Christmas Letter | 2014

Merry Christmas to our friends and family!

Like everyone else that we know, 2014 was a busy year for the Even family! Here is our year in review:

Parker & Reagan turned 3 in April!

In May, Chris graduated with his MBA!

We had a great summer and the kids started their first year of 3 year old preschool in August. They have LOVED every minute, have 2 wonderfully loving and brilliant teachers, and have made some wonderful friends.

The first day of school naps were the BEST:

Halloween was way too much fun this year. 

(At Kinsey Family Farm to pick out our pumpkin)

My company, Metro Music Therapy, has grown extensively this year!
We have hired an Assistant Director, Director of Adult Services, Director of Pediatric Services, and have launched 3 new major projects/programs (MMT Academy, MMT PayPer, MMT Orlando) within in the past 12 months. 

MMT was an exhibitor at the AMTA National Conference this year!

This team is AMAZING!

We have been lucky enough to be involved with and be advisers for the up and coming Terra Rising Films Music Therapy Documentary. Above is a picture from our trailer viewing party!

We hope your Christmas is happy and your 2015 brings you more blessings than ever!

With love,
Chris, Mallory, Parker, Reagan, & Moses

Peppermint Puppy Chow

So, I don't usually share recipes on this blog -- mostly because I am not a cook or baker (I do both out of necessity). BUT, I am really digging this Peppermint Puppy Chow that I just made for the kiddos preschool and wanted to share the recipe! (And if I am sharing a recipe, I obviously only share variations of Puppy Chow recipes on here, because what else matters?)

I started with the Chex Muddy Buddies recipe, which is delicious. However, it calls for peanut butter, and our kids attend a peanut-free school. So, I wondered what it would be like to substitute the peanut butter for Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips ... and the answer is: IT IS DELICIOUS. 

Here is what you need:

• 9 cups Rice Chex™, Corn Chex™, or Chocolate Chex™ (I did a combo)
• 1 cup of Semisweet Chocolate chips (and if you "drop" a little extra in there, no one will be mad)
• 1/2 cup of Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
• 1 cup mini Marshmallows (optional)
• 1 cup Mini M&Ms® (optional)
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 

Instructions: 

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. 
4. Once cool, scoop into bowl or airtight container, add marshmallows and M&Ms® (can be refrigerated but ours was eaten too fast...)

Options: 

1. Adding pretzels may be really yummy
2. You can make this year round/for any holiday, just buy holiday M&Ms®
3. You may want to double the recipe ... ya know, just in case

ENJOY!! 

Family trip to Kinsey Family Farm!

3 years in a row a tradition makes, right? 

Ok, so this is now our Fall tradition!

We headed to Kinsey Family Farm last weekend for pumpkin-picking, hay-riding, and general fall merriment. We met our friends, the Pieper family, there and we all had a ball! 

Preschool buds

3 sets of twins!
This crew is going to be trick-or-treating together this week ... wish us luck!

The annual Even family photo

goose.

#duckface

my peanut.

These girls have so much fun together!

'Twas the Night Before Preschool

'Twas the night before Preschool, when all through the house

not a toddler was stirring at the top of our house.
The schoolbags were placed by the front steps with care,
in hopes that one outfit will be all they wear.

Our summer was fun, some may say 'twas the best!

Yet the past couple of weeks we have been quite a test.

My patience is shot and the kids are just bored, 
Hooray for Preschool, say it with me: PRAISE THE LORD!

Happy Preschool Eve to all, and to all a good night!

Art Party for the 3 year olds!

Because now I only post every 6 months ... P & R turned 3 in April, gave up their paci's, are using the potty, and they think they are 16.  They have colored on our walls with marker and our couch with crayon, they love all things planes, trains, dolls, and stuffed animals.  If they are quiet, I have approximately 3 seconds to find them or something will be spilled, broken, or essentially ruined for life.

I think we are all up to speed now.

Parker & Reagan's 3rd Birthday Party! 

May 3rd | Art Party @ Thrasher Park | Norcross, GA 

Paint, colored pencils, crayons, oh my!

Cupcake toppers from here

Custom shirts from here

P & R's sweet and busy cousin, Colson :)

The Even family!

Spilled paint cans. I was pretty proud of this one. :)

Singing Happy Birthday and hanging with their older cousin, Landry,
and their twin friends, Amelia & Elizabeth

Snacks!