Happy Birthday, Ava!

Yesterday was Ava's 5th birthday and we spent a lot of the day running errands. She told everyone who would listen that it was her birthday. She's so comfortable talking to adults, yet so very shy with kids. Shelby insisted on wearing her purple sparkly dress, and I didn't put up much of a fight. If you have a three-year-old, you know what I mean. Besides, we gotta let our kids express themselves! The socks and shoes were also her idea.

I'd promised them we'd make strawberry cupcakes . I thought they turned out great: spongy and moist and just sweet enough. Shelby only liked the pink frosting with sprinkles, Ava only liked the cake part. At least they had fun making them. Maybe I should rename this blog Cooking With Young'uns. Or maybe How to Exercise Your Patience Muscle.
Notice my plywood countertops. Aren't you jealous? The concrete ones are in the garage, taking up lots of space and waiting for whatever DH needs to do to them next.

Sweet Potato Pie (12/08)

Time Marches On

I just got home from working an evening shift. Delaney has been boldly standing without support for a week or two, but I was not prepared when DH called me at work to tell me she took several steps today. I am not ready for this! She's already quite busy as it is. I can hardly get anything done because she's so high maintenance, what am I going to do when I have to spend my days chasing her? I'm hoping the other two will help...
But really, what has me most upset is that she's growing up! I often remind DH that our sweet little girls will one day be lanky teenagers full of attitude. I'm aware that change is a constant thing, but it still makes me sad. I try to live in the moment and savor their sweet faces and the adorable things they say. When I think about Alex as a child, it's the 5 year old face that I see. I can still hear his voice and feel the silky smooth cheek that I kissed often, knowing that one day kisses from him would be few and far between. I lived in the moment then as much as single parenthood and a full time job allowed. My worries are not as many these days (thank God), but I know that my threats to bite the butts will one day be met with much rolling of the eyes. So I get as many kisses and hugs as I can now and savor them while they last.

Easter Fun

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Updates

I don't know what it was that had all our noses running and my head feeling like it was going to explode, but , thank God, it's over!
Delaney gained 8 oz over three weeks. The pediatrician was pleased because it showed that she could gain weight, but the labs show that there is a possible problem. More labs are in progress and I'm trying to put it out of my mind until I know something definite. Her appetite appears to have improved and she definitely enjoys feeding herself. So far we're feeding her regular oatmeal, avocado, pasta, baked or boiled potatoes, steamed sliced carrots, canned fruit, vienna sausage and what ever else I can think of that she can eat with four teeth.
The kitchen continues to be a work in progress. The concrete counter tops have been poured and demolded, but the polishing is another story. DH's work schedule has changed and it's slowing things down even more.
I'm currently planning our pre-K and kindergarten curriculum, which I plan to start in the next month or two. The renovation had brought schooling to a standstill. Ava misses her "atcibiries." I plan on using the Five In A Row curriculum and am in the process of buying the books as cheaply as possible. I've also discovered a system that I think will be very beneficial: The Workbox System.
My plan as of now is to "do school" three days a week. I hope to be able to cut my work schedule back to just weekends, but I don't know when that will be possible. I just can't commit to 5 days a week, especially just "officially" starting out. When we were doing it before it was sporadic and mostly unplanned. This will be my official "getting my feet wet" year. Although I already have an idea of the girls' learning styles, I hope to hone in on what will work best for each of them.