sweets.

Am I still baking sweets?  The answer is yes.

After the big move to our new home I slowed things down a bit.
However, we are settled now and spring is the perfect time to rev it back up again.
Lots of parties, celebrations, holidays...and everyone loves a tasty treat.
Cake pops are the perfect sized treat for everyone!  They are not just for kids.
It's the adults that go back for more than one!

A little Spring Special:
If you refer a friend who places an order, you will receive half off your next order!
AND
If you place two separate orders this spring, you will receive 25% off the second order!

Too yummy to pass up!
Check out more info HERE.

things you should know about me if we're going to be BFF's.

I get inspired sometimes by other bloggers for little me posts.  This is simply that.
Silly things simply about me (that you may or may not know already)
Mostly written for me, I don't really have a large audience base here. :)

I am obsessed with polka dots.
If I could choose two decades to travel back in time to and experience as a teenager it would be the 50's and 80's (very Marty McFly of me).
Chugging 11 gulps of water straight cures my hiccups every single time.
If I read a good book I become completely consumed by it, counting down the minutes until I can pick the book back up again to continue.
I believe that music is just as important as pictures in capturing memories.
I am a middle child.
I am super sensitive. (those two things may go together :))
TV is so good, and I know I have too many shows that my DVR records.
Movies are even better.
I have been to the movie theater at least half a dozen times by myself.
I don't like coconut at all.
I am confident.
I am proud that even in my 20's I already figured out what was most important in life, what to care about and what to not.  Life is simple. Life is sweet.  Life is about the little things that matter most to YOU.
I am passionate.
I believe everyone has a right to be happy, and we don't have the right to tell people what that means for them.
I support the opportunity of marriage and happiness and love for everyone.
It wrenches my heart every time I hear of someone wrongfully convicted of a crime only to have it discovered after missing years of their life sitting in a prison they weren't meant to.

If I could pick a meal to go out for it would be breakfast.  It's calm, it's quiet, it's slow, I love seeing people reading newspapers and sipping their coffee.
I think we eat too fast and are too rushed.  I believe in sitting at the table and talking and enjoying a meal and taking our time and waiting for everyone to finish and just being together.

I used to wear sassy high heels all the time, now you will see me rarely with a pair on and always choose a fun and colorful pair of flats instead.  (I'm 5'8" I don't really need to be taller, and cute and comfy is really my new motto.  I'm not out and about the clubs like I used to. :)

I am an animal lover.
I always try to avoid the sad animal movies, but there is something in me that pulls me to it and I can't help but to watch them.  It's like when you watch a scary movie even though you don't want to and you have a blanket over your face the whole time, but you can't stop from watching.  It's like that.  Except without a doubt I will be crying in the first 20 minutes and sobbing uncontrollably by the end.

My must-have make-up product is mascara.
I didn't start wearing real makeup (foundation, etc.) until I turned 31 (this year).
I keep and use my makeup way longer than I am supposed to.
I like going to the dentist.
I loved being pregnant, despite that I was sick for most all of it.
I used to be very shy, I am about the opposite now. 
I used to embarrass easily, now it would take a lot (I'm not so sure anything really could actually).
My dryer doubles as my iron.  (Todd does way more ironing than I do.)
Emptying the dishwasher is a simple chore that I never really cared for (I'm getting better).
I do love to vacuum.
I have a strong Chicago accent.
I am horrible at puzzles.
I don't understand what most common expressions really mean.
I have never broken a bone.
My hair is pulled back most days.
I love a cute hat, headband, scarf (per reason stated above).
If I blowdry my hair, it is a special occasion.
I LOVE my cat, but at night when I go to bed and the house is dark and she is in major playful mode, me and my ankles are scared of her (Kujo kitty).
I twitch my little nose a lot...like a bunny.
I am addicted to chapstick, well not anymore, now it is the gold blistex.
I took piano lessons as a child and as an adult. 
I have the same dreams over and over all the time.

I have a little OCD when it comes to the symmetry of how tight my shoelaces are on each foot, and checking the alarm clock to make sure it's set.
Which is funny, because I have a mental alarm clock that wakes me a few minutes before it goes off every single time.  I wake up Todd, go back to sleep and usually sleep most days until Quinn wakes up, about 7:30.

