THE Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've searched far and wide for a good cookie recipe, besides my mom's, and I think I've finally found it.  It's the perfect mix of chewy, chocolately goodness.  I used this recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction, found on my Pinterest here.  They're SO good.  The cornstarch in them makes them extra chewy and fluffy.  I used a mix of Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips.  I didn't add nuts, but you could certainly add pecans, walnuts, etc.  Also, refrigeration is key.  If you're anything like me, you'll wait the minimum hour in the fridge and start;)

I loved this recipe because not only does it use simple ingredients, but it's also quick and easy to throw together.  These will not last long in our house!  Do you have a favorite cookie recipe?  I'd love for you to share.  Happy Baking! 

Keepin' It Real

Hi friends! Hope all of you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather.  It's been so nice here lately and we've certainly been enjoying cooler mornings, crockpot meals, and pumpkin pecan waffle candles burning all day long!

This past week has had it's ups and downs with busy schedules, a cranky/happy toddler and just every day life getting in the way.  I've decided to share our night with you, simply to keep it real.

Last night, I made a simple turkey meatloaf with kale and sweet potatoes (mixed in for added veggies), sauteed asparagus and roasted red potatoes.

(Plate set from Re-Play, amazing quality)

Normally, Olivia will always try different things and if she doesn't like it, she does the baby-spit-out-food thing.  She's a great eater most of the time...picks veggies over meat, loves fruit, yogurt, etc.  Then there are times where she eats a cheese stick.  Literally, a cheese stick for dinner.  Keepin' it real.  Last night, she was a hot mess of over-tired-hungry-toddler.

She was to the point of crying but not knowing what she wanted.  Of course I'm not normally snapping away pictures of my child crying, but sometimes I think it's refreshing to see real life, everyday happenings.  Sometimes, you just need some dinner, a cereal cup, two bibs, and a milk cup and it'll all be okay.  

Life with toddlers is hard, and messy, and rewarding all at the same time.  I find it refreshing to read other mom's stories and know I'm not alone.  I mean, we've all fed our child deli turkey out of a sandwich bag while racing around Target right?! That happened.  That was me.  My child was the one eating handfuls of turkey while in the Nate Berkus aisle of Target.  Keepin' it real.  

Toddler Meals: Part 2

Hi! This is part two of my toddler meal posts.  You can find part one here.  I really have so much fun making these fun meals for Olivia. She always giggles when I put them in front of her and actually understands that they're fun for her! Overall I'm very happy that she is a good eater, but of course sometimes she is picky depending on the food or day...aren't toddlers so fickle sometimes;)

Most of the meals that I make her are very simple and quick to put together.  I always think that kids are more willing to eat food that looks fun and appetizing to them, don't we all?

Here are some of the toddler meals I've put together lately:

Mini pita pizzas with green beans

Salsa chicken with black beans and corn

Avocado and zucchini bites

Whole wheat tortilla triangles

Homemade pumpkin spice muffin

Nectarine and cucumber slices

Breakfast bunny with fresh bread and homemade apricot jam

Strawberries and blueberries

Ingredients for chicken meatballs 

Recipe on first toddler meal post 

Can toddler pajamas get any cuter?

I'd love for you to share your toddler meal ideas!  Hope you enjoy your weekend! 

Bathtime Favorites

Livvy has been seriously loving her bathtime lately.  Every night she has a bedtime routine and it includes a bath, book, and bottle.  She's had the same routine since she was a newborn, but now it's even more fun because she loves to play with bath toys and loves "washing" her own hair, which entails dumping a little bucket full of water over her hair all by herself.  She's such a little ham!

Here are a few bath time toys and products I'm loving for her:

Arbonne products are great for babies who have sensitive skin because they're fragrance free and very moisturizing.  I was given the Hair and Body Wash, the Herbal Diaper Cream, and the Body Lotion, all part of their ABC product line, to review and I'm really pleased with the products.  All of the products were very gentle on Olivia's skin and hair, and I love that they're tear-free as well.  The Herbal diaper rash cream includes zinc, avocado and peach as the key ingredients...so cool, right? I think this gift set would be the perfect present for a mommy to be or as part of a baby shower gift basket.  

