Feb 27, 2011

GIVEAWAY: Bobaloo




A couple of weeks ago I came across Sam's etsy shop, Bobaloo. I just loved all of her beautifully handmade children's items. She makes SO many wonderful things that would make glorious gifts for those little people in your life.

I mean, really did you see that ah-dorable bunny?? 

And what about this to.die.for. matching doll and little miss apron, which can even be personalized. So cute.



Imagine how thrilled I was when she offered to do a giveaway for Just Another Day in Paradise readers. Are you imagining me jumping up and down? 'Cause that was what I was doing.


Sam is so great because she is offering either a boy gift OR a girl gift. The winner will get to choose.

The boy gift is this super sweet bib and burp cloth.

 I might heart that sweet applique tie. The colors are so mod and cool.

The girl gift is this oh so pretty crayon apron.

So perfect for your frilly budding artist.

Are you excited? I thought so.

Okay so here is how you can get a chance to win one of these sweet gifts-

three different chances to enter
1.  mandatory entry- Go to Bobaloo and browse around, tell me your favorite thing in her shop.
additional entries
2. Become a follower of Just Another Day in Paradise, let me know if you already follow.
3. Just because I am tired of the cold, tell me why you can't wait for Spring.

 remember- leave a separate comment for EACH entry

Giveaway goes until Friday, March 4th at 11:59 pm est.

Good Luck! Thank you Sam. Seriously go visit her  etsy shop. She also has a blog all about starting a homemade business.

PS. Thanks for all the birthday wishes AND the love of my retro bowling shirt. I heart all of you guys!

Feb 24, 2011

Homemade Pizza



My Little Men LOVE pizza. It is one of the few things that they will all eat. Of course they love take out most, but unfortunately my wallet doesn't love take out.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a pizza dough recipe on Pioneer Woman. I have tried it out a couple of times now and tweaked it a little. Now I think I have it where I want it. 

I will tell you the truth though, my Little Men would still prefer pizza from their favorite restaurant. However, they seem almost immediately appeased by this pizza.

Homemade Pizza 

1 1/2 cups warm water (not HOT, but not tepid)
1 teaspoon of active yeast
4 cups flour (This batch was half whole wheat/half white. Again, not going to lie, all white is WAY better)
1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar

for crust
1/4 cup butter, melted
Parmesan cheese
garlic salt, to taste 

Mix water with yeast and let it set aside. Combine flour and olive oil slowly until well integrated. Add salt and sugar. Combine. Slowly combine yeast water. If you are using a stand mixer, let it mix until the dough comes away from the bowl and a doughy mass forms. This will take a just a few minutes. Mixing by had will take longer and you will need to pull it out and knead it slightly until same doughy mass forms.

Oil a bowl. Put dough ball in the bowl and turn to coat. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.  Here is where your options change. You can-

set it out on your counter for 2 hours and use it that day
put directly in fridge and let it set for 24 hours
put it directly in your fridge and let is set for 3-4 days

I have done the first and the last. 3-4 days is definitely better, but let's face it I never think that far ahead AND 2 hours does the job.

Once you are ready to use your dough. Preheat oven to 375.

Split dough into two. On a greased cookie sheet, I stretched and manipulated the dough with my fingers until I got it the shape I want. You want it fairly thin with the edges a little higher.


Spread a layer of sauce. I simply use my kids favorite jar vegetable spaghetti sauce. Add your favorite toppings. We had a plain cheese one and a pepperoni one.


Cook in the oven for 15-17 minutes. Until your cheese is bubbly and your crust is golden. Now is the fun part.

Right when it comes out of the oven, brush the melted butter on the crust, liberally and then sprinkle with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese. De-lightful!



Set out your homemade pizza and prepare for the pieces to start disappearing. Perhaps even before you can snap a picture of your yummy creation.



Feb 20, 2011

Psych

For approximately 2 and a half days it was like Spring.
Glory be.
Outside we went.









The playset was played on.
Soccer balls were kicked.
Tiny feet were running.

Oh the sunshine.
Spring?

Psych.
Sigh.
Now it is gone.
Back to indoor, stir crazy Little Men.

There is a silver lining to being forced to stay inside...

I can use my new birthday present.


YIPEEEEE! The list of projects is getting huge.


Feb 19, 2011

Psst...Rumor Has It...

someone has a birthday today
that someone is well, old


someone is now officially IN her thirties
yup...that someone is me

maybe now I will act like an adult more often
nah...probably not

Feb 18, 2011

Mr. King Pin

Today it is time to VOTE over at American Crafters. This weeks theme is vintage.
voting closed. results in. sigh. mr. king pin didn't make it.
OH WELL, I still think it is just about the cutest.



This year my oldest is have a retro bowling birthday party. Imagine my delight when the theme for this week's American Crafter contest was vintage. PERFECT. Two birds with one stone. Finish birthday party outfit...yes sometime I make those...AND finish this weeks project.

