getting it out of our systems

The only good thing I can think of about having sick kids right now is that by the time we go to California on the 11th and then on to Hawaii, we'll be all better and rid of these yucky viruses. Parker woke up throwing up with a fever last night, and Miles has been running a fever all night, too. I'm feeling a little shaky myself . . .

We need a break!

At least Audrey's better.

Photographical Review Thing, or I Have Nothing to Blog About

I don't have a whole lot to blog about these days, so I thought I'd do a little photo review of our past two weeks.

Audrey successfully completed Kindergarten. Here she is with her teacher.

Parker successfully completed a semester of "ginastics." He loved it. We'll post a video on his blog soon.

We are all slightly obsessed with Miles, whose personality has majorly started showing itself. He is quite the little clown and loves to make us laugh by doing his silly little tricks. He seems so little to be so interactive, but he really is hilarious.

And delicious.

And now, we swim.

We have lots of fun with these three little crazy kids. Isn't life great?

Children's Book of the Week: 15

We found the cutest book at the library the other day. It's especially appropriate for our family, since all three of my children inherited my trademark cowlick, which I inherited from my mother and she inherited from hers. All six of us have the same cowlick in the exact same spot on our foreheads. This is a cute little book which comically explains where "cowlicks" come from. It's called

Cowlick
by Christin Ditchfield

The illustrations, by Rosalind Beardshaw, are darling. In the story, a large mama cow sneaks into the bedroom of two little boys one night. She

"sees a face so soft and sweet framed with hair so smooth and neat. Quickly, as he starts to stir, before he wakes and catches her, bending low, bestows a kiss:
Sluuuurrrppp!
Cowlick!"

Oh, and once the deed is done,

"no brush or comb will do the trick when you've been given a big cowlick!"

It's a really cute book, it's short, sweet, it rhymes, and it's fun to read. You can get yours here!

Grateful Sunday

This Sunday, I'm grateful for:

• this wonderful man I'm lucky enough to call my husband. He's the best person I've ever known. Among other things, he selflessly let me sleep in on Saturday morning, getting up with Miles for no apparent reason except that he loves me and he really loves the smell of Miles in the morning. Then he willingly stayed home from a party with our sick little Audrey.
  
• our pediatrician, who is very thorough, and after running every sort of test on Audrey on Thursday, concluded that whatever is getting her down is just a nasty virus. Well, at least we know. It's Sunday, and she's had a fever since Monday, and as I publish this (at 12:09 pm), Audrey is still in bed asleep. She's breathing, don't worry. I've been checking.
  
• Parker, who, even though he's bored because Audrey can't play with him, is still a pleasant little dude to hang out with.
• steaks on the grill. All I'm in charge of is the salt and pepper.
  
• Neal's day off tomorrow! Happy Memorial Day!
  

Baby's Got Blue Eyes

I think they're going to stay blue, which makes three kids with three different eye colors. Now we'll just have to see if his hair stays copper to match Audrey's.

i'll give you one guess who took these pictures . . . yep.

new items in my shop!

In the News

Just a couple of interesting articles regarding people of my faith in the news lately. I thought I'd share. The first one's mostly for Neal, since he has an intense amount of, um, "respect" for Rev. Al Sharpton, who recently visited with LDS Church leaders. Click here to read the article.

This article is about a Mormon girl in California who was sent to the principal's office for the words she used as a comeback for some mean kids at school. It all culminated in a law suit. So ridiculous.

In other uninteresting and completely random news, I'm thinking of changing my name to
L e l s i e because every single time I try to type L e s l i e, it comes out Lelsie. Lelsie's kind of cute, don't you think? :)

And I'm changing t h e to t e h.

You're welcome.

Bloggie Meme

I found this meme and this funny picture on Tori's blog, after Natalie mentioned it to me. It's a fun one!

1. How old is your blog?
Eighteen months old. It's starting to lose its baby fat and says new words every day. It could go to Nursery! :)

2. How would you categorize your blog?
Um, I would say it's a family-centered blog, with the occasional news tidbit or opinion article.

