Lets train

Even though Luke is only 2 years old, I have already seen differences between him and the girls.
Luke is ALL boy.
Even though we have dolls, barbies, etc all around our house he ignores them and goes straight for the balls, trucks, cars & trains.
He is also a Climber.
A few weeks ago, Luke and I were playing, I had to go to the bathroom and when I went back to his room, he had dragged his PBK Everyday chair to his dresser, turned it upside down and used it as a ladder so that he could open the top drawer of his dresser.

So, let this be a Public Service Announcement to remind you that if you have kids in your house, make sure you bolt your heavy furniture to the wall. 
All of our dressers  & bookshelves at our house are anchored to the wall, it is pretty simple to do and only costs a couple dollars. Kevin secured all our furniture about 4 years ago because
1) When Claire was 2.5 she tried to climb on Kate's dresser and it fell over. Luckily her dresser is short and it didn't land on her, but it could have been BAD.
and 2) We live in Earthquake country, we need things secured to the wall.

 So, Luke is a climber.  He climbs on the counters, he climbs on tables, he climbs everywhere.
The other day when I was making dinner, I heard Luke go into the garage and when I went to get him, he had climbed onto Claire's bike & was trying to "ride" it.
Also, he doesn't like wearing pants and is in a stage where he takes off his clothes, pajamas, his diaper...he just wants to be nakey.


I knew it was inevitable that he would start climbing out of his crib because the last few times he has been in a pack n play he has climbed out of it.
When we were in Tahoe a few weeks ago, he climbed out of it everytime we put him down for his nap or for bedtime. He would run upstairs with his jammies off and he was so proud he climbed out.
We were hoping it was just a pack n play thing, but when we got home from Tahoe, that night he kept climbing out of his crib. It was a loooooong night but finally he fell asleep and stayed in his crib.

The next day for naptime was a disaster. He wouldn't stay in his crib. The 10th time I went to put him back in his crib, I opened his door to find this:
He had taken things OFF his walls!!!!!
He had gone into Claire's room and gotten her piggy bank and he was using his PBK everyday chair as a ladder and was trying to get his piggy bank off his tall dresser.
Seriously, he is crazy.

I gave up on having him nap in his crib, so I put him in his car seat and we drove around until he fell asleep....I seriously felt like I had a newborn again because for the past few days he wouldn't sleep at night and wouldn't nap.  It was exhausting.
I didn't know what to do....we weren't ready for him to be in a big boy bed (hello....see the above photo....do you think he can be left alone at night with access to everything in his room?
I don't think so!
I know a lot of people put their 2 year olds in toddler beds or twin beds, but we just aren't ready to do that with Luke....so we stooped to a low level......we borrowed a crib tent from some of our friends.

Yes, that's right. 

A crib tent (Feel free to judge) 

We felt like this was the safest option for Luke at this time until he stops his climbing phase (do boys ever grow out of their climbing phase?)

Plus, Luke can now unlock the front door, so it's just not safe for him to be able to roam free.

So, here it is in all it's glory. 

The crib tent.

I have no shame.

Something I never thought I would have to use.

Kate was in her crib until she was 2 years 10 months old...she never tried to climb out.

Claire was in her crib until 2 years 8 months old, she only climbed out once (and that week we put her in her big girl bed)

So, for now Luke is still in his crib, with the crib tent keeping him safe inside. 

And, I have to put his pajamas zipped on backwards because that way he can't take them off.

I am sick of cleaning up pee/poo in his crib from when he takes off his jammies and diapers. Ugh.

 Poor Luke.

I hope the backwards pajamas and crib tent won't cause him to have too much therapy when he is older. Ha!

Anyone else out there have (or had) toddlers that were climbers, pajama strippers or escape artists?

Crib Tenters Unite!

Last week I found myself in dire need of a skirt.

During a vacation to New York City, I realized that I left my skirt at my parent's house. Woops!

My creative friends came up with a fantastic solution.

"Use a tank top."

I needed to wear a skirt to an appointment, and so I borrowed my friend's black slip and her green tank top. What a miracle solution!

