I am really horrible at this!

We have been busy busy here as usual. First of all, until yesterday it was summer here. We played outside almost all day. And I mean all day. The girls ate breakfast and lunch on the porch. We rode bikes, gardened, and played on the swingset. It was absolutely wonderful.
Then, when I woke up this morning, it was SNOWING! Luckily, tomorrow will be nicer, 55 and sunny. I hate being cooped up after all that glorious sunshine.
Mark's birthday is Cinco de Mayo! He loves that millions of Mexicans get together to celebrate his birth. We are going to Garcia's Mexican Restaurant on Saturday with everyone to celebrate. It should be a lot of fun!
Well, I am off to bed. More tomorrow!

Phew! Busy Busy!

We have been so busy here with the much improved weather. It has been in the 80's since Thursday. With the elevated temps comes outdoor play as much as possible. Last Sunday, it snowed, so we will take this summer weather.
Girls are good, but crazy. Brigid hates coming in for anything. She even wanted breakfast outside on Friday. Fiona is quite the gardener. She loves to dig in the mud and see the worms.
I got to go to some of the year's first yard sales. Yipee! I love yard sale season. I got a nearly new iron for free, and the neatest measuring cup. The cup measures ounces of flour, sugar, then regular cups and fluid ounces. Then, the handle is a mini cup that measures tablespoons. I paid a dime! I just need a dining room table for a quarter!

Rain, rain go away come again some other day

It rained here today, but nothing too bad. Brigid still has a runny nose and is now coughing, but you would never know it by the way she acts. She is the only kid I know who still seems to be cheerful when sick.
Today was pajama day at Fiona's preschool. She didn't want to wear her jammies because no one else wears footie pj's in her class. I LOVE footie pajamas, in fact I own a pair in my size. Mark bought them as a joke, but I love them. So, Fiona was a lump on a log and didn't participate. Other than that, she had a good day.
The missionaries called at 3:30 to inform me that they were coming to dinner. I couldn't stretch what was on my menu, so Dad sprung for a pizza and wings. It was super yummy!
I finally got to watch some of the mini-series, The Capture of the Green River Killer. I don't normally watch anything on Lifetime, but I was interested in this. I saw the first part and it was really interesting and quite good for a made for TV movie.
On the book front, I got a book on the 1854 Cholera epidemic in London. It is called the Ghost Map and it is really about how the world's reaction to epidemics and epidemiology changed because of this particular outbreak. So far, a fascinating look at the poor of Dicken's London. Check it out, but you have to order it. I got it from the Ithaca library.

Hectic Day

Brigid and I went for a forced march yesterday. She loves her walks. I love that they tucker her right out. Mark and Fiona went to Ithaca for some daddy daughter alone time. She had a blast running around the mall and Daddy bought her a painting your finger nails kit. She loves make-up.
I actually got most of the house in order, except floors. That is my goal for today, after my Salvation Army trip. Today is half-price day and Brigid needs some things for summer.
I actually went grocery shopping yesterday at 5 p.m. I will never shop at that time ever again. It was so busy and Aldi's was out of a lot of things. I prefer my early mornings when no one else is around. I sometimes even have the store all to myself. Which has allowed me to befriend the girls there. They let me know who manufactues a lot of their products. It has been a real eye opener.
Well, I have kidlets to get dressed and ready for the world. :)

Another Warm Day

It is going to be 65 again today! I already took Brigid for a walk this morning. Mark took Fiona to her kindergaten orientation. She really is enjoying that, though she doesn't want to go to kindergarten. She wants to stay home and have Mommy teach her. I think she is scared of the bigger kids at Parker Elementary. We'll see how she does when she actually has to go.
Our snowdrops are all blooming and some purple crocuses are beginning to peek. Soon we will have tulips and leaves on the trees. I love the rebirth of spring.

Brigid Cuteness!

I found this on the camera and thought it was cute enough to share. Unfortunately I need new batteries and can't get the others off of the camera. This is from Fiona's Princess Tea Party. Poor Mark really wishes we had a son. He has had enough pink and purple craziness for the rest of his life. :)

Apple Oatmeal Cookies

I just tried a new recipe and I am in love with these cookies. As some of you know, Mark and I live with my parents and my Dad is a dessert man, actually so is Mark. I like to have sweets on hand, but as Dad is a diabetic and we are all on the pudgy side I was looking for something a bit healthier. Here it goes:

2 sticks of butter, melted
1 1/2 c. sugar + 1-2 T. molasses
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 t. baking soda
2 t. cinnamon
3c. oats
1 1/2c. flour, I used whole wheat
1/2-1c. chopped apples, I used fresh, but you can use dried apples
I also left the skin on the apple. I prefer them that way.

Mix everything well. Roll into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten a little. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool for 5 minutes and then cool on rack. These are chewy and filling without being too sweet. Next time, I may try some other spices with it too. Make them seem like apple pies. :)

First Day!

Everyone is blogging and I love to journal so here goes nothing!
Yesterday, I got to see President Monson speak in Conference. It was so beautiful. I love to hear these old guys talk about their wives and their lives. It makes them so human and loveable.
Mark is off for the next couple of days. I am glad to have him home, but the girls really needed him. That being said, I love the 4 days on, 4 days off schedule. He gets a mini vacation every work week.
It is supposed to be nice here today. Upper 50's! And last Sunday we had snow. Time to get the kiddies out to play!