Growing Up

I knew when we converted our daughter's crib to a toddler bed several months ago that there was the terrifying possibility she would get up and wander around in the middle of the night. In my over active Mommy mind I imagined her getting out of bed, opening the front door and wandering out into the street, all while I slept soundly in the next room. Happily this hasn't happened, in fact she seems to feel that getting out of her little bed at night is a huge no-no. It might be related to the one time that she did, I freaked out just a little. So, all has gone well until last night. Around 11 a very frightened sounding cry emitted from her room, I ran in to find out that she has thrown herself out of the bed! She was on the floor tangled up in blankets and totally disoriented. I tucked her back in and went to sleep myself, only to be woken up at 3am with precisely the same scenario, only this time she had taken her pillow, covers, and stuffed elephant with her! It leaves me wondering if I am in for some seriously disturbed sleep in the coming weeks... it also has sent me searching the internet for twin beds with a railing to help curb the nighttime bungee jumping that I'm nervous may become a habit.
I love the modern design of this Surfin Twin Bed from Ecotots. Not only is it cool to look at, it's also totally eco friendly! Check out their whole line of great products.

sit, stay, good dog.

Do your kids beg you for a dog? Now you can give it to em! This very cool Italian Puppy is available at CB2. They suggest he can be a sculpture, a foot stool, or even a kiddy chair! What a cool way to bring a little humor into a room.

Urban Baby

While searching around etsy for new and cool things, I came across these Rockin' Blocks Graffiti ABC Blocks, by beebles. Seriously, your kid is bound to be cool if this is what they are playing with as an infant!

Soup....

I have become a big fan of homemade soup recently, especially if it's fairly easy to make and I can cook it in the crock pot!
This is my husband's favorite soup/stew that I make (even my almost three year old eats it!)

Beef and Barley Soup/Stew

Ingredients:
1 package stew beef (1/2 lb or more depending on how much meat you like in your soup)
1/2 onion, chopped fine
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 cup chopped carrot (or more if you love carrots)
1 package portobello mushrooms, washed and cut/broken into pieces (keep em kinda big)
1 bottle/can beer (darker beers taste better)
4 cups beef broth
1 tbs dried oregano
1 bay leaf
3/4 pearl barley (rinsed)

Directions:

Add all ingredients EXCEPT the barley to crock pot/slow cooker, cook on low 8-12 hours. The longer you let it cook, the better it will taste (and it will make your house smell delicious!) Approx. an hour and a half before you are ready to eat, add the barley, stir, and turn crock pot to high, and put the lid back on.

Voila, dinner is done, don't forget to take the bay leaf out!

This is just as good (if not better) the next day, but may need some water added since the barley will continue to absorb liquid after you've finished cooking.

Recycle your Prints

A while ago, I talked about a project I am going to be doing with my friend S*. Inspired by a picture in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, we are planning to paint a mural on a very large canvas to hang in her kitchen.
I realized after we purchased all the supplies necessary to complete her project that maybe I ought to give it a try myself, before we officially do it for her kitchen (wouldn't want to make a total idiot of myself). So, lacking the time to actually get to an art supply store, I took a look around my place and decided I could re-use a print we bought forever ago but no longer like.
So here it is:

Doggie Love

I'd like to introduce you to the little furry guy in my life. This is Kenmore. As you can see from the photo's, he's a big fan of the couch, and a mostly lazy life that includes begging for snacks and sleeping the middle of the day.

Cherry Blossoms

Spring is almost here! The most noticeable sign of spring in the DC area is the Cherry Blossoms. I've just noticed the first few trees covered in these beautiful blooms, and am really looking forward to when everything looks like the picture above. In fact, I think we may even make it to the Cherry Blossom Festival this year. It happens to fall on Easter weekend, that seems incredibly appropriate somehow. Here's to warm breezes, flowers, and the beginning of flip-flop season!