prelude to my September

Okay, so things are pretty busy around here. . . A LOT is going on over the next 3 months.  I apologize ahead of time if it appears that I am abandoning my blog. . . trust me I am not.  

Here's a few things that are going on:

:: MOPS starts next week and am with out a publicity member of the leadership team, so I am doing both jobs. 

:: Ethan's 3rd birthday is in 1 week (is party is in 3).

:: Ethan is the ring bearer in a wedding in a week and a half. 

:: Our annual Labor Day trip is just a few days away. . . preparations are happening. . . I think.  

My favorite thing that has happened is that I have finished all gifts (handmade, that is) and have been put on restriction by my husband.  I am absolutely not (no matter the circumstance) allowed to sew for anybody except my family and myself.  Sounds selfish, doesn't it?  Well, tough.  I haven't gotten much time over the last year to sew for my family and it is my goal to have 2 completed quilts for my children (and maybe one for myself), by Christmas.  As well as some other fun projects I have lined up.  Expect to see some cool things posted soon!  

Today, my very best friend cashed in her birthday present. . . a kid free lunch with me.  We had so much fun! We went to a local tea house for lunch and fabric shopping (we had a Livingsocial coupon that was just begging to be used), and dessert at another local bakery.  'Twas the most wonderful afternoon ever. . . we really aren't sure if we have done that since we have had kids.  It was great.  I am so glad I got to treat her to lunch!

So, I leave you with this quote. . . enjoy. 

And a question (homework, if you wish) (or maybe a plea to comment):

What is your favorite PUMPKIN treat?????

Toddler Time: Oobleck

Sometimes I feel like we are going through life hanging on to the seat of our pants!  We are so busy around here, but we are having a blast!  Last weekend, we took the time to do a family literacy/science activity.  I was planning on doing it, but when I was telling my husband about oobleck, he had never done it . . . so we had to. . . it is just that cool.  

To start out, we read Bartholomew and the Oobleck, by Dr. Seuss.  The story is about a king who gets tired of the same weather patterns every year (rain, snow, sun, clouds, dark) and calls his magicians together to come up with something new.  They go away and makes some sort of potion and the next morning, it starts to rain small drops of green goo (oobleck).  As the morning progresses, this goo grows into HUGE drops and starts to ruin everything.  Bartholomew, a little boy who works for the king, sets out to save the day. . . and I am not going to finish it for you, because you  will just have to read it yourself to find out what happens.  

 I will note, that it is a very wordy book. . . and kind of long.  Too long for an almost 3 year old boy to sit through, so I read it in exciting paraphrase form.  He loved it!

 Don't they look like they are having fun?

 After the story, we headed to the kitchen where we got out the cornstarch, food coloring, water, and cups. Here's the recipe.  Oobleck makes this great substance that is a liquid when you lightly tough it and a solid when force is put to it.  It is really fun to play with!

 Ethan thought it was cool, but he was kind of scared of it.

Ethan now talks about oobleck quite often and likes to show me the book.

Salted brownies

I wonder if our friends in our Life Group know that they are my guinea pigs.  I have loved having them over for Bible Study this summer, not only because we get to dig into God's Word and fellowship, but because I get to try new recipes out on them.  It's a tough job. . . I know.  2 weeks ago, I tried these out on them.  Everyone thought they were great. . . except one . . . he wouldn't eve try them.  Apparently the idea that salt is sprinkled over the top of chocolate can throw you for a loop.  I know that I thought it was so strange at first. . . and then I tried these, which were amazing!  Somehow, the combination of sea salt and chocolate makes for a yummy, sweet treat for your taste buds (which deserve it, I think!).  

 These were nice and fudgy and I will definitely make them again.  You can find the recipe HERE.

How do you feel about salt + chocolate?  Do you have any good recipes?
I survived my first week on Pinterest. . . you should come follow me. . . I am having so much fun!
Have a great day!

A chocolate treat

This last weekend, we dedicated our son, Weston, to the Lord.  We believe that our son is a gift from God, and it is our job to "train our child in the way he should go."  So, before our church family and  friends, we committed to do just that.  We also got the amazing privilege to do this along side our really good friends.  So, after chuch was over, we headed back to our house for some yummy BBQ'ed hotdogs and other things.  This was a very low key event, but I just wanted to share the dessert I made. . . this is all that I have of it.  It was gone before the day was over!  (I heard it was quite tasty. . . let me know if you try it. . . yes. . . I am  hinting for you to comment. . . yes, you).  

Chocolate Trifle
From: KraftFoods

Ingredients:
Chocolate cake mix
4 cups cold milk
2 (4 oz.) boxes of chocolate pudding
1 tub whipped topping
4 Heath Bars, chopped

Directions:
1.  Bake cake according to package directions in a 13x9inch pan.   (I had my husband make this the night before).
2.  Make pudding, and crush Heath Bars.
3.  After cake has cooled, cut into 1 inch cubes.  Place half of the cubes in the bottom of your trifle bowl.  Layer with pudding, whipped cream, and Heath bars.  Repeat.
4.  Dig in, it is really yummy!

