The Littlest Cowboy Turns 5

Be warned, there are lots of pictures...but i could not help myself because we had the best little cowboy birthday this weekend. Most of all Mitchie loved it, so i was successful!
He had lots of plans for his big day, and we didn't get to half of them. But he seemed not to notice. When i asked if he had a good party and good birthday, he very enthusiastically said yes. The day began with his breakfast of choice. He calls them construction rolls. They are butter dipped, sugar and cinnamon rolled marshmallows wrapped in a crescent rolls topped with more butter and cinnamon and sugar. Yum, right?
While he was out at a football game with daddy, Avery and i spent the afternoon decorating the party room and getting all the cowboy grub ready. She was a very big helper.
The chuck-wagon menu included...Good Old American Beans, chili biscuits, veg with "ranch" dip or otherwise referred to as cowboy crudites(my mom said we should call it cowboy crud), horseshoe bread sticks and cowboy juice(root beer).
This was my babies cowboy cake. He wanted vanilla cake with chocolate frosting...easy request and i was happy to oblige.



We were all to dress appropriately for the occasion, by the edict of the sheriff. Avery had the brilliant idea to dress up as a prairie girl...complete with puffy sleeves, pinafore and bonnet. So cute.
I can hardly believe that 5 years have passed since this big baby came into our lives. He has been full of joy and fun and laughter from the start...he would try to make us laugh even before he could talk. He loves everyone, if you just talk to him you will be his new best friend. He has lots of questions which i don't always have the answers for...and every answer makes a new question.
It is a little sad for this mommy...seeing my littlest not be so little anymore. He is loud and boisterous...he is silly and wild...and we love everything about him.

Even before i was married i knew i wanted to someday have a baby boy that i would name Mitchell. Obviously my wish came true. I always thought that Mitchell and Mitch were such big man names for a little baby. I thought that it sounded like a little cowboy name.

Every day when he wakes up he dresses up as who he wants to be that day and right now it is always a cowboy and now that he has a new pleather vest he is calling himself the "Sherf".

We are more than blessed to have him. I hope and pray that he will grow to be a kind, loving and generous man...that is funny and witty and full of life...a man that loves God and the people around him. I know the journey is going to go fast, just like these 5 years have. No matter what he says he will be my baby. Happy Birthday little one.

Look at this Face

Couldn't you just eat her up? She was so proud of herself. As a very special birthday present for me she cleaned and dusted her bedroom. I of course was thrilled. What mom does not love unprompted cleaning? I know i certainly do!

And this had to be shared...well shared in spirit! My friend and now neighbor was wonderful and made me a birthday cake...i am sure Chris was especially greateful. Ready for this, it was a chocolate carrot cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and topped with cream cheese icing. I know, and it was as decadent and rich as it looks. She was very sweet to do this. thanks friend, even though i know you are not reading this.

Pasta 101

My very sweet and thoughtful husband was paying attention. When the last williams sonoma catalog came he heard me comment on this new kitchenaid pasta maker attachment...he remembered this and then sent my good friend on a mission to find one for my birthday.

Now let this be my disclaimer...if you are a pasta maker already and are looking at these pictures and this is not what it is supposed to look like, bear in mind that i/we have never done this before...and I think this is the first time i have ever let Chris use my cuisinart or my kitchenaid. And in our happy oblivion we loved it and had fun making it together.

We were both very amused by the pile of spaghetti that was growing before our very eyes. How fun! We made this ourselves!!

It was a team effort and in the end it was so tasty....the kids loved it, we loved it....it was just yummy!! I have never had fresh pasta before...but i am pretty sure we will be having it again...possibly not every time, but again for sure!

Bears, Coyote and Possum...Oh mY!!?!?

We had a unwanted and unexpected little visitor on the neighborhood playground the other day....how yucky is he? Possums kind of creep me out. The kids went to throw something away on the playground and found this guy in the can. We were roped into the situation...Avery told me to get my camera right away and Chris was the designated wildlife releaser. I have to be honest i was alittle afraid that it was going to jump out of the can and attack one of the bazillion kids that were noisily circling it and squealing and pointing. But in the end i think the possum was way more afraid of the kids than they were of him.So, Really? What other wild animal is next....i am not sure i want to know.

Old Haunts

This past weekend we had the chance to visit some old places and old friends. We had such a nice time.

The CSA farm we were part of last year was one of our happiest stops, although it was too short. The kids had a great time splashing in the creek, feeding and petting the goats and playing with the farm dog Ruby.

