tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30739663117225321152011-11-27T18:11:22.710-06:00Julienoreply@blogger.comBlogger901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-48315812686428340862010-09-11T15:20:00.001-05:002010-09-11T15:21:43.050-05:00

I can't believe that it's been four months since I've written anything. I guess I've been busy with life. However, I do have another blog that I am trying to regularly post called pastry and kids. I've gotten into the excitement that is bento box lunches for Kai who started kindergarten last week. It's been an adjustment for every one. I miss him when he's not home, but I have my two littles to

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-15250423516564653612010-03-28T13:03:00.000-05:002010-03-28T13:03:33.101-05:00

I love coupons! They are a great way to save money. I don't care that the cashier sometimes roll their eyes at me or the local pharmacy probably recognizes me as the coupon lady because I save a lot of money using coupons! I have gotten pretty good at the coupon game. Every Sunday I get the paper browse the ads, make a list and clip coupons. I can save anywhere from $20-$60 at the grocery store

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-11825367088157097492010-01-23T15:40:00.003-06:002010-01-23T16:35:37.301-06:00

This week the kids have been waking up earlier and earlier. I think they are trying to catch some morning time with dad, but Jimmy has been waking up super early so he has been going to work earlier too. That means that I have to find more activities to entertain them with. This week we started "Mommy School" since I'm not taking Kai to preschool for the winter session.One of the activities was

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-37409666691812581062009-12-12T13:29:00.005-06:002009-12-12T13:40:49.718-06:00

When I was in first grade we got rewarded every Friday with a fun activity and my favorite was the shaving cream party! The teacher would spray a huge mound of shaving cream on to our desk and we would just have a blast playing with it! Such simple pleasures!I decided to let my kids experience the fun at home since it's too cold to take them out for some fun and there's not enough snow to bring

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-11212924037680085222009-11-08T13:35:00.002-06:002009-11-08T13:51:37.645-06:00

He is finally here and he's wonderful! Maxwell will be one month old tomorrow!! The picture above is of him just a few days old. Yes, he is a big boy. He is my biggest, weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces at birth. Which by the way was a day over the due date! I guess all the medications and bed rest really work. Not to mention the support of my wonderful husband and family.His big brother and sister

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-45085165881728358832009-10-03T11:14:00.002-05:002009-10-03T11:36:46.917-05:00

I can not believe that we've made it to 39 weeks! Well, to be exact today is 39 weeks and 2 days; five more days until baby Max's due date!! He might actually come out on his day! We are still on edge because I am already 4cm dilated and have been this way for a few weeks now. This kid is either stubborn or really big! I am hoping that things will be normal and I can have a natural delivery. I

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-72993562713516396552009-07-10T20:18:00.003-05:002009-07-10T20:29:28.909-05:00

This morning, I finally made it to the lab to go take the three hour glucose tolerance test. I can't believe that I actually made it. I had to lay down the whole time except for when I had to get the blood drawn, but I did it! I have a feeling that the lab possibly might have made a mistake and administered the higher dose of glucose for the first test I had!The results were extremely high, from

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-17156621528414242572009-07-07T22:31:00.003-05:002009-07-09T12:40:59.894-05:00

Our fourth of July weekend was uneventful due to me not being able to stand or sit up for longer than 2 hours without having to lay down for a few hours to recover from the pains I was experiencing. On Monday I called my ob and told her of the pushing feeling, mild cramps and low back pains. I was also feeling a few contractions. I was afraid that it could have been early labor so I was sent to

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-10470772137264234082009-06-15T20:17:00.001-05:002009-06-15T20:17:37.243-05:00

Got a new cell phone yesterday and running a test to see how text blogging works.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-70148237138818332242009-06-06T14:33:00.006-05:002009-06-06T14:48:16.568-05:00

Finally I am posting the pictures of the mini train cakes that Kai decorated for his fourth birthday. Jimmy also made him a special little chocolate cake.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-46733056069524255692009-06-03T10:50:00.002-05:002009-06-03T11:22:04.569-05:00

We spent the weekend in Michigan visiting with family. It was my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary! I think that it is amazing and inspirational that couples can stay together forever. I know Jimmy and I will have a 50th celebration too, with our children and grandchildren.Our children got to spend some time with their cousins and had a blast! I'm so glad that Kai didn't take to long to warm up to

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-38921178404423588552009-05-15T13:35:00.006-05:002009-05-15T13:58:38.785-05:00

I've been so scatter brained lately and just not wanting to spend time on the computer because it hurts my eyes. My pregnancy is progressing nicely. No more morning sickness, but starting to feel the growing belly pains. I can have dairy again, which I am so happy because I can have ice cream everyday again. We also started my weekly progesteron injections last week. Not fun! I'm such a wimp, I

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-71987462690369022102009-04-24T11:56:00.002-05:002009-04-24T12:08:21.546-05:00

