A Little Bit of Bliss

One down,

Two down,

Three down,

Four.

.....Sigh

Enough said.

Red Velvet Chocolate Covered Cake Balls

I have recently become a big fan of Bakerella. For those of you have never visited this website, you must!! Since we are still celebrating the month of February I thought it was only appropriate to whip up a batch of these goodies. It couldn't get much easier or any more delish!

What you will need- (Recipe courtesy of www.bakerella.com)

*1 Box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake) *1 Can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.) *2 Packages chocolate melts. I used Make'n Mold Candy Wafers (regular or white chocolate, from any party store) *Wax paper 1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.

2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)

I have found that it never hurts to have an extra pair of hands around to help with some of the clean up as well. (Just a thought)

3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)

4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.) 5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.

6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.) A little drizzle on top adds for some pizazz.

And enjoy!

Happy February!

Valentines Day

Is just a great excuse to-

Decorate!

and Celebrate!

To eat all things red and pink

And to dress yourself up a little

To enjoy a beautiful, bright, warm, sunny day

And enjoy some yummy sweet treats

To reminisce about the time you fell in love!!

To hang out with favorite "boy friends"

"Besties"

And the funnest of "Buddies"

I Heart Valentines Day!

Forever a Special Day

Because of a very special Valentines Day exactly 12 years ago today...

With a trip for two to San Diego, via train, in the rain,

With a young boy secretly carrying a beautiful new ring in his pocket all day long.

With a big, exciting question to ask...

But just not being able to find that "perfect moment",

Until it was all he could do,

But to mutter those unforgettable words...

"So.... Do you want marry me or what?"

Which has led to an very Happily Ever After!

And a forever special day

called Valentine's Day!

Maybe a little bit extreme?

Today I think I may have gone a bit too far.

As a mother I sometimes look back on a situations and hope that I made the best decision. Today hindsight is funny, a bit embarrassing, and very revealing!

This morning I jumped in the shower, like I do every morning, leaving Phearson and Tav to watch the Backyardigans as they do most mornings.

Phearson has had a running nose the last couple of days and is continually wiping his "his boogers". So much that this morning that he finished of the current roll of toilet paper in the bathroom. I managed to talk him through where to find a new roll in the hallway cabinet and life continued.

Whew.

Problem solved and I concentrate on my shower.

Next thing I know I hear yelling (surprise, surprise). Tav has now stolen the roll of toilet paper from Phearson and is ripping off pieces and throwing them on the floor. Phearson is having a complete fit. I ask Tav to bring the toilet paper back into the bathroom. His reply is "No."

Decision time.

Do I let him continue and finish my shower?

Do I continue what I have started?

(I have been trying really hard to follow through on my "threats" and discipline these days. All of the boys seem to be really testing their limits with us.)

So I repeat...

"Tav, stop tearing up the toilet paper and bring it back in the bathroom, NOW, or you will get a "flick".

("The flick" has proven to be a great threat these days in our house. It is just what it sounds like. A flick. Hand, cheek whatever. Usually the threat alone is enough to make them stop what it is they are doing and the actually "flick" doesn't have to be delivered.)

Silence.

I start "the count".

"One... two... three.."

Nothing.

So comes the moment of truth.. what do I do? He obviously thinks that I will ignore his behavior since I am detained in the shower. Now I HAVE to follow through since I have put the threat out there, right?

And today

I followed through.

I jumped right out of that warm shower into that cold air...

Completely naked, dripping water all over the floor and through the hallway, with shampoo in my hair...

Snatched the toilet paper from his surprised little hands and delivered "the flick"!

Now THAT my friends, is follow through.

Shower or no shower

This mom means business.

Although I'm still trying to decide if the permanent picture of their naked, wet, lathered haired, crazy mom will scar them for life.

It's all about LOVE

In honor of the "Month of Love" also known as February

can I just say,

This my friends....

Is Unconditional LOVE!

And not because he is wearing a ponytail (because I made him do that)

But because his ponytail is longer than mine!!

A whole lot of nothing

I have to admit that life has been a bit BORING around here lately. I can't believe that I am actually saying that... Boring.

I mean can life really be boring with three little boys running a muck, wrestling, fighting, playing, crying, yelling and laughing all day long? I suppose it has just become "the usual around here". Maybe that is what I am trying to say. Things have pretty much just been "the usual" around here. We have been doing a whole lot of nothing and whole lot of everything all at the same time.

" The Nothing"

Watching and waiting for the rain to stop falling.

Enjoying any bit of sunshine we can get.

Finding new ways to entertain ourselves

Playing indoors... A LOT!

"Gaming"

And just doing a whole lot of "the usual"....

Waiting for a familiar face to return after a LONG day at work

while doing a whole lot of everything in between.

"The Everything"

Washing dishes, laundry, running kids to school, picking them up, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, working a few shifts here and there, breaking up fights, bandaging owies, playing referee, helping with homework, making dinner, breakfast, lunches, bathing, dressing, reading to and entertaining children all day, every day.

I guess BORING really isn't the right word.