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Sela and Nina were very concerned that I have a nice birthday. They are so sweet. When my birthday was somehow mentioned two days ago, Sela said "Oh, no, we need more time to get ready!" Sela is such a little planner and it is really important to her that everyone feel loved on their special day.

The day began with a visit from Rollin who walked into my room and, in his adorable little voice said "Happy Birthday, Mama." This was memorable because he said it so clearly, as he had never done before. Shortly after, the girls presented me with this wonderful work of art they called "an envelope for your special things." It was two pieces of white typing paper with various plants and weeds from the yard taped to it on one side and their handprints painted on the other. They wrote "We love you!" Who gets a special envelope for her birthday? Only a mother. I know there was lots of gathering, planning, sneaking around, and loads of love that went into this little gift. And I treasure it.
















My gift to myself was to stay in bed as long as I could, which was 10:30 given daylight savings time. We all stayed in bed together, because by about 7, the kids had all joined us. I stayed up late last night writing out a list of things to do for the next two weeks...easter plans, auction project deadlines, house stuff, etc. When I woke up this morning, I was kind of paralized by the prior night's planning session. So lounging in bed was nice. Sela made cereal for she, Rollin, and Nina. She totally took care of their breakfast while Zig and I slept in. Zig had come home at 3am so he was exhausted as well. When I finally rolled out of bed, we had a real breakfast/brunch and then got ready for church.

Tonight we made a really fantastic dinner. I didn't get the portobellos..the store was out, so our menu was different than planned. We had salmon with lemon and capers, lentil soup, yogurt mashed potatoes, and avocado-grapefruit salad. Zig "made" an apple pie for dessert and it was delicious. He had everyone say what they loved about me and the most popular thing was "the way mama cuddles." So, if all else fails, I'm a good cuddler!




I live for dessert.


Here's proof!














Yesterday, Darcie and Geoff had the kids and I over for dinner, which was so thoughtful. They knew Zig was gone for the day so they took pity on us :) I tried to recreate the amazing yogurt we tried at Sweet Green in Georgetown when we were visiting Erin. The recipe came close, but still needs a little tweaking. It was so rich. But, a little bit was a very decadent treat to follow the super yum crabcakes Darcie served. We had a great time, as always.



















Now I'm off to bed, again so I can start my 33rd year off right. Love you all. Thanks for all the sweet phone calls and songs :) Good night.

Um, I see you.

This is what happens when I try to talk on the phone for a few minutes. Rollin was begging loudly for the phone, so I politely walked into my bedroom and shut the door and then leaned against it. Rollin began to scream and bang all the while I carried on a nice pleasant conversation. Then it became quiet. He went to play, or so I thought. And then I probably spent another ten minutes on the phone. When I walked into the kitchen, despite his valiant attempt at remaining unseen, I found the boy.






















Just having a little chocolate chip cookie dinner. He's always one step ahead, that boy! He tried to be deathly still when I walked into the kitchen and he was not happy to be found. Before I could "discover" him, I had to grab my camera. I could see his little belly going in and out and pushing the cabinet door out as he breathed heavily. When I did pull open the cabinet, he had chocolate all over his hands and face and a big grin (which didn't last long).




Major buzz kill, mom.

A Good Day

Today we were again blessed with some fantastic weather and things just always seem to go better on those days. Most children are more content outside, and mine are no exception. Rollin pulled his boots on this morning and never looked back. Imagine his joy when he saw Eric and Calvin drive up and park a tractor and a little truck in front of the barn. He literally sprinted across the lawn. He and Nina took turns climbing on the tractor and into the bed of the little truck. Big fun! After convincing Nina to skip preschool, which wasn't hard, I started doing some yard work cleaning up some of the many beds scattered throughout the yard while she and Rollin played. When Sela came home form school, she worked on her little pumpkin garden.



















I tried out the Butternut Squash Apple Galette today and I'm so excited to report that it worked! I was unsure when I made the pastry dough because I wasn't sure if I got the consistency right, but it turned out just perfect. I just love when things work...the first time. Sela and I were going crazy when we tried it. It kind of tasted like a savory pumpkin pie...only way better. It was an easy dinner...we just ate it with a tossed green salad and thankfully there are leftovers. Zig missed out tonight.

