tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44382089518497289992024-02-07T00:30:30.678-05:00Ramblings of a Real HousewifeReal Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-49917922298125518612011-11-28T18:45:00.002-05:002011-11-28T18:45:48.633-05:00Check out this awesome giveaway!On here real quick to post about Laura Winslow photography's HUGE giveaway! Check it out!<br />
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http://laurawinslowphotography.com/blog/2011/11/21/10000-holiday-bloggie-bash-laura-winslow-photographyReal Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-57249279547709781702011-11-04T23:09:00.001-04:002011-11-04T23:32:20.890-04:00Y3W | A New Direction<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I haven't updated this bloggy in quite some time. Truth is, I just haven't been inspired to write. And then it hit me tonight, as I was drafting a note on facebook about my spiritual journey, a thought struck - 'Post it on your blog too!' To me, that was a pretty clear instruction from the Lord, so I thought it best to obey. So here it is, in its entirety:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To my facebook family:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I am so thankful for this medium called the internet, which keeps us all connected, though distance and time may separate us. As I've moved away from home and had to learn new places and meet new friends, I've come to realize several things. And I just have to share with you...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You are all in my life for a reason, season or a lifetime. I'm not sure now what the outcome will be, but I will say that I am blessed to know you and you have all impacted my life in some way. Which is why I'm sharing my journey with you, I hope you'll read it through.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I was immensely blessed to grow up in a Christian home and was taught biblical principles at an early age. For all these years I've known how to 'play the part'. But now I'm truly learning what it takes to be a true follower of Christ. So I'm asking a favor of you.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you believe you are going to Heaven, ask yourself why you believe this. And then, check out what the Bible has to say about it. See Matthew 7:13-14, Luke 13:22-30</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> If you call yourself a Christian, how are you serving God-does it align with the Bible? See Luke 9:23-26</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do not pretend to be a biblical scholar or minister. I am still learning, and He's still working on me. I'm sharing with you verses that I have studied recently that are helping me grow spiritually and deepen my relationship with the Lord. And I'm learning that a major area I have been lacking in is speaking boldly about the awesome God I serve. Christians are called to share the great news about Jesus with EVERYONE, so why wouldn't I at the very least talk to my friends and family about God? </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope that as I continue my Christian journey you'll allow me to share what I've been learning in my personal Bible study and I'd love it if you shared your journey with me as well. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I have one last favor to ask. Lastly, I'm asking for you to hold me accountable. The Bible says 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' Romans 3:23 As members of God's family we are to hold each other accountable, which sometimes requires that we correct our brothers and sisters, in love. If we humble ourselves and open up to other believers what we're struggling with, it will only help us grow closer to each other as well as the Lord.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I ask-will you join me?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Please pray for me, and I will continue to do the same for you!</div>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-37328020521769322962011-09-07T13:36:00.001-04:002011-09-07T13:39:14.761-04:0016 months old<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh me, Oh my. I can't believe I haven't done a 'monthly post' since June. Which is bad, because she has changed SO MUCH since then. She's not officially 16 months until Friday, but I decided I probably shouldn't put off this post, lest another month go by!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's what Eva Diva is up to these days:</div><ul><li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Absolutely loves clapping. If she hears applause or sees someone clapping, she has to join. And when she's ultra excited (usually while watching Dora) then she starts giggling and clapping - almost to the point where she looks possessed, lol.</li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Her current vocabulary consists of thank-you (dat-two), hi (usually said in a long whisper like: <span style="font-size: xx-small;">hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii</span>) oh!, wow, juice (the last three I've heard a few times, but not consistently). She is a non-stop babbler, so heaven help us when she actually speaks real words.</li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Is a dancing fiend. She now purposely turns on one of her toys that sings the alphabet song so she can dance to it. She's only got one move really, stomping really fast which is occasionally accompanied by clapping.</li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If there is a door open, she will shut it. Which is why we keep all doors closed, especially the bathroom.</li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She knows how to wave hi and bye bye. And as the true extrovert she is, Eva will frequently wave hi to complete strangers without any prompting from me.</li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's so annoying, but she is such a daddy's girl. I don't know if it's cause she's with me all day, or if that's the way she's built. The moment he opens the door (even if she can't see him, but only hears the door) she starts waving hi, doing her stomping dance and racing to the door to greet him. When he leaves the room, she cries. She falls asleep way better for him than me. Ah well.</li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Like her momma, she already loves books. We get several books from the library once a week, and she'll often get them down from the bookshelf and 'read' them herself. (Note to grandma: this grandchild won't mind getting books for Christmas, lol) </li>
<li style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If her shoes are off, she tries to put them on. If her shoes are on, she tries to take them off. Typical diva - never satisfied! </li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Last month, we took her to the beach a couple times and she LOVED it. Playing in the sand was more fun than the water, but I think that's because we would only take her out so far. She's also been in the pool at our apartment complex - based on her enjoyment of both, I'd say she's a natural water baby. Which is a shame, because neither of her parents are! I do plan on doing swim classes with her this fall. Now that summer is (almost) over there are a lot of activities I can do with her during the week!</span></li>
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I weighed her on our scale today and it said 26 pounds. I would say she's probably closer to 27, since our scale has a tendency to be on the low side. She is still wearing 18 month clothes; she can fit into 24 month items, but she still has room to grow in them. She has six teeth (2 on top, 4 on bottom) and her two canines are about to cut through.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's a couple recent pictures of the diva: </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54CSs0-SwMxqsM8-6OuP6Qu1uPk1GoQ2MbaRxpfxKQwExASjbBTTOJX1N9KsjOXebFItZ-0Rr9MwEMe-PqtQu7Pzq-P5lNjx7w_l7woRWbV516PEbRPNLb5UZDgTO72n9GQ7ReYJqpX0/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54CSs0-SwMxqsM8-6OuP6Qu1uPk1GoQ2MbaRxpfxKQwExASjbBTTOJX1N9KsjOXebFItZ-0Rr9MwEMe-PqtQu7Pzq-P5lNjx7w_l7woRWbV516PEbRPNLb5UZDgTO72n9GQ7ReYJqpX0/s320/Photo+Library+-+1684.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Surveying what trouble she can get into at the beach</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtedZRCws_DXYQNwP0H0OZIzVCBvhjW4SYnUzhZ1FAko3lSs3IIEWWfyQsrRrSSpkcJYm7vexW2x-HcfAInd7OjxSG-puZlFpphp3UlaRDIAxV3Vutx811C6iKjPyY2S4WdzeatnOvTyk/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtedZRCws_DXYQNwP0H0OZIzVCBvhjW4SYnUzhZ1FAko3lSs3IIEWWfyQsrRrSSpkcJYm7vexW2x-HcfAInd7OjxSG-puZlFpphp3UlaRDIAxV3Vutx811C6iKjPyY2S4WdzeatnOvTyk/s320/Photo+Library+-+1663.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> I guess throwing sand is a fun game?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlgd-U3T0VI4T_Th5gBvKkJuS0PdIOoxJRFOnCmzAPg4INn-yT17kz-QWkspYrehY1idbWv4dpHfQ7hzAm6uZbvwVkzjyPVnDl3H4fFik9nsnFr2mr9fVp9fWAfz6zQTj4nExlpErlt0/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlgd-U3T0VI4T_Th5gBvKkJuS0PdIOoxJRFOnCmzAPg4INn-yT17kz-QWkspYrehY1idbWv4dpHfQ7hzAm6uZbvwVkzjyPVnDl3H4fFik9nsnFr2mr9fVp9fWAfz6zQTj4nExlpErlt0/s320/Photo+Library+-+1708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Completely comfortable in the water</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9RG7KWZnZzbWQvDXrRjElJbNAfyovjMDCYqKes557RRmHp1wE0O8gG5xrV1HZ0KcOrMZci37thGgNxvWNGnUaPYNfOBMXR0rwu7mf80XJIyw2uGM4UiC2OWiNUvNQJJxfgHdn5tcvcw/s1600/IMG_1890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9RG7KWZnZzbWQvDXrRjElJbNAfyovjMDCYqKes557RRmHp1wE0O8gG5xrV1HZ0KcOrMZci37thGgNxvWNGnUaPYNfOBMXR0rwu7mf80XJIyw2uGM4UiC2OWiNUvNQJJxfgHdn5tcvcw/s320/IMG_1890.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"> First time on a carousel - at the mall with mommy</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5mJ8UmM8Yb31C4wvn1fxa6gpx0tw4v3fU-XvFPyQe7WaOcNkVGu0fkayvp9LFFBqfl_0vqzCZlBQkfxqQfdzjHXHO3j3lSqG7mFAJzUF5MUU5cCKWkxfAUrYZtd-pll_saH1G5DYCQ8/s1600/IMG_1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5mJ8UmM8Yb31C4wvn1fxa6gpx0tw4v3fU-XvFPyQe7WaOcNkVGu0fkayvp9LFFBqfl_0vqzCZlBQkfxqQfdzjHXHO3j3lSqG7mFAJzUF5MUU5cCKWkxfAUrYZtd-pll_saH1G5DYCQ8/s320/IMG_1906.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Typical weeknight shenanigans at our house</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I continue to be amazed at the miracle of pregnancy, childbirth, and infant/toddler development. A year ago she could barely hold her head up, but now she's a little person!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-65739407284495471832011-08-17T18:27:00.000-04:002011-08-17T18:27:24.517-04:00Updated wish list<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In honor of my pending birthday, I'm updating the <a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day-wish-list.html">wish list</a> I posted prior to Mother's Day. Now my actual birthday is not until early October, but it's only fair that I give my friends and family <strike>and blog readers</strike> plenty of time to find these gifts, right? So here goes!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><strong>iPod</strong> - because, it's 2011. It's just time.<br />
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<strong>Victoria's Secret Gift card</strong> - We finally weaned off breastfeeding when Eva was about 13.5 months old. I REALLY NEED to get new bras.<br />
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<strong>MAC gift card</strong> - I still need new foundation. That stuff is NOT cheap. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Nomination for What Not to Wear</b> - because I seriously would like to gut my closet and start over. I think any mom can agree that even if you do lose all your baby weight, your body is just different after housing a mini-human for 9 or so months. I can fit all my pre-pregnancy clothes. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they look good on me. Plus, we've moved 3 times within the past year, and I gave away some things to downsize my closet. (at the time of move #1 and #2 I was still wearing maternity pants) Now I'm wishing I had some of my smaller clothes that I liked but couldn't fit. Just because I'm a stay-at-home mom doesn't mean I want to look frumpy on playdates. I'd love for my new style to be 'casual, comfortable, yet cute'. Does that make sense?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Cute hair accessories</b> - I'm thinking headbands, clips and decorative pieces like flowers. I'm experimenting with either wearing my hair natural (meaning I'd stop chemically straightening it) OR just spreading out the time between chemical treatments. So I've been trying out some new hair styles which would look even cuter with some of the products shown <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NikkiInStitches">here</a> or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RufflesAndFringe">here</a>, just as examples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Gym membership</b> - I miss going to the gym. I'm not good at working out at home. Plus, I haven't been to a spin class since in almost 2 years (had to quit when I got pregnant) and I loved them! There's a couple local gyms that offer childcare and I would jump at the chance to join one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Tennis shoes</b> - The ones I currently wear were given to me as a graduation present from the hubby. That was 5.5 years ago. Me thinks it's time for a new pair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ok, I think that's a pretty extensive list. I'll probably update it once more after my birthday for Christmas ;)</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-15637678230258502302011-08-15T09:57:00.000-04:002011-08-15T09:57:07.966-04:00Hiatus<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Let's just call my one-month gap between blog posts a hiatus, shall we? Because that sure sounds better than 'I was being lazy and kept putting off blogging until before I knew it a month had passed'. My mom had emailed me to see why I hadn't posted anything and here was my response: 'Best of intentions mixed with procrastination results in 2 weeks of silence on the blog ;)'</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's not like I didn't have anything to write about. I always had ideas for blog posts in my head, yet never actually sat down to type them out. Honestly, I just didn't feel like writing. As much as I love blogging my thoughts, I don't ever want it to feel like an obligation. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will note that this is only one side-effect of my lifelong battle as a recovering procrastinator. I don't think I'll ever overcome this genetic curse, but that doesn't mean I'll stop trying!</span><br />
