Catching Up...

I know...I've been ridiculously bad at blogging. Quick updates and pictures:

• Last week was Spring Break for the kids. We didn't do anything. It was an awful week to be off...rainy, snowing, blahrghetty. I had a nice big long to-do list for myself and nothing got crossed off. Nothing. I sat around and read books, knitted and had naps. Hey, it was my Spring Break too. Right?

• Nolan and Avrie had their first dental appointments last Saturday. They loved it. Of course...they do have their Mother's genes! Zero cavaties and everything looked great...even Nolan's "baby tooth". There is a normal adult one growing behind it. Dentist said Avrie's top molars will rear their ugly heads sometime in the next two months. YAY!

• We got a new stroller yesterday and I'm in love. Light as a feather. Hills won't stop me now!

• Cole has two big white lumps on his lower gums. Poor kiddo. He's having a rough time...not the happiest camper. Hope they come through quickly for his sake...and mine.

• Nolan embarassed himself today. We walked in the door from school and he took his shoes off while telling me he had to go pee. I turn my back for a second, turn back around to see him with his pants around his ankles. I asked him what he was doing at the exact second he realized his mistake...his cheeks were bright red! He said "I got confused and I almost had an accident in the shoe box!! Oops!"

Kids were thrilled that it was raining most of last week...rain = movie. I love how snuggled up Klara and Avrie are! They are finally getting along and Avrie asks every morning if Klara is coming today.

Nolan took this picture of Avrie and I nursing our babies. Now he thinks he's a professional photographer and has requested a camera just like mine for his birthday. And I had my heart set on a trampoline...

They were actually playing together without fighting one morning...I snapped this quick!

Kissing Mom. He has a fistful of my neck...doesn't feel so great. But it's so cute that I let him. Might have to buy a turtleneck or people will start to think my husband abuses me.

All in a Day's Fun...

Haven't felt much like blogging lately, obviously. But here's an update just so ya know I'm alive!

• Bathroom is really coming along thanks to my handy husband. He finished the plumbing for the tub last night and I had my first bath in probably two months this afternoon while the kids napped. Yay!
• Nolan and Avrie spent a few days at Grandma and Grandpa's last week/end. It was a wonderful break for us. We got a lot accomplished on the bathroom and even went on a sushi date.
• I learned how to make soap last Saturday. Quite the process. There was great food, friends and conversation!
• I've been reading, reading, reading. I haven't been doing much else.
• Loving spring...loving the walks outside. And all the fresh air that results in NAPS!
• Nolan told me on Sunday, "Mom, that shirt looks really nice on you!" I think I may have blushed.
• Last night at supper Nolan prayed first and then Avrie copied him. Except she forgot a vital part according to Nolan. "Avrie! You have to be thankful for God every time. You have to. You always have to be thankful for God. Now say it again and then say amen."
• Cole is my little snuggle machine. Can't get enough of that baby. It's so hard to fathom that he may just be naughty some day.
• Went out for supper with the girls last night and had the best dessert ever. Lemon Passion at Macaroni Grill. I found a copycat recipe and can't wait to have company so I can try it.

Dry Cleaning!

Having a bathtub in our living room has been grand fun this week! Not only is there the tub, but also the box it came in! Wahoo! The box is currently the art museum. It has been a slide, a fort, a tunnel, etc. When I was in kindergarten the teacher had an old clawfoot tub that was filled with pillows. It was used as the reading nook. I've wanted one ever since. I even look on Craig's List once in awhile but they are too expensive and the cheap ones need refinishing.

Avrie and just a few of her kitties hanging out after breakfast. Actually, she wore her pajamas all day so I really don't know if it was after breakfast or not. I guess that's not a good way to gauge the time a picture was taken around here!

Rub-a-dub-dub, three kids in a tub!

Nolan snuggled up with Cole and read him stories for half an hour.

A bathtub without water is a wonderful way to contain a crawling baby!

