monster cookies

Before we went on our trip with my family to Pigeon Forge (more on that later), we needed to bake some yummy treats to take along with us!

Here is my little sous chef ready for action! (I found this apron at Hobby Lobby for about $3).

Lauren's first job was to empty all the snack-size bags of m&m's into the measuring cup 

(they were on sale and I had a coupon- which made them cheaper than a big bag!)

PLUS, it gave Lauren something to do!!

As you can see, she took this job very seriously!

I was shocked that she only ate a few "emmies" 

while she was measuring them!

Lauren also "dumped" the sugar, pb, oats, etc. into the mixing bowl after I measured it.  She had so much fun!!

What were we making? 

 Only the most delicious cookies in the world!  

They are called "monster cookies"- maybe because they are so huge?! (and chewy! yumm!!)

I think my family gave them 2 thumbs up, because there were only 2 left at the end of the weekend.

Monster Cookies

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. white sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. white corn syrup

2 tsp. baking soda

1 stick melted butter

1 1/2 c. peanut butter

4 1/2 c. oatmeal

1 c. m&m's

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Bake on cookie sheet using parchment paper @ 350 for 10-12 minutes. 

 Enjoy!!

Amen!

Whether you are a SAHM, or a mom who works out of the house (I can't even imagine how much harder that would be!!), you should read this post from Kelly today.  

Haven't we all felt that way?  Being a mother is the most blessed job in the world, but man, it never stops!  I laughed and laughed at the things that Kelly said she thought being a stay at home mom would involve, because I had the same lofty ambitions.  They just didn't happen.  

Take a break from the mountain of laundry and dishes and read her post! :)

The amazing technicolor Lauren

Lauren just loves her some markers these days.  

Now that markers have come into her world, crayons just won't do.  I have tried hiding them from her, thinking, "out of sight- out of mind." 

Nope!

 The child is like an elephant- she never forgets!

Sooo- one day a few weeks ago (I know, it's been ages since I've blogged!)  Lauren had a rather productive naptime.

 When I put her down for her nap, she was a normal, Caucasian child.  When she got up from her nap, she was more oompa-loompa- ish.

Don't ask me where she found an orange hi-liter, 

but that is what she had used to color her legs so artistically 

(I hide the markers, remember!)  

After I gave her a good talking-to, and made her sit in time out, I did plop her up on the bathroom sink for a picture.  I know, mixed messages, right?  

I couldn't help it- I have to preserve these memories for our family.  And she looks remorseful, right?!

Then there was the night that Lauren went shopping with me at Target.  I had several things to get, so to keep Lauren occupied, I offered her a ring pop that she had received in a goody bag from some child's bday party.  

I didn't pay any attention to what color it was, just handed it over and enjoyed 15 minutes of un-interrupted shopping.  (I will note that while I did glance down at Lauren during this time- she was in the bottom basket of the shopping cart- I didn't really notice her mouth until we got to the checkout).

And then I started laughing, because Lauren had morphed into a smurf!

Jason found this much less than hilarious when we got home from Target, 

but Lauren seemed pretty pleased with herself! :)

the keeper of the books

After finding out how absolutely wonderful Daviess County Public Library is, I have been putting my library card to good use.  I love to read, and am not picky about what I read.  But no not harlequin romances! 

 Wait, or science fiction. 

 Ok, so I'm a little picky.

Anywho, I have recently been making my way through all the "Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and "Shopaholic" books. They are all easy, quick reads and make me laugh!

And this week I have been reading Ya-Ya's in Bloom.  

I know that the last time I saw it, 

it was sitting on our desk.

For the life of me, I could not find it anywhere! 

 I thought it had literally disappeared!

 I mean, I had looked everywhere (or so I thought!)  

I looked in the bedroom, bathroom, closet, even the kitchen. 

 I know I had it 2 days ago!

Our apartment is only about 950 square feet, it couldn't have gone far. 

 As I dug around frantically, I heard myself mumbling phrases that my mother used to say "....couldn't have just grown legs and walked away...."

And then I pouted for awhile.  

And tried to calculate in my head how much I would owe to the library.

Finally, in a moment of sheer desperation, I asked Lauren "have you seen mommy's book, Lauren?!"

Lauren: "yeth!"  (yes)

Me: "Oh, good! Where is it, Lauren?"