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Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-5601511058552985172011-07-14T14:16:00.000-04:002011-07-14T14:16:39.943-04:00The 'in-between phase'<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm going to whine in this post. You have been warned.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So if you recall my <a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/search/label/Take%20It%20Off%20Mondays">Take It Off Mondays</a> series, it was <i>somewhat</i> easy for me to shed about 15 pounds. And then we moved. This threw off my workout routine because for 1) we no longer have a workout room at our apartment complex and 2) we don't live in the best neighborhood, so hour-long walks are out. And of course during/immediately after a move, you aren't in the habit of cooking wholesome meals and fast food becomes your kitchen.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a couple weeks of unhealthy living I finally got back into the groove of grocery shopping and cooking, so I had mastered that part. But the workout part...</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You know what's really annoying? I can work out on base for free. FREE. But there's this little problem called childcare. They don't provide it. So if I'm going to pay for childcare so I can work out - I might as well join the local gym that provides it. I even looked on our cable for an 'on-demand fitness' channel. Welp, turns out we don't have one here. Sigh.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Two weeks ago, I finally got into the routine of working out at night after Eva's in bed. Then my father-in-law came. And the routine all but evaporated.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh, and I forgot to mention that we weaned off breastfeeding (yay!) two weeks ago. Which is great, but I just lost the ability to burn an extra 200-300 calories a day.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As of Monday I started back with P90X and I've taken Eva on a couple walks (on the sidewalk of a main street. Although safer than our neighborhood, still not the best option because there's several busy intersections) So I've lost 2 of the 8 pounds that I had gained back.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm content with my progress but I have to admit I'm frustrated. I worked <i><b>so hard</b></i> to get where I was before we moved. And I honestly feel like circumstances are to cause for my 'two steps back'. I was at the point that I felt on the verge of being thin, and now I feel chubby again. I know I'm smaller than I was when I started this journey (and honestly, smaller than when I got pregnant) BUT, my end goal of wearing a size 10 seems so far off. And I just feel jiggly all over.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ok, I had to get that off my chest. I'm back on the wagon, and I see the light at the end of the tunnel.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even if that light looks like a pin drop ;)</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-19231588538658390332011-07-11T12:27:00.002-04:002011-07-11T12:27:01.052-04:00Dear Nickelodeon,<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To my childhood favorite channel:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I loved watching your shows while growing up. They were funny, original and most importantly, somewhat educational. As an 80's baby, we grew up together. I remember when your first Nicktoons (Rugrats, Doug, and Ren & Stimpy) debuted and I was an avid follower. I also loved your sketch show 'You Can't Do that on Television' with its infamous slime scenes, and its descendant 'All That' captured my attention during my pre-teen/teenage years. Even now, I have to admit I'll indulge in the occasional episode of SpongeBob SquarePants.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But I've got a beef with you now, Nickelodeon. What is with all the kissing and boyfriend/girlfriend stories on 'Big Time Rush', 'iCarly' and 'Victorious'??? Seriously? Isn't your demographic 0-12ish? Okay, maybe they're meant for the teen audience, but let's be real - what high school students watch Nickelodeon, especially at 5 pm? Most of them are doing after-school activities, working or hanging out with their friends at that hour. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You know who is home at 5 pm? The tweens. The 8-12 year olds that you smother with images of kissing and songs about how 'You're looking for a boyfriend' (the video of which, I might add, had scenes in a CLUB) WTH is up with that, Nickelodeon? I'm thinking part of it may have to do with the fact that you're now operated by MTV (yeah, that makes total sense) and some of that influence has bled over to what used to be a great channel for kids. I just don't understand the need to push 'romance' onto children. This new generation (wow - saying that makes me feel OLD) is already growing up <i>waytoofast</i>, and the shows that you're producing are not helping that epidemic. At all.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I do love your Nick Jr. programming, and so does Eva. But because you choose to fill young kids head with unnecessary sexuality and lust, we're switching over to PBS Kids.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So long, Nickelodeon. It was nice knowing you. (The </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">old</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> you, that is.)</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-79725934234370423862011-07-08T09:23:00.002-04:002011-07-08T10:18:33.194-04:00Y3W | I'm sorry bloggy<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm so sorry my dear blog. You have been severely neglected. I've been so focused on my <a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/06/y3w-my-new-baby.html">new baby</a> that you have been put on the backburner. And then, my father in law came to visit, so even my business felt a little neglected.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But guess what, bloggy? I am helping a friend put together a Yo Gabba Gabba party for her (almost) one-year old. And you know what that means, bloggy? </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Crafting. Which means pictures of said crafts. And maybe I'll toss in tutorials? We shall see.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I must leave you for now, dear bloggy, but rest assured I will be back soon.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">:)</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-14142598668690473242011-06-29T13:51:00.098-04:002011-06-29T13:51:00.216-04:00Just call me Susie Homemaker<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because not only am I a Stay-at-Home mom, I'm also a connoisseur at whipping up homemade delicacies. (feel free to gag at the pompous nature of that statement)</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are some imitation 'goldfish': </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw478e9pBAl4WkZvrrawFtJD8i-Xb17U86g1M45xa5dx5ugEQviUAlVm5_NSx4AeDnfx_584gMCAj0-m2jDUfD-UgoEZSReVCIJCVpA8bzJfGldh0wko67Ecvj88Wj_m960gplrlHS-mE/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw478e9pBAl4WkZvrrawFtJD8i-Xb17U86g1M45xa5dx5ugEQviUAlVm5_NSx4AeDnfx_584gMCAj0-m2jDUfD-UgoEZSReVCIJCVpA8bzJfGldh0wko67Ecvj88Wj_m960gplrlHS-mE/s320/Photo+Library+-+1606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I used this <a href="http://homecookinginmontana.blogspot.com/2010/02/cheddar-crackersreminiscent-of-goldfish.html">recipe</a> - worked like a charm. But next time (cough, cough - this week) I'll make the crackers much bigger. I made them small so they'd be easy for Eva to pop in her mouth, but I'd rather save time on cutting, rolling, cooling, REPEAT and just break apart crackers when it's time to eat. If you're wondering how I made little round ones, I popped off the 'horn' of my turkey baster and used that end to cut out the dough ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8FqWjIjuoec3F6aVMuDhYoAZ6LrE7GFN1exNwCbbu5jsuySF579_esYR30gLj3UNqjj1emUiFlR_smwUpMsbis9Km1dtWsZKiHHtiUq2xro7tUcugS8iLW7lUYvloBtM6-rtP0lc4e0/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8FqWjIjuoec3F6aVMuDhYoAZ6LrE7GFN1exNwCbbu5jsuySF579_esYR30gLj3UNqjj1emUiFlR_smwUpMsbis9Km1dtWsZKiHHtiUq2xro7tUcugS8iLW7lUYvloBtM6-rtP0lc4e0/s320/Photo+Library+-+1610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a couple rounds of CRCR (cutting, rolling, cooling, REPEAT) I just started cutting random triangles just so I could be DONE! But the little buggers were good. And relatively easy. Hence why I plan to <strike>torture myself</strike> bake these again.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then I ventured into the land of graham crackers using this <a href="http://homecookinginmontana.blogspot.com/2011/04/homemade-graham-crackers.html">guide</a>. Sorry, no pics - graham crackers enter this home and are soon nothing but a memory thanks to <strike>me</strike> Eva's love for them. After making the goldfish, these were cake, because you don't have to cut as much. I'm going to make some more this week, but only because I got lazy and left the last of the dough in the fridge, so really, it just needs to be popped in the oven. Next time I make it though, I'll use a different recipe OR will use the recommended ingredients. I used unbleached flour instead of whole wheat pastry flour, and light brown sugar instead of dark. But I also think the honey was somewhat overwhelming, so I'm going to probably use a recipe that contains molasses instead. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the midst of cracker heaven, I attempted this <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/toms-vanilla-frozen-yogurt-36144">fro-yo recipe</a> twice. And I will never try it again.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I will mention first of all, that I have made homemade ice cream several times before. My dad bought a homemade ice cream maker back when I was in high school. During the summer months, I'd make the base, he'd set up the ice cream maker, and together we made our family and friends very happy ;) Fast forward a few years and I got an electric Cuisinart ice cream maker (highly recommend!!!) And I've used it several times in the past to make ice cream and frozen drinks with no problem. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I think the first batch was ruined because the gelatin and sugar did not adequately dissolve into the milk - which meant that when I mixed in the yogurt and vanilla, it was all lumpy. I thought maybe the paddle in the ice cream maker would fix it. I was wrong. The texture and taste was OFF, to put it mildly. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So I strictly follow the instructions for batch #2. I put it in the fridge to chill for a bit. I take it out to put it in the ice cream maker - it's the consistency of jello/thick pudding. Which meant that the gelatin had set! Again, I thought maybe the ice cream maker could fix this, and yet again I was wrong. The texture was okay, but the taste was still off.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The only thing I can think of if I were to try this again (and I'm not) is to use high quality yogurt, maybe even organic and to NOT chill the mixture before putting it in the ice cream maker. But I'm sorry Tom, I gave you a try and you let me down, horribly.