Happy Summer 2013

Where is this year going?  Is it really already Summer?  It sure is.

While there were a few things left unchecked on my Spring 2013 list, there were two things that were a must in getting prepared for Summer:  Backyard shenanigans, and Spring cleaning (the garage to be exact).

It has all been a labor of love!  We started by demoing a workshop attached to our garage (it was a disaster of a room). About 300 sq ft of ten inch concrete, three truck and trailer trips to the dump and countless hours we finally had our blank canvas.  And once it was down we decided that it would make for a perfect playground.  We’ve been really excited about this project.  Let’s call it:  Project Playground

We’re about 90% complete (just waiting for the grass to go in and a couple minor touches).  She has a mini swing set, a big-girl slide, a Tic-Tac-Toe and plenty of flowers to smell.  The girl loves to smell the flowers.  It's been a really great family project for us all.

Mommy and Daddy even got a fire pit.  Don’t worry though it’s at the opposite end of the backyard.  Summer is going to be good.  Life is good.

Oh, and the garage got cleaned too.  It wasn’t quite the death of me, but almost.  And with all this done, it’s time to just enjoy summer… and maybe start barbequing a little.  Happy Summer!

A. Daily Kitchen: Baked Chicken Nuggets

I think a recipe post is overdue.  Way overdue. I’ve given this some thought and I want the first recipe “back” to be one of our family’s favorites.  And I know just the recipe:  Baked Chicken Nuggets.

Told You, Kid Friendly

Baked Chicken Nuggets ···

1.5 Lbs Chicken Breast, Cubed

1+ Cup Sour Cream and Onion Chips, Crumbled

1 Cup Baked Sour Cream and Onion Chips, Crumbled

1 Tbs. Grated Parmesan Cheese

Dash of Kosher Salt

1 Large Egg

1-2 Tbs. Milk

Parchment Paper

Preheat Oven to 375°

In a medium bowl, mix both crumbs, cheese, and salt together.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk egg and milk.

Coat each cubed chicken in your egg mixture, then roll each piece in the crumb mixture until completely covered.

Bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Click on Image to Enlarge

Ella <3’s these!  She eats them faster than I can refill her plate.  The bonus, I don’t even feel guilty because they’re baked.  This really is a great family recipe.  #PerfectToddlerRecipe

My Hubby, Ella's Daddy: A Different Kind of Love

In honor of Father’s Day approaching, I think it’s only appropriate that I blog about my Hubby, you know, Ella’s Daddy.  Ryan!

I recently caught a glimpse of a sign that read: 

“I never knew how much I loved your Daddy until I saw how much he loved you.”  

[So true!]

Ella & Her Daddy

I loved Ryan before Ella, obviously.  But, I did experience a completely different kind of love for him when I saw him become a Daddy.  This love grows stronger everyday when I see how much he loves Ella (and how much she loves him back).  It’s one of those emotions that is just too difficult to put into words.  It's one of those emotions that just grows inside you.  Everyday.  Day after day.  It’s something that I think is so special and so intimate that the right words just don’t exist, at least not in my vocabulary.

I will say though that it is a special kind of love, one that allows me to realize just how thankful I am for my Husband.  I don’t even begin to tell him enough.  He gives me so much to be thankful for-- [The kind of person that he is, the Husband that he is and most definitely, the Daddy that he is].  That means more to me than I could ever begin to explain.  He means more to me than I could ever tell you him.  #I<3Him

Pin'd and Did: Outdoor #Tic-Tac-Toe

A few posts back I mentioned that we have been working on our backyard.  There has been A LOT of backyard shenanigans going on these days, and the transformation is well on its way.  It’s all been very exciting.

One of the projects that I have been looking forward to is the Tic-Tac-Toe.  Ella might be slightly too little for tic-tac-toe, but I just had to do it-- Besides, she does have a lot of big cousins. 

So, I’ve been brainstorming this idea for quite some time now.  I originally found the idea on Pinterest months ago.  Month-s.  After a few minor tweaks this is what I came up with:

And here is the how-to of it all:

Click on Image to Enlarge

The Perks of Playing Dress-Up, 1950's Style

Let me just start by saying, I <3 the 1950’s.  There’s just something really special about the era.  Think about it-- The simplicity, the way of living, the family life, the entertaining, the music, the clothes…  Oh man, the clothes.  Absolute perfection.  We’re talking the epitome of class and sophistication.

Now fast forward a few decades and here I am, preparing for my dear friend’s bridal shower-- A 1950’s throwback to entertaining (with all the bells and whistles, of course).  And there were two really wonderful things about this celebration:  My friend is getting married!  And, playing dress up with my daughter.

