and we're off...again!

i feel like i have been wanting to post again since the last one, however, last night i told myself that i would watch my guiltiest pleasure that i had dvr'd thursday night. real housewives of new york city...

how i love that show. the drama, dysfunction, bellies, egos. the show has been resting in the digital hard drive on my cable box waiting for me to indulge. much like a pint of breyer's mint chocolate chip sits and waits for me in the freezer. i look forward to them both. ha.

anyway, am off to a museum here today. we have three days left of our vacation and we are filling our schedule up with dinners, and trips to fave places, and all the things we do to make sure we lived it up right while we were away from home.

so a quick little note and a few pics, but first, a few people asked me where to find the jacket that my girl wore while ice skating in a post last week. i bought the jacket at a matilda jane trunk show that kells bells held at her home.

i am pretty sure you have to attend or host a trunk show to purchase this clothing, however, i have also seen it a art in the park shows in michigan. regardless of how you get it, it is beautiful and well made. we only have a few items, but i cherish each one.

and we are off again to historic greenfield village in dearborn, mi. it is a beautiful day, like, the perfect day to walk around and enjoy being outside exploring old homes and then eventually we will make our way to the thomas the train exhibit. kids are excited and i can't wait to return after so many years.

some photos of the thousands of memories we have made.

i tend to believe that peyton and beckham are going to move out soon, find jobs, and move to another state. crazy, i know! however, at a certain point in every year i start to panic over the rate at which my babies are growing. the time is now and for another few days or so, i'll start to make mental lists of what i need to fit into toddler years before they become 'too old' to like that as happens.

at one point or another, i am sure you too have wanted to throw the nearest and heaviest shoe through your tv or singing toy. barney...that damn purple dinosaur. dora...da da da da dadora.

!@#$%.

don't fight it. you've been there. ha.

i think that maybe these things may mark the end of that baby stage. the a first few years of motherhood. dipes, wipes, paci's, blankies, color videos with flying shapes and dancing balls to the classical music...ha, i wish had invented that.

that beautiful transitional time of party/young/college girl to then, married girl, domestic girl, pregnant girl, mommy!

obviously, it's not the end, but another beginning for just as exciting stuff. pre-k school girl, kinder girl, big girl.

it's so weird to see your baby grow into this beautiful girl, with her own independence and voice. a big one;) she's going to kinder next year. seriously though, i can't wait to see what this exciting year brings for us. in this moment i am so anxious to live life. make memories, fill my albums, cook, have a girl's weekend...with my five year old girl.

those photos later, for now...

had to share this because i loved it and i know many people use this recipe already, but just in case here it is.

dill & pickle tuna salad

my friend, chrissy and her daughter came over for a playdate last week. i try to avoid onions when guests come

over because you never know if they are into in either.

so instead, i found some fresh dill in the fridge and my new favorite sammy j was born.

one can of white albacore tuna fish

garlic salt

fresh pepper

spring mix lettuce preferred.

and diced dill pickles.

you can add chopped celery and tomato too.

toasted bread, i toast my bread. i'm hooked on it.

mix up all ingredients with a fork. chill for a little. enjoy.

marley had a little second birthday shoot. we love her so much. it was lovely to be with her and her mommy this week. we miss all of our good

friends here in michigan. so we cherish the times we get to hang.

my assistant.

a list of warm & fuzzies:

*gido and becks. i adore the relationship these two share. it is special.

feet smelling. roses or raisins, mommy? weird, but sweet.

*evening art.

with crayola 3d sidewalk chalk.

*cinnamon roll baking with sito! she teaches my kids so many things.

sito's easy & quick cinnamon rolls

dough (pre made or homemade)

cinnamon, 2 tablespoons

1 cups of sugar

3/4 cup of melted will do

quick directions,

roll out dough on a lightly floured surface.

brush on lots of butter with brush .

sprinkle sugar evenly then, cinnamon.

roll it up about an inch thick.

cut into small 1 1/2 inch pieces.

put cinnamon rolls into glass 8x8 buttered & sugared dish. you can place them pretty close together. remember

to let the rolls rise until the dough doubles in size...about 30-45 minutes.

bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or when they look all heavenly and golden brown.

next, poor glaze over warm rolls.

glaze:

4 tablespoons of butter

2 cups of powdered sugar

teaspoon of vanilla

and a cup of hot water

mix all ingredients together. add hot water a bit at a time until you have thicker than syrup like consistency.

i would make these just so my house smelled like butter and cinnamon. all warm and gooey and lovely.

okay, another happy thing...

*my little guy's love for dogs. my heart breaks that we can't let him have a dog. allergies. bummer. seeing him talk to

lucky...it's a plush-like, battery operated dog that will do commands on demand. it is the cutest thing and i will

find both kids at random treating and talking to lucky like the family pet.

*aunties' that love my kids. favorite part of my trips home.

auntie taryn!

*peyton's little sassy self. auntie taryn styled her up with a hannah montana up do and rock star purple make-up.

*sitting around with my sisters...catching up. rain, cool weather, and hot coffee was a bonus!

peyton darwish photography.

*my sweet niece, evie.

*mama lovins!

*wishing on 'wish flowers!"

tomorrow is a new day. tired but happy. i can't wait to get home from my vacation, so i can rest:)

what's the one thing that has made your day happier since waking up and reading this post? tell me tell me, i want to hear! i'd rather

read about that from you even more than watch...the real housewives. yes, that's love;)

love. xoxoxo