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Oh, and I guess I'll add that last week I made the infamous Pioneer Woman's <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/">cinnamon rolls</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT_TnzE_JCFGgLlPnNg716xrSAA0BDMTBVviMXGrcOABvAAfedcqYQkkAe-SW5i5h_t8fbSDrMKEbwiHPvp4XNpAuTM7Ae0ZqwELsDD6Rtj8kvVnPsMy-4m0MSUi4jO9IBcmA6kkpH5g/s1600/269703_10100150728705470_20909571_46291072_4313505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT_TnzE_JCFGgLlPnNg716xrSAA0BDMTBVviMXGrcOABvAAfedcqYQkkAe-SW5i5h_t8fbSDrMKEbwiHPvp4XNpAuTM7Ae0ZqwELsDD6Rtj8kvVnPsMy-4m0MSUi4jO9IBcmA6kkpH5g/s320/269703_10100150728705470_20909571_46291072_4313505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXxiY15d5JaE2F639kAefg4KSVo8vWYyPJaJwK7grYl6VaE645eGa0G2Nqtx0R8Lb5VkGEHT8DEKaQ1P4YyfolDu7Sg-Xu80uDGTPBewMJzu3KzdAQbuMy6evblTBgQCMLhUo7kVETbE/s1600/261577_10100150730212450_20909571_46291113_136524_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXxiY15d5JaE2F639kAefg4KSVo8vWYyPJaJwK7grYl6VaE645eGa0G2Nqtx0R8Lb5VkGEHT8DEKaQ1P4YyfolDu7Sg-Xu80uDGTPBewMJzu3KzdAQbuMy6evblTBgQCMLhUo7kVETbE/s320/261577_10100150730212450_20909571_46291113_136524_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First of all, if you have not heard of the Pioneer Woman, can I ask the color of the rock that you have been under these past few years? Please check out her <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">website</a> now. No really, NOW.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now that you've perused her site (you have perused her site, right?) don't you agree that it's just the bee's knees? (by the way, who came up with that expression? I've used it lots before but I'm now wondering what the heck is the origin...) I recommend that if you have all the ingredients for her cinnamon rolls (which you probably do) that you stop what you're doing and make them. Right now, the knowledge that I have another batch in the freezer that simply needs to be reheated and frosted is hurting my soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That is all for now - I must go channel some June Cleaver at once! </span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-24434031116627074332011-06-24T11:00:00.000-04:002011-06-24T11:00:47.763-04:00Y3W | My new baby!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The past week I've spent countless hours on my computer. Because this is what I've been working on:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxwnDMDa71nMVD_lwn2NZwPEjUJbJMExsJDDHqUvZfVHEKxwQ8UMRkB2SFHqDyfx0OTJsRyruJBzY7maUSfLqejudIV1zVVW_Y-N8oVVVd12I5m749rZBjsDaCxzL1i_VuTp8VsULMP8/s1600/5_9Events_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="105" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxwnDMDa71nMVD_lwn2NZwPEjUJbJMExsJDDHqUvZfVHEKxwQ8UMRkB2SFHqDyfx0OTJsRyruJBzY7maUSfLqejudIV1zVVW_Y-N8oVVVd12I5m749rZBjsDaCxzL1i_VuTp8VsULMP8/s320/5_9Events_Logo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My new event-planning business! I'm so excited about it! Even though I have two business degrees, there's still a lot for me to learn 'on-the-job'. So I'm asking my followers (even those of you who anonymously follow!) please check out the </span><a href="http://59events.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">website</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> and follow 5-9 Events on facebook.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Much prayer and good vibes requested on this new endeavor!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">P.S. I have to say thank you to my graphic designer, Desi Design, for my great new logo. Check out her great work </span><a href="http://desidesigndiva.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-81563752344006255092011-06-18T18:03:00.000-04:002011-06-18T18:03:00.906-04:00Eva's Birthday Party - part three<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Soo, this is the last post recapping Eva's party. Visit </span><a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/05/evas-birthday-party-part-one.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">part one</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> to see the theme and decor, and </span><a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/06/sorry-for-cliffhanger-evas-birthday.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">part two</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> for the food and desserts. This one is all about the activities and other pics from the party. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First up are some of the photos from our pre-party photoshoot. Eva refused to nap that day, so we had a mildly cranky baby on our hands. Mr. Binky was always within arms reach.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31QI-SDaY0XdrHiPFpaulHSyRzH9CW8-UAImRVQZK0-DY6iTVjZF1SffsuL0bO1LOVSzkGj28X1NzJNe5NmNowawEctRzHDTPCiRHIY5euCBAtM5UY7sdWxCz50okKRsXtuzAjFDDyS0/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31QI-SDaY0XdrHiPFpaulHSyRzH9CW8-UAImRVQZK0-DY6iTVjZF1SffsuL0bO1LOVSzkGj28X1NzJNe5NmNowawEctRzHDTPCiRHIY5euCBAtM5UY7sdWxCz50okKRsXtuzAjFDDyS0/s400/DSC_0036.JPG" width="258" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I love this picture of her!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JooAMlu9d-_6QRXCMjTAuEBTOhX1M3V9t7VaXYug-uFE7JQq3qlhPjgde_kC5zjIHuOftNF0reYllXFfA45F3EdRy7FoyMK3QGvAe1X4rphaXLKRWPPbfA3WedtbV4J_ccIXXCtA2o0/s1600/DSC_00047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JooAMlu9d-_6QRXCMjTAuEBTOhX1M3V9t7VaXYug-uFE7JQq3qlhPjgde_kC5zjIHuOftNF0reYllXFfA45F3EdRy7FoyMK3QGvAe1X4rphaXLKRWPPbfA3WedtbV4J_ccIXXCtA2o0/s400/DSC_00047.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qZf28J4U59jWPFDr3Mk5xLBSiFgAj0IPG2aH2b6svfjpf-BjSawTJLsgpWou-XzqIOHsIrY9vPM3leNdEtZIboVbmO-A1SPl7JB57SJDcZp8b-Z16XitMWT_rLHp3Xdkv6t42DsWxuY/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="327" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qZf28J4U59jWPFDr3Mk5xLBSiFgAj0IPG2aH2b6svfjpf-BjSawTJLsgpWou-XzqIOHsIrY9vPM3leNdEtZIboVbmO-A1SPl7JB57SJDcZp8b-Z16XitMWT_rLHp3Xdkv6t42DsWxuY/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbcDDfUBE1GLJPzd96WPtyPt5X86CO6YOTJrhClTUa_h7MxVYI1Z1Q07lbUk5V3pBHfgMXAO2Xm7VFlr9f6y9_cmY-VWbZcSxBqnGpH-bxDdT0ZSJ_lQHHuVoa7Eh7ElX6DoBrNkaC6M/s1600/DSC_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbcDDfUBE1GLJPzd96WPtyPt5X86CO6YOTJrhClTUa_h7MxVYI1Z1Q07lbUk5V3pBHfgMXAO2Xm7VFlr9f6y9_cmY-VWbZcSxBqnGpH-bxDdT0ZSJ_lQHHuVoa7Eh7ElX6DoBrNkaC6M/s400/DSC_0151.JPG" width="265" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She looks so innocent here, hahaha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had a few activities planned for the kids. When they first walked in, I had a coloring station setup for the kids to color and create a book for Eva. I got the idea </span><a href="http://www.hostessblog.com/2010/06/real-parties-sherbert-spice-birthday-part-2-activities-decor/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiBilA6m-UTtRfzhWX3rTQDWDxq43oXYVMxHVbXfQzCeUdSh1vjpgI03H-54ZJXeJILt2qGDL-J6QccgVZ1mKHMtPf5l53qIIuEGpRw3yantcMnJC13rhAZK50o9cZktdgWja6l9tuGo/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="276" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiBilA6m-UTtRfzhWX3rTQDWDxq43oXYVMxHVbXfQzCeUdSh1vjpgI03H-54ZJXeJILt2qGDL-J6QccgVZ1mKHMtPf5l53qIIuEGpRw3yantcMnJC13rhAZK50o9cZktdgWja6l9tuGo/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32cycq-FCEjk7MUmjCCUgerRZ2SImRAbq2fco-u04P-MB9hpelciCTJtAI9N486DacZDlC2c_5VQSvlo4FaIFXOnTKHW4o127x-8j_pVDLZL_vKrPe_YSUSH-fzfe6BI7GDqMHlPMVbk/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32cycq-FCEjk7MUmjCCUgerRZ2SImRAbq2fco-u04P-MB9hpelciCTJtAI9N486DacZDlC2c_5VQSvlo4FaIFXOnTKHW4o127x-8j_pVDLZL_vKrPe_YSUSH-fzfe6BI7GDqMHlPMVbk/s400/DSC_0075.JPG" width="270" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you can see, there is sheet music fabric on the coloring station. I got this from the fabric scrap bins at Hobby Lobby for about a dollar - the same place I found the fabric backdrp for Eva's monthly photos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next we played a quick game of musical chairs. There were only 4 kids in attendance, two were too shy to play and our only boy was off playing somewhere else. Ah well. With kids, you have to be prepared to change plans. Plus, the party was only 2 hours so there wasn't a need to fill every minute with activities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After we ate, I gave the kids a shot at the pinata. At this point it had started raining, so I was thankful I could just hold it and let them pull the strings, instead of the old-school 'beat-it-with-a-bat' technique.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ahhh, candy!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Singing to the birthday girl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not sure about this cake thing, mom</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_xBb-OF6PsTKHWLsbgFskhaFwAXKknHRONAcKxPNLwmCRCiA9Fg8LdHK69hbwPdbVGjCfNOEMLUQzuPtZxPyjUT9y210YyQXr2lgZAo0iOpSHhYKz4ohJs40poYuPLndgbKhQ1Yn1xA/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_xBb-OF6PsTKHWLsbgFskhaFwAXKknHRONAcKxPNLwmCRCiA9Fg8LdHK69hbwPdbVGjCfNOEMLUQzuPtZxPyjUT9y210YyQXr2lgZAo0iOpSHhYKz4ohJs40poYuPLndgbKhQ1Yn1xA/s400/DSC_0334.JPG" width="258" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">She loved playing in it. Eating it - not so much. And she had the same reaction on her </span><a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/05/catch-up-2-eva-is-one.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">actual birthday</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> two days later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The after-effects:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All of her presents! Very spoiled girl!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7xy9KQGSbnuzlz6Z9qX3BQpHd3rMlQoX5_N72ucikTcX0UXfuZJ4hqpFtEDGMOF2s3V_RX4vV12ourH2ru8plqW3iSoZ5NPVOvaqjQ9gvZKsZL4TQU6u8xp238sXXsaEljSmv8eKvhY/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7xy9KQGSbnuzlz6Z9qX3BQpHd3rMlQoX5_N72ucikTcX0UXfuZJ4hqpFtEDGMOF2s3V_RX4vV12ourH2ru8plqW3iSoZ5NPVOvaqjQ9gvZKsZL4TQU6u8xp238sXXsaEljSmv8eKvhY/s400/DSC_0380.JPG" width="267" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ready to dig in and open gifts...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVL8Wxgb0E5i0JoulCwkcnUf1Pn6y4YaN_S3TW4L0m8HdJs7eRrPNlZblZCGmIViOHH_fuRTBXJhahczTF6wyg74tRRgnuboI5bUzIaORISaXztYDzDaxxSnOriQEeXdNOc-IZENzu6E/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVL8Wxgb0E5i0JoulCwkcnUf1Pn6y4YaN_S3TW4L0m8HdJs7eRrPNlZblZCGmIViOHH_fuRTBXJhahczTF6wyg74tRRgnuboI5bUzIaORISaXztYDzDaxxSnOriQEeXdNOc-IZENzu6E/s400/DSC_0366.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy baby!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_qvQnbj-1Unx4ki0dLprgWk4pAeg9DfcljdLHr7vxYAF0x3zmgZoubnYxxvuEAk3f4dTTYQ8sNwiGbBTb5r7ui6fQjBkV16eccOFBY9kcV47j3f-1Qvidjuyj6e3pYko73R7C4nyVbg/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_qvQnbj-1Unx4ki0dLprgWk4pAeg9DfcljdLHr7vxYAF0x3zmgZoubnYxxvuEAk3f4dTTYQ8sNwiGbBTb5r7ui6fQjBkV16eccOFBY9kcV47j3f-1Qvidjuyj6e3pYko73R7C4nyVbg/s400/DSC_0276.JPG" width="267" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Playing outside</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsASNDxw0VhgiDaTxhpbGZ4lm1YU5UvL0qKBW5Kos1uQLzOxNzm__-SoEwSrLGZ2WIzXbqreoQAmOTMabuymuKhJH7TaI7uR09TFA1IbWFCIaARFlF-sSDMSc9G9H1ZIXMX70zPU3E-ms/s1600/DSC_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsASNDxw0VhgiDaTxhpbGZ4lm1YU5UvL0qKBW5Kos1uQLzOxNzm__-SoEwSrLGZ2WIzXbqreoQAmOTMabuymuKhJH7TaI7uR09TFA1IbWFCIaARFlF-sSDMSc9G9H1ZIXMX70zPU3E-ms/s400/DSC_0132.JPG" width="267" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All in all it was a great day and fun was had by everyone. Now the only struggle is refraining from planning her 2nd birthday party ;)</span></div>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-46509290996830502852011-06-16T18:44:00.002-04:002011-06-16T18:44:00.505-04:00Sorry for the cliffhanger! Eva's Birthday Party - part two<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So it's been over 2 weeks since I posted part one of Eva's party pics. My apologies! I definitely did not intend to have that big a gap between parts one and two. If you missed the first one, check it out <a href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/05/evas-birthday-party-part-one.html">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This post is all about the food and dessert tables. I purposely had the party in between lunch and dinner, so guests wouldn't expect a meal. I kept the food simple to cut down costs, minimize any 'day-of' prep and because after all, it was a party for a baby. I wanted the food to stay with the theme, so I named everything accordingly. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's a photo of the full food table:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnHvZwPN2o_znbbNKvuOYrjyVC8K3SJtTGm9wNjoLaehYkOKwakiQbWp2kGTGWadibmxSp2pUHb_U_7C8v7iv1LY_ul75T-lpUtDr-N4qKEmO0Cww7yeorHuXhS4fMsh06r-5Li-7OEQ/s1600/5769200997_1dfb89bcb1_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGnHvZwPN2o_znbbNKvuOYrjyVC8K3SJtTGm9wNjoLaehYkOKwakiQbWp2kGTGWadibmxSp2pUHb_U_7C8v7iv1LY_ul75T-lpUtDr-N4qKEmO0Cww7yeorHuXhS4fMsh06r-5Li-7OEQ/s400/5769200997_1dfb89bcb1_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got a deli tray from the grocery store, and used two-toned bread to resemble a piano. