Kumquats and such

We're so happy that the weather has finally warmed up! Reagan donned one of her princess dresses and a tiara before spinning like a wild woman in the front yard. I seriously love this kid.  After twirling, we wandered down to the bridge over the creek behind out house. It's actually kind of a gross little body of water, but occasionally we see a frog or turtle, so it's fun and worth the short walk. On the way, Reagan made some wishes...

Last week we had some fun with Pinterest activities! After the homemade fruit snacks, we decided to make SLIME! Talk about a fun sensory project for toddlers. I found the "pin" courtesy of my friend, Kelley, and knew we had to put it on our list of things to do. Here's the link so the rest of you can join the fun...and here's our version: Step 1: Assemble ingredients (pretty easy, eh?!). The original post actually says you're supposed to use clear glue, but after three stores, we decided that green gel would just have to suffice. The Sta-Flo is a liquid starch that can be found at the grocery store. We also used food coloring (not pictured). Step 2: Pour contents of both glue bottles into a large bowl. The recipe calls for one and a half cups. We just dumped:) Step 3: Add the liquid starch. The recipe calls for one and a half cups. I would start with one cup and then add until you reach the desired consistency. I ended up having to use paper towe...

Hello, my name is Jennifer, and I'm a newly addicted Pinterest member. I have actually been a member for quite sometime, but only recently started my addiction. As I was browsing the favorites section, I came across a pin for homemade fruit snacks . I repinned it immediately and as soon as I had some free time, Reagan and I got to work making them. You can find the step-by-step directions and ingredient list on the previous link, but here's our version: Step 1: Select the fruit you'd like. We obviously chose blueberries & raspberries. Step 2: Place 1 cup of fruit in a small saucepan with 1/4 cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook until the fruit becomes soft (approx 4 minutes). Step 3: Place contents of the saucepan in the blender and puree. Make sure you leave that small plug inside the lid out since the fruit is hot. Otherwise, the lid pops off and you've got a big mess! Step 4: Return fruit puree to saucepan, stir in 1/2 cup of applesauce. ...

Swansboro celebrates the annual Mullet Festival each October (for the fish, not the 80s hairstyle). After our 5k on Saturday morning, we headed to the festival to check it out. Unfortunately, we were crunched for time, so it was literally a quick walk through. There were probably 150+ vendors selling homemade items, food trucks, a fire prevention booth complete with fire trucks, and bands. We missed the earlier parade. I wish we had more time to browse, but it was fun anyway. Here are a few pictures from the event: Our little monkey, surveying the sites from the safety of the Bob These tents lines several streets and housed the individual vendors A band playing in the Historic Swansboro pavillion What's a festival without fried pickles and funnel cake?! Local dance school showing off their routines Tax dollars at work to outfit this anti-drug police vehicle

One night last week, I took Reagan outside to swing while we did our daily chat with Grandma.  After our talk, I set the phone down in the garage, and then Reagan and I walked down the street to chat with some neighbors.  The time got away from us, and we ended up coming home just in time for Reagan to change into her PJs and get to bed. The following morning, we hopped in the car and headed to run with Stroller Warriors.  We returned a few hours later and I walked out to grab the trash bin.  It was then that I noticed this: Yup, I had placed the phone on the back of my car and managed to back over it, smashing it to bits.  Oops!  Luckily it wasn't my iPhone...I would be totally distraught if that happened.  Guess I'll be heading out next week to get a replacement.  Glad we have 2 other wireless phones to use in the meantime!

...with my new treadmill!  Ok, so it's not new, and it's not exactly mine, but let me explain.  I've been begging Jason to get me a treadmill since we got married.  Unfortunately, he's adamantly opposed to the idea of a giant piece of exercise equipment cluttering up our new house.  (and rightfully so...it's currently in the living room and quite the eyesore)  However, when he deployed, I told him I was bound and determined to figure out a way to get a treadmill for the 7-months he's gone.  The other day, while walking through the neighborhood in an effort to entertain Reagan for just a few more minutes before commencing the bedtime routine, I ran into my very pregnant friend Jill.  I knew that she had a treadmill in her garage, and I was pretty certain that she wasn't (or rarely) using it.  Turns out my hunch was correct.  She said she's used it 3 times since they purchased it.  I asked her if I could "rent" it for the duration of the d...

