Easter Sunday ~ 2012

Treats from the Easter Bunny.
Once Nugget saw the truck he didn't care one iota what was in the basket. 
More choclate for Daddy and Mommy.  :o)

I would love to know what he is thinking right here.



Waiting for Daddy to free the truck.

Cookies



Our traditional lamb cake.
I tried to get Nugget to take a picture by the cake, but he had other plans.





We had a wonderful Easter brunch with Papa and Maemae.



Not only did Nugget sit on the bunny's lap, he actually smiled!

Spring Break 2012

Last week was spring break for us.   We didn't go any where, but we had lots of fun.   Here's a quick recap of a few of our days in (mostly) pictures.

Tuesday

Tuesday Nugget and I ran errands.  I had a dentist appointment and my dentist suggested the last time I was in that I bring Nugget with so he can start to get used to the surroundings.  The dentist also said it would be good for Nugget to see me get my teeth cleaned.  I thought it was a brilliant idea.

Nugget loved riding in the big chair!  His favorite thing was the suction tube, though.  He was too funny, every time I used the suction he would come over and want to suction his mouth.  Beth, our hygentist, said that is was great he liked that.  She said most kids are afraid of the suction tube.

After the dentist Nugget had an appointment to get his haircut.  I wish this was an easy feat.  Haircuts for Nugget consist of lots of tears, climbing out of chairs, and physical exhaustion for all involved.  I have never seen any one hate to get his haircut as much as Nugget.  I hate that I have to do it to him, but in the end he always looks so cute.

Wednesday
I had the carpets cleaned on Wednesday morning so Nugget and I had to get out of the house for most of the day.  We went to the mall to play and see the Easter bunny.  I didn't think Nugget would get any where near the bunny, but he did!

That evening the carpets were still too wet to walk on much less play on so I tried to set up a play area in our kitchen.  No Go.  Nugget does not care for change, and he was not happy about not being able to get into the playroom.  We finally packed up and went out to the farm for a few hours in the evening.  Whew!  One little boy sure does have a mind of his own.


Thursday

Since Nugget's birthday is coming up I really wanted to get his picture taken.   We had plans to do that on Thursday.  He was such a good boy, and took so many great pictures ~ that made it difficult to just pick a few.  Here are a couple of my favorites:

After pictures we walked around the mall a bit.  There is a new train ride at the mall.  Nugget was beyond excited.  He couldn't wait to ride the train.

Nugget was so excited,
I couldn't get him to sit still long enough to take a picture.

Holding his ticket for the conductor!  :o)

I hadn't planned on going to the playland, but the train took us right by so of course we had to go back.  Actually I'm glad we did.  Even though it was really crowded, Nugget had a blast.

Friday
By Friday both Nugget and I were tired.  We slept late.  Met Papa for breakfast and just sort of 'hung-out' for the day.  It was a good day to regroup.

Saturday
Our friends called and invited us to an Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning.  At first Nugget was a little skiddish, but once he got the swing of things he had a blast!!

Nugget and Miss C.

Saturday evening we colored eggs.

Nugget also helped me frost the lamb cake.  Well. I frosted while he was the official taste-tester. 

After a bath we had to get the basket ready for the Easter Bunny!

I love, Love, LOVE that Nugget is starting to 'get' all of the fun activities and traditions with the holidays.

Next post will have Easter Sunday.  This post is already WAY too long!

Second Referral-Versary

Two years ago today we saw this sweet picture of our Nugget.

Nugget finally sat still after I handed him some cars.

Some how the years are going at warp speed now.  I can't believe I have been Nugget's

mom for two years!  He makes me smile every day!

Happy Referral-versary to all of our travel mates!!

Good-Bye My Gentle Giant

This morning you had your first breakfast in nine years without those yucky tasting pills.

You walked down the hill in the light sprinkle to do your business.

After you came in we cuddled for a few minutes before we had to help you in the truck.

The truck that you used to jump in and out of with ease.

That is where you and I said our final good-bye.

Tucker was our gentle giant.  He looked like a brute, but he had the biggest heart of any dog

I have ever known.  He loved anyone and everyone.  Tucker was not the smartest dog in the canine world, but he was the sweetest.

Tucker was the first of our three dogs that we introduced to Nugget when we came home.

To this day, Tucker was the only one of the three that Nugget would pet, play with, or ask about.

How I wish this picture wasn't so blury

 

As sad as I am today, I do know that Tucker is finally seizure free.  He no longer has trouble with his hips, and his other issues that have become worse over the last several months.

One of my all time pictures of Tucker.

I will never forget taking the boys outside the first winter we had them.  Boy!  They loved the snow.  They loved it so much they knocked me on my ass more than once pulling me down the hill.  

It's funny ~ now.

Bailey on the left ~ Tucker on the right.

We brought the boys home when they were ll weeks old.  

They have been best friends and worst enemies for the last 10 1/2 years.  

There have been bloody fights, but thankfully more there have been more play times.

Today Bailey seems a little unsure of what is going on.  He is usually not cuddly, but he wants lots of attention today, he will get all he needs.  This is going to be an adjustment for him, poor boy.

