Girl Cheese

Me: Would you like some chicken nuggets for lunch today?

Amelia:  No.

Me:  How about peanut butter and jelly?

Amelia:  No.

Me:  Would you like grilled cheese?  That is what I am going to have today.

Amelia:  Yes!  I'm a girl and you're a girl so we will both have girl cheese!

Concentration

Who are these handsome people you ask?  They are game pieces for my newest naptime creation.  I took the idea from the amazing blog, CHASING CHEERIOS, and am eager to try these out with Amelia.  She has been really into Memory lately, so I am sure this will go over well.   

I bought the wooden disks at Michael's for under $3.  There were 22 in the pack, so I will definitely be getting some more as she grows to make the game more challenging.  So, watch out if I happen to have a 1.5 inch picture of you laying around!

I used Mod Podge to put the pictures on the wooden disk and then put a layer over the picture to keep it protected.  I am hoping they will last a long time!

 

Bippity Boppity Boo

Anyone who hangs out at our house long enough will most assuredly be turned into a dog, pumpkin, or perhaps even Cinderella herself.  Thankfully, GG finally made a magic wand with poor Amelia who was using any long, narrow object (ruler, pencil, mop, licorice stick) she could get her little hands on as a wand.  Apparently, we are not quite out of the princess phase just yet--in fact, it seems to be stronger than ever!

So, I've decided "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" and have given into Amelia's princess tendencies.  This magic wand snack was a huge hit and vanished, well, just like magic (despite the frozen peas adorning the star)!

Four Eyes

Silly....

Silly....

Silly Girl!

The Writing on the Wall

Seems like the only way I can get Amelia's hair looking decent these days is to throw her in front of the mirror with a dry erase marker and let her have at it!

Painting with Straws and Balls

I just want to start by apologizing for the half nude pictures, but I like to strip her down before any painting project as she usually ends up with more paint on herself than anything else.

I had been wanting to try "blow painting" with Amelia for some time now.  I thought she would love it!  Turns out, she doesn't.  She was quickly bored with it.  I don't think she is quite coordinated enough to hold the straw the appropriate length from the paint AND blow at the same time.  

But, lucky for Amelia, her mom is no one trick pony!  I had another painting idea up my sleeve.  This time, we grabbed an old golf ball and a shoe box lid.  We threw down some paper, added some paint, and rolled the ball around in it.  Amelia loved it so much that we had to repeat the process with every color of paint we had.

In the end, we had a great picture that was loaded with lots of paint.  I loved the finished product and placed it in the ever-growing "to be framed" pile!

St. Patrick's Day Ward Style

Irish? Not exactly, but we still love to sport the green and celebrate St. Patty's Day right!  And by right, I mean a little different than we used to in our college days, but fun nonetheless.

This year, my friend Susie talked me into running the 1st Annual Cottleville St. Patrick's Day 7K with her.  It sounded like a great idea until the night before when we stayed up wwaaaaayyyyy too late drinking wwwaaaaayyyyyyy too much wine.  But, we survived the 4.3ish miles and some of us even enjoyed the free beer afterwards (I won't mention any names).

After the run, our husbands and daughters joined us for the parade.  I wasn't expecting much given the fact that Cottleville is tiny and this was their first year.  However, the parade was really long (in a good way) and both Natalie and Amelia got lots of loot.

We decided to continue the  St. Patrick's Day celebration on Monday since our Tuesdays tend to be pretty crazy.  Jason picked up some corned beef and cabbage last week even though I was pretty skeptical that it would be any good (especially since I was in charge of making it).  He found a recipe that also included carrots and potatoes.  Turns out, it was really great and even Amelia gobbled up the carrots and corned beef!

And, of course, we had to partake in the green drinks as well!  Cheers!

I've had my eye on THIS DESSERT for awhile now.  I first bookmarked it when Amelia started saying she wants a "green" party for her birthday.  I was thinking this might be a fun way to add other colors to the day.  And, since rainbows are a key part of St. Pat's Day, I decided to do a mini-trial run of this rainbow cake.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of the pretty cake.  Of course, pictures don't really do it justice!

I skipped the frosting listed on the site because I happened to have a container of vanilla frosting in the pantry.  I just love how pretty it looks once its been cut--definitely a keeper!

Two Months Down

Well, I am two months into my 1001 days and things are moving a bit slow.  I have completed only 4 items so far and started 3 others.  Here's hoping the next two months are a bit more productive!

