A Second look at Honest Diapers

Love those little rolls

Previously, I wrote about the Honest Diapers, and I gave a honest look at the diapers. The biggest issue that I had was with the leakage. However, once I received the size one diapers I noticed that they were made a little different on the inside than my newborn ones. The newborn ones looked more like mesh and didn't absorb well at all. These new ones, I don't know if it is the size or if they are actually a little different, are so much better in terms of absorbency! I love these diapers. Plus they are much cuter too!

Hope Everyone had a Merry Christmas and Wishing a Happy New Year

This little Santa's Helper hopes that everyone had a Merry Christmas and wishes a Happy New Year!

Events for the New Year

Everyone loves a good party right?! Well, I know how to keep up with the Jones' so to speak because I used to be one. I have to admit, that I learned well. I learned how to be the hostess with the mostess. I learned all about presentation, and a well planned menu, about flower arrangements, decorating, and doing so lavishly. However, as a teacher, throwing my own parties became more about budget than lavish. It actually became fun to throw a party on a dime. It was almost like a challenge to do something for a certain amount of money, and everyone knows that I love a good challenge. 

For example, I recently held Christmas at my house for my husband's family (a total of 21 people in attendance) for around 100 dollars, which seems like a lot but that included everyone's favorite: a HONEY BAKED HAM! and those are not cheap and blew half of my food budget. 

As this year ends, I look back on all the things/parties that I didn't do because I was really too tired (being pregnant or taking care of a newborn who refuses to sleep for any good amount of time). I am trying to decide on the parties/events that I would like to make happen for my new year. 


"Soup"er Bowl Sunday
This would be just as the title suggests. It would be a Super Bowl party held on Sunday. The main dish(es) would be soups. It might me cool to have everyone bring a soup/chili and have a contest for best one. 

Pinterest Party-a day of crafting
This would be a crafting party that would require super simple appetizers (all found on pinterest of course). The idea would be that everyone brings an appetizer that the found on pinterest and a craft to complete. I think it might be cool to have each person bring enough for a few people to do the craft, then we could set up little stations for everyone. This might be a party that has a few parties. For example, if you had 9 ladies, 3 could bring a craft for everyone to do, then next party would have another of the 3 ladies, then the last. Or it could be a party were everyone submits the craft they would like to try, and then a vote on which one for all to do. OR again, with the stations. There are so many options for this one. I may have to make this idea a separate post!!!

Desserts and DIY party-again a type of crafting party
This one could be very much like the above party. Maybe though the food doesn't have to come from pinterest though. :)

A Clothing Swap
Everyone would bring 10 items to swap along with an appetizer. I see a white elephant thing going down here!

A Tasting Party
I am thinking that everyone brings a dish for tasting. They also must send the recipe via email prior to the event so that a little booklet of all the recipes are the gifts for when everyone leaves. 

Cinco De Mayo
I just love Mexican food, so I don't need an excuse for a party.

Korbin Bru's 1st Birthday
I haven't really thought of a theme yet. The only thing that I know that Korbin Bru like is lights. Oh, but there will be a cake, and I have a sneaking suspicion that my son will probably bury his head in it. 

"Howl"oween Costume Party
I just see a whole big group of people together with a costume contest. There would have to be prizes of course, for things like most creative. 

An Ugly Sweater Party-Griswald Family Style
This is an absolute must!!! I can see everyone in their ugly sweater. Again a contest is a must. I have even see those ugly sweater wine holders-another must.


A Cookie Swap Party-with cookie ballots and voting
This is a good thing to do around Christmas. 

A New Year's Bash
'Nuff said.

What other parties might be good?

Under the Mistletoe

Who couldn't kiss this face under the mistletoe? I tell you that I don't need mistletoe; I want to kiss this face all the time. Surprising, he wore this little headband without complaint. He knows at three months old that if mommy wants to play "dress up" and take pictures he might as well give in and get it over with. Such a smart boy already. ;)

My little Rudolph raindeer. I just love, love, love...did I mention love the little hood and feet which are complete with antlers. Korbin Bru loves to stare at his feet with this outfit on. 

