Making S'more Summer Memories...

What better way to celebrate summer than with a traditional favorite...S'mores!

We decided to take a modern {less messy} spin on this delicious childhood treat!

S'mores Pops!

We used the typical S'mores ingredients:  marshmallows, graham crackers, and the best part...Hershey's chocolate!

 

First we broke apart the Hersheys into a glass bowl.  I put the bowl on top of a pot of boiling water, making a double boiler for smooth chocolate.

This is where the kids come in...
I gave them graham crackers in a bag and they were able to pound and crush the crackers.

 They stuck lollipop sticks (can be found at Michael's or JoAnn's) into the marshmallows.

Once the chocolate was melted (only took a couple of minutes), the boys dipped their marshmallow pops into the chocolate.  {be careful, the bowl is hot!!}

 

From the chocolate, the pop is rolled into the crushed graham cracker.

We let them cool...I put them in the refrigerator to speed up the process...

And MMMMMMMM! They were good!!

A little addicting I might add....


Check out how Smarty Pants Mama made S'mores on vacation...what a fun activity!


For fun S'mores facts and recipes, visit:
http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2011/hershey/smores/index.html

Alexis

Friendship - I Heart Faces Photo Challenge

Friendship isn't always easy.  Friendship isn't always perfect.  A friend is someone you laugh with, share with, care about, fight with, and above all...LOVE!


Even through all the screaming, fighting, and craziness, these boys are brothers and above all...FRIENDS!

  This is a true depiction of my boys.  

This photo was entered into this week's I HEART FACES photo challenge.  The theme this week is "Friendship."

Alexis

Wanting to be "big"

As the "little" sibling, I understand why you want to be just like your "older" sibling....but why do we want this so bad?

The same goes on in my house.  My boys are only 19 months apart.  They have never known life without each other.  But I remember the baby stage with my 6 year old.  We watched Sesame Street and Blue's Clues.  We sang songs and I talked with him and taught him how to do his firsts.  I spent undivided time with him because it was just the two of us during the day.

But my 4 year old seems to have missed all of that.  I know I spent one-on-one time with him when his brother took a nap.  I know he reached all of his milestones...he would still be sitting in a crib if he didn't.  But somewhere along the way, he is just "big."

He never really watched Sesame Street or Blue's Clues.  He was too busy watching Super Why or WordGirl because that's what his big brother wanted.  He went straight from playing with foam blocks to Matchbox cars.

My "baby" seemed to skip some stages because he was too busy trying to be as big as his brother.  And he still does it now, but every now and then I see his age come through.

He's too scared of roller coasters, Scooby Doo, and Superhero movies because he's four.  He doesn't have the attention span for Legos, Wii games, or Monopoly Junior because he's four.

And just when I think my "baby" is all grown up, I catch him watching Little Einsteins and singing and dancing along and I know that he's still four.  But don't tell him that because he'll stop being four....and go back to acting six like his brother.


Alexis

Thirsty Thursday...Bold Bloody Mary

Ah, the Bloody Mary...
Is it a cocktail, a serving of vegetables, or a brunch staple?  Oh yes, it's all of the above!

This absolutely delicious concoction is one of my all time favorites!  My love for the Bloody Mary began in my college years in D.C.  We would go to a bar called Sign of the Whale.  Each Sunday, this D.C. establishment would tempt me with their Bloody Mary bar.  They would hand you a pint with vodka and tomato juice, then you would take your drink to a bar full of spices and create your own.  Ah, HEAVEN!

Since every one's Bloody Mary is unique to their tastes, I wanted to present you with my favorite flavors.

• Start with about 1/3 of a pint glass with vodka.  And then fill with ice.
• Fill the rest of the glass with tomato juice or V8.
• 1 dash Old Bay seasoning (a nod to my Maryland days...)
• 1 dash Tabasco sauce
• 1/8 tsp. horseradish (pure, never creamed)
• Squeeze half of a lemon
• Add 3 Spanish olives 
• Garnish with celery stalk.

Remember, no two Bloody Marys are alike...just have fun with your spices and your taste buds!
Enjoy any time of day!!


Alexis

Wordless Wednesday

What happens when you turn your back to workout from home!

This is my friend's 2 year old daughter...guess she was feeling a little dry!

And by the way, my friend just turned around and kept working out!! 
*classic!!
Alexis

It's that time again....

Here we go again...panic, fear, frustration, and chaos!  No, not giant aliens soaring down from the skies...it's hurricane season!  Yes, we've been in the season since June 1st, but we're never really "IN" it until August and we continue through November. 

Our latest tracks....oh yes, there's one looming!

The meteorologists are all a buzz....showing the many computer models with varied colored lines pointing in all directions.  As the hours pass in a day, the teasers for the news become more intense.  "Tracking the Tropics" in dramatic overtones...I swear they love this!  As the days pass in the looming weather forecasts, the more extreme it becomes.  They discuss the "cone of uncertainty," which I lovingly call the "cone of death," as they create wide spread panic. 

People run around to Home Depot grasping at the last pieces of plywood to barricade their windows, frantically scurry to the grocery store for any non-perishables or water, and create long lines at gas stations to fill their cars and generators.  It's complete havoc! 

When I first moved to Miami, it was unreal!  I left my preparations until it was certain that the storm would hit us.  To my surprise, there was nothing left on the shelves, and the lines at the gas stations were 2 hours long.  NO JOKE!

NO JOKE...this is what it looks like!

Here are a few tips for getting ready for a hurricane warning/watch AHEAD OF TIME to prevent all the chaos (at least in your own home):

1)  Generator - BUY ONE NOW!  They can run anywhere from $400-$2,000 depending on the size.  This is an investment, but well worth it!  We have one that is small, but just big enough to power our refrigerator, stove, the TV and fan in our family room.  (of course the Murphy's Law of hurricanes is that we bought one and haven't had a hurricane yet...so it's been wrapped in the box for 5 years...thank goodness!)

2)  Water - before the season approaches, stock up on gallon waters so they aren't missing from the shelves when the time comes.  You need 1 gallon per person, per day.





3)  Non-perishables (canned foods, boxed foods) - same with the water, buy them throughout the season, especially when on sale for buy one get one.  Be sure to not buy foods that need to be cooked since you may not have electricity.

4)  Battery operated radio or TV - this will help when wanting to connect with the real world after the storm hits.

5)  Flashlights - don't think I need to explain this....

6)  First-aid kit - be sure it's fully stocked...you never know what could happen.

7)  Cash! - when a storm hits, 95% of the time, the power goes out...so does the credit card machines...and you never know how long they will be down.

8)  Batteries - all sizes....for all of the many battery operated items that you need.

9)  Medicines - especially if anyone has prescription medicines that they need to take.

10)  Trash bags - just because.

Well, I hope that it's an inactive hurricane season for all! 
If not, get ready now....


Alexis