Reflections

We attended a program at Hollywood Hill last week honoring the children who participated in Reflections. They asked Sela to read her story, "Fire Deer." I think we were the only ones who weren't told beforehand about the reading, so Sela was surprised. She did well and it was a great audience for the children to share their work with. I was so happy for Sela because she worked so hard on her story and hearing applause made her beam. Many nights of illustrating and writing and erasing. It's a lovely little story.

Menu Plan

Monday: Three Sisters Stew, Zucchini Pancakes
Tuesday: Herbed Chicken Chutney Salad
Wednesday: Butternut Squash Apple Galette, Tossed green salad
Thursday: Chicken Tagine with lemon and olives (yum!)
Friday: French Lentil Soup with roasted tomatoes and peppers, bread, salad
Saturday: Salmon en Papillote, salad
Sunday: Portobello Reubens (I have missed you so I must eat you on my birthday)

I missed a couple of weeks on the menu...with so much sickness I was just surviving and trying to make the simplist things possible. We ate at PCC a lot too. One of the weeks I missed was Mid-Winter break where I let the girls pick all the meals. We ate chicken noodle soup (or course), grilled cheese, lots of pasta, pizza, and I can't remember the rest. Nothing too exciting. But this week, I am ready to eat well again. I am trying a new recipe...the butternut squash apple galette. I have to make pastry dough for it, so this is a first. It sounds so delicious. We'll see.

I'm a big boy! Rollin turns 2!

I am adored by my big sisters. They planned a super fun birthday party for me. They made a cake, decorated my chair, and gave me gifts they made or chose just for me.
I feed myself..usually with a fork.
I can pray.
I love cake and all things chocolate, sweet, or having the appearance of a vitamin.














I said "oh whoa!!!" when I opened Sela's present. She painted the wrapping paper and I definitely took notice before I ripped it to shreds ;)































Nina wrapped up the phone we have been fighting over for two weeks that Ceci Davis gave her. I was so happy I tried to jump up and down in my chair. I love nina.


I tried on big boy undies this week, and I was terrified of them. I cried and tried to pull them off any way I could.
I got a big boy haircut (but I'm growing it back out for my mom)
Inside this bag is my most favorite gift from mommy...a Farmer's Market hot wheels truck. It says "delivering organic produce on the side."










We are so thankful for Rollin. He is such fun. He is tender and spirited at the same time. He really is a light in our lives. What a gift it has been to have him in our family these past two years. How else would I have learned the true meaning of exhaustion :) We love you little buddy.

Boys Saturday vs. Girls Saturday

We spent the morning together today and then Zig took Rollin out for some "manly" errands. They went to Molbaks, the bike store, the snowmobile store, out for a haircut and to lunch. Zig said Rollin had a blast and he was beaming when he walked in the door. The girls and I went to a Japanese Girls Day party at the home of some good friends. The girls thoroughly enjoyed celebrating Japanese Girl's Day with Miko, Kendall, Kyra and Liam, and quite a few other young guests. Each year Miko hosts a little "girl" party with authentic Japanese food (and goodies), delightful games and crafts for the girls, and the opportunity to dress up in kimonos and learn about the doll collection she has which has been passed down from her mother and grandmother.

I had never heard of Japanese Girl's Day until we met Miko and her family through preschool. She also lives in our old neighborhood. Anyway, March 3rd is Japanese Girl's Day, also called hina-matsuri (Japanese doll festival.) It's a celebration for Japanese girls. People display a very special set of dolls and props in the house, wishing girls' healthy growth and happiness. The dolls are dressed in Japanese ancient costumes and are displayed on the shelves of a stand covered with a red carpet.

After the party...we ended up staying for three hours, I could tell Nina was much too tired for the rest of the errands I had planned. I have never accomplished all I have on my list for Saturdays...not ever. So no big deal. I was tired as well, from who knows what...maybe staying up late Friday night. We had such a wonderful night out (first in quite some time) getting together with four other couples for dinner. The huge greek feast was wonderful, but the company was even better. We typically don't do this when we do these couples dinners, but after a few minutes, we just moved the guys to one end and the girls to another so we could make up for lost time. So it was a totally segregated night of gabbing, but so much fun. Darcie and Geoff organize these dinners periodically, and it had been several months and long overdue. Good times.