Fresh Beans

I am not a gardener, but every year I try to do something. I love fresh vegetables, and envy those people with huge gardens and buckets full each night. However, this year we were able to plant green beans, carrots, and strawberries. 

Last night Munchkin helped pick some fresh beans for dinner (which kind of ended with me picking beans and her picking leaves off the beans). 

Pretty simple dinner... 

       I boiled the beans for a couple of minutes, drained them, and tossed with some sea salt. 

Add some baked salmon, and it's a meal!

(Sorry about the sideways picture)

Munchkin loved the salmon, but wasn't quite sure about the beans (at least she gave them a try). 

Coming up...

Remember my friend, Cathie, who is having triplets?  This weekend we're throwing a big couples shower for them, and Munchkin and I have been working on preparations so stay tuned for that...

Father's Day and Peanut Brittle

First of all, I'd like to announce that someone is no longer wearing a daiper and after one week has now been dry for three days straight!  

     

On another note... It's Father's Day!

We love Dad so much, and although we try to show him everyday today is a day we try to make just a little extra special.

Since the World Cup is well underway Dad went to spend the evening watching soccer with his brother, and the Munchkin and I got to work... 

First of all, these kind of occasions always call for munchkin's hand and feet prints being painted and pressed onto a wondrful creation. Since toddlers are still learning how to grasp and control a writing utensil it is hard to get a comprehensive picture, and that's where the prints come in handy (anyone can do that). Pictures of our final products are down below. 

Next, I was looking for something fairly simple to make them (we love homemade gifts), and I remembered my dad loves Peanut Brittle. 

1 C sugar

1 C Karo

2 C peanuts 

1 Tbs Baking soda

Stir the sugar and Karo on medium heat until sugar dissolved. Stir in peanut and bring to a boil on high heat. Using a candy thermometer until it reaches about 190 degrees and becomes a darker Carmel brown. Take off the heat and add the baking soda. Immediately pour onto a baking sheet with greased parcent paper. 

Munchkin adding the sugar

Measuring out the peanuts

She spilled some while pouring, but immedialty said, "I clean up!"  She is so good at helping. 

Once we reached this point munchkin went to play for a bit since it's not only hot, but also pretty boring.  

If you've never made peanut brittle this is the best part! Once you add the baking soda it has a reaction with the sugary mixture that makes it puff up really big (creating the air bubbles in the brittle). However, I made the mistake in one section of trying to spread it out and that part was flattened. So once you pour it try not to touch it much so the air bubble stay. 

Here are our finished Father's Day presents...

I love you from the bottom of my heart to the tip of my toes. And... Peanut brittle from your little peanut. 

Some people don't believe in heroes, but they've never met my grandpa. 

To the world you are a father, but to me you are the world. Love, your little peanut. (Dad absolutely loves m&ms). 

We also gave Dad his favorite dessert (German Chocolate Cake) and donuts for all (Munchkin is enjoying hers). 

Grandma and Grandpa came over and we went on a little walk after brunch. 

Then, we went to Great Grandma and Grandpa for dinner. Alex is swinging in the backyard with her Jid (Lebonese for Grandpa). 

Alex loves her daddy so much, and hopefully this day was a little extra special for him. 

Two Years Old!!!!

I can't believe it's been two whole years since this little miracle came into my life. Since summer beak is now well underway I thought I better get her party pictures up. 

We decided to do a casual backyard BBQ this year since she loves to play in the backyard. 

We also did something that I think I would like to keep as a yearly tradition... We made her birthday cupcakes. We could have opted for the expensive gourmet ones again, but I thought it might be fun to make them together (and I was right). 

This all started the week before the party with a trip to the grocery store to pay a little visit to our friend Duncan. I don't have that much experience with cupcakes so I thought I would stick with a box (sshhh). 

Munchkin picked lemon with cream cheese icing and chocolate (for dad) with buttercream. I knew I wanted to dye the icing so plain white would do. 

Fast forward to May 24th, the munchkins birthday, and here we are creating some yummy cupcakes (or cake cups as she calls them). 

I love how patient and precise she is when baking. She always amazes me. 

Next, we added a couple drops of food coloring to dye the cupcakes munchkins favorite colors.

The cupcake process was lots of fun (pictures of the finished product below), but there was still plenty to do to prepare for the party. 

Dad was covering the meat but we made everything else. 

Alex had a blast washing the Potatoes. 

Now I know you are probably thinking I let this little ball of fun do everything, but I will be the first to admit that somethings are just easier without her. So, we painted her nails (I always do it in the swing so we can swing while they dry) then it was nap time. 

We didn't go too crazy with the theme, but I called it "Alex's favorite things". It is hard to make toddler parties all about them, but I tried really hard. While she was sleeping I finished the rest of the food, decorated, and set up the backyard. When she woke up she quickly discovered her present from her dad and I...

A sand/water table!

Before the madness began I snapped a couple before pictures... 

The poster says, "these are a few of my favorite things", and has her two year pictures on it. 

Dessert table...

Poohs honey straws

Doc Mcstuffins wafer cookie bandaides

M&m Cookies

Lambs fluffy pink chocolate popcorn

I always love using these mason jars (and if you haven't noticed everything is pink and purple). 

The front of the house...

And finally...      

                   THE CUPCAKES

Alex playing in her new water table (she was pretty wet by the time guests arrived). 

Since it was her birthday everyone there loved her and gave her anything she wanted. Therefore, I was not surprised when minutes after the party was under way I came outside and saw Munchkin sitting in front of her gifts eating a cookie (she was so proud of herself for talking someone into it).  

The boys starting up the grill...

Alex playing with her gifts from Grandma and Grandpa

Grandpa also made a mini cornhole board since Alex enjoyed playing our so much. She loved the Toy Story decals. 

Dinner went off without a hitch and Alex and her friend Cat thought it was so cool to eat together at a big girl table. 

CAKE TIME!!

I was so proud of her for blowing out her own candle. 

Much cleaner than last year!

We have so many supportive family and friends, and I am thankful for them everyday. This lil munchkin is sooo loved!

And as for the clean up...

It actually didn't take that long, and was well worth it. 

Now to start planning for next year...