Friday Things
1. Joseph must have gone through a major growth spurt because I bought him some summer clothes about a month ago and they fit great. Now? About half of them are too small. Grumble grumble. Also, any recommendations for a roomy diaper bag? I have a basic, smallish Skip Hop bag that has served me pretty well, but now that I’m carting around some toys, usually food (due to his allergies), diaper supplies, etc. and with another one on the way, I think I need something a little bigger. Let me know if you have one you love!
2. This week, The Huffington Post shared the story behind the Snickers Cake that I made to commemorate what would have been my dad’s 60th birthday a few years back. Thanks to them for sharing it leading up to Father’s Day!
3. So, let’s talk Snapchat. I downloaded the app. I tried to figure it out and… I can’t? I’m at the point where I think I need to Google a tutorial. That makes me feel extremely old, like I’m approaching “get off my lawn” territory, ugh.
4. This is a great list for any mom, no matter how many kids she has! >>Â Life Saving Tips for the Mother of a Big Family
5. Exciting news! Work is going to begin on my site redesign in a few weeks (SO overdue, gah!)… if you have any suggestions or requests, share them below!
6. Thanks for all of the feedback on Sonic! We gave it a try this week and liked it! I had a bacon cheeseburger and thought it was really good for a fast food burger – bigger than most. And, most importantly, the tater tots were insane – SO GOOD! Thanks for steering me in the right direction! Can’t wait to give some other things a try – that popcorn chicken is calling my name!
7. Have you heard? Curb Your Enthusiasm is coming back for a 9th season! SO excited for more Larry David shenanigans!
8. Speaking of TV, was anyone else kind of underwhelmed by The Americans season finale? I love that show, but nothing seemed to really wrap up at all, which I hate!
9. And finally, of course I have to mention that the Penguins actually won the Stanley Cup!! No better way to start the week than celebrating that win on Sunday night! I wish they could have won in Pittsburgh last week when we were at the game, but I’ll take it no matter what. Love this team!
10. TGIF! I could stare at these sweet pictures all day… â¤ï¸
Check out Vera Bradley for a “huge” diaper bag. Recently bought one as a gift and you could carry the baby, along with everything else in it. I was really surprised at the size. They can be costly, but they also go on sale all the time.
Oh, snapchat… *frown face* x1000. But I did think of your post when I heard this podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/most-useful-podcast-ever/id1022440073?mt=2&i=371353795
You need to get the onion rings at Sonic. The best fast food rings you can find!
So enjoy the pictures of Joseph and the doggies–I never grow tired of seeing these lovely pictures of all of them. So heart-warming to see people who care so well for their animals, and babies…..and yes, I watched the U.S. Open this weekend too–can’t play golf, but sure enjoy watching it.
Many blessings-Leah
Ah – Snapchat! I joined just to be able to follow Antonio Brown – He cracks me up!
Last night, I was with my two grown sons (a rare thing these days ;-( ) and they were teasing me about how I post hilarious things by accident. It’s true – I have no idea how to work it and I guess things get posted without me realizing it.
I am not a huge fashionista and I don’t typically go out with the baby dressed up so a backpack works great for us. We switched over to one about a month ago for a vacation and haven’t looked back. It is not grossly larger than our diaper bag but being hands free is so helpful. Plus it is more man friendly. I have a small pouch for the diaper and changing supplies and then there are two side pockets – one for eating supplies and one for toys. Not sure if it is the perfect solution but way better than the SkipHop one.
Hi! When mine was little I loved my JuJuBe diaper bag, it was roomy and practical. They come in messenger or backpack styles that make them easy to carry. Come in cute styles too! Hope this helps. ?
Dear Michelle, thank you so much for an amazing blog, I love, love, love it!! Joseph is such a sweetie, seems like yesterday that mine were that age…(but it’s not?)
One request/suggestion for your blog, and I’m completely ignorant to the possibility of this, it would be amazing if we could have a recipe box/account to store our favourite recipes for quick recall.
Take care and all the best with baby boy #2
Love your recipes and Friday Things! Only feedback for the new site is once in a while you have posts that I’m not able to pin on Pinterest, which is a bummer! Also, do you recall your post on Friday Things where you listed a site of top 20 or so words of wisdom from older folks? Can you tell me what week that was from? Think about it all the time! And want to pin! Thanks!
