Ben turns THREE!

This a.m. the birthday boy requested a special Sprite. Wish #2 granted.

Wish #1 was for blueberry muffins, also granted, but not pictured.

Funny faces for the camera {okay, this was my wish, Ben happily complied}.

Ben had our undivided attention & a chocolate fudge sundae for lunch.

Standing on the table drew a little too much attention.
He made it through the first chorus of "Happy Birthday" before the tell-tale frown emerged.



He even licked the glass clean. My kinda kid.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin. Your wish is my command.

Young Master Benjamin

This kid is a monkey. A hoot. He's trouble. In the best kind of way. He's mischievous. He gets away with murder. He's happy-go-lucky. He digs the mocha flavored ice-cream drink from Sonic. A playground, any playground, will work. He loves his new Crocs {as in he's currently sound asleep in his bed wearing them}. He still loves an ice-cold glass of "nilk". He tells his baby sister at least twenty times a day that she's his best friend.

My Ben. A soon-to-be-three-year-old {hopefully soon-to-be-potty-trained}. He's all boy, all grins, all giggles. A fire-ball of energy that I can't even begin to keep up with. Truck-lover, space-shuttle-launcher, high-jumper, fast-talker, sister-hugger.

LOVE THIS KID.

Tortellini Pasta Salad

This one is one of our favorites. So simple, so yummy. We eat it all summer long . . .

Tortellini Pasta Salad

18 oz. cheese filled tortellini (I love these)

1 can artichoke hearts, quartered

1 jar sun dried tomatoes in oil (you MUST use California Sun Dry, they're the BEST)

1 T lemon juice

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp salt

Cook pasta. Drain, rinse with cool water. Toss with sun dried tomatoes and oil, {drained} artichoke hearts, lemon juice and s&p. Refrigerate.

The Wearing of the Green

Ben celebrated St. Patrick's Day with style. He joined his grandparents, Aunt Melissa and cousins Caitlin, Jacob and Matthew at The Goose's Acre for some traditional Irish fare cabbage and bacon. Actually, I think he ate a hot dog and cookies. Then he hit the Waterway for some {much-needed} sunshine and {even more much-needed} exercise.

Cameron and I were anti-social, and instead hit Starbucks to share a turkey sandwich. Well, I shared my sandwich while she hoarded the Cheerios. And while she didn't wear any green, she did munch on one of her big brother's green aliens.

Happy Birthday Big Daddy!

So we thought and we thought, and we thought some more.

What do you give the guy who already has everything?

We talked about giving you some of these.

But you already have some.

So we thought, "What about one of these?"

We decided you were too cool to have James Bond's old car.

And we didn't have enough money time.

So here's what you're getting.

Lots of this.

A bit of this, too.

May even see some of these.

Of course, there will be food. Lots of food & wine.

We'll eat at The Mosquito Cafe. They say "one bite is all it takes".

But don't worry. We'll help you blow these out.

Because SIXTY birthday candles is an awful lot.

So you pick the date. We've got the rest covered.

Happy Birthday, Big Daddy!

Love,

Amanda & Greg & Coco & Dustin

Giveaway!!

Anyone want a new blog look? This girl's got the talent . . . And she's doing a Giveaway!

Trust me, if you don't need your blog re-vamped, you will want new photos of your little ones. Talented, creative, adorable Lindsay is also an incredible photographer!

Lindsay . . . Even if I don't win, I still want a blog-over!

Zucchini Muffins

Again, can't take credit for this recipe {that'll be the day . . . }, but they are my absolute favorite, and completely blog-worthy. I think, besides my old high school Bible, the family cookbook is the most used book in our house.

Zucchini Muffins

2-1/2 c. flour
1-1/4 c. sugar
2-1/2 c. grated or shredded zucchini
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
2 lg. eggs
3/4 c. cup safflower oil
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. chopped nuts

Place all ingredients (except nuts) in a bowl. Mix well. Fold in nuts. Pour into greased/floured muffins tins.

For mini-muffins, bake 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

For regular muffins, bake 20-25 minutes 350 degrees.

From the bottom of the very page for this recipe in my cherished "All you add is Love" family cookbook is a new favorite quote . . .

"Insanity is inherited. You get it from your kids."