When Your Two Year Old Asks To Go To The Zoo

You go, right?

Landon on Friday was reading an animal book and all of the sudden stated that he wanted to go to the zoo, well we didn't have any big plans for Saturday so we decided if he asks to go then we will go.  Plus how can you say no to this face!

 Landon could probably sit and watch the sharks all day long, he will look up and say "Whoa, look at big one", he loves the animals.  Ava loves to look at the fish and tell us what colors they are.  I really can't believe how big they are getting some days. The walruses were really active too, he loved how they would swim right past him.

We received our zoo membership for the twins' birthday and I am so glad that we mentioned it to my Grandma as something they would love.  It helps because we can go first thing in the morning when they are happy and wide awake and we don't feel bad if we only stay for 1 or 2 hours and only go and see the animals that they are always talking about.

Both Ava and Landon asked to take this little guy home

We had a fun morning at the zoo and then finished the day with dinner at a friends home and a movie night for the kids! It was adorable!

Project Pinterest-Linking up with AP

 Out of the 345 pins on my "Food I must make" board I have tried approximately 32 of them, most of them were great and I am glad I have tried them.  This last week I made Twice Baked Cauliflower, our family loves twice baked potatoes but lets face it, they aren't the healthiest thing in the world, when I came across replacing potatoes with cauliflower I thought it could be a great alternative.

I found this recipe from Kalyn's Kitchen to give credit where credit is due. I have bolded the things I did differently than her recipe.

source

Twice Baked Cauliflower
(Makes 6-8 servings; recipe adapted slightly from The Low Carb Gourmet.)

Ingredients:
1 large head cauliflower (I bought the largest I could find)
4 oz. low fat cream cheese (do not use fat free) ( I used a whole 8 oz)
1/2 cup low fat sour cream (do not use fat free)
1/4 cup minced green onions ( I didn't put in because I didn't have any)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (If you only have finely grated Parmesan, use a bit less)
6 slices bacon, cooked until very crisp, fat blotted with paper towel and then crumbled ( I used about 9 slices)
1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese ( I used regular medium cheddar)
(I used Kraft 2% milk sharp cheddar)

I also added 1/2 t of garlic salt and a small bit of pepper 

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Cut out stem and core from cauliflower, and cut into small pieces. Cook in large pot of boiling salted water until cauliflower is tender, but not overly soft. ( I DIDN'T BOIL IN WATER, JUST STEAMED IT) Drain well and mash with potato masher, leaving some chunks. Mix in light cream cheese, light sour cream, green onion, Parmesan, and 3/4 of the crumbled bacon.

Spread evenly in a medium-sized glass casserole dish. Sprinkle with low-fat cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

The kids gobbled it down and everyone really liked it, I definitely plan on incorporating it into our normal menus.

Head over to I Love You More Than Carrots and link up your Pinterest Project!

Don't Tell Me You Haven't Thought of It

You know, THE Christmas card.  The one that will sit on someones fridge or pinterest inspired card holder for about a month with your smiling friendly face on it.  It is one of my favorite things about the holidays, seeing all of the faces of my family and friends and their families in one place!

I love picking out a beautiful card to put our picture on so when Minted contacted me about hosting a giveaway it took me about 2 seconds to say yes! Have you checked out their Holiday cards yet! There are so many choices this year.  Here are just a few of my favs.

found here

found here

found here

These are just a few of the hundreds on their site, they have made it so easy to find a card that suites you as well, by offering ways to search for cards by number of pictures, religious, folded or flat, size and many other options.  I have used them in the past for other products and have never been dissapointed!

Now here is the fun part! Minted has generously offered to let one of my readers win a $50 credit + free shipping on their site.  You can use this for Christmas cards, birthday invitations or whatever else your heart desires! This giveaway will start today and go until 9/18/2012! I will notify the winner via email!


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** I was provided with product from Minted for this giveaway, I really do love their products and would not be doing a giveaway if I didn't truly love their stuff** 

Blogging for a Good Cause- Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation

When I was approached to help with this great, I immediately said yes, this is a cause that as a mother this is something that I can not imagine hearing the diagnosis.  Most everyone knows someone who has an autistic child now, there are many theories as to what can cause Autism, who knows if they will ever be able to pinpoint the cause, but now that the public is becoming more aware of the Autism spectrum the public is also learning how to help those children in need. 

The LAAF (Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation) is a foundation started by 2 dads both of whom had a child with Austism.  Their mission was to make sure that families that couldn't afford special therapy for their children were provided with the means to do so.  Please visit their site to learn more about how they helping those children in need.

Here are some basic facts straight from their site
- Autism is a developmental disorder that is usually marked by impairments in communication, social skills
and repetitive motions

- Autism affects 1 in every 110 88 Children

- 1 in 70 54 Boys
- Autism is the 3rd most common developmental disorder in the US- Autism is usually seen within the first 3 years of life

- Some persons with Autism are gifted in certain areas like Math Art or Music

That brings me to what we are trying to do.

A group of bloggers got together to try and raise money for this cause,  Tracy Meehan, Independent Stylist for Stella and Dot has donated a "Lucky Charm" Stella and Dot necklace for one of you "lucky" gals to win!

Another way to help this cause is to shop the Trunk Show where a large portion of the proceeds going straight to the Lawyers Autism Awareness Fund.  Together I know we can make a difference in these kids' lives!

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