3. Are the photos you post Photoshopped or otherwise altered?
I don't have Photoshop. Yet. All the good photos are taken by Natalie, though.
Why is she moving again?

4. Do you lie in your blog?
No. Why would I do that? That would be weird.

5. Are you passive-aggressive in your blog?
Not on purpose, but it's pretty obvious when I want people to go to a certain site :) or tell me how cute my kids are. Does that count?

6. Do you ever threaten to quit writing so people will tell you not to stop?
No, but I have questioned the purpose of blogs many times. I'm over it, though. I'm not going anywhere. My blogfriend, Lindsey, stopped blogging indefinitely last week, and it was really sad. I couldn't do that to you all.

7. Have you deleted any of your own posts? Why?
Not after they've been published. I've deleted many drafts. Because they were stupid or written while I was in a weird or ranting mood, mostly.

8. Do you delete mean comments?
I kind of thrive on mean comments, actually. I've had my share from Anonymous (the mean one, you know him/her?). I publish them, then I write scathing responses. It's fun, because I'm very nonconfrontational in real life. It's kind of an outlet, kind of like telling somebody off in a dream. It just feels better afterwards.

9. If your readers knew you in person, would they like you more or like you less?
I would hope they like me more. If they even like the "blog me" in the first place.

10. How many blogs do you follow?
All the ones in my family & friends sidebar. I honestly know every single one of those people (ok, I've never actually met Jenny), and I can't believe how many people in my life have blogs! It's so great. Thankfully, not everyone updates every day, or I'd waste a lot of time.

11. Which blogger do you want to meet in real life?
The girl who writes Oh Happy Day. I just can't imagine someone who has time for all the lovely things she does.

12. Does your family read your blog?
Yes. That's why I do it!

13. Do you have a hit counter? How often do you check it?
I just installed a new one, because my old one was broken, but I didn't notice it was broken for months. I've only checked the new one like twice. I don't think I fully understand the website, so I can't get any really fun details.

14. Is blogging narcissistic?
Totally. That's why I've had issues with it.

15. Do you feel guilty when you don't post for a long time?
No, but I miss getting comments. They're the only emails I get. (waaah)

Bonus: Do you try to look hot when you go to the grocery store just in case someone recognizes you from your blog?
I always look hot when I go to the grocery store.

Now you do it!

We Need Life Alert

Poor Audrey, home sick with a fever today and missing one of the last days of school. Today, she's missing the coloring contest in her class, and, since coloring is one of her absolute favorite things to do, I didn't tell her about that. Instead, she was watching cartoons this morning on the couch, and when I got out of the shower, she told me all about how we need to get this cool thing called Life Alert, because "if you don't want to talk to the emergency people, you can just push the button on the Life Alert and they just come."

Now my kids ask for anything and everything they see on commercials, one of the many reasons we don't let them watch very much TV. But Life Alert? What poor Life Alert target customer is watching Scooby Doo at 8:30 on a Tuesday morning?

Anyway, hopefully Audrey feels better by tomorrow. It's sidewalk chalk and bubbles day.

*adorable photo in the garden by Natalie

Birthdays!

It's Neal's dad's birthday today, and we miss him! Hope to see you soon, Daddy!

It's also my sister-in-law Julie's birthday today. We miss her, too. Julie, you need a blog! And I bet you're a little bit glad that I couldn't find a picture of you to post. :) Hopefully we'll see you on July Fourth!

And Happy Birthday yesterday to dear little Miss Annie! Audrey's so glad that Annie's six, too. We love you Annie!

She's the cute one in the middle. You can see more cute pics of her here.

Annie's mom, Katie, is inching her way to 30 just like me, and her birthday is on Thursday. Happy Birthday Katie!

Bellefleur

For the past few months, I have been making some little items that I have planned on selling on Etsy (a site dedicated to and provided for people who want to sell all things handmade). I wanted my little shop to look just so, and I contacted my mega-talented friend, Annie, to help me out. She designed a beautiful logo and adapted it for all sorts of uses for me. I'm absolutely in love with what she came up with (above). It's just what I wanted!

