My kids are obsessed with cookie dough. I think that just comes with the territory of being a kid. While I love making chocolate chip cookies with them, I’ve found something healthier and much easier to help curb their sweet tooth.

Introducing a simple 5 ingredient cookie dough bite recipe! Super simple, and super delicious!

  • 1/2 cup flax seeds
  • 1 cup oatmeal
  • 1 cup semi-sweet morsels
  • 3/4 cup all natural peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Mix all ingredients together. Roll them into bite sized balls. Refrigerate. Enjoy!

Kid tested, mom approved!

Simple 5 Ingredient Cookie Dough Bites

Simple 5 Ingredient Cookie Dough Bites

Simple 5 Ingredient Cookie Dough Bites

Fun for the whole family.

Simple 5 Ingredient Cookie Dough Bites

Easy for the kids to make too.

Simple 5 Ingredient Cookie Dough Bites

Kid tested, mom approved.

My dearest Eden,

Today you are 4 years old. You are everything I could have ever wanted in a little girl and so much more.

The other evening you asked me something that stopped me in my tracks. You said, “Mommy, when I grow up can we hang out?” I replied, “Of course! We already do.” You responded, “Yeah, but when I grow up, what will you call me?” I didn’t understand where you were going with this, so I simply said, “Eden. I will call you Eden.” You said, “No! I want you to call me your best friend.”

And I melted.

Eden, you have grown up so much this year. You faced new adventures and tackled them all with enthusiasm and grace. This year you started weekly swim lessons which you still look forward to. You also took a full year of ballet/tap, and even though you were the tiniest dancer you were so focused on your instructor. You are determined to star in the Nutcracker one day. You also started preschool this year. You never cried one time, I can’t even say the same for your older brother! You looked forward to school and were sad when it ended for the summer.

Eden, you have the most fiery spirit. You dance to the beat of your own drum and you don’t care who knows. You will not be a follower. I can already tell that at the young age of 4. You were born to be a leader, yet you will still look to your older brother for direction.

You are my middle child and my only girl and I simply adore you. I love you to your core. Your sassy attitude, your wit, and your free spirit. You love to sing, you love to color, you love to act out movie scenes. Eden, you are a performer through and through.

You love to spend time with me in the kitchen helping me cook. You also like to hang out in the bathroom while I get ready. You are always grabbing a pen and paper to sit next to me in my office while I work. You tell me I’m pretty and smell nice. You love to whisper, “Mommy, it’s just the girls now.” I’m your girl and you’re mine and that will never change.

Eden, I wish I could stop time. I wish I could sneak into your bedroom and sleep next to you every night. You sleep so peacefully. I wish I could take you on a vacation, just me and you. I don’t even care where we go, I just love spending time with you.

I’m sorry you have to share my attention with your brothers. Your brothers are so wonderful to you. I wished more than anything growing up I had siblings, I hope you always look at them as blessings.

Eden, today you turn 4 years old and while you are growing up so fast, you are also still so little. May you always be little and brave. May you always be kind. May you always be fiery. May you always be unafraid to speak your mind. May you always laugh. May you always whisper “it’s just the girls now.” And may you always feel the fierce love of your mommy.

Love always,

Mama

Happy Birthday, Eden

Today you are 4!!!!

Happy Birthday, Eden

Ballerina cake for the birthday girl.

Happy Birthday, Eden

You love to fish, but you don’t take the fish off the hook.

You are a tiny dancer.

You are a tiny dancer.

Happy Birthday, Eden

You love Disney World!

Happy Birthday, Eden

Little cowgirl.

Happy Birthday, Eden

You are a star!

You don’t have to work 3 jobs, but you do it for us.

You don’t have to take our son to the driving range, but you do it for him.

You don’t have to take our daughter on picnic dates in the park, but you do it for her.

You don’t have to lay in bed with our baby until he falls asleep, but you do it for our baby.

You don’t have to help with the kids while I cook, but you do it for me.

You don’t have to take our older son to run errands when it would be easier to do it alone, but you do it for you him.

You don’t have to clean the kitchen after dinner, but you do it for me.

You don’t have to leave work early for our daughter’s ballet, but you do it for her.

 

You don’t have to do your own laundry, but you do it for me.

You don’t have to sleep with our kids when they scream at night, but you do it for them.

You don’t have to watch the children while I go out with friends, but you do it for me.

You don’t have to be the most selfless human I’ll ever know, but you do it for us.

I don’t have to write these words, but I do it for you.

I know when I share this with you, you will shy away from this post because you don’t like the attention, but I don’t care. I want you to know we see what you are doing for us, and we appreciate you and admire your selflessness. Not just on Father’s Day…but every day of the year. I know I don’t show it. I know when you walk in the door I look like death. I am drained and exhausted to the bone, but I am writing this so you never forget.

You are a hero.

You are appreciated.

You are admired.

You are loved.

You are our everything.

IMG_0354

You are his hero.

IMG_6414

You are her first love.

IMG_0205

You are his protector.

I see you, Monday.

Coming in here like a freaking hurricane. You aren’t welcome, but you just don’t get the hint. You return week after week like a full-blown stage-5 clinger.

When I was working full-time, I hated you even more. I thought for sure you would be more of a welcome sight as a work from home mom, but I was wrong. Boy, how I was wrong.

Monday, I have to admit though I have found a couple of things that help alleviate your pain.

  1. Coffee.
  2. When coffee doesn’t work, jumper cables do the trick.
  3. Make a list the night before. This one is a GAME CHANGER for me. I plan out my Monday on Sunday evening so when daylight breaks I don’t want to die.
  4. This too shall pass. Monday can’t last forever, right?
  5. Coffee.

In the meantime, just know that we all suffer the Monday blues. Monday is not a prejudice day of the week…she’ll hit you like a wrecking ball know matter what. The good news is, the state of mind is a powerful thing. While we can’t control Monday’s weekly return, we can control how attack it.

Cheers to you, Monday warriors…now go bring me some coffee!

An Ode to Monday

Hiding out from Monday with my homegirls like…

 

I recently decided to make a list of ways I de-stress and pamper myself. Sure, I’d love a spa day just like the next person…but that’s just not always a reality. I pulled out a sheet of paper and I wrote at the top: WAYS I TREAT MYSELF and then I set my pen down and walked away.

Truth be told, I don’t really treat myself often. I should. We all should! But the reality is a huge amount of us actually don’t, because we don’t have the time or bandwidth after a long day of work, laundry, cooking and butt wiping. When I’m finished with the day, I kind of want to curl up in a ball or stare at the wall. I kid. But not really. Anyway…

I refuse to make excuses anymore! Here are 7 ways to treat yo-self at home fo FREE!

  1. Take a bath. This is a given and the easiest way I treat myself. Often times I have an audience of three and a husband who wants to sit down and chat *eye-roll*. But sometimes I simply lock them out and enjoy a relaxing bubble bath.
  2. Go for a walk. We go on walks daily, sometimes twice a day. Not only is it great exercise, but it’s also great to get some fresh air and get the kids out of the house.
  3. Listen to a podcast or watch Netflix. Admittedly, I don’t get an opportunity to watch very much television…but I like listening to Podcasts. I’d love to hear what ones are your favorites! I’m currently working on one with one of my best friends. Stay tuned for that shiz…
  4. Reconnect with a friend. Sometimes just reaching out with a simple text to a long-lost friend is a great way to refocus your life. As you catch up with the person it’s helpful to see how great everything in your life really is…. even when it feels as though it isn’t.
  5. Declutter. Dudes, I realize this one isn’t for everyone…but sometimes, when I declutter an area of the home I instantly feel a sense of relief.
  6. Music. If you know me, you know my love for Bob Dylan. Everyone has a favorite artist…. crank up those tunes and get lost in the lyrics.
  7. Write. Or if you don’t enjoy writing, find a creative outlet and own it. Writing is a great way to de-stress your life, hence why you are reading these words.

No matter what strikes you, find a way to pamper yourself. Because, dangit…you freaking deserve it, mama!

Cheers! xx

Treat yo self

Every once in awhile I score a bath without an audience.

Treat yo-self

Pampering yourself while juggling it all isn’t for the birds.