We also had the chance to visit our old farmer's market, where we loaded up on some of our favorite things....yummy maple syrup, organic PB, honey and veg from our farm. Oh and i almost forgot the wine....delish!

I love this picture...she is literally off the ground. She was having such fun running and skipping down the farm road.

We rounded things out with a visit to our old neighbors and lunch at our favorite local coffee shop where the barista knows you by name even when you have been gone for 9 months.

Laundry Update

So recently my friend Kim asked for a update on the homemade laundry detergent. Since i was needing to make a new batch i figured now was the time to fill you in on what i thought. The first thing i would say is that it is so fast and easy to make, especially when you have little helpers. I watched the clock and from start to finish, grating the soap to putting the lid on the finished bucket, it only took 30 minutes to make. Fast right?

We discovered after the very first load that our clothes were not only clean but they were softer, and i don't use any fabric softener ever....it was just the wonderful result of the detergent. So far i have no complaints...it really does clean and it lasts a long time and it is inexpensive besides. There is little to no scent, which i don't mind. My mother has been converted and says the same, things get clean and are softer. And my sister was also planning on making some of her own.

The kids love helping...Avery said it was like prairie day when they had to make their own soap. She even asked if we could make our own shampoo...i am going to look into that but am not sure. So, Kim when are you going to make yourself a batch!!!???

Sew and Tell

Amy at Amylouwho is having a sew and tell this week for projects you needed to get finished...a little motivation. I needed to get this one finished!! My trusty project holder was on hand to help with picture taking. I had originally wanted to stipple this but was so frustrated that half way through the stippling i tore it all out and went for straight line quilting instead. Good call!

This is the improv piece i began making after i received a package of scraps from Heather. I am so thrilled with how it turned out. Making something like this was new for me, but it helped me to see that sometimes just going for it and not thinking too much can make something really fun and unexpected.

It is hanging in my living room by the tv cabinet....covering up one of our unsightly light switches. What a relief to finish.

Call me the Pie Lady

This could get addictive...and it is so fun! We had dinner at my mom's this week and it was by request that i make the dessert. Right away i knew this pie would be perfect. It has a story. When we were little my dad flew small airplanes and my mom ran and baked for the lunch counter at the airport snack shop...think Crystal Bernard in the old sitcom Wings. This pie was one of her weekly signature pies. When i brought it for dinner this week she had a little flashback, since she has not made it herself in years. I love it!!! I definitely recommend you try it!

Crunchy Crust Blueberry Swirl Pie

1/2 c. Butter
3/4 c. Flour
1/2 c. Rolled Oats
1/2 c. Nuts, chopped(your choice)
2 T. Sugar
3 oz pkg Lemon Jello
1/2 c. Boiling Water
21 oz. can Blueberry Pie Filling
1/2 c. Sour Cream

1. In small saucepan melt butter, stir in flour, oats, nuts and sugar. Mix well and pat down in a 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

2. Dissolve jello in boiling water. Stir in the pie filling. Mix well and chill until thickened. Pour into crust

3. Spoon sour cream onto filling by tablespoonfuls. Cut through sour cream and lightly fold filling over it, making swirls. Chill.

Store in fridge, serves 6-8.

Olivia

We recently got to spend some extra quality time with our niece/cousin, Olivia. She is fun to have around. We had forgotten what it was like to have a little baby in the house. She quickly becomes the center of attention.
She is such a fun age. Everything is new and exciting. You can see the wheels turning as she soaks up every little thing like a sponge.
Her little face lights up when she smiles! Aunt Colleen has been dying for these pictures. I put her in my kitchen sink for a bath, and as you can see she is a splasher. When all was said and done, and she was finally clean there was a puddle half way across my kitchen. But the mess was small compared to how much we were enjoying her.
Sadly, for us, we had to say goodbye tonight. She and her momma, my sister, are moving to AZ. There were quite a few tears on the way home tonight, mine and Avery's. Mitchell was the designated hand holder. The kids are even sleeping in my bed tonight...they needed a little extra cozy time. We will miss her desperately.

My house is not really baby equipped at this point. The baby toys have long since been packed into boxes and stored away. So, i just make do with what we do have. Pots and pans were a big hit. She sat for hours just stirring and putting things in and out. She also loved the sticks and rocks on the nature table. And her face when she discovered a handful of bubbles from my dishes was priceless.

We love her. Can you tell? Does it get any cuter than this...a chubby baby in a baby bikini? Oh that face.

We love you and miss you already