an adorable tea party

One of my favorite girls in the world, my "niece" Katie, turned 8 this week. I cannot believe it!! I'm glad I got the honor of attending her very special tea party this weekend.

Here are the girls before the party with their dolls.

Being the very sweet and helpful girl she always is....Katie helps the little ones with their jewelry.


Isn't this party a dream come true.......fancy, fancy, fancy!!!

Sue was so creative in her party planning for her little girl. Look at these flowerpots....They are filled with ice cream and oreos (dirt) topped with an artificial rose!
The extremely cute invites and menus....

And the cupcakes. The "roses" are actually fruit roll-ups---I will be stealing some of these ideas when Kaya gets a little older.
Sue also had a wonderful craft table for the girls to go to when they first arrived. Here she is helping one of the guests make a fan for herself and a mini-fan for her doll.
They also decorated tea-cups with paint pens.
And all of the girls looked so fanciful and adorable all dressed up!




When I asked Kaya what her favorite part of the party was she said, "My favorite part was when Katie opened her gift from me and was so happy."

As a mom, that made my heart smile. Sometimes she can show me that she has the kindest soul.

My favorite part was getting hugs from the "little" girls when they got tired and cranky and really had no use for partying anymore!
Camden ran across the room to hug me. I'm not sure if Kaya was up to sharing her mommy though---as you can see---
They finally decided to settle down again and be best friends. Amazingly these two highly energetic girls let me hold them and rock them for almost an hour while Katie and the big girls unwrapped gifts and acted silly. We just sat in the background and watched.





It was a perfect party with perfect friends! Happy Birthday Katie Rose!!! Love, Aunt Korisa

girly weekend

if you wanna stay up late

Once a week my dear husband goes to play in a racquetball at the gym at night. On those nights, Kaya usually goes to bed very easily. Zander does about 30% of the time. Lately, he has it in his head that he can't go to sleep unless Daddy is at home. I don't know why, since he would be in bed and not see him anyway.

So last week he kept getting up. And kept getting up. Usually I just walk him back and say it is bedtime. Go to sleep. Do not get up.

But that night I really wanted to finish cleaning the kitchen. I didn't have time to keep escorting him back to his room. Or time to argue with with him about why it was bedtime.

So I let him stay up late. On one condition---help me clean.

I have to say he is much more thorough at cleaning the floor. Probably because he sits there and wants to get every speck of dirt up. I do it so much that it isn't so exciting for me, I just want to get it done!

He also got a shelf mirror clean in our living room that had looked awful. So bad that we were thinking of replacing it. Now it sparkles!!!

So my agreement with him "If you wanna stay up late, you have to do chores", worked out well for both of us. What chores can I have him do next time?

all about snow

In anticipation of The Blizzard of 2010 here in Georgia, we had some "snow" lessons here at home this week.

The first thing we did was make our own snow inside. To do this you need shaving cream, white paint and a flat cookie sheet or pan. We mixed together the shaving cream and paint (the paint makes it a little thicker that just using the shaving cream) on our sheets. And then we had fun!!

Both of the kids practiced writing the word "snow" in their mixtures. I thought Zan did a pretty good job! And they both know how to spell and recognize the word now!
But they had more fun playing with their animals in the snow!!

The next day we used our magnetic boards to make words. I made cards for them that said snow, ice, cold, and play.
This is an easy activity you could do with your kids anytime. They really enjoy it---Kaya told me it was her favorite part of the day.
And finally the next day we got our actual white stuff. They loved playing in it. Not enough to make a snowman but enough to make footprints----and that seemed to be good enough for these guys!

2010 weekly menu # 2

One of my favorite things to do is to get a big cup of coffee, watch some good tv, and browse through my cookbooks. That is my pleasure while I plan my weekly menu.

But sometimes I take the easy way out. That is why I LOVE allrecipes.com. You can find recipes for almost anything and save the ones you like to a recipe box (for free!). I also recently discovered that you can put your recipes for the week on a shopping list....and they do all the work for you to tell you what you need!

So here is this week's menu. I used the search option on the site to find recipes that would use the things that I already had here at home ( I had 4 unopened blocks of cream cheese, I discovered when I cleaned the fridge) so that is why there are so many creamy recipes. I am trying most of these the first time this week so if you try them too, let me know what you think! A lot of the sides don't have recipes....just click on the entrees.

