Blog Giveway: La-La-La Leash

It's time for a BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!!  Get excited.

So if you're friends with me on facebook, you know that I ended up with two backpack harnesses last week after leaving Lukas' black backpack at my parent's house and fearing a trip to the airport with Lukas without it.  Mr. Cob sprung to action to buy me a replacement, but our only option was the Eddie Bauer Frog Backpack Harness.

Ain't he cute?!?

Well, Lukas wasn't a fan of Mr. Frog and refused to wear him.  So froggie enjoyed the scenic view to Boston and back on my arm instead of Lukas' back and I carried Lukas in my other arm.  It was a great arm workout.

So here's where you come in: we do not need to own TWO backpack harnesses.  I mean, really.  So I'm giving the frog backpack away to one lucky winner!

To enter, simply leave a comment!  Added bonus if you tell me where you'd like to travel with your kiddo and the froggie harness!  The giveaway will end at midnight on Friday, September 7, EST, so be sure to enter before then, at which point I'll select a winner at random!

Note for all you leash hating parents: the backpack can be used sans leash as just a cute backpack!

My Solemn Vow: 4 Years Later

Mr. Cob and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary this past week.  It is possible that I deserted him on our actual day while in Boston visiting an old friend.  The day came and went with little fanfare this year - we didn't even exchange cards. Mr. Cob wished me happy anniversary over my voicemail.  Our gift to each other is a week long vacation sans the kiddo in October.

Even though we weren't physically together on our anniversary this year, my heart still smiled. I love August 31st each year because it's the date I committed myself to another person. Four years ago on August 31 Mr. Cob and I looked in each other's eyes and said "lets do this!"  And each August 31st is a reminder to me of those vows I took and a time to recommit myself to our life together.  We're in this for the long haul.  There is no out.  We're clear on that point.

But it's not always easy, this marriage thing.  There are moments we don't like each other.  There have been whole days we don't want to talk to one another.  There are weeks we are tense around the house.  And I'm sure in the future there will be rough months and perhaps even years.  Sometimes we need a reminder that we love each other.  We need to remember what it was that made us fall in love with one another.  We need to recall those feelings we had when our love was still fresh and new.

Which is why I love August 31st.  It brings me back to Pine Mountain, Georgia where I cried and stuttered my way through vows that I wrote myself.  It reminds me that I promised to cherish this man.  I promised to love him.  I promised to support him.  I promised to listen to him.  For all the days of my life.

And he promised to make me laugh.  He promised a whole bunch of other things too, but this promise is the one that I cling to.  The one that ensures me that we can get through any rough patch.  The promise that will be there once beauty and youth fades. 

He has held tight to this promise and he has delivered.  I am a lucky woman to be married to this man who makes me laugh.  I am a lucky woman to be married to this man who approaches fatherhood with laughter (and the joy that cannot help but accompany laughter).  I am a lucky woman who laughs often.  I am a lucky woman.

#Recipes - Meatballs

I admit that even Instagram couldn't make these meatballs look very good.  But it's not about the look.  It's about the taste.  And I thought these were pretty tastey, though I'd add garlic next time.

Sunday night I was planning on making whole wheat pasta with meatballs.  My plan was to pick some frozen turkey meatballs up at the grocery store, but clean eating and frozen meatballs do not mix, as I learned reading all the ingredients in the frozen meatballs.  So I decided to make my own.  They tasted better on day 2 and 3.

1 lb organic ground beef

1 cup or so carrots

4-5 stalks of celery

1/2 onion

1 tbs ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbs water (OR 1 egg - I bet you didn't know flaxseed was an egg substitute now did you?)

Spices - I used 1-2 tbs each parsley, Italian and Basil and some salt & pepper

2 Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas (my secret ingredient instead of breadcrumbs)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a food processor mix together carrots, celery, onion, and tortillas until crumbly.  Mix in spices and flaxseed/water mixture.  Add ground beef and mix until, well, mixed.  Form into balls (I made bigger balls so I only got 16 out of the mixture).  Put meatballs on cookie sheet (I lined mine with tin foil for easy clean up) and cook in oven for about 25 minutes.  Enjoy!

