No one can say I don't at least try....

Playing at McDonald's.  Sophie went up the slide with clothes on....she came down the slide with out.  Nice! 

Once there was a Snowman

Aubree and I made a snowman today.  The snow was perfect packing snow.   I started to make it pretty big, but she wanted a little "snow girl", so we pulled back a little. 

She made sure to give her a carrot nose,

pencil arms,

a warm hat,

peppermint buttons,

sixlet eyes, and a crasin mouth.  

New sleeping arrangements

Last night Aubree had a request.  She wanted to sleep in the tub.  I used to as a kid, so I thought why not?  We got it all set up with blankies, her pillows, some books and a few toys.  

She was so excited. Too bad it didn't last.  She had to go back in her room after playing too much, I think she was TOO excited to be calm and sleep.  If she wants to when she's older, we'll try again.

A replacement

Aubree didn't attach to a blanket until she hit toddler age.  Sophie was a different story.  It seemed almost immediately that she formed a bond with a very special blankie.  A blankie that my friend and college roommate made.  It was our sick blankie that we passed around to whoever needed it.  It ended up with me, and somehow onto Sophie.  

Let me introduce you to Blankie Star.  Blankie star went with us EVERYWHERE.  She could not nap or sleep with out it.  And it followed her in all her adventures.  

We went to a Carnival last year, Blankie Star and all.  Sadly it did not come home with us.  We didn't find out until late that night.  It was no where to be found.  Soph did not want to go to bed with out it....but what could we do?  I even tried calling the city representative for Parks and Rec. (too bad it wasn't "Leslie Knope", that would be amazing!) trying to see if there was any sort of Lost and Found from the Carnival.  But to no avail! It was gone.

She cried, she asked for her Blankie Star, but I couldn't make her happy.  I called my friend to see, if by chance, she had more fabric (from 10 years ago...) that I could recreate one.  Nope.  We went to Joann's (where she bought it originally) to see if there was even something similar or something she was drawn too...Nope.  I scoured online...nope.

E.V.E.R.Y. D.A.Y. since that night she has asked for it.  At first it was a sad tearful ask, that turned into an acceptance, but "just checking" ask.  Which then turned into a declarative statement that Blankie star was gone.  EVERY DAY.  At least once.  I'm talking months and months, with out missing a day.  

I tried re-introducing all her current blankets.  Blankets that family members made for her.  Or good friends bought for her.  But apparently none of them had that "special" factor.  Then I was online.  I was checking my Disney rewards account.  I saw a cute Lion King blanket, and had enough points to get said blanket.  I got it on the chance that one of them would like it.  Thankfully Aubree didn't want it, and Sophie did.  Ever since she has not mentioned Blankie Star.  It had been replaced.  THANKFULLY.  We are all happy again.  Lion King Blankie now goes with us everywhere.  Only it never leaves the car. And she can't get enough of it!

Chinese New Year

My two friends and I hosted a Chinese New Year recipe group last month.  Every month someone in our neighborhood hosts, and we all get together for a girls night out of delicious food, friends and fun.  In December my friend Karen asked if she could host January's slot.  She then had the brilliant idea of doing it around Chinese New Year.  Since my house already has ans Asian vibe, she asked me if I wanted to host with her and another friend and do it at my house.  I was all in!  Especially because I am very comfortable cooking Asian food.  Since my Asian "knowledge" all comes from Japan, we decided to Asian inspired food and not just Chinese.  We all had our jobs, and it came together beautifully.    

on the menu:
Asian asparagus, edamame, gyoza and YUMMY homemade dipping sauce, yakisoba, fresh pineapple, cabbage salad, wonton salad, Asian slaw, spring rolls with YUMMY homemade dipping sauce as well.  Jasmine rice, brown rice, szechuan chicken, apricot chicken, and coconut curry chicken and veggies.  I am geting hungry again just thinking about it!

For drinks we had ice water, sweet water, and herbal tea.

We made sure it looked as beautiful as it tasted.  From food labels,

to plants,

to decorations.

We even dipped fortunes cookies in chocolate for dessert.

My BEAUTIFUL paper umbrella from Japan.

It was such a fun night, fun to host, fun to see friends, and even more fun to look forward to next month when all I have to do is show up :) 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Year's Eve, we had a little bash.  My Aunt and Uncle came up, and we made a weekend out of it.  

We had a big dinner, but I still wanted to set up a "bar" with munchies and have a little party.  I used printables I found on Tom Kat Studios.     

 Corey was being a goof, but I'm glad he was, cause I didn't take any other pictures of us!

 The cute banner

 confetti, I had to put some purple in Jenni's

 cute quote picture

 silver ornaments in clear vases

 yummy treats with cute toppers

 goodies from Jenni and Corey

 Chips and salsa

 and of course Sparkling Cider

 with cute stem tags :)

All of us stayed up, and counted down to the New Year.  We toasted, kissed, and didn't go to bed until 3:00 am.  It was a very fun night.