Two Dogs Dining.

Yesterday was one of *those* days.  Overly tired, unmotivated and had a good old fashioned case of the blahs.  Then I found this video and just sat there and watched it.  And a smile grew over my face.  Then that smile turned into a giggle.  And then I was laughing (out loud).  

From many Facebook posts I know I was not the only one with the Monday Blues yesterday.  Here is to Tuesday, a fresh new day.  And to the clever people in this world, who make me smile and will never know it.

Enjoy!

ps. I LOVE the kitchen they are in.  

Max Is No Dummy.

The boys room has a front yard facing window.   In order to get both cribs in the room, Max's crib is partially up against this window.  Max is easily distracted by what goes on outside said window, making naps and bedtime tricky.  We thought we had it covered by just closing the blinds.   Max says nice try, parents.  Nice try.

We are going to ignore the fact that today I found him butt naked.

This kid cracks me up.  I can't even get mad that we now have to buy new blinds.  I mean seriously.  HE MADE A LITTLE WINDOW FOR HIMSELF!!  That is funny.

I hope everyone finds humor in their children and try not to take life so seriously.  They are a blessing and nothing short of amazing.  Enjoy every minute of them.

A Summer Send-Off.

I like summer, I really do.  The beach, the warm nights, cooking out.... then August comes with bugs and extreme heat and bugs and I am then over it.  So this week I say tootles to summer.  Bring on Fall!

S’mores Cake in a Jar

makes 4 16-ounce mason jar cakes

for crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 stick butter

pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter and mix in graham crumbs and salt. Mix until moistened. Spray 4 mason jars with non-stick spray and press graham crust into jars. 

for cake: 

1 1/8 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup dark cocoa powder

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon heavy cream

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons sour cream

for topping:

1 bag of large marshmallows

In a bowl, whisk egg and sugar until smooth and no lumps remain. Add milk, cream, butter and vanilla, and mix until combined. Stir in sour cream. Sift dry ingredients together and add to wet mixture. Mix until batter is smooth. Using a 1/4 cup measure, add batter to mason jars one scoop at a time. You only want to fill them up about half way.  Place mason jars in a baking dish and add about 1 1/2 cups of water to the bottom. Bake for 30 minutes, or until cake is set.

Remove cake from the oven and press large marshmallows down on top. There is no set number of marshmallows to use about 4-5 each. Heat the broiler on your oven and watching carefully, brown marshmallows for about 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately.

some notes from my experience...

I used small jars and therefore baked the cake too long.  should have taken them out at about 20 min.  just watch and do the "clean knife test"

I also used boxed graham cracker crumbs and found them not to be very sweet.  if using boxed crumbs, I recommend adding some sugar to the crumbs.

This is VERY rich.  perfect for cuddling up and sharing.

Some Honest Words from a Mother.

When people would see me out with Max and at the same time all big and preggo with Milo, the first thing people ask is "how far apart will they be?"  They hear 13 months and the second thing out of their mouth is "wow.  you are going to be busy"  They LOVE saying it, almost with a giggle.  I heard it non stop.  They also had tons of other bits of advice and encouraging words, that I listened to and took in, preparing myself for every bit of being a mom of two babies.

But there is one bit of advice, a warning almost, that no one ever said to me.  There is one feeling that hit me like a ton of bricks and no one ever prepared me.  GUILT.

Max has been my heart and my world for the past year.  He had a rough start at life and anyone who went through that with us has a special place in their heart for him too.  Anyone who meets him sees his beauty, inner and outer.  He is funny, silly, happy, loving.... their aren't enough words to describe his wonder.  He touches hearts.

Then I bring home my Little Milo.  And he is instantly in my heart.  And without warning, the guilt comes.   On our ride home, through tear-filled eyes and in a squeaky girl-cry voice, I turn to my hubbs and ask "do you think Max understands?"  Because my fear is he doesn't.  It feels like I took some of his special away.   He now shares his special with Milo.  And that makes me sad for him.  Does he get that he is still special?  Does he get he is still in my heart?  Does he get that the love is shared and equal?  I worry.

But then my Max himself gives me the answer.

"mom, I get it.  and everything's going to be alright."

I love these boys, unconditionally.  And turns out, they love each other unconditionally too.

Milo is Here!

Sweet as can be and as little as a pea in a pod.  His 'official' newborn pics are yet to be taken, but here is a teaser sneak peak of the little fella.