A Little Bit of Extra Security

This past week as I was replacing the decoration on our front door, I realized we had some extra protection.

Ninja Barbie!

She was waiting just above our front door for any intruders who might try to make some trouble in our home! I am personally glad I did not cross her, she can do some serious damage. Have you seen how fit Barbie is?! I just pretended I didn't see her and walked away slowly. When I checked again later, she was gone. I'm pretty sure she's still in our house somewhere. Only she knows where now! All you burglars out there, we are protected so stay away!

Disclaimer: No Barbies were injured in the making of this blog post. All necessary precautions were taken for the safety of Barbie and all others involved.

Smiles

If you need a smile today look no farther than this post! I personally need to be reminded daily of all the good things I have in my life.

 

Pants is so excited that she earns her own money! She had to have me take a picture of her, with her money made into a smiley face!

 

 

We had a Valentine's Day party last week. I set up a little photo area for fun pictures! I actually took pictures of my girls the night before the party. It was pajama night at AWANA!

 

 

I got one of them the day of the party too! I just love them in their pajamas though.

 

 

Pants's newest pose!

 

 

I hope your Valentine's Day was extra sweet and smiley!

 

Smiles,

Nikki!

 



Devour a Tween Book!

I decided to do a rewrite on this post. I was a bit too quick with the first one and decided that this angle would be a bit more fun!

For Breakfast might I recommend a good helping of Katie Kazoo by Nancy Krulik. These books are a fabulous way to start your day! Every book gives you a chance to see life through another person's view. In the first book of the series Katie wishes she could be anyone but herself. She gets her wish and, as the series continues with the help of the magic wind she transforms into a colorful mix of other people. 

  Instead of a cup of coffee or tea I suggest you pour yourself a cup of The Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne. The adventures you find inside will give you a wonderful pick-me-up! Jack and Annie travel to many different places in search of exotic items. You will find yourself rescuing Pandas in China or riding on the back of a Unicorn to name just a few!

 

For Lunch you might want to take a bite out of The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson. These stories are all about Behind-the-Scenes Disney. Five kids along with some other helpers are chosen to guard the Disney Kingdom from the Overtakers. The Overtakers are Disney Villains who basically want to take over the World. The Kingdom Keepers job is to keep the magical balance between good and evil.

For Dinner I offer you a mouth watering Trilogy called The Wednesday Tales by Jon Berkeley. This is a story of a boy named Miles who befriends a Song Angel named Little. In the first book the two friends work together to rescue Little's friend Silverpoint. In the second book they are trying to find a Tiger Egg. In the third book they have to figure out how to use the Tiger Egg to save Miles's Dad. You will definitely want all three helping of this satisfying tale!

 

 If you have a sweet tooth a great Dessert is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. This dessert may look too big, but it is a light and tasty treat! There are 284 illustrations in this book and the pictures are essential to the story. This book is all about a boy who makes a fabulous discovery and finds himself a new family in the unfolding of his adventures. 

Any of these books would also make a great read-a-loud. I love sharing in the fun as my girls discover delicious new books to read!

Please feel free to share any books your tween likes to read!



The Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie

This past Christmas I asked my super-great friend Pammy what kind of cookies I could bake special for her. Cookies=Love! She picked the peanut butter blossom cookie. She actually said anything chocolate, but this was the first name of a cookie out of her mouth. (Later into her mouth!)

 

This cookie brought back many memories for me. I haven't made them in quite a while. They were my ultimate favorite growing up! My Mom made them and I ate them. First, I would bite off the point of the Kiss. Second, I would nibble the cookie part that extended around the Kiss. Last I would pop the rest into my mouth in one BIG bite. Yummy! I still eat them that way too.

 



 

This year Pie Pie got to help with the cookies. She got to unwrap the Kisses, (and eat some) roll the dough into balls and into the sugar. When the come out of the oven it's time to put in the Kiss. I love putting the Kisses into the warm cookie and making them melt a little, but not too much. 

 

Pants, Pie Pie, Daddy and me loved eating theses special treats.

Thanks to Pam for the suggestion to make them!