Finally made it to DC!!

We finally made it in to DC on Tuesday! The bride's father gave all 10 of us a ride in to town (about 20-30 minutes). Actually, he took us to the outermost metro (subway) stop and from there we rode another 40 minutes or so in to Union Station. We were crammed in "the behemoth" as they called it and Don Deline, the bride's father and a personal friend of John McCain's, gave the Brits a lesson on American presidential campaigns. Now, being a Navy man, I'll give you one guess as to who got his vote, however, as he put it, "I'm ready to take the ride" meaning, of course, a democratic ride. He was very informed and explained things very well and they asked about everything from environment to taxes.
It would have taken me a good bit of the morning to have figured out that subway system, but those Londoners had it in no time, so I did what they told me to do and they had the public transportation mastered!

Self portrait in Union Station. It's so pretty!

Then we took a very expensive sightseeing bus to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. It was really cool and we exited it 2 hours later on the National Mall entrance to see...

...the Capitol Building. This was as close as I got.

We then walked in bitterly cold wind down to the Smithsonian Castle, but we didn't have time to go in. A picture will suffice for now!

We continued walking down the mall to get to the Washington Monument.

As we went around it we could see beyond it to the right the White House. I did take a picture, but it looks pretty miniscule, so we'll move on, shall we?

Oh, yes, there were beautiful fall leaves everywhere. This is only a preview of more to come!

World War II Memorial. Quite stirring. Along the left side of this picture you can see little black panels in the wall? Those are bronze looking reliefs of various vignettes of life during the war from bending over the radio hearing news of the war, to enlisting, to fighting, burying, and finally, celebrating the end. There are columns all around that pond each one topped by a wreath and written on it is a state or territory of the U.S.

Vietnam War Memorial. Along the bottom you can find little mementos and pictures and letters that people have left for their loved ones. Very moving. It still affects us today.

This is overlooking it all: the Lincoln Memorial. Grandiose in size yet simple inside.

At the very top and center of these steps lies an inscription in the granite to commemorate the very place where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech. It gave me goose bumps to stand in that spot and look out over the mall and imagine it covered with people. Thoughts of possible coming presidential events weren't far from my mind, either.

There he still sits. On the wall behind me is engraved the Gettysburg Address ("Four score and seven years ago...") and on the other side is another famous speech (forgive me, I can't remember what it was). It is inspirational to read it there in that place with his "presence", if you will, and the solemnity of remembrance of so great a man in so difficult a time.

This was my favorite touring day. We had very little time, but we crammed in all we could and walked a whole lot in very cold, windy weather. So very worth it. I felt so American! And what was cool is that no one had to tell anyone to be hushed and respectful, it just was. Kids weren't playing around, people weren't laughing and joking. We remember. I hope we always do.

Naval Academy

Okay, so now we're at Monday morning and we were once again treated to breakfast. We all crowded in to the B&B for "Bagels and Bloody Marys". Not being the bloody mary type, I was happy with a Coke! Then we watched bride and groom open gifts (they're going on a honeymoon later). This took some measure of patience on my part because I was more than ready to get the sightseeing going. However, I'm just not the kind of wedding crasher that's all about me, you know!! So, I waited patiently....
After that affair, we didn't have time to do much so we decided to tour the Naval Academy. It was fantastic! We had a great tour guide and even though the chapel and crypt were closed, what we did see was so pretty and unique and we got some great stories!

This is Bancroft Hall, the residence building. There's only one, but it has 8 - count them - 8 wings. All 4,400 midshipmen (what they're all called, women, too) eat, sleep, study here. They also ALL file into the King's hall (the dining hall) to eat at the same time every day, sit and eat family style, are served by the plebes (first-years) and are finished and cleared out in 30 minutes. Crazy efficient!!

Inside the main entrance to the residence hall. No ordinary "dorm" is it? It has marble floors and engravings all around. It's really beautiful. Up those steps behind Phillipa's overexposed head is the memorial room and it is a stunner!
I'm afraid that's all the pictures I got, but if you are ever near there, you gotta go. It's very, very neat!

Wedding Day

It was terrible weather every day I was there, except for Sunday, the day of the wedding. It was sunny, cool, and absolutely perfect!!

