Happy Thanksgiving

From my family to yours. Hope you have a very blessed and relaxing Thanksgiving. Don't eat to much.

Wordless Wednesday

A clubhouse in the living makes a little happy and occupied for hours. 

The Polar Express

As one of Aubriella's birthday presents she received 3 tickets to ride on the Polar Express Train at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Aubriella, Brian, and I went and had a wonderful time. Ella had such a blast she keeps talking about riding the Polar Express train and meeting Santa Claus.
We started off by on Saturday night watching the movie and reading two Polar Express Books that I bought. Then on Sunday we also read the books again. Ella was so excited to ride a real train for the first time. We all went in our pajama's. (most kids were in their pj's and about half the parents, something you have to have fun too)
I was a little sceptical at time first. I had heard mixed reviews from people. I had heard, it wasn't worth the money, wasn't fun, hot chocolate was to hot, the train was to cold and stinky... I went in with an open mind and had absolutely no issues. It really was an amazing experience and something we will all remember and will probably do again.
When you arrive at the train station you get your printed tickets stamped and each child gets an official train ticket, just like from the movie. We then boarded the train, found our seats and sat down for a little bit.

There were three elves on our train there to give us name tags, give directions, and answer any questions. They ask the child who they brought with them. Ella said Mommy and Bri Bri. 

(Ella took the photo, not to bad)

(I love how they get in the spirit and into character, they are all retired volunteer teachers)

We found out from our Elf that the concession car and souvenir were only open before the train departed and after we returned. Since we still had a half an hour before departure time we decided to go check it out. Brian ended up getting coffee and popcorn. Ella and I got a Polar Express Christmas Ornament and picture frame. 

When the train finally departed one of the Elves read the official Polar Express book. All the kids got quite and listened. (I was surprised) Ella just wanted to look out the window even though you couldn't see anything

When the story was over everyone sang the "Hot Hot Chocolate song." Then we were served perfect temperature hot chocolate and homemade soft chocolate chip cookies. My daughter is very weird I must confess she doesn't like hot chocolate. I don't think she is my child. We have tried a couple of different times, even with different kinds and she still didn't like it.

Once we were finished eating we sang some Christmas carols, then arrived at the North Pole. The North Pole was all lite up with lights and decorations. There were Elves dancing and waving, as well as Gingerbread Men, Snow Men, Elves holla-hooping. and blowing bubbles. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus drove past our train on another train. When their train went past the other way only Mrs. Claus was on the train. Santa disappeared. A few minutes later Santa arrived on our train car. None of the pictures came out from being taken through a window and the bright Christmas lights. 

Ella waited patiently for Santa to make his way to talk with her. When he came over to her she was first shy and trying to hide. Santa told here there is no where to hide and she loosed up. He looked at her ticket to verify that she was suppose to be on the train. 

Then he sat down beside her and asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She told him she wanted a window. What she really meant to say was she was a window squeegee so she could clean her windows at home. (At the North Pole you had to use a squeegee to look out the window) 

The present she received from Santa was a magic bell. You only hear the bell ring if you believe in Santa. Ella loves the bell and just wants to keep ringing it. 

Soon after the conductor came around to stamp the tickets. He asked Ella how old she was and he stamped her ticket 3 times for her being 3. She will not look at her ticket and point at it and tell you 3. 

We all had so much fun. I would totally do it again. Just watching Ella's excitement and reaction to everything made it worth it. 

Do your kids love the Polar Express movie?

Crispy cheddar chicken

Last night I made an amazing dinner. I love finding new recipes on pinterest, especially when they turn out to be delicious. Last night I made crispy cheddar chicken. I did veer away from the recipe a little. I also made crescent roll wrapped asparagus as an appetizer that I found on pinterest too that was amazing. (I will post this recipe later this week)
Below is the recipe of how I made the crispy cheddar chicken. I served it with mash potatoes and corn. Ella even liked the chicken. So that is a win.

