Merry Christmas!!!

Hugs from Texas,
Tara

Pumpkin Pie...Preschool Style

Bug's class had their Thanksgiving feast this week and everyone in the class was asked to bring a dish. We were chosen to bring Pumpkin Pie!


As I looked down the list of food items, I noticed that everyone was being asked to bring finger foods, like turkey slices rolled up, grapes and cheese cubes. I wanted to figure out a way to make Pumpkin Pie more 4 year old friendly. That's when I remembered these...
I bought a mega sized package of these at Party City, so that "Bug" could take ranch in her lunch. (Yes, I had to ask the 20 something guy for the jello shot containers, before he could figure out what I was looking for...giggle! )


Lined those little dip cups up....


Grabbed the melon baller and dipped out a portion for each of our lil preschool friends...


Quick visit with my computer and pumpkin pie becomes pumpkin pie dip!


Put our Pumpkin Pie Dip in baggies with a few Scooby Doo Graham Cracker Sticks. I'm thinking that's how the pilgrims ate theirs, right?



The teachers were thrilled and said it's the first time they had an entire class eat pumpkin pie. We will SO be serving Pumpkin Pie Dip at our Thanksgiving Feast!
Have a blessed holiday!!
Hugs,
Tara

Head on over here for more fun!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

One of my favorite things about getting together with my friends is talking about all the FABULOUS new products they've tried.
HERE'S WHAT I'M LOVING...
Tyler Candle Company's New Hand Lotion!!!! The Kathina Scent is the smell of heaven in a bottle. When I put it on my hand's I can smell it alllllllll day long. FABULOUS.

Frito's Lightly Salted Corn Chips!!! Frito's are great for so many dips but WOW does the salt overpower the flavor. Thankfully, someone over at Frito Lay agrees.....their Lightly Salted Fritos are DIP PERFECT.

Speaking of dip. I cannot get enough of Sabra's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. In the words of Dora, "Yum yum yum yum yum, ¡delicioso!

Kenra Blow Dry Spray!!! One lil spritz and all the flyway's in my hair are gone! I just spray it on my hand and work it through my hair and my hair is shiny and slick and it smells DELICIOUS!

My CAbi Fringe Vest!!! I love that it goes with everything in my closet and it makes me feel SASSY when I wear it!!!

Ok, don't tell anyone but sometimes, as a mom, I don't always get a chance to sit down and eat breakfast. Thanks to Luna Smores Bars, I can make it through the morning without my head swimming around in hungry lala land!

What are you lovin????
Hugs,
Tara

BOOoooooooooootttttsssssss!!

WOW, where did October go? Finally, today it was as fall-like as we have seen this season. (as I type this I realize we will be in shorts again in 2 days but I am for now, I'm living in the moment!!) I voted today and FINALLY got to wear my new boots!!!! Sqqquuuueeealllll with DELIGHT!!!! Aren't they THE cutest!!!! This season is all about tall boots with straight leg jeans, tucked in and a lil bit of the over-the-knee-socks peaking out of the top. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!! (Hello, Target!! Thanks for helping me look trendy with your stinkin' cute over-the-knee socks!)


Halloween was a many week affair for us, starting with a totally 80's birthday party!
Like, OMG... am I the only one who grew up in the 80's that thinks its crazy that there was an 80's costume section at Party City? I so miss my crimping iron.... A bad hair day's best friend.

The girls went to a Monkey Themed birthday party at the Science Museum. Bug LOVED the dinosaur bones....Baby K loved the cake!

Halloween in our neighborhood is always an EVENT!! This year they had a trick-or-treat parade. Baby K stayed home with me to hand out candy and Bug and Daddy did their first parade. SO FUN!!

We are so excited that fall is here and we are ready for some cold weather fun! What are y'all up too?
Hugs
Tara

Ahoy Matey---the shirts are ready for Daddy-Daughter Day!

Someday, I really am going to learn how to sew. Until then, Heat and Bond to the rescue!!! Tomorrow is Daddy-Daughter day at "Bugs" preschool and since its a Pirate Theme, I decided to make them matching shirts!



