{Rowen - 5 Months}

02.28.18

(a day early because there is no 29th this month)

Rowen is 5 months old!

(Mommy posted this on FB)

He's such a pleasant little guy and a super nosey one! 😂

Loves: 

•being sung to

•being undressed

•cartoons

•his jumper & swing

•grabbing everything 

•ATTENTION 😂

•still a huge fan of bath time 

Hates:

•hiccups

•waiting for even one second 

He has discovered his feet.

He also stands up when you are holding him and shouts up and down.

😂

He's the best boy! Always pleasant, a good sleeper/napper. 

We love this sweet guy sooooo much!!

Blue Apron Review: Spicy Chicken & Stir-Fried Veggies

Spicy Chicken & Stir-Fried Veggies

w/Jasmine Rice

Let me just say, this meal was DELISH!!!! 

It was the last of the three meals in this shipment and I definitely saved the best for last!

The chicken was not too spicy, the veggie choices were right on, and the sauce was a perfect blend of flavors- add jasmine rice and you have one delicious dish!

Left-overs today were just as tasty! :O)

You can copycat this recipe, just click the link below!

INGREDIENTS

1 large boneless skinless chicken breast - diced

2 large carrots

1/4 wedge cabbage

2 scallions

1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger

1/2 cup jasmine rice

1 T sesame oil

1-1/2 T soy marinade

1 T rice vinegar

2 T sushi sauce

1 T sambal Oelek

1/4 cup rice flour

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS 

[HERE]

Rachel Cruze: 14-Day Money Finder [Day 1-5]

Day 1 - Log into all of your bank accounts. 
This was easy, as we have one online bank account for everything.
I check it often, so I had no problem logging on. :O)

Day 2 - Do you know what your take home pay is?
Another easy one! We get paid twice a month by direct deposit so we know exactly what the take home pay is.

Day 3 - Do something generous today! Give away $5-$10 to someone.
Again, an easy task, as there is always a get well card to send!

Day 4 - Put away $20 for a surprise later!
I like this one!!! :O)

Day 5 - List all of your lifestyle expenses.
This includes: subscriptions, entertainment, morning coffee runs, gym memberships, childcare, clothing, etc.


So, Days 1-5 were easy, BUT, no money found yet! I am anxious to see where our money REALLY goes each month and what we are wasting money on!

coming up....day 6-10

Disney Planning: Fast Passes

EPCOT DAY

- Soarin' 

- Mission Space

- Spaceship Earth

Our favorite ride in Epcot is Soarin'.
They have done a complete remake since we rode last 

and we are both super excited to ride! 

Also on the list but no FPs yet-----> Test Track, the new Frozen ride,
and hopefully,Soarin' a few more times!!!

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

- Toy Story Midway Mania

- Star Tours

- Tower of Terror (me) eeeek!!

Toy Story Mania is our favorite (together) ride at DHS and it's tricky getting a FP -
glad we snagged at least one!
 I will also ride Rock-n-Roller Coaster a few times using the single-rider line!!!
(and I'll let you know if I chicken out-AGAIN- on Tower of Terror!) 

MAGIC KINGDOM

- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

- Big Thunder Mountain Runaway Railroad

- Space Mountain (me)

Peter will ride all the rides at Magic Kingdom except Space Mountain! Some rides are low wait times in the stand-by line, so we will do a few without FPs, but will try to get at least a second ride on our faves if we can get a few more FPs that day.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

- Kilimanjaro Safari

- Festival of the Lion King (show)

- Navi River Journey

Animal Kingdom has added a whole new section to the park-----> Avatar! We are very excited to check this out! The River Journey will be new to us, as will ((((hopefully)))) the much raved about Flight of Passage ride. We rarely do rides with a stand-by line over an hour, but will make an exception for this one as everyone says its a must-must-must do!

We have a 5th park day, and while I think I know where we are going that day, I'm not choosing FPs yet. Fast Passes are a must!! Otherwise, you can spend most of your park time waiting in long lines!! I will try to snag a few as soon as we decide! :O)

2 weeks to go!!!!!!!!

LET THE PACKING BEGIN!!!!

the RAE DUNN craze continues.......

