Life's A Zoo

For whatever reason the last few weeks have been very busy and these "slow winter months" are suddenly picking up speed.

Our local zoo has about half a dozen free days throughout the year. They usually choose days that should be freezing cold so nobody will come, or a date that most people would choose not to come. A couple of weeks ago Caleb and I were on their website looking at their free days list and noticed they had chosen a free day to fall on Feb. 3rd, or otherwise known as Super Bowl Sunday. We then looked at the weather report. It was surprisingly going to be warm and sunny!

That was all it took for us to decide that we were going to visit the zoo on Super Bowl Sunday. We were going to show up early and leave with plenty of time to watch the big game.

We were SO glad we went, and even more glad that we showed up early. As the day went on, the zoo became more and more crowded and we left right when we were all about to lose it from exhaustion and from feeling completely claustrophobic with the over crowded zoo.

We had a wonderful time seeing all of the animals, but I think Ellie and Ethan's favorite part was riding the carousel. :)

We were all so tired that Ethan and I instantly fell asleep the moment we were on the road and Ellie fell asleep quite easily and early that night.

I've decided that Ellie and Ethan are both like little monkeys. They're always moving, always climbing, and and always jumping. I'm amazed by how much energy my 2 little ones have. Even on slow days at home they spend their time running around chasing each other, wrestling, or jumping on furniture. I know most people don't approve of their kids jumping on furniture, but we figure they're only small once and by the time they're old enough to not  enjoy jumping on beds anymore, we'll need new furniture anyways-and a trampoline of course. ;-)

I know this is way off subject, but my mind seems to be jumping around as I remember all that we've done this past week or so. I had some orders for Valentine's Day cookies and I had a lot of fun making them. I was happy with how they turned out, and the kids enjoyed eating the cookie dough.

I mentioned in my last post that I'm in desperate need to change up my hair. While waiting for a much needed hair appointment (it's this week, I can't wait) I decided to play with my hair a bit and use the curling wand that my sisters have raved about. 

After seeing my hair all curly, Elliana begged me to curl her hair too. She did a wonderful job holding still so I could curl her hair and we were both loving the result! :) 

Have I ever mentioned how much fun it is to have a little girl?! I love my son more than words can say too, but I just love having "girl time" with my own little girl. 

Exactly 1 week from today we will have our 20 week ultrasound! I can't wait to see baby #3 again and all we're hoping and praying for is a healthy report!

What's In A Name?

With lots of discussion and prayer, and with Caleb's blessing I have decided that it's time to jump in with both feet and officially start a cookie (maybe cupcakes too) business. Ever since I became a stay at home mom, I've had an itch to still be able to contribute (however small that contribution may be) financially to our family. Caleb and I have had many discussions on what I could do that wouldn't interrupt our family time and dynamics and would still allow for life to continue mostly as is. Many ideas have been thrown around, and I may look into more ideas once the kids are in school (several years from now), but right now the cookie idea is looking to be a perfect fit. Really, the idea took off before I even knew what hit me.

Over the past year or so I have been playing with recipes and had a lot of fun making and decorating cookies and cupcakes. It started with the ladybug cookies that I made for Ellie and Reagan's 3rd birthday. I simply had fun making them and got lots of compliments on them at the party.

Sorry this picture really isn't great.

These were my first attempts to make decorated sugar cookies and I've gotten much better since. :)

Then, when we were planning Olivia's (my cousin's now wife) wedding shower, my mom didn't want to pay the expensive price tag for cupcakes. I asked my family if they would trust me to do my best and make the cupcakes myself. Again, I just had so much fun searching for recipes and making and decorating the cupcakes.

Then, about a month after that, my mother-in-law asked me if she could hire me to bake sugar cookies for her BIG 60th birthday party. She wanted the same cookies that I made for Ellie's 3rd birthday-except she wanted daisies instead of ladybugs. Of course I was more than happy to do this and told her I would not quote her a price and that she could just pay me whatever she felt comfortable paying me. She was so sweet to support this idea I had been playing with.

After her party, I posted these pictures of the cookies and before I knew it, I had 40 something "likes" on facebook, several very sweet and supportive comments, and someone asking if they could order some cookies for an upcoming party. I was beyond thrilled! It helps to be surrounded by so many loving and encouraging people.

So now here I am a few weeks later and I've decided that maybe God is leading me to jump in and do this thing. I don't know how successful it will be, but it's something I enjoy and every little bit helps.

So, here's where you come in. I need a name for this new adventure/ business of mine. Do you have any ideas? Once I have a name, I'm going to see if my oh so talented sister Jenn will help me design a website and get this thing officially up and running.

Here are some ideas that have already been thrown out. You can vote on any of these, or I would love to hear if you have any new ideas.

Christine's Sweet Treats
How Sweet It Is
Christine's Confections
Cookies and Cakes By Chris
For The Love Of Sugar
Colorado Sugar Creations

You get the idea. Please Help. Thanks all,