Happy Monday: A Photo Dump

A week ago it was practically winter. The sky spit out some snowflakes. It was cold. And then Mother Nature remembered it was in fact April and in a week's time went from Winter to Spring straight into Summer.

It's glorious.

We celebrated National Grilled Cheese Day, because apparently that's a thing. And so we had grilled cheese. As it happens, C likes "Cheesy Walrus Sandwiches" over "Grilled Cheese" so there you go. 

Wednesday was our second soccer day. It was still "Spring-y" that morning so he wore his under armour but it warmed up later that afternoon! C has been doing so well with soccer, I am very impressed. He is excited to go and he is a very good listener. M is a bit more of a struggle. She truly believes she is three and has no interest in sitting on the side lines. Poor kid! And truthfully, she is very good. I didn't know 17-month-olds could kick soccer balls so well! 

M and I took a girls only Target trip and I cried and died a little when I saw this in the book section. They made a graphic novel of The Baby-Sitters Club. As the Edward D. Neill Elementary #1 fan of the BSC I was horrified. The books aren't even hard to read! 

It was otherwise the most stellar Target trip ever. The regional people were in town going through the store and talking about upcoming changes and maybe even reviewing the store, I'm not sure. As such the store brought their A-game. Like, 6 people asked me how my day was and if I needed any help. And they had SO many lanes open. It was dream Target. Plus M was super cute and talking about everything so it was really awesome. 

After three sessions in a row, we had our final art class on Friday. I really liked this class and I am sad it's over. We took the first two sessions with friends but the last one by ourselves. C really got good at doing the crafts by himself and we really loved to have an fun outing once a week. M will probably be ready to take the class in the fall, which she will LOVE. 

There was always a play-doh table and sensory table which were among the favorites each week. C made this polar bear on Friday. I loved it. I was so proud of his creativity. Usually he just used the play-doh tools to make noodles, or whatever shape the cookie cutter was etc. 

Summer hit this weekend as it was in the 80s! Our grass needed mowing and so everyone chipped in. 

No one wanted to be left out of the fun! We really do love our little old fashioned reel-mower. It's so handy that it doesn't throw rocks and stops cutting if you stop walking. But I think we are going to need to upgrade to an actual mower this year. The weirdly warm and wet winter left our yard a lot less flat than the past two years. But to flatten a yard is time consuming and costly.

We broke out the water table today. Well, we moved it from inside to outside and added water. The kids were happy! 

So that's what we've been up to lately. Lots of time in the yard and lots of fun. We are officially into the kids need a bath and at least two outfits every day time of the year. I love it. I hope the shorts I ordered for C come fast! We are going to need them! 

Have a great start to your week. 

You Can't Always Get What You Want

A good life lesson.

There is a long round about story that basically leads to this: we brought the Duplos up from the basement. We rotate toys so that things can be "new" again.

Husband was super duper into Legos as a child. I was not.

C appears to be mostly taking after me. He mostly likes to stack like two Duplos on the "car" base and then play cars. Or he acts out adventures with the Duplos people. It's creative in it's own way certainly but it's not the "hours of building" that some people and kids can do.

Even though the world of math lost me when we had to start caring about "x" I tend to be very literal.Which is okay. I played with my doll house a lot. It was easily my favorite toy.

Not mine. But this was the set I had.

I had the patio, the pool, the horse stable, the car... pretty much if they made an expansion I had it, except for the porch room, which I didn't know existed until I was searching for a good picture. This picture doesn't have all the right things either but it was a good overview. But I played doll house. I would spend hours having the kids come home from school, and live life. I was never huge on the whole "open ended play" thing. 

I didn't want that for my kids so I made sure to get all the right things. Magnatiles. Duplos. Megablocks. 

But C would rather read. Or play with animals. Anyway, M got Sofia Duplos for Christmas and we opened them up on Monday. So it came with a little catalog. And one of the sets was "Around the World." It is in fact, super cute. It comes with little sets that represent different continents and their animals. Pandas and tigers for Asian, penguins and whales for Antarctica, Lions and zebras and  hippo for Africa. 

But it's really expensive. And while my guy thinks he wants this set, he really doesn't. He just wants to play with the animals. And we already have lots and lots of animal figurines. So it is really not worth the investment. 

My guy is not to be dissuaded however. So when Mom said no, he asked Grandma. Luckily I tipped her off via text message so she knew to downplay it. Here's to hoping he forgets about it soon! Unfortunately he has also inherited my long memory so... we'll see. 