I originally packed a skirt for vacation, but I left it at my parents' house on accident. We had attended church with my parents on Sunday, and then we left for NYC on Monday morning. My wonderful parents were kind enough to babysit our kids while we enjoyed a couple's vacation. On Thursday in NYC, we had an early morning appointment at the temple. We are Mormon, and we were excited to visit the beautiful temple in Manhattan. Because the temple is a holy place, it is important to wear a skirt or a dress when you attend.

I realized my predicament the night before, about 1:00am, and I sorta panicked with my husband and my friends. I knew we wouldn't have time to buy a skirt before our appointment. I'm so glad my friends Judy and Julie came up with a solution. The temple was beautiful, and I felt spiritually refreshed after visiting inside.

Sweet recipes of desserts or hot drinks in varying sizes of jars (depending on the recipe), and with a decorative lid and label to fit the occasion.

2 c. Powdered milk

1/4 c. Cocoa

1 c. Powdered sugar

1/3 c. Powdered non-dairy creamer

Dash salt

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  If your powdered sugar and cocoa are lumpy, you may want to sift them into the bowl.  Spoon in to pint-size jars and attach a card that suggests adding five tablespoons to a mug of hot water.

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2 c. Tang brand drink mix

1 c. Instant tea (lemon-flavored, unsweetened)

1/2 c. Sugar

2 tsp. Cinnamon

2 tsp. Ground cloves

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and spoon in to half pint-size jars.  Attach a card that suggests to add two tablespoons mix (more or less to taste) to a mug of very hot water.

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1/2 c. Powdered non-dairy creamer

1/2 c. Butter-flavored hard candies, lightly crushed (like Werther's Originals)

1/4 c. Powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)

2 c. Nonfat powdered milk

2/3 c. Instant coffee crystals *

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Spoon into pint-size jars and attach a card that suggests to pour 1/4 cup of mix in to a mug and filling with hot water.  Stir well until candies dissolve.  * Use all of a 2-oz. jar of instant coffee crystals for more robust flavor.

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1 c. Instant coffee

1-1/3 c. Sugar

1-1/3 c. Nonfat dry milk

1 tsp. Cinnamon

Mix in a food processor or blender until you have a fine powder.  Attach a card that suggests to use 1-2 tsp. to one mug of hot water.

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3 c. Instant hot cocoa powder

1 pkg. unsweetened Raspberry Kool-Aid

Attach a card that suggests to use 2 heaping Tbl. to one mug of hot water.

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1 c. Instant tea mix (unsweetened and no lemon)

2 c. Dry Tang powder

1 pkg. lemonade, unsweetened powder

1 c. Sugar

1 Tbl. nutmeg

1 Tbl. Allspice

1 Tbl. Cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container.  Attach a card that suggests to use 1-2 rounded teaspoons of dry mix to 1 mug of hot water.

1 c. Brown sugar

1/2 c. White sugar

1 c. Semisweet chocolate chips

2 c. (scant) All-purpose flour

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking soda

Mix the salt and baking soda together with the flour.  Layer ingredients into a one-quart wide-mouth jar in the order listed.  Pack each layer down firmly so everything will fit.  Attach ethe following instructions to the jar:

          Sift dry ingredients through a colander to separate the chocolate chips from the other ingredients.  Beat one cup of unsalted butter or margarine in a medium bowl.  Beat sifted ingredients into the butter until blended.  In a small bowl, beat one egg with one tsp., of vanilla.  Mix beaten egg mixture in to the butter mixture until blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Drop teaspoonfuls of better, spaced two inches apart, onto the greased cookie sheet.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for eight minutes or until lightly browned.

1-1/4 c. White sugar

1 c. M&M's baking bits

2 c. (scant) All-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. Baking soda

1/2 tsp. Baking powder

Mix together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.  Layer ingredients into a one-quart wide-mouth jar in the order listed.  Pack each layer down firmly so everything will fit.  Attach the following instructions to the jar:

          Empty the jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl.  Use your hands to thoroughly blend the mix.  Add 1/2 c. margarine or butter softened at room temperature.  (Do not use diet margarine.)  Mix in one slightly beaten egg, and one tsp. vanilla.  Mix together until completely blended.  Finish mixing with your hands.  The mixture will be very sticky so grease your hands first.  Use a spoon lightly coated with cooking spray to scoop up the mixture into balls the size of walnuts.  Place on a foil-lined cookie sheet two inches apart.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 12-14 min. until the edges are slightly browned.  Cool on a cookie sheet for one min., then set out the paper towels or on a wire rack to finish cooling.

