Photo Sessions

Two weeks ago, Lauren had her 2 year photos taken and Tyler had her 2 month photos taken.

The photographer generously shared a couple of the pictures with me on Facebook so I figured I would put them on my blog to share with all of you.

Lauren and Tyler

A Science Lesson

sodium bicarbonate
acetic acid
carbon dioxide

How long has it been since you've used those terms?

Until recently, I don't think I had even thought about those things since high school.

Well it turns out that the combination of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and acetic acid (vinegar) along with an empty water bottle and a balloon make a kick-ass science experiment!

What you need:
1 - empty plastic water bottle
2 - tbsp vinegar
1 - tsp baking soda
1 - latex balloon

1. Pour two tablespoons of vinegar in the bottom of an empty plastic water bottle.
2. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to the inside of a latex balloon. (I used a straw to lift the soda out of the container and place it in the balloon)
3. Stretch the opening of the balloon over the bottle opening.
4. Lift the balloon, pouring the baking soda into the bottle.
5. Sit back and watch as the chemical reaction occurs in the bottle, then expands the balloon.

Awesome, right? The kiddo's loved it!

The Great Outdoors

We, like most Ohioans, spent the past couple of days outdoors and enjoying the weather.

What a great feeling!!

It's always nice to get a taste of Spring to keep us looking forward to the days that lie ahead.

Most of my chores were thrown to the side this weekend. A person needs to break free every once in a while when a good opportunity arises.

I even broke in my new running shoes today. I ran a mile while pushing Tyler in the jogging stroller and I didn't stop! I was pretty proud of myself. I'm feeling sore already, but it's not necessarily a bad thing.
I found the sunshine and warmth to be very motivating.

Here are a few pics of us playing outside this weekend.
These were taken at a local park Saturday evening. It was a bit muddy, but we put the kids in some old play clothes and off we went!

 

 

 This is Lauren's favorite way of going down a slide.

 

 

 

We spent this afternoon at the Holmes County Trail. Hubs rode his bike while pulling Lauren along in a little carrier, Turner rode his scooter, and I ran behind them while pushing Tyler in the stroller. When we finished up on the trail, we played on the jungle gym for a bit.

 

This is the face Lauren made when I told her to smile for the picture.

Turner scaled the rock wall like Spiderman...

so of course, Little Sis had to give it a try. She made it too!

I even made Hubs pose for a picture today.

 

 

Here I am working on my upper body strength by helping the kids do the monkey bars. We did this over and over and over again.



And here is Lauren going down the slide like it's a water slide. Hubs and I underestimated it's speed. She launched off of that thing like she was shot out of a cannon. Needless to say, she went down chaperoned after that. Still a great pic though. It makes me laugh.

 

After our fun at the trail today, we went out for ice cream. I'm pretty sure I not only canceled out the calories burned at the park, but I added a few as well.

 

Meh.

 

You'll have that.

 

I hope you were able to get out and enjoy some sunshine this weekend too!

Root Beer Pulled Pork Sammy's

Three unimportant things to know before I begin this post.

1. I hate the taste of Root Beer. Always have, probably always will.
2. Hubs said that this is the best pulled pork sandwich he has ever eaten.
3. Almost everyone in my family older than the age of 50 pronounces Root Beer like Rught Beer. Maybe it's a southern thing? Maybe it's just a family thing? I dunno.
4. Be assured that I broke the cycle.

This is a wonderful recipe and I can't wait to serve it to friends and family during our next get-together. It would go great with a side of potato salad. I'm already dreaming of summer bbq's and picnics. (looking off into space with a dreamy smile)

Now the recipe...

ROOT BEER PULLED PORK

Ingredients:
1 - 1 to 3 lb. pork roast
2 - tablespoons grill mates pork rub
2 - cups root beer
1 - small onion, cubed
2 - cloves of garlic, chopped
2 - teaspoons liquid smoke
1 - 18 oz. bottle of Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce

Directions:
Rinse the pork roast off with water and rub two tablespoons of pork rub on roast ensuring that you cover the entire roast.

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Make sure the skillet is hot and sear all sides of the roast.

Remove roast from pan and add to the crockpot. Add the onion, garlic, 1 tsp. of liquid smoke, and 1 cup of root beer.

Cover the crockpot and cook on low 5 - 6 hours. When done, remove the roast and discard the liquid and onions.

Shred the pork into pieces using two forks.

