Kids in the Kitchen ~ Popsicle Bites

 

 Our "finding the joy" adventures that I had planned in my head, took on new form when Tay started coming down with a virus.  Last week, when Kenners had started running a high fever and complaining of a sore throat, I had chalked it up to lack of sleep and stress.  But when Tay showed the same symptoms a week later, I had to accept that we were spreading some germs 'round here.
Yay. Summer Sickies.

Luckily, a sweet friend had recently brought dinner to us, and with that she included just about everything you could think from her garden. Fresh lettuce, spinach, onions, raspberries, and blueberries. Yum, yum, yum!

So. Straight to the kitchen we went, to make a feel-better-kids-snack.
{PS ~ This adult liked it just fine too!}

I knew I wanted to make popsicles, but they take such a long time to freeze, and Tay-Tay is not known for her patience; particularly when her throat is on fire.

So we started with these:
 

 

 

Little bites of creamy, yogurty, raspberry-y, goodness!

We found a mini ice cube tray, mixed our ingredients, and poured straight into the tray.

About an hour later, and they were done!
 

 

 

Then I found these plastic shot glasses that I had picked up at the Dollar Store awhile back.
And cut some cute, paper straws in half to use as sticks.

 

 

The PERFECT size for mini popsicles!

 

 

 

 Quick and easy, and oh-so-delicious!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 No need to wait for a sore throat! 
These little treats could be gobbled up as a sweet, Summertime, cool-down, snack! 
That's just what my older girls did!


The details: {In case you want to make your own!}


You'll need:

Raspberries {or your favorite berry!}
 ~ About 2 cups {more or less, depending on how many treats you plan to make}

Vanilla Yogurt {1-2 Cups}

A splash of Cream orrrrrr I used Vanilla Creamer. Oh Yum. Oh Yum, Yum, Yum.


Mix it all up {I like to crush the berries a bit}, and pour into whatever mold you choose:
Popsicles, ice cube trays . . .

Toss in the freezer, and you're on your way to frozen goodness!

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

To The Beach We Go!

 Last weekend, we headed to the beach for another fun trip! 

In the words of Jeremy's friend: "You guys should just buy a beach house, you're there so often!"
And we kinda are.  I love the beach so much.  I just feel at peace there.

But this trip was different.
A little extra special.

It was a gift to Jeremy's grandparents ~ a weekend at the beach with EVERYONE.

I'm going to be real: I was a little nervous.
I struggle with anxiety just leaving the house.
Car trips of any kind leave me with all sorts of stomach issues.
Add to that 29 people in one beach house for the weekend . . . I was nervous.
That Tay would throw up the entire drive there
{this happens often, so not a completely ridiculous fear}
That I would forget something.
That the meal I was in charge of was going to suck.
And all of the ridiculous things I fear every day.

But, set out we did!

We had games and activities for the car prepped,

 

Kindles charged,

 

And we got to stop for a buffet-lunch at a restaurant over-looking the ocean!
Score!

 

We even got to stop at a light house to grab a few photos.

 

 

 

 

 

Then we settled in.

 

 

 

Explored some amazing tide pools:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And got some fun beach time with all the cousins.

   

 

We ate meals together,

played games,

colored eggs,

made crafts,

stayed up WAAAAAAY past our bedtime.

 

 

It was one of the happiest trips we've ever had.

I'm so glad we were able to go.

 

And I realized something:

 

It is a task to get that many people together in one place, at one time.

It requires sacrifice.

It takes planning, re-arranging of schedules, working together.

But it is worth it!

Every moment was a memory made.

A precious gift to be able to spend time with those who mean so much.

Tomorrow isn't promised, so make time today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Year

 One year ago today we were headed to San Diego for a little vacay.

It is amazing to me all that can change in one year's time.
 Looking back through these photographs, it certainly seems like a lifetime ago, rather than a mere 365 {ahem, 366} days.

I feel like taking a little walk down memory lane . . . join me?

Miss Kam was SO excited to board a plane. 
So excited.
She still talks about it.
She talks about our hotel too {it was pretty luxurious}.
She is such a joy to take places, because she delights so much in it.

Here she is, looking for our flight ;)
 

Our hotel opened up to a beautiful outdoor village of boutiques.
It was pretty much heaven to a bunch of girly girls.
 

When we tired of shopping
{honestly, we didn't tire of it, but we thought we should see the beach too}
We made a trip to Coronado.
 

It was a gorgeous, sunny day.

Some of us enjoyed the sand more than others . . .
 

Some of us wondered what it might be like to sample the sand . . .
 

And later in the week, Sea World.
So much fun for the girls.
 

Oops, snuck another shopping pic in here, and I'm too lazy to move it. . .
 

Back to Sea World . . .
What fun!
This is one of my all time favorite shots of Jeremy and Sierra.
So happy and carefree.
Love this.
 

There were so many animals to see.
Goodness, they were gorgeous.

And happy :)
Doesn't it look like this guy is smiling at us?
 

My but they make a lot of noise!
 

And the sea turtles.
Oh how I love them.
 

 Our trip seemed to fly right by . . .

{Look at how little my girls are.  Crazy how much they grow in a year!}

Before we knew it, it was time to head home. 

And we were all sad to say goodbye :(
 

 

 

 

 Our trip to San Diego was one of the most treasured gifts we have ever received.
I always say that we would much rather have experiences, make memories,
than accumulate more things.

And we made so many precious memories on that trip.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Not *Exactly* How I Envision It

Creating in the kitchen . . .

It's not always exactly how I envision it.

In my mind I see neatly organized flour and sugar jars. 

A crisp, clean apron.

Dough, the perfect consistency.
Spotless floors.

{Sorry, but this is my fantasy.  And I fantasize about spotless floors.  Don't judge}.

In real life? 

Everyone wants to climb on counters.
There's fighting over who gets to measure out the next ingredient.
More flour ends up on the floor than in the bowl.



{I'm pretty sure Kam was reprimanding Kenners for trying to sneak some dough.  Kitchen police, that Kam!}
And there are lots of . . . shenanigans.

But we're making memories.

And memories can be messy sometimes ;)
And in case anyone cares what we were makin' in the kitchen . . .
I found a yummy looking recipe at Bakerella.
We just had to try these yummy chocolate chip cookie dough truffles.



Yep.  It was pretty much pure chocolatey, doughy, goodness.



and the girls had such fun dipping and sprinkling! :)