haircut

I am so behind on blogging, it's not even funny! It just seems like blogging has not been a priority for me lately, but I need to make it more of one! :)

A few weeks ago, Lauren got her first "real" haircut.  We had taken her to have a couple of trims, and Jason had even trimmed her bangs at home twice, because he hates them hanging in her eyes! 

But this time, we let them cut off most of the "mullet."

A few before pictures.  Doing the "Pebbles" hairstyle was the only way to see her eyes! 

 And from the side....

Here is Lauren AFTER.... yay! Much better!!

And from the side....

 And from the back.... still doesn't lay down completely flat.  She has some waves even if they cut off most of the curls! :(

 Posin' for mama....and looking way to grown up!

Hand Sanitizer

As we are approaching cold and flu season.... I am noticing hand sanitizer popping up in more places.  Even church!

This video is hilarious!

Jonny Lang~On That Great Day

Jesus Loves Me

Lauren LOVES to sing... but only if someone sings with her. 

(I know the feeling)

Here is the daddy-daughter duet of "Jesus Loves Me"

(notice her new haircut?  I'm not sure how I feel about it... I miss the curls!)

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! :)