Let the Summer Fun Commence!

Its been a crazy end of the school year- I had one of the best years ever with some of my absolute favorite kids I've ever had the pleasure to teach- but thank.you.sweet.baby.jesus. it is summer time!

 

It's not their fault, once the weather gets nice they pretty much just start checking out on us, and I cant really get them to get excited about things like weather forecasting, tornadoes, earthquakes and cells when there are pools to swim in, sun tans to achieve and outside things going on that are way more fun. Truth be told, I'd rather be outside too- but trying to explain to freshmen that they need to focus for a few more weeks is like explaining to my toddler why he needs to try peas at dinner. Its a lost cause come June 1st.  I'm super excited that next year I get to teach some biology, meaning I can get some of my freshmen back as sophomores. It's fun to see which ones the maturity fairy visits over the summer and to watch them grow.

 

I did a summer bucket list last year and had a blast checking things off with Grayson and hubs.  This year, I've amped it up seeing as how he's now a man-child who can participate in so much more.

 

 

Here goes-

 

Idelwild Park

PNC Park Water Steps

Ducky Tour

Kennywood Park

Beach Trip

Splash Pad

Pool Date

Walk the Montour Trail

Catch Lightning Bugs

Play in the Sandbox
Water Fight with Daddy
Round Hill Park
Blue Slide Playground at Frick Park
Soergels Orchard
Triple B Farms
Street Fair
International Village
Phipps Conservatory
Go to a Pirate Game
Play Dates
Sarris' Ice Cream Parlor
Feed the Ducks
Go Fishing
Catch Lightning Bugs
Steelers Training Camp
Story time at the Library
Carnegie Science Center
The Children's Museum
Gus and YaYa's
Picnic in the park
Pittsburgh Zoo
Take pictures while playing in the rain
Family Pictures
Go visit Aunt Sammie
Take a day trip
Make a big mess
Complete as many Pinterest projects as possible!

What's on your list for summer fun? Let me know if I forgot something!!

 

 



How to give one of the best baby gifts ever- custom bedding!!

Seriously, its in the water where I work- everyone is having them some babies. Nine beans were born/will be born in the coming months.  Needless to say, I'm avoiding that water for a few more years and I'm up to my eyeballs in baby shower gifts.  Even the Mama's who are on baby number two still get a little spoiling where I work. The problem? I'm running out of different unique items to gift...and I HATE being the chick who shows up with a totally generic present with no thought.

 

As I was sitting here musing what to get the next lucky lady up to get promoted to Mama I received the best email from a bloggy friend of mine, Olivia from over at Mad Lib offering up a free sample to her shop.  Olivia is a single Momma to one of the most adorable baby boys ever, Cooper. In order to support herself and Cooper she started a business called Lou Lou Made where she hand crafts custom baby bedding at a ridiculously wonderful price with The Coop at her side.  Seriously, I never thought I would be able to afford to give custom bedding- but Lou Lou Made makes it affordable! Oh yeah, its adorable too- which only makes the price tag even better. I couldn't wait to get shopping.

 

Once I had logged onto her sweet site and made my selection it only took a few days for the item to reach my door, and Olivia told me she also rushes custom orders so you should receive your item within one to two weeks! Seriously, its just crazy to me how she manages to make such awesome pieces with a toddler hanging at her side. Mine would have the house destroyed before I could say fabric scissors.

 

Just take a look at the cute options I had to choose from.

 

 

Lou Lou Made offers custom crib sheets, changing pad covers, crib skirts, pillow cases, quilts and pillows- all in the cutest most trendy fabrics.  One piece that I have my eye on for the next baby is this custom bedding set that includes crib bumper, skirt, and sheet in these dreamy fabrics.

 

 

Who doesn't love them some mint and coral?

 

I love the modern look of this custom triangle quilt- and it can be custom made to match any assortment of fabrics at no extra charge. Olivia is super excited to work with Mommas to be to create the absolutely perfect dream nursery, so she can do almost anything your heart desires. 

 

I received one of her amazing crib sheets and cloud pillow, which I haven't posted pictures of here because I don't want someone special who may or may not read this blog..ahem...to see the gift they will receive at a shower in the near future.

When I got the package it was tied up with the cutest presentation.  I carefully un-did it so I could check out the quality and I was amazing. The elastic went the whole way around, not just at the corners. The French seams were so neat and clean looking, I could not tell it was a handmade item. Let alone the fact that it was handmade in a home with a toddler. Gotta say, I'm a bit jealous of the sewing ability, Olivia!

