A Year in Review

Most baby blogs and mommy blogs titled "A Year in Review" will look something like the side bar here (sorry had to squeeze those in there!) but just over a year ago, I made myself a promise to spend more time with my daughter; watch her grow, listen to her laugh and hold her a little tighter every night.  

So, 99 Days of Laughter was born. This blog was simply meant to be a place for me, a first time mom, to write down those special moments, the hardships and remember to slow down and enjoy the laughter in life! Looking back at that first post, tears fill my eyes to see how far Samantha has come in a year, heck, looking at the side bar my eyes are filled with tears and if we're being really honest, my heart aches for a sibling for Samantha.

I would like to think that, even though we had some rough days, some long nights and, yes, some weeks I don't even remember, the end goal of this blog was a success and has become even more than I could have ever imagined! 

This blog has become a place for moms to laugh with me, relate to my situations, and maybe even learn a thing or two. Now, I'm certainly not claiming the Mother of the Year award and am not even a close second, but if there's one thing I have learned, it's that no mother is perfect and that even when you think you're doing something wrong...it's probably not. I have a happy, healthy and beautiful toddler baby girl (she will always be my baby girl) who is kind and caring towards everyone and anything...hopefully that means I've been doing something right.  

So, what was supposed to be a 99 day mission for laughter has become something I am proud to say has reached more than 8000 people worldwide! And with My Picasso being the number one viewed post, hopefully that means I have made other moms and children laugh too!  

2013 brought with it A LOT of ups and a whole heck of a lot of downs for this family. But it was also one hell of a ride and I cannot wait to see what 2014 has in store for my blog, for myself and for my family. 

This year, my only resolution is to laugh and in the process, hopefully laugh with the world too.

So, from my family to yours...May 2014 bring to you love and laughter! 

The Christmas Zoo!

There is nothing like a child's excitement Christmas Eve. You can see it in their eyes, a sparkle that won't dull...even when doing those extra chores just to be sure they get on the nice list! That is unless your child is only 18 months old, with no real understanding of what Christmas really is...than it's Mommy & Daddy who are too excited to sleep and wake the kids up first thing Christmas morning!

OK, so I didn't want it to happen, but it was inevitable with 4 sets of grandparents...Samantha got completely spoiled and with one more Christmas celebration to go, I'm sure this wasn't the last of it! But, it was an absolute joy watching her unwrap her gifts. That was the best present a mother could ask for. Seeing the joy and excitement in her eyes. That and that she LOVED the activity book I slaved away on these past months...she wouldn't even put the book down for a diaper change! (Thank you to all my ladies who helped me finish on time!)

She finally understands that beneath all that colorful paper, ribbon and bows is something special...could be a toy, could be clothes, could be a book...I can only imagine what is running through her huge imagination! My favorite part was when she rips the paper little by little and then reveals a little piece of the treasure below...some fur, a box, piece of plastic...whatever it was, that excitement would build in her eyes as she finally revealed the present. This will certainly be a Christmas I won't soon forget!

...until my house became a zoo!

...yup, you saw those pictures right... Grampa got her a 5 foot giraffe, a baby giraffe (the size of Samantha) and a 5 foot long ginormously stuffed unicorn...that she LOVES! This will certainly be that present that she will love for years to come. I would rather her have a gift that she loves through the years, than another toy to throw in "the pile" and never get a second look.

As for next year, I hope that I am able to teach her that Christmas is about love, joy and giving...loving those who are sad; smiling to that stranger with the "scrinches"; and giving to those who need it the most. This year I had her give a toy to the Tree of Angels and a box of chocolates to the mailman. This is a tradition I want her to enjoy and experience, just as I did growing up, and hopefully teach her that Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more!

Mommy's Little Helper: Applesauce Cookies with Caramel Frosting!

Lately, Samantha has been my little mini me. She just has to do everything I do, whether it's sweeping the floors, emptying the dishwasher or baking cookies! I have to say though, I just LOVE this stage she's going through. It is so adorable watching her "sweep" the floor with a broom twice her size; or help me empty the dishwasher saying "Tank...Ooo" every time she hands me a piece of clean cutlery.

Well, now that the Holiday Season is upon us, it's time to start my Christmas baking. What once took only a day or two to complete has certainly taken a lot longer with Samantha's tiny fingers needing to help along. So, I've decided to make only a few recipes and treats this year, but try new ones that sound and look delicious and share them with you too!

After posting my Mom's Pizza Soup recipe and the amazing response it received, I thought I should probably post this recipe too seeing as Samantha could barely keep her hands out of the cookie jar!

I got this recipe from the Chef in Training blog and boy oh boy are they delicious! The recipe makes a HUGE batch though, so no need to double up (as I usually do).

**My second batch I tried to cut down on the amount of sugar by using honey. 

Though they were a bit drier, they were still super yummy!**

APPLESAUCE COOKIES WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 cups applesauce
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves

Preheat oven to 375 FIn a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside. Cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs and applesauce and mix well. Add in dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Drop small spoonfuls of batter on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.

While cookies are cooling, prepare frosting.

CARAMEL FROSTING

6 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, heavy cream and brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture just begins to boil; remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool in fridge, then stir in the powdered sugar. Spread frosting over cookies

ENJOY!