Happy Friday {1.29.16}

Wow it's the last Friday of the month - does that seem crazy to anyone else!?

We have a super fun weekend planned filled with a family sleepover tonight with my sis, brother in law and nephew and 2 birthday parties the rest of the weekend.  

Now on to the link up

{ONE}

I posted this on my FB page the other day - it is so freaking hilarious because in our house, it's so true! Almost every night I make popcorn after the kids go to bed and 9 times out of 10 Brayden or Ella or both come down and ask "Do I smell popcorn?!"

{TWO}

Have you ever seen those parody videos by the Holderness Family? Their videos are my favorite!

Check this one out about being 40 - I know I am not 40 however, I can relate to everything in this parody, hilarious!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isv-Ja74Tm8

{THREE}

Ok so since it's freezing here and we won't be having any bonfires for a looooong time, I saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be so fun and yummy to make!

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{FOUR}

I shared our new DIY playroom artwork this week - you can see it here.  DIY'ing is definitley a favorite of mine and I love how it turned out! And love the saying even more.

{FIVE}

I took Brayden to the dentist this week and he told us Brayden has a loose tooth! I really can't believe that is already happening, like didn't I just give birth to him and now he's going to be loosing teeth!?

Anyway, for when the time comes, I saw these super cute tooth fairy printables on Pinterest and will for sure be using them (I hope not for a while though)

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Hoping everyone has a great weekend!

Linking up with:

Momfessionals

Hello Happiness

September Farm

What's Up Wednesday!?

Happy Wednesday! Today, I'm linking up with Shay for What's Up Wednesday?!

What we're eating this week:

One of our very favorite recipes is on the menu this week - chicken taquitos by Baked Bree. I've talked about these before, they are soooo good!




What I'm reminiscing about:

Since my baby is not seeming so much like a baby anymore, I'm reminiscing about her early days with us. I do miss those baby snuggles so much!

What I'm loving:

My new Mama Bear fleece!! I had been waffling forever on buying one and I finally did and I'm so happy, I love it!

What we've been up to:

So much it seems! Took the kids to Disney on Ice last weekend and I surprised my little man with a movie date, just me and him.

What I'm dreading:

Hmm I guess if I had to dread something, it would be the echo cardiogram I'm taking Ella for on Friday. She was born with a small hole in her heart (nothing life threatening) but we need to check it to see if it's gone, if not, she will need to have surgery to close it.  The last time I took her for an echo she was only 1 and was flailing and screaming her little head off.  I'm really hoping this time around it's much easier



What I'm working on:

No real projects lately, but I am painting the trim on our upstairs bedrooms/bathroom/hall closet doors. We are finally getting new doors up there and they will be white 3 panel, so I am painting the trim to match.  I don't mind painting but I am not a fast painter, therefore this little project is taking much longer than I want it to.


What I'm excited about:

Super Bowl :) It's always fun getting together with friends/family and eating a ridiculous amounts of yummy food.

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What I'm watching/reading:

Watching The Bachelor - just catching up from this weeks episode tonight hopefully

Reading Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand. Ever since I read her other books, I'm hooked! 

What I'm listening to:

At the moment? Nothing - it's extremely quiet in my house since it's only 6 am and the kiddos are asleep :)




What I'm wearing:

I am constantly living in my leggings from Target - jeans are just a no no these days.  Leggings are where it's at.

What I'm doing this weekend:

Friday night is going to be fun! My sister, BIL an nephew are coming over for a sleepover - we'll probably order food, play games and we can all enjoy adult beverages without worrying about driving home :)

Saturday Brayden has a friend birthday party and Sunday we have a family friends sons 1st birthday party - busy but fun weekend!


What I'm looking forward to next month:

Probably Valentine's Day! I love showing my little loves how much I love them and giving them something little for Valentine's is just one of those ways.  They get excited over anything so it's not going to be anything crazy but still, something to celebrate the cute little holiday

What else is new:

My sweet Ella started ice skating lessons last week and is probably the cutest littler person on skates ever! The first day was a little rough but she still said she had so much fun.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite Valentine's Treat?

