Snow Day with Ice Cream

I have to start off by saying sorry not sorry for all the pictures. 

Yesterday was an official snow day. We got about 6-7 inches and school was cancelled for Ella. She was so excited to get the chance to finally build a snow man and make a snow angel. We decided that her and Brian would build one when he got home from work. He scheduled his day accordingly so he would be home when it was still daylight. The perks of being your own boss. 

I was scrolling through Pinterest and found a recipe to make snow ice cream. Ella was so excited to make it. It really was easy.

It went from making ice cream to building snow men with the let over snow. I just grabbed a bowl full and didn't measure until we made it.

I made mine into chocolate ice cream. Everything is better with chocolate. 

Ingredients:

5-8 cups snow (clean)

1 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)

Directions:

Put 3 cups of snow in a large bowl

Mix in milk, sugar and vanilla

Add more snow. Mix until it is a thicker consistency of your preference

Enjoy!!!

As soon as Brian walked in the door Ella ran to her room and got her snow clothes out. You couldn't tell she was excited or anything. 

After Brian and Ella went outside Austin kept going over to the patio door and trying to escape. I decided to go put him in his cute little snow suit and let him outside to play in the snow for the first time EVER.

He honestly had so much fun. He kept getting up and walking in it then falling. The snow was just a little to deep for him.

He wasn't fazed by the cold at all. Well until he took his glove off. Then it was time to get him back in the house and warm him up.

Ella and Brian had the intention of building a snowman. Unforunately the snow would not pack enough to make a snowman. It also didn't help that Ella kept running and jumping in tile that Brian made. All that matters is they were having fun.

I just have to show you the back of this snow suit. It is so cute. We are borrowing it from my aunt, so it is possibly a girls snow suit. Oh well it still works. I love the little tail on it.

Ella loves making snow angels. She talks about it all year round until she finally gets to do it. The kids and Brian had so much fun playing outside yesterday. They plan on doing it again today. We got more snow last night. When Brian shoveled this morning he said it was a lot heavier than what is was yesterday. Hopefully it will be better for Mr. Snowman Ella wants to build. 

Meal Planning Monday and Weekly Goals

This week I a really focusing on what I eat and my steps.. It is the last week of my 4 week workout regimen and I want to end it with a bang. I always track my containers but I really want to cross check this week (even though it is not needed). I downloaded the MyFitnessPal app to my phone to track everything I eat. I have used it before with success but didn't have the added accountability or motivation to do the workouts not just track my foods. Do you use MyFitnessPal? Add me a friend adge629

I also want to make sure I get at least 10,000 steps a day. I have been slacking out this hard core. I have a fitbit Blaze, which I love. Do you want a fitbit? Lets do some daily challenges Add me adge629@gmail.com

This weeks menu is based on what I work. I have to work 2 nights out of the house. I have to make sure I plan something I can take with me and easily reheat, and something that Brian and make for himself and our kids. I am really excited to try a health version of Sloppy Joes. I haven't had one in years. 

Since making my menu it has already had to be adjusted. (not done in the version below) On Saturday for dinner we out going to my in-laws for my aunt in-laws birthday dinner. (There will be cake and I will probably eat a small piece). I also forgot on Sunday I have a Market Council meeting so that messes with lunch and it is Super Bowl. As of right now we have nothing planned but that will probably change

Can I just brag a moment how delicious and perfect my egg looks. It never looks that good. 

Homemade spaghetti sauce (that Ella helped me make), with homemade turkey meatballs, homemade garlic bread (I didnt eat), and whole wheat penne pasta.

Parmesan crushed flounder with roasted Brussel sprouts and brown rice

Steak fajitas with peppers and onions, Greek yogurt and homemade salsa.

Easy Healthy Waffle

Easy Healthy Waffle

If I let my kids they would have freezer waffles every morning. I try to fix it up. I found this easy healthy waffle recipe and tweaked it to my liking. It is kid and hubby approved. 

Ingredient:

- 2 cups whole wheat flour

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- ½ teaspoon baking soda

- ½ teaspoon salt

- 2 eggs

- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

- 1 ¼ cups whole milk

- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (can use honey

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 2 teaspoons cinnamon

- 1 teaspoon nutmeg

- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1- Heat waffle iron.

2- Mix all ingredients together in large bowl.

3- Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray

4- Spoon mixture on to iron

5- Cook until set, about 2-5 minutes depending on waffle iron.

