Happy Birthday Puppy Boy!

Our sweet nine year old made good on his word. Last year he debated on a puppy party but chose hunting/camo instead. He just kept pushing the puppy theme out and I thought for sure it would never happen. Or that maybe he would pick dogs instead of puppies. I wasn't sure if puppies were too babyish or if his love of puppies (his puppy) would win out. It did. He is so sweet! He loves tiny things, baby puppies, small versions of big stuffed animals he already has. 

So I went for it! We were short on time when he finally decided on his theme. So the dollar store had to come through for me. I have never really minded buying table clothes, plates, napkins or silverware from the dollar store, but much other than that is pretty much crap in my eyes.

But low and behold their picture frames aren't too bad and they even have a pet aisle! I was floored!

I spent a total of $20 on decorations. The signs I designed and printed out myself. I even found a little All Star puppy sweatshirt for his new stuffed animal. 

Parker woke up to puppy paw prints all over the floor of the house leading him to his breakfast...his own bowl of Kibbles and Bits. Cocoa Puffs look amazingly like dog food when served in a dog dish!

I had the table all set up for the party. Including dog dishes of napkins--Wipe Your Paws, silverware--Fetch!, Bone Appetit (just may be my favorite), and a big ol' bowl of puppy chow!

When the time came he did what he typically does ONLY on his birthday when being sung to...he got shy. His face is so adorable and sweet when this is happening. Melts my heart!

 He did manage to blow out all nine of his candles but it took a good couple of breaths to get them out. He's getting old enough that the girlfriend comments truly embarrass him

 I usually go all out on the cupcakes. Or pupcakes this year. But I was able to just frost and use a Scooby Snack bone shaped graham cracker for decoration. I had quite a few people ask me if it was a real bone! It may say more about me than I want to know. I also used an oreo for the paw pad and three milk duds for the toe pads. It looked like a tiny puppy paw.

The puppy chow was a hit for the kids and the adults! I don't think I have ever made it but somehow had the recipe for it. It turned out great and was super easy!

 And one of the funniest stations of the night was the "toilet water." The kids got a huge kick out of this! The adults thought it was pretty funny too.  

 The party was a success, the theme was adored and the birthday boy totally approved. I wish I could freeze time at this age because it totally fun! It's crazy, busy, fun but I love it!

The boy and his puppy. 

Merry Christmas from the Olson's!

Merry Christmas from the Olson's!

Complete with footie jammie's, Santa hats, puppy kisses and smiles!

I chose to scale back on not stress out about sending out Christmas cards this year. I just couldn't do it. The amount of time and money that goes into the card was just too overwhelming for me this year. I did however still get my family together for a picture in our jammie's under the tree. Just being us and enjoying the season together. It was one of our favorite years yet.

Merry Christmas!

The Boys Call Santa

Christmas Scented Playdough!

So I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of Pinterest. I'm the best case scenario of the Pinterest fails. I have avoided that site for years because I have a tendency to try everything and I really don't have the time!! 

But I got suckered in with the Playdough that you can scent with oils! The recipe said peace and calming but I switched it up. I made one of our advent calendar activities Christmas scented Playdough. I let the boys pick the "flavors" and colors. I had mixed emotions about food coloring the dough so I at least had them wear rubber gloves when mixing!

Here is the recipe: (I quadrupled this to make 4 different options)

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil 

1/2 cup flour

1/4 salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

Oils of your choice 

Food coloring (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan or stockpot until the batter is smooth. No lumps.

Place on the stove on medium heat and stir CONTINUOUSLY! (Like put your fitbit on this wrist and stir!). Your batter will start to form one big ball.

Remove from heat and let it cool enough to the touch. Form one ball and divide if you want to make multiple colors or scents.

Place each ball into a bowl and make a well in the middle. Drop your food coloring and oils in the well and then knead with your hands. (Wear rubber gloves if you add the dye!).

I let them pick the oils and colors. 

Red = Christmas Spirit

Blue = Believe

Black = Valor (Parker picked because of the black spruce)

Green = pine and peppermint

Yellow = Joy

Once mixed you are all ready to play! I busted out the Christmas cookie cutters for the boys and they loved it! It's been a couple of days and they are still making things for me! And the playdough smells amazing!! I wanted to take the Valor one to work with me!

Lefse, Lutefisk and Love!

Lutefisk! Lefse! Love!

We attended our third Lutefisk feed with Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Tolle. We drove 50 mph through freezing rain and slippery roads for gloppy fish. Yep, we are true Minnesotans. Or Norwegians. Parker referred to it a couple of years ago as "lunafish" and the name has stuck. He also didn't care for it and stick sticks to the meatball platter. But Emmitt gobbles it right up like his dad and Grandpa. Yep, he just pours the butter all over it and scrapes his plate clean. I manage to get down one spoonful and call it good.

Now Lefse! Parker pounds the Lefse! He's mastered the art of making it and knows the hard work and hours that go into it. He's quick to judge the thinness too. But he's the master butterer and sugar spreader for the table. Lefse is by far one of my favorite Christmas goodies!

And this guy. Yeah the dude in the middle. It's his fault we all love this food! Papa Milo has started this tradition! He is the ring leader in our Lefse making day and Lutefisk seeking adventures. It's something I love about him. He's a traditional guy like me. Loves doing the same activity year after year and creating layers of memories.

The little desserts that follow the plate of Lutefisk, Lefse, cranberries, pickles, coleslaw, buns, pickled beets, mashed potatoes, rutabagas, green beans and meatballs are amazing! They are these little bits of sugared air dusted in more sugar! Sooo yummy!

Dad fits right in and glops it right on his plate and slurps it down! You may not know it but this guy loves tradition as me! Love that he dives right in next to me making memories.

Me and the little dude. As you can see from the background of the pic we are one of the younger tables that attend. We did however have young waitstaff and Emmitt claims he wants to work at Littlefork Lutheran church next year at the feast!

Auntie Tolle getting her fill of meatballs and lovings from the Emmitt.

Until next year Lutefisk! We'll miss you. Sort of.

This the season!

These handsome little men are all dressed up for their Christmas concerts at school. 

I had sent a picture from the store to Parker asking him to choose which color sweater vest. Red or Black. I attempted the Love and Logic reasoning and figured I would let him pick the color of vest but I still got a vest. 

Yeah well he wore it for the picture and agreed to Christmas church but other than that no way. He tossed it on the floor and said "I'm not wearing that in public." What ev. I was not going to fight about it and I still get to show the world how cute they both are in their sweater vests! Mom wins.