Inaugural Easter Egg Hunt

Asher, carefully observing the older children as they worked on their Easter art projects.

Soren fondling the dangling Easter decoration, which he quickly yanked and tore from the wall... One strand after another! Each time I attempted to save a strand of decoration another came tearing down.

I own you decorations!

Being new to the Easter activity scene, I forgot to bring Easter baskets for my babies. Doh! Asher had fun tossing eggs into other people's baskets--he was kind that way. I opened my purse to use as a 'basket' and quickly abandoned that idea when my wallet and camera became more interesting than collecting candy.

Except, it was not so much a hunt as it was an 'in your face' introduction to Easter eggs. The nursery aged children had their hunt in a small room with hundreds of eggs covering the floor--no mystery in finding an egg or 50. When Soren saw the eggs he nearly leaped out of my arms to be part of the action. I had fun and so did The Deuce. Soren was so excited about the candy that he ate through whatever wrapper to get to the chocolate. He is seriously my kid.

Watches, Deuce Style

Soren's necklace: Jamie's watch.

Asher, moving the watch from his neck to his...

Nose!

Asher and Soren make me smile daily--their cuteness is unbelievable. They also make me laugh EVERY day because even at 18 months they are enormously charming and clever. Yesterday while eating dinner Soren decided to wear Jamie's watch around his neck. He wore it so casually, as if there were NO other way to wear a watch.

Once Soren tossed the watch Asher grabbed it and he too wore it around his neck but then decided that it would make a larger statement to wear it ON his face. So, Asher ate several bites of dinner with a watch strapped to his nose. Man, did those two give us a good laugh!

Spring Hubs

Mine hubs, he's so cute.

I'm Just Sayin'...

Daily Red Meat Increases Chance of Dying Early

The new study says, "If people want to be healthy and live longer, consume less red and processed meat," global nutrition professor Barry Popkin said.

Fish, Clock, and Other Amazing Signs

Asher and Soren demonstrate more of their sign language, cuteness, and sippy cup tossing skills.

Amanda

Yay for BFFs!

Amanda introducing blossoms to Asher...I love how Asher is looking at her like, wait, who are you and why are you being so nice?

Amanda reading to my baby babes, so sweet.

Isn't she beautiful, or as Jamie says, sophisticated?

Goodbye kisses!

Asher gives TJ a thumbs up! Amanda pushed Asher around TJ's and when I wasn't within ear shot she claimed Asher was her son, how cute.

Earlier I hinted at the grand time we had with Amanda but it's time for details. Amanda, her sisters, and her mom were in NYC for a few days visiting their brother Jason and decided to spend a day in DC, lucky me! Jamie and I headed into the city Saturday morning to pick up Amanda only to find that the National Marathon was that day and many roads had been closed as a result. We could not get to union station! No worries, of course, because resourceful Amanda found a cabbie who could get her to the mall, where we were parked.

Jamie, The Deuce, and I were enjoying the tulip blossoms outside the Smithsonian castle when suddenly there SHE was...Amanda! We hugged and she nearly tackled the baby babes she was so happy to see them! Her mothering skills are effortless and she is one of those rare women who love other children as much their own, which I think is a beautiful and extraordinary talent. Asher and Soren were like, 'what the?' I can be a high energy mom but Amanda makes me look lethargic. We all reveled in her spirit.

After the mall we took the boys home to nap and I took Amanda to Wegmans, of course. We took our time choosing what to eat and had a glorious time catching up. It was so good to be in her bright presence and benefit from her warmth.

After Wegmans we went home and the boys finally woke from their nap. Amanda had brought books for them so she sat with them and carefully read the cute books to them. How sweet to see Asher and Soren so comfortably crawl into her lap to read their new books!

Before Amanda's trip was over we took her to Trader Joes, her inaugural visit! Fun! It was a day of grocery stores and renewed friendship. I can't wait to see Amanda again in May and see her genius two-year-old twins, Rebecca and Mary Gail.

Don't Be Jealous...

But this weekend my husband planned a romantic dinner to a fancy restaurant and we ate blissfully and without restraint. Lingering scents and flavors of key lime and meyer lemon dance on my tongue. Thank you hubs.

BFF Amanda spent Saturday with us. She is a very talented person but her most giving trait is her energy--she is so generous with her energy and love. She swooped into our life, for one short day, and gave us each a satisfying dose of attention and affection. She held my babies, loved them, read to them, and showed them the world. She is beautiful and we had her, for a day.

Ann and Brendan and sweet Mary Deane ate supper with us on Sunday. All the kids were fussy and demanding but their various cries and chirps were a sweet background music to such sweet company. We are so happy that we share an existence in Northern Virginia and we hope to see lots of them. Being with Ann (or Jordan) is like being home because she reminds me so beautifully of Ashley, and being with Ashley is like going home--comfortable, friendly, and loving.

My Birthday

My birthday flowers.

I took Asher and Soren on a walk in search of birthday blossoms. Each year the tulip magnolia blossom are in bloom, to some degree, and sure enough, I found my blossoms.

My birthday dinner: steamed broccoli over lemon rice with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a generous sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds. Simple, yet delicious and a nice balance to the birthday cake I ate at work.

I turned 32 years old today. A nice, uncomplicated birthday. I have loved my third decade and think it can only get better as my family grows and I grow more in love with them.

