Viv's Birthday: The Butterfly Conservatory

I can't believe it's taken me so long to finish Viv's birthday posts! 

Ugh!

I haven't even planned her birthday party yet. 

Double ugh. 

The same day that we were at The Strong Museum for her birthday we decided that she was probably old enough to enjoy the butterfly conservatory (inside of the museum).

We've been wanting to take her during our other trips but knew she wouldn't care much and we didn't want to spend the $8 to go through if we would have to just leave right away because Viv was too antsy.

I am so glad we went this time!

Viv was in awe and had magic in her eyes the entire time. 

We were the only ones there which was really, really nice.

The butterflies flew around Viv and kept landing on her arms and in her hair. 

She giggled the whole time!

I wore Penny in my sling and she kept reaching out to try and touch the butterflies as they flew by.

We loved watching the girls in such wonder.

Viv's Birthday: The Strong Museum of Play

For Vivienne's birthday (the day after, actually) we decided to get out of the house for the first time in months!

With the girls being so sick and it being such a terrible winter, we haven't gone anywhere as a family besides to visit family or to run errands. 

The girls were starting to feel normal this week so we took them to the Strong Museum in the city. 

I know I've posted pictures of trips there multiple times already, but when it's cold and snowy, there's not too much else to do around here! 

Viv was so excited to go to her favorite place for her birthday and to get her energy out! 

Every time we would tell her it was her birthday she would jump up and down and scream "yay!!"

She was such a thrilled little birthday lady. 

We loved watching her light up with joy and excitement. 

Even though we've been to this museum multiple times with her, she's older each time and it's really cool to see how she's growing and developing every time we go.

Now, let's talk about Penny for one second. 

I can't even begin to tell you how incredible this girl is. 

Both of our girls never cease to amaze us and make us fall even more in love with them. 

This was the first real interactive place she's been since she's been old enough to care about what's going on around her. 

She had SO much fun watching, listening, and playing!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for springtime!

Now that Penny and Viv get alone so great and Penny can keep up with her sister, things are just going to be so much fun! 

I cannot wait. 

This season of life for us, and for the girls is the most beautiful time of our lives. 

Tomorrow I'll be back sharing our trip to the Butterfly Conservatory at the museum! 

XO. 

Guest Post: Lauren

I am so excited to have my first guest blogger today! Today Lauren from Momma Moonpie is here sharing a beautiful poem that she wrote. Lauren and I have been following each other on Instagram for awhile now and she and her family are just beautiful! Thank so much, Lauren for sharing! 

You Reached For Me

For 9 months you grew within my womb

ever changing

fluttering about your room

dancing while preparing for your debut


All the while I am growing too

my body stretching

each day more draining

impatiently waiting to meet you


The morning of your birth was a dream

Everything a blur

So many emotions, up and down

Looking ahead to the unknown


The early weeks are so hazy to me

clouded by hormones

I can hardly remember your tiny self

struggling to stay afloat


All of those feelings of self doubt

Am I doing this right?

Why is she crying?

Does she even love me at all?


And then one day it finally happened

you reached for me

all was right in the world

I couldn’t stop my tears from falling


My confidence soared to new heights

never self doubting

The self I knew forever changed

I became a mother

You can also find Lauren on Instagram @mommamoonpie and her blog mommamoonpie.com. Thank you again, Lauren! XO. 

If you would like to write a guest post for MyFaereLady feel free to drop us an e-mail at j.strong73@yahoo.com, I would love to talk things over with you and have you here on the blog! 

Another 2nd Birthday Post

Viv's birthday was pretty laid back.
We're throwing her a big party at the end of the month, since everyone seems to be suffering from different bugs and sicknesses.
So for her actual birthday we just stayed home and celebrated!
I got up before she did and did a little decorating and blew up some balloons.
Then I made her pink, heart shaped vegan pancakes with sprinkles and coconut whipped cream!

I sang Happy Birthday to her about 20 times throughout the day.
It excited her so much and I loved it!
I love that she knew that it was a special day for her!

In the afternoon one of her friends came over to play.
They played with Margaret, dressed up like fairies and danced around, and drew pretty pictures together.
I made them veggie pizzas for dinner and Josh brought home Viv's favorite ice cream sandwiches!
It was a simple day, but it was so, so special.