I named my shop Bellefleur, after a woman in my mom's ancestry named Severine Bellefleur. (I'm a family history nerd.) It's just about the most beautiful name I've ever heard. Can you just imagine if that was your name? (Say it a few times in your best fake French accent.) Well, since I'm not having any more daughters, I had to use it for something! So, now it's the name of my little venture into business. Now it's nothing too exciting and my items don't require a whole lot of talent to produce. (So, don't get your hopes up. I'm much better at blogging than I am at crafting.) Maybe one day, I'll be more adventurous with my projects, but for now, I have made little charms that you can attach to your cell phone, and a few pairs of earrings, too. I've just been beading a few of them every so often, and now they're for sale!


Click on over to my shop and see if you find anything you like. I'll be listing more soon. Please tell me your honest feedback on what you think. But be nice. :) I'm totally nervous. Eeek!

natalie's phone with her bellefleur phone charm
she was a product tester for me.

some of my stuff, which can now be your stuff!

disco ball earrings, $9

green crochet cell phone charm, $6

Children's Book of the Week: 14

This week's book is a Christian children's book. My mom always finds us the best "church" books, as we call them. She's never even brought us the same one twice. We don't have any LDS bookstores in our area, so we count on her to introduce us to the newest and best church books. This one is perhaps my favorite. It's a board book with little flaps, but it's perfect for kids of any age. It teaches about faith and it's called:

I Know He Is There
by Rebecca GundersenThornley

It's the sweetest book, told from a young (redhaired) girl's perspective. She compares everyday experiences to the relationship she has with God, which helps explain the concept of faith in real terms. The author makes this difficult concept seem so tangible for young minds. Here is an excerpt:

"When Grandma calls me on the telephone I can't see her, but I know she's there. I hear her crinkly voice ask, "Do you like the birthday blanket I sent you?" I feel the thick, cozy, hand-knitted blanket she made for me. I taste a big bite of warm chocolate cake--Grandma's recipe. I don't see her, but . . . (lift the flap) I know she is there."

It goes on like this, the girl talks about hearing her little brother sleeping in the next bed, she can smell his stinky feet and hear him breathing, and even though her eyes are closed, she knows he is there. The last page reads,

"When I fold my arms and bow my head to pray, I can't see Heavenly Father, but I know He's there. I can't hear Him, but I know He hears me thanking Him for all my blessings. I can't see Him, but I know He sees me, and watches over me. I can't touch him, but . . . I know He is there."

It's precious, a must-have for every Christian family with young children, and you can find yours here.

Grateful Sunday

This Sunday, I'm grateful for:

• lessons and talks at church all centered around exactly what I spent all night thinking about. Weird how that happens. And ya, I'm still up all night. Don't ask.
• the last week of school. I can't wait for those mornings when Audrey can just chill in her pajamas and sleep in. She's pretty tired of waking up for school every day. And we're pretty tired of dragging her grumpily out of bed. I love the days when we have nowhere to be and no real reason to go in the car. Plus, maybe now Parker won't be so bored!
• my pretty house. I love it. Especially when it's cleaned up. (We're having company for dinner again.)
  

Goals for the week:

1. Have Family Home Evening.
2. Make yummy dinners at least 4 nights this week & find a good price on a Crock Pot!
   
3. Call old friends.
   

All-American Boy

This is why Saturdays in the Springtime are so great.

Don't Judge Me.

But help me instead. I don't own a Crock Pot, never have. Recently, I keep hearing all about them. They're all the rage again, I'm seeing recipes and cookbooks for them, my friend, Phoebe, even has Crock Pot Wednesday on her blog, but I've yet to actually ever use one. Crock Pots aren't really part of my history; I don't remember my mom ever having one, I didn't register for one when I was engaged, and didn't receive one for a wedding gift.

But now, you know what? I think I want one.

I mean, now I acutally have space enough to store one in my kitchen, and the more children I have, the more the smell of beef stew the minute I walk in the door from church sounds appealing. So, tell me, girls, do you think a Crock Pot is a good purchase? What kind of Crock Pot do you have? What size should I get? And what is your favorite crock pot recipe?

