Oh, the Places You'll Go!! {Family Traditions}

Happy Monday!

So summer is officially here (not technically) and THIS ONE is off to Kindergarten in the Fall. She's ready. IM NOT. I know its cliche' but I just cant believe my little girl is growing up so fast.  I know she's only 4 (and three quarters) but such little lady. She uses words like "properly" and "apparently"  and "appropriate"(wonder where she gets that from).  And she amazes me every day.  Like all mothers, I know she can and will be exceedingly and abundantly more than she can even think or ask (Ephesians 3:20), right now thats an astronaut and a principal ballerina in a major dance company - my words not hers... I've been forcing her to watch youtube videos of Swan Lake.

Unfortunately, I've already started to try and live vicariously through her. I mean, I really had to restrain myself from wearing a leotard to her ballet recital (in case one of the little ballerinas got hurt). I  smother  shower her with so much love and attention Im sure its almost hard for her to breathe. She will appreciate that someday right?

PHOTO
I got her this book as a little "graduation" from preschool gift.  DR SUESS ROCKS RIGHT?! I asked her teachers if they would write a little note inside for her. I plan to secretly do this every year and present it to her as a gift for graduation from high school. I will try my hardest not to read it. I'm pretty nosy so It will take an act of God. Good thing he and I are pals:-)

SPEAKING OF GOD
And so CAMP MOM begins. I decided not to put them in any summer camps this time so that I could have them all to myself. This last week was a bit rough. WONKY SCHEDULES, FRANTIC TRIPS TO THE PLAYGROUND, AND ME DRIVING AROUND FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF GETTING LITTLE H TO FALL ASLEEP. Ended with me all dressed up outside a very nice restaurant with the husband in tears (me not him) questioning wether he LIKED ME AND THE CHILDREN.

Keep him in your prayers:-)

How did you guys celebrate the end of the school year? Any big plans for the summer? Any ideas?

xx,
Bunnie

Mommy Chronicles {PTO}

In the garage this morning just as I was about to get in the car the munchkin exclaimed, "I have a headache, can you buckle me in." And I lost it!

My reply: "IM NOT FEELING WELL EITHER!!! WHOSE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF MOMMY???!!!!!" Ooopsie.

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In my defense - I've been under the weather for about a week now. Is it me or do I talk about coughs (and poo) in every post? The winter months tend to wreak havoc on my house full of asthmatics... And we pass it around like we are running a relay.

So yes, being a stay at home mom has its perks. I love these little people like nobodies business and making them happy and healthy (and smart, and brave, and talented...) is my life's work. but I'm just saying.. Can I get a sick day?

One where I can get some tea and some noodles and stay in bed and watch movies (and blog) and all the magic still happens (i.e. everyone gets fed, and where they need to go, and the house does not look like the Tazmanian Devil dropped by)...

But I digress...

Back to my story.. So after I counted to 7 (nope I dont even get 10 seconds to myself).. And took a few deep breaths. I walked around to her side of the car. Clicked her seatbelt. And looked into her eyes and said (in my regular voice),"remember, mommy isn't feeling very well, so I'm going to need you to cut me some slack and help mommy today. I should not have yelled. That is not the way we talk to each other. I love you very much." Tears were dried (mine not hers) and we jammed to Beyonce .... Err French lessons on the way to preschool.

I hate it when I lose my temper with the kids.. But sometimes to say a few cuss' words you just need a minute.

How do you handle being under the weather and Magical Mom at the same time?

xx,
Bunnie

My Funny Valentine

Scouring the web searching for inspiration for the munchkins school valentines. I ran across this pic of the one we did last year.  Organic Trader Joes "suckers". It made me feel a little better about getting your kids hopped up on sugar. 

First stop Pinterest. I've been a pinning fool. Check out my  Valentine LOVE board for some inspiration of your own.

P.S. This little girl makes me chuckle OFTEN.