Wow, it has been a month since my last post and so many things have happened. I am feeling better and less queasy. I spent a week and a half in Texas with my family while Jimmy was studying chocolate in Spain.Jimmy brought home lots of chocolate and cute toys for the kids. He also got me a cute little purse (what a guy, he remembered my obsession of bags!). I wanted to go, but that would be a

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-85825895294915118372009-03-29T19:43:00.003-05:002009-03-29T19:56:45.925-05:00

This is almost the final week of the first trimester. I'm still not able to eat as much, but at least the nausea has not been so bad. I found out after a bowl of ice cream that I can not have any dairy during this pregnancy. Strange very strange! All the other pregnancies I ate a pint a day!!This little baby does not like dairy of any kind! So, I'm indulging with soy ice cream! It's not as rich,

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-42197632875296180922009-03-11T12:36:00.002-05:002009-03-11T13:06:03.542-05:00

Tomorrow will be ten weeks into what I call 'the last one'. The past two weeks have been miserable. The worst morning sickness I've ever experienced! I now must apologize to my best friend for constantly telling her that she needs to have another one. Why you ask? Well, she had a whole pregnancy of being sick and I just couldn't even handle two weeks!! I now understand why she wouldn't want to go

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-60116022302248093302009-02-25T12:45:00.003-06:002009-02-25T12:54:49.417-06:00

The news is I'm seven weeks along and the baby is expected on October 8! Knowing my body the baby will probably arrive in late September. I was joking with Jimmy that the labor will probably begin on our anniversary.What you don't know is, Jimmy and I have yet to have a normal anniversary. Our first anniversary we were driving away from hurricane Rita. Our second, we were apartment hunting and I

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-14737748137115883822009-02-20T14:14:00.005-06:002009-02-20T14:27:33.443-06:00

It's been quite a week. I've spent most of it laying on the couch feeling absolutely horrible! I forgot how horrible the nausea is the first trimester! Yes, we are pregnant again! I'll have a due date after Monday's appointment.I also made a little video of Kai showing Cassia how to make her first PB&J sandwich and entered it in the Welch's PBJ Challenge on the Food Network website. If you click

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-91843065402848046332009-02-13T21:58:00.002-06:002009-02-13T22:09:18.781-06:00

Wow! Time just flies, I can't believe that my little girl is a year and a half now! She's almost 22 pounds! She had a visit with her pediatrician this week and he seems to think that she should be weighing more? Hmm...well, he actually said that she was leveling off and I should watch her. What? My girl eats more than my three year old boy! Did the doctor not notice that I'm kinda petite?Well, I

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-30394070069376404092009-02-06T11:15:00.002-06:002009-02-06T11:28:49.267-06:00

I am so happy that it is finally warming up, well not in the 70's yet, but 40 will do! The annual French Pastry School's event For The Love of Chocolate is tomorrow and all will be attending. Jimmy has a table at the event, but the kids and I will be walking around eating chocolate!I've debated going, but since it won't be so cold I've decided to go. In the past they have had a chocolate fashion

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-1579801497486461832009-02-04T13:04:00.004-06:002009-02-04T13:32:23.163-06:00

Cassia is coming up on 18 months so I thought I'd keep a list of words that she knows so far.MamaDadaBra (that's brother)Kaiwawa (water)mum mum (milk or something she wants to eat)cheeseki ki (cookie)kitty (learned this one after visiting my sister and all her pets!)doggieuh ohup'a (up)mo (more)thanki (thank you)peas (actually please, not the veggie)teajuicetrainboon (balloon)bathbye-byestarsme/

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-59693514714651694862009-01-31T13:14:00.003-06:002009-01-31T13:39:37.785-06:00

During our vacation, my family members and friends are astonished to see that after having two children I am still my prebabies shape. They ask if I am starving my self or what kind of diet I'm on. Well, being the wife of a pastry chef I am on no diet!Here's what I do people: practice moderation.I refuse to starve myself or give up my beloved sweets and treats, therefore I indulge, but in

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-20797464070087190662009-01-30T13:29:00.003-06:002009-01-30T13:54:45.993-06:00

Our coin operated dryer is again broken, or maybe never even fixed in the first place. Sure the landlord looked at it, but not really in my opinion. He deposited quarters, the dryer spins and feels hot...so it works he says. Yeah, but he's not the one spending six dollars in quarters trying desperately to dry baby clothes!!His solution, leaving a handful of quarters for the tenants....hmmm...

