Sunday, April 25, 2010

All by himself...



My child learned to make cookies. Good cookies. All. By. Himself. All that chocolatey deliciousness without lifting a finger. Maybe I can get him to start making dinner, too...


It IS an easy recipe, if you want to try it.

Quick-Mix Chocolate Cookies

1 box devil's food cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1 cup chocolate chips


1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix all ingredients with spoon until dough forms.
2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls about 2 inches apart.
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Store tightly covered. Makes 30 cookies.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Easter Photo Shoot

I love taking pictures. I love my kids. I love Easter clothes. I love spring flowers. For all these reasons, I must take pictures of my cute kids, in their cute Easter clothes, in front of cute flowers. The question is, "Why is this so hard?"
Seriously, out of 160 pictures I snapped -in about 10-15 minutes- I got *10* pictures where all three were actually looking at the camera -looking, not smiling, or being cute.

I guess it is hard for kids when the following don't make the cut:

The yawn
The pirate face
The tongue
The crazy pose

The fake smile












not to mention the pushing, whining, yelling, scratching of crotches and closing of eyes that goes on.


But once in a while I get lucky...

and realize that photoshop can help...

and that sometimes kids don't have to be looking at the camera.


Wednesday, April 7, 2010

March Catchup

Ready for some catch-up? Here's what's been happening with us since we last tuned in...
The boys enjoyed their annual school jog-a-thon where they run to make some money for the school PTA. And oh, how we need it. With the terrible California economy, they have made all kinds of budget cuts. Increased class sizes, furlough days, cut programs...why don't the big people see the value of education? I should just be happy helping the government bail out those who bought homes they couldn't afford, or refinance their homes to get money to pay for other things they didn't need, and then decide that they don't want that house they bought after all, because, oh, they can't afford it. But the government can, right? Okay, I'll stop now.

The naughty leprechauns came to our house on St. Patrick's day and made a horrible mess, even riding our bikes in the house! They did leave some awesome candy behind.



However, I had to settle for my favorite flavor of SUGAR-FREE Orbit gum since I failed my routine glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. I had to take the dreaded three-hour glucose test! One nasty drink, four blood draws and three hours sitting in a busy waiting room was not fun, but I did it!! No gestational diabetes for me!! But I think I'd better slow down on the Cadbury Mini Eggs anyway.

At the end of March, I was released as Young Women President in my ward. I cried many tears, but know that it's right, too. I will miss participating in awesome activities with awesome youth, even CAMP(!), feeling the power of the Lord's love for the youth of our church, saying the YW theme every Sunday, having a perfectly good excuse to act like a teenager, working with an awesome bishopric and amazing YW leaders, being so involved in the lives of my dear, dear Young Women, who will be amazing mothers and leaders, and a force for good in the world!