We have a WINNER!

The winner of the hand painted step stool is Angela! CONGRATS!

Here's what she had to say about selecting her new step stool:

"That was actually easier than I thought it would be. My son would definitely love the train!"

Chugga chugga CHOO CHOO! I hope he loves it! :)

Just send me your mailing address and I'll get it out to you ASAP.

3 Quick Things to do with Blueberries!

First, a reminder! I'm drawing names for the winner of a fabulous hand painted step stool tomorrow morning! So if you haven't entered yet, you might wanna. There aren't that many entries so you're chances of winning are excellent! :)

Now on to bluer topics. BLUE BERRIES! Around here they're in season and it seems like this year in particular they're huge and juicy! And cheap! I just picked up a bunch of them at Safeway for $1.99, plus they're local! You really have to work hard to find a good reason not to buy them!

But then you get them home and you have to figure out what to DO with them. So here are my 3 quick easy things to do with blueberries.

#1 - Freeze them! Just wash them up, pick off any stems or bad berries, throw them in a ziplock and straight to the freezer they go! I love doing this because then I have yummy blueberries all winter to use in muffins or pancakes or whatever.

#2 - Make Blueberry Crisp! It's like apple crisp but with blueberries. Mix 5 cups of berries with 4 T of sugar in a casserole dish, then make up a crumble topping consisting of 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of whatever spice you like (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice are all good choices), then cut in 1/4 cup of butter until it reaches a crumbly consistency. Sprinkle the crumbles over the top of the berries, then pop it in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Easy peasy! And EXCELLENT with vanilla ice cream!

#3 - Blueberry Muffins! There are tons of great recipes for them out there, just pick one and go with it. Here's one to get you started.

Need another excuse to go buy blueberries? Here's my recipe for blueberry pie!

Harvest = Busy Times For Me

I've been picking, and pickling, and canning for the past week. WHEW! My feet hurt, my back hurts, my arms hurt, my fingers hurt, Oh, and my house is a total train wreck. But I have beautiful jars of preserved goodness, and my sanity is still intact.

I also have a broken toe. Yes, that's right, a broken toe. I was playing with Anya, and as we were playing she was getting closer and closer to the arm of the couch. I didn't think she'd fall over it, she's pretty aware of her surroundings. But wouldn't ya know? She fell HEAD FIRST over the edge, and I rushed up to catch her and heard a painful crack from my pinky toe. I failed to catch Anya, so she fell. She landed on her back and immediately cracked up laughing! So really I broke my toe for nothing! Thankfully it doesn't hurt unless I bump it into something. I probably would be just fine with it... if I didn't have 2 crazy herding dogs with big feet and twin toddlers and lots of canning to do. But I'm coping. So it's all good. Sorta.

BUT! There is a bright spot on the horizon! Not this coming weekend, but the weekend after that, Hubs and I are GOING AWAY! BY OURSELVES!!! Seriously, can't wait! It will be the first time we've left the girls overnight, so of course I'm a bit nervous about that, but they're gonna be with my folks so I'm sure they'll have a blast. We had originally thought about going to Seattle, but then I thought I'd rather go to the beach. So I looked into Seaside, but there's a huge volleyball tournament going on there that weekend and all the hotels are charging double their normal rate. Plus we're not huge volleyball fans, and I'm sure there will be huge crowds of fans there that weekend... so we're going to Newport instead! I'm SO excited! When I was a young sprout we spent many a weekend in Newport, but I haven't been there in a long LONG time. So it'll be fun to see what's stayed the same and what's changed over the years. I'm trying to convince Hubs that we should go deep sea fishing. I've never been, and I actually think it sounds like fun. But I'm sure whatever we do we'll have a good time, cause that's just how things tend to go when we're together.

I'm actually trying not to dwell on looking forward to it too much, because who knows what will happen between now and then. Just trying to live each day full up to it's brim with activity and lean on Him for support when I need it (seems like I need it a lot lately).

Just a little reminder, I'm giving away a super cute hand painted children's step stool on my blog on Friday. There's not a huge number of entries so everyone who comes by and enters has a really good chance at winning! Just click the link up at the top of my blog (for those of you reading this on FB notes http://theatoztwins.blogspot.com).

Life is Just a Hill of Beans

After 2 days of canning beans I think I'm finally done. At least with the current crop. There's still more out there that I haven't picked yet. I've made a dozen pint jars of pressure canned green and wax beans and 10 pint jars of dilled beans. And I'm already starting to formulate plans to make some blueberry butter & syrup. I found a recipe where you use the same batch of berries to make both things. And Hubs LOVES blueberry syrup!

