Peanut Butter

Just in case you needed/wanted to know:

Tomorrow, March 1st, is National Peanut Butter Lover's Day.

I made massive peanut butter chocolate chip cookies to celebrate.

Yay!

I followed THIS recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.

Happy Peanut Butter Lover's Day!

(If you happen to be a peanut butter hater just ignore this post.)

Zoey

Can we talk about Zoey for a moment.

Zoey is such a love.

She gets jealous when the older kids are in my lap or even if I am giving them a hug. She will yell and put her arms up and demand my attention.

I don't mind giving it to her!

Zoey has the prettiest hair color ever!

I am sure people pay lots of money for this color :)

Zoey loves baby dolls. While Mia is at school I sneak Zoey into her room and we play with her dolls. Zoey puts the babies to bed and gives them kisses. It is adorable.

Just don't tell Mia!

Boys

Max and Ian are having a little after school guy time.

They are spread out with the i-pod, i-pad, and cinnamon toast crunch. 

They seem pretty happy.

The Pantry

I love having a pantry and I really love when it is clean and organized.

 It just makes me happy :)

It is almost March....

Spring cleaning anyone?

The fridge will be my next project. Yay!

I know. I am weird.

Zack

Yesterday was a really rough day for Zackary.

He was angry and frustrated for much of the day. He didn't want to leave the house to take Max and Mia to school. He didn't want to leave to go to speech therapy. He didn't want to go pick Max up from school. He threw a massive fit while we were at the school in the process of picking up Max. You get the idea.

Ty was home today so I decided that Zack would stay home today as well. All day long. He has not even put pants on yet today. Or shoes.

He has been the happiest and most pleasant little fellow.

He played in his room for most of the day except when he came out and asked for waffles.

He has told me 9 or 10 times how much he loves me.

I think, sometimes, he just really likes to be home.

Ty goes back to work tomorrow and I hope Zack can deal with all of the running around again!

Not Cookies

I know I talk a lot about cookies and chocolate and other wonderful things on this blog. Occasionally I talk about other things. Other things that I love!

I LOVE my home gym. I have a treadmill, an elliptical,  a set of hand weights, and a television that I use to watch Downton Abbey while I workout! 

I would like to add a bike, mirrors, and more weights in the future.

For about a month now I have been adding new strength exercises into my routine. I am really enjoying them and I can feel/see some happy results :)

Today I made a little board to hang in the gym.

I cut out a bunch of those exercise cards from Self magazine (which I have subscribed to for years and adore!)

Inspiration and motivation are good things.

Weekend Wrap-Up

1. It has been such a lovely vacation week for our family. I enjoyed every moment. 

2. I am home early from church today with Zoey. She is 3 months shy of entering nursery. We are finding ourselves at the "we go to church, but we don't really go to church because we are wandering the halls the entire time" stage.

3. One benefit to being home before the rest of the family; I will have food ready when everyone arrives. I know Ty will be starving!

4. We had family pictures taken yesterday at a beautiful park in Redlands. I don't know what it is about having pictures professionally taken that makes children misbehave and fall into the dirt. I hope we got a few good ones!

5. Since we will be having a big lunch today as our main meal I may just skip dinner and make dessert. I think everyone would be happy with some of these:

 

Dahlia Bakery Chocolate Truffle Cookies from In Sock Monkey Slippers

6. Chocolate makes Sundays better.

7. I will be sad to send everyone off to school and work tomorrow morning. I hope we can find special moments to enjoy even during the busy week.

Have a wonderful Sunday and good luck with your Monday :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Today we made cookies!

Ty and the kids love chocolate chip cookies. Chocolate chip cookies with no nuts, peanut butter, or oats. So that is what I made.

I followed THIS recipe from Ambitious Kitchen for Brown Butter and Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies.

They came out perfect!

Brown Butter is an amazing thing :)

Happy Friday!

Thursday Already

 It was a beautiful cool day.

We spent the morning at Ford Park in Redlands. The kids needed to run and play.

 It was lovely to be out together. 

Zoey loved the swings!

 Mia was pushing her favorite pretend friend, Mousie Mouse. Mousie Mouse makes random occasional appearances.

 Most of our park time was spent at the playground.

 We did make it over to the pond and the ducks. It was obvious that the ducks hadn't been fed for a few days. That happens when the weather gets cold and fewer people make it to the park. They were hungry and not a bit shy about it.

Zack and Zoey needed protection!

All of the excitement wore someone out....

She slept all the way to Thrifty's after the park and stayed asleep while Ty and all of the other kids went to get ice cream.

We are enjoying our week so much! With Ty home and the kids off from school the days are flying by. I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already and I can't help but wonder why regular work/school weeks seem to go by so much slower.

Home Again

We are back from our little overnight trip.

It was very fun and very refreshing.