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MrWgSmO72x72cpHmLG9RA72WvFeL04K3E-Oy80HXQKW6lf8ArOUEg-udNmxdl7IK08BhSNSGF4prBMe0rfhEB6TkkLbC93sb1HgK-fkOUrN34UbMud68mXDvzRI8SL8t0-NSNbvLZ9c/s1600/5769241227_88ea526040_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MrWgSmO72x72cpHmLG9RA72WvFeL04K3E-Oy80HXQKW6lf8ArOUEg-udNmxdl7IK08BhSNSGF4prBMe0rfhEB6TkkLbC93sb1HgK-fkOUrN34UbMud68mXDvzRI8SL8t0-NSNbvLZ9c/s400/5769241227_88ea526040_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here's another shot of the 'Keys to a great sandwich':</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCjabTsZCnGvqmNwidjeM1_esd2fLp0x7rhHySdvWXWQMjGVzfHG3uQLyuBPiZ8h6Uzu924ILDJ_PaygvxJITOYnkC6oqAgRM8yPnhuQWGGmhwdQwde1Mk7XhLoNUm5kBiHRytIkequQ/s1600/5769267101_11acb39101_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCjabTsZCnGvqmNwidjeM1_esd2fLp0x7rhHySdvWXWQMjGVzfHG3uQLyuBPiZ8h6Uzu924ILDJ_PaygvxJITOYnkC6oqAgRM8yPnhuQWGGmhwdQwde1Mk7XhLoNUm5kBiHRytIkequQ/s400/5769267101_11acb39101_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I got honeydew, canteloupe and watermelon from a local farmer's market. It was so stinking good. This picture makes my mouth water for more. Anyhoo, I used a melon baller to cut the fruit up and called it 'Whole Note fruit salad':</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr_3R8JmbCkhS6XPcyTG65F1Pn815zUC4ZqL7z1KBuMI0e3tWFDrSHQc_mOfRkb6JNA_aUWJ6XiiNYE54999D5sRhgsy7SwplKxbfBjKxDt0IqiAttXbrAP6f8JKjTlNlHUmoZhyphenhyphen1aJA/s1600/5769734106_03463e0782_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitr_3R8JmbCkhS6XPcyTG65F1Pn815zUC4ZqL7z1KBuMI0e3tWFDrSHQc_mOfRkb6JNA_aUWJ6XiiNYE54999D5sRhgsy7SwplKxbfBjKxDt0IqiAttXbrAP6f8JKjTlNlHUmoZhyphenhyphen1aJA/s400/5769734106_03463e0782_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chips and dip were simply 'cymbals':</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukW3bpEE5CyNA9cSL4DJcCWpLwcPMKkbs-m-cAnQzMpnIHSgcJ7FBsMSQ9mThSdnqnvo7pZ28zpI-9pOtMuhjNebjcdDV9pJchpGMkefYN9wtHW-YYsB01woOHj6ywb6wl_TjO58YOdA/s1600/5769735732_0907607a89_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukW3bpEE5CyNA9cSL4DJcCWpLwcPMKkbs-m-cAnQzMpnIHSgcJ7FBsMSQ9mThSdnqnvo7pZ28zpI-9pOtMuhjNebjcdDV9pJchpGMkefYN9wtHW-YYsB01woOHj6ywb6wl_TjO58YOdA/s400/5769735732_0907607a89_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And had to have Chicken 'Drumsticks' to round out the meal:</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICeHT-tMSdA7ZX5qPbrdbd33h-51puxWwlXEjIJiGILhSmQT6L2n9wB8Iykv3sNTI6klWGG8j7YQY6GZGseImql8dbV5UleREIaHFcpPDHwXLfGKPBS_-G0Q0G40veGXwnJpF-ZqZHh0/s1600/5769737848_b1ca7da4b4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICeHT-tMSdA7ZX5qPbrdbd33h-51puxWwlXEjIJiGILhSmQT6L2n9wB8Iykv3sNTI6klWGG8j7YQY6GZGseImql8dbV5UleREIaHFcpPDHwXLfGKPBS_-G0Q0G40veGXwnJpF-ZqZHh0/s400/5769737848_b1ca7da4b4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The food label cards that I used were courtesy of <a href="http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/02/new-oscars-party-theme-free-printables/">Hostess with the Mostess</a>. I had intended to also use the patterned paper printable, but in the end it was cheaper (and easier) to use the scrapbook paper I found at Hobby Lobby. LOVE her website, it gave me lots of inspiration!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here is the beverage station. I found the yellow straw holder and purple/white straws at Michael's in the dollar bin. A plus about selecting a theme and color scheme early means that you can buy random things you find ahead of time, instead of getting all the party supplies those last couple weeks prior.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcplhhbP_K_PaeeDd521Ru3JBIfu6QXDBQuTrf1s6jz0X0GGN5SgVBpzXqw-UA-X7JV4Jk6gvPs8SX54gx9IdrFPR7pyjirO1JtAvTmf2mcM8GOF6CinUMhfYm0Y6hh0dyEKpqcydJ-Tw/s1600/5769796632_a5ceac8641_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcplhhbP_K_PaeeDd521Ru3JBIfu6QXDBQuTrf1s6jz0X0GGN5SgVBpzXqw-UA-X7JV4Jk6gvPs8SX54gx9IdrFPR7pyjirO1JtAvTmf2mcM8GOF6CinUMhfYm0Y6hh0dyEKpqcydJ-Tw/s400/5769796632_a5ceac8641_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I made custom labels by using the label setting in Word, and printing them out on sticker paper. There are actually waterproof bottle labels you can buy and print on your home computer, but they're not available in most stores. I looked them up online and it wasn't worth the cost or hassle to me. So I left the water room temperature - otherwise the condensation would have ruined the labels!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV6bhuvzwFyn5kvrUv3en86DWKCs8WpG89x0_lWuYJ9MsyWWtFP5Bukw32ao_nADWcjYIwyJlQxMHda-gx8UV2__IQ6G1BxhSmb6X5mH0rDf2USBg-V0mSvwPZr0XZFcWYATz5tRXAgc/s1600/5769176797_da1cf9f796_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV6bhuvzwFyn5kvrUv3en86DWKCs8WpG89x0_lWuYJ9MsyWWtFP5Bukw32ao_nADWcjYIwyJlQxMHda-gx8UV2__IQ6G1BxhSmb6X5mH0rDf2USBg-V0mSvwPZr0XZFcWYATz5tRXAgc/s400/5769176797_da1cf9f796_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had a recipe for this lemonade punch, but we were running a little behind before the party-goers arrived, so everything just got dumped in there - very unscientific! I do remember that it included powdered lemonade mix, pineapple juice, lemon-lime soda and water. It turned out pretty good!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd6RMueePFrdZLNUGavQgzTSDPjqN9ucu0qLocLdx0v7OK5WsLOpTEKucAuX7n24skchlI8Fx41OMIJ4oKMBZJ3Jh7HFLGqlgfE1m4hV77ZEbYSBlmzhT_yenY3mjAEWexH5iAq0C-hU/s1600/5769797488_39c18e8cc4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd6RMueePFrdZLNUGavQgzTSDPjqN9ucu0qLocLdx0v7OK5WsLOpTEKucAuX7n24skchlI8Fx41OMIJ4oKMBZJ3Jh7HFLGqlgfE1m4hV77ZEbYSBlmzhT_yenY3mjAEWexH5iAq0C-hU/s320/5769797488_39c18e8cc4_b.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">On to the dessert table!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5P7RAETjXy1PQqXNzKpbmjBj_6LyfBgbqtqjCK7NKFZsBAkziMJ4SvmoDkB172PjgJR3P4P3OsMMgEapJXzcF4fJ7vzkb0uu7LEEqZGgnJG9ppf2-tyz3JuDCm58n9L-eP2w8AscQ0A/s1600/5769203151_dde3827c80_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5P7RAETjXy1PQqXNzKpbmjBj_6LyfBgbqtqjCK7NKFZsBAkziMJ4SvmoDkB172PjgJR3P4P3OsMMgEapJXzcF4fJ7vzkb0uu7LEEqZGgnJG9ppf2-tyz3JuDCm58n9L-eP2w8AscQ0A/s400/5769203151_dde3827c80_b.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Another view:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fri7j2myrwLg5idMsrOUA-Ehh_KhhdryRW_fsqNkTC6S9dRKlDJ9xu8XBQEuQjc0dcXNSmvsA7S78GKojxFZRQXHfzJ4SD4Es44K0d1y-IR6P80jijebXe-TJ_3aRpA5QzmHvjBRB-k/s1600/5769743548_7818e72f7a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fri7j2myrwLg5idMsrOUA-Ehh_KhhdryRW_fsqNkTC6S9dRKlDJ9xu8XBQEuQjc0dcXNSmvsA7S78GKojxFZRQXHfzJ4SD4Es44K0d1y-IR6P80jijebXe-TJ_3aRpA5QzmHvjBRB-k/s400/5769743548_7818e72f7a_b.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">I had actually made this candy dish while in Texas at a military spouse activity. I specifically chose this color because not only could I use it at the party, but it matched some of my home decor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6f6ANLgWRmiyr8s-9PlAZwkEvpuCYZYiUAFaEClFLb9TzmtZ_P1PTw4bv2UcbaqsjIhqZ-Nx8gFu96ITh2qhN2w1qlLLZAkxFxk7Ay1lJPVx4OoubNDj6cFX-vnl2RPIjsgJj-qEri4/s1600/5769784010_487267646f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6f6ANLgWRmiyr8s-9PlAZwkEvpuCYZYiUAFaEClFLb9TzmtZ_P1PTw4bv2UcbaqsjIhqZ-Nx8gFu96ITh2qhN2w1qlLLZAkxFxk7Ay1lJPVx4OoubNDj6cFX-vnl2RPIjsgJj-qEri4/s400/5769784010_487267646f_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">Eva's smash cake was simply yellow cake with buttercream frosting. I wasn't worried about the sugar content, because most babies hardly eat their smash cakes, and even if she did, it's only one day. Everything in moderation!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NaFgnp6fmdGc4dNCTqzWGmfbo6Yk9ETXe6TpVQ1rZuLHmEisjhplvhlxOl4ItmBq1ED8nhxolsyDkEyd47GPNnDIi1eyi3zS4YOkCziWTrQrHT-73cpSvd9QgBDiZA4t4b_CT2wPDv8/s1600/5769787026_562f3ef91c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NaFgnp6fmdGc4dNCTqzWGmfbo6Yk9ETXe6TpVQ1rZuLHmEisjhplvhlxOl4ItmBq1ED8nhxolsyDkEyd47GPNnDIi1eyi3zS4YOkCziWTrQrHT-73cpSvd9QgBDiZA4t4b_CT2wPDv8/s400/5769787026_562f3ef91c_b.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 'stand' for her cake is actually a little basket with a ribbon handle. I found it at Target in the $1 bins! It matched her sparkly crown perfectly!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I made the cupcakes as well. If you look closely, you'll notice the cupcake wrappers matched the corresponding frosting color.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDBgxe44Sowt8DSEnJYApFrndeoMN3Okc5l86YmDJ5EZLMFjwKmdMJJoXuwa7XpNJLxv5hrhEZuYDbD58JarXq9NsD8BvBrb9hscU9UyfSzO4ayKKaChQJbYZ0mXFLvcgfYqPvrj97e0/s1600/5769255131_9893638dc7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDBgxe44Sowt8DSEnJYApFrndeoMN3Okc5l86YmDJ5EZLMFjwKmdMJJoXuwa7XpNJLxv5hrhEZuYDbD58JarXq9NsD8BvBrb9hscU9UyfSzO4ayKKaChQJbYZ0mXFLvcgfYqPvrj97e0/s400/5769255131_9893638dc7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">White chocolate-covered oreos, courtesy of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetiesbykim">Sweeties by Kim</a>. I have to add that I won these through a contest on <a href="http://www.thewhitelibrary.com/giveaways/tuesdays-giveaway-pretty-oreo-treats-from-sweeties-by-kim/">The White Library</a>, but Kim still treated me like a regular paying customer - great service!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnm9sfUhU6iaVwYZqfQIKv_PZo69ZTGtbq4SNZmxfIYcIjNs7DM0QQddXUS-lIeAsHA5bdV9V30ihnFclxkr88U9DmynFzKjNAKFRYNiszrTJniqFzO9zlZp-H1JDZSukVAjCLHUC4AQ/s1600/5769252163_fd8bfaba40_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnm9sfUhU6iaVwYZqfQIKv_PZo69ZTGtbq4SNZmxfIYcIjNs7DM0QQddXUS-lIeAsHA5bdV9V30ihnFclxkr88U9DmynFzKjNAKFRYNiszrTJniqFzO9zlZp-H1JDZSukVAjCLHUC4AQ/s400/5769252163_fd8bfaba40_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chocolate cake pops - so good! I should add that I used one box of chocolate cake mix for the cupcakes and cake pops, and one box of yellow cake mix for the cupcakes and smash cake. I doubled my buttercream frosting recipe, but didn't need to. So doing these myself was very economical!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6dXhQAJSngH5Bk1_O8rbCKnjRRNPwKT_blbYk4WHMC2I6gN9_A8AImqxrmPKDrO9U2rUsKejhZZhXJFLFKZG9jV7y_wAJz_kyeFT9OxxrCwRYHjjitljpHnPIV4vjUzfh_oYwn4AwVA/s1600/5769181071_f75b38a167_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6dXhQAJSngH5Bk1_O8rbCKnjRRNPwKT_blbYk4WHMC2I6gN9_A8AImqxrmPKDrO9U2rUsKejhZZhXJFLFKZG9jV7y_wAJz_kyeFT9OxxrCwRYHjjitljpHnPIV4vjUzfh_oYwn4AwVA/s400/5769181071_f75b38a167_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fri7j2myrwLg5idMsrOUA-Ehh_KhhdryRW_fsqNkTC6S9dRKlDJ9xu8XBQEuQjc0dcXNSmvsA7S78GKojxFZRQXHfzJ4SD4Es44K0d1y-IR6P80jijebXe-TJ_3aRpA5QzmHvjBRB-k/s1600/5769743548_7818e72f7a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In the next party post, I'll cover the activities and of course include pics of the birthday girl!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-61702879645218494122011-06-15T20:29:00.000-04:002011-06-15T20:29:15.839-04:0013 months old<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Soooo</span>, apparently I have a 13 month old child. When did this happen? I'm trying to understand that.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Anyhoo</span>, I intended on continuing the monthly photo shoots, complete with the custom stickers. However, those 'good intentions' got lost in the shuffle, a.k.a. our big move. BUT, by happenstance I did snap some photos of the little diva on June 9, so they will have to suffice.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I probably should preface these photos by noting that she was playing 'peek-a-boo' with her Grandma ;) </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQRiesMk6gYfmCWsDpsLYBjGygGFl30HMJy9mb0zg5pq_wdAEXs58sOqLfifIxmX7zxZWXRcxkMVj_4Lsikvd-yPDi2i5oIHPtYefDTeqcSNSJRrJtmJ0TDjnm5oVkfidbzepVqYv9hI/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQRiesMk6gYfmCWsDpsLYBjGygGFl30HMJy9mb0zg5pq_wdAEXs58sOqLfifIxmX7zxZWXRcxkMVj_4Lsikvd-yPDi2i5oIHPtYefDTeqcSNSJRrJtmJ0TDjnm5oVkfidbzepVqYv9hI/s320/Photo+Library+-+1588.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ETP6RspJaIgEE_I3khs9lQlv8156iT9tx7YywdM_nEjVZ94I5Qg51MMGmCvZzzYedwU51D4NCOpg2F8GAouYR6961bObj6Akve4LhLa0Wf0I88fb3wGMg20GQBXzpphNniaNwubOM4/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97ETP6RspJaIgEE_I3khs9lQlv8156iT9tx7YywdM_nEjVZ94I5Qg51MMGmCvZzzYedwU51D4NCOpg2F8GAouYR6961bObj6Akve4LhLa0Wf0I88fb3wGMg20GQBXzpphNniaNwubOM4/s320/Photo+Library+-+1589.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl85GpQ1bmXPDJVDyxUFgv_Yi6vAecoygA6pDSOO0Fl8eYBl9hS7zeYITcW4KxHRwqc_blW6yTJDzfzupBLgMXKG-ZNKgOdQihkJfQtLs38hQ7Rhet-IRjGDwy20x8Gz7yepIuc-DFvI/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl85GpQ1bmXPDJVDyxUFgv_Yi6vAecoygA6pDSOO0Fl8eYBl9hS7zeYITcW4KxHRwqc_blW6yTJDzfzupBLgMXKG-ZNKgOdQihkJfQtLs38hQ7Rhet-IRjGDwy20x8Gz7yepIuc-DFvI/s320/Photo+Library+-+1590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What is Ms. Eva up to these days? Any and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">EVERYthing</span>.</div><ul style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><li>She is officially walking, almost running. She took her first independent steps about 5 days after her birthday and 7-10 days later she had pretty much abandoned the whole 'crawling' thing. Because that is for babies. Which she is not. Sigh.</li>
