R.R.T. - Just Like Home

MC received a kitchen stocked with food, pots, and pans for Christmas. I never noticed anything strange about it until I looked at this picture today!

Chucky? Is that you? What in the world? What sick person would include a butcher knife in a kid’s kitchen set? My child has been playing with a fake butcher knife since December. I don’t know why I did not notice until now.

The Just Like Home Betty Crocker Set is what I chose for MC’s Christmas gift. We have thrown away several things from the set for various reasons. The hot dog wieners were the first to go. First of all, they look disgusting. Secondly, MC gagged on one after sticking it down her throat.

Although we have thrown away most of the parts of the kitchen set, MC LOVES to play with the pots and pans. She brings me a pot, and I pretend to guzzle it down. She will turn around and point that little finger of hers and say, “No Mommy, it’s Hot Hot!” I guess she has heard that a time or two.

Well, it's random I know, but you were warned by the title, so don't blame me for wasting your time!

30 at 30!

So, I turned 30 a couple of weeks ago. I want to thank you all for wishing me a Happy Birthday! Most of you know that my motto for this birthday was, "I'm giving up being a very old 20, and starting a new year as a very young 30! I heard some great things from you all, one of my favorites, 30 is the new 20. So true!

I posted in January about my lifestyle change, aka my diet, but I haven't updated you since then. Since the middle of January, I've lost 30 pounds! I have also started working out with a PT 5x/week. I feel better than I have felt in a long time. I'm almost back to my college weight!

Anyway, speaking of my birthday and diet. Wait a minute! Those two things don't go together at all. You can't diet on your 30th birthday!!! I thought I would share a pic of my birthday lunch.

After lunch, we hung out with my family, watched Marli swing in her new swing (thank you ANDY), and then went to dinner at Thaicoon. I forgot to mention the delicious cupcake from my favorite shop, Iced, that I enjoyed in the middle of the day.

The next day, after church, my family went with us downtown for some pics and gelato at Luna Rosa. I am starting to see a pattern here. I think the only thing I did for my birthday is EAT! Here are some pics from downtown:

[I did steal/borrow these pics from my sister's blog, which happens to be the funniest blog EVER!]

There you have it! 30 is the new 20!

2010 Collage - March

Yes, I do know that it is the middle of April! I took these photos when it was still chilly out in the middle of March, but hadn't put them together in the collage until now. Sorry!

I say this every month, but MC has completely changed since the last collage. She loves to sit in the refrigerator. She fake cries, even with the words, Boo Hoo, then says, "OK!" She has recently become more attached to "Ellie," her pink elephant that Gruff Gregg and Sweet Miriam gave her when she was born. She loves to be "mommy" to her dolls by rubbing their backs and kissing them. She loves to sing, and has the loudest voice of any child in the world! She says, "I miss you mommy." (even if I left the room for 1 second) I always reply, "I missed you too Marli Claire." Then she will say, "I know Mommy!" Her favorite food is Hummus and Pita Bread! Weird, I know! She loves to hide from us, and if we don't start looking for her, she will yell, "Where did Marli go?" She still giggles all day, and talks nonstop! She is still the love of our life, and I cannot imagine that will change by the April collage!

Random Rambling Tuesday

Are you surprised that childhood obesity has recently risen to new heights? If you can't imagine why this is, check this out:

What is it? This is a plate from one of my favorite local restaurants. The crazy thing is, this is a kid's meal! That's right, a KID'S MEAL!!! This is OUTRAGEOUS!

Easter 2010

And the winner is . . .

It was neck and neck for a while, and it was a close one this year! The votes for the 2010 Easter Cake Challenge have been tallied, and the winner is . . .

A TIE!

Hippity Hop Hip Hop (Andy Youngblood) and The Spring Fling (Me!) have tied for first place.

The other contestants were amazing, and have already begun thinking of their cakes for next year!

Cake #1 - Hippity Hop Hip Hop (Andy Youngblood)

Cake #2 - One The Wings of Love (Ashli Fletcher)

Cake #3 - Beautiful Disaster (Austin Youngblood)

Cake #4 - Spongebunny (Amanda Dietrick)

Cake #5 - Squidbillies (Ches Youngblood)

Cake #6 - The Spring Fling (Delecta Rollins)

Cake #7 - YES WE CAN! (Matthew Rollins)

We had our own winner with at-home vote, and Matthew took the grand prize of the TJ Maxx gift card (a value of $11.77). Sidenote: The TJ Maxx gift card was the result of a return of two shirts.

[Check back this afternoon for Marli Claire's Easter pics!]

Vote - 2010 Easter Cake Challenge

We have started a new Easter tradition with my family, cake decorating. The best part is that none of us are cake decorators. The artists in our family weren't allowed to participate, and the cake decorator is serving our Lord in Namibia. With that said, you know that what you are about to see on the following videos is pure, raw, and natural talent!

What we want you to do is view all of the following cakes, and pick your favorite. The judging criteria is as follows:

* CREATIVITY

* DIFFICULTY

* THEME

The voting begins now, and will end at 11:59 PM on Monday, April 5, 2010. So, sign in and leave your comment to vote for your favorite cake!

Cake #1 - Hippity Hop Hip Hop

Cake #2 - On The Wings Of Love

Cake #3 - Beautiful Disaster

Cake #4 - SpongeBunny

Cake #5 - Squidbillies

Cake #6 - The Spring Fling

Cake #7 - Yes We Can!

[When the voting is over, check back to see the winner revealed! Also, check out the Full Length Cake Challenge Video from our Kitchen Stadium, including contestant interviews, tips, and more.]