The Easiest Lollipop Ever!

After the park we decided to make the easiest lollipops ever! Not only are they easy, they are so delicious! These would make such a great party favor or school treat wrapped in clear wrap with a cool ribbon! I followed this amazing recipe by: Hoosierhomade

Jolly Rancher Lollipop!

We unwrapped two small bags of Jolly Ranchers...we placed about three of the candies for 1 lollipop. I didn't have parchment paper so I just sprayed tinfoil with some coconut oil. I preheated the oven to 275 and popped the tray in the oven. After about 6 minutes I pulled the tray out and rolled the lolly stick in the candy! That is it! The boys LOVED them! I also would consider using a pretzel stick as a the lollipop stick as a salty sweet type of thing. Even our babysitter/cousin Shell LOVED them!

First Time To The Movie Theatre!

Well it is official the boys have finally been to their first movie in a theatre! We went to see "Inside Out." The movie was amazing but I am going to warn all you parents...this movie is sad! When the lights came on I hurried out of the theater sniffling and scrounging up napkins to wipe my face! 

Let me tell you about our adventure! This weekend it rained! I figured I needed a plan to entertain the boys and Michael. So I did what any mom would do...I made them hair appointments! 

We started our morning sipping coffee and apple juice at the local coffee house. We inhaled some bagels and donuts and then headed to the salon.

 The twins needed a trim and Michael needed an entire cut. Side note- if you ask your hairdresser to cut in an M or T or even two lines, they look at you like you are insane and say, "No way, they will not stay still for that!" I make a "Hugh, interesting" type of sound and accept defeat.

After haircuts we were a little ahead of schedule so I made Michael drive by pretty houses to look for landscaping ideas. Then we headed to the theater. Where we moved the theater has these huge reclining seats and if you do not buy tickets in advance you won't get a seat (so  crazy!).

We were a little early, which if we do this adventure again, I now know how to play this game. If the movie says it starts at 11:00am, I will arrive at 11:10. The boys used up about 30 minutes of their "sitting patiently time" watching previews. 

When the movie began they boys were mesmerized! 

Jack was our only little mover and he made it half way through the movie! About half way through I took him out of the theater and we bought some candy. After the candy he was able to sit for the rest of the film (while I sobbed!). 

End Of The Week Wrap Up

Well this week has come to a close...I have to say, I had a really great week. My cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes are growing nicely. The flowers are in full bloom. We were able to go to the pool a few times, my husband has made coffee every morning since I've asked... what can I say, life is good. I thought I would give you a little run down of things I made, googled, and bought...

Constantly craving caffeine I started buying the Lipton cold brew ice tea bags a few summers ago. I absolutely love them! I buy the single serve bags because they are the perfect pouch of punch I need mid day. Today, however I wanted to spice things up. Today I made "peach unsweetened ice tea" and here is how I did it... I took 2 peaches, I sliced them, and I put them in a cup of water. I put the pot on the stove and brought the water up to a gentle boil. I let the peaches break down a bit. Then after approx. 3 minutes at the gentle boil, I took a fork and mashed the peaches to steal as much flavor as possible. Then I poured just the liquid into a pitcher of ice tea...I ended up with a tasty gentle peach flavor!

After peach tea I made the ever so lovely Ina Garten's strawberry muffins. These were amazing! I can not recommend them more! I made large and mini muffins. The boys inhaled all the mini muffins before 11:00am. Chef Recommends! The mix of strawberry and cinnamon is absolutely delicious. Make them this weekend! My boys even helped. They love pushing the tops off of the strawberries with a straw. It is messy and sweet all at the same time. 

Onto Google... this week I looked up the meaning of "lady bugs." I keep seeing them. In fact as I type there is a lady bug right next to me. I love these beautiful creatures. They are red - one of my favorite colors. They have polka dots- I mean, you know how I feel about dots!.....!!! In my googling I read that lady bugs mean luck. I read they also are a symbol for gardens and gardening. I love that. Lately my heart has been in the garden, so if a bigger garden is what you wish little lady bugs, a bigger garden you will get! 

This brings me to my bought. This week I spent a decent amount of cash money on flowers and shrubs. Now that we have been in our home for one full summer I know where I want certain flowers to go...hence my perennial purchases. 

 I just love these Astilbe. I planted three "red" out front. The "red" is really like a purple and it adds so much color. They are also deer resistant and like shade, so they are just perfect for our front bed. 

 Anemone, these flowers were the star of my wedding bouquet and they were used as the groomsmen's boutonnieres.  They also like some shade and they like wet ground, perfect for our side bed. 

and finally Catmint. This spreads beautifully and the scent keeps animals away. It is in the lavender family. I find the scent pleasing and when the wind blows the stems delicately sway. Precious. 

Hope you all had a great week and I hope you have an even better weekend...now it is time to watch the fireflies...

Do You Ask For Help?

