Mama-luia

Before we left for vacation, I wanted to make sure we had our garden prepared. When we return, it will be perfect timing to transplant some tomatoes and peppers, throw a few squash seeds in the ground, say a prayer to St. Isidore the farmer (and maybe St. Jude for good measure), and see what happens. So I needed to make sure the soil was turned. On one of the first truly nice days this spring, I decided we would spend the afternoon outside. With a baby strapped to my back, I set about to digging with my spade. Not surprisingly, it was hard work, but in that gloriously satisfying way. Out in the fresh air with my lovely children surrounding me, dreaming of fresh vegetables, and enjoying the reprise of the longest/most awful winter imaginable. The boys took to helping me, while Noah, ever the 'do-er' narrated excitedly all his visions for the garden plot. After a while though, they both plunked themselves down in different spots and went back to playing in the ...

My little boy turned five last month. It was a fun birthday celebration. We threw him a party with a bunch of his young friends and his sweet cousins, too. The little kids were adorable, practically vibrating with excitement over party games like the pinata and pin-the-beak-on-the-owl. Yes, it was an Owl Party. A rather Pinterest-y theme? Kind of. In fact, the only reason I suggested it to him was so I could make a cake that actually looked like something . I'm tooting my own horn, but I do think it was my best-looking cake yet. (It didn't have much competition.)  It helps that I picked something ridiculously simple.  I didn't even pipe eyes -- those are just halved gluten-free Oreos (GF because 3/4 of the kids who came to the party don't eat wheat). I was so amused and delighted by how our guests were so hard at work at this game. The six-and- under set take birthday parties mighty seriously, it seems. Also, they came with adorable ca...