Easter in photos

Cookie Time

It's been well established on this blog that I have a bit of a problem with sweets. Yes, I have a sense of entitlement when it comes to eating treats. And sure, I had a bit of a panic attack when I read a recent article in People magazine about Kathy Ireland's 25 pound weight gain, and realized that her former "sweet tooth habit" sounded an awful lot like my own.

I have mentioned on more than one occasion that I really need to take the time to examine this problem, get to the root of it, and rid my life of this plague.

But not now. Now is cookie time.

Every school year, many fundraisers cross my path. Being a cheapskate, I ignore most. But not the cookie dough fundraiser. I look forward to it every year. March is when the orders come home. April is when the cookie dough arrives.

Peanut butter cup. Snickerdoodle. Chocolate chunk. Triple chocolate.

There is something so magical about just pulling out a tub of dough and putting spoonfuls of it on a pan. Ten minutes later, you have warm and gooey cookies.

Of course, with mini eggs, Starburst jelly beans, and my new favorite Reese's Pieces eggs hidden in the pantry, plus Easter egg hunts this weekend, we're really not hurting for treats at this particular moment.

No matter. Cookie dough stays good in the fridge for six months. Six whole months.

Hooray for cookie time.

Sit down, crazy lady!

For a while now, both babies have been pulling themselves up to a stand, holding onto the stool, the couch, etc. A few weeks ago, we noticed that if we let go of N's hands while she was standing, she could stand on her own for a few seconds.

This morning, she crawled up to the couch, pulled herself up, and let go. She stood on her own for at least a few seconds.

Crazy little baby. Sit down! :)

Six!

I can't believe my little H is six. This morning, I was going through old photos, and marveling at how big my babies have gotten. *Sniff, sniff.*

Six things about our six-year-old boy:

1. He's thoughtful and kind, and almost always willing to share with T.

2. He's an awesome reader. In school, they've started doing spelling tests of simple words. Since H is doing so well with reading and spelling much bigger words, his teacher said that he could pick his own words every week to spell.

3. He continues to amaze me with his math skills. Addition, subtraction, telling time—he's doing great with all of it.

4. He can't wait for t-ball season to start. And even when it's cold outside (as it often is these days), he's out with a ball and bat, trying to convince T to pitch to him.

5. He's a great help with the babies. All H has to do is smile at A2, and that little baby starts giggling.

6. He's really great with his hands. He's into Legos these days, and he makes up his own creations all the time.

We love you H! Happy birthday!

H had a great party yesterday with his friends, and got a ton of cool stuff.



I added this last one of A2, because I just couldn't resist—the bunny ears, the drooling, the ear-splitting grin. Best. picture. ever.

Slave to the schedule

I like organization. I am not a neat freak in the strictest sense, because I do have little piles here and there in my house, but they're usually away from prying eyes.

I also like organization in terms of schedules. Kids thrive on schedules (for the most part), and sometimes, even adults do. Most of the time, I love schedules because they mean I'm getting things done and moving things forward. And that tasks can be neatly checked off in my head when completed.

But lately, the schedules in my life are beginning to wear me out. With morning schedules, evening schedules, and everything in between, I'm so incredibly tired by the end of the day that I can barely keep my eyes open. And yet I still seem to stay up too late, because that's the only time when there are no schedules! Weekends are better because there's no school, but even then, someone still has to feed these little people, right?

I told A that for Mother's Day this year, I want to just lie in bed all morning, without anyone asking me for food, crying because they're ready for a nap, or yelling at their siblings. I don't even need breakfast in bed. Just peace and quiet—and no schedules. I might need to lock my bedroom door... just in case.

Spring is in the air

Though winter has reared its ugly head once again (bleh), we at the 'bee house are not going to be deterred from celebrating Spring.

Happy Spring!

With the preschool Thanksgiving garb on, A2 is excited to celebrate all sorts of holidays.