Scarlett Pannebaker

Summer. It's halfway over.
That makes me want to cry.
The "back to school" dreams/nightmares have already started. Ugh.
Here are some Insta-Highlights from the past week which was officially the Halfway mark.

Sunday after church we watched the US Women lose in a heart-breaking shoot-out to Japan in the World Cup Finals. We turned the game on & Claire ran outside to get her soccer ball.
The former soccer player in me rejoiced!
Her & Kate played "soccer" during most of the first half.
Did you know 20 years ago, on 7-17-91, I became a Christian & I prayed this prayer at summer camp. I was 12. Best decision I ever made.

{Romans 10:9-13}

Sunday was also National Ice Cream Day.
Target had Ben & Jerry's on sale. Milk & Cookies = YUM.
But my favorite was the new flavor, Bonnardo Buzz.
Coffee Ice cream with Heath Bar? YES, please.

Monday night Wendy & Jess came over to watch SYTYCD.
Wendy was pretending to be Cat Deely.
(Wendy is on a chair because she is short)
I LOVE SYTYCD!
Do you watch? Kate's ballet/tap teacher was Ashley
(She got voted off 2 weeks ago. So Sad. She is such a good dancer & SO nice!)

I made chocolate dipped strawberries to eat as we watched.

They made fun of me because I had Full House on my DVR. So what if I am 32 & DVR Full House. Does that make me dorky or Awesome? I vote Awesome.
Full House is one of the greatest shows. I watched it every Friday night as a kid. Who's with me?

Kate had a fever earlier this week. No fun.
Sunflowers in the summer make me happy:
Know what I love about summer? Weekday mornings with no schedule & we can hang out around the house & make pancakes for breakfast.

Organizing Library books. Yes, they checked out Amelia Bedilia. Awesome.
Poolside Princess Dinner.

Fabric for Claire's Birthday Party:

Princess Obsession at this house. They ate lunch with us.

Whoever invented Slow Melt popsicles is a genius. They are actually slow melting.

Riding the plasma car in the house? Why not!?!

Last night we had a date night to go see Harry Potter.
Big Harry Potter fans here. I thought the movie was great!
Cupcake toppers for Jordis' Birthday party this weekend:
Have you had this Sweet Tea before? I should have been born in the South because I am OBSESSED with Sweet Tea. They don't serve Sweet Tea here in California. I found this brand last summer & I am in LOVE.

Making the best chocolate chip cookies EVER (with pudding in the mix)

Recipe HERE.

Kate is doing so great at her swim team/swim lessons. She has improved so much!
Her teacher has been teaching her freestyle for the past week.

This picture makes me happy. It is our backyard after a pool playdate yesterday. Love the pool towels & suits hanging out to dry & all the pool toys piled up. One of my favorite things about this house is being able to have pool playdates!

Hope the first half of your summer has been great!
Now, I am going to go cry that it is halfway over. Wahhhh!!!

Linking up with:

And, don't forget, the Summer Salad Swap is Wednesday 7.27.11

Terrible Two's? Check.
Lately, we have been seeing a lot of this face around our house.
Kate didn't go through the terrible 2's, but Claire?
Oh my word.
She is MORE than making up for that.
Kate had her moments at 2, but with Claire the terrible 2's "moment" has been going on for months.
The past few months with her have been rough.
Really, really, really rough.
Claire is full of life...she is a fun little girl.
But.
She is SO stubborn. And, doesn't listen.
She picks on her older sister.
She can be sneaky & disobedient.
You tell her to do one thing & she will look at you and do the opposite.
She likes to do things her own way & by herself.
Don't even think about helping her brush her teeth, get into her car seat, etc.
The world will come to an end if you cut her sandwich the wrong way or give her the wrong color sippy cup.

When she is upset, she can throw some serious tantrums.
It is really hard to calm her down & reason with her.
(Kevin does a much better job at this, she responds better to him mid-tantrum)

The past few weeks she has worn me out.
Since we got her the Big girl bed, her naps are short (if she even takes one)
It has been trying on my nerves & my patience because she just won't stay in her bed for naps.
When I get home from teaching 160 middle schoolers, I am worn out & have no patience left as it is. And, trying to deal with a non-napping 2.5 year old, just does me in and literally brings me to tears some days.

I would love some prayer for some patience because mine is non existent (especially on those non napping days) Come 5 pm on those days, meltdowns from both girls (and me!) are in full effect.

