{garden updates and my fav summer treat}

This weekend we went to our community garden box and every time I go I am amazed at how fast our stuff grows.

A peek at some of our new crop.

{freshly picked peas}

{our broccoli is starting to poke through}

We planted some okra seedlings that are really starting to grow and harvested (and cooked last night) a big bunch of mustard greens.

It is so rewarding having this garden and so much fun sharing it with the boys.

By the way...

If you have a Trader Joe's near you...get there and get this...(provided you like coconut). They are coconut water/cream popsicles that come 4/$1.99. They are so refreshing and tame my sweet tooth.

Perfect summer treat with half the calories of ice cream!

HAPPY MONDAY

xoxo,

Ronita

Crafty Crafty: Our Gingerbread House

The boys and I (Scott's too much of a perfectionist) had a fun time making our very first gingerbread house together. Trader Joe's made it so easy! The kit was $7.99 and worth every memory!! We even got out old Halloween candy to use on the house. The boys loved sticking a piece and sneaking piece ....hehe

Here is Tre' giving a tour of the house!

HAPPY Tuesday!

xoxo,

Ronita

Our 2011 Advent Calendar

This year instead of overloading the boys on sugar each day of the Advent I have decided to do something a little different. After browsing different blogs and educational websites, I came across this activity that I thought would perfectly fit my family. Not only are we going to be able to knock out our December To Do List but the boys can get excited about pulling out a different activity each day.

I am going to tuck these little cards I made up with all the different things we want to do this month in each pocket of the calendar and the boys will pull one out each day!

Of course I will strategically place the cards and will have to prepare for the month but boy will this be a fun!!

HAPPY DECEMBER!!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Labor Day Weekend Recap: FOOD EDITION: I probably gained 5lbs!!!

I started the weekend off with a date night with the hubby.

The boys went to the UNIVERSOUL Circus and we used one of our Groupons (I'm obsessed with Groupon) to go to an absolutely soul stirring restaurant

Local 127 where their motto is "Local 127 is a New American Eatery with an emphasis on Farm to Table Dining. Quality Local Sourcing provides only the Freshest Ingredients, prepared with a Respect for Tradition using the Innovative Tools of Today"

We enjoyed this meal so much!

The Bourbon Flip

Appetizer: Chicken Confit Wings and Chile

My dinner: Chicken Two Ways

Scott's Dinner: NY Strip with Potatoes 3 Ways 

***

Saturday morning we woke up and traveled to my little nephew's 1st birthday party!! Boy what a blast! We had so much fun and can't believe it's already been a year!

Her mom is the best baker in Columbus! You have seen her work in a previous post of our wedding.

She made our groom's cake. The birthday cake had a layer of lemon, peanut butter cup, and the bottom layer was red velvet and vanilla.

Before we left Columbus, I made the hubby stop at the world famous Jeni's Ice Cream and I finally got to taste...ooooooooh my I loved it!!!

I got the STUDY which is 4 scoops (of course) of any of the ice creams. I chose: Ugandan Vanilla Bean, Salted Caramel, Rockmill Golden Ale &Apricots, and the Sweet Corn and Berries

It was so good and well worth the trip!!!

Sunday we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday. I made a delicious homemade red velvet cake using the Neely's recipe.

Cream Cheese frosting

I even had enough cake batter left for a dozen cupcakes!

We added a bit of relaxing, cleaning the house, folding clothes (switching our clothese over from summer to fall) and catching up on some reality TV!!

It was a perfect weekend.

How was yours?

xoxo,

Ronita

Happy Birthday Prince #1

November 4, 2005. I woke up to what I thought were really bad cramps due to the baby not having much room to move. I couldn’t go back to sleep because I was so uncomfortable so I called my BFF, sister, and confidant (Connie) to wish her a happy birthday. As I explained to her what I was feeling, she was telling me that I was just being a hypochondriac, as usual. As our conversation progressed my cramps became more and more intense. Little did I know this day would change my life…forever…

I had been on bed rest since September 26th (my birthday) and had gone through all the CSI-Vegas seasons, baby magazines, books I could get my hands on from the library. I knew every morning’s show rundown…the news, then Martha Stewart (she had just wrapped up all her Halloween shows) at 10am followed by The Price Is Right at 11am…

Well…I missed all my shows and by 3:57pm I had delivered a beautiful healthy baby boy…









November 4, 2009. This morning we woke him up and sang him HAPPY BIRTHDAY…and my heart was on fire as he blew out his candle and said… “where are my presents?”… That's all we got... (we both laughed so hard)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my PRINCE I pray we have many more to celebrate with YOU!!!

xoxo
Mommy

The BIG Reveal..Prince #1 is Turning 4!!!

Every year we have fantastic fun themed parties for my little one's birthday. Because his birthday is on November 4th (middle of Fall) we have to get really creative. For his 1st birthday we did a huge costume party with all his family and friends. For his 2nd birthday we did Elmo at the Pool and had an indoor pool party at our local Y. His 3rd birthday we had a S'mores party on our back patio and this year, in honor of Tre's new found love for..... we are having a...........................................................................................................................drum roll please.....

(photobucket.com)

Dr. Seuss Party!!!

I am still doing my research and deciding on some key elements. The menu I'm sure will include green eggs and ham !! This is going to be a very colorful very whimsical celebration full of rhymes and tongue twisters. We may even have a special appearance by The Cat and The Hat...stay tuned for photos of the event!!

We are excited and Tre' is thrilled to read some of his favorites to his friends!!

xoxo,
Ronita

Tutus and Capes…Christmas in May?

For William (Tre')
For Roman

The Super Dean Boys

As a little girl I can always remember loving to play dress up in my tutus, leotards, feather boas, makeup, and heels. I always wondered what little boys loved to dress up as and then it hit me, “SUPER HEROS.”

Back in June, I took Roman to get his first year pictures taken at The Spotted Goose in Oakley. They had a really awesome photographer come in (Kiwi Street Studios) their shop to do mini sessions at a fraction of her normal cost. While waiting our turn from across the beautifully arranged room I spotted 3 capes hanging up on hangers (samples). Immediately I had visions of my two little boys running around the house with their capes around their shoulders playing superhero. What little boy doesn’t to take his bed sheets off to make a cape and save the world?

Needless to say before I left the store I placed my order for these personalized handmade treasures.

Bianca always tells me that I plan way in advance…and yes that’s true. I like to be prepared and have a plan. I have put these up in my hope chest and will wrap them up for Christmas gifts this year!! So The Dean Boys have their Christmas in May…and a lifelong memory. Once they have outgrown their capes, I will put them away for safe keeping. I will bring them out when the time is right and remind them when they saved the world!!
xoxo
Ronita
Everything you can imagine is real.
-Pablo Picasso