3/4 c. Brown sugar

1/2 c. White sugar

3/4 c. Raisins

2 c. Rolled oats

1 c. All-purpose flour

1 tsp. Ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Ground nutmeg

1 tsp. Baking soda

1/2 tsp. Salt

Mix together the flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.  Layer ingredients into a one-quart wide-mouth jar in the order listed.  Pack each layer down firmly so everything will fit.  Attach the following instructions to the jar:

          Empty the jar of cookie mix into a large mixing bowl.  Use your hands to thoroughly blend the mix.  Add 3/4 cup butter or margarine softened at room temperature.  (Do not use diet margarine.)  Stir  in one slightly beaten egg, then add one teaspoon of vanilla.  ix until completely blended, finishing the mixing with your hands if needed.  Shape in to balls the size of walnuts and place on a foil-lined cookie sheet two inches apart.  Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 11-13 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.  Cool five minutes on the baking sheet and remove the cookies to paper towels to finish cooling. 

1 c. All-purpose flour

1 tsp. Ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp. Baking soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/8 tsp. Ground nutmeg

1/2 c. Packed brown sugar

1/2 c. Sugar

1 c. Old-fashioned oats

1 c. Swirled milk chocolate and caramel chips

1/2 c. Flaked coconut

In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients.  In a 1-quart glass jar, layer the flour mixture, brown sugar, sugar, oats, chips and coconut, packing well between each layer.  Cover and store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.  Yield: 1 batch (4 cups).  Attach the following instructions to the jar:

          In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 c. softened butter, 1 egg, and 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract.  Add cookie mix and mix well.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.  Yield: about 3 1/2 dozen.

* From Simple & Delicious Magazine, Nov./Dec. 2006  (they have jarred soup recipes, too!)

1/2 c. + 1/8 c. Flour

3/4 tsp. Salt

1/3 c. Cocoa

1/2 c. Flour

2/3 c. Brown sugar

2/3 c. Sugar

1/2 c. Milk chocolate chips

1/2 c. Vanilla chips

Layer into a quart-size jar ingredients in this order (first ingredient will be at the bottom).  Attach the following instructions to the jar:

          Combine contents with 1 tsp. vanilla , 2/3 c. vegetable oil and 3 eggs.  Pour into greased 9x9 pan and bake at 325 degrees for 27-32 minutes.

For this recipe I can tell you the amount of ingredients you'll need to make 12 quart-size jars:
     - 5 lbs. Flour
     - 5 lbs. Sugar
     - 50 oz. Brown sugar
     - 21 oz. Milk chocolate chips
     - 21 oz. Vanilla chips
     - 12 oz. Cocoa

Here are some additional ideas for jar gifts!  *smile*  You could use varieties of trail mix; candies; dried fruit; or chocolate-covered items such as coffee beans, peanuts, pretzels, or raisins.

Warm, sweet blessings to your family,

Recipe Organization

Banana Bread to Die For!

Mom Tips - For Cooking

Mom Tips - For the Kitchen

Halloween food and dressing up are my favorite parts of Halloween, especially since our friends host an awesome Halloween party, just for the adults, each year. Whereas I don't usually get into the gory, bloody parts of Halloween, I love making the creepy food items. The grosser looking, the better!

Last year, our friends had a newborn, so the epic Halloween party was canceled. This year I really wanted to defend our streak of winning the creepiest looking dessert.

We had won the best dessert prize three years in a row with such delights as:

"bloody poop" which were actually squished Oreo truffles with food coloring dropped in the cracks

"witch fingers" which were sugar cookies shaped like fingers with almond nails

and the "pumpkin pie poop maker" which was a pumpkin on a potty, creating pumpkin pies under the seat.

So this year Johnny and I came up with something incredible! Inspired by this article about creating a fake head in a jar, we thought it would be awesome to make a some edible brains to complete the dessert.

Here was our final product for the Halloween dessert contest:

To make your own, visit this head in the jar tutorial. He walks you through the photo editing process if you choose to use your own photos, or he allows you to print his head photo. We chose the easier route. I tried to make my own head photo, and I failed miserably, so for the sake of time, we used the example head.

