catch up

I guess I should jump back on the blog train. It moves way too fast for me most days. But for today, full steam ahead! (Read: Lots of photos.)

Mark and I went to Santa Barbara, CA for a weekend trip he won at work. It was wonderful: great weather, great company, great food. We ate at Jeannine's bakery twice. The glazed banana french toast was so good!

We spent an afternoon in Solvang, just 45 minutes from Santa Barbara. It's a 100 year old town settled by Danes and it has retained it's Danish charm. (Lots of Swedish influence here too). It is very touristy, but pretty fun, and I found more of my favorite Marabou chocolate (for a pretty penny).

We missed the upcoming annual Danish Days celebration by a week. I hear they have a parade and lots of good Danish fun.

 Mmmmmm. Aebleskivers.

We went to church in Santa Barbara and then headed back to the cutest airport ever. Virtually empty. Beautiful Spanish architecture and art. And a darling old painted piano right smack in the middle of the baggage claim area.

Yep. I played, by request of a fellow passenger: "The Rose" and "God Speed the Right." No, he did not request those particular songs, but when I sat down, he did convince me to perform. It didn't take much. Let me be clear, I do not actually play the piano. I just have a few songs tucked away for special occasions.

  Love these tiles.

 And the murals.

A week later, I threw a little 40th surprise party for Mark at The DUCE. He was totally surprised and thrilled! YAY! I can't believe I pulled that off.

extreme tiredness and middle age

We are home from our nothing-short-of-wonderful trip to Denmark. It was fabulous and I will post photos soon! We were so happy to see the kids again, but currently, we are suffering from some serious jet lag. Sure wish our kids would go to bed at 4 pm, because that's about the time we both crash.

Despite the crazy sleeping hours, life goes on. Including Mother's Day and my birthday, which happened to be the big 4-0, and happened to fall on the same day this year. Mark made made me crepes and bought some other delicious breakfast treats like croissants and orange San Pellagrino. Our moms came over bearing gifts and dinner. It was so nice. I did not lift a finger.

It stinks to be 40. Really really stinks. I could say much much more on this subject, but I will refrain. For now. 

S-T-I-N-K-S. 

My longtime friend, Jen, sent this box of vintage candy: what a great idea and perfect for this candy loving girl! (When one is 40, can one still be called a girl?) Our kids were in heaven examining each piece. They tried the zots and candy buttons and big red wax lips. All new to them.

Mark was awakened from an early-evening-jet-lag-nap for some photos. He was a little loopy.

My brother and his wife came too. They are so good with the kids and never without gifts. 

3 is a magic number

The "terrible twos" is a misnomer. I've always believed that three is the real age of parental concern. Nothing compares to the "let me do it" - "NO! NO! NO!"- threes (which actually starts at two, but is amplified at three). I am praying this is somehow not true with my twins. You see, they turned three this week and I am ready for some low-key, mellow, no-tantrum, eat something, anything, at dinner, times. They are sweet boys. But do the math: 

1 sweet boy x 2 = several daily situations on your hands. It's true.

We threw a little party for them and invited the grandparents to celebrate with us. I asked Hank and George what they would like to eat for their birthday dinner, and they both gave me blank stares. Is it because they hardly know what dinner is anymore? Is it my fault that they like to graze all day on graham crackers and craisins and cheese, and then are not hungry at dinner time?

Needless to say, I planned a dinner menu that the adults would like, and we let the three-year-olds eat cheetos for dinner. (It was their birthday, afterall.)
I decided on a few soups in honor of the cool 70-degree days we've been having.

Homemade green salsa and chips
Red Bell Corn Chowder (from Liz)
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Artisan Bread (from Alice)
IBC Rootbeer

Hank's only request for the past month has been "donuts and candles!" I was happy I could make all his birthday dreams came true. These two had the hardest time blowing out the candles. It was very funny!  I think we will work on that skill for next year.

Happy Birthday my sweet boys!

it's official

Hank and George are 2! To celebrate, we invited the grandparents over for lunch and cake and spent a low-key afternoon playing with hundreds of new matchbox cars. 

When we sang to the boys, Hank did not like all the attention and was ready to cry. Mark leaned in and gave him a kiss and that kept his tears at bay. Once the song was over, (and Owen blew out the candles for them) both boys clapped and were relieved it was all over.

Mom and dad were proxy party hat wearers. Because when you are two, you don't have to do anything you don't want to, including tying some silly string and cone around your head.