Being 2 means...

 having lots of

                             UPs                                  &                      DOWNs

After school snack

Per my neighbors suggestion,

I decided to have a special something for my kids when they got home from their 1st day of school.

What would it be? A little trinket? Homemade cookies & milk?

In the end, I got lazy and tired and never made it to the store.

So, I had to create something out of what was in our kitchen.

They ended up with Oreo shakes & whipped cream on top!

It was a hit. Especially since my 2nd grader, "Hates school!"

Not something I realized could happen before becoming a parent...

I though kids started hating school in Jr. High!?!?

Do you have any 1st Day of School rituals?

I have mixed feelings about summer break being over.
Sometimes it's nice to have extra time with your kids.
I mean, they won't be kids forever, right?
At the same time, it's nice when school starts again and a schedule is established.
Plus, grocery shopping with 3 kids, while 8 months pregnant... not fun!

The 2 year old definitely does not like being left behind!

Mini Water Cycle

One last science project before summer break is over!

C & I made a mini water cycle.

First, get 2 bowls, one bigger than the other. Preferably the smaller one will be heavier than the larger one.

Place the small bowl inside the larger bowl.

Put water into the larger bowl, being careful not to get any water into the smaller bowl.

Cover both bowls with plastic wrap.

Put a rock or some sort of weight onto the center of the plastic.

Set outside or near a window.

Pretty soon (depending on the weather) you'll get some evaporated water in the smaller bowl.

And, that's your mini water cycle!

*This experiment could also come in handy if you're ever stranded on a deserted island,

with no fresh water source...

and you happen to have 2 bowls and some plastic wrap*

Birthday Cake

So, my now 8 year old, requested a cheesecake for his birthday.
Doesn't sound too hard, I thought.
Then, he adds, "decorated like Leonardo the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle."
Great. No idea where to start.
First of all, you usually don't frost a cheesecake.
Secondly, I'm not an artist! (at all)

Here's what I came up with.
He was pretty happy with it, and that's all I cared about!

I mixed up the cheesecake batter and then mixed in some green food coloring.
After it cooled, I added the mask and smile.
Pretty easy. Not super professional looking, but it worked!

Need a Boost?

This is a powerful video message for all the mothers out there.

And, it's also only a couple of minutes long...

which is also good for mothers!

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership

Heavenly Peanut Butter Fudge

Or maybe it should be called, "Hellish."
It's probably a ton of calories...
I missed our annual family camping reunion last week.
Again, due to the hugeness of my belly.
I got to thinking about all of the awesome food I would be missing.
So, I gave grandma a call and got her Peanut Butter Fudge recipe, a staple item at the reunion.
You may want to share this with a neighbor, if you find yourself devouring the entire pan!

Ingredients:
1 cup 1/2 & 1/2 (i used whole milk cause i was too lazy to go to the store - not quite as rich, but still great)                         
2 cups sugar
pinch of salt
1 T. Light Karo Syrup
5 HEAPING T. of Peanut Butter (don't hold back!)
3 T. Butter
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1 cup Walnuts (I used peanuts)


Put the 1/2 & 1/2, sugar, salt & Karo Syrup  into a pot and heat until simmering. Let simmer and stir frequently for around 15-25 minutes.
After 15 minutes have passed, test to see if it is ready for the next step.
To test, fill a cup or shallow bowl with cold water. Add an ice cube or two to make it nice and cold.
Get a small spoonful of the simmering mixture and submerge it in the water. Then, use your finger to try and mold it into a little soft ball. If it doesn't work, try simmering for a few more minutes. Keep trying until you get that nice soft ball.
Remove from the heat, and add the remaining ingredients.
Mix it and whip it with a wooden spoon for a while.
Pour into an 8x8 greased pan.
Let cool before cutting into squares.

all about the boy