Wordless Wednesday

Rock-a-bye Baby

Lily Kate asked me to wrap her up like a baby.  I knew those swaddling skills would come in handy later in life.  Here's my precious little burrito baby (well maybe she is a burrito grande)!

Say What?

Aubrey loves to talk...I just wish we could understand her.  I'm not sure if it's Thai or Russian...but it is definitely another language :)  See if you can interpret:

At 15 months she does speak several words like Mommy, Daddy, cracker, doggy, LaLa (Lily Kate), baby, more and she signs a few words: more, all done, doggy.

Rub a Dub Dub, Two Girls in a Tub

Wild Child

Today I dressed Aubrey in a t-shirt that says Wild Child on it.  What a mistake.  She lived up to her shirt all day long :)

 Here she is trying to sit on her Zoo.  Part of it rotates and spins zoo animals all around.  She kept putting her tushy on it and pushing the button.  She got mad that she couldn't spin too!

 Where's Lily Kate?  She disappeared into this toy cubby and put her blanket over her head.

Trying to escape the madness!

Wonders of Charlotte

Several weeks ago, the Charlotte Observer ran an article on the 7 Wonders of Charlotte.  Some of them I new about, one of them I drive by on a regular basis (Calvary Church).  But there were a few that I have never heard of or seen.

Spontaneously we went to see Wonder #4- Metalmorphosis.  This rotating head sculpture is located in a business park off of I-485 and Arrowood Rd.  I love that even though we have lived here for 3 years we can still discover Charlotte!

I have a long list of places I want to go and things I would like to do.  The top of my list:
-Travel to Paris, Italy and Hawaii (not all on the same trip)
-Be in a Flash Mob
-Visit the Grand Canyon
-See Cirque de Soliel  I recently got to check that off my list!

What is on your list?

FANtastic

To many it is just a simple thing.  To me it is an act of love and service.  It was a sacrifice of the very little free time he has.  Yesterday, Stephen installed a new ceiling fan in Lily Kate's room.  The old one was broken beyond repair and we had made due, but he took it upon himself to get a replacement and have things just right in her room.  Each time I flip the switch, I feel loved.  I hope LK does too.  Because more than anything, her daddy loves his girls!  Thank you, Stephen!

Finished Product

Just a few reasons I love my man:
He loves others with a selfless love- putting their needs before his own.
He has the greatest sense of humor.  He can make me smile even when I am trying to be mad at him.
He is an attentive and loving father who takes time to play with his girls.
He balances me out when I take things too seriously.
He is a hard worker and does everything as though serving the Lord and not man.
He's handsome...just look at that handsome smile!
He genuinely cares- he sees the needs of others and tries his best to assist them.
He loves the simple things in life: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Oreos and Milk, A Night in over a Night out,- he's very low maintenance.
He loves me and makes me feel special.
He's the man of my dreams! And I know this is cheesy- but I'm his biggest fan :)
 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." 

John 15:11-13

Lazy Summer Morning

This morning we had a chill morning.  We had a pajama breakfast party and watched Tangled.  (Well Lily Kate watched Tangled, Aubrey is too busy to sit still for more than a minute).  But it was nice to have a leisurely morning with absolutely no agenda.

 Lily Kate at lunch:

"Look my sandwich looks like a smiley face"

Wordless Wednesday

Eat More Chickin

Saturday morning we went to the Chick-fil-A Pajama Breakfast!  If you went to any of the Chick-fil-A's in our area in your PJs they would give you a free entree!  I'm never one to pass up free food or a fun memory.  The girls and I went and let Stephen have a quiet house so he could rest a little longer- the poor guy never gets to sleep in.

Lily Kate got her favorite: Chicken mini's
I got my favorite: Chicken Biscuit!

Aubrey ate her chicken mini's all up!

The cow even joined us at our table!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Lily Kate has started calling people "Honey." I think she could have a future as a waitress at Cracker Barrel.  Tonight she said "Honey, I'd like a bubble bath please!"  How could I resist.

She has also started giving nicknames.  She nicknamed Reese (our chihuahua) - Little Fun.  She nicknamed Fudge Pup (her Build-a-Bear dog) -Owando.  I never know what she is going to say.

Yesterday, at breakfast she looked at me with a twinkle in her eye and said "If you say Hellmans I'll fall asleep."  So I said it and she threw her head back with such vigor she smacked it on the chair.  She didn't lose character and tightly closed her eyes.  I was cracking up.  Since then, whenever one of us says "Hellmans" the others pretend to be asleep.  (For the record - I'm a Miracle Whip person...not sure where she came up with Hellmans).

I love my job.  I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to spend every day with these two precious girls.  They are always making me smile and often making me laugh out loud!

