My "Pin"worthy Idea!

Between dance, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts, it seems like the kids are constantly peddling popcorn, candles, cookie dough or gift wrap to our friends and neighbors to support their fundraisers. Don't get me wrong, I am all in on fundraisers as it usually means less money that I have to fork over for trips, uniforms, or entry fees. during this round of fall fundraisers, I came up with (what I think was) a (brilliant) ideation keep up with the cash and checks that they collect from their customers. I taped a ziplock bag to the inside of the folder that holds the catalogs! So it not going to ignite world peace, but it certainly made the process much nicer for me! Hope it helps you too!

Happy Pinning!

A year ago I had no idea what "Happy Pinning" meant. I didn't realize how this new verb "pin" could help me be such a better cook, crafter, and home decorator! I have been off work for a few weeks recovering from surgery (blog to follow on that topic) so I have been buuusssssyyyy pinning away making tons of fall themed crafts and goodies! My new favorite things are those layered hurricane glass creations, so I have made two of those. One with Halloween candy (that someone keeps stealing the candy corn off the top) and one with beans and popcorn! I am so sad about going back to work tomorrow. It has a way of totally sucking away all of my creative time. It does pay the bills though so I guess I can't complain. So until I have another break, I'll just keep on Pinning!

A Dream Come True!

We just spent a super fun week in a beautiful vacation home in sunny Orlando! Before I post the dozens of pictures of the kiddos splashing in the pool, posing with Mickey, or the whole family sloshing around Epcot in the pouring rain (only after spending $40 on ponchos...shame on you Disney World), I have a HUGE announcement.

As you know Disney is the place to go if you want to feel the magic, and it is the extremely well advertised place where dreams do actually come true! This week a dream of mine came true...my 2 pound black and tan dream dog named Maggie! I have always wanted a Yorkie, but didn't want to take on the challenge until the kids were bigger (like at least in high school), but something about Connor getting potty trained recently made me feel like maybe they were close enough to being "big enough" for me to handle a puppy.

After taunting and teasing Steven with adorable baby Yorkie pictures and Youtube videos of little Yorkies playing with their families, he agreed to take a day of our vacation to go check out two 8 week old little girls at a near by pet store. Of course the kids and I fell in love instantly when we saw them, but I wasn't sure if he was feeling it. I knew it couldn't be because they weren't cute enough, so I was assuming that it had something to do with the price tag hanging on the outside of the cage....basically $350 a pound! We walked out to the car with three sad little faces and no puppy. Steven and I talked a minute, and he decided to go take a second look without the kids. After working some kind of package deal with the sales lady....my very own magical moment happened!

 We were bringing home our very own baby Yorkie! She is just the sweetest thing ever! You know I didn't  waste any time picking her out a few outfits, hair bows, and an absolutely gorgeous hot pink carry bag.  I have even already pinned some homemade puppy treat recipes to try for her! Anyway, I think it's clear that I am going to be totally ridiculous about this dog, but I will try to keep it under control (as much as possible....I mean look at her...she is crazy cute)!

On the way home with his new furry sister! 

Connor says she is "too much" cute!

As big as a banana!

Mags is getting all checked out at the Vet!

Sniffing all around the exam table..she got a clean bill of health!

Love her!

It will be a miracle if she survives this little guy!

Connor's Mickey Mouse 3rd Birthday

I just realized that I never posted any pictures of Connor's Mickey Mouse party. I don't think I have ever been more excited to hear the words "Mickey Mouse" as I was when I asked Connor the annual question that I ask each child before their big day...."What kind of party do you want?" I didn't even ask him again later to confirm because I didn't want him to have changed his mind. Mickey Mouse is what he said and Mickey Mouse is what I was about to deliver! I have successfully pulled off Sponge Bob, Strawberrry Shortcake, dinosaurs, art, baseball, bowling, and even a fiesta, but no one had yet to request the little guy with the big ears until now!

I have to admit that his birthday landed at a particularly stressful time for me at work, but I was determined not to let that be an excuse to slight him on this special day...and on my opportunity to go completely overboard with all of he adorable Mickey Mouse themed party ideas I found on Pinterest! I mean, after all, will he really care that I survived on like 3 hours of sleep a night for about 10 days before the party? He won't care, and honestly, neither will I! It was so worth it to see his little face get so excited about all of the decorations and snacks!