<li>Still gabbing away all the time. Sometimes I think she says coherent words. Then I think I just strain to hear things and she's not saying what I think at all. She consistently says mama and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">dada</span>, sometimes bye-bye. Eva does attempt to repeat things we say to her - most of the times unsuccessfully, but it doesn't stop her from trying! I do have to add one word that me, my mom and my husband have all heard at least a couple times. The 'n' word. Which baffles us, because none of us use that word at all. We don't watch music videos. My husband does listen to rap, but usually in his car without us or on his computer with his earphones in. So that's why I tell myself, she's not really saying that word because quite honestly - where would she have heard it? But then she'll genuinely look me in the eye and call me '*<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">igga</span>'. I guess Eva needs street cred at an early age.</li>
<li>The milk thing. I'm reminding myself now that I need to create a post dedicated to that <strike>struggle</strike> process.</li>
<li>Loves to play with anything that is NOT a toy. Which results in lots of 'no', 'stop that', 'put that down', 'don't eat that', 'leave that alone'...you get the idea. Toddlerhood is fun.</li>
<li>In a related subject, she definitely understands most of our directives. Which is why I find it hilarious when I ask her to give me something and she runs away from me (while giggling). I can tell she will be such a PEACH when she hits the teen years.</li>
<li>Went swimming in a pool for the second and third times this past week and was in seventh heaven. We could tell within her first couple months that she loved the outdoors. She'd be extremely cranky and then we'd take her over to our patio doors and just the sight of the trees would calm her down. She continues to love walks with momma, and just being outdoors in general. So her new-found love of the pool is no surprise, really. </li>
<li>She's pretty much sleeping through the night. I never really posted about her sleep patterns, but with all the discombobulation in our lives over the past 5-6 months, it's understandable that she's been all over the place. Lately, she's been going to bed around 8:30-9, waking up between 6-7 to nurse, then she'll sleep for a couple more hours until she's up for the day. And she's pretty solidly on one long nap. Which is awesome. Because for months she took two crappy 20-30 minute naps, which left momma very little 'down time' during the day. So I'm loving that she'll now sleep for 1.5-2 hours midday. HAL-LE-LU-JAH! </li>
<li>Eva still only has her two front bottom teeth. I have seen no signs of teething since she got them around 7 months. At her 9 month checkup the doctor thought she'd have a couple more break through soon. Well, I wouldn't use him as a resource when setting up my March Madness bracket, because clearly his prediction meter is broken.</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now that the move is over, I'm glad we're in Virginia, because there is just sooooo much to do here. And a lot of free activities. So I'm looking forward to exploring with the little miss this summer, especially now that she's older and mobile - and basically a mini-person! </div><ul></ul>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-10009809603389771562011-06-12T20:35:00.002-04:002011-06-12T21:04:27.414-04:00On a Home-made Kick<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Long before I quit working, I had started tinkering with making more things from scratch. One, to save money on buying things I could make myself, and also to reduce the amount of processed foods in my family's diet. Now I make my own pancake mix, taco seasoning, pizza dough and ice cream, among other things. I have to add that convenience is a big thing for me. If something is too much work, to me it's not worth the cost savings - my time is just as valuable. So I tell people that I make my pancakes from scratch and they're like 'Oh, that's too much work!' Soooo, is putting flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a canister really too much work? Because I mix that ahead of time, and then add the eggs, milk and oil when I cook them - just as you would do with store-bought mix.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This doesn't mean that I make EVERYTHING from scratch or that we avoid ALL processed foods. But I certainly try. And also, I usually make a big batch of whatever it is, so it lasts awhile, and I'm not going through the hassle of making it from scratch every time. This week I'm planning to make the following: ice cream, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.food.com/recipe/toms-vanilla-frozen-yogurt-36144">frozen yogurt</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> (for me, the hubs will get the ice cream) </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://homecookinginmontana.blogspot.com/2010/02/cheddar-crackersreminiscent-of-goldfish.html">cheese crackers</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://homecookinginmontana.blogspot.com/2011/04/homemade-graham-crackers.html">graham crackers</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. Now that Eva is 90% on table food (she's still nursing - another post on that soon) I'm looking for easy snacks that require little-zero prep. However, I want to avoid all the overprocessed crap that they sell for babies/toddlers. So the goldfish and graham cracker recipes are new to me, I'm hoping they work out well and become part of my repertoire. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">While perusing the interwebz, I also stumbled across some delicious looking baked goods like these </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://homecookinginmontana.blogspot.com/2010/03/big-fatchewy-chocolate-chip-cookiesand.html">chocolate chip cookies</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/new-recipes/cookies-n-cream-oreo-fudge-brownies.html">oreo fudge brownies</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">, and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.dessertsforbreakfast.com/2010/08/gimme-smore-cakelettes.html">s'mores mini cakes</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. But I have deviated greatly from my 'healthy lifestyle' while packing, loading, driving cross country, unloading, unpacking and settling the new apartment over these past couple weeks. So these sinful desserts will have to wait. Soon, my pretties - soon, I will test out your decadance!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-12181336255912362862011-06-10T06:07:00.003-04:002011-06-10T06:27:29.393-04:00Y3W | Dream Big Dreams<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My high school was a near-dynasty when it came to two sports: softball and wrestling. In the eighties and early nineties our softball team won several state titles. While I was a student, we usually sent 2-4 guys to compete for state titles in wrestling each year.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Every fall, winter and spring, the athletic teams sold school-spirit apparel to raise money for their respective sport. On e particular year the wrestling team sold shirts with the letters DBD on the front. On the back it read 'Dream Big Dreams' (actually the front said DBD squared and the back read 'Dream Big Dreams, Don't Back Down' - but you get the point)</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> This post is all about my 'big dreams'. Now these are different than my life goals, which can be found here. I'm talking about things you occasionally fantasize about, but don't give real thought into. If they happen-great! If not, no big deal.</span><br /> <br /><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li> Go to school to become a pastry chef. I LOVE baking. And I enjoy taking the extra steps to make my baked goods look good as well. Sometimes I fancy what it would be like to attend Le Cordon Bleu or some other froo-froo school. This may still be a second career option...someday.</li><li> Become a certified personal trainer. I like taking group exercise classes. And I like to think I'm pretty good at speaking in public. If I became a personal trainer, I'd HAVE to go the gym and my days of making excuses would be over.</li><li>Travel throughout the Mediterranean. And I don't just mean the tourist destinations. Like, I would love to also see the countryside in Spain, Greece, Turkey and Italy. This is a big dream because of 1. cost and 2. I don't know who would come with me. My husband likes traveling, but only where 'people speak English' and I don't know who else would be willing to be adventurous with me in this venture. Either way, I definitely want to visit that area of the world, even if it means I only hit the tourist stops...</li></ul><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">That's it for now. I may add on to this post as more random big dreams come to me ;)</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-59455795891466773632011-05-31T20:52:00.009-04:002011-05-31T22:02:31.208-04:00Eva's Birthday Party - part one<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Soooo, I finally got the pictures back from Eva's party a few weeks ago. I'm so glad that I had a friend take pictures for me, because that day was seriously a blur. I was so busy hosting and comforting a cranky child that I didn't reach for my camera once. I had a high school friend come and take pictures - she did a FABULOUS job! and to top it off, she didn't charge me a dime. Sometimes it truly is all about who you know.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />This first post is dedicated to decor and theme. I'll follow up with post(s) on the food/dessert and activities.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Below is the invite that I had designed by Jenni from </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/9designs">9 designs</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. You'll remember </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-actually-won-something.html">this post</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, where I was super excited about winning a free design from her!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubas3Pulah1d8KfIax9hYA7bDitUS75fiy3BvmrPxedi3dXq10OMLBnPaCaDqaRKES_K5EG-TpZAxRD1gldod1Gl8wE8BZ_oRgfmtaLhB-9KtPU78MxOobfhO3ocZ0cQbDzu62i42ynU/s1600/internet+safe+invite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubas3Pulah1d8KfIax9hYA7bDitUS75fiy3BvmrPxedi3dXq10OMLBnPaCaDqaRKES_K5EG-TpZAxRD1gldod1Gl8wE8BZ_oRgfmtaLhB-9KtPU78MxOobfhO3ocZ0cQbDzu62i42ynU/s400/internet+safe+invite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613064679249438290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I knew I had to incorporate 'Diva' in the party/invite. Eva has such a strong personality and can be quite demanding at times. Almost from birth, she earned the nickname Eva the Diva. She also loves music, so we went with a jazzy/Diva theme. Jenni did a great job with the invite, and I think it was a perfect way to introduce the feel of the party to guests prior to that day. To save money, I actually sent them out via email. I also didn't want to print them at home because I didn't think they'd turn out too great on an inkjet printer. But I was pleasantly surprised that they looked fine (I printed a couple for my grandmas and one for a keepsake) I'll keep that in mind for next time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is one of the table centerpieces:</span> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgAnEbomm3ZXCOqaVeUN9rqNB-sDZKC30_eRiAssmLIH__FL4YuwM8dJIO4WVxoX3HBdipUmsdEFrk_IgigrkyoTP6aH6V-2sHKO7aVxdjbh0NSwbARybxPqslqtIKFrbcroCcKCvRg0/s1600/5769174367_eb98410774_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgAnEbomm3ZXCOqaVeUN9rqNB-sDZKC30_eRiAssmLIH__FL4YuwM8dJIO4WVxoX3HBdipUmsdEFrk_IgigrkyoTP6aH6V-2sHKO7aVxdjbh0NSwbARybxPqslqtIKFrbcroCcKCvRg0/s400/5769174367_eb98410774_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613064681577063362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://roarhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/04/martha-stewart-remix.html">this post</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, I discussed alternatives to traditional poms. I love the way it turned out! I found the vase at Goodwill, and beneath it is a piece of scrapbook paper.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Here's the other centerpiece, with round flowers, as opposed to the pointy ones in the above picture.</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNbq58vudRFt8LhCA8OSPb11XotVEYaN3d6VvM_L9YU7yF3KKe3nec1Mp2Dprdaeif7kV9f8h2s-CzUoAxvsWIZXcEpx7-c5bN5zWljemqothQG3MkiFKzVW_Y9ud3amptJnNQXWvAlM/s1600/5769175823_505fcef2b0_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNbq58vudRFt8LhCA8OSPb11XotVEYaN3d6VvM_L9YU7yF3KKe3nec1Mp2Dprdaeif7kV9f8h2s-CzUoAxvsWIZXcEpx7-c5bN5zWljemqothQG3MkiFKzVW_Y9ud3amptJnNQXWvAlM/s400/5769175823_505fcef2b0_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613064674019878242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's a full view of the table setup:</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv36wh9KbMaIGH7z4zhevUameBkARcey2XOr4Bl4VoGZu-bT4s11QkDK44Gwgztitbl-Dms3lQqYQSSH_ZJxdQORSUJOqEOVhw0F5tS_3Ls4DKX-2qOlTHtW6sEQE5BHiXt5dgR2wZI2k/s1600/5769242749_a785f73441_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv36wh9KbMaIGH7z4zhevUameBkARcey2XOr4Bl4VoGZu-bT4s11QkDK44Gwgztitbl-Dms3lQqYQSSH_ZJxdQORSUJOqEOVhw0F5tS_3Ls4DKX-2qOlTHtW6sEQE5BHiXt5dgR2wZI2k/s400/5769242749_a785f73441_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613064667192652162" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I wanted black & white in the table settings, but damask or printed paper plates can be pricey. To get around that I purchased black dessert plates and white dinner plates. This way, the leftovers can be used for future events as well. For a touch of yellow, I set out yellow forks at each setting.