Daddys and Daughters

Ava is one lucky girl!  She truly has the BEST daddy ever! 

Every since she was little they've had such a special bond.

She truly lights up when he comes in the room, as do I :)

On Valentines Day he did the absolute sweetest thing for her, unbeknownst to me. 

I was at her school helping with (really doing, but that's another post) her Valentine's Party and in walks in the school secretary with this.

She was SO excited and so proud to show off what her Daddy sent her.  The note made my heart skip a beat:

She truly is the luckiest girl in the world!  So glad that she gets to grow up with a Daddy like Lucas!

xoxo

The Mythical Bird....

So for those of you that have kids going to school in Kansas they most likely celebrated Kansas Day at school recently.  As part of Kansas Day at Ava's school they had to color Jayhawks and are told that because you were born in Kansas you are a "Jayhawker".  Ummm I'm sorry what?!  I have grown up in Kansas my entire life and never remember learning this in school.  When I think Kansas I think Buffalos and Sunflowers not Jayhawks, it's not even a real bird!! I relate the Jayhawk, or Chickenhawk as we like to call it, with Kansas University, not Kansas as a state.  We are die hard Kansas State fans and are slightly bothered by this part of the Kansas Day celebration.  Something about my daughter calling herself a Jayhawker makes my skin crawl.  When Ava came home with her Jayhawk I told her she should of at least colored it purple and she said she tried but was told she couldn't and had to color it red, blue and yellow....such the rule follower. 

The next day I received an email from my friend and fellow K-Stater Julie, her daughter Emma is friends with Ava and they are in the same class.  Apparently Emma refused to color the Jayhawk because she was a Wildcat not a Jayhawker.  Thatta girl!!  Because of Emma's stubbornness she got in quite a bit of trouble at school but she wasn't backing down.  I couldn't help but laugh.  Go Emma way to stand behind your school and your beliefs!!!  Since then the administration at K-State heard of Emma's story and they couldn't be prouder of Emma and her Wildcat Pride.  Tonight Emma will be featured as the Fan of The Game in Manhattan as the Wildcats take on the Jayhawks.  Only fitting right!!  Here is a link to Emma's mom's blog where she tells the story.  Though I can't be mad at Ava for following the rules I am so happy that she has a friend that has taught her to stand up for what she believes in!  EMAW!

What's for Dinner?

This is a question that I get ALL DAY long.  Why it matters at 8am what we will be eating at 6pm is totally lost on me but my kids and my hubby can't seem to function unless they know the answer to this question.  Well this week that answer to that question was BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, one meal  they all absolutely love, which makes dinner time so much more enjoyable.  And the best part is it's super easy!  So I wanted to share.

Here is what you'll need:

Crockpot (my favorite kitchen gadget)

1 package of boneless skinless Chicken breast, I use frozen but you can use whatever (about 2 lbs)

1/2 onion, sliced in large rings

2 tsp jarred chopped garlic (not pictured...whoopsie)

1-6oz can of pineapple juice

2/3 cup BBQ sauce

1/3 cup plum jam

Buns (also not pictured, geez I need to get it together!)

If you want you can start by first spraying your crockpot with cooking spray, I don't do this but hey to each their own.  Place chicken in followed by sliced onion and garlic.  Pour pineapple juice over everything. 

Now cover and cook on low for about 6 hours.  Easy peasy right?!

After the 6 hours is up remove the onion and pour all of the cooking liquid down the drain.  Now take two forks and shred the chicken.

In a bowl combine the plum jam and BBQ sauce.  Then pour over the chicken until coated.  Put the cover back on and cook on high for 30 minutes. 

Seriously delish!!





I serve on a bun with a side salad and Crack Potatoes which you can find here.

Hopefully your fam will enjoy as much as mine does.

xoxo

NO SEW Valentines Day shirts

So on Sunday I had a craft day of sorts.  And by day I mean the three hours that #2 was taking a nap.  #1 was playing with her barbies so nicely I thought now was my chance to do a little craft therapy.  There is just something about crafting that is rejuvenating to me.  I just realized that makes me seem a little strange but it just makes me feel accomplished, in a weird sort of way. 

I wanted to share with you the Valentine's Day shirts I made for the kids.  It's kind of funny.  We are not Valentine's Day kind of people.  I strongly believe that when you love someone you show them each and every day.  I'd rather get flowers, chocolates are whatever else people give on Valentine's Day, on a random day not when it's expected.  Phew....enough of that!!  Let's get on with it!!

Here goes nothing.  I think they turned out great.  Hubby thinks #2's shirt isn't "manly" enough but hopefully you'll take my side on this one.  I mean he's only 2....geesh! 

So here is #1's shirt.......

Here's how I did it....

