You ever like you are Alice?

Well I guess it could be Alice falling down the rabbit hole but more like Alice the maid.  Must give props to my mom I always thought she was NUTS getting up at 5am to get the floors mopped & house cleaned before work. 

Now as I find myself getting up at the same time to get a load of laundry in, dish washer loaded, sweep the floors and get the door water & food.  I find myself wondering what happened here. Then I go to work (thankfully that is in my house so I can wear PJ’s), then clock out again find myself unloading the dishwasher, washer, preparing Cole’s lunch & boys breakfast.  Then back to work, then clock off again to pick up Cole.  Get dinner prepared and then off to whatever after school program we have that day.

Well my house WILL never be crystal clean like my moms (I was a pretty clean kid … NO really I sat in my room and read books until High School … that is when it got complicated … hehe).  So to the Mom’s before us I bow down give you the praise and think to myself once more how the heck did I get here?  This after I step on a few lego’s, pick up the umpteenith hot wheel car and oh yes whatever food that was snuck in during the night into the kids room. 

I think I will sit here in my PJ’s for the whole day .. well that is until I have to pick Cole up since I don’t want to be the next fashion victim on What Not to Wear!

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Projects & Dad's Birthday

It was a fun weekend with projects galore. Monday was a holiday and my daycare lady was on vacation. My amazing friend Amy actually came over and took the boys to the McD's playland for 2 hours! I will be forever grateful to her for helping me out. Always fun around here :)

Handyman Rick ripped up carpet & put new floor down

Even had to pull up again to level our floor!

Puppy Jake found mom's church shoes :(

Cole & Caden made gifts for my dad's birthday

I whipped up the dough & the boys did the rest

(Recipe Below)

Remember to click on recipe to see how to do it!

A little play time down at my parents water front.

They drain the lake in the winter

Great for projects for Rick & My dad to do then.

Except see this dock, my dad fell off it this week.

I just found it he BROKE his leg :( Please pray for a speedy recovery!

Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Fun Hats, Hair & Clothing, Kids Build & Fun Things

Yet another fun weekend here some silly moments along the way!

My MIL made me some hats :)

One is a flower & one with a flower.

Saturday my dear coworker father passed away (please say a prayer for her family) so I filled in her job and which was good for my voice was going away! I signed the boys up two weeks ago for the class at Lowes so we had to rush to get there. Can you believe I got all 3 of us dressed and out the door in 13 minutes!!! The boys had a TON of fun making the flying bats! Mom had to do much of the work. I think I may have sad a bad word, sorry parents around me :(.

Lowes had the fire truck also they sent us home with. Rick and Cole built it! They had a ton of fun and no bad words, way to go dad! We did also hit the Seven Level of H**L (McD's) to run off some energy!

Sunday Cole's Class sung in their church. I've never been to a Lutheran Church before they sure do sing a lot and I loved they had the kids in the sermon. It went really fast, I think we actually may try going again soon! My parents came, my dad not much of a church person sat for Cole singing and then he took the boys and waiting in the car. I wish he would have stayed but I'm glad he do at least go. So since we were meeting up with my parents I had to make sure I looked nice! YES that meant lot's of trying on clothes and some mild frustration!

Oh yes that is Cole after signing sound asleep on my couch with one shoe on! A rare moment of all the boys nicely on the couch. And my sink and dish washer wasn't draining correct so Rick to the rescue! NOTE to self don't put that many potato skins down the garbage disposal.

Oh yes a crazy fun packed weekend we had a few crazy things that happened but I'm still not feeling up to par so it's sleep time for this girl! Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

WWW ~ Cleaning, Baking and a Wet Fair Day

What a fun weekend, NOT really love that Rick had the weekend off from his day time job. But let's just say it was nice when he went to his night job. Rain + 2 kids + 2 Adults + 1100 sq foot house = small space yikes (just think of Chris Farley dancing around in David Spades jacket in Tommy Boy). Yup not pretty and seams will bust!

Rick get's on a Clean FREAK mode

So I spent 5 hours taking pics & posting on craigslist boys clothes

Did some baking (yup that is flour all over me)

And some caramels mailed out to bloggy friends.

Boys decided that their room needed to become

a WAR ZONE! Yup that made Rick pleased ... NOT

Home Improvements again

Changing knobs from tacky gold to a polished silver

Yup we're trying to move out of the 70's

Monday my parents took the boys to the fair.

I of course got off late ended up getting there a little before 5pm

Parked, walked in and already spent $20!!

