Our "New" Oven

I am so excited about the new oven Mike got me this past week from someone selling it from the internet.  I'm am so grateful there are people out there who love stainless steal and are willing to sell their amazing appliances to "upgrade" to stainless steal.  At first I wondered why Mike was checking the internet for new ovens about 6 months ago.  Wasn't our oven working fine?  It seemed to cook food well enough for me.  But, I decided not to rebuttle a good deed, so I let him look without saying a word. 

Monday evening he traveled over an hour to pick this sweet thang up.  He came home at around 9:30 and began cleaning.  He cleaned and cleaned an already fairly clean looking oven until it looked new.   We didn't go to bed until midnight (I was on the computer).  Isn't he great? 
I must say, immidiately I was very excited about the dual ovens and clean range.  After cooking on it for a few days, I understand what I have been missing these long 8 years in this house with the former oven.  No longer am I having to light the gas stove manually every time.  It became to mechanical for me, I forgot I was even doing it.  My cakes bake on a level surface, my pans fit lovely on the stove, and  I can bake 6 loaves of bread all at once without having to play a game of Tetris.  I have been amazed at how uniformly cooked everything has been coming out of the oven as well.  We still have much to learn about this oven, but even so, I'm lovin' it. 
It's a love affair for me, really.  I have plans for this baby and me.  Oh, the things I'll be able to cook, the meals we'll be able to have!  I am very excited! 
I have the greatest hubby in the world to see a need, even when I didn't, and treat me to something so grand.  Thanks Mike!  You're the best!

Saint Patrick's Day

Some years Saint Patrick's Day sneaks up on me and I'm lucky to remember to make sure the kids have something green on in the morning.  This year, however, I have been anticipating the holidays a bit more.  I did miss Pi day, but maybe we'll hit that one next year.  However, the day after was the Ides of March.  Peter has loved the story of Brutus and Julius Ceasar, so I thought we'd celebrate by drinking Orange Julius' and watching an animated Julius Caesar half-hour video off of You Tube.  We had a fun time.
But this post is about Saint Patrick's Day.  The kids woke up to find a leprechaun had left coins all over the house for them to find.  They were all beside themselves, searching high and low for a coin, running around using shrill voices.  I finally got them to sit down and eat their green breakfast.  This year they actually drank their green smoothies (that wasn't the case last year). 
After breakfast they had to find a pot of gold the leprechaun had left in our backyard.  The "pot" consists of a gold spray painted diaper wipe container with green glitter on it.  It works.  The kids each found some gold chocolate coins, andes mints, and something green to wear to church.  It was a lot to fit in before our 9:00 church, but somehow we managed and got there on time.  It was a great morning - full of energy and excitement.  I love that feeling.

Aren't they the cutest bunch?!!

Church was really nice.  I thought for sure the kids in Primary would be pinching each other and squirming around, but quite the contrary.  I was very relieved as well because I had a special lesson about Christ's resurrection I wanted to share.  It went over really well - I know my testimony was strengthened. 
After church I came home and took a nap.  Then Elsie and I made some rainbow cupcakes.  My good friend gave me this idea.  We just took a white cake mix and divided it into several ziploc bags and added food coloring.  Then we just squirted a little bit into each muffin tin.  They turned out really well, and I promise they tasted better than a regular white cake.  Color always makes a difference.:0).
We wrapped everything up with a good ole Irish dinner, drinking root beer in a bottle and everything.  There was fiz coming out from everyone's bottles everywhere.  It must have been quite authentic, I think. 
 

It was a fun day.  As my dad and I agreed, it's always great to have a holiday where there's not much meaning, so you don't have to feel guilty for overlooking any true meaning.  I feel like I've got it out of my system, and now we can really focus on Easter these next couple weeks.  Happy holidaying!

Storybook Ballet

Elsie finished up another little class of ballet from our great neighbor.  She gives 4 to 6 week segmented classes that revolve around a specific ballet, be it the Nutcracker, Giselle, or Cinderella.  This time, the theme was children's storybooks.  Elsie loves it, and her teacher is excellent at providing a low key environment while still carrying a high level of education and legitimacy.  I love that Elsie is getting a love of music, history, and dance in the process of learning posses and dance steps.  Elsie was finally brave enough to perform in front of all the moms and dads at the end of the month long lessons (even the ones she didn't know - she was feeling very brave).  She has improved in her grace, and I love watching this cute video.


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Lazy Morning

 I was enjoying a morning of sleeping in and a slow start (okay, there's been more than one, and more than two or three even).  This morning was extra nice because everyone was lazily enjoying themselves, each other, and learning.  It was a defining moment in my mind as I've been converting our home into more of a house of learning as we take our shot at homeschooling this year. 

Kimball had gotten out our puzzles and was working hard away at them.  I thought it was cute how he lined them all up.  He is fascinated about and really into making lines. 


When I meandered downstairs I saw Elsie and Peter (in the green blanket) surrounded by blankets and stuffed animals, listening to Winnie the Pooh.  It was really cute.  Everyone was enjoying themselves, and I enjoyed the rest of the morning.

Little Bug

Anna's hair is finally long enough to put into TWO pigtails.  It's exciting, and especially cute.  They remind me of little antennas.  How can anyone resist this little munchkin!

Tacos

No, this is not the kind that you eat, but the kind Elsie is doing in her ballet class.  Sometimes Elsie and I will practice her ballet together (with the curtains drawn, because I am so graceful I wouldn't want to make anyone jealous).  We both tried to do tacos, which is where you get your feet to touch your head.  I'll admit, Elsie is much closer than I am.  Kimball and Peter even joined in the fun!

Update on Anna

I thought I would just post a couple pictures of Anna for Grandma and Grandpa, since it's been a while since they've seen her.  Just yesterday she got her first tooth!  Today the second bottom tooth poked through as well.  She is getting big.  She crawls and rolls around everywhere.  She love to crinkle and eat paper and to get into the dirt Peter's plants are growing in.  Anna is so easy going and full of smiles.  I just love to hold her on my lap and see her smile!
In the first picture she is really happy because we shared some chocolate muffins Elsie and Peter made for breakfast.  Just the past couple weeks she has become aware of the cat's presence.  She loves to play with Little Grey (who isn't so little any more), and Little Grey is patient to play back.