Miss Ella Bakes {Granny's Cookies}

I really love to cook. My boys have always though it was fun to pull up a chair and help out.
But not like Ella likes it.

This little girl pushes this big chair up to the counter, climbs up, and asks for a spoon to "tir" with me.
She will stay there the entire time with me. Playing with her plastic spoon, and just watching me.

We made my Granny's chocolate chip cookies and I promise they are worth every calorie. They are the best. No way around it. I thought I'd share it with you today.

Granny's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter flavored Crisco

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 12oz bag of chocolate chips

Cream crisco and sugars together. Add eggs, vanilla, baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour. Mix in chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes (we like them extra soft!)

Don't eat them all at once.

:::

The way she helps me in the kitchen is the same when I'm getting ready in the morning. The boys will be watching tv reading quietly and she'll come up the stairs to find me, pull out my hairbrush, and ask for my makeup brushes. She'll put on chapstick and play with the brushes.

The boys have never shown interest in the same way she has. She loves to do what I do. She loves to be girly and act like Mommy. I love this! I didn't push it on her. I didn't invite her into the bathroom with me and ask if she wanted to brush her hair and pick out shoes. I love that she wants to be with me even if she loves her daddy more. I love that she loves to be "rocked" and sung to. I just love her little, tiny girly nature. God has blessed me with two rowdy, tough boys….and one princess.
My heart it happy. I'm so blessed. It is just so fun to be a Mom (most of the time)!

So What….

So what…

:: I wear the same sock bun or braid for 3 days straight.
(I get a little lazy and don't have the energy to change it)

:: This morning is supposed to be my morning off from the kiddos, and I couldn't wake Ella. She just looked too peaceful. Looks like we get a date day : )

:: My finger is growing back nicely. (Don't you love that I just threw that out there??)
See….look…

Sorry I made you look.

:: I really need a girl's night out.

:: I miss James, a lot. He's working and volunteering so much right now, and we don't have much time together. I think I need a date night as well! But he's the best father. Ever.

:: I haven't cut my boy's hair. They are all looking shabby (but they are crazy beautiful none the less).

:: I need a haircut desperately, but am too "busy".

:: I can't stop eating nachos, and bread.

:: I have a pretty amazing life, even if I complain sometimes.

Clean & Organize a mess in 10 minutes {Seriously}

I'm pretty sure I learned how to clean from my mom.
She's smart….and pretty…and I like her wisdom.

So…I'm now passing her wisdom onto my kids.
Let's tackle the playroom, shall we?

The best way to clean a room is to make a huge pile.
Seriously…
it's all about the pile.

Here's what I mean...

This is what the room looks like after a playdate.
I fully believe in freedom to play with ALL the toys.
Make a mess…go ahead.
Just remember, we're going to clean it up.
But don't worry…it will only take 10 minutes.
Ready…set…go!

Step 1: Put all of the toys into a huge pile in the middle of the room and place your organizing bins ($4 at Wal-Mart) around the mess.

 Step 2: Sort, sort, sort.

Fill the bins up!

Smile, because cleaning is SO fun.

Step 4: Put  the bins away.

 Ta Da!

It's seriously the easiest and quickest way to clean & organize.

The kids don't mind it, and neither do I.

It goes so quickly. 

Thanks Mom…you're so smart!