Survival

It's time for a beer.  M's been sick since she started puking Wednesday night and although P's high fever broke yesterday, his sour mood persists.  He's currently yelling for Justin from his crib (supposed to be napping) despite the fact that I've told him numerous times that Daddy is on a bike ride (the truth, I swear).  M desperately needs a nap too but thus far she's been fighting it in her room during quiet time with tears and wailing.  I've been up since 6:30 this morning (thanks Parker) and have managed to not seriously injure or maim anyone so now that it's 4pm, I'm going to celebrate this major accomplishment with a cold one.  So much for losing weight this summer...I'll just try to save my sanity.

(I do love my children; I just wish they didn't get sick and tired and whiny and ornery and stubborn all at the same time when I've only had 5 hours of sleep and one cup of coffee.)

spring, Montana style

I promise to post about Madeleine and Justin's birthdays but I couldn't pass up the chance to show you the fun I had with the kids at the end of last week. Although we're currently experiencing cold, snow, and gray skies this week, last week was glorious. With one day even reaching 60, I was itching to get dirty. We broke out the shovels and got to work weeding and worming. Mads and I even managed to plant some seeds on Saturday before getting 2 inches of snow Sunday morning. Spring in Montana.

Wind. Powers the butterfly.

On a side note, Parker's decided to start potty training. Personally, I think it was his way to combat all of the attention Mads was getting for her birthday. I've been impressed with his interest (every day for the last 9 days) and lack of accidents (just 1). We haven't left the house without a diaper but inside he proudly wears his Lightening McQueen undies or goes without. He has embraced his twoishness which often comes out in challenging yet harmless ways. Like the afternoon he refused to wear pants or let me change his diaper while insisting on layering on a Hawaiian shirt. Like I said, harmless. And entertaining. And it's warm enough to tolerate. Spring.

Volcano cake

Over a month before her birthday, Madeleine told me she wanted a chocolate cate with chocolate buttercreme frosting to eat on her big day. Then the volcano fascination began shortly thereafter and I decided to try and combine the two interests. Here's what resulted.

This is a 3 cake mix creation: two layers of red velvet and one of chocolate. I cooked them all in the angel food cake pan (the red velvet together...almost overflowed the pan) and the chocolate by itself. Trimmed to look more like a volcano with the crumbs scattered at the bottom, I covered it in almost 8 cups of buttercreme frosting (Wilton recipe online) and added red and orange suger sprinkles along with dinosaurs for decoration. I placed a small cup inside the cake to hold dry ice. I was taking the cake to M's preschool for snack and wanted to add some special effects. After adding dry ice and pouring colored and thinned marshmellow fluff on top of it, I poured some boiling water in the cup to make the dry ice "smoke" and the fluff bubbled and overflowed down the sides. (Video to follow later) The kids ooohhed and aaaahhhed much to my delight. Did I mention that I made this cake the night after I had my wisdom teeth pulled? Gotta admit, I felt a bit like supermom :)

Kids

There are days when I can't quite get enough of these two.

Mads had a great birthday (thanks for asking!) and I'll be posting pics of it soon as soon as I can steal some from my dad. (Hey Papa, can you please hurry and post them to Picasa? People wanna see some birthday fun! Thanks :)

Loaded

My dad took this picture of Justin and me right after I got home from having my wisdom teeth out last Thursday. Flattering, right? It may just grace the front of this year's Christmas card (as if I actually send out Christmas cards...)

Healing

Quick update...
Justin's surgery on Tuesday was very successful. The surgeon found more damage to the labrum than the MRI had shown and was impressed that Justin had lasted this long with such a weak shoulder. He sewed up the 3 spots that were torn and then found another tear in his bicep muscle and repaired that as well. The block they had given him wore off this afternoon and he's been in a lot more pain but we're managing it the best we can with ice and medication. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers during this!
My parents made it to town this evening. The kids showed off their silliness and have already made plans for what they're going to do with Papa and Mimi tomorrow. Which is good because my mom will be taking me to the oral surgeon tomorrow morning to have my wisdom teeth pulled. The sooner I get it over the happier I'll be (I've never even had an IV before...not too thrilled about any type of surgery for myself). My parents will have their hands full tomorrow handling all 4 of us but hopefully I'll be ready to swing into action on Friday when I'm supposed to bring a smoking volcano birthday cake to school for Mads' birthday. We'll see how that goes...I'll post pictures (fingers crossed).

Turning a corner

Winter has finally loosened it's grip on Missoula. We've had seasonal temps in the 40s and spring-like sunshine for at least a few hours every day over the past two weeks. Parker's playgroup played outside for the first time this week since last October. The boys ran around aimlessly, simply excited to be free. Last Sunday, while Justin was at an all-weekend training, the kids and I explored the snow covered back yard in snow boots and sweatshirts. Our cul-de-sac is ready for tricycles and scooters instead of sleds. Hope is in the air.

March is our month to transition from winter to spring. We're maximising the not-quite-warm-enough weather to get some necessary medical stuff done. Justin will have shoulder surgery next Tuesday and I get my wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday. My parents arrive on Wednesday and will be our support staff during the week. We'll celebrate Madeleine's birthday on Friday at preschool with a volcano cake (her latest fascination). I had hoped to have a friend/family party for her on Saturday but logic has won me over and I've decided to postpone it until the next weekend when we can have a joint Madeleine/Justin party (he's turning 30 on the 29th of March). Before we know it April will be here, Justin's arm will be out of a sling, and we'll have a 4-year old ruling the roost! Bring it on sun...we're ready!