How to Eat Cake
a photo story, by Ellis.
Literal proof that you can have your cake, and eat it too.
Create: Pot of Gold Rainbow // Tips for Painting with Baby
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
We're celebrating today with a fun craft -- what's cuter than a rainbow of baby feet leading to a pot of gold?
A few lessons I've learned when painting with baby:
- It's much easier to get footprints than it is handprints.
- Use Crayola washable kids paint. It's a breeze to clean up.
- Apply with foam paint brushes. They're cheap & get the job done.
- It's much easier at two people, but can be done by yourself. Just find a way to contain baby (high chair works great) and give him something for both his hands. Snacks work great as well.
- Get them naked. And for you, wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained.
- Have everything ready before you start: wet rags, dry rags, paint out, water ready, paper secured to a hard surface - a clip board works great!
- Bring the paper to the baby, don't try to stretch his leg/foot to meet the paper.
- Be quick. Make lots of funny noises. Give lots of kisses. Show them what they've made. Clap your hands after each footprint. It will keep them interested, excited, and entertained.
- Have fun with it! Be okay with imperfection & leave your expectations at the door. You might have to try a few times to get it right.
We're celebrating today with a fun craft -- what's cuter than a rainbow of baby feet leading to a pot of gold?
A few lessons I've learned when painting with baby:
- It's much easier to get footprints than it is handprints.
- Use Crayola washable kids paint. It's a breeze to clean up.
- Apply with foam paint brushes. They're cheap & get the job done.
- It's much easier at two people, but can be done by yourself. Just find a way to contain baby (high chair works great) and give him something for both his hands. Snacks work great as well.
- Get them naked. And for you, wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained.
- Have everything ready before you start: wet rags, dry rags, paint out, water ready, paper secured to a hard surface - a clip board works great!
- Bring the paper to the baby, don't try to stretch his leg/foot to meet the paper.
- Be quick. Make lots of funny noises. Give lots of kisses. Show them what they've made. Clap your hands after each footprint. It will keep them interested, excited, and entertained.
- Have fun with it! Be okay with imperfection & leave your expectations at the door. You might have to try a few times to get it right.
Ellis loves to create!
His masterpiece, hung proudly on the fridge.
What are you doing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your kiddos today?
Make: Creamy Broccoli Soup
I shared on my Instagram stories the other day about finally nailing down the perfect batch of creamy broccoli soup, and I had a few direct messages for the recipe so I thought I would share.
I loved that this came together in under an hour (it doesn't have to simmer forever), but it was even better the next day as leftovers (it thickened up to the perfect consistency overnight). Both Zac & I liked how creamy it was without being too rich & heavy. It makes a great meatless meal during Lent. And bonus, Ellis loved it!
I based my soup on this recipe from Genius Kitchen, except I used a mixture of 1/2 whole wheat flour & 1/2 white flour, added about a teaspoon of 2 of minced garlic, used 1 c. of whole milk instead of 1/2 & 1/2, and I doubled the pepper (cuz we like pepper!) I also used a mixture of fresh & frozen broccoli florets.
I'd love it if you shared with me some of your favorite meatless meals (besides fish... yuck)! A few that we've been enjoying lately are:
- Spicy Garlic Pasta & Shrimp with Roasted Cauliflower
- Grilled cheese & roasted tomato soup
- Homemade mac n' cheese
- Pancakes
- Belgian waffles with strawberries and whip cream
- Peanut butter & homemade strawberry jam on toasted english muffins (my favorite easy breakfast right now!)
Happy Thursday & happy half way through this Lenten season!
Cave Point, Door County -- in the Winter Time
For our date night a few weeks ago, Zac & I made a quick pit stop at Cave Point. The last time we visited, it looked much different (click here to view the post), as it was summer time.
This time, we arrived just before the sun set, on our way up to a candlelight hike through Newport State Park (highly recommended)!
It was a cool evening; high of 18 degrees, but there was very little wind so it didn't feel bitter cold.
Zac talked me into wandering out on the frozen ice (he promised it was safe!), and I was glad he did. Here's what we saw:
Cave Point is beautiful year round, but winter might be my most favorite time to visit!
This time, we arrived just before the sun set, on our way up to a candlelight hike through Newport State Park (highly recommended)!
It was a cool evening; high of 18 degrees, but there was very little wind so it didn't feel bitter cold.
Zac talked me into wandering out on the frozen ice (he promised it was safe!), and I was glad he did. Here's what we saw:
Cave Point is beautiful year round, but winter might be my most favorite time to visit!
Reeling in the BIG one | Ellis's First Birthday Party
It's true, our little Ellis is officially one! We celebrated with a fishing-themed party, where he "reeled in the Big One!"
We wanted Ellis's first party to be festive, but not over the top. Let's face it, he won't remember any of the details, but turning one is a BIG deal. So, we shopped our house for decor, everyone brought a dish to pass, and my in-laws were gracious enough to let us use their fishing-hole (garage) for the party.
Here are a few snapshots of Ellis's big day!
I want to thank my mom for all her help. Along with everything else already mentioned, she handmade Ellis's onezie. I also shopped her house for decor, too.
And a special thank you to Randy & Char for hosting; it was the perfect spot for Ellis to reel in the big one with all his family!
Thank to you everyone who came to celebrate our little man... clearly, our best catch!
We wanted Ellis's first party to be festive, but not over the top. Let's face it, he won't remember any of the details, but turning one is a BIG deal. So, we shopped our house for decor, everyone brought a dish to pass, and my in-laws were gracious enough to let us use their fishing-hole (garage) for the party.
Here are a few snapshots of Ellis's big day!
Adorable cupcakes that my Aunt Jane made, thank you!.
"Live Bait" dirt dessert, thanks to my momma.
Zac's striped marlin, that he caught on our Hawaiian honeymoon.
I mean, what other kid in Northeast Wisconsin, gets a marlin at their Birthday party?
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The cutest piñata, made by my mom.
(I'm trying to convince her to sell these for fun; she's so good at making them!)
He LOVED opening his gifts and cried when there were no more left to open...
Singing Happy Birthday!
And, he was a big fan of the cupcakes, too!
He wanted to share with every one.
Lastly, a few swings at the piñata.
I want to thank my mom for all her help. Along with everything else already mentioned, she handmade Ellis's onezie. I also shopped her house for decor, too.
And a special thank you to Randy & Char for hosting; it was the perfect spot for Ellis to reel in the big one with all his family!
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