Whoopie Sandwiches

I started out making these for Ashton's class. Tomorrow is the Valentine's Party at his school. His *first* Valentine's party. (cue mommy getting so excited over Ashton's first V day party that she attempts something WAY over her head.) Everything started off great.

First, I mixed these up in a mixing bowl.

Then, I creamed these together in my standing mixer.

Next, I blended these in gently.


I then got festive and used this to pour in the buttermilk.

Finally, I squirted in a whole bunch of this and mixed it all up with the dry ingredients.

And then, disaster ensued. These were supposed to be hearts. After the first 5 weren't working out, and I was sweating, I decided to improvise. So I ended up with these. Yeah, I'm messy.

They actually came out looking pretty good! So, I decided to continue with my improvisation. I cut them in half and then cut off the edges to give them more of a sandwich feel.

Emory helped me discard of the little edges that I cut off. Yes, she was still in her pajamas. Yes, it was noon. It is pouring rain today and 40 degrees outside. Great day to stay in and bake in our PJ's all day!

After the "sandwiches" were cut, I "whipped" up (ha) the cream cheese icing. I added two drops of the red food coloring to it to give it this pinkish tint.

Then, I assembled.

And tried not to eat too many of the cut off edges.

They are all packaged up and ready to go for tomorrow!

When Ashton wakes up from his nap we are going to decorate and address Valentine's cards for all of his classmates. Not until I became a parent did I realize just how emotional the small milestones can make you.

best seat in the house.

It always fascinates me when my children do quirky little things. Things that aren't uniform. Things that make them...well, THEM. This is Emory Anne's favorite chair. It is not comfortable. It is old and somewhat rickety. It was my chair when I was little. And it sits right next to a big, comfy, oversized chair. If I haven't seen Emory for a few minutes, I know where to find her. She usually goes and gets a "treasure" to take with her to her chair. You know, to examine, while she sits quietly. I'm not sure what is cuter; watching her climb into the chair (it takes her a good minute) or watching her sitting there, so observant and ladylike.

Retreiving her "treasure" (her shoe)

Oops. Dropped the treasure. (I love all the polka dots in this picture)

Finally, made it to the chair.

in the kitchen

I really like it in the kitchen. Fortunately (unfortunately for my thighs), my husband really loves it in the kitchen. He does 90% of the cooking. I am very spoiled by this. I must assure you, however, that I am not sitting in a corner with my feet propped up, eating chocolates and requiring that he do so. He looks very forward to this part of his day. He unwinds when he cooks. His mind doesn't spin with the millions of stresses that come with owning a business. He lets himself relax. AND, he is a fabulous cook! (my mom would argue that he is really a chef without the title). So, it really leaves me little oppurtunity to get in the kitchen. Lately I have really been getting a hankering to do so. So, the other night, I took the reins. I plan to up my culinary expertise. Watch out hubby.

Last night I made this. It. was. delicious. And I am not tooting my horn here. I followed a recipe step by step, so I really don't feel that I can take full ownership for it's awesomeness. I defintely will be filing it away, though. As well as being yummy, it was SO easy.

Behold the Sweet and Spicy Asian Pork Shoulder.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sweet-spicy-asian-pork-shoulder-00000000028082/index.html

Caught in the act

Upon walking out of my bedroom earlier, I found this. *Sigh* They really are just so sweet. I thought to myself, "I didn't even know she could get up there"...

at which point, she did this... at which point I dropped the camera and ran.

Playroom in Progress.

I have a LONG way to go with this room (empty wall, new storage shelving, etc.), but for now this is generally what it looks like on a daily basis. Actually, this picture is a little junky. It's a little more "weeded out" usually.

and this is what is looks like after three of the neighborhood children come over for an hour and the mommies get distracted talking in the kitchen.

What I said to Emory this morning...

You are the cutest little runny nosed, breakfast eating punkin this side of the Mississippi!

Heart Milk

His name is Ashton and he is addicted to milk. Heart milk, that is. When Daddy and I took our trip to Napa this past October, Grammie and Papa came to Houston to stay with the kiddies. Grammie (my mom) noticed that Ashton was going through packs of organic vanilla milk like no one's business. And then, one morning, the inevitable. They were out. Before the stores opened. (cue Ashton dramatically flailing himself on the ground in pain and agony). So, my mom being the ever inventive, awesome Grammie that she is, had a brilliant idea. Why not just add a touch of vanilla flavored creamer to some milk, put it in his cup, and call it a day? Hence, the birth of heart milk. Heart milk gained it's name because the creamer bottle that she used that historical morning (I believe it was coffeemate) had a red heart on it. Apparently that night, he stuck his little nose up at the vanilla milk and requested "heart milk". Now, I KNOW it sounds terrible. Giving my child coffee creamer. However, after looking at the label on the organic vanilla milk, I realized he was actually getting LESS sugar AND sodium with heart milk. Score! Sooooo, if your child requires milk ad nauseum, try heart milk. ;)

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.