But I might just make a blueberry pie instead. Or crisp, or...

Anyway, I'm beat. So my plan for today is to do absolutely nothing. I haven't even taken pictures of my canned bean accomplishment, but I'm sure you can picture those lovely jars of preserved garden goodness just fine.

Update On My Mental Status

Ok, just thought I should let everyone know that I'm feeling a bit better since I posted this morning. Hubs got to his Dr. appointment early and was able to be seen and get back home. Then he sent me out to get the emissions on his truck checked and go grocery shopping. While I was gone he cleaned up the house, all I have left to do is the bathrooms. Hopefully that doesn't land him on the couch for the next few days (which may happen anyway since he's catching that cold).

I wasn't able to get the pressure gauge tested today. I thought it would be an easy drive to the county extension office, a 2 minute test, and then drive home (it's about 30 min. away). But no. I have to make an appointment with a specific person who doesn't work on Mondays or visit their next clinic at a local farm on Wednesday. They suggested I call back tomorrow and find out if someone will be in who can help me. I'm seriously wishing Home Depot or Lowes would offer this kind of service so that I could get it done on my time frame, but apparently that's just not how it's done. So my beans will just have to wait another day... and I hate waiting. Obviously.

The Pressure is ON!

I had a horrible no good rotten day yesterday. I got my pressure canner in the mail on Saturday, and yesterday I realized that my whole life right now feels like a pressure cooker. The steam is building, and pretty soon something will have to give otherwise I'll simply explode.

Let me give you a little back story. I haven't been writing about my current life circumstances much lately here on my blog. Why? Because I honestly don't want to think about it. And I certainly don't want to put it into words and make it even more real. But the reality is that although certain parts of my life are awesome right now, spectacular even, while other parts are downright horrible and frightening with no end in sight. The wonderful parts mostly include my domestic life with the girls. I truly love my life with them, and enjoy 99.9% of being a Mom. The horrible scary parts mostly have to do with my husband's shoulder injury...

Now, I fully realize that other people out there in the world have much worse problems. A shoulder injury after all isn't life threatening. But it has an absolutely HUGE impact on our daily life. Because of his injury he pretty much isn't able to do much of anything around the house, and the few times he HAS tried to do things (like tackle the dirty house and clean it from top to bottom) it always ends with him totally doped up on pain meds and completely out of commission for a week. Over the past 4+ months I've fully realized that his contribution to the household is vital, because I've pretty much had to go without his participation. It may sound like an excuse to sit around and do nothing, but honestly it isn't. The man barely has use of his right arm, and of course he is right handed. I've had to help him fill out workman's comp forms because it was too painful for him to hold a pen and write. It's that bad. He can't change a diaper, he can only lift the girls with one arm, and lets not even start talking about the numerous projects around the house that remain undone (like baby proofing our kitchen). It's crazy. And I've had to do a lot more heavy lifting (both literal and figurative) than I ever thought I'd need to.

I recently had a friend tell me, "But it's only temporary." Well, I guess that depends on your definition of temporary. So far all the doctors that have seen him have said that there isn't much in the way of treatment available for the kind of injury that he has (bruised bone, nerve damage, AC separation, and who knows what else). The only thing to do is wait. We've heard time frames like one year, 2 years, maybe 5 years, maybe never. Maybe this is as good as it's going to get.

And me? I'm furious. Because this never should have happened in the first place! I feel like when that idiot trainer injured my husband he practically stole him away from me. And I NEED him!

So we've done something I thought we'd never do, we've hired a lawyer. And although I DO think he's going to be able to help us, I also have to continue to live day by day without help. Going it alone, and burning out.

Back to yesterday and why it was so terrible. Ziva smeared poop in various locations not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! Our stupid dog would not shut up due to the children playing with toys he didn't agree with. So ALL DAY LONG it was bark bark BARK at every single little thing. I was/am stressing out about canning green beans. I've never done it before, never even seen it done, but I purposefully planted extra beans back in April because I wanted to give it a try. Well, the beans are ready RIGHT NOW, and I have to figure out where to get the pressure gauge tested (I know the where at this point, but I still have yet to figure out the when, and those beans aren't going to wait forever) and buy canning jars, and check recipes, etc. etc. And I'm terrified about doing it all by myself, but I really have no other option since me and the girls are getting over colds, and Hubs is just starting to come down with one, and I don't want visitors in my house who would inevitably catch what we've got. In addition to that, my house is a total pig stye after me being sick for the past 2 weeks. I have dog hair balls the size of Kansas floating across my floor and my bathrooms are downright toxic.

