Drea Wood

Category Archives: birthdays

Taite’s 5th Birthday

Written on 12/19/2011 by Dreawood in birthdays, recipes, Taite

Yesterday afternoon we celebrated Taite’s 5th birthday.

I debated throwing a party… just because things are so hectic in dec…. but also because money is tight… and I wasn’t sure who to invite, etc..etc… what I kept coming back to though was the fact Caleb had such a huge birthday party this past year. I didn’t want Taite to feel as if we favored Caleb over him… & Since this was his 5th birthday (one that I think is a milestone birthday) – I knew I just needed to do it.

I let Taite plan his party… I let him pick those he wanted to come… I let him pick the food… which btw was not very healthy ;-) – I added in some fruit… but over all we had chips, more chips, candy, cake and ice cream. Oh… and of course Taite had to weasel us into giving him a soda. Since this is something we never do, I don’t mind. Its his special day… and if he wants a soda, by all means, enjoy :) – he was beyond thrilled when he saw everything laid out.

Thank you so much to those who came out.

Taite was so happy.

Also for those who follow me via facebook & were curious what cake recipe I decided on… I ended up cooking a whole grain chocolate cake! (Thank you Stacey for the tip!) I could not of been happier with how it came out. The one thing I did have trouble with was finding an icing recipe Taite approved of… After testing one and it failing… I just decided to go with a more traditional frosting recipe… that had almond oil and lots of sugar hah… which I think was just fine… since it isn’t something we eat often.

Below is the cake recipe:

Ingredients:
2 cups freshly ground white hard wheat
2/3 cups cocoa
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 2/3 cups Sucanat
4 Eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
(I used my friend Nicholes – she sells a home made organic vanilla extra, its amazing!)
1 cup. mayonnaise (healthy kind without added sugar or chemicals)
1 1/3 cups water

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350.

Mix Flour, Cocoa, Baking Soda & Powder together in bowl.

In an additional large bowl, with mixer at high speed, beat sugar, eggs & vanilla for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy. At low speed, beat in mayonnaise.

Add flour mixture into mixing bowl (with the egg mixture) – slowly… a 1/2 cup at at time or so…. alternating with water, until both water and flour are gone.

Once mixed (it will be very watery btw) – pour into your pan or pans. I used a smaller baking pan… it was glass, and around 7×10 inches. A 9×13 would work or even cupcakes. This cake recipe does not rise as much as most cakes, so take that into consideration.

Bake @ 350 F for 30-35 minutes, or until cake toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pans 10 minutes and then remove to place on cooling rack.

The cake just so you know was a huge hit. We had 1 piece left after the party… and very few plates with cake left :) – so everyone ate it very well.

Enjoy!!

To those who hate mayo, know this… I HATE MAYO!! hate hate hate it, seriously the sight of it makes me gag… but this cake is amazing. You cannot taste it at all. The mayo has oils in it that make this work… and you would never know it was whole grain. It taste just like the devil food box mixes, only better :)

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Happy 59th Dad!

Written on 04/25/2011 by Dreawood in birthdays, my dad

Today is the birthday of a very special guy in my life.
I have lots of guys in my life :) – with a household full of them, but this one holds a very special place in my heart. Hes the man with the help of an awesome mom raised me. My dad turns 59 today!

I am very thankful to have a dad who is healthy… who I am able to see often and who is a part of my children’s lives as well. He is an awesome Papa to them & we are so thankful for him.

Sorry we can’t be there today Dad! Seems like birthdays are hit and miss these days with having so much on our plates… but maybe in a few weeks we can organize a visit :) – We love you!! & for fun… a few photos

Dad hard at work back in Panama where he met my mom

My parents, the cutest couple ever

Oct 2007 – My parents with Taite

Oct 2007 as well – My brother is in this one (hes in Qatar right now)

My dad and I at my wedding, walking me down :) – Jan 2003

April 25th, 2008 :) – That birthday we did manage to get together.

My mom & dad Panama 2009

At Delaware Beach 2009
(must add, I do not miss my hair like that! lol)

Sept 2010 – My dad with Owster

& to end, a picture I don’t think my dad has ever seen :) – but I love it.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

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A FULL sink

Written on 12/12/2010 by Dreawood in birthdays

What a day in the kitchen results in…

but I did make this cool cake…

oh yes… and we lit them all! :-)

“34 big ones” haha…

Our kids loved it!! although Owen was in a state of shock, I dont think he knew what to think of the cake.

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Super Swim Party

Written on 08/30/2010 by Dreawood in birthdays, caleb, friends

We decided this year to have Calebs birthday party at a pool.
We attended a birthday party at a pool a month before Caleb’s & we loved how well everyone played together. No need for lots of toys… or messes… the kids were so well entertained by the pool. Its just what I wanted for his party.

We had a great turn out and all went so well!
The weather was perfect!!

The only thing I would say that went kinda wrong :) was the pool was sortaaaa green haha.
My friend who was letting us use this pool told me around this time a year it turns green, they aren’t sure why… but they had the “pool man” come check the chemical levels, and he said all was ok.

As Taite said “Its just a little ALLLLEEE GEEEEE (algae)” :)

We had a great time. I hope everyone else did as well :-)

Heres a few pictures from the event…

Owen was excited to see the party started :-)

Heres a look at the wonderful cryptonite pool!

Kelly & Brian being cute together at the pool

My friend Lauries two boys (ages 10 and 7) remind me of Caleb & Taite together.

Laurie got to soak up some Owen love :-)

Jacob nursed Drew ;-)

We enjoyed a very relaxed schedule. People were welcome to eat as they wanted.
Im not very good at “timelines” :-) so I figured that be better for everyone.