Wonderful thing number one:  Congratulations to the future Mrs. Roady!

Taylor  ··· I am so happy for you.  You are such a dear friend and you are going to be a wonderful wife.  Ten plus years of friendship with you has brought me a lot of joy, tons of memories, and even more laughs--  I know that together you and TC will share endless joy, make ever-lasting memories and create a home full of laughter.  I look forward to being apart of your special day and this very special time of celebration.  I wish you and TC all the happiness in the world.  Cheers to you two, soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.  XoXo.

(TC, you’re one lucky guy.)

The Bride and Her Bridesmad

Wonderful thing number two:  In the process of preparing for the big celebration my Great Aunt had offered to lend me my Great-Grandmother's pearls.  It was such a special sentiment, I couldn’t refuse.  I brought the jewelry home, along with a couple hats (also my Great-Grandma’s), and played dress up all week while I tried to piece together the perfect outfit for the shower.  I of course let Ella join in on the fun and couldn't help but think...

I wonder if my Great-Grandma played dress up with her girls-- With this jewelry and these hats.  I bet, because that was the kind of lady she was:  A whole lot of fun with just the right amount of spunk.  What a special privilege it is that I get to recreate the same memories with my own daughter, using the same jewelry and the same hats.  Thank you Aunt Lupe for giving me this opportunity, really though, for giving me these memories-- You always know how to put a smile on my face... and Ella's.

<3 These Memories -- Grandma-Grandma-Grandma Dress Up

CHOC Update: Ella Gets Great News

I realize that in my lapse of blogging I have also failed to fill you in on the latest (and greatest) with Miss Ella and CHOC.  Fresh from an appointment yesterday, I have good news.  It’s actually pretty great news.

Before I deliver the details of the great news, let me rewind a little-- We were not supposed to visit CHOC again until the end of July for what would have been a routine 6-month check up.  When Ella started having some digestive issues our primary pediatrician decided it was best to let our friends at CHOC take a look into things.  After a couple appointments and a couple more tests, we got the news:

All is normal. Given the issues that we've been having, the main concern at the time was that her pancreas wasn’t working properly (something we have to be on the look for), BUT test results show that it is working just as it should.  Come to find out, all of the “issues” is just her tummy’s way of figuring out how to process all of the new foods and the different variety that she is eating.  Totally normal.  Thank you, God!

But there’s more…

On another positive note, Ella’s weight is finally at normal levels again.  In fact, great numbers-- She's back into the 70th-percentile (she had dropped into the low 20’s).  In the words of her nutritionist, “She is doing perfectly.  I couldn’t ask for better numbers.  She is growing beautifully.”  Yup, #ProudMommyMoment.

All in all, Daddy and I agree that this was the best appointment we have ever had.

Toddler Tumbling on My Heartstrings

So, Ella is walking.  Well, still learning to walk is probably a more appropriate way of phrasing it.  It is very exciting and quite cute… and extremely scary.  This toddler stuff is serious business.  And seriously frightening.  Example:

In a two-day period Miss Ella managed to scrape her face and knock a tooth loose.  All within two little tumbles.  My goodness.  Turns out though that scraped noses will heal (Aquaphor does wonders) and teeth will settle back in.  Oh, and busted lips will heal too.

After Tumble #1:  Face Meets Concrete

But what about broken hearts?  Mine, to be exact.  Sure Ella shed a few tears, for thirty seconds (I’m not even 100% convinced that the tears weren’t because Mommy made her come play inside after the tumble), but I still feel terrible every time I get a glimpse of her little scab.  I try to remind myself that this stuff is normal, I have a toddler.  But then it got me thinking...

Is this the beginning of letting go?  So soon?  I know this all sounds a wee-bit dramatic, but hear me out.

On one hand, my brain tells me-- These things are normal, they will happen (again), she will heal.  She must learn to fall and pick herself back up.  But, my <3 tells me (and maybe a bit of the overprotective Mommy in me)-- Just pick her up, carry her, protect her from ever falling again.  Protect her from getting hurt.

Do I listen to my head or my heart?  I think I know the answer, but can I accept it?

Both.  Protect her, but let her learn.  Hold her hand, but let her toddle and even tumble.  Let her find her own footing.  If she tumbles, help her get back up.  Give her an extra kiss or two.  Most importantly though, let her try again, and again, and again.  I think that's the right answer, but then...

The real answer to my question is:  It is isn’t it?  It’s the beginning of letting go.  Possibly the very first step.

Yikes.  How does this stuff happen so fast?  #TooBigTooFast