Untitled: Aug. 3rd

A busy day today full of cleaning, playing, reading, card making and the beach! The day started with Lorelei at about 6:30am quietly and calming asking her baby sister "do you want to go out to the living room with me?" Yes, this was while Hannah was still sleeping. I went in to check on the girls and Hannah was still groggy so I took Lorelei out to the living room. Within minutes Hannah was fully awake.

She did however sit quietly outside the bathroom door watching me get ready for the day like I normally would have if she were still sleeping. Everyone was very calm and collected this morning. Lorelei kept telling me she just wanted to stay in and watch cartoons. Now, I don't mind a few cartoons, but not all day. No way, not happening.

I decided after forgoing the early morning walk as both girls were tired that I would have a cleaning day. I mean move the furniture and vacuum every corner kind of day. I was worried about the girls being entertained or if I'd get started and not be able to finish, but they were so calm that they just played.

Quite surprisingly the girls were super excited the house was a mess. Surprised as they were that the toys were all over the floor. It was like a buffet of activities at their little finger tips. They went from toy to stuffed animal and all over again. They did however make the toy picking up a little longer than expected because they were pulling everything out from behind me, but they were great while I was cleaning. So what the hey.

Having the vacuum out was like a moth to flames for those girls. If I had to wander away (by away I mean two feet) I would unplug the vacuum and the girls ran to it to check out every little tube and attachment. It was actually quite adorable because they are both a tad uncomfortable with the vacuum when it's actually doing its job.

Vacuuming was finished as well as sweeping, mopping and dishes were washed, laundry was washed and folded. It was a great day for housework. We also had some outdoor playtime on the patio this morning. Lorelei also wanted to make a card for her dad. I kept cleaning during naps and after naps I put together dinner. Matt got home and we had a family dinner and me and the girls went down to the beach while Matt made the cookies I ended up not having time for. I promised I would not joke about how they ended up.

Coming in from the beach Lorelei had a fit about getting sprayed, but after all of that cleaning I was not about to let her drag in more sand. In the end she got upset and my house and especially the bath tub got covered in sand. Go figure right. Lorelei also brought in acorns when we took the dog out earlier in the day as well as the beach finds; shells and feathers. I have given up on the struggle with my daughter being the collector that she is. I do not fight it any longer. There is a vase in her room where she puts all of her little goodies.

After bathing the girls and Lorelei putting her goodies up Hannah went to bed while Lorelei finished up a cartoon called "The Backyardigans." During this cartoon Lorelei looks at me and asks "Why do Kangaroos have pockets for their babies to sleep in?" I swear to you this is the first time I have ever been stumped. I was thinking she kind of answered her own question in her question. Then she asks about something from her cartoon "Why does Pablo's horse have that bandage thing around his legs?"

We decided on the mom kangaroo wants to carry the baby kangaroo and Pablo's horse is either cold, hurt or it helps him run faster. When Matt came back into the room she repeated her questions for him. He gave better answers which is odd because I'm usually right on. He tells her the pouch or "pocket" helps keep the baby warm. Lorelei says "Oh. They must have a blanket in there for her...the baby....and a guy I bet."

After cuddling with Lorelei and both parents going in to settle her into bed (by bed I mean indoor tent she couldn't live without) it is now MOM's turn to settle into bed. I'm so tired.

I leave you with the word of the day by dictionary.com as told on my ipod.

tarry (TAR-ee)

Definition: to remain or stay, as in a place; sojourn.

Pat a Cake Pat a Cake Lorelei Baked Me a Cake

So being the mommy and the one who bakes the cakes for the family I just assumed I would either buy a cake (for the girls to enjoy of course) or bake it myself. Before I even let that marinate Lorelei offered up her baking expertise. She was super excited and wanted to bake her mama a cake!

Here is a little preview of how wonderful the cake was. Hannah enjoying every bite of her slice of yummy cake! It was delicious and beautiful.

Here is Lorelei giving off her mischievous grin. She could not believe I was giving her permission to crack an egg. She quite enjoyed the idea and enjoyed the cracking even more. She was very gentle and it took a few whacks to get the job done, but the joy was evident the whole time!

CRACK! She didn't even get a shell in the mix. Of course we cracked the eggs first before putting anything in the bowl. I can thank my girlfriends and mother for the advice on that one.

Eeeer. I helped with this part just a little bit. I also had to help with measurements and reading the directions of course. You should have seen her face when I handed her everything and said go ahead. She was so sad. "But mom I can't do it all by myself." Don't worry it didn't get her down for too long. As soon as we got started she kept telling her sister that she was baking her mommy a cake. So proud.

