*Best Friends*

Meet Lil Muffin's best friend, "Dora". These two have been inseperable since they day they met. I grew up in a place where there wasnt a range of ethnicity around me. I had wanted my kids to be around other culture growing up. You see, because there wasnt ethnicity around us, mini me was terrified of people of another race. I hated that. Now, living in Georgia, we have a wide range of ethnicity and skin color. I love that. My kids no longer see color- Everyone is the same to them.
In fact, going back to Oregon last year, mini me was shocked at the fact that there was no culture and actually asked me where all of the black people were.

I love how these two are so "innocent" in the way they think and how they just love each other unconditionally!

Dancing Queens-

Look at these two- maybe we as adults could learn from these little girls to love unconditionally, no matter what your skin color may be!

Teachers and Chocolate

Last week, the Mr. and i made a quick run to the grocery store- ok, when he is hungry, he will buy any and ALL junk food there is to be bought. He ran across these no-bake cookies and thought about buying them. Until he saw the price - maybe 8 cookies for almost 3 bucks. im sure people would pay that for them- in a pinch... MAYBE .. but if you've known me long enough, you'll know i dont do pre-made.. i like to be Martha and try to make it all from scratch. i'm obsessed with cooking- REALLY.. so today i made no-bake cookies for the Mr. Im not exaggerating when i say, these cookies MAYBE took me 10 min to make. Literally a few ingredients.

Every week, i send a goodie to mini me's teachers- her main teacher ALWAYS gets a treat, along with the bus driver. Her teacher from last year is literally on her walk to her classroom, so she scores a goodie as well. I try and send them on her days with art , pe, and music to butter those teachers up as well. Our kids teachers work hard and deserve something little. I bought these bags @ my fave dolla store and use them every time. i think a pack has 25 bags in it?! i'm a ribbon hoarder, so i grabbed some football ribbon and some red for the DAWGS-

here is the recipe for the no-bake cookies, courtesy of Cooks.com:


CHOCOLATE OATMEAL NO-BAKE COOKIES

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter

Combine sugar, cocoa, butter and milk in a saucepan. On medium heat, bring to a boil for one full minute.
Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter (optional), vanilla and oatmeal.

Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let cool for at least 30 minutes.

I'm sure we'll be scoring some more brownie points with the teachers, the MR., and with the neighbors we ding-dong- ditched tonight and left these as a present!@ Dont you wish YOU were my neighbor?!

My, What Big teeth You Have!

SHE DID IT, My Friends!!

6 months ago, this lil muffin was too afraid to get her x-rays done on her teeth-

Today, SHE DID IT!

... Without a fuss, flinch, or tear in her eye!
Next it was on to the teeth cleaning- better watch Sis to make sure it was ok.

Folks, 6 months ago, this lil muffin was TERRIFIED to have her teeth cleaned and it was a struggle for even the Dentist to put fluoride on them. SHE DID IT! She hopped up on this chair literally faster than the hygenist was able to get ready- notice she's still putting on her mask and had to get everything ready and lil muffin has her mouth WIDE open! ;) ( She definately doesnt take after her "Bampa" cause Lord knows you'd have to dope him up JUST to get him into a Dentist OFFICE! )

Grandpa, maybe you can learn by example! After all, the Dentist gives bubble gum "toof paste", princess toothbrushes, a token for a prize, AND a chik-fila meal. What could be better than chik-in?!

Here comes Fall!

After a LONG hot and humid summer, Fall is upon us and this year i'm ready. i'm ready for the warm, rich colors of fall. The browns and oranges and all of the things that come along with it! Yankee Candle is having a sale- 7 dollars for each plug in. I think these plug ins last the entire time i have them, unlike another home candle/ lotion store that starts with a B. I like the fact that you can have them let out a little scent, or a TON of scent. i place these in my main entry way, and put 4 of them around the room. That's usually all i need- THIS "BE THANKSFUL" scent is out of this world. So warm and smells like fall. I miss this Spiced chai- i cant find it out here in the south, but this is what we used to serve at our coffee shop. I would describe the taste as every smell you smell at Christmas, but in a drink. They do have it in a sugar free as well. If you live in the salem area, you can buy this at Cash 'n carry for a FRACTION of the price and it BEATS a major coffee food chains chai!!!
The Good ol pumpkin roll- how i love thee.. i have searched EVERY grocery and specialty store around me and let me tell you, there is NO pumpkin anywhere! There is a shortage ( dead serious, Hungry Girl stated that a few months back) and so this fall STOCK UP when you see it in the store. If i want it now, i have to sweet talk my military wife friends to buy it on the military base, because that's the only place they have it now-

I've plugged my plug ins in the wall and taken my FAll decor out- lemme tell you that its SO easy to decorate on a budget. ALOT of times, if you find something you like at a MAJOR craft store, they will have the knock off version at the DOlla store- i bought MANY things there last year and pulled them out for thrifty decor. Also, use nature!! i collected many pinecones on walks last year and have used those as well.

