I'll try that again...

Wil and I are off to pick up the boys from a friend's house. But I have to take a minute to document this occasion: my WHOLE house is clean. At the same time. This hasn't happened since we walked in the door after closing on the house, before we moved anything else in... a year ago (almost exactly). So next time I think that there's no way it will happen, I now know that it isn't impossible.

Somehow I missed the last 4 days

Saturday morning my very first migraine hit. Unfortunately, I didn't realize what it was until I couldn't bear it anymore. No over the counter medicine I tried even touched the pain, so I spent as much time as possible with my head on a pillow, hiding from my children (cause, wow, they are REALLY loud). By Tuesday, I couldn't handle it anymore and headed to the doctor... 2 visits, a CT scan and a nasty shot later, I feel human again. Someone has taken the 100lb weight out of my head and I feel like I can function. I love modern medicine. I also love my husband and my sister, because they put me to sleep for 12 hours straight and then made sure the boys were taken care of while I was out of it.

While I was in my haze, I did discover a few things....

If you have the recipe for spaghetti pie and love it as much as we do, then you should try this. Little Man asked for thirds and said, "Wow, Mom, this is YUM!". It's quicker and easier than spaghetti pie and even has less fat (because you skip the eggs and butter). I made mine in a oven safe skillet, put the cheese on top and threw it in the oven until the cheese melted. This one is a keeper.

I had peaches from the farmers market in my fridge that needed to be used and found this recipe. It is divine. (and can you tell where I've been going for new recipes? I'm kind of hooked) I added some blueberries we had in the fridge and substituted the maple cream with some vanilla bean ice cream. I might have had the leftovers for breakfast, but it was fruit... right?

My mirror is on it's way!

My boys have alter egos:

We are very serious about saving the world.

As we were pulling out of the hospital parking lot yesterday Bug asked me, very seriously, "Mommy, you feel better now?" That boy will melt your heart.

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm feeling indecisive... or maybe a bit overwhelmed by the choices.

For the last few years, instead of a birthday gift, my mom gives us money for our birthday. She says it's easier that way and I L.O.V.E. having something I can spend on me without having to worry about which budget I'm taking it out of. But because I know it's coming sometimes I spend months dreaming of what I'm going to use my money for. This year is no different... unfortunately, my dreaming has left me with too many decisions. Now I'm having a hard time deciding how best to spend my money.

This is where you come in. Check out my wish list below. Let me know which items you would get me for my birthday. You have $80 to spend (including any tax and shipping charges).

1. wrought iron vintage mirror - $15 (plus $10 shipping)

2. Mom's Line a Day Journal or Quotable Kids journal
3. shoes - I can not decide which one of these I like best. The flats ($30) are by far the most comfortable shoes I have ever tried on but the flip flops ($25) would be perfect right now and I'm sure would last me for years.4. I'm in love with these and these and these. Similar ideas but VERY different applications. I can't narrow it down to just one. But I do need something to hang in the entryway of our house. It would have to be at least 8x10 but bigger would be better.

5. this sign: ($54 + $12.50 shipping)

6. a half tee - perfect for layering when I don't want the seam from the bottom of the tank to show through. (2 for $26 + shipping)

Have fun shopping!

ps. this money is burning a hole in my pocket, so you have until Sunday evening to vote.

Since we took away Bug's bedtime pacifier a few weeks ago, bedtime has become a nightmare. The boys share a room and will play/fight/irritate each other for hours to avoid sleeping. We've had to get both creative and harsh with them... it's no fun.

Tonight was bad and after an hour & a half of doling out the punishments, Wil took away everything. They each had a pillow and a blanket, but all of their stuffed animals, extra blankets and their beloved blankies were gone. The hallway was piled high. Things soon quieted down and the boys went to sleep.

About half hour ago we went in to tuck them in and give them back their blankies (mostly because I want them to sleep through the night). We discovered both boys in one toddler size bed, legs dangling over the edges, taking care of each other. It was such a sweet sight.

Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that they can do more than be naughty & mean to one another... and that when things are hard they'll stick together. I sure do love those boys.

The Romantic Weekend

The majestic George Washington Hotel, a modernized and updated local in the heart of Old Town Winchester is the retreat for couples. It offers access to the walking mall and several fine eateries including The Union Jack and The Dancing Goat.

This is the setting we selected for a one night get away for Lauren's birthday. For dinner, we chose a place called Sona, an Indian restaurant. Sona is one of our favorite places to eat and we love going there! We had Lamb Boti Kebab, Chicken Vindaloo, and Chicken Tiki Masalla. We enjoyed a fantastic meal that again delighted our taste buds. After dinner we retired to our hotel room. A luxurious room with a fireplace, jacuzzi tub, and a four poster bed.

As we were preparing to retire, I walked into the fireplace and broke my left pinky toe.