After the crab feast the first night with all of the family, friends (and me!) we crashed hard and slept well, though the poor Brits all woke up super early...body clocks, gotta love 'em!

The wedding wasn't until the afternoon, and there was a breakfast soiree for all of the family, friends (and me!) at another historic Annapolis home. It was fantastic! I mean, any breakfast that starts with being greeted by a mimosa is tops with me!

We then wandered back through the city and after a Starbucks stop, we crossed the street and I saw this guy sitting on the bench:

I mortified Holly by plunking down next to him and asking him if I could take a picture with him. I mean, he's part of the scenery, right? He was a 2nd year midshipman at the Naval Academy. I appreciated that even more after we toured the Academy (day 3). He was very nice, but I thought Holly would crawl under a rock!

The wedding was held here in the gardens of the William Paca house. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The wedding party walked down that loooooong "aisle" in the center, the small gathering of family, friends (and me!) stood under that tree on the left while the wedding party went up and over the bridge to do the ceremony. It was really pretty!

A not-so-perfect picture of Holly and I after the wedding. Sorry I didn't get a picture of the fabulous shoes! Over Holly's shoulder you can see the bride and groom kissing taking their wedding photos. All of the Brits wore hats - it's a British thing, apparently!

After the wedding, the couple took off on a horse-drawn carriage while the guests were led on a 45 minute walking tour of Annapolis that ended at the yacht club. Swanky, no?

The best send off ever: at the end of this dock, there is a sailboat owned by the bride's father. He and some family strung the mast and the deck with white lights and when the reception was over and it was dark, the couple walked down the dock with the guests following, boarded the boat and sailed off. It was truly magical!!

So ends Day 2. Note that I have yet to pay for anything but coffee and souvenirs!

Annapolis, Mary-land!

I loved (and, yes, had a little laugh about) the way the Brits said "Maryland". They say "Mary" just like we would and then "land"...hard to write, but it was funny. Hence the title of this post.

Then when I tried to teach them how we say it (because they asked, not because I "corrected" them), they would lower their voices about 2 octaves and try to say it quickly and run the words together. Very funny.

ANYWHO...

so I just got home last weekend from a great, fun trip to Annapolis and Washington, D.C. I went to spend time with Holly who was there for a wedding of a close friend of hers from London. We were actually staying in Annapolis and drove in to DC two days.

Day 1 - I landed in D.C. at about 11:30am and after a $60 taxi drive I arrived at the Chez Amis, the B&B that the bride's parents own and operate. It is overflowing with family and I know NO ONE. Holly is not due to arrive until about 6:30 or 7 that night. A man, who I now know is the groom, makes his way over and introduces himself. "Very nice to meet you. Congratulations!" I say. He then introduces me to Michelle, his bride to be. We hug because that's what you do to your friend's friends, right? It is now plainly obvious to everyone as they put the pieces together ("Okay, so she just met the groom, just met the bride...I don't know her...you don't know her...why is she HERE?) that I am the wedding crasher!

No matter, I just want to get the key to where I'm staying and get the heck out of wedding central! I finally manage to do that but I don't stay there long. I head out to explore historic Annapolis which my room is smack in the middle of! Here's what I find at the end of the street:

This is a sort of market square where I stopped for coffee. It was very cold,

blustery and wet. Perfect for coffee! There was a lot of that: cold, wet weather and coffee!

This is the dock that is immediately to my left and comes right up to market square.

This is Main St. which I walked to the top of from the Square. There's a great little Starbucks that's in a basement. Coolest one I've ever seen.

Since I'm about a 2 minute walk from the Naval Academy and it's game day (they were playing SMU), there are the Navy flags on the poles. I bought a couple of shirts for Reed and I and a pink Navy sweatshirt for Evy.

One side of the State House. The oldest capitol building still in use in the U.S.

It was the capitol for the 13 colonies in 1783 and George Washington himself resigned his commission as commander in chief here.

A typical house in Annapolis. Cute little historic duplex.

Cute little courtyard all decorated for fall!

More about this later. It was located right at the end of the street I was staying on.