Add the remaining cup of root beer, bbq sauce, and remaining tsp. of liquid smoke. Stir to combine.

Cook the shredded meat an additional hour on low.

Enjoy!

Moon Sand

A few evenings ago, the kiddo's and I made Moon Sand using only a bag of flour and a couple cups of baby oil.

It was so soft and the kids enjoyed playing with it.

It wasn't as messy as beach sand, but it was definitely EVERYWHERE. The next time we make moon sand, we'll be doing it outdoors.

The best part about it is that it packed easily so the kids could make walls and sandcastles with it. It certainly beat taking buckets of water out to the sandbox like I had to this summer!

I think it would be cool to pick up a couple of bags of flour and make each bag a different color of Moon Sand. It would be really easy and I think the kids would enjoy it even more.

There's always next time!

The bigger the hair, the closer to God.

I LOVE BIG HAIR!
*Unless it's in your nether-region... but that's an entirely different post.

The JessicaSimpsonMariahCareyFergieShakira hair.

Love. it.

Maybe being raised in the 80's and 90's has much to do with that. Maybe not, but I'm guessing it's influence has never left me.

You know who's hair I wanted most when I was growing up? I wanted DJ's hair on Full House. Candace Cameron had the coolest hair ever.

For the younger generation, it was the equivalent of Topanga's hair on Boy Meets World.
I mean, look at the lift on that shit. NICE.

Oh, and who can forget the Whitesnake video with Tawny Kitaen rocking that natural red mane. I was so full of hair envy and never more pissed at my parents for not enrolling me in gymnastics so I could pull off that sweet car move. Hell, it's 2013 and I STILL think she looks hot. (Okay, yeah... I still love that freaking video too) Sidenote: That video was made in 1987... damn, I'm feeling old right now!

I'm not a fan of perms, but I love me some wavy curls. As strange as it sounds, I recently learned how to curl my hair with my straightening iron. (You can pretty much learn to do anything on YouTube)
I've also figured out how to do a few messy updo's with head bands. They look like this:

You know what else I'm loving? Head scarves! Isn't this the cutest? Kind of Rosie the riveter meets hipster. I'm digging it.

Rhianna took it to a whole other level with this do.
Awesome.

It always seems that I never get my hair big enough. (sigh)
I've become the queen of teasing and back combing. I'm sure there will be long term damage because of this. The price of faking a thick wig, right?

Oh, and did I mention I only wash my hair every three days? Since my hair is naturally light in color, wavy on one side and straight on the other, and fairly thin*, it dries out with almost any treatment or styling regimen. Not to mention it grows faster on one side than the other. On the days I wash my hair, I have to deep condition, add oil (I'm hearing coconut oil works wonders, btw), and let it mostly air dry before I can use my hair dryer on it. It's a lot of work and it sucks nuts.
*Think Tom Petty meets Meg Ryan

I have a continuous inner battle with myself to just cut it into a short bob, but I enjoy all of the hair style options that come with having medium or long hair.

I'm seeing more and more of the ladies wearing bands around their heads like this, but I feel like I'm too old for it. Maybe not... depends on where it's worn and what kind of crowd I guess. I have to admit, I like the look.

Until I figure out a way to grow thick, glorious, Empire State Building locks, I'll just have to keep the teasing comb and hairspray handy and swoon when I see pics like these:

 

 

So, when I'm feeling bitter, I find some of the worst big hairstyles I can find and become thankful that their mishaps have never happened to me.

 

 For example:

 

Kim Kardashian

 

 

 

Christina Aguilera

 

 

Nicki Manaj

 

 

 

and Kelly Pickler

 

 

Phew!

Feeling better already.









No Bake Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding

I'm pretty sure that this recipe alone is the only thing keeping Nilla Wafers on the shelf.

I made this last night with Miss Lauren and it was not only easy, but delicious.

I've eaten several versions of Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding, but this one is the one I like best.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 lb. vanilla wafer cookies
8 oz. thawed whipped topping
8 oz. sour cream
2 cups whole milk (I used 1% and it turned out just fine)
4 peeled sliced bananas
5 oz. package of instant vanilla pudding mix

Directions:

Mix the whipped topping, sour cream, milk, and pudding mix.

Put a layer of cookies at the bottom of dish, add a layer of the pudding mixture, then a layer of bananas.

Repeat until all ingredients are used.

Refrigerate until serving.