6- Serve with your favorite berries, preserves, or fruit. 

Saturday Randomness

Life as a mom, working from home, working out of the house, plus blogging.... can be crazy and hectic and so much fun. There are never enough hours in the day, or days in the week to get everything done. One reasons I started back up blogging again is as a reminder of life. What we are doing, what we have done. fun, struggles, dates, food .... Some weeks I could post 10 times to cover everything I want to. Other weeks it is a struggle just to get 4 or 5 blog posts up. Today is just some randomness of things that have happened this past week. 

I know it is Wednesday when Austin is up on the chair looking out the window watching the garbage truck go by. Sometimes that is the only way I know what day it is. 

Isn't he just so cute when he is sleeping. Yesterday he was fighting a nap. It was already 2 oclock and I had to get my workout in still and get ready for a crazy hectic evening. He crawled up on the couch with his bottle and put himself to sleep. That doesn't normally happen. We normally cuddle for him to go to sleep.

We finally got our pictures back from the photographers for our amazing Beachbody event with Sagi "The Beast" It was an epic experience that I took so many amazing take away's from.

I have had two of these cute Mickey Mouse leggings for over a year now. I can probably count on one hand how many times I have worn both of them. Two of which have been in the last month. I am embracing my craziness and love of Disney and wearing them more. They are so comfy.

I live in Northern Ohio by Cleveland. We are behind in snow by over 16 inches by the average. I have a love hate relationship with snow. It is beautiful but I hate the cold weather that comes with it. But if it is going to be cold I better have snow. Come on Mother Nature I'm waiting. Mr. Weatherman lied to me the other day and said we were supposed to wake up to 3 inches in the morning. That doesn't look like 3 inches to me. 

This morning is just a Austin and mommy day. Ella is with her father and Brian is running around crazy with 3 different jobs. I enjoy our breakfasts and days just me and him. Now a brag moment. Look at how beautiful my egg looks. 

Isn't he so adorable. 

Friday Favorites

Its Friday again. The last Friday of January. Fun somewhat busy weekend planned. For now time to link up with Narci, Erika, and Andrea for another Friday Favorites. 

I have a major Disney obsession. I found this photo on Instagram on someone's kitchen. I so totally want it. All of it. Brian and I had just talked about getting a new set of utensils for the kitchen (they are cheap and keep melting). It was just meant for me to see this in my feed. Brian however told me NO :(

At least my kids love my Disney obsession. This was the best that I could get before Austin took his ears off. Yesterday Austin was running around again in Ella's ears, but I didn't have my camera near by.

My little wild man. One of his "jobs" is a furniture mover. He will push our arm chair all over the living room and dining room. He uses it as his step to get up on stuff. Or he just lounges in it to be closer to the tv. He was being cute and just watching Tigger and Pooh. Then he decided to club up on the tv stand and kiss Tigger. It was adorable, but he did get yelled at to get down.

Lastly one of my favorite things is my best friend Heather. I love that she is always there for me. We have been friends since we were like 6 or 7. She use to live down the street from me. We had a falling out our high school years when she moved away. 6 years ago we found each other again on Facebook and have been connected by the fingers aka texting all the time ever since. She is there when I need her and when I don't. She even offered at one time to watch all 6 kids by herself (3 of which our hers, and 3 of which are under the age of 3). 

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup- Fix Approved

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

 Fix Approved

I have been making this soup for years. I have modified it from its original version to make it fix approved. I have to say I actually like it more. It makes a lot. I ended up eating it for a week at least once a day, sometimes twice. 

Ingredients:

- 1 lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

- 1 onion, diced

- 1 can chili beans, rinsed

- 1 can black beans, rinsed

- 1 can whole kernel corn, rinsed

- 1 can diced tomatoes (28oz)

- 1/2 box chicken broth

- 1/2 mix of homemade ranch dressing (find recipe HERE)

- 1/2 mix of homemade taco seasoning ( find recipe HERE)

Directions:

1- Add chicken to bottom of slow cooker

2- Add rest of ingredients in order. DO NOT MIX.

3- Cook on low for 6 hours.

4- Shred chicken and cook for another 15 minutes. 

5- Serve

1 cup equals 1 green, 1 red, 1 yellow

Top it off with cheese, Greek yogurt, or tortilla chips. If doing the fix make sure to add the additional containers. 

