Send Something Good

I joined a little project called Send Something Good hosted by Gentri Lee.

It's "pen pals" blogger style. 

Just a bunch of bloggers getting to know each other. 

But there is a secret factor to it all so to help our secret sister out we are all giving a little insight into our favorite things.

A few of my favorite things are:

-my deliciously plump baby girl and all things family oriented

-any useful kitchen accessory

-food (any and all)

-books usually the classics

-I love art, particularly portraits and the masters

-jewelry
-going on dates with my husband

-herbs and aromatherapy

-I have been in search for the perfect umbrella

-comfy and soft - this could be from pillows and blankets to shoes to my body. I live my life comfy and soft.

-home decor - I have a very eclectic decorating style

-love to sew

-love to travel especially to Europe

Now I am going to add a few real details because this is what I wish I knew for my "secret sister"

Sizes

-tops: Large 

-bottoms: I don't know, haven't really worn real pants since before I was pregnant. (sorry Trevor)

-shoes: 10

It's totally my birthday tomorrow so we will see if this list helps out Trevor too...

Emergency Kit

Last year my parents asked me what our family wanted for Christmas.
I told them I needed help getting my 72 hour kit started.


Since having Bridget I have discovered a new character trait in me: the protective mama bear.


Well one thing about my dad is he is a fantastic gift giver. He does his research! You will be amazed as I walk you through the emergency kit they gave us.


In fact, yesterday Utah had a state-wide Earthquake Drill. Experts are expecting a 7+ earthquake to hit Utah in the next 50 years. This drill was supposed to help assess how we were doing on an emergency preparedness front.
I thought it would be appropriate to share this kit with you in case you need help knowing where to start.


This is it: Rolling Duffle Bag (I saw this exact bag at Costco last night).

 I will take you through it, pocket by pocket:

 I need to by sure to add a tube of toothpaste.

(the silver shield wipes are disinfecting wipes)

I still have to put together a backpack for each family member with clothes, food, and personal items. 

I also need to make a 72 hour kit for Trevor to take and store at work. 

Last year when the Japan Tsunami hit I was working for Xango. We had an office in Japan, luckily all of the employees were safe, however, they were stuck in the office for 2 days. They could not get home for 2 days! It made me realize we have to be prepared wherever we are.

Hope this helps. 

Please feel free if you have questions.

Things are getting a bit tight around here

Mostly in the bum / thigh region.

I think it's time to move up sizes...again.

On to the 9 month+ clothes!

 

 I have said it before and I'll say it again: I love being the 4th girl in my family.

As a kid I was able to watch my older sisters and figure out what not to do (kidding Aleena) (sort of). 

I virtually flew under the radar and was considered perfect by my parents... right mom?

But now it's even better to be the youngest girl because every few months I get bags of hand me downs from my sisters girls for Bridget.

I have not had to shop once for this girl. 

I know, we are spoiled with a capitol "S"!!!

Just trying on a few of the goods.

 not impressed with the ladybug.

Look how stinking cute this dress is. 

My sister made it.

And yes, I let my daughter chew on the thing I use to suck out her boogies. I may just be setting her up for a life of nose picking, time will tell.

Getting Ready for the Little Man

We had a baby shower for my cute friend, Jennie. 

She is having a little boy in May. 

I seriously can't wait! 

She doesn't even look pregnant...rude.

Here she is with a few of her college girlfriends.

 The Food:

Crepe Bar.

 And for the activity: 

Iron on ties, bow tie, mustache onesies!

I made these cakes, don't they look divine?

Well if it be possible, they taste even better.

It's my sister Aleena's made-up recipe so I thought I would share.

Start out making vanilla or french vanilla cake mix.

Then add the powder from a vanilla pudding. 

You will need to make a strawberry puree.

Super easy, just blend strawberries and add sugar until it's sweet but not overly sweet.

Spoon the cake mixture into your pan and about a heaping tablespoon of the puree.

Swirl together. 

If you don't want the cakes to overflow when they bake be sure you only fill each square half way.

I baked them for about 22-25 minutes. Be sure you don't overcook them. 

Let them cool a bit before you remove them from the pan. 

Now for the frosting. 

I actually made a ganache. 

