Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Is it really summer . . .

Today is the last day of May!  Oh my word!  Time sure has flown by.  This past Friday was Nicholas' last day of school.  It really didn't feel like the last day of school, it felt like just another Friday . . . This is the first time his school district has ended school this early; usually he's in school until the second week of June.  He's happy to be home and be done with school a couple weeks earlier :0).

So summer is here . . . Oh what to do?  We really have no plans at this point.  Well, besides baseball.  Today is Nicholas' last season game, before his team goes into the Tournament of Champions.  Noah has one more game this Saturday.  So we're still in basball mode.  It's safe to say that it doesn't really feel like summer just yet. 

Our plans for summer vacation are all up in the air.  We don't have anything set in stone just yet, but we'd sure like to get in our annual camping trip and Wild Rivers trip; not to mention a few trips to the beach!  Nicholas has some friends that moved into the neighborhood and his summer days are filling up with bike rides, street wiffle ball, and hanging out at eachother's houses.  Oh to be young and filled with frivolous play :0) 

Well for Memorial Day weekend Nicholas' travel team played in a tournament here in town.  His team lost all 3 games, but it was their first tournament . . . It was an experience for the kids and it's only a matter of time; they just need a few more tournaments together under their belt.  They'll do great; I just know they will.

Today . . . it's, kinda, the official first day of summer.  The sun is out, and my days aren't really that much different then all the others.  I have bathrooms to clean, laundry to finish, and meals to cook!  However, I have a few projects around here that I'd like to get done . . . Projects that involve paint! 

Happy 1st Day of Summer!



Sunday, May 22, 2011

Baseball videos

The boys' baseball season is winding down.  They each have 3 games left and I can't believe how fast this season has flown by.  But, Nicholas' team, with one more win, will be playing in the tournament of champions!  So really the season isn't quite over yet.

This is also Nicholas' last week of school.  I'm looking forward to the summer days ahead!  The days of no routines, beach day, pool days and the smell of bbq!  I can't wait.

I wanted to share 2 videos of the boys over the weekend.  Both at the baseball fields . . . Enjoy!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies

The May-Grey that's been going on here has been awful.  Noah and I decided to bake some chocolate chip cookies the other day.  I love baking with him; I love the smile and happiness on his face when he gets to help mama out.  Sure it gets messy . . . But I'm so over keeping everything all clean and tidy.  Right now it's all about hanging with my lil' guy having some yummy fun in the kitchen.

I've been using this chocolate chip cookie recipe for years now!  I like to try different ones, but I always come back to this particular recipe.  It never disappoints.  It's loaded with chocolate chips, it's fluffy, and it's sweet enough to put a smile on anyones face.  I wish I could say that I created this recipe all on my own . . . It's from a cookie recipe book that was given to me years and years ago . . . When Nicholas was still a sweet-smelling toddler :0)  I have since renamed this cookie recipe as Auntie Mis' Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Every time I make these cookies I think of my 3 handsome nephews, Vincent Jr., SJ, and KJ.  They never fail to tell me or show me, by the grins on their faces, how much they love and appreciate the sweet treats I bring along with me to our family gatherings.  That is the beauty of homemade chocolate chip cookies . . .

Auntie Mis' Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 sticks of butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. real vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix butter and sugar together until completely blended.  Add eggs and vanilla extract.  Add dry ingredients a little at a time.  Mix well.  Add chocolate chips and mix.  Bake for 20 minutes in a 300 degree oven. 

* I have found that these cookies bake well if they have been refrigerated overnight.  Hope you enjoy this cookie recipe!

Of course I had to include a few pictures . . . Of the cookies and my assistant!

Fluffy and Loaded with Chocolate Chips :0)

A perfect after school snack. 

Assistant Chef . . . Or taste tester.  Wherever he's needed :0)

Delicious!