I don't want to forget....

I have seasons where I'm great at menu planning and more seasons where I'm not so good about it. It takes time to plan out the week, but it's better overall when I do (and I think it helps to save money since I'm not going to the grocery store as often during the week.) I LOVE trying new recipes! I loved cooking as a child with my Grama. I remember having a kid's cookbook and making things out of there. As I got older, the recipes I collected changed. I recently found some from my "cooking light" years where everything calls for reduced fat this or that. (Now that sounds gross!)  Back before we had dietary restrictions, I really enjoyed cooking. Then EK went gluten, dairy and egg free back in 2009 and I kind of lost my enthusiasm. (Taking away some yummy ingredients will do that!) A few months ago, I decided to look for some recipes that complied with our family needs (or could be adjusted easily). I LOVE and am thankful for Pinterest!! It has seriously ...

Keith and I have both commented in the past few weeks how quickly AK's speech is progressing. He wasn't saying much at 18 months (which had me a little worried with EK's autism in mind) but he did understand what we told him (Something EK didn't always do, usually I chalked up to her being stubborn, but I think she just didn't understand at times too). He's also started repeating words. For the longest time, if I knew he wanted "up", I would say "up" to try and get him to say it. He would say "peas". If he wanted grapes, I would say "Say grapes" and he would reply "peas". It used to frustrate me, but now he's trying to say different things and I'm thankful! Here are some things he says a lot: Me too. (If I am going on an errand and he wants to go along or if someone's getting a snack) Me do (He's very independent) Oh no!! Ta-da! (Here is what I was looking for or what you were asking about)...

What is your favorite color? pink What is your favorite toy? Strawberry Shortcake remote controlled car What is your favorite fruit? apples What is your favorite TV show? Sofia the First What is your favorite lunch? peanut butter and jelly sandwich What is your favorite outfit? Gray shirt with bow and navy pants What is your favorite game? Candyland What is your favorite snack? Chocolate chip granola bar What is your favorite animal? zebra What is your favorite song? Doe a deer (From Sound of Music) What is your favorite book? Tacky the Penguin Who is your best friend? Payton What is your favorite breakfast? Honey nut cheerios What is your favorite outside toy? Water table What is your favorite drink? milk What is your favorite holiday? Christmas What is your favorite toy to take to bed? My carebear What is your favorite breakfast? cereal What do you want for dinner on your birthday? buttered noodles What do you want to be when you grow up? A mommy Happy Bir...

On Saturday we had a family party for AC and AK. Their birthdays are only 17 days apart and it's easier on EK to only have to endure one big party. :) AC wanted a Candyland theme and AK had a train theme. I planned to have 2 different cakes until my mom gave me the idea to combine the two! I think it turned out super cute and it was delicious. (In fact, I have been eating on it every day since.)     I wanted a picture with AC before everyone came to show what the cake looked like prior to AK and/or EK getting into it. Even though I was trying to keep a close eye on it, a little boy got a lollipop from the cake and smeared the icing a little. He also started eating one of his cupcakes before party time. Oh well! With my first child, I would have been so upset. Instead, I just laughed and took a picture on my phone. :) Two of the girl cousins  I tried to get a picture of AK with his cousin RL, but he wouldn't be still... He was so excited to blow o...