Wordless Wednesday- Im learning to edit!

I bought Photoshop a few years back with a student discount. I cant work it to save my soul. Pixlr is much more my speed and my new BFF. Just a few attempts- enjoy!

He loves park time, and I love him.

Happy Wednesday, Lovelies!



Tell Me About Williamsburg...

Hello, Lovelies! Happy Tuesday!

It is around here, because I just booked 3 nights in Williamsburg, VA at The Historic Powhatan Resort on Groupon for a little mini-cation before I go back to school.



I know that there are lots of things to do down there, but remember, Grayson really could give two craps about a battle field.  Unless it has a sweet playground, he's not really interested. I was wondering if anyone knows anything little man would enjoy that we can check out down there.  This includes food- so if you know any sweet restaurants, I'd appreciate the tip!

I know we definitely want to drive to a beach for the day- I'm thinking Virginia Beach, but I'm not 100% sold on anything except there will be sand and salt water during my stay.  I would have LOVED to find somewhere on the beach, but nothing came up in my few days of Groupon watching that wasn't in Tahiti.  Now don't get me wrong, I would adore Tahiti- but at $3500 per ticket for airfare its not going to happen. Plus, none of us have ever visited the area before and I love exploring new places and spaces.

Let the trip planning begin!

Monday Letters

Dear Husband- I love you dearly, but if you continue to snore like a freight train you will be permanently relocated to the guest room.  Also, that strange box in the kitchen is a dishwasher and it is A-Okay to put your dirty dishes in it. Really, it will not kill you and if it does I will apologise to your corpse.  Love, Your Tired Wife.

Dear Grayson Boy- Thank you for sleeping in until 7 this morning, Momma likes to sleep and its very much appreciated.  If you shoot for 8 AM tomorrow I will buy you a pony and let you eat ice cream for breakfast (not really, but Ill call your eggs and fruit ice cream). XOXO- Mommy

Dear Kaos and Gizzy Bear- Please explain to me why you always feel its appropriate to start barking as SOON as Grayson falls asleep for no apparent reason? Are you punishing me or torturing him? I cant decide. I'm going to start getting even, I will let Grayson help when you get your bath- and I know you don't want that. Love Always- Momma  

Dear People In My Neighborhood- In no uncertain circumstances are bedroom slippers considered appropriate footwear for the grocery store/gas station/post office.  You are not fooling anyone by us thinking they are Ugg like with the fur around the edges, when in fact they came from WalMart. Also ladies- please put on a bra, no one deserves that assault over bananas in the produce section. Love- The lady shaking her head at you and trying not to laugh.

Dear Mother Nature- I love the nice warm weather, don't get me wrong.  What I do not appreciate, however, is the humidity that makes my hair look like a Brillo pad on steroids.  I also do not appreciate breaking a sweat while I brush my teeth. Can we cut that crap out for awhile? Thanks! Sincerely- The girl who just wants her straight hair back.

Dear Facebook Friends- Please stop broadcasting every detail of your life in status updates. No one cares and we all know half of what you post are lies. The same goes for you posting pictures of yourself in bathrooms with duck lips- not cute, or with expensive things and bragging about them. I don't care if you have a BMW, a Louis Vuitton bag, or a famous extremely distant relative who you took a picture with once when you were five. High School was over almost 10 years ago and Im sorry you didn't realize that but you are not making anyone jealous, no matter how many pictures you caption with "People always be jelly of how supa fly I am. SMH.". Learn to spell and shut up. Sincerely- The girl hitting unfriend as we speak.

Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning- For Free!

The tile in my kitchen is a PIA to keep clean.  Usually once a week I was scrubbing it on my hands and knees with a scrub brush Granny style and it still had dirt on it. I had been watching Groupon for a tile and grout cleaning deal (because to clean my kitchen and pantry the quote I received was $225- a total hell no), but nothing good was coming.  So I started to think about what I could do to get it cleaner; then I had an flash of cheap girl brilliance. The tile and grout cleaner people use a machine with a scrub brush, then a vacuum to sucks up the water. They don't put dirty water back on the floor and then they usually steam clean the floor. 

I can do that, easy peasy. 

How you ask? With one of these bad boys.

That's right, my rug scrubber. It has the rotating brush, it sucks up the water, and it only puts clean water on the floor.  Sure it doesn't steam, but I have a Shark Steam Mop that can work for that.