To make the brain cake, I used advice from a few different sources. I watched a cake tutorial here, and read a few fake blood recipes here, and merged all the ideas.

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Once we arrived at the Halloween party, we assembled the jar, added the brain cake on top, and stuck a knife through the brain for effect. People oohed and awwed, but no one dared eat the concoction for over an hour. The cake was delicious once someone finally dared to try a bite.

Our head in the jar brains won the prize!

Woot-woot! Four years in a row!

I'll admit I was super nervous as the votes were being tallied. My sister-in-law made some broken glass cupcakes (inspired by this pin) that I thought would take home the prize. There were so many great appetizers and desserts and costumes last night. Everyone did a great job, and the party was a blast.

My younger sister Rebecca's Bridal Shower was on Saturday.
As soon as she got engaged & her chose her wedding colors, I started planning this shower in my head. I hosted the shower at my house & I was in charge of the invites, the cupcakes, all the "details" and the decorations. You know how I love those little details! My older sister, Mom & Aunt made the food. It was a total group effort!
Our bridesmaids dresses are Aqua "Tiffany" Blue & she is going to have pops of orange, lime green, red & yellow for our flowers. Because of that, I knew I wanted to incorporate that into her Bridal Shower. I am loving the color combo of aqua & orange right now, so I decided that the "theme" for the shower would be:
Something Blue {with a Twist}
The twist was the splashes of orange that I added for the shower.
Here are the shower details!

Invites that I made:
{Available in my Etsy shop}

Decorations:
Pom Poms!
I love Pom Poms!
On the tables I had flowers along with blue & orange candy:
Nothing says Spring like Tulips! And, on Saturday it was 77 degrees! In February!
At one of the tables, I had dipped pretzels also:
The plates had the favor cookies on them:

I got 2 types of cookies at a local bakery, wedding dresses & wedding cakes:
I made the favor tags with their initials & wedding date:
I also had a bouquet of flowers that will be similar to what our bridesmaids bouquets will look like. The coloras are going to look so pretty with our aqua dresses!

My sisters & I:

And, one with my mom & her girls!

The Menu:
Beverages - We offered mimosas, white white, sparkling water & sparkling lemonade.

The future Mrs. Baker:
{with her eliot necklace}

Veggies & Hummus:

Banana Bread & Zucchini Bread:

We had 3 types of Quiche:
Spinach & Bacon
Ham & Cheese:
Veggie:
Fruit Salad:
Mixed Greens with mandarin oranges, pecans & avocado:
Funny side note, my mother in law brought a sponge to the shower & gave it to my older sister so that they could use it when cleaning the shower dishes.
In case you missed it, I am a sponge-a-phobe.
The tables:

We got to meet my cousin's new baby, Brodie for the first time!

We had about 25 women attend.

When I sent out the invitations, I also included a blank recipe card & a note that said to include your favorite recipe in order to build Rebecca's cooking repertoire.
When I got married 8.5 years ago, one of our family friends did this for one of my Wedding Showers & it was so great to have a collection of great recipes. That is where I got my Taco Soup recipe!

She got some really yummy recipes! I am going to borrow some :)

The game we played was called 20 Questions.
We came up with 20 Questions about Rebecca & Jason's relationship and future.
We asked Jason the questions the day before the shower.
Then at the shower, we asked each guest to write down how many questions they think Rebecca & Jason will answer the same.

Rebecca was getting a little stressed after she missed a few questions. She needed more wine :)

She answered 14 out of 20 questions the same way Jason answered.

Next, it was time for dessert while Rebecca opened presents!
Dessert was 2 types of cupcakes. I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough & Funfetti (Rebecca's favorite)
Jason's mom gave Rebecca a gift from Victoria Secret (that could have been awkward) but it was a really pretty white satin robe that said 'Bride' on it:

My family room looked like a Crate & Barrel show room after she finished opening all her presents!

The Bride to Be with her ribbon bouquet:

We had so much fun celebrating Rebecca this weekend!
Next up is the Bachelorette party in March & then the wedding in April!
And, today just so happens to be Rebecca's 27th Birthday!
Happy Birthday to the Future Mrs. Baker!