Total Randoms From the Past Two Weeks....

Excuse this mess of a post....  I just had a bunch of complete random pictures and things that I thought I would throw together in a big ole mishmash.  Then the little teacher in me thought I would be all cutesy and try to tie all of the randomness together with an "A, B, C" theme.  Someone just stop me.

Well, anyhow, here are pictures from the last two weeks.  You can begin rolling your eyes at me now.

A is for Aquarium: We met the Thomann's at the Grapevine Aquarium.  It is a very cool place!  I plan to get a pass this fall because Beckett will be at the perfect age to start enjoying it.  He loved watching the fish and walking along the rocks.

B is for Beckett (of course!)

C is for Carter: Beckett and Carter and starting to interact more and it's so fun to watch!

D is for Dinner Party: K-Dogg turned 40!! Whoop, Whoop!  Emily threw him an amazing dinner party -delicious wines, chef, and great friends included.  VERY fun!

E is for ER: Yep, Guy had to drive himself to the Emergency Room.  But not to worry... he is on the mend now!

F is for Family: We have had lots of family time lately!  Even though all of our family is in Oklahoma, everyone is really sweet to drive a long distance just to spend time with Beckett.  

G is for Guy: Yep, that's him in a  NASCAR suit and he really did drive a car.  More on that later....

H is for Hadley: "C'mon mom, can't you enjoy your margarita while I do gymnastics on your shoulder?"

I is for ICKY:  The picture speaks for itself.  Just another "essential" I found at Home Depot.  Really?

K is for Kroger: Little man just started riding in the kiddie carts.  Too bad it doesn't go "beep beep."

M is for McCalister's: A good choice for dinner when Guy travels all week.

P is for the park  

R is for remote: B's new obsession....

S is for Sunsets

T is for toys:  The ball popper remains a favorite.  

W is for Water: This is about all you can do in the Texas heat.  

Y is for yummy: My mom treated us to a yummy sushi dinner this weekend.  Tuna Tower?  Yes, please.

And, YES, I did leave out a few letters.  I'm no longer paid to think about the alphabet, so it was hard to get too motivated to be creative.  ha!

Summertime Treats

It's just ridiculously hot around here.  Stupid hot.  Like I can't even go on a walk after 8:30 am hot.  But this morning B and I decided to brave the temps and play outside.  He's obsessed with crawling in the grass, climbing on our rocks, digging in the dirt, and pulling leaves - all of the usual boy stuff.

He stayed on our picnic blanket for about 5.2 seconds.

It's a wonder he even looked at me!

We played with bubbles - which he thought was all kinds of fun.

And watched the neighborhood kids ride their bikes.

And, of course, talked about dogs and airplanes.

But it was sooooo hot!  I thought the perfect treat might be to enjoy a popsicle.  Several months ago I bought a baby popsicle mold and finally got around to using the other day.  I invented a little "recipe" that consisted of yo baby yogurt, whole milk, banana, and frozen fruit - basically the same recipe I make for his smoothies.  

I figured it would also help his gums feel better.  Teething stinks!

"Yum, yum, momma!"

He quickly devoured the first one and wanted a second.

But that one was just not the same..... It was straight from the freezer so he couldn't bite right into it.  Such a sad little cry!

Love my sweet boy - and love enjoying the simple acts of playing outside and enjoying popsicles with him!

You'll Thank Me For This Later....

There is nothing better than a refreshing summertime beverage!  Here are two of my all time favorites.... I promise, you won't be disappointed in either of these.

My mother-in-law found this delicious concoction via pinterest, and boy was it a good find!  We already have plans to make it for our beach trip.  It really is a perfect drink for entertaining a large crowd because you make it ahead of time, it makes a VERY large batch, and you can keep it in your freezer for awhile so that you are ready for cocktail hour at a moment's notice!

Citrus Vodka Slushy

Ingredients:

8 cups water

3 cups white sugar

juice of 2 lemons

juice of 2 oranges

one 48oz can of pineapple juice

one 12oz can frozen Minute Maid grapefruit juice

one 12oz can of frozen Minute Maid lemonade

26oz Vodka - 

Method:

First, make a simple syrup. Boil 8 cups water and stir in 3 cups white sugar. Continue to stir until the sugar incorporates with the water, for about 15 minutes. Let cool.  Note that it will not be really "thick."