Panda-monium

C really likes to read. Non-fiction. Fiction. Catalogs. Magazines. Whatever. But some of his favorite books to look through, especially at bedtime are Hello, Cupcake and What's New Cupcake? *Not affiliate links

We've made some of the cupcakes for birthday in years past. Well, we did walrus cupcakes that weren't in the book (though there are walruses in What's New Cupcake but we didn't have that one yet.) And we made penguins last year.

C has really been wanting to make cupcakes again, but who really wants to make complicated cupcakes for no reason? But my parents and brother S came to visit us this weekend and we used this as an excuse to let C pick a cupcake.

He is going to have an arctic birthday theme so we told him he had to pick something besides that. So he chose the panda bear cupcakes. He has always loved Bears: Spy in the Woods (and all the other spy cam documentaries available on Netflix) and has recently been super into pandas again.

It probably has to do with the fact I just got the kids Shu Shu, the new Scentsy Buddy. Which he has claimed as his own. Because he's bigger and basically claims everything. *shameless Scentsy link even though seriously this post is in fact about cupcakes I swear*

Whatever the reason I am so glad he picked out the Panda cupcakes because they are SO easy! And I think they will be very tasty as well, because devil's food cupcakes, frosting, Oreos and one M&M all sounds good to me. 

But I am especially excited that he picked them because they are really very cute. 

If you have that book and want to make them, we made a few changes: 

• We made Devil's Food cupcakes because that is the cake the boys prefer over white cake and we were willing to sacrifice over style. We just double paper-lined the cupcakes to make sure they would be white. 
• We bought the black tube of Wilson decorating frosting instead of dyeing our own.
• We used M & Ms instead of chocolate covered sunflower seeds because you can find M&Ms anywhere and no one wants to take time to dip sunflower seeds in chocolate or deal with finding them. 
• I couldn't find Oreo-O cereal (do they even still make that, Google says no) and used mini Oeros instead. Which I think are cuter anyway. 
• I also thought we had mini chocolate chips and we didn't so we just skipped that for the eyes. 

Anyway, we are looking forward to eating our cupcakes. Happy Saturday!

Super Fast 7QT

one. It's not even 1:00 and today has been super weird.

two. We got to art class late and left early. We did EVERY single station. Usually we skip one or two and leave late! I have no idea how this is possible. M even got in and out of the stroller twice at art class without throwing a fit. Typically once she's out she is not going back in.

three. I have no idea what's going on with my dishwasher but right here can you throw up a little prayer that it is perfectly fine and I am just losing my mind? Because that'd be great.

four. I got home from art class and checked the mail. It wasn't there. I popped online to make sure that my package was still coming and it said "delivered." I opened the door and there it was. I didn't hear the postal carrier.

five. I went back outside to get the soccer balls from the car and the garage and car were locked. I never lock either. I don't know how that happened. Seriously it feels like a ghost (that I don't believe it) is following me around and messing with me today. That better change!

six. I saw this yesterday:

It's getting me all excited and I am going to meet some goals this year. Yes. Yes I am. I am dreaming big and setting some real challenges for myself. I turn 30! this year. I am kind of whatever about it because I am really holding out for 31 (my golden birthday) but it still seems milestone-y and like it's a good year for some goals. 

seven. I am sponsoring a giveaway over at Martin Family Moments so I can share the Scentsy love. Pop on over to enter, it's super easy! If you want to visit my site and vote for Happy Birthday for Bring Back My Bar (no registering or purchase needed) I'd really dig that. You can vote once every minute from the time you hit submit so if you're bored... 

Have a great weekend! Linkin' with Kelly.

An Open Book: Two Months Worth

Hello friends! I have been reading a lot lately and though I totally missed last month, I did not forget and definitely want to tell you what I have been reading for An Open Book. Hosted by Carolyn Astfalk, this is the new WWRW linkup.

Have I mentioned I joined another book club? It's been really good for me. I can already tell I like the new book club a little better. The books they pick are discussion worthy which is great. I think I am probably going to slowly start breaking up with my original book club. Not right away or anything, but probably by Christmas or early next year.

Okay, so I kind of wrote here  about Orginial Book Club's (OBC) February book which was The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie King.

It is maybe my favorite Sherlock Holmes continuation I've read. It's smartly written. It has been a long time since I've had to look up definitions while I was reading. Admittedly a lot of the words turned out to be British slang but still.

The plot follows Mary Russell becoming Sherlock Holmes apprentice and them solving crimes. I love a good series and this book is the first of thirteen so that's nice. They are suspenseful but again, it's a series so not too suspenseful.

Verdict: Definitely Read

OBC's March book turned out to be The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Elliot.