I am living a complete dream of mine, right now.
Life from full-time teacher, to stay-at-home mom has made me appreciate my time so much more.  Life is stress-free, no deadlines, on my own schedule (or Quinn's schedule), looking for the fun in everything we do.
I love color.  In clothes, in our home, it makes me happy.
I am pretty much happy all the time.
A complete optimist.
Tears run when I laugh hard.
I giggle.
I like to challenge myself.  I love projects.  And I am kind of one of those people always looking for something new to try to excel at.  Now that I am at home there are all kinds of new adventures in crafting, baking, furniture remodeling, home decorating, toy building, etc.
I can watch a good movie over and over again.
I think I was in my early 20's before I started being able to swallow pills.

Sometimes when Quinn goes to bed I miss her.  If she wakes at night I am happy to snuggle and hold her against my chest as she rocks back to sleep.

I am a calm mama.  Probably one thing I have never really questioned, or worried, or over analyzed.  I know that I know what is best for her.  It's just peaceful.  I just want her to be happy, healthy and kind.  Everything else is not near as important.  And as a mama, I just want to make sure I am present for her all the time, enjoying every moment with her.
I will choose playing with her over needing to clean right away every single time. 
I am a total hopeless romantic. 
I married a hopeless romantic.
We are two very romantic people.
I am learning how to sign.

If you have been a part of my life at any point in time,
I miss you.

TV guilty pleasure, the Kardashian's.  I don't like that I like it.
But I think I figured out why I do, I like the idea of a big family and spending time together all the time. 
I miss my family.  I never imagined being apart.  I have a much harder time with it than I ever let myself reveal.  I miss the moments I know we won't get to experience.  But I'm grateful for the moments we have.

I dream of writing a children's picture book.
I dream of owning the little children's bookstore in a small downtown with a little cafe and being the storybook lady.

I am not on facebook. 
Mostly because I don't want anything else that impedes on me being present with my family.
And I partially protest what it is doing to the youth in our society. 
Bullying is far greater, and no one is learning how to "talk" to one another anymore.
It scares me a bit.
Sometimes I would love to rewind 20 years ago when kids don't have cell phones, or every possible portable device.  They played outside, they hung out and didn't stay home and just chat via text or internet, and when you share exciting news it's in person and you can share and see the excitement with the people around you.

I LOVE to travel. 
If I am able to travel, I like to choose new places I haven't been to yet.
I have only been outside of the country twice.
There are many places still left to visit one day.
So much history and culture and beauty to see.

I have ALWAYS wanted to attend or have an 80's party or prom party.  Maybe still one day.

Just making someone smile is one of the best gifts.
Having my daughter try to make me smile is even greater.

I just traded in my flip phone last year.
I loved high school.  I know that's not common.

I was an extra in a little movie called Joshua.  (didn't see it?  it was a huge blockbuster ;))
I did enjoy learning what it is like to be on set and met that guy from Ghostbusters and that guy from Ghost (not Patrick Swayze, the other one, the bad guy).

I had ice cream with Kelly Ripa and her family.  Alright, so really they stood right next to us as we all ate our ice cream in NYC.  This was maybe a day after Todd told me she was on his list, and then we run into her like the next day.  He had one person on his list and we ran into her.  I have like 10 and I haven't had such luck.

I talked to Tom Hanks.  And actually, my list of celebs seen in person is somewhat extensive I guess.
And Justin Timberlake sang "I want to hold you hand" to me.  Jill will vouch for this. :)

I never get lost.  I have some kind of mental map and compass in my head.
I am a planner.
I like to be at home.  I do not get stir-crazy.
I don't function well when the week on the calendar is filled. 
I prefer to make sure there is down time, home time.
Every day somehow or another I end up dancing.
I did my best college writing and work when I procrastinated.
I always dreamed of living in different places, until Quinn was born.

I have many happy memories and times I felt excited.  But the little one my mind goes back to most often was the nights at the hospital after Quinn was born.  She would spend about 6 hours each night in the nursery, and every two hours I would hear the wheels on her little cart before the nurse would even open the door.  I would pop up and be so excited to see her (I had a c-section mind you, popping up is not what you would typically do).  She was always so quiet, so peaceful, so beautiful.  It would be dark in the room, and it was just the two of us.  It's those little moments I think back to most often.

I have the most amazing, sweetest, hardworking, genuine husband in the world.  I do. 

Fall is complete heaven for me.  It is bliss in every form of the word. 
Spring is my second favorite.
I fell more in love with winter when I became pregnant with Quinn.
My ideal climate would stay between 40 and 80 degrees.

My first car was a 1989 Chevy Celebrity.
My first plane ride was by myself at age 18 to San Francisco.
When I was young and had a crush on a boy, I crushed hard, but usually kept it to myself.
I saw N'SYNC in concert 3 times.
I am scared of spiders, too many legs.

