Baker Buzz: February 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Crab Pot

Dave and I love our neighborhood for many reasons but the biggest reason is because of the people who live in it! We have seriously met some of the greatest people. I know I have said that a lot lately but I mean it! We love our house and this is home, so loving the people around us is that much more exciting!
Last night, my next door neighbor and friend had us over with three other families and we had a Crab Pot dinner. The first time my parents met Dave we did an Low Country Boil which is pretty much the same thing! As you will see in the picture, it is New Orleans style eatin! The crab legs were honestly some of the best I have ever had! The kids played together and put on a talent show for us full of dancing, singing, jokes and yo yo tricks! We had the best time. I went kind of picture crazy because the kids are so cute and our friends are so great! Enjoy pictures from a very fun evening!

Raechel, Erika, Lindsay, Jennifer

The smallest and sweetest at the party!

Blake, Miles and Cole

Stella and Katrina

Scott and Jeffrey!

the kids eating before the adult meal is served!

belly time!

DINNER IS SERVED! SO FUN

So delicious

Erika and Craig

two wonderful women and an adorable baby!

Family picture- only missing Isaac

Such a fun time.

Thanks again Hachmeister Family, we had a blast!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Handful

A local Tigard OR. woman started her own business. She designed a bra that is great as a sports bra but also practical for every day use! She has inspired breast cancer patients that have had surgery and made them feel better about themselves as the bra has an insert option! The business has taken off and she is so inspiring. She works at our Club in Tigard OR. She has been on the news and the bra is making a name for itself! Even Mom's at Hot Mama are talking about it! The name Handful bra makes sense but it's not named for what you may think!The woman who started the company as a little girl was called a "Handful" by her father! How great is this. Check out the video below. A fun video to show what a great bra this is for all women! She is inspiring! Why didn't I think of that?! YOU GO GIRL!

http://www.handful.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAi5m1csr5I&feature=g-upl&context=G2a95f11AUAAAAAAAAAA

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Fine Line...Really Sick or Not?? Oh-Parenting!

Sick Day vs. Mental Health Day

Causes of a Sick Day: Fever, aches, chills, pain, vomit, pajamas, bed and shut eye (the list goes on)

Causes of a Mental Health Day: A test, a mean child at recess, the annoying teacher, the girl you like being absent (the list goes on)

Miles has had the 24 hour stomach bug and is getting better this evening but starting after school yesterday he was feeling legitimately crummy. This is the conclusion we came to after much debate. He started complaining of an upset stomach before dinner. As a parent I immediatley think, was this because he did not want to eat what was for dinner? He didn't like the looks of dinner? Or was he serious? He excused himself from the table after eating maybe 4 bites and being told no desert. I rolled my eyes and huffed thinking he was not really sick, he was just being picky about food again!

After dinner last night the complaining continued, pepto bismol was distributed and water bottle filled to the top as he was in and out of the bathroom every 20 minutes (Too much information??? Sorry). Just after 10pm (bed time 8:30pm) he finally fell asleep...I'm thinking the poor guy has had a rough night, hoping he is better for school.

As a parent you want to be sure he is ok but we were all in 5th grade once! We also want to be sure he was truly and honestly sick! I remember growing up and trying to "fake sickness" so I didn't have to go to school and take that dreaded test or see that mean girl at recess! Watching TV in my pajamas sounded a lot better! Growing up, my parents made sure I knew what "sick days" would look like and when I was truly sick they would tend to me but when I wasn't sick they knew I was "BS- ing" them. My Mom and Dad were smart.

I think of them a lot when Miles and Katrina are sick! I remember one Saturday morning in St. Louis Katrina was complaining of an upset stomach on our way to dance. I felt her head...no fever...I was thinking she just did not want to go to dance! It was not until there was throw up all over the back seat that I believed her. Needless to say we turned around and headed home! I guess I learned a lesson there, though she has tried to pull a couple mental health days since! I also remember a couple times where Miles has had a big game or a performance at school and some how that causes a belly ache or a head ache only to find out it was nerves. So, where is the line? It's a fine line for sure!

This morning I found myself saying the same things to Miles that my parents once said. "Miles I want you to feel better and I don't want you to go to school if you truly feel sick but a sick day does not mean you will be able to stay home and play video games all day. It means you relax on the couch or in your room etc. It's not a fun filled day off." After texting Dave to let him know I was keeping Miles home from school he texted back "ok but NO VIDEO GAMES", great minds think alike! We are smart!

Anyway, Miles was not kidding, I saw for myself and he was truly feeling crummy, though I don't want him feeling bad ever it reassured my decision to keep him home. I went to the store after talking with Mom (my go to, nurse RN) and got popscicles, bananas and soup. We have had a lazy day to say the least. I was lucky to get a few things done around the house and that was the extent of it!!!

Needless to say, the kids will never get away with faking it...Not with me as their Step Mom...I tried to pull those same tricks and it never worked, so I cannot let it work for them! If you aren't sick you go to school! HAHA! Are we mean?!!? Just another reason our kids are resilient I suppose!