Hope you enjoyed this mini tour of historic Annapolis! Tomorrow: "How to Crash a Destination Wedding and Eat and Explore for Free All Week!"

Just Random Ranting

1. t.u. lost to Tech. This is a victory I can only partially enjoy because Tech fans are just weird, outrageous and annoying. Did you see them rush out onto the field before the game was over? Twice?! stupid. (sorry, Michelle, I'm sure you weren't one of them!).

2. haha! I just saw this:

I knew there was something I didn't like about him...now it all makes sense! ;-)

3. Those mall cart people: you know... the ones in the middle of the mall with their crap hanging from the carts? They hound you! NO, I don't want your crap...no, not even a free sample! Leave me alone! My seriously practical and to-the-point mother in law was once approached by a cart person who said, "May I ask you a question?" to which she said, without a hesitation in her step or reply: "No." I laughed and laughed.

4. Boston Legal: does anyone watch this show but me? I just can't seem to help liking these silly, quirky characters that David E. Kelley keeps coming up with and this show is no exception. Ugh, but the commentary he unashamedly dishes out is too much. Last night especially! James Spader, the intelligent, never loses a case lawyer and his best friend, William Shatner, who is the do-nothing, stupid, losing his mind partner that everyone just tolerates, went at it last night over who they were voting for. Of course Shatner admits to a completely stunned Spader that he intends to vote for McCain to which Spader proceeds to spew a veritable Obama campaign speech! Ugh. Gimme a break! Can I just watch a show and not get barraged by political and/or social commentary? I guess not. I think I watched my last episode.

5. plantar fascitis: No, I'm not a fascist...it's a foot thing. When I was in DC we took a big, uphill hike from the metro stop up to the National Cathedral. In doing so I somehow injured my foot and now have what I think is plantar fascitis. It hurts like crazy...still! The only thing that makes it feel better? Not putting any weight on it. If I do have to be on it the next best thing is wearing running shoes. A nice look. Steph thinks I should go with the skirt, blouse, panty hose and running shoes look, what do you think?
I've read it could take as much as 6 months to a year of just letting it heal on it's own and staying off of it. Right.
It was worth it, though. The cathedral is breathtaking.

6. Oh, ok, here's a GOOD thing: remember Jack from Men in Trees? (I know there are, like, 3 of us who watched that show...) Anyway, he's Samantha's new boyfriend in Samantha Who?! I really like him and he's equally likable on this show, too. yea.

Okay. I think that's all.
Reading back over this, I think I may watch too much tv? Though it's really mostly on Monday night....
I feel better now.
Thanks. No comments necessary, I was quite opinionated in this post. Sorry if I offended. ;-)

Happy Fantasy/Fall/Harvest Day!!

Ah, so good to be back and I'm so glad that Evy obliged me by putting on her costume again long enough for me to take these quick photos today!

For those of you who don't have children, or grandchildren, you probably need an explanation of her costume. We watch a LOT of PBS around here and her current favorite show is SuperWhy! There are 4 Super Reader characters on this show but did she pick the princess character for whom we already have plenty of dresses to choose? Of course not! She had to be Wonder Red. Perfectly acceptable, though, because who of the Allison/Cutshall women doesn't love red?

So, here she is in her Wonder Red glory!!

"Wonder Red, with WORD POWER!!!"

(The red purse-like thing is her "word basket"!)

Thank you, Gram! We LOVE it!

I think she might just sleep in it tonight!

You won't believe this dress!

Wow. It's totally stunning. So this is my shameless-I can't pass it up attempt to have it for myself...uh...I mean, my daughter!! :-) Go check it out:
Grosgrain: Marie-Thérèse Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!

Just in case you need it...

Maybe you smarter than me people have already discovered this, but I found a very useful link to a voter's guide and wanted to pass it along. freevotersguide.org
I fully intend to vote early as I have learned my lesson about long lines for presidential elections! But that means that I have to make my decisions about all of those other races, too, which I know even less about! So this is a big help to me, and you can take it in with you to vote!
Hope it helps!

Okay...you people who are smarter than me...

Can anyone please explain to me what in the heck McCain is talking about when he keeps saying "earmarks"? I thought that's what I did to the corner of my catalogs to remember where all the stuff is that I want...or in my BHG magazine when I see something I like.

