Nite Nite

I have to admit, I'm loving having the internet at home - I keep up with everything so much better and obviously...I blog more. ;)

This morning was a typical morning - except that Gracelynn decided everyone needed to wake up before 7:00. Guess she's getting us back into the school routine early! Then, it was scrambled eggs with cheese and peanut butter toast (one of her favorite meals).

And one of her favorite new faces...

We've been having issues with nap time lately - but crazily enough - she went upstairs around 4:00 this afternoon, accidentally (actually, it's usually on purpose) locked herself in her room...a few tears and minutes later and we think she actually got into her bed and fell asleep! I know! Crazy!

We finally figured out why she was waking up in the middle of the night when she slept in her toddler bed...she's a wild sleeper and was literally flinging herself off the mattress! When we finally figured that out - we put her pillow at the foot of her bed and apparently, it was enough to keep her in bed. Hehehee! She is now officially sleeps all night in her toddler bed. :D

Nite nite Gracelynn. :)

Happy Birthday Mommy

Hard to believe the years are really beginning to fly so fast...

25 years down for both Heath and I now - yikes! :)

For my birthday treat, Heath took me to a beautiful restaurant by the river and we were actually out on a date by ourselves...sigh...how nice!

Also, by reader request, I had Heath take one more "belly" pic which I do hope will be the last of this pregnancy. Don't mind that crazy looking thing behind my head, it's actually a beautiful wreath, but it makes me look crazy here!

38+ weeks

The Mooch at Work

In case you don't have one in your family...

here is a true Mooch at work.

Mooch and Mooched

Surveying her handiwork...

Enjoying the fruits of her labor mooching.

Best DIY Ever

WOW!

So I had to share this with you all since I know many of you are stay-at-home-moms. :) The project was posted on one of my favorite blogs and I was so intrigued and excited...it just naturally spread to Heath and we literally went out this morning, got the materials, and did it ourselves. 

Rain-Gutter Bookshelves

(click link to get instructions)

Aren't these totally amazing? It took us all of 10 minutes to find the studs in the wall and screw in the brackets. And yes - they're really actually just simple rain gutters. Who knew!

It makes complete sense, but I guess I hadn't thought of it this way...kids will read more if they see the cover of the book - hence, some ingenius person came up with this crafty (and thrifty!) idea. A 10' section of vinyl gutter at Home Depot is literally under $8. We actually got a steel gutter (more strength because we figured the toyroom would see a lot of wear and tear), but you get the idea. Easy and economical! 

Needless to say, Gracelynn and I read quite a bit this afternoon and evening. :) She walked along her "book wall" and called out a lot of the characters on her books...followed by "Peeees!" (please) and "Weeeed" (read).

Somehow, in the middle of our exciting afternoon, we managed to visit some friends and spent time in their pool. Gracelynn is absolutely fearless...yikes!

Oh! I forgot, I did get into the garden this morning while it was still cool and dug up a couple rows of red potatoes...which I quickly turned into oven-baked parmesan wedges tonight. Yum yum. Nothing beats a fresh potato!

Although they are disappearing fast, I somehow got around to making these Honey-Sweetened Low-Fat Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. Whoa - delicious and yet, no sugar! How is that possible? Regardless, my sugar-sensitive husband (who can somehow detect anything made without sugar and automatically deem it un-edible) had no idea and has been popping them in his mouth alarmingly fast.

I literally made 3 dozen of these little beauties and only have a few left in a tupperware container. I suppose it's my fault for having left them out on the counter instead of freezing them for later...but I guess if my family is eating healthy then it's worth the effort. :) I do think that next time though, I'll bury the chocolate chips inside the muffins - Gracelynn thinks she's clever...she simply eats the chocolate right off the top! Sneaky girl. Lol.

Well, no baby update other than the fact that...I'm obviously still pregnant. Just over 2 weeks to go now, so I guess I can't complain.

Better get going. The supper dishes don't seem to be clearing themselves. :(

Blessings!

Thought for Today

moneysavingmom.com

Mini Corn Dogs

Trying new recipes is something I've always enjoyed. Since posting several of my successful attempts, I've had a lot of positive feedback and requests for even more!

