Travel Plans

My awesome sister-in-law Steph had the great idea to go to Phoenix to visit another sis-in-law and have her son(s?) take swimming lessons from an apparently great teacher. I liked the idea, and so at the invitation of Janna (my Phoenix sol) I decided to do the same. I was going to go in June, but then realized I'd be gone for Emma's dance recital (which I really didn't want to miss, especially since Emma would be with me) and so had to change up the plans a little. The new plan is to go for the first couple weeks in May and then fly up to Denver to visit Eric's parents for a quick weekend and then drive home with Eric (who I would meet in Denver). I think Emma's excited for all the travel and to see everybody, and I know I am. Since apparently warm weather doesn't want to come here (or at least not stay here very long) I decided I had better get my fill in for the entire season. And 2 weeks in Phoenix should just about do that. When I get back I'll probably want cooler weather, and by then it'll be warm here too. Oh well.

In the meantime, we'll have Emma's cousin Ethan stay with us for a couple days this week. We're all really excited to see him again, and to wish him a happy (and by then slightly belated) birthday! So this week should be really fun. Busy, but fun.

**Update as of 4/28** I just found out that Ethan won't be coming this time. Too bad. I had a lot of fun plans to do with the kids. Oh well, next time he comes we'll do them.

Buttermilk Pancakes

For a while now we've enjoyed homemade buttermilk pancakes every Saturday morning. They are really good, and Emma loves it. She seems to know just from the fact that Eric is home in the morning that it's time for pancakes. And they're super easy. Seriously. Even Emma knows all the ingredients, and tells them to us as we make them. She loves to help pour all the ingredients into the bowl and then mix it. She watches some of them cook, but since she can't really be hands on with the griddle, she eventually leaves before they are quite finished. You should try these at least once, even if you're not a huge pancake fan. I've never craved pancakes, and usually order toast instead at breakfast restaraunts, but I love these. I've never minded pancakes either, and maybe it's just because of how much Emma loves it that I like them so much too. Either way, here's the recipe we use, straight out of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.

1 C flour *

1 T sugar
1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 beaten egg

1 C buttermilk

2 T cooking oil

* We use half whole wheat flour and half all purpose flour. It works really nicely, still gives you the lightness of white flour, but some of the health benefits of the whole wheat.

Combine the dry ingredients and set aside. In a separate bowl combine the wet indredients. Add egg mixture all at once to the dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (batter should be lumpy). Add additional buttermilk to thin batter, if necessary. Pour batter onto a hot griddle according to the size pancake you want. Enjoy your yummy pancakes!

Happy & Sad

I just had to post this short video. You know the way you can move your hand up and down in front of your face and change your expression from happy to sad? My dad did that when I was young, and I always thought it was funny. I've done it to Emma a few times, and she has started doing it to us. Of course as soon as the camera was rolling she didn't do it exactly like she normally does, but you get the idea. It's too funny not to share. Enjoy.

Spring Cleaning, etc.

Get ready cause this post will probably sound like one long run-on sentence. This week has been a busy one. We decided we need to do some spring cleaning. We are going through everything and getting rid of a lot of stuff, and just trying to reorganize everything. On top of that I've been trying to decide on a preschool for Emma for the fall (and finally did - yay!) and trying to figure out schedules for the next couple of months with me going out of town and Eric going out of town, and trying not to ignore Emma! It's been hard finding lots of time to play with her this week because our laundry seems to have exploded. Seriously, I think everything we own is dirty, and it's not because I haven't been trying to keep up with it either. It's just all dirty. Sometimes I think nudists have the right idea...at least from a laundry perspective. =) We ran out of jam this week so I need to make more (Emma wants to help me do that today), and I've been trying to get a little reading in too. So many projects! I have been wanting to sew an Easter dress for Emma too. See how far behind I am!? It's this year's dress, not next years. And I knew Emma was getting taller, but it's like all of a sudden clothes don't fit her anymore. It's actually just warmer weather clothes that are not fitting her again this year. Shoes too. We've had to do some shopping, which normally I don't mind, but this week it's almost been too much. Ugh. Add to the mix scheduling dentist appointments and trying to figure out when to get Emma's dance pictures taken since we'll be out of town when they are scheduled for everyone else, and you have a really crazy week. Which basically is a normal week for a mom...wouldn't you say?

Sort of Funny

Since he was little Eric has always liked the muppets. I never really watched them or enjoyed them until after I was married and I saw some of their movies. Our nephew had a video game called Muppet Party Cruise in which you choose a muppet to be and play different games as if you were on a cruise. Eric and I liked it, so we bought it too (this is several years ago). We sometimes still play it, and Emma has seen it a few times. I used to always choose to be Animal, but lately I've been Miss Piggy. Eric always chooses Kermit. Emma obviously knows this, because she made an interesting observation yesterday as she watched Muppet Treasure Island with Eric. She saw Kermit and said, "Hey, that's you Daddy." Then later when Miss Piggy comes on screen she said, "And there's Mommy." Hmm, if I had realized she would come to associate me with a character of sorts, I might have chosen a different one - you know, one who isn't a pig. Maybe Redhead Barbie or something.

Why?

Why is it that no matter which checkout line I get in, it's always the slowest? I really don't understand how this can be, but it is most definately true. Today I was at the store and was having a good time. Emma was being wonderful, she even got a free icecream cone. We went and got in line, and sure enough it ended up being by far the slowest. Included in the delays for the man ahead of me were unknown prices, most of his groceries apparently not scanning correctly, and he wrote a check (seriously!? I didn't know people still wrote checks - at least not in person at a store, maybe for bills in the mail or something) and was then very slow at getting his ID out for the checker to see. All I can say is I'm glad I wasn't in a terrible hurry.