Reagan and I had good intentions of hitting the beach today, but real life got in the way:(  On Wednesday afternoon, my friends Rich and his son Joe were hanging out in the backyard with Reagan and me.  I volunteered to watch my friend's dog for the week, so Haley (a german shepherd mix) and Tommy were playing with us too.  Rich's wife Laura returned from a dental appointment with some Chinese food for his lunch.  We all sat on the deck while he ate and the kids tasted some rice.  As is the case with dogs, Tommy and Haley were underfoot from the first smell of people food.  In the process of eating the chicken and rice, a few crumbs fell to the ground.  Tommy started eating them immediately.  Haley tried to get her portion and within a few seconds, there was a snarl from Tommy as he lurched forward at Haley who yelped and retreated.  I scolded Tommy and looked at Haley.  I thought I saw a bit of blood on her nose and as I went to further...

To even out yesterday's post of dislikes, I thought it would be appropriate to list a few things I'm grateful for and things I just love for the sake of themselves. 1.   My wonderful husband, Jason .  He supports us single-handedly, cooks a gourmet meal for me once a week, and is my best friend.  I've tried keeping secrets from him, but it never works.  I always cave and tell him everything.  He's kind, generous, understanding, and so much fun to be around.  Jason is a wonderful father and we're so lucky to have him! 2.   Our beautiful daughter, Reagan .  I put my husband first, because without him, we wouldn't have Reagan:)  She is truly the light of our lives and I can hardly remember life before she came along.  She's a joy to be around (most of the time) and I cherish the fact that I can stay home with her.  It seems as though she learns something new each and every day.  And even when I'm at my wits end and have to ca...

One day during my trip to my old stomping grounds, I did a drive by on Kendale Drive to see the house I grew up in.  I'm sure if any neighbors saw me creeping along the street with my camera out the window, they surely would have called in my license plate!  The house looks much the same, minus the missing HUGE magnolia tree that used to be in the left corner of the front yard.  It was cut down many years ago and some smaller trees were planted in the front.  I have such fond memories of the house and I'm glad to see that it has remained somewhat the same.

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and while I'm a bad Catholic and didn't attend church, I am planning to give up something for Lent.  Growing up, we always gave up sweets...all of them!  Let me caveat by saying that we also always cheated on St. Patrick's Day, Jessica & my birthday, and our mom's birthday:)  Yeah, I suppose we're Catholics-of-convenience! Well, last year, being pregnant, I didn't think my system could handle a total withdrawal of sweets, so I merely gave up gummy candy (my favorite) much to the delight of my dentist.   This year, I'm saying goodbye to all of it.  (Except on my birthday of course...hey, I stick to tradition.)  So last night I made a butter cake frosted with whipped chocolate icing.  No I did not eat all of it, though I strongly considered it.  But I did pass on 2/3 of the cake to my neighbors and helped myself to a larger portion than usual of the treat.  Now the rest has found the trash can and thus begins ...

B.R. (before Reagan), I didn't know the convenience of automatic doors.  In fact, I kind of thought they were for lazy people, you know like the escalator that runs alongside the stairs at the airport.  But now P.R. (post Reagan), I fully understand why some genius invented automatic doors.  It was for people with giant-impossible-to-maneuver strollers and a handful of bags. See, not everyone is always this nice: Even at the holidays, it seems like I'm trying to work my way to the front of the stroller, open the door, and pull the contraption through while arching over it with my long arms.  I have no idea how short people do it:)  Thus, my ode to automatic doors... Now I know I raved about the Furminator awhile back, but this modern-day convenience is top in my book too!  Particularly P.R. and definitely in preparation for when I'm running around with another one.  (no this is not a subtle way of telling anyone I'm expecting again...that's a lo...