little brother

pink Barbie car
purple Dora car
masking-taped shut diaper
Christmas sticker on sock
drool on chest
bad haircut
loving it

mermaids, fits, and red velvet

The girls produced another puppet show--more like illustrated story-telling, minus the puppets--this time starring a love sick mermaid and a pirate. Bria wrote "the script," lying on the ground (which is scribbles on lined paper).





Liam has been throwing lots of fits lately. I'm getting really good at "selective listening" although they still drive me nuts.

He started crying under the desk for no apparent reason ...



then a few minutes later he remembered why he was upset.



He loves to drag his books, toys, cutting boards, chairs, remote controls, and crayons outside for later use.


And I made my first attempt at gluten-free red velvet cupcakes, with a ... (get ready for it)... white chocolate vanilla bean swiss meringue buttercream. I know it's heresy to dress a red velvet in anything besides it's usual cream cheese frosting, but I couldn't resist.

This was all that was left (and yes, the girls ate cupcakes for breakfast).

day of love

What a happy Valentine's day!

The kids and I have had a fun, love-filled morning playing Barbies, hide-and-seek, Ring around the Rosie (Liam's favorite part was falling down!), reading books, decorating for Valentines, coloring, and baking gluten-free oat pear muffins (in a heart-shaped tin, of course).





[balloons and sugar cookies from a fun Valentine's playdate]



[the girls "stippy-taped" their Valentine's drawings onto our bathroom mirror. Bria drew her special heart-shaped picture for me, so it could help me "be brave when you have take a shot." Love always helps me feel better!]



In the evening we enjoyed a yummy romantic "Valentine's feast" (termed by Bria), saying what we loved about each other, scavenger-hunting for our Valentine's treasures (candy and Hello Kitty umbrellas, see pic) and dipping chocolate fondue.



[chocolate fondue!]







[Hello kitty umbrellas! thank you, Target clearance]


What a super day of love!

SMB

What could possibly be worth this ...


or this?


I will tell you.

[with milk chocolate filigree hearts]


[naked]

Chocolate hazelnut-scented cupcakes with chocolate hazelnut swiss meringue buttercream.

Oh. My. Goodness.

But Emily, I thought you couldn't eat cupcakes? They're gluten-free, my friend. And while the buttermilk cocoa cupcakes are soft and delicious all by themselves, I've topped them with the most silky, rich, creamy whipped cocoa buttercream with just the subtle tease of hazelnuts.

I've been wanting to make swiss meringue buttercream (SMB) for a while now. I was intimidated. But it was so easy! And SO SO worth it. I can't wait to share them with my friends for my 3rd annual Ladies Chocolate Party tonight!

[Only now I've created 2 serious problems: 1) where to hide the cupcakes from the prying little hands of children, and 2) how to stop eating them all myself.]

a simple 29

Emily turns 29 ...
and highlights include
waking up to birthday decorations, cards & gifts
gluten-free chocolate cupcakes (a surprise from David!)
dinner out with my hubby (and dessert!)
thoughtful gifts, cards & messages from my family and friends

I'm so happy where I am in my life right now: a busy, tired, much-loved mother and wife. With the exceptions of [improved] health this year and more time with family, there's nothing I want or need. I feel richly blessed.

As someone advised me yesterday, "you need to live up your twenties because once you turn 30 everything changes." Wise words, but I'm planning on good times from 29 and beyond!

mr. naughty

[Lil' mr. naughty] Liam's favorite activities:

playing with cel phones & keys
destroying neatly organized piles and cupboards
digging in the trash
unrolling dental floss
stealing gum from mommy's purse
playing in the backyard (especially his slide)
turning off the laundry--in the middle of the load
stripping off his diaper
dumping baskets
stealing [and hiding] remote controls
pushing buttons (any button!)
digging in drawers, emptying contents and spreading them throughout the house
kicking soccer balls
hitting Cali with the toilet seat (while she's on the potty)
eating Squinkies, coins and other small objects
playing "round and round the garden, like a teddy bear"
nicking chips from the pantry
pushing the pink baby stroller
goobering the kitchen curtains
eating magic markers and pencil erasers

"Mommy, I found the chips!"


his fit after I removed him from the Pringles.


stripped off his diaper and turned off my dryer load.


on to drawer-digging.


dental floss is so much fun.


(his favorite face: the open-mouth pucker)


just ate the tip off my highlighter.