Giddy Up!

So, it's rodeo season in and around Houston.  It's so fun to live in Houston during this time of year- concerts, cookoffs, fried food, trail rides coming into town- what's not to love?!   Last Friday night I decided it might be fun to go see what the Katy Rodeo is all about.  We rounded up our neighbor buddies and decided to give it a try.

And we had SO. MUCH. FUN!!!  Emery was convinced we were going to the rodeo to go buy a horse (I REALLY don't know where she got that idea from, honestly!).  Lucky for us, Daddy was at work so we did not purchase a horse (haha, love ya Hubby!), but Emery got to sit on sweet Louie for a minute.  She's pretty much in love, and this is the same girl who was terrified of them at the Nature Adventure last year, crazy!

Beckett wore his vest and SERIOUSLY wanted to pet anything- cows, goats, puppies you name it.

 

We all got corn dogs and french fries and funnel cakes and were in fried heaven!  They didn't have a huge assortment of crazy fried foods, but I was just happy to have a corn dog.  We spent the whole evening playing games, riding rides, and even sat and watched some actual rodeo events.

This rodeo trip was fantastic!  It was smaller than the Houston Rodeo which meant there were less crowds and (good for us!) less things to do and random places for 3 year olds to wander off to.  We stayed for almost 3 hours and my sweet babies came home and did this:

Snuggled, ate bananas, and watched Dora.  I mean really, how sweet are they?

Let them eat cake!

Wednesday was pretty cloudy, rainy, and cold around here so Emery and I decided to do what any person with good sense would do- make a birthday cake!  No one in our house has a birthday today, I mean I guess it could be late birthday cake for Camryn Joy.  Let's be honest though- I don't need a reason to make cake.  I'm pretty much always game.

We carefully selected our cake and frosting from the store this morning and baked them while Beckett was napping.  I had SO much fun baking with her.  We've been fighting alot lately so it was really nice to have some fun one on one time with her.  She loves to help in the kitchen so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  She mixed up all the ingredients (this is a very old super secret recipe so pay close attention):

1-Cake Mix

 2- Water

 3- Applesauce (subbed for oil and taste tested... approved!)

 4- Eggs (that Mama may have done for her)

Then stir, stir, stir!!!

5- Put the cake pans in the oven and go read about your favorite people- a dragon, a truck, and a duck.

6- Remove from oven and take a nap while they cool (can I get an amen???).

7- Carefully select which color you'd like the frosting to be.  Emery was so funny about this.  She kept looking at the box of cake mix and choosing from there.  I tried to explain that we had food coloring and could pretty much make any color, but she choose purple because the purple cupcake on the box looked pretty.

8- Frost, blow out the candles (we went all out for no one!) and enjoy!

 (Really, she liked it.  She just really enjoys a good funny face instead of a smile when I start taking pictures of her.  Maybe it's a passive aggressive method to get me to stop, I don't know!)

 It ended up being a really fun thing to do together on a rainy day- good idea Ree Ree!

What's for Dinner Wednesday

So, I have a secret talent- I'm a phenomenal cook, just ask my kids.  I make the best "real" Kraft macaroni and cheese you've ever had.  I use precise measurements like "some" and "some more" to perfect very memorable meals for my family.  Here's a couple recipes we are eating this week (your welcome!).

Chicken and Gnocchi (fancy, right?!?)

I saw this recipe in Real Simple a long time ago (like, when I had time to read magazines and save recipes) and I've cooked it probably weekly ever since- especially in the winter.  It's warm and brothy and easy deliciousness.  Here's the link to the recipe on their website.  It's what we're having tonight:

 Real Simple Chicken and Gnocchi

and another one for the road...

Baked Tacos

I saw the recipe for baked tacos on the Mix and Match Mama blog Monday morning and it was pretty much love at first sight.  We love us some tacos around here and I'd never thought to build them and then bake them.  I changed it up a little but they still turned out delicious!  Here's what I did:

Gather supplies: ground beef, black beans, refried beans, and rotel. Enjoy! (Ha, just kidding, there's more).

