Adventures in Baking

This past weekend was my mom's birthday. Since it was on a Sunday, we thought that a Sunday brunch would be a perfect way to celebrate. Football, food, family, and most important... mimosas. I decided to test a new recipe on them and since everyone seemed to enjoy it, I will share it here! Peanut Butter Banana Bread... who wouldn't love it! It was delicious and not bad for you!

Since that bread was gone so fast, I decided to try a recipe from my new favorite site. I don't know if everybody loves pumpkin as much as I do... but I really love it! I am completely obsessed with Starbucks Pumpkin loaf, but it is NOT ideal for losing weight. One slice it close to 400 calories... yikes! With this low calorie pumpkin bread recipe you get a slice for only 103! It is so good!

Happy baking everyone!

Flashback

Tonight while I was getting the kids ready for bed, a commercial came on tv. I wasn't paying attention until I heard 3 letters- ALS. ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease) attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease that can affect anyone and it does not yet have a cure. I will fully admit that I did not know much about this disease until a few years ago. I did not know much about it until I found out that one of the kindest, most caring people I know was diagnosed with it. OJ Brigance, the Senior Advisor to Player Development for the Baltimore Ravens, was diagnosed in 2007 and is determined to beat this. I am not in Baltimore anymore, but I still think of him and his wonderful wife often. I know he can beat this and I want to help. Participating in 'The Walk to Defeat ALS' is one small way I can support him. The walk is on Saturday, I am hoping I can meet my fundraising goal by then. If you would like to donate to this amazing cause (any amount helps and all money goes help fight ALS) visit:

http://webco.alsa.org/goto/supportOJfightALS

After signing up for the walk, I started to think about my time in Baltimore. I was thinking about how scared I was to go there. I was so young and I didn't know anyone, but it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done. I met some of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I made friendships that will last a lifetime. It seemed as though we all were pregnant at the same time too! So not only were we friends, but even our kids loved each other! I don't know if I will ever be lucky enough to be in a place where everyone gets along and everyone GENUINELY likes and cares about one another. If I don't, I won't even care... experiencing it once was good enough for me! I still miss all my Bmore girls, though!

Mini meet up this past summer

Sunday Funday

Well... it is late. I don't know what else to say except for today was a great day. DJ slept until 7:30 and then relaxed in my room until I was finished feeding Dash. Usually DJ is a mad man running all over the house as soon as his eyes open. When we went downstairs I made the kids breakfast- bacon, eggs, and toast. Of course they only ate the bacon (little stinkers) and made sure to tell me that they didn't like the eggs they wouldn't even try. I was okay with it though because I was able to make their eggs my Eggies! I admit it, I have a strange fascination with 'as seen on tv' products. I was really excited to order those things (until I saw them in the isle at Walmart, then I realized I could buy them and not pay for shipping!) and let me tell you, they did not let me down. Now I just can't wait to use the egg slicer, it looks pretty exciting. And yes, I do just realize what I wrote. I am a stay at home mom... little kitchen gadgets are very exciting for me.

My Eggies, don't be jealous!

Later on in the day we headed over to my Grandma's house to watch the Giants game. This is another thing that I do not like about being so far away from Derrick. The Giants games are not shown here and it is so annoying. My Grandma has the NFL ticket, so we head over there. My kids are completely obsessed with my Grandma, so it works out well for me... not so much for her! Dash looked beyond adorable today, it's not that I am biased or anything... but he is pretty much the cutest baby EVER (again, totally not biased). He was wearing a new onesie that Derrick brought home on his 24 hour trip and his super cute football hat and booties. The game was great and the Giants won! It was a close game and I had a mini heart attack, but they did it! I was really glad because I can't imagine a plane ride from AZ to NY would be fun after a loss.

Now I should go get on the spin bike, but Dash is sleeping and I am most likely just taking my behind to bed. Oh well... double workouts tomorrow!

A fun and AMAZING week!

Don't worry, I am not quitting already! This past week was just so great, that I put blogging to the back of mind!

