Thoroughly Modern Housewife

Time to update!

2011-08-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Actually, its way past time to update... :P

While I get together a couple of new posts I have in the works, I will leave you with A quick recap of the last year or so. :)
Man, I am awesome at this whole blogging thing! ;)

Summer began with a trip to the beach, and we had a great time!

Then I made my first Wedding cake, a massive 5-tier cake that didn't fall over, so I guess it was a success. :)

My oldest started her last year of preschool! Look at her, "all grown up!"

I had two little princesses at Halloween, and spent way too much time making their costumes. :P

Christmas was great and I almost got a good picture of the kids, at least they were all looking at the camera...

My baby is growing up way too fast!

And I am another year older. It's OK though, because my wonderful children made me a wonderful cake!

Seriously, wonderful! Uh-mazing even!

"Sew" Very Easy

2011-05-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I hosted a Houseparty. Have you heard of Houseparty.com? Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends. I hosted a Singer Sew Very Easy Houseparty. I was sent all sorts of goodies for my guests and myself. I was too busy during the party to remember to pick up my camera, but here are some pictures before the party.

Getting the projects ready for my guests. They sent tons of fabric so everyone can make a cute little accessory roll.

Putting together gift baskets for all my guests. I was sent lots of really neat things to give away, including really cute purse and skirt patterns and lots of coupons for Joann stores.

That's the sewing machine Singer supplied for the party, its a great little machine. The Decorations were also supplied, They are Martha Stewart decorations, and really cute!
Since my guests and I all have little kids, my take on the accessory roll is a crayon roll. A cute simple project that everyone got a chance to make.

All in all, it was a really fun party! Everyone had a good time, and I hope Houseparty.com picks me to host another soon!

Welcome Sully

2011-05-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

I've got lots to say right now, but not a lot a time to write it all down at the moment. On March 16th we welcomed our 3rd baby. Sully weighed in at 9lbs 10oz, and his older sisters are completely in love. Here's a couple of photos... I'll be back soon with more. :)

Three

2010-07-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a little tidbit I'd like to share. I think this is so sweet. I definitely can't take credit for it, instead I found it here

Every child teaches you something new. My first taught me patience and delight, confusion and coordination. My second taught me perseverance and depth, timing and priorities. But the third baby....

The third baby taught me that every baby is unique, that not everything comes painted in black and white, that lovely shades of gray exist in between. With two children, it is easy to label them "easy" vs. "difficult" and "creative" vs. "academic." The third baby peels away the labels, because opposites only have two sides, and suddenly there are three to cover.

The third baby taught me that not everything that went wrong with the older children was my fault, and that I could raise a child "perfectly," and he still would have frailties and shortcomings, strengths and weaknesses. I thought I'd failed the first two by putting them in day care, by not nursing long enough, by disciplining too harshly or not enough, by not knowing how to parent. The third baby taught me I could do everything "right," even by my own exacting standards, and still not have a perfect child.

The third baby taught me to treasure baby things and baby ways. With the first two, babyhood fled rapidly, hastened on its way for convenience's sake. I wanted the third babyhood to last forever. But the third baby taught me that everyone moves at his own pace and that a child develops at the perfect rate for himself. The third baby taught me to slow down, to enjoy each moment, and to live in the present; for the moments in the present move into the past so quickly with the third baby.

The third baby taught me conclusively that babies don't need lots of toys and baby gear. The third baby has all the hand-me-down baby toys any child could imagine and still prefers his teddy bear, his blanket, and his big brother and sister to any toy.

The third baby taught me flexibility. Even though everything comes in groups of four--seats in a car, chairs in a restaurant, prepacked food--the third baby taught me about creative solutions.

The third baby taught me that fair doesn't mean equal. When the third baby came, I realized I couldn't perpetually fragment myself, the members of my family, or the material goods in my house. Fair means that each one gets what he needs, in turn if necessary, not just what they want.

The third baby taught me that children aren't meant to be raised one at a time. The human animal wants and needs multiple family members around it to civilize things. The third baby taught me that a family works best as a group, not as individual members.

The third baby taught me that nothing is so inspiring as seeing kids give each other hugs, a sister reading to "her" baby, a little brother worshipping a big brother, a big brother finding the perfect gift for his baby brother.

The third baby taught me that there's always room for one more.

What has been precious about the third baby though, hasn't been what the third baby has taught me. It's what the third baby taught the first two. To nurture, nourish, and caress. To teach by example. To give in for no better reason than that your opponent is littler and weaker. To share without the promise of return. To refrain from teasing out of consideration for innocence. To accept and reciprocate adoration. To give of themselves out of love.

And oh! What the third baby learns from the first two! My third baby talked early, walked early, and learned to play Nintendo before he was two. He played schoolyard games with glee: "High five. In the middle. Down low ... you're too slow!" He knows that if he says "thank you" instead of "excuse me" when he burps, his brother and sister will fall into helpless hysterics. It is a pleasure to play Peek-A-Boo or Ring Around the Rosy with him, for his well of laughter has been primed by lots of play, and giggles erupt at the first sign of a game. He knows that his brother and sister will help him discover and grow. He has learned that any of us will pick him up when he falls, read to him when he asks, play with him when he's lonely, and show him tile wonders of the world, from hammering nails to looking for snails. He also has learned that he doesn't always get what he wants, that he can't grab or hurt, that he must talk nicely to others if he wants them to talk nicely to him, and that Mommy gives out cookies three at a time, so everyone can have one.

