Courtney Richardson Photography

So, some of you may know already but my dream

has always been to become a photographer.

Well, the time has come and I'm SO excited.

I launched my new website and facebook group on September 27th

and things have been fast and furious ever since.

www.courtneyrichardsonphotography.webs.com

I have booked some family photo sessions and even possibly... a wedding.

I just wanted to fill you in on the reason why I have been a bit... busier than normal.

Thanks for all of your support!

~Courtney~

Tips and tricks to a smooth school morning

Mornings can get crazy. It REALLY helps to have a set routine. I swear, it makes life SO much easier.

Here's our routine.

You can tweek it so it fits your family better if need be...

Make Bed

5 Minute Room Rescue

Get Dressed

Put PJs away

Eat

Take vitamin

Clear Breakfast dishes

Hair

Brush Teeth

Lunch Bag

Backpack

Coat/Shoes

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*Make Bed* Do this right when they get out of it.
Great lifetime habit in my opinion!

*5 Minute Room Rescue* They do this for their evening routine, too, so their rooms never get out of hand. Set a timer.

*Get Dressed* All the way to their socks

*Put P.J.'s Away* I get them to put them on their pillow.

*Eat* I get their breakfast ready for them while they are getting dressed.

*Take vitamin* They take a Children's Multivitamin

*Clear Dish* Rinse and put beside sink.

*Hair* Kailey needs my help here.

*Brush teeth* They have toothbrushes that light up for two minutes. When it stops flashing, they have to finish up.

*Lunchbag* I usually pack it the night before, so it is generally ready to go in the fridge.

*Backpack* They bring it to the living room so they can grab and go (and I can double check for homework and library books)

*Coat/Shoes* In the spring/fall, they keep a jacket or sweater in their backpacks at all times, because you never know what the weather will do. I HATE being home worrying about them being cold at recess just because the sun didn't come out that day like expected. Now I don't have to worry and have mommy guilt! :)
In the winter, they put their coats/boots by their backpacks in the living room.

*Double check* They have to do a quick walk through the house and make sure they didn't forget anything.

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For this system to work properly,

I have to make sure all things are accessible for them.

For example...

-they need clean clothes to get dressed into.

-they always know where their backpack is because we have designated spots for them.

-homework, library book and jacket always stay in the backpack so there is no last minute searching.

Prepping everything the night before is a MUST!

I hope this helps.

~Courtney~

Mini Banana Chocolate Chip muffins

Ingredients:

1 3/4 Cups Flour

3/4 Cup Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Egg

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

1/2 Cup Applesauce

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Mashed Ripe Bananas

3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, and Salt.

In another bowl, combine egg, oil, applesauce and vanilla.

Stir wet into dry until all moistened.

Fold in Bananas and Chocolate chips.

Fill Greased or lined muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake at 350 Degrees for 15-17 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan, and transfer onto a wire rack.

*NOTE If using full size muffin tins, bake for 22-25 minutes.

Yield: 36 mini muffins
or
24 regular sized muffins

Homemade Finger Paints

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 Cup Corn Starch

2 Cups water

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Warm on over medium heat until mixture thickens. Wisk frequently. Approx 5 minutes. Cool and pour into containers. Add food colouring to create desired colours.

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Ingredients... plus food colouring.

Desired consistancy

Let cool

Create colours

It works!

~Courtney~

Homemade Play Dough

Ingredients

3 cups flour

1 cup cold water

1 cup salt

2 teaspoons oil

Food coloring

Mix it all together in a bowl…

keep kneading it until it’s just right.

That's it!

*Note: in my photos you will notice that the food colouring was added after. I got sidetracked by my lovely needy children during the process. Took alot of arm power but it worked this way too.

Enjoy!

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~Courtney~

30 Day Mom Challenge

I found this Challenge online and decided to take it. 

Since I have three children,

I have decided that September will be Carter's turn.

October, Kailey... and November, Claire.

I will keep you updated :)

~Courtney~

Baby Shower (Boy)

So. My Cousin Lacey is expecting her second child. A boy this time! She already has an adorable little girl. Now I know baby showers aren't 'normally' thrown for 2nd, 3rd .... children, but since she is having a little guy this time around I thought it'd be fun. We are military wives and don't have alot of family around this area. We were very lucky that we both got posted to the same base. Anyway... here's what I did for her quaint little shower.

I wanted to give her something a little different as a gift. I googled a few ideas and found tons of those 'diaper cakes' but truthfully, I wasn't sure I could pull it off since I hadn't attempted it before. I found a site that had Diaper Bassinettes! How cute! Here's how it turned out...

First I took 15 diapers, lined them up and tied them together with yarn.

Repeat 2 more times. Then I lined them up (standing) and tied them again with the same yarn.

I used one more diaper (opened up) and used it as the 'hood'.

I used pins to keep the hood in place.

I folded up a receiving blanket and set it on top.

Tied it with ribbon and Tada!

Diaper Bassinette.

Next up... I had to figure out a way to 'use up' the other 3 receiving blankets that I had purchased.

Coffee filters, yarn (should have used ribbon) and rolled up blankies!

and Presto! Diaper 'cupcakes'!

Lots of snacks

Blue jello with cool whip :)

My first shot at Chocolate covered strawberries

I can't take credit for this delicious goodness.

I ordered these from Home Sweets Home.

Another great Military wife here on base.

So Good!

Seriously delish

All in all it was a nice day and I am happy that I am close enough to have thrown this shower for her.

~Courtney~

My Second baby quilt

My Grandma used to make baby quilts for all the new babies in the family. I have taken on the pleasure of carrying on that tradition. It is partially selfish, because I feel close to her when I create these 'snuggly little pieces'.

The first one I made was for my daughter Claire, (see previous post) and I made this one for my cousin's son Kalum. (Such a cutie pie by the way)

Not much of a tutorial, more just pics but I thought you may enjoy.

(*For baby panel quilt 'tutorial' see my previous baby blanket post)

~Courtney~

We're back!

Hi followers!

We're back from our Summer holidays and I have a trillion amazing ideas.

I can't WAIT to share them with you.

I will be putting together some posts over the next week.

Check back soon!

~Courtney~

First ever Family Vacation

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you all know that I am going to be away for a few weeks so check back after for lots of updates. Have a great summer!.
-courtney-

Checkerboard Shortbread Cookies

Checkerboard Shortbread cookies

Ingredients...

FOR VANILLA SHORTBREAD

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 Cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/2 Cup powdered sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

FOR CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD

2 Cups All Purpose Flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 Cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/2 Cup powdered sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

2 Tbsp Cocoa powder

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Make one Vanilla dough, and one Chocolate dough following ingredients above. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 mins.

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Remove from fridge and roll each into a rectangle.

(Measure so they the same size)

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Cut and Layer.

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*Tip: Use Egg White to 'paint' between layers

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Stack each strip by alternating colours.

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Wrap each stack in plastic wrap and chill for (at least) 15 mins.

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Slice into squares.

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Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

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Let cool on a cooling rack. 

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Enjoy with a nice glass of cold milk.

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