Don't be afraid, it's super easy. 

You will need a double boiler. 

(Again, don't be afraid... easy.)

If you don't have one, make one.

Take a pan and put a few inches of water in the bottom. Place a glass bowl on top.

Pour your chocolate chips in the glass bowl and melt. I used white chocolate chips.
Add cream about 3 tablespoons at the beginning and just keep adding until it's a good smooth consistency, a little runny.

Pour a spoon-full on top of the cake and spread around the top letting the excess dribble over the edges. You don't need to completely cover the sides of the cake because the ganache is pretty rich.

The ganache hardens and holds it's shape so it stays nice and pretty.

(If you want to make chocolate ganache be sure to use milk chocolate chips and NOT semi-sweet.)


Dice Cakes (I call them dice cakes because when Aleena first made these cakes she decorated them like dice)
-vanilla cake mix
-vanilla pudding mix
-strawberries
-sugar (enough to sweeten the strawberries, maybe 1/4 cup)
-white or milk chocolate chips
-heavy whipping cream (again maybe 1/4 cup)

Trust me these cakes are sooooo good!

Life's Great Injustices

I am sure there are many injustices out there.

But this definitely applies. 

I cannot believe it's possible for a baby to go through the whole teething process. I mean the whole thing:

fever, snot like Niagara falls, cranky child unable to be comforted, 1-2 hours sleep a night, even the mucus infested cough. 

Here comes the injustice:

The poor baby going through all that, and even I can feel the tooth under the surface, BUT THEN THE TOOTH GOES BACK DOWN!

Bless her heart.

If you really want to get to know a stranger

Go to the Post Office.


Since I have had Bridget I have noticed that wherever I go people tend to open up. I don't know if a baby makes them feel vulnerable or the fact that I am usually wrestling around a squirming child, a car seat, and an overloaded diaper bag makes them feel that I couldn't possibly judge them. 


It usually starts out with them giving me advice on how to raise kids. 
(Sometimes I really do appreciate what is said.) 
Then for some reason, if there is enough time, it turns into a autobiography. 


And when you are at the post office, there is always enough time. 


Yesterday while standing in line I got to know the two unrelated ladies behind me fairly well. I know their names and addresses, I know that Laureni has two kids; Ashley and Michael. Ashley is living in Finland right now on a study abroad and Michael's birthday is on Saturday. 


But Debra, poor Debra has had a rough life. Both of her children were miracles, very difficult for her to get pregnant. A couple weeks ago one of her employees had a stroke while showing some customers a vacuum, he's ok but still down. She was a daddy's girl and her dad died a few years ago of lung cancer, so she took her mom in and she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Debra herself gets a mammogram every year and they found a cancerous lump in her breast, when they went in to remove it they found two more. 


It was a lot to take in while in line at the post office.


Sometimes people just need someone to listen. 
And a hug. 
Hugs have the ability to soothe the soul. 

And so does this little lady, she can soften any heart.

First Easter

Hoppy Easter!

Tagged

Totally tagged.
I think.
I saw "April" on my friend Elizabeth's blog but she is really popular so there is a good chance she knows more than one April. I'll just pretend I am the only one.

THE RULES:
1. Post these rules
2. Post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag
5. Tag 11 people

Random Things: (does it feel like there is nothing left you don't already know about me?) [double negative] If you would like to read more random facts about me: here & here

1. My favorite food is homemade chicken noodle soup.

2. There are 6 kids in my family and we all have a different eye color.

monica - green

sarah - hazel

aleena - sky blue

april - brown

doug - grey

russ - dark blue

3. I love the smell of a swamp cooler

4. I got my bachelors degree in Art History

5. If I could get my masters degree anywhere I would choose: Sothebys Institute
6. I watch "the morning after" on hulu, I think it's hilarious.
7. I own more costumes than clothes.
8. My mom and sisters have the most beautiful deep set eyes. I didn't get that, I have very flabby eyelids. My mom said I'll probably need a lid lift by 30. In case you wanted to know more about my eyelids, they get sunburned every summer.
9. I love to decorate big. If I am going to put a picture on my wall it's going to be big.
10. I made an amazon.com wish list so Trevor could always know what to get me for holidays.
11. I hope to never have any pets. (my poor kids......I'll take them to the zoo).