One of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes. Before nap time today, Ashton and I read "One fish, two fish...". When we got to this page, he put his hand on mine to stop me from turning the page. "Look-y there, mommy. Looks like your hair!" Nothing like having your two year old emphasize that you are having a not so fabulous hair day. ;) I hope that Ashton always stays truer than true.

Ashtonisms

I realize that Emory's latest update was filled with her latest milestones. However, Ashton can better be summed up simply by the things that he says. Here are a few...

There's a party in my tummy. So nummy, so nummy. (while shaking his hips)

Whenever daddy or I ask him to do something, we hear (in a sing song voice), "Just one minute!"

If he mis pronounciates something and I correct him, he says, "Oh, right. Very good, mommy."

If he hurts himself and cries, as soon as the traumatization of the injury ( ;) ) wears off, he announces, "Ashon was cwyin. Ashon huwt."

Speaking of "Ashon", this is what he calls himself. Ashton without the t. And he ALWAYS refers to himself in the third person.

Daddy and I may just have THE most polite two year old in the history of two year olds. I fully expect it to wear off anyday now. He NEVER misses a "please" or "thank you" or "I'm sorry". Most of the time he sticks an "Oh!" on the front of his polite phrase. "Oh! Thank you mommy!"

He likes to pretend. At the airport last weekend, he ran around the terminal gate with his arms outstretched and said, "Look at me! I an Ashon plane!" He always like to walk slowly toward me or daddy and say, "Grrrrrrr. I an Ashon monster!"

He calls everyone "sir". The director of his school gave him a cookie last week. The director is a woman. Upon receiving his cookie, he looked up and stated with great gusto, "You're welcome, sir!" Can't get it right every time.

He pats Emory on the head and says, "Erm-ry so cute" all the time.

He has renamed the family dog "woo woo".

One of his latest (and cutest) phrases is, "Look-e here! Look at me!"

If you cross his path, he will be telling you hello. "Oh! Hello sir!"

He likes to call Papa (my dad) on his pretend cell phone and run down his day. "Hello papa. Ashon go to school today. Ashon eat grapes. Erm-ry went night night. Ashon go on big boy potty. Ashon play with trucks. Love you papa."

He requires "dip" with anything he eats. "Dip" is either ketchup, honey mustard, syrup, bbq sauce. Whatever; it's dip. Ashon needs dip.

Ashton is such a smart little cookie. He counts in english and spanish, sings his alphabet and even recognizes some letters! However, lately, he has chosen to count in spanish, starting with cinco. Hilarious.

He tells his toys goodnight. As he is walking to his room, he is calling out, "Goodnight trucks! Goodnight animals!" and so on...

If he wants to protest something, like going to bed, he crosses his arms, furrows his adorable little brow and announces, "myself!" Not sure why.

If he is ever scared of anything, he calls it a bear. Ashton: Ashon scared. Me: why? Ashton: Bear.

Man, oh man do I love my little man. He is so smart and hilarious and sweet and I make it a daily habit of covering his little face in millions of smooches.

Shrimp, not Lobster

John came home with this monstrosity the other day, and was so proud, that he took a picture.

Sassy Pants

The name says it all. Boy is she sassy. And sweet. And edible. Emory's nickname since birth has been sassy pants. Ashton even lovingly refers to her as such on occasion. Here are a few updates on my sweet little sassy girl:

She is all girl...with a slight touch of toughness those with older brothers are required to possess.

I probably kiss her 200+ per day. (not really an update on her)

She turned one last month and got up and started walking (more like strutting) on her actual birthday.

She can say dada, dad, and daddy, but has never uttered so much as a "ma".

She can scream at a higher octave level than I knew existed.

She dances and sings on demand.

Her hair is wild and beautiful.

Emory is the quintessential daddy's girl. The sun rises and sets with her daddy.

She is very focused. Where Ashton could be distracted or easily sufficed at this age, Emory stays focused on the object of her desire until she obtains it!

She has THE most beautiful smile.

Her favorite word (other than dada) is "TA-DA!!!"

She LOVES to be held, but not cuddled.

She measured 75% in weight and "off the chart" in height at her one year check up. "Off the chart" is greater than 105%!

She only blows air kisses, but they are blown with gusto.

Emory Anne is such a blessing and joy in our lives. I cannot imagine my world without her sweet, sassy self.

I'm Back...I hope.

Ok, I have put this off for way too long. Mainly because I don't really know where, or how, to start back. I have decided to start fresh with this little blog of mine. Now what to blog about first...