Pow Wow...like WOW!

Last weekend we attended a Native American Pow Wow. It was awesome. We had a great time walking around and looking at the different tents where local artists were selling beautifully beaded jewelry, authentic Native American clothing and even some super groovy Indian "artifacts" (side note...J likes to point out "artifacts" anytime we are on a hike or out and about in nature..."artifacts" can be anything from a cool rock or shell to something that looks like a fossil, she is cool like that). There was super yummy food, we had Indian fry bread tacos....sooo good! There were many performers and dances and it was very entertaining and moving to watch these people celebrate their culture so beautifully. The traditional ceremonial clothing was fantastic, so many details and creativity. It was a great way to spend a sunny afternoon...good times.

Big Daddy and Jordan watching the dancers

we found a shady spot to enjoy our yummy lunch

J with one of the performers

(clickety to see the details of his dress)

Fun stuff right? Big daddy is always finding cool community events for us to go and check out, I love that about him.

Cooking with Jordan! #21 Grandma Lynn's AWESOME Dip

Time for another episode of Cooking with Jordan. You can view earlier episodes by clicking on these links Preview, One Dish Mexican, Grilled Chicken, Cooking(?) with Daddy, Tortellini Soup , Teriyaki Chicken, Buffalo Chicken Bites, Parmesan Chicken Pasta With Broccoli, Garbage Casserole, Cheeseburger Pie, Golden Crusted Chicken Asparagus Lasagna, Baked Rigatoni, Tuna Noodle Casserole, BBQ Beef Crumble, Feel Better Chicken Noodle Soup, Faux Sushi,Chicken Pot Pie on the Fly, Chicken and Dumplings, Egg Nog Pie, BBQ Beef Cups, Beef Pot Pie w/ Corn Bread Crust and Dill Crusted Lime Salmon . The whole point of the cooking lessons for J is to show her some basic easy meals, teach her how to plan a menu, learn how to follow a recipe and help her become more comfortable in the kitchen...this is not anything totally gourmet or culinary school worthy. We hope you enjoy Cooking With Jordan and try these recipes with your kids. They are totally J approved!

Grandma Lynn's AWESOME Dip

1 can black beans 1 can kidney beansrinsed
6-8 roma tomatoes diced
2-3 slightly firm avacados diced
we like to cut it inside the skin then scoop it out
1-2 bunches of cilantro chopped (we like lots)
1 small bag frozen corn (no need to thaw)
1 pack taco seasoning
lime juice...we like to use a whole squeezy thing
garlic salt (of course...you know us)
mix it all up chill and enjoy
YES!! This dip is BEYOND awesome....you are going to LOVE it!!

They're Baaaaack!!! PSF 21

As you may know, Jordan is known around the blogsphere as "The Frog Whisperer" (see the frog poking out of her little purse on the header?). You can watch video of her frog catching process HERE ...your kids will love it. So Jordan has been waiting for Spring so she could go and see her frogs. Sure enough within minutes of poking around their hole under a bush by the pool one came out to say hello.

look at this little guy...

smooches!
now is it just me, or is that frog smiling?

yeah, I thought so...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

It's The Little Things

Today I am grateful. I am grateful for the little things that bring happiness to me and to the people that I love. I am grateful for the things that make me smile and feel loved. It TRULY is the little things that mean so much...

Big Daddy made a smile using ketchup on J's breakfast today.

He is always thinking of ways to let her know he loves her

that their time together in the morning is special to him.

He also leaves her little notes in her lunch, just

a little reminder that he loves her, she treasures these notes.
My friend Alison brought me these beautiful
flowers from her garden on Saturday...

...they are opening and are gorgeous

These little things are also huge reminders that I too can do something small to make someone smile and feel loved. You can too...so, let's do it!

Dancing Queen Take 6

Every few months our church hosts Cotillion for the 12 and 13 yr old boys and girls. The purpose of cotillions are to teach the kids proper dance etiquette and manners. They also usually have a theme for the type of dances they are instructed in and are basically a whole lot of fun. This was Jordan's fourth cotillion you can read about the first few here Dancing Queen and Dancing Queen Take 2, Dancing Queen Take 4 and Dancing Queen Take 5. You can also read about the Middle School dance HERE where she had her first chance to try out some of her moves. Again I got more video than pictures none of my pictures turned out great (the lighting was bad, I need a better camera). J prefers video to pictures anyway "the flash is not so subtle, but video can be all stealthish". I caught some REALLY sweet moments that are sure to make you laugh. None of the videos are very long (I think in total they are not more than 3 min), so take a minute to watch them, you will be glad you did...especially if you know J and her personality...hilarious!