Take me out to the ball game!

Baseball season has almost ended, but we wanted to get a little Braves game in before it was too late. We loaded up the pilot with our fam and neighbors and drove to the ATL.
Daddy and lil muffin walking towards the field after some serious tailgating- look @ lil muffin with her cup, it cracks me up. I kid on the tailgating part!


The Mr. all the way at the bottom of the picture in the red hat- watching them practice and coming up with a master plan on how to get a ball...

If plan A doesn't work, go for Plan B- bringing lil muffin to "WATCH" them practice, so they see her adorable hair and give her a ball. Mission: Accomplished!

Mini me enjoying some funnel cake- this is after the soft pretzel, coke, frozen lemonade and fries!

After a disappointing first half of the game, the Braves turned it around and won!

Unbeknownst to us, there would be a free concert after the game- none other than Kutless!! From Portland, Oregon. Really.. its a small world.

Before they played, they had a man speak and this verse he quoted. i love the verse, and i loved the fact that it was on this board, in a baseball stadium. I'm pretty sure this wouldnt fly back in Oregon where we lived..

Kutless began singing... loved it.. it was like a huge worship service!!

Sissies taking a break from dancing to the music in their matching dresses one of their sitters out here bought them last year.

When we got there, it was so hot and right when we sat down, mini me said :"mom, this is so boring". i thought we were in for it- hours of "when are we going home?" But, i was pleasantly suprised and found that if their mouths were kept full, they stayed happy! HA!

Another Year of School Has Begun!

And unfortunately, Lil Muffin isnt going yet - Just sayin'!!! Tomorrow starts week 2 of the school year. I cant believe summer is over, but it was time ;) I was getting tired of breaking up drama and petty fights between the girls!!

Lil Muffin wants so desperately to go to school, ride the bus and have a backpack- for now, sitting on her sissy's lap for a picture will have to do .
This is mini me's teacher this year and she's thrilled. Its always hard to start with a new teacher, because we've loved her previous ones so much ( and honestly if we had it our way, we'd have her first teacher out here, EVERY year- like i said WISHFUL thinking. ) We've been blessed with every teacher out here she's had

Every year, mini me is allowed to pick her first day outfit- this was her choice this year and i loved it!! We only buy shoes, and school supplies to start the year off because out here, you dont need long sleeves and jeans until LATE fall- so, 4 pairs of shoes, an adorable Vera Bradley book bag ( which she paid half for with her hard earned money), and many school supplies later Mini Me has started off her 3rd grade year with a bang..

..... And how BIG she looks. Cheers to another Great year!!

Where ARE my bon bons?

Today i had to laugh.. i've been talking with some girlfriends who want to be stay at home moms, like are DYING to do the stay at home mom thing. I've been home with my girls since mini me was born. And i know its a privilege! I've always had a side job to give me some sanity UNTIL this last year when i moved out south. I'm adjusting, but long some days for a side job like before..

I wanted to blog today and give those girls a glimpse into a stay at home mom's CRAZY and eventful life!! Every day differs and nothing is ever exactly the same! Its a comedy show!

6:45- alarm goes off
i press snooze.( while thinking, i have to get up to make breakfast and do mini me's hair)

7:00 - i get out of bed and immediately start making pancakes, while talking to mini me.
- remind to brush her teeth
-decided today will be a hot lunch day.
- ask the husband to put money in backpack for lunch.
-keep flipping pancakes

7:20 - made half of pancake batch.
-realize my friends dropping her 9 month old off in 10 min for the day.
- as mini me is eating, i'm curling her hair.
-husband is playing songs on you tube for them while they eat.

7:30
- baby gets here
- still doing mini mes hair

7:50

mini me is watching for bus.
-BUS DOESNT STOP AND KEEPS DRIVING.
- of course, i have 2 babies now..
( thinking of the outcome of the toddler opening the front door and letting 2 dogs out, isnt a good sight)
- carry a kid on each hip while walking mini me across street to catch bus.


Toddler changes.

