Day 191 | Say It Isn't So
/Day 190 | The Mall
/Day 189 | A Little Conflicted
/It just seems to be cheating the fall to start listening to Christmas music too early. Chris's tradition? Starting to listen to it after the first snow. Luckily, since moving to the District, the first snow doesn't typically come before Thanksgiving so it hasn't caused too many conflicts in our marriage.
This year, I'm torn, though. I want to give Chase a fighting chance at learning some of the holiday classics. I just don't know how realistic that is in only four weeks. I'll continue some heavy contemplation and keep you posted about my final decision. Motherhood is full of reconsidering things you've always known, right?
Note: Please don't judge me on my holiday music collection pictured above. These were the only hard copies I could find. Plus, it's not part of the holiday spirit to judge!
Day 188 | Feeling Sporty
/Day 187 | It All Comes to an End
/Day 186 | Playseum
/I've been thinking about my review of this place and I'm still torn as I write. It's a great indoor activity with lots (and lots!) to offer little ones Chase's age. And Chase had a total blast. That's all great but it's pretty expensive (except I got a two for one deal online) and it's in need of some TLC: none of the baby toys worked (batteries, maybe?), the train tracks were practically unusable with only a few actual trains, and items in the grocery store had definitely seen better days. I guess that's par for the course when you're dealing with a ton of little ones wreaking havoc every day, but all this will give me something to think about before heading back.
Day 185 | A Perfect Day
/Day 184 | Pumpkin Bars
/
Just because Halloween has come and gone, it doesn't mean we have to stop eating delicious pumpkin treats, right?
We headed to a friends' house for dinner tonight and pumpkin bars were the perfect house warming gift. These are one of Chris's favorite desserts and are slowly making their way up to the top of Chase's list as well. Everyone got involved in the baking...even Chase and Grandma Mary. It's nice to have so much help.
You'll find the recipe below (and no, I didn't remove the sugar with these). A special thanks to my Aunt Karen for making these a special treat throughout my childhood. They are pretty amazing, but don't take my word for it...
Pumpkin Bars
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin (one small can)
3/4 cup melted butter
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup nuts (optional)
Frosting:
6 Tbsp butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
3 ounces cream cheese
Directions
Beat eggs lightly with a fork and add the sugar, butter, and pumpkin. Mix well. Add dry ingredients to this mixture.
Pour into greased jelly roll pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Beat the frosting ingredients until smooth and put on cooled bars.