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-24640269643287666402009-01-14T08:30:00.003-06:002009-01-14T09:20:28.181-06:00

Home again, home again...well that's what it feels like. Driving through Ft Worth and Austin we saw quite a development in the past five years, but here in H-town things are still almost the same. Well, plus and minus a few restaurants and strip malls, but pretty much feels like we never left.My sister's house is still full of kids (now all college students) and pets, it still takes an hour to

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-69304791945794440052009-01-08T09:37:00.004-06:002009-01-08T10:31:26.383-06:00

Ok, so I'm slacking a little bit on the road trip reporting, but we are finally in warm sunny Texas and having fun! Jimmy hasn't had a vacation in a while he doesn't know what to do!When we first arrived we greeted the family then gave the cousins their belated Christmas presents. We took a few pictures while the kids opened and played with their toys. We caught up with the adults and drove a

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-24935122524729982402009-01-05T19:22:00.006-06:002009-01-05T20:00:14.343-06:00

We are on our way to visit Grandma in Texas and have stopped in Springfield Missouri for the night (half way point). The children did very well during the drive. They slept most of the drive because we left early this morning.When they were up we sang songs and played games. What a wonderful trip so far. We just had dinner here in Springfield at Ruby Tuesday's and we were not satisfied at all

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-17599291390775790442009-01-03T22:26:00.003-06:002009-01-03T22:43:16.193-06:00

A belated happy new year to all and an early happy birthday to my niece who will be turning 21 tomorrow!!! Happy birthday Tiffy- we love you and will see you soon!!Yes, that's right, in a couple of days we will be driving down south to visit family and escape the cold!! Nic is going back home tomorrow and back to school on Monday. I think that he had a pretty good visit. We opened presents, did

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-65751940395711361212008-12-29T21:16:00.003-06:002008-12-29T21:26:05.997-06:00

I had fun with the kids and their play date today. Kai's friend Uno came over and got to meet Nico. The boys had fun playing with thier new toys from Christmas and after Uno went home they played hide and seek all day!Nico's cold is getting better, he still has a cough and minor congestion, but no fever so it should be over soon. I've been feeling a little under the weather too, but have started

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-80346271016040792742008-12-20T21:49:00.002-06:002008-12-20T22:26:28.339-06:00

I can't believe I've been so busy with holiday preparations and children that I haven't had time to update the blog. Well, Thanksgiving we had Nicholas with us and I made the classic dinner of roasted turkey, mashed potatoes with rutabaga, green bean casserole, stuffing muffins (very kid friendly, what kid wouldn't want to try a muffin with dinner?), praline yams ,cranberry-orange sauce and

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-31722757382698471252008-11-07T11:25:00.003-06:002008-11-07T11:49:41.686-06:00

I could say that we're having computer problems again (which is true), or give a long list of other reasons why I haven't written, but busy living is mostly the cause. Halloween was super fun with the kids this year! Kai and Cassia got to go trick or treating twice! Once during the day on Sunday on our block and on Halloween day at Toys R' Us. (Will post pictures later)October was a fun and busy

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-6564506059113654902008-10-12T10:12:00.003-05:002008-10-12T10:35:06.426-05:00

Yesterday, I braved the weekend crowd and took the kids out to purchase their Halloween costumes. Kai is going to be Thomas the train, which only makes sense to cap off his train obsessed year. Cassia is going to be a black kitty. I'm putting her costume together myself instead of buying one already made, the only thing left for me to do is make a tail, tummy and paint her face.While looking at

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-24486220373906960212008-09-30T10:02:00.005-05:002008-10-03T11:57:26.353-05:00

The temperature has dropped to the fifties, leaves are turning colors and falling, our harvest decorations are up on the window ledges, I had my first cup of hot cocoa for the season last night, and bought Halloween candy! I love this time of year!I absolutely love Yummy Earth's Organic Lollipops. I bought the 1 pound bag from Whole Food's the other day and was delighted to find that they added

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-25646597235981142702008-09-25T11:15:00.017-05:002008-09-25T13:05:04.787-05:00

We are back from Atlantic City where Jimmy and Sandra placed third in the National Bread and Pastry Competition! I am so proud of them after all the sleepless nights and food less days of training. I am so glad to be home! Traveling and staying in a hotel with two babies is not easy! Our schedule gets turned upside down and you have to be really resourceful about food storage and heating.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-45823461963025929592008-09-09T12:59:00.002-05:002008-09-09T13:16:23.936-05:00

It was an exhausting weekend. Jimmy was training for the competition on the weekend and it kinda messed up my schedule. I couldn't go to sleep until almost 6 am on the nights that he was training. I just don't sleep well with out the hubby in the house.I've been trying for days to plan this week's dinner, but just hit a wall. If I haven't mentioned, we have been doing vegetarian meals until Jimmy

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-55016473878338770732008-09-06T12:08:00.003-05:002008-09-06T12:25:14.356-05:00

Wow! Yay! Coolness! I just discovered that I can blog via email from my cell phone! Yes that shows my age a little. I'm sure all the young hipsters already knew that. I am just excited because that means that I can still give you all updates when I am away from a computer. Now only if I could decide on which phone I want then.....wow....think of it posts from me every day!Have I told you that

