Matt & Garrett spend the morning in New York yesterday, just the two of them. 
one of my dandelions bloomed, bringing a little springtime cheer to this FRIGID January day.
When we had our warm spell a few weeks ago, all of my tulip and dandelion bulbs started sprouting. I dug three of them up, potted them, and brought them inside. They make it seem just a little warmer...
I got myself a wheat grinder a few months ago. I LOVE it.
It's a hand grinder. It takes some effort, but gets me by while I save my pennies for a really nice electric one. It's nowhere near as fast as an electric one, but the boys like to take turns turning the crank, and I'm getting some pretty big biceps in the meantime. I mostly grind wheat for pizza crust, breadsticks, pancakes, waffles, and other baked goods that don't require that much flour. I haven't had the patience to hand grind enough flour to make bread.
Until today.
Since I've got my kids on a new sleep regimen (which I will report on shortly- it's changed our lives), but as a result find it difficult to go anywhere during the day while still protecting their sleep habits, I made bread this morning.
I love the smell of it baking.
I gave a loaf to my friend that drops Garrett off from preschool. She said my whole body smelled like freshly baked bread. I love that.
The kids and I finished off a whole loaf before lunchtime.
We saved some for Matt, too.
I knocked a bottle of bright red nail polish off my bathroom shelf today, shattering it, and creating a huge RED mess all over the bathroom sink and Garrett's white Sunday shirt. I cleaned up as much as I could until I ran out of nail polish remover.
I've been meaning to tell you what a great job you did picking out the books you gave the kids for Christmas. They were perfect. We read Silly Shapes to Ethan at least twice a day. Thanks to Starting School, Garrett has already planned what he's going to take for lunch his first day of Kindergarten, and I'm sure when she's a little older Lydia will love Princess Stories. No doubt it will be a welcomed change from all the books we have about dogs, trucks, cars and dinosaurs. Thanks again!
He's deep in thought, planning his next birthday party. (I have no explanation for the purple sleep mask.)
Reasons why we love you, Ethan: ~We love that you ask us to snuggle with you ~We love your laugh ~We love that you make us laugh ~We love to hear you sing .... all the time ~We love that you want to read the same book, over and over again ~We love your big blue eyes ~We love your tender little heart and the way you love your brother and sister ~We love you.
This is classic Ethan. If there's sand, we draw letters.
She then proceeded to honk at all the neighboring vehicles in the parking lot. Of course, everyone smiled back at her.
I'm not sure, but I think he might have been trying to look like a seagull.
Happy Garrett.
My AMAZING friend, Dori.
(she's also the fantastic photographer that took our family photos.)
Wrestling.
Daddy's girl.
I keep having issues with blogger. Why doesn't my published post look the same as it does when I write it? The spaces are all cut out, the text size is different, and half the time the pictures don't upload. Does anyone else have this problem?
This weekend's movie night dessert: Marci's Peach Cobbler: Into a greased round cake pan, pour: 1 large can (or 2 small cans) sliced peaches, partially drained (about 1/2 the juice) Mix together: 1 1/4 cup Bisquick 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 beaten egg It will form a crumb-like mixture. Spread over peaches and bake for 30-35 minutes at 375 degrees. YUM!
It was 72 degrees today. In January. In New Jersey. Bring on the shorts and flip flops.
Homemade ice cream sandwiches
(in honor of you, Nielsons!)
Happy New Year.
