Cadbury Egg Brownies

I made these Cadbury Egg Brownies for the first time last Easter and they will forever be on our Easter menu. I decided to make them on the Sunday before Easter this year so that we would have time to eat them before next Sunday's Easter treats. But they'll be lucky to see Tuesday. 

I got this recipe from the Mix & Match Mama blog - you can find it here. Make them, make them today. 

Photo Credit: Mix & Match Mama Blog

Weekend Wrap Up

Sometimes winter around here has to sneak back in and show us who's boss. That's what I was thinking when I opened the shades at 6:00 AM on Friday morning. There was this white stuff on my car and it took a minute for the reality to sink in that it had snowed. Now, it wasn't very much (less than 1/2 inch) and it was gone within hours, but it was enough to make us remember that it certainly can snow in March around here. Woohoo to that.

It was chilly on Friday and Saturday, so I wasn't sure we were going to make it to the Egg Hunt that was on our calendar. But the four of us suited up and went anyway, and we weren't the only ones there like I thought we might be. Scott was with Nate, so I only have pictures of Lila. And let's just say using the word "Hunt" is false advertising. There was no hunting to it. It was more like a "Egg Pick-up." But the kids were happy with their prizes.

After a little lunch and rest time, we all went to see Home at our favorite movie theater with the reclining seats. It was a cute movie. Not the greatest kid movie I've ever seen, but the kids liked it and that's all that matters.

On Sunday, it had finally started to warm up again and we were all very glad. My sweethearts before heading to Palm Sunday services. Yes, Nate is carrying a Lego set. Always.

I'm glad for a short week at school, Easter on Sunday, AND BASEBALL ON SUNDAY NIGHT!

Typical Tuesday

On Tuesdays, Lila and I have a routine. When she's 18, I want to be able to look back and see what our days were like when she was 4!

Lila has dance class at 9:00 AM with 2 other little girls at Studio Forte. I'm so thankful that she can take a class on a weekday, in the morning. Since the class is so small, she gets lots of individual attention from Miss Lindi, which she loves. They are working on their recital numbers and we can't wait to see her in action on the stage:) 

After dance, she quickly changes clothes and we head to the library for story time. The children's librarian reads a few books and then has a craft for the kids to do. After craft time, we pick out books and play with the other fun things at the library. 

Then we head home for lunch and rest time and after rest, it's time to go pick up this boy. We miss him when he's at school. 

After getting Nate, we come home to find this other boy. He's a complete and total mess. Like I'm not sure what we did before we had Truman. 

Our life must have been very calm.

Spring Break

After Scott & I returned from California, the kids and I jumped right into their Spring Break week. By jumping, I mean we settled in to have a very (very) laid back week. I kind of loved it. We all perfected the art of sleeping in (that means 7-7:30 around these parts) and enjoyed just being to do things around the house. 

We also enjoyed an outing with our Haas cousins - going to Monkey Joe's and then over to their house for lunch and playtime. 

Evan played a version of tackle football with all the kids. It was hysterical. Lila was a HUGE fan.

We did many art projects, watched some movies, and built some Legos. On Friday, Nate had a idea for an art project that required us to go to Michael's for supplies. We went in, found everything we needed, and were heading back out to the car when Lila & I collided in the parking lot. I heard a loud pop come from my foot and thought to myself, that's probably not good. It took me a minute to compose myself and get into the car. The kids were very worried about me, so that felt nice.

After I was able to start the car and get going (it was my left foot, so I could drive), I told the kids we were going to go ahead and run to the grocery store if they would help me because I was sure it was one of those injuries that hurts really bad when you do it, but then it goes away pretty quickly.

Well. It wasn't one of those. We got into the grocery store and all the way to the back when I considered getting down on my hands and knees to crawl back to the parking lot. It was fun times.

