signing "more"

I have only taught Krew one word in sign language-- "more". He loved using it for yummy foods and then he started using it for anything that he was enjoying that he wanted more of: reading a book, wrestling, laughing, petting a dog, being silly. But my favorite was when I gave him a big kiss and he turned to me and signed "more". Over and over again he wanted more and more kisses! And how could I resist? The little guy knows how to melt my heart.

mood ring

Lately, I have noticed that I will unintentionally dress Krew in the colors that I'm wearing. I suppose I'm in certain moods that bring on certain colors or styles, like a mood ring. Today: blues and browns. I didn't realize today's coordination until seeing these pictures but I have noticed I do this a lot. My mom always said that if a baby is on your hip, you might as well make the accessory match. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes not. Either way, I like it. Do you ever match with your significant other or little one?

a valentine's surprise picnic

Cameron wouldn't tell me anything until we arrive in Little Italy at the Porto Vista hotel... strange... but then he pulled out a picnic basket from the trunk of the car and up to the 5th floor balcony we went! It was a secluded, empty balcony and we had a beautiful view of Little Italy and downtown all to ourselves to dine in front of. I was completely surprised and what a fun private picnic it was! He prepared a yummy dinner and we shared some Martinelli's-- way better than any restaurant. After our dinner in the open air, we walked to Pappalecco for some amazing gelato. I had blood orange gelato and he had cafe/fondente. The whole night was amazing and I feel so lucky to have such a sweet and thoughtful valentine.

hey valentine...

happy valentine's day! I will be enjoying the day with my forever Valentine and my little chub chub Cupid boy (Cupid boy will be babysat tonight so we can go out). Even though everyday should be about love, it's fun to deck everything out in reds and pinks, hearts, and love cheesiness. Are you having a day full of love and sweets? I hope you are!

love,
me

p.s. here's Krew caring less about his card and is all about his fruit snacks we gave him. And a little valentine treat I put together.

red lipstick vs. big burger

burger lounge on saturday night

and there I was. What was I to do? Faced with a delicious turkey burger that was much bigger than my red-lipped mouth. Usually a situation of pleasure but not when wearing red lipstick. I tried to strategize of how I could win both delicious taste and still look red lipstick-chic. But this was not so, not meant to be. I could not win both sides. I chose pleasure and forgot my shallow appetite for appearance and bit in with delight. The burger was most delicious and I mentally thanked the Burger Lounge man for suggesting the turkey burger. Oh thank you knowledgeable burger man. Oh, what amazing flavor! I look down at my scallopedly bitten burger and could see my red lipstick at its edges while trying to avoid the thoughts of what I could be looking like. I took another big bite feeling my lips smashed against my face, I was doomed. With the help of my kind sister-in-law, I realized I looked like an animal feasting on its fresh kill. Red smeared both top and bottom of my lips and up to my nose. I wiped my mouth hoping to rid my embarrassment but with more wiping came more red lipstick. I had it traveling from my lips, to the burger, to the nose and to the chin. Off with the red lipstick, the burger has won. Learn from me, red lipstick + large burgers do not mix.

weekend favorites

favorites from the weekend:
-pizza and a new favorite movie, Midnight in Paris. And Cameron picked it out but I'm not so sure he really loved it. :/
-having extra happy post-good-surf husband on Saturday morning
-while my boys took a nap, I went shopping by myself... weird but nice!
-A jacuzzi sesh on a chilly day with some of our favorite people
- trying the delicious Burger Lounge
-chocolate shakes at Ghirardelli Chocolate downtown
-Zoey Deschanel on SNL (especially this Bein' Quirky Skit)
-extended family time
-making valentines
-relaxin'.

feeding the sea lions

Krew and I get equally excited about Sea World. This time, I paid the silly amount for a tray of fish to feed the sea lions because I knew Krew would be fascinated which he was. A little scared at first but loved it. He is fascinated with animals and feeding animals. I love to encourage those sweet interests of his and to watch him learn. He did a great job of feeding his barking friends and of course signed "more" when he was finished. Definitely worth the $ and stinky fish hands.

If you and I were out to lunch...

If you and I were sitting down for lunch and you asked me,
"So how has it been being back in San Diego since living in Hawaii?"