In a separate bowl, combine the juice of 2 lemons, 2 oranges, 1 48oz can of pineapple juice, 1 12oz can frozen Minute Maid grapefruit juice, 1 12oz can of frozen Minute Maid lemonade and 26oz Vodka.

Once the simple syrup is cooled, add the juice/vodka mix to the syrup. Stir and transfer into an air-tight tupperware container(s) with lid(s). Freeze.

When your guests arrive, stir the slush and fill the glass half-full with frozen vodka slush. Fill the rest of the glass with sprite or fresca.  The original recipe creator says to use diet 7-up, but you might as well go all in on this one and go for the full calorie soda.

You can find the original recipe here: 

http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/living/2010/06/16/fruity-frozen-vodka-slush-recipe/

The next drink is a favorite of Guy's.  Hey - I'm not afraid to resort to desperate measures to get him to consume fresh fruit!  (Even if it is a little alcohol drenched.)

Raspberry Lemon Drop

Ingredients:

2 oz. Vodka
2 tsp. lemon juice
6 raspberries
2 tsp. sugar
Splash of 7UP or Sprite
Method:

Muddle raspberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a shaker.  Add vodka, Sprite/7UP, and ice.  Shake and serve in a sugar-rimmed martini glass.  Garnish with raspberries and enjoy!

You can find the original recipe here:

http://www.nuggetmarket.com/recipes.php?id=30

I hope you enjoy my summertime recipes!

Midweek Randoms

It's been awhile since I have done a Midweek Randoms - I guess it's time to bring it back!

* I saw this awhile ago on FB and thought it was pretty hilarious.  I can soooo relate!  We typically don't let Beckett sleep with us, but occasionally when he has been sick or can't sleep it's been the only way for anyone to get any peace.



* Are you watching So You Think You Can Dance?  Guy and I are - this season is SO good.  I really like all of the dancers and don't want anyone to be cut! And 4 people will be gone next week?  Whaaaattt?

* I found this at Target the other day.  Nutella to go?  Yes, please.  If you haven't ever tried Nutella, you need to run yourself up to the store and get some.  It's addicting.

* I'm missing our B & B.  I told Guy that me getting sick on my birthday kinda took the wind out of his sail from our surprise trip.  Kind sad!  This was an instagram photo that I took - perfection.  

* Here is another phone pic - please note that it was taken at 5:45 AM!  Yep, I'm back to running.  Not as much as I was (it's way too hot for that), but I would like to do 3-5 miles a couple times a week.

* Having a picnic....

* Guy is building a new shelving unit for the laundry room.  Wahoo for more storage!!  And for having a handy husband.  

I hope you have a great rest of your week!

4th of July Fun

This year we had one of the best 4th's ever.   It never seems like a "real" holiday unless we are busy with activities and our favorite people, and this 4th of July was no exception.  

This year the 4th fell on a Wednesday which at first seemed odd but I quickly decided it was fantastic.  We all slept in and then had a big pancake breakfast - pretty fun for the middle of the week.  After Beckett woke up from his morning nap we headed over to the Flower Mound Children's Parade.

I wasn't going to decorate B's car, but Guy insisted I did - and I am so glad!  It looked adorable.

We arrived early so that we could check out all of the activities.  There were bounce houses, merry-go-rounds, and this fun little train.  And it was all free!

It doesn't look like it here, but B really loved the train.  He kept smiling and wanted to oversee everything.

After Guy consumed about four hot dogs we walked over to meet the Thomann's at the start of the parade.

The boys...

Aren't they so cute in their cars?

And speaking of cute, this sweet little family is precious.  Can you tell that Miss Cora is wearing her patriotic headband?

Unfortunately is was so hot that we all went straight home right afterwards.  B took a good afternoon nap and then we were off to our next destination... The Renter's House!

B got to play with his girlfriend.  And give her kisses!

I mean, really, how cute are these two??

I LOVE this one of Hads.  She has the sweetest little smile!

Of course it's never a party at the Renter's unless the kiddos are in the pool.  What fun!

I love my boys...

B taking it all in.

I know I'm partial, but he is just too precious!

At the end of the evening Emily and I got the brilliant idea to contain the babies in the pack and play.  A few toys and about half a box of Amanda's graham crackers and we were free to enjoy our wine!  ha!

And you can't celebrate the 4th without some homemade ice cream.  Nick, it was sooooo good!!!

What a fun day!