A Hockey Mom in the Making

About twice a week these days you can find me at the rink.

Walter is in the middle of his first season of hockey 

and it's been quite the experience. 

It's confusing and chaotic to parents who have never played the sport.

Terms like "dibs" and "jamboree" mean nothing to me.

But we're slowly learning and finding our way, and so is Walt.

When he started this season he could barely skate. 

He looked uncomfortable under all that gear and he fell down so often that he'd come out of practice complaining that his butt hurt. 

I didn't know if he'd want to keep playing.

But now two months later - he's jockeying to be the first player on the ice at every practice. He's gained so much confidence and what is most fun to watch

is how motivated he is to get better. 

He tries so hard out there.

He still falls down, but he's quick to get back up and get after the puck.

He appears to have a strong competitive streak that comes from his father.

Adam and I had to quit playing Scrabble years ago 

or we would have gotten divorced - but that's another story.

Today, I'll head to the rink for the third time this weekend 

and I'll tell you what, I'll be genuinely happy to be there. 

I love watching Walter do something he enjoys.

How can I have S'more when I haven't had any yet?

Name that movie!
Anyone?

Well anyways,

I have a thing for s'mores. 

Not necessarily s'mores themselves, 

because the chocolate usually isn't melted

and there's often more graham cracker than necessary, 

but the flavor of s'mores - oh, how I love it.

And ooey, gooey marshmallow is my absolute favorite!

So when I saw this pin, I knew I had to give it a whirl.

I melted 6 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl 

and stirred in 2 tablespoons of sugar.

I pulsed 9 graham cracker sheets in the food processor 
until they were fine crumbs
and then stirred them into the butter and sugar.

Next, just pat the crust firmly into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan.

In another large bowl, toss in a softened stick of butter and some sugar -

and blend together until creamy.

Then add an egg and some vanilla.

Next, grab some salt, baking powder, and flour -

and mix it up good before pressing it into the pan 

on top of the graham cracker crust.

I used a little flour on my fingers to help spread it out.

Then sprinkle mini marshmallows and chocolate chips on top of the dough -

and grab 3/4 cup of sweetened condensed milk -

and drizzle it over top.

Now they're ready for the oven!

After about 20 minutes, they will come out looking like this -

Deliciously gooey and hard to stop eating.

Man, I need to make these again. Like now.

You better try this one for yourself.

S'mores Magic Bars
Crust:
9 graham cracker sheets, crushed to crumbs
6 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Tbsp sugar

Bars:
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 c. sweetened condensed milk
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1 c. mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray and set aside. In a food processor pulse 9 graham cracker sheets to make fine crumbs. In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar to make the crust and press into the bottom of greased pan. 

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together sugar and butter until creamy. Add in egg and vanilla until just combined. Mix in flour, salt, and baking powder until fully combined. Gently spread the dough on top of the graham cracker crust. Sprinkle mini marshmallows and chocolate chips over top of the dough. Evenly pour the sweetened condensed milk on top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Let bars cool completely to cut cleanly or take them out warm and eat them like a big gooey mess. The choice is yours.

Walt is 6!

From 6 days to 6 years . . . 

Where does the time go?

Walter turned six this fall,

so we gathered up his cousins and took a trip to Sky Zone.

 These little buggers jumped their hearts out.

Adam & I jumped too and it was quite the workout!

These little ham bones had a great time.

Here's me and the birthday boy!

We hit up the snack bar for Icees to cool down.

And then headed home for presents -

And of course, cake!

The Avengers theme was more than I could pull off

after just having a puppy party 2 weeks earlier,

so I went SUPER EASY for a change, 

and bought some action figures

and stuck them in the cake.

I did make a stencil for the big confetti-sprinkle "6" 

but that is as crafty as I got. 

And no one cared a bit.

We had a great time celebrating our big 6-year-old!
(little Emily was napping).

Walter's actual birthday was on a Tuesday night.

We had dinner at his favorite restaurant -

Space Aliens!

and played lots of games.

These two are looking so grown up already!

Fall Farm Love

Each fall our family gathers together at the farm 

for an amazing day.

My dad takes us out on tractor rides through the fields -

which all the kids LOVE!

And because Emily doesn't like to leave Grandpa's side,

she got to take a turn at the wheel.

Then, we always spend some time decorating pumpkins.

Grandpa and Grandma helped little Emily pick one out this year.

Walt found one -

and so did Miss Ruby.

Em was real happy with her little pumpkin too,

she never wanted to put it down.

Daddy helped the big kids with the carving,

while Emily waited patiently.

Then we headed indoors to add paint, stickers, glitter, 

and whatever else their little heart's desired.

Emily kept hers simple.

Next, the kids headed out for the infamous silly string battle-

and our own little version of farm trick-or-treating.

The adults arrange their chairs in a circle and 

hand out various toys, treats, and candies 

to each of the kids as they come by.

Everyone has so much fun that the fall farm party

is literally one of my favorite events of the year!