8 Months...

Once again I am late on posting this monthly update, but Jo Jo turned 8 months on the first of June.  She is definitely checking those milestones off like it is her job (which, in a way, I guess it is.  I mean what else does she have to do other than eat, sleep and play?)

She never sits still!  Right after you set her on the floor she gets on all fours and attempts to crawl which really looks like a worm right now.  She is pushing herself backwards which is how B and Mel both started crawling. 

She says"Da" a lot!  When I say "Ma" she smiles and says "Da" over and over and over.  Everything is "Da"  She loves her daddy that is for sure! 

She is eating mostly table food, but I will occasionally give her baby food if she isn't able to eat what we are having. 

She has one tooth on the bottom and the other one is on the verge of popping through.  Hopefully any day now!  I miss the full night's sleep!

She is full of personality.  I think as I snapped this photo, Brad walked in the room.... 

She is busy, busy, busy and I think she may be the kid that is into everything.  I never had to baby proof with B and Mel so it should be interesting. 

I don't have any stats for this month.  She goes to the doctor next month for her 9 month check up.  I can't wait to see how much she has grown since she hasn't been since she was 6 months.

Craft Time:Sidewalk Paint...

My girls love sidewalk chalk so when I saw this idea a friend of mine posted on Facebook and Instagram, I knew I wanted to try it.  It takes sidewalk art to a whole new level!

You will need:

Cornstarch

water

food coloring (lots of it)

paint brushes 

First combine your cornstarch and water and pour into the container.  We used muffin tins which worked perfectly!...

Then add your food coloring.  I started with about 10-12 drops each, then I added more until I reached the desired color.  It dries much lighter. 

Paint away.... 

The whole family had fun with this.  I'll be honest, I think Brad and I had a little more fun than the kids.  Don't let Jo Jo fool you.  She isn't painting.  She is chasing ants....which I believe she ate once they were caught.  The girl puts everything in her mouth!  Something B and Mel never did!!!  The saying stands true, each kid is different.

We found that thick, soft paintbrushes worked best...

This makes me happy!... 

We did this craft on Friday and it stayed all weekend until it rained this afternoon.  I went to the store last night and stocked up on more cornstarch.  I think we will paint our sidewalk/patio often!...Or at least Brad and I will ;)

And here are a couple shots of miss Jo that I had to share...

Sidewalk Paint

1 1/4 Cups cornstarch

1 C. water

food coloring

Combine the cornstarch and water.  Pour into containers.  Add food coloring.  Start painting!

Note: thick, soft paintbrushes work best.

Have fun!!!!

It's Harder Than I Thought...

When I was pregnant with Jo Jo, I decided that as she outgrew clothes, toys, etc. I would donate them.  Our house is getting smaller by the day, it seems:), so we definitely need more space.  When I began cleaning out her closet for the next season, I realized it's hard to get rid of some things.  We have three girls, which I'm sure you're aware of unless this is your first time stopping by here, so most of these clothes were worn by all three of them!  I could remember when each of the girls wore a particular outfit.  

I did decide to purge two big bags of clothes, but kept the stuff that was sentimental to me.  Of course I kept Jody's coming home outfit, just as I did B's and Mel's.  They each have their own outfit in their keepsake box.  It was only worn by them and none of the other sisters.  I like that.  I also kept their Baptism gowns.  They each had their own also.  Some people questioned why I needed 3 separate gowns when they could have worn the same one, but I like that they each have their own and maybe, someday, their daughter(s) will wear them.

Some of the clothes I kept may seem silly to some people, but I'm not ready to part with them so I packed them away for the third time and had Brad store the tote in the attic.

Like this "Little Sister" shirt.

I feel like Jo Jo only got to wear it a couple times before she outgrew it!  It's hard to believe that their probably won't be another little sister in the house to wear it.

I think I have a "first" shirt for just about every holiday/special occasion there is.  No more first Halloweens around here!

This is the outfit Jo Jo wore home from the hospital.  I love it!!!!  She was in the room when I came to this and I held it up to her.  My how she has grown!!!  Off it went to her keepsake box!

There were other special outfits I kept, but I won't bore you with all the pictures.  I once told a friend of mine that I can't wait to get rid of all the toys!  She said, "Those are harder to get rid of than you might think!"  I believe it!!!!  For now the tote of "special" clothes is up in the attic until I am ready to part with them....maybe in about 20 years:)

Am I crazy, or do you hold on to "special" things also?

