Grateful for Lil’ Helpers

I have many fond memories of baking/cooking in the kitchen with Grandma, so when my daughter asked to help, how could I say no? I hesitate a bit when she asked, I have two daughters & they fight over things (you know like sisters do). My oldest loves to be “grown-up” and she does everything very carefully and meticulously, but I still picture a big mess in my kitchen that I will need to clean up afterwards. May I also add, time is limited on “work nights”, and by the weekend, I wish to do nothing. (Sometimes I feel like a crappy mommy, not doing enough with my children) :/

Well on that note, sorry for the Debbie Downer moment, it is Christmas time! Time to bake cookies & make candies, and decorate the tree. All things that it is time for me to allow my kids to help with, and be thankful for their help as well!

She is such a good girl.. I told her to make sure her hand was behind her back the entire time so she didn’t smash her little fingers. As for the powdered sugar? less than a half a teaspoon on the counter by the time we were done! Such. A. Good. Girl! I have to give her more credit. She doesn't like messes either.

Then it was time to wrap gifts, for the “rest” of the family, of course. She once again asked to “help” and I hesitated (sucky mommy, yadda yadda). She took it upon herself to wrap the gifts that were going to her friend in the mail. Okay, I thought, I also am best-friends with the mom, & she will love the note that I will include. *Alisa wrapped all these herself* I already know the meaning of this will bring a smile to her face and a tear to her eye. Our kids are 3 weeks apart, and growing up together, no matter how many miles apart we are.

Once again she surprised me with how great she did! I need to remind myself that she has that perfectionist quality about her. Great job to both my girls: the older one for “helping” me, & the younger one for entertaining herself and not getting in her sister’s hair along her “helping” process.

Kate in Bosnia?

You’ve heard of Kate Spade, right? Yeah, me too. I kinda like her stuff {wink wink}

You know that my husband is from Bosnia right? Yeah, I kinda like him too {wink wink}

Now look what I stumbled upon awhile back (& am revisiting)…

Some super cute stuff, right?! It comes with a cause too… a good cause! Womenforwomeninternational.org.uk

I love everything about this collection.  Anyone need some cute holiday gifts?

Droid Eris…

If you see this phone, run…. (here is a “non-love letter to my wonderful Eris)

Dear Droid Eris,

I regret to tell you a few choice things today. Although I have had 5 of you in the last two years, I still absolutely HATE you! I realize what you are thinking.. hate is such a strong word, have a heart, but no.. it’s genuinely true.

You have no regard for my stress level, when I hit the “phone” button & literally count.. 1…2…3 before you kick into gear. Some days you don’t even decide to charge at all, you just lie on my countertop with a charger plugged into your bottom side, but no charging, none at all. You remember when I tried to only text a one line message to my brother, and your stupid scroll ball had a spec of a dust particle in it? I do, I wished to type “I will be there at 5” but instead came up with “ wil bl e I tha5t ere”. No one could understand that lingo even in this crazy world! And, yes, this has indeed happen more than just that ONE time. Last but not least, I realize you are truly jealous of my obsession with FaceBook… I really don’t care, but you NEED to actually give me my notifications. You need to “refresh” yourself on a regular basis as well, if not for me & FaceBook, then for yourself at least.

Overall Eris, the main reason I have stayed with you this long is because I get a new one of you every 6 months. The other reason, may or may not be because I haven’t had the funds necessary to Smash you on the cement outside of my house. Many a time, I have screamed at you, I know, but I have refrained from slamming you down on any flat surface that is in my vicinity. I don’t wish for others to feel I am a violent person, but Eris, once your 2 years are up in 2 more weeks, I will be not only be kicking you to the curb… I will be kicking you to the muddy, snow-covered curb, only after I smash you into a zillion piece. I know some might think this is silly, why wouldn’t I sell you, some might ask?! Because I want no one to suffer the pain I have.. having a “smartphone” that is so dumb!

With no love lost,

Katrina <3

Family Photos today!

 

Off to a storefront similar to this one. Picture portrait day today. Got the girls some lovely red dresses, and can’t even wait to see how cute these pictures are gonna turn out! I love family photos, and big puffy holiday dress on long haired little girls :)

 

Baby it’s cold outside..

So why not make it feel like summer inside?! Literally this weekend it got down to 13! Burr..

I was asking myself what can I make to get the ambiance of summer in my home for a night? Mango salsa was weighing heavy on the brain, so I had to pick one up at the store. I must also tell you, I had some visitors over Thanksgiving from Alaska, namely my first cousin & her family. She is such a lovely person, and to show how lovely they are, they came bearing gifts…halibut & salmon, yummm. Do you see where I am going with this?

Mango Salsa made ahead, because we all know it tastes so much better after marinating for a couple hours.

Add to this halibut, on a bed of rice? Yes please!

                    

Although my family didn’t appreciate this meal. (My 5 year old daughter told me the top part “just tastes too crazy mommy”) I am sure you will, right?

Tis the season..

For utter & total Chaos! Things are going so quickly, I haven’t had a chance to catch my breath.. I promise I have tons to right about, however time is not allowing me to sit.

This weekend I have gotten around to putting up my Christmas décor, a few weeks too late, don’t ya think?

Well off to make some food, buy some gifts, and have yet more fun :)

Can someone tell me…

 

* How one simple little toy can make someone so crazy?

* Why moms “aim to please”?

* How it is EVEN possible for all these little suckers to disappear off the shelves of every store within a 300 (yes with two zeros) mile radius of my house?

* And lastly! How finding this became my new day job?