I listened as intently and carefully as I could last night and could not infer what "earmarks" were.

Someone help a politically challenged mind out! Thanks!

P.S. I agree with Steph that little Mrs. Palin was much more entertaining to watch than these two! Though I did manage to make it through the whole thing!

Oh my goodness. I just knew she'd be there!!

Check this out, girls!
If I actually saw her I don't know what I'd say!! :: gasp :: Maybe I did...maybe she passed right by me and I didn't even know it! Maybe she even bumped my bum and muttered, "Excuse me" and I was totally unaware! (Do British people mutter? And I think they say, "Pardon", right, Holly?) So, maybe I would have known it was her if I'd heard her speak.
I always knew I loved Round Top... but now I know it's Sacred!
P.S. All tongue in cheek, ladies, really!

Some more ugly...

Well, I could wait until I've gotten some more sleep, read my Bible and gotten my perspective back, but, well, we're supposed to be real, right?
I'm whiney and tired and selfish. I want my husband home NOW! He's having to work nights this week in order to run a training that is taking place in Singapore. I know, I know...at least he's here and not in Singapore...but really, is he here? He'll be leaving at 7pm (as he did tonight, because it's Monday over there) and comes home at 4 or 5am. Then the sleeping begins. And then, this Saturday he will actually leave to go to India again. Sometimes I HATE his job. Does everyone really have to "pay their dues"? When are we all paid up?
I don't want to be single mom for two weeks. Doing all the cleaning, cooking, dishes, laundry, mowing, trash taking outing, playdating, bathing, time-outing, spanking, reading...etc.
And, to top it off, it's prime time. Y'know, prime time, folks. Business time.

Oh, well. I'm done whining now. That video never fails to make me laugh!
Moment by moment, don't think about the whole thing...got it.
Thanks for listening! (and a prayer wouldn't hurt!)

Want a Sneak Peek? a.k.a. The Round Top Report!

Here ya go!

Yeah, my mom and I forked out the bucks for preview day today. It's such a frenzy!

This year there was yet more european antiques (to my mom's dismay and my delight!). There was a buzz all over all of the french stuff, but it was all unbelievably expensive!

The sunburst mirror you see in the picture above...they were all over! And, again, very expensive. I also think it was a Marburger requirement this year to have a mannequin for sale in your booth!

This booth was so well put together. I thought of you, Casey! Such a neat idea with the typeface letters in the pharmacy bottles with beads inside. Nifty look!

This is the same booth. Yet more great looks! There is also a lot of ironstone, as always.

And was I just dreaming or was someone looking for a bread box/container? I saw this one for $60. French enamel...cute. I saw another two level one later that would also be super cute on a desk that was less than that.


This one is for Morgan. Note that the toothbrush says, "Dr. West's" - funny, I couldn't resist. Mo, I also saw some great carts and a couple of cute wagons for every price - it just depended on the dealer!
I saw a pair of silhouettes for $14 at Cole's in Warrenton (the only stop we made at W).
Casey, I also saw a great vintage typewriter, but didn't see the price. I didn't see any globes, though, but maybe I wasn't looking hard enough...maybe they're all waiting for you at Warrenton!
Cat, I didn't see any yellow (you weren't very descriptive with that, btw!)...but plenty of french vintage fabric (beautiful, but a little pricey) and quite a few old buttons (probably more of those at Warrenton).
Julie, I definitely had a good time! The weather was great though maybe a little bit warm today, but it's supposed to be cooler by tomorrow.

And I'm proud to introduce you to my new decor waiting for me to pick it up on Saturday when I go back.....

No, not the weird shell bird bath (puh-lease!!) - the great old white painted doors! Yummy! They are going to hang in my dining room (I think!!). Surprise, Reed! I did buy something...you just didn't see it...and you didn't ask...but there they are!

So, if you're going on Saturday (sounds like that's when most of you are heading up there) maybe we can meet up!

Now next year, remember, if you tell me what you want (in detail, people!) I'll scout it out for ya!

Man, I love Round Top in the fall!! Have fun, everyone!

Who's In?

