The last couple of weeks

have been busy, but so fun.

First up, my Mom's b-day. We went to dinner and then it was back to my house for cake.

Then Valentine's Day. Andy and Ari came over with some friends of theirs and we had a little "Iron Chef America"-like competition. Each couple had one hour to make a dish and we all did it at the same time, in my kitchen. I wondered if there would be a space issue, but it turned out fine. There was plenty of room, however I think between the 6 of us we dirtied every dish in the house. When the hour was up we called in the judges.

Lori and Damon,

and Michael and Amanda.

It was so much fun and we really want to do it again sometime. Anyone who is interested in a little friendly food competition, let me know.

Then last week was Ryan's birthday.

After the cake I shared my memories of the night of Ryan's birth. Let's just say the night he was born was not the best day of my life.

I will have to tell the story sometime. I will say I spent most of it at the Ipsen's. (Josie, do you remember that? Probably not, I only do because it was full of embarrassment.) I think every birthday since has been okay, this one was for sure.

My "Love List"

If you remember last years list I am posting a few items that I really love, but truley could do without. Everything from last year still apply, but I am going to give you a few more things that I have really been enjoying lately.

I LOVE baking individual size desserts. These little guys come in lots of shapes and colors, and it is so fun to get your own mini dessert. We think so, at least. (I'd LOVE any recipies.)

I LOVE this stuff. Especially for getting price stickers off of things. I keep it close by at all times.

I LOVE my Chi. It helps me do my hair in record time! So, I think it is safe to say Tyler LOVES it, too.

I LOVE my Cricut. It is so much fun. It has been a very friendly addition to my office, and all of our other electrionics have been very welcoming. (I was a little worried about "clicks" at first, but we seem to have very polite, although messy, office supplies. Wish I could get them to clean up the place.)

I LOVE being able to enjoy our fruit trees all winter long. Yummy!

By the way, we had a really fun Valentine's Day and I will be posting pictures soon! Hope everyone else had a great time!

Kneading Red

This year we made Valentine Play-dough. It was lots of fun!

1c. flour

1/2 c. salt

1 c. water

2 T. oil

2T. cream of tarter

Cook over med. heat until stiff.

Cool on wax paper.

Knead in food coloring

Post-it Notes or Fingers!

Have you ever put a colored post-it on the flash of your point and shoot camera? Well, tonight Tyler was gone and I felt a weird bump on my neck so I asked Damon to take a picture. His finger was covering the flash and we got a similar result.

So, then I had him take this picture.

And, I took this one. Try it sometime, it's fun!

P.S. I still don't know what the bump on my neck is!

Countdown to V-Day!!!

Increasing attention span?

Check!!!

When we started Charlotte's Web a few weeks ago I didn't know how well Damon would transition to a book with no pictures. It took a couple of days, but he is so into it now. It is lots of fun for me, too. However, I am yet again reminded that he is really growing up.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

who has the biggest muscles of them all?

I remember being at a high school track meet, like a million years ago, and the boys were talking about muscles. I made a joke about guys checking them out in the mirror, and one of the guys said something such as, "Like you've never done it." He seriously would not believe me when I said I never had. He really thought I was lying and would not let it rest. He kept trying to get me to admit that I had done it. Luckly I had a couple other girls there to back me up, not that there is anything wrong with it, or that girls don't do it. I probably did that very night, just to see what all the fuss was about.

Well, now that I have a little guy to watch grow up I think I found that it is one of those pre-wired "boy things." Damon had no shame when he was checking out his giant muscles in the mirror the other day. I immediately thought of the above story and had to snap a pic.