Bon appetit

This Chicken and Broccoli Ring is a family favorite.  I made it for a luncheon a few weeks ago and Stephen has been asking me to make it for dinner since then.  I think a good recipe is worth sharing!  It was the first time I made the Macaroon Pizza, but definitely not the last :)

Chicken & Broccoli Ring

• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 cup broccoli, chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 4 oz. (1cup) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. dill weed
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 pkgs. (8oz. each) refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 2 tbls. slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 375F. Chop chicken and broccoli; place in medium bowl. Chop bell pepper; add to bowl. Press garlic over vegetable mixture. Add shredded cheese to vegetable mixture; mix gently. Add mayonnaise, dill weed, and salt; mix well. 

Unroll packages of crescent dough. Arrange triangles, slightly overlapping, in a circle on a Round Baking Stone or pizza pan with wide ends 3 inches from edge of baking stone (points will extend off the edge of the baking stone- looks like a flower).  Roll (or use fingers to press) wide ends of dough toward center to create a 3-inch opening. 

Using a ice cream scoop, scoop filling evenly over dough in a continuous circle. Make sure filling is evenly spaced/spread.  Bring points of triangles up over filling and tuck under dough at center to form a ring.  (filling will show)  

Lightly brush dough with egg white; sprinkle with almonds.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until deep golden brown.

Chocolate Macaroon Pizza

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix + ingredients to make brownie mix (according to pkg)
2 egg whites
1 pkg.  sweetened flaked coconut
1 can  sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C. sliced almonds
2 T semisweet chocolate morsels
1 tsp. vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut a 15-inch circle of parchment paper; place on large round stone. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Pour batter onto parchment paper, spreading into a 14-inch circle. (Do not bake without parchment paper or batter will run off baking stone while baking) Bake 15-18 minutes or until brownie is set. Do not over bake. Remove to cooling rack.

In clean bowl, separate egg whites from egg yolks . (Set egg yolks aside for another use.) Fold coconut and sweetened condensed milk into egg whites. Spread coconut mixture over top of brownie base to within 2 inches of edge. Sprinkle with almonds. Return to oven and bake 25 minutes or until edges of coconut are deep golden brown. Remove to cooling rack. Melt chocolate with oil in micro-wave, uncovered, on MEDIUM 2 minutes, stirring once, or until chocolate is melted and smooth.

Cut pizza into serving wedges. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Serve

TIP: Brownie base can be baked earlier in the day and cooled before finishing. Then top, bake and serve warm, if desired.

These are both Pampered Chef recipes. 

Yummy Yummy!

My husband found a very amusing app called FatBooth.  You take a picture of yourself (or family members) and do a few editing adjustments and in moments you have a photo of your Clumps Self.

He says its the best $1 he has ever spent.  I may have to disagree.  But this blog post will make you smile!

I think it's time we get out and enjoy this cooler weather to keep from becoming these pictures ;)

Her First Shiner

When I went to pick her up from church today, Lily Kate got super excited and ran into the half door.  I think she's going to have her first shiner :(  She was really brave!

Day 2- She likes it because its purple!

Greenville Get Together

I've mentioned before that I was friends with some amazing women in Greenville, NC who started a Bible study for young women.  It started back in 2006 (i think) and is still meeting.  Since that time, many members have moved from Greenville and a lot of us have settled in the Charlotte area.  Four of us met on Saturday at Jason's Deli to see the Bells while they were in town.

Erica & Chris Flowers and their son Jonah

Brandon & Amy Estes

 We had a nice visit at lunch, but the kids were all winding down toward the end of it (even the free ice cream couldn't keep them hanging in there).  So the Bells came over and we had a nap play date.  All the kids napped and we got to visit!

Amy & Charlotte Bell (in utero) and Aubrey

Cora & Lily Kate

Stephen & William

The boys played with a new App called FatBooth-that will have to be another post- once I figure out how to get the pics from it.

Baby's First Haircut

Today was Aubrey's first haircut.  The back was uneven and it was driving me crazy.  So we went to Doolittle's - the same place we took Lily Kate for her first haircut!

In the firetruck just like LK was - AJ not so sure about this.

Maybe it's not so bad

She did great!  Didn't cry at all!

Big sis - waiting patiently

She even let them dry her hair!

Her 1st DumDum- we had it all over both of us!

Finished product

This is why we go to Doolittles- Certificate,
Lock of Hair and Photo  (well that and I had a coupon :))

Tips from the Other Side

Being a parent has all kinds of challenges.  Three and a half years into motherhood I feel like I am starting to get the hang of it.  Here are a few things I have learned along the way:

Take things one day at a time. One verse that continually encourages me is Lamentations 3:23 "His mercies are new every morning."  Just make it through today.

