Swimming

Kendall went swimming for the first time this past weekend.  We got a little family sized swimming pool, and Kendall had a blast.  She loved when we would splash water in her face.  She just hollered and laughed.  She also thought she was too cute in her little bathing suit too.  Just strutting like she was Hot Stuff!!!!!!  lol  I can't wait until the next day we go play in the pool.  Kendall being a little girl that loves outside, she can't wait to get back out there.  Check her out below!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Swoosh

Kendall is wearing her first pair of Nikes.  Of course she had to complete the assemble with a Nike short set.  Just too cute!  Check out my baby girl in her cute outfit! 

This is collage of Kendall playing out in the grass.  It kind of looks like she is playing a sport especially with this cute sporty outfit on.

Emoni's Graduation

My niece, Emoni, graduated from the 5th grade last week.  I just can't believe that she is about to be in middle school.  Man, where does the time go.  We were so proud of her.  I just know that she will do so well academically and make smart decisions as she gets older.  God has truly blessed her, and I know her future is bright.  Here are some pictures from the special day.

 

 

This is Emoni's gift that consists of an empty soda bottle filled with money (we thought it would be fun to make it a little hard for Emoni to get her monetary gift) that says, "You Did It," a frame that says, "Your Future is as Bright as your Faith," and a pail filled with candy.  The saying on the goodie pail is listed below.  Emoni really liked her gift, so that made us happy that we could make her happy on her special day.

You ROCK, Emoni!!!!!!!  After completing MOUNDS of homework, you have reached the big PAYDAY of graduation.  Don't listen to SNICKERS that you are an AIRHEAD or NERD because you are one HOT TAMALE in the MILKY WAY on her way to making 100 GRAND.  Now don't eat all of this candy all at once and get CHUNKY.

 

Brandi's Baby Shower

 Brandi's shower was like 2 and a half months ago,and I am just now posting the pictures.  I know I know....I'm doing bad.  Any who, the shower turned out really cute.  The theme was "Little Man/Mustache" theme.  Baby Austin is already here and was born April 9th.  He is healthy, and a true blessing.  Here are some pics of the decorations.  Sorry no group pic of all of us girls.

Spot Be Gone

We had this really bad stain in our hallway.  It was a really old stain too.  Well, I got tired of looking at it, so I tried a Pinterest carpet cleaning solution.  You see the results below.  It got out an old stain that had been there for what seemed like forever.  You can't beat that with a stick.  See below what to do if you have any stains.  Definitely try it because it works!!!!!!!!!!

Before

After

Dampen the stained spot.  Sprinkle with baking soda, and wait 10 minutes.  Vacuum the spot.  Make a solution by mixing 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water.  Sponge on the carpet, and blot until stain disappears.  I will confess that I didn't blot the stain.  I scrubbed it.  It seemed like the stain was gone before I even put the water solution on it.

 On a side note, if you have a fresh stain, sprinkle salt on it as soon as the spill happens on your carpet.  The salt will absorb the liquid.  Just scrub it a little, and pick up the excess salt.  Vacuum and  VOILA!!!!!!  A clean carpet.

Weekly Menu

Monday:  Memorial Day, so we ate out.

Tuesday:  Dirty Rice with Roasted Aparagus

Wednesday:  Chicken Breasts, Au Gratin Potatoes, and Green Beans

Thursday:  Family Night

Friday:  Shrimp ala Scott...aka...Turned Up Shrimp Scampi

Fruit Salsa

I made this for a fish fry/bbq this past weekend.  It was soooooooo good.  I had it for the first time about 5 or so years ago at my wedding shower.  It resurfaced again at our baby shower.  I tried making it myself, and it was just as good.  Scott even liked it! ha!  Definitely a must try.  Will be very good for any gathering this summer.

Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips


Ingredients

2 kiwis, peeled and diced

2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced

8 ounces raspberries (I didn't have any raspberries, so I used pineapple)

1 (16 oz) carton of strawberries, diced

2 tablespoons white sugar (more or less to taste)

1 tablespoon brown sugar (more or less to taste)

3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor (I used strawberry)

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas

melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray (I used melted butter)

Cinnamon sugar:

1 cup white sugar

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Instructions

1.In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.

2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3.Coat one side of each flour tortilla with melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle tortillas with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray again with cooking spray (not necessary if using melted butter).

4.Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture. This salsa can also be serve with cinnamon graham grackers or cinnamon pita chips. Best when made and eaten the same day otherwise the fruit gives off so too much juice and it gets runny.

18 Months Baby, Baby!

Today Kendall turned 18 months. Man, what a milestone!  She loves being outside, so we spent quite some time outside this Memorial Day.  Scott and I got ICEEs, and they were soooooo good.  Kendall thought so too.  Kendall also discovered the joy of playing with things other than her toys can be quite fun. 

This Icee is amazing!!!!

Borderline brain freeze

"Ok, I've had enough!"

"Just a little bit more."

"That's enough for now."

"Hey mommy, got anymore?"  lol

Here are some more pictures of Kendall just playing.  She is just soooo stinkin' cute!  Gotta love this kid!

 Kendall found these sticks on the patio and had a blast with.  All these toys she has and she chooses to play with two sticks.  Definitely a country girl.

Weekly Menu

Organization is an ongoing trait that I'm trying to tackle and possess.  With that being said, I have planned out our weekly meals.  We are trying to be sure to eat things that Kendall can eat as well to cut back on having to make two meals.  Here is this week's menu:

Monday:  Smoke sausage, macaroni and cheese, and roasted asparagus (Kendall loved the smoke sausage and mac and cheese is one of her faves!)  After dinner, we had a family stroll around the neighborhood. 

Tuesday:  Spaghetti, sweet peas, and corn....Kendall will love all of this tonight

Wednesday:  Baked chicken wings, greens beans, and sweet potatoes

Thursday:  Family Night, so we will be going out somewhere

Friday:  Soft Tacos

Stay tuned for next week's menu.

Baby Mason is on the way!!!!!!!!!

My friend, Tan, is due June 15th.  We are all awaiting Baby Mason's arrival.  I had a little dinner for her at the Big Orange last week to celebrate.  We decorated the table, so it would be festive.  Everything turned out so cute.  Here are some pictures of the table.



The table all decorated for Tan



The place setting

Individual cakes that spell out the baby's name.  Brandi made them and got so many compliments.

Marshmallow baby rattle pop (I made these), Fanta soda with a diaper on it, "Tan's about to Pop" favor bag that included, Pop Rocks, Popcorn, Tootsie Roll pops, and Cracker Jacks

Tan

Tan, Telischa, Devae, Brandi, and Me

Happy Mother's Day!

I know this post is late, but hey, I'm a busy mommy.  This is my 2nd Mother's Day, and I feel soooooo blessed.  Kendall is the greatest gift from above.  She can always put a smile on my face.  When she says the word,"Mommy," my heart fills with so much joy.  She is just amazing!  Motherhood can have its challenges at times, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Thank you God for the gift of motherhood, and for trusting me with this precious life.  Here just some random pictures of me and my baby girl.

My Mother's Day gift from Kendall that she made at daycare

 





I just love this saying!