A playdate with Sophie and cleaning out the spice cabinet

Sophie came to play yesterday.  {We} decided to clean out the spice cabinet. As you can see, it was a long overdue project.

A lot of the spices were a wedding gift. (That means they were over 20 years old!) Sophie decided it was time to use them for a better purpose. Like a spice bath for zebras.....

....or magic flying dust for frogs.

The mess we made to get here was horrendous, but this is the final result. (I keep opening the cupboard door to look at it-it feels so much better)

All day, Sophie kept saying, "We're having a lot of fun. My mom is taking a long time to get here, huh?" I'm pretty sure that meant, "What the heck is taking my mom so long to get here!?" All I know is that I am so grateful she did take forever. I mean, how else would I have learned that her dad has the biggest muscles because he eats healthy food like mac-n-cheese and hot cereal or that she recently was able to ride on a pink horse with a bright pink tail?

And speaking of bright pink....We seem to have an endless supply of red velvet cupcakes in this house.

Christian

That smile!

Knows how to melt your heart

His own heart is tender and generous

Loves people 

Looks you in the eyes when he talks to you

Is sincere and genuine

Knows how to get what he wants

Usually that means by working hard

and never giving up

Loves golf

and skiing

and tennis

and jumping off the roof onto the tramp

Is a good friend

and texter

Is a lover of music

Keeps his room clean 

and is always willing to help

Has a great sense of humor

And a high pitch whistle

That could drive a person to madness

Loves his family

Desires what is right and good

Is loved beyond belief

Happy Birthday Christian

Dear Christian,

We gathered last night to celebrate your 15th birthday. I can't believe it's been 15 years since you were born. Your first year of life seemed to last forever but time has accelerated at warp speed since then.  It seems like just yesterday you were the inconsolable baby that wouldn't even let me take a shower without crying. You seemed to need me more than any of your siblings. I think I needed 

you right back. As a preschooler, you talked incessantly. You said the funniest things.  At 15, you say a lot less. I find myself missing those days when you would talk my ear off. Thankfully, you are not too old or too cool to tell me you love me every time you leave the house.  I pray that day never comes, but either way I hope you always know, that I love you too.

Love,

Mom

Does Red Velvet cupcake batter stain?

I've missed this little cutie. Jilly helped me make Valentine's Day cupcakes a while ago. Nothing like a two year old to remind you of the little joys there are to be experienced in life. For instance....

1. Pouring

2. Turing the mixer on and off at will

3. Licking the batter-off the beaters, off the bowl and even off the measuring spoons.

So...here's a " pick-me-up "challenge (oh, wait-I'm assuming YOU needed one too-sorry for trying to transfer my feelings onto you-So..note to SELF...): Make a treat and lick the beaters-with joy.