ICE-BREAKERS

About a month ago Kimberly and I volunteered to lead Ice Breakers for our youth group on Wednesday nights. We both knew we would enjoy it, but I don’t think either of us knew how much. The first week we kept things pretty simple. We ran in, did a little hoopin’ and hollerin’, got everyone pumped up, played the game and that was pretty much it. Needless to say we were a hit and pretty pumped. The next week we wanted theme music and were quickly masterminding a plan. I guess we must have been feeling a little sporty because we decided to come in to (blast from the past here) Jock Jams- Get Ready to Rumble. By this point we were calling ourselves the Glory Girls only to find out that the youth had deemed us the Woooo Girls. Guess we must have hooped and hollered a little too much that first week. Not to be boastful, but week two was also a success. And now the story behind the picture. Not wanting to be outdone by our own success and wanting to keep it fresh….. this week our theme music was….. (drum roll please)…... the Bonanza theme song. Decked our in our husbands western shirts, our best western hats and our trusty side kicks we came riding we with a YEEEE-HAW!

I am sure that these kids think we are only one day away from being the crazy cat ladies (I know at that age I would have), but man am I enjoying myself. After turning 26 in January I have started to come to the realization that I’m not exactly a “Spring Chicken” anymore. However, these few crazy nights have made me feel a few years younger and have even been a little therapeutic. I am thinking that I will stick with this for as long as I am allowed…… I am sure our props are cheaper than therapy.

Just in case you are wondering how we tied the game into our theme…. stick pony relay. Kimberly was kind enough to bring us a couple of 5 gallon buckets (fresh from the farm) and a few cones. After hoping on a pony they were to weave through the cones, stop and put on the hat, circle around the bucket (just like a barrel racer) and head for home.

At the end of the night Braley and Charlee even took a ride our trusty side kicks.

Why not go ahead and throw in these little angels latest school story here. Tuesday night Braley told me “Mama today at school Charlee pinched me on the neck”. My immediate response “Braley were you pinching Charlee”? And in the honest words of a two year old…. “Well (short pause) I was trying to but she wouldn’t let me”.

Catching Up

My oh my where has the time gone? I can’t believe that TWO whole weeks have past since I last blogged. I would love to be able to tell you all that I have been on some exotic once in life vacation, but that just simply isn’t the case. These last couple of weeks have been pretty jam packed and I just haven’t had time to sit down. While the weeks have been busy they have also been pretty uneventful... no exciting events, no time to be crafty and no time to scrapbook. Here is just a little insight as to what we have been up to…..

On Sunday, February 8th we had a large family lunch after church.

And my daughter just insisted that she wear her blue Tinker Bell sunglasses and “Diamond” princess necklace. (Crystal those rubber boots are nothing to worry about)

I did take advantage of the day and snapped a generation picture as well as a family shot (to bad there is a shadow across my face).



Grace and all her glory (Braley) started the week off with a bang (literally). I swear my child is accident prone. Running on the play ground at school she tripped (wearing a dress) and scraped the hide off both her knees.

She worked the situation for a milkshake and french fries.....Charlee even got a root beer float out of the deal. We continued to hear about the catastrophe for several more days. But have no fear her knees did not interfere with her Valentine Parties.

Braley being artsy at church and decorating her bag to hold all of those Valentine goodies.

During all the Valentine festivities at church I tried to get a picture of Charlee, Braley and the newest member of the Hines' family, baby Christopher. Don’t get me wrong there was a lot going on …. but I don’t think it is meant for me to be a children’s photographer.

We aren’t big gift givers when it comes to Valentine’s Day but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to send Braley a balloon and flower to school. When I picked her up she was so excited to show it to me. She also informed me that “She got a balloon and flower because mommy and daddy loved her”. This was Mrs. Amy’s’ final answer when asked “Why did I get a balloon”?

As if the party at church and school weren’t enough Braley and Charlee joined my class for a fondue party…..which we took outside. There was no way I was turning 3 and 4 year olds loose with melted chocolate on a Friday afternoon in my clean room.

The week was topped off with the adult Valentine Banquet at church. It was a lot of work but was really fun. Sorry I don’t have any pictures available to post yet…. shame on me.

We spent last week recuperating from the week before, but on Friday night we did make it out to support the Gator Gymnastics team(Kimberly the next meet is on 3/6… mark your calendar and plan to attend with Marsha and me).If anyone else would like to tag along please feel free.

Braley LOVES to watch the “gym girls” and tells her Daddy and me that she is going to be a “gym girl”. I am thinking she is going to have to work on her coordination just a little (remember those knees).

Early morning ramblings

Why is it that I can’t get out of bed for work but on a Saturday morning am up at 5:15? As I lay in bed tossing and turning I knew that I had lost the battle and gave in to waking up in the wee morning hours. Not really caring to go watch T.V. (and trying not to wake Brandon & Braley) I decided that I would surf the net. You can find everything on the internet. Have you ever stumbled across some of those crazy sights that you just couldn’t get enough of? I could fill a blog about those… but I won’t. Instead I thought I would share a few sites that I just can’t get enough of and a book all my baker friends need to have.

Most of you know that I love to bake. While most people love to curl up with a good book…. me I love to curl up with a good cook book. Back in the fall Mama was unpacking the book fair when she ran across this book and immediately set it to the side for me. Does a Mama know here daughter or what? (I will apologize in advance for the photos…. the book is a little on the big side for my scanner.)

Hello, Cupcake

Oh, the possibilities this book holds.

Braley’s first “real” sleepover

Easter

I just love this garden. Could you imagine putting the bunny in there and setting it up beside a Peter Rabbit book?

And this corn is just too darn cute!

Would you not be the talk of the summer cook out arriving with this in hand?

I have already done all the work for you. Just click on the following link to order your copy.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Hello%2C+Cupcake&x=4&y=21

Now for some websites.

Bakerella

http://bakerella.blogspot.com/

For all my Southern lovers, this site was listed in Southern Weddings so go ahead and check it out and become a follower. (If nothing else check out the Valentine’s Day treat cake. Thinking of re-creating this one.)

Southern recognition isn’t the only good thing about it. This site is home to those wonderful Red Velvet Cake Balls.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)

1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)

1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)

wax paper

Prepare as follows:

1 After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.

2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)

3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)

4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)

5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

For all the Mama’s who’s little girls don’t leave home with out a bow……

Cary Hairbows



http://caryhairbows.com/category_9/Holiday-Bows.htm


Sophia’s Style Boutique

http://www.sophiasstyle.com/

For anyone who could see there daughter, niece, GRANDDAUGHTER (hint, hint ;)) in one of these little numbers….

They carry casual clothes and boys clothing as well. Be sure to check them out on EBay…… you can get some steals.

Farm Boy Brand

http://www.farmboybrand.com/farmboy.asp

I have to admit that I didn’t find this one all on my own. Several years ago at an F.F.A. convention Adam found these shirts and they just seem to fit our way or life. Find those one of a kind items for the Farm Boy/ Girl in your life.

I hear Braley starting to move around in there so this will be a good stopping point. I hope you will check out these site…….but I before warn you to only do so when you have plenty of time to on hand.
Enjoy!