Hawaiian Style Christmas Tree!

We put up the tree! We found a cut your own tree farm here on Hawaii, actually only about 15 minutes from our house. We picked a very Hawaiian looking tree. Its a nordic pine. I spent a very long time and a whole box of paper clips getting lights on it. I was worried that it wouldnt feel christmasy enough, but I really do love how it turned out. It might be my favorite tree ever. It was fun walking down the rows of trees and selecting the one we wanted. When we found it the guy came and sawed it down, the trunk is only about 3 inches in diameter, and put it in the net and tied it to our car! The boys thought it was great. What I really love about this tree is you can really see every ornament.

Ive been happy that the weather has been feeling cooler for us. I know you would still think its really warm (we are still wearing shorts and sandals after all) but by Hawaii standards its been cool! Im loving it. I need some cooler weather!

In other news, our rooster has gone from adolescent to full on Rooster. And I think he hates us. It might have something to do with Brad and Jonathan trying to kill it with rocks. Rooster's favorite activity starts around 5am. He stands DIRECTLY under our bedroom window and cock-a-dood-les up at us. I saw him today, he doesnt just stand beneath our window, he actively stretches his neck up and points his beak at the window for maximum volume delivery. But Im not sure what to do about it!

Picking a tree in shorts and sandals

Nose scrunch!

Our fearless leader

Love it! Im surprisingly feeling very Christmasy in this tropical paradise!

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Hummus

Since I live in Hawaii, I can have fresh basil in my garden year round. (don't hate) Well, my basil is doing so good right now and I wanted to put it to use! This is one of our favorite snacks.

I basically just dump everything together, so the measurements are approximate. Just use what you feel like :)

Sun Dried Tomato Basil Hummus

2 cans chick peas, drained

4-6 sun dried tomatoes

3 cloves garlic

10 or so fresh basil leaves

1 t salt

ground pepper to taste

1/2 C olive oil

Add everything together in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. You may have to add additional olive oil if you aren't getting a smooth consistency. Super easy!!

Enjoy with pita chips or carrot sticks!

Store in fridge

YUM!

The Birthday Boy

Oh Avery, there are no words that can explain how much I love you!

It doesn't get much better than this!

Happy birthday to an amazing 5 year old!!

Is That for Here or To Go?

Its so fun having a kid in kindergarten. Bringing birthday treats to school was something Avery and I were both excited about.

Here on the North Shore things are pretty relaxed. Homemade treats are still allowed. They can be sugary too! So there really weren't any limits. Avery chose these awesome hamburger and french fry cupcakes.

I put them in little paper tray I found at Longs with a square of parchment paper.

The "bun" is a yellow cup cake cut in half with a few sesame seeds sprinkled on.

The "burger" is just a brownie cut with a 2 inch-ish cookie cutter. Its kind of gross because it really looks like beef! But the scraps were delish!!

The "condiments" are simply colored frosting I made myself. (Are you annoyed by my "" yet?)

The fries were cute and so tasty. I used a packaged sugar cookie mix. I followed instructions for cut out cookies and made one big flat cookie. After it cooked I sprinkled it with sugar and cut the fry shapes with a knife while the cookie was still hot. Then after it cooled I broke it up!

They took me ALL MORNING! I thought it would be a simple project. It was easy, but there are a million steps. And I used a million dishes.

But they were worth it. The kids freaked out!

I highly recommend burger and fries for your next birthday!

Happy Birthday to my big 5 year old!!

Getting Back Into Things

Before all the sickness got us down (and even before that I guess) I was doing the Pinterest projects. My plan was to choose a couple of projects or recipes a week from Pinterest and create them and blog my results. Well, Ive really slacked off. But we are back at it people!!

This week is Avery's fifth birthday and our first time ever getting to bring birthday treats to school! Since we aren't having a big party with friends he wanted to do something special for his school class. This is what he picked:

Hamburger Cupcakes!

Its just a yellow cupcake with a brownie patty and frosting condiments! Originally from Bakerella for Fathers day. They look so cute, maybe a little gross but cute. We are also doing cookie french fries. I got little trays to put the "meal" in! Other big birthday plans include a trip to McDonalds (totally his choice, I tried to talk him out of it. But oh well, easy for me!!) and more cake and presents. Things can be pretty mello when you are 5!

Stay tuned to see my version of these babies!

(Still confused about what the heck Pinterest is? Go here to see my boards and sign your self right up!)

