As Halloween approaches, we have been reading lots of books about mummy's, witches, ghosts and goblins. Here is a list of a few of our favorites.
1. Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
2. The Runaway Mummy by Michael Rex
3. Brooms are for Flying by Michael Rex
4. A Very Brave Witch by Alison McGhee
5. Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee
6. Five LIttle Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
7. Whoo's There? by Charles Reasoner
8. The Creepies Books by Rose Impey
9. Fancy Nancy Halloween or Bust based on the Jane O'Connor books
10. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (my personal favorite)
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Stan's donuts
I am obsessed with donuts! What's not to love about these deep fried, frosted dough balls of heavenly perfection? Of course not all donuts are created equal and I will admit to being a bit of a donut snob. I have discovered a handful of donut paradises (and I am always on the hunt for more) and hands down, one of my favorites is Stan's Donuts in Westwood. Forbes Magazine even named Stan's the best donuts in America. Everyone in my family has their personal favorites. My husband loves the chocolate round, I'm partial to the coconut and my kids dream of the pink frosted Simpson donut. My oldest daughter is such a fan that for her 5th birthday she requested Stan's donuts instead of cupcakes. Stan surprised her by making a giant Simpson donut that fed 25 kids. I don't think I need to tell you it was a big hit. While we try and eat healthy most of the time, on Saturday mornings like today when my kids wake up and beg for Stan's, I am happy to oblige!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Survivors
This October we celebrate that my mom and aunt are breast cancer survivors! They are amazing, strong women and I am so happy to have them in my life!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Octoberfest
We recently moved into our first house in a new neighborhood and decided a great way to get to know our new neighbors was to have a little party and entice them over with desserts and lots and lots of good beer. BBQ'd hot dogs, chili beans and a bounce house for the kids completed the festivities. We found out we have some fantastic new neighbors and I see many more parties in our future. Here is a picture of the dessert table. The homemade caramel apples I was intent on having had to be tossed after sticking to the wax paper. I followed the instructions, greased the paper with copious amounts of butter, let them chill and still no luck. Oh well, next time...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Martha Stewart Halloween Dessert Table
Oh Martha - how do I love thee? There are few magazines I hold on to, but Martha Stewart demands saving. And for that matter, referring back to for constant inspiration. I love this Halloween dessert table. It makes me want to try my hand at homemade carmel apples!
Image via dragonflydesignstudio via flickr.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Halloween Screamsicle Cupcakes
Love these halloween cupcakes. I am going to have to try fondant decorations soon!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Amy Atlas Halloween Treat Table
I love holidays, big, small and in between. We celebrate everything at our house! Halloween, though, is one of my favorites. I love the fall weather, carnivals, costumes and of course the treats. My idol Amy Atlas has created the most amazing Halloween treat table. If only she could come to my house!
Friday, September 18, 2009
County Fair
This time of year always make me nostalgic for the country fair.
The county fair is such a special tradition in my hometown that the local schools celebrate "Fair Day" and let kids out of class for opening day. Growing up on a farm, the fair was a family event. I remember the year my sister, Hilary's pig was crowned grand-champion and she won a belt buckle almost as big as she was. I remember the year my sister Holly grew the largest zucchini in the county. I remember getting up early to ride with dad in his old truck down to the fairgrounds to check on our animals before school. I remember mom's frantic warnings about "carnie's" and the warm, delicious funnel cakes with powdered sugar. And no one will ever forget the year Grandma B rode a pig and broke three ribs!
The county fair is such a special tradition in my hometown that the local schools celebrate "Fair Day" and let kids out of class for opening day. Growing up on a farm, the fair was a family event. I remember the year my sister, Hilary's pig was crowned grand-champion and she won a belt buckle almost as big as she was. I remember the year my sister Holly grew the largest zucchini in the county. I remember getting up early to ride with dad in his old truck down to the fairgrounds to check on our animals before school. I remember mom's frantic warnings about "carnie's" and the warm, delicious funnel cakes with powdered sugar. And no one will ever forget the year Grandma B rode a pig and broke three ribs!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Summer on the farm
Although I live in Los Angeles now, I love taking my girls to spend the summer at Nana and Papa's farm. I like to think my little chicks get the best of city and country living.