Questions I Answer:

1. What's your favorite drink?

Water. that might be boring but nothing quenches like water.

2. What animal are you most afraid of?

Snakes

3. What is your favorite thing to do on vacation?

Trying new things. Whether it be foods or activities, I like making memories.

4. Do you like your name? If not, what do you wish your name was?

I do like my name. Fun tidbit, April is my middle name, my first name is Donna. Named after my grandmother who died when my mom was 1 of MS. Mine and Donna's birthdays are two days apart. I like having a legacy to live up to.

5. What are your top three favorite movies?

She's the Man, Pride and Prejudice (bbc), Scarlet Pimpernel

6. What are some characteristics you look for in a friend?

Someone who is genuine. Genuinely kind, genuinely likes other people, genuinely excited... etc. I like feeling like we are genuine friends rather than not knowing if they really like me or not.

7. Do you consider yourself creative? In what ways?

no, but I am a good copy-cat.

8. What's your favorite season, and why?

Summer! the sun just makes me happy. I love not being cold.

9. Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes absolutely.

10. What is your ideal weekend? (Relaxing at home, time outdoors, getting work done?)

relaxing in a nice clean house.

11. Are you a dog person or cat person? (Or "other")

I am a dog person as long as the dog doesn't shed, and a cat person because they are mellow and you usually don't know they are there.

New Questions
1. What are you thinking about right now?
2. Are you afraid to die?
3. If you could go back in history and give someone (anyone, including yourself) advice (that may or may not change history) who? and what would you tell them?
4. Fruity or Chocolate?
5. Bungee jumping or scuba diving?
6. Do you prefer wearing neutrals or colors?
7. Cinnamon rolls or Donuts?
8. Dream car?
9. Which sucks you in more, Bob Ross or Antiques Roadshow?
10. Would you rather have old inherited money and sit around all day doing needle points like they do in all the Jane Austen movies or be a very successful business person making all your own money but you had to work for it? why?
11. Movie or song that makes you cry every time?

I tag:

Ashley B, Ashley E, Brianna, Lauren, Callie, Jemaica, Carrie, Jaime, Nycole, Stacy, Brittanie, Katie

Even if I didn't tag you feel free to participate! Send me a link to your post or make a comment with your answers. I love getting to know people better.

And the Winners Are:

Thanks to everyone who entered the 200th Post Giveaway!

It even came down to the last hour, I was amazed.


Well to pick the winners I had a non-biased judge help:

She made sure all the names were mixed up really well.... really, really well.

Then she carefully decided which slip to choose.

This is the one, this is the winner.

We did get the three winners names, luckily, because it didn't take her long to figure out it was way more fun to dump out the paper and bang on the tin.

Drumroll.......

The winners are:


The mint sticks - Megan Richardson


The bottle of chicken - Elizabeth Downie


The Catnip & Fennel - Lindsay Brems


Congratulations! I am sure this is the best thing you have ever won, in your life. 
To claim your prize please email me: aprilallyear365@gmail.com with your mailing address. 
You have 24 hours to email me before I choose another winner.


Thanks!

Just a few things

#1. and most important.
Today is the last day to enter my GIVEAWAY.
Remember you have to be a follower of my blog AND leave a comment on the giveaway post to be eligible to win.



#2. Do you like my new blog title and header?



#3. It's amazing how quickly I can go from feeling like a great mom to the worst mom in the world.
Last Friday we played outside, Bridge got to try out the swing for the first time and loved it!
Totally relaxed.
It wasn't too hot but it was a nice day. I do not know how I didn't realize her skin is brand new and has never been exposed to any of the elements......... She got sunburned.
Pretty bad.
Luckily I had some lavender and pretty much bathed her in it.
But today her little nose is peeling.
Oh man I feel so bad.

#4. My sister gave me a big box of shoes for Bridget.
I think it's safe to say, she is a shoe girl.

#5. I got a new thermometer from Costco online.
I am so excited about it, it's so much easier to take her temperature.
I could never get a good reading from her armpit and I never dared going for a rectal read.
Annnnd It only cost me $26 bucks! I love Costco.