UPDATE: Baker is doing great. He went to church and to a dinner party today. He is sleeping in his own bed (and not on the couch with me thank goodness!) and being his usual cute self! Yay!

Sick Baker

We have had a rough couple of weeks health wise around here. It all started with pink eye and ear infections (not too bad, but still a Dr. visit) then two Fridays ago Avery had a trip to the Emergency Room and we found out he developed pneumonia. It was our first Emergency Room visit ever! He was really close to being hospitalized. He suffered through x rays and breathing treatments and he missed a week of school! We got him all squared away and I thought we were on the road to recovery.

I also had a trip to the Dr. for a whole bunch of gunk in my lungs. Side note: my north shore Dr. was so funny. He didn't wear shoes. Awesome

Then last Sunday Baker started complaining of stomach pains. He was in a lot of pain and it wasn't stopping. So it was his turn to head to the Emergency Room. Its so hard to know if you need to go or not. I struggled with it. I even pulled up in the parking lot and turned around because I thought he was fine after all. But about two minutes later I turned around and we went back. It was a good thing I did too.

At the hospital in Wahiawa

The poor baby was given an IV. Baby IVs are so sad. After some X rays and ultrasounds on his tummy he was transferred to the children's hospital in an ambulance with lights and sirens. It was such a surreal and super scary moment for me, he was a champ. We got to the children's hospital around 10 pm. He had more x rays and ultrasounds and it was determined he had something called intussussception. Basically his intestines were turning in on itself like when you collapse a telescope. Its very painful and can be very serious if not treated quickly

A sight I never want to see again

He was able to be treated with a very painful barium enema that night around 11. It was so horrible being there and watching my baby go through so much. Ive never heard him scream so hard. The enema was successful and his intestine corrected. He was so wiped out. We stayed the night with hopes of coming home then next day.

Couldn't resist this one. Cute baby bum

With intussusception there is a small chance of reoccurrence. We were the small chance. The next day around noon he started showing signs that it had happened again, lots of stomach pains! So they did more ultra sounds to confirm. Yep, we were whisked down to the radiology department for another barium enema. I was a fountain of tears at thing point. I didn't want my little baby who was already so exhausted to go through it all again. But there was no option. So we gathered our stretch and went in. The second procedure was successful too.

Such a brave boy. He loved to close up the crib and make "a house"

He didn't have any more intestine occurrences but he did develop a pretty high fever and he had a cough and runny nose. Of course there were more tests. He tested positive for two different viruses and some thing that starts with an M that was giving him a bad cough. The Dr.s didn't want us to go home but I fought it because he wasn't getting any rest at the hospital and he wasn't eating. I could treat him with Tylenol at home just like they were doing there. And he was so tired of having everyone poking him every 10 minutes! So on Tuesday evening we came home.

I had fought to get him home but once we did I got so scared. I was afraid that he would have another intestine occurrence or that his fever would get too high. I couldn't handle taking him back to the hospital, but I was so afraid to be the only one watching him. We made the right choice. He has been getting better everyday. Every night he sleeps a little more, and he is perking right up!

Baker was so brave the whole time. I am amazed by this little boy. He kept his fun personality. He would say things like "Mommy guess what? I need to tell you sumping. Um, do you like Wolverine?" We would go through all the super heroes this way. We watched Tangled a million times.

On the mend

We have been so touched by all the love and support from our family and friends. Once word got out Baker was in the hospital received so many texts that Im already over for the month! (so don't text me :) ) My church friends have brought us food every night. I can't explain how much of a comfort it is to have people come and bring me dinner. Im tearing up right now thinking about it! My dear friend Halley came and sat with me at the hospital on Monday night. She brought me some medicine (a big bag of candy) and fleece blankets for Baker and me. It really touched me.

Baker is doing better. He has loved staying home and watching Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake on repeat. I think a few more days of being home bound and he will be good to go!

Thank you to everyone who has called, texted, emailed, brought food, and said many prayers for us. I have felt so loved. Thank you. Im so grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing us so much and keeping Baker safe. I know it really is in His hands.

Now, on to Avery's fifth birthday on Wednesday and Halloween!!

Monday

Its fall break here in Hawaii, but it still feels like Summer. Avery came up with the idea to make himself a To Do list to keep busy. Here is what he has going on today:

(Park, Time (meaning when Baker is asleep), cookie making, homework, chores, lunch, and free time)

Also some hair cut shots, cuz I love his goofy little grin

Before:

After:

Its getting to the depressing time of year for me. Everywhere else my friends and family are digging out the sweaters, jeans, flannel pj's. But Im still sweating it up in my shorts every afternoon (I know no one actually sympathizes with me) but I miss fall! But Im afraid this is as close to fall as Im going to get this year:

I LOVE Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin oil!