And, with summer less than a month away (Praise the LORD!), I want to make sure that I am doing everything I can to be the Mom that Claire needs me to be. If not, it is going to be a long, hard summer. I want it to be a fun, easy going summer. Not a summer filled with Claire in time out for hitting her sister (again)

These books that I am reading:
If you have any other parenting books that worked for you, I would love to hear about them!
Seriously, I need all the help I can get with this one.
I love her with all my heart, but she is really giving me a run for my money and making me feel like a Mommy Fail at times.
I am hoping this stage will be over soon, but I am going to need a lot of prayer (and wine!) to get through it!

Even though Claire is in the middle of the terrible 2's, she really a fun kid.
Her sense of humor is beyond her years, she cracks us up.
And, she is so loving toward her dolls and friend's babies. She is such a nurturer.

Claire, I love you....But please, please, please start listening & obeying!
Love, your Frazzled Mommy

My blog is 2 years old today!

This calls for a celebration...giveaway style!

Two years ago on August 8, 2008 I was 8 months pregnant with Claire.
Kate was 18 months old.

Kevin and I were watching the Summer Olympics & I decided to create a blog as a way to document & scrapbook our lives.
I loved reading other people's blogs and had been wanting to start my own, so I figured 08.08.08 was a good time to start (you know me...I love numbers!)

I had no idea how much blogging would enrich my life.
It has become so much more than just a scrapbook.
I have meet & become friends with people because of this blog.
I was able to be a part of Project 320 because of this blog.

In honor of my 2 year blogoversary, I am doing a giveaway!
It is not just 1 giveaway, I am giving away 5 items!
You can consider this a "thank you" for reading my blog!
There are Five prizes & there will be Five winners!

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Here is what you can win:

Julie at Joy's Hope makes the cutest stuff, including her messy.flower.pins!
Julie is one of the most creative people I know.
This fun, funky and messy flower is the perfect addition to any day.
Great for little girls, big girls and adults alike.
A great accessory for any outfit. Any day..
Pin it on a jacket, a purse, a pillow...
Make a simple outfit special.
Winner gets these 3 messy.flower.pins!

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How would you like a cute tri-rose headband from
Erin's Haute Tots?
They can be made in any color! Winner gets to choose what color they want!
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Keep your sunglasses protected and do it in style with a sunglasses case from
Handmade by Heather!
Drawstring pouches are machine stitched for durability, fully lined in a coordinating fabric, and complete with a fabric tie closure!
Winner gets to choose any sunglasses case from her shop!

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How cute are these crayon roll ups from
Two Little Tots?
Melissa is the owner & has twin girls who are adorable!
Hold your children's crayons in fashion! Great for outings, such as waiting at the doctor's office, sitting through church, riding on an airplane, eating out or enduring long car trips! Moms can curb boredom immediately! The crayon roll up can fit easily into a purse or diaper bag. It helps promote creativity and brings out the little artist in your tot.

Winner gets to choose which fabric they want!

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My friend Wendy (aka the Totally Desperate Mom)
wrote a book & it came out last month!
I read it 2 week ago & it is a must read for all mom's out there!
I have a signed copy ready to send to you!

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So, there you have it...my blogoversary giveaway!
Five prizes & Five winners!
To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post!
Followers get an additional entry, so follow along if you aren't already!

Giveaway ends at midnight on August 14th
{Winners will be picked via random.org}

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my blog, listen to my ramblings and look at my pictures & comment!
It has been such a fun experience these past 2 years (349 posts later....)
I still can't believe people read my blog...I am just an ordinary girl, who takes too many pictures and feels very blessed in this life.
So, thank YOU for reading!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE my Crock Pot.

In the Fall/Winter, I try and use it at least once a week.
But, I am in a crock pot rut.
I have about 4-5 recipes that I rotate through.
(Including this, this and this)

It is time to expand my Crock Pot repertoire.
In honor of my favorite month, October & one of my favorite kitchen appliances, my Crockpot, I have declared it Crock-tober.

Do you have a go-to & fail proof Crock Pot recipe?
Do you want to get new Crock Pot recipes?

If so, join me for Crock-tober!

Crock-tober will be next Wednesday, 10.12.11
Come link up your favorite Crock Pot Recipes!
(Main courses, side dishes, soup, appetizer, breakfast or desserts! If you make it in a crockpot, link it up!)

I will also have a new recipe that I am excited to share with you!


{Grab a button on the side bar}

Let's use our Crock Pots this Fall & Winter!
I hope you will join in the fun next week!

You probably already knew this if you follow me on Instagram, but the word is out!  I posted some of Bradley's first outfits that we picked up after our appointment. :)  So fun!