Valentine's Day 2016

We’ve never been the couple to truly celebrate Valentine’s Day. We typically just spend time with each other and eat a realllly good meal and now that we have Haidyn our tradition continues! All week we’ve been doing “themey” things for Valentine’s Day. We’ve eaten a heart shaped pizza for dinner, went to a Valentine’s party and wore all shades of pink and red all week. 

Haidyn got in the Valentine spirit Friday morning at school.   

 

She made me the sweetest Valentine that I get to hang up at home. It’s already ruined since I set it down on the table for a second and she got to it. Luckily, I love it anyways.

Valentine’s Day we just wanted to spend time with each other grubbing on Chinese food. Our food didn’t disappoint per usual. Since the weekend was so beautiful we spent some time basking in the sun and at the park as a family. Nothing fancy, but definitely loving each other’s company.

Hoping all of you spent this Valentine’s Day with someone you loved.

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day everyone!

DIY| Toddler Valentines

Another year to get excited about Valentine’s Day! I did my best to try and buy the generic cards from Wal-Mart this Valentine’s Day for Haidyn’s class, but I couldn’t get myself to do it. It would’ve saved me a lot of time and money, but knowing myself I couldn’t do that. So here are Haidyn’s Valentine’s this year for her sweet friends at preschool.  It’s simple, affordable (it was in total $5.00) and an alternative to the candy that’s given during this time of year. Mommy WIN!

MATERIALS

• Store bought squeezes (you can choose any type of squeeze from applesauce’s to baby food if you’d like)
• Red poster board
• Scissors
• Glue
• Printout Valentine’s Day tag
• Decorative string
• One hole punch

DIRECTIONS 

1. Create your fun Valentine’s Day tag and print. I used Picmonkey to create this gem. I love this website because you can do so many neat things on here!
2. Cut out your tags and glue them onto your poster board. I decided to just cut little squares out of the poster board, but you could do any shape you want.
3. Using your hole punch, create a hole for your string on your tag.
4. Tie your valentine tag on your squeeze pouch! 
   

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

 

This is one of my absolute favorite zucchini recipes. Everyone loved this recipe and not one person believed that there was zucchini in it! If you’re looking to use up all of your zucchini ( which is what I needed to do ) and treat yourself a little this is the recipe for you. You might want to also make two loaves because you might not want to share.

  

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cups  shredded zucchini
• 1 cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat oven to 350°F.  
2. Place the shredded zucchini on a couple paper towels to absorb some (but not all!) moisture.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips together until combined.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, yogurt, sugar, and vanilla together until completely combined.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and lightly whisk until combined.
6.  Fold in the zucchini into your mixture.
7.  Spoon in batter into a greased 9x5 (or 8x4) loaf pan.
8. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Cool bread completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
10. Slice and serve when bread has completely cooled. Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
    
11. Make ahead tip: Bread freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before serving.