JoJo's Six Month Pictures...

I realized yesterday that I hadn't posted any pictures yet of Jo Jo from her 6 month photo shoot and since she will be 8 months next week, I figured I had better get on it.  Plus, I took more pictures of her last week that are my absolute favorite so far, so I need to share them with you as well.  I know you were all sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for these;)

I took the pictures in her bedroom.  It was the first time I had ever taken pictures in there..aside from snap shots.  I don't know why I've waited so long.  The natural light in her room is glorious and the yellow walls really make the room bright!  The lighting is still a bit off thanks to user error and she wasn't her normal smiley self that day so I really had to work hard to get a smile from her.

She had just recently started sitting up by herself right before I took these and she was so proud of herself as you can see in the picture below.  I was also sitting on pins and needles waiting to catch her if she fell backward.  Hardwood floors and babies learning to sit up aren't a good combo! 

Those eyes! All of my babies have been blessed with blue eyes and they are my favorite thing to photograph.  In certain lights they pop! 

The tutu... 

Mel had her picture taken in this also, but I'm too lazy to dig through the archives right now...maybe some other day. 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Keeping It Simple:Taking Meals to the Field With Kids...

Several farmers are in the midst of planting. Taking meals to the field is a tough job, I'm not gonna lie, especially when you have to pack up 3 kids (sometimes 4) on top of the lunch, but it is very much appreciated, or so I think;).  When I was little, most of the time my mom packed my dad a sandwich, some chips, a candy bar and something to drink.  Sometimes I do this as well, but most days I like to deliver a hot meal.

You can read my post from a couple years ago about delivering meals here.  And this is one of my favorite things to make to take to the fields.  In fact, it is simmering on the stove as I type!  When I'm finished cooking the food, the first thing I do is load it all into the Suburban before I start packing kids up.  They are much more patient when they have toys to entertain them then when they are sitting in a warm car strapped in their car seat.  It can get a little ugly.  Trust me!  I may have done this once, and quickly learned my lesson!

 I got this "on the go" crockpot  from my in-laws as a birthday gift a few years ago and I love it!  I no longer have to worry about sloppy joes, or whatever concoction I have in their spilling when I hit a bump in the road.

I also like to use a basket like this one to hold most of the condiments and such...

Well, the car is loaded now it's time to get the kids....

This Ciao! baby highchair is quite possibly the best item I have purchase this year!

When B and Mel were babies I often said, "I wish someone would invent a highchair that looks like a camping chair!  I guess if I would have been the genius behind this idea, I might be a millionaire right now!

We have used this thing several times already not just for taking meals to the fields, but when we go to people's houses, ball games, anywhere.  I keep it in the car so it is easily accessible.

My sister-in-law got me this wonderful picnic blanket from Thirty-One for Christmas.  It is also a new must have at the fields.  It is waterproof and the bottom is slick so you don't have to worry about grass sticking to it!  Just fold it up and go!

Happy planting everyone!...and happy eating!

Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Dough Brownies...

These brownies are so good and so rich.  A little sliver will suit you just fine, but it's best to splurge because these won't last long, trust me.

First, bake up a pan of brownies and let them cool.

Next, cream the butter and peanut butter until smooth...

Add the sugars and mix again until fluffy... 

Add the milk and vanilla... 

Add the flour and mix until combined... 

Sprinkle in the M&Ms and stir with a spoon to combine.. 

Spread the dough evenly over the brownies.. 

Richly scrumptious! 

Peanut Butter M&M Cookie Dough Brownies

1 Brownie box mix for 9X13 pan.  

1/4 C. butter, softened

1/2 C. peanut butter

1/2 C. sugar

1 C. brown sugar, packed

1/4 C. + 2 Tablespoons milk

1/2 Tablespoon vanilla

2C. flour

1 C. M&Ms

1. Prepare and bake brownies according to directions on box.  Set aside to cool.

2. Cream the butter and Peanut Butter until smooth.

3. Add the sugar and brown sugar until fluffy.

4. Add milk and vanilla and mix until smooth.

5. Add the flour and mix until combined.

6. Stir in the M&Ms with a spoon.

7. Spread the cookie dough gently over the cooled brownies.

Enjoy!