Weekly Menu # 2

Friday-Ground Beef Lo Mein, Egg Rolls

Saturday- Crispy Herb Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus

Sunday Lunch- Tacos in Pasta Shells

Sunday Dinner- South Shore Pork Roast, Corn, Green Beans

Monday- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes II, French Fries

Tuesday- Sweet Potato Minestrone

Wednesday- Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

Thursday- Sirloin Tips and Mushrooms, Rice, Salad

quality time together

Having a pair of siblings 13 1/2 months apart can be a blessing and a curse. Believe me, when they are trying to attack each other, to the point my husband & I have to physically hold them away from each other, over hand sanitizer....the thought does enter my mind "What the heck were we thinking?"

Luckily for us, the blessings do seem to outnumber the curses. Oh don't get me wrong, they fight. Fight hard. And that is why my latest book of choice is Siblings Without Rivalry. But when they are getting along, they are the sweetest friends.

That is why I feel it is so important for them to spend some quality time together. Without me. Unsupervised. I think it is a growth process of relationship-building for them to spend some time together without anyone else. (Of course some adult should be in the house to intervene, if needed)

I have been doing this for a while and I think they both love that time also. I find they are much more imaginative if I'm not around. Maybe having to please an adult stifles the fearless, innocent imagination. As I type this I can hear them talking---They are getting on a boat (Kaya's bed) with their baby alligators to go to a party. I just heard Kaya say, "Zander, stop the boat! We have to go get the party decorations!!"

I've also eavesdropped on them when they snuggle in bed together and have "real" conversations.

Yesterday I went to check on them and Kaya said, "Mom please leave us alone. We are talking right now." Of course, I was curious to see what they were talking about.

"Don't worry Kaya, if you have bad dreams just pretend you are Batwoman."

"But Zander, I don't want to be Batwoman when I grow up, I want to be a mommy when I grow up."

"You can be both Kaya. Just become Batwoman when you are scared."

Yep, I think that was a good conversation for them. They learn so much from each other that they could never learn from Mom.

morning treats

coloring with my kiddos

blueberry coffee

cute braids

my new year's gift to you

Happy New Years Everyone!! We have had a blast around here......I have an inkling 2010 is going to be a great one!!!

So, since it is the time of resolutions....I have one. Last year my resolution was to take a nap every day. I almost made it. Except when my kids refused to nap. Or when we were on vacation. But man, when I did do it, IT FELT GOOD...... honestly, the best resolution I ever made.

So we come to this year. What is my resolution? I hope it helps you guys out, or at least makes you laugh a bit.

My resolution this year is to give all of my blogging pals a gift. Nope, not one you can actually register for and win ( my blog is not that fabulous, yet). My gift is a menu. Each week I will give you my weekly menu......yeah.....you won a prize......balloons, confetti, please....

I'm doing this because every time someone comes over they want to see what is on "Korisa's menu." Because I make one. Each week. I'm crazy like that.

Don't get too excited. Sometimes the menu will say "sandwiches" or many times, "leftovers". But hopefully my weekly plans will help you to save some time with your planning. And I'm a big fan of quick and easy meals that require no recipe of any sort *just open the bag & cook kind of stuff*

And I also promise to share recipes with you that are divine.

And I also promise to give you recipes if you request them that are on the list (yep, this IS a shameless way to get you to leave comments.)

So here it goes...this week's menu (sorry that the days are so crazy, I will get better with practice):

* Friday--Seasoned Pork Chops with Cheddar Grits

* Saturday--Cheeseburgers, Potato Salad, Baked Beans

* Sunday--Seafood Lasagna * see recipe below*

* Monday--3 Cheese Chicken Pasta

* Tuesday--Turkey Burritos, Spanish Rice

* Wednesday---Spaghetti with Meat-Marinara Sauce

* Thursday---Tomato Alphabet Soup *srb*, Grilled Cheese

So here are two of my favorites......they both come from Cooking Light Annual Recipes 2004. The Seafood Lasagna takes a while to make but is so worth it if you have the time!

