Something to Get Excited About

Last spring Michael fenced off an area for my garden in the backyard. Gardening runs in my blood. I grew up helping my mom in the garden and also watching my grandma care for her flowers. I guess you could say they passed down their love of nature to me and it is a gift that I now accept with open arms. It all began with a compost bucket. A few weeks later I started seeds inside until it was time to put them in the ground. I probably had too many varieties for such a small area, but everything grew well together. I really need to read up on techniques and use less trial and error method, but whatever works. There is no better feeling than growing something from seed and seeing the product of your labor.This past winter I had to let my garden grow up. The weeds took over and I would be ashamed to post a picture of what it has become. I had something else going on that took up most of my time and energy. After 9 months of carefully "growing" a special little boy and about 6 months of being in constant demand, I finally have the energy and the will to do other things. I bear no hard feelings at the loss of time though. Babies are one of my most favorite things to grow. *Smile*(I think we did fairly well, how about you?)

I deeply look forward to having a Fall garden this year. I plan on starting the seeds very soon as I am almost behind already. Probably the thing I look forward to having the most is lettuce. Fall and winter is a perfect time to grow this because the cold air makes for sweet instead of bitter leaves. Check back often for progress made towards this goal of renovation in my garden. The weather is getting a bit cooler and I can feel that fall is coming. It's one of my favorite times of year and I can't wait to prepare for it.

The Weekend

Here is a quick overview of our weekend. I took very few pictures. A couple of times I thought about it, but then decided I was going to enjoy and just remember with words instead.

Friday I had a date with a very charming little man. Ayden and I went to see G-Force for the first time together. I think at first I was more excited than he was. Then, his excitement steadily grew to match mine. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. I shared my popcorn and he shared his sour punch straws. After the G movie... (pun intended) I took him back to school shopping because he starts preschool this coming Tuesday. He picked out a new back pack and lunch box star wars style. We also found a furry stuffed Yoda. "Feeling stuffed, I do"

Saturday we had a too cute birthday party to be at. Mini mouse was the theme and I have to say, Tiffany is SO creative. After leaving the party we went to Old Town Spring trade days. Michael, the boys and I walked around for a few hours and did a bit of shopping. We headed home to rest a while and try out our new salsa from Amish barn. Pretty much every Saturday night we serve in Small World at church. Michael works behind the scenes in the Small World auditorium. And I have found a new position working at the front of the infants desk. I love helping the parents check in their babies. It's called the reflections desk because we reflect Christ to all the people. A church this big can be intimidating to new people. A smiling face can help them find where they need to go. On the way home from church tonight Logan started saying "da da". I honestly know that he didn't mean daddy, but I could tell it was a meaningful moment for Michael.

Sunday (today) we were up and going again. First church and then a few more errands afterwords. After a great lunch provided by Michael and then a nap, I'm calling it a day. \

We've also been watching loads of Man vs Wild, and Survivor Man episodes over the weekend. So we are learning lots of new tricks.

Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy and Girl

I had quite the experience last Friday when I volunteered to watch my friend Angela's munchkins. It was so much fun and so exhausting at the same time. Ayden and the No man played to their hearts content in Ayden's tree house bed. (I'm not posting pictures of this one yet until we finish painting the bed. More on that later) Cars, trucks, trains, chase, you name it they played it. Raylan, Logan and I contended ourselves by watching Wow Wow Wubbzy four times (in a row).

The best part was when Michael came home to the craziness of it all. I think he handled it very well. The kids were surely entertained by him. So cute!
And of course he didn't forget the other troublemaker. Daddy always knows how to make him smile.

Some Old Town Fun

Last week me and the boys had lunch with Melanie and her family. We ate at Hyde's cafe in Old Town Spring. This is the place to go when you want to visit for a while because the service is so slow. I'm not complaining. I enjoyed catching up with Mel and everyone else.
Thanks Mel for taking the picture!

All American

We had a little photo session in honor of regaining our picture posting capabilities. And I found the perfect subject!
I just want to kiss those cheeks off!

This outfit was one of Ayden's.





Ayden got in on the action too.

Some Oldies...

But goodies... These are all past pictures of Ayden.

about 2 weeks

a few months old

1 year
between 1 year and 18 months
Changed a lot hasn't he! I'm looking for the pictures of his cute little curl on top before all the other hair came in.

So Long Linux...

You will be missed, you and your addictive Sudoku game. You have many pros and very few cons other than the fact no one is compatible with you. Don't worry, I will find a way to use you one day. I will spread your name so that everyone will shout LINUX! LINUX! So Long, fare well!

I'm glad I can finally post pictures again... =)

Treasure Hunt

I love shopping resale. The is always something to find that costs near the price of nothing. It's more of an adventure than a department store. Not that I have anything against department stores, I just have something against department store prices. Building on my "green" ideas (the first was to get rid of the garbage can in the kitchen and reuse shopping bags as trash bags) I had been wondering in what way I could use things twice. Hey! Resale! So I took some of the kids outgrown clothes and got store credit. I found some really adorable shirts for the boys. And I'm so very proud of the adorable rocking giraffe that I found for Logan's room. I cannot wait to upload the pictures of it. My super smart, genius of a husband is trying to turn me into a Linux user. I have not figured out all the features yet. That includes learning how to upload pictures from the server to my laptop to the web. So be patient, they will be on here soon. (or else I'm switching back to windows!)