So here is today's latest experiment that I found on another mom's blog. I tweaked it a bit and came up with this:

Mini (Kiddie) Corn Dogs

These were really delicious and took me literally about 5 minutes to prep.

Obviously, they were a huge hit with Heath (only he requested more dog than corn ;)

My plan is to make extra batches and freeze them for Gracelynn's "nacks" (snacks).

This recipe is so simple it's not even fair to call it cooking!

1 Jiffy corn muffin mix

hot dogs (can be frozen or room temp)

1 mini tart pan

Mix the corn muffins as directed. (Don't forget to spray the tart pan!) Fill tarts about half full with corn muffin batter - this is preference...more corn batter = more corn muffin. More dog = you get the picture. :)

Simply push your desired amount of hotdog down into the tart pan and bake at 400 degrees for roughly 12-15min. Remove and serve hot with ketchup!

Yum yum!

Crafty Fun!

I know, I know - I get like this every once in a while. The "crafty" juices (or what I call "must create something now" juices) start overflowing and I have to break out my sewing machine.

I started by sewing a little jumper for Gracelynn...

And then had to sew another! :)

(No! I don't have a ton of time on my hands...but when Gracelynn sleeps I can sure make a little go a long way!)

This time I experimented with some fun "gauzy" like stuff that I've never used. It made a darling little ruffle on the bottom.

Only my model decided she wasn't posing.

And finally, all of the Pampered Chef orders from last week's party came in and I spent over 2 hours sorting all the boxes and getting everyone's orders bagged. My goodness! 

By the time supper rolled around, Heath and I had already used like half of my new toys! He'd sliced an orange with the veggie wedger, I'd peeled peaches with my serrated peeler and made a peach pie...and used my pie crust cover to keep it nice and lightly browned. We steamed veggies and used a new crinkle cutter for our potatoes. We basically tried to use everything we could just because we could. :)

Behold! Tonight's dessert. :D

(Yes, I'd started cutting it before I thought to take a picture. My crust otherwise looked nice...yes, new fluted edge tool for crusts. Fun!)

Well, enough crafting and cooking talk.

I had an OB appointment today and everything is looking very good! I'm measuring small (which is great for me), but baby boy is growing well. He dropped a few weeks ago - though not many people have noticed - and I'm feeling more comfortable despite the heat.

Heath is crazy busy preparing for school. Self-contained classrooms this year, new math curriculum, 1:1 (laptops for every student in 6th grade starting this fall), and he is now officially the new head 8th grade football coach. Did I mention school starts only a few days after the baby is due??

Whew! I think I feel another piece of peach pie (covered in ice cream, of course), an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies, and an early bedtime. Just reading this blog made me tired. :P

Stay cool everyone!

Instant Hit!

Just had to share this recipe with you all...

It was an instant hit with Gracelynn (and Mommy!)

All Natural, No-Bake Energy Bites 

These are excellent and super fast/easy to make.

Actually, I can't quit eating them either...uh-oh!

Beh-Bees and the Fair

Fair week in DeWitt this weekend!

Since I'm a frequent farmer's market'er, I was around when they started handing out free one-day passes to the fair. We took Gracelynn Thursday night and she had her first hands-on experience with goats. A little poop on the shoes, stinky hands, and a few happy smiles later, we hit the 4-H barns where she dubbed everything as a "tow" (cow).

She was absolutely fearless with the animals - oh dear...

We had to keep reminding her that the geese gave big "owwies" and it wasn't a good idea to offer them her hands!

We also had a visit from Gracelynn's Uncle Benji this weekend...who was almost immediately dubbed: "Beh-bees".

After a long weekend playing with her uncle and a hot afternoon at the lake...my girl was all about cuddling. She's getting so old, I know! Makes me sad!

Well, it's time for supper and in this heat - Heath and I are loathe to start the oven, use the stove, or simply eat anything hot. Gracelynn is gearing down and the evening is fairly quiet right now...so I think I'll sign off and enjoy it with my family.

P.S.

Less than 4 weeks to go before the little guy is due to make his appearance!