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other full table setting:</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0Si4sSkh36RlQnHKcY-mUBMwUzivFvN04MBBLl790N4oJrB-96lbbPD3vrbDNokDgnMx-BkxsSbAXfobu58AO_5vUprtZKtsXujrov9ceOA07qPP1S34y2aKm707jSkeYpOAIMmdRM8/s1600/5769796170_bd094661ec_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0Si4sSkh36RlQnHKcY-mUBMwUzivFvN04MBBLl790N4oJrB-96lbbPD3vrbDNokDgnMx-BkxsSbAXfobu58AO_5vUprtZKtsXujrov9ceOA07qPP1S34y2aKm707jSkeYpOAIMmdRM8/s400/5769796170_bd094661ec_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613063459043313378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This was above the food table: </span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQElE1k-RUXMWlHujbGTElJCTTGFlV8oH7GmrSdEEAWqDuKY_E67SnLPFxUROjTX0EWi-mRPFYqFl_MnG0TFdLD-z20VCNvLargoTDRe9q7q726XIK_oc3WnfPPmFaGhZwCEKSlHdaCbc/s1600/5769181989_dd9c763e05_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQElE1k-RUXMWlHujbGTElJCTTGFlV8oH7GmrSdEEAWqDuKY_E67SnLPFxUROjTX0EWi-mRPFYqFl_MnG0TFdLD-z20VCNvLargoTDRe9q7q726XIK_oc3WnfPPmFaGhZwCEKSlHdaCbc/s400/5769181989_dd9c763e05_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613063424760473602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That was the other use for the 'pom alternative'. I got the letter 'E' at Michael's in the $1 bin section.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here is the monthly photos displayed at the party:</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOUGT-mx6oCtyalUCWqXWjdV6ZvLUWqYO_suXWmplOdRdW6lqBdgdDlZPyDIX44CGeYBKn4u4YLJFb-wBrm-12icfhmez6jNlzhgBUYADiwBcwPHxhOF2GUQCAgcc1XZ0G2L83nvpiYU/s1600/5769184319_d5d41f13c8_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOUGT-mx6oCtyalUCWqXWjdV6ZvLUWqYO_suXWmplOdRdW6lqBdgdDlZPyDIX44CGeYBKn4u4YLJFb-wBrm-12icfhmez6jNlzhgBUYADiwBcwPHxhOF2GUQCAgcc1XZ0G2L83nvpiYU/s400/5769184319_d5d41f13c8_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613063421788716386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The purple fabric was purchased at Hobby Lobby in the scrap bin for around $1! I plan on using it to redecorate Eva's room when we move into our new apartment.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />The birthday banner!</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjozILRckgQ0NbTddo5QWinMsYDCLnsX3TE0oGX1RRRm6FMMMvq1ijkYXGOjOIYFh0DT1_iSdvVkwcXvAUaoytTF7dfY3CrXKQGVHHWHMAHQZc7CISSBO6ya5zDe-9PsJjeFLOYGEkepE/s1600/5769186205_b7eff611fc_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjozILRckgQ0NbTddo5QWinMsYDCLnsX3TE0oGX1RRRm6FMMMvq1ijkYXGOjOIYFh0DT1_iSdvVkwcXvAUaoytTF7dfY3CrXKQGVHHWHMAHQZc7CISSBO6ya5zDe-9PsJjeFLOYGEkepE/s400/5769186205_b7eff611fc_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613063415235385826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I created the letters in word (super easy!) printed them and cut them out. I then used the leftover cupcake wrappers as spacers. They are all hung together using fishing line that was taped to the wall.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />And lastly, the favor bags:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEEusatQm5TBfqjnrA9iCzbqsP2xDR_tze2sytmOqu1GbXyzMKoQ_NtD9IGLWLjCZOaThxsSAc2uFN0egNkRc2vlIX87IT5y_aO6sLgEuMMHMjV-JwwZiwG2Oz5hMtrMJCMRGzFy8aek/s1600/5769242235_b8fedec2ee_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEEusatQm5TBfqjnrA9iCzbqsP2xDR_tze2sytmOqu1GbXyzMKoQ_NtD9IGLWLjCZOaThxsSAc2uFN0egNkRc2vlIX87IT5y_aO6sLgEuMMHMjV-JwwZiwG2Oz5hMtrMJCMRGzFy8aek/s400/5769242235_b8fedec2ee_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613063410716643170" border="0" /></a><br /> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I created the tags in word, using the birthday banner letters as a template. I printed them off, cut them out and then used double-sided tape to attach them to the bags. The bags were purchased at a party store in Texas. I should have gotten a picture of the contents, but they were mini instruments: a maraca, harmonica and horn. The kids loved them!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Coming up...the food and dessert tables and party activities!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-84045794921111881552011-05-23T11:12:00.003-04:002011-05-23T11:34:57.577-04:00Take It Off Mondays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-GJCIW5bwL-cGwkiYWiC6U-y8COjADaFQwC5JHTaLSNrcf9HpvzFH9Ax-eBVZZGPkAEbSiVV5q5XiEPD5qVVKU2dLpNaWzL2LtqapUBYoAHlS6jR4yygWheOKDVTE0iNkRz0hhD-ePls/s1600/medi-blog-monday.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-GJCIW5bwL-cGwkiYWiC6U-y8COjADaFQwC5JHTaLSNrcf9HpvzFH9Ax-eBVZZGPkAEbSiVV5q5XiEPD5qVVKU2dLpNaWzL2LtqapUBYoAHlS6jR4yygWheOKDVTE0iNkRz0hhD-ePls/s1600/medi-blog-monday.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last week I said I'd buckle down so I could hit my goal. Well thanks to the fact that I'm packing all day and my husband is in the capstone of his training (resulting in 12-16 hour days) I have not worked out in over a week. I did manage to get out walking with Eva 3-4 times. That must have been enough, because this morning I weighed in at...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">154.5 lbs</span><br /><br />I hit goal #2! Now I will admit, I know that my home scale is a little 'off', so I'm probably closer to 156-157. But that's okay with me. I'm just happy to be in the 150s. And now, my goal is to become familiar with my inner athlete. I played organized sports all through high school and I miss the feeling of being really FIT. I actually enjoy pushing my body to its limit and doing hard workouts. I remember every year during the first week of basketball practice I enjoyed the next-day soreness that accompanied our conditioning. I am an athlete at heart. So now I hope to push my body because I like being muscular and able to jog upstairs without being winded. I doubt I'll keep doing the weekly check-in, but I will keep you posted on my athletic adventures!</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Starting Weight:</strong> 167.5</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Loss this week<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"></span>:</strong> 2.5 lbs</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Loss to date:</strong> 13 lbs</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Left to lose:</strong> 0 lbs -<span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;"> YAY!</span><br /></span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>First goal:</strong> 7.5 lbs <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>(REACHED 4/4/2011)</strong></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new craft organization box - <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">PURCHASED</span> (I finally organized it all! Well, I'm packing up the apartment, so I couldn't put if off much longer!)<br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Second goal:</strong> 12.5 lbs <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">(REACHED 5/23/2011) </span></span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new bathing suit (</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'll wait til we get to VA to get this)</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Final goal:</strong> To fit a size 10 pant</span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new outfit for my new bod ;)</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Success:</strong> Continued loss this week<br /></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Set-Backs:</strong> Nada!<br /></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Exercise:</strong> Once we move I want to start P90X!<br /></span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-14791082769672468192011-05-17T21:23:00.002-04:002011-05-17T21:23:00.495-04:00Take It Off Mondays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-GJCIW5bwL-cGwkiYWiC6U-y8COjADaFQwC5JHTaLSNrcf9HpvzFH9Ax-eBVZZGPkAEbSiVV5q5XiEPD5qVVKU2dLpNaWzL2LtqapUBYoAHlS6jR4yygWheOKDVTE0iNkRz0hhD-ePls/s1600/medi-blog-monday.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-GJCIW5bwL-cGwkiYWiC6U-y8COjADaFQwC5JHTaLSNrcf9HpvzFH9Ax-eBVZZGPkAEbSiVV5q5XiEPD5qVVKU2dLpNaWzL2LtqapUBYoAHlS6jR4yygWheOKDVTE0iNkRz0hhD-ePls/s1600/medi-blog-monday.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yeah, yeah. I'm a day late. Big Woop.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In good news, I'm down to 157 - yay! So I'm buckling down this week. I really want to hit 155 next week. Once I hit that I want to start P90X, so I can work on toning up. Unfortunately, we're moving next week, so most likely I won't start until mid-June, once we're settled in the new place. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I did P90X a few years back, and got halfway through the program before losing steam. Even though I didn't finish, I did notice that I had firmed up and definitely felt stronger. I think I have renewed focus and now I'm determined to do the full 90 days!</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Starting Weight:</strong> 167.5</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Loss this week<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;"></span>:</strong> 1.5 lbs</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Loss to date:</strong> 10.5 lbs</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Left to lose:</strong> 2 lbs</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>First goal:</strong> 7.5 lbs <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>(REACHED 4/4/2011)</strong></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new craft organization box - <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">PURCHASED</span> (I guess I should get to the organizing, eh?)<br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Second goal:</strong> 12.5 lbs</span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new bathing suit</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Final goal:</strong> To fit a size 10 pant</span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new outfit for my new bod ;)</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Success:</strong> Continued loss this week<br /></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Set-Backs:</strong> Nada!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Exercise:</strong> I'm sooooooo close to my goal weight. I want to work out at least 4x a week. I've been doing cardio and weightlifting for my lower body. I think it's time to add upper-body exercises now.<br /></span></p>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-13232705433677861032011-05-17T10:34:00.001-04:002011-05-17T10:34:00.444-04:00Eva's First Year At a Glance<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Since my 'Eva is One' post was so incredibly long, I thought I'd post this separate. I took pictures of Eva every 'monthly birthday' to capture her changes over this first year. I displayed them at her birthday party (I promise, I'll post pics soon!) but here they are for your viewing pleasure!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here she was only one week old! Sigh. I want another one. (not right now, but eventually!)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhND-4_CDGyUFDd8dAhdJiSQCoxt4ETWFDKCr5uctC8Gu89K2ardRpi155cmiHqwmIS6bYBBTMIxl3aX3umWOAV238fTyy8BtHMrGB7OMkJgQegZeGIOx9rXXVs4SkcYDqHjiHl6owRow/s1600/eva2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhND-4_CDGyUFDd8dAhdJiSQCoxt4ETWFDKCr5uctC8Gu89K2ardRpi155cmiHqwmIS6bYBBTMIxl3aX3umWOAV238fTyy8BtHMrGB7OMkJgQegZeGIOx9rXXVs4SkcYDqHjiHl6owRow/s320/eva2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607140081645299298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">One month:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMeWZaW-Euxi0-3yflGDfWHrkq2BVJGxp2s6UsFAo5wIkFUZSreRkZajDH_hLzKT5mrWHfhCWiqrGb8I11QTUY4byIzovg2T1RNgDf4WW-qZyCBcRLmx9_4Z7ebanLztWOf3rBlXxSCs/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMeWZaW-Euxi0-3yflGDfWHrkq2BVJGxp2s6UsFAo5wIkFUZSreRkZajDH_hLzKT5mrWHfhCWiqrGb8I11QTUY4byIzovg2T1RNgDf4WW-qZyCBcRLmx9_4Z7ebanLztWOf3rBlXxSCs/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607139636119615586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Two months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmC_e5aQrh4QnYCxDgP3y5Hr0GNxQ0cqKn52E8d2OKasp4_Lb2zJ3B3kgGKA0Zdt70dbz4-8298uLZ3UHbUV5G7H9W_NXhpvB4idJ_MNQ2hkDczL6-ClomLTVReg8g7n9JvovU4aZdNzA/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmC_e5aQrh4QnYCxDgP3y5Hr0GNxQ0cqKn52E8d2OKasp4_Lb2zJ3B3kgGKA0Zdt70dbz4-8298uLZ3UHbUV5G7H9W_NXhpvB4idJ_MNQ2hkDczL6-ClomLTVReg8g7n9JvovU4aZdNzA/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607139164085081090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Three months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDhTnb4xK8eGInRkQLzpeNv3ESVmissQLqOaBped5nCzfhMKQrZTEAOIGGkbJ16LZKtxLcG3N-fY7nM96BXJJRqCmz-QPS2vGP_4XIZ0gcXd0y-BLDVyS5HOSt95DhMzuczwJplC-3k8/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDhTnb4xK8eGInRkQLzpeNv3ESVmissQLqOaBped5nCzfhMKQrZTEAOIGGkbJ16LZKtxLcG3N-fY7nM96BXJJRqCmz-QPS2vGP_4XIZ0gcXd0y-BLDVyS5HOSt95DhMzuczwJplC-3k8/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607139164338656786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Four months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRO0Y2QtztTwOt4R_B5Hxj54LdL3TfQl0Mn-pcTWnJYYWB0a-iffBZ11bBcdbyk-lZYUD2LIjOPw7s2mb_9Rnk0dZP60-JoPvyrVQntyv_5ynNcVw_CfhCnhuoYfPPhZpoq1SIzugjnM/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRO0Y2QtztTwOt4R_B5Hxj54LdL3TfQl0Mn-pcTWnJYYWB0a-iffBZ11bBcdbyk-lZYUD2LIjOPw7s2mb_9Rnk0dZP60-JoPvyrVQntyv_5ynNcVw_CfhCnhuoYfPPhZpoq1SIzugjnM/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607139161371450338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Five months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7Un_pTPDr5U2LGYtpj2dJcRksx5jXSlp9MOiWNKFyDkBAv-MFriUwk0IVWjFspIc7gEHIWlkBnnA1njGDxIlfttoBW8fjBxG6-fGueVOuZgwtpTY61Sw496XJAkHj-f5cQPGPkCUZUQ/s1600/5.