Ice cream parlour "Fill up their freezer" baby shower

We've been prepping around here for someone very special to arrive.

Sprinkles...

balloons...

dipping waffle cones into delicious melted chocolate and adding all of the final touches to a great afternoon ultimately means only one thing...

we've having a baby soon.

Well..not exactly me, per say. But my sister. Which is pretty much like I'm having my own, really.

Just like I feel every day as though I have three kids of my own under the age of three. Sure I didn't exactly birth one of them (minor detail, really)--but he's such a huge part of our life that really it's like he's my own.

We're only a week and a half away from having a new baby in our family, and I've found myself nesting, prepping, worrying and so excited thinking about how our life will all of a sudden change once again as another new little soul comes into our family. I feel like it's my due date coming up--staying close to home, clearing out our calendar, anticipating the rush to the hospital, making all of the necessary plans for child care for the older kids and dreaming about squishy baby cuddles and that wonderful newborn smell. I just can't wait.

So in order to help my sis and Jeff out when this new baby arrives, mom and I decided to throw them a baby shower. But not a typical shower. This time 'round, instead of asking people to bring a gift, we asked them to bring a meal that could be thrown in their freezer so that Jen and Jeff could pull it out during those first few crazy months when they'll have a newborn in their arms and a toddler at their feet. Because who's kidding who? Having a new baby and a toddler is not easy.

So with that said, I got my party hat on and started planning an ice cream parlour themed baby shower..because if you're going to celebrate new life, you may as well be downing some ice cream while you're at it. And well, I really just wanted to throw a party where I could make an awning out of cute pink striped fabric...really.

We kept it small this time, only a few close friends and family, but it was great--so so great. And the best part? Jen and Jeff's freezer is now full of delicious meals thanks to everyone who came. And that, to me, is the greatest thing ever.

So, with that said...here is our "Fill Up Their Freezer" ice cream parlour baby shower...

This little guy is going to be the best big brother ever. And these two parents are already the best parents around. This little girl in that belly of Jens' is one lucky little lady. 

I'm in love with these cute straws. So in love. 

Everyone took an ice cream cone full of candy home with them when they left.

And dipping ice cream cones that morning in chocolate, sprinkles and Skor bits meant that everyone had a yummy treat to put their ice cream in and fill up with endless toppings. 

Mya had been waiting for this ice cream party for a LONG time...so this little moment here just absolutely thrilled her.

And Carter spent his time entertaining us with his mad piano skills. 

I love that I caught this moment between these two little cousins when they didn't think that anyone was looking. Sharing one's monstrous ice cream cone is the ultimately sign of love.

And a second party outfit is a must when you know that more ice cream will land on your party dress than in your mouth.

Now...little baby growing in Jen's belly--these two little cousins (and a very excited big brother) are patiently waiting for you...so be prepared for mounds of lovin', slobbery baby kisses (and probably even a few eye pokes from curious fingers--sorry ahead of time about that) when you arrive. We just can't wait any longer!

Love, 

your Aunt Erica xox

Cornflake Crunchers...and a defeated mom

It's 5:30am. Yes. I give up. Completely defeated. I think my kids are the only kids in the whole world who don't sleep. An (almost) 3yr old who used to (finally) sleep through the night beautifully is now getting up at least once a night, just wanting her back rubbed until she falls back asleep. And an 11 month old who was (finally) also sleeping through the night has been up at least twice a night all week, crying and then consequently waking up his sister again. It's a circus. An absolute circus--but not kind with fun acts and fun animals who do tricks. 

One of us in each of our kids rooms trying with all of our might to convince them that sleep is indeed a wonderful thing. Really. I swear, it's great! Let's give it a try tonight, okay?? PLEASE!!

So, as I sit here defeated, I think there's only one thing to do. Eat some cookies. Emotional eating works, right? Sure. Let's have some sugar. 

Here is a great and EASY EASY recipe for cookies that you don't have to bake...AND there are only 3 ingredients. 

If you need me, you'll find me curled up in the corner eating an entire batch of these--cause that's just the kind of week that it's been. 

It's my grandma's recipe--my childhood memories kind of recipe. They're SOOO good. Enjoy! 

Cornflake Crunchers: Here ya go

All you need is peanut butter, butterscotch chips and corn flakes. That's it. 

1) Melt 1.5 cups of butterscotch chips with 1/2 cup of peanut butter in a pot on the stove. Keep the heat on medium and stir constantly, making sure that it doesn't burn. 

2) Once completely smooth, pour over 6 cups of corn flakes and mix together.

3) Use a spoon and scoop out a spoonful of the mixture onto a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. You might have to use your hands a bit to mold the cornflakes together a little, so you end up with this shape pictured below.

4) Stick them in the fridge for an hour or leave them on the counter to cool and harden, and enjoy!!

Erica xo 

Get your peppers!!..and some other happy things

It's pepper time.

These huge bags of peppers just thrill me. 

Not only  because they were SO cheap ($7 for each bag at the farmers market), but because about an hour of work last night means that meal prep is now a breeze and we'll save so much money on peppers over the winter when veggies become ridiculously expensive. We do this with onions too, as I mentioned a while ago. 

Once the kids went to bed last night, Terry and I got our beloved chopper out and started washing, chopping and bagging all of these peppers so that we could throw them in our freezer. 

These peppers are great for throwing in crock pot recipes, casseroles, pasta sauce, omelets or any other meal. I really don't think that I could survive meal time every night without these suckers all pre-cut and ready to go.

So, if you're into doing this kind of thing--it's pepper season...so go on out and get some!

**
And some other things that have been making me happy these days?

1) The Buskers festival

These three little ones actually sat there watching the street performers for longer than we could have ever imagined.

Jen and I looked at each other in disbelief--by golly, I think they're growing up.

We decided to top off the day with some ice cream. But after checking out the ridiculously overpriced cost of one tiny cone at the festival, we high tailed it over to the grocery store just down the street and bought a whole box of ice cream bars (enough to feed three families--we met up with some friends there too) for the same price as ONE ice cream cone at the festival. Score!

2) Meika.

Sometimes she drives me nuts, but I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate her swift cleaning skills when it comes to meal time. She leaves my floors spotless, regardless of how many Cheerios get tossed over board.

3) Her "big girl voice".

In order to curb any whining, we'll say to her "Where is your big girl voice?".
She shows us with this face each and every time--as if her voice is something that we can see in her mouth. Cracks us up every time.

4) Pool parties. Enough said.

5) Hundred year old reno finds.

My kitchen looks like THIS right now. Not fun. I've been living without an oven in my kitchen now for longer than should ever be possible when you have a family of four to feed. But alas...it's the cost of getting new appliances--and needing to get the kitchen ready for a gas stove.

But as the cupboards came down and construction began, THIS is what we found in the bulk head.

Crazy, eh? My 98yr old grandma I'm sure had one of these--but I have no idea why it was in the bulk head of our kitchen. Makes me wonder what other treasures might be hidden throughout our almost 100yr old house.

6) Our new gazebo...

...because, well if you remember from a couple of months ago...this was what the storm did to our old one.

And the bonus of having your gazebo destroyed close to the end of summer? We got ours for almost half the price! Love it.

**
Happy Monday everyone--and sleep well teachers and kiddies heading to school tomorrow for the first day. I'll be thinking of you!!