Easy Peasy Chocolate Milkshake

Sawyer had the cookie bucket this week at Cubbies – always fun!  Girl’s a little picky about her snacks and sweets.  She doesn’t really care for too many sweets…not a fan of cookies or cake or pie or cupcakes, etc. so we always try to do something she likes that’s a little bit different.

This week, she suggested ice cream and since this week is CrAZy I thought that sounded like a fantastic idea!

We decided on chocolate milkshakes to be exact and fancied up the cups a little so it looked like a bonafide dessert.  Plus, who doesn’t love sprinkles?!  I had never tried the sprinkles on the rim thing but let’s just say I’m hooked!  SO easy and SO cute!

I melted a little chocolate, dipped the rim of the glass in, then dipped them in sprinkles, let them dry and voila!  CUTE vessel for chocolately goodness!

IMG_2430IMG_2428For the milkshakes, we eyeballed some vanilla ice cream, milk and chocolate syrup in the blender and mixed them until they were still a little thick, but still smooth.

We poured them in, added spoons and let the Cubbies kids (and teachers) enjoy!

10364004_10205459994610642_3205280140049613563_nPretty tasty treats – and Sawyer approved!

DIY: Baby Layette

I’ve had my eye on a boutique layette for sweet Sayble’s coming home outfit but there was NO WAY I was gonna pay $30+ dollars for one.  With that being said, we decided to make our own and let me tell you, it was WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY easy!  Here’s what you’ll need….

  • onesie (or a t-shirt would work)
  • fabric for the gown part of the layette
  • sewing machine
  • elastic
  • embellishments (optional)

Step 1: Choose your fabrics, measure and cut.

IMG_2309I chose this heart onesie and a soft, minky fleece for the gown.  We have long babies and I wanted this to be snuggly and comfy, so with a bigger bottom seam allowance our fabric piece ended up measuring 20″ (wide) x 24″ (long).

Step 2: Pin and sew your bottom seam.

IMG_2310This is where your elastic will thread through to make it fitted over baby’s feet.  Our bottom seam was about an inch wide.  A half inch would totally work if using elastic.  If you wanted to use ribbon instead, make it the size of your ribbon.

Step 3: Sew your back (or side) seam.

IMG_2311I opted for having my seam run down the side in the event I decided on ribbon vs. elastic, that way the bow would be seen.  Either way works fine, you pick!

It also helps to have cute helpers around.  🙂  He was enthralled with the sewing machine!

IMG_2313

Step 4: Measure out where you want the gown to start on the onesie and pin in a gathered fashion.

IMG_2314

We placed our fabric about an inch or so down from the armpits of the onesie and pinned it upside down so you just have to flip it over when you’re done.  (My apologies for the blurry pic – what the heck??)

Step 5: Insert your elastic, add embellishments and marvel at your work!

IMG_2315IMG_2318IMG_2319I mean, c’mon…isn’t that adorable??  I can’t wait to bring our sweet baby girl home in this snuggly little thing – with a big bow in her hair, of course.  🙂

***Kudos to my fabulously talented hubby who sews far better than I, that can take my ideas and help make them come to life!

Random Rambles

Oh, goodness.  We had SUCH a good weekend.  (I feel like I’ve been saying things like that a lot lately…but it’s true.  We are so blessed to have a happy, healthy family and some gorgeous weather to boot…)

I showed you the DIY project I did on Saturday but that’s not all we got done!  Wrexy worked in the barn and got two rooms ready to raise baby chicks.  We have quite a few hens that like to sit on eggs so he added some lights and wire and nest boxes to get those girls a going!   The man loves all kinds of livestock but I really think he might be happiest in the chicken house…

Putting up wire
Putting up wire

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Speaking of the chickens, we hatched out some black Old English bantams and ended up with about six roosters.  I don’t know what you know about Old English, but they’re feisty, cocky little things.  The little guys we have love to crow and walk around with their chests puffed out…and they like to attack people.  *Ahem*

Cocky little things...
Cocky little things…

They’re tiny and can’t really do much damage, but they’re definitely annoying……..and they scare Wryder to death!  He has been victim to their taunting more times than I can count.  We’ve given him permission to defend himself but he just freezes and cries until one of us comes to the rescue.

