Cooking Competitions

Thanks to my dear friend, Lori, for inspiring us to bring out our inner chef talent!!

We've been big fans of watching Chopped, Master Chef Jr, and Rachel vs. Guy Kids Cook Off for quite some time. Grant and I have some special times at night after Wyatt falls asleep, where we snuggle up on the couch and watch something on the Food Network. Lately, its been Master Chef Jr. Grant always talks about what he'd cook or ingredients he'd use- which is so funny since he eats NOTHING. But he loves the idea of cooking! So after my friend Lori told me about the Chopped Challenge she did with her kiddos, the boys said, "We HAVE to do that!"

So we started off with a Chopped Competition. I was cooking and the boys were the judges. Earlier that day, Wyatt and I had bought a box of Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit mix, so I was going to be making those, and they were going to decide if I was chopped or not. They grabbed their Lego clocks to time me and once they said go, I got to work! I mixed all my ingredients, threw them in the oven, and got my butter mix ready. 

 Once I got the biscuits out of the over and brushed them with the butter glaze, they said, "Times up- hands in the air." Then I served them my plate and tell them about my creation. They both agreed that I mixed my ingredients well and it smelled delicious. Their only critique was I didn't use enough butter. I guess I couldn't compare to the other competition (????) because I did not win the $10k prize money, I only won $20. But it was a great experience to be on Chopped. (PS- the biscuits really did taste like the real things, and the judges were right- I should've used more butter!)

Once I finished my cooking competition, it was time for Master Chef Jr. to start! They boys had to make a dinner that filled all four spaces on their plate. (I did not take any pictures of this and I'm so so sad because while I did alot of the prep work for them (cutting strawberries, etc) they were so cute with their plating.) They each made a pizza lunchable, popcorn chips, strawberries, and a yogurt for Grant and carrots for Wyatt. They presented their plates to me, and as the judge, I just couldn't decide on who to send home, so they BOTH get to stay for another round!!

It was a fun evening of food festivities!! One of these days, hopefully these home competitions will actually allow Grant to try some new foods!!!

Stay tuned for our holiday cooking competition- Valentine Cake Wars!

Clubhouse with the Cousins

We had Mason and Luke over to play on MLK day and it was an amazing day of playtime for all 4 of them!! Because it was pushing 60 degrees that day, they went between the basement to the clubhouse for about 5 straight hours! They had such a great time!! While they were happily off playing, I got a bunch of stuff done. But as I glanced outside to check on them, I had to get out the camera and capture some of their cute play! Star Wars play, of course, because what else would they be playing?! That's ALL they play!! But they have a great time!! Good good cousin fun!!

I love you that they were all wearing navy pants and gray shirts! That happens to Sara and I alot, so I had to laugh when they were all matching too!!

Itty Bitty Snow

January has, for the most part, been a very frigid month!! Single digit temps, negative wind chills. So cold we've even driven to school! Gasp!! It snowed on January 3rd, maybe 2" or so, nothing crazy. But pretty!!

But because it was so cold, we never got to play in it. Until, January 15th! We finally got a break in the weather, I'm talking 50's, so we headed outside to play! Of course, the boys immediately headed to the itty bitty snow patch that was left! And they had 1.5 hrs worth of fun!!! And when I say itty bitty, I do mean it...

 Like Grant's pajama pants?? It's rare if he's NOT wearing pajamas, even in the snow!!

 

Grant made this itty bitty snowman from the itty bitty snow! And then he used it to "wash" the back door window! 

And I must highlight their racoon hats!! They are pretty awesome!

We are still holding out that we will get a BIG GIANT snow one of these days! But until then, we are enjoying these beautiful 50 degree temps!!! So we can't complain!!

Mommy Moments

I've been saving these quotes in my phone for the past few months. Whenever I get the chance to record their sweet sayings, I type them in a note so I don't forget them. These are from the last 4 or 5 months I'm guessing.

