Eden notes

Eden:
Upon learning that we are going to Asher's preschool swimming party:  "We go SWIMMING?  I wuv it!!  I want to go SWIMMING!  We get wet!  Fun, fun, fun!"

Upon learning that her Target dollar-bin Hello Kitty socks can't be worn more than one day:  "I need MO' Hewwo Kitty socks!"

Upon passing the book section in any store and mommy not stopping:  total meltdown.  She is a decided bibliophile...just amazes me as that is not something I feel I could have nurtured, and is mostly innate (Mommo genes??).

Upon being put in the crib for nap time (which is always rest/play time):  singing, singing, singing.  Especially Frozen songs, and she knows as many words as the boys...nearly.

Upon having any time for play with any slightly available partner:  "We play cup a' tea!"  (a.k.a. tea party)  Cup a' tea marathons can last indefinitely.

Upon being told 'no' in no uncertain terms...sometimes heaves a heavy sigh and says, 'OOOOOh-kaaaay' with the cutest resignation.  More often, throws a fit of epic proportions including foaming at mouth!  It's that wonderful age.

At all times, "I wuv my brudders!" and "I wuv my daddy" in close 2nd.  However, definitely mostly a mamma's girl, and my 'I wuv you's' are said while palms secure my cheeks and eyes are stared into...sweetest child-rearing moments yet.

Owen's 7th

Another birthday party in the bag :)  Owen's prayer list included a sunny day for his party, and despite rain forecasts up til the night before, his request was granted!  Owen had a Ninjago party with a ninja costume relay, a ninja weapon hunt, a race to remove legos from the rice pit with chopsticks and assemble the tallest tower, a water balloon launch with Owen's Dad as target (self-volunteered and made the kids' day!!), a ninja quiz and shooting helium balloons with foam darts.  Great fun had by all :)  Can't believe he's SEVEN!!!!

Eden

Growing up!  Too fast!

Movies

Eden is a BOOKWORM.  I rarely see Eden without a book in her hand, and when I won't read it, she sits down and reads it to herself.  She pretty much knows every book in the house (and we don't have a small library of kids' books!!)  Wish I had gotten better audio of this rendition of green eggs and ham:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104074210619117775955/May182014#6014937861636953250

It was Owen's birthday on Friday and Mommo and Daddo sent the boys RC cars...very exciting for them!!!  (Asher's present was just a hair early for his birthday ;)  When I looked out and saw the bricks from the temporary walkway to our new porch missing, I found the boys had constructed their own battle arena...!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104074210619117775955/May182014#6014940048553263954

An old one from April Fool's Day this year:
https://picasaweb.google.com/104074210619117775955/May18201403?authkey=Gv1sRgCLGw4afsq5PJ_AE#6014940823618366210

Ham 'n rice bake

Threw some comfort food together with leftover bits tonight and I have to say it was very tasty--and most of the kids thought so too (miracle!)--must write it down, because I never do write these things down and then if Reuel asks for it months later I have no idea.

In a cast iron pan with a light coating of leftover bacon grease (probably why it was good right there), saute diced leftover Easter ham; remove.  Saute chopped onion in 2-3T butter, add in generous grinding of pepper, generous pinch nutmeg, couple sprinkles of dry thyme, ~1/2 t. salt.  Add 3T flour, make roux.  Add 1c. broth + 1c. milk, boil and stir to thicken.  Add in ~2-3c. chopped fresh spinach, stir to wilt.  Add in ~1/2c. grated cheddar and ham, stir til melted and blended.  Add in ~3c. cooked rice, stir it all up, test and see if it needs a little more salt.  Sprinkle with grated cheddar, pop in 350 oven til melted and beginning to brown on top.

Nigara Falls vacay

Just got back from a whirlwind Niagara Falls mini-vacation, where we met up with Aunt K. and surprise guest, Nunu!  Great fun seeing the sights and spending 2 nights with the falls out of our window.  Always impressive to see that much water falling that far!!  And to imagine the experience of those witless ones who've gone over in barrels and the like.  We had a gorgeous weather day, a really pretty good weather day, and a not great weather day, but they were all crowd-free just before tourist season begins.  WIN!!  The kids really enjoyed the trip, even though it was quite a bit of driving back and forth between Sunday and Wednesday.  Thanks to Aunt K and Nunu for joining in the spontaneity!!

Many discussions were had about desiring to go home with all 3 children.  Asher found some rocks to climb and jump on instead of Falls-fencing :}

Still thawing out...volume was still way down because the lake hasn't thawed out just yet.

There's our hotel beneath/to the left of the round tower...in the curvy part on floor 11.

Behind the Aunt...

Behind the Falls...

Best we got...obstinate children!

Such gorgeous green-blue water.  You really want to jump in, except for that nasty drop.

The view out of our window...aaah!  Lovely to sit and watch.  The mist plume particularly low here.

Easter 2014

...just the egg hunt part!


Two excited little boys hit the lawn running for eggs.

This was some intense egg-chasing.

Eden was still at the starting lineup figuring out what was going on.

Better get out there Eden or the pickings will be slim!

Catching on...

And, eureka!  There's candy in these eggs!  Not a single egg hit her basket after that.  Each was opened, its contents dumped into the basket, and the eggshell dumped unceremoniously on the grass behind her.

Boys discussing where the final hiding spots might be.

The mailbox!  Nope, but nice try.