This weekend was no exception.  They had him cornered outside the barn door and he was crying and get stared down.  Sawyer came to the rescue with her baby stroller and cleaned house.  🙂

Later, Wrex and I were talking about what we needed to do with them and Sawyer said, “We need to give those naughty roosters away!  I think we need to send them to Iraq so they can get dead.”

It seems as though every naughty/evil/mean thing hails from Iraq in her mind after we talked to her several months ago about praying for our people there.  It’s not a funny situation but to hear her solution definitely was.  We had a good laugh about that one!

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Saturday afternoon, the wind died down and we took the opportunity to burn tumbleweeds.  Those things are rampant around here and we hauled and burned for well over an hour.

After we were done, we took advantage of our few little burning embers and roasted marshmallows – good use of fire, yes?  This was Wryder’s first time having a warm, gooey mallow and they were a hit!

Yum!
Yum!

He stole two cold ones out of the tin while I was getting things ready, ate two warm ones and then stole one from a chicken that Sawyer had been trying to feed.  *Ahem*

All smiles!
All smiles!

He also had his first corn on the cob that he got to hold himself.  He was equally impressed!

IMG_3727IMG_3726****************

We made a quick trip to Denver on Sunday for a birthday party for a really special friend of Sawyer’s.  We ate lunch with Uncle Warner beforehand – always a good time.

Uncle Warner and a happy niece and nephew!
Uncle Warner and a happy niece and nephew!

The birthday party was a Frozen theme and Sawyer had a ball, of course!  She came home with a bag full of goodies, one of which was a little bag of marshmallows, pretzels and raisins with a tag that said, “Do you want to build a snowman?”

She ate it on the way home last night and said, “Hmmmm.  That tasted kind of funny.  I’ve never had an Olaf before.”

She was serious as a heart attack and we about drove off the road laughing so hard!

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We had a good, productive trip!  We found a brand new bassinet on Craigslist for $25, got Wrexy measured for a tux for a wedding he’s in this summer, loaded up on a few diapers, wipes and a few thrift store goodies, ate some Red Mango for an afternoon snack and took a trip around the Orchard in the little train.

Train!
Train!
Waving to the crowds
Waving to the crowds

Wryder loved the train, especially every time the whistle blew.  He’d look at me with this little surprised face – so cute!

What was that?!
What was that?!

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A sweet little dog named Booey got to spend the night with Sawyer Friday night – one of her favorite things.

Booey
Booey

She even got her own animal to sleep with.  🙂

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We did a few more little things in Sayble’s room that I’ll have to show you some pictures of…we snapped a few pics of the kids for a little Valentine’s card for the grandparents…washed a pound and a half of dirt off of each kid…and just enjoyed our time together.  This week is shaping up to be just as pretty…can’t wait to enjoy it, too!

 

DIY: Conversation Hearts

Today was another gorgeous day out on the Eastern plains of Colorado.  I think the family could just feel it, as we were all up earlier than normal and ready to be outside!

We stopped by the garage to do a little spray painting for Sayble’s room (told you I wasn’t quite done) and while we were there, I found some excess pieces of wood from the shelves Wrex made to hold her bunny baskets.  The project bug bit me and I had him cut them into squares for me while I grabbed some paint and made a heart template.

I decided to make them into conversation heart blocks – easy, peasy!

Step 1: Cut or find some square pieces of wood and make a heart template.

I grabbed a piece of cardstock, folded it in half, cut a half heart and then continued shaping it down until it fit the boards I was working with.

My heart
My heart

Step 2: Trace the heart on your boards.

Ta-Da!
Ta-Da!

Step 3: Paint your heart.

I really like painting barnwood because it’s usually so dry, the paint dries really quickly!

Red = love
Red = love

IMG_3722Step 4: Once dry, paint on your phrases.

I wanted these to look like the little (nasty) conversation hearts that you always received WAY too many of growing up.  I did “be mine, ” “love u,” and “hug me” though there are tons of other options – thank you, Google.