I think Ill make some pumpkin bread today and pretend the leaves are changing color outside :)

Save My Ottoman

In an effort to protect my couch and ottoman from becoming even dirtier from the kids feet, and the dusty dirt that blows in the windows, and the sippie cup spills, and the candy corn drool, and the...well you get the idea. I have little boys.

I decided to cover it up. Im starting with the ottoman, then I will do the couch.

It really wasnt too hard. For me the measuring and cutting is the worst part. But I had a cute little helper...

This fabric was just to pretty to pass up. Who says damask cant go with polka dots? Maybe someone did say that, but I didnt hear!

Come visit and prop up your feet! I dont even care if they are dirty ;)

No, seriously, come and visit!

Color By Number

Coloring is all the rage around our house right now. So to spice up our coloring books, Avery came up with the idea for me to make his pages a color by number. It only takes me a minute and he loves "solving the code". Plus I think it helps his number skills.

We did a Batman villain:

A Transformer: (he was tricky, lots of little squares. This should keep him busy for a while!)

And a cute Littlest Pet Shop guy: (Avery was quick to point out that "this was is boy peacock because he has the pretty feathers to display" Cuz why would he color a GIRL thing?)

A silly boy sneaking in the picture :)

Homemade color by number is fun! Try it!

DIY French Nails

Im usually a short nail person but on a recent business trip I got a french manicure and I loved it! But Im not so in love with the price tag that comes with keeping nails up professionally. So...I do it myself!

Here is what you will need:

Any french nail polish (usually sell in a set anywhere)

nail polish remover

a brush, go for soft bristles

1. Paint a coat of white on the tips. As you can see, you dont have to be super careful.

2. Add a second coat if you need it. I needed it

3. Pour a little nail polish remover into the cap and dip your brush in.

4. Gently brush back and forth on your nail removing the jagged edge of white. Try to make the edge where your natural nail would start. You may have to dip the brush in the remover often. I find it works best when its pretty wet.

5. After you have done all your nails, top with a light pink or beige polish!

You are done!

I was worried my left hand would be really hard, but it wasnt bad. This method is WAY easier than using the little stickers for french tips.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Energy Bites

Ive been pinning recipes like no body's business. I found this little gem and hoped for once I might get my kids to eat something of substance!

Energy Bites found here on my Pinterest or here for their home blog.

They were really good! They remind me of nature candy I learned to make in elementary school. The honey is really noticeable. At first I didnt love them, but by my second one I am hooked!

Baker has yet to try one, Avery asked that the "new thing would taste good" when he was saying the dinner prayer, but I dont think he has actually taken a bite yet.

I made a few changes. I used butterscotch chips and bran flakes instead of flax (its what I had)

These will be great for my commute to work in the morning!

Another great Pinterest find!

Energy Bites

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Pinterest Project: Food edition

I havent been cooking much lately. Im kind of in a cooking rut.

There are so many delicious looking recipes floating around Pinterest inspiring me to cook something goooooooood!

For this week's project Im looking towards my recipe pin board. Im really excited about the two dishes Im going to make!! They look so so good.

First up: General Tso's Chicken. This is a favorite of my husbands, but Ive never tried to make it before.

And also this Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf. I have some blueberries and a lemon, its meant to be!

I'll let you know how they turn out.

Make something new this week too!

Project Delay

The braided hex nut bracelet is giving me some issues! It looked so EASY! Yet here I am, with a mess of nuts and twine in my lap. I think my problem is my hex nut are too thick. But Im going to put it on hold for now...

Did anyone else try this? Why am I such a dork at braiding hex nuts?

In other news, Baker is out of the crib and into a big boy bed. And consequently, he is pretty much impossible to put to bed now. Yay! Any tips on keeping him in his bed?

Here is the bed

He loves it! He keeps saying "Its awesome!!"

Finally asleep. Maybe someday he will actually fall asleep in there!

Kindergarten is going great!! Here is my big Kindergarten boy. Is this picture fantastic or what? I love it. Its a classic school picture. His little teeth crack me up.

Homework! Luckily he loves to do it. And why wouldnt he? Its mostly just coloring :)

Baker does his "homework" too.

For my next Pinterest project, I think I will make a recipe. There are so many good ones going on out there. Any suggestions?