My very beautiful 2 year old.

The 9th was Dravyn's birthday but we celebrated the 6th.  She had some people come to celebrate with her, including my cousin who's birthday really is the 6th.  It was a great day with pizza cake and a big surprise for the birthday girl.

 

She got a little people barn and has been carrying it around the house playing with it everywhere and after the initial scare over it making noise, now she is loving the sounds it makes and the animals.

 

Her big gift was from her grandparents, my grandparents, and her father and me.  She loves it and has been wanting to go play at her "park" all week.

 

 

Her actual birthday was really laid back, we played outside in the morning, and went about our usual schedule.  She did con her grandparents into taking her to McDonalds to get fries and a cookie, and to go to Wal-Mart where she got a new outfit and some hair clips.  The night finished with a jello fish bowl just for her and some two year pictures.

 

 

She has gotten so big over the last couple of years and I can't wait to see how much more she will be able to do next year.

 

 

Meal planning is a plot against sanity. - Me

That's right I said it.  I hate meal planning.  I love food, well some food, I am not a big fan of many vegetables once you get past the typical corn, green beans, carrots (only if they are cooked), and broccoli. 

A goal in my life is to eventually make a pretty cook book with recipes and pictures of our families favorite meals.  Another goal in life is to be able to sit down and plan meals for two weeks, along with a shopping list for the trip and have it take less than 4 hours.  Currently that not only takes me about 4 hours but it has to be spread out between two days because I get so frustrated about cooking the same things over and over again that I just get up and walk off.  I think maybe I should work on the second goal first.

I took a cooking class in high school and they had someone from a culinary academy come in and let us plate food.  I was mesmerized at the little bottles to drizzle various substances over the dessert we had on solid white plates in front of us, and was amazed at how the little touches really made the food look so much more tasty. Maybe one day I will accomplish making a balanced meal with bold colors and enough pizazz to land a photo of it on the cover of a cooking magazine.  But tonight I must continue my attempts to finish my meal plan and grocery list.  Wish me luck.

 

 



P.S. - The Parmesan crusted chicken variety of Chicken Helper is like a master chef level compared to the normal effort put forth for a boxed meal.  Just so you know.