Shanaynay’s Havin’ a Baybay

My brother and his sweet wife are expecting their 2nd baby to arrive in a couple of weeks.

Even though Shannon has repeatedly ignored my requested baby name…I decided to throw her a shower anyway.

Since it’s their first baby boy – I thought I would throw a bumble bee party. My brother John said we needed to “honor the stinger”.

Honor, we did.

A Bumblebee Diaper cake. (Etsy)

Poms.

These adorable bumble bee cupcakes were made by Courtney.

I shared my banana runts. I love Shanaynay THAT much.

Even the beverages were beehives.

Bumblebee straws.

Here is the Spinach Dip recipe that was requested. (Allrecipes)

 Veronica’s Hot Spinach, Artichoke, and Chili Dip

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup canned chopped jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Mix together the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the green chiles, Parmesan cheese, artichokes, peppers, and spinach. Spoon the mixture into a baking dish.
3. Bake in preheated oven until slightly browned, about 30 minutes.

My mom and sister were such a huge help…couldn’t have done it without them…and Courtney :)

There were baby bumps all over the place! It’s in the water in Shanaynay’s town.

We all had fun playing a fabulous game that Josie made. We enjoyed the food and company….

And then watched Shanaynay open her gifts….and I don’t have any pictures of that.

Horrible, I know. Honestly, I got caught up in the party of it all and forgot I was in charge.

I promise not to forget next time, Shannon….when you have Baby #3…..WRIGLEY. :)

My boys are so excited to have a baby boy  cousin to play with and love.

It’s fun celebrating a new addition to the stinger club.

Congrats John and Shannon! We love you!

Bananarama

Meet Vanessa and her hubby, Michael. You can call him Mike.

Nessa was my friend back in the High School days…and thanks to Facebook/Blogging – we have kept in touch across the miles.

One of my fondest teen memories is of her. We got in a chocolate pudding fight….in my parents living room. If any of you need another reason to think my mother is a Saint….the fact that I am still alive is yet another testament.

My love for Vanessa grew exponentially on the day we returned home from Summer vacation. There was a package waiting for me.

She read my post about my love of banana runts…so what does she do? She mails me a 2 pound bag of them!

A little bit of trivia for you….2 pounds of banana runts feels like the equivalent of holding a 6 pound newborn. Odd.

There is nothing better than receiving an unexpected surprise in the mail…especially on the last day of vacation.

Thanks for thinking of us, Ness. They are delicious! You are the best!

I still can’t believe you did that for me.

Now that I know you are paying attention…I think I will make my next blog about my love for Le Creuset cookware.

 

The First Day

How is it possible that school started today?

Where did the Summer go?

I feel ripped off. I want a refund.

Despite my protest, school started today… whether I liked it or not.

I woke up extra early to make the kids a yummy breakfast. For some reason, I worry about them getting hungry on the first day of school. I gave them a full spread of eggs, toast, yogurt, berries, and juice. In a few more days…all worry will be gone and they will get a bowl full of Cheerios…and a banana if they play their cards right.

Firsts are funny that way. They bring out the best in us.

The kids were eager to get back in the swing of things and reunite with their long lost school friends.

Bradley went to bed last night THINKING that he didn’t need me to walk him to class this morning.

The sun rose and shed new light. The first words out of his mouth were, “Mama, I want you and Daddy to walk me to my classroom today.”

My heart soared. I intended to walk him to class either way ---- but still ---- it was nice to still be needed. I think Tom liked it, too.

Karah was playing it cool. Staying one step behind. It tugged at our hearts to pass the rooms of last year’s teachers that we had grown to love.

We finally made it to her new homeroom. She was sweet and gave me hugs and kisses in eye shot of other 4th graders. I think she  knew it was more for me than her. Our last time walking her to class at this school. Unbelievable.

While the kids were at school, I prepared for their “First Day of School Celebration” that would happen later that night.

I kept tradition alive and made them a back to school cake (brownie). It was MUCH easier than last year’s hilarious school bus cake. Click here.

In this pic, the frosting looks neon…not sure why…but I will blame it on the photographer, Courtney. I appear to be a disheveled mess. I will ALSO blame this on the photographer, Courtney. I actually looked like a supermodel today. Way to go, Court.

Here is what the brownie cake REALLY looked like.

To continue our dinner tradition – we picked a “cafeteria meal” and served it on lunch trays.