I shared a post last year about the Rae Dunn pottery obsession and my thoughts on collecting it,  hunting for it in Home Goods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx and how crazy those little white mugs with LL [large letters] seem to be making everyone these days!

When I wrote my post last year I was quite frustrated...mostly with those who have "the inside scoop" with the employees at the stores or just plain out "stalk" the stores to grab up everything on delivery days. I got quite a few comments on my last Rae Dunn post, mostly from frustrated store employees who are at their wits end and pretty much over the whole Rae Dunn craziness! I can honestly say that while I felt last year that the employees were in fact giving certain customers the heads up [and told me so out of their own mouths] about new RD arrivals at their store, I have gotten different vibes and had better experiences lately in my local stores.

This time last year, I was lucky to find a single mug out of 2-3 stores, but over the past few months, there have been numerous pieces popping up including LL mugs and bowls, LOTS of holiday items, and even some unicorn and regular line items like Kayla's COOKIES find a few weeks ago.

We hit the jackpot, when Kayla, Liv, and I scouted 2 Marshalls + 2 Homegoods several times in one day. On our very last minute pop in visit at Marshalls Kayla spotted HIP HOP canisters on the cart through the store room window!!!! YES! We were officially one of "those" Rae Dunn crazies/stalkers who hangs out by the storeroom door, trying to look all cool and calm, but going ballistic when we spot something on our wish list!! It was hilarious when I (a) scurried all over the store looking for an associate to "help" us and ultimately finding one and literally running her back to the store room and (b) that we literally jumped up and down when she brought out not one, but two HIP HOP canisters plus all these other spring/Easter goodies!!!!

[we all 3 shared a cart- although only a couple of pieces are Livs 

since she isn't completely sold on it yet!]

So, now that I've been on the other end, and have actually walked in the Rae Dunn scavengers shoes, I somehow feel differently about finding hidden gems on a average shopping day. And I want to give a huge shout out to that very nice associate at Marshall's! :O)

I'm excited to keep hunting for Rae Dunn goodies....focusing mainly on the LL mugs and canisters and a few holiday pieces to add to my collection....that's not much to ask for now is it??? LOL

side note: Hobby Lobby will now carry Rae Dunn items!!! As of now, it will only be glassware and tinware -neither of which I have any in my collection....yet! :O)

K*A*M*R*Y*

~KAMRY~

How crazy that Kamry's Bitty Baby can wear her preemie clothes???

This makes me cry yet smile at the same time! 

This picture is PRECIOUS!!

Kamry is full speed ahead all day long, only stopping in her tracks if Peppa is on!! LOL She is like a sponge soaking up everything she sees and hears. She is very chatty and makes me smile at the things she says! She's not a baby anymore- she's miss independent - such a sweet happy little girl.

......and those pigtails.......oh.my.goodness!!

She LOVES playing outside and jumping in muddy muddles!!

R-O-W-E-N

Rowen is just a few days shy of being 5 months old! He is so pleasant and such a happy boy! 

He was sick on Saturday night, with what we thought was croup, but I'm thankful that he was just really congested and is feeling better each day. So scary!! I am thankful to have Liv to call on! She wasn't long putting Kayla at ease after checking him out. She was also able to set up a Skype call with his pediatrician and he checked Rowen out right over her iPhone!! How cool is that! 

I spent a little time with them yesterday, helping with Rowen and making dinner there later with Kayla. Today, I watched him while she went to the dentist and I got a few pictures of this sweet guy!!

I just love him so much and enjoy every minute I get to spend with him! <3 

He is the best napper....

He enjoys his jumperoo and watching Puppy Dog Pals!

He is getting so big!!

<3 <3 <3



His Mommy sent this tonight.....so so sweet!!!

