It was windy. Did I say that already?

As you might know, we're up at the lake this week.

After the girls' Polka Dot Bash guests cleared out Sunday night, Mr. Marvelous and I packed up my car so the children and I could drive up to the lake the next morning. (The "lake" is actually part of the Mississippi River and is a quick 45 minutes away.)

Mr. Marvelous, on the other hand, is commuting to and from work this week. So, the children and I are keeping busy playing in the pool exploring the nearby parks and trails while the weather straightens itself out and while Mr. Marvelous is gone.

If you've already heard, today we drove to a historic, neighboring town--with a packed lunch in tow--in hopes to find something to distract us from the 60 and not-so-sunny weather.

And if you remember right, it was chilly:

But, thank goodness I brought coats for everyone. But me.

And windy:

But our picnic--in the middle of the playground and under a plastic rock wall--on a cozy blanket made it extra fun.

The skies were gray:

But the "super duper, as big as Superman" barge that floated by was cool.

And it was...windy:

But the kids didn't mind. And I didn't either. Thank goodness for heated car seats for the drive back.

Norah and Hazel's Polka Dot Bash

Today we celebrated these two little girls' 2nd Birthday. Polka Dot Style. (Remember them last year? And here, here, here, here, and here.) :

(Hazel: L Norah: R)

Family and friends joined us--in their suits--in our front yard for lots of water fun. They plowed down slip-n-slides, dove down blow up, yellow, water slides, and splashed in their pool of choice.

After we all took a break to eat dinner together, we enjoyed this cake that great grandma made and decorated, per my specifications:

Yes. It tasted as good as it looks. And, yes, we have lots of leftover M&M's sitting in our cupboard. And, yes, their posh bibs are from these guys.

Then we all witnessed what organized chaos looks like while the twins opened their presents:

And, thanks to the blue skies, balloons, and buddies, our bash was a big hit.

sharing cars, boyfriends and shoes

It's amazing, really.

The rate at which these two grow is astounding:



They sure didn't stay 6 days old for long. (Despite my thoughts of the situation at the time--being pretty certain we'd have twin newborns, a 1 year old, and a 2 year old forever!)

It's like I woke up this morning to find that our ultrasound babies (A and B) had turned into full speed running, kiddie pool splashing, chapstick loving, toothbrush hoarding, baby doll swaddling, sandal adoring, mama and dada snuggling "big" little girls.

How can that be?

It's all happened so quickly, that these two little punkin' doodles go from their first birthday:

...to their second. And, even though I'm known to declare each new stage they enter my "favorite," I wouldn't mind if they slowed it all down a bit.

Because before you know it, they'll have moved on from sharing their crib, clothes and popsicles, to sharing cars and boyfriends shoes.

Happy 2nd Birthday--tomorrow--Norah (L) and Hazel!

we're sorry. please try your call again later.

[BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.]



We're sorry, the family you are trying to reach is not available at this time. Their neck of the woods is experiencing a high volume heat wave, which has forced them to flee their home to a more comfortable vicinity.







All circuits are busy at their new location. There is a lot on their plate right now. But, they are bound and determined to make the most of this unfortunate incident.

And even amidst all the heavy activity, it's safe to say that each individual is holding their own swimmingly.

They're all very adaptable.

So, please hang up and try your call again later. (When the sun isn't shining as brightly and summer isn't embracing them so tightly.)

Goodbye.

Not Me! Monday

I'm joining the crowd today. You should too! My Charming Kids would welcome you with open arms.

But, I've decided that I'm letting it all out.

Not Me! Monday is here. I like to think of it as a witty way for me to loosen my mommy belt a notch and lay back and relax while confessing some things I'd rather not.

Like yesterday. Remember how I tweeted about our whereabouts? Well, Mr. Marvelous and I certainly did not devise a plan to find a sub to take my shift in the church nursery then skip our morning service--something we rarely, almost never, nearly ever, ever do--to head to the lake with our children. And there's no way I'd snap evidence of it, if we did.




And while at the pool, I did not skip the swim diaper step with this little girl:

...hoping that even though she hadn't had a dirty diaper yet, we'd still be in the clear. And I was not totally wrong. And I didn't have to sneak her in the pool room to clean up the mess before the other family, that was on the pool deck, noticed.

And, I did not praise Mr. Marvelous--as if I were praising one of our children--on eating a piece of his most disliked vegetable (the cauliflower) that I packed in his lunch last week. I'd never say something like, "Way to go, Honey! I knew you could do it." The fact that him and his BFF are at the start of a "Healthify Yourself/Weight Loss" challenge for the next 12 months has nothing to do with me. And I would never push off a lunch pail full of vegetables and a pita sandwich on a grown man. Never.

In closing, I do not have 3 baskets of clean clothes staring me down from the livingroom, and a bag of garbage waiting to be taken out.

And, I'm not wearing my favorite color. Again.

Such Things

Ceviche. (say: suh-VEE-chey)

It's hard to find anything much better.

Kinda like the friend who just called to say she loved me had made some ceviche for me. So here's my ode to this fabulous fish salsa, with a little help from these guys :

[Ahhhem]

"Whatever is true and tasty,

whatever is noble and nummy,

whatever is right and ridiculously flavorsome,

whatever is pure and packed with health,

whatever is lovely and luscious,

whatever is admirable and appetizing,

if anything is excellent and praiseworthy and made for you by a thoughtful friend,

think about and eat such things."

Phillipians 4 me: 8 all by myself

Thankyouverymuch.

My Favorite Food List...for now.