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How do you ask people for help? Are you able to just ask for exactly what you want and or need? Do you hint at what you want? Do you passively mention things until the point where you scream and shout? Are you a person who doesn't really need help? 

Now that school is out for summer, my boys are non - stop. There is no down time to load the dishwasher, cut a lemon for my morning lemon water, make coffee... they are non - stop. I am one of those mothers who starts doing one thing, doesn't finish and then starts doing something else completely different -take breakfast for example- here I am getting bowls...then three different cereals....by the time the cereal is in the bowls the boys are going, "mom I think you forgot the milk." I reply, "I am getting you the milk but first I have to put the cereal box down and walk to the refrigerator!" (in reality I am walking towards the refrigerator but then I stop to look at the calendar and check the weather app on my phone) I pour the milk then I start making coffee. Not a second later someone starts, "MOM THE SPOONS!" Me- "Ahhhhh, get them yourselves!!! I need to make coffee!!!!!"

I was with my girlfriend, Meg, the other day and she made such a great point. How is this generation not already called "generation demand?" I laughed but seriously that would be a fitting description. Take Jack for example, whenever he is watching a show and a commercial comes on he immediately runs to me and says, "Mama! Over! More!" I have to constantly reassure him that it is just a commercial and more Paw Patrol will be on soon! 

Don't get me wrong I am having an awesome summer with the boys. We joined a little swim club up the street and I have been lucky enough to have my cousin help me with the boys a few days a week but it's the everyday things that are getting to me. Soooooo, I spoke up. I wasn't exactly sure how to ask but I did. After dinner the other night as I was clearing the plates I tapped Mike on the shoulder. He turned and I spoke. 

"Hey, do you think in the mornings you could help me a little bit? Nothing super crazy but do you think you could make the coffee or unload the dishwasher before you leave for work? Honestly, I would settle for you just cutting a lemon in half so I can make my lemon water." He did one of those "awe laughing" kind of faces and immediately said, "yes." The next morning he had made the coffee, he unloaded the dishwasher, and he made my lemon water. I was in shock! What was I going to do with all of this extra time?!?! Well, I will tell ya, I sat down and watched GMA! That night when he came home from work I told him I was so thankful for the help but he didn't have to do everything..."I don't want you to burn out so pace yourself, Mike." Again, he laughed. 

Patio Make-Over

Last summer Michael and I decided to purchase outdoor furniture. We are lucky to have both a screened in porch and an open patio. Originally we set our table outside and put the outdoor sofa on the porch. Well, as it turns out...we never really used the sectional because it was "inside" and we never really used the table because eating outside was such a hassle with all the bugs! Being a classy lady I wanted to install a very classy bug zapper but then I realized that may be a waste of money so I really thought...then I stopped thinking and I went to my neighbors house for cocktails and dinner and Viola! They had switched their furniture! Why couldn't we do the same?! So one night I just switched it...
The sofa set we purchased last summer is not the most expensive. In fact it was the best deal I could find. This is what we bought: Better Homes and Garden Outdoor Sectional Sofa. Our sectional came with tan cushions, that were perfectly fine. Not great, but fine. When we switched the sets I felt like we needed some color. The tan cushions kind of mushed together with all the other earth tones outside...but what color should we pick?
I have a very hard time committing to color and choosing colors so whenever I see something I absolutely love I buy it and hope it works with everything else...lets start a tally:
1 Orange Cooler it looks like this only orange
1 blue striped umbrella
6 yellow chair cushions for patio set
2 planters filled with pink hydrangea
And tons of green...

The Fire Pit!

So I did a little online research... I loved the paisley cushions from Frongate but sadly they were too expensive. Then I went to Bed Bath and Beyond, they had a great selection but again not the right price point. Finally, I just went back to my trusty fav a la Target. We bought these cushions.  To jazz up the patio a little but more a suburban staple - THE FIRE PIT!

You can see our drab cushions here ^ and a glimpse of the Orange Cooler. 

Please excuse the mess and tags! This is my only picture of the new cushions on the set. 

These are four very happy faces!

Now that we have switched things up we use the sofa set all the time. I brought the boys easel outside and they will color while I sit and relax. Inevitably a fight breaks out causing me leave the sofa but for at least 1-2 minutes I am able to sit outside and enjoy my flowers... Switching the furniture has also brought out our family party side...

 Sparklers! 

Smores!

And Selfies! Oh My!

Simple Fortune Teller Steps

School is Out foooorrrr 

SUMMER!

My boys think they will be doing ^....When in reality they will be practicing their A, B, C's. 

My fear - the boys will loose all information taught to them over the past school year. 

My goal- to help retain knowledge! 

Que this beauty below. This week begins "summer school." I whipped up 

 my simple handy dandy fortune teller. I am going to write letters on the outside then the sound in a word in the inside. We will practice identifying and saying the letter sounds.
B
Buh
Ball.
I am also making a vowels fortune teller to do the same thing...
A
Ah
Apple.

