the letter P

Painting a Purple stem on a Pumpkin

 Painting a Princess on a Pumpkin.

Painted Pumpkins, homemade Pumpking cookies, customizable iron-on Princess monsters.

Picture Perfect.

Family Vaction to Greer, AZ

 Last weekend we made good on a groupon that we were supposed to use this summer, but couldn't due to wildfires in the area. Greer, AZ is really on the road to no where. The population is only 177! But I'm sure the population can more than double in the summer and during ski season.

 We stayed at the Greer Lodge Resort in the Log motel rooms. Their amenities were included in the price and included: kayaking, fly fishing, mountain bikes, telescopes, games, DVD's, and a nightly camp fire.  

 We really enjoyed the two hikes we went on (except Zoe got tired at the end of the first). The first one was by a creek where we met a few people with lots of fish!

 The girls loved the dandelions and the wildflowers. They spent lots of time picking, collecting, and blowing. It was getting to be a bit overwhelming when they wanted to pick every flower they saw so we had to explain to them that we should leave some in the ground because they are living things and other people may want to look at them... Anyways... it was really cute and I was happy to see them running freely and enjoying nature.

 We brought the rain boots just in case, but we didn't find any puddles.

 This was my first time in a kayak. I prefer a canoe.

 The second hike was a bit more challenging. It was lovely to smell the pine and listen to the wind blow through the aspen (reminded me of cottonwood trees at clear lake), and hear the creek in the background.

 Yes, we were so happy to see ponds that we took our picture by every one we saw!

 And what they don't tell you in the brochure is that it's so nice to sit out on the porch drinking beer and wine while the kids can move freely from the room to the outside. Also there is a bar on the property right next door to the hotel rooms with cheap drinks and a patio where you can look at the ponds, mountains, and your kids playing.

Gosh, I, we had such a nice time. I want to go back with my Dad and Katie sometime because they would love it as much as we did. I loved it as much as I love going to back to SD/ND/MN. It made my soul happy.

Red, White and Blue Galette

This year my 4th of July dessert was this "red, white and blue galette." In case you were wondering a galett is just like a freeform pie. A galett is also something that the kids can help with so that is always a plus.

I combined a few recipes to come up with this one.

4 ounces cream cheese

3 tablespoons extra fine sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 400º F. Mix cream cheese, sugar and cream. Roll out each piece of dough into a 10″ circle on a piece of parchment. In the center of the circle, Drop in teaspoon-sized dollops of the cream cheese mixture leaving about 2 inches of room on the sides. Sprinkle berries over the top. Fold the sides of the galette over.

Beat together egg and water. Brush with a pastry brush over the top of the galette. Sprinkle the edge with sugar. Bake at 400º F for 30-35 minutes until dough is golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to sit 5 minutes before serving.

Makes two 8″ galettes.

Since there was so much heavy cream left over, I used it to make a whipped cream topping. It was delish. I think each "pie" serves 4.

File this one under, "It's easy! All you have to do is..."

2 weeks post kindergarten

School ended for Kayleigh just 2 weeks ago (it seems like a month has past since). In two weeks our days have been filled with numerous playdates, swimming lessons for both girls at different locations and different times, K has Spanish summer camp from 8-12 M-TH, I started a hectic CHM 101 online class, a few dates with my man, a weekend trip to Tucson, I turned 31, two 6 year old birthday parties, sickness, and lots of workout and yoga time-- for balance. haha!

First Day of School

Last Day of School

Miss K really enjoyed Kindergarten. She loves to learn (as long as it's not math- unfortunately she gets that from me). She excelled at reading early on and now reads chapter books daily and in one sitting! Reading has also reinforced her love for nature and animals. I am always amazed by how much she knows and how much more she wants to know about the world around her.

Today we enjoyed being just the three of us- no playdates, no commitments. The kids played daycare, I did a 80 min. yoga class, we ate lunch at a cafe, hit up the library for an hour, and ate an ice cream cone (I enjoy hearing I'm the best Mom ever from time to time). Now the kids are playing cheerleader/princess/ballet girls while I chill. How do they have so much energy? I need a nap! (Oh, must be that I couldn't go back to sleep after I had to clean up a potty accident at 2:30 in the morning!)


Please dear audio book keep them occupied when the frolicking gets old :)

Oh and I'm happy to say we haven't had nitrate filled hotdogs or frozen pizza once! haha

my colorful kids

I know, I know. Pictures of the kids are a lot more fun, but I'm proud of their creativity so I want to document it. Kayleigh and Zoe have a "Go Club" and they asked us all if we would join. Of course we couldn't say no! "There are no meetings and it doesn't cost a thing."

