4.13.2012 Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

I know, I know. It's been almost a month since I last posted. And A LOT has happened. I'm sure I will eventually get around to 'back-posting' (Is that a word?) but I couldn't resist posting these cookies :)

These were made for my niece who loves Strawberry Shortcake.
When I called her on her birthday to wish her a happy birthday, she said that she had not had a birthday party yet...and when I told her I had made her Strawberry Shortcake cookies she said 'Oh, I've had a Strawberry Shortcake party." Apparently she didn't realize that WAS her birthday party :)I got my inspiration from THESE amazing cookies over at sweetsugarbelle.com. It's websites like these that convince me never to sell my cookies-these professionals are way out of my league! I'm content to just make them for my nieces & nephews :)

3.16.2012 St. Paddy's Day Party

It's that time again...ya know...time to wear green and bake green things...well, almost. I had a little St. Paddy's day party the day before St. Patrick's day. I had made some shamrock sugar cookies and the kids decorated them.
It's amazing how quickly kids can get frosting on their elbows...and everywhere :)

Getting an expert tutorial :)

Eating the cookies is always the best part :)

Actually, the best part for me, was that Eli played so well with everyone the whole time. I kept going out on the back porch in amazement as he played and played with everyone. He is so prone to go off by himself and play alone at play dates. He really had a lot of fun playing with his cars with the kids there.

This little girl was also having fun...

It's so funny to watch these kids get bigger-these little boys can now make a basket :)

Eli had fun making himself into Mr. Potato head.

He's so funny :)

Apparently I need to buy him something green...he doesn't own a green shirt. Oh well. Maybe next year I will have proper attire for him :) Leah, on the other hand, had an amazingly adorable green dress on...but I failed to take a picture of her. Rats.

3.15.2012 Unexpected Park Play

On Thursday I was buckling the kids in the car to go visit Krista, when I realized that Eli had hives all over his legs. I have no idea what they are from, but I figured 6-week old Jacob probably should be exposed to whatever Eli had going on. BUT, we were already in the car, and I hate to waste a good 'strap-in', so we headed to a park. I thought it would be fun to visit a new park, so we tried one about a mile from our house. Leah had fun climbing all over the place.
She had loads of fun.

Eli went down the slide about a million times. Then he braved this ladder. It is always so amazing to me when he tries something new...especially something 'risky'. I always hold my breath and hope that he doesn't plummet to the ground...I try really hard to 'let him be brave' :)

I realize that this is probably not all that dangerous, but since he has just recently started taking 'risks' at the park, this is new ground for me.

I do realize this is only the beginning when it comes to him doing things that make me hold my breath...he's sure to do much scarier things...

...but for now, this is dangerous enough for me.

3.13.2012 Our busy day

Our little day started off a bit 'off'. I've been really trying to get up at 6:00. I feel like that is a good, respectable time to get up. I like to get up, get ready and spend some time reading my Bible before the kids get up...and since they get up anytime between 6:30 and 7:00, 6:00 probably isn't even early enough...but that's my current goal. Today I woke up at 8:00. The kids have been sleeping later since the time change, but I was pretty surprised they slept that late...especially since it was Leah's crying that woke me up. GRRRR. So I woke up super late, but I was determined to have a productive day anyway. So I got up, got the kids breakfast, read my Bible, then managed to back up all of the pictures since last August onto DVD's. (Far, far too many pictures..) Then we loaded up the car, ran some avocados and eggs to Ryan & Jennifer's house, and went to the park. This is one of Eli's new 'favorite things to do' at this particular park. It's been fun watching him get a bit more coordinated. A few months ago he wouldn't have been able to do this. Crazy kid is growin' up!
Leah, on the other hand, is probably TOO coordinated. She wants to climb on, in and through everything. Always with a smile.

'Stop taking my picture, mom!'

The kids like playing the instruments at this park...though I think Eli is trying to box Leah out...

We had a lovely lunch of PB&J.

Some of us were messier than others...

Then we headed to the grocery store for sweet potatoes and milk.

We got home and I put Leah down for a nap, and Eli and I went outside so I could rake leaves, and Eli could play (Don't worry, I had Leah's window cracked so I could hear her if she cried). I raked leaves for an hour and a half, and our front yard is now oak leaf free. HAHAHAHAHA. Yeah...that's pretty impossible. But there are 10 bags fewer than there were yesterday.