My other friend Kelly had some babywearing time with Drew (using my Kimz Kreation Sling)
& Laurie freed me up some by feeding Owen (I think she was getting a baby fix with him HAHA)

Then… after we were all fed, and together, it was time to sing Happy Birthday.
Thank you to Micki who made Calebs cake! Isnt it fun?!
She also made it DAIRY and EGG FREE for us!
Kelly’s kids can’t have those things so we wanted to make sure
our Cake was safe for them to enjoy.

She gave me an easy alternative recipe to give Micki to use ;-) worked great and tasted good too.

I love this next picture and the motion in it :) Check Taite out cheesing on the right side

Caleb then got to open up presents!

The Cheerio box my mom sent in the mail :-)
I thought it was funny, Caleb was like “I got cereal?”
Of course inside were his gifts.

We then enjoyed MORE pool time! (See no toys needed!)

Heres Taite giving the thumbs up, see the water was JUST FINE green :-)

Heres a photo of Kelly & Kelly with me :-)

Laurie & I (with her husband droiding it in the BG)

& lil Owen. He pretty much stayed with Laurie the entire time.

I hope to post a “Caleb’s 6!!” post on his actual birthday (tomorrow).
But I wanted to share his special birthday day before we got to busy home schooling this week.

We are half way through the 1st home school day. Caleb is doing great! I will also post more about how his 1st day (or few days haha) went later on this week.

& to end… heres a funny story.

Kelly’s little boy Gabe (whos 2) had to use one of Owens cloth diaper covers as a swimmy diaper. He dirtied his disposable swimmy, so I let him use this. While Gabe was walking around he began to PEE in the diaper… and all of a sudden stopped… looking inside the diaper. At 1st I thought he was checking out his stuff HAHA, bu then we realized he was confused as to why his pee didnt absorb into anything, it just filled up the diaper like a big balloon. :-) He waddled over to his daddy… where his daddy then parted the side of the diaper around his leg, and a big POOL of pee flooded out! It was SO FUNNY! I wish I had gotten a video of all of it :-)

These pictures say it all though.

Thanks again all those who came!
& if you’d like to see these pictures & more CLICK HERE for the flickr album.

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A secret gift reveal?

Written on 08/07/2010 by Dreawood in birthdays, caleb, friends, Owen, Taite

So as you all know, I turned 27 yesterday.

I figured id do a recap of my birthday for those who are just interested lol… although im not sure it will be that interesting to read :-)

Yesterday morning we had someone come over to look at a “secret gift reveal”… at 10, then by 11am we headed down to the location I did a session at the day before… If you didn’t read, on thursday I accidentally locked my keys in the car…. resulting in having to go BACK the next day to pick up our other car.

So we brought all 3 boys with us, picked up my car… I then decided to stay at this location with my older two… while Travis took one of the cars back with Owen. That way he could get some work done and Owen could get a nap.

This location is so beautiful (view THIS PHOTO SESSION to see its beauty better). Its right along the water… theres sand to play in, the most awesome breeze and shade… it is just a nice place to retreat, and so peaceful. It is “private”… and you technically need permission to go there, but I was talking to one of the neighbors and she told me they didn’t mind me 1) taking portraits there or 2) spending time with my boys there :-) so that made me feel good.

The boys got soaked (wasn’t prepared for that!) & we also enjoyed a picnic lunched (I had it pre-packed).

When we got home I had two packages waiting for me.

1 from Aliesha
1 from Stacey
and a few cards.

I thought it be fun to post pics of what Aliesha and Stacey sent :) cause the gifts are just so cute!!

The gifts Stacey sent me come from “Oh Write” a fun etsy shop!

& now heres the ones Aliesha MADE me :-) – I think she made them LOL – ill let her comment stating so. If she did make them she should absolutely sell these type of gifts on etsy!! they are precious.

I also wanted to share a gift Kate gave me back in June at our beach trip… I meant to blog about it a while ago but kept forgetting.

- She made me a NETBOOK cover for my little 10 inch EEE computer. Its the perfect color combination.

After naps we dropped the boys off at one of their favorite spots..
Mr. Gordan & Glenda’s house. They LOVE going to their house.
They came prepared to swim and even jammies for later that evening.

This was my 1st time leaving Owen with someone besides Travis.

I was a bit nervous, not because I dont trust the ones who were watching him… I do, 100% – but Owen is kind of difficult at night, due to him not taking a pacifier… seriously, I WISH HE DID! He just can’t seem to comfort himself very well with his fist any more… I have tried so many pacifiers in a desperate attempt to get him to take one. He just wont. He sucks on it for like two seconds, then acts like he has no idea how to use it. I have even tried shoving his thumb in his mouth :-) no luck.

If any of you had “stubborn – non pacifier babies”, if you have tips that may help me, please comment!! or if you found a pacifier that your babies loved after trying many, let me know what kind it is.

Ended up Owen did give them a bit of trouble… she had to walk him in the stroller to get him to sleep.. which is fine :) but I felt bad she had to do that… it was really hot!

Travis and I went to Olive Garden, then shopped some at Best Buy & Ross. It was nice :) we had some good laughs.

When we picked up the boys Owen was still awake! haha… it was like 10pm! I was amazed he was sane at that time :) cause typically by 8:30 hes a mess.

Both boys were up and begging to sleep there… but Taite forgot his “blanket” and wanted us to go home and get it. Since we didnt have that for him, we took Taite & Owen home with us, while Caleb spent the night there.

Taite shared a room with Owen last night however, so he wouldn’t have to sleep alone.

All in all it was a great day!

& just you wait til you hear my secret “gift” reveal :-) I cant reveal what it is until Monday! but let me just say… its BIG heehee.

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