Hi Jenn, I don’t remember which week I posted it, but I had it saved on Facebook, here it is: http://imgur.com/gallery/ygq7RK8
Awesome, thank you! Such a great list!
I can’t believe you’re just now trying Sonic – their limeades and bacon/egg/cheese croissant sandwiches are the BEST! And the grilled cheese too. Decent milkshakes and burgers for fast food. Skip most of the fried appetizers, not worth it (especially the pickles – disappointing!).
I love my MZ Wallace Kate diaper bag. It’s pretty big but it has amazing pockets for everything! I’ve heard good things about the Skip Hop Chelsea too. :).
Lulu lemon’s gym bags make great diaper bags too. My daughter-in-law was given an everyday bag for baby number 2, used it as gym bag in between (plus an overnight bag, a picnic bag, etc, etc. it is now back in service for baby #3 ?. A bit pricey, but will likely last beyond this wee one. With all the things the boys bring/collect, it serves all of them very well. A great gift from an indulgent relative, if you happen to have any of them around!!
Congrats to your Pens! As a local sports fan myself, I can completely relate to your excitement!
Try the bacon breakfast burrito (served all day) with salsa at Sonic. Really good! Request the salsa when you order it.
Always look forward to Friday’s post. Love to see the pics of Joseph and the pups. Its always amazing at how much he changes from week to week. So sweet and the pups remind me of our sweet Gunnie. Love the recipes and the info you provide also. My only suggestion for the web site is that you keep it user friendly!
Ha, I am the same with snapchat! It makes me feel learning impaired and old
I agree with some thoughts above about not going too fancy. One of my other fave blogs is so slow to load since redesigned and yes the most recent blog isn’t at the top, its not reader friendly.
Petunia Pickle Bottom. I have used mine for two kids and it is still going strong as we are now expecting #3. It is so easy to clean. Things can get lost inside if you don’t use the pockets, but I have loved mine. I have the Boxy backpack because it can be a cross body bag or a backpack. Got it on sale at Nordstrom. Great buy. Even if it had not been on sale – a bag that lasts for 4+ years is worth that price.
Many food bloggers have been redesigning. I know that web developers say you have to have sliders, movement, etc. but I think all those bells and whistles just slow down loading of the site. On many of the redesigned sites, you now have to hunt for the most recent post. Don’t follow their lead. I like the simplicity of your site.
I’m not a mom but all my sisters and friends love using Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags. A little pricey but very nice quality, and super cute patterns. It would be nice if the recipes were posted alphabetically rather than by date. Have a fantastic weekend!
I was going to recommend a backpack diaper bag. I use a backpack purse and just love it, hands free always! Also keep in mind something your hubby is comfortable toting around.
Fewer ads please! They’re annoying and clunky and I’ve thought about stopping reading your blog just because of them. Glad I’m still here but hopefully they’ll be significantly less invasive after the redo.
Thanks!
Hi Rachel, Thanks for the feedback, that’s already in the works :)
https://www.amazon.com/Leke-MB-1302G01-Diaper-Bags-Grey/dp/B0187370PE/ref=lp_166767011_1_11_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1466173249&sr=1-11
Something like this might work for you, leaving your hands free because you will need that with two little ones.
LOOOOooooove the photos…. that face… :o) Congratulations on the Huffington Post article! Prayers that your pregnancy is going well, Michelle!
Thank you Kathy! I’m feeling really well, just a little heartburn.
Enjoy your site and keep many recipes. Please keep the “+” site as I use Gmail as a forwarding email and add it to my saved recipes on yahoo. I do not go to any other sites for recipes and have given up on many sites that don’t have the forwarding I use. My comment is for you only and not public.
Hi Michelle,
I love your website just the way it is so please don’t change a whole lot. I always enjoy the pictures of all your boys. They always put a smile on my face. Thanks for all your hard work bringing us the best blog on the web.
Sharon
References:
Organizing Tote: http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/320/catid/22/swid/319a/zip-top-organizing-utility-tote-in-ribbon-stripe/
I don’t see the rectangular bag anymore, but I have this small thermal lunch bag and it works also (and would keep foods cool). http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/catalog/product/1/catid/20/swid/292a/thermal-tote-in-preppy-pop/
Fisher Price Play ‘N Go: https://smile.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Little-People-Play-Castle/dp/B004GEBSK2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466168829&sr=8-2&keywords=fisher+price+little+people+play+%27n+go+castle
https://smile.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Little-People-Play-School/dp/B001IEZ1IS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466168915&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+little+people+play+%27n+go
https://smile.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Little-People-Play-Farm/dp/B001IF10V4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466168915&sr=8-2&keywords=fisher+price+little+people+play+%27n+go
https://smile.amazon.com/Little-People-Take-Along-Zoo/dp/B017AHXO3A/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1466168915&sr=8-11&keywords=fisher+price+little+people+play+%27n+go
Thank you Diane!