Cute, huh? I just did the Heat and Bond thing, with different pieces of fabric, cut out the shapes and ironed it on.

I cannot wait to hear all about their special day together!!
Hugs
Tara

If You Give The Girl's A Popsicle....

This is my life. Thanks be to God!!!
Hugs,
Tara

Arrrrrrrrrrrggggggggg!!!

This Wednesday is Daddy Day at "Bugs" preschool and the theme of the day is Pirates!!! I'm on the search for a quick and easy "costume" idea for Daddy and Bug to wear to their big day! :) (another moment when I start daydreaming about the Silhouette machine I'll be asking Santa to bring me);)

Anyway, I'm thinking I will make them some matching t-shirts and then Bug can wear her black tutu and some striped tights. Here are some of my inspirations...

Lovin' this cute lil t-shirt design from at Pirates Coveonline

Super cute shirt from zazzle.com!



Super Cute Pirate themed crafts from artistshelpingchildren.org


Any ideas you have for Bug and Daddy's pirate day, let me know.
Hugs,
Tara

Little Pumpkin Baby Shower!

Last year, I hosted a Little Pumpkin Baby Shower for my fabulous neighbor, Rashida. It is SUCH a fun shower theme for this time of year! I did some research and then executed a fun and fabulous plan!

I ordered these ADORABLE invitations from Candles and Favors.com and matching favors tags too!


Made this cute little diaper wreath following Crafster.orgs Diaper Wreath Tutorial I used a double wire wreath form from Hobby Lobby and blue and brown ribbon that I weaved around the diapers. (The preemie diapers from Dollar General are perfect for this project!) The possibles for decorating this wreath are ENDLESS and its SUPER easy!!!

I followed Katydidandkid’s Banner Tutorial to make Baby David's banner!

My house was already decorated for fall so the Pumpkin theme fell right into place. (I found this little bib in the dollar section at Target. The had really cute lil pumpkin bowls but as usual, I forgot to take pictures of the food.)

I set up a little inspiration and advice station. Each guest had a piece of card stock to write on. After the shower I turned it into a little book and gave it to the mommy-to-be.



I LOVE fall and cannot wait to see Rashida and David's lil pumpkin turn ONE!

We will NEVER forget! God Bless America!

We love Tom and Jerry!

Bug and I have a little routine where we watch a few episodes of Tom and Jerry, before we read books. In the episode we watched tonight, there is a fireworks scene that ends with an American Flag. This is her favorite part..... "Mommy, watch for the air-i-can flag....See, there it is!" Insert her HUGE grin here. Tonight she had another observation that made me giggle. "Mommy, if you tie my hands to a candle and complode me, we can watch fireworks all night long and then you and daddy can put your hands together and catch me!"

Is this a dream or is my little angel really THIS sweet?? Thank you God for my life! :)

Hugs,
Tara

"The M says MMMMMMMM"

Tomorrow is day 2 of preschool and we are all ready to go. We baked the muffins for "M" day tonight. She is getting SO great in the kitchen.


She asked for the "exact same lunch as last time mommy." So, I packed it up with a few surprises like a flower shaped sandwich and a "M" lunchbox love note. I am having a BLAST with her lunches and made it tonight, while I was making dinner. FUN!!

