Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Kate's Costume = sign of bad parenting?

I know that we are probably the worst parents ever because we almost always have the TV on.  I have been trying to be more conscious to turn it off, but we still watch ALOT of TV.  Kate changes what shows she likes, but our TV is almost always on Nick Jr.  (It is seriously the only safe channel to leave on.)  Her show of choice right now.. DORA.  I do think it teaches her some good things, but one concerning thing I have noticed is that she wants dress like the people she sees on TV.  Lately... Kate has to be a cat because Dora dresses up as a cat.  Another favorite show if her is Fresh Beat Band.  One of the girls in there wears a blue dress.  Kate got a blue dress out of her closet the other day and asked me if she could put it on to be like Mirena (girl on the show).  It blows my mind how young they start.  It also makes me realize how careful we (parents) have to be when we consider the things our children are being exposed to.

Kate kept saying that she wanted to be a cat like Dora.. so the other day I got my creative juices flowing and made her a little cat outfit.  It is amazing what Hobby Lobby has in their store.  {CONFESSION:  I AM ADDICTED TO HOBBY LOBBY and I have no hobby and I am not crafty.. yes, it is a problem} Anyway, I think the entire outfit was made in an hour.  (I totally copied an outfit I found online and wanted to buy her, but it was $50 +shipping).  Everything here cost me $15 and I have enough stuff left over to make another one.

Supplies:  Black Onesie, Black tights, Cat Ears, Cat Tail (cut mine out of the craft stuff at Hobby Lobby),  Elastic, Tulle, 1/4 yard animal print fabric.  To make a tutu all you have to do is tie strips of tulle around a piece of elastic.  They sell tulle strips (it looks like really big ribbon).  Cut strips the length you want and tie around elastic -- that is it.. so easy, fast & cheap!  If you want step by step instructions.. leave a comment and I'll try to post them. 

Some pics...

First attempt.. tutu was too long!

 Trimmed tutu and it looks so much better!
 Oooo.. scary cat!



By the way.. to redeem my parenting skills...Kate does LOVE TO READ.  She is always "reading" on her own and asking us to read to her.  Her favorite book is Giraffe and a Half and she practically has it memorized.  I'm just sayin.


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Pumpkin Hollow with Kate's BFF

Moving and leaving is friends is so hard.  Finding new friends is even harder.  Our transition to AR has been alot easier than I anticipated.  Please don't get me wrong; it has been hard. I have struggled and cried myself to sleep some nights, but it has been easier than I expected.  The people at Central are so kind, encouraging and generous. 

One HUGE blessing to our family has been this little girl, Grace.  Oh, how that name fits her.  She and Kate share the exact same birthday.  She is so laid back and sweet and Kate LOVES her.  Her parents are so much fun and so easy to hang out with.  They invited us to go to Pumpkin Hollow with them.  We all had a great day! (And thank you to the woman who found my phone & returned it to the PH office.. don't know what I would do without my IPhone!)  Here are some pictures from our day.

Kate and Grace - walking into Pumpkin Hollow
 John is seriously the happiest child alive.. He also enjoyed PH.

 Kate and Grace looking at the flowers...
 Feeding the animals...

 Kate and Daddy
 Her first pony ride...

 Kate with Grace & her sweet family...
 John and Kate..
 Grace and Kate...


  Our family...


A little costume preview tomorrow...

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Pumpkin Patch & Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe

We went and picked out a pumpkin the other day with our two little pumpkins.  We had a cool spell, but it is hot again and doesn't feel like fall.  We are ready for the cooler weather.  We are somewhat settled now in Jonesboro, and I have been homesick.  I am hoping Justin will let me and the kids go to Florida sometime soon.  We have a trip planned in April, but I don't think I can wait that long.

For a little update.. we are still waiting for our house to sell in NC.  Please PRAY it sells soon!!  Justin is loving Central (the church he is at). 

Kate is as entertaining as ever and we are starting to see John's little personality (happy and laid back).  I can't believe he is 7 months old already.









In honor of the pumpkin patch and the pumpkin shortage of 2009 - I am posting Meghan's pumpkin cupcake recipe.  I have been wanting to make them all year.  I also bought about 30 cans of pumpkin the other day at Walmart.. and my husband thinks I am CRAZY.. and I was trying to explain to him that there was a shortage last year and I don't want to be short of any pumpkin this year.. and he still thinks I am CRAZY!!  Anyway, here is the recipe (and you better stock up on pumpkin).

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 package instant butterscotch pudding mix
2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 T. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground allspice or nutmeg or cloves*
1 cup butter, room temp.
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
1 t. vanilla extract
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin purée

*I am not a very scientific baker... I just dump in whatever fall spices I have on hand. Go ahead. Judge me. I dare you.

For cream cheese frosting (I add a little cinnamon - 2 teaspoons and make cinnamon cream cheese frosting)

4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 t. cinnamon

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Whisk together the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger and company (see note regarding spices) in a bowl; set aside.

Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Beat in the vanilla extract and pumpkin purée with the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops and spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

For icing, combine all ingredients and spread frosting on top of the cupcakes. Makes 24 cupcakes. (Makes more icing that needed. Darn, I just had to eat it by the spoonful.)

Monday, October 11, 2010

John -7 Months Old today

Please stop time.. it is going by so fast!!  John is 7 months old today.  He is sitting up on his own (for the most part).  He is starting to feed himself, started drinking out of sippy cup and straw.  He LOVES his big sister and smiles every time he sees her.  To Kate he is her "John-John" and doesn't want to go anywhere without him.  Oh, I love them so much!!

Here is his 7 month picture with Mickey...



I also never posted his 6 month stats or his 6 months pictures..  The amazing photographer also got some great shots with John and Kate.

Here they are:

Stats (6 months) (he is our little chunk):
Weight:  19.5 lbs (80%)
Length:  26.5 (55%)

Six Month Pictures:
















I have pictures of us at the pumpkin patch.. I am going to post them tomorrow.

Love,