IMG_2143Step 5: Display and marvel at your handiwork.

IMG_2147IMG_2148IMG_2149A sweet, simple project for V day!

 

 

Bubba’s Big Boy Room

Of course we couldn’t forget Wryder’s room!  He’s officially moving upstairs AND into a toddler bed – Lord help us!  Sawyer was in one at 18 months…but he sleeps a little wilder than she does.  We haven’t made the switch just yet but we have a few months.

I mentioned in a previous post that I had bought him some John Deere curtains and I must say, I think they look adorable.  Plus, hearing him yell, “Tractor!” every time he runs into his new room (and then hug them) makes them well worth it.

The famous curtains
The famous curtains
View from the door
View from the door

We kept the big bed in the room so that we can still use this as guest room as needed.  He’s small and flexible enough that he can sleep anywhere else in the house when company comes.

Wryder's side
Wryder’s side

tractor1wd

Guest side
Guest side

WdresserWryderWroom

I didn’t know what I was going to think of this room with all we had to make fit but I think it turned out pretty cute.  The fact that he loves it and that sister is SOOOOOO excited to have him as her “neighbor” is enough for me!  I just don’t know how my little boy got so big…….

Pink is Making a Comeback

So today we worked in the toy room, which is now going to be Sayble’s room when she comes along (hopefully not anytime soon).  We left the toy box and the bookshelves but added a few touches to make it a little more girly.  I still have a little more work to do on the curtains (if my nesting energy prevails) but until then, here’s the {somewhat} finished product.

This changing pad cover was my inspiration for the room.

Cute, yes?
Cute, yes?

Wrex said it was a little gypsy…that made me like it even more!

changing2Changing

Looking in from the door...
Looking in from the door…

fromdoorss2fromdoorBunnyBasket

These hold all the good stuff...
These hold all the good stuff…
BOWS!
BOWS!
SHOES!
SHOES!

chair

Oh the pink that is returning to our lives!

I’m so excited about all of this pink that is returning to our home!  Wryder hasn’t seemed to mind too much either…

DSCF2764

 

My Little Man

Ok, so I’m sure you’re tired of hearing about it by now but that weather yesterday – killer, right?!  I’m not sure how yesterday afternoon could have been any more perfect.  I need to find someplace that’s 75-80 all year round, little wind and low humidity.  Where, oh where, would that be, do ya know??

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Daddy had a really short sale yesterday so Sawyer went with him and as soon as Wryder woke up from nap, he and I headed straight back outside.

It’s nice to have one-on-one time with each kid from time to time.  Wryder’s usually going 100 miles an hour and I’m usually attempting to keep him from hurting himself, his sister or just general mischief and outside time is so nice just to let him be a boy!

I'm coming to get you, mom!
I’m coming to get you, mom!
Look!  There's a kitty!
Look! There’s a kitty!
So cute...
So cute…
There's a kitty under here, too!
There’s a kitty under here, too!

He’s a bundle of energy and joy and rough-and-tumble goodness!  We washed about a pound and a half of dirt off of each kid last night come bath time…usually an indication of a good day.

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We’ve talked about how Wryder is moving upstairs so as part of that process, I’m getting his room all ready, just for him.  I’m not real big into themey rooms (Mickey Mouse or Disney Princesses, etc.) but I caved the other day at WalMart and bought the boy a John Deere curtain.

I had been online looking and looking and looking for something I liked and hadn’t found a THING.  Bleh.  In the store, I wandered over to the bedding to find him a pillow case that matched his toddler bed comforter and I stumbled upon John Deere, uh, everything.

The curtain was the perfect color combo (with some good ole green thrown in) and I just couldn’t resist it.  He was THRILLED!  He held it in his lap for the rest of the shopping trip and proudly held it up and shouted, “TRACTOR!” to anyone who’d listen.

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The dresser upstairs is his new room needed a little face lift to look a little more boyish and a little less like this-used-to-be-mom-and-dad’s.  I kept the frame the same off white color but  made the drawers a little funky!