And then I looked at my schedule for this next week. Monday, Hubs has a Dr. appointment and then works that night. Tuesday, same. Wednesday Hubs works a 12 hour shift. Thursday, same. Friday, Hubs has another Dr. appointment but thankfully doesn't work that night. So pretty much from now until Friday I'll have a "Hi, Bye." relationship with my husband and pretty much act as the single parent. That, my friends, took me right to my breaking point. I ended up sobbing last night because I just don't even know how I'm going to do it... AND can green beans.

So obviously, I could use some prayer. I really feel like I could crack at any moment, get my car keys and purse, hop in the car and just keep driving.

I feel slightly better today, mostly because Hubs decided to see his Dr. this morning rather than sleep and call in sick tonight.

Not sure how to end this post other than to say that if you have your health, you should thank your lucky stars.

Aloha Friday!

Be sure to enter my giveaway up top for a beautiful hand painted children's step stool!



From An Island Life

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you'd like to participate with your own question on your own blog, head on over to An Island Life to link up and join the fun!

Today my Aloha Friday Question is: If you had a weekend in Seattle what would you do?

I think Hubs and I are gonna head that direction in a few weeks. It'll be our very first kid-free weekend since the girls were born! We're nervous, yet excited!

So far I'm thinking about hitting the Sci-Fi Museum and the Museum of Glass, maybe the underground tour, and then in the evenings dinner and maybe a concert or something. The last time I went to Seattle was during my high school concert choir tour, so it's been a while!

Things I Love Thursday: Rhode's Frozen Bread Dough

If you're visiting from TILT be sure to enter my contest for a hand painted step stool! Click the link above! :)

I never even knew that frozen bread dough existed until just a couple weeks ago. I know, I must live under a rock or something... Anyway, I've recently developed a HUGE love for it because I LOVE homemade bread! And although making bread really isn't all that difficult, it's just not something I'm usually able to squeeze into my routine. I'd love to be one of those mom's who makes homemade bread every week, but I'm not.

Yet it drives me CRAZY to buy bread when I know I could make it myself. $3.85+ for one loaf of bread?? It just seems like a lot when I know the ingredients would cost half that much (or less).

Enter Rhode's Frozen Bread Dough! For the same cost as ONE loaf of bread you can buy THREE loaves of Rhode's. Plus all you have to do is let it defrost, toss it in the oven, and Voila! Homemade bread!

It's a little hard to find at the store, almost every grocery store has it but it's usually tucked away amongst the boxes of Texas Toast and dinner rolls and you really have to look for it. The packaging doesn't exactly scream at you. Whenever I buy it I usually spend a few minutes standing in front of the case with it right under my nose. But the hunt is worth it! The store I usually go to only carries the white or wheat versions, but according to their website it also comes in sweet bread and pizza dough. I often use their regular bread dough as pizza crust and it works splendidly. Love making my own homemade pizza and calzones! Cheaper, fresher, can be creative about toppings, plus it's a whole heck of a lot tastier!

For more products to love visit The Diaper Diaries! She's also having a giveaway today! Sweet!

Fun Contest for a Leap Frog Tag Junior

Just found this contest, thought some of you might like it! It's for a Leap Frog Tag Junior! Plus this lady has a great writing style that I really enjoy, and you might too. :)

Way Back When-endsday! Daddy's Girl

Date: 6/6/09
Who: Anya & Daddy

We had gone into the garage to work on something and when we came back Anya was fast asleep on the couch. She was so tired she didn't even wake up to be taken upstairs. She's such a Daddy's Girl these days, so this picture really captures their relationship right now. :)

For more Way Back fun visit Cheryl over at Twinfatuation!

Pick Your Own Step Stool Giveaway!

I was recently approached by CSN Stores LLC to host a giveaway! They've got some awesome Futons with many classic and modern designs perfect for any home. Based out of Boston (the other city I LOVE) they've been in business since 2002 and are one of the top 3 online US retailers of home and office goods with 400+ employees. So if you're looking for a good American business to support, you should really check them out. :)

And since I know most of you are parents, I thought you'd love it if I gave one of these away!



Ribbit ribbit!



And what a cute prayer bench for a little girl you might know!



GIVEAWAY!