Happy Baking!

I'm linking up to:

 

I have been kidnapped by Pinterest. . . Come follow me. . . I am working on my boards in my spare time today (okay. . . instead of working on other things. . . really, who has spare time?)

Have  a great day!  See you on Pinterest!

fabric it is. . .

Thanks LeAnna and Stephanie for commenting!  I love getting comments. . . they make me smile!  

Fabric was the unanimous vote, but you get an additional bonus of one of the cutest babies around!  I say one of the cutest, because my baby will always be the cutest in my eyes!  However, this little baby boy is Tanner and is the handsome two month old of my dear friend Stephanie.  I have been a super slacker when it has come to his gift, because he still hasn't received everything yet (His quilt is still in strips. . . almost finished, though!).  I did however get this snuggler finished for the end of their week at the beach last month.  Doesn't he look great in it?!!?  He reminds me of a pea in a pod.  

::The fabric is Dwell Studio for JoAnns, medium weight and white flannel inside.
::The pattern is from Lotta Jansdotter's book Simple Sewing for Baby (you can find it on Amazon and if you are interested in starting to sew. . . I highly recommend her patterns!)
:: The model is Tanner, 2 months old.

A call to comment

source: pushing-papers.com

I love this print!  Trying to decide what to work on next.  Just finished up Weston's dedication service and luncheon (A complete blast, btw!).   Trying do decide my next post.  What do you want me to post next? A recipe?  Fabric based?  Paper based?  Please comment and I will post tomorrow. . . whatever has the most comments.  It's up to you.  Have fun!

This is fitting {quote}

I found this quote today in my new Woman's Day magazine. This quote made me smile. . . BIG. I needed that. It has been one of those days (cranky child, errands, tempertantrums = NO FUN!) It completely fits the week I am having as I get ready for MOPS registration and Weston's dedication. I should be spending lots of time cleaning, but what's the point. . . Sunday is 4 days away. . . that's 4 days of toys and activities. . . the house is going to be messy. . . there is just now way around it. Enjoy it. Enjoy your day!

Ethan makes breakfast

My almost 3 year old made breakfast yesterday. . . and it was delicious! I think he might have to make these again. . . soon! They made happy tummies in the Klassen house yesterday. If you like cinnamon rolls . . . then you will definitely want to try this quick recipe.

Let me start by saying that Sunday mornings are always find me NOT wanting to pull my carcas out of bed, not eating breakfast, and running out the door to get to church somewhat on time and sending a text to my friend to order me a coffee at our church's Cafe video venue. Seriously. I don't know about your family, but it takes a good 10 minutes (my husband jokes that it takes an hour) to get the kids into the car and out the door. By the way. . . this is not an exaggeration. . . it happens every Sunday!

Except yesterday. I woke up a whole half and hour earlier, compliments of needing to shower before I fed Weston and his new feeding schedule. It was kind of nice. So, while Jon was giving Weston a bath, Ethan and I pulled out a tube of refrigerated cressent rolls (mine were the store brand. . . not to shabby!), Land of Lakes new cinnamon sugar butter spread, and my caramel sugar sprinkles from pampered chef. And because we were doing this fast, I handed Ethan my frosting spreader and grabbed the baking stone. Ethan literally did EVERY step on his own! I was very proud of him!

Step 1: Pull out ingredients. Notice, we had already opened our can of cressent rolls and so it's just laying there. . . empty. Preheat oven to whatever it says on to bake your cressent rolls at.

Step 2: We did ours at the kitchen table right on the baking stone (less dishes = happy mommy!). We unrolled our crescent rolls and spread the cinnamon sugar butter covering the whole triangle. Then we rolled it up (you can probably tell which one's Ethan did!)
Then we sprinkled them with sprinkles, thrown them in the oven and bake for specified time. Let cool for a few minutes and dig in! I totally forgot to put a wash on them, and next time we will pain them with milk or an egg wash and then sprinkle them with their topping. . . maybe we will even do a drizzle over the top. . . the possibilities are endless.

Have fun cooking with your kids! It's so much fun!

rocky road goodness!

Remember back when I had a Pampered Chef Party? Well, the Spring/Summer catalog had a picture of these yummy rocky road cookies in it that just looked scrumptious. I didn't buy the cookbook that it came in, but I did find the recipe on the Pampered Chef website. I love rocky road ice cream. . . the combination of chocolate, marshmallows and pecans is simply irresistible!

Don't these just look tasty? You can find the recipe here.

So, confession. . . I started this post LAST week! Yeah, I am a slacker at blogging lately. I will get back with it, I promise. I hope that you all are having a great weekend! I will be back Monday with a post. . . it may not be exciting, but it will be a post. :)