Birthday Traditions

Dear Diary,

One more year has passed for each of my baby girls... time to celebrate!  My girls' birthdays are a month apart. Eva has turned 3 and Mea is turning 5! After giving birth, I gained a whole new appreciation for BIRTHdays!  My appreciation was exponentially heightened when I was able to witness Layla, my niece come into this world.  It was indescribable...other-worldly. breathtaking. mindblowing... it left me speechless and will go down in history as the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.  There is a deep sentiment to consider what we are celebrating on a birthday...  on this particular day, so many years ago, a miracle happened.  It is such a great reason to celebrate: LIFE!

Now the question, how do we celebrate it?  What traditions do we carry over from our own childhood.  What new traditions will we start?  Things will be ever changing but some things can stay the same.  Here is a list of 10 BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS:

Making Meatballs... like a little old Italian lady

Dear Diary, 

I remember a few years ago, as a new mom and wife, I would call my mom or mother in law to ask them for recipes.  Normally, I'd come to find out I didn't have exactly what the recipe called for so I was forced to improvise.  If I didn't have breadcrumbs, I could smash up cheez its.  If we didn't have one kind of soup, I'd use another.  Slowly, as my repertoire for meals increased, I became more confident to open up the fridge and cupboards and answer the question, "Ma- what's for dinner?" Over the years, planning and preparing dinner for my family has transformed from a dreaded chore to something I am proud to do.  My meatballs are the bomb!

This is a recipe from my mother-in-law with some of my own twists and secret techniques.    
Behold... my meatballs!

... More Photo Tips! (Piggyback Post)

Dear Diary,

When I see a really great photo, I get goosebumps. I can stare at a good photo for a half hour, almost meditating on it. I think that qualifies me to say that I have a passion for photography. I love the kind of photo where you can hear, smell, taste and feel the subject.

One day I wanna get a sweet camera with a zoom lens. But in the meantime, we work with what we got and if we work hard enough, we can do sweet things! My panasonic point and shoot broke a few months ago and my only camera is the one on my iphone.

Want Professional Looking Pictures Without the Cost?

Dear Diary,
I recently went to a professional store to take Christmas pictures of my daughter. It was the first time so I made sure to take mental notes of how they took the most amazing pictures! Anyone remember their senior pictures? I remember going home and thinking I could have done that at home without spending almost $1000! Well you know I LOVE saving money (check out my couponing post) so here are some tips you should follow:

Chocolate Footballs?!

 Dear Diary,

For the Superbowl this year I was given the opportunity to bring a dessert to the party.  I knew I could be crafty with a deliciousness! I decided to make chocolate dipped strawberries.... and look like footballs! These can also be made into basketballs or baseballs with the choice of different colors and possibly flavors (white chocolate).