Birthday Mania & Confessions

It is birthday mania at our house. I have 3 boys- almost 4 boys- who all have birthdays in the summer, and some are really close together. Tomorrow we are having a LEGO b'day party--- we'll see how that all turns out and share it with you of course.  Here is a photo of a party we had last week- our youngest turned two! It was a doggy/car party since we went to CARS 2 as part of the celebration- {he is two- I was not going to go party-hardy crazy...just give him what he loves.}

 After reading THIS post, I feel much better about how I survive these crazy months. {thank you Ashley for keeping it real!} AND after reading blog after blog on Lego Birthday Party Ideas.... I am already tired! Not to mention that I am 37 weeks pregnant- just sayin...it takes a lot of energy and time to plan fancy birthday parties!

So it comes down to this:
1. I am using other people's ideas-and bless them for coming up with such good ideas and being willing to share them!
2. I am SIMPLIFYING the games and decorations by not using other people's ideas too-otherwise known as making something up that 6 year olds will love.
3. I am using a cake mix and frosting from a can- {we all know that frosting tastes super good}.
4. My house might be kind of messy when everyone comes over and I might not be wearing any make-up.
5. Nothing will be perfect.
6. I am going to bed before midnight whether the decorations are up or not.

Look, as long as Legos are involved, I'm sure all will be well.
So when you see my "Lego Party Post..." just remember these things.

 Two birthday parties down, only a new baby and another birthday to go!
Me and my big fat swollen ankles have some birthday stuff to do and a cake to bake!
Thanks for Reading! oxoxo

Chocolate Banana Nutella Pie

 I came up with this one a few weeks ago. I was having a craving for chocolate and ice cream and we had neither one in the house. But this did the trick! It was so good!  Sorry I have been keeping it from you! If you are a NUTELLA lover, a chocolate lover and a banana and chocolate lover- this one is for you! This is a easy layered dessert- so I'll explain it layer by layer.


Chocolate Banana Nutella Pie

You need:
graham cracker pie crust
frozen bananas- about 4-6 (depends how much banana layer you want)
a little milk
Nutella
chocolate instant pudding (small box)
1 container cool whip (8 oz size)
Layer one: Graham Cracker Pie Crust- you can buy a ready made one, but I make my own. I use this recipe HERE. I don't always put in the cinnamon and I don't freeze it for that long. DO not bake it. Just put it in the freezer for 20 minutes or so, while you mix up the rest of the stuff.

Layer Two: Banana layer- Did you know if you whip frozen bananas in your food chopper with a little bit of milk- it makes ice cream? Well...just about. I used my mini food chopper and Almond milk - because that is what I had. If you use regular milk, you might want to add a tiny bit of sugar. Mix this in your food processor or chopper or even your blender, for a few minutes and it should be the consistency of softened ice cream. Spread an even layer on the pie crust. Return to the freezer for about 15-20 minutes.

Layer Three: This is your Nutella layer. I just got out my jar of Nutella, and spread an even layer over the banana layer. You want the banana layer to be frozen enough that you can spread this on top easily. Rerturn to the freezer for 15-20 minutes.

Layer Four:  This is your last layer- unless you want to add whipped cream to the top, when serving it. For this layer, mix your instant chocolate pudding (I used fat free) with the Cool Whip (also fat free or light). I used an 8 oz. tub. Mix it up really well, and spread evenly on top. Freeze for a few hours at least.

To serve, pull out of the freezer several minutes before serving. Cut up, and enjoy! Top with Whipped Topping if desired. The Nutella layer might be a little bit chewy, but it tastes oh so good! In fact, I think I'll go make some more right now! Happy Sunday!

An Arizona Summer

Happy Summer! Unlike most of the country, summer is a little different in Arizona. It is one time of year, where we spend more time inside, than time outside. The temperature tomorrow should be 110- so it will be an inside day for sure! Our summer started months ago-like in April, and here are few of the fun photos of what it has been  like around here.

My gerber daisies are blooming like crazy- as are my geraniums!

 We have been enjoying lots of yummy summer treats-this month we made homemade ice cream twice! (note- on this fruit pizza- using frozen fruit - because I did not have enough fresh fruit- not the best idea - but my kids ate it anyway!)

Speaking of fresh fruit- we have been getting Bountiful Baskets every week the last several months! Love always having fresh fruit- and saving some money on groceries!

We had some great swimming lessons, and have been spending time at our pool - in the morning- since it is just too hot in the afternoon here!

And this was discovered in the tree in our front yard! I am just hoping the other animals--in the area leave it alone. It will be fun to see what happens- and if we get some baby birds!

And my sons cannot get enough of LEGOS! I am certainly sick of stepping on them! We are building something awesome for them right now- along with planning a Lego Birthday Party-coming up next week! At least they have something they love to do when it is  just too hot to go outside. ☺

PATIO/YARD in progress... We are so excited to finally have a backyard! We have grass finally coming in- it is still growing- and we scored this patio set for 75% off!- Whoot! There is still alot to do- like planting trees- which will have to wait until Fall...

Most of the time...we are spending time in the house- doing crafts,  "mommy school", and my favorite- laundry. (ha ha)

 AND I seriously need to get ready for this baby! My swollen pregnant legs, ankles, and feet are reminding me that my 4th baby  boy of summer  is coming soon-- yikes.

Better get ready for the baby- only a few weeks left!

Happy Summer! If you live where you have green stuff- like grass, trees, gardens, flowers....please enjoy it for me!

Thanks for reading!

oxoxo

Cookies-n-Cream {OREO} Cupcakes

 The Dad in this house LOVES oreos, and thanks to Pinterest, I came across an amazing oreo cupcake recipe. HERE it is and it is delicious! (There is a printable version - on that link.) We made them for Father's Day, along with homemade ice cream, shish-ka-bobs, and fresh fruit! These cupcakes are rich and so tasty- I just can't say enough about how we loved these. These are going down with my favorite sweets to bake-a definite keeper!

Cookies and Cream Cupcakes {from Annie Eats}

(here it is w/ my changes and in case I misplace my paper copy- I can find it here)

*you know you have a problem when you consult your own blog for a recipe

Makes 24 cupcakes


Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
24 Oreo halves, with cream filling attached
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 2/3 cup sugar
3 large egg whites, at room temperature **I used one egg plus one egg white**
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup milk **I used skim milk**
20 Oreo cookies, coarsely chopped (I quarter them)



For the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
6 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tbsp. heavy cream

**THIS frosting is amazing! Think I will be using it for other things in the future. Key to making it so good- is mixing it for 4 min. as she states in the recipe directions.**

For garnish:

Oreo cookie crumbs

24 Oreo cookie halves



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line the wells of two cupcake pans with 24 paper liners. Place an Oreo halve in the bottom of each liner, cream side up. **I think a little PAM spray would have helped these not stick to the paper as much.** In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir together with a fork to blend and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Blend in the egg whites one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in the vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, beat in half of the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Add the milk and beat just until combined, then mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Gently fold in the chopped Oreos with a rubber spatula until evenly incorporated, being careful not to over-mix.



Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.



To make the frosting, combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Blend in the vanilla extract. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar until incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add the heavy cream to the bowl and beat on medium-low speed just until incorporated, then increase the speed to medium-high and whip for 4 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.



Frost the cooled cupcakes as desired. Sprinkle with Oreo crumbs and garnish with Oreo halves.

These are so great! We LOVED them! We'll be making these again☺

Thanks for reading! oxoxo

Family Gallery Wall + Loft re-do

Before I write this post, I wish this fire would end! My heart goes out to the people who have lost their homes. There are so many fires in AZ right now and we really need some rain! Praying for rain. {please keep AZ in your prayers- we need rain.}


Now something HAPPY  and  FUN.

The loft is still in the works, but here is the "Family Gallery Wall". Mostly, this wall is framed art done by my children.

