Drum Roll Please

Introducing the cake o' birthday for Mister Jack...

Homemade fondant, 9+ different dye colors, 3 batches of cake, and unmentionable amount of hours spent later here is what I came up with for Jack's bday cake.

It didn't turn out quite like I had imagined in my head, but it'll do donkey it'll do (yeah I quote Shrek quoting Babe).

Jack loved it and that is all that matters.

He knew that he got the whole house part to himself...but after a couple attempts to break through the fondant, he gave the house to Cole and settled for a normal piece of cake.

On a much bigger side note-- today three years ago our little man Jack came into this world. It was the easiest labor I have had. He seemed in a rush to get here...and he hasn't stopped rushing since. Here are some things we love about Jack...

his impish grin

his 90 (or so) different facial expressions

"yes or no?"

how much he loves daddy

how hard he tries to be like Cole

how much he loves Case

drawing on his back

listening to him speak..."pwoppers (ploppers), pway (play), wunch (lunch)"

plays on his own

so active

how easily he says "thank you"

how much more easily he says "i love you mommy"

So corny, but time really does fly.

party picture maybe tomorrow

Potpourri

Ya know how in Jeopardy Potpourri is the category that is full of randomness...welcome to the post of randomness. A little what I am doing now and what we did recently...oh and don't forget a wee bit of crazy.


What we have done

Young's Dairy/Pumpkin Patch

Went to this farm about an hour away...it was initiated because it was a nice day to dabble in the whole photography thing...photography thing trumped by farm fun and BLUE ice cream.

       

Wanna Be Photog

I still did manage to get some cool photo shots amidst our farm fun and impromptu trip to the Air Force Museum. Again...notice the absence of Jack. He is just not having this whole photography thing.

Air Force Museum

Spencer has wanted to take the kids here for awhile. It is by the farm AND it is free so as in the words of Spencer, "That is a great price" so we went. The boys LOVED it.

What we (I) am doing

Living in a Hot Mess

Oh the mess. The humanity of it all. I live in filth for a good cause, right? That is what I tell myself to make myself feel better. I am pretty sure we haven't eaten a meal at the dinning room table for a week. Gasp! Slowly but surely all my plans are coming to fruition. Goodies bag- 90% done. Thinking chair- DONE (now hopefully I can keep the boys off it). Joe's shirt- done. Mailbox- done.

Side note...see what I mean about the plastic table cloths. Sure the thinking chair would have been a little neater with fabric...but that would have cost an arm and a leg. Two red plastic table cloths and some black duct tape...oh and don't forget the packing tape, does the job just marvelously.

Good Idea for Party Goodie Bag

Finger Puppets!! I came across an idea from Family Fun for finger puppets. I didn't really care for theirs, but I LOVED the idea. So I created these little guys from some cheap felt squares from the craft store.

It was really easy.

Then I realized this really could be done for any party. All you need is the characters, some felt in colors that fit your characters, and felt glue.

Have I already said that I LOVE it...I did didn't I. Well I do.

Hawaiian Chicken Stir Fry

Aloha!

I stumbled across the recipe for this sauce a couple of weeks ago. The original recipe actually goes with homemade meatballs...also delightful. So here is my adaptation of Hawaiian Meatballs ala Chicken and Asian noodles for a little Hawaiian Stir Fry.

Star of the Show: The Sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar (regular works too)
1 T soy sauce
3/4 cups pineapple juice
2 T cornstarch

diced green pepper
canned pineapple (juice used above)

Mix everything in first set of ingredients, except the cornstarch, in a small sauce pan. Then whisk in corn starch until completely dissolved. Heat over med/high heat until boiling. Stir constantly. Remove from heat when sauce begins to thickening. This sauce is great with all different kinds of meat or just as a dipping sauce. So go and experiment with it.

Add pineapple and peppers just before adding to stir fry mixture*.

*Stir Fry Mixture:

Cook up 2-3 chicken breast cut up, seasoned with salt and pepper. Once chicken is cooked add store bought Asian noodles (these were bought from an actual Asian supermarket. Pick your favorite kind of noodle, lo mien, stir fry etc.). Noodles should have been cooked according to package. Pour sauce, with pineapple and peppers in it, over the noodles. Stir to coat. Continue to heat until warmed through.

Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Okay so yummy.

For Him

I am a human pacifier.

I have never been a great nurser. I have never enjoyed nursing. I am a bad judge at whether the little one is hungry or just working me. Alas, I think I am easily worked. For it can be recorded that I am sleeping less now than when he was a couple of months old.

Blame it on "teething". Blame it on his lingering cough. Blame it on one too many fall-asleep-40-minute-nursing sessions. Blame it on my soft pushover heart. Blame it on my exhaustion. Blame it on my lack of discipline this time around.

I will become the boss eventually, and then perhaps I will sleep again.