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."

Six little words . . .

Inspired by Beth Moore. I am. I'm currently devouring her book, "JESUS 90 Days with the One and Only". It is a book I will probably read once a year, much like my old favorite "Gone with the Wind" . . .

I'm a self-proclaimed blog lurker, and hers is my new favorite. I read Beth's post from Friday . . . And was once again inspired. Sum up your life in six words. My mind has been whirling, trying to find the perfect six-word description of this little life I lead. Of course, I scrolled through all the great comments left by those more brilliant {make that WAY more brilliant} than myself.

So here's what I came up with. And ya'll, I am not brilliant, nor am I wise. Just honest.

Undeniably lost. Undeservedly saved. Unmistakably blessed.

Cheddar Chowder

A new {old} recipe from my family cookbook . . . This one is my mother's, a fantastic cook. I was raised on this stuff, and it really is better the second day.

Cheddar Chowder

2 c. boiling water
1/2 c. carrot slices
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/4 c. flour
8 oz. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 c. chopped potatoes {I like new potatoes}
1/2 c. celery slices
4 T butter
2 c. milk
1 c. chopped ham

Add boiling water to potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer 10 minutes {do not drain}. Make white sauce with butter, flour and milk. When thickened, add cheese and stir until melted. Add ham and {undrained} vegetables. Heat thoroughly. Better the second day.

My favorite part is the little note penned by my mom, which says "A Good Sunday Night Supper" . . . We always ate breakfast and dinner together, a rule my own family now follows.

"That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God I will give you thanks forever." Psalm 30:12

Think Pink!

Had an interesting conversation with Ben today. I should preface by telling you that Ben has shown some serious interest in pink stuff lately. The donut shop lady recognizes him each weekend, and fills his pink-donut-with-sprinkles order before we even hit the counter.

Anyway . . . He told me he wanted a pink monster truck. I kind of ignored the comment, and reminded him that he has three new monster trucks sitting on the fireplace mantel, and that once he poops in the potty he’ll get to open them {yes, this is our current non-working bribery tactic}.

Fast forward a couple of hours, we’re at Target and see Sherry and her boys. Sherry takes all the boys to look at the toys {I had to grab diapers}, and when Cameron and I catch up Ben is telling Sherry that he wants a pink monster truck. Sam {who is three, going on four} looks at Ben and says, “The pink one is for girls." At this point I was just thankful they were sold out!

A little bit later . . . . Home, sweet home. New Superman monster truck in hand, Ben is getting ready for his nap. He sets aside the mega-manly Superman truck and says to me, sweet as pie, “Mommy, I want a pink monster truck.”

YIKES. Here we go again.

“Well, Ben, the pink monster truck is for the little girls, and the ones you have are for little boys.”

Ben looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

I continue . . . “See, Ben, you have a blue one, and an orange one. Here’s the red truck one, and the black one with the American flag. All of these are for little boys.”

Ben: “Then I be a girl.”

{Deep breath, Amanda, you can handle this and still make Greg proud} I took a moment, recovered, and quickly snatched up all the monster trucks stating that he couldn’t have them anymore since they were for little boys . . . .

Without any hesitation he yelled, “Ben a boy now, Ben be a little boy!!!”

All’s well that ends well.

PS Greg was proud!

Heritage

Children are a heritage from the Lord, a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3