Short and Sweet

It finally has stopped raining!!! YAY!! For the past few days we have enjoyed HOT HOT HOT weather accompanied by sunshine wich have allowed a certain little girl the opportunity to swim every day! It is super convenient having 2 pools (morning pool and afternoon pool based on sun placement) and going swimming on weekdays it usually isn't too busy. Isabella is getting a nice little tan and is advancing in her swimming pretty well. Jumping from the side, well, more like stepping off the side...going under water, and floating in her froggy circle. Her vocabulary is growing and sometimes shocks me, but in a good way! Not a lot to post, just a few pics. We are getting ready for the trip to Indiana next Tuesday! Everyone say a prayer that there will be extra seats on the way up (her last "under 2 free flight" seat which means if it is sold out, she's on my lap the entire flight! :( )

A post-pool nap!

Happy July 4th!

Thanks Aunt Jill, Aunt Julie, Gigi, and Grandma for Isabella's Fourth of July outfit and accessories! She had a blast opening the presents, and she was beaming when she got dressed on the Fourth - feeling pretty special in her new dress! She got lots of "oohs" and "ahhhs" from fellow residents in elevators. Also when we went to Publix and she dropped the box of blueberries all over the milk aisle, (yes, I was mortified....) the guy forgave her cause she looked "so darn cute". Oh that was just awful. Funny thing though, she kept pointing and saying "mess". ugh. We had a severe talk about that one....

Luckily it did not rain like last year! We were able to play a bit outside in the afternoon, although it was HOT HOT HOT! Isabella helped make yummy dips, thanks for the recipes mom and Julie! See below for recipes!

We just took it easy and watched more fireworks than I have seen in my life.

Special Delivery!!

Heading out to play! Decked out with elephant/gorilla/Tigger stickers that hopefully are helping with the whole potty training "thing" ???

Someone found out that she can now reach the water and gets "all wet" and "cold".


Ta da!

We were going to go to Bayside Park for the HUGE firework show and festivites but with Zach working late we wouldn't have left til around 7pm (fireworks at 9pm). Since someone only had a 15 minute nap at noon, we opted to just chase bubbles from 7:30-8:30 then tubby and watching fireworks from the balcony. That worked out great, as we could see South Beach's firework show plus about 50 other displays up the coast and inland- it was so neat!!

Isabella dropped like a sack of potatoes at 10:00pm.

So most of the videos I took of her out running around chasing bubbles are too big/long to post on here. This is a short cut off clip of her singing her new favorite song "Who's the Leader of the Club" by Mickey Mouse. When she says "duck" that is the "donald duck" part, she doesn't say Donald. She does get the "high high high!" part though. Bad thing is it cut off at the end where she throws her arms in a low "v" and says the "e" in M-O-U-S- "E!!!".
We have this song on her Disney songs, and we sing along to it in the car, then "More, pease", whew, 20 times later and I usually have to move on to another song!

Baby Shrimp Cheese Dip:

1 can Baby Shrimp (found in the canned tuna section) rinsed and patted dry

4 oz Chive and Onion Cream Cheese (or plain, in that case also add finely chopped onion)

2 Tbsp Mayo (or to taste)

1/4 cup (or about one handful) of finely chopped celery

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients, add tobasco if desired,or on the side, shape into ball and pair with Sour Cream/Chive Wheat Thins. Yummy!

Julies 7(?) Layer Chip Dip (forgive me if I got this wrong!)

Layer in a bowl or pie pan:

I made this in a funky bowl aiming for 2 people with leftovers, so adjust your ingredients as needed.

1st Layer: 1/2 can Frito Lay Bean Dip (or you could use a can of refried beans/lowfat option)

2nd Layer: about 1 avocado diced thin with salt and pepper and squeeze of lemon

3rd layer: (in separate bowl combine then spread on): 2 heaping Tbsp Mayo + 4-6 heaping Tbsp Sour Cream (whatever suites your taste)+ 1/4 to 1/2 packet Taco Seasoning

4th Layer: Thin layer of Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend (kraft?)

5th Layer: 1-2 diced tomatoes

6th Layer: 1/2 small can diced black olives

7th Layer: I put some salsa on (i found this "summer- sweet and spicy" tostitos salsa with rasperries and blackberries, it is REALLY good with this dip. It is kinda smoky and not really sweet like the mango salsas. If you are looking for something different really good choice!!

8th Layer: More Cheese!

9th Layer: I put plain Sour Cream dollop in the middle

I know that is more than 7 layers, and you can add shredded lettuce or peppers or whatever suites you! It is really delicious and oh so satisfying :) I put it with the little bit sized round Tostitos, which are much to thin to hold up to this dip, mine kept breaking,- so get some thick chips for good scoop-a-bility.

French Lemonade:

1 bottle white wine (Riesling/Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay)

4-6 Lemons, cut and squeeze juice

2 + Cups Sugar (to taste)

12-14 ? oz water

Again, I just made this in a pitcher and didn't really measure my water/sugar - think State Fair Lemon Shake Up with wine.
Combine wine, water, squeezed lemons and sugar in pitcher. Leave some lemons in. If you aren't getting the right flavor add some Country Time mix or Crystal Light Lemonade mix. Refrigerate. Serve over ice. If you are concerned, go easy on the water, you can always add more and the ice of course will melt and dilute it.

Happy Fourth of July!