Thank you for stopping by!!!!! If you are new here,

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XOXO

What's Up Wednesday

I know two posts in one day, whats wrong with me. I totally forgot about What's UP Wednesday blog hop with Shay, Sheaffer, and Mel. I also didn't realize it was already the last Wednesday of the month, Where has the time gone. 

What we are eating this week?

I posted on Monday our meal plan for the week. You can check it out HERE. We have changed it a little already of which day we are eating what.

M- Leftovers

T- Homemade Spaghetti and turkey meatballs

W- Tilipia, Brown Rice, Roasted Brussel Sprouts

T- Steak Fajitas 

F- Lakewood Police Banquet

S- Chicken, tomatoes, asparagus, red potatoes

S- Shrimp Stir Fry Brown Rice

What am I reminiscing about?

I have an addiction to Timehop. On today's hop was when Ella got diagnosed with Hand Foot and Mouth disease, that really turned out to be an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin. She may have had a horrible rash but was always in a good mood. 

What am I loving?

I am loving the love that these two have for each other. Multiple times a day they are cuddling and playing together. Today Ella was napping on the couch since she wasn't feeling well, Austin keep going over to her and giving her hugs and kissing and trying to wake her up.

What we have been up to?

Lots and lots of playing. and trying not to go nuts being stuck in the house this winter. We had a play date last Sunday you can read about it HERE. Yesterday Ella and I had a fun day, you can read about it HERE. 

What I'm reading?

I am trying to finish Fifty Shades Darker before I go see the movie in the theater. I had planned on reading PD book also this month but that isn't happening. 

What I'm listening to?

Pandora is my best friend at home. I have been limiting the tv time, or just having it on and no one watching it. Instead we have music playing. We listen to a lot of Disney Princesses music and country. We have dance parties quite often to. 

I am currently looking for a new book to listen to on Audible.

What am I doing this weekend?

Friday night Brian and I have an awards banquet to go to for him being an Auxiliary Police Officer. On Saturday we are trying to rearrange our schedule to go to the funeral for the Police Officer killed in a hit and run from Cleveland. I also need to clean and reorganize Ella's room again.

What I am looking forward to next month?

I don't even want to think of next month already. I am excited I am becoming certified to teach CIZE live next month. Plus doing fun activities with Ella for Valentines Day.

Fun Day with Ella

On the way to school on Monday Ella told me she wanted to do something "fun" tomorrow. I asked her what she wanted to do. She came up with a list (luckily I always have paper and pens in the car). When we go to her preschool, we always have at least 5-10 minutes before the doors open. We usually just talk and play on Snapchat. Instead we wrote her fun to do list. 

Here she is with her list. (Before someone says it. We are parked at her school. I get out, undo her car-seat seat-belt and she crawls in the front seat) Here is her list

- Guess Who

- Paint Nails

- Make homemade Spaghetti sauce

- workout

- Go Fish

- Craft

- Surprise

As soon as Brian left for work on Tuesday she was ready to go with her fun to do list. First we painted out nails. She did her own, and I did my own. Ella choose the colors, silver and sparkly purple.

Next we played 4 rounds of the new Guess Who. If you haven't played the new kids one, your missing out. I have to admit it is easier but also lots of fun. There are 4 game boards- food, people, pets, and ocean animals. Ella wins quote often, without me letting her win.

Austin also likes to play and steal my game. I have learned to play without the actually door closing thingy and just with the card. 

After Austin went to sleep we played Go Fish. She cheats, so she wins. I forgot how hard it is to get the finishing pole in the fishes mouth.

While I started to make dinner. Ella comes out of her room with Minnie Mouse ears. She keeps talking about wanting to go back to Disney World and taking her brother with us this time. (One day when he is a little older) We had to do a little photo shoot with our ears on. 

One of the last things we did was make dinner, after we went to the store. We bought the ingredients that I thought I had but didn't to make homemade spaghetti sauce and home made turkey meatballs. The original plan was to also have spaghetti squash, but after looking at 3 stores and I couldnt find any so we just had pasta. Turned out delicious and Ella had fun making the sauce. 

Ella didn't end up working out with me, she told me she was to tired to work out and just wanted to rest. She did a craft of painting a school bus. After letting it dry she hid it and told me it is a surprise for me for later. Her surprise was going to the store and I let her get strawberries, and a My Little Pony little thingy. 

We ended our Fun Day by having popcorn and watching Frozen. Ella said thank you mom for the fun day we have to do it again. It touched my heart so much that the little things she appreciates.