The garden where E and L love helping Nana and Papa pick fresh tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and herbs
Jenny
The famous rope swing!
Fun in the sprinklers
The party barn!
Not only do I love spending time with my family, but watching my kids play at the farm with their cousins is like reliving the very best moments of my childhood. Thank you Nana and Papa!
The garden where E and L love helping Nana and Papa pick fresh tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, and herbs
Jenny
The famous rope swing!
Fun in the sprinklers
The party barn!
Not only do I love spending time with my family, but watching my kids play at the farm with their cousins is like reliving the very best moments of my childhood. Thank you Nana and Papa!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Schultutes!
In Germany there is a tradition that parents give their children a schultute or cone filled with school supplies and little treats before school starts. Always on the lookout for new traditions in our family, I thought this was a great way to usher in a new school year.
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Golden Girls
It was been twenty-four years since The Golden Girls premiered and I still love watching them. Thank goodness for the Hallmark Channel! I don't think there has ever been a better written TV show. Thank you Blanche, Dorothy, Rose and Sofia. Thank you for being a friend!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
We are a family that loves movies. E loved the first Night at the Museum so we decided to give Battle of the Smithsonian a try. It was okay. E commented that "the first one was better." Personally, I wasn't crazy about either. Battle of the Smithsonian has its moments but overall it is a renter in my book. I did think Amy Adams was great. But I would probably like her in anything!
The Hangover
It is a rare occasion that J and I get a date so when we were at Nana and Papa's house for Father's day we took advantage of the free baby sitting and went to see The Hangover. It was hilarious!!! I can't wait to see it again.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Big 30
My brother-in-law Ryan just celebrated his 30th birthday and my sister had a wonderful party in their newly landscaped backyard. The food was delicious, the homemade wine was fabulous and the kids wore themselves out playing! I especially loved the clothesline photo display Holly created with pictures of Ryan from the time he was a baby until now.
The great wipe!
I am happy to report that two of my three chickadees take care of their business in the toilet these days (we still have the occasional accident). Despite many tutorials on the proper "wipe," I still hear, "Mommy come wipe my bottom," a few times everyday. My oldest is 5 and has attended preschool, successfully wiping her own bottom for two years while I'm away. When I reminded E of this fact, she explained, "I only take little ones at school. I save the big ones for home, so I need your help wiping at home, but not at school." Thank you. Thank you very much!
Burger Fix!
Sometimes you just need to forget about calories and fat content and simply indulge. We did just that today. J was working at the office so the girls and I picked him up for a family lunch at Johnny Rockets. The weather was perfect, the girls were well-behaved (relatively) and the food was hot, greasy and delicious!
We love Daddy!
The girls and I had so much fun celebrating Father's Day with J and Papa this year. We started Friday night by surprising Jason with a sign on the door and very homemade cake! Saturday we drove to Nana and Papa's farm. We celebrated Uncle Ryan's 30th birthday Saturday night and had BBQ'd ribs and strawberry shortcake Sunday afternoon for an official Father's Day celebration.
Friday, June 19, 2009
What's in a name
When we brought our youngest daughter,Olivia, home from the hospital, we asked her two older sisters what they thought. E, then 4 thought for a minute and said, "She doesn't look anything like the book." Yes, we do love the book, but no, your sister is not a pig.
Advice for a new mommy
I have nursed all of my kids. There have been many conversations about nursing and mommy's boobies at our house. It is not uncommon to see my kids pretending to nurse their own dolls and stuffed animals. So it was no surprise that when E's preschool class was asked to give parenting advice to an expectant teacher, she responding, "You have to nurse your baby with your boobies... a lot!"
Respect the Hot Dog
Not long after the birth of our second, daughter, I took the girls to Costco to stock up on some necessities and have a cheap lunch. E, 2 1/2 at the time was so excited to dig into her hot dog, but a kind woman next to her kept asking questions about her new baby sister. E reached her limit and finally told the woman, "Do you mind, I am trying to eat my hot dog."
Those aching legs
They say laughter is the best medicine and when you have kids, there is no shortage of laughter. My little chickadees are constantly doing and saying things that have me in stitches. I thought it prudent to start jotting them down so I don't forget.
Today, my five year old, E, stood up and stretched and announces, "Mommy, my legs are crapping!"
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