DOVE FAMILY

As many of you know, Matthew's 6th birthday is Friday February 3rd. He asked for his party to be at Pizza Hut this year- far from some of the other bigger events that we had so we were very happy to see that he picked something a little more low-key this year. I never make goody bags for parties, but this year since he wanted to include angry birds and legos with his pizza party I had to make a goody bag to hold all the items in them! We called in the party helpers and they worked so hard!

My friend Trish is just so crafty. Much more crafty than I will ever be. She even sell her things at craft shows and festivals. Remember, I can't even cut straight while following a straight line! Trish and her father were riding through Amish country in Pennsylvania and they saw a sign at one of the Amish barns saying "FREE SLATE TILES"! The slate tiles came in different color sand sizes and she now creates wall/door/outdoor hangers with them! What an excellent idea! She paints them, sprays it with some kind of protectant so you can display it outside if you'd like.
She made me a snowman for the winter months of November- March. She is also making me a spring/summer wall tile hanger that will have a bushel of crabs on it! I just love these and so glad that I have crafty friends to make them for me :)

Why didn't they have adorable headbands out when I was little? I sure would have sported them while shopping, playing outside, riding my bike. Julia loves hairclips, hair pins, ponytail holders, ribbons and headbands. We have so many! But I kept a few of her baby hairclips juast as my mom did for me. Then she can share them with her own little girl. We purchased these at Claire's in the mall and I loved them so much that I had to get a variety of colors! Her favorite right now is the pink one so she wears it all the time!

No Sauce! Can you believe it? A pasta dish with no sauce- I didn't believe until I made it myself this past Saturday. I saw this recipe from The Food Network (Giada) and I wanted to try it but of course I used a few different ingredients to make itt my own. It was so simple, took less than 30 minutes to make. It was excellent as a one dish meal, great recipe for one person, or two people and even a crowd!

We discovered CUTIES a few months ago and it has become such a necessity in our household. I remember when I gave one CUTIE each to Matthew and Julia- they were amazed that they could peel it themselves, they ate it like it was chocolate and they came back for more. They loved it so much that Dave and I had to lock up the CUTIES because they could have eaten the whole bag at one time (Ok- not really but we had to put a stop to it immediately so Dave and I could eat some as well)! The kids even beg me to pack it in their lunchboxes for school! Sounds like a winner to me! CUTIES are sweet, small enough for their little hands and so SO good. All I can say is that we no longer purchase the small bag- it doesn’t last long enough for all four of us. Hands sneakily go into the refrigerator and before I know it, we are out of CUTIES again. We have now graduated to purchasing the big crate of CUTIES.

Certainly not my kids...maybe Matthew since he will try anything but surely not Julia. I am determined to make this for dinner one night this week. I am not following a recipe but will just throw things in a pan and let you know how it taste....
I'm thinking of sauteing onions, garlic, mushrooms. Then adding the spinach with a dash of salt and pepper. I am going to mix it until spinach wilts. Then break an egg on top and let the butter, steam and yumminess just cook! This would be so good with some crunchy garlic bread!

...you should be able to cut straight (I can not cut straight. Even if I am following a line)
... you should have patience (I have very little patience. I have more patience now since I have had kids but trust me when I say its not a lot)
...you should be able to measure correctly (I can not measure. I do not know all the different lines in between the numbers! Just ask David...)

So, since I am not as crafty as I want to be or think I am. My new favorite placeis etsy. I get so many wonderful ideas and purchases from etsy websites. Things from hand-sewn personalized items, jewelry, glassware, bags and oh so cute scarves! Don't worry I won't be sewing you any presents anytime soon, I am much better at shopping!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PlaidCupcakeDesigns

http://www.etsy.com/category/jewelry

So I have been looking for some cool, different and unique luggage handle wraps and luggage ID tags. Look-a here at what I found! I am actually very excited about these. Now I don't know if Dave will agree to these adorable handle wraps and tags-- BUT OH MY! but how in the world could you lose your luggage with this? WHO would want to pick up your luggage with these wonderful furry things on the handles? I think I should get a set- I just don't know if Dave will help me pull it!
http://www.travelchic.com/shop-handle-wraps.htm

Because I know Dave so well...I think he would get these luggage tags. BORING if you ask me, but this is certainly more his style!!

Planning for our Diseny World vacation has begun and we are in full force planning! Reservations, parks, rides, sites and shows- we have been talking about these things nonstop in our household! We have watched the Disney Planning DVD not once, not twice, not three times but four times already. The kids are just so excited and we have showed them our photo albums from years ago when we went. I just don't think they really "know" what its going to be like until they get down there. Sure it will be hot, sure we have to stand in line, sure we may have some kids whinning- but you know ....they will still enjoy it and they will have pictures, movies and memories from ths trip! We only have 5 more months to go so I will give more updates as we firm up all of our plans!

Along with Christmas, new Years, Daniel's birthday, Grammy's Birthday, we also had my parents 40th wedding anniversary and my mom's birthday! What a busy and wonderful time for celebrations. This year we took mom out to lunch at Olive Garden and we got her a cute purple suitcase for her birthday present. She is now ready to pack for our Disney World trip!
We love you mom and thank you for being such an awesome mom & Lola!!!

Yup-- My nephew is 10 years old...can you believe it because I certainly can't! We had a pizza celebration with his very own Beyblade cake! He got lots of presents- clothes, beyblades, toys and even underwear!! So glad that we could all celebrate his big day!