I am Evil!!!!

I posted that recipe WRONG!!!

That's what you get for thinking you memorized something after you've had three children.

Ann Lamott says every child comes out with 1/2 of your brain in their fist. She's right.

It is NOT 1/2 cup butter - it is 1/4 cup butter.

Please forgive me.

It's half a stick.

I'm a moron.

Coveting

Last night I got online to look for a snuggly blanket (small squares with different types of fabric to feel around the edges) for GQ. I still have some of his birthday money (thanks to all you Grandmas and Grandpas) and I thought he might prefer it to sucking on his burp-rags. For some reason, he really likes burp-rags. Anyway, I couldn't find what I wanted. They all had ribbon on the edges, but not different kinds of fabric to feel (I'll have to break into Kricket's house and steal her little boy's since that is the one I saw). Of course, then I started discovering other things. So, now I'm coveting them too.

The first is this necklace:


There are several ways to have the necklace, one with just initials which I like quite a bit. Still, since my kids initials: M, E, G spell M's name... I figured it might be considered favoritism.

Then there is this doll, which honestly looks like M. Holy mackeral! I wish I could buy it, but since my kids have too many toys for their own good, it's not worth it. That set me off on wishing I could throw out all my toys. I swear if they only had a few they would love them more. You know, like in Little House in the Big Woods where Laura finally gets a doll and she loves it forever and ever and ever. My girls get a doll, and pretty soon it's thrown in the bin with the rest of the lot. But toys show up at my house in every sort of way, and I don't think I'll have any luck getting rid of them. But I really want the doll.

And I like this one too, mostly because anything made like a teddy bear is very cute.

So, will posting about them help me get over the fact that I'm not buying them? Hopefully.

Necklace: http://www.thevintagepearl.blogspot.com/

Dolls: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6914812

When Jamie Goes Shopping

This (shopping) is a rare event in my life. Just yesterday I was discussing with Justin how I would buy new shoes if that were in our budget presently. He said I wouldn't, and finally, I was forced to agree. I don't really like shopping all that much.

But today I went looking for a specific item for GQ's Halloween Costume.

I accidentally came back with this:

Considering I've never bought him anything (thanks Em) I figured it was okay.

Meanwhile, in other news: Who is the genius who puts size small on the top shelf? Do they really think I can reach that high? And sure, there are some of those ultra-tall, and thin people about.... but I really think short people like me are more important.

It's Halloween

There are old audio tapes of my older siblings singing Halloween songs for my Grandma. It contains such goodies as Michael singing "I'm a witch, ch, ch. I'm a witch, ch, ch." There's a first time for everything. And a last.

Here is a new set of songs performed by E. I'm pretty sure we'll be getting more in the future from her, though. This is E we're talking about folks.

Molten Chocolate Cake

I found this recipe (and photo) on Pioneer Woman, courtesy of her Tasty Kitchen, courtesy of "Brandielle."

Honestly, Justin and I eat it weekly. It is part of my breastfeeding, eat as much as you can in order not to wither away regime. I plan on it being part of my eat this every week or life is not worth living regime.

Reasons for enjoying this recipe:

It is easy.

It is quick.

It has very few ingredients.

It has very few dishes.

It makes me happy.

This means I can decide to make it after the girls go to bed and it will be ready in under thirty minutes.

It goes like this:

(Yes, I have it memorized)

Preheat oven to 425.

Spray 2 custard cups with cooking spray.

Melt 2, 1 oz chocolate squares (semi-sweet) with 1/4 cup butter. (I do not post healthy recipes as a general rule).

Add 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Mix in 1 egg and 1 egg yolk.

Add 3 T of flour.

Pour in cups.

Bake for 14 minutes.

Let sit.

Take knive around edge, turn upside down, and serve with whipped cream. (It can also be served with ice cream, but it is better with whipped cream. Even according to Justin, and he loves ice cream.)

Save dishes for following morning (but don't tell Aunt Penny).

The end.

I love this recipe. You should love it too.

Says E...

... to help GQ stop crying.

E: "G, why do your cheeks look like plump bananas?"

What a cute older sister!

Poison Control?

M just found some lipstick and ate it.

I don't even wear lipstick.

Hide and Seek

I have the distinct feeling that M has hidden her lunch somewhere in the kitchen. She ate none of it, and then, when E got her dessert, it was suddenly gone so that M could have dessert too.