•  I had a hair in my mouth and as I pulled it off and Wyatt says, "That's why I'm glad I didn't turn out as a girl."
•  Wyatt was putting magnets on a paper on the refrigerator. "There, now its safely secured."  Me: "Safely secured! Wyatt, you are something else." W: "I'm not something else, I'm just a Wyatt."
•  When trying to decide on what to bring for show and tell about your family, Grant says: "Why don't you just bring Mom to school." Wyatt: "No, she won't fit in my backpack."
•  W: Did you know all girl construction workers are mom? Me: Why is that? W:  Because all grown up girls are moms, except for kid girls.
•  W: I sure wish I could marry you, but I can't because you're already married to dad, but I sure wish I could!
• As I was putting blackberries on Wyatt's plate, I popped a few in my mouth and I said, "Mmmm, tastes like summer!" Grant said, "What, like sweat and grass?"  
• I asked Wyatt what his New Years Resolution is: "To eat at Chick Fil A Everyday!!!"

Home Depot Workshop

We've always wanted to do one of the workshops at Lowes or Home Depot, but it seems like whenever we've tried to sign up, it was already full!! So when our friends asked us to join them and take two extra spots they had, we happily agreed!

The website said they were going to make a mini-sled and from the picture, it looked big enough for a kid to sit on, although I had my doubts it would be that big. So when we got there, and saw it was small enough for a doll, they were kind of disappointed. Although, when they realized they would be the perfect size to give their animals a ride, they were thrilled!!

We had step by step instructions, which were very simple. They took it all very seriously though! They started with sanding, then gluing, then hammering, then wiping. I had to help with the glue and getting the nails started, but they really did a great job building independently! They were so cute too! Who doesn't love in a little guy in safety glass and an apron!

I can see this being a fun weekend adventure with Levi when he gets back!! But until then, maybe we can squeeze in a few more building adventures!!

Happy New Years!!

What used to be an evening of late nights and lots of liquid celebrations has turned into, well, just a normal night!! I just don't have it in me any more!! But we had a fun New Years Eve nonetheless! We got to spend all day with  Mason and Luke and that was probably the best thing the boys' could've asked for! And as much as they try to say they stayed up til Midnight, they were most definitely asleep by 9:30!!! And I was definitely asleep before midnight! But they played sooooo well which left me a lot of time to relax and enjoy the holiday as I would like!

And while I was going to plan some hourly activities for them, I thought playtime would be the best time and it sure was! 

We are excited for a New Year to come! It will bring about MANY new changes for our family and our roots will be more firmly planted then ever before! I'm feeling confident in our transitions and find peace in knowing that God is in control. I've had this verse in my head for some time and it leaves me no doubt in our decisions: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

December Leftovers

It may be mid-January at this point, so I think its safe to say that I need to wrap up my December posts! It was such a fun month filled with so many special times, festive memories, and spirited moments!! So here is what's left of December...

-Wyatt turned himself into Santa- Wyatt found his festive friends- Walking to the Library

-Wyatt had long crazy hair- We got Secret Santad at Target- Rudolph was a BIG hit

-"Snowy" Sight Word practice- Grant and Collins- Grant did the announcements at school 

-Grant finished gymnastics- Wyatt was an Elf on the Shelf- It Snowed!!

-Wyatt finished gymnastics- Stripe Boys- Thumb sucker

-Grant left me a "christmas card" on my bed- Wyatt got a trim- Lots of coloring!

Enjoying Daddy

Levi was home for 13 days, and in those 13 days, we did ALOT of enjoying him!! After the first few days of scurrying around to Wyatt's school program, Wyatt's gymnastics, and Grant's school party and Christmas break officially started, we were excited to settle in and be a family! Grant had been waiting for oh, about 6 months for Levi to bring home the Star Wars movies so they could have a movie marathon! (Levi took all our DVD's to Bahrain and it was right after he left that the Star Wars infatuation began). So I think the first few days of break were spent eating out, trying to get a fire going in the fireplace, and watching all 6 Star Wars movies! 

