Weekend Tales: Fathers Day Weekend

We overslept this morning and I'm pretty sure it was because we I stayed up baking every. night. this weekend.  Perhaps my nervous energy and the dream of being chased by a giant Cat causing me to drown in a pool of sprinkles were to blame?  I don't know.  Whatever the reason, today I was left with the Monday blues and walked around the job like a snot-nosed Zombie.

Don't even ask how #junewithjillian is going:(  But I did manage to avoid the cookies we baked, with one workout under my belt!  I think I can be pretty proud of that and try to get back on track this week!  Heres to hoping this week is a little less eventful!

Eventful?  Why you might ask?  Well, the Mr. decided to take a job in North DAKOTA.  Yes you read that right.  Not Carolina...DAKOTA!  He left early Friday morning, which left Cam and I scrambling to throw together something special for Fathers Day all why trying to process the goodbye.

We went for the homemade touch this year since this craziness left us with a little less extra cash in the piggy back.  But we did sneak in an "I.O.U" Panthers game ticket of his choice this year.  Surprisingly enough, I think the candy, picture of Cam, and yo-yo were what won his heart.  And this is the gift that just keeps on giving because his baked goods are on their way to him wrapped in a fleece jacket (yep, apparently that's North Dakota in June?).  If only we could cram ourselves in the box with them!  We miss him so bad we can't stand it.

                                           

And for the other special guys in our life, we shared the cookie and cake pop wealth.  Cam was the BEST helper.  I mean, check out the excellent penmanship on the cards...#nailedit  Now to get him to understand we can't do that to just anything as he headed for the walls next.

I also have to mention our local Relay for Life that took place this past Friday.  It was such an honor to be a part, especially this year, as we honored Aunt Karen.  The last I heard, our church raised over $2000 this year.  I am so proud of all that worked so hard for such a near and dear cause.  If you have the opportunity to be involved...do so!  You will be so glad you did!

I especially appreciated the kid-friendly atmosphere at the Relay... Cam had the time of his life twerking to the bluegrass and stalking the person in the Cat costume (i.e. the Cat in my dream?).  I think we only ran up to the cat 135, 674 time to giggle, stare, point, squeal, and give it a high five.  Kudos to you big Cat!  Thank you for making the Camster's night:)

Happy Monday everyone!

Tacos and Dragons

  As a speech therapist, one of my passions has become literacy.  No matter how young a child is...never underestimate the power of a book.  I always knew that one of my goals as a mom would be to instill a love of books within my kids.  Technology is just fine, but it will never take the place of a good ole paper book.  So far...we are book crazy.  Books are one of Cam's goto "toys!"  #proudmommystatus

Every now and then I run into a childrens book I just can't get enough of.  "Dragons Love Tacos" has not only stolen my heart, but Cam's as well!  It is so. stink in'. cute. and perfect for Toddlers!  We have had so much fun looking at the hilarious illustrations and laughing at all of the funny things the dragons do...(and not to mention, the always famous *Fitzy appearances).  We loved this book so much in fact, that we had to make tacos for supper one evening this week:)  

*Fitzy appearance: anytime Cam sees a dog (especially in books) he gets so cracked up and excited and yells "Fitzy!"  "Fitzy!" Mr. Fitz is our dog;)

{Dragons Love Tacos}

Fun things to do with your toddler with "Dragons Love Tacos" (or any storybook you choose):

Consider that for your baby to enjoy any book, they must be actively engaged!  Have fun with it:)

1.  After you read the text, have some fun pointing and talking about the pictures.  Cam gets so giggly every time we do this!  He loves to look at every little detail, make sure he gets to point at the pictures, smell any plants he may see, and make a varoom sound if he spots a vehicle.  But I think he enjoys getting the opportunity to "read" to mama the most:  "Tu, tu, ta, ka, ma, ma, da," anyone?

2.  Never underestimate the power of inflection...kiddos eat it up.  And you better believe they will do it when it's their turn!  Cutest. thing. ever.

3.  Let THEM turn the pages.  Sometimes this backfires on me and Cam goes rip happy.  Board books are awesome at this age...  But think about it, allowing them to turn the page not only helps keep them attentive, but they begin to learn "basics" of reading.

4.  Don't be afraid to change the story up for little ones, to make it more enjoyable.  This is where my "Fitzy" prompts come in:)  Cam loves puppies so much, I always point them out and make them apart of the story- even if that isn't the authors intention.

5.  Activities, activities, activities!  If your child is old enough-tie in an activity like creating a dragon for an art activity or have them write their own story about a taco party they threw for a dragon.  

6.  Obviously...make tacos and play with stuffed dragons:)

Happy Hump Day and God Bless! :)

                                                            

If you are a fellow Speechie, here is a link to an activity to pair with the book!  So, so cute.

Weekend Tales: Graduation

18 years have passed as I have had the pleasure of watching this little girl grow into a beautiful, well-accomplished, young lady.  I speak for my whole family when I say that I am so proud of her and pray that she always follows the Lord's path for her life.  This weekend was extra special because we were blessed enough to see her graduate high school!

 Way to go Class of 2014!  Congrats to my sister, my friend:)   

Top: Me, Brother, Sister   Bottom: Brother, Sister, Mom, Me

To celebrate...we had a lot of dinners, ceremonies, and cookouts to attend.  Let's just say Cam was in baby heaven (aside from the ceremony part).  I must say though...he was very well behaved at the graduation and baccalaureate services aside from the constant crowd surfing and 500 lbs of Goldfish he single handedly put away!

He is becoming quite the sugar giver...

And Cam is quite the swimmer these days.

And if you follow my instagram @cassidyadams, you have already gotten this memo!
We take approx 109,023 stuffed animals with us wherever we go.  Just kidding...
ok, maybe 10.  But it is the cutest. thing. I have ever. seen!  Can we do this forever??

And, since it was a special occasion, which tends to always put me in a baking mood ...my mini sous chef and I gave these pink lemonade cupcakes for "C" a whirl Sunday morning.
Find the yummy recipe here.

*Find these cute grad cap straws at Target and cut in half for a festive cupcake topper;)
I also found a chalk pen and wrote captions on the top before serving...Have fun with it!

Happy Monday!