Baker Family Rule #2 -Don't Get Sick-

Monday, February 20, 2012

Been Busy!

Well the house decorating continues a day at a time! We are still having fun with it. We recently painted the down stairs 1/2 bath in the entry way and it turned out great! Just enough color to pop! Thanks to Dave for helping me edge!

done!

Katrina is turning 9 years old tomorrow (Feb. 21st) but Sunday night was the big celebration!

Sunday we surprised her with the Papasan Chair in her room from Pier 1 ~ that she has been wanting so badly! She was surprised and very excited.
Happy Birthday from Heather and Daddy!

L.O.V.I.N.G her chair!

cupcakes ready to be decorated for the cupcake decorating contest!

Dave announcing the rules for the hunt!

The girls are ready for the Scavenger Hunt!

Thanks to our sweet neighbor friends for making the hunt a success!

HAVING FUN! 9 years old and loving it!

running to next house for the hunt!

the hunt and their findings

Miles and his buddy staying out of the girls way....there were 7 of them, they know better! HA!

Katrina's pretty cupcake!

Cupcake # 1-7 and number 3 was the unanimous winner!

cupcakes and ice cream

PRESENTS!

Sweet girlfriends gave the sweetest gifts!

The Party Glasses!

Party Glasses!

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY!

After the exhaustion from the Slumber Party wore off, we went to a neighborhood friends house this afternoon for lunch and MORE fun with kids! We had a nice lunch and the Mom's had "Mom Time" which was needed!

Presidents Day Weekend has been a successful one!

I am more and more thankful for the people we have met here in Oregon every day!

The Crew today before a hike to the water from our friend Erika's house!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Valentines Day

Tuesday is Tuesday is Tuesday 2/14/12....Valentines Day is just another day and another way of saying I love you but I thought it would be fun to enjoy Valentines Day with kids and have them participate!

This morning we woke up and had coffee, cinnamon rolls, fruit, cards and gifts! It was nice because Dave stayed home a bit longer this morning than usual and saw the kids off to school. After Katrina finished Dance class we started on our own homemade chocolate covered strawberries! Katrina and I dipped half and half and we added red sprinkles! Katrina prepared the croissants as well, in a heart shape while I made salmon and asparagus with pasta! I often feel the pain of my parents while I was growing up as the kids are picky eaters. I try to remember that I was the same way, but now that I am the chef in the house, it is not so easy to take!! They were not a fan of the salmon or asparagus but they ate it! Dave and I thought it was great! Kids will be kids I suppose but if I made Digornio Pizza or Mac & Cheese and Chicken strips every night, my life would be easier...haha...and They would eat with no complaints...maybe for the next two weeks straight that is all I will make them and see how much they like those things after two weeks of eating it! OY VAY! God love em!

Happy Valentines Day!

brie cheese, wine, strawberries, and flowers!!!

Katrina's heart croissants

HAPPY "LOVE" DAY!

Salmon was delicious...I thought! :)

Bowling with Hot Mama's

Sunday night was our Holiday Party (a little late) with the Hot Mama boutique ladies! The ladies at the store are wonderful women, Mom's and friends. We all have hectic schedules and lives, so a February Holiday Party it was! We went to Grand Central Bowl in Portland and had a blast! Dave and I took the kids along (Katrina loves all the women who work at the store) and they had desserts and kiddy cocktails while we all bowled and had a ball!

Katrina getting ready to take her turn to bowl!

Miles loving a warm brownie and vanilla bean ice cream

They have huge screens for watching music videos and sports while bowling. Katrina was in awe of the Whitney Houston video playing at the front of this picture... Extremely sad that one of the greatest singers of all time has passed.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

LOV*ING Pinterest

https://pinterest.com/

If you haven't checked out Pinterest yet, it is a must! We have been having a lot of fun in our home with the brilliant ideas of pinterest!

Back Side of our Laundry Room....Ideas from Pinterest! Loving it!
The shelves look different since the picture but you get the gist!

Sweet Valentines Treats...They were a neighborhood hit!

Flat Pretzels, White and Black Striped Kisses and M&M's....Place Kiss on Pretzel in oven at 200 degrees for 3-4 minutes, just to soften the chocolate. Once out of the oven take the M&M and place on top! Put in fridge to harden and you have a delicious treat!!! YUM!

Thanks Pinterest! Keep the ideas coming!

Friday, February 10, 2012

To Much Fun for a Thursday Night!

Last night we had a great time with great people! Dave's friends Paul (Crusher) and Pete from College met up with us! We caught up, had good conversation, played shuffle board and had too much fun for a Thursday night!! Hearing their college stories never gets old. They should write a screenplay based on their experience, I swear!

Great guys. Good times!

Pete, Paul (Crusher) and Dave~ College Buddies

typical

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

cutest nephews in the world...the sum of it

My weekend in St. Louis was fast and furious with 3 of the most precious babies in the world! Finley, Amsden and Brogen were the center of the weekend. They are adorable and busy busy!

It was great seeing family and friends!!

Enjoy the pics!