For my 8th birthday my friend Ben Watson got me the Chronicles of Narnia series. I promptly read them. I didn't like them. I hadn't read them since. 

I read this one again for book club last Thursday. I still didn't like it. I know that makes me an odd duck in the world but I just don't get it. C.S. Lewis is a beautiful writer but I cannot figure out why this plot and these stories are so enchanting. I mean, I get the Christian allegory (Even though Lewis says it's not so much allegory as it is supposal.) but that's not enough to sway me. 

The world of Narnia just doesn't appeal to me I guess. Magical wardrobes taking children to a land with talking animals is just not my thing. I'd rather hear about their lives in the big house waiting our WWII as it happens. 

Verdict: You should probably read it if you haven't because it's a classic. You don't have to like it though. 

The March book(s) for my New Book Club (NewBC) were To Kill a Mockingbird and Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. 

You've probably read Mockingbird before. I don't even feel the need to expound upon it. Because Atticus Finch.

But anyway it was probably a bad idea to read them back to back. If you've been living in the complete dark you probably know the scandal about Watchman. But just in case: Harper Lee wrote Watchman first and never wanted it published. Then she got dementia and her sister ran her estate. When her sister passed away, suddenly, after years of saying no, Lee signed the papers that Watchman could be published.

Even under these very fishy circumstances I was still wanting to read it because adult Scout and Atticus Finch sounds fascinating. I admit, now after reading it, I wish I just left it alone. First off, the Atticus we all know and love is radically different, which was actually fascinating. Not that I particularly love this older Atticus but since he regularly wins "Best Fictional Father" awards it was kind of nice to see that he is in fact human. (Not that I agree with his personal stances.)

But that is about the best I can say about it. The book reads like a rough draft and it is certainly clear why Lee never actually wanted it published. Not only does it undermine Mockingbird but it is not an easy read. Fragments and run-ons and thoughts not fleshed out entirely make up a good solid portion of the book. It is a hard read in many ways.

Verdict: If you didn't read Mockingbird for school at some point or since you should get on that. It's an American legend for a reason. As for Watchman, definitely not worth purchasing. Could potentially be an interesting read but proceed with caution. You cannot unread it. Consider reading the spoilers even. 

This afternoon I read the book that NewBC will be discussing on Sunday evening. The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin.

The book follows Suzy as she grieves the loss of her long time best friend who drown even though she was a good swimmer. Suzy becomes convinced that it was actually a rare Jellyfish sting because things don't happen without a reason. Throughout the book we get in depth with Suzy while we discover that her friendship had grown complicated in the way that middle school friendships can be, 

When I started reading this book, which is geared for young adults I was rolling my eyes. Suzy is written very complicated and it was hard to read at the start. There are reflections of the past in italics and she is very smart and thinks very fast. Also Benjamin definitely pushes a fair amount of liberal ideas at the beginning. I even began Kindle highlighting the biggies. A supporting character is written as gay even though his sexuality doesn't influence the plot at all, lots of references to the save the planet movement etc. 

But as I got into the book and started to really understand Suzy, her friendship history with Franny, and her grief, it was actually a really beautiful story. I wish I hadn't felt the need to eye roll at the start because the deep heartfelt emotions I felt in the middle and the end were intense. Everything that she experiences was raw and real. It brought tears to my eyes and an ache in my awkward-middle school self's heart. 

The ending was bright without being too unbelievable. It was good. I was really not expecting it to be. I wanted to hate it. But I didn't. It was solid. 

Verdict: I don't know that I would let my 12-year-old read this book but at the same time I would want her to. Definitely a book I am glad to have read as an adult. If M was older and the right age, I would maybe do a "read together at the same time" kind of thing so we could discuss it. There's a lot of openings for some heart-to-heart communication here. 

These aren't the only things I've read this past month but they are the ones worth talking about right now. I am linking up with An Open Book and I hope you'll go over and see what other's have been reading lately. 

Banana "Squirrel"

Once upon a time there was a little boy and girl who enjoyed to watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.
Their mother thought the show had it's merits certainly. While some negative behaviors were learned from Daniel (things being "scary" and "too noisy") for the most part it was okay. Though their mother certainly wished that her little boy wanted to "try new foods 'cuz they might taste good" more often, Daniel didn't seem to inspire him on that front.

The end.

Except it isn't the end. I mean come on, you know me. So in the "try new food" episode Daniel and the real life clip make Banana Swirl. Which is basically that banana "nice" cream that's so popular on pinterest. You freeze bananas and then throw them in the food processor until it is the consistency of ice cream.

