Breakfast Cookies

Since mentioning breakfast cookies in a previous post, I have had several requests for the recipe.  I will share it, but I must say I feel like I am telling some great family secret.  We grew up on these things.  They are addictive, and I would like to think, healthy at the same time. They are super easy, all you need is:

1 cup honey

1 1/2 cups peanut butter

3 cups powdered milk

1 1/2 cups corn flakes (crushed)

and 3/4 tsp cinnamon.  

Mix the honey, peanut butter, corn flakes, and cinnamon in a big bowl (BIG bowl!).  Mix in crushed corn flakes.  I usually mix in the corn flakes by hand because the dough is so thick.  Split the dough into three equal balls and roll into logs.  I typically roll them into logs inside wax paper, which I also store them in.  Pop them in the fridge, and cut of a cookie or two at breakfast, or whenever you happen open the fridge and see them (like me)!

Carnival

 It's Jackson County Fair time and we took Lilly to the carnival to ride a few rides. This kid is fearless!  She thought riding a lion was great and growled at him several times.  She also told him, "Faster lion faster!"

 She went for a spin on the boats with her friend Lorna.  I thought they looked a tad fast for her, but she loved it!

 Her last ride was a dragon ride that swung back and forth.  I thought she was too small for it but a kid even smaller that her was on it while we waited in line, and he didn't move or slide in the seat so we decided to give it a go.

 She waited to patiently for the ride to start.

 They put another little bitty guy in the seat next to her.  The two of them were so excited!

 Our last stop was the sheep pens to visit our neighbors' sheep.  I think we have a future 4H'er on our hands. 

Mommy! Daddy Caught a Frog!

Not really what I had in mind either!

Little Picasso

 When Lilly got up this morning she proudly announced that she was not going to the pool today.  My first thought was "What in the world are we going to do all afternoon?"  Well it all worked out.  We made a batch of breakfast cookies (my fav!) and I did a little web searching while Lilly played with her blocks.  I came across a really fun, and easy version of finger painting on Jaime's blog and thought I would give it a try.  All is involves is a little shaving cream and food coloring.

 Lilly wasn't to sure at first.  Think she may not like the texture much more than I do.

 She started out with a paintbrush, but that was just not enough.

 She quickly decided two hands all over the wall was much more fun.

 When she was done I asked her what it was.  She pointed out her "new house," her kitty, and daddy's truck.  You can see it too right?

What a Week

I have no new pictures to add but not because we haven't been doing anything.  John is in full harvest mode and Lilly and I just finished a full week of Vacation Bible School at church.  Lilly wasn't technically old enough to attend but since I was one of two teachers in charge of the three -year-old group, I took her along.  Ashley, the other teacher, took her two-year-old Zoe, who I have blogged about before (like here).  The two of them fit right in with the three-year-olds, and probably did a little better than some. 

I was planning to start potty training today, but Lilly woke up a good hour earlier than normal, is horribly crabby, and we have no groceries.  I just don't think I can fit a grocery run into day one of potty training.  At this point, food is more important than diapers. Think I will hold off till Monday to potty train.

Grandma Camp

 Lilly went to Grandma Camp this week with her Grandma Stous.  It was Lilly and Olivia (on the left) and Zoe (on the right) along with their Holton Grandma's.  All three girls were born within a couple months of each other and we have pretty much forced them to play together!  It helps that Olivia's mommy, Zoe's mommy, and I have a lot in common and spend time together on a regular basis.

 They had story time, how cute are they!?

 They also made cookies, while wearing their new aprons from Olivia's Grandma Carolyn. 

 Lilly chattered about the other girls all afternoon.  They are all getting to that point where they play with other kids and not just along side them.  I have a feeling these kiddos are going to be buddies for a long time to come!

Someone Found Mommy's "Bandaids"

Lilly Fish

We took advantage of the beautiful ridiculously hot weather and made a trip to the Shawnee North Aquatic Center in Topeka. Luckily we went on Sunday and John was able to go with us.  I think he was a little shocked by how well behaved Lilly was compared to the other kids and how much she loves the water.  Kindly ignore the horrible tan lines on farmer boy. I think we put more sunscreen on his feet than we did on Lilly!

 This kid seriously has no fears when it comes to water and slides, two of her favorite things!

We played and played on the little slide in the baby pool and ventured to the family slides as well.  I apparently didn't take any pictures of that one.  We floated the lazy river and soaked up the sun.  Lilly loved going under the waterfalls.  It was a great day made even better when Lilly's friends Olivia, Hayden, and Brody showed up with their families.  This is one pool we will definitely being going to again!

The day after

We were all quite tired this morning after the holiday weekend.  Lilly actually slept until 9:45, when I finally went in and woke her up.  We had a great morning of cleaning and playing and then went to the pool for a picnic lunch and swimming.  Typically, when Lilly wakes up from her nap I let her watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while she eats a snack and wakes up.  She usually sits in her pink chair.  Today I looked up and found this.....

 No clue what she was thinking or why she thought she needed to sit on the coffee table. 

 I didn't argue because I was in the kitchen making these....  John was going to be home at a decent time and I thought it was a great night to grill! 

4th of July

We started off our holiday by celebrating Leighton's first birthday in Netawaka with John's brother's family.  After a long nap John and Lilly took to the driveway for some firework fun.  John bought a bunch of the little poppers and Lilly caught on quickly.

 There is something so cute about a little girl playing with her daddy. She even told me that she was a farmer because she was wearing overalls!  So precious!

She actually figured out that she could stomp on the poppers if they didn't go off the first time.

 She found a front row seat for the entertainment in the street, aka John lighting smoke bombs and black cats. 

 She enjoyed it for the most part, except for the really loud ones.  She covered her ears and said, "scared," several times throughout the night.

 One of our wonderful new neighbors brought over sparklers just for Lilly.

 Lilly lasted until 10:30 and then turned to her grandma and told her good-bye.  This was a pretty good sign that she was ready for bed.  We started to read books and she told me, "No books, mamma, time for crib."  I asked her if she wanted to sing and she said no.  Poor little kiddo was all tuckered out!

Birthday Take 2

We celebrated Lilly's birthday with my side of the family over the long weekend.  I thought it would just be my parents and Abby, Adam, and Avery, but Hanna made a surprise appearance and Aunt Karen and Papa Dot joined us on Saturday.   Lilly was thrilled to see everyone. 

Lilly was so excited about her new bath toys, especially since she has her very own new bath tub at the new house. 

 We tried to hard to get a good picture of Lilly and Avery.  This was the best we got.

 I recreated the ladybug cake for her party.  It was as good as the first! She was so ready to blow out the candles but somehow we held her off till the end of the song.

All in all it was a great couple of days.  We were well fed as always, the kids were exhausted (so were John and I), Lilly and Avery played very well together, and we had exciting news from my family.