Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween from the Flinstone Family!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!


This year for Halloween we had 2 1st birthday costume parties so I knew a while back I had to come up with a cute idea for us.  I immediately thought Brayden and Ella should be Pebbles & Bamm Bamm, because let's face it, they look like them to a T, and then I thought the hubs and I should be Fred & Wilma.  Now I know that Bamm Bamm doesn't belong to Fred & Wilma but my kids don't know the difference! :)

I made all of the costumes (without sewing!) and plan on doing a DIY post on that one of these days, but for now I just wanted to show off our costumes, I think we all turned out looking pretty good if I do say so myself! :)











Then of course, I had to show off how it really goes down trying to take pics of these 2 :)  


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Cheesy Quinoa Bake with Broccoli

I love love love quinoa.  This is a household favorite recipe, except for the hubs, he likes it, but it's not one of his faves.  He likes his meals more hearty.

I like that this meal is healthy, easy and kid friendly.  Both of my kids really love this and when that happens it's close to a miracle!


I adapted this recipe from here but changed quite a few things and worked with what I had and didn't use chicken.

Ingredients Needed:
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup broccoli (fresh or frozen works) 
  • 3 tbsp of butter
  • 3 tbsp of flour
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 6 oz of cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Garlic powder
  • Dash of crushed red pepper flakes
Preheat oven to 400*

Cook your qunioa while making the cheese sauce.  To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a skillet, add the flour, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper and whisk together for 2 minutes.  Slowly add milk and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until it starts to thicken.  Meanwhile I like to cook my broccoli in water either in the microwave or in a small skillet on the stove.  Once the sauce has thickened add the cheese, mix good.  Toss in the broccoli and your cooked quinoa and transfer to a baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes uncovered.  

This dish is so yummy and I didn't lie, even my kids love it!


Monday, October 28, 2013

Brayden's First Filed Trip!

I am just getting around to it now to post about Brayden's first preschool field trip.  It was a few weeks and I made sure to take off work to go.  We went to our local nature center and went on a nature walk :) I was excited to meet all of these little friends Brayden always talks about.  It took him a little while to warm up to everyone, (mainly I think because I was there) but he soon was running off with his classmates, leaving the hubs and I (and Ella) by ourselves :)

I still cannot believe I have a kid old enough to be going on school field trips.  Where did my handsome little baby boy go?! He is now a young little man who is growing up too fast for this Mama.










It makes me so happy seeing him have so much fun! First field trip was a success! :)

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Halloween PJ's!

I'm linking up with Darci and Meredith  for the Halloween PJ Link Up Party, I tried to get cute shots of my kiddos and boy was it hard! A 13 month who doesn't still still and a 3 year old who is too cool for pics. Thankfully Daddy helped out and ran around the living room like a crazy person in order for them to smile.  I wish I got some more but this was the best of them all, maybe I'll try again this weekend!







My 2 adorable cutie pies!! Love them so much!

Ella in her Hello Kitty Halloween pj's and Brayden has some cute ones that say Blame it on the Sugar, Brayden has seriously lived in his Halloween pj's this whole month, mainly because they're one of the only pairs we have that are long sleeve and long pants that fit him - time to get this kid some new pj's!


Monday, October 21, 2013

Don't Break the Ice!!

I just love that my little boy is at an age where we can play actual board games or other fun games.  

Anyone else remember Don't Break the Ice?? I do and it's pretty cool to watch my own child play a game I once played.  Brayden really loves this game and is so funny when we play.

Every time we play, he grabs the instructions and says "How do we play, Let me see the structions!"















I just love this little boy SO much!


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Grass Head Friends

I saw this idea out of my Parents or Parenting magazine, I honestly can't remember and I can't find it online either.

This craft was super easy and super fun for me and my 3 year old to do.  Brayden loved watching the *hair* grow every day.



What you will need:

  • 2 empty soup cans (or any canned good will work)
  • Different colored felt
  • Googly eyes
  • Buttons
  • Glue (I used scrapbooking glue so I think anything but regular elmers should work)
  • Soil/Dirt
  • Grass seed

We started by cutting out our shapes from the different colored felt.  Since Brayden still doesn't cut, I just asked his input on color combinations and the shapes of his can's face.

