Cake Pictures

I haven't added any cake pictures lately, here are a few:

Little Man's Fourth Birthday. He wanted a tractor theme, at the last minute he asked for a Thomas the Train cake, so we put Thomas around the cake base. :)

Cupcakes for one of my best friend's little boy, his first birthday.

The cake, cupcakes, and smash cake.

Wedding shower cake for a close friend. It was supposed to be a two layer cake, but I had was also hosting the shower and I had a horrible cold with fever. I decided this would do.

Petit Fours, yum!

One of my very first cakes, mom's birthday cake.

Christmas Eve Tiramisu Layer Cake, oh so good!

I also made a two layer Blue's Clues cake for Baby Girl's second birthday, but it has her name in huge pink letters up the side, so I'm not posting it. It was pretty!

Pushing the Limits

How did I get two children who don't know how to listen? I was such a good kid, so afraid to get in trouble and disappoint my parents. My two, wonderful and sweet as they are, test the limits throughout the day, each and every day. You know the expression "give an inch and they'll take a mile?" Well, with mine, you don't have to give an inch and they'll still take a mile. I guess this means they feel secure with me? Can I put that positive spin on it? I'm guessing their strong wills will do them good when they're older, they'll be a bit bold, think for themselves, and hopefully stand up for themselves. Right now, though, when they're both little and in need of rules and structure, it's driving their mama nuts.

Love you BG and LM.

The Lake!

Nana and Pawpaw bought a lake house!!

It's a four bedroom house, with a pier and dock, a pontoon boat and jet ski, and it's own lake front, and only 45 minutes from our front door to theirs. It's absolutely beautiful.

We went this weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for sun, water, and family fun.

Today (Monday), LM asked why we weren't going back today!

BG got on the jet ski, she said she loved it, that "Pawpaw go fast!" We tumped into the water, she didn't care, she's such a little daredevil.

LM swam in the water several times, we are so thankful that he had swimming lessons a few weeks ago so he was accustomed to the water. He and Daddy helped to fix the pier and dock, it's needs a little TLC, and they swam under the dock and checked all the wood and looked at the boats. We had cookouts and watched the sun set every night. There's a beautiful green lawn behind the house where the kids can play. It is such a wonderful retreat, all weekend I kept thinking how I was enjoying the feel of the warm sun, the sound of water lapping, children laughing, family time, good food, the wind on the water - how blessed am I?

When I asked the children what was their favorite part, LM said "Everything!" and BG said "The jet ski!"

Here are a few photos:

The view from the pier and dock.

A bit of the house and the gorgeous yard.

One of the older kids jumping off the pier into the water.

The dogs love it, too.

A view of the pier from the yard.

Fear

I always feel a tightness in my chest and just a twinge of fear whenever my three most loved people in the world climb into a car together and drive off. Even if it is only for a quick trip to The Home Depot, as it is tonight. I pray that God keeps them safe and protected while they are away. Sometimes I wonder if that fear that I have makes me strange in any way, but somehow I don't think it does.

Money

Baby Girl is definitely a walking, talking tornado today. I haven't done much but follow behind her to clean up her messes. It's amazing how fast she can destroy a room. :)

I found a twenty dollar bill in her piggy bank today. I have a few ideas about how it might have gotten in there, but I can't be sure. Either Monger put it in there or the ladies who gave me her baby shower (VM, SH, and CW) did it. I wonder how long it's been in there??

The Husband was home for five days straight while we had some tree work done. It was heavenly. He's back at work today and we miss him lots.

Well, off to do the mom thing!

Overachiever

Mama is tired.

Today I made three quarts of homemade chicken broth, a quart of homemade yogurt, from scratch waffles - I froze enough for about three week's worth of breakfasts - and dinner. Baby Girl was with me all day and I did several loads of laundry, made snacks for two school parties, had an impronptu play date with the neighbors, and did some cleaning. It's 7:29 as I write this and The Husband is still at work. I am sooo not complaining, I am just plain worn out. I'm sitting on the back patio and letting the kids play outside while I type this. They're digging in the dirt, which of course means they'll have to have a bath before bed.

Better get going. :)

I Want My Mommy Back

First, a picture. The Husband dressed Baby Girl this morning, and took her and Little Man out for doughnuts and a paper this morning. I just can't believe he actually took her out in public dressed like this. I can only imaging what people where thinking! (Besides I know her father dressed her!)

Today (Sunday) I woke up sick. Not terribly sick, but I have an earache that extends down to my jaw, a sore throat, and dizziness. The dizziness makes me feel like I've been out all night drinking. If I want to look for a silver lining I could say that I have the buzz without consuming all those empty calories. A stretch, yeah, maybe, but still true. :)

Anyway, after being up for a few hours I decided to go back to bed. Laying my head down on a pillow feels oh so good. A few minutes after going to bed, Baby Girl walked back to the bedroom, saw me in bed, and wasn't happy. She got a scowl on her face, angrily stomped her foot, and said, "No, get up! Wake up! I want my mommy back!!" Made me laugh, she has such a personality.

Oh, and I have my third black eye, courtesy of my children. This time Baby Girl was playing with her toy broom and accidentally hit me in the eye with it. I don't know how I haven't learned yet, but it's hard to keep your face away from your children!