I started with the fabric palette. LOVED the chocolate and burnt orange. The retro prints didn't hurt either. Then I found a chocolate brown fedora at a local craft store for $6.50. Woohoo! I love when the party gods are on my side. Then I started brain storming on how I could make him a retro shirt. Luckily I found this plain white shirt at Old Navy. Then all I had to do was go buy some coordinating solids.

I added 3 brown diamonds, applique-style, to a solid orange stripe. I sewed that stripe on one side of the shirt. I added a biased tape border on the top of the pocket.  Magic! Now I had a perfect bowling shirt for my Little Man's party.

BUT I couldn't stop there. I HAD to make a retro bowling bag.


It is made from chocolate felt, orange fabric, white piping and none girlie purse handles. Setting aside the handsome Little Man in the photo...it is kind of my pride and joy.

I am pretty thrilled with how the look pulled together.

I can't wait to pull the rest of the party together. Luckily it is pretty low-key since the broken arm saga has definitely slowed things down.

Okay so go and vote. PUH-lease. I have barely been pulling through. I need all the help I can get! Voting starts today 10 am MST and ends Sunday night.

Thanks my bloggin' friends. Love ya!

Linking here:

Feature Yourself Fridays: Fingerprints on the Fridge
Show and Tell Saturdays: Be Different, Act Normal
Weekend Wrap Up: Tatertots and Jello
Making Mondays Marvelous: CRAFT
Made By You Mondays: Skip to My Lou
Just Something I Whipped Up: The Girl Creative

Feb 17, 2011

7


Today this kid is 7! 7!?! When did that happen. My Oldest Little Man is truly a little man. He has been since the beginning. He has continued to be our little man, with occasional hints of our little teenager. He truly lights up our little family.

Here are some things about our newly turned 7-year-old

He is SO smart, naturally too. Which I know can be a double edge sword because he may not always have to work as hard to learn something

He is sensitive. The sensitive that makes him aware of things that are going on around him. He can sense the urgency and importance in certain situations.

His peers are drawn to him. In a good way. Time and time again we have been told about what a good example he sets and how others try to follow him. 

He loves video games and grudgingly accepts our limits to twice a week and special occasions.  He is better at most games then me.

He is imaginative. He stays up late having full blow conversations with his stuffed animals. Sometimes we have to tell him to wait to have these conversations until  his brother is already asleep.

He likes math. Loves to read. Tolerates writing. Ultimately he is like every other kid and recess is his favorite thing at school.

He truly is one of the handsomest boys I know but he thinks it is silly how many girls "like" him. He will still tell you he is marrying Lauren who we "betrothed" to him when he was 3.

He LOVES-
tacos
word searches
pizza
soccer
his family
diary of a wimpy kid
summer
being outside
phinneas and ferb
gum
playing with Tanner and Bryce
the color green

Happy Birthday Little Man.

You truly don't realize how quickly time flies until you see your children grow. Since I was feeling nostalgic today I gathered a picture from every year of his life and put them all together for my your viewing pleasure.


 Sniff. Cry. Cry. Tissue please. Time flies.

Feb 15, 2011

Dapper Little Man Bow Tie Tutorial


Every proper young man should have his own bow tie. This one is a legit- for real-actual bow tie. The little piece of elastic in the back makes tying it easier. This is a fairly simple project and take just a smidge of time. Then you will have the most dapper Little Man around.

What you will need:

1/4 yard fabric
51/2" piece of 3/4" elastic
coordinating thread
bow tie pattern



Cut 4 pieces from the pattern.


Match them in pairs, like sides facing. Pin together.


Starting at the neck band part, sew with a 1/4" seam allowance all away around the outside all the way back to the opening at the band part. This is where you will turn it out. Before turning out. Clip corners.


Turn out. Iron flat.


Fold in neck band ends about 1/2 inch. Iron. Then pin elastic into each end. You will want to pin in about 1/2"  on each end of the elastic. Leaving the length about 4 1/2". Sew elastic into place. For more security, sew another line.


I seem to have missed the final untied photo.

But you are done. Now grab a quick how-to on tying a bow tie.

source: google image search "how to tie a bow tie"


With your new skill, put it on the nearest most dapperest Little Man you know.


Then about die with how cute he is...




Seriously I HEART it.

Since I like a good coordinated set of outfits. I also had to make Littlest Little Man one of my ties.


Of course they wore it the Sunday before Valentine's Day. 



Could you just die at the sight of the back of this tie? LOVE it.

Feb 14, 2011

Sweetheart French Toast


We actually had this breakfast yesterday morning, while hubby was home to take care of Little Man and his arm. I would have never been able to pull this off this morning. I will be lucky to get a shower.

Yesterday this was the hit of the day. Yummy French toast in a sweetheart red with strawberry syrup and heart shape butter. Oldest Little Man even requested a THIRD piece.

So this morning of the Day of Love I thought I would share this super quick and super easy Valentine's breakfast.

Sweetheart French Toast 

loaf of French bread
2 eggs
1 cup milk
dash of salt
1 tsp of vanilla
1/2 cup flour
red food coloring
butter as needed

strawberry jam, warmed OR strawberry syrup
butter, cut in heart shapes

Heat up a griddle. 