Here are my photos. How to make a simple fortune teller.

1. Take a square piece of paper. 

2. Fold diagonal.

3. Unfold.

4. Fold Opposite Diagonal. 

5. Unfold.

6. Fold in Half.

 
7. Unfold.

8. Now- Take the corner of the paper and fold in towards center. Fold all corners in towards center.

9. Turn Square Over. Take a Breath. Admire. 

10. Now Fold all four of these corners in towards center. 

11. Fold in Half.

11.5 Same step different view. Fold In Half.

12. Fold down in half to make a small square.

12.5 Square. Small Square. 

13. Wiggle your Fingers Upward.

14. Open. 

15. Close.

16. Open.

Happy Summer Vacation!!!!!!!!

Dresses Where Are You?

This summer I have been addicted to looking for new cute dresses. Last summer I practically lived in a pair of cut off jean shorts. I found shorts so easy with the boys. When your children are young you are constantly bending over to pick them up or you are stuck with the floor seat entertaining them. When you have shorts on you do not have to worry about a dress riding up or being to "exposed" ... This summer the boys are all up moving around so there is no need for me to be on and off the floor. I still have to pick them up (yes all of them) from time to time but I am rarely feeling indecent. So with that I have been searching for some cute new dresses. I used to crush maxi's so I figured I would start there. I picked up this little Target number last week and it has been treating me fine but I am not sold. It is very difficult to crawl through tunnels at the park, run around the playground, and climb up rope ladders in a maxi.  So here I am still on the hunt.... I keep browsing my regular sites like:
J.Crew
Madewell
Boden
Shop Bop
Nordstrom
Anthropologie
Evereve
Zara

But I seem to just be missing the mark. So much of what I see reminds me of costumes from movies... like:
Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman or Penny Lane's Crop Top in Almost Famous. Recently I have noticed the boho casual laid back style has reincarnated Peggy Bundy's classic off the shoulder look in both a Chambray  short dress and a Casual Maxi.
Where can a girl snag a sweet dress? I know I will end up living in my good old jean shorts once again, if it ain't broke, right?

Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Peppers ... Oh My!

Please Click Before Continuing to Read

Good Mornin'! 

I woke up and found Peppers! Hip Hip Hooray! 

P.S. featured: my favorite coffee mug (found in a vintage store in Northern Liberties) 

my stella and dot silver disc monogrammed with our wedding date

Stella & Dot

Then I took a gander over at the Cucumbers and Viola! There are like 20 little baby cucumbers growing. The thick stem behind the flower is the cucumber. 

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off... Tomato Tomato

Tomatoes! Can you see them? Well they are there!!! 

And here they are...my pie`ce de re`sistance

Cow Horn Peppers

Family Vacation 2015

So I guess that's a wrap...2015 family vacation at the Jersey Shore has come and gone. I am so sad. We had the BEST week! When we were first arrived at the beach I was secretly conducting two separate experiments. 

#1- Will we be able to have a great family vacation without an extra set of helping hands?

#2- Will Michael see why I am generally running around like a chicken with its head off during the day- or will he be able to do my "job" effortlessly? 

So let me sum up our week... when you do not have a nanny or a mothers helper with you, one learns how to find free helpers. Being a social creatures, Michael and I found beach friends day 2! This was like hitting a grand slam. On the beach we kept watching another little family next to us. They had a little boy around the twin's age with a Captain America bathing suit. You see all of my boys were wearing Spiderman, Batman, and Superman bathing suits. SCORE 1! They also had a little girl a tad bit younger than Jack. SCORE 2! Then I see them with the infamous beach koozie. SCORE 3! Bringing it home, they live in our old neighborhood in the city and their children's go to the boys old school. GRAND SLAM!

Meeting these awesome people and guilting my BFF to come and visit for the day totally saved us. Having another person around for the boys to play, talk, eat lunch with made the days flow so nicely. 

At night we headed to the rides...jack isn't tall enough to go on some without me soooooo

I screamed every time this balloon floated up in the air! 

Having the rides was like a night sitter because all Michael and I had to do was walk them from one line to another. Super Easy! 

Winning! 

We also headed to the beach at night which was AMAZING! There is nothing better than letting your children run wild on the beach. There is no one around so they can not kick sand on random people or steal kids toys. Instead they are free!

Now onto my next experiment. Leading up to our vacation things at home had been a little crazy but I was very excited to get away and be near water. I was a little concerned that we would get to the beach and Michael would look at me like, "What's wrong with you? Being home with the boys all day is so easy and carefree! Why do you stress out so much?" 

As it turns out, at the end of Day 1, he looked at me and said the exact opposite, "oh boy I am so tired. This is crazy. I don't know how you do this." 

To that I replied, "I love you."