Don't laugh...

This is my first (no practice) attempt at fondant. It's definitely not as easy as it looks. The fondant is stiff and hard to role out. Then it's heavy and smashes down the cake layers. Then the sides pleat. I was able to make the bottom cake layer pretty nice but the top layer with Ernie didn't lay flat at all. The pleats wouldn't straighten out. Atleast I could hide them with the stripes :) Yep, it's exhausting to role out the stiff fondant, shape, cut and glue into place before it dries and\or bleeds onto the base color. But all in all, I'm pretty happy. Now I have to dust off the rest of the powdered sugar and transport it to the party without it falling a part. Wish me luck :D

Happy Birthday Croy and Ellie!!

Grandma's Aprons

This certainly brings back lots of memories!

"Aprons"
(truly a sweet story)

Remember making an apron in Home Ec? Read below:

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids
know what an apron is.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.

My very special grandmother made this apron for me for Christmas. Thank you Grandma, It's beautiful and I love it:D

Just for fun

I just can't get enough of this little guy. He is so much fun. I would have a million if they were all as happy and mellow as this one.


I am grateful that I had to wait this long for him. (honestly I was sad, sad, sad, but totally worth the wait) I get to have the whole day to snuggle, cuddle and play with him. He does all sorts of cute tricks. He's so interactive and loves to be around other kids.



My favorite time is when the kids come home from school. He lights up with squeals of delight and giggles because they are home. He reminds me of how simple happiness can be if I just look for it daily.



He is my little butterball but he has his dad completely wrapped around not just his finger but every ounce of him.



Calvin has surprised me the most. I was really nervous for how Calvin would interact with him. Would he be jealous? Would he throw temper tantrums? Notta, not one. He loves him and Croy loves everything about him. He loves his energy. Calvin is all over the place, he can't sit still for anything. Croy doesn't care, he is completely taken by him. There is something about the bond of brothers.


Lastly, Brooklyn is a little mother. She snuggles, plays, entertains and enjoys doing anything for him. Except the diaper changes, she is quick to pass him off. She sweeps in after school and scoops him up. She plays, teaches and loves to read to him. He loves to be in the same room with her. He'll play with his toys happily just being by her.

What's up with this face?

Croy's new face:P I'm not sure why he is doing this but it's hilarious. Everytime I talk to him he smiles like this and then laughs. He is so funny. He laughs all the time. He is blissfully happy and that makes me giggle.

I had the chance to get together with a friend from my high school swim team. She is jumping into the world of photography and took some pictures for us. We had a great time getting caught up. It was so cold but the kids were good sports and we were done in about 15 minutes. Thanks Natalie!

Brooklyn 10 years old

Calvin 7 years old

Croy 10 months old

So sweet!!

The tongue is so cute!

More for fun...

Old Family Photos

Then

My sister and I found this photo while hanging out with my dad. It's really shows life in full reality. I love the look on my parents face, the slight nostral flare from my dad and my mom's "What was I thinking?". Pure frustration which I have felt many a family photo opts. I can only imagine the only reason they picked this one is because it was the best from what they had to choose from.

Even though this was how most of our family photos looked like, I still only remember how much fun we had growing up together. I still remember the trips in the car to grandma's and the joy of Christmas morning. I remember following my brothers around on their bikes and trying everything they did. We slept outside all summer and toilet papered almost every neighbors house by the time school started again. Life was good.

My cute family now!

Now, life is great!! I have a great family, husband who works super hard, kids that I adore. Some days I feel like my mom looked in that photo but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have fabulous sister's, brother's, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents (all in-laws included) and friends who love and support us.

I hope that my family has more of life's crazy family photo's to remember what a great life we have!

My parents and siblings now.

Recognize your victories.

Joan Benoit Samuelson