Sarah's Favorite Things...

The other day I made a recipe that called for this dressing. The recipe turned out only okay...but since that day I have been enjoying this dressing on my salads. I am eating more salads and I just think it tastes like a restaurant dressing. It is just a silly Kraft dressing...nothing fancy or unique. Which means...you can get coupons and get this at any store. I think it is great! Summertime is salad time...give it a try!

Raina's Baby Shower

This weekend we showered Raina and Andy with gifts and love. It was fun to see Raina's belly getting big....however, she doesn't know what big is! The next 8 weeks she will learn -Big! She is feeling good, looking great, and feeling pretty ready. She was so grateful for all the gifts that they received. They are set and ready when it comes to gear. I am so excited for them. They start their baby classes and this will get them prepped for the big arrival! Raina is anxious for baby to be here but getting nervous for the labor and delivery...all normal.

I know they are so excited to meet this little being who is going to turn them into a family but they should also relax and enjoy this little bit of time left as just husband and wife. Andy will never be Raina's only priority. Raina will never again be Andy's only priority. They will soon realize how much love they can give when they meet this little miracle. So go out to dinner, lay around in your pjs all day on Saturday, hop in the car and go somewhere spur of the moment with nothing but one suitcase of luggage. Because soon, everything will be a huge event, with lots of gear and preparation, you will live according to sleep schedules, eat according to nursing schedules, and sleep will be something you won't get enough of. It is all worth it, you will survive it, and it will make you a better person....but it is hard. So take time to enjoy just the two of you. Your life is about to change and it is so awesome! Can't wait!

So glad we could help celebrate with you this weekend! Love, Aunt Sarah!

Team Raina's Baby Shower

These past two months I have worked hard with these three amazing women to throw my sister a baby shower. This past weekend the big event occurred. My mom was a behind the scences secret helper...making food, getting prizes, and other little details. Peggy, Raina's good friend, hosted the party at her house. She opened her door and was so kind to let our massive group come and celebrate this little baby coming in June. Colleens, Raina's lifetime friend, helped with invites, pickles, games, and other little odds and ends. Each of us brought a little of ourselves to the day...trying to make it perfect for Raina...

adorable invitations- check
Pickles- check
Deviled eggs - check
cupcakes - check
fun games - check
ranch dressing - check
veggie tray - check
fruit platter - check
chex mix - check
family - check
friends - check
Two strong men to lug things up and down and in and out of the house - check
A nephew there to help open the mound of presents - check
Cozy house - check
Beautiful day - check
And all of the other little things -check

These types of events bring people together that you don't get to always see. I got to know Peggy better. I always enjoy hanging out with Colleen. If we lived closer I think the three of us would bug Raina to all hang out. And of course, mom you would be there too! Raina is welcome to host some get togethers so that we can all hang out again. hint hint! But we will be patient and let you relax these last 9 weeks of the pregnancy. Maybe I will run into you all visiting this new little miracle that is going to bust into this world and rock and roll like his or her's mom and dad!

Tonight I toast to you - Team Raina's Baby Shower! Great work!

Rest In Peace Sizzles.

Oh - gosh - how long ago did I get this great idea to take Charley to the pet store to get a fish. We got him a Beta and we named him Sizzles. He lasted a super long time for the conditions he was gifted when we brought him home. He didn't eat everyday...I am ashamed to admit and his water ...well he liked his water unchanged for long periods of time...he told me. He did! Charley rarely gave the friend any attention. Today at library the topic for story hour was pets. And when the librarian asked Charley his pet ...he replied proudly a fish. However, when asked his fish's name...there was silence and then he eeked out..."Dorothy." Um! NO! That is Elmo's fish.

Sizzles passed away a week or so after our trip to Florida in February. I have been wrestling with how to tell Charley. Then time went by and he didn't notice so I decided to just wait until he noticed. And this afternoon it happened. Thank goodness it didn't turn into a big deal. Here is the conversation and as you can see it didn't last long.


Rian: Hey are you going to get a dog?

Charley: Maybe, really soon.

Rian: Hey, where's your fish?

Charley: Hey, I thought I had one! Mama, where is my fish.

Mama: Well, um.....he got sick and went away.

Charley: Well where did you put him.

Mama: Away.

Charley: Awwww, but I wanted a pet. Can I get a puppy?

Mama: Honey, your fish has been gone for over 2 months and you first noticed now. I think we will wait awhile to get a puppy. We need to be better about feeding and caring for a pet.

Charley: Okay.

Rian: good thing you feed me so I don't die.

Charley: yeah, good thing I feed you and me. Maybe we can go camping some day.

The end.

Recipes....

I was asked today for two of my recipes. It is such an honor to be asked for a recipe and I thank you for the compliments. So here ya go....




Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes

1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup water
4 egg whites
2 Tbsp. oil
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
Make It!

HEAT oven to 350ºF. Beat cake mix, pudding mix, water, egg whites and oil in large bowl with mixer on low speed until moistened. (Batter will be thick.) Beat on medium speed 2 min. Spoon batter evenly into 24 paper-lined 2-1/2-inch muffin cups.

BAKE 21 to 24 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

MEANWHILE, beat sugar, cream cheese, butter and juice with mixer on low speed until well blended. Frost cupcakes.
Kraft Kitchens Tips
Substitute
Prepare as directed, using PHILADELPHIA 1/3 Less Fat Cream Cheese.
Special Extra
Stir 1 tsp. lemon zest into frosting mixture.