Found them walked around for 1 1/2 hours, got poured on and then to the car

Yup that equals to $13 an hour to look like a wet dog!

The boys got some serious loot.

And the wavy hair I was left with after the fact.

Not a lot of going out this weekend but sure had a lot going on. And no hits on my craigslist items ... you got to be kidding me. Talk about a waste of time ... don't let Rick know he was right! CRAP

WWW ~ Painting, Swimming & Stepping Stone Project

Another amazing and crazy weekend! It was super hot here this weekend so it was a get out of the house before we melt.

Rick had 2 days off in a row and totally busting his rear to get our project done. I was so proud of him for working so hard and getting this done for me. He's trying to earn back some brownie points :). We won't let him know but he's making some up :). He retextured all the walls, painted and put up the molding around the doors and the waynes coating!

Saturday after work the house was boiling and we had to get out before the boys went nutty! We went to visit one of my childhood best friends who live 2 doors down from my parents. Cole even was able to go out and swim by himself which he doesn't usually do. We had a few good drinks and just hung out. I even finished a book, next time I promise to get in the water and noodle with the girls.

Adventures in Caden, he had so much fun on DRY land ... lol he got a bit in the water and more adventurous. We tried the no diaper since it was waste-less to keep putting new ones on. Sadly the only undies where Khari's ... lol I at least turned the pink ones inside out.

Cole had adventures in Stepping Stones. Sadly was a little too eager to paint and it broke so we have to make a new one but it was fun.

Another hot few days here, hoping it will cool down. But the weekend ok if it's hot we'll go swimming again :). Have a great week!

WWW ~ U Fish, Birthday Party, Costco and Home Improvements

Holy smokes talk about a full weekend, I'll keep this short since it's late and this is also a crazy week at work and I need all the beauty sleep I can get :).

Saturday I worked as usual 6am to 10am and then it was rush around get the boys dressed and out the door.

Stop #1 we met up with my GF and her 2 boys at a U Fish. Ok yes those who know me know I'm so not the outdoorsy person. My GF that we went with is and always makes fun of me, it's just not my gig. But my boys are boys and love to go outside and get dirty and fish are cool. Yes I let them be boys and play in the dirt so take that people who don't think so!

Here we are fishing the boys got 2 each, I was the baiter.

Yes that is my YUCK I can't believe I'm touching this face!

All the boys had a ton of fun and it was worth every penny!

No I didn't take home fish :)

Caden of course got board quick but they had animals!!

So we walked around and checked them out!

Stop #2 of the day was a birthday party. So after fishing and lunch I had to run to get a gift and then to the party. Sadly it poured down so we didn't stay long.

Stop #3 was Costco for some quick groceries. Then it was a melt down for a very tired Caden.

Stop #4 After naps was to the 7th element of hell (AKA McDonalds Playland). The boys were bouncing off the walls. Usually I hate that place but it was one of those things you have to do. Then home for a quick bath!

Sunday we went to visit my other GF and her kids, sorry forgot the camera.

Also we had some home improvement going on!

1st was the couch had a friend sit on it and break it :(. Thankfully Rick was able to take it apart and fixed it!

Then when we first moved in 7 YEARS ago my parents bought us doors. One set is the french doors we already put in, then was this other door that thank god has been stored under beds and rooms and was still intact. My parents would have killed me if it was broke, would have been a $400 oops. So the adventures in a pocket door has hit my house. Let's just say this quick install was my whole wall taken down to the stud and then those were taken down, a new header installed and all new sheet rock! Let's just say the mudding is still going on, my house is still not back to normal (one week later... ugh)

My dad came to help, thank you!!!

Cole even got to screw in nails to the drywall and knock down a wall!

Door in, sheetrock up but still mudding!

Holy Moly Ok there it is that was a weekend and some. One day I'm going to get some piece and quiet! LOL

WWW ~ Caden's Party & New Screens

OMGosh so Saturday was one busy day I got up to work at 6am. Then off to pick up last minute items and off to mom and dad's house. Thankfully started the party at 2p so plenty of time to get it set up and we really didn't have a lot to do. The day was hot and the lake was a perfect setting for the party. It turned more into a beach party and it took a little prodding to get me back on track. I know I became one of the parties I hate! Thankfully the lake and swimming kept everyone busy!