I used a variety of frames- mostly ones I already had that I spray painted white. I want to add something above the framed art- still working on that.

The pillows, were old pillows I made covers for with fabric from Fabric.com. {I'm sort of obsessed with Chevron Fabric right now...} The white end tables are ones I have had forever- rejects from Pottery Barn sold by Downeast Home about 15 years ago- that we painted white. They double as storage.

The lamps are from my fave- Home Goods.

Paint Color: Nomadic Desert by Sherwin Williams

Couch-Costco on clearance

To hang the frames, we followed the advice from all those fabulous bloggers out there- and cut paper the same size as the frames, arranged them on the wall, and THEN banged in the nails. - This saves so much time and heartache of making nail holes in the wrong places!

This is the wall opposite from the couch. This is a loft where you only have 2 walls, then the window wall- and the rest is the hallway area. The hutch redo is here. The frames are here.  Just missing my flatscreen wall mounted HDTV...I wonder where it is...

 So there you have it- the much improved loft space! I'd like to add a rug and a few things- but we are enjoying spending a lot more time in this area!

Happy Summer!

Wendy Mack 5K

Remember this post?

Well this sweet family needs our help. There is a 5K to help raise money for this family.

There is also an auction and several other things-breakfast, jumping castle, etc.

It looks like it will be a really fun event! If you live in UTAH, please go run/walk and help out this family.

I am hoping to donate something for the auction, but if I don't get it done, I'll auction it off right here on the blog, with all money going to help this family.

We shalll see...{darn unpredictable pregnancy}

You can find more information on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Thank you for reading! oxoxo

The Hutch is finally Finished! {another furniture make-over}

First of all, thank you for your comments and stories from my last post. It is comforting to know I am not alone! I enjoyed reading each one-thanks for sharing. ♥

I am thinking about folding the laundry, and putting it away, so my husband doesn't have to spend his free time helping me with it.... {yes, he is like that}, but before I think some more about it, and maybe even do it, I thought I'd post a project we finished some time ago. {finally!}

Here it is BEFORE:

It came with another piece on top, that we used to make a bookshelf for our boy's room.

For only $50, it was a great deal! It is solid wood, and from the 1960's or older, as I found a piece of paper inside of it dated, 1967,when we bought it. How fun is that? (Well I think it is fun!)

Here is the SPACE before and after:

Now if we could just afford the nice T.V. to go with it... {sigh} someday soon....

Can't wait to show you the rest of the room! It is almost done- and then I might actually enjoy spending some time in the loft!

Thanks for reading! Hope you are enjoying SUMMER!

Pregnant and Clumsy

This weekend was not my finest moment. I had a lovely FALL/TUMBLE/STUMBLE in a dark movie theater. To top it off, my husband was out of town, and I had all my kids with me.

I ended up having to spend the weekend in the hospital so they could monitor the baby.

AND today, I saved myself from an almost second fall at Costco, getting gas, and trying to step over the gas hose in a short skirt with flip flops. 

So have you fallen when pregnant? I would love to know I am not alone in my clumsiness.

Happy Summer!!
thanks for reading!

Summer Table Runner {w/ Riley Blake's Sugar-n-Spice Fabrics}

I love this fabric collection from Riley Blake. It is called Sugar-n-Spice. Being that I have all boys, I really couldn't use it to make something for them. :)

 So...I made a little table runner from it. I used most of the turquoise and red fabrics, along with some fabrics I already had on hand.

I also used some jumbo ric-rac.

I really liked the size of this table runner, so I made this one almost the same size.

 I cut my fabrics about 15 inches long, and 4-5 inches wide. I have a round pedestal table so this size works well for me. I cut about 12 pieces for the table runner. I simply sewed these together to make one long strip of fabric. I added a light weight batting, and  fabric for the back. I sewed right sides together, left one end open, flipped it, pressed it, and top stitched it. That's it. I really like the bright colors in this collection.

Thanks for reading! Happy Summer!