last swimming lesson

Addi's two weeks of swimming lessons came to an end last week.  She ended up really enjoying them but I think she liked the Addi-Daddy time best!  Halle and I tagged along for the last lesson so big sister could show off her new skills.

Her teacher gave her a certificate and class picture before class started.

I asked her to show me and this is what I got.  Thanks.

Hasn't quite mastered laying on her back.  Looks more like synchronized swimming to me with those legs flailing in the air!

Already bossing the teachers around.  Great.

Jumping in!

Guess who was at the pool?  The OU Football team!  They were pretty rowdy! 

When the football team got kicked off the diving boards so the little kids could practice, instead of leaving, they all sat around the edge and clapped for the little kids.  It was so cool of them!  They clapped and cheered them on! 

Here's sweet Halle cheering on

Addi's turn!! 

Waiting for her second turn, she started dancing to the music that was blaring.  It was hysterical because she didn't realize anyone was watching! 

Back over to the big pool after the diving board... 

I'd say by the look on her face that she had fun!  So thankful swimming lessons went well this year! 

This girl LOVES her Addi-Daddy time! 

pbj bars

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Ingredients

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups (18 ounces) creamy peanut butter (recommended: Skippy)
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) raspberry jam or other jam
2/3 cups salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line it with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pan.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light yellow, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and mix until all ingredients are combined.

In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined.

Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife or offset spatula. Spread the jam evenly over the dough. Drop small globs of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. Don't worry if all the jam isn't covered; it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.

Look at all this gooey yumminess!!!



halle's birth announcement & birthday party invitations

2011

spaghetti groupies

Liz and I loaded up the "big ga's" to go see Spaghetti Eddie at Uptown Kids in Oklahoma City.  They were SOOOOO excited!  They think they're his number one fans!  Here are the groupies in the Starbucks parking lot before the concert (the mamas needed a little go-juice before we could be around all the wild kids!)  Addi thought it was the coolest thing ever that Olivia was riding next to her in my car!  She just couldn't get over it!

We first saw Spaghetti Eddie at a birthday party last spring (posted about it HERE). 

What a hoot he is!

Once we got to Uptown, the girls were a little nervous and clingy.  I don't think they knew what to do around all of the other groupies!

O singing kitty cat town...meow!

Claping to the beat...or something. 

Dancing! 

Taking a little break 

Brenden Parker...aka Spaghetti Eddie! 

This little girl cracked us up!  She brought her own microphone to the concert! 

EVERY SINGLE TIME we take pics of A and O together, we end up with one like this where they both look completely hysterical!  Maybe someday I'll do a post of all the sillies we have of them.  Maybe.

Hey O look at my mamma.  She wants to take your picture. 

Pick it up!

During the "Pick it up!" song, they threw stuffed blocks all over the place and the kids would scramble to pick them up and return them to the bucket...then they'd throw them again.  They had a blast! 

Yay for such a fun concert and spending time with our big ga's!  Liz and I heart them SOOOOO much!  We're their number one fans!