Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

 A recent Pinterest pin was a quick fix for a little after supper treat.

With the help of my resident junior pastry chef, we whipped these up in a jiffy.

All you need is a tube of crescents, marshmallows 

and chocolate chips.

Roll 'em up

Put them on a cookie sheet and bake according to package directions on the rolls.

Gooey goodness, how can you go wrong?

It will leave you wanting S'more.

S'more Croissants, that is.

That's Sheenazing!

 Have you seen the nominations for the Sheenazing Blogger Awards yet?

Hop on over to Bonnie's to join in and cast your votes!

Thank you to the reader(s), whomever you are, that nominated me for Best Looking Blog and Most Inspiring. You are too kind and I am above honored.

This is not a plug for votes, since I am in the company of some very noteworthy and amazing bloggers.

There is a whole treasure trove of awesome blogs listed and some of my best Bestie's are on there too. 

Maybe you made the list....go see!

Motherhood Monday

 

Highlighted from A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms  (page 15, St. Gerard Majella):

'The gift of motherhood is an endless joy marked by moments of great grace and great sorrows.'

This caught my eye as I was sharing with a friend. I am hoping that this week brings great moments of joy that have sprinkles of grace. While caught in the middle of the winter lull and the homeschool mom burn out months, sprinkles are a wonderful addition to any week. Wouldn't you agree?

Bonding Over Bread

What does a parent do when you have a sweet pea as cute as mine?

What do you do when said sweetness has hit toddlerhood full throttle?

Almost overnight, Gianna turned into chatty toddler girl with a fun personality. But then the next night she found a little thing called stubboness/strong-willed/spirited child and thought she'd throw that in for good measure.

While standing in amazement at the will power of a 26 lb little girl, I try to recall what the last round of toddlers were like in our house. It must be age, because I can't seem to remember it hardly at all.

That's probably a good thing.

We'll keep figuring this out as we go, acting as if we are first time parents again.

It was on a recent Sunday while I watched father and daughter interact while making bread that I caught glimpses of loveliness. Ganders of love.

It's these times when we build their trust, share our love and listen to their thoughts and words. Even if they are real words mixed in with several toddler rambling words.

These moments when all they need is a little direction, a guiding hand and a little restraint, are important.

These moments will create memories.

These are the times as parents we nurture the mind and heart. They learn to appreciate their individual time with mommy or daddy and we do as well. 

The parent and child connection is built, cultivated and grows in these little acts of daily life.

While I watch as an outsider, my heart still connects to the toddler and to the father. Another memory captured and tucked away in my heart. 

These heartstrings stay intact as both of us will tug and pull through the years. When behavior demands discipline, attitude requires an adjustment and disrespect calls for honor.

It's easy to see through the tantrums now and hope for a better tomorrow because this simply is a phase. It's difficult to contemplate a day when we may not agree or so easily forgive. 

I blink and time passes. I sleep and years are gone.

Nurture.

Bless.

Smile.

Thankful.

Hopefully years down the road she'll still remember the day when they bonded over bread.

(Kind Of) Wordless Wednesday: New Girls

As I indicated on Saturday, the little girls got their second time ever haircuts trims.

They are like new little ladies with their new 'dos. 

Who took my babies and turned them into grown up little people?!

Getting them to sit still long enough to take a front shot with their cute hair was near impossible. Well, at least for the toddler it was.

Alas, this is what you get:

And now let's all take a moment of silence for the baby days that just flew out the window.

Modern Day

 

The toddler runs willingly to the bathroom to sit on the toilet.

"Be sure and turn on the water in the sink a little bit. That seems to help", I shout to my husband from the living room.

My son looks at me and then follows with,

"Where did you hear that? Pinterest?"

I laugh and then reply, "No, I made that up myself or heard it back when you big kids were little. It helps little kids sometimes to go potty and relax."

"Oh. It sounded like something from Pinterest."

Gee, how did we mom know anything before the Internet or Pinterest? 

I believe a little sprinkle of Pinterest is the perfect addition to my week and a little bit of time to get my creative juices flowing.

And of course, to see what kind of insanely awesome projects some of you are attempting. You go, girls!

I guess I haven't even scratched the surface or dared wonder if Pinterest covers potty training. 

I better go check.

Scenes From A Saturday: Sledding

Saturday mornings are usually bath time for the little girls and I decided to throw in a little hair trim for both of them too. 

As you see, Margaret was thrilled.

But, why must you cut my lovely locks?

Because, they are stringy and you need a little winter pick-me-up.

With the prospect of 50 mph winds that were to blow in for the afternoon, we headed outside this morning while it was in the mid-30's.

Some of us dawdle more than walk, but that's how this girl rolls. And dawdles.

We hit the sledding hill that grandpa worked on with the big kids the other week. The kids have been having a blast on it. I didn't take photos showing the length of this hill, but it goes down the hill/path they made and onto the snow covered icy lake below. It's more of a tapered hill and not straight down, just in case you are worried about the risk factor.

The big kids take turns with Gianna.

And enjoy the competition to see who gets further on to the ice.

Winter landscape offers photographic fun.

Sweet cheeks that belong to child #4 who almost always waits patiently in her cozy sled while the others play.

Another turn down the chute with Lily.

Gianna thinks it's a hoot.

But not so much when she tips out of the sled, which happened with daddy just after I took this photo.

A good time was had by all.

We finished up just as the wind started to roar.

Now it's blustery/blizzard-like and snow is swirling around the house. I'd say 50 mph winds are not impossible as the temperature has dropped in the lower teens.

So much for more sledding. 

At least not for the rest of this weekend or probably next week as we sit in a deep freeze.

I hope you're warm and toasty and enjoying lots of family time during your weekend.