So what do you have to do to win?

- Visit THIS PAGE, decide which one you'd like to win (tough, I know!), and come back here to leave a comment telling me which one you'd like.
- Leave another comment if you're a follower or subscriber to my blog.
- Leave TWO more comments (including a link) if you mention my giveaway on your own blog.

That's it! FOUR possible entries!

Random.org will decide the lucky winner on Friday July 31st at 10am!

Aloha Friday! Blogging Peeves

From An Island Life:

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you'd like to participate with your own question on your own blog, head on over to An Island Life to link up and join the fun!

Today's question is, What are some of your blogging pet peeves??

I've only been blogging for about 7 months, but already I have some blogging pet peeves. So I thought I'd share my Top Three Things That Annoy Me About Blogging.

#3: Awards. I'm really not a fan of "Hey, I just gave you an award! Stop by my website to pick it up!" And then they ask you to share your 10 most intimate secrets, or 7 things you hate about the show Baywatch (only 7??), or what were the last 5 things you ate for breakfast this week.... come on? Really? I appreciate that you like my blog well enough to nominate me for such a prestigious award, but since I don't like reading about them on other people's blogs I'm sure most of you won't enjoy reading such things here. Now if you nominate me for a Bloggie Award THEN feel free to tell me about it. Otherwise, your awards (although often well intentioned) are pretty much wasted on me. Sorry! (Double sorry to those who have given me awards in the past, no worries, I love you anyway, promise!)

#2: Word Verification. Could you seriously do me a favor and delve into your settings and turn that off? There are a few blogs I go to where the secret word thingy doesn't load properly, and then I can't leave you a comment. Sometimes I really want to leave one, but after trying to get it to work for me for 5 minutes I usually decide it's not worth the hassle. And really, unless your blog is getting 5,000 hits a day I really don't think you have to worry about spammers on your site (plus you could always leave comment moderation on just in case).

#1: The thing I absolutely HATE the most about some people's blogs... MUSIC!!! If you have music that automatically plays when people visit your blog do us all a favor and change it so it only plays if someone clicks on it, or remove it altogether. Believe me, I LOVE music, but when it's on your blog and auto-plays as my computer loads? Well, it sounds like a horrible cacophony of noise that makes me plug my hears and curse. And least you think that I have some old antiquated computer that just can't handle it, my computer is BRAND NEW and is the best gaming computer that $1200 can buy. So if my computer can't handle it? Then people who bought their computers 3 years ago are certainly having the same problem.

WHEW! I feel so much better now after getting that out there! So what are your blogging peeves???

Things I Love Thursday: Off Lantern and Off Clip On Review & Giveaway!

I'm a BzzAgent, and recently I had the chance to sample and review two new Off products, the Off PowerPad Lamp and the Off Clip On.





When I first got these in the mail I was worried that I wouldn't have the opportunity to get good use out of them, I don't live in an area that tends to have a high mosquito population. But I've done a lot of gardening this year, usually between 8pm and sunset, and I've noticed that once the sun starts to go down the bugs start to come out! So I actually did break out the Off Clip On, and I liked it WAY more than I thought I would! I was very worried about scent because I tend to be very sensitive in that regard, but I didn't notice any smell at all coming from the Clip On! This is now by far my favorite form of mosquito repellent! You don't have to spray anything onto your body and end up feeling sticky and gross, AND it doesn't have any smell, AND it does the job! Perfect!

Since I was so encouraged with the Clip On I had no doubts about the PowerPad Lamp. A couple weeks ago my neighbor asked me to come over and play a dice game with her. After sitting out on her back porch for an hour getting bit by bugs I ran back to my place for the Lamp. Once we got it going we were both very excited with the results! No bites, and no smell. Way better than a citronella candle for sure!

Would you like to try out one of these great products???

GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away 6 $3 off coupons for the Off PowerPad Lamp AND 6 $3 off coupons for the Off Clip On! That's 12 coupons total in case you weren't a math wiz in school.

To win just leave a comment letting me know which you would like! Random.org will choose the winner on Monday July 13th at 10am!

Way Back When-endsday! Is This the Terrible Twos?

When: 6/19/09

The girls turned 2 last month and we're already experiencing some of the "terrible twos". It's super fun! In this picture, Anya & Ziva BOTH want to be in Mommy's lap, but unfortunately they also want Mommy all to themselves. It's a common occurrence around here, if anyone has any awesome solutions to this problem I'm all ears!

For more Way Back fun, visit Cheryl over at Twinfatuation!

