Headbands are Manly

Max loves to play in my drawer in the bathroom while I get ready.
He thinks headbands are super cool.

Always moving...

He likes to wear them around his forehead, too.
I'm pretty sure he thinks he's Rambo.
And Rambo's manly. I think.

Stylin?

Mike and my brother. The coolest guys I know.

Thirty-One Gifts

Whew...it's been a whirlwind week around here! I have embarked on a new adventure, and it has me excited and busy and, well, running around like a crazy person. I have just signed up to become an Independent Consultant with Thirty-One gifts. Whoo hoo!

Now, I'm not going to lie to you. For those of you who don't know me in real life, my personality doesn't exactly scream "confident and outgoing." I mean, I'll talk your ear off once I get to know you, but I think people who don't know me well may assume I don't have a personality at all.

So...why Thirty-One? Well, first, I LOVE their products. Bags and purses? Organization and cuteness? Yes, please! Second, as many of you know since I discuss it here, Mike and I are in the process of adopting our second baby. All the money I make from this new little adventure will be going to fund this adoption. So, I am definitely excited to give this new business of mine a try!

Although I will not be "advertising" a lot here on my blog, I will be posting from time to time about ways I use Thirty-One products in my own home. Feel free to share if you have any favorites of your own!

Have any questions? Contact me here:

http://www.mythirtyone.com/amandamcd/

amandamcd31@gmail.com

Shoes

Apparently this guy is going to take after his dad. Mike always wears shoes. When we first got married and he would wake up in the morning and put on shoes, I would ask him where he was going. I soon learned he's just a little weird. Like father, like son.

Silly Valentine

All of the cute ideas on Pinterest this year inspired me to think a little outside the box when it came to valentines. I put these together for a couple of friends..so simple. I'm pretty sure that a cute saying, a printer, and some double-sided tape can turn anything into a fun little present.

Pinteresting Recipes

I've had some great luck with a few recipes on Pinterest the past couple of weeks, so I thought I would share them. I do not consider myself a very good cook, but for the sake of our budget (and health) I am determined to start cooking a lot more. Ya'll, I haven't been to Sonic in over a month.

That's a record right there.

Source: memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I made this feta dip for a women's event tonight at church, and there wasn't any left. I consider that a success! I thought it was really good. Instead of cutting up tomatoes, I just used a can of diced tomatoes. I wouldn't do that in the summer, but it's February. And it was still delicious.

Source: foodwishes.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

This chicken parmesan bake was really good. I was surprised at how much it really did taste like chicken parm. If you try it, make sure you get smaller more light and fluffy croutons. I got home and realized I had croutons that resembled giant melba toasts. Still good, but I think everything would have blended better if they had been more crouton-y.

Source: mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

These tacos were so good and so so easy. Try them. Now.

Source: onceamonthmom.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I made Max a batch of these french toast sticks. I used whole grain bread and added in butternut squash puree. I cheated and just bought two jars of baby food butternut squash. So far, so good. I can just pull a few out at a time, microwave them, and he really likes them. I may add a little butter when I give them to him.

Musical Genius

Okay...maybe not genius. But seriously, it's hilarious how much this guy loves music. He's started trying to sing along to car, which just cracks me up. Hilarious.

Sucker Stealer

Last Wednesday night the preschool kids got a special heart sucker to take home with them. Well, one of the little boys set his down on the table. Bad move. Max had that thing in his hand, out of the wrapper, and in his mouth in no time!

Toy Space

When we first moved to Mississippi, we were so excited that our new house had what is called a "hearth room." I don't know if I lived under a rock in Texas, if it's a (more) southern thing, or if I'm just crazy, but I had never heard that phrase. For lack of a better explanation, it's a den. A den that is right off your kitchen.

Our hearth room has evolved quite a bit in the past two years. I used to go for pretty and tidy, but these days I'm going for comfortable and fun. I'm learning to embrace the fact that my hearth room now resembles a daycare. They're only young once, right? Mike reminds me often that a house is to be lived in, not admired, and I'm getting there. I will say that when I see how much fun Max has in here, I could care less that the space isn't as "pretty" as it once was!

I have a slight obsession with these cubicle shelves. I have the darker ones in almost every room in my house. They are just so affordable and functional. These particular ones are the Circo brand from Target. My favorite part is the open bin shelves you can add at the bottom.

I had to take these pictures during naptime...because it sure doesn't look like this the rest of the day. The wall decor is a find from Chi Omega Marketplace in Dallas this past Christmas. They are actually old magnetic ceiling tiles. I think it will be a fun place for kid's artwork someday soon!

These Are The Days

This kid cracks me up every single day. I love seeing his mind work, and even when he drives me crazy, I just have to laugh. I just wanted to record a few funny things that he's doing right now so I'll remember them someday. The pictures have nothing to do with the stories. I just like them.

We have two remotes in our living room that are identical. I took the batteries out of one for Max to play with, but he can't be fooled. The other day he brought me both, waited to see which one I used, and then he took that one away from me. Rascal.

Max has always liked his bath, but he is hit or miss on whether or not he likes getting his hair washed. Now, he has decided to take matters into his own hands. He will get the rinse cup, fill it with water, and dump it over his head. The funny part is that he makes the worst face while he does it. It's like he's torturing himself, but he's determined to do it.

Whenever he wants a snack, he goes and gets a toy bowl, puts it on the counter, and then pulls and pulls at the refrigerator door. And when he doesn't get it open he comes and gets me. This kid is obsessed with grapes.

While I was gone, he climbed out of his crib. Twice. It was total parent error. We moved it down once when he started standing, but I didn't move it all the way to the bottom in time. When Mike found him, he was trying to turn off his monitor. Stinker.
(The crib is now all the way down).

Max has always liked to dance, but he's been adding some new moves. "Fast feet" is a new fave, and he gets really into spinning. He also likes to growl, play chase, play outside, play with bigger kids, play with cars, chew on his blankets, read, play with puzzles, tear things up, and (ahem) watch Chuggington.

Sometimes a mom just has to get ready for church.

Cereal Puzzles

Back in my teaching days, a friend shared with me a fun (and cheap!) activity for my classroom. I collected cereal boxes from friends, cut the front of the box off, laminated it, and cut it into pieces. Instant puzzles!

When Max started showing an interest in his wooden puzzles I thought of these cereal puzzles again. They could definitely be made for a younger audience. They are very customizable!

Now, I am not saying I have a genius 16-month-old who is putting together these puzzles by himself. But we can definitely play with them together, and it won't be too long before he can play with them alone!

I Want to be a Cowboy Baby

Just hanging out eating my cheese.

And yes, those are Santa diapers. I don't care what they have on them if they're on clearance...and Mimi's buying...

Mother's Day Out

While I was gone, Max went to Mother's Day Out two days. Although Mike probably thought it was ridiculous, he took a few pictures for me. And although Max looks a bit distressed in some of these, Mike said he did really well. He's not a fan of us leaving him in the church nursery at first, but he stops before we make it down the hall.

Ready to Go!

Checking out his new backpack.

Wait! You forgot me!

End of the day. I had fun, but I'm still mad at you!