When Edgar got home we had (per his request) chicken and sweet potato fries. Cuz, ya know...IT'S HIS BIRTHDAY :) Happy birthday baby! We'll have a big 'ol celebration later on this month...whenever I get around to picking a date.

After dinner we went to another park and played for a while. I was so mad that I forgot my camera, cuz when we got there, there were FIVE squirrels eating acorns on the picnic table. I thought Jennifer would have enjoyed seeing that...

We got home, put the kids to bed, and I have been updating this glorious blog ever since.

SO, in the end, the lost 2 hours this morning didn't ruin my day. But I really hope I don't sleep in tomorrow. We'll see...

3.12.2012 My little girl

Enjoy a little video of Leah chasing her daddy around (and please excuse the attire. She had just finished dinner and had made a mess).

3.12.2012 My big boy

Eli loves cars. A lot.
He spends hours playing with them most days.

He loves to get them lined up-either all in a straight line (and you better believe they are all facing the same direction) or he has them in a nice little arch around his play mat.

He inspects each car carefully...

...sometimes putting them right up to his lips (he likes to 'feel' things with his lips. That doesn't make sense at all...but he does what he's doing in the above picture, but he's not smelling them...at least I don't think he is)

He's so careful about where he places each one (which makes Hurricane Leah a very unwelcome visitor).

You hear lots of car noises, and you often hear them 'talking' to each other. (My favorite was the other day when he had 2 cars talking to each other, and I kept hearing 'We are NOT the same!' A quote by Doc Hudson from Cars)

I think he's trying to pic the truck up with his feet...good gymnastics form ;)

See how he has them lined up? I think it's hilarious that he typically has cars parked in the 'parking spots' on the mat.

Just a few more cars...

And when he's done with his mat, he plays with his cars on the couch...or the counter...or the stove top (we really discourage that one) or the window sill...you get the idea.

3.11.2012 Fourth time's a charm?

It's that time again. The time of year where I attempt to plant a garden. And in a few months is usually the point where I fail miserably. BUT, I continue to try. You would think I would give up...but no. I'm determined to someday figure out how to grow vegetables. This year I have abandoned the canister planting. I'm hoping that was the reason for my failure, and planting in the ground will bring better rewards. This is my raised garden bed. I gotta be honest...I'm pretty proud of my gardening to this point. I have done ALL of it by myself-digging out the soil, putting the raised bed together, putting the soil and compost back in, testing the soil, adding organic potting soil...all of it by myself...with 2 kids that run all over the place while I'm trying to work. Fortunately they have not run out into traffic...I can't wait to get a fence!!!

Anyway, above is my 'before' shot. It's not a very big garden bed...I've already asked Edgar if we can get a couple more...and he said next year. I have big gardening plans...but in his defence, I have failed (as mentioned before) at every gardening attempt I have ever made. So I suppose taking it slow is wise.
Eli helped me plant the green beans. I was trying to get him to plant them every 2 inches like the package says, and take his picture at the same time. It didn't work out very well.

He just kept throwing them in the ground.

Even from a standing position...he needs to spend some time on the farm...

That was all the pictures I took. BUT, in addition to the green beans, I planted carrots and beets. I also have 3 tomato plants that I started from seed 6 weeks ago. I transferred them to 1 gallon containers until the grow a bit bigger. (I am trying to follow the instructions I read HERE...fish heads and all. Anyone know someone with 3 spare fish heads? I'm gonna need them in a couple of weeks...). AND, I have 7 eggplant plants growing from seed as well, though I don't think I am going to plant all 7. Seriously, who can eat that many eggplants? Of course...if my luck runs true, I only get 1 vegetable from any seed I have ever planted, so maybe I should plant all 7...oh yeah...my garden is too small for that.

I might plant some zucchini and cucumbers too, but I honestly think I'm out of room.

Did I mention I wanted another garden bed? I did...oh.

Anyway, I'll be sure to update on the progress of my plants. I really REALLY hope I don't fail again. You would think I would have gotten at least a FEW farmer genes...