Three, very random, things today..

1. Is it weird that I'll write a 'to-do' on my list that I've already done just so I can cross it off? What is it about crossing items off a to-do list that makes you feel like superwoman? Tell me I'm not alone. Today I was able to cross off 6 items from my list and now I feel invincible.

 

2. I'm currently obsessed with blue cheese dressing. Perhaps I'm lacking some sort of vitamin that is in blue cheese? or maybe it's just that blue cheese dressing is a m a z i n g. Seriously, go buy yourself some blue cheese and sit down with a nice large salad. Thank me later.

3. I fell in love with a new movie this past week- Gatsby. Have you seen it? I never read the book (shh.. don't tell anyone) but I was swept up by this movie. Usually while watching a movie I'm also either eating popcorn, browsing pinterest or texting a friend, but this time I devoted my entire 2 plus hours to this movie and that could be why I enjoyed it so much- I was invested. It also could have something to do with Leonardo Dicaprio. I do like him. a lot. Either way, if you get a chance and have a couple hours to devote to a movie- rent Gatsby. I think you'll like it too.

Happy Friday!

Why, Hello 2014

*Every year my family gets together and we cut out magazine clippings and words to create a collage of New Year's resolutions, hopes, goals etc. we have.  

This year I'm focusing on three main themes:

Balance

I tend to be an all or nothing type of person. I find myself going from one extreme to the other with no real consistency. So this year I'm focused on finding a happy medium in all aspects of life.

Organize

Between working four nights a week, going to school full-time, being a full time stay at home mama and starting our own business to say this year is going to be busy is an understatement. I know a huge saving grace for me will be to stay o.r.g.a.n.i.z.e.d. I'll need to organize meals for the week, school work, paying bills, keeping up with laundry, planning activities with Mason, giving my all at the gym for our members, being additive to my family, etc. etc. etc. Yes. Organized. That sounds nice.

Follow Through

This is actually a Hilton Family resolution but I take it on individually as well. Both a balanced and organized life sounds great but means nothing if there is no follow through. With our gym opening this month we are dedicated to making it successful. A lot of that requires us to follow through on things we say we're going to do or want to do. Just like I want to do in all aspects of my life.

Follow Through. Follow Through. Follow Through.

What about you? Any 2014 resolutions or goals?

So, here's to a New Year... Cheers!

Birthday Chocolate Muffins- healthy style

I wanted to share the recipe I used for Mason's Birthday cupcakes this year. They were scrumptious. If you've tried any of my other muffin recipes throw them out and make this one! just kidding, the others are good but you are in a for a real treat with these gems. Think Valentine's Day maybe?

Recipe from Paleomg.com

 

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• ½ cup dates, pitted
• 3 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• ⅓ cup Coconut Oil (melted)
• ¼ cup canned coconut milk
• ¼ cup coconut flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt

For the frosting

• 1 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
• ¼ cup Coconut Oil
• pinch of salt

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Add dates to your food processor and mix until the dates become a large sticky ball.
3. Place all wet ingredients in the food processor with dates: coconut oil, coconut milk, eggs and egg whites and pulse until everything in the food processor is completely liquid.
4. Add your dry ingredients to a bowl and mix well then add your wet ingredients from the food processor to the dry ingredients bowl and mix to incorporate.
5. Scoop cupcake ingredients into your silicone or paper lined muffin tin and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when you poke a cupcake. (Cupcake batter should not be super runny)
6. While the cupcakes bake, make your frosting.

 

 

1. Add your frosting ingredients to a bowl and place in microwave and cook for 30 seconds. Then use a spoon to mix and help not let the chocolate burn. Add back to the microwave and cook for another 30 seconds then use a spoon to mix again. Repeat until chocolate is completely melted.
2. Place in the freezer for 5-10 minutes then use a fork to mash up the frosting and soften it up. I placed my frosting back in the microwave for 10-15 seconds just to soften in up to the right texture, but not melt the chocolate completely.

 

 

Once your cupcakes are done cooking, let cool COMPLETELY. Frost your cupcakes to your liking then top with some mini Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips! and Enjoy!!!

 

Mason's 2nd Birthday!

 

Unlike last years planning for months, Mason's 2nd birthday party was much more low key. I figured this would be the last year that he would be indifferent as to the what/how/why/where aspects of his party and decided to capitalize on that fact and stick with a small family gathering with cupcakes and hot cocoa to celebrate our little man turning 2... and you know what? it was just perfect. After Christmas Mason was well versed in what a present was and when he saw a pile of gifts on his bday it didn't take him long to figure out that they were for him. He kept saying "mama, presents?!" 'mama, my birday?' yes and yes Mr. Mason! I'm sure it gets old to hear the same old thing from every mom, but it really does go by fast! I can't believe how big and grown up my baby is. I just love this age and am so incredible thankful God gave me Mason. Love him to pieces.

Mason still does NOT like the Happy Birthday song.... I don't think he understands what comes after it...

He quickly figured it out though...

Happy Birthday Mr. Mason Bear. You continue to keep stealing my heart day after day. MUAH!

Christmas Day.