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-37325201172033263842008-09-06T12:04:00.001-05:002008-09-06T12:04:07.241-05:00

I'm testing out mobile blogging.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-563369355374455582008-09-05T10:34:00.007-05:002008-09-05T11:05:16.493-05:00

Thank you Trader Joe's! I love that grocery store! They carry all the same stuff as a regular grocery store, but almost everything is their own brand. I spent only $60 on groceries yesterday and managed to pick up stuff for four dinners! That's how much we would spend on one dinner out! Yes, I cook at home everyday. Only on special occasions or if I am extremely tired do we call for take

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-4228293596600988862008-09-04T19:50:00.004-05:002008-09-04T20:22:06.909-05:00

It has been raining all day and still raining! I am just going crazy. My cell phone (which has been dropped, chewed and drooled on a thousand times) is now giving me a hard time! Some of the buttons do not work and the curser only moves down and occasionally sideways!!! I love the phone, but it's now dated because it's over a year old, so I've been looking at Blackberry and Sidekicks, but still

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-73022863841242890592008-08-28T18:01:00.005-05:002008-08-28T18:10:50.704-05:00

Last Sunday we spent the day at a nearby park walking around Whole Food's annual Flavor Fest, which Jimmy has renamed more appropriately as 'snack attack'. Funny name but, true. They have the distributors of some of the products they carry sampling their wares (mostly snacks!). We got lots of samples for organic chips, yogurt, drinks, carrots, cereal and laundry detergent! We had to stroll home

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-36882891930020802832008-07-28T10:19:00.002-05:002008-07-28T11:17:57.360-05:00

I bet you are all wanting to hear all about it! Well, Jimmy surprised me with a red velvet cake and my favorite chocolate covered caramel marshmallows from Vosges Haute Chocolate. It was delicious!!! The red velvet reminded me of the ones you would get down south, moist cake with creamy not too sweet cream cheese and nut filling...mmmm..yum!The surprises continued with a babysitter for the kids

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-42185391914449266932008-07-28T09:56:00.003-05:002008-07-28T10:17:21.149-05:00

Jimmy has a co-worker who recently had a baby girl, so I got to make another diaper cake! This time I took a photo. Yea, diapers are a little boring for a gift, but essential! Plus the fun presentation makes it fun to receive, besides the way I make them, there is a little surprise in each layer! The bottom layer has a hand puppet hidden in the center of the cake, the middle layer has onsies, and

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-19427257511862930792008-07-12T10:57:00.015-05:002008-07-12T11:58:53.977-05:00

I took the kiddos on another play date on Thursday to the Kohl's Children's Museum and they had a blast! It was great, I got in free with the kids thanks to my new friend and the parking was also free because it was out of the city. I loved it so much I'm going to become a member so that we could go often! There was so much to do and it was very clean. We stayed for four hours and still didn't

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-75725049209477803542008-07-09T08:54:00.003-05:002008-09-04T11:43:51.766-05:00

Finally, after complaining endlessly to my husband about not having any friends here, I forced myself to make a mommy friend who also has a three year old boy. Yesterday we had our first 'play date' thing. We took the kids to the zoo and I had a great time! It was different having a new adult friend that is not a coworker. You really have to work hard at trying to keep the conversation going! You

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-17154155456787743172008-06-29T11:49:00.005-05:002008-06-29T12:46:58.072-05:00

I've been busy the past month with three kids and have come to the conclusion that the thought of more kids will have to be squashed! I love babies, but can't handle toddlers and preschoolers! give me a roomful of babies over loud overly active preschoolers any day! I am sad at the thought that my baby will soon turn one and will no longer be my little marshmallow. She is already starting to

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-16174943634793943702008-05-06T09:55:00.005-05:002008-05-06T10:25:27.725-05:00

Last week we took a road trip to Canada and I have so many pictures to show, but I will start with the most recent thing that is still fresh on my mind: Terra Nostra organic Ricemilk chocolate bar with almonds.We stopped in Michigan to spend a few hours with the grandparents which was so much fun for Kai and Bella (plus we got to rest while Grandma Mack played with Kai- Thanks Mom!).Well, as you

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-23259319852135885602008-04-23T11:56:00.018-05:002008-04-23T12:30:40.286-05:00

Kai's party was a blast! Everyone had a great time and Kai received lots of fun toys! His party started at Build-A-Bear where all the children got to choose, stuff, clothes, and name their bears. Baby got to choose her bear and she picked out a pink leopard! After the bear building, we headed outdoors for the cupcakes and some sunshine. The party ended with everyone getting train rides!I'm so

Julienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-56450748280584279712008-04-18T19:49:00.003-05:002008-04-18T20:00:33.729-05:00