TTT: Toddler Hair Cutting

Yesterday the little man's hair looked like this:

BEFORE:

He was in serious need of a haircut.  As in, his last  (and only) hair cut was on April 28.  APRIL people.  If my math skills are correct, that is four months ago!

So yes, he was overdue.  But we've been busy.  Mommy's been crazy.  Haircuts were not top on our priority list.  (Here is where I will not actually admit that I haven't had my hair cut since March 23.  Oh wait....)  But Lukas and I are off to visit a good friend of mine who I haven't seen in a long time.  The last time we were together was for my wedding. Four years ago this week.  FOUR years!  Which is actually longer than the amount of time I lived in Massachusetts where I met her. There are now three little boys between us.  I was not going to allow my little man's first impression to be one of wild unkemptness.  (I figure I can keep up that charade for the 2.5 days we're in Bean Town.)

So last night I decided to take things in my own hands and play the role of hairdresser.  Mr. Cob thought I was crazy but he reluctantly allowed me to go for it.  We saved $17 and a whole bunch of tears (the last haircutting experience didn't go over so well from the little man's viewpoint if you'll remember...

I don't think Lukas missed the space ship seat or the whole "salon experience."

So if you want to play hairdresser too, here's what you need to do:

1.  Check out this blog post over at Young House Love and watch the video of Sherry cutting her husband's hair.  I watched it in May when she first posted it and should've watched again last night for a refresher before embarking on my own DIY haircut but I'm not practical like that. 

2. Get your supplies ready.  A decent pair of hair cutting scissors.  Snacks.  Multiple drink choices (for your kiddo - save the wine until after the cut! Safety first folks, safety first). Toys.  Your computer/Ipad with kid-friendly shows or songs ready to PLAY.

3.  Go outside and plop your kiddo on a stool.  It helps to have another person with you to entertain the kiddo or steady them on the stool or keep their hands at their sides.

4.  Use Sherry's technique (I would describe it here, but she really does a great job in her video!) and don't be scared about messing up or going to short.  I started cutting wrong (i.e. vertically) in the back, but quickly realized my mistake before we had a full on hair disaster. Just remember: cut the hair dry, pull hair through fingers, and snip.  Keep it longer on top.  It worked!

5.  Hope for the best!  And reward yourself with a big glass of wine after.  (My current favorite is Apothic Red - a lovely California red blend!)

AFTER:

Side by side comparison:

AFTER: TODDLER TRENDY CHIC

BEOFRE: UNRULY

I don't think it turned out too shabby!  I could use some help around the ears and in the back, but for a first try I'll take it!  Maybe I'll eventually get some clippers for the finishing touch.  Maybe not.

So the next time your little guy or gal needs a haircut, save your cash and give him or her a new do yourself!  

Clean Eating Recipes: Kale Salad

I'm starting week 3 of Clean Eating and I must admit it is easier than I thought.  So in an effort to help anyone else who is interested in improving their eating habits, I'm going to share some of my clean eating recipes with you.  My first recipe is a kale salad.  I can't take credit for the idea - it's a my attempt at replicating the kale salad I often buy at Arden's Garden and I love it.  It is delicious, healthy and EASY to make. 



Kale Salad:

2-3 cups organic kale

1/2 avocado

lemon juice (from 1/2 lemon)

olive oil (1 tsp or so)

pinch of salt

tomatoes

Mix together avocado, lemmon juice, olive oil and salt in a bowl until the mixture is smooth(ish).  Throw in the kale and tomatoes.  Toss.  Enjoy.

Also, Go Slide with Your Kids

Sunday evening we went to the park.

We went sliding.

All of us.

It was really fun.

Just look at the little man's face in this one.

And then we may have gone to get ice cream.

And Lukas may or may not need a hair cut.

For Nana & Pop Pop

Lukas talks nonstop these days.  In the car he likes to sing songs and hunt for ambulances.  On our recent trip to Michigan his grandparents taught him a song about motorboats.  He doesn't quite have all the words down, but it's still cute!