Tommy's 1st Birthday

Wow- my baby boy is 1!! When did this happen?? Tommy and Gianna both love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so I decided to go with a Mickey theme for his birthday. The cricut comes to the rescue again.... check out this adorable display of monthly pictures!! I stuck with a red & black color scheme and had accents of Mickey Mouse on the plates and napkins for dessert. Remember- there's no reason to go overboard, just pick a theme and go with basic colors for plates, napkins and cups for the meal and drinks, it will save you a ton of money!



For my daughter's first birthday I made a large number 1, but I decided to change it up and make a large Mickey head filled with pictures from Tommy's first year. I had chocolate mickey lollipops made and asked everyone to sign a picture frame, just like I did with Gianna.  I also had picture cupcake cakes made, just like I had for Gianna's first birthday party- it saves a ton of time instead of cutting, and they're adorable!!

This was a great party filled with lots of laughs and memories made!! I still can't believe my baby boy is 1, it feels like yesterday I was holding him in my arms for the first time... INCREDIBLE!!

Father's Day 2014

Happy Father's Day to all the daddy's, uncle's and grandfathers... we had a wonderful day with family. A few weeks ago I took the kids to the pottery place to make Father's Day gifts. For some reason, I didn't take a picture of Tom with his grilling platter, but it was his favorite color, ORANGE! This platter was made with Tommy's feet and said "Following in Daddy's Footsteps". Isn't this so cute?? The pottery place is seriously my favorite place to go for gifts!!

Precious Moments

Today we had our annual family picnic... above is a picture of my Grandmother and her two sisters. This may not be the most flattering picture, but it is definitely one I will forever treasure!  My children are blessed to have such a special relationship with my grandmother. Growing up I was very close with my great grandmother, and now my children are able to experience this unique blessing. Gianna and Tommy played with family all day, snuggled with Grandmama and made everyone smile, a lot!!

Middle School Throwback

Today I came across this picture from 8th grade... yes, that's me on the right! I was Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, and also the understudy for Nicely Nicely Johnson. This was the opening number, what a RUSH this was!! I have always loved singing, just ask my parents, friends and students- WOW, I sang and incorporated music as much as I could! I sing to my children throughout the day, my husband jokes that our life is a musical. Just had to share this pic, it was a very proud moment, I was an 8th grade girl playing a male role and it was incredible! I can't wait to show my kids the video... better get digging in those boxes in the basement!!

Baby Shower Bath Basket

One of my besties is having her first baby and I can't wait!! Her shower was over the weekend and I made this beautiful basket filled with everything for the bath. I usually fill the person's bath tub with goodies, but it was already purchased, so I had to improvise. This time I bought a basket and filled it with bath toys, bodywash, towels, wash clothes, wipes, water scoop, and a few books. This is a guarantee for bath time fun for both baby and mommy!

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme- wow!! Gianna and I were honored to be part of one of my dear childhood friends weddings this weekend. I was Matron of Honor while Gianna was the most adorable Flower Girl. After all of the fun, we ventured to our first Krispy Kreme ever....It was delicious!! We all can't wait to get back home to Tommy, and one day, bring him to a Krispy Kreme!! We will be back.... soooooon, I hope!! P.S. How cute is Gianna in the hat???

Valentine's Day Pizza

Happy Valentine's Day from us to you! What a whirlwind we are currently in.... Newborn, packing, holidays, and putting the final touches on the renovation of our new home. Today we spent the day baking cookies, Gianna was a great helper. Whenever you can get the kids involved it's the best! My little helper loved mixing the batter for our cookies.  We ended the night at my parents house where we made our homemade pizza, in a HEART shape!! Gianna thought it was the coolest thing! 

To make your own heart shaped pizza, buy dough from your grocery store or favorite pizza place. Shape dough into heart, top with your favorite toppings and bake as directed! If you can, try it on the grill- AMAZING!!

Hope your day was filled with love and laughter!!

Candy Cane Vase Centerpiece

I just wanted to pop on and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season with their families. I wanted to also share a very quick and simple centerpiece I made for our Christmas tablescape this year. (Don't mind the mess, it's been a day full of baking and Christmas Eve prep!!)

Candy Cane Vase:

Needed:
*Short Cylinder Vase (a little smaller than your candy canes)
*Candy Canes
*Ribbon
*Rubber band
*Flowers

Simply wrap your vase with one or two rubber bands, this will help keep the candy canes lined up as you organize them. YES- the first few will slip, but it will get easier. Make sure you put the hook facing outward. Once you have made you way all the way around, wrap your ribbon, tying it in a bow. Trim the edges of your ribbon for a clean look. Fill your vase with some water and add flowers. How easy is that??

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

Christmas Cookies Galore!

We have been very busy Christmas elves again this year! Gianna was able to help use shake on sprinkles for the Rainbow & Spritz cookies and even helped with the Tarales! What is your favorite kind of holiday treat?? Do you have any traditions? Our family has been making Struffoli since before the dinosaurs! Each year we gather to make these delicious honey balls. As a kid, I would make them with my great grandmother, grandmother and mom. My children now make them with their grandmother. It's such a blessing to celebrate Struffoli Day, as we call it! 

We bake lots of cookies each year, most are the same, but each year I try something new. This year I decided to try a yummy toffee bark recipe I had seen online. 

Graham Toffee Bark

Ingredients:

• One package of graham crackers, any flavor
• 1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• chopped nuts, candy, sprinkles for topping

Directions- 

1. Preheat oven to 400*
2. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spread 
3. Arrange graham crackers on cookie sheet, breaking apart if needed to fit every space possible.
4. Over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar a bring to a boil.
5. Once the mixture begins to boil, let it boil for 5 minutes, without stirring. The mixture will begin to darken around the 4-5 minute mark. At this time, pour it over your graham crackers. 
6. Bake in the oven for 7-8 minutes
7. Remove the toffee pan from the over and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Let it sit 2 minutes, the spread the melted chocolate over the entire pan with a spatula or spoon. 
8. Sprinkle your topping of choice, mine was nuts, over the top and set it in the freezer for at least one hour. 
9. Once the toffee has set, break into smaller pieces and store in airtight container in the refrigerator. Toffee can store in the freezer for up to 3 months, and in the refrigerator or counter top up to 10 days. 
10. ENJOY!

Christmas Gifts 2013- Mistletoe Plates & Ceramic Mugs

Oh my goodness- I had so much fun making our Christmas gifts this year! I loved making the ceramic plates a while back, that I knew I needed to do it again! This time, I used the oil based sharpies for writing, and decorations. I then used oil based paint and made footprints, but quickly washed their feet once I was done. I baked these plates on cookie sheets, starting in a cold oven, at 450*. I let them bake about 30-40 mins and then turned off the oven and let it sit overnight. I removed them from the oven the following morning and they were stunning!! 

In addition to the platters, my daughter wanted to be creative along with me. I purchased some ceramic mugs at the store and let her go to town decorating mugs with oil based sharpies. I then added names and made them into sets. These are now one-of-a-kind gifts! I put them into the oven with the plates and it was super easy and special!!