I always enjoy your posts/blog – photos, recipes, etc.. I reread your post about your Dad and was again transported back to sweet memories of my Dad – I am also only a couple years away from having lived as long without my Dad as I did with him… Sigh… He would have loved your amazing Snickers cake recipe! As for the diaper bag: Lug Propeller is my recommendation. QVC has them in fabulous colors – pink camo is one… Sooo many pockets everywhere and tons of room for whatever you would need – even a compartment for shoes (dirty clothers/diapers?) :)
Can’t ever go wrong with a Vera Bradley bag! They have a diaper bag. My kiddoes are are all grown so I haven’t tried it but I love their travel bags and purses.
Love your blog!
Hi, Peggy Ann,
I too was going to recommend Vera Bradley as a great diaper bag option. I have bought them as baby shower gifts religiously for the last few years for my friends – I always buy the black one as it doesn’t look so “babyish” and the dads are happy to carry it too. This is the bag I’ve usually bought, but Michelle, there is a larger version too if this one doesn’t seem to fit the bill.
http://www.verabradley.com/product/stroll-around-baby-bag/classic-black/1004045_202630.uts?N=30009
They’re not cheap, but that’s why I like the black one because it can be used for other things after you don’t need it for baby gear anymore.
From a Pittsburgh sports fan in Cleveland, go PENS! You were at the last game? Wow!
Thanks Molly! We were at the last game in Pittsburgh, Game 5 – they had the chance to clinch then, but lost :( I wasn’t in San Jose!
Joseph and his pups just can not get any sweeter! From one week to the next, I can see Joseph growing. Buying clothes only to have them outgrown in a matter of days/weeks is a hard one. I would sometimes buy my kids clothes a size up just to get longer wear out of something.
I am still pinching myself over the Pens and the Stanley Cup win! This has to be the biggest and best turn-around season ever for a team. We were watching aa replay of the last game of the Pens/Caps series with the OT win and 3 delay of game penalties. So much fun to be able to go back and watch a rebroadcast. Now I’m just cringing and so sad over all the talk of trades . . . I really hope they make the Fleury & Murray deal work . . . can’t stand to think of the Flower not being a Penguin. He is my favorite, and he is proven. I think everyone is forgetting about that and getting caught up in the Cup win with Murray in goal.
I always used an organizing bag from Thirty-One Gifts as a diaper bag (and one for a beach bag). I loved the pockets on the outside for easy access to things like binkies, wipes, bottles, sippy cups. The inside is roomy and is now offered with a zipper (my first one didn’t have that). They also had a very small, rectangular bag, and I would put just a few items in that (2 diapers, small pack of wipes, one bottle, a small toy) and I would put that inside the bigger bag. That way, when I ran into a grocery store or restaurant, I didn’t have to lug a giant diaper bag in also. I still use it as a snack bag for my 4 year old.
As for toys, I used to get small lunchboxes (either metal or soft sided) with characters on them to coordinate with the toys inside. I found a Cars lunchbox at Party City and put his little vehicles in there or Fisher Price Little People still has plastic shaped lunchboxes with toys inside (castle, zoo, etc.). I keep 2 or 3 in the car and when we go inside a restaurant or friend’s house, he can choose which one to take.
That Huffington Post article is lovely. What a sweet tribute to your dad.
Also I said the same thing about the Americans. I really loved the whole season but that finale totally left me hanging.
What a sweet story about your dad. I’m positive my dad would have loved that cake too.
Also, lov d watching the Pens win the cup!
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your blog. It’s a perfect blend of great recipes, helpful tips and a touch of family.
Seriously, can Joseph get any cuter? Love that you let us watch him grow. Thanks.
Happy Friday Micelle! I don’t have answers to any of your questions this week – I just wanted to say YEAH PENS!!!! What a great turnaround and playoff series for this team. Love the photo with Joseph rocking his Pens jersey. Have a great weekend!!