Oh...Bacon!

I remember the morning of my 21st birthday.  I ate an entire package of bacon because I loved it so much and wanted to treat myself. Me and me alone... I've always had a love affair with crispy bacon.

So when one of my dearest friends surprised me with tickets to the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival for my birthday, you can imagine my excitement.  Yes there were approximately 17,000 people in attendance that also have a love for all things bacon but once we got there and started tasting all the deliciousness it felt like we were the only ones in the room.

Four levels of bacon fun at the convention center- we sampled: bacon donuts, grilled cheese with bacon, bacon ice cream, cookie dough bacon balls, bacon s'mores, bacon caramel, bacon toffee, bacon and pineapple, bacon marshmallows, bacon chocolate covered strawberries, bacon wrapped pork wing, bacon corn dog, a donut filled with bacon ice cream/dipped in chocolate and rolled in bacon, bacon wrapped cinnamon roll, bacon crab rangoon, bacon chipotle pesto, bacon chips, candied bacon, bacon baklava, grilled piece of cheese with maple bacon syrup (my favorite!) and many many strips of free bacon.

Wow. Typing all that out, it sounds like I need an intervention. Or a weekly Weight Watcher meeting at the very least.

The Elton John/Billy Joel cover bands amped up the fun and Reagan had fun going through all my freebies- sunglasses, stickers, t-shirts, koozies, and a cute back pack.  The best part was spending the day with my girls- making memories, laughing til our sides hurt. Oh.... BACON!

The pig had a grip!

This was a real chunk of bacon and it was heavy!

Food porn:

We only have eyes for bacon.

Can't wait for next year!

100 Days Smarter

Reagan is 100 days smarter and I'm one Pinterest craft project craftier.

We got the note sent home in Rea's back pack advising that today was the 100th school day and to celebrate, we had 2 options:  dress like she was 100 years old or wear 100 of something. She wasn't fond of glasses, a cane or a gray wig so I needed to get creative.

I took to Pinterest and found the cutest decorative tee with little iron-on (perfectly straight) lines and who are we kidding, I don't even own an iron.  So off to the store I went and found my new best friend, puffy paint!  And score- a white tee on sale, one size too big so maybe, just maybe it'll fit next year too!

Two hours and one minor injury later (why do I never remember NOT to point the knife towards my hand when trying to open something?!) Reagan had her tee shirt!  100 slash marks for 100 days of school.

Reagan helped with the exclamation point...

Our lil smartie...

Firsts~ Daddy/Daughter Dance

Reagan was so excited to attend her first daddy/daughter dance at school. The theme was 'Candy Wonderland' and she had so much fun seeing all her friends, eating popcorn and dancing with Daddy.

We did her hair and nails at home beforehand.

 Finished result:

Special memories with Daddy...

Wordless Wednesday~ Hopscotch with Papa

Life of a Preschooler

She loves the library....

Can finally reach the handles on the kiddie equipment at the gym...

Loves having sleepovers with her friends...

Has fun cheering for the Hawkeyes with Daddy...

Mommy/daughter lunch dates at her favorite place (Cheesecake Factory)...

Loves a night out with friends roller skating!

Exploring Downtown

I love taking Reagan on new adventures and she loves exploring with me.

I found a cute little play area while walking with friends yesterday morning so I took Rea back to the area to check it out. Just a couple swings and giant fishing lure to play on but she loved it! Simplicity can be fun too...

Great rules to live by:

"Mom, what's achievement mean?"

Watching two ducks swim against the current...

Wordless Wednesday~ Menchie's Girl

A Night fit for a Foodie

I may get excited about my food sometimes... okay, like really excited, especially if we're talking desserts. So when I was invited to a Culinary Fight Night with my besties, it sounded like a win-win.

Two Chefs compete head to head, the audience gets to enjoy 2 appetizers, 2 main dishes and 2 desserts. Oh and with cocktails.  The proceeds go to charity and well, how could you not like that?!

I can't believe this is a first for Des Moines.  It was exciting watching the Chefs in action and even better tasting their outcomes.  So much fun with my girls- can't wait to try out our next one in a new city!

Scallops in white chocolate sauce with bacon:

Shrimp with salad:

Duck:

Filet mignon:

New twist on bananas foster:

Hot chocolate tiramisu:

Truly a night fit for a foodie...