Overall, if you're looking for a custom made product at a VERY reasonable price- Lou Lou Made is the place to find it. Head on over to her etsy shop and tell her sent you!

***This is not a paid or sponsored post. I was simply provided a product to review and all opinions and thoughts states in this post are that of my own***

 

 

 

 



Grilled Rosemary Chicken Skewers

Its grilling season!

 

If your husband is anything like mine (and you live in a house without AC like we do), you cook everything you can on the grill in the summer months. I've learned how to do just about every inside oven meal on the grill, but this was a new one for me.  While I was browsing the aisles at the grocery store, without the tiny human, so of course I was taking my good sweet time- I saw these super long skewers of rosemary. I love rosemary on chicken, so I decided that I would attempt to make chicken ka-bobs out of them. If I failed, I would pretend that was never the plan and call it a day. I'm a woman who likes to hide the kitchen fails. This however did not fail at all.

 

All I did was cube up two chicken breasts, and put in on the skewers with some onion and garlic. I thought at first there was no way the stuff would go over the stem. But they were really woody and it was super easy to stick the stuff on the skewer.

 

 

After everything was skewered on, I spread some canola oil on the chicken so it wouldn't stick to the grill. To season the chicken, I tossed on some Montreal Steak Seasoning. If you've never used it, its basically salt, pepper and garlic all in one shaker. Pure genius and delicious to boot.

 

To go with, I made some quick rosemary roasted potatoes. Rachael Ray says if you cook with an herb, you should carry the flavors throughout the meal- which is why they also got a dose of rosemary and Montreal steak. I took petite red potatoes and cut them up, tossed them in the oil and seasonings. If I had more time (meaning I didn't start dinner until 5:40) I could have left the potatoes whole, but I cut them into quarters to speed the cooking time.

 

 

 Before the chicken went on the grill, the potatoes went into a preheated 450 degree oven to cook for 30 minutes.

 drool.

 

It ends up being a really pretty meal- one that you can totally entertain with because it takes no time but looks impressive. The chicken literally pulls right off of the rosemary and the flavor stays in. Pair it with some potatoes and some corn on the cob and you have a super easy summer meal.

 

Enjoy!

 

Graeter's Ice Cream > Anything else that calls itself ice cream

Last Friday, a beautiful box arrived on my doorstep.

 

 

What does that say? This box contains ice cream? Why yes, yes it does.  However what it should say is it contains the best freaking ice cream I have ever eaten. Now I consider myself somewhat of an ice cream connoisseur. You don't get a tush my size without your spoon seeing the better part of a pint every now and then- and I thought I knew good ice cream.  I'm here to admit, I knew NOTHING about good ice cream.

 

  Graeter's started making French Pot Ice Cream in Cincinnati way back in 1870. Back then, things were different and they didn't mass produce the product but rather used the method to make just two gallons at a time- and that's the way they still make it. They say the result is a creaminess that can't be matched- but I must admit I was skeptical, because all ice creams claim to be super creamy.

 

Two pints of Salted Caramel, Black Raspberry Chip and Black Cherry Chocolate Chip were in that magic box and I could not wait to dig in. The first thing I noticed? Each pint weighed almost a full POUND. Seriously, when I went to Giant Eagle today I pulled a pint of Graeter's out of the freezer and half gallon of another brand and the pint easily outweighed the half gallon.

 

Graeter's uses fresh cream and egg custard as a base and then chills it in the special French Pot Freezer. They fold in the ingredients and when they are done they are left with an extremely dense product that needs to be packed by hand to get it into that little container.

 

Of course I had to try the Salted Carmel right away- because that just sounded like heaven on a spoon.

 

 

When I peeled the lid off it just came out of the deep freeze, so I was expecting the ice cream to be a little hard. Nope. My spoon went through it like butter- and it was so rich and creamy that it actually did the ice cream curl on my spoon.

 

Now, I would love to show you beautiful pictures of it in the bowl, looking perfect. But you want the truth? After one bite, this stuff was far too good to put in a bowl. It's eat-it-right-from-the-pint-because-Im-not-sharing-with-anyone-good. I have never tasted ice cream so creamy, and the caramel flavor was full but subtle so it didn't overwhelm you with sweetness.  Plus the little salty aftertaste to balance out the sweet and cream- I drool a little just thinking about it.

 

 

Next up was the Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip.  They should call it chocolate chunk, because seriously the chips in this were amazing sized.  There was no itty bitty pieces here, they were all perfect mouthful sized bites of dark chocolate.  Again, the creaminess and flavor cant be beat. Absolutely delish- and perfect on a summer night because even though its so rich, it doesn't feel heavy with the light raspberry flavor.  So really when you think about it, its dark chocolate and fruit- so its ice cream that's good for you!

 

Check out those chunks! Again- it didn't make it into a bowl.  (Hey, it was 89 and we don't have air conditioning. Don't judge.)

 

The last flavor I indulged in was the Black Cherry Chocolate Chip.  It was so smooth, even with all of the bits of real cherry pieces and chocolate. I actually shared this one with my neighbor- meaning she came over and stole the pint out of my hand after I had my first bite.  Ten minutes later and she had devoured half the pint and was heading to Giant Eagle to get some of her own. So easy to say, this one's another winner.  

 

The best part? They just started selling these flavors at my local Giant Eagle. But if you don't live close, don't fret- they ship their ice cream anywhere from their website! They also come in a ton of other flavors, and I cant imagine that any of them are anything but amaze-balls. In fact, I'm pretty sure Graeter's could make green bean ice cream taste scrumptious.

 

Visit them here to have a pint of cookies and cream, chocolate, peanut butter cup and salted caramel sent to me and we'll be best friends.  No seriously, if I can't find these flavors in store I will accept mail in donations!!  Either that, or Cincinnati is on the way to the in-laws house and Ill pack my cooler full of dry ice and Ill be headed that way.  At least then Ill have two willing baby sitters to keep Grayson busy as I eat my ice cream :)

 

***This is not a paid or sponsored post. I was simply provided a product to review and all opinions and thoughts states in this post are that of my own***

 



The day Grayson realized he had the best parents ever.

I kid, I kid. Well, sort of.  Sunday was a pretty epic day in the life of my little man- because we trekked him an hour and forty five minutes to meet a big blue engine.  We spent the whole week telling him he was going to go see Thomas, and he would smile and get excited, but he didn't really get it. Sunday we loaded into the car and hit the Ohio Turnpike headed for Akron to take a ride with Thomas the Train.

 

Once we got there, basically all he saw was a parking lot full of cars and a few tents. Nothing too impressive there.  Of course we had to walk through the gift shop tent first- those merchandisers are smart people. I have never in my life seen so much Thomas the Tank stuff and those kiddos were going insane for it.  Once we quickly walked through there, we realized we timed it just perfectly. The lady who was emceeing the event announced that she thought she heard Thomas coming, so we headed over to the fence.

 

 

He was thrilled, to say the least. We told him we would ride on him in a little while, and spent some time seeing what else they had to offer. We watched videos, heard a story teller, colored and played with trains with more pieces than he had ever seen in his little life. Then we stumbled upon the diggers and trucks that the kids could play on. He had a blast- and that was just all the free stuff!

 

 

 

Once it was time to board our train we headed across the street to the depot.  In all honesty, it took FOREVER to get the train unloaded and then loaded- so many a child was melting down by the time we actually got ON the train. It was probably a good 35 minutes of standing in line and getting on the train before we started to move.  That's a long time to do nothing for a 20 month old, but he held out like a champ.

 

Pointing and yelling THIIISS- because he knew where he wanted to go, we just couldn't go fast enough.

While waiting to board the train, he amused himself by picking up every rock on the deck and putting it back in the gravel. My child likes to clean up.

Finally on the train!

He got pretty restless waiting for the train to start moving, but Momma whipped out a bag of M&Ms and that kept him (and the little guy across from us) entertained.

Once we were moving, he was amazed pointing out everything he saw.

Now the ride itself is only about 25 minutes, and to be honest he could have cared less about the ride. Im not saying I think the ride wasn't long enough, because all of the kids seemed to get restless around that time so it was a good length of time to keep them cooped up.  He spent most of the ride asking where Thomas was, because he didn't get the concept that he was ON Thomas. To be fair, the 2.5 year old across from us and the 4 year old next to us didn't get it either. They all would have been pleased as punch to just watch Thomas chug on by, and we wouldn't have had to pay $20 bucks a ticket.

 

He was pretty impressed with the certificate they gave him.

After we got off, we stood in line to have our picture taken with Thomas.  Grayson could NOT take his eyes off of him.

Blowing kisses. 

Now they do take a professional picture with Thomas for you, then you can take one with your own camera. They also take them inside the train. A piece of advice?  If you get a decent shot- save yourself the $15 dollars for the photograph. Honestly, its not any better than the ones you take except it costs money. Lets not forget you still have to walk through the souvenir tent to leave- spend your money wisely.

