E's 1st Day of Playgroup

That crinkly smile. The Minnie Mouse backpack that is 3/4 the size you are. That brave girl who walks into play group like she owns the place. I am so lucky to be your mom. Watching you waltz into your first day of school today made my heart swell so big with love for you. I didn't think it was possible to love you more, then you prove me wrong on days like today. I was so happy when I got there to pick you up and you ran into my arms. All was right in my world at that moment.

 

Ellie is in a 2/3 combo class for her first year of "preschool" this year. I wasn't nervous about putting her in school, I didn't think she would have a hard time with me leaving, I didn't think she would be shy or reluctant. She wasn't. 

She is so outgoing and confident, spirited, spunky, smart and sassy.

She is going to do wonderful things this year and we can't wait to enjoy every moment along side her!

1st Day of Kindergarten

I want to remember this day. I want to remember how we both felt. 

Scared, excited, nervous, happy, ready....not-so-ready...

Griffinn officially started elementary school today on his first day of Kindergarten. Although he has been in preschool for the past 4 years this day was just different.

He was afraid. He was excited. He didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what to expect.

The one thing I do know is that we have a brave, strong willed, intelligent, amazing little boy who will blossom and grow this year in school and we couldn't be more proud of him.

Some tears were shed, but each day will get better...easier...more fun. It won't be long before I have to catch him on the fly for a goodbye kiss. 

It wont be long before we are packing up his things for him to go to college..

I'll try not to blink..

I am going to enjoy this day, this moment, this rite of passage for us both.

Happy first day of school to those starting a new chapter today..good luck to those mommas sending their babies to kindergarten, to high school, to college...hold your babies tight!

Carbs

Who does a dual post about made-from-scratch bread machine rolls and fudgey-brownie cupcakes with peanut butter cream cheese frosting? That's right, I do. And I like to call myself Queen of the Carbohydrates.

I made these two delicious, carb-loaded items for a family dinner last week and even though it is the most random duo of recipes I had to share them both with you! If you're watching your waistline...you should still probably indulge in these!

These bread machine rolls are seriously the easiest scratch made rolls you'll ever stumble across and once you try them you will never go back to store bought again!

I have recently started a major love affair with my bread machine. I've always known home made bread is way better than anything you can buy in the stores but I've also always been a little intimidated by all the work it seems to take to make it..having the water at the right temperature, making sure to use just enough yeast...and bread flour? Well turns out once you get the hang of it, home made bread is really easy...plus its so yummy and impressive too!

They are soft, fluffy, sweet, tender and buttery..

I used this recipe and followed the instructions exactly...they turn out perfect every single time!

Now for dessert...

Because these are mini sized its a lot easier to eat like 10 and not even realize it.

Good or bad thing? Not sure...still investigating!

The method for making these little morsels are a little different than any brownies I've made. You make a little caramel-like sauce in the microwave and then turn it into brownie batter. You can totally taste the toffee-esque flavor this gives to the final product! Yum! 

I used this recipe but added cream cheese instead of regular butter in the frosting.

Coming from the carbo-queen herself...I suggest you give these little babies a try...soon!

XO

6 years

Six.

It has been six whole years since I held a baby that was of my own creation for the first time.

Six years since the first time I became a momma.

Six years since the future of our whole family was changed forever.

Six years since a little 6 pound, 14 ounce baby landed on my chest and changed the way I saw the whole world.

Six years since the first time I've felt that tremendous love.

Six years of watching you grow, change, learn, and love.

Six of the best years I could have ever, ever imagined.

You celebrated your sixth birthday, but I celebrate you every day.

You, who changed my life and lead me straight down this path that I am on now. 

You, whom I am thankful for every breath I breathe.

My little soul mate, my little partner in crime.

You are an old soul, and a trouble maker.

You have the best dance moves.

You still want to cuddle your mom.

You will continue to do wonderful things the older you get, I am so proud of what you've already done and who you already are.

Being the mom of a 6 year old feels so surreal, it is like the first birthday I have noticed you crossing over from little boy to big kid...

Yet I feel like just yesterday you were learning to walk and talk...

How truly lucky I feel that God chose me to be your momma..

