I forgive you...

3 is a funny age. I am finding that they soak up more knowledge than I could have ever imagined and the things that come out of their mouths... well just too much to handle some days.
Today Hannah was acting up and I scolded her and said "you are making mommy angry!". She walked over, gave me a kiss and said "Sorry Mommy, I forgive you". I just stared at her for a second and tried not to burst out laughing. She forgives me? I tried to explain that it should be the other way around. She just shook her head and said " no mommy, it's ok. I forgive you".
::sigh::
Well, at least she is polite.

Time Flies...

I have been a big slacker with the blog, but this summer seems to be going by so quickly and I just haven't had time to keep up.

Hannah turned 3 July 30th. In typical Hannah fashion her birthday was pink and princesses galore... But, I think her turning 3 hit me harder than when I turned 30! I was all :sniff sniff: all day. Thinking about the crazy day when she arrived in a dramatic fashion (which make sense now that you can see her personality!), 5 weeks early, and how she has grown since then was overwhelming. My tiny 5 pound peanut is now 25 pounds, taking dance class, talking like a mini adult and starting preschool in the fall. I now truly understand the meaning of "time flies". I do love this age (minus the temper tantrum and little attitude) but I am so afraid next time I blink she is going to be in high school or GASP- getting married or having kids of her own. I hope that I can remember to cherish all these days while she is still my little girl.
We attended a wedding this past weekend and Nathan asked me "can you picture Hannah getting Married?" I almost burst into tears at the thought! No I can NOT!! I don't want her to grow up any faster than she already is!

I also had a birthday and when you ask Hannah how old mommy is, she says Three Three. See- these are the things I have to bottle. It made me giggle each time she said it. My kids and family made my day a happy day. My dad and I shared birthdays that were just days apart, so now its bittersweet. I miss him terribly and wish he could share in his grandkids lives, I know he would just adore being a Grandpa. We lost him 6 years ago yesterday. I don't know how its been that long already. Thinking of all the things he is missing makes me so sad. But knowing he is up there to watch and protect my babies, that makes me smile.

On a happy birthday note- I was given my Keurig Coffee Maker (from the husband) and KITCHEN AIDE MIXER that I have wanted FOREVER. I also got the amazing ICE CREAM attachment. I mean really, something that can make cookies AND Ice Cream. BEST PRESENT EVER! Thanks to my amazing family!!!

My Lucas is still growing like a weed (an adorable weed). He has the biggest belly laugh and now 4 teeth!!! He took 3 good steps on his own last week and claps for himself whenever he sees fit. I always heard the phrase "mama's boy" but NOW I get it. He is my boy, for sure.

It's just a matter of time...

Lucas is pulling himself up and standing with the help of anything he can grab. One handed or no hands when he forgets and lets go. I have a feeling the walking will begin soon! It just better not while I am on vacation because I would hate to miss it! The amount of trouble he already gets into is unbelievable. I can not imagine what I am in for when he is fully mobile and moving at a full run!!!

A note my babies.

To my baby boy, you are growing up so quickly! Crawling, standing all by yourself, and learning more each day. I watch you wonder where time is going. Your laugh makes me smile to my core and the way you look at your sister melts my heart. I hope you always look at her with that much love and she you.
& to my Darling Girl, I can not believe you will soon turn 3. How can that be when you were just a tiny baby, so small I wondered if you would ever weigh 10 pounds. Now you are so smart, speaking like a mini adult with a tiny voice. Loving your brother and being such an amazing big sister. Your sudden "mommy, I love you" through out the day light my world.
I love you both.
Mommy

Baked Potato Salad

I hate Potato Salad. It makes me gag (sorry, TMI). I have never in 32 years enjoyed it. Until two weeks ago. During a picnic, I tried a new version- Baked Potato Salad. I tried it because it had cheese and bacon in it & normally those two things make most foods better. This potato salad is Amazing!!! Thank you Wegmans (they always have great products & recipes)
Here it is, off their website. Really, SO yummy!!!

2 bags (24 oz each) Baby Red Potatoes, 1-inch dice
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
8 slices Bacon
1 cup Classic Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Sour Cream
4 small green onions, trimmed, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp minced shallot
1 cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 pkg (0.25 oz) Food You Feel Good About Italian Parsley, chopped
Add All Ingredients to List
You'll Need: Large baking sheet
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Toss potatoes, oil, salt, and pepper in bowl. Place in single layer on baking sheet. Roast 20-25 min or until potatoes are tender and lightly browned. Set aside to cool. Chill l hour.
Cook bacon to desired crispness; chop into small pieces. Set aside.
Blend mayo, sour cream, green onion, shallot, bacon, and cheese in large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Toss potatoes with mayo mixture and parsley until combined.

Hope you try it and enjoy!

Crawler!

Lucas is on the move. Pray for me. :)

A LOOONG weekend.

I was so looking forward to having a 3 day weekend. A BBQ scheduled for everyday and visiting with good friends and family. **insert evil laugh here** Saturday started off well, a nice hot day and Sex and the City 2- It was ok, did not live up to expectations but the company was great none the less. After that we had a BBQ at our house and had a great time. SO nice to visit with friends and I love hosting! I don't know why, but I just love planning, cooking and having guests.
Oh, and I had the BEST POTATO SALAD EVER. That statement is huge considering I normally HATE potato salad. But one of my girls brought over Baked Potato Salad. YUM. Filled with cheese, chives, bacon (one of my all time fav. foods) and sour cream, it was fantastic. I will share the recipe once I get it.
Sunday started off well. Cooking a huge amount of cheese potatoes for my cousins graduation party. The hubby decided to go out for bike ride. O.M.G. An hour before we are supposed to leave I get "the call". You know, the one where your hands shake and you can't get into the car fast enough? He went over his handle bars and his face/head met the ground. He will be fine, but we spent the rest of the day/evening in the ER getting him cleaned up, stitched up and pain "meded up". We are thankful nothing was broken and that the bike helmet he wears did its job. But the rest of the long weekend was a lost cause. Two little ones and a broken hubby and I am officially tired. Well, go to bed then! Right? But no, lets blog about it first. That way I have a record of the crappy weekend I was looking so forward to.
But on a much funnier note, Lucas is crawling. Well, sort of. He gets up on his hands and feet with his bum in the air and somehow moves himself across the floor. Very amusing to watch, but darn he is now fast and we are not even at a "full" crawl yet!
Today he got across the room in about 45 seconds. Why do we wish them to be mobile again? It makes life that much more interesting I suppose.
Hannah never crawled, she sat on her butt and scooted across the floor by using one leg to push herself around. And she didn't walk until 18 months. This child on the other hand, I think he will be walking by the end of summer. I am in trouble.