Tonight’s Menu:

Cup of Chili

Cornbread Square

Fruit “Medley” (what an excellent word. ‘Medley’.)

Cookie

Milk

It’s just like the cafeteria…except it tastes good and I’m not wearing a hair net when I serve it.

Oh…and the kids eat it. Yet another difference.

The night was topped off with a fabulous Family Home Evening lesson by Tommy T. He taught  about the importance for standing up for what you know is right…even when we are scared…and how the Lord’s protection will be with us.

The kids enjoyed a piece of pencil for dessert…and before we knew it, everyone was showered, jammied, and sound asleep in their beds.

Ahh…pretty great first day…now on to the 2nd.

Final Clue

 

Yes, it has taken me three weeks to finally blog the resolution to Tom’s treasure hunt. No…it did not take the kids three weeks to get their chores done. They actually had them all finished up by that afternoon. I have just been a blogging slacker.

The final clue:

 

Leave it to a Dad to have a treasure hunt clue that involves Poo.

The kids knew right where to go. The basement guest bath.

Toilets traditionally like poo…but this one prefers pee…at least until the sump pump is replaced.

It’s always fun asking guests to poop on the main level of the house. Great icebreaker.

Anyway – the kids found their treasure.

No, it wasn’t poo.

They each scored $2 so they could get the treat of their choice.

They chose the Frozen Tung, of course.

Mmm…Black Cherry with Cream….I dream of you tonight.

 

Cruel Trick

There is one item that is on the Bucket List that will never be checked off. “Chores without whining”.  I thought I would “order it in the universe” and see what happened. The hopes turned out to be too high – with a 9, 6, and 3 year old – the whining was destined to be. I must give them Kudos that they have lasted until Mid July without whining.

Tom left out of town early this morning. When the kids woke up, they found that he had left them a scavenger hunt.

The clues:

Yes, I buy Chuck E. Cheese, Cheese…but I still think he is an evil rat. Clue was in the rat bag.

Clue was under the dog food bowl.

Clue was stuck between the piano keys…where they take their piano lessons from Court.

I was thrilled to see the kids went to the oven and not the microwave. Microwaves are intended to pop corn…and reheat cinnamon rolls…and that’s about it. Ovens provide a crunchiness that microwaves simply can’t offer.

And the next clue was found….

They excitement was sucked right out of the room. The kids were not amused. I was.

I am still laughing. Stay tuned for the second half of the hunt. The kids are still doing their chores. Muwhahahahaha!

I LOVE YOU, TOM!!!!!

Three Birds with One Stone

I am all about killing multiple birds with one stone.

Honestly, I don’t kill birds…and if I did, I wouldn’t use a stone. Seems too “Neanderthal”. I think I would use a more sophisticated weapon like a bb gun, or perhaps I would poison their food with something that would cause an immediate, painless death.

What a silly phrase…yet, I can’t say it and move on.  I must know the origin. 

Upon googling where this phrase comes from, I found that one argued origin comes from Greek Mythology…a story about Daedalus and Icarus. (Bickies!)

Daedalus and his son, Icarus, were being held prisoner by a King, in a tall tower. When he looked out, all he could see were high walls around him and huge birds in the sky. Daedalus drew up a plan to throw stones at the birds, hoping to take their wings so they could both fly home.  He found he could throw a stone,striking one bird with the ricochet hitting a second bird, thus killing two birds with one stone.

This post has reminded me how ignorant I find Greek Mythology.  I am now embarrassed that I even googled it. How smart are they? Bird wings gonna make ya fly? Why jump naked? Why not jump together? Looks like the Daddy wanted his son to “go first and try it out”. Brilliant.

Tom is out of town. See what happens when I don’t have any grown ups to talk to? Sorry.

I will now get to my point.

I had a DOUBLE  ricochet and killed THREE birds with one stone. I….

1. Tie Dyed shirts with the kids (on the bucket list)

2. Found something to do on a hot, Sunday afternoon

3. Didn’t have to go shopping for 4th of July shirts for the kids. We tie dyed in red, white, and blue.

The Process: (Photos compliments of Tom’s iPhone) – Sorry for the graininess.

The Product:

Now…if you will excuse me…I am going to go kill two birds with one stone…ordering Pizza Hut….negating my responsibility to cook dinner…and do the dishes ---which would be the result of said dinner.

That’s the silver lining of the hubby getting home late tonight.