FALLing into Trouble

Look at my little Ben's whispy curls...I know I need to get his hair cut, but I just love those little curls. Boy am I getting a run for my money with this kid. He is constantly looking for trouble. We now have to keep the garbage can compltely turned around against the wall because he is constantly going into it either trying to pull things out or put things (anything) in it. Yesterday he fell off his little picnic table, hit a toy with his mouth somehow and there was blood all about. If this is what little boys are made of, I better get ready because I am in for a wild ride I believe...

So far this fall has been very busy. I don't know where the time goes. I have been extremily neglectful of my blog and I apologize. I intend to do a better job of updating.

Tonight I am making chicken parmaseasn on spaghetti noodles. Infact, the oven is preheating and I must put it in soon. I have not made any new outstanding recipes lately. I really hope we make chili this weekend, its cold and I am cold so I think that would be good.

It has rained on my laundry for two days now.
I really dislike my post office for several reasons.
Ben just put a papercrafting tool of mine in a little truck of his and drove it away...I hope I remember to go find it. I must go for now, but I shall return soon. Good Evening.

writting letters & hand stuck in a green bean can

Since I have no new pics of the kids, I put this one up! I have made these Recipe Cards and put them in my new online shop. I absolutely LOVE how they turned out! Makes me almost want to cook!

Isabelle has started writing a few letters of the alphabet and she is only in the beginning, but her teachers have taught her how to write the letter I for her name. I just can't believe she is writing letters! Isabelle just told me "tell my family that I can write the letter D too, and Benjamin can't!" She has her first bus field trip tomorrow to the local apple orchard.

Ben lately has been attempting to eat dog food, put things (that don't belong garbage) in the garbage, pull things out of the garbage (got his hand stuck in opened discarded green bean can, has floated his bottle in the dog water, had smashed an egg on the floor, keeps getting all his clothes off (including his diaper), pretends he's talking on the cellphone, walks around with it to his ear, babbeling, he has tried brushing his hair with a tooth brush, among many other adventurous talents.

I officially have gotten both kids costumes for Halloween! Whoah!

Yesterday for the first time ever, Isabelle told me she wanted a NEW mom. I was almost in tears. She has never said anything like that to me before. Also, yesterday a bug flew up my nose and a vaccum belt that I just bought instantly broke. I am hoping today will be a more productive and positive day. (If only I can get myself and the children out of the house at decent hour). I have to go grocery shopping since there is nothing to make for meals in the cabinets…but I can’t seem to think of anything to make…maybe a turkey breast and chili (not together).

Currently I am reading a book about Cemetary’s (getting in the Halloween mode).
Also, cannot wait to watch the office tonight!
I know there are other things as well that I wanted to speak of, but my mind is kind of in a million directions at the moment. So, I shall check in soon, just wanted to say hi and have a pleasant day and a lovely evening!

Footy Pajamas and Exploding Vaccum

Sister & Brother fighting over a toy cell phone (I think there may be about 30 more toy cell phones laying about the immediate premises, but this one held particuliar interest for both children at the same exact time, go figure...)
We call this picture: The loving compromise. A win. win.

So, the (wonderful, amazing, leaf crunching, crisp air) season is upon us. The season of footy pajamas! Is there anything more comforting in life then footy pajamas? I think not.

My coffee tasted a little "soapy" this morning, so I dumped it out and started a new pot, yet the taste still lingers. Yuk!

We picked our garden pumpkins recently, that took all of about a minute. The garden is defintely winding down. I have canned tomatos, I have sauced tomatos, I have given tomatos, I have incorporated tomatoes, I think I am done for the season.

Recently we did a bonfire with smores and I forgot how good smores are! I wonder why we don't do that more often? Speaking of the bonfire area of our yard...apparently a few weeks ago while my family was slumbering...some drunken teenagers drove right through our yard becuase they missed the stop sign and didn't realize the road ended! LOVELY.

School is in full swing for Isabelle. She already had picture day (crossing fingers that photo will be cute and adorable). Isabelle comes home from school with many stories. I don't know if she learned this song at school or MOPS, but the other day she started singing: "bringing home a baby bumble bee, won't my mommy be so proud of me". Then of course, I chimed in with great enthusisasm (sorry if im miss spelling or bad grammer today), because this song brought back great memories of my youth as I used to sing this song in brownies/girl scouts! It was neat to hear her singing it now. So far Isabelle has worked on the letters A and B in school. I'm betting the letter C may be next...