Pardon the lack of makeup on my face. I don't always look this bad. 

Korbin is entranced with anything on a shirt, especially like little decals such as my husband's Honda shirts that have a "H" on the chest. 

Love it....pure surprise. 

Santa's Littlest Helper

My little guy is so cute. (no, I am not biased-lol) Jeffrey picked up this little reindeer number from target and Korbin loves it because it so soft and plushy like. Yesterday we were doing our normal routine, which includes laying on his memory foam rug (this thing is oober soft and I would love to have another but can't find anymore at Sams), and he was looking and acting so cute. So I grabbed my camera and the little red tree that is in his room and started snapping pictures. 

The little hat had to make it into these photos.

This is probably my favorite of all of them. Look at his little ear, the way that it is bent it sort of looks like he is really a little elf. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM KORBIN

My Guys

Today is the end of the Mayan Calender, but I am not worried. If today was my last day, I would be happy and content that I was able to spend part of my time being Jeff's wife and Korbin's mommy. My heart overflows for these two guys. My blue-eyed angels. 

The Makings of a Christmas Morning Menu

With the addition of Korbin Bru, we have decided that we are not going to make Christmas Day stressful by going here or there. We want a relaxed, stress free, travel free first Christmas with our son. However, I know that we will be having people stop by throughout the day, possibly starting with breakfast/brunch. So, I was thinking of a Christmas theme with the C's.

Casserole, Cake, Cupcakes, and Christmas Punch or Champagne

CASSEROLE- The casserole will be one of my all time favorite comfort foods-and bonus-it is good later on in the day with dinner. Hashbrown Casserole-it will be easy because I plan on making it the day before and putting it in the fridge to bake while we open presents.

CAKE- The cake is a honeybun cake that I made a few months ago for my husband to take to work. Again, I plan on doing the prior day and will also be good for later on after dinner. The first time I had this, I was like OM Goodness...so yummy!

CUPCAKES- Now I do not mean regular cupcakes, I mean egg cupcakes. I want to make bacon and egg cupcakes. The process is super simple so it will not take long that morning. You just line each cupcake holder with bacon, mix up your eggs and whatever other items you want to put int it like cheese , or mushrooms or like my husband will want sausage which I will already have cooked, from cooking sausage the day before for appetizers for later on Christmas day.


from Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body

CHRISTMAS PUNCH- I am thinking something festive with OJ and grenadine and ginger ale or even a green punch with lime sherbet and these little red crystal sprinkles on the rim for a festive touch. 

CHAMPAGNE-maybe with a splash of OJ or OJ and ginger-ale for an alcohol free spirit.

My only thing that I am up in the air about is the egg cupcakes. I originally thought about a bacon, egg, and cheese ring or braid but since I am doing the honeybun cake, I thought it might be overkill. Howecer, the honeybun cake is sweet, while the ring or braid would not be. So I have to decide if I want to first have crescents with my eggs or just the cute little cupcakes. I am leaning more toward the cupcakes.

"Elfie' our Elf on a Shelf (Nursery Edition)

I love the Elf on a Shelf tradition. I have had this little gem tucked away for a very long time. I have seen pictures of ideas all over Pinterest, but "He" wanted to do something very different. For "Elfie's" first Christmas visit, he wanted to stay in Korbin Bru's Nursery. Now, when Elfie first came to the Boak household, he was spotted on our Christmas Tree, but the rest of the week he has been found being mischievous in the nursery. As a side note, Elfie is the name we have chosen to call him until Korbin Bru can pick out a name for him in the later years. 

"ELFIE" FIRST SPOTTED IN THE CHRISTMAS TREE

(CAME TO THE HOUSE LATE THANKSGIVING NIGHT AND FOUND ON BLACK FRIDAY)

ELFIE HAD FUN PLAYING IN KORBIN BRU'S BLOCKS AND EVEN LEFT HIM A LITTLE NOTE TO SAY HEY!

