happy valentines: happy food day

This year we had a bit of a Vday extravaganza. Justin&I had gotten some date night time the weekend before, so for Vday I wanted my boyS to take me out. We had a romantic patio dinner at Vespaio/Enoteca, definitely the best Italian in Austin (and we went the night before...so we didn't have to fight crowds downtown--wheW)

On Valentines me &the cub had a special day just the two of us:) We did some Vday with friends, then got to work on our Vday crafts for daddy

(we wanted to get him flowers&candy....man version)

That afternoon me and baby bear made these fun Toddler-sized homemade pop-tarts (warning: filling must contain crack.. in there somewhere...)

(I mixed berries for my filling, rather than just the cherry. Also you can use your own pie crust for a healthIER version)

We ended the day with a big heart-shaped pizza for the three--er--four of us! :) No better way to end a day than with pizza&those you love

Clueless mom: While he was away...

Last week I meant to post. I had time to post. But, last week my little son went on his first vacation without mommy and daddy. He went to his grandparents. Oh my. No doubt he had a blast.

I, of course, cried for about 45min after he left (I hadn't been apart from him for longer than 24hours except for one other occassion). And then Justin and I sat on our bed in complete bewilderment.....we were alone.


So what was I up to for 2 whole days??:

(been meaning to make a sign for our door. Apparently, the sticky-note we had above the doorbell was too confusing for the delivery people ;) )

I also made some essentials to keep our home green

(wipe cloths for HoneyBear's highchair shennanigans) (Just cut up some towels and sewed--too easy--I keep them in a container on the bar)

Homemade Insect-Repellent. I almost paid $20 for a teeny-tiny tube of organic repellent, then found this recipe and made my own. It's been working great so far! (heavy on the lemon&mint is most effective I hear--not to mention DEET-free!!!)

 And lastly I started a painting for the baby room. Did you hear that?? I said 'baby room'!

No, I'm not pregnant. Haha. But I decided that we are going to keep honeybear's room a nursery for the next baby (again, not pregnant) and move him into the craft room. That way I can keep the crib bedding I love, and HoneyBear can have a new decor theme! (I'm thinking either surf-themed, or Keep Austin Weird-themed (it'll be cute, don't worry)

Clueless mom: boys night

My husband has 'guy's night one night every week. Once he goes, even though I have a million things on my 'to do' list, I'm always going...how should I use this time? I decided I would use those nights to start doing creative projects I've been wanting to finish and haven't. Here's last week's:

I've  been wanting onsies for Elijah that are more trendy/rocker/cute, and less cutesy-cliche, so I thought I'd try to make my own. Didn't have a tutorial, just used my imagination! Lmk if you find a good tutorial on making your own onsie designs!

Clueless Mom: First Birthday: Teddy Bear Picnic

Well. It's over.

My first child's birthday party is officially over. I will never plan another first birthday party for the first time! How did it go in one word? Perfect. Better than I could have planned--I don't know if I've ever had so much fun at a kid's party (probably because I've never had a kid before& it was my own!) but it was the most fun family weekend we've ever had for sure! Everything from the surprise arrival of my sister&brother-in-laws (they live in AZ, we had NO idea they could make it!!) to celebrating the end of the party with almond champagne& Jim Gaffigan, to laughing with friends and good food. Every moment this weekend was spent laughing with the people we love most.

                 

The fooooood

We had gouda-cheese/blue-cheese sliders with my mother-in-law's HOMEMADE sides of potato salad, spicy mac&cheese (with a non-spicy kids version!), baked beans! She is an AMAZING cook!

....And Bear Snacks of course

Some activities for the kids,

 

 (big kids included, his sister dared him)

                   (SO glad we had a son. Because my husband is the kind of guy that needs a son)

Our favors were puppy chow mix in ice cream bowls

& picnic plates to use & take home (had to add a little green-ness, I am an Austinite;))

& then the decor, which I made & was all REAL easy

Since it was, after all, a teddy-bear picnic, we layed out picnic blankets around the yard &tied them to beanie baby bears that I used to be obsessed with collect when they were cool popular

 

Then, we had guests watch a movie of Elijah's life Justin made for him

& after that was of course birthday cupcake time (first ingested dose of sugar ever)!

He got his birthday suit a little dirty, but that's allowed when it's your birthday

(he ate almost the whole thing)

Our surprise guests, sister&brother in law who flew in from Arizona!!

 

Beautiful grandparents--aren't they just cute??

 Some gifts he received included a sandbox, lawn mower, baby pool, bowling set, a Scout doll, drums, a swing, a backpack,  but I have to say, his favorite was

We had the time of our lives. Thanks to all who came & thanks Mimi, Paw paw, Abuelita, Kevin, Kelcey, Felix, Wes& Gina & family who helped cook&clean for me!