Good Friends, Good Food

My Passe

It was at gatherings like this that my Grandpa used to say, “Good Friends, Good Meat, Good God, let’s EAT!”

And we did!

Restaurant Adventures

Eating out is truly an adventure these days. With an infant and a toddler in tow, you never know what you’re gonna get. We often ask ourselves before leaving, “Do you feel lucky?” It really is like rolling a pair of die…..What’s it going to be today?

happy infant, grumpy toddler
happy toddler, grumpy infant
….or the kiss of death that usually leaves Mom and Dad with heartburn from eating so fast: grumpy toddler, grumpy infant! (insert gong noise here)

But, as I am learning the ropes as a Mom of two, I have found that the recipe for a happy ending while dining out consist of a few things:

Choose a time after both kids have napped.
Do not dine during peak hours. Long wait times are disastrous!
Ask for the check in advance.
And bring several forms of entertainment!

For the infant, entertainment is easy: a rattle, a teething ring, or a burp cloth.

For the toddler, this has gotten progressively harder as her attention span has gotten shorter. So, I am constantly on the search for restaurant appropriate toys for my 3 year old daughter, Lily.

Eureka! Recently, I found the Disney Princess Enchanted Fashions Magnetic Book and Play Set.

It is basically a magnetic paper doll set with a few scenes in which to place the Princesses. The pieces are contained in a hard cover case with a handle and best of all….it’s QUIET! Lily LOVED it and my husband and I were able to actually CHEW our food! LOL!

Do you have a product that would work in a restaurant setting? What are your favorite finds? Leave me a comment so I can check them out!

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Blues!

Happy Birthday to ME!

In a few short hours I will be 34. Ouch. I think after age 21, birthdays kind of lose their luster. Unless……..

…..there is CAKE involved! Isn’t that really the BEST part of your birthday anyway?!? The chocolatey goodness and sweet vanilla ice cream are enough to make me forget that I am creeping towards 40.

So, help me celebrate by leaving me a comment!! And if you know my husband, please let him know that there BETTER be cake! LOL!

Tidbit Tuesday!

In honor of the Ice Cream Social going on over at From Dates to Diapers, today’s titillating tidbit is about the two most important men in my life…Ben and Jerry!! (just kidding, honey!)

Ben & Jerry’s ice cream company was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, in a renovated gas station by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. Supposedly, waste from Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream company is given to local farmers in Vermont to feed to their hogs. It is said the hogs don’t particularly care for the Mint Oreo. Are they NUTS?!?

What’s your favorite Ben and Jerry’s flavor?

Think you know alot about Ben and Jerry’s ice cream? PROVE IT!

Play Quiz: “Ben & Jerry’s” Flavors now!

Awesome August Giveaway!

Do you believe in signs from above?

I am a Catholic. I believe that religion, any religion, is an important part of life. I have been attending the same Church since I was in Kindergarden; it is home to me. But since I’ve had kids, I have been a total Church slacker. Our Church welcomed a new Pastor, I didn’t really connect with him, life got busy, I left the Church. I justified my decision to myself by saying that I still prayed every night, I still did good deeds and that was enough. But, it wasn’t….it isn’t. I just feel like something is missing.

Enter St. Ann Church. This is the Pre-K program we have chosen for Lily which she will begin in less than a month! ACK! My husband and I were hesitant to leave our Church that has been home for so many years. But, today we decided to give it a go. As soon as we entered St. Ann, there was a HUGE sign hanging near the Altar which read:

FORWARD IN FAITH

I started to get teary-eyed. That’s it, I thought. That’s what is missing! I am stagnant. In the immortal words of Oprah….I had an ah-ha moment! LOL! I have focused on growing emotionally, educationally, financially and somehow I forgot to also grow spiritually. I don’t think I listened to one thing the Pastor had to say today because I sat there contemplating those words. FORWARD IN FAITH.

So, now I just have to figure out HOW to accomplish that. But I think I am on the right track. Our new Church Parish already feels like home.

Bowtastic!

I just wanted to say a quick THANK YOU to Mindy from Sweet Peas Bowtique for these GREAT bows for my two daughters! They are adorable! The baby bows on snap clips are just the right size for my 4 month old and stay put in her whispey hair! Finally, people can tell that Aubrie is a GIRL! LOL! And Lily is so excited that she now has some bows to match her new Pre-K uniforms! If you need some bows, make sure to click on the link above!
And the unique bow holder pictured here is from Bambina Ballerina! Check out Trisha’s cute designs for your little ballerina today!

I scream, you scream….

…..we all scream for ICE CREAM!! While I was nosing around on the big world of blogging, I came accross the blog at From Dates to Diapers. Christine had the great idea of having an Ice Cream Social the Week of July 14th complete with themed prizes! So, make sure you check it out by clicking here! Who doesn’t love ice cream?!?

When I see this…..

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