wouldn't burn down my house...I was getting the feeling he was trying to cover his tracks and was hoping we wouldn't investigate any further and find out that the problem was really very serious! And then, the water running down my office wall...hmmm, well isn't that a nice addition to the house!?! I'm sure if our regular warranty guy had been here, he would have tried to convince me that besides it being normal condensation (yea right!)...that it really was a lovely home accent that people would go crazy for...doesn't everyone want to install an relaxing fountain!

Seriously, it's almost enough to drive us back to apartment living! Okay, not quite!

Friday Favorite

This weeks fave is kinda random. But in all honesty, I think it is worth the 'friday favorite' title and then some!!!

For those of you who buy those icy pop popsicles...the one's in the little plastic sleeves that you buy and they're liquid and you bring them home and freeze them...here's the brand you need to try! They're called 'Fun Pops' and they come in a red mesh bag - no box or anything, just a red mesh sleeve holding them all together! Seriously...I don't even like popsicles...but these are soooo good! My neighbor Becky introduced us to them last summer and I always made Garrett give me a bite of his! I found them at Walmart (again, not promoting Walmart at all...it's just where I've seen them regularly!) for $2.50. I've seen them at HEB, but I'm not sure if they always have them or not. Anyway, this brand is my favorite...way better than Flavor-Ice or Otter Pops or any of the other random ones we've tried! The flavors are incredible...and they have so many different flavors that the pack says something like "contents may or may not include..."(then it goes to list about 12 different types!). Mango is by far my favorite flavor...though I really haven't tried very many...but the bites that I've stolen from Garrett of all his different kinds have been fantastic!

So if you're looking to stock up the freezer with popsicles for the kiddos (or yourself!) this summer...give these a try! I promise you'll be eating them along with your kids!

All is well

So I just realized that I hadn't posted in a while...and since the lapse followed my total downer of a post, I just thought I'd check in and say hello! Sorry about the complainer post earlier...I'll try and keep it more up-beat from now on! :) But, all is well and we're back in the normal swing of things after a VERY busy week!