I am a fanatic of bags, paper, pens and chocolate! So earlier this week when I got my daily craft email from Martha Stewart about turning shirts into shopping bags I just had to make some. I made one and it turned out great, so I made another and another. I let Kai decorate one and he did a good job of tracing his hands (I drew the cupcake at his request).I am hooked! I am going to have to dig up

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-20876843962044392362008-04-18T19:44:00.002-05:002008-04-18T19:47:19.819-05:00

This is a notice for those of you who post comments on my blog asking me to click 'here'; I will not click 'here' there or anywhere. I am not trying to load viruses or let you into my system by doing so.For my family, please do not click on those posts either. I try to delete them as they appear, but sometimes I am not on the computer everyday.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-5636606321880407002008-04-12T20:58:00.003-05:002008-04-12T21:16:37.561-05:00

I can't believe I never tried to make chocolate pudding before. It is incredibly easy! Sure I've made the kind you pour out of a box and add milk, but not the measure your own ingredients from your pantry pudding! Kai had fun stirring the pot waiting for the mixture to thicken. We haven't been to the store lately due to the rain so I'm out of butter and can't bake without it, so we made pudding!

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-75066084556373777872008-04-10T22:15:00.004-05:002008-04-10T22:33:41.456-05:00

Rain, rain go away, come again some other day. Little Bella and Kai want to play. Rain, rain go away.All my excitement for spring is dampened by all this rain and possible snow!!! Snow in April?? For the following four days our forecast is rain! Everyday Kai wants to go to the playground, he hasn't grasp the concept of rain equals no park, yet. So I've got to think up of some rainy day activities

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-75170419874090474172008-04-05T20:31:00.004-05:002008-04-05T21:02:31.593-05:00

Just read my sister in law's blog and was inspired to write a quick thing about this week's new item in my make-up tray. I was craving lip gloss (to wear of course not to eat...I'm not preggie), and went to put some on, but realized that during one of my 'must throw everything out' phase I had also gone and threw out some of my make up too...so no gloss. I walked over to CVS and picked up a

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-11420117109119180482008-04-05T20:19:00.005-05:002008-04-05T20:27:32.585-05:00

Spring is here, spring is here! It's the best time of the year! We are soo happy the weather is finally nice. We have been receiving lots of sun and the temperature is mild. The kids and I have been going for walks and to the park daily again. It feels great! Kai loves the sand box at the park!Here Cassia is hanging out with her sippy cup, watching Kai have fun.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-73329820156124052242008-03-31T14:16:00.002-05:002008-03-31T15:10:05.013-05:00

I haven't blogged in a while due to the winter blues. You know the feeling of not wanting to do anything that you really don't have to. It was the flu then more snow, but it is starting to get warmer which is making me even more restless. I am ready to be out with the family in the sun! Right now we have lots of rain, but that's better than snow right now. I know that the sun will come out one

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-25445840221314666982008-03-05T12:48:00.005-06:002008-03-05T13:13:33.414-06:00

The week before we all got sick, my niece Gabbie sent us Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley had breakfast with the kids, went to work with Jimmy and played in the snow. I didn't send him back to Texas with my letter so I hope that will be alright. Kai had fun playing with him. I thought that it was a clever project! I sometimes wish that I was Flat Stanley so that I could mail myself in an envelope

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-41540562064381965632008-02-28T15:31:00.002-06:002008-02-28T15:37:52.211-06:00

Yes, we finally got sick! I took the kids out for their first indoor play group experience and they both got sick the next day. So no more of that! Then of course I got it too. I thought it was hard for me being sick, But it was unbearable for both kids and me being sick. Luckily Jimmy came home early to take care of us. We all are still coughing and sneezing, but the fevers are down and we are

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-79491550826473676142008-02-20T12:03:00.007-06:002008-02-20T12:43:21.585-06:00

I have decided that I do not like snow! Well, not more than one inch of it any way. Yes, it is absolutely beautiful to see fresh snow, but not so great when it prevents me from getting out of the house! With that said, I have given Jimmy the okay to settle our family in a warmer climate.Kai is going crazy which in turn is making me go nutty. We need wide open spaces, fresh air and sunny days to

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-13712670979738509852008-02-13T11:51:00.009-06:002008-02-13T12:08:13.603-06:00

Ok Sarah, here it is. My purse/diaper bag.(click on pictures to see contents up close) Oh, all that 'stuff' is laying on a changing pad. I love my snack bars and so does Kai!Jimmy thought I should include a picture of this weeks' fridge content for fun. (Yep, I know lots of drinks and condiments!) We go grocery shopping a few times a week since it's all walking distance.

Julienoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-47478132349826116822008-02-12T14:10:00.000-06:002008-02-12T15:29:09.305-06:00

O.k. so much has happened over the weekend, but I will start with the chocolate event that we went to over the weekend. It's called 'For the love of chocolate'. It raises money for scholarships for the students of the French Pastry School. So cool and for a great cause. I took tons of pictures of the fashion show and have them posted but because I did not get model permission to post their

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-4663045600878567582008-02-02T23:12:00.001-06:002008-02-02T23:28:31.807-06:00

Kai loves to go grocery shopping. He's my little helper! Here the boys and Jimmy are making chocolate cupcakes!! Waiting for them to bake in our toaster oven. Kai sans shirt because he got batter all over it! Cassia's first time tasting rice cereal. She loves those fingers! Tiff...thanks for sending these pictures to us...xoxo.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-17099428508100222182008-02-02T21:53:00.000-06:002008-02-02T22:18:12.196-06:00

Cassia rolled over to her tummy for the very first time today!!! I was so excited. Can't wait for Jimmy to see her roll over. Wow, what a milestone!I think she is probably also starting to teethe, she constantly has her hand or a toy in her mouth and I have to change her outfits four times a day from all her drool!I finally figured out a few things to do with the kids in all this cold and snow.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-31924165621592137112008-01-31T17:26:00.000-06:002008-01-31T17:42:11.298-06:00

Today's forecast snow, snow and more snow! Tomorrow: the same thing, and the next day and the day after! I love the white fluffy stuff, but not when it prevents me from getting out of the house to do simple chores like grocery shopping. Good thing I have lots of cans in the pantry. The expected accumulation is 8 inches....not so much for you northerners, but me? I am losing my mind! What do

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-17546364276695810702008-01-30T12:50:00.000-06:002008-01-30T13:30:35.641-06:00

It was crazy cold and wintry last night. I sat on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa watching the snow get blown around the street. I'm a southerner so snow was a treat, it's so pretty! Today is gorgeous sunny, but 7 degrees...yea I'm not going to subject my kids to that sort of cold just because I need to get out of the house. Hopefully the weekend will be a little warmer so we can get out.Cassia

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-46671359919880315722008-01-27T13:37:00.000-06:002008-01-27T14:04:16.087-06:00

Winter vacation is over and now we are trying to get back into our daily routine. Nic and Tiff are gone and we miss them. Visit to the grandparents was a blast! The boys got along wonderfully! Very little screaming on the trip, only when they were tired, but not the usual sibling annoyances. They had a great time playing together and talking and taking turns with the Leapster. I was so

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-41607759426328346532008-01-07T12:55:00.000-06:002008-01-07T13:19:04.610-06:00

I am so behind on the blogging. Jimmy's current project is to update our computer system, so we are working with the basics here. I will post more photos when the new system gets going.I am so bad, I had cheese on my sandwich last night...weak, so weak. I thought I could do it as a new years resolution, but it's so hard because we always have a variety of cheese in the fridge. I must be crazy

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-63505008996263577342007-12-30T13:25:00.000-06:002007-12-30T13:50:00.832-06:00

Our Christmas was celebrated the Sunday before because that was Jimmy's only day off and he had to work on Christmas eve and Christmas day. We had peppermint hot cocoa, banana-nutella french toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. What a brunch!!The night before we opened our C.E presents from Jimmy's parents (p.j.'s) and we wore it all day! We loved, loved our p.j's. It's such a cool tradition and

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-32913905612423616382007-12-30T13:16:00.000-06:002007-12-30T13:23:15.967-06:00

This is a bit late, but I finally have time after all the baking and package mailing to post some pics. These are pictures of this year's gingerbread project that Jimmy had to do for work. It's cute and kids loved it!

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-19993762183877835262007-12-13T23:09:00.000-06:002007-12-13T23:28:35.778-06:00

I just got back from the grocery store and Kai couldn't wait to try his new water so I opened a pouch for him and took a sip. That tastes like juice! I had to look at the ingredients and yep it had corn syrup and Splenda! Why did they put corn syrup and Splenda in a drink that is suppose to be water?!?Ok, so I should have read the label at the store, but I had a coupon and wanted to try a new

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-1887337620837574892007-12-05T20:32:00.001-06:002007-12-05T20:48:17.732-06:00

I'm all done making chocolate treats and cookie doughs are made. I let Kai play in the snow for a little bit today. He really loved it. I think he like the hot cocoa afterwards even more! I had a few minutes and thought I'd share some photos of the kids and holiday things.This is Cassia enjoying her new car / walker...beep, beep.Kai having a little fun in the snow. These are Jimmy's ornaments

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-84740379377246722742007-12-04T20:33:00.001-06:002007-12-04T21:52:00.927-06:00

It has started to snow here. It's always so beautiful before people start to walk in it, then it gets dirty and ugly and makes you wish it would all melt and go away.I've been busy making chocolate treats everyday, it's so much fun. I can't believe I didn't ever try making candy before. Jimmy taught me a few basics and I haven't stopped making chocolate things since he showed me how.Kai has been