I'm a sucker for chocolate caramels!

Etsy Shop + DIY Canvas Artwork

Happy Monday Friends! I'm here today to show you our newest artwork in the playroom.

But first, I need to tell you about an amazing Etsy shop called 2BsCraftsandDesigns

They have the cutest signs!! I knew I loved the saying on the sign I purchased because I originally saw on my girl Marie's blog

And their customer service is awesome! Quick responses (which I love) and very patient!

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Since what you get is a file when ordering from 2BsCraftsandDesigns I knew I had to come up with a way to get this sign printed for artwork on our wall.  Originally I thought maybe I would frame it, but then decided on mounting it to canvas.

For this little project, you need:

• print in whatever you size you would like (just make sure the size you pick also comes in a canvas) - I did my print size 22" x 28"
• canvas (I bought a 22" x 28" from Joanns, and of course with a coupon)
• spray adhesive
• black paint (optional)

I first searched and searched where I could order a poster print in size 22" x 28" without breaking the bank. I ended up ordering from Overnight Prints and my total with shipping was just over $11.

Next, I bought my canvas from Joanns which was on sale for $10!

I already had black paint and spray adhesive so this project was pretty inexpensive. 

First, I painted all 4 sides of my canvas.  I did this so when it is hung on the wall it looks finished. I toyed with leaving it white and I'm SO happy I didn't.

After the paint dried, I sprayed the entire canvas with spray adhesive and then I had the hubby help lay the poster print ever so carefully on the canvas.  We just used our hands to smooth it out then let it dry overnight.

Here is the final result! I love it so much!

It looks so nice in the playroom

So go check out 2BsCraftsandDesigns now and get your shop on! Alot of the signs are on sale ( the one I got is only $3.50!!)

And just for my readers, you can get an extra 10% off using code thishappylife10 - this is valid until 7/31/16! Enjoy!

Happy Friday {1.22.16}

Woohoo for Friday! 

I swear this week felt like 2, I really am not sure why, but who cares because the weekend is here and we have tons of family time planned!


{ONE}
Tomorrow we are taking Brayden & Ella to Disney on Ice - they are SO excited and I'm not going to lie, so am I.  This will be our 3rd time and it's definitely starting to become tradition which I love!

{TWO}

Sunday I'm taking Brayden to see this movie called Monkey Up - I had never heard about it until the other day when I had Windy City Live on in the background and they were interviewing the voice of the monkey for this movie, it intrigued me so I watched a clip they showed and knew immediately it was a movie I had to take Brayden to. (If you weren't aware, I was am OBSESSED with monkeys, not just any monkeys, capuchin monkeys, which happens to be the monkey in this movie) So again, I'm super excited to see this! It's only in theaters for 1 week so I'm happy we are able to catch it. To make it better, Brayden has no idea because it's a surprise.

{THREE}

In case you missed it, I shared my super easy DIY bow holder yesterday - check it out here. It's my new favorite accessory for the girls!

{FOUR}

I also blogged about one of my favorite dishes ever! homemade chicken pot pie - Seriously, go make this now! 

{FIVE}

I'm in the market for a new flat iron now - this one fits the bill and has great reviews. Plus, I had a jose eber curling wand that literally lasted me years and worked great, so I trust the brand.

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I'm off to enjoy a morning playdate with my gals - see you next week!

Linking up with:

Momfessionals

Hello Happiness

September Farm

{DIY} Bow Holder

Happy Thursday! For some reason this short week is seeming extra long to me...must be our frigid temps and staying inside that makes it feel that way.

Today I'm showing you a cute and easy DIY bow holder I made for both my girls.  It was a quick project, maybe 20 minutes and they turned out adorable!

For this project you'll need:

• a small canvas - your choice of size (I did a 6" x 9")
• fabric - enough to cover your canvas
• iron on letter (this is optional)
• 2 colors of ribbon, one wider than the other
• glue gun
• scissors

First you'll cut your fabric to fit around your canvas. Then place your fabric pattern side down and then put your canvas face down on top.  Fold the fabric over the corners of the canvas and hot glue down. Then take each end and fold over the back of the canvas and hot glue. It doesn't need to look perfect since this is the back that no one will see.