If you've never seen this commercial, enjoy!

Easter and...

I don't know what it is about Easter that makes it always sneak up on me. I never feel ready for it, and don't ever feel like we do enough with Emma. There are so many neat activities for both the fun and spiritual side of the holiday, and we barely did anything. Hopefully next year I'll be more prepared. Maybe if I start now...


On Friday we celebrated my sister's birthday at my parent's house. I went over with Emma early and made some lasagna. I was so excited to do it because I love cooking and never get the chance to make such a big batch. Call me crazy, but it was really fun, and it turned out wonderful! It was a fun evening, and I can't wait to start making fun of Jill for turning 25. =)


On Saturday we went to the Planetarium with some of my family and saw a 3D show called Under the Sea. It was so fun to see the kids reaching out trying to touch all the fish. So cute. Emma loved it, and we might have to go again. We also made some Easter lillies. They were Emma's handprint with the fingers curled and hooked to straws. We even sprayed some perfume on them so they'd smell like flowers. That night we also finally got around to dying some eggs. I DETEST hard boiled eggs, so we only did as many as Eric would eat the following week (which was still quite a few - he loves them).

Emma & Hannah "on the moon"

On Sunday we went to my brother's ward for Sacrament Meeting because they were blessing their daughter Ruth. Afterwards we went to their house for a little brunch to celebrate Ruth and Easter. It was fun, and all the kids loved running around. I'm glad the weather was nice.

The Easter Bunny had come to visit our house, but was rude and only left something for Emma. Hmm, I might have to "share" some of her loot with her. She got a couple new games that she loves along with some clothes for her baby doll and of course some candy. I think Emma is well on her way to loving Haribo gummy bears. They are the only gummy bears I'll eat, and she just loves them too. That's my girl!

New Fridge

For a few weeks now our fridge has been slowly getting worse. Earlier this week it finally died. At least the freezer part did. The fridge part technically worked, although very poorly. I didn't discover this until I opened the freezer to get something out for dinner. I was startled to find quite a bit of thawed food. We immediately put everything into coolers and ran it (drove it actually) over to my parents house to put in their freezer. Luckily they were able to make enough space for us. I REALLY didn't want to lose that food - I had about $200 worth in there. I had recently stocked up on quite a few things, so I would've been sad if we had ended up having an impromtu BBQ for all the neighbors.

Here is one plus to renting: we didn't have to pay for our new fridge! It came yesterday, and I love it. Ahhh, new appliances. What is it about them that makes me so happy? I actually gave the new fridge a hug without realizing it. Hmm, do you think I'm happy?

This & That

Well, due to Emma's mooning me, I didn't post about April Fools day. I forgot actually. We didn't do much this year. Emma needs to be a little older to really enjoy it, and to understand why I am playing tricks on her. We did play a couple tricks on Eric though. We took an egg and blew out the contents, leaving the shell intact. Then we put it back in the carton. We also took some cotton balls and dipped them in chocolate and placed them in the fridge to set. When Eric got home Emma asked him to make her an egg. He opened the carton and grabbed out the egg. When he went to crack it in the pan it was empty. Emma loved this one! She laughed and laughed. Eric sort of knew about this one ahead of time, but pretented great. That's why he was cracking the egg so close to the floor. Normally he cooks on the stove. =)

Then we told Eric that since we knew we'd play a trick on him we wanted to make him a goodie to eat. We offered him one of our chocolates, and he gladdly took one. Moments later of course, he realized that this wasn't really that good of a treat. His expression was awesome! I think I enjoyed this one more than Emma, but she still thought it was funny when he spit it out.
Conference was great, although I'm not really surprised...it always is. And now of couse I have a headache. That much TV always gives me a headache, especially when it's spiritually based. And not because I don't enjoy it, but it's like I'm overexerting myself trying to absorb everything said. I'm always impressed at how all the talks (even if they are very similar in topic) are so uniquely good and uplifting. Emma was an absolute angel. She was quiet and content the entire time (and that is NOT easy for a 3 year old to do for 8 hours!). She didn't stay and watch with us the entire time (which I was fine with - I only really cared when President Monson spoke, and so we had her come in then), and would go play in her room. I think I will definately take President Monson's advice and tell her how much I love her!

And while I'm on the subject of Emma, I must say how cute I think she is. She is such a fun mix of boyish and girly interests. She loves pirates , trains and monster sounds, but also loves shoes, purses and dressing up. Sometimes on Sundays I'll curl her hair. She LOVES it curly. She loves the way it bounces. Last Sunday she was so cute I just had to take her picture before we ran out the door.

Full Moon

Have you ever had one of those moments with one of your children when they do something so funny, but also somewhat inappropriate, that you try not to laugh so as not to encourage the behavior? I'm sure you all have...several times. Well, today I had the worst one with Emma yet. I was sitting on the couch when Emma came walking up to me. She said in a very sly sounding voice, "Mommy", so I looked up. At this point she turned around and slightly bent over. This is when I discovered that she had pulled her pants down to just below her bum. Yup, my cute little girl mooned me. She mooned me! What the?!! At the same time I was shocked I was barely able to contain my laughter. And by the way, I can tell you with assurity, that she did NOT learn this behavior from watching either of her parents. Really. I don't know where she got the idea. We don't do that, I'm fairly certain she didn't see anyone do that at church, and she didn't get it from a movie or tv (I mean, she watches the Brady Bunch - so unless I missed the episode where Greg moons his classmates I think we're safe there). I had to stifle my laughing because I didn't want her to be encouraged to do this to anyone else. As cute as I might think her little rump is, dropping trow is not exactly socially acceptable. So we'll see if it happens again.