Baby wants to just be held. i hold him, but the ADD kicks in.

i clean kitchen and dishes.

i sit on couch, baby is crying.. ADD hits again, along with OCD-

i strip bed and throw laundry in, while putting 2 loads away.

Baby wants to eat, i sit and feed him and watch 10 min of DVR ( it takes me up to 3 days to watch ONE hr show!)

Toddler's changed about 4 times by now. IM NOT LYING.

I decide while sitting on couch with baby drinking bottle, i'll email dad.

Baby needs to be changed. Changed and fed, i put him down for nap.

i give dogs their heartguard, and start a quesadilla for the lil muffin.

While that's on the stove i start 2 other projects, and walk into bathroom- about 10-15 min have gone by.. something smells BAD.

OH.MY.GOSH... QUESADILLA IS BURNING.. I MEAN.. BEYOND BURNT. HOUSE STINKS, ALL FANS ON.

more laundry, baby down.

Make christmas list--- think of how to decorate my house for Christmas.

What am i making for dinner tonight?

Sort more laundry.

Did i mention- NO makeup, still in cozies, i may get a shower by 1 pm.

Folks.. its only 10:50- what's in store for the rest of the day..

and i ask: "WHERE ARE MY BON BONS THAT EVERYONE THINKS THE STAY AT HOME MOM EATS ALL DAY EVERY DAY?"!

I'd rather be at work ;)

Halloween At the Zoo

Boo At the zoo is an annual even that's put on every year- Last year was our first year and i had a blast! To be completely honest, i usually HATE events with kids. Mini me will tell ANYONE :" my mom doesnt like kids" its true and i'll tell you why- KIDS THESE DAYS ARE OUT.OF.CONTROL! This event went so smoothly, i can say i think I had the most fun out of everyone! Here's some pictures to re- cap the night. Wish ya'll had been able to share it with us--- And yes, it was warm enough to wear tank tops! That's the south for ya!This year, our neighbor came with us... next year we'll get her husband to come too! He missed out, BIG time-
Lil Muffin was Orphan Annie this year- i had the lady that made their rehearsal dinner dresses for my best friends wedding make their costumes. The lady pulls thru every time.. i just LOVE her to bits!

Sitting in line waiting for the Zoo doors to open - our neighbor said that the husband dressed up as a UGA college student. LOL

Taking lil muffin to the Zoo this time was memorable. She actually GETS it this time and was awestruck! her mouth was just open the whole night, i actually thought she may be getting sick she was so quiet soaking it all in! ;)

Watching the parrot

These are the vulchers that mini me is pointing to in the picture below-

Special moment i caught randomly- shes SUCH a good big sister

Sitting with daddy on the carousel- i ran trying to get a picture and heard lil muffin SCREAMING: " No, THANK YOU!" she was TERRIFIED to get on the horse, so i quickly came up with the solution for them to SIT on the ride.. worked like a charm

FAMILY shot of the nite with Pumpkin in background--- along with my PASTY white skin, enough to scare ANYONE!

Mini Me and Me

My Neighbor again-- our neighbors are like our family out here, we're SO blessed to have them in our lives!

Mini me HATES having her picture taken, so i caught her in action doing what she loves to do- DANCING! shakin it to the song, do the TWIST"- at the end of the zoo, they have a dancing area, and a DJ with smoke and lights everywhere.. our FAVE part!!!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- look at this lil moment- Daddy was trying to dance with her and i got her attitude on camera and boy am i glad i did. PRICELESS!!! this face is a common occurrance around our house!

Hope ya'll enjoyed this years pictures--- we still have the Halloween party on Saturday and i know i'll have many pictures from that event. Ive NEVER thrown a Halloween party so am exceptionally excited about it this year. We're SHUTTIN the street down! ( not even kidding!) .... Wish my greenville BFF and Pink Owl didnt have to work that night.. we'll miss you guys!

Parking lot Pumpkin Hunting

After lunch a few Sundays back, we found a little whole in the wall pumpkin set up in the parking lot. A hunting we went for pumpkins for the girls--- Heres a couple cute shots from that. ( and before you judge, lil Muffin dressed herself in that gettup ;)

They love their Auntie!!

Oh my gosh, how cauuuuuuuuuuute is this shot?!

The girls Halloween costumes are literally en route to my house in an hour- our friend made them and im EXTREMELY excited about them. they will be wearing them on Saturday for our yearly Zoo event, and then again on Halloween- Im Super excited about them this year!! Just need to buy a few more things and they will be ready to go!