Loving Piano

Gabby started taking piano lessons at the beginning of the school year with a wonderful family friend. From the beginning she loved to practice she would play for anyone she could. I believe she has even been able to memorize the songs she has been given each week. Gabby has definitely amazed me in her ability to play thus far. She astounded me even further this weekend after her brothers soccer game when she played "Twinkle Twinkle" on a set of chimes on the playground. So, of course being the proud mama I am I to take video to share!

Thanks, Pam for being such a wonderful teacher! Gabby looks forward to piano lessons each week!!!

Proud Mama

Today was one of those moments I was so proud and astounded by my daughter it is hard to put into words. When we decided to have a garage sale a few weeks ago, Gabby decided she was going to have a bake sale/ lemonade stand.

This past week after I picked the kids up from church school Gabby started to tell me about how they were trying to raise money to buy mosquito nets, because some people get really sick from mosquitos. I was very impressed that she remembered this and that she showed interest in helping someone else out. I talked her into donating a portion of her profits to ELCA Malaria fund, and again much to my surprise she wanted to donate all of the money she made. So, According to her $20 will buy 20 nets. Now I am not sure if that is really how much they cost, but none the less she is very proud of the money she raised for nets and heath education!

Frozen White Chocolate Hot Chocolate

I know it is an oxymoron of sorts... but trust me this summer time treat is delish and will have you thinking of the colder days of winter! I found this recipe from dineanddish.net while I browsed the resent pins on my Pinterest account.

Recipe: Frozen White Chocolate Hot Chocolate (Adapted from Epicurious)

• 6 half-ounce pieces of high quality white chocolate
• 2 Tbs half and half
• 1 envelope store bought hot chocolate mix
• 1  tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 cups ice
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

Place the white chocolate pieces and the half and half into a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 1 minutes, stopping to stir half way through. Continue to heat until melted and smooth.  Add the cocoa and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 cup of the milk and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

In a blender place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture, and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a cup and top with homemade whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

*I was lazy and didn't want to search for a white chocolate bar, so I just used some white chocolate chips I had in the cupboard!

*Also, this recipe was enough for all 5 of us to have some, not a lot but probably about 1/2 - 1 cup.

They were obviously tasty... we had a few moments of complete silence! Except for Gabrielle begging me to take her pic, because I "NEVER" use pics of her on the blog.

Happy Birthday!

It was a crazy busy weekend, so I unfortunately forgot to post this on Saturday.

Happy 8th Birthday to my baby girl!!!

It feels like this picture was just yesterday, yet it has been 8 years. Where has the time gone. It has been fun to watch you grow into a wonderful gal who enjoys art, music, and occasionally annoying your brothers.

I'm not as good as my mom at decorating a cake, but I think the oreo middle made up for it!

If you couldn't tell, we had to have a Justin Bieber party... she was very happy to get the movie in blu-ray! Bieber in high def... go ahead be jealous!!

In the morning I made the b-day girl a special breakfast of cake batter pancakes (recipe to come later!)