"Waa-dee"

After several days of being cooped up in the house, Heath decided to take his girls to the lake to cool off. Gracelynn has definitely decided she loves the water. :) Here I caught her in action running to the edge of the water...

Now she's pointing at all the "big kids".

And after watching one little boy, who was determined to attract both mine and Heath's attention, she mimicked him by running into the water, falling, and saying, "Uh-oh!"

(Telling us all about the "waa-dee" aka "water")

Towards the end of our outing, a very kind grandmother came by and simply gave us her extra floaty. Gracelynn did not want her legs through it, but decided it was okay to use it like a chair. :)

And! Some live footage of Gracelynn enjoying her day at the lake. :)

Stay cool ya'll!

Monday Already?

I have to admit, this week just flew by me!
I spent most of it cleaning and getting ready for my Pampered Chef party on Saturday and a small bit of it enjoying the weather and some much-needed rest.

Gracelynn's G'pa Snitker came down for a vist/work week and believe it or not? Our bathroom actually looks just that...like a BATHROOM! WOW! We even got far enough to paint and install the vanity/sink. WOW again!

This weekend was fun. Between the women who came from the party and the guys (mainly Heath and G'pa)...all 4 dozen muffins, sticky buns, egg casserole, and pink lemonade are gone! 

Grocery stop after church!

Here is Gracelynn enjoying "snack time" in a box. Don't ask me why - but they make the best toys!

Crazy hair - I know. She just got out of the bathtub and was enjoying some "diaper time" - which I guess translates to "Mommy is too tired to go back up the stairs to find pajamas so I'm going to run around as long as I can and make the most of my freedom!"

Well, now that we have internet at the house again, I should be able to keep all you faithful blog readers up to date. :) At least, that's the plan...

Only 5 weeks (or less...fingers crossed) until we meet the newest addition to the Kelley family!

We'll keep you posted. :D

A New House for G

NO we are NOT moving...but Gracelynn is!

After converting a giant cardboard box into a 'ouse', as Gracelynn likes to say, she promptly moved in her babies and books.

So focused!

Yes, that's Winnie the Pooh on her lap. ;)

G'pa Snitker is down visiting right now and hoping to get our bathroom finished once and for all! Wish us luck!

Have a great day. :)

4th of July Weekend

Hi Everyone!

Hope you're enjoying your 4th of July! The fam and I are spending the rest of the afternoon indoors after sitting through a very fun, but very hot, parade!

I have a lot of pictures, so I'll only write a little bit...but we'll hopefully have internet at home again shortly, so I'll be able to keep you all informed better soon!

Here's me and my girl. :)

(34 weeks down...and hopefully 6 or less to go!)

Reading is an every night affair. Here is her "go to bed" book.

Maybe I should rephrase that and say, reading is an every DAY affair.

This is her permanent reading spot! Where the "bear bag" goes, she goes...with all of her books!

Heath put in a sandpile for Gracelynn last week and her she is, patiently waiting for him to finish digging.

Hurray!

She has already spent HOURS in her sandpile...

Baseball caps are now her newest "fashion statement". Since Daddy comes home in one almost every day, she decided they were now "cool" to wear.

Say "cheese!"

(One of my absolute favorite pictures!)

Winnie the Pooh is nothing short of Gracelynn's favorite character - so I decided Pooh was worthy of being used a sandbox cover. :) 

Behold - old plywood with a new purpose!

Gracelynn's new "hat like daddy"

G'pa and G'ma came to visit this weekend. It didn't take very long for Gracelynn to warm up when she decided they were very good "readers".

(Yes, the book is a Winnie the Pooh book)

After a crazy night playing with "Pappa" and G'ma, Gracelynn hung out with them for the city parade. It was HOT, but she managed to snag a pretty necklace, a sucker (which she thoroughly enjoyed) and a freeze pop...which left a blue trail everywhere on her!

Daddy hanging out and looking "cool".

G'ma, Daddy, and G.

Love this photo!

The "growing" Kelley family!

(Please, don't remind me I'm getting very pregnant! Lol...I haven't forgotten!)

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!