Decorating the cake is a serious job. She did want to make me a ladybug cake, but I was not prepared with everything to accomplish that goal. Maybe next time.

My beautiful cake by my three year old daughter. Candles and lighting by my wonderful husband. I even got to hear "Happy Birthday to you. You live in a zoo....." Of course she thinks it's a compliment because monkey's are cute and smell like bananas. ;)

Elephant Cake: Better Late Than Never

My oldest turned three over a month ago, but I wanted to share with you the cake I made for her birthday. First I asked her what she wanted her theme to be. She at just over two and half asked back "thumb" and in a confused manner held her thumb up and stared at it. She answered "elephant." I can't remember now, but she wanted her "pointer" finger to be another animal. Too cute that girl.

After explaining to her what a theme was she still wanted an elephant to be the focus of her third birthday party. I was very worried that she wouldn't like the elephant when it finally became time, but she told everyone she was very excited about her elephant cake. She would invite everyone she spoke with and told them they could have a piece of the elephant cake too.

This is a picture of the finished product:

It's quite simple really.

To begin I chose my design and if you can see the invitation is on the table there. I made up a large elephant on a piece of my daughters plain white craft paper and let her paint it with water colors. When it was complete I wrote up the information and a joke for the back and had my husband scan, shrink and print.

Next I took my rectangular cake pan and traced it side by side on another piece of large white paper. I drew the elephant on the inside of the large rectangle to make my pattern. I chose my cake mix (Betty Crocker) and baked two cakes. I placed them side by side on this large pizza tray my parents lent me and put my pattern on the cake. I used a bread knife to slowly cut the pieces off from around my shape.
This is what the shape looked like when I was done. Not so pretty yet.

My daughter chose the color purple for her elephant cake days, even weeks ahead of time. I mixed the colors according to the box on the back of my dye. I used two cans of frosting and after thoroughly stirring I applied it to the two sheets of cake. I added a tail from a piece that had been cut off in the shaping process.

I outlined the design of the elephant to match the invitation and viola. You have an elephant. I added in The Happy Birthday sentiments to my daughter and later added the elephant cookies (which took most of the day may I add) as a corner decoration. Scroll back to the top for the completed version of this cake. It was quite yummy too!

Good Morning!

Click. The coffee maker gets warm and the smell of fresh brewed Folger's makes its way past my nose. I pop out of bed to a sunny warm morning and birds chirping. After freshening myself up the girls wake up at the same moment my husbands alarm goes off to start his work day. Hot cinnamon buns are in the oven baking as I pore my first steaming cup of coffee. A beautiful morning!

This would be wonderful if it were true. As beautiful as it may sound I woke at 5am with the sounds of an upset one year old who just wanted to wake up and a three year old running out of the room asking to sleep in my bed. Once in the girls room 'H' wants up and up now. 'L' wants to go into the living room and there it is. I officially wake up around 5:30am on a Wednesday. Good morning.

However early I did start hot coffee and make cinnamon rolls. I figured I might as well start the day with the best intents. I burnt my thumb on the pan and suffer from what feels like third degree burns and the cinnamon rolls burnt after only 13 minutes in the oven. 'H' wanted milk and breakfast and 'L' wanted her forever loved "hot cocoa" aka cold chocolate milk. My morning has started!

It's a brisk day on the lake, but we will find something interesting for our day and enjoy it. We will not be able to relive today. As for other plans I am looking for activities for the fourth as I have yet to plan any.

The word of the day posted by dictionary.com

macabre (muh-KAH-bruh)

Definition: gruesome and horrifying.

What a way to start a day!

A Birthday For a One Year Old

Today was my second daughters birthday. She turned one today. It's hard to imagine how time changes everything. It seems like I gave birth to my children yesterday while I just celebrated my oldest daughters third birthday two weeks ago as well as celebrating my youngest first birthday today. My two beautiful girls are growing up.

The day and celebration in itself was beautiful, and I am very thankful to my family who came out to spend time with us and sad for the family members who couldn't make it. We took some beautiful pictures I'd love to share a few at a later date as I am very exhausted. Exhausted by two birthdays so close together.

It is bittersweet really. I am happy that the birthdays wont be for another year because it means my girls are getting even older and more parties. Wow the parties, but it's a little bitter because the celebrations are of course over. The cakes have been baked and eaten. The fun has been had and the pictures have been taken.

I will remember and cherish my children and these days always.