My 5 Favorite Pampered Chef items

1. microwave steamer (I use this daily)
2. cookie scoops
3. batter bowls (LOVE these!)
4. baking stones - I have several and use them all
5. chopper - I have two - that should tell you how much I like it.

What are you favorite kitchen gadgets?

5 pictures

1. This is the face Carly makes when she see's the camera pointing at her.

2. First time eating spaghetti with sauce.

3. Leah going to her Fancy Nancy Tea Party.

4. Leah's family birthday party. It was a pig theme because she LOVES pigs. She didn't have any pig clothes, so she stayed in her favorite pig pajamas all day. We even make pink pig cupcakes.

5. Another birthday celebration for Leah. We had 5 total! Yes, seriously we did. You only turn 5 once, right?

5 Favorite Websites/Blogs

These are outside of my family and friends, because you know I'm reading your stuff!


1. thepioneerwoman.com - she has some amazing recipes and has a great sense of humor and great giveaways!

2. j-a-girl.blogspot.com - I love her projects and decorating ideas.

3. yourhomebasedmom.com - she's got cool mom status. Great recipes, I made several at Christmas time and I love her decorating/crafts. She also has some great things she does for her kids (3 in college) that I would love to do when my girls are older.

4. orgjunkie.com - organizing inspiration. Check it out on Monday's when it's "Menu Plan Mondays". Lots of recipes and meal plan ideas.

5. luckymecraftsandkids.blogspot.com - she has great craft ideas and fun things to do with young kids.

What are some of your favorite sites?

5 Things I want to accomplish this year

1. figure out how to use my sewing machine
2. read the bible - in its entirety
3. declutter EVERY room in the house (Goodwill may open a store just for us)
4. finish the basement
5. keep up with Leah's journal and start Carly's (sorry Carly that I haven't even started yours yet)

What's on your list?

Bit of an Update

Ok, so I have a ton to update on, including Leah's 5th birthday bash!

But for the meantime, here are some tidbits of what's been going on.

• Leah got 5 shots at her check-up. That was not fun! She's in the 90th percentile for height and 80th for weight.


• Carly will now give you a hug and a kiss if you ask her and if she's in the mood.


• Carly doesn't walk, she gallops. If you chase her, she will run and giggle. It's so great!


• Carly is starting to really like "Ella" aka Cinderella. And I think she may be part Cinderella, she likes to help put away the dishes from the dishwasher and use the Dustbuster and vacuum cleaner. Wonder if she's too young for all the household chores?


• Yesterday we had a birthday party for Leah's favorite doll, Maddie. This was definitely last minute. Apparently, Maddie's favorite treat is star shaped peanut butter/chocolate chip cookies. So that's what we served at the party. Maddie also got some presents. Two new books and some "new" clothes.

Top 5 children's books for this week

1. Purplicious
2. Dora's Valentine Book
3. Does a Princess Wear Hiking Boots?
4. Sleepytime Farm
5. Goodnight Moon

What have you been reading?

5 shows on the DVR

These are our top 5 shows we DVR every week or day depending on the show.

1. Days of our Lives (I just can't let it go!)
2. Burn Notice
3. American Idol
4. Chuck
5. Psych

Anything you can't bear to miss? Or a show that you just love?