Dinner tonight...

I've been off this past week and have had the chance to remind myself what it feels like to be a full time mommy. From morning to night, from breakfast to dinner and all thats in between. I really kind of miss doing this, seeing all the moments we miss of the kids during the nine or so hours I'm away at work. I know myself though and have learnt over the years that I need to work for my own sanity but I also like to have the option to periodically fall into this role of mommy for a while.

Anyway, while home, the hubby has been able to come home to a freshly cooked or chopped.. rather dinner, clean house, bathed and fed kids etc. and I remembered how much I do sometimes enjoy cooking. Anyway, here is one of the things we had this week, summer rolls (also known as fresh spring rolls). These are healthy, tasty and versatile alternative to the traditionally fried soppy version. They are basically a medley of veggies and/or meat wrapped in a light rice paper and dipped in anything from peanut sauce to sweet chili sauce.

 This time I used shrimp, scallions, cucumber, carrots, mint, noodles and lettuce (really just things we had in the refrigerator). I guess these ingredients I could have also made these but whatever..

You basically have soak the rice paper in water for a few seconds, until its pliable enough to roll but not to soft where it would rip. Then lay out your ingredients onto the sheet and roll. I tend to roll forward and pull towards my sef to get a tight seal but it takes a few times to get a feel for how you roll yours. Remember to tuck the ends in before the final roll and plate with the seam facing down. After a few minutes its ready to be sliced on the diagonal and served.

 Eat as soon as you make these or they start to either get dry or soggy depending on where you store them. I basically cover them with a damp clean cloth for a bit until we were ready tot eat and that worked fairly well.

Evie's first day at the beach

The fourth of July this year fell on a Thursday, luckily we took the next day off, turning it into a four day weekend for us but since we don't have a tradition per say, we are usually just floating around. This year was no different, we had no plans and decided to just call it a staycation. It turned out to be quite fun for us all. On Thursday we cleaned up at home then headed out to get some food for a BBQ and packed a picnic to camp out and watch fireworks. The kids really enjoyed them even though it was quite late when it finally began. 

The next day, we hung out at home and pulled out the pools for the kids to play around in. Then on Saturday, we decided to get up early and go to Greenwood lake. After living here for almost eight years ( unbelievable..) I was surprised we hadn't been here more often. We camped out around 11:00 and stayed until 6:00pm. We had snacks, toys, music and drinks and after staying all day, I still had to drag them home. They were in and out of the water, my husband even got some fishing in. 

Arie doing her best baywatch run..

 Even I went into the lake and I must say it wasn't as bad as I had expected..

Evalie's 1st Birthday Party

I love planning parties and I hate planning parties for the same primary reason..I get so invested in the details and work to make sure everyone has a great time that it becomes a chore until the actual party comes together..and this time was no different. It was my second daughters first birthday on Thursday and the party was on Saturday and after all my worrying..it turned out really great..and I even had some fun as well. We had just the right number of guests and the right ones too, she was surrounded by those who care so much for her and wanted to celebrate such a memorable occasion with her. Everyone got on well, laughed, ate drank and celebrated my little Evie. She had great time as well, even tried it at the pinata and had her own little cake for the first time.

The morning started out pretty mellow, I had been pretty well prepared and left on al few things to do in the morning. The party was at 1:00pm and located about 30 minutes away from our home so I started somewhat early in the morning, making the cupcakes. I made two kinds using this recipe I found from a blog earlier that week. The cakes came out pretty good. I also used the frosting from the same place but decided to do the chocolate cupcakes with a hazelnut frosting which I found here. That frosting was divine..in my opinion but I digress.. I had put the favors together a few days before and had spray painted her name out of cardboard letters and glittered a pennant banner onto them for the table decor. I also make a tassel garland and a bunch of the flowers tags for the toppers and favor bags earlier.

While the cupcakes were cooling I made two batches of chocolate walnut brownies and made the vanilla frosting.  My husband packed up all the stuff in my car and then scooted out to get the cakes from our favorite bakery (one large one for everyone, a little one for Evalie and one for her grandpa who shares her birthday!) 

Once the cupcakes cooled I frosted them, packed them up and got myself and the kids dresseed.We got there with 25 mins to set up, my mom was already there with a wardrobe change fro the little one and to help set up. So Arielle, myself and Grandma put together the sweets table quickly and changed Evie into the dress grandma brought. The table didn't really consist of too much because I wasn't sure how much space I would have ( I had a lot) and did not feel like having to pack two kids and lots of the stuff in my car that mornong. In hindsight, I wouldn't have been so bad. Anyway, here are some the things that were on the table. The favor bags, had bunch of little novelty toys from the party store, a flower pencil, notepad and bubbles, then I sealed them off with some gold glitter tape and placed the personalized flower on one side and a flower with a single candle (stickers from Michael's)  on the other side. The cupcakes toppers were made the same way using card stock in three shades of of the pink with white centers each saying either "Evalie 1", "E" or "Happy first birthday". I also made some that said "thank you" for the candy filled milk jugs and hung those on with bakers twine.

I also put out brownies with cute little flags toppers on them, some paper suitcases and the birthday cake. The cupcake boxes were actually pretty nice as well for people to take home. 

Soon, people started to arrive and the party started out wonderfully. I must say, the waiters were really stellar and kept everyone happy..especially me!.I had sent the owner of the restaurant the recipe for a punch to serve the guest (really for myself..lol) and they really did a nice job, the only problem was it was so good that it was finished by the middle of the party. Luckily they quickly whipped up something else. 

We did play a few games which everyone was really into both kids and grown ups! We gave out gifts ( wine..which we probably should have thought a bit harder about since both winners were underage!) The food was excellent, we gathered round and sang happy birthday to my little Evie. She seemed so confused but eventually reached out and tried to grab the candle. It was all really sweet and I was very pleased with everything.

12 Months Old

Oh my sweet little girl, we made it and in one peice. Happy Birthday my dar]ling little girl. Nothing could have prepared me for the amazing little person that you have become. Last year at this time, I was clutching a tiny little 8 lb baby wondering how I would be able to raise another daughter; I was wondering how I would introduce you to my Arielle. I wondered what you would be like. I had only imagined for the last 10 months how this little girl could be, could change our family and you have absolutely surprised us every step of the way. You are like the glue that holds us together, you fit in with the nuts that make up our family, you are strong and funny and smart and...everything. Your grandma thinks you are "advanced" which is fine with me  but I'm just happy you are mine. I remember before you were born, so many people (even my doctor) would say you can't possibly make a baby as cute as Arie..and well, while you are very different you are absolutely all I ever wanted. I absolutely adore you and so does your sister, your cousins Shaina and Helena, your aunts and uncle. Your nanny Aneta love you too.

This week has been especially exciting for me because you have begun to exhibit an understanding for what we are saying to you. We ask you to dance and you oblige by stomping your chubby little feet on the wood floor and spinning in circles. we say clap and you you do so very happily. You love to dance, run ( which is a it scary for me), you are a fantastic eater, you basically eat almost anything including your sisters meals. Your stability on your feet is  much better, your hair is growing into a full blown afro. You love water, we had you at the beach and a water park this month and you responded fairly well when your daddy thought it was good idea to dunk you under water! We definitely appreciate how laid back you are, always smiling unless you are tired. Speaking of sleep, you are really fantastic with that too, at around the same time everyday unfailing, you are ready to sleep and you go to your crib without much fuss and sleep all night until the morning, in fact you wake up and just lay in bed not really making a big deal until you here the sounds of someone else awake. 

Well, now that you are one, what now? We love you to bits and can only hope you remain safe, happy and as funny as you currently are.