My Life Lesson of the Day

I have to say that I am completely amazed by the things my four year old comes up with in his cute little head. Today was not the first time he surprised me with what he said, but it certainly was up there with the best. He had some food leftover from dinner the other night that he had been avoiding at all cost. In my attempt to teach him not to waste anything I wanted him to finish eating it. One of my more clever ideas was to put it in a tortilla and serve it to him as a taco. This halfway worked until he discovered it tasted about the same as without the tortilla. Then I got desperate. I lied. Now I'm not proud of it, but honestly I was out of ideas. While he wasn't looking I quickly folded the tortilla back up. And this is the conversation that took place...
Him "Mommy, what are you doing?"
Me "Putting magic in your taco, and if you open it, the magic will disappear."
Him "No it won't"
Me "yes it will"
Him "No it won't, do you know why?"
Me "why?"
Him "Because there is no such thing as magic. Remember, God made me smart and so I am smart."
Me *mouth hanging opening* haha

I have to say that I am blessed for Ayden to be surrounded by such Godly examples everywhere he is. It also brought this verse to mind. Children are examples of humble faith in Jesus.

Matthew 18: 2-6
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Flowers & Butterflies

Last month I made a cake for a little girl who was turning four. Her theme was of course flowers and butterflies. I used buttercream frosting and white cake. The butterfly wings are made with color flow icing. The icing consistency was too thin in between layers and so it kind of "smooshed" out. I think they liked it though. I love the colors. Perfect for a four year old girl!


I waited until now to post this because, silly me, I forgot to take my camera with me to the party.

Poor Baby

Logan has been sick for about two days now. He had fever and a stuffy nose. The fever only came on in the middle of night. So the last few nights I've had the joy of sitting up with him, keeping him upright so he could sleep better. The only benefit of him being sick is that he is extra cuddly. This is why I say the joy of sitting up with him. He lays limp against my chest letting me rock him. Being that it was the middle of the night and everyone else was asleep it gave me time to sit and enjoy him. I know and understand all to well that he is growing everyday. I take this time to memorize his adorable changing eyes (we are still not sure what color they will be), those chubby cheeks and toothless smile (which won't be toothless for long). I breath in the soft baby fragrance that doesn't last nearly long enough. Soon, I'm sure he'll smell like a frog, similar to his older brother. I can't imagine him being my last baby. But that's a story for another time. For now I can just hug him tight and make him feel better. Last night he had no fever and he slept great. I'm so thankful for all the prayers.

Half a Year, Whole Lot of Fun

Our youngest is growing so fast. I can not wait to see what new and exciting things he will do in the next few months. After his Dr.'s visit I'm going to update his weight and height so check back soon!

Let's Get Out of The House!

We had a few errands to run today and Ayden did exceptionally well behavior wise. I decided he should be rewarded accordingly.

Gotcha! Found him in a tree log. Snapped it just as he was trying to get away!
I love the "in action" pictures.
After playing hard, we shared a giant stuffed cookie.
It was a good day.

Cake Wreck

Ok, so last weekend I made a cake for a friend of mine who's twins were turning one. Normally I would not post a wrecked cake but I figure why not? I mean, what is a blog for if not to tell the world about accomplishments AND mishaps. I have to say that my friend picked out an excellent cake. Beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed working on it and I may even make it again one day just to see what it looks like finished. Plus I enjoyed the time I spent with Terrie and her babies. So here it goes, laugh all you want. You can even cry a little if you like, I know I did.

Here is the Candy Castle cake I worked on for about 3 days. It's not the finished product but it's close. I ended up redoing the icing that was over the doors and windows. It looked better after that. There were also skittles around the bottom of the cake.
These were pillars made with rice crispies and rolled fondant. They were to stand up around the cake.
These were ice cream cones filled with cake and topped with icing to mimic the large cupcake on top of the cake. These cones were to stand on top of the pillars to give it a true castle look. The small cupcakes in back were smash cakes for the twins.
Alright... Time to prepare yourself. I guess I will show you the picture first and then explain...
I may have promise as a cake decorator, but I am the world's worst cake transporter. My gut told me not to stack the cupcake yet. It said "Dani, this will not end well" and it didn't. The cake was alright for about 20 minutes, then suddenly... you slam on the brakes and this is what you get. Cake everywhere! Poor thing was doomed.
All wasn't lost though. I was able to stop at a bakery and pick up some things to make shift a cake. I felt terrible, but it is a lesson learned. From what I hear it tasted great though!

Ayden's Day on the Plaza

Today the church hosted "My Day on the Plaza" for the kids of Small World. Fellowship of the Woodlands (or Woodlands church as it's now known) seriously loves their kids to pull out all the stops. Ayden had so much fun in the pop up fountains. He would not pause long enough for me to take a still shot. Action pictures are more fun anyway.
Logan made himself cozy by propping his feet up.

Ayden was worn out. He took a nap for the first time in a long time.

Jumping Jack

Well... not quite. It's actually a jumping Logan! Since nothing really blog worthy has happened this week so far I'd like to give you the privilege of watching my little love discovering his jumping capabilities.