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-47344929107330924922007-11-29T11:22:00.001-06:002007-11-29T11:53:30.963-06:00

While the babies are still sleeping, I made chocolate chip shortbread. It's the traditional recipe plus the addition of chocolate chips. Of course this might be old news to some of you, but I am exploring the flavor possibilities. I've tried ginger, pandan, green tea, chocolate, dried fruits, lemon, almond, lavender and even black pepper. Chocolate chip was tasty, but the chocolate I used might

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-51976795879637755602007-11-28T15:19:00.000-06:002007-11-28T15:53:11.665-06:00

So many parents go on and on about how the bouncy chair is a life saver. Not for us. Kai did not like it and Cassia does not like it! Both of our kids cried when put in the bouncy chairs, but they love the swing!! Thanks Tiff. My niece had purchased the swing for us when Kai was born and we kept it because it was my life saver. Cassia loves sitting in it, now that she can see better she can

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-71879565405690875372007-11-23T18:50:00.000-06:002007-11-23T19:18:58.589-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was yummy. Jimmy brought home little pies (apple and pumpkin) and I tried out Paula Deen's recipe for Pumpkin Pecan pie. It was yummy, a combo of my two favs, but I think I still prefer the classic pecan pie...I am a southern girl after all. I roasted a turkey breast stuffed with cranberry-apple stuffing. Made my praline sweet potatoes, Jimmy's

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-87929095669035858292007-11-16T17:10:00.000-06:002007-11-16T17:29:22.900-06:00

Thanksgiving cards for family. Done. Test cookie recipes....still testing. Okay, so now I have to mail the cards. Hopefully that will get done tomorrow. I tested a new cookie recipe from a magazine and decided that it will not be one for giving this year or any other year. It just wasn't our type of cookie. It had cream cheese in it which made me want to try it, but once made it

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-59616342161052757982007-11-13T21:55:00.000-06:002007-11-13T22:34:14.935-06:00

Hmm...I seem to have trouble getting my weekly menu posted these days. Yesterday was spent shopping for candy for the gingerbread houses that Jimmy is working on for the hotel. Today, I did a little shopping for Christmas items.So here it is a plan for the next few meals.Tuesday: Orange-Apricot glazed chicken with sweet potato and butternut squash (cooked in a crock pot)Wednesday: Pantry Pasta (

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-92170899215960709152007-11-10T14:33:00.000-06:002007-11-10T15:00:58.062-06:00

Oh me, oh my, how quickly time has passed us by.All this time I've been thinking about Christmas preparations, Thanksgiving has crept up on me. It's less than two weeks away. I know I'll make turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes. Oh, of course Jimmy's must have blend of mashed potatoes with rutabaga. Now, to decide on the something green and dessert.Oh, it should be so easy with Jimmy being the

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-63694692316931205672007-11-06T09:50:00.000-06:002007-11-07T11:30:34.378-06:00

Ok, so we cooked too much food last week and had leftovers that carried over for the next day. This week starts off with the Spicy Panko chicken that was planned for Monday.Tuesday: Spicy Panko coated Chicken with riceWednesday: Chicken and Andouille sausage Jambalaya over rice(leftover from Tuesday)Thursday: Italian Sausage with spaghetti squashFriday: Penne pasta with bacon and veggiesSaturday:

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-37133132859893697362007-11-04T20:42:00.000-06:002007-11-07T11:34:47.263-06:00

I finally got Kai cooking on camera! Unfortunately for unknown reasons, the camera did not pick up sound so it's a silent video. Click on the media player above to see him in action. Yes, my two year old son is cooking all by himself- he was fully supervised. He insists on being allowed to do what he knows, I think it's alright as long as I know that he won't hurt himself. I do not let him

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-25193120683550764062007-11-01T19:52:00.000-05:002007-11-02T19:57:18.975-05:00

I started this blog as an attempt to keep a journal of sorts. I am terrible at the actual pen to paper, so I'm hoping this will last longer than one month (the longest journal kept). I am also going to do my best to write more about food and fun, so there will be weekly postings of my weekly menu, an original recipe if I'm using one during the week, and a post about my faves of the week or new

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-44146194952072079812007-10-30T22:01:00.000-05:002007-10-30T22:12:38.475-05:00

We wish everyone a fun and safe Halloween!

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-9540194415718876182007-10-27T14:38:00.000-05:002007-10-27T14:53:56.554-05:00

This is a picture of Kai's first Halloween two years ago. He was so cute. We had a Halloween party and those were the treats I was giving out. Kai was only six months at the time so he did not get to taste any of the candies, besides he had too much fun crinkling the wrappers.Last year he was a duck. We took him trick-or-treating with Nic. Nic was a horse! We were going with the old MacDonald's

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-67938374647927274232007-10-25T19:43:00.000-05:002007-10-25T19:56:58.270-05:00

Kai had his first play date yesterday with a little boy name Jack. Jack is six months younger than Kai but the two got along. When we first arrived to the park the two boys played independently for fifteen minutes. Then as the park started to fill with more children, the two boys began to play together. Kai sat down on a little car that attracted Jack to him. Lucky for Kai, Jack likes to push.