It's been raining allllllll day here today, which is a welcome change from the 106 degrees we have had for the past month. Our second soccer practice was cancelled. Bug is now a member for The Amazons. (Try explaining to a 4 year old that an Amazon is a lady warrior. Our coach and his wife are very well educated. I guess they just couldn't live with a team called "The Popsicles" or "The Princesses.") Anyway, Bug wasn't as excited about her first practice as I thought she would be and I was TOTALLY not prepared for how to handle her "soccer practice meltdown." She was NOT very excited about the way the shin guards felt with her pink cleats. (She LOVES the pink cleats) She was NOT very excited about how tired she got. I was NOT very excited when she laid down in the grass and started crying and begging to go home to watch Tom and Jerry. (Clearly, we have spent too much of our 106 degree summer, in the house.) I decided to give her some water and encouraged her to jump back in to practice. She was NOT at all happy with that plan. Instead of "catering to her fit," I decided to take her soccer ball and join in on the practice. YES, I was spending the entire time wondering how in the world a "good parent" would handle this situation. YES, I wanted to sit down with her and cuddle her. Since I didn't have my "Perfect Soccer Mom Manual" handy, I decided to keep on "practicing." Thankfully, she decided to join me and afterwards in the car, she said she had fun and wanted to "practice more tomorrow." I look forward to seeing how all of this pans out. I'm thinking I may have a VERY girlie girl on my hands. She LOVES everything about ballet and tumbling BUT her preference for a Scooby Doo lunchbox throws me off a little bit. Being a former soccer playing, "tom boy" this will be very interesting parenting moment, for sure! Either way, we are committed to this season and will follow through on that commitment.
Where the hell is that Perfect Soccer Mom Manual" when you need it? Probably in the same place as the "Wife That Never Gets Tired Manual" My husband is insists that one exists ;)
Hugs,
Tara

First Week of Preschool

Actually, our first and second week are only one day. WOW, what an emotional rollar coaster. THANKFULLY, all went FABULOUS!!! I followed the advice to make her first drop her off a QUICK process, before she had a chance to get upset about me leaving and it worked great. I, however, didn't handle it very well....the tears started flowing before I got down the hallway. (Note to self. Always wear sunglasses on the first day of school.)
"Bug" ate every bite of her of her lunch. We sat down and "took her order" at dinner, the night before, and then I packed it up the night before.
This Fit and Fresh Lunch System I bought at Target was a HUGE helper for packing her lunch. It has a flat ice pack that fits in the center to keep her food cold and then the small containers fit in on top. Perfect for her Scooby Doo lunchbox. Wednesday is her second day of preschool. Its "Wear Your Favorite T-shirt Day." Bug wants to wear the princess t-shirt Pepaw bought her in Galveston. Funny, she has tons of cute t-shirts but that is her favorite. I LOVE it! (The bummer part is that when daddy was painting this weekend she brushed up against the wall. Favorite t-shirt now looks like ratty old paint shirt. She wants to wear it anyway. Ugh..one of those mommy moments where you have to grin and bear it!) They have also asked her to bring something that starts with the "M" sound. Bug has decided to bring Muffins. I love that the things that start with an M conversation has her pointing out all the "M's" she sees. So exciting to see her mind at work. I love this mommy stuff!!
Hugs
Tara

“Pure love produces pure nonsense.”

Our world has been full of SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much happiness around here!!
Bug and Baby K have been playing TOGETHER much, much more....


Bug is about to start her FIRST season of soccer. We were both thrilled to see that PINK cleats are available. (back in the ice age, when I played there were black with white stripes or white with black stripes..)

This week also kicked off Bugs second year of ballet. She LOVES her teacher and was excited to learn that one of her favorite friends, Emmy, is in her class this year. (A bonus for mommy too because that means I get to bond with her mommy each week)


Baby K had her 18 month checkup and did fabulous. The nurse asked her to stack blocks and pick up Cheerios...THIS was her favorite part of the check up. She also said her first full sentence, "Dendall, where u you???" (Kendall, where are you?)

We went to "Meet The Director Night" at Bug's preschool and I am SOOOOOO excited for her to start, next week. I think she will really love it. We meet her teacher on Monday AND she finally gets to find out what color the walls in her classroom are....enquiring minds have been wondering for a week.

Enjoy your weekend and all those fabulous lil' moments with your lil' ones!
Hugs,
Tara

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."

Bug starts preschool in a week in a half (yes, that makes my lip quiver and my eyes well up with tears) Since this is my first go-around I have lots of questions. I'm confident that most of them will be answered during, meet the director night and meet the teacher day.(right? insert nervous smile)

Ok, so I'll admit. I've been laying in bed at night wondering, what to pack for lunch??? My sweet girl is very independent, but she still needs help opening a fruit snack. I am THRILLED to have found Wendolonia's Lunch Box Ideas post! Not only did she present LOTS of options, but she even has cute packing ideas AND she opens the packages for her little man and pours them into silicone cupcake wrappers. LOVE IT!!!