I've looked in the garbage, but it's not there.

Where did she put it?

Am I going to smell it soon?

Does...

... anyone nearby who loves me have access to that movie editing software... I can't remember what it's called. Justin has to watch an edited Enron movie for school, and the viewing is scheduled at an irritating time.

Just hoping....

Off To A Great Start

So Far Today:

Justin had to be at school by 7:40.... sorry no lunch from me.

E has had an existential breakdown because her Halloween Costume apparently has the "wrong" hat.

E has had an existential breakdown because her Halloween Party comes after her nap.

E has had an existential breakdown because it seems like a fine thing to do.

M has grabbed from E the following items and run around the house followed by a screaming sister: hair-clip, blanket, sundry portions of the Halloween Costume (including the purportedly un-loved hat).

GQ has slept soundly until 6:00 before eating (woke up by Dad's alarm) and is now sleeping again.

I think he wins the prize.

The Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to the Pumpkin Patch. GQ obviously found it to be rip-roaring fun. The girls, on the other hand, loved it.

E was reunited with a friend from preschool last year. They ran around calling after each other:

EEEEEEE

KKKKKKK

EEEEEEE

KKKKKKK

What more could a girl want?

At home, posing with the pumpkins. E was a little disturbed to find out that M (a.k.a. Mom) had chosen a pumpkin bigger than hers.

In my class at ballet we learn first position as pumpkin pie. You hold a big pumpkin and turn your feet out like a pie. E wanted to try it for real.

M couldn't quite hold that big pumpkin Mommy picked out. She was also upset to find out that we were leaving it on the front porch. What good is a new toy on the front porch?

Anyone else see "Some Kind of Wonderful" here?

What a fun way to start the week!

Recent Happenings...

First day of Preschool....

Not a very good picture. Three children ready by 9:00 is still growing on me. I didn't have time for a professional photo-shoot.

After-dinner fun... we make M eat on the tile for easy-cleaning purposes.

One of those happy moments where the girls are not attacking each other. Lately M has gotten into teasing E. Let's say the gentle playing has gone out the window.

What? My family is goofy looking? What are you saying?

Justin turned 31. Does this picture creep anyone else out? What is he thinking about? Do I want those candles to be blown out?

E wants to hang this on our front door, but she is afraid someone will come steal it. So, you will all have to admire by photo.

A Growing GQ... He's Much Cuter Than My Garden

This is very serious... apparently I do not take enough pictures of GQ. I am trying to repent. This one is the most recent. I took it just this morning.

This is GQ getting tickled behind his ears. It makes him laugh every time. Also, looking at his Dad makes him laugh every time.

GQ is our mellow, happy baby. He is a good sleeper - especially when it's noisy, can we say M? - and loves to laugh at his sisters. He does not like the car. It is his nemesis. Other than that, he is good with life.

The "Garden"

This year, with my small flower budget, I decided to plant seeds.


This was a stupid idea.

Mostly what I got was a bunch of weeds. Although I did actually grow one portulaca... which M insisted on picking the blossoms off each morning. Nice.

Then, when I had GQ, I had great hopes that my flower/weeds would kick the dust before I returned. Sadly, they hung on through July and August due to some very (un)helpful rainstorms. So, I kept watering them. Not watering them seemed slightly like murder.

And I was not a murderer.

Then, in September, I decided it was Fall, and it was legal to stop watering my flowers. This argument has no actual rational basis, but I wasn't too worried about that. After I stopped watering my flowers, it rained some more. And then, this flower grew:



It's the only one I really like. I know, favoritism. What can I say?

Also, since I stopped watering my flowers, this monstrosity has begun to grow:

It has no actual flowers on it, so I've decided it must be a tree. (No, I am not actually that stupid. Come on now.) It has some buds, but despite the passing days, they never bloom. So, I am thinking I will never know what plant it actually is. Tragic. All of this has taught me one important lesson : NEXT YEAR I AM BUYING PLANTS!

I've Got Nothing

I have tried to think all day of something that is interesting enough to write about.

I have not thought of anything.

Says E:

Mom, do you know what sparkles are made of?

Mom:

What?

E:

Sparkles.


There's some deep thoughts for you all.....

By the way, I am apparently growing a tree in my ghetto backyard. I will try to take a picture of it and discuss it sometime this weekend.

The Ghosts of Septembers Past