You were always meant to be in my life.

You have created this whole alternate universe for us to live in and sometimes I can't believe it's all real.

I am sure this next year will fly by just as quickly as the last.

I will cherish every moment, every movement, every new adventure.

Until next year, sweet 6 year old boy. 

I love you with every fiber of my being!

leftover bananas

Over ripe bananas are one of my favorite things. Banana bread is one of my favorite things...but with how fast bananas go bad...I can only make so many loaves of banana bread.

So I did what anybody would do...I surfed leftover banana recipes on Pinterest for a few hours!

I settled on Fudgy Banana Bars with Browned Butter Vanilla Bean Icing and Banana Oatmeal Muffins.

The first of which is a sweet decadent treat and the latter a better-for-you breakfast or snack which I thought balanced each other out nicely. I can eat the "healthy" snack and not feel so bad about indulging in the "dessert" afterwards. 

I took these to a little breakfast get together at a friends house, yeah you can eat dessert for breakfast...And they disappeared! Just happy I didn't end up taking many home. 

If you have any leftover bananas sitting on your counter top...make these!

enjoy! XO

Elliette turns 2

This Girl.

How we love her so...what she brings to our family is indescribable. 

She has a heart that is well beyond her years, with just the perfect amount of spunk on the side.

She is smart, sassy, confident, sweet, independent and the best little girl we could ask for.

Her personality shines all the time.

She loves her baby dolls and is the perfect little mommy.

She likes to draw and color and won't hesitate to move from the paper on to her own arms and legs.

She eats like a horse! Her favorite lately is steak.

She would spend all day every day outside if we'd let her.

She can entertain herself for days but that usually involves some mischief!

Her imagination is amazing and she loves to play pretend.

She loves "Mimmie Mouse"

She is getting so big! She weighs 28 lbs and is 33 inches tall.

She is potty trained and sleeps all night (8-8ish) in her own big girl bed in her own room.

She is her daddy's girl.

She is a girly girl; she enjoys getting her nails painted and doing her make up.

She is starting to talk so much, putting 2 and even 3 words together to form sentences.

She is super polite! Always adding "pease" and "tank tue"

She likes to keep up with her big Brubba, who she has a big soft spot for.

She is so gentle and helpful with her baby Mey-Mey.

2 years have come and gone before our eyes.

I have loved every second watching you grow and learn, my heart is so excited to see the young lady you will grow into.

I love you sweet Ellie girl.

 

MD 9 month update

My BABY is 9 months old...that's only 3 months away from turning 1 for you mathematicians out there...

How can he be the most smiley, happiest baby...yet the fussiest baby at the same time? Somehow he manages...

 Meyer is 19 pounds even (19th %tile)

&

29.5 inches tall (87th %tile)

He is our tall and slender string bean!

He wears a size 4 diaper and size 9-12 month clothes.

He is finally catching up from being born under 7#

Meyer can CRAWL! 

Although he drools like a faucet he still doesn't have any teeth poking through.

He gives big, open-mouthed, slobbery kisses!

He can throw a ball and seriously might have a future pitching in the major leagues!

Don't let that sweet face fool you...

he definitely does NOT sleep through the night...he wakes up and wants to snuggle in Momma's bed and for some reason I am okay with it and pretty much enjoy every second. He (usually) takes 2 naps a day..the 2nd of which (again, usually) coincides with big sister's nap leaving a nice chunk of quiet time for mommy :-)

He eats 3 solid meals a day plus a snack or two..he is kind of picky and will let it be known if he isn't diggin' what's been put in front of him..mostly by chucking it onto the floor... but other wise just eats bites of what the family is eating.

He does well with a sippy cup and can pick up bites with his little fingers and feed himself too!

He has recently decided he will take a bottle due to momma being out of town a couple of times..

but still nurses like a champ...we are so close to our 1 year goal!

He says "Mama", "Dada" and a variety of other gibberish baby babbling, plus has learned to scream at the tip top of his lungs; a trick he learned from his big sister that could seriously shatter glass!

I can hardly believe that my next update will be for a 1 year old. Time goes by too quickly...

Love you MD!