I LOVE THIS LITTLE SANTA WANNA BE

Elfie stayed has stayed in Korbin Bru's nursery the whole time. Here are some of my favorite places that Elfie decided to show up at.

The Past 3 months-A weekly Chalkboard

Since I documented my pregnancy journey with the chalkboard, I didn't want it to end there. So, we chose to use it to document my little man's progress each week. I tried to write down things that happened or things that he did or accomplished to help me remember later on when he did those things. 

He growls at his daddy when daddy starts saying that he is going to get his food. 

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Crescent

So this morning the husband was off of work and as I stood in the kitchen, I began to crave a Bacon, egg, and cheese crescent from Burger King. Now, I do not eat fast food as a rule, too many calories, and usually unhealthy. However, I have been known to splurge every now and again-usually at breakfast time. When I was working on my doctorate, there was a Burger King right in front of my school. Since I only had to go once a month, sometimes I would stop and get breakfast there. I usually would...ehhmm...get the crescent even though I knew that there was better options on the menu. But, there I go birdwalking. So I came up with this...then later...I found out that Pillsbury had already created it. Boo. I thought I had a Jone Original! However, my recipe does differ from Pillsbury so I will include a link to Pillsbury as well.
Pillsbury Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Crescent Ring

Then my recipe.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Crescent
A can of reduced calorie crescent rolls
3 eggs
4 egg whites
pepper to taste
seasoned salt
Bacon-didn't measure (it was from a Hormel bag that I purchased from Sams)
Fat Free Cheddar Cheese-didn't measure
Butter Spray

I sprayed a pizza pan with Pam and then laid out the rolls in a star type pattern with the pointy end laying out over the ends. Then, I put the bacon and the cheese on the rolls while the eggs cooked. I added the salt and pepper to the eggs. I didn't let the eggs overcook. I put the eggs on the bacon and cheese rolls, then topped with a little more cheese. After that, I began wrapping up the bacon, egg, and cheese until it formed like a ring. I think I could do a braid as well which I want to try next time because the husband wants me to add sausage. Or I could do it with little pockets so that it would be extremely portable. I think it would be good with lots of veggies-mushrooms, peppers and onions (when I can eat them without upsetting my little guys tummy). Spray with butter spray. Bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes. I started checking mine at 20.

My husband gave this a two thumbs up. He liked the fact that it was portable. He could just grab one and go.

Missing my Friend

I am fortunate that I have a husband who knows when I just need a minute to hang out with my friend. Whether it is lunch or dinner, a shopping trip to SAMS, a pedicure, or simply hanging out on the back porch with magazines in the hot sun, I have one of those friends that will be a friend for life. Christa is not only my friend, she is my colleague. She is like my sister. In the wake of the CT shootings, I have thought a lot about what being a teacher means to me. I know that I am a good teacher, but I wouldn't be if I did not have her beside me. This woman is amazing. She is right next door to me. We teach the same subject, and quite frankly are a powerhouse together because we work well together. When one of us comes up with an idea, the other is right there to add to it or refine it, making it such a powerful teaching experience. I have thought about what those teachers must have been going through, hearing the gun shots in their building. In classrooms, right next door. I can't imagine ever having to go to school, to face my students, without this girl by my side. (Although she is having to deal with me not being there right now as I am on maternity leave). She has had to hold down the fort without me right now. I couldn't do what I do without her. I am fortunate to call her my colleague, but I am blessed to call her my friend.

Christa'a Birthday Dinner 2011

Cruise to Bahamas 2011

I promise I am not that tall-PINK HIGH HEELS!

For the teachers at SHE school, for those of you that lost not only colleagues but friends, I pray for healing. I know that I am going to make sure that I have more time...more time for conversation, more time for laughs, more time for driving people around us nuts talking about school, more time for food, more time for FUN, just more time for LIFE! It is time for living!