Wazoos and 3D Paint

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 7:21 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments


Yesterday we spent most of the afternoon at Wazoo's. A big place full of inflatables for the kids to jump in. It rained most of the day so that was our rainy day fun before spending the rest of it grocery shopping which is always eventful to say the least with 4 kids lol




I usually do really well on my the budget I make for myself but I went over this time which I knew I would but we needed to restock bad. With summer time things are going super fast in this house and with my husband leaving soon I want him to be able to have all of his favorite things before leaving too!







Today was kind of a much needed lazy day! It rained most of the day but when it finally stopped we went outside and had some fun with some new 3D paint! The kids love the 3D chalk but I've been wanting to get the paint for them to try. They loved it and it was a lot of fun but I have to say for the price it's not an all the time thing because you can only use it maybe once or twice. You go through it really fast! At least the chalk last awhile! But it was fun to try and I want to get the sprayers next time!







I got caught up on some laundry.. seriously I just washed, folded and put it all away on Monday and I had around 3 loads to put up again today! It's a never ending task! I think one day I'm going to be found buried alive under it all!

Well it's time for dinner! Salad and lasagna tonight and strawberry shortcake for desert! YUM!!



Flips in the Pool and Baked Spaggetti

Sunday, June 27, 2010 7:09 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 1 comments

Today we spent most of the day at one of our old favorite pools we used to go to a lot on post. The only reason we don't spend more time there is they have a nice baby wading area fenced off but a big pool out of the fence that are so gapped out it's hard to watch all of the kids and the boys like to go in the big pool of course and play on the slide and diving boards.

I haven't been in probably 2yrs and today wasn't a pleasant experience. I was sitting there on the side of the pool with some friends talking and nursing my 6 month old daughter Peyton when I have a life gaurd approach me and ask me if I could cover up while feeding her or leave to feed her and I said no it's way to hot out here! She continues to tell me how guest are complaining about me so why can't I cover up so I continue to inform her of the state laws and how her guest could look somewhere else and that it was ridiculous for her to even approach me.

I later went to the supervisor of the pool who told me when she came back to him and told him I wouldn't do what she asked he called his supervisor to see what to do and was told the same thing I told them. So that was settled but they need to be better educated on breastfeeding for further refrence.





The kids had a lot of fun and were fearless as usual going off the highest diving board!


We had baked spaggetti for dinner tonight! Everyone loved it and a big hit with the kids!

1 package (16 ounces) spaghetti
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided


Directions
Break spaghetti in half; cook according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the soups, tomato sauce, water, brown sugar and seasonings.
Drain spaghetti; stir into meat sauce. Add 1/2 cup cheese. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 12 servings

4th of July Wear

6:54 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments




So I got all of my orders for 4th of July wear done! I wish I would've gotten my new sewing machine earlier and gotten to do more but I was limited by the time I got it and since there wasn't any patriotic material local I had to order the fabric and allow time for it to get here.

Not only that but some of it wound up being out of stock and I got notified to late so I had to cancel some orders too! But I had fun with what I did get to do!

First Cloth Diaper

Saturday, June 26, 2010 11:40 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 1 comments

I had my first attempt at a fitted cloth diaper today!

The first round totally failed and I didn't do the elastic right so it didn't tighten like it should've around the legs.

The 2nd time came out just perfect except for one thing... it would fit a baby doll and not my child haha

Oh well it turned out really cute and I got the basic concept to it and the good thing about having girls is that it didn't totally go to waiste since there are so many baby dolls in this house!





If at first you don't succeed try try again! So I took a break and worked on one of my orders for a pillow case dress and I will continue to work on the cloth diapering department more later lol

Teddy Bear Cookies and Chucky Cheese

6:58 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments



We had a pretty good weekend! We spent Saturday out at Chucky Cheese. We haven't been since they finished the construction and added on to it. They have more games, especially more toddler friendly games and more tables which is super awesome!

The kids (hubby too lol) had a blast as usual! Can't beat a place you can go and play every game for one quarter!


I made some really yummy Oatmeal Teddy Bear cookies that I ate WAY to many of... lol sometimes I think it's bad I bake lol





Teddy Bear Cookies

1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 to 2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups pillsbury best all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1tsp baking soda
brown or chocolate decorator icing
red miniature candy coated chocolate pieces


In large bowl, combine brown sugar and butter; beat until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs; blend well

Lightly spoon flour into meassuring cup; level off. In medium bowl, combine flour, oats and baking soda; mix well. Add to brown sugar mixture; blend well. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour for easier handling.