Asher and Soren started the birthday celebrations by allowing me to sleep ALL night, thanks baby babes.

Jamie left 20 pink and yellow tulips in my car so there they were, waiting beautifully for me. As if the flowers weren't poetic enough, Jamie also wrote a poem to express his love. Hubs has seriously been rocking my world, I love him.

Work was okay. I wanted to run five miles to prove that I was a youthful 32-year-old but all of the treadmills were occupied. I'll run outside tomorrow.

My boss made me a yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and it was awesome.

Vaughn and Margaret sent me a package, it was awesome. Thanks.

Is it okay to be 32 and think so many things are awesome? Hope so.

Fun at Wegs

Last night my friend Jill and I went to Wegman's for dinner--it was so great to get away for a few hours. We took our time choosing what to eat and had a million things to talk about so it was a wonderful evening. We had olives, feta, caprese salad, baguette, tomato orzo soup, and for dessert Jill got a small fruit tart and we both got white chocolate toffee cookies. So fun!

Pups

Asher and Sue with Baby, the baby babe loving dog.

Beachy Beach

Beach, here we come!

Soren loved the sand and most of all, the seemingly endless space to run!

He's such a handsome red-head, like his dad.

Sue was so sweet with Asher, always by his side, guiding and protecting him.

Jamie and Neil!

Jamie and I had the pleasure of introducing Asher and Soren to our dear friends Neil and Sue when we visited North Carolina earlier this month. What a grand time we had with them! Asher and Soren loved their home and its many sets of keys and drawers to open. Above all, they loved Neil and Sue's sweet dog Baby. He was so patient and tolerant of The Deuce! Asher was regularly giving baby generous hugs and kisses, it was adorable.

Neil and Sue took us to an aquarium and to the beach, two activities that truly thrilled Asher and Soren. I marveled to watch them absorb so many new sensations, textures, and experiences. As usual, Soren nearly spun in a circle at each new place because he couldn't decide where to run first! Asher always honed in one thing to touch or observe, it's his way.

We had a terrific visit with Neil and Sue and can't wait to return to their warmth in North Carolina!

Meyer Lemons, 100 Ways

That's what I'm talking about! An article on a hundred ways to use meyer lemons.

Bright-Eyed Cutes

Asher's cuteness was epic this afternoon, crusty nose included. He woke up after his second nap with a huge grin and pretty much kept it up for the rest of the evening. The acme of his cuteness was when we both looked out the guest bedroom window and I started to sing, "popcorn popping on the apricot tree." Asher responded to my little ditty by dancing energetically (squats, shoulder shakes) and laughing loudly. At the conclusion of the song I picked him up and nibbled on his belly, which caused him to squeal with mad joy. We repeated this song/dance number over and over and over and it was awesome.

(note: Asher's epic cuteness is what sustained me through a tremendously challenging night--Asher was up for hours and HOURS. Boy would not sleep.)

Throwing Signs

Soren shows off his multitasking skills: playing with his Tonka, coughing, and signing all at once! What a marvel!

In Defense of My Health, for Them

My baby babes a year ago today!

In thinking about my diet today while simultaneously lamenting my inability to find 30 minutes to myself for exercise, I had a most serious realization: in order to maintain a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle, I have to DEFEND myself from over eating, indulging in too many empty calories, and sedentary tendencies. Just as I would defend my virtue or honesty, I need to view my health as something to protect, largely so that I can live with my husband and children as long as possible. I desire to love them immensely and to support and encourage them to live righteously and kindly so that at the end of this life, we can live together for ever in the presence of our loving God.

Loving Carolina with Friends

The dinner spread, so lovely.

Soren loved getting stuck in the bumbo.

The Avery Room (aka Guest Bedroom)--a stunning collection of oranges and turquoise. Love, love, loved it.

Soren and Asher had a brilliant time jumping on the bed...Thanks Lucy for the idea!

Hazel and the boys!

This is not a copy folks, it's a Kershisnik original. Craig surprised Jordan with this glorious painting. Listening to them tell the story of its procurement and surprise made ME swoon. Also, don't you love Jordan's arrangement of flowers? Those Knudsens! They so effortlessly spread beauty.

Photo by Lucy!

The littlest of the littles.

Jordan and me with future mates Asher and Avery.

This post has been percolating in my thoughts for the past five days--I've spent most of my evenings this past week helping my baby babes get to sleep and haven't had time for anything else. The disruptive combination of travel, day light savings, and mild colds have caused absolute bedtime discord. But...each night gets easier and tonight was the best this week.

Anyways, our trip to North Carolina was terrific. We loved staying with Jordan and Craig and wished we would have had more time with them and their beautiful family. Jordan fixed us a wholesome dinner of sesame noodles with tofu and Craig put together a satisfying fruit salad. After the baby babes were alseep, I visited with Jordan and Craig while Jamie slept after being up for nearly 36 hours. I could have stayed up ALL night catching up with Jordan and Craig. They are seriously the COOLEST couple ever--beautiful, witty, thoughtful, totally in love, and best of all, inclusive of their joy.

Jamie, The Deuce, and I hope we see MUCH more of the Mangums--in the mountains, on the beach, and in our homes. We heart the Mangums.