I found this info helpful too!
Another FABULOUS lunch packing blog!!!

We have already started, as "Bug" calls it, "practicing preschool" I try not to giggle when she holds up her hand and waits for me to say her name, before she asks a question. (she is so stinkin cute and she is still my baby...I may need therapy before this is all over) We are going to practice eating out of her new lunch box, starting Monday.
Speaking of Lunch Boxes....my precious lil bow wearing, dress up playing, princess, chose a Scooby Doo lunchbox. REALLY??? She passed over the princesses, Hello Kitty and even a cute monkey box, for Scooby Doo. (She and her daddy watch it together and she was THRILLED when she saw that lil van shaped box. Insert her car screeching sounds here....giggle. :)

I still can't grasp the concept of dropping my BABY off and letting her go inside that big church building, ALL BY HERSELF!!! And, she's only going 2 days a week....kindergarten may just be the death of me. ;)
Hugs
Tara

"Hello, again. Hello!"

Hey there Blog friends. The super crazy busy month of June is here and I have been running around like a chicken....
Anyway, my VERY creative friend Jennifer just started a blog and I realized when I became her VERY FIRST FOLLOWER, that I hadn't posted in awhile. (You will want to become her next followers, wait until you see what she can do with a cake!)
Here is a little photo wrap up of how I've been spending my month...

My beautiful and thoughtful husband took me out for our 5th wedding anniversary!

While the hubby was at school working on his MBA, Pepaw and the girls and I headed to a festival called, Taste of Addison.

Baby K learned how to say, "CHEESE!"

"Bug" had her very first, dentist appointment. She handled it like a champ and had no cavities!!

"Bug" had her first dance recital! She was amazing!! This was my first experience as "back stage mom." Being in charge of seven, 3 and 4 year old's that had to wait 2 hours for their first performance was interesting. Thankfully I brought, crayons and coloring pages, apples, crackers and fruit loops. In the future, I will bring the portable DVD player and a movie. The girls has a hard time being away from their mommy's that long and REALLY needed a distraction.

"Baby K" attended her very first, Sonic, Happy Hour. She LOVED the Cherry Limeade.


We took the girls to a Veteran's Memorial on Memorial Day. We want to make sure our girls know about all of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
We were surprised to find our friend Josh on the traveling wall. His beautiful daughter, Olivia was born just 2 months after he was killed, in the line of duty.
We were so honored to be able to have our girls leave flowers and a flag in his honor. I was so touched in that moment, where my family was together and totally safe, that so many people were hurting and missing their loved ones. God bless our troops and the families who love and support them. Because of the brave men and women who are willing to be away from their families and the brave men and women, who are willing to let their soldiers be away from their families, we get to breath the fresh air of freedom. We are so blessed by America's heroes.


My hubby and I celebrated our birthday, which just happens to be on the same day. LOVE IT!! Did I mention his anniversary/birthday present to me, yet?

Oh, just a FABULOUS adult only trip to Playa Del Carmen...
Off we went and it was FABULOUS!!!

We went with our fun, friends The Whitley's!

Relaxed on our SWIM UP BAR PATIOS! Yes, I'm talking walk out of your suite, roll off of you patio and splash!!! you are in the pool. LOVE IT!!!

Shot a scene for the Bachelorette! We felt like we were on television. We had an anniversary dinner, right on the water. It was so amazing. If you are looking for a fabulous get away with your hubby, The El Dorado Seaside Suites is an amazing location. The service was top notch, the rooms were fabulous and the food was amazing!! (oh, and I love my babies with all of my heart but there were NO KIDDOS....it was WAY relaxing!)


2 days after we returned we hosted "Princess Kendallrella's 4th Birthday Beach Ball!" I'll post all the fun details for that bash, soon!

Last week, the light of my world, turned 4! (where does the time go??)

This past weekend, we celebrated Father's Day at a family reunion. Whew, its been a crazy month, but we had LOTS of fun. What have you been up too? ;)

Hugs,
Tara