Next I ironed on the letter on each canvas

Then I took the first color ribbon and cut really long strips - I didn't measure but if I had to guess probably almost 3 feet (you can make this any size you want) - I cut another strip the exact same size so I would have 2 sets.

I then took the smaller ribbon and cut 2 strips the same exact size as the first.

Next you will hot glue the smaller ribbon to the center of the wider ribbon - do this for both strips.

Turn your canvas back over and hot glue each strip to the back of your canvas, again, I didn't measure exactly how far apart, I just eyeballed it.

That's all! Now you have a super cute bow holder that didn't take you very long at all to make!

The most delicious chicken pot pie

Happy Tuesday Friends! We had a nice long weekend over here and now it's back to the grind.

Today I thought Id share a super yummy homemade chicken pot pie recipe. Food is my love language and I can seriously eat an entire pot pie....but then I would not love myself very much :)

Anyway - this recipe is adapted from this one but I changed a few things. 

To make this chicken pot pie you will need:

• Pack of 2 frozen pie crusts (usually 2 come in a package) - thawed
• 1 large potato peeled and cubed into small pieces.
• 16oz if frozen mixed veggies (I use the one with carrots, peas, green beans, corn and Lima beans)
• 1 cup of cooked shredded chicken 
• 1 small onion chopped
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1 1/2 cup of chicken broth
• 1/2 cup flour
• Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 425.

In a saucepan add your potatoes to water and cook 8-10 minutes, when done set aside.

Meanwhile in a large skillet (one with higher sides, I actually use my wok for this) melt your butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes.

Stir in your flour then slowly add the milk and chicken broth. Bring to a boil then cook for 2 minutes (or until thick)

Turn off the heat and add in your shredded chicken, frozen veggies, potatoes, and salt and pepper, mix well.

Scoop the filling into one pie crust until it is is filled. Take the other pie crust and place it on top. Use your fingers to close both ends together.  I also made an egg wash and brush it all over.

Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy!!

Happy Friday {1.15.16}

Happy Friday, Friends! 

I still can't get use to typing 16 for the year... that's definitely going to take some time to get use to!

Let's get right into the link up :)

{ONE}

Valentine's Day is just under a month away and I saw these on Pinterest the other day - I think my little man would LOVE to give these to his classmates.

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{TWO}

I saw this on Facebook and was dying!! Hilarious! (you'll have to of watched Making a Murderer to get this)

{THREE}

I ordered this coat last week and it came the other day.  It is such nice quality and really warm! Definitely my new favorite coat.

{FOUR}

I blogged about a delicious and easy ice cream cake we made on NYE - it's so easy and so so good. You can see it here

{FIVE}

Who's watching The Bachelor?  I am but feel super old watching since I'm a good 5-8 years older than the women....who are mostly all insane but it's still a favorite of mine.  Ben is super cute too, I hope it works out for him. If you want to read hilarious recaps of the show, check out Pinterest Told Me To - sooooooo funny!

Happy Weekend!

Linking up with:

Momfessionals

Hello Happiness

September Farm

quick & easy ice cream cake

There was a girl I use to work with who would make the best ice cream cakes! She once gave me the recipe but of course I lost it. The kids wanted to make one for our New Years Eve party so I just kind of threw together stuff - this is different than the one my co worker made because she didn't use ice cream sandwiches, I was just looking for an easy route :)

All you need to make this delicious treat is

10-12 ice cream sandwiches

1 container of cool whip
1 jar of hot fudge (I used the small jar)
1 jar of caramel (again, small jar)



Unwrap your ice cream sandwiches and layer them across the bottom of a 8" x 8" baking dish.  You will probably have to cut them to fit.

Warm up the hot fudge a little so it's easier to pour.  Pour half of the hot fudge and half of the caramel over the ice cream sandwiches then cover with half of the cool whip.

