Inspiration - Cookies and Costumes

I gotta say a big THANKS to Allison for inspiring me to bake some homemade chocolate chip cookies! We are big slice and bakers over here and by that, I mean at least every night we put some kind of cookie in the oven. So, it was a special occasion to make some from scratch! I share Allison's opinion that Kristen's cookies are the very best! I did not even attempt her recipe, instead I just took a note from good ole Nestle Tollhouse! When you say Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies does that make anyone else think of that "Friends" episode where Phoebe thinks she has some massive, secret family recipe that Monica spends countless hours trying to crack which just turns out to be Nestle Tollhouse? I laugh inside every time.

Also, thanks to Aunt Olivia and Uncle Bart for sending Kinley her very own cooking set in the mail! It came complete with all kinds of utensils, an apron and a recipe book. She loved it immediately.

I think her favorite thing are the "scissors" that really would only cut dough. That is something she is not used to being able to play with.

All the utensils are color coded and it was so fun to ask her to hand me the yellow cup or the pink spoon. She really did get to be involved!

I think the cookies turned out delicious!

Allison also inspired me to get going on Kinley's Halloween costume. Recently, Kinley has become obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We cannot start watching it until after her nap in the late afternoon because once we start she cannot stop. If we are in the car, she wants to watch it on a phone, at home on the tv or if the tv is in use, on the ipad or the computer. It is kind of insane. But, because of that, it was easy to decide she should be Minnie Mouse for Halloween! This is kind of the look I am going for.

I was not sure I was up to the task of making a costume but, I found the perfect fabric at Hobby Lobby and figured it was meant to be!

I did not find a pattern I liked, or that I know how to follow, so I am just going to wing it and try to make my own. We will see how it goes. So far, I have started by making a simple circle skirt.

I will get you some finished project pics when its ready.

Ty's Newborn Photo Session - Sneak Peak

I am so excited to share the sneak peak of Ty's newborn photo session. I CANNOT say enough amazing things about Cassie at TwelveTwenty Photography. Cassie is a friend of mine and I am so blessed that she is so unbelievably talented. But, not only that, she has patience for miles and was so delicate and sweet to my precious newborn. She has an eye for detail and really just made our photo session a wonderful and peaceful experience. She apparently has a lot more than this to show me and I should get the CD in the mail soon and I just can't wait. It will be like Christmas morning to me to look through them all and see all her talented shots. But, for now, here is the sneak peak of pics she posted on her photography blog. Definitely if you are looking for a newborn photographer I KNOW there is not a better one out there!

This week - State Fair, The Zoo and Snack Day

The weather this week has been amazing and it is finally starting to feel like Fall! It has really helped us get out of our shell and venture out for some fun!

On Sunday, Ben, Kinley and I went to the Texas State Fair with Scott, Katie, Joe, Emily and Isaac. It was my first time to leave Ty. He stayed with Honey and Boss for a few hours and did great. It was definitely harder on me than him. I don't have any pictures from the State Fair because I forgot my camera...boo.

On Monday, Mom and I took both kids to the zoo. I remembered to bring my camera, only to find out that the memory card was not inside...boo. But, we did a better job of taking iphone pics. Both kids did great at the zoo and we had such a fun day!

Kinley loved getting up and close to the animals.

This tiger is a little too zoned in on her for me!

She is always thinking about her friends and anywhere she finds a phone she is talking to someone. Here she is clearly talking to Ella about her zoo experience.

She also tries to meet new friends everywhere she goes. She says, "My name is Kinley."

There was not a bronze statue in sight that she could walk by without climbing on.

Ty slept most of the day either in his carseat or the baby bjorn.

It was such a fun day at the zoo! Afterward, we came home and got ready for school on Tuesday. Each kid in Kinley's class has a snack day assigned to them once a month. When someone brings snack, they kind of get to be the leader for the day. They are first in line when they walk somewhere, etc. Tuesday was our snack day and we decided to bring some Halloween-themed snacks. I guess I was inspired by Camila's post earlier this month and also remembered some treats Aly made for our Halloween night out last year. We went for Rice Krispie Chocolate Spiders.

Rice Krispie Chocolate Spiders

3 tablespoons of butter

4 cups mini marshmallows

5 cups rice krispies

1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips

I melted the butter over high heat and added in the marshmallows until they were melted. Then I stirred in the chocolate chips until they were melted and removed it from the heat. Then I stirred in the rice krispies. I spooned out large mounds of rice krispies and as they were cooling stuck 8 pretzels in the sides for legs and 2 M&M's on top for eyes. I think they turned out cute and they were a hit with the kids. Kinley immediately walked into school and told the teachers she brought spiders to school!

This was so fun and I even bought enough to make more treats this season. I think I want to try the Surprise Pumpkin Treats next!

Ty - One Month

I can't believe it....my sweet angel boy is one month old today! In some ways, this month feels like it has been long and in other ways, like it has flown by! In all ways, I am SO, SO thankful for this little man. There is something about a boy! I find myself wanting to spoil him rotten! Maybe I know there will be a day when it is not cool for a son to cuddle with his mom and for me to smother him with kisses. I don't know but, I cannot get enough of him right now.

....those eyes!

....those cheeks!

....the baby yawns!

ok...enough mom!

Dad can't get enough either. I can't wait to see these boys interact and play one day. I see many a fishing and hunting trip in their future.

In his first month, I want to remember what an easy baby you have been! Kinley was definitely not a difficult baby...but, Ty, you have been a dream. You have been a fantastic eater and sleeper from the beginning. Already you are nursing about every 3 1/2 to 4 hours during the day and every 5 to 5 1/2 hours at night. That means you really only wake up once at night already. On the whole I am getting great sleep and sleepless nights are definitely the exception. I am so, so thankful for that blessing! At night you sleep pretty great in your bassinet but, you usually end up in bed with me before the night ends...maybe around 5:00am or so until we get up for the day. You sleep pretty much anywhere and everywhere during the day and are not picky....the couch, the bouncer, the swing, the carseat...anywhere.

You are a big boy! You probably weigh over 11 pounds already...gaining about a pound a week. From day 1 you were wearing 3 month clothes and size 2 diapers and pretty much skipped right over that newborn stuff.

The transition from 1 kid to 2 has been really great! I was really scared of how overwhelmed I would feel but, both of my kids have been amazing. Kinley has adjusted wonderfully and she is so patient with us and loving toward Ty. Ty, you are patient with your sister and when she talks to you or around you I can tell you love her. It has been like that since you were in my tummy. Every time Kinley would come around, you would start kicking!

Things you love are: your bouncer, the moby wrap, your car seat and your mobile. You are starting to like your baths and the swing also. When I am working cleaning up your room or Kinley's room or putting away your clothes, I set you in your bed to watch the mobile and you love it.

Ty, in your first month, you have met lots of new family and friends and this past week even helped Austin celebrate his dedication with lots of family and cousins.

You have had your picture taken probably a million times already and I have loved on you and kissed you more than I can count.

You are even starting to smile a little bit. I have not caught at full on smile yet...but, this half smile is to.die.for!

I love you my little Ty Ty. You are such a blessing to us. Our prayers for you continue to be that you will become a man after God's heart. That you will me merciful and gracious and patient and that you will fall in love with Jesus at an early age and believe in Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. We are overwhelmed with thankfulness that God entrusted you and your sweet sister to us. Happy 1 month!