I started selling some things on ebay (so far the experience has been interesting & fun but I haven't made much money). Im learning alot and it is neat and thrilling, the whole process from interacting with people from all over and learning, that my stuff may be their treasure! hehe One of the funnest <--is that a word? parts is putting together the packages with a little extra fun touch or surprise.

I have been trying to get a lot of paper projects done. I am selling some on ebay, but I have also opened a little store on this site called Etsy. It's where to go to buy and sell handcrafted goods. When my store is ready, I will put the address here, but as of right this moment, I only have 3 things listed so far! This is exciting I must say.

Who would have thought that new "green" Shrek toothpaste would make Isabelle think I am the greatest mom on the planet? Uh oh, Ben is eating something and I didnt give him anything! Be right back......o.k., it was pretzel from yesterday that he must have found. He finds everything! As I was over there, I also discovered that he is stinky so I must not linger long.

Did I mention my most recent appliance/equipment nightmare? My vaccum practically caught on fire the other day! Here I am vaccuming, almost done with the living room, when I smell a scent almost like burning leaves, yet more like burning rubber! Then I turn around and there is massive amounts of dark grey smoke coming out of the shop vac! I ran to the wall and unplugged it, grabbed ben from the pack n play and evacuated the house, finding Noah and telling him the vaccum is on fire! Well, come to learn it was nothing I did, the thing was old and shot. So, needless to say, I don't need to vaccum at the moment (because I can't) besides, I have Ben to pick up any thing that needs not to be on the floor (well besides toys).

We have a birthday party this morning for Isabelle's friend and a barbaque this afternoon for a family friend, so I better get going I have presents to wrap, dishes to make ...oh and I have that diaper to change!

new

new updates coming soon.

Little Boy Blue

I know Isabelle has only been back in school for a little bit now, but I am really enjoying my alone time with Ben. Just us. We can just interact with out any interruptions or takeovers...hehehe But of course...11:15 rolls around and I can't wait to go get my little girl back.

Today is one of those days in which I cannot stop yawning. Even though I drank 3 gallons of coffee this morning, I guess it just didn't do the trick. The last few nights I haven't slept much at all. I think the moon is too full. The night is too still.

So, I started selling on ebay. I started sunday. I now have 9 misc. items up for sale. So far, NO BIDS...no interest. I am not even a good sales person not in person! haha Today Isabelle told me I could sell her princess potty. I told her no, she better keep it. So even though I have got no BIDS and only one inquiry so far...it is exciting...the anticipation of checking....and maybe some day...some how....some way... I shall sell something! Of course when all is said and done, I am sure I will lose money in the deal...considering all the fees involved already. Oh well...like I said it's kind of fun. Especially writing the descriptions! Putting a little color and flair into everyday objects... but then again, maybe it is those very descriptions that are frightening buyers to "trust" me.

Isabelle came into my room in the middle of the night last night and said this: Mom! Mom! I need to talk to you something important. Why does baby Bop have a bow in her hair?

Did I mention how upsetting black and white photos are to Isabelle? She really gets disturbed when there are no color in pictures. She doesnt understand it and she gets really upset like something is wrong.

I have NO clue what I will make for dinner tonight. If it was up to me it would be Ramen Noodles or beefaroni....or cheese and crackers. Something S i m p l e. I tried to take a nap earlier but it just didnt work.

I think I really want Isabelle and Ben to be Dorothy and cowardly Lion this year for Halloween...I will have to see if I could pull that off in a cute way. I dont like the lion costumes that have a head of a lion on top of the hood ....I really like the ones that have the maine directly around the baby's face. And I could paint him a little black nose and wiskers. Also there is a cute dorthoy costume somewhere that comes with the basket with todo....and then of course there are the ruby slippers.... Or she could be alice in wonderland and ben could be the white rabbit or door mouse. Or she could be red ridinghood ( i was that when I was about her age) and ben could be a little wolf.......of course I should probably find out what Isabelle wants to be. I just asked her and she said "Spiderman...then she said no, tinkerbell...oh never mind how about spiderman?" I think this girl might need some costume suggestions and direction from me afterall. I was gonna get Isabelle a humpty dumpty costume when she was a baby...a cute egg with a hole for her face to come through...maybe I will see if I could find that for ben...he would make a cute humpty dumpty.