Pre-nap storytime in the tub this afternoon.

Challenged to the Max

Just look at the precious little peanut. "Little Princess" my rear. "Little Drama Queen" would have been much more fitting.

Dear Parents, I'm sorry for any grief I may have caused you...I assure you that I'm getting the payback I deserve. Love, Your Frazzled Daughter

Grandma, Aunt Lori and anyone associated with CPS, please stop reading now if you want to hold onto the illusion of "Little Princess".

I threw a glass of water in Avrie's face last night. Ahhh, feels so good to admit that to the whole blogging world! Yes, I know she's only two and it was highly inappropriate. Or was it? She is unbearable these days. Unbearable I tell you. If I make it through her terrible-two's without becoming an alcoholic or a pill-popper, it'll be a miracle. I wish there was a way to convey sarcasm in text. Oh, who am I kidding...what sarcasm?!

Examples 1 & 2 of 1,746:

Avrie: I want a piece of bubblegum.
Mom: I don't have any in the van, honey.
A: I WANT BUBBLEGUM.
Mom: Avrie, it's at home. I don't have any.
Avrie: *screaming* I WANT BUBBLEGUM. I WANT BUBBLEGUM. (repeat for 5 minutes)

After a goodnight story and a few minutes of rocking cuddles and tucking her in bed:

Avrie: I want water.
Mom: No. (A mother NEVER has to give a reason.)
Avrie: I WANT WATER. I WANT WATER. (repeat approximately 20 times with kicking and screaming and foaming at the mouth)

Anyone seeing where the glass of water in the face comes in? Now, some might say "Why not just give her a drink of water?" That's ridiculous. I said NO. You can't say no and then change your mind. It's just smart parenting, people. She had plenty to drink prior to bed and wasn't dying of thirst.

She is just so unreasonable. And I love her to pieces. I just know she'll be a go-getter and succeed at whatever she sets out to accomplish. Pushover will never be a word used to describe her! Determined, decisive, persevering, resolute, single-minded, steadfast, solid, unwavering. That's my girl. Just maybe tone it down a tad. Just a smidge. For your mother's sake.

One of THOSE Nights...

4:30 p.m. -- Start getting supper ready. Season pork chops, mix up the Italian breadcrumbs, herbs and asiago for the breading. Put Yukon's in boiling water for the gnocchi dough. I have never made gnocchi. I will never attempt again.

4:45 -- Check potatoes. Start dicing tomatoes for homemade sauce for the gnocchi. Bread pork chops and fry 5 minutes each side before putting in the oven for 25 minutes.

5:00 -- Pull out the potatoes, peel, mash up with the gnocchi ingredients, form dough, cut into little pieces. Get water boiling to cook the little sticky buggers.

5:15 -- Hands in tomatoes. Avrie cries. Turn and look:

5:17 -- Nearly cry. Tell her to wait and put some gnocchi in the boiling water.

5:32 -- Alternating between removing gnocchi and hair. Toss gnocchi flop into the garbage disposal. Get out spaghetti noodles. Remove basil from the fridge for the homemade spaghetti sauce...frozen solid. $2.99 down the drain. Cole is hungry. Thaw some milk and have Nolan feed him a bottle.

5:42 -- Hair finally free. Didn't have to cut any...whew.

6:00 -- Husband walks in door and wife tells him "You'll smile and eat it and say "Mmmmmmm". Or else."

6:05 -- Eat a lovely meal of perfect pork chops and lovely homemade sauce on store-bought pasta.

6:25 -- Pump.

6:40 -- Head out the door with Avrie in tow to meet my friend for a meal swap. I still have pasta sauce on my face and am still in my yoga pants and sweatshirt. Thank goodness I have friends who understand!!

**Has anyone successfully made gnocchi??

6 Months, 6 Days

Where has our baby gone? He decided he's big enough to sit alone. Mommy isn't too happy about it. A tear or two may have been shed.

Always happy. Always smiling!