Comment below with your suggestion on a size/brand, and when you get around to it, email me your favorite recipe (my email is right there, in the sidebar). I'll even post my favorite on From Our Kitchens to Yours. How's that for motivation, eh? Eh?

Thanks, ladies! You're a collective peach.

Audrey Redeems Herself

So remember back when Audrey noted in her journal that she thought I was pretty-ish? I have to admit, I was a little hurt. (Ok, not really, I'm just being dramatic for the sake of something to blog about. Now you know my secret.) Well, she has successfully redeemed herself by filling out this questionnaire so very sweetly at school last week. You can click to enlarge, but you'll note that she actually thinks I am as pretty as "a unicorn and a butterfly." Now, I know Audrey, and to her, those are the most beautiful things she can think of. I guess I can't ask to be any prettier than that. What a sweet girl.

Plus, I bet you didn't know this about me: I also am so smart that I know what 12 +12 is. Never mind the fact that Parker asked me yesterday what 14 + 9 is and I said 25. Math is not my strong suit. Thankfully, Audrey wasn't there for that. I'd hate to disappoint her.

Off to Boarding School

Well, not really. Not in a million years could I ever send away my young lads to live at school like they do across the pond, but check out Miles in this blazer (a gift from Miss Natalie). There's even a Union Jack on the sleeve. It's about the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Don't you agree?

A Good Day

I had a delightful Mother's Day. Neal didn't have pre-church meetings, then he gave a touching talk at church, the kids were cute & reverent, Neal made dinner, I had a LONG nap, I got to wear my new suit, the sun was shining . . . you get the picture. It was lovely.
Thanks to Neal and the kids for a perfect day.

Children's Book of the Week: 13

This week's book is a Caldecott Medal Winner, and was published in 1956. It's charming, it's tall, and it's called

A Tree is Nice
by Janice May Udry

This book is so simple and sweet. The text is great for beginning readers, and not only is it amusing, but it is full of interesting facts about trees, for example, that if you plant a tree next to your house, it will help keep it cool. Some of my favorite lines from this book:

"A tree is nice to hang a swing in. Or a basket of flowers. It is a good place to lean your hoe while you rest."

"A tree is nice to plant. You dig the biggest hole you can and put the little tree in. . . Every day for years and YEARS you watch the little tree grow. You say to people, 'I planted that tree.' They wish they had one so they go home and plant a tree too."

It's so charming, and you can find yours here.

Grateful Sunday

This Sunday, I'm grateful for:

• my mom. See below for why she's the best.
• a rather uneventful Saturday. Last week was crazy. Next week is crazier, but yesterday was perfect.
• Neal, who quietly works his fingers to the bone to keep us happy and comfortable.
  
• the above picture, which I adore for so many reasons, including the fact that the mom is wearing heels.
• our record-breakingly lovely weather. It still feels like Spring here, barely. In fact yesterday, it was almost too cold to go swimming, (which means that you could actually sit by the pool in your clothes and not feel like you were in a sauna). That doesn't happen here in May. The kids went swimming anyway, but Parker's lips turned blue.
  

Goals for the week:

1. Settle upon dessert ideas for our upcoming get together with friends.
2. Find that stinking mouse.
   

My Mom

my mom with (from left) Matt, me, and Elliott, circa 1978

MOM OF THE DAY

Well, of course today's Mom of the Day is my very own Mom. You know, it's difficult to describe and pay tribute in words to the woman who has given me everything, including life itself, but I can easily tell you the things that I love about my Mom.
I believe that one of my mom's strongest characteristics is empathy. She seems to feel what others feel, to know their emotions and gauge their reactions and to somehow know just what people need without ever being told. I think empathy is what turns an ordinary woman into a mother, and my mom has enough to spare.
She has a tender way with children that I am so grateful for, not only because she was this way with me, but because she shows me how to be tender and gentle with my kids. She knows that even the smallest cuddles and reassurances are the things that build a child's character, and that harsh words never do anybody any good. When she visits, I feel the importance of those things as well. I still have such a long road ahead of me, raising these children, and it can be scary and daunting at times knowing that the burden of raising them to be good people largely rests upon my shoulders. But whenever she leaves, I feel recharged in my motherly duties, knowing that if my mom could do this, I can do it, too, and I can be better at it every day.
My mom is the most intelligent person I know (sorry, Neal). You can ask her anything about history, both ancient and recent, world issues, art, travel, literature, the gospel, child-rearing, etc., and she has an answer. The importance she places on education and the love that she shows for learning are perhaps the most inspiring things about my mom. When my youngest sibling started kindergarten, my mom went back to school. She drove a good 40 minutes each way to the local university so she could sit in a classroom and learn. She earned her Master's Degree while she raised six children, and did an impeccable job at both. Neal asked me last night what I'm going to do once all the kids are in school. My quick answer, "I'm going back to school." I remember discussing with my mom the scripture in our Doctrine & Covenants that says "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection" (D&C 130:18-19). She has taught me to believe that this is true, and that we should all do our best to educate ourselves as much as we possibly can.
My mom is still in love with my dad. I remember her saying that she still gets butterflies when he walks into the room. When he's sick, she thinks he looks cute. They're such a great match. They've been together since they were 15, and their marriage and her devotion to him is absolutely inspiring. Thanks, Mom for that.
My mom teaches through example in all aspects of her life. Because of her peaceful spirit, my childhood home was a quiet place where I felt safe. Because of her love of books, I grew to love learning. Because of her longing to travel, I have seen the world. Because of her strength, I have five incredible siblings, and because of her tenderness with me throughout my life, I have learned how to love my husband and my children.

She is as good as they come, and I hope that one day people will tell me that I'm just like her.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you.

my mom, helping the grandkids pick up rocks in her former backyard in California, 2003

My mom and dad took us all to Disneyland in 2004 (and every other time we visit). When they were 15, my parents went to Disneyland and decided to go steady. They have annual passes & still go now and again for date night.

Mama

MOM OF THE DAY

Neal's mom, Annis, is today's mom of the day. She was a woman unlike any other, and consequently lived a life full of unforgettable experiences and did it all with a sense of charm, fun, and that irrepressible Southern grace. She emanated pure love and influenced people for good wherever she went. I've never known someone who cared so selflessly for others, always sacrificing her own time, whether it was convenient or not, to tend to the needs of others, even if they were no more than acquaintances. I have so many wonderful memories of my time spent with Mama, and I was only blessed enough to know her for six short years. I can only imagine how much her own children miss her.
In the years between Neal and I meeting and her passing away, I became a mother, and, since she was nearest to us, we spent lots of time at her house when Audrey was a baby. I loved to see her with Audrey and remember thinking how lucky Neal was to have her as a mother. She just doted on our "Audie Mae," and was such a wonderful example to me of patience and tenderness with my new baby. I'm grateful every day for the things she taught Neal, because now he's teaching them to our kids and to me. In fact, when I'm singing lullabies to Miles at night, I find myself alternating between Silent Night (one of the songs my mom always sang to us), and a little song Neal used to sing to Audrey, that I think his mama learned from her mama. It's all about how "all those horses in the stalls, or all those chickens in the coop, or all those cows in the pasture belong to mama's little baby boy."

One of my favorite memories of Neal's mom is kind of a silly one. We had gone to visit them in Tyler for the weekend. I think I was pregnant at the time, and on the way home from church, we were discussing what had happened in Relief Society. During the songs, an older lady (we couldn't tell who) in the room was singing in a very shrill, high-pitched, out-of-key voice that was so distracting that Mama and I had a hard time not breaking out into giggles. I remember her putting her hand on my arm as we both tried to maintain our composure. In the car on the way home, Mama was trying to sing like that for Neal and his dad, but she was laughing so hard that she couldn't even do it. I laughed until I cried. She really knew how to make life fun. Her perspective was always so insightful, and I miss her so much.