Isabelle just told me that ELIVS is a boy show. Not a girl show.

o.k. I don't know what rock I have been living under but I am so in love with a song I recently discovered: Goodnight my angel - lullaby by billy joel. Also I have a love hate relationship with the song: Love Today by Mika

I feel like I live in the wilderness lately..or at the zoo. I was thinking of all the overwhelming amount of animals I came across today alone.....the standard birds, cats, dogs, squirrels...but also today I came across pigs, apacas, cows, horses, sheep and deer! Maybe it's a sign that my husband should build an ark. I don't think that's gonna happen, it's hard enough to get him to take out the garbage.

Back To School

I can't even explain how exciting it was to get back to school today! This year wasn't emotional for me like her first year (plus I had just had Ben just a few days before at that time)...it was nice to go there with the excitement of the first day and not have the anxiety of a new situation. This year Isabelle will be going to preschool 3 mornings a week (m-w-f). This year Isabelle has the same teachers and some of the same kids in her class, so that was a nice thing to look forward to as well. She also knew what to expect so there was no departure anxiety from her or I as I left the building after dropping her off which gave us both great comfort and security. Ben and I ran a few errands and before I knew it, it was time to pick her up. She had a great first day and so did I. Of course one of my favorite parts of school starting is knowing that Autumn is coming too.

little side note before I forget: BEN says Uh-Oh all the time now. So cute. hehe

Party

Pretty in Pink Party Girl.
"tired" Birthday Boy
Adorable Duck Cake made by Elaine
Elaine made this beautiful Alice in wonderland dress from scratch for Isabelle. Also on this night Isabelle recieved a dress up princess Belle gown, a Fun Bears Cheerleading outfit......but she choose to wear for the remainder of the evening, this:
Spiderman Costume from Uncle Al !

At first when Isabelle opened the gift, she questioned the giver "why did you get me this? It's for a boy!" But, once she got it on, there was no taking it off. She ran around all night with super powers, spinning webs and jumping on the party guests. (doll cake made by Elaine).

Family Party = Great Success. Thank you Everyone! We are truly blessed (and spoiled).

Look Whose Walking

Yesterday we celebrated Ben's 1st Birthday. All of a sudden the last few days he has been taking steps all on his own. He looks like a drunken boxer going back and forth and then tumbling over. hehe We had his first year check up today. All is good! (well, the shots weren't so good, but the rest was good).
Tonight is an open house for Isabelle's school class. I'm so excited school will be starting soon! There's nothing like back to school prepartions...new supplies is the best! (even if it is preschool supplies!). It actually almost feels like fall out today and I even swear Ive seen some changing leaves already. Tonight I am making Slow Cooker Salasa Chicken for dinner.
----Last night Isabelle and I had the following conversation:
Me: You are my special girl right?
Isabelle: Right. We are real right mom?
Me: Yes, Isabelle we are real.
Isabelle: Good. (It was just really sweet. I love my little girl so much...
when I sometimes forget, she reminds me..how lucky I am).
Happy 4th Birthday Lancelot, you 3 legged wonderdog.
Happy Anniversary of Elvis's death. TCB

Four & More

Isabelle's (1st)kids party was a great success. We had it at a local party place that includes a fun zone (jumping in balls, climbing, etc). She had so much fun. Thank you to everyone who helped plan, prepare and participate!

----------------------------------------------------

Since Isabelle has turned 4, all of a sudden she can "magically" do the following with ease: open the stairs door by herself, reach the sink without her stool, open and close car door, likes broccoli…. (if only with her magical fourness, she could start wiping her butt on her own...) Oh, also along with these can dos and likes...she says that now that she is 4, she "just doesn't like milk."