I simply filled it up with hot water and a little Mr. Clean, and scrubbed away. Then after I had cleaned the whole floor I went back and ran it again with just hot water. The end result- the water that was sucked up came out of the machine clean- woo hoo!  Then just to sanitize I ran the steam mop over the floors and called it a day. The whole process took about an hour and a half, only a little longer than if I were to scrub it granny style.

The best part- that $225 never left my wallet. Score one for the cheap girl. 



Fourth of July and Cookie Dough Dip

I have to be honest, I didnt know what to expect for Grayson's first 4th of July. I knew we probably wouldn't make the fireworks, as 9:45 is way past our bedtime around here, but I didn't know if he would freak at the ones we typically light off during dinner.

When the show started, he just watched intently. Even the loud screeches and booms didnt phase this kid.

In our family we don't take normal pictures and I love it.

After the show was over he had a ball playing in Aunt Maureens car.

I wanted to bring some kind of fun desert to the party this year, so of course I turned to Pinterest. I found this cookie dough recipe from Add A Pinch and it was AMAZING.  It also doesn't hurt that it takes 10 minutes to make and is a crowd pleaser. I doubled up the recipe, because I knew there would be alot of people there and it didn't make a whole lot.

The Best Cookie Dough Dip from Add A Pinch

Ingredients:

2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened. (You need to use the full fat kind or the dip doesn't have the right constancy!)

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter

2 cups powdered sugar

4 Tbsp brown sugar

3 tsp vanilla

2 cups chocolate chips (plus a few more for decorating)

2 cups toffee bits (plus more for decorating)

First start by creaming the butter and cream cheese together.

Then add in all of the other ingredients besides chocolate and toffee and mix well.

Add in the chips and toffee bits and mix to combine.

Place into bowl and top with chips and toffee pieces.

Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Serve with animal crackers, graham crackers, apple slices- anything that's good for dipping!

Enjoy!

 

ABC's of Me!

I've seen this on a few blogs out there- and it looked like some fun, so I thought Id give it a try!

A. Age: 27

B. Bed size: Queen- I want a King, but Im too cheap to replace all of the sheets and comforters that I have and love.

C. Chore you dislike: Putting away laundry- Ill wash and fold, but I hate to put away.  The rule in our house is he who washes and folds will not put away, and you bet your hiney Im in the basement daily washing and folding! Also dusting because it makes me sneeze like a fool.

D. Dogs:  Two- Kaos and Gizmo (Gizzy Bear). Pug/Beagle mixes known as Puggles. They were my first babies and I love them...they also love Grayson and want to be wherever he is to make sure hes okay. Kaos is the big one and Gizzy is the crazy one on Kaos' back.

E. Essential start to your day: I have to hit the snooze once, other wise Im pretty cranky. Also a kiss from the hubs and lots of caffene.

F. Favorite colors: I love pink, but Im also liking teal and gray right now.

G. Gold or silver: White gold, best of both worlds right?

H. Height: Well, my lisencse says Im 5'5. Of course I lied on the appliacation and gave myself an extra inch to make myself feel better- I have short girl syndrome.

I. Instruments you play(ed): Violin for 10 years.

J. Job title: I have many. Professionally- Science Teacher, Personally- Wife and Mamma.  See, in my world I get to graduate high school every single year...and then they just send me right back to the 9th grade. PS- Those hats look good on no one.

 

K. Kids: One- Grayson Boy- 9 months old.  He's full of personality, fo sho.

 

L. Live: Pittsburgh, PA- City of Champs :)

 

M. Mom’s name: Lora- Hi Momma!

N. Nicknames: I've had my fair share. Im still called Jughead by family- a name given to me at birth that stuck- and that I still answer to.  Im also called Besamy because an adorible blonde boy started calling me that when he was just 2, and when he stops I will cry.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Just when Grayson was born.

P. Pet peeves: When people dont put the toilet paper on the roll correctly (Im a roll from the bottom girl) or at all (ahem, hubs). When things look out of place...like if a picture frame is crooked, it will drive me nuts until I fix it. Also when people are selfish or rude- cant we all just get along people?!

Q. Quote from a movie:  "There is no place like home" The Wizzard of Oz - I love that movie to bits and pieces.  Grayson will love that movie, if it kills him.