101 Things to do in 1001 Days
Official Start Date: January 16, 2009
Official End Date: October 14, 2011
Official Progress Report:  4 items completed, 3 items started, 97 items to go
(Anything that has been completed is marked in bold, items in progress are pink)

Learning Things
1.  learn to Knit
2.  Learn to sew on my new sewing machine
3.  take a pottery class
4.  take a yoga class
5.  learn to make a scrabble tile pendants
6.  knit Amelia a hat
7.  make a painting for Amelia's room

Travel Things

8.  Bet $20 on red in Vegas

9.  Dress up and go somewhere fabulous for New Year's Eve (preferably out of town)

10.  Take Amelia to Disneyworld (2/09)
11.  Go to the Grand Canyon
12.  Visit family in TX
13.  Visit family in KC
14.  Visit family in Spokane (working on setting this up)
15.  Take Amelia to the beach
16.  Take a family vacation to Chicago
17.  Take Jason to Spa Shiki for a couple's spa day

Sport Things
18.  Bike the entire Katy Trail
19.  Attend a family member's school sporting event
20.  Attend a local high school softball game
21.  Run 5, 5K races (1/5) (St. Patrick's Day 7K 3/2009)

For Other People Things
22.  Send a 'just because' care package to someone
23.  Pay for the car behind me in the drive thru lane
24.  Give my parents an outstanding anniversary gift
25.  Donate $5 to charity for every item not completed by day 1001
26.  Get over my fear and donate blood again (anyone want to come hold my hand?)
27.  Continue to support platoons by sending monthly care packages until the end of the war 
28.  Make a blanket to donate to the Linus Project
29.  Write a love letter to Jason
30.  Write a love letter to Amelia
31.  Inspire someone else to do a 101 things list (hint, hint Amy L)
32.  Send someone flowers for no reason
33.  Make Jason an amazing breakfast in bed
34.  Plan and execute a fancy picnic for Jason and Amelia

Finance Things
35.  Build up a 9 month emergency fund
36.  Change our retirement contributions to be more aggressive (3/2009)
37.  Become debt free except for our mortgage (car and student loans)
38.  Max out my Roth IRA one year
39.  Get a living will made
40.  Rollover retirement money from state job

Organization Things
41.  Organize laundry room closet
42.  Combine favorite recipes and compile into printed book
43.  Print out and organize 2006 photos
44.  Print out and organize 2007 photos
45.  Print out and organize 2008 photos
46.  Print out and organize 2009 photos
47.  Add captions to 2006 photos
48.  Add captions to 2007 photos
49.  Add captions to 2008 photos
50.  Add captions to 2009 photos
51.  Bring Amelia's baby book up to date
52.  Organize basement so that everything fits on two shelving units
53.  Replace bathroom carpet with ceramic tile
54.  Repaint Amelia's bathroom
55.  Have a garage sale

Food and Drink Things
56.  Host a fondue party
57.  Host a dinner part (minimum 6 people)
58.  Visit 5 new restaurants (1/5) (The Vine 3/09)
59.  Try out the Melting Pot

For Me Things
60.  Contact my favorite teacher to thank her for her influence on my life
61.  Identify 100 things that make me happy
62.  Have a second baby
63.  Send a secret to postsecret.com
64.  Read 100 books (4/100) 
65.  Attend Easter vigil
66.  Attend Stations of the Cross during Lent
67.  Apply to graduate school (1/09)
68.  Take the GRE (2/09)
69.  Go one week without logging in to Facebook
70.  Give up TV for one week
71.  Eat only at home for an entire month
72.  Have my body checked by a dermatologiest
73.  Get a manicure
74.  Get a pedicure
75.  Get a massage
76.  Get a facial
77.  Have 2006 blog entries made into a book
78.  Have 2007 blog entries made into a book
79.  Have 2008 blog entries made into a book
80.  Have 2009 blog entries made into a book
81.  Bring tree skirt project up to date
82.  Finish an entire Sudoku book cover to cover
83.  See all 5 Best Picture nominees either in theater or DVD
84.  See a local high school play
85.  See Mason Jenning live again
86.  See a Second City shoe in Chicago
87.  Go to see a movie solo
88.  Hand the camera over and get more pictures of Amelia and I together
89.  Pick up trash around a local park we frequent
90.  Finish a certain "craft project" I started in college (it was meant to be a Christmas present for someone who  reads this blog)

Amelia Things
91.  Start a garden with Amelia and grow flowers and/or vegetables
92.  Build Amelia a dollhouse
93.  Take Amelia camping
94.  Introduce Amelia to the fun of a photo booth
95.  Play in the rain with Amelia
96.  Fly a kite with Amelia
97.  Get Amelia a passport
98.  Decorate a gingerbread house with Amelia
99.  Catch lightning bugs with Amelia.

100.  Make a doll for Amelia

101.  Work on the next 101 things to do!

Bird's the Word

We've seen a sudden increase in birds around our house, so we thought we might provide a little supplement to our bird feeder.

I saw this HERE and thought it would be a quick and easy activity for Amelia to do and it was! Amelia loved stringing the Cheerios on to pipe cleaners (that is until our dog, Truman, got a hold of the one she had been working so hard on).  

So far, though, the birds aren't that impressed.  After 2 weeks outside, only 5 or so have been eaten.  I moved them around a little in hopes that the birds will be more interested--we'll see!

Truman eyeing the Cheerio filled bowl

So far, the birdseed is definitely more popular than the Cheerio rings!

All Aboard!

Given the lovely weather we've been having, we thought we should probably get out and do something fun!  We are members at the Museum of Transportation and it is always a good time when we go.

Amelia's favorite part is always the Creation Station!  I swear each time we go she tries out different activities which makes our trips there extra fun.  Here, she is steering the boat.  While doing this, she said, "Just like Prince Eric on the Little Mermaid".  Seriously, this child can take any old everyday activity and find some Disney Movie parallel.  

