Army Party

GBJ had a birthday shortly after Miss H was born. So we snuck in a party the week before - it's always fun entertaining 8 little boys while 38 weeks pregnant. He went with an "Army" theme complete with army gear, bottle rockets, cardboard forts, marshmallow guns and a tank pinata. For a little boy, life doesn't get much better.

Happy BDay GBJ!

Why the strange names? Click here to find out.

Decisions, Decisions

So, I've been a little slack about posting for awhile. I have wrestled with the decision of whether or not to make my blog private or stop using my kids names, just for their protection. So, after much consideration, I've decided on the later. My children will now be known as:

Mr. I

GBJ (Glenn Beck Jr.)

Big R

Miss H

Hope that's not too confusing! Now, back to blogging - I've much to catch up on!

Snickerdoodles

I'm a sucker for treats, especially anything gourmet-ey. So, when I make cookies I'm never quite satisfied with the normal, run-of-the-mill recipe. I want something BIG and SOFT, like you would find in a bakery. If they can do it, why can't I??

I have a few keepers that I've found over the years and I'm happy to say I may have another to add to my growing collection. I tried a new Snickerdoodle recipe today that turned out BIG, SOFT and SCRUMPTIOUS - if I do say so myself. So, I thought I'd share. If you try it, let me know what you think.

Giant Snickerdoodles

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. lemon extract or 1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add the 2 cups sugar. Beat the mixture until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and lemon extract or peel. Add dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to creamed mixture, scraping down the sides of bowl as necessary.* Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Meanwhile, combine the 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon; set aside. lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside. Preheat oven to 375° F. For each cookie, use a 1/4 cup measure or 1/4 cup ice cream scoop. Roll each scoop of dough in the sugar cinnamon mixture to coat. Place 3 inches apart on cookie sheet. With the palm of your hand, gently press down cookies to 1/2-inch thickness. Bake cookies 12-14 minutes or until bottoms are a light gold. Transfer to cooling rack. The cookies bake more evenly if you bake just one batch at a time.

Makes about 24.

*I ended up using 5 cups of flour because the dough was really sticky. Even after 5 cups I wasn't sure. But I stuck it in the fridge anyway and 4 hours later it was firm and fine.

Source: http://www.countrydoor.com/Recipes/Cookies-and-Bars/Ginas-Giant-Snickerdoodle-Cookies.pro?fpi=21498&catCd=NQ

My Tree

Wow, it's been awhile since I posted. Still here, still pregnant. I have an induction scheduled for July 11th. In some ways three weeks feel like an eternity (like when trying, unsuccessfully, to sleep at night) and in others I'm feeling the time crunch. So, I decided to tackle the baby's room this week...

I've been looking around for a vinyl cutout of a tree for the wall behind the crib. After scouring Etsy and seeing the prices for the size/style I wanted, I started to rethink my idea. What can I say, I'm a cheapskate. But I still really wanted one...that's when the wheels started turning and I decided to paint my own. I know, it's crazy. I am NOT an artist and have no painting or drawing skills, but I had a pencil and the paint, so I went to town.

The room still isn't entirely finished, but the wall mural is. I'm sure the vinyl would have looked better, but this cost me a whopping $2.99 (had to buy a paint brush) and it's filled with love. :) Another item checked off my list!

Baby Bedding - CHECK!

Checking things off my list. I searched and searched for bedding and this is the fabric I kept coming back to. I kept trying to force myself to get something pink, since this is my one chance, but I just couldn't help being drawn to the greens/browns/blues. Oh well. She will have to have lots of pink clothes I guess.

Landscaping

After two years, our front landscaping is finally done! What an improvement! We are so excited. Now to keep the kids off the sod for two weeks...

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I am officially OLD. I turn the big 3-0 today. My goal was to be in the best shape of my life at 30. Being almost 27 weeks pregnant, I definitely have shape, but I'm not sure it's the best... :)

The day has started off a bit slow. I did go to the gym this morning, but came home to find that deer had feasted on our new landscaping during the night and to a smoke alarm on the fritz - the kids always "love" that. So I had a bowl of sugar loaded Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast and called it good.

The boys are super excited to take me to Chuck-e-Cheese tonight and my gift to myself is a pedicure, some extra strength wrinkle cream and a yummy treat. Bring on the 30's!!