It helps me to think that Tucker has found Sadie and Miranda

 on the other side of that

 Rainbow Bridge.

He is running and finally he will have that happy grin on 

his face that has been missing for far too long.

I love and miss you, Tuck-Tuck.

A Big Change...

A little more than a week ago Bear and I were sitting in the family room one evening when all of a sudden we heard, "where mommy daddy doe (go)?"  Next thing we hear is the pitter-patter of little feet running down the foyer.  Nugget had not only gotten out of the crib, which he had been doing on occasion, but he also got the door opened and came down the stairs.

At first we thought it was a fluke.  I thought maybe I didn't get the door pulled closed tight.  Nugget had gotten out of the crib  before, but he has never been consistent about it.   Fast forward to the next day during nap time, he escaped again.  I was more shocked that he could suddenly open doors, than I was about him climbing out of the crib.  That was the end of the sweet crib.

That Sunday afternoon Bear took down the side of the crib and converted it to the toddler bed.
Sniff, Sniff!!

The crib right before its deconstruction.

Helping Daddy

The proof ~ he was climbing IN the crib here.

Big helper

Getting bears ready for the change.

Aaaaahhhhh.... this is going to be comfy.

The toddler bed~
I think this has been more of an adjustment for Mommy than for Nugget.

First night in the converted bed.
We couldn't believe he stayed in bed ALL night!
The pillow is no longer in the bed.  He doesn't want to have anything to do with a pillow right now.

We have had the toddler bed one week today.    Nugget has gotten out of bed and come downstairs only two times when he should have been going to sleep.  We are proud of our little man!

Mr. Giggles

Between sicknesses and being super busy the past week there has been little time, or desire,  to blog.  I do have some posts I want to share, and I will do it soon.  I had to quickly post this little video, though.  The weather has been beautiful here the past few days.  Nugget and I took advantage of the gorgeous day yesterday and went to visit Maemae.  I LOVE how the simple little things of life bring such joy to Nugget.

Happy Leap Frog Day, everyone! 

Valentine's Day Fun

Valentine's Day, this year, was a blast!!   In the past we didn't really celebrate V-Day as it always seemed like such a Hallm@rk holiday. Things change ~ it was so much fun celebrating with Nugget. He enjoyed all of the decorating and activities.

I have seen all over the blog-o-sphere how much kidlets are enjoying gel window clings.  So the last time I was at Target I picked some up.  Nugget loves decorating the back door with the hearts.  The hearts have been rearranged several times since we took these pictures.  :o)



Nugget and I also made some cookies to share.

Nugget's first decorated cookie!

 

We shared lots of cookies with friends & family.

The sugar cookies are from a recipe that is showing up all over the baking blogs I follow.  You know those soft, sugar cookies that you can buy at Walmart or Kroger with the colored icing that always match the current season.  This recipe is supposed to be like those cookies ~ well ~ they are!  They are so good.

The recipe that I used for the sugar cookies can be found HERE.   The only thing I did differently was use a heart shape cookie cutter.

I thought Nugget would really enjoy frosting cookies.  He frosted one.  He did enjoy putting sprinkles on the cookies ~ a few of them anyway.  Then he was off to play with his cars.

The second cookie we made was Heart Blossoms.  I usually make these cookies at Christmas time, but I didn't this year.  When I saw on Pinterest someone put a heart candy chocolate in the center I had to make them.  They were so cute. 

The recipe I used for the heart blossoms  was an old recipe that I got from my aunt about a hundred years ago.  I can't remember a Christmas that we didn't have them on the cookie tray, until this year.  I must admit, though, that I enjoyed making them for Valentine's Day.  This may be the beginning of a new tradition.

Here's the recipe if you would like to make them for Valentine's Day, Christmas, or just because.

Heart Blossom Cookies

1/2 cup butter flavored Crisco
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tblspn. milk

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup sugar
Dove Chocolate hearts or Hershey Kisses

~ Preheat the oven to 350*

~ Beat together the Crisco and the peanut butter until smooth.  Add the sugar and beat until fluffy.  Add the egg, vanilla, and milk.

~ In a separate bowl mix the flour with the baking soda and the salt.  Add to cream mixture.

~ Roll dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll each ball in granulated sugar.  Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

~ Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes.  Remove from the oven and place a chocolate in the center of each cookie, pressing down until the cookie cracks slightly around the edges.  Place the cookies back in the oven for 2 minutes.

It's best to make these cookies the day before you want to share them  The chocolate needs to reharden before you can store them.  It is worth the extra time, promise.

Enjoy!

On Valentine's Day Bear and I decided to stay in and make a nice dinner for the three of us.  I am so glad we did.  After some rushing around in the beginning it turned out to be one of the best evenings 'in' we have had in a while. 

We made a nice dinner of baked salmon, roasted broccoli, rice, and a loaf of crusty bread.  Then for dessert I made a brownie pudding with vanilla ice cream.  It was the PERFECT evening.

The recipe I used for the pudding can be found HERE

After dinner we shared a few gifts.  It was a lovely night.  I can't wait to do it again next year.

Doesn't it look like Nugget is giving the 'hang ten' wave?  :o)

I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day!