These are Few of My Favorite Things

I met up with a couple of my favorite chicas from a defunct book club of mine (see link) at a super cute little place in Inman Park. Quite cozy, great coffee. I ordered a simple breakfast of eggs and bacon. We sat and talked for way too long as we usually do when we finally get together. Lots to catch up on, jobs, kids, love, and of course The Young and the Restless. We've considered starting the book club up again and calling it the Y&R Historian Society. Nice ring to it eh? I think I may just refer to ourselves as such moving forward just because;-) At any rate, Parish Foods and Goods is on my Fave List now. They have a fancy restaurant upstairs (which I have not tried) and the market downstairs where you can grab your own cup of Joe, a pastry and some vintage candy (for later) and just chill.

Wanted to share a couple of my other new faves. Check out the links!

Currently Stalking:

I saw the cutest purple boots on the little one of a pal of mine so I checked out the site and am in love with their modern approach to classics like these driver loafers.

My new go to destination for adult libation inspiration. These boys know how to make a stiff one, and beautiful photography leave you drooling and wanting to pull up a chair. I'm all over this History of Egg Nog post. 

I've been saving items like a crazy woman over at WantWorthy. A site kinda like pinterest but where I do all of my virtual shopping. Now if I could only zap this link directly to hubby's cell phone:-)

This and This lovely blog inspires me daily.

Thankful for Friends

 binoculars and adventure map in hand scaling the alligator bridge.

She says I'm her best friend. That makes me smile (Crossing my fingers that she feels that way in 30 years). 

adventure gear - sleeping bag, pencils, a journal, warm clothes, daddy's back pack.

I'm finding as I get older how much my friendships have changed. Some fade. Different life stages at different times reak havoc on what you have in common. The conversations are different, fewer, farther in between. Life and schedules get in the way. It actually hurts a little. I mean a gal needs her pals.

But I have also found that your friends. Your true friends. The ones who really get you (and always have). Faults and all (no judgements) - will be there. You find common ground. You love each other. You are there for each other when the chips are high and low. No matter what. I am very thankful to have a few.

tree climbing with her handy rope (and daddy)

Including this one. I admire her so. Such an adventurer. I'm trying really hard not to live too vicariously through her.  I know she'll probably out grow me. At least for a little while.

In the meantime, I'll do my best to be a good friend. So we can find our way back to each other again.

PANCAKES AND PAJAMAS (oh and PRINCESSES)!!

So I usually use Bisquick. But I recently cracked an egg, put a half cup of milk in a bowl (half the recipe on the box) and went to grab the box from the fridge, but there was no box. So I had to improvise. I found this recipe on food.com (Courtesy of Mike Cuzzacrea, Lockport, NY) which was super easy and super yummy.  I also add a squeeze of fresh lemon and vanilla (and sometimes a little brown sugar) to both the box and "from scratch" recipes. Because I think pancakes should always taste like birthday cake:) Its a little problem I have...

Martha's Bunnie's Hot Cakes

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable ( subbed canola) oil
1 table spoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional: One fresh squeezed lemon, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients together breaking up any lumps.  Pour batter onto a hot griddle. Flip pancakes when the edges appear cooked and the batter bubbles on top. Serve immediately:)

Voila!

So since I had pancakes on the brain.. and we had a couple of more days left before preschool was back in session, I invited a couple of the munchkins pals over for breakfast! They all came over in their pajamas and immediately pulled on tiny ball gowns as soon as they hit the door (of course)...

private screening of the movie Tangled (aka Rapunzel).

xx,

Bunnie

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Happy New Year!!

Wishing you and yours the best year of your life!! I'm looking forward to MORE in 2012. MORE for my family, my career, my health, and relationships. 

Here's to MORE blessings and prosperity than you can stand!!!

Looking just like her daddy??!!! LOVE.

Six Geese a Laying?

So here we are a couple days before Christmas and I'm still on this Twelve Days of Christmas kick.. I think I'll change that to the Six Days of Christmas so that we will all be ready in time.. Instead I'd like to talk about "doing"  the things that make Christmas such a special time of year as opposed to "buying" things..

At our house we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE celebrating Christmas (and any other holiday for that matter) and although we are a relatively new little family ( five years and counting!), we already have some traditions we look forward to every year..