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-73120170006769661292007-10-23T14:04:00.000-05:002007-10-23T14:41:26.798-05:00

Kai had his check-up and flu shot yesterday. I did remember to ask his doctor about his dairy intake and he said that it was alright as long as he doesn't go over 24 ounces of milk a day. Great, now to figure out how to get him back to unflavored milk. We made some progress on the vegetable consumption. Calling broccoli florets 'little trees' actually work! He gobbled them up like a giant! He

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-46021776063515417142007-10-19T20:52:00.000-05:002007-10-19T21:38:16.917-05:00

The retail stores have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas decorations. I started to feel stressed and unprepared as I walk by those isles. I realize that I still have two months to prepare, but Halloween isn't even over yet. When did retail stores start selling Christmas stuff before Halloween? I always remember the red and green decorations after the candy feast. I haven't

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-26308017633172115972007-10-10T17:47:00.000-05:002007-10-10T18:23:29.330-05:00

It's finally cooling off outside and the leaves are changing colors. It's also a time that I get a little sentimental. My husband and I started dating in the fall. The cold weather makes me think of my single days, without kids to separate us. We rarely have time to ourselves where we can sit on the sofa and snuggle. Kai doesn't allow it. He always has to be between us at all times. I miss going

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-79294648319474960362007-10-07T21:44:00.000-05:002007-10-07T22:10:25.255-05:00

My morning was full of cries from Kai saying, "Mommy, mo mote peas.", a request I can't deny except for when we have no more mote, I mean milk. (No matter how hard we try my husband and I can not get Kai to say 'milk'. His version is 'mote'. Mo = more and peas = please. His response to when we are out of something is ,"buy mo, buy mo." ) I usually have a back up gallon, but for some reason he

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-88284900540251645952007-10-02T23:35:00.000-05:002007-10-02T23:57:00.401-05:00

We've been on vacation the past couple of days and now we are back at home. Today we took the kids to the zoo and yes these animals are about the only ones that they were interested in. The way they walked passed them all we could have sat down at home and flip through an animal picture book. They prefered the playgrounds over the animals.Oh, yeah I forgot to mention that my four year old

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-29196850642907356762007-09-22T20:46:00.000-05:002007-09-22T21:20:51.608-05:00

I received more surprises in the mail today from my sister and sister-in-law. My sister sent me a book about fruit and vegetable carving which looks really cool, but it's written in Thai-which I can not read. The only thing I know how to write in Thai is my first name and that's it. I can't read or write anything else. My sister-in-law sent Bella the cutest little Ugg boots, the Ugg for big

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-32446326608413214912007-09-19T22:02:00.000-05:002007-09-20T02:03:03.371-05:00

It's a great day today, there are new shows tonight and I recieved so many things in the mail and in person. I got some housework done, washed the kids and even managed to squeeze in a shower myself. It's gross I know, but when you have a newborn and a toddler showers for mommy is something that if you're lucky happens everyday. If you're me occurs every other day. You see I can not leave baby

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-21057187213201848662007-09-18T23:23:00.000-05:002007-09-18T23:46:08.283-05:00

I'm at home dreaming of the delicious treats at the gourmet market Jimmy (a.k.a. my hubby) is teaching a class at tonight. He's doing a Chocolate 101 class and I would be there but an hour and a half is too long for me and two kids. Kai gets too crazy around chocolate. He is only two and has tasted chocolates from chocolatiers like Vosges, Thomas Haas, Callebeaut, Valharona, Cocoa Berry, the

Julienoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-27765568929653356202007-09-16T14:37:00.000-05:002007-09-16T15:06:19.991-05:00

I am exhausted today. Little Bella wanted to party all night and did not fall asleep until 6:30 a.m. The same time my husband's alarm sounded to wake him up for work. Which did not work because I still had to poke him and say, "Honey, it's 6:30." to which he just rolls over. Oh well, I think and put Bella in her crib then proceeded to pass out. Now I am on my second cup of java (don't tell the

Julienoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073966311722532115.post-51854560350491356432007-09-15T16:14:00.000-05:002007-10-03T00:09:25.337-05:00

That's a question I ask myself everyday. Sometimes I take the time to plan a weeks menu in advanced and sometimes it's just too much work to do with a toddler tugging at my shirt and a newborn crying in her crib. But last night I was able to invent a new pasta dish that consisted of what I had on hand. Onions, garlic, bacon, mixed greens, grape tomatoes, sundried-tomato pesto, parmesean cheese

Julienoreply@blogger.com1