 

 

R. Righty or lefty: Right.

S. Siblings: None- I do have a sister in law though

T. Time you wake up: For work, 5:15-5:30, in the summer it depends on when Grayson decides he wants to wake up.  No matter what time I wake up I always wake up enough to get the hubs out the door for work (or at least out of bed).  

U. Underwear: I don't understand this one... do I wear it? Yes.

V. Vegetables you don’t like: I think this list would be shorter if you said veggies you DO like.  Im extreamly picky- I eat potatoes, tomatoes (but not whole), carrots (if cooked), celery (cooked), onion, corn, peas, green beans, and lettuce.  Im weird with food texture, so if it feels weird in my mouth I can not eat it. Ill eat anything in veggie soup if its nice and soft though.  We planted a garden this year so hopefully Ill get better with eating them as they grow!

W. What makes you run late: Its either me or traffic. Im getting better now that I have Grayson, because that forces me to get ready earlier, but summer is construction season in Pittsburgh and the tunnels tend to eat cars, so its always a crap shoot out there.

X. X-rays you’ve had: A lot. Im kind of a klutz. Pretty much every bone below my knees and elbows and my chest.

Y. Yummy food you make: I love to cook, so theres lots! Some of my good stuff Ive shared on the blog is cheesy dorioto casserole,  cheddar bacon biscuits, lasagna cups, cinnamon roll waffles, and cookies.  I also make a mean steak fajita, bacon cheeseburger pasta, roasted chicken, beef stew, chicken soup, perogies, calzones, and homemade mac n cheese.  Great- now Im hungry.

 

Z. Zoo animal you like: I like the turtles, tigers and penguins.

If you decide to play along, send me a link so I can read the ABC's of you as well!

First Birthday Inspiration!

Okay, so I know its July and Grayson Boy doesn't turn one until September- but I would be lying if I didn't tell you I've already been planning for like two months.

What can I say, I love me a party with a theme.

Since Grayson was born I was wondering what I would do for his first birthday- the possibilities were endless.  Until of course, Grayson became obsessed with Super Why.

Then it became clear, this is his favorite thing ever- it needs to be his birthday.

So here's a little of my inspiration- sources listed from L to R top to bottom.

1. I fully believe a party is won and lost in the details. One detail I am drooling over are theres Celebrate Stamped Wooden Spoons from Sofies Big Day on Etsy.  Gah. These are so cute, I cant stand it. I love handmade touches like this, its that little something extra that no one expects. Everything she makes is amazingly cute, and really affordable. I want these, along with her super cute striped paper straws.  Sofie is the way to go if youre looking for straws, popcorn bags, twine or candy cups as well. Do yourself a favor and go check out her creative genius.

2. I bought a wooden high chair to paint so that we could take first birthday pictures like this- I love the bright colored chair (which will also make an appearance at the party) in the natural setting. This amazing redo was done by Katie over at Loves of Life. Check out her sweet blog here!

3. Every Super Why Party needs a book club! This idea, along with the capes in picture 8, came from Katie over at Kate's Kitchen.  She had a super cute Super Why party for her little guys 1/2 birthday and it came off brilliantly! The capes are a must make, as I have already bought the fabric.  Each child will have their own initial on the back of their cape so that they can all be super heroes.

4. I used to love having my picture taken in wooden cut outs- so I knew I wanted one for Graysons party. This is one possible idea that came from Chrissie over at Clever Faeries. She threw an adorable Princess Presto Tea Party for her beautiful little girl. Now I just need to find someone with some art skills to paint something like this...cause this Momma only does stick figures.

5.  How awesome are these? Super hero face cupcake toppers from Shelly over at Bug and Boo on Etsy. I can't wait for her to come back from vacation so I can order these- I wasn't even planning on having cupcakes until I saw these.

6. Cake inspiration found on Pinterest with no link home- see the pin here.

7. Another cake inspiration picture from Luisa Maria found on Cake Central. The cake is actually the part of the party that I have the least control over. My amazingly talented and beautiful friend Julie will be creating it, and Ive pinned a few photos for inspiration and I'm leaving it up to her.  She made my super sweet baby shower cake, so if you check that out here, you'll understand why I'm not worried at all.

So here's my starting point. I know I have a long way to go, but Ill get there. I just need to figure out invites, center pieces, food...oh heck. A lot.  If you have any ideas, please feel free to share them with me! Or if by chance you happen to create custom invites, shoot me an email as I'm trying to find the perfect ones!