Well then I would answer like this:
"Well great! I write posts in January of how I am ready for summer, I just booked two tickets to Hawaii the other night at 12:30am. Oh and I bought two bathing suits this month after complaining to my husband that I don't have any winter clothes or long sleeves. Ya, I'm doing great."

I realize I have nothing to complain about with a San Diego winter--it's in the 60's or 70's with a chillier breeze and colder water. I absolutely love it here. But sometimes I do miss a warmer ocean and a year-round summer. So I do something slightly spontaneous (I say slightly because I have been planning it in my mind since October) and book a family vacay to visit our little island, Hawaii. Sounds right to me. :) Can't wait until the end of the month.

how we get our greens: morning smoothie

It's an awesome idea to get your good stuff first thing in the day. I love compacting it all in a smoothie and making it yummy for the whole fam. I have always made a green smoothie but my best friend gave me a few suggestions to improve it. I worry about oxidation and losing some of its nutrients so I always make it fresh. I feel a lot better throughout the day knowing we've already had some of the good stuff.

1) freshly grated carrots. Works best when you have a really good blender which I do not.
2) fresh spinach. I usually buy fresh and try to use it when it's fresh. Sometimes I will freeze it if I'm not using it fast enough before it goes bad.
3) fresh kale
4) freshly grated beets. This one is a new one for me so beware if you don't like the taste of beets because its flavor is hard to cover.
5) apple juice/ orange juice/ pineapple juice frozen concentrate.
6) whole ground flaxseed meal
7) frozen berry mix
8) chia seeds. Yes, this is what you grew your chia pet from.
9) banana (not shown)
10) water/ice

There are many more things I am looking forward to including (like more veggies and powdered alfalfa) and I always try to go for organic if I can (especially on spinach, to me it's a lot different).

Reporting from the mobile device...

Our internet has been down for the last few days which is super annoying. Lets hope it decides to return soon so I don't have to do another blog post from my phone. On other thoughts, about a month ago we got together for a delicious breakfast at Pipes Cafe with Cameron's long time friends. I have known these guys since Cameron and I dated in high school and what a fun group they are. And isn't it great when wonderful friends bring around wonderful ladies? I loved getting to know their lovely ladies even more.

I don't blog recipes...

...But you might thank me for this one (or forever hate me). I'm sharing with you the 5 minute chocolate mug cake recipe. I warn you, take this recipe with caution. It's an extremely dangerous chocolaty treat that is so easily accessible and only takes 3 minutes in the microwave. Ready?
(I can't remember exactly where I originally got it from on the internet but I definitely contemplated first about taking it. Glad I did :) )

5 minute Chocolate Mug Cake
(directions crossed out are our improvements)

4 TBS Flour
4 5 TBS sugar
2 TBS cocoa
1 egg
3 TBS milk
3 TBS oil
3 TBS close to a half a bag of chocolate chips :)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (or ceramic bowl)

Add dry ingredients to mug or bowl and mix well. Be sure to add the egg and mix thoroughly before pouring in the milk and oil in (we learned this is important!). Keep Mixing. Add the optional MANDATORY chocolate chips next and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the mocrowave and cook for 3 mintues (YES!! THAT IS IT!) at 1000 watts (I've never checked my watts). The cake will rise over the top of the mug but don't be alarmed (if you use a bowl it probably won't). Allow it to cook a little and tip it out onto a plate if desired.

Cameron and I like to make one of these in a bowl, split it in half, and add some Häagen-Dazs ice cream to the side. Oh, and sometimes I put mine in the freezer for a few minutes so it cools it down.

Chocolate cake whenever you want it!

And since I'm on a recipe roll, if you need an impressive dinner recipe tonight, try this mango salmon for dinner. I made it last night and would highly recommend it (thanks Remi!). It was super easy and I'm all about easy. (I used the oven and it was still delicious)

my birthday man!

Cameron's birthday has been more like a week event, which it should be, he's the best husband in the universe!! On the last night of celebration (his actual birthday) I had planned a yummy dinner at home for 3. But plans changed when we had to pick up Cameron's car up north. And Shannon (my mother in law) was so sweet to make our night so enjoyable. Cameron's birthday dinner choice was sushi so to Ogata's we went. Krew was eating sashimi like it was no big deal! I wish I had a picture of him slurping up his raw fish! We got gelato from Whole Foods and finished the night with an hour at the gym. I am so thankful for having such a wonderful husband who shows so much love to Krew and I! Happy birthday honey!