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7Un_pTPDr5U2LGYtpj2dJcRksx5jXSlp9MOiWNKFyDkBAv-MFriUwk0IVWjFspIc7gEHIWlkBnnA1njGDxIlfttoBW8fjBxG6-fGueVOuZgwtpTY61Sw496XJAkHj-f5cQPGPkCUZUQ/s320/5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607139156990018226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Six months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxNugfmwpnYlmPsTMQFW9KCoIkSsRY_rJGwcqsapa9j8xh8IaOKUQ7DJe3uyvRbDJMsPQ04Vphkv49ddmSe7bGSe10R2_Syqg_8ZkNxBazDIH0903EcmyD0-PRHOgQJy6NpQl4Bld1DQ/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxNugfmwpnYlmPsTMQFW9KCoIkSsRY_rJGwcqsapa9j8xh8IaOKUQ7DJe3uyvRbDJMsPQ04Vphkv49ddmSe7bGSe10R2_Syqg_8ZkNxBazDIH0903EcmyD0-PRHOgQJy6NpQl4Bld1DQ/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607139151270148626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Seven months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHKuBrT65Vr5Tt0TIaZx2UiYnBJ6uTHJUWC9A99mhZp55uwphkVYSEaBbCQmlI91lCAOL5_NAaTIJpkMKU99mS9HSX-pqjZA6Ho86ENVDgUZ9sDi0fm2KAp44N6bHnnEtS__LK6c2L_g/s1600/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHKuBrT65Vr5Tt0TIaZx2UiYnBJ6uTHJUWC9A99mhZp55uwphkVYSEaBbCQmlI91lCAOL5_NAaTIJpkMKU99mS9HSX-pqjZA6Ho86ENVDgUZ9sDi0fm2KAp44N6bHnnEtS__LK6c2L_g/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607138278423571762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Eight months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLPH6Z71TOBWRooKJIVycD15EmOtYU9Mahd-FEeyhN6xSIBBnslUT4mDa5P77JYwMbGvLyw9BbO-NFEnl_WJBzHu04HZQtXnVVqxBEMmkj0SfjgNZDXaOyvw-c0Y0ZE5cnSAz6eDDCHw/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLPH6Z71TOBWRooKJIVycD15EmOtYU9Mahd-FEeyhN6xSIBBnslUT4mDa5P77JYwMbGvLyw9BbO-NFEnl_WJBzHu04HZQtXnVVqxBEMmkj0SfjgNZDXaOyvw-c0Y0ZE5cnSAz6eDDCHw/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607138277804760434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Nine months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt7npjqZx2NOnYfGUP21-2nUiU7-VBISzG6p5xWELOzYV35OfzP7xjeAVZqS1dxU_tsDQ9FvSqdxiuYDPv6rbSrJjxSkTxeHjYWjPcSyl-fdYnsBSFNKB9ruxD0e8Zft1AjiFIENKuzE/s1600/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDt7npjqZx2NOnYfGUP21-2nUiU7-VBISzG6p5xWELOzYV35OfzP7xjeAVZqS1dxU_tsDQ9FvSqdxiuYDPv6rbSrJjxSkTxeHjYWjPcSyl-fdYnsBSFNKB9ruxD0e8Zft1AjiFIENKuzE/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607138272869998594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Ten months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru3jOb8YYW0bLUGkd-1kxzJY-7whfZxBcuNzEU6BbxkqqOGbnwmcmqsF0rrgR9kmG4ZTpBqoGyXoom61_m9S4RkL2jwP41X6k5A96a0F5eL59p8di6uyylJ8Sig_iG1Qcy-7nWc69gk8/s1600/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhru3jOb8YYW0bLUGkd-1kxzJY-7whfZxBcuNzEU6BbxkqqOGbnwmcmqsF0rrgR9kmG4ZTpBqoGyXoom61_m9S4RkL2jwP41X6k5A96a0F5eL59p8di6uyylJ8Sig_iG1Qcy-7nWc69gk8/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607138269950774178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Eleven months:</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjevS-oTkOmA26NjcaCiM54FsEdf9L816Q7uCiGASMy4QoTkAB-rPa7iU3IDCN7sc0jWtbSDz5ZyjcKpc6soSUIaSyLMwnkqgBrx1gdKVxm928sLCFYr9Q6nstDSU7eBl6ZwK5Yt6cmzg/s1600/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjevS-oTkOmA26NjcaCiM54FsEdf9L816Q7uCiGASMy4QoTkAB-rPa7iU3IDCN7sc0jWtbSDz5ZyjcKpc6soSUIaSyLMwnkqgBrx1gdKVxm928sLCFYr9Q6nstDSU7eBl6ZwK5Yt6cmzg/s320/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607138264818122658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">One year old!!!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRPoGT1Wz1yRZTja-zFW90Dj2PJPjICH9PT4OZdZgMBabpK4dcuQAgT0yWy6JXlHIw52ze9WMxDPTyL3Sbbk9TIQbJV7j61OZbqKpXoSA4nhQNLmR43Udo_UNu8u3sRHV-1xBu4EsFk8/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkRPoGT1Wz1yRZTja-zFW90Dj2PJPjICH9PT4OZdZgMBabpK4dcuQAgT0yWy6JXlHIw52ze9WMxDPTyL3Sbbk9TIQbJV7j61OZbqKpXoSA4nhQNLmR43Udo_UNu8u3sRHV-1xBu4EsFk8/s320/Photo+Library+-+1570.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607141301648047970" border="0" /></a>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-43663377414214976372011-05-15T22:06:00.008-04:002011-05-15T23:19:58.581-04:00Catch-up #2 - Eva is one!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm still in shock. I can't quite believe that my baby is now a toddler. It's a little too much to take in. It is so cliche, but so true, that the time flies by. I really do feel like just yesterday we brought home this little snuggly newborn. Now we have a little girl with a growing personality. (including some major 'tude! I mean I've heard of the 'terrible twos', but what about the 'onerous ones'? Because my little missy has already thrown her share of mini-tantrums. I already fear the teenage years - but I digress...)</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />To celebrate her birthday, she had a fun-filled day with Momma.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Don't you love this little outfit?!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZXY0HzuLOd2VuYsV8tecRpTqIeqPECGH99HgViMyPpPxTHtnBv7ZGaJ-c5NJwjiKdfpju_A70rQDhnweIhXKzJIQTCzKUPqtFTMvYY76OjvqscEQMCHe_ZbJpsWgDKvdGdEoR-hkjWo/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZXY0HzuLOd2VuYsV8tecRpTqIeqPECGH99HgViMyPpPxTHtnBv7ZGaJ-c5NJwjiKdfpju_A70rQDhnweIhXKzJIQTCzKUPqtFTMvYY76OjvqscEQMCHe_ZbJpsWgDKvdGdEoR-hkjWo/s320/Photo+Library+-+1570.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607146552541559122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">First we went to a MOMS club activity (and I forgot to take pictures, oops!). Then it was back home for naptime. For lunch we tried CiCi's Pizza Buffet (that was my first time there, and I was excited to try it - honestly, it's just okay)</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Here's Eva at Cici's (waiting on Momma to give her some more pizza)</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92ElEfia1DxiTi4zqRDbj9x_m7p24adiRhhbdEt1A52yqliyKS-CIpGFM7vvyUrNAuUBF2LXiZTzKxbIGWBggGNWbEZTVfNC8j2DeUifeWyJkzkv7NMiF-LRzO71wCBlKvgEyaPIlnFw/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1571.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92ElEfia1DxiTi4zqRDbj9x_m7p24adiRhhbdEt1A52yqliyKS-CIpGFM7vvyUrNAuUBF2LXiZTzKxbIGWBggGNWbEZTVfNC8j2DeUifeWyJkzkv7NMiF-LRzO71wCBlKvgEyaPIlnFw/s320/Photo+Library+-+1571.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607145461537783090" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While we were there, these little girls came up to say hi. Then they left to play in the arcade with their mom. I was chatting with the dad and mentioned that it was Eva's birthday. He headed back to meet up with his family. On their way out, they stopped at our table to give Eva a toy. It was so sweet!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-I4_Zt0Qqw4_fBCdzFAwjTawMuGtrtQ05BNxo4gJZcCnP1OQEsF9Pc_vXm5Rtod-o6qEWFWq_lg0XkD66bS3F1zjyBTEge2TrnvvtWqMU5FdgxFJFrODQg6npoFfi3Z3dhMBJnUNAB8/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1573.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-I4_Zt0Qqw4_fBCdzFAwjTawMuGtrtQ05BNxo4gJZcCnP1OQEsF9Pc_vXm5Rtod-o6qEWFWq_lg0XkD66bS3F1zjyBTEge2TrnvvtWqMU5FdgxFJFrODQg6npoFfi3Z3dhMBJnUNAB8/s320/Photo+Library+-+1573.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607145455652282930" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After lunch, we headed to the local mall. There's a kids play area there that we've been to before for MOMS club playdates. She enjoyed the opportunity to just crawl and walk around without Momma saying 'no' or 'leave that alone' or 'stop', lol.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDgOvs8tKlGgBE9RexW5qyFL2QOicQRoR1wdcHotYJEVwnq4aGVaFxrnE4ERiLrAisrqrK8u3ePPaKOIHmsMSCHhljeChyksLy-TAjFzzqtplt_koBu4rVFcsZVwz0bdEOpCmk6_PE1U/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1574.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDgOvs8tKlGgBE9RexW5qyFL2QOicQRoR1wdcHotYJEVwnq4aGVaFxrnE4ERiLrAisrqrK8u3ePPaKOIHmsMSCHhljeChyksLy-TAjFzzqtplt_koBu4rVFcsZVwz0bdEOpCmk6_PE1U/s320/Photo+Library+-+1574.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607145456456225026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFNKu77Bz7uhIe7-Ou3az31_6WHDhPOnS8tQ5ZvkscO5Y2lf8t2wvDC7ERYBDoHbv9ICcIbHWqwtmGIKlbUjDMSjnLffwU_v7GOZy9_VwlEE8pIUn8kJdeUqtMO-EqXjVWAQu6YlI_5w/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1578.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFNKu77Bz7uhIe7-Ou3az31_6WHDhPOnS8tQ5ZvkscO5Y2lf8t2wvDC7ERYBDoHbv9ICcIbHWqwtmGIKlbUjDMSjnLffwU_v7GOZy9_VwlEE8pIUn8kJdeUqtMO-EqXjVWAQu6YlI_5w/s320/Photo+Library+-+1578.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607145451366643698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We BRIEFLY stopped by the park, so she could enjoy the swing. It was honestly 100+ degrees that day, so we were there less than 10 minutes.</span> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuNFm2-5_8j1ANOwBcvRWuKJcdFXGNPMOIzMVDz_GJZGbFkpnMotC3hyphenhyphenV_NaLOkms6-jjrnxdgS_0nJ-66T87-JKEEUV09Nb5PIGrs9yxByplxMu36PrxgBSF6Xxn1p4ecYAqpw73ZoU/s1600/IMG00087-20110509-1338.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuNFm2-5_8j1ANOwBcvRWuKJcdFXGNPMOIzMVDz_GJZGbFkpnMotC3hyphenhyphenV_NaLOkms6-jjrnxdgS_0nJ-66T87-JKEEUV09Nb5PIGrs9yxByplxMu36PrxgBSF6Xxn1p4ecYAqpw73ZoU/s320/IMG00087-20110509-1338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607146545481613682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(cell pic)</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When my husband came home we had dinner, then sang happy birthday and allowed Eva another shot at a cake smash. I wanted to film it, but my camera was almost dead, so I could only snap one pic.</span> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHwnKyW9vqfsnEx6g34GAglH-cil2UYrcv2FgfXgD-X3FrFOlTPgZFvTWkvMZ725UwIcJeCT-zfPb4PF3dsAwC_EKnbMzj2Fhi06fvftnZAl44SEvsJSQ3kV3EcnvkcDdfiDt2yDmMWg/s1600/Photo+Library+-+1579.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHwnKyW9vqfsnEx6g34GAglH-cil2UYrcv2FgfXgD-X3FrFOlTPgZFvTWkvMZ725UwIcJeCT-zfPb4PF3dsAwC_EKnbMzj2Fhi06fvftnZAl44SEvsJSQ3kV3EcnvkcDdfiDt2yDmMWg/s320/Photo+Library+-+1579.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607145447184497426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Smash? - yes. Eat? - heck no!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's all the new things Eva Diva is up to this month:</span> <ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>Can stand on her own. And she's working on getting up from sitting to standing without pulling up on something or someone.</li><li>Waves hi and bye-bye.</li><li>FINALLY says 'Momma'! But considering her diva attitude, a lot of times she says it in a demanding way. Le sigh.</li><li>She repeats words. Now they usually don't sound right, but you can tell that she's trying to repeat what you just said to her.</li><li>Is very 'helpful' - tries to help me when putting on her clothes or strapping her into the carseat.</li><li>She's solidly on table food. Occasionally I give her baby purees, but she pretty much eats whatever we eat for breakfast lunch and dinner. Now the whole weaning thing...eh, I think that 'process' deserves it's own post</li><li>And I'm sure you're wondering...</li></ul> <ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>YES, she is walking - somewhat. She took her first true independent, unassisted steps on Friday. So now she can do spurts of 4-7 steps before falling on her bum. Plus, since she's learning how to stand without pulling up, I'm sure within a couple weeks she'll have this whole 'walking' thing down pat.</li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Miss Thing had her one year checkup on Wednesday (2 days after her birthday - I just couldn't fathom subjecting her to shots on her day!) The doctor said she's developing well.<br /><br />Here are her stats:</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Height: 30 in (75% percentile)</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Weight 24 lbs 5 oz (90% - although that's still big, from 1-6 months, she was off the charts. So this shows that she's not growing at the same rate)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm so so so so so so so thankful that God blessed me with this spunky, funny, cuddly, strong, acrobatic, talkative little diva. Now on to year #2!