Repeat one more time and pop it in the freezer.  Before eating, take out and sit on the counter for 5 minutes to help make it easier to cut.

Enjoy!!

Just look at all that goodness!

This was such a delicious and easy treat and the kids had so much fun helping making it.

I think this will be a request at any of our future parties :)

Brayden - 5 1/2

I want to always remembers my kids at different stages at their lives, and since my memory is pretty much shot - this is the best way to document it.


My Dearest Brayden -

Wow, 5 1/2 you are now! Halfway through Kindergarten - your first year at "real" school! I am beyond proud of you and all that you have accomplished in these few short months.  One would think adjusting to full time school, 5 days a week would be quite a challenge, but you my dear, pulled it off gracefully! It wasn't nearly as hard of a transition that I thought it would be. You absolutely love school and even cried a few times before winter break because you were going to miss your teachers so much. That makes my heart so happy!

You are still such a smart cookie! Math seems to be your strong suit these days.  You are learning adding and subtracting and you are doing so well with it! You also really enjoy it. You can count to 200 but I know if you wanted to keep going, you could.  You are learning about different parts of the body and what they do and you come home sharing your knowledge.

Right now you are really into a game called Star Wars Angry Birds.  It's an app on the Ipad and ever since Daddy introduced you, you have been hooked! Before this, you could have cared less for the Ipad now you want it every day :)

Some of your favorite things are:

Food: Pasta with the orange sauce (vodka sauce) and  macaroni and cheese
TV Show: Power Rangers
Super Hero: Batman
Color(s): Blue, Red, Orange and Gold
Shirt: A tie dyed Incredible Hulk shirt and a Super Mario shirt
Dessert: Anything with sugar - you love cookies, brownies, candy (Skittles and M&M's are your favorite) & suckers
Movie: Jurassic World
Game: Headbanz/Go Fish


You absolutely love to wrestle. I have no idea where this came from but it is all you want to do! Most days it's all WWE over here and I hope you realize when you're older just how much I love you because I'll let you in on a little secret - I do not love wrestling. But for you, I would do just about anything. And actually, most of the times we wrestle I can barely contain my laughter because we have so much fun - so maybe I do love wrestling after all? :)

You are such a creature of habit! You have to eat grapes every night before bed and if you miss it because we forgot or we were out late and Dad and I say no you throw a major fit. We're working on that. Your morning routine is: wake up, come downstairs tell me you want cereal, go to the bathroom, get dressed, brush your teeth, make your bed, come back down and eat breakfast.  You love to eat special treats when we watch a movie but you refuse to start eating until the movie/show has started. You always say you want to save it.  (I think you get that from me because I am the same way) At night, after you brush your teeth, you get into your pajamas (which is just your underwear) and you always cross the day off on your calendar. Then we do your popcorn words from school, then you read a little, then Daddy or I read you a book.  Then you have each of us lay with you. I love all your little routines, they make you, you and you my dear, are something special.

You are an amazing big brother.  I know there are plenty of times when your sisters are annoying you and sometimes you feed into that, but most of all, you are so good with them. You do your due diligence and play with them and love on them and even if you don't always show it, I know you love them so much! You are such a protector and I love that about you! You look out for them and if they are doing something dangerous, you always tell us right away (you also always tell us any.little.other.thing.they.are.doing. - working on that too)

Sometimes I forget you are only 5 because you are wise beyond your years. You are so responsible and mature and a total rule follower, and while I love that, sometimes I just want you to let loose and be a little kid! I don't know if it's the pressures of being the 1st child, or if this just is who are you, but that is one thing I want to work on with you.  In fact, we talked together and a goal for you this year is to let loose and relax more.  I also am going to work on remembering you are only 5 and treating you like that.

My little man, you are growing so fast right before my very eyes. I constantly tell you to stop growing to which you reply "I can't stop Mom!!" while laughing, it's just a thing we do and I'll probably always say it to you. I am so proud of the boy you are and I want you to always know that I love you with all my heart.

Love,
Mom