Fresh From My Garden - Zucchini Cookies

From what I gather, other people in other parts of the country have zucchini ready RIGHT NOW and are looking for something to do with their bountiful crop. Well, around here in the Pacific Northwest (aka Zucchini Country) we come up with lots of ideas on how to use them! We grill 'em, we chill 'em, we eat 'em raw with dip, and of course we shred 'em and bake 'em. That's how we roll.

Up until this year I have never grown a Zucchini. I know, I know, what kind of a Washingtonian am I?? An inundated Washingtonian that's who! Because everyone, and I mean EVERYONE seems to think I could use a few extra zucchini around. For the past 3 years I've had 2 excellent zucchini sources: the lady across the street, and my mom. Good bless them! The year the girls were born I had so many that you would have thought I had my own plant. That year a good friend of mine came over to see my new babies, picked up a gigantic 5 lbs. zucch and proclaimed, "It's a BOY!" Yup, it was even shaped like a baby! And to think I shredded that baby up and tossed him into my freezer.

Ah, here he is now! My how you've... not grown at all. (Nice segway, eh?)



This recipe came from Sunset Magazine, August 2006. It was in the section where readers send in their favorite summertime recipes. And I must bow my hat to Jacob Gross of Lompoc, CA. (Can you believe such a great zucchini recipe could come from anywhere other than the NW?! I can, my SIL makes a killer zucchini bread. KILLER!) Jacob, you have saved me from throwing Zucchini to the compost pile many a time. These cookies are delicious AND easy to make. So Thank You!

First you take 1 cup of room temp butter. I usually leave my sticks on the counter overnight to make sure they're REALLY room temp. Then add 1 1/2 cups of sugar.



Mixy mixy until creamed.



Then add 2 eggs. I'd really love to have chickens and farm fresh eggs someday, but Hubs is very opposed to that idea... so I guess not. I think I'd make a very good crazy chicken lady.



Bock bock bock! Er... I mean... 1 Tablespoon of vanilla. More than the original recipe but I really like vanilla.



Then you mix in 2 cups of shredded zucchini, I don't have a picture of that part. Oops! Cracks me up that I forgot to take a picture of THE KEY INGREDIENT!

This here is 2 3/4 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt.



Combine the dry into the wet and mix until it's all fluffy and pretty.



Then add 1 cup of nuts, I used pecans.



One cup shredded sweetened coconut.



One cup raisins.



And one cup chocolate chips.



Mix it all together, and refrigerate for at least an hour or until the batter firms. This step isn't in the original recipe, but I've found it's the secret to keeping these cookies from spreading out and hardening in the oven. Gotta get those fats solidified! Then I use a small ice cream scoop to make the cookies uniform for even baking.

And they come out like this!








Zucchini Cookies

1 cup butter, at room temp
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon of vanilla
2 cups shredded zucchini
2/3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup raisins
1 cup sweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. In a medium bowl mix all flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add to the zucchini mixture. Stir in nuts, chips, raisins and coconut. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto lined cookie sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 15-20 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.

Note to Ziva

Dear Ziva,

I know you're only two. I know you have boundless energy and a relentless curiosity about the world around you. I know that you have this drive inside of you to explore the world in a hostile takeover fashion. I know. Believe me, I know.

But could you please oh please stop exploring your diaper contents during nap time? It may seem like a great place to find art supplies, but it's yucky Honey. Really REALLY yucky!

Thanks so much,

Your Momma

Aloha Friday! Hot Enough For Ya?!

From An Island Life:

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you'd like to participate with your own question on your own blog, head on over to An Island Life to link up and join the fun!

Yesterday we had a record high here of 96 degrees. NINETY SIX!!! WHEW! I'm roasting just thinking about it! Thankfully we get a reprieve today... only 94. Practically an Arctic breeze!

I know that probably sounds really lame if any of you Arizona or California people are reading this, but for here in the Pacific Northwest that's HOT!

I'm personally more comfortable around 75-80, anything more than that and you'll find me inside with the AC on.

Ok, I lied. Yesterday I went to my mom's house and went outside in the blazing heat to dig up plants. I'm sure the plants appreciated it, and so did I. lol

So how hot is it where you live today? And is it too hot, too cold, or just right?

Speach Development and a Crib Party

My mom keeps telling me that I need to write this stuff down, otherwise I'll forget. I know she's right, but so often I get caught up with making this blog all nice and semi-professional (HA!) and wonder if people will care what my kids are up to. I figure the only people who REALLY care about this stuff is me, Hubs, and the extended fam (and some of them might not care either!).