</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br />P.S. Her birthday party was last Saturday. As soon as I have pics, I will devote a post to recap!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-65530331448898767502011-05-13T23:08:00.002-04:002011-05-13T23:17:07.493-04:00Y3W | Mother's Day Gift<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the infamous words of Al Pacino, "Say hello to my little friend!"</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/ipad-2-details/apple-ipad-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 243px;" src="http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/ipad-2-details/apple-ipad-2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">That's right my friends. My hubby bought me a brand-spanking new iPad 2 for my first Mother's Day. When I put in on my gift wish list, I honestly thought maybe by Christmas of this year I would be graced with this delicious work of art. But I, thankfully, was wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When my husband picked us up from the airport on Sunday, he presented me with a card. And the card was so heartfelt, especially with the message he wrote inside. In that last line he informed me about the technological beauty I would soon be meeting. Unfortunately, they are currently on back-order, so it probably won't arrive on our doorstep until late next week at the earliest. But I am PUMPED to say the least.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I reserve the right to become that annoying person that is always connected to their gadget of choice. I mean come on, it IS an iPad after all ;)</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-84287873701136976942011-05-12T14:16:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:46:54.680-04:00Catch-up #1 - Take it off...Thursdays?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-GJCIW5bwL-cGwkiYWiC6U-y8COjADaFQwC5JHTaLSNrcf9HpvzFH9Ax-eBVZZGPkAEbSiVV5q5XiEPD5qVVKU2dLpNaWzL2LtqapUBYoAHlS6jR4yygWheOKDVTE0iNkRz0hhD-ePls/s1600/medi-blog-monday.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-GJCIW5bwL-cGwkiYWiC6U-y8COjADaFQwC5JHTaLSNrcf9HpvzFH9Ax-eBVZZGPkAEbSiVV5q5XiEPD5qVVKU2dLpNaWzL2LtqapUBYoAHlS6jR4yygWheOKDVTE0iNkRz0hhD-ePls/s1600/medi-blog-monday.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Ok, I know, I know. I have been very negligent about posting my weight-loss check-ins. But in my previous post, I explained why I've been MIA. So let's skip the apologies and just get to it ;)<br /><br />(So I was thinking I only missed 2 weigh-ins, but apparently I missed THREE!) </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even though I was traveling, away from my home (meaning I was not grocery shopping or planning my meals), attending parties and baking for Eva's party, I managed to not only maintain my weight loss, but also lose a teeny bit. It might have something to do with the fact that I worked out the night before my Monday weigh-in, but either way, I'm happy to be at 158.5.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While I was home, I got a lot of comments from friends and family about my new shape. I tend to be a modest person and sometimes it's hard for me to celebrate my accomplishments - I don't want to brag or lose humility. But I did stop and allow myself to accept their compliments. I think in the past I was so focused on my end weight-loss goal that I couldn't enjoy the small goals I reached along the way. Which in the end, I think, led me to get frustrated and not hold on to healthy lifestyle habits. And the funny thing is, in this week's episode of Biggest Loser, one of the contestants had the same 'ah-ha!' moment as me ;)</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So here it is at a glance:</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Starting Weight:</strong> 167.5</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Loss this week, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">er, 3 weeks (oops!)</span>:</strong> 1.5 lbs</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Loss to date:</strong> 9 lbs</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Weight Left to lose:</strong> 3.5 lbs</span></div><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>First goal:</strong> 7.5 lbs <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><strong>(REACHED 4/4/2011)</strong></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new craft organization box - <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">PURCHASED</span> (I guess I should get to the organizing, eh?)<br /></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Second goal:</strong> 12.5 lbs</span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new bathing suit</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Final goal:</strong> To fit a size 10 pant</span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Reward: A new outfit for my new bod ;)</span></li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Success:</strong> Losing weight while <span style="font-style: italic;">technically</span> on vacation!<br /></span><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Set-Backs:</strong> I didn't work out as much as I wanted in Ohio, but I've gotten back into my groove this week.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Exercise:</strong> I'm pretty close to my goal weight. I want to work out at least 4x a week. And walks with Eva will just be a bonus.</span></p>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-8928804825584474752011-05-12T12:22:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:46:54.612-04:00'It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you...'<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Two snaps for anyone that can name the song where I got the line for this post title ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Wow, so it's been about 10 days since I've posted. In the real world, not hearing from someone for 10 days isn't that bad. In the blogosphere that is almost like falling off the face of the earth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I apologize for my absence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In all fairness, last week I was preparing for Eva's birthday party, packing to return home to Texas, and preparing for Mother's Day and a friend's college graduation. It was a busy week to say the least.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And I would say things have slowed down since I got back Sunday, but no. We are moving cross-country in 2 weeks. So cue the mad dash to get all moving-related tasks complete (and since we are military, there are several other 'to-dos' on our list than the civilian crowd. sigh.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">To top it all off, a group of my sorority sisters and their significant others and their children are planning to come visit us in Virginia at the beginning of August. Which is great and I'm sooooo excited! But being the resident event planner of the group, as well as the 'official host' that weekend, I started working on an itinerary for everyone, so they can make travel arrangements.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oh and somewhere in that madness, I think my baby celebrated her first birthday? Eeek.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So since I have so much to fill everyone in on, I'm going to split it up in several posts. And cue the brain dump of thoughts and activities over the past two weeks...</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-24801892239707861852011-05-01T21:06:00.004-04:002011-05-01T22:11:09.602-04:00Mother's Day Wish List<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Since Mother's Day is next week, I thought I'd put together a wish list fo what I'd love to get. Now, I understand that my child is barely a year old and probably won't be headed out to the stores to shop for me this week. BUT, everytime my birthday/Christmas/other occasion comes up and family/friends ask me what I want I can never think of anything. So really, I'm putting this list together as a resource should anyone want to buy me something. (hint, hint, husband ;) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>iPod</strong> - because, it's 2011. It's just time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>iPad</strong> - I actually want this for business purposes. I would love to use it when meeting with vendors or clients, and I'm sure there are/will-soon-be plenty of event planning apps available.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Flip camera</strong> - I also want this for my business, but I won't tell you how I'd use it, because I've yet to see other event planners do want I plan to do.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Pedicure</strong> - I normally do my own feet because 1 - I'm cheap and 2 - I don't particularly like people to touch my feet. But I got one last year a week before I had Eva, because logistically I just couldn't do it! And I finally understood why people pay a professional. My feet were baby soft for weeks. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Victoria's Secret Gift card</strong> - once I'm done nursing (hopefully in the next few weeks!) I NEED to get new bras.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>MAC gift card</strong> - I need new foundation. That stuff is NOT cheap.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That's it for now. But I may add to it if I think of more...</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4438208951849728999.post-74262547920611768952011-04-29T15:25:00.004-04:002011-04-29T15:55:21.951-04:00Y3W<div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#000099;">Home <span style="color:#ff6600;">SWEET</span> Home</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This Y3W has a double meaning for me. First of all, my mom, Eva and I travelled over the highways to Virginia on Tuesday. I would love to say we were there for pleasure, but this trip was all business! We went there to search for a new place for our family to live once we PCS (for non-military people, that means <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>P</strong></span>ermanent <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>C</strong></span>hange of <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>S</strong></span>tation) this summer.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I was dreading this trip. Normally I am a 'rider' on long drives. Both my husband and dad like driving on long treks. Unfortunately, neither of them was with us, which meant my mom and I would be doing the driving. And to top it off, the weather was predicted to be rainy and gloomy for most of the trip.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When we got there, we quickly changed and got out and about looking at places. And we saw a lot in the 1.5 days we were there. In case you weren't aware, the housing market in Virginia is a <em>little</em> on the expensive side. (especially compared to our current home-state of Texas which is on the cheap side of the spectrum!) And since I'm not working, we have to budget our expenses off the small housing allowance we get from the Air Force. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So the apartments/houses that were in our price range were depressing me. They would be cute, but tiny and lacking storage. Or I'd have to sacrifice a bedroom and/or bathroom. Or they would be in a not-so-desirable part of town. So after 1.5 days of this, I decided to just make a spreadsheet of everything I saw, so my husband and I could look at everything and just pick the best available option. I was discouraged to say the least.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I had a couple more apartments left on my list, that I had ruled out because they were a little far from the base (or so I thought at the time). Yesterday morning, before we left, I decided to stop by these apartments on the way home. I mean, what could it hurt, right? Well, we only ended up looking at one.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Because it is THE one!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is a 3 bed, 2.5 bath townhome, with washer/dryer connections, a nice sized patio, wood-burning fireplace and updated kitchen and bathrooms. The property manager was genuinely a sweet lady, and the apartments were well maintained, inside and out. originally I thought it was too far from the base, but it turns out, that it will only be a 15-20 minute drive, at most.</span><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So I left Virginia in a great mood. And I returned to Ohio in an even-better mood. We were blessed with beautiful weather on the trip there AND back, and only experienced a couple light showers during our stay. The driving went much better than expected.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And NOW, I can finally focus on Eva's party, which is NEXT SATURDAY --- EEK!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Have a good weekend!</span>Real Housewifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15536687941028936421noreply@blogger.com0