Sibling Dress Up Storage

I keep telling friends and family that I should make a list of things of things I won’t own/delusional thoughts I have about raising a child.

1. I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER own a minivan.  NEVER EVER.  Seriously.  I won’t do it.  Don’t try to convince me how awesome they are to make yourself feel better.  Horrible. Won’t do it.

2. My kid will totally sleep through the night.  After week one.

3.  My house will not be filled to the brim with toys.  Especially that plastic crap.  Nope.  Not gonna happen.  My darling angel will play with 2 or 3 toys of which he/she will put away nicely when they are done playing.

Where’s this post going? I don’t remember.

Oh yes, one thing I will allow in my house.  This darling dress up storage that my father-in-law made for my nieces and nephew.

Isn’t it darling?

He did a little modification of the Ana White Dress Up Storage plans to create an adorable (and gender neutral) dress up station. 

 

I love how there are hooks on the side for the helmets.

And room at the bottom for accessories.

I think I want a grown-up version for my dresses.  Or maybe Ike needs one for his ever growing clothing collection (of which makes my husband super happy).

Childless readers: anything you won’t do/own as a parent? Parents: how totally wrong am I? What did you say you’d never do and then did?

March Recap

I’m learning something in my old age.  Time flies when you’re old.

I was checking prescriptions yesterday.  I was all like “Whoa.  Trying to fill your narcotics super early there, Mr. Patient.  Last filled on March 1st.  Totally not getting that 3 weeks early.”  I then realized that it was April and Mr. Patient was not abusing his prescription drugs.  Nothing gets past this pharmacist.

It’s time to look back on what we discussed on the blog in March.  March was pretty quiet.  April is going to be as well. I’m not going to lie.  I’m just hanging out until our after tax season vacation (We’re headed to Florida. Yay sun!).  But after vacation, our house had better look out.

Birthday Thrifting New Living Rooom Rug Paint a Chalkboard Wall Stencil Dilemma Baked Donut Obsession Tybee Island Shop Photos Instagram Killed My Blog Five Tips for a Dog Friendly Mudroom Edge Painted Chair Work Your Wardrobe , Instagram Display from Old Crib Spring DIY curtains Blog Buddies

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Past monthly recaps: January, February

Did you have a favorite March project?  Anyone else just hanging out until vacation?  Where is your next vacation destination?

Amazing Monster Cookies

I had monthly craft night last Thursday.  I always bring dessert.  Why?  Because everyone else brings vegetables so I have to make sure there is something I can eat.  I’m that girl.

Monster Cookies are one of my favorites.  They remind me of college.  The good parts of college.  The overeating of buffet food.  The 3 hours naps.  The only having to be productive for 2 hours on Fridays.  I attended the University of Northern Iowa before pharmacy school (at the University of Iowa).  UNI had THE best Monster Cookies.  I have since been on a quest to find a delicious monster cookie recipe.  Consider it checked off my life list.

These cookies are a deliciously soft peanut butter cookie stuffed with chocolate chips and M&Ms. I don’t know how you can possibly go wrong with that combination.

Ike was not pleased when he wasn’t allowed to sample them.

Monster Cookies (makes 2 dozen)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 3/4 cup M&Ms
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. 
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla (in that order). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Slowly mix in the baking soda and flour. Don’t  over mix. Fold in the quick oats, M&Ms, and chocolate chips.
3. Rolls balls of dough (about 2 Tablespoons of dough per ball) onto baking sheet. Press a few extra M&Ms on top for looks, if preferred.  (Which I did.  Because this girl likes pretty cookies.)
4. Bake for 9-10 minutes.  The cookies will appear undone. Slightly press down the baked cookies with the back of a spoon because the cookies will only spread slightly in the oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cookies will firm up as they cool.
5. Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. (These freeze well.)

I took the leftovers to the family this week-end.  They are toddler approved.  My niece screamed “COOKIES!!” Followed by “Aunt Chelle makes good cookies.  Aunt Chelle come to my house with cookies.”  I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that approved.

Are you a Monster Cookie fan?  Any foods remind you of those good ol’ college days?