We made it home, where I did indeed crawl up the front stairs and immediately parked myself on the couch with an ice pack and some ibuprofen. A nice bruise started to appear on my foot (I hadn't hit anything, so this was comforting). Scott thought I should go get it x-rayed, but the thought of crawling back out to the car and getting into the doctor's office with 2 kids was more than I could bear. So I sat.

The point of this long story is that my kids were champions. When you spend full, multiple days in a row with your kids, it's sometimes easy to think you are doing a horrible job as a parent. Keepin it real - the sibling fighting can cause crazy amounts of insanity. But Nate stepped up so much - he helped me get situated, then he got all the groceries from the car and put them all away. He made Lila lunch and cleaned it up. I was so proud of him. Lila was just the sweetest nurse and put all sibling rivalries on hold for a while. I was very proud of both of them. Now I'm thinking I may need to fake an injury every once in a while!

Nate & Scott went to the Lego Fest on Friday night and Lila & I were supposed to go to dinner at Bread Company. I didn't want to disappoint her so I hobbled myself on in there, but I did convince her to get take-out so that I could get back to the couch.

Me, my foot and Lila watched a movie and had a lazy night.

On Saturday morning, we made the Harry Potter wands that Nate wanted to make. They turned out really good and he's a pro with an art project. 

On Saturday afternoon, the kids were dying to get the pool and sprinklers out. It was about 70 degrees but I finally gave in and they entertained themselves for over an hour and a half. 

Yes, there was some fighting, but overall they played very nicely, while I sat with my foot up. 

When we came in to take a break, I watched the Cardinals / Braves Spring Training game. I am ready for some baseball to start!

By Sunday, my foot was feeling somewhat better, and I figured I was going to have to figure out how to walk for the week ahead. So we made the short 2-block trek to the park (it took twice as long but we made it). Wearing tennis shoes really helped.

And this is how we started our week after Spring Break...I literally had to lift Lila out of the bed and put her clothes on while she was still lying down. Back to school is hard, but for the child that has gotten up at 5:30 AM for most of her life, I'm actually enjoying it being the other way around.

Calistoga / Napa Trip

Nate & Lila's Spring Break started on Friday, March 13th, so Scott & I decided to celebrate by taking a trip to Napa. Without the kids. Trust me, they were just as happy staying with my parents and getting to go to the cabin. 

We met up with our travel partners and dear friends, Ryan & Audra at the San Francisco airport. I had been stalking the weather, hoping it would not change to rain (I've never been to wine country when it wasn't raining). And we arrived to perfectly sunny, 70+ degree temperatures and I was a happy girl. 

We stayed at the Aurora Park Cottages in Calistoga, CA. Scott & I had stayed there back in 2008 and I was worried it wouldn't be the same. But it turned out to be just the same if not better. This was the view from our front porch. 

We started off Friday tours at August Briggs Winery, which is one of our favorites. They were kind enough to snap a picture of the 4 of us. Sometimes it doesn't seem possible that we met them almost 14 years ago in Nashville. 

I'm so thankful for both Ryan & Audra - it is good for my soul to spend several days catching up with them and solving all of life's problems.

I was very intent on soaking up all the sun I could. Many times, after the wine tasting was over, I would bolt out the door so I could get to the sun. At one winery, I had Scott switch seats with me so that I could be in the sun. And then I had 2 people come up to me asking if they could get me an umbrella. Um no. I'm from a colder climate. I like the sun. Like really really really like the sun.

It's always nice to just be adults for a few days!

Our group is comical at wineries. Not bad comical. Just comical. Some of us more than others:)

The views were gorgeous the entire time we were there. It was 82 degrees on this day. I was very happy.

The last stop we made was one of my favorites. It was a small winery and they took us out into the vineyards to talk about the plants that were planted in 1908. I thought it was amazing to see these old, ugly, gnarly vines that were still producing amazing fruit. Good lesson.

The Hayne Vineyard at Chase Cellars. 

Fabulous trip! Until next time, wherever that may be...