It was never difficult for me to call Annis "Mama." It felt so natural and I found myself calling her that from the day we were married, when I could officially count her as my mother-in-law.

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Here, Mama and Neal were planting some flowers in her yard after she and Neal's dad moved to Missouri. Audrey was providing the entertainment.

You can read more about Mama here or about her wonderful parents here.

My Grammy

MOM OF THE DAY

My Grammy is probably the most talented person I know. Not only does she exude incredible style, but she has fantastic sewing skills (and really only uses them to make things for other people), a flower garden that won't quit, recipes to die for, and decorating taste that continues to floor me. Her house looks like a dream cottage, complete with the flower garden and the white arbor covered in vines. She was born and raised a California beach babe, and, as you can see, is as gorgeous as ever. She could easily pass for at least 20 years younger than she is, and often does. Not a wrinkle on that beautiful face.
Grammy has innate ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world, a trait I long to acquire. She is my Dad's mother, the mother of 3 boys, grandmother to 13, and great-grandmother to a number of babies which seems to increase almost monthly. I know all grandmothers are proud of their precious offspring, but my Grammy adores (most often from afar) each and every single one of us and our children, and we're all better for it.

Grammy's house is a child's dream. Chrstmases spent at her house were nothing short of magical, and I've never seen her happier than when she watches children playing. She has dolls that look as though they came from another age, but she gladly lets a three-year-old be the mommy to them. She outfitted a room under her stairs to be just large enough for two little girls (and maybe a little brother) to hold a tea party, complete with real jewelry and hats. Her attic is filled with treasures which she will gladly give you, if you promise to take good care of them. Grammy has artistic talent to spare and I've never seen anyone make her house her home as she does. Houseguests never seem to leave, and the moment they do, someone is always knocking on her door, where she is ready to greet them with a hug and an invitation to sit in the garden.

I have so many wonderful treasures that Grammy has given me. I remember crying at my bridal shower when she gave me an handkerchief that she treasured from her childhood, complete with the box from the fancy LA department store where she got it. Then she handpainted me a cookbook and filled it with her delicious recipes. Audrey's blessing dress will always be a cherished heirloom, Parker's many blankets and Miles' baby book, an exact copy of hers, hold special places in my home.

Grammy, I love you so very much. I'm so proud to call you my Grammy, and I can't wait to see you in June. Get those avocados ready for your yummy guacamole, and we'll drink lemonade in the orchard. I don't think I'm half as excited as my own little sillies are. They love to be at your house.

Happy Mother's Day!

You can visit my Grammy here, on her blog. Yes, she blogs. And no, you can't have her as your Grammy. She's taken.

around here

somebody thinks they're a big kid. standing up with one hand let go.
and yes, that right arm is as delicious as it looks.

in other news, i have had THREE run-ins with a small MOUSE in the garage. at lunchtime, i called neal, helpless female that i am when it comes to vermin, and he said this:

"why don't you go out there and see if you can kill it with a broom or something?"

ok, we have been married for 8 and one half years and Neal actually thought that was a possibility.

problems:
-- i think the mouse is living in my shoe that i left out there. i don't think i really need that shoe anymore.
-- neal's not getting home until after dark.
-- we really need toilet paper (it's in the garage).

i don't know what to do. this is the one time in my life that i seriously wish i had a CAT.

speaking of helpless females, i was really inspired by this video, shared by my brother, elliott, today. you really ought to see it.

Moms of the Day

In honor of Mother's Day, and because I feel like getting all sentimental, I'm doing a tribute countdown over the next four days. Each day I'll feature one of the four important women who have helped shape who I am and the way I mother my children. Each of these women has made me want to be better in every aspect of life, from how I spend my days to who I am becoming as a woman, wife and mother.

Who are your favorite moms? Blog about it, you'll feel better if you do.

Here we go, Mom number one . . .

Grandma B.