Singing/Playing Christmas Songs..
So immediately after Thanksgiving we pull out the preset playlist that hubby put together a few years back for the car and house.. I've been complaining that there aren't enough "soulful" songs but after he pointed out all of the James Brown and Brian McKnight song.. I retracted my statement.. well not out loud..

At any rate, I realized today that in addition to the traditional Rudolph and Frosty songs, my 3 year old knows the words to:

Mele Malikimaka (The Hawaiian Christmas Song) by Bing Crosby
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway
Mr. Grinch and most other songs from the Glee Christmas Album

Makes my heart proud...

Lighting a fire and watching Christmas movies.. 
That includes all movies with any Christmas scene.. So when munchkin goes to bed we watch:

Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Akroyd
Coming to America with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall (I see a theme happening)
Oh and You've Got Mail with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks (Love this one!)
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase

Holiday Lights Tour
This year, I made hot chocolate and popcorn and we all piled in the car in our pajamas (right before bed time) and cruised a couple of neighborhoods ooohing and aahing at Christmas lights.. Make sure to do this right before bed time.. Then just slide your little elf under the blankets when you get home:)

Baking Cookies
Speaking of little elves.. My special elf, helped me get ready for my pal Beth's Annual Cookie Exchange..

We made Madeleines again this year! I use this recipe.

And thanks to inspiration from TomKat Studio, I updated my holiday Labels!

My favorite part of this gathering: SNACKS!!

and Cookies!!

The host made the below, which were very reminiscent of little pecan pie bites.. When I got home that night I left my cookies in the car, and remembered these were in there at about midnight.. lets just say there were crumbs in my bed the next morning:-(

Fun Times!

the sweetest thing

so the super sweetest thing happened today.. although I'm completely under the weather (my reasoning for being behind in my twelve days of Christmas adventure) and hubby would be just getting into town, I was determined to make it to church with the munchkin this morning.. We dashed out the door with about 10 minutes to make our destination on time. Lo and behold we forgot CoCo.. the munchkins lovey, which she noticed as we were about to get off the exit and proceeded to have a complete and total breakdown/meltdown, begging and screaming for me to PLEASE turn the car around to go and get her.. after I told her I could not, she asked if daddy could bring her? Since he was just getting off his plane, I pretended to call him and ask if he could (so I could at least get her to stop crying).. I know bad mommy (dont judge me).. I PANICKED OKAY!  So I did however send him a text to tell him what I had done once we sat down in church..  Long story short (I know, a little late for that) about 15 minutes before church let out, the munchkin spotted daddy standing in the back of the church holding CoCo (and a juice box).. OMG.. I LOVE this guy.. and so does she:-)

So in keeping with sweet things, I found these super sweet gifts, perfect for Christmas or any other special occassions.. I must admit, I've never tasted any of these, so feel free to send me a sample. But if they taste as lovely as they look..okay, I'm getting hungry now..

 

bee chocolates from john and kira.

ladybug tower from john and kira

john kelly peanut butter truffle bar

payard chocolate stars

murrays cheese raw blueberry honey

byrd company georgia peach cookies

richart holiday micromacaroons

Can you say YUM?!

Okay, since i'm on a roll with the sugary sweets, I thought I'd post some pix of the munchkin and her pals decorating Christmas Cookies..

we immediately got dressed in tiara and wand just in case we needed a little magic...

Ginger bread, Icing, sprinkles oh my!

I could eat her up!

deck the halls..

This is totally off topic, but let me just say, I'm watching a recorded I Used To Be Fat, on MTV.  And I love this trainer guy Joey. He is INTENSE (and kinda hot too). And this kid Jose is AMAZING! So far he's lost 80 pounds in 60 days (with 30 days to go)! I'm proud of him like he's my own kid..  I know I have a problem...

at any rate, i had planned to do like a whole twelve days of Christmas list of my favorite gifts to give and receive. I think i'm getting started just a tad bit late. But I always say, better late than never.. No need for anyone else to have to suffer for my tardiness (i'll be working on that in the new year)..