Lauren: "Hold my hand, mommy....." (this is her new thing, she likes us to hold her hand so she can take us and show us something)

And, sure enough- there it was. 

 In her toybox.  

In her room.  

In her closet, in her room.

 ( I really should have taken a picture, sorry!)

WHY was it in her toybox, in her closet, in her room? Hmmm...

Me: "Lauren, why is mommy's book in your closet?"

Lauren: (proudly)  "ah-cause I keened up, mommy!" 

              (because I cleaned up, mommy!)

:)

Well, at least she has learned to clean up- finally!  

Although today when I told her it was time to clean up toys, she said,

 "daddy comin' home?"  

Ha!  

I guess we only clean up twice a day (otherwise it's a lost cause...)

 once before nap and once before Jason gets home!

Tall oaks from little acorns grow

Lauren and I were walking tonight after supper and we started talking about things that are "tall." 


We talked about the tall buildings, the tall trees, daddy is tall, and she even said mommy is tall. 
(not compared to daddy, though, ha!)

 Then I asked Lauren if she was tall.  She thought about it for a moment and replied:

 (very seriously), 

"No, mommy, I not tall, 
I vewwy yiddle!"

(very) (little)

:)

Now, if only I could find a way to keep her "vewwy yiddle...."

She is just growing up way too fast! 

Are You Ready For Some Football??

Finally, the first Saturday of college football has arrived!  We have been counting down this day for months (well, Jason has been counting down, anyway!)

I like to watch football, but not as much as Jason...he LOVES it!!

Are you ready for some (college) football??

We are!!

Roll Tide, Roll!!!

(we started off the day today at the Evansville Zoo and the weather was in the 70's!)

It was awesome!!

Yes, I did have a birthday this year...

My 29th birthday was August 12 and I just realized that I never posted any pictures or recorded this memory for posterity!

I actually cooked dinner for us on my birthday, because we had gone out to eat the night before after Lauren's 2 year (+2 months Ha!) checkup.  It was not a very nice present to have to take Lauren in for shots, but I guess it all worked out, because our new doctor's office had not received previous immunization records, so the shots were postponed. 

Oh, and just for my personal records.....Lauren was 38 inches tall (99 percentile! good grief!)  and weighed in at 32 pounds. :)  The doctor said she was doing great and then listened to her talk for a few minutes.  I was nervous.  Sometimes it's hard for Jason to understand her, but Dr. Johnston said that she understood about 75% of Lauren's speech, and at this age, a stranger should be able to understand 50% of what they say, so she was doing fine. 

We also discussed her diet and um, plumbing issues.  The doctor gave us the go-ahead on some OTC medicine to make it easier for Lauren to potty (well, diaper, not potty) (despite all the cheese she eats!) And that was kind of a relief.  And we were happy that we don't have to come back until she's 3 (providing no sickness this winter, that is!!)

Anyway.... so, I cooked stuffed bell peppers for supper and Jason brought home this yummy cake. 

Love that it says "Happy Birthday Sarah "Mommy"  :)

 He and Lauren had gone to Kroger the weekend before and ordered it, and to say Lauren was excited was an understatement!  She could hardly eat her supper because she kept asking "I eat cake, too?!"  Yes, sweet girl, you can eat cake, too! :)  (guess she thought it was just for me?!)

Lauren singing Happy Birthday, which went "Happy mommy, happy mommy!"  :)  Soooo sweet!

(yes, I realize she is only in her diaper, have you seen what frosting does to clothes??)

And wouldn't you know, after all the excitement over the cake, she only ate about 2 bites!

Jason did a great job with gifts, he picked me out an apron (it says "Queen of Everything" hahahaha!)

And also....the Pioneer Woman's cookbook!

Of course, if I were to cook anything from this cookbook, we would all gain 75,296 pounds. (just kidding!) :)

And notice that "People" magazine on the table?  Jason tucked it in the bag with the apron and cookbook.  He said, "I know that you like to read those sometimes but don't buy them for yourself anymore; so I got it for you."

  Is that adorable or what?  And it just happened to be the issue with the Duggars on the cover, which I had yet to read in the Walmart check-out line. :) He knows the way to my heart.  Haha!

It was such a great birthday, and for the last one of my 20's, I think it was perfect!