Heat oven to 375. For eat bear, form two 1/2 inch balls and on 1 1/2 inch ball. Place the large ball on ungreased cookie sheet; place smaller pieces on top to form ears. Flatten dough slightly; crimp edges with fork. Repeat with remaining dough, placing large balls of dough 3 inches apart on cookies sheets.

Bake at 375 for 7-10 minutes or until light golden brown.

Camoflauged Kids

Thursday, June 24, 2010 6:26 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments


So today we were going to have a playdate out at the spray park but we found out that it was down for maintence! So we had a change of plans last minute and since I was feeling well we decided to move the playdate to my house.





I hadn't bought the kids a pool this year because my 7yr old is getting way to big for those little pools and we really need to invest in one of the bigger ones that are around $200 or so but didn't get around to it this year and wasn't sure if we wanted to since we have the luxury of going to pools on post for free and one less then a mile away from us in our village. We've been spending a lot of time out at the pools this year and going at least every other day. Sometimes even daily.





My oldest son Aidan has had swimming lessons before and does really well with swimming now so he loves that he can go with out a life jacket and swim in the deep end. My son Keagan is getting a lot better and has been going off the diving board this year and swimming over to the ladder in the deep end which kind of makes me nervous but so far he's doing well and I just keep a close eye on him.




So I rushed out and got a pool for the back yard for our last minute playdate and decided to get two since the kids are getting so big so that they would have plenty of swim room for all of the kids.

The kids had fun playing outside on the slip n slide and between the two pools, played with chalk, bubbles enjoyed some fruit salad, popcorn, popcicles and juice boxes on their hot day!




Then they decided to make it a mud war and turned themselves into little mud camoflauged kids! The boys were playing army and trying to hide in their camoflauge and I guess the girls were having mud facials haha

By the time the afternoon was over the pools were dark brown and I had a yard full of mud and muddy toys! But they had a blast!


Tonight I made this new recipe and it looks super yummy! We will see how it is in a few minutes when it cools off! Rice Crispy Treats tonight for desert! Mmmmmm

Pizza Casserole

Ingredients:
3 cups uncooked spiral pasta
2 pounds ground beef
medium onion, chopped
2 cans 8oz mushrooms, drained
1 can 15oz tomato sauce
1 jar 14oz pizza sauce
1 can 6oz tomato paste
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
4 cups shredded skim mozzarella cheese
1 package sliced pepperoni
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. stir in the mushrooms, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings. Drain pasta; stir into meat sauce.

Place in greased casserole dish.

Top with pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheeese.

Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer.

Mom's Skillet Goulash

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 5:43 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 1 comments

So today I so wonderfully broke the needle on my sewing machine! Wow I didn't think that I was that talented but apparently I have hidden talents I don't know about haha

So I gave up on sewing for the rest of the day and put the water slide out for the kids but they got bored with that pretty fast so we decided to join some friends at the pool today.



Peyton wound up taking a nap shortly after getting there so she napped in the shaded stroller while I got to lay out and get some sun for once! So hopefully I will get a nice tan!

I made this recipe last night and it was super yummy so thought I'd pass it on! I think I will do it with out the celery next time and maybe add some cheese!



Mom's Skilleen Goulash

2 2/3 cups uncooked rotini pasta
1lb lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped onions
2 cans diced tomatoes undrained
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper



cook and drain pasta as directed on box.

Meanwhile in 12 inch non stick skillet or dutch oven, cook beef, celery and onions over medium heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.

Stir in cooked pasta and remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

All About Ribbon!

5:38 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments


Some of my latest projects have been messing around with doing ribbon clothes! Taking an old pair of jeans and making them fancy with a few things sewn on them or a plain tshirt!




I want to do a pair of overalls next but much more done up then what I've been doing so far!

But here are a few projects I've been doing!



More Pillow Case Dresses and Sewing

12:24 AM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments
Well today I spent most of the day playing with my sewing machine! Some fabric came in last night for an order for a friend who wanted matching Pillow Case dresses for her girls to wear with pink skulls on them. They came out super cute and I think I'm going to have to make one for my girls now!





I've been playing around with sewing cloth diapers. I've always wanted to make my kids cloth diapers since they use them but never wound up learning how to do them or having the time to really focus on trying to do them. Peyton is our last child and 6 months old now and I'm determined to make some cloth diapers before she's potty trained for her to wear and for some of my friends who cloth diaper as well!

So that is my next mission is to learn how to make cloth diapers and wipes! I don't know that I'm crazy enough to make an AIO or a Pocket but I think I will start with some cute fitteds which is what I've been playing around with tonight and making them out of Peytons recieving blankets that she doesn't use as much anymore!

So we will see how it goes!