Okay, ya'll...do you feel it? The itch to include something orange or red or brown into your wardrobe or your home? The yearning to get out your sweater box though you want to wait until you really need them? Do you find yourself looking intently at your trees willing their leaves to change color...any color? The inate hope that maybe, maybe tonight the weatherman will tell me that there's a cold front...I'll even take a cool front...on it's way that will actually make it all the way to Houston?
Yes, I feel it. All of these Fall Nesting posts from other bloggers. And THIS one from an old friend of mine just about made me lose it (seriously...in her back yard, no less!)! But, no worries, friends, because we're about to make them all turn green....because it's that time again!

ROUND TOP!!
So, who's in?
Are you going?
What day(s)?
With whom?
Which show are you going to? Marburger? Warrenton?
What are you looking for? What are you hoping to find?
Let's get together! Leave comments with your thoughts for this Fall's Show! WooHoo!

Meet the Teams!!

Yup. It's that time again. Amazing Race 13 starts September 28th!
I can't wait!!
Go here to meet the teams!

Ongoing

Hi, Friends!
I suppose an update is in order, so here's the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The bad:
We lost our power at midnight Friday night. I was already in bed with Evy by my side. Reed, who said he was going to stay up for the storm came to bed when the power went out. We all slept right through it though it got increasingly warm, then hot! We woke up to find some large branches down, but nothing major to us or any of our neighbors. It was windy and wet Saturday morning and we decided to join our neighbors outside to clean up yards. Ours took forever because it's so large (we really rethinking the decision to have a big yard EVER again!). The winds stopped before noon and that's when it got super hot.
The ugly:
Evy handled the heat like a pro. She never complained. She was actually trying to cheer ME up! Reed just felt like he was camping again in boy scouts, so he was fine. I was miserable. I was content, though, to work on a puzzle in our living room. It took my mind off of the heat. There was just no breeze, no air, just stiffling heat. Mental note: next time you see a battery operated fan: buy it! I was not pleasant at all.
Also, our little mini-vacation was cancelled for this weekend.
One more ugly: Evy's school suffered some pretty major damage and is closed until further notice! AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!
The good:
Lots of helping neighbors - giving and receiving.
A cheery, helpful, pleasant daughter!
Power on as of Sunday morning (my bag was packed ready to leave to go anywhere to avoid another day of heat!).
My parents staying with us and giving us all their food before it spoils. We grilled steaks and ate outside on the deck the other night! They still don't have power as of today, so we expect them again tonight! While this is a bit more stressful for them, I actually like having them with us. And so does Evy.
Helping others who still don't have power. We passed out ice to a nearby neighborhood yesterday. They were very appreciative - it was great!

So, that's it from our little corner. Hope to resume regular life soon!

One last summer fling

I know technically her summer doesn't really end. I mean, I still have three days of the week to take her to the zoo whenever I want. BUT, the zoo was the one place she'd wanted to go all summer and we hadn't yet, so Reed came along with us this past Saturday to fulfill her summer list!

The macaws

Playing in the splash park in the Children's Zoo area. Once we get here, it's hard to leave!

Does every native Houstonian have this picture? This is actually the second picture like this of Evy.

Yes, there's an animal back there. You get a prize if you can tell me what animal it is and where it is! (Yes, it's out - not in that cave somewhere.)

The giraffe. My favorite. And apparently, as Stephanie bluntly pointed out, "It's everyone's favorite animal!" True or false. I think a poll is in order here. Vote on the side, please! (I like how this is shaping up to be quite the interactive post, eh?)How can you finish a hot day at the zoo without ice cream? And how can you give a cutie like this ice cream without sprinkles?

Fun times.

Well, I gotta go pick up the girl from school now. :-)

The Annual First Day of School Picture

How cute and big is she?!

And no tears this year! (hers or mine! - but just wait until next year!!)
P.S. Cuter, better, reversible, made-by-mom-with-love apron coming soon!

You think you're so funny!