Cut up loaf of bread into 8-10 slices. Mix eggs, milk, salt, vanilla and food coloring. Then lightly mix in flour. Melt butter in griddle. Dredge slices in mixture and then cook. Several minutes on each side, until golden.

Serve with warm strawberry syrup and a couple cute heart-shaped butters. I just cute them with a paring knife into a heart shape.

Happy Valentines' Day.

 Little Man Update: He is doing a lot better. Should be off bed rest today. Already requesting more walk around time. Although that will be monitored, I about had a heart attack when I saw him standing on my elliptical machine. UGGG. 

Feb 13, 2011

In a Nutshell: We Interrupt Your Valentine Planning


With this-


Even though it happened at the very end of the week. This was the main event. Up to the big break, I had been a Valentine planning fool. 

The majority of our week consisted of getting ready for our annual Valentine's Party that was scheduled for Friday.

Pennants were made and hung.
Table runners were made.
Jars filled with color coordinated candy.
Valentine pillows fluffed and on display.


Valentines made-
download from this site 




Valentine's bags pulled out from last year-



On Friday, however all of you know we were in the hospital. So no party, but at least we came home to a cheery and LOVE-alee decorated home.

Little Man is doing really well today. He is still banished to the couch and has gone shirtless for 2 1/2 days, but he is at least smiling.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of your kind words. I appreciated every single sweet comment.

Feb 11, 2011

Fall=Broken Bone=Hospital=Surgery

We had a rough night.

Middle Little Man had the worst of it.


This is what happens when you break your arm super bad.

Here is the low down:

Last night just before 7pm our rough and tumble Little Man was standing on a stepping stool. Stool fell out from underneath him. He landed straight onto his elbow, immediate screaming. Enter the Momma from the kitchen, running like my hair was on fire. 

Right away I knew it was trouble. Yelled...okay screamed for hubby. He agreed we had something wrong and we called a friend and friend came over. While trying to get ready to go, I cradled Little Man who was obviously upset. He kept crying, "I am gonna die!" "My arm is gonna be dead!" If it wasn't so heartbreaking, it would be kind of humorous.

Another heartbreaking moment was when Oldest Little Man came down and stood quietly in front of me and let me know that he went upstairs and was nervous so he cried a little. He loves his brother so much. 

After musical urgent cares because we weren't covered at a single one (which ended up being a blessing), we headed to the ER. Everyone in the ER  was super good.

Poor Little Man went along with everything like a trooper. For most of the evening he stayed cuddled in one of those big wagons. The hardest part of the evening was definitely the xray. He was in so much pain. I cradled his sweet tear stained face while hubby told him his favorite made up story about a rocket ship fueled by burps from me.

It was too long after that we learned that this was not a simple break. We learned that it was a break that was only fixable through surgery. We were checking in to the hospital. Little Man just broke down. He was still holding out hope that it wasn't broken. Hubby and I just cuddled and reassured him. When he was calm, I promptly left the room to cry my eyes out.

Thank goodness for great friends who calmed me down and had prayers and kind words for me.

Hubby went home to get some things for Little Man. Per his request his Ducky. The other items not leaving his side last night- Sven our new Sock Monkey (explain more about him at the end of this post), his blankie, and the picture of his broken arm that he requested.



He finally fell asleep just before 2am.

This morning he has done a lot better. I am sure the pain meds have helped. He has gotten use to his temporary splint. He has requested his cast color, red with blue stripes. He now fondly refers to his IV hand as his robot hand. He has gotten to watch SpongeBob, a no-no at our house. He got a tub of play-doh and a matchbox car from the hospital. He is just anxiously waiting for his arm to be all fixed.


While typing this post he has gone from pre op, to surgery, and is now in recovery. It will only be a short time till I see him now. The doctor said everything went great. 

We are so blessed to live so close to a major children's hospital. We are lucky to have just a broken bone wrong. We are blessed to have great friends and family who have taken good care of us and have kept Little Man in their prayers.

On a not so important note- This is Sven the Snow Monkey, Little Man's new hospital bed buddy. This is the project I made for this week's round of American Crafter. I was quite happy with how this little guy turned out, and now I am even happier that it could be a cuddle buddy for our Little Man.


The voting starts today...so after you read this sad post and you feel all sorry for Little Man and me...go on over and VOTE. Sven says to. He says it will make Little Man feel better. Voting ends Sunday night.

Now I am off to care for my Little Man.

Feb 9, 2011

Up To My Armpits...

It is birthday and party season.
Valentine's Party is tomorrow.
Then come's Oldest Little Man's birthday.
Littlest Man's will be just about 6 weeks after that.

Yup, I am up to my armpits in planning, list-making, crafting, hair-pulling, partying, baking...okay you get the drift. In the moments of insanity I get little moments of giddy bliss...

Like when this comes in the mail...


I have a couple of plans for all of this glorious fabric.

One of them goes with the theme of Oldest Little Man's party.


Intrigued? Yup that is a fedora.
I am just so excited.

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