I realize that this is very late coming, considering Levi turned one over two months ago. However, in the spirit of giving myself grace, I decided to still share some excellent pictures and facts about Levi that apply to him around June 8, 2016.

Prepare for an overwhelming amount of pictures.



We first celebrated Levi's birthday in a local park with family friends & coworkers of Clark's. It was very fun... except the high was 117 and by the time we rolled out the cake and candle Levi was ready for a nap. But then, what are first birthday parties but to snap some pictures, enjoy some company, and show off your baby... am I right?



We call Levi, "Mouse" as a nickname, so we did If You Give A Mouse A Cookie which was a lot of fun. We had way too much food, most of which melted in the heat, but everyone enjoyed it-- and that's what counts!


On Levi's actual birthday, we woke up early (per usual) and went downstairs. He was a little overwhelmed by all that he saw, but once he realized he got to rip the presents open he had way too much fun doing it. He also had no problem letting his big brother know that they were his.


Right around his birthday Levi officially started walking. Much like his big brother (who took his first true steps on his first birthday), Levi started cruising around (semi) gracefully just five days before his big day. He weight 18lbs exactly on his birthday, and was 27.75 inches long. Lover of cheese, grazing, putting everything in his mouth, and a bit on the small side-- this is why we lovingly call him "Mouse." (It has NOTHING to do with the fact that he's grown into his ears and made squeaky noises as communication when he was itty-bitty...or does it?)


On his birthday Levi:

- had six teeth (molars coming in-- this is still true)

- loves: climbing on the dishwasher, toys that make noise, bubba (Michael), mama and dada, clapping, playing "chase"


- first word: dada
- words he says/said clearly: this, that, ball, mama, dada, cheese, up, juice, nana, out


- favorite songs: if you're happy and you know it & what does the fox say
- favorite foods: tuna, bananas, snap pea crisps, cheese, spaghetti, black beans, Lima beans.
- favorite book: Baby Lit Books' Treasure Island


He's already grown so much since his birthday. I'm not sure my heart can handle it.

Helllllooooooo strangers! I realize that I haven't written on here in, well, months. Truth be told I've been busy keeping up my other blog and starting a new business. All the while, the newfangled housewife duties never ceased-- they just haven't been shared on here!

I won't make promises of changing that on a consistent basis, but I am hoping to get a few posts up over the next few weeks...months...by December, in order to keep this thing still running. I happen to enjoy this space still very much.

I have been rereading Harry Potter (shocker), the first time I've done this since Michael was around 1-2 (if you're keeping tabs-- he turns five in just under a month). It's been so amazing, and part of me wishes that he was old enough to read along with me. But we're not there yet.

Anyway.

Rereading has me dreaming of fall, and since we don't actually have fall in Arizona, anyway, I didn't see what was stopping me from creating and baking and cooking some yummy fall foods to go with the warmth of the pages I am revisiting.

Without further rambling and sharing all that you probably don't care too much about, here's the RECIPE!

Chocolate Salted Caramel Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

- 1/2 C + 2 TBSP Salted Butter, softened
- 2 tsp water
- 3/4 C Sugar
- 1/4 C brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 + 2 TBSP cocoa powder
- 1 C all purpose, unbleached flour
- 1/2 C salted caramel chips
- 1/2 c chocolate chips
- course salt, for sprinkling (optional)

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350 and prep your baking sheet (I used parchment paper, but cooking spray works well, too).
- Blend together your butter, water, and sugars. Add your egg and vanilla, blending again until well whipped/combined.
- Add your baking soda, cocoa powder, and flour to your wet ingredients. Beat on a low speed until you can no longer see any flour in the mixture.
- Mix in your caramel chips & chocolate chips with a spatula.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (1-2 tablespoons) and drop the cookies on your prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle salt on top if desired (I did not in this batch, but I have before and it's sooooo good!)
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookies are cooked on bottom and edges. Let sit on baking pan for 2-5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.


TRY NOT TO EAT THEM ALL IN ONE SITTING!