A cold day = A perfect day for Chicken & Rice Soup

I never meant for this blog to become only about Eliana, but when life got so busy I only forced myself to write about her (and not very frequently). However, I am trying to change that now. Another thing that I love is cooking. I love to cook difficult and new recipes, but honestly, I don't have much time for those anymore. Now it's all about cooking things that are fast and easy to cook with a toddler pulling on my leg. I also have to think about recipes that I can get as many veggies in her as possible. This soup fits that description. It is so easy to make, but it tastes great! I got the recipe from: http://bloggingmomof4.com/crockpot-freezer-meals-chicken/. I usually make this as a freezer meal, but it really is super easy, and today I just threw it all together. I cheat and use canned chicken. I know some people think that's gross, but like I said, it's all about fast & easy to cook with a toddler on my leg.

Homestyle Chicken and Rice Soup

Ingredients

1 lb Cooked Chicken Breast chopped into pieces
1 bag frozen vegetables - I just use a bag of frozen mixed veggies. You can use whatever you prefer.
4 T butter
1 box chicken stock (added the day of cooking)
1 C rice (added last 20 minutes of cooking)

I would also recommend adding some salt and pepper even though it wasn't in the original recipe.

Directions

Add chicken, vegetables and butter to freezer bag and freeze.

Write on Freezer Bag

Thaw slightly and place in crockpot.
Add the box of chicken stock and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Add 1 C rice last 20 minutes of cooking.

5-word sentence...

I just wanted to take a quick second and record Eliana's first 5-word sentence. I know most people won't care about this, but I'm writing this blog as a way to remember things that she does that otherwise I would forget. As a person who went to undergrad for Education, I love watching her learn new things. It intrigues me. So, without further ado, her first 5-word sentence was on November 8, 2013. She said, "Mommy read it to me." Not only did she say a 5-word sentence, but it was about reading and books! The book nerd in me just loves that!

(Sorry Grandparents, no pictures for this post).

Eliana’s Birthday Party Blog…8 Months Later…Oops.

Your birthday party was so much fun! I can’t believe it was 8 months ago! I’m just proud that I made myself sit down and finish this post, and at least it’s posted before I’ve started planning your next party. Life has been so chaotic, but I’m so glad to finally get these pictures together. It’s amazing to see how much you’ve grown, and how much more hair you have now!!!

I loved coming up with the decorations for your party, and I had so much fun making your cake! We used “Ellie-Phant” as our theme, and we had elephants everywhere. Your cake had an elephant on it, we had all of your stuffed elephants sitting around, and we cut grilled cheese sandwiches into elephant shapes. We also sorted elephant animal crackers out and had those. We of course had a chicken nugget tray from Chick-fil-A, because what party would be complete without one? So many family and friends came to see you, and it was such a great day! You got lots of fun presents, and you loved your cake (eventually). It took some work for us to get you to dig into it. Your cake was pretty heavy, and the icing was pretty thick. We eventually cut you a slice of it, and that worked much better. By the way, isn’t your tutu outfit so cute?

I think pictures can tell the story of your birthday party better than I can, so here you go. I’ll mix some commentary throughout. I'm sorry these pictures are just in a straight line. Blogger isn't cooperating.

These first few pictures are from your actual birthday when Daddy and I gave you your presents.

    

Taking care of your first baby doll.

Your birthday cake! Not bad for my first attempt.

That banner was so fun to make! It has all of your monthly pictures!

Yummy food!

 Lindsey & Baby Mae! You girls are going to be friends forever just like your Mommies.

Teaching Baby Mae a thing or two.

BFF Harper!

I know it's dark, but look at Papaw's face.

You stole Baby Mae's "woozle" because you thought it was yours.

Cake!!!

Trying a little icing.

Eating the fondant circles.

Trying to pick up your cake.

Finally, we cut you a piece.

Offering some to Uncle Tuck.

Mommy, that cake was soooo yummy!

Reading books post-cake.