Ingredients:
1 lb chicken cut into small strips
2 cups crushed cheese itz crackers
10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
2 tbsp sour cream
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
sprinkle of parsley

Directions:
1- Preheat over to 375 degrees. Spray baking dish with cooking spray.
2- Cut chicken into small strips.
3- Crush cheese itz crackers in a sandwich side zip lock bag.
4- Add milk to a small bowl.
5- Add shredded cheese to a small bowl
6- Line in order chicken, milk, cheese, crackers, baking dish.
7- Dip chicken in milk, then roll it in cheese, put in the back of cheese crackers and shake it. Then place in baking dish.
8- Repeat until all chicken is coated.
9- Top with remaining cheese and crackers.
10- Sprinkle lightly with parsley
11- Back for 20 to 30 minutes.
12- In a medium saucepan on medium heat combine cream of mushroom, sour cream, and butter.
13- Whisk until combined and warmed.
14- Once everything is finished plate chicken, and pour sauce over chicken.
15- Serve.


Next time I make it I won't be making the sauce. The sauce was really good, and worked out great on the mashed potatoes. The chicken alone was very moist and flavorful that you didn't need the added sauce. I think it kind of overpowered the flavor of the cheese itz.

Here is the link to the original recipe from Centsless Deals Blog. Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Whats one of your favorite chicken recipes?

Weekly photos

Sunday November 8, 2014

Piggy back ride

Monday November 9, 2014 

New hat

Tuesday November 10, 2014 

She said yes

Wednesday November 11, 2014

Getting organized

Thursday November 12, 2014

First snow fall

Friday November 13, 2014 

Someone loves snow

Saturday November 14, 2014

Delicious Dinner

First Snow

Yesterday it started snowing for the first time this year. Aubriella and I are so excited. She has been talking about going outside and making a snow angel since September. I'm surprised she remember about making them last year. I have also been preparing by buying snow pants, boots, gloves, and a winter coat for the past couple of weeks, making sure everything is washed so we are ready to go. (turned out to be a good thing)

Ella woke up this morning and said "Mom it's not raining it is snowing. We go outside and play." Just the wake-up call I wanted. I go to the bathroom and Ella goes to the living room. The next thing I know she looking out the front door at the snow.

She got her clothes out of her drawers all by herself. We got dressed, ate breakfast and got ready to go outside. It always takes so much longer to actually get her ready then it takes to get her undressed and the amount of time we play outside. This is the first year she doesn't walk like a penguin in her snow suit.

What would you guess was the first thing she did when we got outside? She laid down and made her snow angel. Now only if she could get up without stepping on the angel. 

I tried to make a snowman. There isn't a whole bunch of snow and it didn't want to pack really well. As soon as I said "look at my snowman Ella" she ran over and squished it. Poor Frosty.

Doesn't she look like she's having so much fun,

Have you had your first snow yet this year? Have you gone out to play in it?

Thankful Thursday

My friends. I may not have many close friends anymore but there are many reasons for that. The ones I do have I cherish. We may go days, weeks, sometimes even months without talking for no reason but fall back into the swing as if we never lost touch. They are there when I need them and when I don't. They give me a shoulder to cry on, an ear to scream in, a hand to hold, a leg to help, and heart.

Wordless Wednesday

Amazingly delicious pumpkin cheesecake.

Fall fun

Who doesn't love playing outside and jumping in the leaves. I remember every year as a kid I would go outside rack up all the leaves into a big pile and go jump in them. Then I would also have to help my father bag them up to throw them away. The memories of being a kid. These are the kind of memories I want to share with Aubriella and pass the tradition on.

There were two really nice days before Halloween where I took Ella outside to play in the leaves. To say she had a blast is not detailed enough. She didn't want to come in. She loved rolling in them, crawling through them, throwing them in the air, laying in them etc. We both had fun.

Sometimes she can even be a little photogenic with it. 

What are you favorite fall traditions/memories?