Things you will need

• Shirt...bought mine on clearance at Target, love that place!
• Fabric of your choosing, I happened to have all of the fabric on hand.  I have a slight fabric addiction.
• Fusible Interfacing which can be bought at any fabric store or even Wal-Mart.  Very inexpensive.
• Iron
• Scissors
• Pins, not necessary but helpful

I started by opening a blank word document, typed the word love then played around with the fonts.  For this one I used Segoe Script.  I then set the font size to 300.  This is something that you will have to play around with a little bit depending on the font you use and the size shirt you are making.  I ended up having to print it out in landscape so the word would fit on one line.  Since I went for the cursive look I needed the word to stay together.  Confused yet?!

Once printed I cut it out.  Now on this you don't have to be too exact, the exactness will come later.  This will be your template.  Make sure you place your template on the shirt to make sure it is the size you want.  Like so.....

Now take your template.  And cut a piece of fabric a little bigger than the template.  You want to leave yourself a little room to work. 

Now cut out a piece of the fusible interfacing just a tad smaller than your piece of fabric. 

Grab your iron and make sure there is no water in it.  Water=disaster.  Set your iron to the hottest non-steam setting.  The wrong side of the fabric needs to be next to the bumpy side of the interfacing.  You will then iron the smooth side of the interfacing.  Make sure to do this for a couple of minutes.

Oh and feel free to use an ironing board.  I'm lazy so I just put a towel down on my counter top.  Granite is indestructible right?! 

Once it has cooled pin your template to the fabric.  Again I'm lazy and impatient so this is something I don't do all the time but I have found that when I do it goes a lot smoother. 

Once everything is in place. Start cutting.  Try to cut as close to the font as you can.  You will hopefully end with something like this....

Now turn it over and peel the paper off.  Like so.....

I've found it easier to get the paper off when you start from an edge.  Once all the paper is removed place on the shirt and then iron the design on the shirt.  I probably go a little overboard on this part but I want to make sure it sticks so I iron it for about 3 or 4 minutes.  Moving my iron around of course :)  You can always choose to do a stitch around the edges but again, I'm lazy.  Do you see a pattern here?

Hopefully you end up with something like this.

Not wanting to leave #2 out I decided he needed a shirt as well.  So this is what I came up with for him.....

I essentially did the same thing but I found the design on Etsy and just copied it. Here is what I used.  Just print and repeat the steps.

I get a lot of my ideas from Etsy.  Probably illegal but I'm a rebel.  I live on the edge. 

So there you have it.  Hope I haven't confused you too much!!

xoxo



First Post....

Well this is my first post....kinda weird.  I have wanted to start this for the last couple of years but something has stopped me.  Feels kind of weird to have a blog I guess.  The last year I have really enjoyed reading blogs 0n other sites and feel like I need a place to share my thoughts, projects, recipes and crazy things my kids and husband do. So here we are....day 1.  I guess I should start by introducing myself.  My name is Kelly, I'm 30ish, yes I said ish...the whole getting older thing is a little hard for me.  I mean, I still feel like I'm 23 I sometimes feel like I still look that way as well then I look at pictures from my past and am quickly reminded that isn't the case.  My husband Lucas and I will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary in the summer.  He is an amazing dad and husband.  He works extremely hard in the office and at home.  He makes me happy each and well...almost every day.   Don't get me wrong he has his faults....his memory...non-existent, he's loud, he's often inappropriate but to know his is to love him faults and all.  He keeps me on my toes and laughing so what more could I ask for??  A little over six years ago we welcomed our first child....sweet Ava.  She was quite the handful and still is.  She has truly made me want to be a better person.  She has changed my life in so many ways....funny how kids can do that.  Then a little over two years ago we welcomed #2, Gage.  He is quite possibly the sweetest most loving child on the planet, though I may be a tad biased.  I am truly blessed. 

Things I cannot live without:

• Sleep....I think it's in my genes...or at least that's what I blame
• Pinterest.....I mean what did I do with my time before this existed???
• Sweets......I could never diet, I don't have the will power for that. I applaud those who can! 
• DVR....I'd like to kiss the person who invented this life-changing device
• Reality TV....sounds pathetic I know but The Real Housewives of anything just makes me smile
• My Adele 21 CD....I don't care what kind of music you're into.....completely amazing!

Things I love (besides of fam, of course)

• Trying new recipes...my husband will eat anything.  Love him for that!
• DIY anything! 
• Decorating my house.....it's an obsession.
• Flea Markets, Antique Stores, Garage Sales, The Habitat ReStore, Goodwill....if it's cheap I'm all about it!

Well that about sums me up.  I'm looking forward to sharing my projects (good and bad), recipes and everything else in between!!

xoxo