 

 

The nice guy in front of us took this for us after I took one for them- I love finding likeminded cheapskates in line!

 

Overall- he had an AMAZING day. My Mom went with us, and she made sure he left with a few Thomas souvenirs so he could remember his day. That Nana spoils him rotten and he knows it.

 

Here is my advice for anyone thinking of going. First, its free to walk in the tent and see all of the stuff like the coloring and story telling. You only need a ticket to actually ride the train. If you have little ones that wouldn't get it, save yourself the cash and do all of the free stuff. Stand in line to get the pictures with Thomas and Sir Toppom Hat- but only shell out the $20 if you think your kid would get it. The lady at the ticket counter told us they always have a few extra tickets, so if once you're there you decide you want to take a ride you can always check it out.  Also, if you get motion sick this is not the ride for you. The train started out going forwards and I was okay. Then the stupid train backed up, and I thought I was going to die. Seriously, there is not enough Dramamine in the world to help in that situation.

 

Overall, it was one of the greatest days in Grayson's little life. When we got home and he was getting ready for bed I asked Grayson if he had the best day ever and he leaped into my lap, threw his arms around my neck and said "YES!" That alone made the whole almost tossing my cookies worth it. At least for that night he thought he had the coolest parents ever, and hopefully he remembers that feeling when he thinks we stink.

 

 



Sandbox Fun!

Last year for Easter my Dad bought Grayson a sandbox.  But, after the disasterous beach trip where he discovered that he HATED sand- we didnt set it up.  This year, all we want to do is be outside so I decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea to give it a try. 

 

First- I cant believe how incredibly SMALL the darn thing is. What ever happened to calling up a friend and playing in the sandbox together? Not in this turtle, thats for sure. A few Ikea toys and the thing is full. 

 

 

To start we only put in one bag of sand, eventhough I bought three.  I considered this my Mommy's intuition that we should wait, and I was right. My kid's idea of playing in the sandbox was to take the sand out of the sandbox and "water" my hydrangea plants with it. The one plant I can keep alive, and hes trying to kill it on me.  Luckily, hes cute and catches onto things quick so the 'sand stays in the sandbox' mantra was only repeated three or four times before he got it.

 

 

 

On an un-related note, Grayson got a haircut the other day and it was possibly the worst thing I have ever paid for.  Seriously, this is what his hair looks like. I could have done better and I once gave myself a bald patch when I wanted bangs. Notice the spokes by his ears and the bald patch on his forehead?  The kid sat still, she was just that bad apparently. #neverevergoingbackthereagain.

 

 

 

I think we'll be spending lots of time outside this summer, which is good because Daddy just demolished the back yard to put up a swing set.  More on that to come!



Mother's Day 2013

All I wanted this year for Mothers Day was a good picture of myself with Grayson. These days it seems as if he doesn't sit still long enough for me to snap a picture, let alone actually look at the camera and God forbid-smile. We had a very low key Mother's Day this year- they made me breakfast in bed, my Mom came over to hang out and then Patrick made dinner and cleaned up the house.  We were all getting over wretched colds, so truth be told I didn't want to go anywhere that I couldn't wear my pj's anyhow.

 

My bean got me a beautiful dress and two Pandora charms and I loved them all- but my Mom gave me by far the coolest present ever.  She showed up on my doorstep with laundry baskets and asked for every piece of laundry in my house, including the sheets off of all of the beds, throw rugs and curtains.  Then she took them to the laundry mat and washed everything, folded it, and then Patrick put it away. I legit had no laundry. THAT NEVER EVER HAPPENS! Even though its short lived- it was still so amazing to feel ahead of the game.  Thanks again, Momma!!

 

 

I love watching Grayson interact with his Nana. She lets him get away with murder, and the kid knows it. He wants to look out the window, just ask Nana.

 



 

He will sit for hours with her and read, and I think its just darling- even if she's going to hate me for posting these pictures.

 

 

The cutest Nana picture of the day? Had to be the one we took after my Mom headed home for the night.

 

 

I call this the WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE LEFT ME face- and it really does show how much he loves her. Gotta say, Im a bit jealous- since usually I pull up to the house and he takes one look at me and runs for the hills.

 

He didn't stay upset for too long, and even calmed down enough to give me the only picture I wanted that day.

 

 

Without this little stubborn boy (which he totally gets from his Dad, btw) I wouldn't be a Mommy. He's the light of my life and I can't express how much I love and adore him.

 

Hope you all had an amazing Mommy's Day, lovelies!