Happy New Year 2014!

Happy New Year!! As always, I’m a little sad to say good bye to the the last one. It’s been filled with so many happy memories and fun times. A new year means another year of the girls getting older and it just kinda makes me sad, but I welcome the new year and all of it’s new adventures with open arms. I will try hard to keep in mind that time goes by too quickly and to try to enjoy especially the little moments with my sweet hubby and girls, knowing that this age will never happen again. I’ll try hard to keep life in perspective – that even when things get crazy or out-of-hand, that life is still good and I have so much to be grateful for.

What better way to start the new year than by putting together this monstrosity left over from Christmas? We’ve been on the go so much that this is the first chance we’ve gotten to tackle this beast. Good thing we have family visiting to help – thanks Dad!

While these guys were working on this, I thought I’d give my new Belgian waffle maker another try. My first attempt wasn’t very successful, but I’m happy to report the second one was! Check out my post for the recipe: Belgian Waffles.

  Little Sis topped hers with some eggs. Just love how she eats with such vigor!

Our day was spent calling family afar, taking it easy and hanging out, for the most part. Grandpa and Grandma wanted to take us out for dinner so we planned on a late breakfast at lunch and an early dinner. But in between, we were sure to get the munchies, so I set out this nibble tray of healthy goodies to tide us over until dinner. Got this great idea from one of my favorite feeding kids healthy blogs: Doctor Yum Just LOVED these ideas! No treats on this plate, though, as I let the girls split a Hershey’s Bar just beforehand.  

On this tray:

1. Sugar Snap Peas
2. Baby Carrots
3. Sabra Hummus
4. Stacy’s Whole Grain Pita Chips
5. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
6. Fuji Apples

I was watching my nibble tray much like I do our bird feeders and this is what I spied. I decided to spare the adults from the paparazzi.

The girls then dashed outside to play with the neighbors. As it turns out, 4 other neighbor friends got the exact same Christmas gift that the girls did from their very awesome Auntie Cat and Uncle Brian – Nerf Bow and Arrow sets. Another neighbor put one order. haha! Needless to say, there was an onslaught of Nerf “bows” filling the sky. haha! Meanwhile, Sweetie and Dad decided to be a bit more productive and here’s what they were up to – the long overdue raking up leaves. Looks great! Thanks guys!!

And finally, here’s the joint effort put forward by Sweetie, Grandpa and myself. Grandma put her time towards building some of the room kits. Thanks to my parents (Homi and Hobi) for the girls’ sweet gifts and thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for you help it putting it all together! I actually really enjoyed doing it, as did Sweetie.

Finally, we headed out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s for a fairly healthy dinner – thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

 The girls had fun trying to teach us how to do “cups”, but Big Sis was having a hard time teaching Daddy because his hands weren’t floppy enough. Then there were giggles abound when Daddy tried to teach the girls HIS version.

Afterwards, we headed back home for dessert and football (and blogging for me). And of course with school back in session tomorrow (how cruel – lol), here’s my sad attempt at an New Year’s lunch. Glad it at least came home emptied!

In this lunch:

1. Salami and Provolone Cheese pocket sandwiches using my handy dandy new cutter from Pampered Chef
2. Sliced carrots with ranch dressing
3. Cantaloupe
4. Mini cupcake left over and frozen from school Christmas treats

With the girls finally asleep and lunches made for tomorrow, it’s time to hit the hay as barely sneak this post in. A pretty great way to start the new year, if you ask me!

Happy New Year! Hoping you all the best in 2014!!

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Christine, aka happyvballgirl : )

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