Lazy Mornings

As soon as I get home from the gym in the mornings, I lay Lucy down for her morning nap and I plop P down on her JJ Cole little nap mat.  She snacks on a treat and watches her favorite show, Daniel Tigers Neighborhood.  She is obsessed with the baby episode and has watched it too many times to count.  I am usually able to get in a quick shower and put a few things away.  

It has been the cutest thing watching her snuggle up in her JJ Cole little nap mat.  She insists on laying in it each and every morning.  If it's no where to be found, we have a slight melt down.  It is so comfortable and is the perfect size for her mini bod.  It doesn't hurt that it has ballet slippers on it, which is near and dear to her heart.

Speaking of dance, I just signed her up for her second year of dance class.  I can't believe where the time has gone.  Yesterday we went and picked her out some new tap and ballet shoes.  She has already grown out of last years...... tear.  I have to be sure to hang onto those first little pairs of dance shoes.  They are just too darn cute, but then again, anything tiny just has my swooning.  

Also, I finally got some of the girls toys organized into to one place.  I love that our upstairs has it's very own designated play area.  The girls have their own space where they can just play and I don't worry about the mess.  It's out of sight and out of mind.  Fresno and Clovis don't offer basements in their homes, so our upstairs play area is a must.

^^This girl and her jammies and stuffed animals.  She truly is a girl after my own heart. ^^^

^^^ Playing with her babies hair.  Yet another of Lucy's stuffed animals that P has claimed as her own. ^^^

 ^^^ A quick and easy clean up.  What would we do without baskets ?!?! ^^^

^^^ I am a total hoarder of children's books.  I can't wait to watch the girls collection grow. ^^^

Totally random but while I was under the weather after our camping trip this weekend, I came across the BEST carmel popcorn recipe on @nataliesmixingbowls Instagram feed!  It had me all nostalgic for fall.  It turned out delish and if you ask me, next day carmel popcorn is just too good to pass up!  P has developed a liking and has been begging for the popcorn daily. 

Carmel Corn

1 cup light Karo syrup
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups un-popped popcorn kernels.  Before you start making the carmel mixture, pop popcorn and place in a large bowl that has been greased with cooking spray.  Set aside.

1. Boil brown sugar and Karo syrup together for 3 minutes.  (Set timer for exactly 3 minutes once mixture starts to boil) Stir constantly.

2. Remove from heat and add: butter, vanilla and sweetened condensed milk.

3. Bring back to a boil, stirring constantly until everything is well incorporated.

4. Pour mixture over carmel and toss until evenly coated.

5. You can either spread popcorn to cool on wax paper, cookie sheets or make popcorn balls. 

 ^^^ I love this pup of mine. ^^^

 ^^^  Her little top knot is my favorite. ^^^

^^^ Daddy came home early from work to drop something off and gave us a good surprise.  These tow have the sweetest connection, that gets me every time. ^^^

 While everyone else is off at school, I'm soaking up this last year with my sweet P at home.  I have come across some fun arts and crafts, that I cannot wait to introduce her to and just recently signed her up for a mommy and me cooking class.  I seriously can't wait to attend her first class!  

Hope your kiddos had a great first day of school!