Has it really been THREE years?!

Photo taken by Grandma and birthday recap cleverly done by David Escalante.

I thought Molly Balint of MollyCoddle hit upon a clever idea when she posted about her daughter's birthday.  So, I wanted to make a list of my own for my special little guy...

The top 10 (no, 13) things I love and remember about Elliott's 3rd year of life are:

1)  How you say "Kank-you" (thank you) and really mean it... You have such a sweet spirit and often just thank me randomly.  Now you also tell me, "You're welcome!"

2)  You haven't quite mastered how to say "L" words.  I'll say, "Elliott, say La La -- Lollypop."

You say, "La La -- Wawwypop."  And then you apply it to other words, "La La -- Kank-you!"

3)  You love to help me cook.

4) You ask me so many questions and continue to ask until I finally say, "I don't know!"  and then you are finally satisfied.

5)  You love your new baby sister, Caiden, and always smother her with kisses and hugs.  You are the only one who has made her laugh more than once.

6)  You love music and and can recognize and name any song Daddy puts on and also tell us who plays it... [for instance, "That's 15 step." 

"who plays that?" (because I truly didn't know) 

"Radiohead!"]

7)You love Jesus and whenever we talk about Heaven, you always say, "Heaven?  I want to go to Heaven!"  and sometimes you walk up to me and say, "Guess what...  Jesus!"

8)  Every night we have to say your prayers and sing the "Close Your Eyes Song" that I made up for you when you were little.  You always try to trick me into singing more. 

9)  You love me and hate it when I cry or am upset.  You always try to make me feel better.

10)  You walk around all day and sing songs you know while you play.

11)  You love packages (just like me) and always put your toys in spare bags or boxes or special packaging I have around.

12)  You love to "sit in the Daddy-Tree" and "play" N64.

13)  You love people and always ask me, "Who's coming over?"

Stinkin' good cupcakes from Sprinkles...

I had a rough day, so David surprised me by taking me for my
introductory visit to Sprinkles Cupcakes in Newport Beach. The
cupcakes are amazing! Nice and toasted on top, fluffy and moist
inside, and exceptional icing on top... We bought (clockwise from top
left) coconut, strawberry, vanilla, and dark chocolate. I was a bit
skeptical at firs; but after my first bite, I was convinced. These
are the best cupcakes I have ever had. Yummmm! What a great husband...

*Amendment:

For those of you wondering how you too can visit Sprinkles, click HERE for locations.

Hearts, farts, and friends...

Nothing relieves the frustration, stress, and general ill feelings
that ultimately claw their way into your life when you spend all your
time at home with little rugrats (that we all adore, of course), than
a good 'ol game of hearts (or farts) with your friends. Lately we
have been having our friends, Donny (pictured above) and Erica over
for some good times of hanging out, talking grown-up talk, playing
games, and having coffee and baked goods.*

So, be inspired you mommys and daddys out there. Don't stay at home
by yourselves all cooped up every night because the kiddies are in
bed... If you can't go out, bring the out to you. Invite somebody
over (who isn't chained to the house like you are) for some change and
good times. It will do you good--trust me.

Okay, so this had nothing to do with farts, but it rhymed and sounded
funny, so I threw it in there.

*shout out to our homies in the big OC who used to spend all hours of
the night with us, after Elliott was born, playing games and eating
madelines. We miss you guys!

Toasted Oat Cookies

I don't even like oatmeal cookies--you know, the ones with the raisins...?  sick!  But these babies are delish!  You've gotta try this recipe I scooped from AllRecipes.  This is not your run of the mill oatmeal cookie, my friend.  The only thing these cookies have in common with their oatmeal raisin nemesis, is oats (probably).  

Toasted oat cookies have become a regular thing around here.  Our friend, Steven, says they taste like churros...?  And I've yet to meet anyone who didn't like them...

3/4 cup butter

2 1/3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup sifted flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1.  Preheat oven to 375.

2.  In a medium skillet, over medium heat, heat butter until lightly browned (careful not to burn)  Add oats; saute, stirring constantly, until golden. (recipe says about 5 minutes, but I think it takes me a little longer, you can achieve varying levels of golden, so just go with it)

3.  Meanwhile, sift flour with cinnamon, salt, and soda; set aside.

4.  In large bowl, combine sugar, egg, and vanilla.  With wooden spoon, or portable electric mixer (I just use my stand mixer) at medium speed, beat until light. (the color will change to a light hue)

5.  Stir in rolled oats and flour mixture until well combined.

6.  Drop by slightly rounded teaspoonfuls, 3 in. apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

7.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden. Remove to wire rack.  Cool.  (watch out, these can get pretty crispy after they cool, so don't overcook too much)

8.   Enjoy and thank Ceil Wallace who posted this on AllRecipes!