I had bought some wrapping paper in the dollar section of Michael’s the last time we were in Denver and with the new John Deere curtain *ahem* it was the perfect accent piece to tie everything together.

Wrex cut the strips to size, we mod podged them on and voila – “new” dresser!

To die for, yes?
To die for, yes?

I am soooooo in love how with how it turned out and I have a little bit of dresser envy…

Don't mind the mess on top...
Don’t mind the mess on top…

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Little man is down for the count right now.  We got a surprise visit from Aunt Deb (whom he adores) over lunch and now he’s catching some zzzzzs before he’s up and at ’em again.

Twitterpated
Twitterpated
Now I'll cheeeese!
Now I’ll cheeeese!

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Love my little man…

Random Ramblings

My word, the weather was B-E-A-UTIFUL today!  71 degrees in January, are you kidding me??!  It was gorgeous!

We went to work with Wrexy today.  Wryder went grocery shopping with me, Sawyer stayed at the barn with daddy and then we all met up again.

Learning from the best...
Learning from the best…

We watched cows sell for a little while and then the kids and I took advantage of the weather and hit the park.  The kiddos had a ball and were covered in sand from head to toe.

Riding a squirrel?  Chipmunk?  What IS that thing??
Riding a squirrel? Chipmunk? What IS that thing??
Wryder loved this yellow horse...
Wryder loved this yellow horse…
Wheeeee!
Wheeeee!
Going down together!
Going down together!
Beauty
Beauty
CHEEEEESE!
CHEEEEESE!

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We got home, unloaded groceries and decided we STILL couldn’t drag ourselves indoors so we saddled up sweet Ozark and hit the road.

My evening view...
My evening view…

Old man looks really good these days.  We are so thankful for all of the days we’ve had with him and we’re praying for more…

After supper, they weren’t quite done riding horses so Sawyer volunteered.

Ride a little pony...
Ride a little pony…

It turned out to be more of a bucking bronc fest but it was good watching!

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I posted this picture of Sawyer on Facebook a day or so ago…

Fancy nancy
Fancy nancy

I love this girl’s style!  She loves accessories and shoes and fancy dresses; she is all girl and I love it!

She went upstairs to grab some jammies tonight and brought down some beads for me to put on her, too.

:)
🙂

Jewelry with pajamas?!  Of course!

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With all of the nesting/cleaning/rearranging going on, Wrex and I decided that our room would officially be downstairs and the kids would each have a room upstairs.  I always feel like our room gets neglected – does that happen to anyone else??  It’s the place we sleep and get dressed and other than that, we don’t spend much time there and I feel like it shows.

We used a little paint, bought a new bedspread, made some paper flowers, rearranged the room and voila – “new” bedroom!  I’m really happy with how it turned out…DSCF2704DSCF2705DSCF2706Hoping to get lots of rest in there tonight.  I feel whooped!

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It was just SUCH a good day.  A REAL good day.  And tomorrow…with 75 degrees as a high…I hope is even better.

Pinterest Picks

Nesting has hit an all time high around here.  We’re rearranging rooms and making plans and cleaning things out and organizing nooks and crannies and and and and…

I’ve been on Pinterest a bit more than usual lately.  One, because the nesting just puts me in that creative mode and two, because at the end of the day, after all the nesting, I can’t move anything but my fingers.  Kidding.  Sorta.

Here are my latest and greatest Pinterest Picks!

Appropriate.
Appropriate.
How incredible is this cake?  Swoon.
How incredible is this cake? Swoon.
I can see this happening to pink teddy in a few years...
I can see this happening to pink teddy in a few years…
YES.  Holy, not happy.
YES. Holy, not happy.
I need this quilt for our room STAT.  Isn't that divine??
I need this quilt for our room STAT. Isn’t that divine??
EVERYTHING about this room is great but I love the little nook in the corner...
EVERYTHING about this room is great but I love the little nook in the corner…
What a FAB bag...
What a FAB bag…
How cute is this??
How cute is this??
Repeat.  Repeat.  Repeat.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Who doesn't need a gold metallic cow hide?
Who doesn’t need a gold metallic cow hide?