She's 2!

I know it's what everyone always says, but I cannot even wrap my head around the fact that Viv turned two yesterday! 

Where does the time go?!

Time is such a weird thing.

It goes so slow.

It goes all too fast. 

Though now, in this time of my life, it only passes too quickly. 

It's a funny thing how children make life go by so much faster.

The days are so full and they pass with only a blink. 

It feels like only yesterday I was rocking this girl to sleep as a tiny babe. 

Now she's speaking and having opinions of her own. 

I am so proud of this beautiful soul. 

She's a special one, that's for sure.

She is feisty and opinionated.

She is kind and generous. 

She is loving and nurturing. 

 She is adventurous and fearless. 

She is devoted and loyal.

This girl,

the one who made me Mama,

she never ceases to teach me new things every single day.

She is my light and an incredible happiness in my life.

Happy Birthday Week, my Vivy. 

XO.

Oh! 

And...for those of you who don't follow me on Instagram and have been overwhelmed with photos, we got Viv a kitten for her birthday! 

She is the sweetest little doll I've ever met.

Her name is Margaret Prue and she is our Sweet Love. 

A Valentine's Day Dessert

Vanilla Crepes with A Chai Cream Cheese Filling 

I think by now it's safe to say that the only food I'll ever blog about is unhealthy, desserts. 

We eat really healthy in our house, but when it comes to desserts everything goes out the window. 

Josh is always asking me to bake something - and I, along with my sweet tooth, always oblige. 

He had been asking for crepes for awhile but I kept putting them off because they take a little bit of time to make.

Since Valentine's Day is coming up (also, my favorite holiday! So much pink and hearts and love!) I thought I would start documenting all of the fun foods and decorations that go along with it!

My house is always completely over-decorated for this silly holiday.

For the crepes I always use this Martha Stewart recipe. 

The only difference is that I add 1/4 cup of Powdered Sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Chai Crepe Filling:

This was the first time I had made a Chai filling for the crepes. 

Usually I just make a vanilla cream cheese filling, but Josh has recently (I know!) discovered that he loves the flavor of anything Chai so I surprised him. 

What You Need:

- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

- 6 ounces softened cream cheese 

- 1/1.5 cups powdered sugar (more or less - you just want the filling to be thick)

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 3 tablespoons of Chai concentrate 

- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

In a large mixing bowl cream together all of the ingredients. 

The filling should be thick.

If it's a little too soft and liquid-y, just add more powdered sugar until it starts to thicken. 

After the crepes are completely cooled down, use a knife to spread the filling onto the crepe and roll it up tight. 

You can also just put a big spoonful in the middle and fold up the sides, but it's so much easier for Viv to eat when it's rolled up tight. 

My filling ended up being a little watery, so I drizzled it over the whole pile of crepes too. 

Ugh, all of the sugar kind of kills me, but it's only a once-in-a-while treat so...I guess I can justify it! 

I boiled down some strawberries so that I had a lot of juice and let it cool in the fridge until I was finished and drizzled the strawberry juices on top.

The Chai flavor is subtle.

It actually reminds me of what a Chai Cheesecake would taste like! 

Oh...hmm...maybe that will be my next dessert! 

Enjoy! 

Where Your Soul is Free

Where is the one place your soul feels free?

The place where you go to get away from it all?

The place where you go to think, to breathe, to be?

My place is the outdoors.

The air is healing for me.

Even if that air is bone-chilling.

I breathe it in and my fears and anxieties dissipate.

This winter we've been hit with record breaking cold temps and snowfall over and over.

By this time, the end of January, I am aching for green grass and warm sun.

I dream about getaways and adventures.

Today I decided to go walk along the lake - just to be outside.

It was negative something degrees but that didn't matter.

Today was good for my soul.

Alone.

In the silence.

In the frozen wasteland.

I imagined crossing the frozen lake on foot to Canada.

I imagined that the grass was new and my girls were running in the sunshine.

I imagined picnics.

kisses.

life.

After today I am okay to wait a while longer for spring to arrive.

The winter, in all her bitter chill, is beautiful.

She is peaceful and slow.

She makes us stop and relish the simple things.

Time is but a vapor.

Breathe this moment.

Live this moment.

XO.