Cookies are my weakness.  The classics.
Don't dare put any kind of nut into a dessert.
I could put avocado on almost any dish.
When I'm super hungry and it's been a long day,  and drive around the corner only to find golden arches, they are glowing and opera music is singing.

As a friend, I am a mother hen.
I am pretty much always constant, reliable, and cheerful.
I will tell you like it really is.  If it's not cute, I will tell you.
If you have broccoli in your teeth, I will tell you.
If your hair is sticking up funny, I will tell you.
I will try to make you laugh when I know you need it.
If you are my BFF I expect you to walk into my door without knocking.
I expect you to use things in my home without asking.
I expect that you know I love you whether we talk once this week or a dozen times.
I expect that you probably love my baby just like she is your own.
If you are my BFF I will cherish you always.

Whether you read all that or not, it was more of a little journal entry for me than anything.
And sometimes when you read a blog, it's nice to know a little more about the writer.
And if you are my BFF well you probably already knew all of it.

My hubby took this picture of me.  I just found it.

the dollhouse.

A month later....
I figured it was finally time to post about the dollhouse.

For Quinn's 2nd Birthday, her big present was a homemade dollhouse.
It was a month long project, and many many many hours of work.
Thankfully Quinn still takes long 4 hour naps most days. :)
And thankfully we love a project (even a challenging one).

Here is the short of how it was made:
After a lot of debate, we decided to purchase and build a kit dollhouse from Hobby Lobby.
40% off coupons are too good to pass up, and after much thought and mommy on a ladder checking out each of the houses that sit up on that pretty shelf in the store, one was finally chosen.

Then it was onto the prep and build.
It took about 4 hours to sort and label every single little piece.
Once that was all done, the painting began.
I chose a pretty yellow for the exterior of the home, leftover gray we already had for the shutters/door (Quinn's future big girl bedroom will be grey, pink and yellow), and everything else that was painted was in white.  Almost everything was painted.
Next up was the wallpaper.  I selected scrapbook sheets of paper and used modpodge to hang.
Then the construction of the house really started to come together.  We used Aileen's clear tacky glue for almost everything.
The process of the windows and the porch were probably the most tedious of steps.
Before I knew it (or a month later) the staircase was in, carpet was down, trim was up, and it was ready for a little decor and finally the shingles.
The shingles took about a week.  They soaked in grey dye for about 4 days, dried for 1-2 days and then took about 2 different sessions for Todd and I to hang them (individually).  We used Liquid Nails for this step.

Last but not least, I spruced up the window boxes with the tiniest flowers Quinn and I could find.

and Voila!
A beautiful dollhouse for Quinn to enjoy for many years to come.
(It has already been loved and played with and cherished for the first month already.)
Overall it came out fantastic, there are a few little imperfections, but I actually wanted a few of those.  I wanted it to say "my mom and dad" built this, not "a factory made this".

 

Also, I should have taken pictures immediately after the build.  Live and learn.  Don't mind the few shingles missing here and there that are the result of our fun.  Figured there will need to be shingle touch-ups now and then, thankfully we have a whole extra bag.

 

a little irish.

a lot kissable :)

She definitely has some Irish in her, but I really don't know exactly how much.  Time to investigate little Quinny's full family tree from both sides.  But her mommy has lots of Irish, so for now we know for sure she has a little. :)

We'll see if she gets some or lots of freckles one day.
I have always had lots of freckles, and I have always loved them.

It's a Sunday at home, but we still had to sport our green. 
Finding green looks like this...
We go into Quinny's closet and find her super cute and special St. Patrick's Day shirt from grandma and grandpa and carefully look through her bow drawer to find two little green ones to sport precious piggies today.
Then it's mama's turn, snatch that green tank I wear at least once a week from the laundry basket, it's still on the top so it counts as partially clean, pull on a regular go-to cardigan, and throw a green scarf in your "not enough time to wash - it's time to make breakfast" hair along with a twisted bun. special. 
Well, it will do for the cleaning of three bathrooms I have planned for this afternoon.

Daddy is working today, but we look forward to lots of daddy time to come soon over spring break.
Kisses to daddy, we know he is reading this between matches today. :)

Happy St. Patty's Day to you all!

Kisses from all of us.
----------------------------------------

March has flown by and has gone with very few blog posts.
Sorry grandmas and grandpas.
We had some busy days with a few extra kiddos here.
My friend Danielle's kids spent lots of time with us, as she needed a temporary daycare while her mom was away. It was lots of fun, and lots of crazy! Three kids ages 2, 3, and 5 will do that.