My BFF Summer...so glad that she (and her kiddos of course) were in town for the party!

Pin the Ears On Mickey Mouse - Before

Hot Diggity Dogs

Mickey Mouse Chocolate Covered Oreos

Figaro's Fruit Kabobs

I LOVED his cake! I wish I could take credit for decorating it, but i know my limits!

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods

Mickey Mouse Cake Pop Display....those cake pops took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to make, but they were the hit of the party!

Daisy's Deviled Eggs

All my hard work....Ahhhhh....and the crowd goes wild! :)

The birthday boy sipping his juice box

My dad and I

I love this pic of Connor sneaking more black olives off of the tray! 

Add caption

My sweet boy giving his friend's a hug after he opens his gifts!

Marshmellow Sticks...made at approximately 2 am the night before the party

I love this picture...he had such a fun time!

Pin the Tail On Mickey Mouse - After

Meet My Peeps!

So,  I have this annual Easter tradition. For some reason, I just can’t resist buying the cute little packages of pink, yellow, purple, and blue Peeps. I bring them home where they sit untouched on the kitchen counter until about a week Easter, and then I throw them away unopened and completely intact.   No one in my house, including myself, can stand to actually eat them. This year, however, I had a little inspiration and came up with an idea to make the puffy little guys a little more interesting for my kids.  What, you ask, was my inspiration?

I spent about two weeks searching everywhere for a Mickey Mouse cookie cutter to be able to make the Rice Krispie treats with the chocolate ears for Connor’s birthday party.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t ever able to find the cookie cutter, but the idea creeped over into something I could make for my sweet little Peeps…..

A Peep Pop!

Here is what you will need for your Peep Pops:

Pastel Sprinkles

Your favorite color Peeps...the little flat guys.

 

Candy melts...and lollipop sticks (forgot to take a picture of those!)


 

1. The first step is the most awkward. You have to poke the lollipop stick about halfway up the bottom of the Peep.
2. Next, melt your chocoloate wafers. I use the 50% power setting on my microwave and heat them up in 30 second intervals - stirrig in between.
3. Dip about half of the Peep into the melted chocoloate . You want to dip him far enough so that his little eyes and nose are covered with the chocolate. Let the excess chocoloate drip off.
4. Poke a hole in a styrofoam with the lollipop stick and then add the sprinkles.
5. The Peeps will take about 30 minutes to dry completely.
6. Wrap your Peep in a plastic bag and tie with a ribbon. ENJOY!!!

Starpower!

After hours and hours and months and months of practice, we arrived in Jacksonville Friday afternoon excited to support Susanna and all the girls from Life Moves Dance Studio as they competed for the very first time as a studio. We met at the auditorium Friday night to go over some last minute details with her teachers, and they suprised the girls with Life Moves jackets. It was really a special moment for them. They have been practicing so hard as a team, and to see them all in their matching jackets talking and giggling, just sealed the deal! I couldn't have been any more proud of them! Susanna's dances won first place in both of the division's they were entered, and the overall winner for her age group for their jazz dance "Ease On Down The Road".

The "Ease On Down The Road Girls" Friday night so super excited!

Susanna and her buddy Carlee all dressed and ready to go before their ballet "Appalachain Springs".

Susanna and Gabby hold the Life Moves sign ready to cheer Carlee on as we waited for the solo awards to begin.

This is my favorite picture of the day!

"Appalachain Spring" ballet

What a beautiful group of girls...inside and out!

She was very proud to see her toe pointed in this picture.

My "not so" Cowardly Lion ready for her "Ease On Down The Road" performance

It just doesn't get any cuter than this! They were a huge hit with the crowd!

I was biting my nails at this part. She did a cartwheel chest roll combo.

Really working her acting skills here!

The girls with their trophy!

Susanna and her favorite scarecrow - Savannah!

The girls with Ms. Teresa. Ms. Teresa has been Susanna's teacher since her very first dance class....when she was 2 1/2!

So proud of my little girlie!