Now let's see, where to start? Well, on Monday night the best thing happened! My wonderful husband came home! We haven't seen him since the beginning of September, so we all were really missing him. I was excited because Dash has already changed so much and I hate that Derrick is missing it. Derrick's flight came in after the kids were already asleep Monday night, so they were both so excited when they woke up with him here! Then Derrick was able to come with me to... their first day of school!!!!!!

They were not very cooperative taking pictures before school

That's right, DJ and Harlow started school on Tuesday and I can already feel my sanity returning. They only go two days a week, but it is perfect for them. They get to interact with other kids their age and I can run errands without my whole posse (I still am afraid to leave the house with all 3 of them by myself, getting them in and out of car seats is an adventure in it's self!). While they were at school, Derrick and I (and Dash) were even able to have a little lunch date. We had sushi and it was so good! It was the first time I have had it since I got pregnant with Dash... boy did I miss it! DJ and Harlow both had a great first day of school. DJ loves it there, Harlow is skeptical, but I know she will love it too... eventually.

Derrick had to go back to Jersey Tuesday night. I am always sad when he leaves, but at least this time I was able to hold back the tears until he got out of the car. The hardest part is telling the kids to give him a big kiss and let them know he won't be there in the morning. They are total Daddy's babies, so they are the happiest kids when he is home. Apparently I can't wrestle like he can and I am not nearly as funny. We all miss him, but it was great to see him even if it was only for a day.

Today we went to the circus and let me tell you... it was FUN! The kids loved it!!! We went with my mom, so of course the got absolutely everything they wanted. I loved seeing their cute little faces light up whenever they would see an elephant, watching them laugh at the clowns, and hearing DJ keep asking "How they do dat?!". I remember going with my mom, aunt, and cousin every year when I was little, so it was wonderful to pass on something so fun to my kids.

Time To Shape Up

So over the weekend, my healthy eating habbits went down the drain. Cupcakes, cookies, cake pops, pasta, and even more carbs. So today, I have really have to try and focus on eating healthy again. I want this baby weight off of me!!!! The kids and I are going to go for a walk today, I am taking the double stroller and strapping Dash in the Moby. I know I am going to look like a crazy lady with all these little kids, but it should be a good work out.

I found a 5k that I really want to run in December. My main goal, however, is to run a half marathon next fall. When I was in high school, I loved to run. Now? I don't think I could run a mile without passing out! I am really determined to get in running shape again. When DJ and Harlow are in school, I am going to put Dash in the jogging stroller and start training. Wish me luck, because I don't think this is going to be easy.

I would love to do this with some people! I know most of my friends live in different states, but I am going to try and figure something out. If you are interested in doing this with me, let me know!

Party Party Party!!!

Yesterday was Harlow's birthday party! It was so much fun and I am so happy with how it turned out. The decorations looked awesome and the food was delicious! Everyone had so much fun (at least I think they did) and it was nice to catch up with family. Harlow was completely obsessed with her dessert table and her outfit (which she is wearing again today). She kept getting everyone else cake pops and chocolate covered pretzels. All she wanted was the chocolate covered strawberries, without the chocolate! What a little weirdo!

The dessert table was my biggest project. I made the cupcake stand to showcase the super yummy cupcakes. I covered canvases with fabric and rhinestones for a pretty background for the table. Most importantly, I made lots of really tasty desserts! We had cake pops, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered strawberries, cupcakes, and cheesecake pops. I loved the way it turned out and it was so worth the effort.

On another note, all of the vendors I ordered from were amazing. I put this all together pretty last minute and they still managed to to get everything to me on time. If you ever need anything, I highly suggest using them! Sweetie Pie Couture did the adorable bows. The tutu that Harlow adored is from Tiffany's Tutus and Ties. The shirt that started it all is from Shepherds Flock. The cupcake toppers were so cute and they are from Pamper Your Party.

Let's Play A Game

Can you tell who is who?

Could you do it? The top picture is Dash and the bottom one is DJ. It makes me laugh how much they look alike, they have the same facial expressions and everything!