Took this adorable video of the three of them dancing with wii.
See if you can spot the one who actually isn't playing but is totally video-bombing (that's a thing right?) and trying to steal the show.

i feel pretty.

There is something magical and just divine that happens when a girl steps into something that makes her feel pretty. 
It feels amazing.
But it doesn't come close to what it feels like to actually see this moment transpire on your own daughter.  Complete bliss washes over you to see such happiness and confidence.

On Wednesday evenings I get to see this happen.
On Wednesday evenings she steps into her brand new pink and girly swimsuit, and it just may as well be Cinderella's ball gown because that is how pretty you can see that she feels. 
It is the definition of precious.
As soon as we pull the straps up to her shoulders, she gently holds the tu-tu skirt and her chin immediately folds into her shoulders which are pulled forward with her arms gently pulling into her body. 
It's that look. 
The shy "I feel pretty" look.
And it fills me with joy every single time.
The shy love for an outfit transpires into a full on "I am confident and I am pretty" look.
And that just is the cherry on top, because confidence is oh so important for a little girl.

come on, right.  just melts you.

 



 

 and then the confident freestyle dance moves start to come out.

 

 and you get little moves like this.

 

  and this little "i feel pretty" shoulder roll. :)

what more can I say?
love. love. love.

dear quinn - letter two.

On a Tuesday at 12:58pm you turned two. TWO. 
Oh my goodness you are officially a little girl and not our teeny baby you once were.
You make decisions, ugh that is getting hard.  You aren't always so sure of what you want.
Parenting has officially kicked up a notch.  But we are ready.  A timeout stool is there, but it has seldom been used (helped when you bounced around on the couch).

You still are the easygoing child you were as a baby.  For the most part you are easily entertained, you still move on from things you can't have easily, and most activities mommy picks or errands we run you find suitable for your taste and you are a very good girl in the stores.  It's possible you have been nicknamed "The goldfish girl" at Hobby Lobby, we are there often and goldfish is your go to snack to keep you busy at the store (and I'm sure we have unknowingly left trails behind).

You LOVE a good snuggle and mommy and daddy love the random times you run up to us for a quick one. You still fall asleep in mommy's arms occasionally.  And if you startle in the night, I do not mind a good cuddle.

You are a dancer and will start groovin' just about anytime a good beat is present.
You love just about all pop/rock music.  Some of your favorite songs have been:  Give your heart a break by Demi Lovato, Catch my Breath by Kelly Clarkson, Somebody that I used to know by Gotye, Driveby by Train, Daylight and Payphone by Maroon Five and most songs by Pink and Katy Perry.
We are pretty excited to get you started in a dance class pretty soon.

You are a sensitive girl.
This comes as no surprise to us as both your mommy and daddy were very sensitive children.
You do not like it when anyone gets into trouble.
You get very upset if anyone cries, most of the time you're sad by it but sometimes I think it just scares you (everyone got a little glimpse of this during your party - being center of attention probably amplified it a bit).
When something scares you or makes you mad, you like to hit mommy.  I know it's not because you really want to hit, but because you don't know how else to show those emotions.

You are a girl of few words, but love to tell a story. :)
You talk, talk, talk all the time, but are still quite a babbler.
The sounds are molding, we can tell.  All those words are forming and will be pouring out soon.
You have many words that you can say, that we have heard you say, but you just choose not to say them often.You don't really like to try to repeat after us, so that makes it a little hard to try to teach you, but you have always been on your own time when you are confident and ready.  And we love that about you.

You are obsessed with jewelry and playing with makeup.
You are gentle and make your decisions carefully.
Maybe a little stylist on our hands?
You like to help pick out your clothes a little.
You still wear a lot of leggings (with your tiny waist but long legs they fit the best).
You are still wearing mostly all 18 month clothes, and just starting to pull some pants and a few outfits in that are 24m or 2T.

You take your time on little tasks.
Sorting, organizing, thinking about where you want things to go.
Coloring and using stickers is a current favorite.

A good sleeper you have always been.
Right now bedtime is usually 7:30pm - 7:30/8am
Nap is usually 12:30pm - 4:30pm
You sleep in a crib full of blankies and stuffed animals.
You are starting to have favorites, and it is so cute to see.
You love your pastel striped blankie that you got from the Caston family when you were born, and you snuggle with lamby, polar bear and kitty the most.
If we throw off your nap, it really throws you off (you are more likely to throw a little fit and not sleep well at night) so we try to avoid that if at all possible. 

The potty is out, but we are going to wait a little longer till we feel you are ready.

You love to read books.
There are days where we read and read and read forever.
And there are days we just entirely forget to.
Mommy is trying to get back to making sure this is squeezed in each day no matter what.