Dear Anonymous,
That cracked me up! I can't believe no one else noticed that in my previous post as I listed the SIX people that I tagged next...I neglected poor little #4.
That's fine. That's fine. I got a good little laugh ('cause I'm humble like that...!). Now I guess it's your turn.
#4. Mrs. (or Mr.) Anonymous - yup, I'm calling you out! If you are who I think you are - it's about time you started a blog anyway. Now you can give me credit for making you do it!
HA HA HA - That was my best laugh of the week!

Is there anything random about me?

You know the drill now, right? I mean, has everyone been tagged by now? Well, thanks to Karen, it's my turn. I'm really not sure how random I am. I mean, it seems decidedly un-random to have already written a list of possible random things on paper first!? I also had to go back to this post to make sure I wrote something new!

The rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag

Okay...

1. Hidden talent: I can "strum" my nose. Hard to explain, but there's this way that I sort of itch/sniff my nose using my fingers (not picking, mind you!) and it makes a strumming sound. I probably won't show you unless it's just us, so don't ask me in the middle of a big group or anything!

2. Wanna-be talent: If I could play any instrument, it would be the drums. Love it. I would love to learn and play. It's so unexpected to find a girl drummer. That's so cool. Like a girl bassist, right? Remember Beth? Very cool.

3. I just made my first ETSY purchase and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival! When on our Mexico trip, I lost a little zippered pouch that I carry in my purse one week of the month (you get me, right?) and when I couldn't find one that was cute anywhere (it should at least be cute, right?), I decided to try ETSY. I found this perfect one and paid only about $7 including shipping. Yea, ETSY!

4. Loudness really annoys me. I don't know which came first: the sensitivity to loud or teaching. Did teaching cause the annoyance or am I a teacher and therefore have this sensitivity? I'm very auditory and, well, y'know what...I don't know why, but I can only take loudness for a certain amount of time. Yelling BUNCO - fine. Listening to Rob Thomas cranked up in my car - fine. "MAMA!! MAMA!!" at 7:30am - not fine. Kindermusik for more than 45 minutes - not fine. Some people just seem to be louder than others. I'm always shushing around my house. "I'm right here." I'll quietly say to the offender.

5. I'm a gamer. There I've admitted it. There was a huge Tetris stint in college where all I wanted to do was plug in my walkman (yeah, yeah, I'm old - it was The Cure, too! haha!), eat pizza and rock on Tetris. I was good! Then I was game free for a long time until Reed introduced me to Civilization on the computer. I've been addicted ever since. At least once a week I play for a couple or more hours. We don't have any gaming system mostly because of me, not Reed.

6. I have scoliosis. My lower spine has a slight curve in it. The doctor says it will be fine and shouldn't change, but sometimes I get paranoid about it. When I bend over, one shoulder blade is more pronounced than the other and I get very uncomfortable, very quickly in certain seats, car seats in particular - Reed's Acura more than any other. wierd.

Okay, that's all, kids. Everything else about me is completely normal and boring. ;-)

I tried to look back and see who's been tagged or not, but it gets confusing. So here's who I tag and if you already have been tagged, consider this more pressure:

1. Mrs. Haskew

2. Mrs. Barosh

3. Mrs. Baudoin

5. Mrs. Tam

6. Mrs. Hargrave

(Using our "new" married names is kinda fun and different and, dare I say, random?!)

Another chance to serve!

So, I've been given this goal of participating in at least one service type activity for our family each month. I feel that this is just as valuable, if not more, than any of the other things we do. And it really helps us teach MaryEvyn about life outside of herself and her wants (which is hard for a four year old!). I thought I'd share them with you not to boast (because of course the idea, the goal was God's anyway!), but, rather, to hopefully give you and your family some ideas to do the same! It's so much fun - especially as a family!

So this month we had donated school supplies for Second Mile in connection with Crossbridge but we weren't able to participate in the distributing process. I was sad about that because that's where you get to REALLY be a part of it and see the direct results, y'know. But then I got this email from Bobby Delgado about a bash that he was doing at his church over in Spring Branch and would we want to donate and/or help? Perfect!

We rounded up some more school supplies and headed out there Saturday afternoon. We dropped off our supplies (you can see all the bags in the photo above) and were surprised to find all the other fun happening. This wet blow up slide-y thing, face painting, popcorn, sno-cones, hot dogs, and, my favorite - this awesome rapper dude. He was great so I captured some of it for you (albeit out of focus, sorry!).