Don't sweat the small stuff.  The huge stack of laundry, the fully loaded dishwasher, or the ring around the toilet are not nearly as important as the new precious bundle of joy.  They grow up so quickly- so make sure you prioritize correctly :)

One of the toughest things for me is when the day is done, I don't have anything to show for how hard I worked...there are more dirty clothes and dishes, the house is still cluttered, and I am just as exhausted as I was when it started.  However, I have step back and realize how important the time is that I am investing in the lives of my precious little girls.  They feel loved and secure and for me that is worth far more than a spotless house.

Make the most of your time as a couple. Go on a date night. Take a Babymoon. Make some memories.  One of the greatest gifts God has given me is Stephen.  I am so blessed to be on this crazy adventure with him!

Enjoy sleep whenever you can.  A well rested momma has more patience and stamina to handle difficult situations.  There's no shame in going to bed at 8pm...that's what DVR is for.

When others offer help, humbly accept.  There is no shame in accepting meals or having someone babysit so you can rest.  If anything it is a blessing to the giver as well.

Know when you are at your breaking point and ask for help.  Get your spouse to keep the kids while you go for some retail therapy or take a bubble bath.

Take time out for your older child.  Try to do some fun things with him/her- we read, do a craft project or she helps me bake/cook.  We have instilled daddy/daughter date nights or family movie nights where we do special things with Lily Kate.

Find a good support system.  I found mine through the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at Carmel Baptist Church and through the South Charlotte Playgroup.  Its vital that you have some good friends to vent to, bounce ideas off of, or spend a mom's night out with.

I am far from perfect and still have a lot of things to figure out.  Just want to encourage you that you are not alone in this journey called Motherhood.

Then

Now

Bored? Not anymore!

Call me frugal, a penny pincher, a coupon mom.  I love to save whenever/wherever possible.  Here is my list of favorite places in the Charlotte area.  Many of them are cheap/free, but all of them worth the splurge!

Top 5 Kid Friendly Things To Do:

(In no particular order)

Storytime at the library - I don't know which is the bigger draw: it's FREE or it's AIR CONDITIONED.  Now if you can just find an open branch ;)  Be sure to visit their website to find the storytime/branch closest to you: http://www.cmlibrary.org/

Discovery Place Kids (Huntersville) - Perfect for kids ages 6 months to 5 years.  Your kids will be entertained for hours.  They can create artwork, pretend to be doctors (or veterinarians, firemen, and more),  shop in the supermarket, pretend in the cafe,  and play in the elaborate water table.  They have a special area designated for children 3 and younger...We went once and loved it so much we had to buy a membership. ($8 per person (1-99 years old))

Hall Family Farm - Pick strawberries in late spring/early summer- they have chickens and roosters, a maze, kids play area, shaded picnic areas, duck races and the best strawberries on the face of the planet.  There is nothing like eating a fresh, off-the-vine strawberry or watching the juice from said strawberry drip down your child's chin :)  Be sure to dress your children in dark shirts (we wear red) so the juice doesn't stain.

Lazy 5 Ranch - Where else can you go to feed yaks and giraffes and  to see zebras and camels?  Both are worth the drive and the entrance fee.  I'm super frugal, but I highly recommend "splurging" and  paying the extra $3 per person to ride on the wagon instead of driving your own vehicle.  

Carowinds - We went last spring and my daughter has been begging to go back ever since!  The Snoopy-themed children's area has rides for even the smallest thrill seeker.  Their website states the height requirements, so you can see which rides your little one can enjoy.  I have heard wonderful things about the water park, but we haven't been there yet.  This is another splurge, but there are often coupons/discount tickets at Harris Teeter, BiLo, and Bojangles.

Honorable Mentions:

Small Hands Big Art or Noah's Art - Now that my child can be in the drop off class, this is even better.  She loves the independence, and I love that I don't have to clean up the mess after all of her creativity!

Amelie's Bakery - This NoDa bakery is one of my favorite places in Charlotte. It is not designed to be expressly "kid-friendly" but it's also not kid unfriendly.  Their treats are too good to share, so be sure to order a cream puff for your child.  I love the chocolate croissant, but, to be honest, everything I have ever had from here is delish!

Great Wolf Lodge - This one missed the list because of cost- it is definitely a big splurge, but the waterpark, pajama storytime, and just general kid-friendliness earn at least a mention.  We went for a "staycation" and had a blast!

Summer Morning at the Movies - $1 admission at 10AM on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings.  Check your local Regal Theatre to see if they participate and for movie listings.  The theatre is packed with kids, so you don't have to stress if your little one does a running commentary.

Did I miss one of your favorite places?  Please share, I'm always looking for new experiences!

Wordless Wednesday

Blast from the Past

This week's summer camp at Carmel was called Debbie's Diner.  They did the cutest things!  They made a pretend meal, danced the hokie pokie, and all the girls made poodle skirts.  It was ADORABLE!  Their snack was ice cream sundaes so of course my little sweet lover was excited (and on a sugar high) when I picked her up.

All of her creations

Aubrey thought the burger looked so real she took a bite out of it!