Blue Apron Review: NY Strip Steak & Potatoes

NY Strip Steak & Potatoes 

w/ Spicy Maple Kale

INGREDIENTS:

1 NY Strip Steak

2 Yukon Gold Potatoes 

2 cloves garlic

1 bunch kale

3 T creamy mustard sauce

2 T ketchup

1 T white wine vinegar

1 T spicy maple syrup

2 T Worcestershire sauce

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

{HERE}

Kayla and I cooked this one together and both agreed it was delicious! There was only one steak, but it was more than enough for the two of us. The meats included in these subscription boxed meals are normally really good cuts of meat as well as good-sized portions. The steak was very tender and flavorful. The steak sauce was good too, we used it for the steak and to dip the potatoes in too. The potatoes were well seasoned as was the kale. The maple syrup and vinegar combo really enhanced the flavor.
A two thumbs up on this one! :O)

Disney Planning: Dining Update

It wouldn't be Disney trip planning if I didn't switch up my dining choices 100 times!! Blame it on Walt Disney World offering over 140 places to dine, with a huge variety of options in the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. From signature dining at Narcooses at the Grand Floridian to a home cooked meal at 50's Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios, the variety and choices are just endless. Where to eat is always the hardest part of the planning for me, and I always second guess my decisions, as I have again this time around.

So after a little rethinking and tweaking, I am now satisfied with our table service dining plans.

[one]

I'm keeping OHANA  on our Epcot night.....

 

[two]

Excited about The BOATHOUSE on my birthday!

[three]

I swapped out Ale & Compass for Cape May Cafe on our Hollywood Studios night....

[four]

I kept Chef Art Smith's Homecoming on our Animal Kingdom night. I mean can you go wrong with Southern cooking!? With things liKe Fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, Mac and cheese, hummingbird cake on the menu...yep!....this one looks gooood! LOL

[five]

Just as I thought, I did change our Wave ADR to one at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort on our Magic Kingdom night. The resort is amazing, the buffet looks wonderful plus you gotta do a character meal while in Disney right?! And a quick hop over from Magic Kingdom on the monorail is a bonus! 

This one is new to us and I am so excited! :O) :O)

Anxious to try the Strawberry Soup!

[six]

I've left the night we arrive open. I don't know what time we will check in, so I'm going with the flow on dining. I might book something the day of when we have a more definite idea of time, otherwise no specific plans (although I do have a few ideas in mind)!

****A new addition to our dining plans is a birthday breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe'!

I read awesome reviews for this and I just thought it would be a special touch to my birthday in Disney!! :O) We rarely do sit down breakfast while on vacation but I thought this would be something special!

Blue Apron Review: Ancho Chicken Chili

Ancho Chicken Chili w/ Sweet Potatoes & Avocado

[WHOLE 30 APPROVED]

INGREDIENTS

10 oz. ground chicken

1 - 15 oz. crushed tomatoes

1 yellow onion

2 cloves garlic

1 navel orange

1 lb. sweet potatoes

1/4 wedge cabbage

3 oz. radishes (opt.)

1 avocado

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

[HERE]

Orange-Creamsicle Smoothie

If you are an Orange Julius fan....you are gonna love this smoothie!!

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

1 cup OJ

1 vanilla yogurt (single serving size)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 T honey

ice

{whipped cream}

--blend together in your nutribullet or blender--that's it! Enjoy!

YUMMMMM!!!

disney countdown......

02.21.18

Counting down Peter's 3-week hitch at work means

only 3 weeks until our road trip begins!!!

#countdown #disney #wdw #florida #roadtrip 

#march2018 #justus #cantwaittogoback #fun 

#disneycountdown #21daystogo

[Smoothie Bowls]

 Smoothie Bowls are one of the biggest breakfast food trends out there right now
(at least according to my Instagram feed..LOL)

I LOVE smoothies and I've been looking at some delicious looking smoothie bowls that I am definitely going to make.

I picked up a few supplies last week, including a package of mixed seeds and nuts, chia seeds, and some yummy toasted coconut along with all the ingredients for smoothies. I'm didn't find any of the acai berry packets or mix I was looking for to make the authentic acai bowls, so I'll order some from amazon.



I tried my first smoothie bowl and absolutely loved it!!

blueberry coconut smoothie + pumpkin seeds + nuts + toasted coconut

I do yogurt bowls all the time as well as smoothies, but these are definitely the yummiest!

Here are a few combos I'd like to try!

strawberry + banana + sunflower seeds + granola + coconut

almond + banana + raspberry + coconut + blueberry