The ArcLight Theater provided a fabulous movie watching experience. The seats in the theater were huge! The caramel corn was delightful. Ty and I both loved the movie. We call it the "feel good movie of the year." Seriously....give Warm Bodies a try.

I wanted to go shopping for jeans while we were in Pasadena. I wanted a great pair of jeans that fit well and that I loved to wear. For some time now I have only wanted to wear yoga pants and this needed to change!

We went to "Lucky" and I found a fit that I loved! It also helped to buy a pair of jeans in the right size.

I am going to try and buy a few more pairs online so that I don't wear mine out too quickly!

When it comes to eating out while on vacation, Ty and I are 12.

We ended up eating caramel corn, reeses pieces, and swedish fish for dinner. We never made it to a restaurant.....I am planning on making lasagna for dinner tonight. I may even serve it with a salad and we will eat it like real adult people :)

This morning, before heading home, Ty let me stop by Whole Foods. I bought a big tub of fresh ground honey-roasted peanut butter and another big tub of almond butter. I also stocked up on coconut oil and flax seeds. I wish we had a Whole Foods closer to home, but having to travel to get to one makes it extra fun!

I loved being away and waking up to sunshine and Ty! I loved relaxing all evening and sleeping all night, but I was ready to come home to the kids. I love them and I missed them!

Away

Ty and I are headed to Pasadena today.

We are looking forward to a fabulous time!

We have plans to visit the ArcLight Theater tonight to see Warm Bodies

Both of us are excited to see this one!

I am also looking forward to trying the caramel corn served at the theater. Ever since I heard about it on Food Network I have wanted to eat some.

In addition to movie watching I have big plans for shopping and I think at some point we will eat some dinner somewhere :)

My parents are staying with the kids and I am hoping everyone will be well behaved and I am praying that Zoey will sleep tonight!

If not we may never be leaving again.

Happy Tuesday!

Little Sweetheart

 Ty and Mia are off to the Sweetheart Dance!

Mia picked out her dress.

I did her hair.

We ordered pizza for a special dinner.

I wish I could go too!

True Love

This is the poem from the front of the card Ty gave me on Valentine's Day:

My Love,

I dream of you all night and day.

I must be infatuated!

You've stolen my cardiac muscles away,

And now my blood's deoxygenated.

Ah....romance :)

 

Craving.....

Just before Valentine's I made a few batches of homemade Reeses peanut butter hearts.

(recipe:HERE)

They turned out to be simple to make and really delicious. I kept mine in the fridge and we pulled them out when we needed them. I even made a batch of peanut butter cookies that I mixed them into.

Today I found a recipe for homemade Almond Butter Cups made using Dark Chocolate!

(source:Sprouted Kitchen)

I am already planning a trip to Trader Joe's for this weekend just so I can pick up some almond butter and make these!

Zoey

Zoey had a rough morning.

She cried a lot and decided she needed to dump water all over the kitchen.

I decided she needed a little quiet time with her dolls, blankets, and some Baby Einstein.

All of that followed by some chocolate milk and she is feeling much better.

Managing little lives is a big job.

Friday

Friday has arrived and the good things are piling up.

One of my friends is picking up the kids from school today so I am ready to hit the weekend button and enjoy!

Mia and Ty are going to Mia's daddy-daughter sweetheart dance tonight at Mia's school. I want to go out and buy a corsage, but that may be a bit much for a five year old!

I mentioned that Max has been reading the Diary of a Whimpy Kid series. He just finished "Dog Days", so this morning I picked up the movie from Redbox. He is excited to compare the book to the movie.

I am going to make a bunch of cookies for our movie night. Cookies like these:

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies from The Tart Tart

In other news....

A friend of mine discovered THIS mug

and I need it.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Valentines Day

We are celebrating Valentine's Day a little early at our house tonight with our annual Valentine's Day dinner!

The table is set with candy and cards.

 I love having a dining room that allows me to set up early for parties and special occasions!

I know if this were all set up on our little kitchen table it would never last!

My parents are coming to join us for dinner and they are bringing dessert.....A Michelle's Cake!!!

I usually only get to indulge in a Michelle's cake once a year on my birthday so I am excited to get an extra dose of goodness. 

I can't wait to spend the evening celebrating with the kiddos!

(Ty and I are running away for a getaway to Pasadena next week so we can romance it up then.)

What are your plans for V-day?

Texting 123

On days when Ty is at work he can be difficult to get in contact with.

While he is in the OR and actively performing anesthesia on a patient he will not at any time answer a phone call.

I am aware that this is a good thing, but it can be frustrating at times. Like when I have something really important to tell him or something really hilarious.

I have found that the best way to send information to Ty is to text him. He may not be able to answer a call, but most of the time he can look at a text and sometimes he even texts me back!

Most of the time our conversations involve me sending lengthy messages to Ty. He may respond, much later, with a "yes", "no", or "what?" response....

I try not to let myself get too disappointed.