But since this is really the place where I share my thoughts, I don't keep a journal hidden under the mattress or anything like that, this is it baby! I better start writing some of this stuff down, and write down here because it really isn't going to happen otherwise.

So if this bores you, come back tomorrow. lol

Ziva has added a few words to her vocabulary! On Monday she said, "Mama" for the first time! She pulled an old photo of me and Hubs out of my Bible and pointed to him and said, "Dada" and then pointed to me and said, "Mama". She's said Dada before, but this was the very first time I've heard her say Mama, and she said it very matter-of-factly, as if "Duh, I know this people!" were going through her head. lol, it was very cute!

She still says Bye all the time, but now she also says Hi and Go. Obviously leaving and arriving are very critical to her and she wishes we would Go all the time! Thankfully as far as she is concerned Go to the backyard is just as good if not better than Go in the car to actually Go somewhere.

So I think that all of Ziva's words at this point are Go, Bye, Hi, Mama, Dada, Yay!, Mo (for more), and Ga (for dog).

Anya does a LOT more babbling, but much fewer actual words. She says Dada and Bye and that's about it. You can tell who her favorite parent is! lol She does do a lot of imitating, and there have been a few times when we've turned our heads and asked each other, "Did she just say, 'Lets go to the store?'" I think that's because her babbling is becoming very pronounced and often sounds like she's talking full sentences. She's still a very sensitive little girl, and gets her feelings hurt quite a bit. I find that I spend a great deal of time comforting her, and often feel the need to shield her from certain situations. Hopefully I'm not making matters worse.

There have been lots of cute stories, and my mom is right, because right now I'm not thinking of any. DANG IT! I hate it when she's right...

Ok, I just thought of one!

The other day I heard them laughing upstairs during nap time. I had just put them down for their nap 30 minutes prior so it was NOT time to wake up yet. Fearing another poop party (yes, Ziva does get her diaper off by herself, we now duct tape it on and use onesies over the top to keep them on) I went up there only to discover that they've learned how to play peek-a-boo with each other using the crib rails as a little hiding spot! After I walked in they squeeled as if to say, "Yay! Mom is here to join the fun!" And then they gave me a little demonstration to show me what was so funny. LOL Since I was up there I went ahead and checked their diapers, and they were both indeed poopy which was why they were still awake and able to invent their little game. But after I changed them and put them back in their cribs they went right on back to playing and never did take a nap. The rest of our evening didn't go so well as a result, but it was still pretty funny. Stuff like this are what makes twin parenting so much fun though! It's so fun to hear them squeeling and laughing in the other room and know that they're just having a good time with each other! Warms our hearts!

Hometown Swap Package!

I participated in the Hometown Swap with Shannon over at Welcome to the Nuthouse! And I'm so glad I did! It was so much fun to brighten someone's day with a surprise gift, plus get one in return!

I feel super lucky to be matched up with Jenna from Newlyweds! I've been following her blog for a couple months and have really enjoyed reading about her life with twin boys. Plus (as her blog title suggests) she does interviews of newlywed couples, and who doesn't love a good love story?! So when I realized that my swap package was from her I got pretty excited!

And look at all this cool stuff she sent me!



She lives in a small town in Texas, and lucky me! I got tons of great food stuff! Apparently it's a rice growing town, so of course she included a bag of rice that was grown, milled, and packaged right in her town. Way cool! Wondering what's wrapped up in the butcher paper? I was tipped off by my dogs as I was opening the box, their noses were ALL OVER that box! LOL It's beef jerky!! Really yummy jerky according to Hubs, I haven't had the chance to try any yet. In the jars are Texas Antipasto (who knew!?) and jalapeno jelly.

Plus all kinds of brochures from her area and the local paper. I always love looking at local papers! I was trained well by my mom in that way. Every time we went anywhere on vacation the first thing she'd do is pick up the local paper. Why? Because it was fun to read and it would clue us in to anything fun that was happening around town while we were there. A tradition that carries on to this day.

Not only did Jenna send me all this great food, she also sent me RECIPES!! I'm seriously excited about making this stuff! I plan to try each and every one! In fact, I have the fish and meatloaf recipe on our menu for this week. Can't wait to try them!



Interested in seeing what I sent out? Check out Glenna's sewing blog HERE!

To see what other's swapped across the country head on over to Welcome to the Nuthouse!