First up:

I like giving cute pajamas as Christmas gifts.  If you're like me, I only buy new pajamas if I'm going on vacation or something of the sort. I assume other people are the same, because when visiting, I usually see a combination of sweats, scrubs, old t shirts and other well worn miscellaneous items of mismatched clothes..

that's where I step in:-)

i HATE being cold.. and this jcrew navy night shirt in silk polka dot is flirty

 but still (somewhat ) warm.. 

Now, I ran this by hubby and he wasnt a fan, but I think this Gabriella Slip at Anthropologie is super cute.  A little matronly yes, but very Charlotte:-)

These Kardashionian style set wouldnt ordinarily make my list. Although I've recently admitted to admiring Kourtney K's smart and chic style. I'm not usually a fan of animal print, but I've decided that it has it's place. And what better place to channel your inner animal than, well you know (okay TMI, right?!) Oddly I found this Leopard Print Pajama Set over at Ralph Lauren..

okay, last but not least I would totally wear , I mean give this this tory  burch luella pajama set. 

Comfy check. Warm, check. Lovely check.

okay shows over and this dude lost 115 pounds... I'm so inspired.  I need a tissue. I'm so proud.

and even prouder of my REAL child. this morning hubby and i attended her first recital/holiday performance at preschool. it was the funniest and cutest thing i have seen. the look of terror on their little faces when they came onto the stage and saw all of the papparzzi (i.e. crazed parents with cameras and camcorders) ready to eat them like the little candy canes they were dressed like, was quite a sight.  I LOVED IT!! Further proof that I am a deranged stage mom, just waiting for my opportunity to shine.  I was also dressed in a sparkly top just in case they needed an understudy to step in.

she asked me this morning if she could wear her pearls.

she refused to look at the camera, and had a blank stare once she saw us in the audience.. I'm sensing a pattern here.. it's only the beginning:-)

trick or treat pix are up!

Its been a fun pumpkin season so far.. we usually start things off by watching this a gazillion times.

which this year, proved to provide a brilliant bargaining tool as I threatened to make sure the munchkin got a bag of rocks this year, if she didn't behave herself (is that wrong?).. at any rate, it worked like a charm:)

So just  wanted to post some photos of the infamous spider girl:) Here she is with her bestie and the muse for her inspiration for this years costume.  Its amazing the difference a year makes.. they had no qualms about ringing door bells and asking for "tricks or treats" or as the munchkin calls it trickery treating!

of course to glam things up a bit, i had to put together a little spider girl headband for the occassion. 

and since I'm in the spirit of posting pix that i'm excited about.. the love bug pix are out!! so i've been dying to get the folks over at our labor of love to do a little shoot with my munchkin and her lovie "CoCo."

If you've ever met the munchkin, you have no doubt met her best home girl CoCo whom she has had since she was in my womb thanks to our dear friends The Coles and our favorite little people shop The Seed Factory.

i snagged a couple of shots from their site, but see the full blog post here.

LOVE!

Now its on to figuring out what the heck I'm going to make for the bake sale on Saturday and planning for Thanksgiving.. It looks like the ball is in my court this year.

what happened?

its that time again!

every few years i'm able to pull off a pretty good costume. not sure this will be the year, but last year. that was pretty good if i may say so myself:)  a good friend of mine threw a little shin dig, and i left the hubby home while i partied like a real housewife of atlanta (pun intended)..

tee hee! 

this year the focus will be on the munchkin... a friend of mine sent me this pic, and i had all sorts of plans to turn her into this:

adorable right?  not so fast...

and this is what she'd like to be. spider girl?! her bestie cole had on a spider man costume a few weeks ago when we went to visit and since then she's been adamant about being "spider girl" for halloween. i must admit, i wasnt even aware that there was a spider girl? i thought i was going to have to sew a skirt or tutu on a muscly (with muscles:) spider man costume, but lo and behold.. target has everything..   

 done. and done.

how in the heck did that happen?!

gotta love her!