Arrr matey!

Amelia's friend, Natalie joined us for the trip to the museum. Despite the many, many toys and activities available to them, they decided the rocking chair looked like a good time.

After our hour at the Creation Station, the ladies went hand-in-hand exploring the trains! (Not that I have any pictures of that or anything).

Yee Haw?

Given my extreme dislike of all things country, I was not sure whether or not I would survive an entire weekend in Nashville with some co-workers for our friend, Andrea's bachelorette party.  I found out, however, that Nashville is actually a pretty fun little town and if you aren't careful, you may leave a little more country than you came!

We left St. Louis after all the other ladies finished their days at school.  The drive is about 5 to 5.5 hours, so we didn't arrive until close to 9:00.  We checked into our hotel and then took the shuttle downtown to check out a place called the Wild Horse Saloon.

The name alone was enough to scare me and solidify the fact that I was going to need MANY drinks to get through the evening.  Turns out there was one other non-country lover in the group and two other non-country line dancers so at least I had good company while making fun of those who decided to head out to the dance floor.

Good company indeed!

If I am being completely honest with myself, I will admit that it actually wasn't THAT BAD.  I guess.  Maybe it was the 4ish beers I had (or was it five).

Here's Cindy and Jamie, the two voted "most likely to puke on the trip".  Therefore, they were paired together as roommates.  As you can see, these two are the ones who decided to introduce shots into our evening.  

The shots came in a really cute little guitar that just happened to leave the saloon with us...oops!

I am very sad that none of my pictures of our crew on the dance floor didn't turn out.  I am pretty sure I could have done some serious blackmailing with them. We did, however, get a nice group shot with the "wild horse".

On the way back to the hotel in the cab Jamie jammed out on her gee-tar.  Is there really any doubt why she was voted "most likely to vomit?".

Once back at the hotel, the party continued until 3 AM!  At one point in the evening, my friend Mary brought up the show on NPR called, "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me".  Then, Jamie said, "If NPR had a dance, it would look like this".  Yeah, we know how to party.

The next morning we all got up and (eventually) met downstairs at the hotel restaurant.  Some of us arrived earlier than others and had breakfast.  The later group had lunch.  Then, we headed to the Apple Barn--a place with all things apple.  Apple cider, apple butter, apple muffins, apple pancake, apple BBQ sauce, etc.  They have a little cafe and even their chicken salad sandwich had apples in it!  I got the BLT and my bacon was apple smoked.  I picked up some apple butter for Jason and Amelia who are both big fans.

And what would a trip to Nashville be without a trip to buy some new boots? Cowboy boots that is!  So, I used the trusty iPhone to track down a spot that we could head to for such a purchase.  All 8 of us wound up in this tiny little store all trying on boots.  

Debbie ended up purchasing these bad boys.

Yes, even I got into the spirit.  I actually kind of liked these boots, but am not sure I would admit this out loud, so ssssshhhhhhhhhh.

Jamie seemed more taken by the socks....or maybe this is more of the NPR dance that we missed the night before.

After two boot stores and five new pairs of boots, we headed back tot he hotel for some rest time.

Later that evening before heading out, we all decided that we should tattoo ourselves.  The rule was that it had to be easily visible and since I was wearing long sleeves, I opted for my chest.  (it was either that or my cheek).  I had to get a picture because it looked oh so trashy!

The four cowgirls who purchased new boots!

Heading out for the night.  We ate at Hard Rock Cafe, stopped by Coyote Ugly, and then went to the Big Bang for the rest of the night.  After returning to the hotel, we hung out in the bar area until it was time for bed.

I was thinking after our little journey to Nashville that maybe Jason and I would return sometime for a long weekend.  There is certainly a lot more to explore in this town.  I mean we didn't even make it to Opry Land....

Personal Penguin

I am not sure why I insist on creating characters that have marshmallows.

Since that is ALWAYS what she reaches for first!

Birthday Bones

A certain 4 legged family member will be celebrating a big birthday tomorrow!  Truman, our dog, turns 7 (or 49 depending on what scale you're using).  Amelia and I have been talking about making Truman some homemade treats since before Christmas.  Since it didn't quite work out to make them for her Christmas (or Valentine's Day) present, we whipped up a for her birthday tomorrow.

We used THIS ridiculously easy pumpkin and peanut butter recipe. I was thrilled to use up some things from the ol' pantry.  (For example, see that large can of pumpkin?  We moved that from Chicago about a year and a half ago.  I used part of it for the treats and the other part I will mix in with Amelia's pancakes next time I make them).  I also finished off Truman's jar of P.B. and some eggs (we are getting another dozen from Fair Shares today!).

Here are the ingredients:

Amelia is very serious about her mixing!

well, sort of...

doing some serious rolling

this was by far Amelia's favorite part...cutting out bone shapes with the cookie cutter

This recipe makes A LOT!  We had two cookie sheets worth of treats!

The recipe seems to be a huge hit with Truman, she has already had quite a few opportunities to taste test the final product!