---------------------------------------------------------

Interview With Isabelle on her 4th Birthday.
How Old Are You? Um…I’m four today alright? I’m not three anymore.
If you had a million dollars what would you buy? A watch! Even though you got 2 watches for your b-day? Yes.
How do you like the cake Elaine made you? I don’t know.
What would be your dream job when you grow up? When I close my eyes and sleep…and I have a good dream.
What makes you sad? When Ben pulls my hair!
What makes you happy? When Ben doesn’t pull my hair.
What is your favorite game right now? Zingo!
Are you an early bird or a night owl? Ooh….Owls are scary! Um… I want to talk about something….the storm…and how it scares me.
What age have you enjoyed the most so far? 4 cuz I’m 4 now.
Favorite color? Red.
Favorite show? Strawberry shortcake, I keep telling you!
Favorite store? The little cart store.
Favorite food? Peanut butter and honey wrap.

Where would you like to take a vacation? Um…like to the bank.

-----------------------------------------------

Let's talk BEN a little bit now. I can't believe that he will be 1 next week! wow. Seriously this baby boy has grown up so fast already! Some of his activities lately: pulling the entire cushion off couch- sitting and bouncing on the couch without cushion- then sliding down the angled cushion. Taking dvds out of cases - trying to put them in the tv equipment, pressing the paper feed on my printer, getting all the papers out one by one (he has obsession with paper, he must be my kid!) , pulling chairs out from the dining room table - climbing on chair and proceeding to climb on dining room table!…sits and claps. Taking little steps, or walks pushing something. and...I swear he says mama.

-------------------------------------------------

Misc. Notes & Observations

Glue sticks are expensive. Humidity is evil. I'm sick of tomatoes. The people at my post office seem to have an attitude most of the time...what is the deal with that? I might have a garage sale at the end of the summer. I am going to start selling things on ebay (for the first time...so any advice would be greatly appreciated-email me). I finished the book the time traveler's wife. It was very good, I really liked it...I didn't cry. I heard alot people cried when reading this...I didn't feel the need to. I have just started reading: Middlesex. sidenote: I love the smell of old musty books. My windshield wipers have been acting very strange lately, before I had trouble with them not coming on when I need them. the last couple times I drove my car, they come on when i dont need them and wont shut off! I can't believe the disney's tinkerbell fairies movie will not come out until fall of 08. that is a long time to wait!

upcoming plans: family birthday party for the kids, zoo, bristol reinsannce faire, school starts...

Sunday Outing

Well, let's face it...every Outing Can't be a Mary Poppins with the Banks Children in the Park Magical Experience.

Today's family outing seemed like a good idea in the morning.....before we actually went. It was a beautiful sun shiney day and we decided hey, let's go to the lake.

So, Packing for any trip no matter how minor can take a lot of prep, ya never know what you might need. I seriously, don't want to be the mom who doesn't have a bandaid on her when needed (I've been that mom plenty of times...no fun...working on improving). So, I packed us up for a day trip (when all actuality, it wound up being less then 4 hours all together I think). Later, I realized as I lugged all our supplies up and down a big huge hill to get to and from the camp site, that...yeah maybe I packed too much...and if I really calculated...maybe I wound up NOT using about 88% of the stuff that I couldn't do with out. What the heck was I thinking? Yeah right, besides the kids stuff (stroller, toys, diapers, sunscreen, bottles, etc), grilling supplies, fishing supplies...I brought a book for me to read, cuz I would so get a chance to do that! Oh and a notebook to do some writing in a peaceful enviornment...um NO. A Radio...o.k., forgot I even had it since it was buried under the "other" stuff. There was so much stuff in the car there was no room in there for the dog so he had to stay home.

First stop was the grocery store (that has little kid carts). Isabelle accidently rammed her little cart into my foot. I calmly (while clenching my teeth so I wouldnt scream from pain) suggested that she be more careful because she hurt mommy. We got: hamburger supplies, sun chips, cottage cheese and iced tea. This task, complete. Oh and as we were departing the cashier said, "please take a free pack of hamburger buns on your way out as part of our grand opening special". Well o.k. lady, super, but maybe you could have told us about this little special BEFORE we bought the buns we just bought!

Next, the bait/license shop. I don't know what happened in there because I opted to stay in the car with Ben while Noah took Isabelle inside. She was asking him questions when they left the car. She was asking him questions when they returned. Here we got: license , bait and Ice. Task done. On our way again...