Rick took the kids in the paddle boat and on one of the jetskis. People like me sat on the beach part and enjoyed the sun and didn't hop in the lake. And no people I didn't bring a suit because a I don't have one that fits right now and b I'm not much of a swimmer. I have a thing about taking a shower afterwards. Since shower at mom's requires a 30 min suigy of the shower stall I didn't. So people who kept thinking it was because I was not wanting to show of my curvy body in suit that was not the case! I hope this will stop the freaking comments :).

Some shots of me and birthday boy, Mount Rainer, Party Goers and My GF Christina & Me.

Birthday food!

Mom's watermelon shaped like a whale

Dad cooking hot dogs, Kid & Adult dogs :)

My Sand Cup Pudding

Mom's Cake for Caden

I got home and felt the cold coming on :( and Caden got a little to sunburned. He did get a nap threw the party ... hehe we couldn't even wake him for cake or presents. So no 2nd job for me Saturday night and I missed church on Sunday. I'm still having coughing fits and trying to kick it.

And newest home project:

Rick making screens for my windows.

I think he was tired of the flys coming in.

Wow there we have it! I'm still trying to recover, hope you all had a GREAT weekend.

WWW ~ Bumps, Bruises & Quilt Getting Closer

I love having an extra day off it was so nice to relax but now my week is all messed up .... lol I keep trying to figure out what day it is :).

Friday Cole stayed at my parents house, poor little Caden was a little sad but we cuddled. Of course he came home from Daycare with a black eye. I swear this poor little boy I need to put him in a bubble! Speaking of bubbles ... bubble butt boy ... hehe :)

My parents came by Saturday and picked up Caden and took both boys to my grandfather estate, yup the deal fell threw :(. My parents usually only take the boys for 2 hours so I rushed around to get things done not wanting to call because that usually opens the door to we'll bring them home .. no I need more time. So of course I'm waiting around and could have done so much more.

My parents brought over what looked like caramels, to my surprise it was fruit gel ... ugh! I have a feeling I'm a little lop sided I go into the the bathroom to see I put the ponies sideways. Then going to the gym I stop at a BLINKING red light, instead of stopping and going I sat there for TWO OK THREE minutes! Thank God no one was behind me ... UGH

Ok be ware we do have one bathroom pic, Rick called me in to take a picture. Yup that is pee with a plastic frog floating in the toilet! What's worse my kid doing it or my husband telling me to take a picture to show with you guys? The boys had a a great weekend, even played outside when it stopped raining on Monday afternoon and a little Wii Bowling!

We went to Rachael's for another session on quilting. Racheal and her husband Brian helped get the colors right, I'm so OCD I tried to match them all together, thankfully they were there to help me. Cole LOVES to help I think I'm going to have to do some projects this summer for him. So the top layer is done hopefully next weekend we'll be done.

Rick took advantage of the break in the rain, mowed the lawns and put up the new siding. We're trying to modernize the house to match the new town homes that went up next to us. Hopefully he'll have this done so to prime and then put the new house color ups!!

Wow that was a fun 3 day weekend, actually 2 in my world since I work Saturday AM and PM, but I'll take what I can get.

Happy Wednesday everyone! So what did you do this past weekend? Would love to hear what you did.

And of course I leave you with a recipe :)

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies (Recipe Adapted from Betty Crocker)

Brownie Base
1	box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
Filling
1/2	cup butter, softened
1/2	cup creamy peanut butter
2	cups powdered sugar
2	teaspoons milk
Topping
1	cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4	cup butter

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	$0.50 off Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Bowls $0.75 off Betty Crocker® Box Supreme Brownie Plus 8 more...
	About Concordance™

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)
2.	In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3.	In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.
4.	In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator ALEXIS NOTES: I used bulk brownie mix from Winco (recipe below). Things You'll Need: 3 cups bulk brownie mix 2 eggs 3 TBSP water 1/2 cup of vegetable oil (or applesauce can be used) 1 tsp vanilla measuring cups bowl baking pan working oven a sweet tooth! Step1 Set oven to 350 degrees. Step2 In a medium sized bowl, beat the eggs and then combine them with the water, vanilla and oil. Set aside. Step3 Pour 3 cups of bulk brownie mix into a large bowl. Combine wet ingredients with the brownie mix. Step4 Using a spoon or an electric mixer, stir all ingredients until combined. Batter should be slightly lumpy. DO NOT OVER MIX. Step5 Grease an 8X8 metal baking pan. Pour brownie mix into pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes. If you stick a knife into the center at the end of the baking time, it should come out clean. If it does not, continue baking for another minute or two. Step6 Let brownies cool to desired temperature, then cut and ENJOY!!