If you love the corner of brownies....

You'll love this idea:

After perusing blogs late one night, I found this idea:

http://cookwithsara.blogspot.com/2009/07/brownie-waffles.html

What a great idea! Genius even! How come I've never thought of this? So I picked up a box of brownie mix this morning, and just made some waffle brownies , and they are delish!

They are thin, and kinda crispy (I kinda took my eyes off of them for a second when I was fixing Gram dinner, and then I smelled them burning). They taste just like the corners of the whole pan and oven deal! Thanks for the idea Sara!

Shrinky Dink Bracelet

My very first godchild is turning 8 this week! Every birthday I like to give her at least one handmade gift. I had no idea what to make for her this year, for goodness sake she's 8, y'all. I bought this shrinky dink film (it's for inkjet printers) for a project for Gram's birthday and when I started playing with it I dreamed this idea.

You'll need:

Shrinky Dink Film

A ready made bracelet (I bought this one for $2, in the little girl jewelry at Wal Mart)

Jump Rings (? I think this is what they are called)

jewelry pliers

permanent markers

scissors

hole punch

Shrinky Dink film - this stuff is fantastic! I took a yellow permanent marker and drew my designs, as this was the lightest marker and then went over outlines with fun, bright colors. I outlined my designs and added some detail with a black marker. I then flipped the shrinky dink film over and colored the other side exactly the same way, as it will show both sides on a bracelet (you will see your colors and lines, the film is transparent). Remember your final design will shrink by 50% so my designs here are about 1.5" to 2" before being baked.

Cut out and hole punch each "charm". You want to punch close to the edge, to fit on your ring and bracelet but not too close. You will see what I'm talking about.

I baked mine at 325 degrees. I can't tell you for how long. You must sit and watch them. I baked them on wax paper and covered with some wax paper too.

Fresh out of the oven all shrunk up!

See here? I punched too close to the side and they tore when I was trying to attach to the bracelet.

Jumper rings and pliers. Insert pliers into rings to open, slide charm onto ring, attach ring to bracelet and close the ring tight.

A cute little charm bracelet! Minus 2 cute charms. I guess I will try, try again.

I have all sorts of ideas floating in my head for this shrinky dink film . I'm thinking magnets, invitation embellishments, buttons maybe.

Prudent Advice For My Baby Daughter

NO! Not my baby daughter! Someone elses.

I just found this precious blog and had to share. It's so sweet and thoughtful, I wish I would have thought about it. http://prudentadviceformybabydaughter.blogspot.com

Sick Baby & Baby Gap Auditions

Friday Palmer woke up sounding a bit congested. No big deal. We've had problems with this before. I gave him some decongestant medicine and we got on with our day. Our agenda for the day included Palmer taking picutes and ordering carpet. He was a super trooper and we got some really good shots. (These photos are for his pediatrician's office.... ironic that he was taking those pictures sick?) I didn't think anything of it when at both errands someone commented on his cough. Friday night I went to a sorority reunion (that'll teach me to go out!) So far this post is just an illustration of what a negligent mother I am. I got home at 10, and Palmer was crying and Erik said he's been crying for a while. I finally got Palmer settled and went to bed. For 15 minutes. I was up with P at 11, 1, 3 and finally 5. At 5 he sounded terrible, it sounded like something was catching in his chest. I watched Mystery Diagnosis the night before, which I will never watch again. So of course I thought there was something terrible going on and I'm not usually one to jump to conclusions or run to Emergency Rooms, but after watching that particular show, I was worried. So we went. Good thing - P was sick! Bronchulitis. He received a steroid shot and two breathing treatments and we were discharged. The doctor's instructions included: a humidifier, breathing treatments, antibiotics, steroids and lots of cuddles. We are following those instructions to a T. Today (Sunday) he's feeling a little better, they said it would take a good day or two for the antibiotics and steroids to start working.

little boy on a big bed

Nanny, this one's for you! Go Tigers!
Our Saturday was capped off with a playdate for Gram and friends. (More like a playdate for Erik too) We had hot dogs and ice cream and the toddlers had a great time swimming, playing and eating! Don't they look like their own little Baby Gap commercial. Are they not the cutest kids ever? Palmer was sad he couldn't participate in the fun, so we stayed inside and rested in the A.C. It was nice to finally go to bed, we were all pooped by 9!

Edited to add: Palmer weighed in at a whopping 19 lbs! Who is this child?

Fantastic!

I was going through the pictures on my camera and I found this one. I literally laughed out loud when I saw it. And the one that follows. I first saw Erik's face: that big smile looking into his baby boy's eyes. I really don't know if I've ever seen such pure joy on Erik's face like this. I don't know if it's because Palmer just told a dirty joke or if he knows Gram's about to jump on him. Secondly, I see Gram, frozen in mid-attack.

And Gram attacks.

One night, after Gram's bath, I carried him to his closet to get a diaper and he spied his boots. He said, "boots, boots, boots, boots" over and over again. So I got his boots down and we put them on and it was a fantastic disaster. We went outside to show his daddy, but we didn't get far. He couldn't walk in them at all. I laughed, he cried.

Teeth time!

Gram went to the Dentist on Tuesday! He was a super patient and was told his teeth look great! We need to start flossing his two front teeth and they'll see him in a year (and every six months after that!)

How much do I LOVE my vinyl cutter?

A BUNCH!!! When I'm out shopping I'm constantly on the lookout for things to vinylize (not a real word, per spell check). I could go crazy vinyling (not real either) my entire house and its contents. And bottles.

And potties.
And more potties.

And sippy cups.
And picture frames.

You get the picture. Very easy baby shower gifts. I'm so excited. By far one of the best crazy ideas Erik's had.