Ode to Hot Grandma

Miami - Weston's Version

Yo I heard your Grandma ain't nutin' to mess wit

but I can get 100 crackers for just a kiss, its a trip

Jiji so pretty, fully equipped and she be screamin' out

Poppy I love your sharp wit

So I'm thinking I'm a poop me something hot

Jiji changin my diaper thinkin what's that spot

Hottest house in Tucker and its right on the street

Hot Grandma, get to ya' its about to reach

500 degrees in my white Huggies

With the hot Poppy screaming ayy Jiji

I go across town they be baby sittin' me

In the cozy coupe ain't no stoppin' me

So trade in your juice and flow to Poppy's gun show

Yell Happy Birthday Jiji, what do you know

Yo ain't no Jiji in the world like this, and if you ask how I know

I gotsta plead the lisp

Love you Jiji! Happy Birthday! xoxo

The Ellie Badge

Trailer

One of the best movies I have seen in a while would be Disney Pixar's Up. I have probably watched it and listened to it playing in the background thirty or more times because it's Weston's favorite movie right now. Ok, more than thirty. He went from saying, "Buzz?" five times a day to saying, "Up?". Now Elliott says it to be like her brother. :) Every time it's playing I catch something I didn't notice before. I have never been one to enjoy or run out and see an animated or children's movie but I am such a fan of this one!

I had heard the beginning of the movie was a tear jerker and it was. Wow! The end got me too of course. If you haven't seen this movie please do. It's a great one for the whole family. Weston will surely move onto a new favorite movie before long, but I will make sure we all see this one every so often as the kids are growing up. Great, great story. If it doesn't pull your heart strings you should check for a pulse.

It doesn't hurt that there's an 'Ellie' in the movie either.

Love this scene.

Sun Fun

Weston and Elliott went hard yesterday. Sidewalk chalk was (or IS) everywhere. That warm, sunny day didn't go wasted over here! Thank you Lord, for beautiful days that make Weston's cheeks all rosy.

E is in prime "ball phase". You know what I mean.

Sure you can draw on the table.

...but Bentlie gets to go.

Run out of gas and you have to push.

First sucker I believe? Quite cute.

Sew Fun!

I've been learning how to use my Christmas present Jonathan surprised me with in my craft closet last year. My very first "project" was corn hole bags and then I made curtain panels for my bathroom. I just finished my fourth outfit for Elli Grey using a pattern. The pattern thing was extremely tricky for me the first time around. I am a beginner but desperately wanted to figure it out! With my smart hubby's help I was able to pull it off. ;)

Starting out with very simple patterns so that I have a snowball's chance. I have signed up for a sewing class that starts next week so I can learn from an expert and fill in all the gaps. :) It's a lot of fun. Here are pictures of two of the outfits.

Very first go at it:

Dada?

This is the question of the day for two days now. Jonathan went on a short over night trip with our church and Elliott and Weston have definitely noticed his absence. Elli even more than Weston though. They're old enough to wonder where he is but not comprehend that he isn't going to be home and is gone.

Starting yesterday if she would hear a car outside she'd run over to the window saying, "Dada?". Sometimes she would hear something downstairs and look at me and ask, "Dada?". Eventually she would just hear something and say Dada while shaking her head, because she knew I was going to say, "No, it's not Daddy." It's pure sweetness I tell you. Jonathan, you should feel special because you are and we love you! xo

(Just needed a visual)

My New Fav Thing

I sure do love when I find something that cost $0.98 and makes me this happy. This Cherry Carmex is the best lip balm I've ever used. It goes on so thick and stays on forever! I can put it on before bed at night and wake up in the morning with it still there. I had been using Soft Lips before my lip stick(I have purchased my first lip stick. Am I a grown up now?) or gloss but this seems to work much better. It has the SPF and smells great. I prefer the twist up stick over the tube or jar. It's easier and less messy.

Have you ever written an entire paragraph about a chap stick? I just did.

A Jonathan Original

Jonathan combined all his homemade ice cream knowledge to form our absolute favorite. It's Dulce de Leche!

Disclaimer: The following recipe makes about a gallon of ice cream and we half it most of the time.

You need:

Rock Salt

4 cups 1/2 & 1/2

4 cups heavy cream

16 egg yolks

2 cups sugar

3 tsp vanilla ext.

1. Bring creams to a simmer, then remove from heat.
2. In a separate bowl whisk egg yolks until they lighten in color. They should be noticeably lighter.
3. Slowly whisk sugar into yolks.
4. Temper 1/3 the cream into the eggs, then add all back to sauce pan. Temper very slowly so you don't have scrambled eggs.
5. Stir over low heat until it reaches 170 degrees and thickens to coat a spoon. Don't rush this by turning heat on high, there is still the risk of scrambled eggs in your ice cream.
6. Stir in 1 cup dulce de leche.
7. Allow to sit for 30 minutes at room temp.
8. Add vanilla.
9. Chill in fridge first for less time in ice cream maker.
10. Add the ice cream to your maker and follow the standard instructions, ice, salt, etc.

Lunch Deals

Well I'm not exactly one of those "ladies who lunch" or anything close to it. I might not always be shooting for the best atmosphere or finest cuisine. It's more like what's GOOD, can be fast, and cheap? We don't get to go out for lunch too often, but here are some of my favorite places to have lunch around town. Warning: I never said favorite places to go when I'm "being good".

Chico's (downtown of course)- If you go with their special you can eat for 5.99. My favorite things on the menu just happen to be lunch specials on Tuesday and Wednesday. Places that have chips and salsa while you are waiting are always a plus. I'm just going to be honest, Grey and I have just split the special and cheese dip a couple times. Ok, that was about 9 bucks for 2 people.

Andy's - Andy's cheeseburger(huge), fries, and a drink for 5.25. They just raised their prices a bit, but still have cheap combo's. When you think about it that's cheaper than most fast food combo's and is the real deal.

Fajita's - This has got to be the cheapest made to order meal in town. Speedy Gonzales for 3.95. Fajita's has quite a few meals for under 5 bucks(says that giant sign hanging out front). Those authentic Mexican places don't mess around. They are super speedy.

Pizza Inn - They have a buffet and kids 2 and under eat free. You can always print a coupon from their website. Most importantly Weston loves it and eats like a maniac. It's kid friendly minus the strange looking mascot that makes him cry every time. GET AWAY, YOU ARE SCARY.

Chick-fil-A - This food is very good but can get a little boring to me sometimes if we do it too much. The reason it's a favorite is how nice the employees are, it's kid friendly, and I feel less guilty giving it to W & E than other fast food. They have those sticky kid-place-mats and come around and ask if you want a refill! Every time I say thank you they say "my pleasure". Gosh, I love you guys! Tuesday night you get a free kids meal with the purchase of your meal. Ok, this should move up the list. :) (ps. The pickles make it.)