I once heard that people stop having children too soon. It's true. The first baby interrupts a life made for two. He forces a carseat into a two-seater, a stroller into the broom closet, a bottle of baby juice into the wine rack. Nothing fits, yet. But parents can do most of what they've always done, because the baby goes everywhere. The second baby makes parents recognize that life after children is changed unalterably. The two-seater is traded in for a station wagon, the broom closet holds tricycles and toy vacuums as well, and the wine rack has become a thing of the dimly remembered past. But the family still is feeling around, trying to find its fit. And then the parents quit, because raising two children is hard work. What they don't realize is that the first one or two give you practice. By the third baby, experience tells you that nothing is insurmountable, that problems have solutions, that children will grow past many things--and that each new baby will teach you something you've never thought of before.

I have to confess, the reason this article is on my mind is because we are now expecting our third child! It is still early, and still a "secret," but I feel safe telling everyone here, because nobody here knows me in my "real life." I am so very excited! And also terrified of a third baby, we are definitely going to be outnumbered now, and I feel like the world is made for a family of four. But I can't stop smiling about and I can't wait until I can tell everyone!

-k

Let us eat cake!

2010-04-20T08:58:00.001-07:00

Hello again!
Seems I have been away for quite a while. It was a long winter and while I have been keeping myself very busy, this blog has fallen to the bottom of the to do pile. Hopefully now that will change. Like I've said, I have been very busy, so I will try to share with you what I've been up to...
Mostly, I've been making cakes! I love making cakes, everyone is happy to get a cake! Cakes are for celebrations!Here are just a few of the cakes I've done recently...Thanks for looking! Hopefully I will have more posts coming soon!

-k

Our Halloween

2009-11-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

This year I had a 'great' idea that I was gonna make the girls costumes. Good thing I started early. What a lot of work! And, I think I have set a precedent and will have to make their halloween costumes from here on out. Because, they turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself.
My only goal was that it was kinda obvious who they were supposed to be. :)

Can you tell?

"Follow the yellow brick road"

"Are you a good witch? or a bad witch?"

Time to start planning next years costumes, I guess. :)

I ♥ Faces - Balloons

2009-11-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

This weeks theme over at I ♥ Faces is Balloons. This one took some searching mostly looking through the girls birthday pictures. I almost forgot this one. It was a spring festival at the park. The balloon was tied around her waist and she had so much fun this day!

See more great pics at...

I ♥ Faces - Halloween Dress-Up

2009-10-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Lots of fun pictures this week at I ♥ Faces. My picture is not likely to win any awards for photography, but it always makes me laugh. For my daughter's first Halloween, her Uncle wanted to get her first costume. I had in mind something frilly and girly and most likely pink. He had something else in mind...

A hot dog! I can just see her thinking "But, I wanted to be a princess!" We've made up for it with lots of sparkly girly costumes since, but this one will always make me smile.

Check out more great pictures at...

Just Because

2009-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Rainy days make for grumpy kids. And a in turn, a grumpy mommy.
What is guaranteed to make anyone happy?

Cupcakes of course!
So we had a little decorating project.

Even the baby joined in...

I better hire her now as my assistant decorator, before she becomes my competition...

Beautiful!

And everyone was happy. The end.

I ♥ Faces - Excited!

2009-10-13T14:31:00.000-07:00

This week's theme is Excited! Here's a picture of excitement on one of my favorite faces! Up until recently she was a little timid about the swings. Then, all of a sudden, its all "push me high mommy!" I love how much she enjoys flying through the air!

Check out all the excitement at..

I ♥ Faces - Blue

2009-09-28T20:22:00.001-07:00

Here's my favorite blue picture.
She makes my heart smile...

Sisters!

2009-09-28T18:47:00.000-07:00

This just makes my day... :D

Fall is the yummiest season!!

2009-09-25T07:47:00.000-07:00

I love all the tastes of autumn! Pumpkins and apples and then there's thanksgiving of course! Its the best time of the year! (At least until Christmas). ;)
In honor of the season, here's a yummy recipe for pumpkin spice cupcakes. Add to that some cinnamon cream cheese frosting, and you have a really great taste of fall in a cute little cupcake!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup milk
1 cup pumpkin puree

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Sift together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, allspice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
Beat 1/2 cup of butter, the white sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add the room-temperature eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Stir in the milk and pumpkin puree after the last egg. Stir in the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and 1/4 butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar a little at a time until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; beat until fluffy. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost with the cream cheese icing.

Enjoy!

Say Cheese!!

2009-09-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

My 2 year old found my camera, and instead of taking it away from her right away like I usually do, I showed her what button to press to take a picture...

She didn't quite understand what she was doing....

She was mostly just smiling at the back of the camera saying "Cheese!!"

But she had a lot of fun, and overall, I think she shows some definite talent! ;)

(Goodness, her baby sister loves her! Nobody else can make baby sister smile like she does!)

Yumm!

2009-09-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

I was wanting something sweet. Maybe chocolate? or peanut butter? So my oldest daughter and I went into the kitchen to see what we could do. And we definitely did something right.

You ready?

Definitely nothing gourmet, but still soo good! You spread some peanut butter between two crackers (the buttery kind, like a Ritz). Dip it into melted chocolate, and let it cool in the fridge.
Of course making these with a 2yr old is rather fun... I'm pretty sure there would be a lot more of the finished project if I didn't have a little helper.

My new blog.

2009-09-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog! I have decided to write this blog as more of a journal or, maybe just a way to vent my thoughts. I hope that some of them may be somewhat interesting. I have two little girls that take up a lot of my time, so I hope to be able to keep up with this.
I also hope to try many new ideas to keep myself and my kids busy and happy and learning something new all the time. (Whether they be new recipes, craft projects, or just ways to make my girls smile when we're stuck inside on a rainy day). Hopefully this will be a good record of how successful these attempts are. Or an embarrassing record of how unsuccessful they are.