Christmas Morning around these parts always starts with delicious cinnamon rolls. A family tradition that no 'healthy eating' can stop! Although my Mom did opt for a baked apple instead. Dedication right there. Mom also bought Christmas morning sockies for us to wear and M got cute pj's. Mason took home the gold with most presents this year (big surprise) and he was so happy to open each and every gift he got. One of his favorites being his new jeep power wheel from his Uncle Paul! I was over the moon when I opened my new pair of Hunter boots and although the picture is too grainy to post, I was found literally hugging my boots.. I didn't ever realize I was. Kevin got a whole set of CrossFit Prescott Valley shirts (our CrossFit gym we are opening!) so we're all pretty excited to be able to sport our new shirts around town now. Dad got all teched out this year, getting a blue tooth and a keyboard for his Ipad mini. Mom was showered with baking ware and smelling goodness like perfumes and lotions. The only thing missing was our dear brother Paul. Really hoping that next year we'll all be together under one roof. It was a mellow day for us but filled with wonderful moments, laughter, relaxing and even a Family Work-out at our gym! Hoping you all had a really great Christmas Day too.

 

Holiday Days

The first weekend in December we gathered our dearest friends and family for a Christmas/Thanksgiving Turkey dinner. It just so happened to have snowed the night before so it made for a darn near perfect time together. A few snap shots of our time...

Christmas Eve we enjoyed our little towns festivities, a few gifts, homemade soup and popcorn before bed... a sweet way to spend more time with family and soak in every ounce of Christmas.

 

Currently- Mason Edition

Watching: Finding Nemo and Mickey Mouse. His two favorites he'd watch 24/7 if we let him! He's not too interested in anything else. I tried getting him to watch the Disney movie, Cinderella and every time he looked at me, shook his head and said, "no, no, no..." while backing out of the room. Darn. Finding Nemo it is.

Drinking: Hot tea. A toddler drinking TEA from a mug? I'd say it's one of the most adorable images ever. but then again, I might be partial.

Playing with: Trucks. All the time Trucks! He never goes into another room without a truck let alone the car, store, mall... anywhere! In fact, I was going to buy him some CARS slippers but instead he took them and 'drove' them on the Target floor... Trucks and wheels for this little man.

Talking about: Choo Choo trains! In addition to trucks Mason is also crazy for trains. There is a train ride at the mall he talks about A LOT and when I ask him what his name is, he says 'choo choo?'  Lucky for this train loving boy he's getting a train set for Christmas.

Learning: shapes, colors and numbers. It's amazing to watch children learn and get excited about their accomplishments. Mason mastered counting to three, can distinguish a circle from a star from a square and likes the color blue the best. 

Loving: giving kisses, doing push-ups with Daddy, taking walks, mac & cheese, Grandma's I-pad, shoes, his red vest, grocery store kid carts and park slides and he's....
Excited for: his 2nd birthday coming up on the 28th! 

These days.

Have I mentioned how in love I am with being a stay at home mom? Well, I am! Since the day we arrived in Arizona being with Mason everyday has been just like I imagined and 1000 times better. For the past several months Mason has been on a killer schedule, taking two solid naps which makes for a well rested boy and happy mama. Mason and I both like schedules and days are so much more fun when they include a little one who's up for anything!

 

 

Our typical day looks a little something like this: 

 

 

6am mason wakes up and we watch cartoons in bed until I have a cup of coffee.. Or two

6:30-7:30 mason eats breakfast, we watch daddy leave out the window and get dressed for the day

8-9 crossfit! The crossfit gym I've been going to has an amazing kid area filled with trucks to ride on, slides, gymnastics things and a care taker who does crafts with kids. Mason loves it! And I get my daily work out in which I love.

9:30-11:30 mason snoozes giving me plenty of time to eat, shower, do some homework and ready for our day.

11:30 mason is up and eating his snack 

12-2 is our window for activities which include things like- going to the park, heading to the zoo, going to the library, going to the mall, spending time at a lake, walking around downtown, lunch dates, go bananas ( a local kid heaven where M can spend hours playing with toys), gymnastics (both our local gymnastics companies have open gym for little kiddos each week) and when it was still warm enough pool time in the backyard...  I'd also throw in days spent doing arts and crafts, running errands and every so often, just staying at home. 

2ish lunch

2:30-4 mason naps 

Our nights are pretty mellow.. Making dinner, watching Mickey Mouse, bath time, neighborhood walks when daddy gets home, reading favorite books and snuggle time.

8:00 mason goes to bed

And then we do it all over the next day!

Some days fly by, others linger but I've never once forgotten to thank God for these days I get to spend with my little man. These days I wouldn't trade for anything.

What do your days look like?  

California Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in California and it was a fun filled weekend to say the least! My brother flew down to spend the holiday with us and it really completed our Thanksgiving.

 

Our weekend started with me realizing I forgot my Thanksgiving shirt- a shirt I bought specifically for Thanksgiving Day! I was SOO bummed, but it quickly turned around when after a seeing a sign noting 'rest area closed for 63 miles' Kevin zoomed off the highway and pointed to this gem in the middle of nowhere. Portapotty on wheels? I'll take it! Thanks hunny.

 

 

Anyways, our weekend was spent with amazing friends, great fellowship, yummy eats, a trip to the zoo, a visit to a local CrossFit gym and ended celebrating one of the most darling little girls 1st birthday. A weekend for the books. Hoping you all had a great weekend too!