Parade wear

The Huntington Beach 4th of July parade has been an annual tradition for our family. This is not a tradition we did when we were kids but a new tradition that we have established with our children and family friends.

The kids get dressed up in red, white, and blue from head to toe. They wave their flags, salute the soldiers and dance to the bands that roll past us on floats.

I made some more patriotic bands, this time using ribbon I already had at home (I heart ribbon!) and I bought another pack of headbands for a buck.

Another budget friendly patriotic band.




my headbands for a buck



tie the ribbon on the headband



tie a few ribbons on a longer piece thin ribbon




then tie that on the headband for some height

My $2 dollar patriotic bands

Fourth of July is one our favorite holidays! Parades, fireworks, Bbq, and fun with family and friends. Commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in all our red, white and blue.

This one is an incredibly cheap and super fast patriotic accessory



$1 for the headbands at The Dollar Tree $1 for the flowers (6 flowers) at Micheal's a couple scraps of felt cut into ovals and a hot glue gun

Super yummy blueberry muffins

These are by far the best blueberry muffins!

Cream together
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs

then add
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 milk

in a seperate bowl sift together
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

slowly add flour mixture to milk mixture, fold in blueberries, bake in pretty muffin liners at 350F for 30 minutes.

I even had extra to send to work with the hubby!

Super simple scones

Loving my staycation time! I had a little baking party late last night when everyone was asleep, and whipped up some super simple scones and some yummy blueberry muffins. These two recipes are excelent!


Scone recipe is on the side of the Trader Joe's Buttermilk pancake and all purpose baking mix box

3 3/4 cup baking mix
1/2 stick salted butter
3 tablespoons sugar (then a little more to srinkle on top)
1 cup cold milk



I rolled the dough out on a floured board and cut it into tradition scone triangles.



I brushed a little egg white and sprinked some sugar on top of the scones.





I baked them on may favorite stone at 400F for 10-15 minutes.



Cooled off.



Wrapped them up.



and sent them to work with my hubby

Graduating class of 2010

Today was my Kindergarten Graduation. And again I am a huge cry baby! I couldn't even finish my speech :( I just get so choked up. But unlike last year I typed up my little speech and made copies for the parents just in case.



Kindergarten Class of 2010


You are the stars of today and also tomorrow. When I look out at your bright, smiling faces I can tell you are the most wonderful group of children.

For the past year you have worked hard. You have learned so many great things about numbers, words, animals, nature, letters, washing hands, eating properly and the importance of helping others.

With your great attitude to life you are ready now to go to grade school where you will continue to be stars, I am sure. You have learned all the right things here at La Petite. I hope you get the chance to help other children smile next year too.


Good luck and congratulations again.

Ms. Jen McClellan


Arianna- You have the biggest heart of gold, and always a song to sing. I will miss you

Dillon- You have a contagious laughter and the hugest heart! I will miss you

Dylan- I love your wonderful hugs and my little winner (always beating me in games) I will miss you

Jason- Your heart is full of kindness and you are always my little teacher helper! I will miss you

Joseph- Your smile melts my heart, and you are the best friend a friend can have (such a super sharer) I will miss you

Kayla- You are the silliest little girl, full of lots of love and giggles! I will miss you


Lucas- I remember when you were in the baby room, and how fast you have grown into the sweetest "big boy" You have always had the sweetest smile! I will miss you


Sara- You have a very loving heart and the most gorgeous smile!

I will miss you


Wyatt- You are the funniest boy I know! You make everyday full of laughter and smiles! I will miss you



These were the Awesome gifts my class gave me! (Ms. Monica snuck in and had my kids make these when I wasn't there)

My Everything and Nothing Day

Saturday was my day to commit to Nothing and do everything.

After the long weekend, bbq and swimming with friends, and early morning trips to the happiest place on earth I wanted to commit to nothing on Saturday!

And that is a hard thing for us to do.

There was so much that needed to be done at home, with little breaks in between.




This is the corn my sister Sandra brought over on Memorial day. She had planted some and had no more room for the rest.



I can always squeeze more plants in our garden box.




My wonderful husband helping me out with my lack of sun problem.




Always find time for my little chef! She loves the fresh fruit frozen pops from Trader Joe's. We made our own by blending watermelon and pouring it into Popsicle molds.



And we ended our day with the greatest teriyaki turkey burgers with grilled pineapple and wasabi mayo, so yummy.

My little chef

This is not the Original NILLA® Banana Pudding "icebox cake" recipe but it is yummy and something Mia can do all on her own.










Banana Pudding with Nilla wafers

2 bananas
2 boxes Trader Joe's Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
4 cups milk
Box of Nabisco's NILLA® Wafers

Follow the instructions on the pudding box and slice bananas into 1/2 inch discs. Spread half the pudding on the bottom of a container, layer a nilla wafers on top of pudding, then sliced bananas on top of wafers, spread the rest of the pudding on top and refrigerate for an hour.