We started working on the alphabet and your colors.
You favorite letter is O (the sound of it I'm sure), and your favorite color right now is yellow.

We are trying to get back on the signing track.  We go through hills and valleys of using sign language a lot, and then weeks of barely using it.  You and mommy are both learning, and I'm quite certain you will pick it up fully much quicker. :)

You sing and hum.
You like to sing Twinkle Twinkle with us at bed time.  You have your own words for it, but you have the tune down pat.
You hum sometimes while you are playing independently.  I caught you doing that a couple times while playing with your new dollhouse.

You give the sweetest hugs, especially to your friends.
You are so good about letting mommy do anything with your hair.
You have never minded getting your diaper or clothes changed.
You absolutely love a good game of chase.

Your giggle is the best thing in the whole entire world.

All the squeezes, snuggles, hugs, kisses we give you would never be enough.

Happy birthday sweet girl.

(click here to see dear quinn - first birthday letter)

____________________________________________________________________

On Saturday you invited some of your buddies over for a fantastic little breakfast party.
Mommy thought it was quite perfect.
Here are some of the details from your special little day:

1. We were snuggly in our jammies. :)  And Grandma made your entire outfit and matching jammy pants for you and mommy.

2. Grandma and Grandpa came up from Florida to celebrate with you.

3.  You got a special dollhouse made by mommy and daddy for your birthday and your family and friends helped you fill it with a family and goodies.  The dollhouse was a hit, even with all the boys.  more on the dollhouse later...

4. There were Mickey decorations and red, black and yellow everywhere. :)

This next part is for party planning enthusiasts or just average mom's looking for a few ideas:
Secrets to throwing a super cute themed party without spending a lot of money - choose just a few simple things that will stand out, take advantage of the dollar store when it makes sense, use Hobby Lobby coupons like crazy, create printables (they are a super quick cheap way to add more detail), and make as much as you can yourself. :)
The Mickey Centerpieces only cost $3.50 each to make.  The two Mickey wreaths cost $4 to make. And the long Mickey felt banner only cost $5 to make.  Water bottle favors are from the dollar store, and chalkboard labels were super cheap with a hobby lobby coupon.  Tablecloths, plates, napkins were also purchased at Hobby Lobby. We had balloons (also Hobby Lobby) but decided to skip the expensive helium cost and blow them up ourselves but hang them instead of string them.  Todd made an outdoor Quinn's Clubhouse sign at no cost.  A roll of black and white polka dot wrapping paper was used for the runner to spice up the red tableclothes.Two large pictures were printed at Walmart for a game and decoration (using a Valentine's Day special on posters).  Using the color red helped too as I was able to snatch cute straws and muffin liners from after Holiday sales.

Why a breakfast party?
1.  Because it was different.
2.  Because I LOVE breakfast and relaxing with friends with coffee in hand.
3.  Because who doesn't love an excuse to be in cozy jammies.
4.  Because it didn't interfere with naps for all the little ones or everyone's entire day.
5.  Because everyone loves breakfast, it is very cost-effective and we can still create a filling meal    
               for everyone with options.

5.  Everyone played Pin the Ears on the Birthday Girl, played in the bouncy house, watched A Goofy Movie (nothing cuter than little ones all cuddled up on the floor with mommies and daddies watching a movie),  colored Mickey pictures, and played and played and played. :)

 

6.  There was a little photo backdrop set up for all of your little Mouseketeer friends. :)  Everyone knows your mama loves pictures to remember the guests and what they all looked like on that day.

 

Quinn's Clubhouse menu included:
* Mickey Mouse Pancakes * Clarabelle's Cinnamon Moo-Muffins & Donut Holes * Minnie's Famous Banana Bread * Boo-Boo Chicken's Egg Casseroles * Fresh Fruit from Daisy's Garden * Pluto's Doggy Biscuits & Gravy * Donald's "Oh Boy, Oh Boy!" Breakfast Potatoes * Clarabelle's Secret Recipe Sugar Cookies
and Goofy served up milk, coffee, tea, water and orange juice for beverages.

7.  There was "Happy Birthday" singing.  You are smiley here.  You quickly turned shy and hid your head.  Shy just like your mama at your age, although you are much stronger (your mama cried when everyone sang to her on her 2nd birthday).

 8.  Blowing out candles.

9.  And diving right in. :)

And here are all of the little Mouseketeers that joined Quinn's Clubhouse!
(the cutest little bunch :))

So cute!

Happy 2nd Birthday baby girl.
We love you so very much.