Yo Gabba Gabba!

Seriously had a blast today!

I think Cheeto had a blast too, even though he refused to sing, dance,

or even talk for the whole show. Just more proof of how super shy he is.

...or maybe he was embarrassed of his sisters who sang and danced to EVERY song...

liz

The Bestest

Let me just say this.

My husband is Awesome.

This man not only puts up with me and my crazy ideas and whims,

he is totally behind me 100% even when he's not completely sure of what I'm doing!

He always listens to me, gives me great advice and input, and is definitely my biggest supporter.

I love this man.

He is one in a million.

Demolition has begun

There are many, many projects that I have started around our home within the last couple of months. I had started things in the laundry room, a bathroom, two bedrooms...I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but needless to say it is getting out of hand! Sooo...about three weeks ago I start mulling over the idea of doing something that involved knocking down a wall and putting walls back up in different places. I kind of sat on the idea for a bit, ran it by my girls(who, by the way, gave me an even better idea, thanks S!), then one day last week excitedly rambled off to my husband about how great this idea was, and I even told him that on top of ALL the OTHER projects we have going on, that I would like this to become our first priority. HA!

He gave me that look, the one where he is smiling at me, but inside he is probably questioning my sanity. Twenty minutes later we're cutting into the wall...I love that man!

liz

Happy Halloween

Hope you had a rootin'-tootin', big-blastin', swashbucklin' good time!

liz

Happy Birthday Cowboy!

My Doodle, how are you four?

When did this happen?!?

Everyday you surprise me.

You are seriously one hilarious, smart, handsome little guy!

I feel lucky to be your mommy!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

This is one of my go to recipes for potlucks or dinner with friends or for no reason at all.

I don't have to have a reason to make cake, do I?

It is a very versatile cake. You can dress it up by baking it in a fancy bundt pan and drizzling a rich chocolate glaze over the top, or it can pass as a much simpler snack cake by baking in a rectangle pan and leaving plain. However you do it, I do recommend baking this a day before serving it, because the flavors really come together to give you that classic chocolate chip cookie flavor. Not like this cake would have a chance in my house of sticking around for an extra day, but the crumbs, they taste better the second day.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

• 2 1/2 C. flour
• 1 1/2 C. brown sugar
• 1/2 C. butter (softened)
• 1 1/4 C. milk
• 2 Eggs
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350˚ F.

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside for now. In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract, beat until creamy.

Add the eggs one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Now add the flour mixture into the batter, adding the milk as you blend together. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.

Bake at 350˚ F. Bundt - 45 to 50 minutes

13x9 - 35 minutes

Always keep an eye on the cake and adjust your time accordingly.

See. It looks just like chocolate chip cookie dough.

I love you beautiful bundt pan.

Much fancier than its drab little cousin, the snack cake.

Glaze

3/4 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

3 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. light corn syrup

In a small pan, over low-medium heat, combine chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup.

Stir frequently until completely melted.

You can pour the glaze directly onto the cake, or spoon it on. I like to just pour it over the top of the cake when it is still warm, not right out of the oven hot, but warm.

That's all there is to it. It's a super easy recipe, just like chocolate chip cookies, but in a moist, cake form. The batter smells just like chocolate chip cookie dough! So tempting!!

Enjoy!

liz

I'm All Verklempt

I happen to be one of those people that cry...a lot. I cannot help it, lord knows I have tried to keep my tears at bay, but that just makes the situation worse, oh, and ugly, and red,

yes definitely very ugly and red.

I cry when I'm sad, when I'm mad, when I'm happy, when I hear certain songs, during insurance commercials on TV, while reading books, during movies.......alright, alright we get it.

Wait, I'm not done. The biggest reason I cry is my kids. Not because of worry. Not because of fear. Not in some ohmygoshwhathaveIgottenmyselfinto kind of way. (I probably cry for these reasons as well, but that's a whole other topic my peeps.) The reason is something I don't even know if I can put in words, but simply it's love. Love for who they are, their strengths, their weaknesses, their past, their future, their perfect imperfections. It must be a girl thing because my girls are baby cry's too.

It happened to me this morning.

I did not know when I woke up this morning that in less than two hours I would be fighting the urge to keep tears from spilling over my cheeks, biting my tongue to keep from all out sobbing. But I should have, and here is what caused my anguish.

This little buddy started Kindergarten today.

I was doing so good too. Until this part.

This is where the floodgates opened.

I cried.

I cried because it hurt.

I cried because I had to let a piece of my heart continue on his journey,

no longer could I keep this one all to myself.

I buried my head in Mark's shoulder as he quietly comforted me.

It took me a minute but I pulled myself together.

I raised my head and I saw this.

I mean, I've got this little, my last little, and he's not going anywhere.

By my calculations I've got three years until the next Kindergarten breakdown.

2012-you may want to send reinforcements.

liz

I Heart Faces-Week 29-At the Beach

This picture makes me smile when I see it. We were at Coronado Beach last weekend and my girls were "trying" to body surf. I just love the action of the shot and the expressions on their faces!

Check out I ♥ Faces for more beachy-ness!!!