Tahini-Olive Oil Cookies

I had bought a jar of tahini when I made those falafel sliders and was hoping I would find another use for it before it went bad. Luckily, I happened across this cookie recipe for Tahini-Olive Oil Chocolate Chunk Cookies! It seemed like a strange thing to put in cookies but the pictures looked so good and it had chocolate in it so I figured it couldn't be all bad! They were a little fussy to make and my cookie dough came out a lot thicker than the pictures looked. I didn't intend to make any changes to the recipe but I did accidentally forget to put on the sea salt before baking. Also, I was running out of time and skipped the whole part where you scoop/refrigerate/roll into balls and then bake. I just scooped and baked immediately. They were good though! Different, but good. I wouldn't buy tahini just to make these but I do have some more tahini left so I might be making these again!

Valentine's Day!

I love Valentine's Day! It's such a low-key holiday for us and there are no expectations so anything that is given or done seems extra special. Owen and Paige don't get up at the same time so it felt like we got to celebrate a couple times. Each kid had a special breakfast of waffles, raspberries, and yogurt with heart sprinkles. They also each got some treats in the mailboxes. They both got Hershey kisses, some balloons that inflate when you punch them. Additionally, Owen got soccer cards and Paige got a Num Nom blind pack that ended up being lip gloss. Later, I got to help out at Paige's school party and was in charge of reading a book (Crankenstein Valentine). The rest of the day was mostly not holiday-ish because of Pat getting home at a weird time and the kids having soccer and dance but we got enough celebrating in during the day! Pat also got me some beautiful flowers!!

Sundaes with Me!

Paige's school had a Sundaes with Mom event last week and I was super excited to go with Paige! Paige was a little less excited...about a half hour before we were supposed to leave she got really bummed that Owen wasn't also going. I had set up a get together with one of his friends so he wouldn't have to stay home alone and Paige wanted Owen to come! We worked through it and ended up going and having a good time:) The ice cream was from Graeter's and was really good too!

Banana Blueberry Muffins!

These muffins are sooo good! I had some bananas I wanted to use up but I'd made banana bread recently so I found this recipe. Everyone agreed this was a good recipe!

Changes-I put a little less sugar in the batter, and used plain greek yogurt with a dash of vanilla extract. I also couldn't manage to use all of the streusel it made, it just seemed like too much!

Dance Competition!

Ready for lots of pictures?? Paige had her first dance competition of the season last weekend. Dance competitions are more conducive to taking pictures than soccer tournaments because the girls are always ready to smile and there's a lot of waiting around...until it's time to go on stage and then everything is crazy rushed! The competition wasn't super far away (about an hour and a half) but we decided to stay at a hotel on Friday so we didn't have to get up at 6am at home to do hair, plus this way we could get together with friends which makes it a lot less stressful! Paige had a 9 am call time so we got there, got ready and visited with friends. The competition was running early so we didn't have as much time as we thought. Performance time came quickly and Paige's group did an amazing job!! They ended up scoring Elite Top First for all three dances (the highest you can get!) and then got 1st (lyrical), 2nd (jazz), and 4th (tap) overall for all kids 8 and under! Super impressive! We stayed for a couple hours after to watch some friends and then managed to make it home in time to see Owen play 3 soccer games (6, 7, and 9 pm start times). We were all exhausted by the time we got home but what a great day!!

Paige turned on my favorite hotel tv show-We Bare Bears:)

Getting ready! Poor Paige kept telling me I was pulling her hair too tight but the hair came out looking good so I guess I did it right:)

Ready to perform Work Me Down!

My favorite picture!

Ready for jazz but posing with their tap teacher! 

Tap outfit! 9 to 5

Paige with her student teacher!

Ready for Lyrical-Beautiful Life

I remembered to get a picture with Paige!

Paige and her buddies from another training group

Showing off their new jerseys

Names! 

Awards!

Missing a couple girls but this is some of Paige's group with awards and their lyrical teacher

Exhausted!

Ready to watch these two perform!

This picture is out of order, but another cute group shot!

Audience members!

High School Musical Jr.

A few of Paige's friends were performing in High School Musical Jr. last week and we were able to go to the performance to support them! They did a great job! We'll have to see if Paige wants to participate in the theater group when she's old enough next year!

Humphrey!

Paige's school is reading a book called The World According to Humphrey, about a hamster's adventures in a classroom. Each class has a Humphrey to send home with the student's and yesterday was Paige's turn! She was very excited to take pictures with him and show him around. She put him in her hood for the walk home, did math and card tricks with him, ate dinner and got to take him to the dance studio while I rhinestoned costumes! 

Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Why have I been making so many sliders lately? Because mini sandwiches are adorable and tasty! This was a pretty easy recipe- just layer buns, cooked chicken, sauce and cheese, top with a bun and drizzle melted butter/garlic powder/Italian seasoning and then bake! Paige didn't love them but everyone else did. We also tried edamame for the first time and it was a big hit! 

Indoor Tournament

Owen's club team participated in an indoor tournament last weekend! Owen played well but the team lost all of the games so everyone left disappointed. This was the first time in a very long time that they played with walls so I don't think they were ready for it!

Action shot! The views were terrible so I didn't take many pictures!

Pat, trying to get a better view

Paige and her friend found a way to have fun-slushies and pictures!