Now that I got the kitchen remodel pictures off my chest posted for you patient readers, I feel so free. And alive. And like I'm that girl in the Herbal Essence commercial who squeals in the shower because the smell of her shampoo has put her over the edge.

And now that I've figured out how Twitter really works, I've read a bunch of messages--that I never even knew existed--from Twitter followers and wanted to bring to you a quick list of my current* favorite foods. Since that seems to be a popular request these days.

*Because I really do love most all foods, so here are the ones I love right now.

(Could you hold on, please? My 3yo son is getting out of bed for the 243rd time. And I'm about to tackle him down. Excuse me.)

Ok. Where was I? Oh yes.



Tiffany's Current Favorite Foods:

#1 Shredded BBQ Beef (Hands down Mr. Marvelous' and my favorite.)

A friend gave me this recipe almost 2 years ago and I just recently found an exact match online. Here's the link. Keep in mind, this freezes wonderfully. I have never made this without doubling it. If we're making it just for us, I freeze the other half for next time. And, I almost always make it when I need to take a meal to someone. They always love it. Whether it's on buns, baked potatoes, or in burritos, you MUST add shredded extra sharp cheddar and chopped red onion. Promise me you will?

#2 Oreos and a tall glass of milk

#3 Ceviche

While vacationing in the lovely Costa Rica, I fell in love with this tasty fish salsa. Man, my mouth waters just thinking about it. This is the recipe I used when I made it with Marlin awhile back. Gosh. Yum. That's all I can say.

#4 Broccoli Cole Slaw

The first time I had this salad was at my friend's cabin. Her mom made it. And, when I wanted to go back for 2nds it was gone. This makes a big bowl. If you need a salad for a potluck, this recipe is the perfect size. If it's to pair with your steaks and lemon drenched asparagus, you'll have extra. But fear not. You could eat it for lunch and supper the next day. I never get sick of this stuff. I add a handful of sesame seeds during the saute step.

#5 Homemade Chicken Pot pie

I found this recipe in my Betty Crocker Bridal Edition Cookbook. It's the cookbook I got as a wedding gift and it's one of my favorites. You can buy your own crusts if you want. I used to buy my own crusts. But after I used homemade crusts for those tantalizing Straw/Rhubarb pies from awhile back, I feel store bought crusts might be a thing of the past for me. But that's just me. You might have 14 children and need to cut your time spent cooking. (Can you imagine what 14 children would be like?)

#6 Dried Cherries to snack on from the Good Food Store

#7 Stuffed Cabbage, Oriental Style

I found this recipe in my new Nourishing Traditions book that a friend recommended I read. I got it from the library then bought it later. I love it that much. And, darn it, I can't find the exact recipe online. But it's so good. The filling itself, wow, I could eat it by the spoonfuls. And to be honest, I started typing it up for you, got distracted, my stomach started to growl, I grabbed myself a handful of sunflower seeds, then almonds, then dried cranberries, and when I got back to my laptop I was tired and missing my husband. So. I'm not sure what else to say about that.

And there you have it. Favorite foods. Do you have one? If you have a link to it, I'd love you to share.

Or cook it up and send a sample my way.

UPDATED: Kitchen remodel "After" pictures with Oreos and Milk

UPDATED:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

ORIGINAL POST:

Da daa daa daaaaa! (That was supposed to be drumroll'ish. Did you catch that?)

Here's your invitation to join me in our newly remodeled kitchen.

Thanks for being so patient. Believe you me, I know all about patience these days.

But right now I'm only serving you enough to wet your whistle. (Is that ok? I hope that's ok.) After the tile guy gives me the go ahead to put my things back on the counter tonight before he leaves, my camera and I will go hogwild.

On to it.

Now, keep in mind the whole reason for this remodel? Mr. Marvelous and I hoped for a space big enough to house a table that fit all 6 of us. At the same time. Remember? And, remember how that glass block wall down there only allowed for a tiny round table (that comforably fit 4, not 6)in the kitchenette behind it?

Here's the before:

And the after:

Well, I realize you can't see that the wall is actually gone, but I promise that it is. If you could exercise a bit more patience for the big picture that I add tonight, that'd be terrific. Can you do it? How about if I give you a few more views?

To hold you over:

Still not enough? Sheesh. You people are something. Ok. Here are some more:

And, I know what you're thinking, "She really does love the color turquoise." Correctamudo!

How about that? Some bits and pieces to hold you over until later. Think of them as Oreos with a tall glass of milk. That always works for me.

driving in cars making memories

Why do we travel 5 hours in a car with a child who, for the most part despises her carseat 4 children still in 5 point harnesses, and then think of it as fun?

To build memories. Duh.



And, I'm not talking about the type of memories that include twin 1 year olds stripping off their pajamas and dirty diapers and throwing them over the edge of their extra large pack-n-play that they were just tucked into for bed, while staying at a cabin with 2 other familes and their children.

Not those kind of memories.



The kind of memories that include itty bitty people walking/falling/swimming/splashing/crawling/stripping down to their Bob the Builder underwear (without you knowing) across the beginning of the mighty Mississippi:

The kind of memories that make you think back to what it must have felt like to snuggle with your 3 year old son in a parking lot next to your car's wheels while stopped for an ice cream and potty break:

Those kind of memories.

---------------------------------------

And you thought I was kidding when I said Mondays and Tuesdays are the only days I do laundry around here. Here's round 1 of 4:

But for some reason, it's not as big of a deal when you can do it while sniffing a sweet zephyr of lilac from your neighbors backyard.