zander and lightning

Remember how I said a few months ago that I would post regularly for "myself". Yep.......I wrote that before I was going through the "I am now four and I'm a big boy" stage. There are times that stage drives me crazy and makes me want to cry and there are MORE times I just look at him and think, "Wow, I'm so proud of you."

Regardless of how I'm thinking.......the new stage takes up a lot of my time.

I have wanted to post photos of his birthday all week. I'm just now sorting through them all. And it is also past midnight ( because this is THE ONLY time of day I have to myself without kids or a dear husband), and I'm tired, so no pics tonight....only this video.

Here is Zan in his new Lightning McQueen car (thanks to Granddad). He loves it and rides in it all the time. This is a video of when he first got it. I was so proud of his sweet generosity when he rode it for about 10 seconds and said, "Here Kaya, do you want a turn?" And he is still sharing.......amazing!

He also told Grandma and Granddad when he was riding the car that he thought the car was built for storms........Granddad had told him (when it was thundering in the distance) that you should always put the car in the garage just in case it rains. Zander said, "I think this car is built for storms." His grandparents said why? Zan answered, "Well, his name is LIGHTNING McQueen so I think he can stay out in storms."

The other cute thing was today when he rode out for an adventure in the neighborhood. He was riding for an "adventure" to Nashville to see his friends Brandon & Avery.......but the battery died....Matt then had to carry the big car home (Matt carried it on his head all the way home---and I wonder why my kids are so silly!). So B & A----come see us soon.......our battery won't make it to your house!

4 years ago I fell in love

I've been so busy the past week getting ready for this little guy's birthday. We celebrated Saturday "Party......Zander style!!" and on Sunday with some of his grandparents. I have some fun pics I'll share later. (I'm in a rush to get us to music camp this morning)

In one way it seems like it can't be possible that he is already four. In another way, I can't remember life without him.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy.........mom is proud of how much you have grown--- inside and out.

top reason to love a tuesday (trash day)

4th of july shirts

These are slightly late but maybe you can use this ideal for another holiday or for fourth of july next year. I remembered us making them as I lurked around the web tonight and found this amazing site, Dollar Store Crafts, on Make and Takes. I can't wait to make the "tie-dyed" shirts this week with my kiddos. Our Dollar Store has had lots of shirts this year and my kids love to make shirts to wear.

Here they are in their firework shorts. I had them draw their fireworks then spread the paint with a brush. I then helped them write "I (heart) fireworks" on the designs. I then added their names and the year to the sleeves.

our newest favorite show

There is a fairly new show on Disney channel, Special Agent Oso, that my kids are obsessed with. Obsessed. They talk about Oso all the time and often act out the episodes. Which isn't a bad thing---the episodes have special assignments such as helping clean a room, brushing teeth, wrapping gifts.

But the most fun is singing the song. Zander and Kaya sing it all the time. And I must admit, their mom can be caught singing it several times a day too.

cool (and easy) summer recipes

Here are a few summer recipes I have enjoyed lately. No cooking and heating up the house.....and simply easy, for more time for outside play.

The first one isn't my original recipe. It is an Eagle Brand recipe I found on All Recipes but it is very easy and very refreshingly delicious. The other two are recipes I've played with and tweaked by mixing different recipes to make my own. The salad recipes make enough for a crowd so adjust accordingly.

Berry Berry Cool Pie

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups of blackberries, blueberries, and/or raspberries

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 graham cracker crust

Mix milk with lemon juice. Add washed berries to mixture. Pour in crust. Freeze 4-5 hours before serving.

Crab Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

Tri-color rotini

1 bottle Italian dressing ( I often try different flavors of Italian dressing)

1 container feta cheese (I prefer the one with sundried tomatoes mixed in)

1/2 pound fresh lump crab meat

1 can pitted black olives

1 can diced tomatoes

Cook rotini as directed on box. Drain. Drain tomatoes and olives. Mix all ingredients together. Chill before serving.

Fresh Dill Marinated veggies

Ingredients:

4 tomatoes

3 zucchini

1/2 red onion (or more if you LOVE onions)

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

salt

pepper

handful of fresh dill sprigs

Chop all of the veggies. Add olive oil and vinegar to vegetables. Sprinkle mixture with salt and pepper. Add dill sprigs to mixture and toss. Refrigerate until ready to eat!

maybe it is kind of fun

The joys of summer. The pool. The heat. The swimming.

If you had asked me last year I would have told you how much I disliked all of it. I loved lounging by the pool and reading a book. I did not like chasing the kids everywhere and my heart racing because I was afraid they were going to fall in and hurt themselves.

But they've become quite the water fans. And that means I am now quite the water fan. We are even going again today with great friends I haven't seen in forever. We've gone to the pool tons this year......

So once again I'm eating my words, maybe the pool is kind of fun after all. Happy swimming!

relaxin after some nightswimming

4th of July kiddies

yummy father's day cake

For Father's Day this year the kids and I made the most delicious ice cream cake ever.  It was yum,  yum,  yummy!!!   Of course I have a big weakness for ice cream cakes.  I have been known in the past to go buy them to celebrate a "wednesday",  I could always find a reason.

Now I have this recipe,  I won't have to buy as many.  Click here to go to The Kraft Food & Family site and get it.  Also,  take the time to sign up for their FREE Food & Family magazine.  I love it,  many great cooking plans!  

Here is the cake after Kaya decorated it.  

Happy Fathers Day,  Mattie!!!


Look at the inside.......I mean can you go wrong with ice cream sandwiches,  pudding,  oreos, and cool whip?