Then the Broeckelman family came in town, so we spent alot of time at home, just relaxing! We also did alot of running around and more eating out the few days before Christmas. We went to Costco a few times, Target a few times, Home Depot a few times, Five Guys a few times. And then we enjoyed our Christmas Eve and Christmas morning as a family of four! We spent Christmas afternoon with my family. And the few days after that were spent doing more shopping, eating out, playing, wrestling (shirtless is the boys fave!), snuggling, and movie watching (I'm pretty sure Levi and I knocked out 5 movies from Redbox!)!!

 Once at the airport, we had to measure the boys so we would know how much they've grown when Levi gets back. One more snuggle time, and t.hen we had to say goodbye.  It was such a wonderful 13 days and it was over in the blink of an eye! But we made sure to cherish every second of it and we are so thankful we got that time together! The holidays definitely wouldn't have been the same without him!! Now we are counting down til the final homecoming!!

 

After Levi left, we treated ourselves to Peachwave (for the boys) and Bo Lings (for me). And Grant arranged his bed just perfectly, and then after he showed me, he got Wyatt all tucked in with his Daddy pillow. They truly are amazing boys, and I don't know how I would get through this time without them!!

We love you Levi!

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas!!!!

Christmas as a parent just might be better than Christmas as a child! I've been shopping and keeping Christmas secrets since October, so I was more than ready and beyond excited to see their faces when they saw all their goodies! I had so much fun shopping this year- I scored some totally amazing deals! Some used, some new, but good deals all around! Have I mentioned I love shopping, especially for my kiddos?!?

Christmas morning, the boys slept til 7:15 and Levi kept them upstairs so I could get downstairs and situated by the presents so I could see their sweet little excited faces! It's always such a joyous sight!!

Santa brought them exactly what they asked for- Wyatt got the Imaginext Alpha Explorer and Grant got Star Wars Commands. They also each got a baseball and glove! They were so excited to get "exactly what we wanted!" They opened all their stocking goodies and then it was time for the stack of presents. Wyatt started first and he tore through each present as fast as he could with all his might. And then he'd stop with a shocked look on his face and say, "Thaaaaaank Youuuuuuu!" He was so cute, so funny!! 

Wyatt received a new Busyton game, a pogo jumper, Imaginext firetruck, Imaginext Sea Serpant, Little People Noahs Ark (from Grant), an opposites puzzle, geometric coloring book, and geoboard.

Grant said before he opened his gifts that he just knew he was going to have a Star Wars Christmas, and he was so right!! I think 90% of his gifts were Star Wars related!!! 

Grant got a few Star Wars books, a Star Wars Lego set, a KU sweatshirt, a Star Wars game, an Imaginext Ocean boat, and Star Wars soap (from Wyatt). He kept saying "Thank you, Thank you" in between gifts, or as he perused his already opened gifts. I think he was in a little bit of shock to see some of his most sought after items there before his very eyes!

They each picked out a special gift for each other sometime throughout the season. Wyatt saw his gift for Grant (a set of Star Wars soaps) about a month before Christmas at Walmart, and he said, "Oh I wish we could get that for bub." I asked if he wanted to give him that for Christmas and he said, "Yes Yes YES!" And he never let the secret slip!! Grant picked out what he wanted for Wyatt on Amazon (the LP Noah's Ark) and when I found one at Once Upon a Child, I told Grant about it and he said, "He'll freak out when he sees it!" I just love how enthusiastic they were about buying each other a gift!! And after they opened their gifts from each other, here is what happened...

Hugs each time!! I love them!!!! And I love how they love each other!!

Then they got to their combined gift- this was their big gift- and I'd been sitting on it since October so I could NOT wait to see their faces!!!! I made them open them together so no one would spoil the surprise....

 Their faces, especially Grant's, are PRICELESS!!!!

 They got two boxes full of miscellanious Star Wars vehicles and close to 100 action figures!!! I'd say they were pretty darn excited!!

Levi and I exchanged gifts as well, although no pictures of those moments were taken. I got him his annual photo desk calendar and he got me a beautiful aquamarine pendant necklace. He didn't even know that was the boys' birthstone!! I love it so much!!!

We spent the rest of the morning playing, picking up trash, and getting ready for Christmas with my side of the family! 

By the looks of this picture, I'd say it was a perfect Christmas morning!!!!