Life Jackets Are Not Allowed

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 12:01 AM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments
So this morning me and the kids woke up and went to our coffee playdate only to find out that the play area was closed for cleaning and we didn't see anyone there. We were running a little late anyways. The kids were upset that the play area was closed but I promised to make it up to them.

Got some stuff done and made some runs around town that they found oh so boring as usual.. like the post office.

So we planned a day at the local water park that we hadn't yet checked out. How ever, we didn't know this was going to be an eventful day of dissapointment!

We went into the local water park where we paid for our tickets. Both of my two middle children wearing their life jackets as we came in.











As you can see there is a sign with the water park rules, but it does not state anywhere on the signs posted that they are not allowed to enter with a life jacket on. I was also not told by the cashier that they could not wear their life jackets.

I paid and entered into the water park behind the brick wall and passed a table with two teenagers who worked there behind the brick wall where I had paid and could not visably view when paying.

I was stopped by one of the teens after entering into the water park and told that they were not allowed to wear their life jackets.

I brought up the fact that the sign on the table said flotation devices and that I'd like to speak to a manager because what person with any common sense wouldn't allow a life jacket?










I spoke to the water park manager who then informed me the rule was because so many parents bring their children out in life jackets and don't watch them and use the life jacket as a babysitter and that she wasn't saying I would do that but this was the reason why. I said I understand but I still thought it was a completely unreasonable rule when they make life jackets for the safety of young children or people who can not swim and that I felt uncomfortable them not having them on especially with me being on my own with them and my husband not there. She reassured me the park was very shallow and they would have no reason for them anyways.

So I go on and all three of my kids jump in the wading area about 1ft deep with their friends and friends parents and as I'm getting the baby out of the stroller and getting into the pool I see a life gaurd with my daughter not even 5 minutes after entering into the park!

I said I'm right here and thought maybe she thought she was lost and she got an attitude with me about how I should watch my child and how she was drowning and she had to save her. So I then replied with "Well if my child could wear a life jacket she wouldn't have been drowning already"

I could tell this was going to be an awful experience so I decided to load the kids up and go ask for a refund which I figured I would get a hassle from being that the sign said no refunds but thought given the circumstance surely they would be understanding. But oh was I wrong! The manager told me she wouldn't give me a refund as the sign states no refunds. I told her then if she wouldn't give me a refund I was going to put the life jacket on my child and go back and get my moneys worth. She then told me she would have me removed from the park if I used a life jacket!

So I then asked her to get me the number to her supervisor and contacted the Killeen Parks and Recreation manager who I told what I encountered and she then personally came down to the water park and issued me a refund and apologized but went on to tell me it was some insurance policy that they had in Texas. I said if that was the case why do I not see this policy at any of the other pools we have been to and why do most water parks encourage life jackets and either rent them out or give them to you free of use?

I told her I was very upset with my experience and would never return and would never recommend them to anyone military as it wasn't friendly to those who have deployed spouses and children on their own. It wasn't friendly to toddlers and I wouldn't recommend it to the playgroup. And most of all it wasn't handicap friendly as my special needs son could not wear his life jacket and what if a child more severe off then him needed one? For all I know he could need one till he was 10yrs old!

So I contacted the news channel and the local paper and I'm hoping they do a story on it and how they are causing a safety hazard by not allowing life jackets!

Father's Day at the Ball Park!

Monday, June 21, 2010 12:16 AM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments



I think my husband had a pretty good Father's Day! I wasn't sure what to get him as the few hobbies he has are things like tinkering with his car but he wouldn't want me to get anything for his car because he's very picky about what goes on his car or in it.. or things related to sports or new clothes. I'm tired of getting him the same stuff all of the time so first I agreed to letting him get a new truck and then he mentioned he wanted some Tap Out license plate covers for his truck and I told him no but snuck out to get them while he was sleeping and gave them to him from me and the kids for Father's Day!


Then we decided last minute to go to a baseball game up in Round Rock and scored some tickets off craigslist for a really good price on the front row!

After the game the kids got to go out on the field and run all the bases so they thought that was really super neat! They also gave each kid a free glove but were out of them when we got there so we got a rain check for later.


Bryan tried to catch a ball when it came our way over the rail and almost fell on the field and didn't manage to catch it and is hurting bad for nothing lol Poor guy!

But all in all I think he had a wonderful Father's Day!

Starting The Day Off With Smiley Face Pancakes!

Thursday, June 17, 2010 8:53 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments





The best way to start the day off is with smiley face pancakes from Ihop! I still like to get those smiley face pancakes though I didn't get one today but I should have! They are so yummy! Who says I can't still be a kid?





This morning our playgroup met at Ihop to have breakfast for something different. It was a lot of fun but probably more fun for us parents!
We took the kids over to the pool to play after they were so good at breakfast this morning and it was nice and cool since it was still so early!