"Zoe was the first to join. Now we have hundreds of people in our club." I asked Kayleigh what they did in her club and from what I gather it's pretty much everything from helping families in need to coloring pictures of My Little Pony.

We had a bit of the stomach flu going around our house for about a week so we were comming up with lots of things to do. These signs seemed to be a hit.

Kayleigh does have a love of animlas and Zoe loves her sweets. I wonder what they will really be when they grow-up?

Zoe does love to eat, but at all the wrong times. I guess she likes to graze... Anyways... Tonight, when I went to do my last check on the girls before I go to bed, I kind of woke Zoe. In her sleep she put out her hand and said, "I won't eat it!" Geesh! I thought I was eating dinner with her all over again.

I just love those little girls so much!!!

Our Holiday Weekend

Last weekend we took my Grandparents to "Mooey Christmas" in Mesa. Zoe sat with Santa- she was very excited. It was worth the $10! Kayleigh was afraid so she played in the "snow" instead. The "snow" was a huge pile of cotton seed. Both girls loved it.

Ha! It looks like it's snowing here.... my camera is really dirty!

Of course both girls loved the petting zoo. I was more afraid of the animals than there were.

After the hay-ride we made and ate s'mores.. yumm On Sunday Dave and the girls spent the afternoon outside and hung lights.

This is our tree this year. Our place is too small for the large one, so this will have to do. I think it's cute.

Last weekend was Holiday themed, this weekend will be Birthday themed as well as next weekend, then another Holiday... Crazy!!

play

Whoa! I haven't been here in a while... We've been busy. The day goes by so fast! School, gym, lunch, nap, school, homework or a playdate, dinner, free time, and bed. It's pretty much the same everyday... Except days we run errands or weekends :)

Above is Zoe giving the Littlest Pet Shops a bath.

The girls playing restaurant.

Dress up has been popular on the weekends.

Saturday Morning Crafts

Today we are foregoing all of the things we could and should be doing to get back to basics. Crafts. Food. Puzzles. Music. Making messes (and cleaning them up). Tonight we see "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" it should be fun!

Zoe's Kite

The ladies at the gym make cute little crafts every morning. Lately they have been doing kites. Zoe asks for one every day. Both K and Z are crazy about them.

I'm in love with our grass. Miss Umi made a pretty good likeness of Z.
And this is just plain funny! Zoe-in-a-basket. Doesn't she look cozy?

First Fieldtrip and Bus Ride

I've been feeling what mother's have been saying for years: Enjoy it because it goes by fast. I think it's because once school starts there is so much to look forward to. And not just for kids, but the parents too.

I was lucky enough to escort Kayleigh and 75 other kindergarteners on their first fieldtrip. A BIG thank you to my mom for spending a few days with us so I could go. Myself and another parent had a group of 7 boys and girls. We had a really great group.This is how it was the entire day... At a 10 (for the kids). Always moving. Always excited. Always happy.

The kids had a full day of picking their own vegetables to take home, learning about the farm, a corn maze, lunch AND ice cream, animals to pet, things to climb, and picking out that perfect pumpkin.

Kayleigh was on cloud nine at the farm and talked about riding the bus for days. She even asked me if I could find someone else to sit by so she could sit by a friend. Whomp. Whomp.

She has been saying for a long time that she wants to be a vet when she grows up. I really hope she does!

around the house

I'm totally in love with the weather (except today, it's supposed to be 99). The mornings and evenings are beautiful. And I do believe our complex courtyard was made perfectly to keep you cooler longer. Part of the draw to this place was the fully grown trees. I come from South Dakota... I'm a sucker for trees and grass. Miss Z has been practicing her scooting skills. She does a little ballet on her scooter. As a part of her "routine" she does the standard put your leg up in the air, but she also adds a little get off the scooter, a plie, a spin, then gets on and continues on her way. It's very cute.

We can't wait for Kayleigh to come home so they can have snacks under the canopy of trees.Namaste from Zoe!

Circus

Or as Zoe calls it, "The Surface."

Last weekend we took the kids to the circus. I had to keep reminding myself to have fun and not worry about the $60 we spent on parking, tickets, pony rides, and a couple of corndogs and cotton candy. I wasn't prepared for the expense I guess.Anyways.... The $4 spun sugar was quite the hit...

...with the whole family! The girls really did enjoy themselves. And that's all that matters, right?!

egg in a nest

I've never made an egg in a nest before. the girls ate it up ;o)