Working Hard

I've been working hard on a bunch of projects the past couple of weeks. Last week I actually worked (at a desk) in Portland. It was a fun change of pace. I've also been wrapping up the preschool photos, Nate's baby book (5 years late), Gabby's baby book (2 years late) and scanning all of Nate's school projects into a book so I don't have to keep the crate of crafts he's done the past two years. I tend to start projects and then get excited about something else and leave everything half done. My goal is to finish all of the photo books I've been meaning to do the past 5 years, that's 9 books total.Wish me luck!

Swinging

Nate learned a new skill this week...How to swing by himself!

It took a bit of time for him to figure out that you go higher the more you lean back and pull on the chains. Once he got it, he really flew high!

He still needs a bit of a boost to get started but is having a grand time swinging on his own!

Ugly Birds

If you read my post from yesterday, we had a few turkeys visit us. Why is it that the females are so plain and ugly? I'm not saying the males were good looking. Turkeys are some of the ugliest birds out there. But the guys had fancy feathers and bright colors.

Despite her homeliness our ugly girl did have two Toms chasing her and showing off their feathers. She just went about her business and ignored them. I guess that's something.

Turkey Surrealism

Nate and I saw some turkeys on the road on our way to school. Gabby missed them. She was really upset. Once we got home she and I sat down to have some tea when the turkeys literally pecked on our window. It's one of those days where you want something to happen and it magically does. She asked for puddles next...I'm guessing it's going to rain now.

The poor Tom turkeys have a dangly piece of flesh hanging off of their beaks. See it flapping in the air as he shakes his head? This is how I felt the past two weeks with my cold. Something constantly dangling off of my nose. I managed to blow my way through two entire boxes of tissue. Both kiddos had colds too but used their sleeves. Lots of icky laundry. I think we're all back to normal. Though seeing the turkeys I have that cloudy head feel I did last week...what a weird day so far.

Butterfinger Muddy Buddies

 

Muddy buddies are one of those treats that you can't make too often. They are so addictive and easy to eat way too much! When I came across a recipe for Butterfinger Muddy Buddies I knew I had to make them for Nate's birthday party.

Start by chopping up your Butterfingers.

In a microwave safe bowl place the chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter. Microwave and stir until smoothe.

Add in the Chex cereal and mix until the cereal is coated.

 

Sprinkle the Butterfinger bits on top. Stir to combine.

 

 

Add the powdered sugar and coat evenly. Spread out on a baking sheet to dry. Enjoy!

 

Butterfinger Muddy Buddies Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 c. butter
1 (12 oz) bag chocolate chips
1 1/2 c.  Butterfinger candy bars, chopped (about 5 regular bars or about 16 mini bars)
1/2  c. smooth peanut butter
8 c. Chex cereal
1/2 c.powdered sugar

Directions:

Chop your Butterfingers and set aside. Don't chop them too small as you'll want to see the chunks and taste them!

In a microwave safe bowl add butter, chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave for one minute and stir until smooth. If the chocolate doesn't melt all the way put it back in the microwave in 15 second intervals. Stir after each microwaving until smooth.

Put the Chex cereal into a large covered bowl and pour the chocolate mixture over. Fold until the cereal is coated. Add the crushed Butterfingers and coat the cereal.

Sprinkle the powdered sugar over the cereal and again toss to coat. Spread out on a 1-2 cookie sheets until the chocolate hardens. Once it hardens it is ready to eat!

Wish List

Nate had a very specific wish list for his birthday. Normal kid stuff...Legos, superhero action figures, etc.

Then...

there...

was...

weird...

stuff...

A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Chia Pet

Magnifying Glass (a real one, not a toy)

Work out clothes.

He's such a strange little man. But I love him with all his weirdness.

Ninja Enchilada Birthday

 

Our Nate-Nate turned 5 last week. A whole hand! We celebrated with family with a "Ninja-Enchilada" themed birthday party. Nate came up with that idea himself. He loves ninjas and enchiladas are awesome; it was all the better that the two sort of rhymed.

 

The party favors were these cute little take out boxes. We went to the grocery store and Nate filled the boxes with his favorite candies. Including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fruit snacks. Those talking turtles were cool back when I was little and are apparently coming back! Kowabunga, dude!

 

 

We also gave these fierce chopsticks. They served as inspiration for the cake which you will see below.

 

 

In addition to enchiladas Nate's other request was that there would be tons of dessert. "A whole table full." Who am I to argue with that request? Plus, I LOVE desserts!

 

We made cupcakes...

 

Ninja cookies with some awesome cookie cutters that my Aunt Bonnie got us. This was the bad guy according to Nate.

 

This was a good guy.

 

This was a good guy too. By the end of the night we had a lot of ninjas with missing limbs. Apparently our guests didn't want to eat a whole ninja but managed to sneak a leg here and there. Nate said they had been through a battle!

 

 

This was our ninja cake. I used marshmallow fondant. More on that later... It also happened to be red velvet cake. My sister Christina thought it was a bit gory. Ha!

 

It was a fun relaxing day with family and the best part is that Nate thought it was the best party ever! He's already coming up with ideas for his 6th birthday. Can't wait to see what he comes up with!