Mother's Day 2011

I was spoiled!  I hope all of the moms out there were spoiled, as well!


The Friday before Mother's Day, the kids' school had a Mother's Day Brunch, for any mothers who could attend at 11:00 a.m. I thought they would have a little production in the fellowship hall, which is normally where they have events like this.  The teachers directed me to Ava's classroom, so I sat down and had some "tea" (apple juice) and cookies. 


When I dropped off Ava earlier that morning, I was told that I was going to be Tommye Elyse's surrogate mama, as her Mom was out of town on business. So Ava sat on my left, Tommye on my right. Ava and Tommye both showed me their book that they made for Mother's Day. We made some puppets with popsicle sticks, construction paper, fuzz balls, googly eyes and yarn for hair. The kids then did a few songs / spoke in front of the class. I got it on video, but was a little discombobulated with the multi-tasking. I was given a purple rose made out of tissue, as well.

A few minutes later, they brought Liam into the room, so he could hang-out with us, too. We snapped some pictures of the class, some of the other moms (who also were "surrogates" ;-), and then it was time for the kids to continue on with class. I left and went to go drop-off Liam in his classroom. One of Liam's teachers asked where I was, saying I missed their little song they did... I told them I was next door, and didn't realize I missed out on the song. I was bummed about that!

Raphael, Kyla and Jack Passman

The kids doing a tribute / song for the moms

The kids running back to hug the moms

Ava showing me the book she made for me. :)

Tommye Elyse reading her book to me. 

Her Mom called me later to thank me for being her "Mom" for the day. 

All Moms and kids in Ava's class.

My FAVORITE kiddos! :)

Going into Mother's Day, I couldn't have cared less if I got a gift, or not.  I was already floating on cloud nine, just by seeing all of the Mother's Day posts on Facebook, seeing how much people appreciate their mama.  I changed my Facebook profile picture to a picture of my Mom and Ava, taken within the first two weeks of Ava's birth.  It felt nice just to be appreciated, I think.  The weather was gorgeous all weekend, and it seemed like everything was in bloom.


It's pretty typical that we're rushing out the door on Sunday mornings, so we decided we would celebrate AFTER church.  Doug asked if I wanted to go out to eat.  Because Liam got to sleep so late the night before, I said I was game for fish tacos from Houlihan's, TAKE-OUT.  :)  At home, I opened a card from each of the kids, a very nice one from Doug.  He bought me some clothes from White House Black Market (which I've told him is an incredibly expensive store - so expensive I think I've only been in there once - and didn't buy anything).  The "kids" ;-) also gave me a giftcard for a massage at Massage Envy.  Yum.

The day before, I actually made a breakfast dish that I wanted to try (after seeing Emeril make the dish on Good Morning America), as I knew it wouldn't be something Doug would normally request.  So, in honor of Mother's Day, I guess I made myself a day-before-Mother's-Day-breakfast?    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=6964277.  Ava really got into grating the nutmeg, so we both had fun together making breakfast.


Mother's Day couldn't have been better!


Peace, love and mums,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam



Memorable Recipe: Grandma Nila's Peanut Butter on Crackers with Marshmallow

These are the best!  Warning, my Dad mentioned if any money is made from the production of this recipe, he is owed a cut of the profit... ;-)


One of my fondest memories growing up was staying at my Grandma Nila and Pa's house, waking up to go to kindergarten at Thompson Elementary.  I remember Grandma Nila letting me eat the yummiest oatmeal with brown sugar in it (that she made) in their front room, while we watched the kid's show "Hot Fudge Comin' On Right Now," on the huge t.v. that sat on the floor.  That t.v. seemed mammoth to me! (At least I think that was the name of the show?) 


Dad brought this recipe out of the archives a few years ago and kept singing it's praises to me.  Finally I had the chance to make it a few weeks ago.  As you can see, it was a big hit in our house!  Ava helped me assemble the crackers.  Liam tried every possible way to eat these crackers.  He can't stand his hands getting dirty.  He got pretty inventive in his method for approaching these crackers. 


This recipe is THREE ingredients, but the perfect combination of sweet / salty. 


Grandma Nila's Peanut Butter on Crackers with Marshmallow
1 sleeve Saltine crackers
Peanut butter (enough to spread on each bottom cracker)
1 large marshmallow


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees on broil.  Spread peanut butter on half of the crackers.  Place one large marshmallow on each peanut-butter covered cracker.  Place in the preheated oven.  Broil until the marshmallow begins to become toasted / light brown.  Remove and immediately place a plain Saltine cracker on top of the marshmallow.  Serve immediately. 


Peace, love and warm memories of my Grandma Nila's house,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Grandmother's Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

This is my first attempt at the under-over pie lattice thang. I found out I have a fellow rhubarb fan in Ava. :) Doug's not exactly a rhubarb fan.

I have happy memories of family gatherings where rhubarb pie was consumed.  In a bowl.  With milk poured over it.  Grandmother and Grandfather used to grow rhubarb in their backyard on Studebaker.  Good memories.


Ava had her own pastry mound going while this pie baked...towers 'o pastry! :)  I think we had the most fun eating it together afterward, though!


Peace, love and 3.1415927,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas this year!

We're in the midst of celebrating the holiday season and this time of year, which helps us reflect on everything with which we've been blessed.

This year, we went for a free carriage ride at The Avenue. IT was a bit chilly waiting in line, but we made our way through it and enjoyed a warm snuggly ride with our friends the Hoffmans. Liam has been teething lately, so I was just glad he made it through the ride! He enjoyed watching the horses as we waited for our turn.

We also went to the His Kidz Christmas play at church on Saturday. Kids 13 years and younger can act in the play. They did an amazing job! Ava really seemed to enjoy the play, singing and "choreography". She clapped enthusiastically after ever number. Liam also sat through 2/3 of the play, before Doug got up and walked around with him in the back. (I was suprised that Liam made it that far, honestly!)

Liam now says: car, truck, duck, tower, flower, Mama, Daddy, more, Ava, tree, thank you (tay-too), apple, ball, block. I'm sure there are others, but these are what come to mind right now.

Ava has such an amazing memory. I don't know how she remembers half the things she does! She is excited to celebrate Christmas this year and asked Santa to bring her lots of toys (when I told her she could have one big toy or lots of less big toys, she opted for "lots of toys"). She also mentioned that she will be happy with whatever Santa brings to her. That made my heart melt. She wants a "purple coat and a small blue coat to give to Liam". I think it's so sweet that she is thinking of her little brother and trying to be his voice for Santa. She wants to make sure Santa doesn't forget to bring something to Liam!

When we wrote out Ava's letter to Santa, Ava started out by saying that she thinks Rudolph is cute and that she hopes he is okay. It was at that point that she asked for the purple coat, etc. I have no idea why she asked for a purple coat. Too funny. Maybe because she already has a pink one and a blue one... :-) I think she was actually asking for a purple snowsuit (not coat)...

The tree is up (lit and decorated), I made four recipes of truffles this year (Oreo truffles, Kraft's simply elegant chocolate truffle recipe, buckeyes, cookie dough truffles), I've had my fill of hot spiced cider and we've had a holiday party celebrating with friends in our home. It doesn't get any better than that. Everything else is gravy. But I'm sure there will be gravy on the menu before the year is up... ;-)

I love to watch the look on Ava and Liam's faces as they see Christmas lights and decorations. Liam's repetoire of words isn't lengthy, but lengthy enough that he can say "Oooh! Wow!!!" whenever he sees houses lit up with lights. :-)

Life is good.

Peace, love and starry-eyed babes,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam