Airplane

The cool weather makes it impossible for us to stay inside, so last night we had a little quality time as a family in the backyard.

Pax thought sitting in the grass was pretty great...

... until we brought out the camera.

And Samson didn't make things any easier...

However, the fussing was eased with an "airplane" ride.

This is one of his new favorites and a sure way to get some smiles and giggles...

... and you can count on that little mouth staying open the entire time. :)

We'll do whatever we can to see that sweet smile.

Going Green

To say I'm enjoying life as a stay-at-home mom might be an understatement.

Spending every day with this little guy brings a certain joy to my heart that I've never known.

Since I've been on a kick of trying new things, I decided to share our newest adventure...

Yep, the Mitchels are going green with cloth diapers.

After being SUPER blessed by nearly 6 months of Pampers given to us at a diaper shower, we decided to make the switch. It took me a while to decide if I wanted to do it, but the money saving factor won me over. I had so many hesitations and questions- particularly on dealing with the mess and washing them... but after 4 full days and several washings, I can honestly say it's much easier than I thought it would be.

{and seeing Pax in cute, colorful diapers is an added bonus}

Meal of the Week #4

This week's recipe is another from an old KRAFT Foods magazine. We really loved it! It's called Creamy Chicken & Pasta Bake and can be found here.

Note: I recommend NOT using Fat Free Cream Cheese- it needs the real deal {or 1/3 less fat}.

Halloween Costume Idea

I know we're a few months away, but I'm pretty excited about my character idea for Pax...

His {lack of} hair makes it perfect.

Can't wait!

2 New Recipes

Last week I actually tried TWO new recipes!

The FIRST was from my mom. She found an amazing sauce for Lettuce Wraps at HEB. They're not PF Changs, but we loved them!

The sauce is LEE KUM KEE by Panda Brand {located with the Asian foods}.

These are the ingredients:

chopped green onion

chopped carrots

chopped water chestnuts

roasted peanuts

1 head of lettuce

Lettuce Wrap sauce

ground chicken

{raw ground chicken grosses me out so it didn't make the cut for the picture}

The cooking instructions can be found on the back of the package.

*This would also be great over a bed of white rice.*

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The SECOND recipe I tried is courtesy of my friend, Melissa. It's called Smothered Green Chile Pepper Chicken and can be found here. This is probably one of my new favorite chicken recipes. We had this with wild rice and salad, but I think it'd be awesome with spanish rice.

{photo taken from the site}

Crafty

My cousin's birthday was last Friday and she, along with her fam, came into town to spend Labor Day weekend with us. My gifts to her are usually something along the lines of jewelry or gift cards, but this year I decided to throw her for a loop by making something that she could use as decor for her classroom.

I got this idea from one of the Jones Design Company tutorials. It's pretty reasonable, cost-wise, and will be even less expensive if I do it again because I now have the supplies. There are different variations that I'm interested in trying... particularly her shabby chic white bouquet in the frame.

I bought the little $8 plant {already in the cute pot} at Home Depot, and asked my cousin if she wanted "bright colors" or "Starbucksy (muted) colors." She chose bright to match her classroom decor. I found the assortment of bright buttons at Michaels, as well as the 20 gauge floral wire.

It turned out super cute, if I do say so myself...

(FYI- these would be really fast and easy teacher presents if you find yourself stumped at Christmas or Valentine's Day).

She loved it! :)

New Recipe of the Week

This week a snagged my recipe from an old KRAFT Foods magazine (thanks to Sara White for telling me about those 4 years ago). It looked pretty tasty, and my favorite part was that it was fast and easy! I forgot to take my own pictures, so I borrowed the official photo from their website. :) All KRAFT recipes include at least one of their own products, but I think the next time we do this, I may opt for a different BBQ sauce.

BBQ Cheddar Chicken Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

1 each large green and red pepper, cut into strips

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1/3 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce

4 whole wheat tortillas (8 inch), warmed

1 cup Shredded Cheese
How to:

COOK and stir vegetables in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 3 min. Add chicken; cook and stir 3 to 4 min. or until no longer pink.

STIR in barbecue sauce; cook on medium heat 3 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally.

SPOON down centers of tortillas; top with cheese. Roll up. Cut diagonally in half to serve.