Once you have everything cut out, it's time to start gluing to your cans (like I said, this is suuuper easy!)




That's really all it takes, then you just add your dirt and grass seed and water daily to watch their *hair* grow.


Another one of Brayden's fake smiles! We need to work on this :)

It took a little over a week but our friends now have a full head of hair!! (side note - mine did have a full head of hair until Brayden knocked her over onto the floor and she lost about 3/4 of it.  I am too lazy to refill with seed so I am OK with her lack of luscious locks)



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Nice Relaxing Weekend

For the first time in a looooong time, we had a very low key weekend! We had nowhere to be, nothing to do, and it was much needed! Sometimes I need down time to recharge and feel good again and this past weekend did just that!  I also had Monday off which made the weekend that much sweeter!

We started our Friday by meeting up with Daddy for some frozen yogurt - (as Brayden calls it, frozen ice cream)




We went and saw my adorable nephew again, he just sleeps and sleeps, it's a little weird because I can barely remember my kids being like that, although I know they were.

Later on Saturday I took Brayden to the mall with me so I could look for a new purse, when we were parking I realized I forgot a stroller = mom fail! I had to bribe him to be good all through Macy's.  After that we went to Old Navy to get some new clothes since they were having a huge sale. All Brayden kept saying is "let's go home Mom" LOL I guess the kid didn't catch the shopping bug from me :)  We went and picked up some Hooter's wings and headed home.  The hubby and I spent the night relaxing and watching a movie, it was so nice.


Sunday started off with a trip to Home Depot and then to Walmart - Brayden was demanding he wear his Halloween pj's out but the hubs insisted he at least changed his shirt... so this is how he went out.







Later we carved our pumpkins, made cupcakes, played football in the yard and watched football on TV. It was such a nice day spending time with eachother.









Little Miss has been in teething hell lately and she finally found some relief with legos - hey whatever works!




Why oh why can't every weekend be 3 days!? 


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Pregnancy Loss Day - Getting Personal

I never knew that October 15th had meaning other than just another day, that is, until 2 years ago when I got to live through first hand of losing a baby.



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We were so excited to get pregnant for baby #2, we always wanted our kids close in age and at that time Brayden was 13 months so they would have been 22 months apart, we thought that was perfect.  What was even better was that we didn't even really have to go through the pressures of "trying" for #2, we just decided to not prevent it, and bam, one month in we got our positive result! I can admit that when we first found out I did think to myself "are we crazy?" Brayden was at a tough age when I got pregnant and the first couple of months were definitely a little stressful.  But I kept telling myself that by the time May got here I would be totally ready for this addition.

I remember going to the dr for a monthly check up, I was 11 weeks (and already showing!!), they tried to listen to the heartbeat with the doppler and although we couldn't hear it, the nurse did say she was picking it up and everything was good.  We decided that we would now share the news since we thought we were out of the *safe zone* 

About a week later I was at work when I felt a little blood down there - I went to the bathroom and it was confirmed, bright red blood, but only a little.  I called the dr right away and the nurse just asked if I was active over the weekend or if I had done the boom boom - since I said yes to those things (I know, TMI) she told me it was probably nothing but to call back if it got worse. 

Later that night I remember being at the mall and feeling more blood come out.  I instantly knew this was not normal anymore and immediately thought the worst. Since it was already really late I decided to go home and see how it was in the morning.  I remember waking up and there was more blood.  I was shaking I was so scared at what was happening, yet I still somehow managed to get up and go to work (since I start way before the dr office opens) but once 9am hit I called the nurses and told them what was going on and they had me come in right away - they tried to listen to the heartbeat again but couldn't find it.  Now this is where I get a little annoyed with my dr's office - they did not have an ultrasound tech in yet so they sent me to a lab to get bloodwork done and told me to come back at night to get an ultrasound.  I had to go all day wondering and guessing if this was it, if I was really losing my baby.  My dr's office is connected to the hospital, so why I couldn't just go to L&D to get an u/s done was beside me.  I chose to not get too upset though since I was already freaking out.