The theme for cotillion this month was Disco..and oh what a riot.

Trying to get a spin down...wait is it called a spin?

GOT it...woo hoo!

So at each cotillion they have a "refreshment dance". All of the girls sit on one side of the room and the boys are encouraged to choose a partner. They select a girl and dance until one of the hosts excuse them to go to the refreshment table. The girls are instructed to get 2 napkins and 2 cookies and the boys get 2 drinks. Then they walk together to sit down and are encouraged to visit.

There is a boy who J knows pretty well from youth activities. His name is Jimmie, he is adorable and they are friends. Well when they announced the boys could select a partner for the refreshment dance Jimmy RAN across the auditorium to get to J first, it was ADORABLE and I totally wish I caught it on video.

"refreshment dance"

Walking to their seats...I know y'all are impressed with my stealth like video skills. I was sitting VERY casually with my camera resting on my knee...I am awesome like that!

The Hustle...kinda.

The ChaCha...kinda. Its either this one or the next that a girl ends up being her partner (that whole more girls than boys thing) half way through and J cracks up dancing with her...pretty funny!

The Convo on the ride home:

J: Did you see Jimmy practically run to ask me to dance?

Me: Yeah I sure did!

J: Do you think he did that because Sammy and I are friends and she wasn't there so he asked me?

Me: No, I think he did that because you are a cute, fun girl and he wanted to dance with you.

J: So, he wanted to get to me before someone else asked me to dance?

Me: Oh, yes...totally. Don't you think?

J: Yes, I do think so.

Me: me too, fun right?

J: (HUGE SMILE) Yeah, it feels good. I gotta call Grandma

Jordan immediately calls and Grandpa answers the phone...

J: Hi Grandpa, well it's official, I am the girl all the boys want to dance with!!!

OH my...all the giggly girly goodness. I love nights like these. I love that she shares them with us. I love Jordan. AND I love that she asks to see the video as soon as we get in the car...so cool!

The day was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!

My dear friend Alison and her darling daughter Cassie came for a visit on Saturday. It was the first time the girls met each other face to face after having been pen pals for a little over a year now. They clicked right away, i wasn't surprised, it was like that when Alison and I first met too!

We decided to picnic at Knights Ferry so Alison and Cassie arrived at our house and after we had a little visit while the girls played a little Tennis Wii we hit the road and the real fun began...

First of all the weather was amazing 85 and blue skies, gorgeous! We found a perfect spot with an amazing view of the covered bridge and the river below it and enjoyed our picnic lunch, that included the most amazing homemade Oatmeal Chocolate chip cookies Alison "whipped up" that morning (uh yea super mom much?!). Then the girls had fun dipping their feet in the river and skipping rocks as the splashed about and bonded over squeals and giggles....
Big Daddy took the girls on an adventure and they followed a trail down to the water and climbed rocks and explored while Alison and I found a shady spot to talk and talk and talk some more. We covered every teenage girl topic and it was great to just visit and laugh. We didn't realize how much time had passed and before long Big Daddy and the girls were back. Here are some great shots of the two cutest 13 yr old girls you will ever meet...
...and here is the one group shot we got from the super fun day with our fabulous friends! We can't wait for the next adventure...thanks for coming to see us Alison and Cassie!

go visit Alison she got some really great pictures...tell her Mamarazzi sent ya!

Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap THREE

Back by popular demand:

Closed....no longer taking RSVPs

Mamarazzi's

Favorite Things Swap!!

My last two swaps were such a HUGE success that I decided that it was time for another! This swap is only open to people in the states (I am sorry, but overseas shipping has been an issue in past swaps).

PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE…it is NEVER a good idea to sign up for ANYTHING without knowing what you are getting in to…

1. By signing up you are committing to do the following:
a. Be able to be in constant communication with Mamarazzi via email (if I send the group an email I need a response within a few days please, it is too stressful wondering if things got lost in cyber space, the key to a successful swap is communication with ME! I am going to be honest…I received negative feedback from 2 people out of the 105 people that participated last time. Those TWO people said they were annoyed by my emails. Most people were thankful for it, knowing it meant they were all being held to the same standard. To me communication IS what makes my swaps a success, so be advised: you WILL be getting email from me, it might be redundant (but never meant to be rude or condescending) and people who do not respond in a timely manner MAY be subject to being dropped and having their partners reassigned from people on my waiting list).
b. Follow my Blog
c.Put together an amazing package filled with YOUR Favorite Things. This should be a package that you yourself would LOVE to receive (just to be clear...you don't fill it with the favorite things you already have you go buy new stuff and send that...like a brand new tube of your favorite mascara, a new copy of your favorite book or movie etc. Everyone clear?).
d. The contents of package should cost no more than $30 but be at least $20 total (not counting shipping).
e. Send package ON Saturday May 23. (IF you need to send sooner please let me know, the purpose for everyone sending at the same time means everyone is receiving around the same time. This makes the most sense for posting and linking up as people receive their packages).

2. RSVP by grabbing the super cute button and posting about the swap on your blog (sidebars do not count, this needs to be an actual post) and THEN come back and link THAT post here to Mr. Linky (you can grab the actual URL by posting then clicking on the title of that post and grabbing the actual new URL from the address bar and pasting that URL in Mr. Linky). This is the ONLY way I am going to accept an RSVP...I need to make sure that everyone is fully committed.

3. COMMENT and Get your RSVP in FAST last time I reached 100 participants in less than 48 hrs...I will STOP TAKING RSVPs at 100 participants and will allow 3 people to join my waiting list.

4. Once you have posted on your blog about Mamarazzi's Favorite Things Swap please send me an email @ never2pink at yahoo dot com with the following information:
a. Real Name and Mailing Address
b. Blog Address (private bloggers will only be matched with other private bloggers)
c. Email Address
d. Food or Product Allergies

*once all RSVPs are received I WILL MATCH YOU UP AND SEND YOU YOUR PARTNERS INFORMATION (around April 23ish)* the SAME person you SEND to is the SAME person your RECEIVE from...no secrets here, just new bloggy friends!

5. Once you receive your package in the mail create a post using pictures on your blog. Be sure to link your partner and Dandelion Wishes (you can just use the button again). I will have a Mr. Linky for everyone to use so we can all hop around the blogsphere checking out every one's loot!

<a href="http://www.ourdandelionwishes.com/2009/04/mamarazzis-favorite-things-swap-three.html"> <center><img src="http://i432.photobucket.com/albums/qq48/aprildurham23/Swap4copy.jpg" /></center></a>

CLOSED NO MORE ROOM!!!
MR. LINKY IS FOR SWAP PARTICIPANTS ONLY…

ONLY RSVP ONCE POST IS MADE ON YOUR BLOG

Perfect? Not so Much...

Big daddy and I were talking and I was blah-blah-blahing on and on about myself and problems I was having and realized how annoying I must have sounded so I jokingly asked, "Do you love me despite all of my problems or because of them?" He replied, "I love that you are not perfect."
and umm he isn't perfect either...but we ARE perfect for each other.

That's good enough for me and apparently it is good enough for him.

We are awesome like that.

So Here's A Question...

How come whenever I to the gym I immediately feel skinnier? I feel skinny as I work out. I feel skinny when I get home. I just feel skinny. I mean seriously, I know I am not ACTUALLY skinnier. But man I know how to brain wash myself. It's like my brain tells the rest of my body, "OH the girl is sporting some pigtails and is fixin' to sweat, let's make her feel great about it!!" I love my brain for that.

check it out...i can wear pigtails now...my hair is finally growing after this catastrophe

I also LOVE Good Mail...and honey, the mailman delivered some goodness...Janna participated in my last swap and sent me the most darling monogrammed goodness for hosting...a super cute apron and notebook. Thank you so much Janna, you are a doll! For those of you wondering when my next swap is going to be...I will be announcing it soon, so keep an eye out for that!
Jordan got Good Mail too! Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Hal sent her the cutest little candy apple clutch purse and a YW values book mark. After Jordan read the card she said, "Grandma always write the best notes, they make me feel loved." (mom it is true, your notes rock!) So thank you Grandpa and Grandma for the fun Good Mail!
We have a lot happening around here. So much stuff that I cannot blog about. Can you please add our little family to your prayers? We are counting our blessings and trying to pay attention to all the good going on in our lives...because as you know, what you pay attention to grows. But we could most def use a few extra prayers as we work our way through some pretty tough stuff. We are so thankful for amazing friends and family.