I got out my new sewing machine today and put it together and worked on it for the first time. I had a little problems threading the bobbin at first because I had never seen one go there before but I finally got it after a few tries and now I'm good to go! I love my new sewing machine! It's so cute and trendy!
I made a little pillow case dress with bee's on it to practice using it for the first time. I have a few orders to work on this next week when my fabric order comes in for some Independance Day Dresses and one with pink skulls! So I wanted to get some practice in first before doing those on a new machine. Going to be a busy week!

I made Peyton a cute little 4th of July Tutu Set yesterday for fun! She loved that and looked so cute!




I also got my hair cut off yesterday! I decided it was just to hot and I couldn't take it anymore and needed a "pick me up" and some new life to it! So I cut it all off! It's short and stacked in the back and longer in the front! I love it! I've had this hair cut before and loved it so I knew it wouldn't be something I'd regret but I can't believe I did it after growing it out for so long! Just easier to manage with 4 kids right now too!



We had a yummy casserole for dinner tonight that I hadn't made before and was a big hit. I changed a few things to it. I'm going to post it how I did it because it turned out awesome.


Beef and Bean Casserole

1lb ground beef
2 cups crushed tortilla chips
refried beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can diced olives
2 cups lettuce
Motzorella cheese

Brown beef in skillet and drain. Add refried beans to beef and heat.

Crush 2 cups of tortilla chips and add to an ungreased casserole pan.

Add beef mixture. Top with diced tomatoes, olives, lettuce and sprinkle with motzerella cheese.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Back to Texas

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 8:40 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments



Wow it's been to long since I've last blogged! I've had a lot going on. First we had some problems with the dr back in Oklahoma who pulled me off of my heart medication as he felt that it was best and that I didn't need it. I didn't feel comfortable with this at all and sure enough after two missed doses I was in the hospital and the dr in the ER was very upset I was pulled off it and told me to follow up with my dr and show him the report and that I should remain on it.
I found out I should be on the EFMP program (exceptional family member) through the military and went back to get the paper work filled out and show my dr the reports and the dr said he wouldn't refill my heart medication as he didn't feel I needed to be on it and wouldn't put anything on my EFMP paper work for it because he felt it was "all in my head" real nice dr! So I filed a complaint!
Then we found out there's a chance my husband might be placed on Rear D so that he won't deploy until things are stabalized with me. So between finding out that, the stuff going on with the dr and finding out there wasn't a surgeon back home till at least fall since the fill in surgeon didn't get her orders approved then we decide dit was best for me to come back home when he came home from training and switch to tricare standard where we pay a small co pay but don't have to wait on approvals or referals which was the big hold up the last two years in Texas. So we did just that and I came back to Texas June 4th and switched my to tricare standard. By the time they recieved the paper work and everything it went into effect last Thursday and a few days later I had my appointment booked with the surgeon! Wow if only we had known it was going to be that easy we would've just done that two years ago! What a mess!
So I will have my consult with the surgeon on the 25th and hopefully surgery not to long after and hopefully we hear for soon on my husband.
The good thing is I've been feeling a lot better the last few weeks and actually gotten out every day since being back and been able to manage my attacks a little better.

We've been spending a lot of time at the pool and going almost every day there too. Yesterday we had a playdate at one on post that I've never gotten around to checking out.. kinda sad after living here 3yrs but we always frequent the same two pools. One being in our village. But this one is really neat and has a cute frog slide! The kids really enjoyed it!

Pillow Case Dresses

Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:44 PM Posted by The Cookie Cutter Diva 0 comments



Awhile back I started to learn how to sew but I had some problems arise with the machine and learning the things I wanted. A good friend of mine Kelly had sat down with me to show me how to do a basic stitch but the biggest problem was Brooklyn was only a few months old and a very very needy baby which was not a good combination!
I had to give up a few things such as making hair bows again. I had taken that back on hoping to make bows for her but as anyone knows, it's hard to do something with a very needy baby.



I've had the itch lately and really really wanted to learn how to do some things for the girls again. A few friends had mentioned interest in pillow case dresses as well.





I've been nagging my mom for some time to show me how to make them and let me get on her sewing machine and finally she did! You know the mother daughter bonding moment you all wait for .. but of course my mom didn't see it that way. She thought it'd be a mess trying to teach me and I'd be to stubborn or she wouldn't be a good teacher lol



Finally she made some templates for me and sat down and showed me how to make one! It was really simple and after seeing just how simple it was I'm mad at myself for not learning sooner!




So I made my youngest daughter Peyton a pink John Deer Pillow Case dress today with a matching hair clippy! I can't wait to play around more and make my oldest daughter something!