(via)

Another bathtime essential is a big fluffy bath towel.  I don't know about you, but it drives me batty when Olivia can't fit in her bath towel, leaving me with a squirmy, wet baby.  These animal themed bath towels are perfect for her.  I absolutely love the bunny one! 

(via)

I'm also loving these non squirt bath toys by Boon.  Seriously, how gross is it that most bath toys grow black mold inside when your little ones are sucking out the water. Olivia is certainly known for that on occasion, whoops... These are called Odd Ducks and they are adorable, and hole free so no chance of slimy toys! 

I think it is so important that babies have a bedtime routine and I love ours.  I'm so happy that Olivia loves her bath time so much and it's so fun to watch her splash around and play!

Note to self: clean the mirror...

What are some of your favorite bathtime toys and products? What is your bedtime routine with your little one? I'd love to hear! If you are interested in purchasing Arbonne products, please contact Katie at katie.parsells@gmail.com.  

Garden Fresh Salsa

Hi friends!  Hope you're all enjoying your weekend.  Our garden is currently in a jungle like state, not that I'm complaining, but we're getting an abundance of tomatoes.  Yesterday, I made the most delicious homemade salsa and wanted to share this quick and super easy recipe.  I'm a wing it type girl so this is a recipe that you can adjust to your liking.

4-5 beefsteak tomatoes, cubed (or other large tomatoes)
Half of a Vidalia onion
1 medium bellpepper (or 2-3 small)
Zest and juice of 1 lime
Tsp salt
Tsp cumin
Handful of parsley or cilantro
1/2 a clove of garlic
1/2 small jalapeno (I'm a baby)

Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and you're done! You can choose a chunkier style or smooth, spicy or not, so many possibilities.  It was so good and fresh!

Enjoy!

The winner is...

Congratulations to entry #66, Kayla W.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You've won one pair of Freshly Picked moccasins and one headband from Jumping and Jellybean!! Please check your email at the address you provided via Rafflecopter and let me know the size and color moccs you'd like!  You have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen! Thank you all so much for your entries and check back soon for another giveaway! Have a great day!

Freshly Picked + Jumping and Jellybean Giveaway!

Hi Mommas!

Today starts the beginning of an amazing giveaway!  Freshly Picked and Jumping and Jellybeans will be giving away one pair of moccasins and one headband to one of you lucky readers!

I was lucky enough to receive a pair of moccasins to review and I'm thrilled with them.  Freshly Picked has the most amazing customer service and their story of how the company came to be is a great one.  The moccasins arrived in a cardboard box that you can turn into a garden, complete with Freshly Picked stickers...seriously, the cutest packaging ever! They also came with a keepsake bag and FP pin.

We received the Platinum moccasins in size 3, which fit her perfectly.  I almost wish I got them in a 4 so she'd be able to wear them even longer.  They are super soft and have elastic around the top to make them easy to put on, but they also stay on her feet so well.   The color is neutral, which is great so she can wear them with so many different outfits.  I also love how they are beginning to show her footprint on the bottom, what a sweet keepsake.  I'd absolutely recommend these for crawlers and walkers.  She is loving her moccs!

I'm also so excited to be collaborating with Molly from Jumping and Jellybeans, a super cute Etsy shop with glittery headbands, coffee cozies, and hair clips.  Olivia will be getting the pale gold glitter bow clip and I can't wait to show pictures!  How cute are the items in her shop?!

Be sure to check out her shop on Etsy for your little ones!  

Now on to the fun part... to enter to win one pair of Freshly Picked moccasins and one Jumping and Jellybeans headband, use the Rafflecopter below.  Winner must not have been the recipient of moccasins in the past 60 days. If you are a new reader, please comment telling me after you've joined The Birds Nest via Google+ or signed up for new blog posts via email. Giveaway ends Sunday, August 3 at midnight.  The chosen winner will be announced Monday morning.  Good luck!! 

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