A Lot to Celebrate

So much has been going on around here. It seems since Benjamin's birthday in October, we have had one celebration after another. This time frame has also coincided with my growing interest in baking. This past week we celebrated Valentine's Day and Grandad's birthday. We are also looking forward to Amma's birthday in a couple of days. I have enjoyed baking cupcakes for birthdays, and the bonus of Valentine's made this round especially fun. I merged several recipes and came up with dark chocolate cupcakes with raspberry filling and raspberry chambord buttercream. They were my first stuffed cupcakes and it was much easier than I anticipated. I simply cut out a little hole on top, spooned in the filling, and put the top back on. I envisioned large curls of chocolate on top but was only able to achieve small shavings. That leaves a challenge for another day. I will say that these were the best cupcakes I have made, hands down! Unfortunately, this has all gotten a little out of hand and I will be making a trip to Jenny Craig. Well, just as soon as we finish celebrating Amma's birthday at Hudson's Saturday night.....

The Walker

For the past few weeks Evan has been walking. Since he has started, he has not stopped. I love the way he wobbles to and fro with his little arms held up to help with balance. That 4-tooth (and one coming in) grin when he expresses pride in his walking is also priceless. It is amazing how much older he has seemed since he started really walking. I think Benjamin is also regarding him as more of a playmate now. Just today Benjamin hugged Evan while they were standing, and as he swayed from side to side Benjamin exclaimed, "Look mommy, we are dancing!". Of course, Benjamin doesn't realize that Evan can't balance himself as well as he can and they were soon on the floor with Evan crying. Evan brushes it off so quickly though, because that is just how he is. My little walker.

Snow Day

Today was one of those rare and magical days in central Texas where we got snow and it stayed around long enough to enjoy. It had been below freezing for several days, but we finally got some precipitation to make the cold worth while. We knew it was coming and made the mistake of telling Benjamin that it would snow during the night and we could play in it the next morning. Well, let me tell you, he woke up more times than he did on Christmas Eve. I believe it was 2:00, 4:00, 4:40, 6:00, 6:15 and 6:30am. We will never make that mistake again. Mommy and daddy were not happy. Lucky for Benjamin, mommy enjoys the snow too and it was enough to prevent me from falling into a pit of perpetual sleep-deprived crankiness. As soon as I could get the boys fed and properly dressed (mind you, we are ill equipped for snow), we headed outdoors to explore the world in its new fluffy-white state. It was beautiful. Agave covered with soft snow, swings and slides with a good 1/2 inch layer of marshmallow cloud, and bunny tracks across the entire yard. Before mommy and daddy had even gotten outside, Benjamin immediately made a snow angel. He said he learned it from his cartoon, "Curious George". Evan also had his first snow experience. He wasn't quite as thrilled but I think he found it interesting.

Later that morning, as Evan napped, we headed out for a last hoorah before the snow melted. Benjamin had learned from his first snow experience that you have to seize the opportunity, as snow is precious and its presence is fleeting. We were exited to see that Benjamin's cohort, Pranit, was running around with his mother and screeching with delight. Benjamin and daddy started a snowball fight with Pranit, and they ran around screeching for half an hour. Then the three of us concentrated our efforts toward Benjamin's first snowman. We hope to someday have enough snow to make a bigger one.

A Birthday for the Ages

Again, I am a little behind in the posts. I am a firm believer in "better late than never". Lance had an awesome birthday. After all, how can you beat braces off (a new smile), Steelers in the Superbowl, 3 birthday dinners, AND banana caramel cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting and caramel swirl? Now that gardening season is over, my passion has really been channeled into making exciting cupcake creations. This one was one of the best for sure! I think everyone loved them. I found myself asking, "what is better than cream cheese frosting.....CARAMEL cream cheese frosting!".

13 Months

Evan is 13 months today. He is starting to walk and feed himself with a spoon! He already has a sense of humor and loves tackling his big brother. Evan is so proud of himself when he wobbles from place to place, and I adore the look in his eyes when he accomplishes something. We have encouraged him to walk, but he has always been a baby who does things in his own time and does not seem hurried. As I've mentioned before, being laid back does not mean that Evan is not persistent or has no strong will. During our morning spoon-feeding lessons, he is always insistent that I give him the spoon and the bowl to practice on his own. Despite my strong inner urge for cleanliness (an urge that was not present before motherhood), I usually allow Evan free reign with the yogurt and the oatmeal. I know that this is his education, his practice session. By the way, aren't those beautiful eyes?!