Good times and another great reminder for our family of how blessed we are and, more importantly, WHY we're blessed...so that we can bless others and show God's love in a practical way. Super fun!

I got one for ya'!

I've seen several recipes on blogs before but since I hate to cook, I measure them by my usual criteria: 1. how many ingredients are there, and 2. how much chopping do I have to do, and 3. how many dishes will I have to dirty (and, consequently wash) to make it.

Most fall short. (Kraft has saved the day for me!)

However, I frequently participate in a fruit/veggie co-op and was enticed by the most recent order list which included peaches, pears, carrots and kiwis. I knew that surely there was some simple little desserty thing that could be whipped up with those peaches. Sure enough I found this terrific little gem of a "recipe" on allrecipes.com that I remembered my mom making once.

So without further adue:

1 large fresh peach - peeled, pitted and sliced (Reed got to do this part)

1 teaspoon brown sugar

2 tablespooons sour cream

1 tablespoon chopped pecans

And the complicated directions?

Place sliced peach in a small serving dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar and spoon sour cream on top. Sprinkle with pecans!

YUM!

I know the sour cream doesn't seem right, but I'm tellin' ya, it's fantastic with the brown sugar to cut some of the sourness. And this is about as "healthy" as I can stand a dessert!

I had all of the ingredients on hand (a supreme bonus!) and we enjoyed these while watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Perfection!

I really should do this more often!

Why do I seem to forget the benefits of inviting a friend to play with my only child?
I do get a little tired out from more than one and, sometimes, my introverted self gets a little taxed after a while when a mommy comes, too. (Please don't misread that - I love playdates with mommies, it's fantastic, but it's not relaxing...does that make sense? If it doesn't, you're not an introvert according to my definition!) Anyway, I digress....
Today is MaryEvyn's "actual birthday" as we say, and, again, my plans for it were thwarted by Edouard on Tuesday. Long story short, we couldn't go swimming with the cousins. So, I decided to call up one of Evy's favorite friends who didn't get to come yesterday and see if she could come and play today.
It was absolutely perfect! We gave Evy the dollhouse so they could play with it, but by the time girlfriend arrived and we had all eaten lunch, all they wanted to do was pretend to be babies and little mamas! Then there were boxes to be used as cradles which turned into cars which were then buses. There was the beloved Dr. play game, oh, and yes, the coloring messages to put in the mailbox.
And what did I do this whole time? All 3 hours? Nada. Nothing!
Okay, well, I did read a book and occasionally help put on a play dress or reattach something or other...but that's it! They didn't even argue or fight!
About the time girlfriend left, I was putting Evy down for a nap when Reed came home early and announced that he was going to do the same. More blissful quiet reading!
I really should do this more often!

I'm not sure who loves this dollhouse more...

...MaryEvyn or me!!

I love the detailed little furniture with this collection. (We'll be collecting more here and there.)Here's the grill - there's a small knob on the side that flips the grill from the empty side to the other side full of burgers and hot dogs! Adorable!!

Then here a few pics from the splash play date we had on Wednesday (thanks to Edouard!). And a sincere thanks to the Nilssons for letting us borrow this fantastic splashy stuff!

Joshua enjoyed spraying the water from the "dueling noodles" directly down the french drain in our backyard. Nice.

By far the big hit, though, was the bucket that filled with water to dump on yourself as Elora is about to demonstrate!

Evy and and her pink pal Eloise as mermaids.

Nothin' draws 'em in like candles, singing and cupcakes! Chocolate with pink and purple icing was her request!

Tonight it's dinner at Lupe's Tortila's (as Evy calls it). This was her request, too, because she likes to play in the sand. That's fine because we like to stuff our faces with beef fajitas (and maybe a margarita for a tired party-throwin' mama)! I was reminded by my mom of how I used to request the Old San Francisco Steakhouse down Westheimer for my birthday just so that I could ride the swing (it was amazing!) even though I HATED (and still do) steak. (okay, there's one exception: filet mignon!)

Every birthday becomes more and more fun. This year has been my favorite so far!

Four is great!