Birthday Party's and the 1st BOO BOO

The last few weekends Makayla has had birthday parties to attend...The weather has been beautiful here so being outside at the park is always nice. First we had Ally's 2nd birthday party Makayla had a great time running around and playing on the playground. I only got a few pictures as it is hard to chase around a 16 month old take pictures and talk to friends.

The birthday girl getting ready to blow out the candles.

The Cake

Makayla clapping after singing happy birthday

Makayla and Mama

She loved the open field to run in.

This is the poor bird she could not stop chasing...the poor bird just wanted some cake

SOOOOO tired after the party, she could barely hold her eyes open.

The next weekend we went to Alex's 2nd birthday party and had a wonderful time as well. We forgot the camera that day but my friend Kim (Ally's mom) took a few for me. Makayla again had a wonderful time running, playing, and swinging.

That is until she had her first big fall. She was running back to the tent when it was time to sing and eat cake. She tripped and fell on her hands and knees and then rolled and bumped her head. She was pretty upset about her fall. I was so worried about her head I didn't even see her knee until a bit later, she got her first scratch. When she saw it she freaked out a bit I kissed it and it seemed to have made it better for the time being. Until we got in the car where all she could do was point to her knee and say, "owwww Mama ooowwww" It was so sad and so cute. We sprayed a little neo-to-go and put on a band-aid and she is all fixed up. Though for the past 3 nights I have had to kiss her "boo boo" every night and she still says "ooowww Mama oowwww"

Girls what drama!

She.....

Makes me happy.... makes me proud....
is the best thing that has ever happen to me...
makes me laugh...
makes me proud to be called "Mama"
I love her!

Playing at Nenny's house

Last week Makayla was screaming "NENNY" so I had no other choice but to bring her to see my sister (Nenny) We went over for the morning and played a little Polly Pocket (Man I wish I had the wardrobe that girl has have you seen some of the things she wears?) We had lunch and played in the back yard. Makayla LOVES my sister and had a wonderful time playing.

Makayla was telling me " NO NO NO" is this picture...she insisted on standing on top of this box that is until she fell backwards into the tree.. and yes my sisters tree is already up!

Makayla and Nenny

Ohh Mom STOP taking my picture

"I think I need a break from all this playing ahhhh"

Check out the leg in this picture I love it LOL

Tis the season.

This past Sunday my mom decided it was time to put up her Christmas tree.. Yes I know it is a little early but we have our reasons! We are just so excited for Makayla to have a fun Christmas and get into everything. We are ready to celebrate... Makayla had a great time putting the ornaments on the tree. She did fairly well, she held them by the hooks and placed them in the tree..her and I decorated most of the bottom.

She would pick the just the right ornament....

Hmmmm which one?

She tasted more then one...
Had some crazy play time with Daddy...
And then she decided it was time to put on the topper....

WOW Mom look how high I climbed....

"OK hand me the bow that goes on top"

Halie even helped....
While Molly kept the vacuum under control
And the finished tree.....
We had a great time. It is so much fun to watch Makayla learn and do new things. She really enjoys the christmas trees she has seen so far which makes it all the more fun.. I will however being hanging ALL of my breakable ornaments HIGH this year. With those two little hands around not much is safe..LOL

A little Marker never hurt anyone!

For halloween my sister bought Makayla markers that you can write on the windows with! (That's what Aunts are for right?) Makayla gets the biggest kick out of drawing on the windows and since it wipes right off I don't mind. I had to get some work done from home today so I asked my sister to come over for a little bit and when I came out this is what I found......

Makayla had decided the marker might look nice on herself instead.

She was so proud it was hard to be upset...
"Here go Mama....."

Posing with Nenny

Sorry the pictures are so bad it was hard to get the right lighting being by the window!

Tickle Your Taste Buds Tuesday

Butternut Squash Soup

Wow is this soup easy and yummy. I made it for Halloween night and everyone loved it. I hope you enjoy this recipe, it is one of my fall favorites.

2 medium butternut squash

EVOO

Salt/pepper

1 medium onion

3-5 celery stalks

1-2 carrots

2-3 garlic cloves

Chicken stock or broth

Peel and seed the butternut squash. Cut into pieces and toss with EVOO and a little salt. Roast at 400 for about 30-45 min. depending on the thickness of your squash. it should be pretty soft.

In the meantime.....

Chop the celery, carrot, onion, and garlic.

Heat EVOO in your soup pot and add chopped veggies. After they cook for a bit I add my seasonings. I like to add black pepper, a pinch of sage, a tiny pinch of nutmeg, and a dash of cinnamon. I also sneak in a squeeze of honey. Once the veggies are cooked down and the squash is roasted add the squash to to veggies and stir well. I like to get the squash all coated with the seasonings.

Cook for a few minutes then add the stock to cover the squash and veggies and let boil for about 30 min. until the squash gets REALLY soft. Taste the broth for salt and add a little if you think it needs it.

Once it's all cooked turn of and let sit for a few minutes and then blend in the blender. ( I however do not have a blender so I do this in batches in the Magic Bullet. You can also use an immersion blender)

Blend until smooth!

Return to pot and let it simmer for a bit. The soup is now ready, However I like to turn it off and let it sit with the top on for awhile (maybe 20 minutes to an hour if you have time. I make it during M's nap so I put it in the fridge until it's time to eat) This soup also freezes really well!!!!

When I serve this I like to put a spoon of sour cream, blue cheese, goat cheese, roasted pumpkin seeds, bread chucks or crackers....dress it up however you like..using different add ins makes it a little different every time.

Do you have a recipe you want to share? Email me at slbower(at)gmail(dot)com, or leave me a comment below. I am always looking for new recipe ideas. Let me know if you try this one or you have a suggestion.Did you miss out on a past recipes? Just click on the picture at the top of this post or in the right side bar and you can see them all. Give one a try tonight there are some good ones! Make sure to check back every Tuesday for a new recipe and don't forget to let me know if you try one and what spin you put on to make it your own!

Would you like to guest post on my BLOG? Do you have a recipe you are itching to share? Now is your chance leave a comment below or email me and we can set it up.

Trick or Treat

This year was the first year Makayla was able to go trick or treating. Last year she was a little Pea and was a little to young but not this year. She held her own pumpkin and got excited for every piece of candy that went into it! We only went to a few houses in our neighborhood but she could have gone all night, though she enjoyed handing it out when we got back just as much. We had a few people over after trick or treating for our traditional Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup but this year I made Butternut Squash soup. It was delish! ( Look for that recipe soon!) M was a bumble bee and the cutest one I have ever seen. She wouldn't wear the head band that come with the costume so I made antlers with her hair and made hair bows to match.

Mama and M starting trick or treating

Getting ready to go!

M and Nenny

M's first Pieces of candy

Holding her pumpkin

This cat scared the CRAP out of her.

Steve made her stand next to this sign

She would always try to give the candy back. It was really cute

The back of her costume

Checking her GOODS.

Cheese!!!!

This man let her pick her own candy out. She was super excited

My sister and I

This girl scared her a little

Mama and her bumble bee

So proud of her self.

Walking home

Trick or treating from Nenny and Grandmom

We had such a great night. Halloween is so much more fun now that M is around. To see her face light up with joy fills my heart. After all that's what Halloween is all about right? The Kids!