Maggie is 6

Maggie is 6. Maggie has 3 words. Two dozen signs. A beautiful smile and an infectious laugh. She loves Adele and doesn't care for Coldplay. She loves Thomas the train & cars. Pixar movies! Panda puff cereal is her favorite food no question! She is the best sleeper, she loves her sleep and quiet time. Life revolves around football games, especially the vikings! She's smart and clever. Creative in communication and how she puts two and two together!

(I am about 2 weeks late her actual birthday is february 3rd)

She has a wonderful family of grandparents and the best Uncles in the world who adore her. And a Mom who's life, truly revolves around her! It's good to be Maggie :)

Cookies

Vegan, gluten free cookie decorating? Why, yes! That sounds like a fabulous and fun idea... Of course after being creative and trying to figure out an activity Maggie could participate in, she had no interest. The adults though, had a highly enjoyable time! We made stars, trees and other nontraditional creations.

The creative process

Urlacher, defensive player for the Chicago Bears - Can you see the resemblance?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. Happy New Year!

Pan - O - Prag Part 1

For those of you reading thinking to yourself, 'Self, what's a Pan-O-Prag?' I can't answer that, but what I do know is my small town of Lakeville hosts a week long celebration for July 4th. It consists of midwestern fun - parades, car shows, hockey game, street food etc. This is my second year and to be completely honest it was awful but I will get into that in the next post :)

The parade part went something like this...

cute old men and their toys

marching bands!

A zamboni with a trailer (this is Minnesota after all)

more cute old men having fun

A moose, just because

Cub is our local grocery chain...

And last but not least our friend, Lars who is an international unicyclist competitor - he can do all this cool tricks like shawn white does on the snowboard but on a unicycle! He's 15!

Nothing like small town America on July 4th

Christmas in May... Sure

Is it normal to have Christmas songs stuck in your head... in May? I personally don't think so. It's not as though I went to target and they were playing holiday songs over the PA system. I haven't attended 10 school holiday programs or turned on the radio to 24/7 Christmas songs. I really don't have a reasonable explanation of why I want to listen to Christmas music or have certain songs in my head. On a side note, I love how you can't say Christmas, it's 'Holiday' as to not offend, even though half the traditional songs have the word 'Christmas' if not in the title, in the song... just my personal ranting...

On the upside of this weird craving, I have found a bunch of music I really like. SO because it's the season for giving, I will share with you, my gift to you :-)

It's Christmas Time - Jules Larson

Joy to the World - Seabird

Auld Lang Syne - Keri Noble

Applesauce vs. Sour Cream - The LeeVees

(technically a Chanukah song...)

Silent Night - Sara Ramirez

Let it snow - Ben Rector

It Snowed - Meaghan Smith

Christmas for Cowboys - Jars of Clay

It's Been Christmas Here - Blondfire

Come All Ye Faithful - Justin Mcroberts

Happy Mother's Day

Every Day I am reminded that being a mom isn't the easiest or most rewarding of jobs But one day a year I get a cute gift from Maggie that her teachers helped her with so that makes it worth it... well... It helps. This year was a cute card and a pot of flowers. Last year was this adorable crafty craft.

Sorry the flash was going a little crazy when I took this pic...

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the world!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter from my family to yours, Easter would not be complete without a few traditions.

Homemade cards from Aunt Christa

(I may be Martha of the Kitchen but when it comes to cards and scrap booking it's all about Christa!)

And for Maggie an Easter Bunny!

I love Veggie Tales and lucky for me they recently released a new Easter DVD! It's really for Maggie... really I swear it's a kids show! Ok so the adults watch while the child plays with something else but who doesn't like Veggie Tales?!?

Flowers, are the essence of spring and nothing speaks to life, renew and rebirth like flowers!

School craft projects like soft bunny face mask - why not!

More flowers and crafty fun stuff!

EGGS! I have no idea where the tradition of coloring eggs started but It's fun and creative!

Baby chick - sure! At least it's not alive...

Someone is happy - and that is always nice to see!

(someone also lost another tooth!!! she does not have that many left)

Happy Easter from Myk n Mags

Easter Decor Part 1

I have to admit that I just took down a Christmas decoration... in April. Yeah. I had a picture Maggie created at school on the fridge door and I kept meaning to replace it with any of the dozens of pictures that come home but you know life happens and I forgot, So for Easter I took down the Christmas decor and replaced it with a cute bunny picture complete with Maggie feet. Adorable right? now lets see if I manage to take it down before July 4th... Who am I kidding it will be up till Christmas...

St. Patrick's Day

I love the Holidays! I can go a little crazy in the Martha department but I enjoy doing it so no harm no foul. I like St. Patrick's Day as much as the next Irish girl but really this little Irish girl likes football. Touchdown!

What could make her so calm, relaxed and focused on a single activity? (notice the cereal everywhere)

NFL Draft! No Joke! She was focused like a middle aged guy!

(thank you Rocky for being both dog and vacuum)

Seeing as my child tries really hard to avoid anyone her size, I get to host play dates for my baby brother, Uncle Andy. Sense their get-together coincided with St. Patrick's Day I made them green apples and caramel, Green cupcakes & Green water.

I was going to be at speech therapy when they got home so I set out some stuff for them to take care of themselves. (he's 11 - I figured he could handle it)

Oops . . . I walked in the door and was greeted by this incredibly enthusiastic child "Mychael, Guess What? I got my first Chef injury! I can't wait to get my first sugar scar" He was so thrilled with himself. So I gave him a band aid and he bounced off none worse for the wear.

I think they had a really good time. And I'm so glad Uncle Andy is making good friends! It's hard watching your child or sibling not fit in and be on the outside. It's tough being the new kid.

Christmas Eve Tubing

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve morning my brothers and I decided we needed to get out of the house and have a little fun. We went to Buck Hill, which every Minnesotan knows, even Olympic Skiers ski, snow board and go tubing there. It is not "impressive" as far as ski hills go - especially compared to other facilities in MN, or Utah for instance. But It is a blast!

Still warm, dry and ready to GO!

Sad but the last rule is there for a reason I'm sure they have had too many stupid people attempt to mix booze and going fast down a snowy hill - bad combination

The Lift up was SO relaxing I could have stayed on for an hour and just slowly be pulled up. It was so beautiful and white as far as the eye could see. I don't think they have had to "Make" any snow this season, we have had plenty of the real stuff.

Cold, slightly wet but enjoying every moment!

I think someone is tired...

Or Grumpy we have to leave...

An Excellent time had by all of us! We will have to again soon :)