Monthly Archives: February 2013

Feb 28 2013

Birthday Party Idea: Roses!

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Rose Party

 

The only birthdays coming up relatively soon in our house are mine and Jose’s.  I don’t throw my own parties, Jose doesn’t usually use printables for my birthday (though maybe I should make that suggestion…) and I can’t see myself throwing a rose birthday party for Jose, so I thought I’d just have to share this idea I found with all of you and let you guys try it out yourselves.  And send me pictures, of course.  Or put them on our Facebook page.

Amy over at Living Locurto has put together an entire Rose Birthday Party collection of printables!  It is amazing!!  It has cupcake wrappers and toppers, invitations, banners, even chalkboard party signs!!

I love, love, love roses.  My wedding cake had over 200 roses on it and I just loved it.  Roses on cakes are just awesome.  See?  This is my wedding cake (and Jose and me).

 

Wedding Cake

 

Isn’t it pretty?  Anyway, if you are having a party soon, jump on over to Living Locurto and try out this new collection!

Feb 27 2013

What to Do with All Those Scarves!

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Okay, we don’t actually have a lot of scarves.  This is about all of them.  And none of these are mine!  (I have two…)  The girls got the pink ones for Christmas and then we picked up the St. Patrick’s Day ones at Dollar Tree (so I’m sure they’ll last forever…).  But c’mon.  I have three girls.  It’s a good thing we tried this now.

 

All we did was pick up a pack of shower rings (also at Dollar Tree!) and hook them to the hanger.  Then we slipped the scarves on the rings and look at that!  Instant scarf organization.  Woohoo!  :)

 

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Feb 27 2013

Austin, Year 4, Day 205: Shamrock Shakes

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Okay, so my picture of our Shamrock Shakes had a little trouble.  And by trouble, I mean that the flash reflected off the glass and you can’t tell what’s in it or that it’s a pretty Shamrock-y green.   So I won’t bother you with it.  :)

 

I’ll just share this yummy recipe that I found over at Babble.

 

Shamrock Shake

from Babble

 

3 c. vanilla ice cream

1 3/4 c. milk

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Green food coloring, if desired

 

Just blend it all up and pour it in a glass.  Tastes just like McDonald’s.  Yum.

 

Feb 26 2013

Making “Quality” Time Count

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For those of you who don’t know, those are my babies.  All five of them.  Affectionately referred to as the “Crazy Bunch,” they keep things exciting around here.  Very exciting.  So exciting that sometimes, we think there really must be a hidden camera somewhere because it can’t possibly all be real.

 

But it is.  And while sometimes all the excitement means complete and utter exhaustion, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Not that I wouldn’t like a little peace and quiet once in a while, because believe me, I would.  When I have three kiddos asking me three different questions, one kiddo crying (and, of course, screaming at the top of his or her lungs) over a skinned knee, and one kiddo trying to see how many paper towels it takes to make the toilet overflow, there’s a chance that I may trade that specific moment for a latte.  A chance.  But all in all, there’s nothing like being a mom.  Nothing.

 

I mentioned the other day that I’m usually a little hesitant to give parenting advice.  After years of getting “the look” every time people find out that we don’t believe in spanking our kids, I tend to just keep my parenting opinions to myself.

 

But…

 

There is something that I would like to share today that I don’t think should offend anyone.  Most parents genuinely enjoy spending quality time with their kids, and that’s all I’m going to be writing about.  Just sharing my opinions on what makes time count as “quality” time.  Because just hanging around with your kids doesn’t always cut it.

 

The last few months, I have spent more time with my kids than I have been able to spend with them in the last eight years.  I’m only taking 10 credits at school, I work primarily from home (except for two days a week), and we are sitting out this year’s dance competition season.  Yeah, the kiddos and I are spending A LOT of time together.  A lot.  But it’s not all quality time.  When I’m typing away on the computer and they are sitting in the same room, but have their eyes glued to the television screen, that’s definitely not quality time.

 

What do I mean by “quality time”?  I mean time during which you actually connect with your child.  Time during which you have a real conversation or enjoy an activity that both of you fully participate in.  Time during which you make memories.

 

So, I thought I’d give a few tips on how to spend quality time with your kiddos.

 

10 Ways to Enjoy More Quality Time

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Feb 25 2013

Basic Vanilla Cake Recipe

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The other day, I shared my recipe for a basic white cake.  Today, I thought I’d share my recipe for a basic vanilla cake.  Yes, there’s a difference.

As I mentioned on the post with the white cake recipe, I see a lot of recipes that call for cake mixes, but I prefer to make my own.  The ingredients in these basic recipes are simple, affordable, and most importantly, pronounceable.  :)

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