MOM OF THE DAY

My red-headed grandmother, Wilma, is among the most caring people I have ever known. She is my mother's mother, and I am honored to be named after both of her parents, Leslie and Ruth. She always called me by both names, and told me about what wonderful people her parents were, especially her dad. Grandma B. called nearly everyone she loved "dear" or "darling," only with her East Coast accent, it sounded so old-fashioned. She made the best buttermilk biscuits in the world (seriously), and loved to serve people, even in the smallest ways. Grandma B. never said harsh words about anyone (except those whose actions really enraged her), she was a pacifist to a fault, spoke distantly about her memories of WWII and gave me the impression, even though I was young, that living through that time was something which changed her forever.

She used to swim in our pool with her 20-year-old swim suit and her pantyhose, floating around, pleased as punch just to be alive. She was quirky, and craved cleanliness so much that she would sweep the street in front of her house with her broom. Of course, I can't tell all the things I love about my grandma here, but needless to say, her admirable qualities make her someone that I cherish in my life.

Wilma and my mother as an infant.

We went to visit Grandma B. a few months before she passed away in 2005.
I have learned so much just by being loved by this woman. I miss her terribly, and around Mother's Day, I try to remember her just a bit more.
You can read more about my Grandma B. by clicking here.

Found

There's a website called Found, where people find all sorts of things, mostly handwritten notes, on the street, on dollar bills, etc. Then they share them with the world by posting them on the site. I'm having my own little version of this today.

The above note was found in my car.
Ok, so I know who wrote it, but I don't think that makes it any less charming.

Simple Questions

From La Vie en Rose, and the monthly series of Real Simple Magazine's interview questions:

1. What makes you laugh?
Hearing Miles get tickled.
Audrey and Parker laughing so hard that they stop making noise.
Neal doing his "feet-in-a-circle trick" on the trampoline.

2. My first kiss was...
The summer of 1997. Yes, I was nineteen when I finally was kissed. It was at my boyfriend, Matt's car as I was saying goodbye to him one night. It wasn't that great. I broke up with him a couple of months later (not because of the kiss, necessarily, but the stars were aligning, and I was about to meet Neal.)

3. What celebrity crushes did you have as a teenager?
Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, and Ethan Hawke. It was all about Swing Kids and Dead Poets Society.

4. Fill in the blanks: "I cannot leave a ______ store without spending less than $______ ."
"I cannot leave Target without spending less than $20." I think Target is a weak spot for everyone I know. I think I'm pretty good with shopping willpower, though. If I walk around with something in my cart for long enough, I'll usually talk myself out of buying it. Unless it's something cute for Audrey, then I'm pretty weak. And the fact that most places I shop involve carts gives you a pretty good idea of what stores I frequent. :)

5. Name three things you've survived.
a. Evacuating for Hurricane Rita in the summer of 2005, which meant a 16-hour drive (with two kids) to Dallas, which is 4 hours away. We could have driven to Chicago in that amount of time.
b. climbing into the bowels of the Great Pyramid in Egypt
c. childbirth, which for me involved 10 (t-e-n) weeks of bedrest, three c-sections (one emergency and the other two unscheduled), pneumonia, and one colicky baby.

6. The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is . . .
how short to cut my hair. This ponytail's just not doing anything for me.

Giada

Giada DeLaurentiis is my favorite celebrity chef. Not only is her food delicious, but her books are beautiful and she wears Anthropologie clothes on her show. Almost every single thing she makes looks delicious, and every recipe I've tried of hers has become a favorite. She has a new book. Yay. Mine came yesterday. Even better. I'll be sure to share my favorites over at the recipe blog.

Down by the sea

On Friday, Neal surprised us by coming home around 3:00 (Fridays are usually more like 7:30 or 8). Since it was a pleasant afternoon, we decided to head for the coast (which is exactly what we did last time he had a surprise day off, last May). Obviously, we like the water! We went to a quaint little boardwalk town and walked around, feeling the breeze, eating Mexican food, and riding some amusement park rides. Here are some pictures!

Somehow, I ended up on this bounce-up-and-down-really-fast ride with the kids. It was hilarious. We all laughed the whole time, with a few screams thrown in, too.

Miles was entranced by the ferris wheel.

My boys on the boardwalk.

I love these three little people.