He is Risen!

Enjoy this beautiful video !

(scroll down for current contest)

Contest Savoring and Positive Emotion

Jordan's YW's group had a great time learning to decorate cakes last night. What does this have to do with Savoring and Positive Emotion? Thanks for asking...

Jordan and her friends learned a new skill, decorating cakes. They also learned about savoring special moments and focusing on the sensations of a positive experience - like the taste of your very favorite snack, or the feel of a warm bath, or the sounds of birds and the wind as you go for a walk. Savoring requires paying close attention with your senses and it requires that you slow down so that you can fully appreciate the experience.

Why is it important?
Our culture values speed over attention and mindfulness. We end up paying more attention to the negative things that happen in a day than to the positive ones. However, positive emotions facilitate resilience. Positive emotions help us think creatively about solutions to problems, lower the effects of stress, and make it easier for us to withstand the tough times. Those who make time to savor report great happiness and less sadness and anxiety.

I am giving away 5 SUPER AWESOME prize packages!

All you need to do to enter is:
1. Go to FishfulThinking.com
2. Click on the Activities for Parents and Kids tab (keeping kids positive)
3. Scroll down to Savoring and Positive Emotion
4. Choose an activity you can do with your family
5. Leave a comment telling me why you chose that activity

For 5 extra entries
Follow me

For 10 extra entries
1. Post about your Savoring and Positive Emotion activity on your blog
(I will be choosing ONE blogger who posts about this activity for an additional special prize)

You do not have to have a blog to enter...you can also email me never2pink at yahoo dot com
OH and...after you enter MY contest go HERE ....you will thank me for this, make sure to tell her Mamarazzi sent ya!

Daddy Daughter Date

Jordan and Big Daddy go on lots of daddy/daughter dates. At least once a week they take off, just the two of them for some quality time. They don't typically take the camera along since I am the family photog. (They did take a camera along once to see what sort of reaction they would get from me about a special place they sometimes go).

One of the places they like to go is McHenry Museum. They like to check it out when the exhibits change. One of their favorite visits was when the cousins were here last summer and they had a Star Wars Exhibit. They haven't ever gone on a tour of the McHenry Mansion but ended up being there on a day that a fantastic tour was happening and even spent a little time hanging out in the beautiful garden there. I am glad they decided to take the camera this time.

I love that Big Daddy sets aside special time for just Jordan. They have an amazingly close relationship and I know these special dates will forever be wonderful memories for both of them.

I use to go on daddy / daughter dates with my daddy...I will always cherish that special time together...so I know this is time well spent.

Randoms 'round Here...

Well my birthday was pretty much awesome. Thanks to everyone for all of the wonderful birthday wishes, y'all rock! It was busy, but fun filled day.

I started feeling sick late Wednesday evening and have pretty much been down since but here are a few randoms from the last couple of days...

I found these darling little hats at the dollar store. I added a big obnoxious flower to them and sent them off to my nieces, Reese and Quincy. We sent good mail to all of the cousins this week. But these hats were too cute not to share...if you have a little girl go get some...total cuteness for a buck (the pic does not do them justice)!
Big Daddy got me a box of chocolate covered strawberries to enjoy on my birthday. They are sooooooo good!! I love strawberries, cover them in chocolate and I love them even more! Mmm

Jordan invited 5 girls over for a Spring Slumber party last night. Since I was not feeling well we rescheduled and just had Emma (J's BFF, she is like family) over. The girls had a great time. Big Daddy got them pizza for dinner and they giggled well in to the night as I slept and left them to entertain themselves. This is the first sleep over ever that I did not paint toes, do hair or lead them in some sort of craft...I felt a little bad about that, but they seemed to find their own fun without my help. I woke up feeling a little better today so I made them waffles (I got a fancy new waffle maker for my birthday) with fresh strawberries, bananas and whipped cream.

I plan on taking it easy for the rest of the weekend. Next week is going to be BUSY!!