Happy Birthday Ian!

Today is my oldest child's birthday. It was exactly eight years ago today that Ian was born and my life changed forever.


Ian, you have thrilled me, challenged me, and made me laugh and cry. You are a smart, funny, talkative, interesting boy.


I love your silliness, your ablity to talk nonstop about video games or Pokemon or whatever else is currently the object of your interest.


I have enjoyed watching you grow and can't wait to see where you will go inthe coming years.


Happy Birthday, Ian! I love you!

Funny Conversation

Zoe was in the living room when my friend, Amy, came by to drop something off for me. I answered the door, took my package, and said, "Thanks, Amy!" as she was leaving.

As soon as the door shut behind me, Zoe asked, "Why did you call her Amy?"

"Because her name is Amy. Mommy has a name, too. Do you know what my name is?

"Mommy."

"I have another name. Do you know what it is?"

Zoe got very quiet and whispered back to me, "No. Do you?"

Yes. Yes I do know my other name.

Being three is great somedays.

Bridal Shower Cake

This past weekend I was in Ohio, picking my kids up from Grandma and Papa camp. But, before I left on Friday, I made a cake for my husband's cousin, Martha, to be enjoyed at her bridal shower. My mother-in-law and Brendan's aunts were throwing a shower for her here in the Chicago area, and although I could not attend, I happily made a cake to be shared on the special day.

Her colors are going to be ivory and brown, so after many ideas and changes in plans, I came up with this cake:


This is my second cake using fondant. I make my own using the marshmallow fondant recipe. I was very happy with the results and thought it turned out very cute. Unfortunately since I was not able to attend the shower I don't know how it went over. Hopefully it was a hit.

Inside was a snickerdoodle cake with cinnamon buttercream frosting. I'm sure that part of it was enjoyed!

Here's one more close-up.

Generation Gap

Ian had his best friend, Parker, over today. On our way home from a visit to the pool the two were in the far back seat listening to the radio. Tom Petty's song I Won't Back Down was playing. All of a sudden I hear Ian say, "Hey, I think this song was in Barnyard"

Parker dutifully replied, "Yeah it was!"

They then went into a reverie of replaying certain scenes in the movie and laughing heartily.

Yeah, Barnyard, that's exactly where that song came from.