This evening I picked some more lettuce from my garden. I've neglected it lately but it keeps growing. I picked enough for a lovely salad to feed the three of us (still can't get z to eat salad). It was delicious!!
I'm getting really excited to start my garden here very soon. Last year I had a late start but I went at it any way and did ok. I'm hoping this year we will be more productive.
Lately it seems I'm on a cookie spree. In January I was asked to make some umbrella sugar cookies. And about a couple of weeks ago my friend asked me to make some butterfly cookies for her daughters 6th birthday. I love making sugar cookies and playing with royal icing. I think I'm getting the hang of it!
I only discovered sugar cookie decorating through my sister who I completely admire. She's super talented in the baking department and I could only dream of having a business with her one day. Not sure we would be super profitable but it would be fun to bake with her.
So with valentines day arriving shortly, I think I'll make up some simple heart cookies to share with some neighbors and friends. I think my CTR 6 class would enjoy them as well. Isn't the best way to a child's heart through sugar?
Here are the cookies I've made in the last few weeks. Aren't they fun? And the taste good too!
I'm constantly looking at my home and thinking inside my head about how I can make it better. And when I say better I'm really just talking about organizing and decorating. If I owned a home it would be different as I would think about permanent changes rather than temporary ones. I have a hard time spending money on things to " beautify" my place because I know it's only temporary. And maybe it has to do with the fact that we are still poor and living on a tight budget, but nonetheless it's hard.
So the other day after browsing on Pinterest I got inspired to re-organize my linen closet. It's not just a linen closet it more like an everything closet since I only have two hall closets and the other ones holds are jackets and such. And I feel so much better at the way it looks. It wasn't bad before, but now when I open the door it's not an eye sore to me and I feel good. Sounds silly I know but little things like this make me happy.
And now that my closet is looking good, I have been inspired to get working on some other projects. I can feel Spring in the air because I'm getting itchy to start my spring cleaning.
I don't talk enough about Cici's personality. My little girl is something else. I'm not sure how to explain her but other than she's my crack up.
She has an obsession with sucking her left two fingers (index & middle) upside down. It's a comfort thing for her and to try and rid the habit we ordered the nasty nail polish. She didn't flinch, so we're saving it for another day. Luckily she doesn't suck all night long, but it has caused some movement in her teeth and gums which will definitely need attention to when she's older.
She knows her sister all too well. She knows exactly how to get under her skin perfectly. It starts the minute she wakes up and lasts until she's fallen asleep for the day. I know for most siblings it's a love-hate relationship, but I always ponder in the back of my mind if they will truly be friends one day. It's a hard thing for me to imagine.
The girl is non-stop (unless she is sleeping). She doesn't understand the word 'stop' or 'no.' If I try to talk to her she immediately screams back at me intentionally so she won't hear what I'm saying. It's very frustrating and funny all at the same time.
I walked Z to school. It's so nice to be so close and have that privilege. It's been colder this winter and some mornings I'm just not motivated to walk in the cold so we drive. Other times its been a battle of a morning and are running late so we hop in the car for the quick drop off. But I try to walk at least 2-3 times a week. It's not only physically good for them, but I try to help them be more aware of saving money, gas, etc. I often get the question, "Are we walking or driving?" And I like it.
Now that the girls are used to the walk to school I actually think they enjoy it! I try to have fun with them and more importantly have a conversation with them. It's more bonding time and Z and I have a special "hand shake" we use to tell one another that we love each other. Again I'm sure it won't last long, but I'm hoping to be a "cool" mom she'll want to have around in the future. If not I know it will be a phase and I'll have her back soon.
After walking Z to school I served up some hot cocoa for Cici. Usually she wants it, but hardly ever drinks it. This time she devoured it. Why is it as moms we find our messy kids so cute? Not sure, but it sure is fun watching them enjoy themselves.
On Tuesdays I take Cici to a church music class my ward offers. It's free and the kids gather together to sing songs, read books and play. It's so low key and its an excuse to get out of the house. I think Cici enjoys running all over the gym afterwards the most, but I'll hear her singing the songs to herself throughout the day. She may not participate as openly as the other kids, but I know she is learning and taking it all in. Her wild self has a hard time opening up in front of people. I'm hoping she gets better as shell be starting preschool in the fall.
After lunch we picked up Z from school and ran into her friends mom. She suggested a play date, I suggested my house and the rest of the afternoon was booked. I love it when my days are packed. The girls are content and the day just flies by. We haven't been real busy lately and have been mostly at home so it was good to see some friends. I think I'm finally getting the after school routine down now. It's only taken 4 months. But with homework, the extra reading, computer time (its part of homework), and still trying to be a kid, there is a lot to fit in. I'm not sure how I could really fit anything else in sometimes! Especially when my child comes home tired from school. Oh there have been some terrible days! But I'm learning to put myself in time out now. Ever tried it? It's wonderful.