I love banana ice cream. Like real ice cream. It's my favorite. I especially like Coldstone Banana with coconut and chocolate chips. Or Ben and Jerry's Banana Split. Or Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey. So I don't really understand how Banana Swirl constitutes "a might taste good" thing. It's fake ice cream. What kid doesn't like ice cream? My kids love  ice cream and bananas. But whatever.

C got it in his head that we needed to make banana "squirrel" and so we did. The bananas took a lot longer to freeze solid than we anticipated so it was supposed to be our after Saturday rest snack and turned into our Sunday snack instead. (I am sure the bananas would have been ready by Saturday evening but we weren't home.)

He enjoyed making the banana swirl and putting sprinkles on it. It was good. I do like how frozen mashed banana is the texture of ice cream. We were going for the healthy true recipe of banana swirl but in the future I may add coconut and chocolate chips.

All smiles, though she probably was the least excited about eating it.

He was trying on his new soccer shoes with his soccer uniform and taking his Banana "Squirrel" very seriously.

Overall it was a fun activity using an ingredient we already have in our house because we go through bananas like crazy and we almost always have some unless it's grocery shopping day or just about to be. C was very excited about the whole activity. I wish C had taken away the "eat bell peppers and tomatoes" lesson from that episode of Daniel Tiger but you can't expect all kids to fall for that.

7 Not Fooling QT

one. It's Friday. It's April. I am not playing ANY April's Fools tricks today because I am gullible and don't really care for them.

Except I would be just fine if this was somehow true. 

two. Because it is April there are some exciting Scentsy things that I want to talk about.

It is Bring Back My Bar voting this month which means they have a list of retired scents and the 20 with the most votes will be available for sale in July. If you have no opinion at all use all five of your votes for Happy Birthday okay? (No registering or purchase necessary.) I love it and I have been warming it on birthdays but I am down to one cube. So... I am going to just vote for that a whole bunch. And Fresh Cut Grass because my dad actually keeps asking for that scent.

The warmer of the month is an adult coloring book warmer. It is so cute and I can't wait to color mine. It would be a fun night in for a group of girlfriends young and old! Or a fun gift. Sharpies are recommended and a little bit of rubbing alcohol will take it off so you can have a do-over if you're so inclined. At $31.50 in the month of April it is a steal compared to some of the wine and paint places, plus at the end you have a warmer and not a potentially mediocre art project you don't know what to do with. 

I really love Scentsy. I am not in this for the money, I swear. I just get so excited for these products and want to share the love. 

three. I am going to tell you a story. You should know that C loves taking baths and showers. Like it's right up there as one of his favorite activities. It was after bedtime and I had already taken a shower, but someone who was 3-years-old was still awake and talking in his room. So I went in to talk to him. 

C: Mom is this your hair?

Me: Yes. 

C: Did you take a shower? 

Me: Yes I did. 

C: Did you play with the fun toys? 

Me: No, I didn't. Grown ups don't really play with the toys in the shower.

C: Just children. 

I died. He was all excited and conspiratorial and really thought he was on to me. 

four. One of C's school friends had her birthday yesterday and they had a little party. It was so cute. They did a scavenger hunt and he was very proud of his goody bag and was super excited about going to the party. He had a really good time. 

five. So every year I make a basketball bracket. I should note here that I know basically nothing about basketball and on a list of all the sports it's ranked pretty much at the bottom of my opinion but over wrestling. (It's the squeaky shoes and the crazy repetitive back and forth with no discernible excitement.) Well I have no correct picks in the Final Four this year. But apparently I am right on par with most of the world so that's nice. 

six. Our niece has her golden birthday next weekend. We got her a 3 month subscription to Doodle Crate. If you read Grace you know she does Koala/Kiwi Crate with Julia and Sebastian. Doodle Crate is their arts and crafts box geared towards age 9-16. I am betting my niece will like hers a lot.

Anyway, they sent a link today where anyone shopping through it can get $10 off and then I could also get a $10 credit.  So I thought I'd throw this up there in case you have been eyeing getting a box to try and want a discount. We are probably going to get C a subscription for his birthday. They have a polar bear box in the Koala Crate set that looks exactly up his alley.

seven. Art class was fun today!

We played Play-Doh, had our snack of a bagel with cream cheese, made the shaker, (the thing wrapped in duct tape with glasses) an umbrella, a bird in a nest that suffered the loss of an eye in a stroller mishap and we played in the birdseed-filled water table. 

And now I need to make my minions some lunch so Happy Friday! 

Partying with Kelly.