You Know Your Son is a Military Brat When...

You know your kids is a Military Brat when you have a conversation something like this:

Kid: What are the eggs for Mom?

Mom: The Egg hunt with play group tomorrow.

Kid: Does Megan about egg hunts?

Mom: Last year she was pretty little. She might need a reminder.

Kid: I think she needs some training. I guess it's my duty day.

Happy Happy Birthday Baby

It's Meg's 3rd birthday and she was so looking forward to a Dora Party. She informed me of that the Sunday before her birthday. What does a Dora party entail? A cute Dora outfit, of course. Do you think you can just walk into any old store and find orange pants? Wrong. A purple backpack and a map. She tried hard to talk me into making Swiper too, but it didn't work.  It can't be a birthday party without some sewing, right? 

She was a cute Dora. She was a little dissapointed that the backpack didn't actually talk. (Those were her words, "It doesn't acutally talk, Mom.")

We had playgroup today with friends from church, so we took cupcakes and goodie bags and called it a party. She had a blast. I can't believe she's already 3 and I can't wait to see what the next 20 years hold for her.

Yum!!!

(Her sad face is from me taking pictures instead of giving her another one.)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Molten Cupcakes from Diabetic Living Magzine (Spring 2010)

Makes only 6 cupcakes (so be sure and double it-- also I found that the batter didn't quite make enough, so you may want to make an adjustment there.)

2 ounces milk chocolate, chopped (I used chocolate chips)
1 Tbs creamy peanut buter
1/4 c frozen egg product, or 1 egg lighlty beaten
1/4 C sugar or Splenda for baking
2 Tbs canola oil
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp vanilla
1.2 C flour
3 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbs water

For filling: In a msall microwave safe bowl, combine milkd chocolate and peanut butter. Micofwave on 30% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring once half way  through cooking. Cover and chill 30-35 minutes or until mixture is the consistencey of thick frosding, stirring every 10 minutes and checking frequently at the nd as mizture sets up quickly. Use two spoons to drop mixture into six mounds on a waxed paper lined baking sheet, using 2 teaspoons of mixture per mound; return to refrigerator until ready to use.

Cupcake: Preheat oven to 350. Grease 6 muffin cups; set aside. In a meduim bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, 2 Tbs water, oil, baking pwoder and vanilla. Add flour and cocoa powder a little at a time, stirring until smooth. Spoon about 1 Tbs of batter into each muffin cup. Set a chilled peanut butter mound in the center of choclate batter in each muffin cup. Spoon remaining batter over peanut butter mounds.

Finishing: Bake 12-14 minute sor until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes. Run a thin sharp knife around the edge of each cupcake. Invert cupcakes onto serving plates. If desired, top with strawberries and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve immediately.

(165 calories, 16 grams of carbs, 1 gram fiber)

Let's Go Fly a Kite

It was a windy but sunny afternoon and we just couldn't resist the pull of the park. Dad pulled the kite out and the kids had a blast. So did the parents. Don't you just love watching your kids faces when they are trying hard to do something?

In the lessons learned category, I have to say it's really nice not running a million miles an hour all the time and being able to take time to go to the park with my kids and fly kites. I don't even feel lazy for not being engaged in something "important". I decided what I do is too important and I am going to make being a mom a top priority for a while.

When Dad Watches the Kids

Sunday morning, while mom was getting things ready for the day, Meg went to the garage to be with dad. When I came to get her for lunch, this is what I found. Like my friend MB says, Kids have a lot of fun with dad.

So I asked him if the funnel was at least clean. To which he replies "It doesn't have any visible oil or transmission fluid on it." Ok then, must be clean enough to become a trumpet, right?

Take note of the cute cow "girl" boots, the mom made owl jammies and the cute hair do. Yep, we are those kind of parents, and proud of it.

Today I Took the Time

Today I took the time

to go for a walk

to play in the park

to hunt for lady bugs

to watch her smile, and discover.

Today I took the time

to ride a bike,

to dance with dad,

to make silly faces

to hear her laugh and be joyful.

Today I took the time

to draw a picture

to make up a story

to watch her face

to see her imagine, and wonder.

Today I took the time

to read some books,

to build with blocks,

to take a nap,

to listen to her breathe and be still.

Today I took the time.

I played with my little girl.

I discovered,

I watched,

I listened,

I learned,

Today, I took the time.

~A. Hubbs, 3/4/2010

Family Night Fun

We actually had a family night that didn't end up in tears. That's a rare thing at my house, for no good reason. We don't set out to make our kids cry, really. In any case, this was a really fun night. We visited the Mormon Batallion historical site and museum on Old Town San Diego. It's recently been renovated, has tons of fun talking pictures (think Harry Potter, except cooler), a great view point over the city, panning for gold,

dressing up and great information.

The movies were amazing and the kids acutally learned something. So did the grown-ups. If you are in the area, this is a must see, LDS or not.