Colored Bubbles

Don't be a sucker like me and purchase the new Crayola Colored Bubbles. Found on the end cap at Target for less than $3 a bottle, I could not resist.

WHAT A MESS! Yes, the bubbles are very colorful when you are lucky enough to get a few off the wand, otherwise they splat all over leaving a sloppy disaster. The bottle says 'washable' but I now have kids with blue stained hands and freckles...the purple and green did wash easily.

Maybe perfect for the beach, swimming pool, or lake where water is aplenty and you don't mind ruining a bathing suit. Otherwise, suck it up and spend the money on Zubbles, a far better product per online reviews.

6 years...

We celebrated this great day from sun up 'til sun down! A special breakfast, lunch from his favorite sandwich place (or maybe its just the massive cookies they sell), a story read to his kinder class by me, and breakfast for dinner (his request). Only to end it with birthday ice cream and the opening of family gifts!

Happy 6 years Alex!

Whew...the birthday season is finally over at our house.

8 years

...and still prefer a good beer compared to that bubbly stuff! Happy Anniversary Lover.

BMX Birthday!

Ever since we visited the 9th Street BMX park last fall, Alex has wanted his birthday to be there. And since my kids only get a friend party every other year, I knew I had to make it happen...and I did!

Unpredictable February weather, asking parents to drive their kids 30 minutes downtown, and hoping to score the one and only picnic table at the park, all the odds were against us. But the rain stopped and the sun shined! 16 kids showed up ready to ride! The locals were more than happy to let us take over the picnic table! And my homemade Lego BMX cake was even a little cute!

The kids rode until their hair was drenched. Band aids were passed out as much as snacks and water. And at the end of the 2 hour party, the kids even helped shovel dirt for some new ramps.

Now I am in the mood to find RAD from the 80's for our next movie night!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all...we survived 3 school parties, baking dozens of heart shaped cookies, batches of cinnamon bark, making chocolate covered strawberry marshmallows, dipping chocolate covered cinnamon gummie bears, and tons of crafts. Fran even got her first corsage from her Grandpa!

Most of all, I am blown away by the evolution of messages found on candy hearts these days.

Steaks, Sweet Potatoes & Cigars

For Daddy's last celebration of his birthday week, I signed us up for a grilling class. Only 2 in the country by this company and less than 2 miles away, we consider ourselves lucky! We observed, learned, and ate while the chef prepared our 4 course meal. Joined with friends and neighbors, we all had a blast...not to mention the place is BYOB.

After our private shopping experience following the class, we headed around the bend to the local cigar bar for salsa lessons! Thanks goodness you only turn 39 once :)

39 and HOLDING!

Happy Birthday to the BEST daddy in the world!

Probably one of the oldest trailers in Austin, Bee Caves BBQ is less than 5 miles from our house. I pass by it on an average of 4 times a day and stopped today for the first time. We brought our favorite daddy lunch at work with a few homemade German Chocolate Cake balls!

Cinnamon Bark

A Valentine's twist on our favorite Christmas candy!

1. Melt your favorite bag of dark chocolate and spread on parchment paper.
2. Chill until hard.
3. While chill'n, crush up hard cinnamon candy.
4. Melt Bakers White Chocolate squares then add 1 tsp cinnamon extract for an extra kick.
5. Quickly spread over dark chocolate.
6. Sprinkle with cinnamon chips.
7. Chill until hard then break into desired size.

Perfect for our impromptu Super Bowl party!

Snow Day 2011

We woke up early this morning to white rooftops and streets, only to quickly learn that school was cancelled for the day! The kids were outside playing before 0800, hot chocolate by 0830, and now I am hoping for a nap by 1200.

I forgot to mention we were in bathing suits on beach towel, pretending to be at the beach in our back yard only 5 days ago!