LONG Weekend

I love a long weekend. Don't you?

We made ours count with lots of activities on Saturday and Sunday. Mother Nature graced us with gorgeous spring like weather (temps in the mid 60s) so we made it count. Lots of park trips, wagon rides and fun in the sun!

We kicked off the weekend with some delicious Nutella Cinnamon Rolls with some friends and a trip to the new Perot Museum downtown. We bought a family pass awhile back so we can go anytime we want. Since it was a 3 day holiday weekend it was pretty packed but we still had a good time.

Molly really liked the dinosaur exhibit.



After the museum we stopped off a local patio to have some lunch and enjoy the weather. We snuck in a nap and then it was time to get outside. We tried out Molly's new wagon for the first time. She loves it.



We also squeezed in some time for yoga. Gotta stay limber.



Sunday was a big day for us as a family. We had a dedication for Molly at church where we were able to make a public commitment to raise Molly in a Christian home and bring her to know the Lord. Our pastor said a beautiful prayer for Molly and our church family pledged to support us.





And Molly looked so cute in her dress.



We finished up the weekend with some family story time and snuggles.



And then Monday Molly got sick and we had to pick her up early from Mothers Day Out. Unfortunately this morning Chase and I woke up sick. Bleh. Glad it didn't ruin our entire weekend.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 3 day weekend. Stay healthy!

When She Won't Eat Her Veggies

It finally happened, as I secretly knew it would, she stopped eating her vegetables. Our once great eater, who we could count on to down anything we put in front of her, has become a tad picky. Some days she won't eat anything but bread, cheese and fruit and other days she is a little more willing to go for a few veggies, and some meat. But lately veggies are on her do not eat list. Great.

With a growing toddler we know, as parents, that vegetables are very important. And since Molly seems to be a "runt" we want her to eat lots of veggies to grow big and strong. While we aren't to terribly worried because she does eat a lot of the super foods that are good for babies/toddlers we do want some veggies in her diet.

So, what to do?

We get sneaky. : )

Our latest trick uses apple sauce as the disguise. We make our own apple sauce and infuse it with kale or spinach. It turns an awesome green color but mostly keeps the taste of apple sauce. Molly loves it and most importantly eats it!

Green Apple Sauce

by Hallie Vincent

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

---

Apple Sauce w/hidden vegetables

Ingredients (1 small batch)

• 1 apple (we prefer gala)
• 2 ounces water (alter for desired consistency)
• 1 bunch Kale or Spinach

Instructions

• Cut the apple into small squares and add to blender
• Pour in water
• Chop up Kale and add to blender
• Mix all together until reaches desired consistency

So for all those Moms with kiddos on veggie strike, give her a try.

And here is to hoping she starts eating the green beans, brocoli, and peas again.

Home Projects: Quarter One

I have a long list in Evernote of all the things I want to do to my house. Some are very realistic and others are very not. And we are constantly playing the game of "is this worth it for this house?" Since this is not our forever home or even our 10 year home we don't want to do too much. But I also think its silly when people spend money upgrading their house right before they sell when they could have done it years earlier and actually enjoyed it. (constant argument over and over in my head when trying to rationalize things)

After all this back and forth there are a few projects/design things etc. that we are going to attempt to tackle in the first quarter of this year. Some depend on budget, some depend on time but all are things that I definitely want in this house.

In an attempt to make it more real and not just a tidy list in my Evernote account I thought I would share it. This also might keep us accountable. Of course, as we do these things, I will post about them.

Without further ado, THE LIST:

1. Paint front doors
2. Paint kitchen cabinets white
1. Inside large pantry door chalkboard paint
2. New kitchen hardware
3. Re-cover mid century chairs
4. New house numbers
5. Better lighting in guest bath
6. Drywall laundry room and garage
7. Sod front area (early Spring)
8. New buffet/bar
9. New bookcase
10. Sleeper sofa/love seat
11. Chandelier light in entryway

I know, long list right! I am being very optimistic about what we want to do but gotta set the bar high right.

The first thing up is painting our front doors. We have gone back and forth on replacing them or painting them, finally landing on painting. Our house was built in 1958 and it has many charming elements, one being our double front doors. The width of each door is super tiny but they definitely add character. So instead of spending upwards of $700 to replace we are going to give them new life with a fun color.

I have had my eye on a soft teal blue color. Just the pop of color I want. And a nod to my mid century style. Hoping to get the project started this weekend while we have an extra day.

So what do you think? My project list too long? Am I crazy for picking such a bright color for the doors? 

Back on Track

Well hello 2013. Nice to see you.



After a month of holidays and a complete lack of schedule and any sort of routine I am ready to get back on track this week. Molly has gone back to her Mothers Day Out and Chase is back at school. I am enjoying a nice quiet house to work in this morning.

But there are other ways I am anxious to get back on track with. 2012 was a full year of adjustment. And when I really think about it, the last 3 years have been full of adjustment. With a move to a new city, buying a house, getting married, being pregnant and then having a baby I have no idea what normal feels like. Actually, I am not sure it really exists. But with 2013 I am ready to find a good balance.

It has been well over a year since I have had any sort of fitness regimen. I ran a 10k in September with absolutely zero training and that is about all I have done. Pretty pathetic. I struggled to find or make the time to workout with a baby. I basically made a bunch of excuses. And after I stopped breastfeeding and found the time to eat again I quickly put weight back on. So here I sit, way out of shape and carrying too many pounds. Time to make a change.

So my biggest resolution for 2013 is to get healthy again. Chase went down the same path I did so he is along for the ride as well. We joined the local Y which has great childcare so no more excuses. I am looking forward to some of the great classes they offer and getting back to running.

Getting "back on track" being the overarching theme for 2013 here are a few more of my "resolutions" for the upcoming year.

1. Hit the gym/run/workout 3 days a week
2. Menu Plan
3. In bed by 10:30 on weeknights
4. Take my vitamins daily
5. Run 2 10Ks
6. Run a jogging stroller race
7. Cook! Try one all new recipe a month
8. Get our budget together
9. Take a family vacation
10. Use a real (non family member) babysitter
11. Date nights twice a month
12. Join a small group
13. Tackle list of DIY projects around the house
14. Do one major family activity a month (museums etc.)
15. Start biking again (w/Molly too)

Nothing crazy! And totally doable. Its time to get back on track.

Let's do this 2013.

Christmas Morning

There is something so special about Christmas morning. It has always been one of my favorite few hours of the year. I can vividly remember many as a child. Turning that corner down the hall from our bedrooms with such excitement and anticipation. Getting to the tree to find that Santa had indeed made a stop at our house and we were, in fact, good little boys and girls.

The morning my brother and I got our play kitchen, our first Nintendo and my cowboy boots still stand out to me as some of the greatest days of my life. Christmas mornings make such an impression. And I was so excited this year to start making Molly's special.

While this was Molly's second Christmas, last year she was only 6 weeks old. Not quite ready to embrace the holiday. This year, at 13 months, she still doesn't understand a lot but she loved opening presents and playing with all her new toys. She could point out Santa Clause and Rudolph and she was in awe of the tree.

I was so excited to begin to relive that all important morning through the eyes of my own child. Complete with late nights being Santa's helper and early morning shrieks of delight!















I can't wait until next year!