I guess in a way it was a blessing that I didn't get the u/s done during the day because the hubby wouldn't have been there. We went to my appt that night - the ultrasound tech was very nice, but very blunt and to the point - she said "I'm sorry, but there is no heartbeat, and no baby" She didn't sugarcoat which I was fine with, I mean, it was what it was, but that didn't stop me from breaking down uncontrollably in her room.  We were moved to another room to wait for the dr.  He was very nice and just explained how this was nothing we did and there was probably something wrong which is why the pregnancy couldn't continue.  As if hearing this news wasn't bad enough, the dr then informed me that I would have to have a D&C the next morning.  I honestly had never heard of a D&C or at least didn't pay any attention to it if I ever did hear about it. Hearing that I had to have a surgical procedure done the next morning, and be put out (for the first time ever) had me freaking out.  I just found out I lost my baby at 12 weeks and now I had to deal with the anxieties of being put out.  I am sure being put out is not a big deal to most, but to me, it was terrifying. 

The next morning the hubby and I went to the hospital and I just cried and cried in the waiting room until they called me back.  That literally felt like the longest day ever.  My hubby was my rock though this and I am so grateful he was there to support me, and I was there to support him as well.  He was very upset over everything (obviously) but he put on a brave face for me and I am so thankful for that.

I now know how common miscarriages are, but that doesn't make them hurt any less. This was definitely something very hard for me to go through, but I try to remember that everything happens for a reason.

My miscarriage happened in October, so October will now always be a special month for me. 

Friday, October 11, 2013

Five on Friday - TV Shows

Linking up again with Darci over at The Good Life for another round of Five on Friday


I decided to do a Five on Friday based on my top 5 favorite TV shows.  Now that my life fall TV is back I am in heaven.  I love summer and spending time outside until night fall but there's something about cozying up on the couch once the kiddos are alseep and indulging in my guilty pleasure - TV.



*ONE*
The Witches of East End 

I wasn't even going to start watching this show but I saw Jenna Dewan-Tatum do an interview on Chelsey Lately and I kind of fell in love with her and the idea of this show.  I have always been interested in witch crafty shows but alot have been kind of lame.  This one was not (at least in my opinion) A new fave of mine for sure!



*TWO*
Dancing with the Stars

I always always watch this show.  I find it very entertaining and love seeing everyones outfits.  This years cast has been a good one too! I literally cried every week as I watched Valerie Harper dance, what a strong woman she is.  She did get sent home this week though, which was sad! I don't really have a favorite but there are alot of good dancers! I think Bill Engvall is by far the best entertainer! 





*THREE*
Trophy Wife

This is a new show this fall and I wasn't planning on watching it either.  I missed the first few episodes so I caught up this weekend ondemand.  I am so happy I did! Love love it! Malin Akerman plays the role perfectly and she is adorable, it's hard not to love her!





*FOUR*
Mom

Another new show that I really had no clue about.  I was bored browsing ondemand and saw this had Anna Faris so I thought I'd give it a chance.  I'm so glad I did because Anna and Allison do not disappoint! This is a super funny show.






*FIVE*
Last Man Standing

I have watched this show from the beginning and it's definitely one of my faves.  Tim Allen is seriously hysterical in this! I love all of his quick witted jokes and come backs.  Maybe I just have a soft spot for him since I spent a better part of my childhood watching Home Improvement (totally thought I was going to marry JTT) - either way, this show makes my Friday nights that much better




So now you know....I am secretly a TV junkie.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

This past weekend we headed to the pumpkin patch with some of Ricks family.  It is always a good time and this year Ella was able to enjoy it first hand instead of last year where we had to keep her snuggled in the stroller the entire time with a blanket over her blocking out the wind.

Warning - this is picture overload!





They always have 2 giraffes that you can feed, Brayden has been scared every year but this year he did get up close to them, just didn't want to feed them



This is something new they had this year - mining for gems.  The kids really enjoyed this!



Aunt Becca & Uncle Phil and the kiddos :)




My little pumpkin!




Love that we get this picture every year :)



Grandma Pam with all her grandchildren :)


I just love these cuties!



The first year Brayden wasn't scared of the pony rides!!



My family :)
 
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