Ravioli Lasagna (thanks to my good friend Sarah! This recipe is being enjoyed by many!)

Prep 7 min
Bake 40 min
Bake from frozen 1 hr 25 min
Serves 6

26 oz. jar marinara or pasta sauce
two 13 oz packages cheese ravioli
1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1. spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of a foil baking pan. Spread 1 package of ravioli in a single layer on sauce. Top with 1 c. of sauce and 1/2 c. mozzarella. Layer the second pkg of ravioli on top, then 1 c. sauce and 1 c. mozzarella. Cover pan with foil and freeze until ready to use or bake covered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes.

To bake Frozen Lasagna: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake, covered, 1 hour. Remove foil and continue baking until cheese is melted and starting to brown, and inside middle is hot (about 25 min. more)

Things are blooming

This week the weather has been beautiful. We have ended our days having been kissed by the sun...our pink cheeks prove it. Henry's obsession with the outdoors is much easier to deal with when the temps are warm and the sun is shining. He wants to go outside all the time, hangs onto the door frame when we come in, while screaming with unhappiness. Yesterday he wandered the driveway and our cul-de-sac with a jump rope caught on his foot. When it would fall off he would go back to get it. So simple yet totally made him happy. I realized at that moment that watching him explore the little things...a leaf, grass, or a stone reminds me that the world is an amazing place. It also made me realize that this summer I need to let go of the "to do" list and plop down and just let the boys play. I tried to do that last night but I have a to do list as long as can be and so it was hard to just relax.

I got a new camera this week and I need time to figure it out. My brother says to snap as many shots as I can, go for it, try new things...and I am excited to take the time to do this. He gave me the assignment to post my favorite picture of the day on here. I have seen people do this on their blogs and I think I might give this a try. This week has been a little nuts prepping for my sister's shower. YES! She is nearing the end stretch and we are heading down there to celebrate this weekend. We will once again devout some good family time in the car. Worth it- for sure!

So today while the kids were playing outside I took the camera out and just played around. Lots to learn but here are a few signs of spring.

My rhubarb plant- it grows an inch or two every night!


Last fall I transplanted some of our front walk flowers...and I did something right because they are coming up!


This was the mood of my son most of the day...some days it is good they go fast. It could make for an interesting car ride tonight...hopefully he was cranky because he is tired and he conks out immediately!

2 Boys...

I have one son who can count to 59 all by himself!

And yesterday he read his first early reader book.

I have a second child who has his own way of enjoying a book.

Updated: Earth Day is everyday!

So I stand corrected by an anonymous comment! Today is not officially "Earth Day", but honestly, isn't every day Earth Day if we are living right. So, this afternoon we continued "Saving our planety" (which is what Charley said) and picked up a bag of garbage on our way back from the park. I think he realized what he was doing and why. So it wasn't officially Earth day...which means next week we can do it all again...and if it is rainy and yucky and cold...then heck, in the Wroblewski house we had a beautiful Earth Day!

Today the sun shines in Minnesota and we are taking full advantage. After a busy morning, Hank went down for an early afternoon nap. Charley got down and dirty in the garden exploring and finding things like old pumpkin stumps. We decorated pots and planted grass. Charley will watch it sprout and keep everyone's "hair" trimmed...if it grows. Later today we will walk to the park and pick up garbage along the way. But first lunch at the picnic table, squinting into the sun, letting our bodies heat in the 65 degree temps!

But the best part of the day is to come...dinner out with the hubby. We will toast to you, Ms. Mother Earth! Happy Wednesday! And we will still toast to you Ms. Mother Earth because it was a glorious day!

"The Fanny Pack Pants" emerge!

Those that knew Charley will remember these pants because he wore them almost every day. Amazingly they aren't worn out...yet (Grandma Charlie -they could probably use some new elastic around the waistband). Henry fit into them today...well they are a tad big but they are my absolute favorites and those of you who see Henry will probably see him in these pants at east twice a week until it is too hot because I can't get enough of the built in fanny pocket in the back. I love when I come across an oldie but a goodie! Hand me downs are the best when they make you smile so big your cheeks hurt.

In his Glory...

Charley had been telling people for the last week or so about his upcoming "vacation". He was getting to go to his Aunt Katy's to see his cousins. These cousins are actually his second cousins but I love that he thinks of them as his cousins and he holds them so close to his heart. He talks about them periodically. He thinks he sees them at the park. Certain things remind him of them. They are older than him but they give him attention that makes him feel so special.

Charley was in his glory! He got to dye Easter eggs with his "cousins", play outside (Nine Lives), hangout inside, sit at the kid table to eat Easter dinner, hunt for Easter baskets and eggs, and get his "cousin fix" so he can make it another handful of months until they meet again. We are so lucky to be apart of their Easter, and Thanksgiving, holiday traditions.

Henry's cousin Landen is only 3 months older but what a difference three months makes. Henry found Landen very intriguing and kept an eye on him throughout the visit. Landen was friendly and pushed Henry in the swing and car, gave hugs, and even shared Henry's banana. It was really cute to see them together. It was a great time at Aunt Katy's. On Sunday we drove 5 hours home.

17 hours in the car was totally worth it! And oh. how. lucky. we. are. to have boys that travel well.


Dying Easter Eggs with the cousins he looks up to!






An Afternoon Egg Hunt

Eating at the kids table!

Henry and his grandma and great grandma. He is loved!

Playmates!




Easter Baskets!


Hunting for Eggs on Easter Morning!