Graduation

This past weekend Sophie got out our Blokus game and asked if we could play. I was doubtful that she and Grace would be able to do it but said sure. The first game was slow as they figured the concept out but then both took off and did great. We played tonight and Sophie gave me a run for my money! I beat her by one piece. I can't believe the girls understand this game. Makes me realize I need to be really careful about setting limits for my kids about what they can and cannot do. I also don't care if I ever even see another Candyland game board in my lifetime.

Flowers in the air

Spring here smells so good! These pictures are from a huge vine of wisteria. It is not native to NC but will take over huge trees in the wild. The honeysuckle is blooming everywhere now. It smells so good it seems like you should be able to open your mouth and swallow. Running in the spring and early summer here smells divine! There really are wild blooming trees and bushes everywhere along the trails and green ways. Noah loves to get out of the stroller to run with me for a while and explore. Luke is usually content to just stay put.

Strawberries and Cream Pie

This is my MIL's recipe. It is delicious! My sister and a friend asked for this recipe so I just thought I would share it. Strawberries always taste like summer to me. As I was eating the last slice of this pie last night I wondered if I ate a piece every day how long it would take me to get tired of it. I think it would be a very, very long time.


2 quarts fresh strawberries
1 package cream cheese
1 cup whipped cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Strawberry Glaze
2 pie crusts

Whip together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and whipped cream. (You can make this without the whipped cream, just tastes a little different.)  Spread 1/2 of the mixture in each pie crust. (I usually use graham cracker ones. I tried a shortbread cookie one by Keebler the last time that was delicious! ) Mix together strawberries and glaze. Cool in the refrigerator until set.


Glaze

1 package Strawberry Danish Desert if you are lucky enough to live where it is available, ie. the West. It is by the Jello. Follow the directions for making pie glaze. It is super fast and easy.

If you can't get Danish Desert, like me, you can make your own glaze pretty easily.
1 1/2 c water
4 Tbsp strawberry jello
2 Tbsp corn starch
2/3 c sugar

Mix together in small sauce pan. Cook while stirring on medium heat until mixture boils, thickens and becomes transparent.

Strawberry Picking

We went strawberry picking today. Sophie was the official photographer. She dislikes fruit of all kinds and wanted nothing to do with actually touching strawberries. I think she did a fabulous job! The only picture I took is the one of her. Now we have a freezer full of jam and plenty of berries left to make strawberry pie and cake.

Just a little mortified

Hints that you may be using the men's room: the shoes in the stall next to you are dirty sneakers that are at least a size 12 and a really strong odor of cleaner not entirely masking the smell of urine. How I did not see the urinals on the way in is a mystery. I am still a little horrified about the whole thing. What the guy in the stall next to me thought would be interesting as I had an ongoing conversation with Luke and Noah the whole time.

After this wonderful Walmart adventure we then went to the DMV. Luke was being crabby while waiting in line. I tried to distract him by directing his attention to a small dog in someone's office. At that precise moment the dog started humping a pillow. I can't tell you how grateful I was Luke did not ask me 20 questions about the dog and what was going on, I was trying so hard to not laugh out loud and draw more attention to us.

Highlight of the morning, the sweet man in line behind me offered to keep our place so I could sit down and hold the oh so crabby Luke. We were in and out of the DMV in 20 minutes with a sex ed lesson to boot.

ET

I came in to say goodnight to Grace tonight and this is what I found. She cracks me up.

I had to include the cute wall in the girls bedroom. I put up a $12 package of wall stickers from Target and I think it looks adorable! Makes me happy whenever I walk by. You can't tell from the lighting in this picture but the walls are a soft buttery yellow now, not the 1970's gold of when we first moved in.

Happy Birthday Sophie and Grace

It is hard to believe that my girls are turning six today. I remember the day they were born. Jason and I were so grateful they finally arrived safely. We were so excited and clueless. I wish I could hold tiny Grace and Sophie one more time, have their small fingers curl around mine and smell that sweet, fresh baby smell. This is the only time they held hands as infants. We were in the hospital getting ready to go home. I wonder if they were nervous and needed each other even then. I watch them now walking home from the bus stop every day holding hands and it makes me smile.

My parents are going on a mission!

My parents received their mission call today to Kingston, Jamaica. They are leaving for 2 years in October to serve as missionaries for the LDS church. We are so excited for them!!!!!

weird....

Yes, this is my kitchen counter. Yes, that is a pigeon perched on my lettuce. I had a weird week. In the midst of giving myself food poisoning twice, our cat disappeared and this pigeon decided he wanted to join our family. Could I make up anything weirder? The kids named him Cracker. He now has a new home far from ours. Still no sign of our cat. So sad, he is such a great cat.