Arrive at "the spot". Unpacked the car, lugged everything down big steep hill. First - Prepared food and ate lunch (the hamburgers tasted like zoo burgers...they were premade and a little "different"). Next: Isabelle and Noah fished. I kept Ben entertained. The entire time, I had to keep him out of and away from the lake and I tried to keep him from constantly putting the following into his mouth: stones, sand, grass, leaves, sticks, cigarette butts, misc. garbage, etc.

Isabelle was quite excited about the dock. She ran on it, she sat on it, she skipped on it, she layed and rolled on it. Isabelle had about a million things to discuss with Noah. I think if Isabelle could literally talk someones ear off, that noah's ears would be floating in the lake right now. Isabelle wasn't manning her pole so she kept losing worms and needing them replaced. In the end, ONE FISH was caught in all (by noah). After what seemed like a very long afternoon, we (meaning me) packed up all the supplies and cleaned up our mess and we headed home. Isabelle told us that her very favorite part was that she got to pee in the woods. She also told us she doesn't want to eat the leftover worms for dinner because she thinks they would taste YUK. u.m... o.k. kid, it's a deal - no worms.

As we drove away through the winding tree lined roads - sun and sea behind us, Isabelle asked if we could come back next time. Noah said next time he was going to bring beer. I said next time doesn't have to be anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, it was nice quality family time together. It was us, being us. But, sometimes...staying home is nice too.

F-A-Ntastic

Is the fan my new best friend? I would say, YES. Thank goodness the fan was invented. It blows on me now and saves me from utter miserability. K... I'm officially sick of summer (humid, muggy...sultry...sweaty...yuk), bring on the fall. Give me the crisp days...ah...lovely autumn, I am waiting.

Ben is yelling into the fan currently. Like an idiot from stupidville, I decided to make a chicken dish....in the oven for dinner. So now as if it wasnt warm enough in the house...it's even warmer. Leave it to me to make a bad situation worse.

I worked on a project today and completed it! With ben's 1st birthday coming up, I started thinking about how I still havent scrapped Isabelles first birthday... I have a ton of pics...what am I waiting for the perfect moment? Well instead of doing several 12x12 pages...I went into my stash and got out an a simple scrapbook (no protective covers), square that I got a target on clearance years back and never used.... I just started laying out the pictures in it..... I threw some sesame street (the party theme) and birthday stickers all over it...I did a little journaling...........and called it done! It's nothing special or fancy by any means....but it's done...all the pictures in one spot together and viewable... so... I am happy with that.

Tomatos are growing like...well, tomatos! They are soooo good....heaven sent for sure. I'm starting to feel like it is tomato nation over here...it's crazy. I'd say tomatos are my favorite part of the garden....except.....for..... PUMPKINS! They are definetly on their way....and they are taking over the garden and I am afraid that Noah secretly hates me because I asked him to plant them and now they are overwhelming everything else........but OH well, how fun they will be in the fall! Our very own pumpkin patch! I'll make Isabelle sit out there and wait for the great Pumpkin to arrive.

So latley since we have been watching bats outside a bit...Isabelle is obessed with bats. She wants to look them up in books and talk about them. We worked on projects today and she even asked me to help her make a BAT. So we did and now she flies it around everywhere with her and it even sat next to her at dinner. My little weirdo.

Ben keeps shutting my fan off...not to happy about that. Maybe I'll just color in Isabelle's dragon tales coloring book for a while and call it a day.

rainy

I can't believe that Isabelle will soon (aug. 7th) be four years old!

My little baby girl is growing up so fast!