Pinkalicious Pancakes

Mimi & Paka gave Lila a Pinkalicious book for Christmas. We have read it no less than 387 times since January. In one of the stories, Pinkalicious's mom makes her pink pancakes. Last week, Lila decided that we should make some on Saturday morning. So that's just what we did...

Thank You Mother Nature

One of these days, I'll learn not to complain about St. Louis's March weather. Because one weekend, it can be snowing, sleeting and freezing rain and the next weekend it can be sunny and 65. Thank You Mother Nature. 

After last weekend's snow storm and the ensuing cold that lasted until Thursday, we were really ready to get out of the house on Saturday. When I saw the temperature was supposed to be at least 60 degrees, I knew the Zoo would literally be a ZOO by noon, so we hurried up and arrived promptly at 9:00 AM. Truly, it's not that hard for us when Lila gets up at 5:30 AM. On Saturday. Sigh. 

Yay! The Zoo! And a map. Do y'all remember Nate's fascination with Zoo maps? Ok, maybe not. But I do. Lila is carrying that torch well. 

The Carousel - it never gets old.

Ok, maybe it does to him. Keepin it real. But he perked up shortly after this picture was taken.

Balancing the sea lion's ball on their noses. The bar wouldn't go high enough for Nate, he's getting so tall!

At the Bird House, there were these peacocks that guarded every door. No joke, we had to walk by the house 3 times before we were able to sneak in a door. I don't know if they would peck you or not, but the sounds they were making made me not want to find out. Lila thought it was all fabulous.

Nate with the Snake Guy. Yes, I should know his name. No, I don't.

I loved being in the sunshine with my peoples. We were sad that Scott missed out on such a beautiful day, but hopefully we're going to be seeing more of them soon!

Video Game Design

Nate has been taking a Video Game Design class after school since October. It was offered through the Youth Learning Council of St. Louis and when we signed him up, we weren't sure he would like it. He ended up loving it and we were all sad to see it end! 

They invited the parents to the last class this week so Lila and I met up with him after school. He was happy to have one of us there. Hint: It wasn't Lila.

He actually programmed a game that involved shooting fireballs from a character that looked like Harry Potter. Because of course. I was super impressed and so proud of him for trying something new. It was fun for him but it also opened his eyes to a new skill that may just be helpful as he decides what he wants to do one day.

Not So Much Baking Day

I am very late adopter to Pinterest. But I started using it some during our kitchen remodel and have found it to be handy with a number of issues that I just have to solve. This week, that issue was finding some St. Patrick's Day treats for us to make. Of course, Pinterest came through.

Honestly, I made these without the kids. I just could not handle the green sprinkles that were bound to be all over the kitchen after they were done. So I whipped them up myself, and then let them take part in the sampling.

So easy. No baking. Just what we needed this week.

Cool Mint Oreoes

Instructions found here!

Snowflakes

Dear Winter,

You have worn out your welcome. 

Please go away. 

Thanks, 

Me

We picked up some snow over the weekend, and even though the winter wonderland looked pretty for about 1.3 seconds, it's time for it to go away. Very thankful for the 50+ degree temperatures in the forecast for this weekend. 

Friday night was the Snowflake Ball at Lila's school. It was supposed to be last Friday, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Truthfully, I wasn't planning on attending. Since she'll be at this school for another 4 years, and we've already been twice with Nate, I didn't feel too bad about skipping out. 

Well. 

They talked it up big at school and she just knew she had to go. I still wasn't so sure, but Scott said he would take her and I was all for that. 

Such a princess. 

Best Dad Ever. They had a wonderful time and I laughed when I got this text while they were there.

It is C-H-A-O-S. But you probably already knew that. 

Yes. Yes, I did.

While Scott & Lila were partying, I took this special one to his favorite restaurant. Pei Wei. It is not my favorite restaurant, but I sacrificed. We ate and then ran over to Barnes & Noble to look around. I love spending one on one time with Nate, he's so grown up.  Yes, that's a wand from Harry Potter. It goes everywhere with us.

Happy First Week of March! Here's to hoping we've turned the corner on winter.