I saw this today:

This is what I am going to remember the next time one of my very important and hilarious text messages is not met with an immediate response.

Do you message/call/text your significant other throughout the day?

Hair

 This was my first attempt at the "Hair"bow hairstyle on Mia.

I used THIS tutorial.

It was pretty simple and I think I can create a much more refined look after a bit more practice!

 While I was doing Mia's hair, Zoey was feeling left out.

She was whining and brushing her hair.

I took her into the bathroom and gave her a little style as well.

 She felt loved and was much happier.

 Then she had to try on Mia's boots.

I love these little girls!

Little Faces

 Zackary loves playing Team Umizoomi math games on the computer.

I had Ty make him his own sign on with a time limit, because he wanted to play all day.

 Now he can happily play for an hour a day.

Then the computer kicks him off and I get to stay the good guy :)

Zoey has been in a wonderful mood today. She is all smiles.

I am enjoying every moment and hoping it lasts!

Monday

This is so me.

Especially on Mondays!

This morning Zackary's speech therapist called and had to cancels Zack's appointment for today.

I know I should have been sorry about the whole thing, but instead I was like, "Yay! I can make granola! I can wear my yoga pants for a few extra hours!"

Yep :)

Also....sweet and salty is a wonderful combination.

I would be totally happy if this Chocolove bar happened to find me on Valentine's Day later this week.

 I might buy one for myself. Just to make sure.

Speaking of Valentine's Day.....I finished the kid's valentine's over the weekend. I put together little bags of snack mix made with teddy grahams, pink and white M&M's, and yogurt covered raisins. I made little tags to go with the bags that say,  "Bear Hugs! from: Max or from: Mia.

I helped Max create his Valentine mailbox and then I was all out of creativity and couldn't help Mia make one.

I am hoping they make mailboxes this week in kindergarten. 

I am driving the kindergarten carpool this week. I am so glad the sun is shining and the weather is warming up!

Have a wonderful Monday!

A Snow Day

 It does happen. Once or twice a year we do get snow.

Today was one of those "lucky" days. Ty is home today and we are cuddled inside with the kids.

We have the fire going and hot chocolate is happening!

Our little palms are all weighed down with the little dusting of snow.

It is actually a very welcome start to the weekend. I am looking forward to a few days at home. I think we will work on the Valentine's Day projects and make lots of cookies.

Happy Snow Day!

A Fact

Tuesday Things

1. Max has always been a good reader but has not enjoyed reading. It has been a chore for him until just recently. He started reading the first book in the Diary of a Whimpy Kid series and he loves it! He took the book to bed with him and in the car on the way to school. I am thrilled.

Now I have to get the rest of the books from the series!

2. We are enjoying a gorgeous southern California day!

I have the windows open!

3. This morning Zackary wanted a hot chocolate on the way back from dropping Max and Mia off at school. I went through the Starbucks drive-thru and the baristas surprised us by giving Zack his drink for free!

It was a very happy little moment that made our morning.

4. I started doing squats and lunges in preparation for summer. My thighs are angry at me.

5. Speaking of summer....only 4 more months of school!

Let's hear it for the few weeks off we have between now and then :)

6. I want to eat this for dinner

Avocado Mango Chicken Salad

Sadly I don't think it will be one of my man approved meals.

I will have to give it a try on a night when Ty is working!
 

Holiday!

10 days left until Valentine's Day!

My mom took Mia out for a Christmas manicure in December. Her nails were adorable and she loved them! I want to take her out for Valentine's nails this week!

I am planning our little Valentine's Day dinner for the 13th. Ty will be working late on the actual holiday :(

I want to make lots of delightful treats like these

 Brownie cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and brownie hearts!!!!

I am headed to the store after speech this morning to stock up on Valentine's candies.

We are in desperate need of some pink and white M&M's :)

Happy Monday!

The Latest

For a majority of the time I have spent in our ward here in California. I have served as the primary chorister. This has been a challenging, overwhelming, and very rewarding job.

Today I was released!

I will miss singing with the kids every week.

I have always felt the spirit through music and I have been blessed to feel it weekly as I have enjoyed singing with the children in our ward.

I am looking forward to joining Ty for sunday school next week and I am excited to find out what will be next for me.

I really enjoy serving in the church. I think it is one of the most wonderful parts of this gospel. We each have the opportunity to serve and we are given the chance to grow and learn, often in ways that we didn't think were possible.

Kitchen Gear

For Christmas my brother gave me a gift card to William-Sonoma.

I spent a lot of time drooling over everything and finally decided on a SILPAT. They are supposed to be amazing for baking cookies or for working with anything sticky like caramels.

I am excited to give mine a try. Maybe while making a batch of these:

Chocolate Chip and Chunk Cookies from Averie Cooks.

This recipe uses cornstarch to create ridiculously chewy cookies.

It is one of the best chocolate chip cookie recipes I have tried!

Have a great Friday!