Brown your ground beef and add a recipe for taco seasoning (this is where those precise measurements come in).  Some of these items- chili powder, onion powder, oregano, and cumin.  Some more of these- paprika, and garlic powder.  I've just started seasoning it how I like it, not too much kick and alot of garlic and that seems to work so far.  I also add a little less than a cup of water and simmer until the water is absorbed.

 Open the black beans and rinse.  Then add the beans and rotel to the ground beef.

 Now that the meats done it's time to go get little people out of bed.  Walk away from the stove for a couple hours to dry some tears and hang out at the park (poor little people.  Beckett's started crying just because Emery is- it's fun.)

 After everyone's played for a couple hours come back to cooking.  I put a layer of refried beans along the bottom of the taco shells, then stuffed them silly with the meat.  Finally I topped them off with some colby jack cheese and baked them on 425 for about 10 minutes and opened the oven to see this:

Ah, yes, just take that in for a moment.  

They were delicious and we will be adding this to our Sunday night mexican food night rotation.  Happy Eating!

Party Post (you'll see what I did there)

Oh my I just don't even have words!

This weekend we loaded everyone in the car and headed to Tyler to celebrate Camryn Joy's 4th birthday!  I am exhausted from all the fun and I think my children are too.  It's a good problem really.  Especially on a rainy Monday (which we used to recover!).

Friday morning (as you know) is dance for Emery.  Everything was fine and dandy and normal until it was over.  Emery decided she was ready to leave NOW.  My mental plan was to eat lunch at home and then get on the road, but of course the 3 year old had something else in mind. (wanna guess who won that one?)

We left around 11 and dropped Peppa off at her hotel and got on our merry way.  Everyone napped (well not everyone.  Don't worry-  I drove, babies napped) until we stopped in Huntsville for a little lunch and play time.  I found a Sonic that had a wonderful playground, so that way we could eat outside and stretch our legs for a little bit.  These people were amazing!!!  Super sweet and friendly staff and the playground and all the outside tables were clean- East Texans really know how to do it!

 Eating some cheese on Dino.

After we ate it was time to get back on the road!  Emery watched Tangled and Beckett slept in between talking to his cars.  My kiddos did an AWESOME job traveling this time.  I was a little nervous about driving them solo but they did a really good job.  As soon as we walked in Gigi's house Emery and Beckett had to say hi to Nay Nay and Emery had to show off her recital costume she got that morning at class.

Isn't she just a picture of elegance and grace??? :)  Ha, I love my crazy lady.

We spent the rest of Friday destroying Gigi and OK's house and asking about Camryn Joy and when she would be making her grand appearance.  Finally the most anticipated moment arrived Saturday morning and they were reunited at last!  These 2 girls are SUCH good friends.  They are so, so different but it really seems to work for them, it's hard to describe but they ALWAYS want to be together.  Gigi and OK's house isn't right if Camryn Joy isn't there.  Its fabulous she has such a good cousin sister friend.

 

These 2 are going to be good buddies too, they just don't know it yet.  This was the best picture I got of just the 2 of them.  Busy little boys they are!

So, while the little ones played the mamas got to work on decorating for the party!  Camryn was very specific that she wanted a "pink and purple polka dot party".  She had also given Sarah very specific instructions that she wanted to paint a picture- such a good party planner she is already.  So, if Camryn wants to paint- we paint!  Sarah let  me help decorate and set up for all the fun and after some rest in Gigi's bed it was party time!

Sarah- can I please, please, please have Wild Man???

 I love a good theme for a party and dressing for the occasion.  A pink and purple party?  Yes, please!  Dressing like my dad (a first I'm pretty sure), double yes please!

How is this sweet girl 4???

 The painting really was fun (good idea Camryn!).  Everyone got on board and now Camryn has this awesome piece of artwork for her house.  I love it!  We all got to add our own special touch to it.  It's alot like life, really.  We all love her dearly and in a way we've all come together with our own unique perspectives to make something beautiful!

 

 Camryn Joy ate the icing out of the middle of her cake- only this girl!

After all the painting and pork and potatoes it was time for presents and running around like crazy people (I'm not sure what the kids did with the rest of their evening, :))

 It was a fabulous party and I am so so happy to celebrate that sweet girl- enjoy your party at school today lady, you deserve it!!!  Sassy loves you!!!