Big Sister. Little Brother

I haven't updated in a while, so I thought I would today. I really don't have anything of major importance or interest to share, so I will just type and see what prevails. Today: Rainy. Noah watched the kids last night (so I could have a much need night out with my friends) and so today I have a major mess to clean up. He is always so proud of himself, when I get home he tells me what he fed them and what they did, etc. But, like I said: Major mess to clean! This summer has been very low key for us. We have defintely gone the simple, quiet route. Our days have consisted of pool fun, catching fireflies and butterflies, pushpops, sandbox, gardening, evening stroller walks, bon fires, preschool workbooks, lots of reading, movies, visiting friends, etc. The kids are growing like weeds and wildflowers. I won't tell you which one is currently the weed and which one is currently the wildflower...but maybe you can guess. Isabelle is excited about having her first "kids" birthday party. We have been having fun planning that. She insisted on Strawberry Shortcake theme. She can't wait to for everyone to sing happy birhtday to her while she "blows out the little fires on her cake". We are also starting to pick up school supplies...I can't believe it is almost that time already. One of Isabelle's favorite things lately is watching the bats come out in the early evening. She keeps asking me, those arn't the bat's that you hit a ball with right? I must admitt it still kind of freaks me out to see bats...I just cant help to think one will land and turn into a dracula right in front of me. Her favorite current foods are: peanutbutter and honey sandwiches and corn on the cob. The other day Isabelle was laying on the couch and I told her she should go outside and play...and she cried, " I can't go outside, my eyebrows hurt!" Instead of saying good idea, she says: Mom, that's a BIG dea! Instead of saying salami, Isabelle asks for a SLIMY sandwich. Isabelle likes to pretend Ben is her dog...she feeds him the fish from her magnetic fishing pole set. Isabelle also likes to often pretend she is Strawberryshortcake and Ben is Apple Dumpling. The other day I spotted a bunny outside and I told Isabelle to look and she looked (he was still) and she said, : "Maybe he's dead". When Isabelle and I were in the garden recently (picking green beans)..she found a worm..she asked if she could touch it. I said sure. Then she asked if she could tickle it. I said sure. So, she tickled it and kept giggling and saying tickle, tickle, tickle. BEN - wow, this little boy... my mind can't wrap around the fact that he is almost one years old (aug. 15). He is such a character. He is so unebelievably sweet and cuddly and happy. He is also very adventures and BIG trouble! Anything you can think of, he is into! He officially broke a lamp a few weeks ago (pulled it off the table), thank goodness he wasnt hurt. I've baby proofed as much as I can but he still manages to find trouble. He loves to copy and he loves to play peek a boo. He loves pushing any toy with wheels (mostly little people bus) across the room. He loves to put things inside of things (stacking cups) and open and close things. He stands at the toy bin, reaches in and pulls a toy out, inspects it and throws it on the floor and pulls another toy out...till it's empty. He is eating just about anything, doing great. He loves the vegetables from the garden...so that has been so nice (and convienent) to feed him. He has two lower teeth and more are coming. He walks holding on to things, we are just waiting for him to let go. Isabelle and Ben roll around on the floor together tumbling and giggling all the time. They also fight. She tells me, MOM I don't want Benny by me! Mom, I don't want Benny to have this toy! ETC... I love his hair right now. It's long enough where it is starting to curl so sweet. I finished reading: A thousand acres. Didnt like it that much. Started reading: The TIme Traveler's Wife. Not far into it but so far so good. My current favorite tv show is Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay, but actually I like more, his show Kitchen Nightmares, where he goes into failing restaurants, sees whats not working and helps them change things and succeed. I recently made a new (and easy) impressive dinner that I absolutely love. It is a cranberry pork roast in the crock pot (if anyone wants the recipe, email me). My current favorite song is: Calling All Angels by Jane Siberry. It is old, but I have newly discovered it. I must find it on cd! Well, Isabelle is whining because Ben changed the t.v. channel (and he is stinky, I can smell him from here).....so here we go...another day of adventure....Maybe, I better grab some more coffee first........

The Children wearing their 4th of July finery.

Lance insisted on being included in these photos.

Here we see that Ben somehow got himself completely stuck inside a dollhouse. He reminded me of the part of Alice in Wonderland when she is growing inside that tiny house and gets stuck. I know I probably shouldn't have been laughing and grabbing my camera...before I saved him....but I felt that I must document this incident.

And here we see one of Isabelle and Lance's favorite summer pasttimes: Pig Farm (next store) Watching.

Chef Ben Continued...

Here are just a few more pics from the

Chef Ben Collection...

A good chef really gets into his recipes.

