Happy Valentines Day!

*Chris had a super early bootcamp class this morning so he picked up a couple of heart shaped donuts on the way home for the kids.  Kendall's looks like the size of her face, which it wasn't...well, let's be honest, it almost was!.

*Our plans for tonight?  A romantic dinner for four at Wienerschnitzel :)  I'm actually really looking forward to it because 1) My kids love it and 2) I LOVE their pretzel buns!!

*Yesterday I took the kids for a short hike after we picked up Cam from school.  We decided next time it might be wise to wait a little longer after a rain to go hiking.  It was VERY muddy.  However Kendall enjoyed stopping at EVERY SINGLE patch of snow to eat some of it. :)

*I learned about this Nuttzo stuff on a blog and am quite intrigued.  They have it at Clark's, which right there tells you it's going to be expensive. :)  But I might stop by if I'm in the area.

*Watched a cute movie on Hallmark, Be My Valentine.  I think it's on again tonight if anyone is interested! :)

*Do you know what is fun?  Standing in the frigid weather waiting to buckle Kendall into the car while she insists on taking her jacket off herself.  It's also fun to get impatient and do the zipper myself, only to have her get so upset that I didn't let HER do it that I have to re-zip the jacket in order to allow her to complete the entire process.  :)

*Update on my "Chocolate Healthy Bars" I posted about several days ago:  Neither kid now likes them.  However they do eat them if it's the only thing offered. So I can at least get rid of this batch and I know not to make them again. :)  Oh well, you win some you lose some.  My homemade Cheez-its are still a hit, so that is good.

*Kendall had her first T-ball practice yesterday.  She did great and Cam was a good helper.  He REALLY got into his job I gave him of officially welcoming each family at the gate with, "Welcome to the Giants' baseball field!"

*Bachelor:

Really like AshLee and think she is definitely in the running for Sean.  Sidenote:  I don't think she and I could be friends.  She is WAY too perfect looking and I would feel like a frumpy mess!!  :)

Still my favorite. :)  Dez is so cute and down to earth...however I'm a tad scared about previews for next week and her brother!!!  

Lindsey and Catherine:  Sorry, I don't really think there is a chance for you. :(

*While playing with her doll today:
Kendall:  This baby was in my tummy!
Me:  She was?!  Wow!
Kendall:  Yes, and when she was in there she saw Jesus and the baby.  Then she came out.  That's how it works!
Me:  Really?  Interesting! :)

saturday

Yesterday there was a free golf expo out in Palm Desert.  The kids and I dropped Chris off and went right next door to our favorite park for a bike ride.  They road EVERYWHERE while I sped walked to keep up. :)  We then drove down the road to the library and waited for Chris.

(Kendall was pouting over to the side because I made her leave the play area.  It was SO beautiful in the desert.  You can barely make out the mountains in the background which were covered with snow)

Later in the afternoon we headed over to my parents' house to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday.  We had delicious hamburgers and I made my favorite cake in the world (if you ever want to try it, check it out on my Pinterest because there are a couple notes I added).  My dad enjoyed opening his presents, including the bowl the kids had decorated at Color Me Mine a few weeks ago.

Happy birthday dad!!!!

*A friend and I were talking the other day about how she has no desire to attempt camping with the kids (at the ages they are currently).  I told her that I have zero desire to take the kids up to the snow (seeing as I despise weather even remotely cold).  However I must say that the enthusiastic reactions I got from my kids today with the very small amount of snow we got might push me to take them to the mountains.  :)

*I LOVE streusel topping.  This morning my friend made some banana bread for my Tmoms table.  She topped it with a brown butter streusel topping she had made before which was amazing (couldn't find the recipe on your Pinterest, Jessica). This time I snagged a piece for Cameron as I left...however the topping of the bread mysteriously disappeared on the ride to school.  :)

*I learned something new today from Cam's homework.  Our state flower is not, in fact, a poppy!  Take a look... 

soooo cute!! :)

*Agenda tonight:  Costco for dinner and groceries...

-Skinny Cow

-Rice Milk

-Bananas

-Eggs

hiking

Today a few girls from my Tmoms table and I met for a hike in Oak Glen.  Sidenote:  if anyone reads this blog and ever would like to join us, please email me!! :)  We had a great time.  It was quite cold at first, but we all quickly warmed up.  I love these sweet pictures.  And I love that it's good hiking weather season again.

p.s. On the way home I gave the kids the chocolate energy bars I posted about yesterday.  Kendall loves them and Cam has come around too!  I think it helped that I re-named them, "Chocolate Chip Healthy Bars". Cameron even suggested to Chris that he try one...to which he politely passed. :)

p.p.s. I made a double batch of the homemade Cheez-its today since we flew through the last batch.  I tried using 1/2 whole wheat flour and they were great!  The downside is that are SOOO time consuming. It takes me about 2 hours (making dough, cutting, baking) to make what would be the equivalent of about 2/3 of a box of store bought Cheez-its. :(

*In an effort to expand the kids' snack pile, I found a great recipe today, Double Chocolate and Prune Energy Bars.  I think they are very good, as long as you bite into them not expecting a brownie :)  I put fewer chocolate chips in the actual bars in order to save some for the top, making them appear like they had chocolate chips throughout.  Did Cam love them?  Hmmm..."love" is a strong word :)  Did he like them enough to eat?  Yes!  That's all I needed!  :)

*Today I took Kendall to the Fire Station tour with my moms' group.  We both had a fun time. :)

This picture cracks me up because it is Kendall to a tee.  You can see all the kids lined up in front...with Kendall in the back being held by me.  She is quite shy in groups and would not really venture more than a foot away from me the whole time. :)

*Chris' parents sent the kids a Valentines package today.  Inside were also a couple packages of Dove dark chocolate pieces for myself (I think Dove makes the best dark chocolate).  Oh how I love these little gems.  And how I love the new flavor they included, Dove Silky Smooth Sea Salt Dark Chocolate.  Wow.

date afternoon

This afternoon we dropped the kids off at my parents' and headed to Victoria Gardens.  We had a giftcard to Cheesecake Factory which had been calling our name since Christmas. :)  I also had a giftcard to Forever 21, which had also been calling my name.  It was fun to browse the crammed racks there since I didn't have kids running around my feet. :)

If I had all the money in the world, I would buy all my clothes from Anthropologie.  This shirt reminded me of something from there.  It's unique, but not too unique...so I bought it. :)

Our dinner hit the spot for both of us.  Chris initially told me (teasing of course) that he wouldn't take me if I was going to waste my order on their veggie burger.  But I swear this burger is one of the best...so I defied him and ordered it.  However I negated the healthiness of the burger by siding it with fries dipped in ranch. :)

Always fun to hang out with my best friend. :)