Seafood Lasagna

2 tsp Olive Oil

5 cups finely chopped mushrooms

1 1/2 cup chopped onion

2 TBS fresh thyme

2 minced garlic cloves

1/4 cup dry white wine

2 cans lump crab meat

1 pound uncooked large shrimp

2 cups water

1 1/2 tsp celery salt

1 tsp fennel seeds

6 ounces feta cheese

1 cup reduced fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

1 TBS fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup milk

1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

cooking spray

1 package precooked lasagna noodles

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onion, thyme, and 2 garlic cloves; cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add wine. Bring to a boil; cook 1 1/2 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Remove from heat, stir in crab meat. Set aside.

3. Peel and devein shrimp, reserving shells. Cut each shrimp in half lengthwise, cover and refrigerate. Combine reserved shells, 2 cups water, celery salt, and fennel seeds in a small saucepan. Bring to boil; cook until reduced to 1 1/2 cups shrimp stock (about 15 minutes). Strain stock through a sieve into a bowl; discard solids. Set stock aside.

4. Combine feta cheese, cottage cheese, basil, juice, and 1 garlic clove. Set aside.

5. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife. Place flour in a small saucepan, gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk. Stir in shrimp stock, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer until thick. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese.

6. Spread 1/2 cup sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 4 noodles, slightly overlapping, over sauce; top with 1/3 feta cheese mixture, 1/3 crab mixture, 1/3 shrimp, 2/3 cup sauce and 2/3 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers twice, ending with mozzarella. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden. Let stand 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Yield: 8 servings

Tomato Alphabet Soup

2 TBS butter

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped carrot

1/3 cup chopped celery

1 1/2 cups vegetable broth

1 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cups cooked alphabet pasta, divided

1 cup 2 % milk

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; saute 4 minutes or until tender. Add broth, basil, pepper, and tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup pasta. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes.

2. Place half of tomato mixture in a blender and process until smooth. Pour pureed soup into a large bowl. Repeat procedure with remaining tomato mixture. Return pureed soup to pan, stir in 1 1/2 cups pasta and milk. Cook over medium-high heat 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently and taking care to not let boil.

I think you can see some of my favorite memories of 2009 here.

Thanks to everyone for making 2009 a favorite year of mine.

how to make reindeer food

reindeer food recipe:

uncooked oatmeal

lots of glitter

ziploc bag

tons of imagination

Pour oatmeal into a ziploc bag. Sprinkle a tube of your favorite color glitter into the bag with the oatmeal. Seal the bag and shake vigorously.

Sprinkle the food on your lawn and porch for Rudolph and his buddies to eat. (the glitter bounces off the moonlight so they will be sure to find your house)

See the wonder in your little ones' eyes when the food has been "eaten" the next morning. "Look, there is muddy hoof-prints left by the reindeer too!"

christmas dancers

inspiration returned

Since my camera has been dysfunctional (early October) I have felt like a piece of me was missing. I couldn't capture my favorite moments on film just in my mind. I knew I liked photography but didn't realize how much until that part of my life was gone.

But my inspiration returned this Christmas. Joy! Joy! Happy! Happy! A working camera is now in my hands again. I received my mother-in-laws INCREDIBLE hand-me-down camera.

I have lots to blog about and now that I'm back to taking pictures I'm sure I'll be inspired. I just hope my few readers haven't left for good....

Christmas was wonderful! Full of laughter and sweet child innocence (and mischief). But one of my favorite moments is this....

When we were at Matt's mom's house the extended family came over for Christmas. With a room full of people opening presents, Kaya received a rock star Barbie kit from her cousins Josh & Nikki. She immediately stripped her clothes off, put on her costume, and rocked out for us. For a long time. Non-stop. Getting louder and louder for us. She just kept singing and singing, oblivious to the fact that everyone was still opening gifts. She was full of energy, joy, and laughter. After each song she giggled like crazy. I wish you could have been there but if you weren't........here are the photos---

I hope everyone else had a holiday filled with laughter and lots of love! I'm glad to back in the blogging world!!!

I am thankful for "dishes"

Chores. Really, who enjoys them? I am not the greatest housekeeper in the world but I try to keep it together as much as I can.

But a few months ago, being the stay-at-home mom and primary housekeeper, the lack of respect from my kids for all the chores was driving me crazy. I would work like crazy and they would follow along and work like crazy to mess it all up!