The PAMPERed Chef

projects & quotes

I have two recent projects that I really love how they turned out and wanted to share. Both of these projects are based around quotes that I really liked. I am often inspired by quotes. The top photo is a Father's Day card that I made for my Dad. And below is a photo of a frame that I have in my house. If you can't read the quote it says: Each time you look up to the sky or see snowflakes drifting by or hear the wind or see a tree, I t' s all G o d w h i s p e r i n g , this is me. (helen steiner rice)

Ben the Chef

What's Ben got Cookin? Well, there was no doubt that I eventually would subject Ben to the Baby Chef in a Pot pictures that I did with Isabelle when she was a baby. There were lots of fun pics. Here are some of my favorites.
You say Tomato, I say: ba ba
Isabelle was a great help during the photo shoot,

but of course she had to get in on the fun too! Sugar & Spice

Art & Literature

Project: Friends Board Book. Isabelle LOVES her friends so much and talks about them all the time...I thought of an idea to put her friends pictures in a special book just for her. I took an old board book and sanded it down, I adhered patterned paper to the cover and all the pages. We gathered up a bunch of photos, markers, stickers and stamps. The book was so fun and easy for us to make together. The best part of all is that Isabelle absoultely loves it. She keeps saying how beautiful that it is and telling me thank you thank you thank you. She goes through each page and names her friends and smiles. The biggest challenge of course will be keeping it away from Ben. Above and Below: Snowmen Drawings by Isabelle Claire

I just finished reading: Water For Elephants. I would probably rate it somewhere between worth telling a friend and toast of the town. It was entertaining and interesting to learn about depression era circus life. The story was good, but I must admit there were some parts that I got somewhat bored and skipped ahead a little. Next I will read: The Memory Keepers Daughter by Kim Edwards. I heard that it is a good tale. I am excited to start.

My Fish

Rain & Yuk Salad

Above: Red, White & Ben

Below: Raindrops falling on Isabelle's head.

Misc Musings: Sibling rivalry has officially started: Mom, Ben is pulling my hair! Mom, Ben is eating my book! Mom, my brother took my Cinderella! Mom, Benny took my bandaid off! Isabelle fell out of her bed last night. I heard a crash and she was crying. This is like the 3rd time in a month. She never fell out of her bed before this. I guess Ill just throw a bunch of pillows on the floor before she goes to sleep every night. This past weekend my sister in law made a very good fruit salad that included, mango, blue berries, grapes, mint, lemon zest, ginger root, honey and I think cinnamon...Isabelle didn't like the salad so she referred to it as Yuk Salad. The garden has produced it's first offical vegetable (besides asparagus that just comes up on its own)...it is Radishs. I am not fond of that particular vegetable, but others seem to like it. When Isabelle sings you are my sunshine, she actually sings " don't take my Unshine away. The other day I was cutting a tomatoe and Isabelle asked me why Mato's have boogers? I am reading a book called Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I am not very far in this book but so far I like it much. It is interesting. It is about depression-era circus life. Speaking of the circus, there is one coming to town next week I think, I would love to take the kids. Hope it works out. I lost my sunglasses in the park the other day...total bummer. I really wish I had an ipod...maybe some day. I don't now how or where Ben finds the things that he puts in his mouth, but I just pulled a half of crayon out of his mouth. Earlier I pulled out some my little pony hair out of his mouth and some plastic. When we at the park the other day he ate a big wood chip...I couldn't get it out of his mouth, he swallowed it. I swear, I cannot open a door, cabinet or a fridge in this house with out Ben quickly wedged within the opening. The other day I opened the garbage can, and he shoved his fingers in there and I pulled them out to close the door quick and I closed them on his little pudgy baby thigh! How he got his leg stuck in there I don't know. Speaking of his thighs...they are so cute...hehe... Isabelle never had baby chunk like he does...and his feet remind me of little flintstone feet. Ben has started standing in his highchair, so now I have to strap him in! I started making some of his baby food. So far, zucchini and sweet potatoes. Isabelle's doll of choice these days is the spiderman plush doll I let her get from the dollar store. She sleeps with it and pushes it in the stroller. She tells me that peter parker is under the costume and that maryjane really likes him. I will end this post with a wonderful super easy recipe that I made the other day that I would like to share. You won't be disappointed if you make this. It is called: Slow-cooker Salsa Chicken and it goes like this:

Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 cup salsa 1 package taco seasoning 1 can cream of mushroom soup (I used cream of chicken since mushrooms are evil) 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions
Add chicken to slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.Pour salsa and soup over chicken.Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.Remove from heat and stir in sour cream. Serve with rice.