A Marvelous Mess

Today, my beautiful daughter decided to teach me a lesson, or invoke an epiphany...take your pick.

How bad is a mess?

I mean, yes, ketchup on a white carpet is terrible.  Spilled milk on your couch is definitely worth crying over, I mean really, how do you get that smell out?  But, a mess.  Oats on the kitchen floor.  Blocks scattered around the living room.  EVERY stuffed animal in your house gathered in one large pile in the middle of the floor...

I poured a few cups worth of dried oats into a small Tupperware container, about the size of a shoe box.  I had been toying around with the idea of a sensory box for L, but hadn't quite opted to commit without knowing if she was going to enjoy it or not.  After all, she's at that age where her favorite activity seems to be to run around the house like a cyclone, and knocking any leaning tower of ANYTHING down.

Amazing, and simple, Eggnog Cream Pie

Okay, seriously, this is everything Christmas in my mouth, all at once.  It's fantastic in a way I can't even tell you.  I stumbled across this blog post earlier today, courtesy of pinterest.  I pondered for about 30 seconds on whether to make it or not.  And, because I am a lover of all things eggnog, I made out the grocery list and was ready to go the minute L woke up from her nap.

Toddler Proof Christmas Tree Make Over

So it's that time of year again.  Most of us dig into our storage, pull out the totes upon totes of delicate Christmas heirlooms and treasures and proudly display them around our home for the holiday season.  We put up tinsel or sparkly garland, and string our teetering tree with lights and "shatterproof" ornaments.  Family photo's and books are traded in for a nutcracker and a Christmas village.  Except for those of us with toddlers... especially 1 year old toddlers who are still learning.

That elite group of us who still consider braving the over decorated stores with our tots in tow cringe.  Cringe at the things to break.  Look out for the tinsel, lights, and garland decorated windows and trees which attract tiny hands like a month to the flame...inevitably bringing it to its demise.  And the thought of bringing such items into our home?  Are you kidding?  I cherish the fact I can now turn my back on my child while she plays from her toy bin and I manage to unload and load the dishwasher without her "help."  If I brought a tree in and trimmed it with such bait, I'd never be able to leave my daughters side for fear she'd pull the entire thing crashing down on herself in an attempt to further explore the newness and attractiveness of it all.

Realistic toddler food

I suppose my time has come.  It seems that every mom with a blog has a "toddler approved" list of foods.  I can't really knock them, because those mom's saved my sanity when my creative spark was just lost to think outside the box for a new meal for her.  I know she can eat whatever we eat...so says the pediatrician...but have you ever tried to feed a toddler soup?  How bout something with jalapenos?  Sandwich that's not just a PB&J?  Also, have you ever tried to convince a picky eater (or a teething toddler) to eat something other than soft pasta?  And really, how many times can you feed them mac and cheese, or grilled cheese, before you start to feel a little guilty that they're not getting a variety of foods?  So, I've come up with the list of foods that have worked in our house, hopefully some of them will work for you, or at least spark some ideas to help you think of more!

Birthday Invitations!

So I'm a little behind schedule planning Lyla's 1st birthday.  I got so involved with Thanksgiving, and Christmas, my brain just skipped right over her birthday.  Parent fail?  I think so.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies!

Alright, so I just couldn't wait until after Thanksgiving to share this one with you because it's SO delicious.

I have to give credit where credit is due.  I got this recipe over at Dreamy Desserts, and let me just tell you, she hit the nail on the head with this one!  As someone who grew up in the north east, home of the whoopie pie, I was hesitant at first to derive from its initial awesomeness.  But, being a fan of all things fall, pumpkin, and cream cheese...how could I say no?

Because I can't just leave well enough alone, I was determined to make these guys in little pumpkin shapes.  At first I busted out my cookie press and the pumpkin disc.  However, it would seem that whoopie pie batter is not a friend to the cookie press.  BIG mess in the making.

Posts to come, I promise, I'm not slacking!!!

I know I'm slacking in posting, but seriously, life is busy this time of year!!!

I'm getting my butt BACK to the gym since October was scratched.  Unforeseen surgeries tend to put a damper on that momentum.  I'm finding that I actually prefer to double up my routines and get 2 done in 1 day.  It's probably not the completely right answer, but it makes my half hour drive to the gym far more worth it.  Granted a single routine takes 45 minutes to an hour, however a double only adds on an extra half hour so it just seems to make sense.  And, courtesy of my planet fitness membership, I can also get in a tanning session!  Twice a week to get all my routines in and KNOWING I can make it, and then going randomly in the week if I have time or putting in a Zumba work out is way easier with our schedule, and an almost 1 year old, than trying to get to the gym 4 times a week after 6 pm once the hubs is home.