So the introduction of the chore chart began. Each day the kids were responsible for 3 chores. We did this faithfully for about 3 weeks then with the craziness of life I forgot to keep it up!

But they still do chores (I guess the "chore-system" worked after all). Now all I have to say is, "Go make up your bed." "Go pick up your toys so mom can vacuum." And they do it......most of the time.

But the new chore they love the most is helping me wash dishes. Which is ironic, because that is the chore I despise the most. I HATE washing dishes. And I HATE putting dishes away. If I could hire a little fairy to do those jobs every day, I would be in heaven.

I remember when I was 11 or 12, that chore became part of my daily life. I HATED it! I remember telling my mom once, "You only had me so I would wash your dishes. I will NEVER make my kids wash dishes."

I still don't like to do it. I will cook a feast for an army but I hate the clean-up. A couple of my friends that come over for playdates or parties always do the dishes for me (and I love them dearly for it!). I will cook for you........but I never volunteer to wash the dishes unless necessary.

So, gulp, yep, I'm eating my words. Not only are my kids washing dishes......they are doing it at 3 and 4 years old. They do a great job, too! It is amazing....they actually fight over who gets to help wash dishes each night. It has become a kind of game. Whomever acts the best during dinner, gets to wash the dishes. I'm dumbfounded. They love to do it!

And now, after 20 years of hating getting my hands in that soapy, greasy water.....I love it too. I'm thankful that my kids love doing dishes so much. It makes that chore quite a bit more cheerful! Especially when Kaya says (everytime), "Mom, washing dishes with you is my favorite part of the day." And last night Zander said, "Mom, Kaya was right. This is really a lot of fun."

You both are right kids, it is a lot of fun. And spending time with the two of you when we wash dishes is my favorite part of the day too.

unwritten travels challenge

My challenge.

If you have been diving into this book......and if you haven't you should....the very cute and creative authors have made a challenge for us. A challenge for the Thanksgiving holiday. And I'm sure I'm the only one that accepts this specific one.

5. Leftovers in the Refrigerator.

I love leftovers. Wait, let me rephrase that. I LOVE LEFTOVERS. Especially Thanksgiving Leftovers. I often tell my kids, " Do you know why I like to be a grown-up? Because you can eat leftovers or Chef-Boyardee for breakfast anytime you wish!" I don't actually rub it into their faces. I let them eat pizza or macaroni and cheese for breakfast when I am... if they wish.

I know, I know. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. My mom served me a home-cooked meal every day that I lived with her. I do it too now with my kids......well, I do it if you consider cereal with milk a home-cooked meal. Actually they are on a boiled-egg kick now. I will boil 6 eggs and they gobble them up and then want yogurt or oatmeal......I digress from my point. But breakfast was always served in my home and made very important.

Which seems weird because I am the total opposition of breakfast. Don't get me wrong, I will eat bacon, eggs, sausage, gravy, biscuits, pancakes, any time it is put in front of me. And I will also stand over the stove forever to fix all of those things for any special guest in my house. However, if I had my wish.....I would have wonderful leftovers from dinner every day of the year.

But Thanksgiving leftovers.....they make my mouth salivate thinking about them now. The best Macaroni and cheese ever, green bean casserole, broccoli casserole, mashed potatoes, cold turkey (with the skin attached), rolls, mashed potatoes & gravy. Now that is the best breakfast ever that I can think of.

Which makes me sad about this year. We are now going to have Matt's steaks for Thanksgiving since no one is coming over. Don't get me wrong, his steaks are the savory, delicious, and so wonderful. So wonderful--there won't be any leftovers.

Which means I may have to make some broccoli casserole and macaroni & cheese just for that Friday morning-leftovers sake.

grateful

I'm grateful.

I'm grateful for chilly mornings-

when I awaken to a crystalized blanket of white on the ground.

I'm grateful.

I'm grateful for warm mugs-

filled with flavored coffee and hot chocolate.

I'm grateful.

I'm grateful for little fingers and toes-

that pinch my legs and poke my face while trying to get closer to snuggle with mommy.

I'm grateful.

I'm grateful for today-

for all of the tiny blessings and challenges that come toward me.