Life and Times on Inverness Drive

Item Number One: Purple Sparkly Glasses = Instant Status Symbol.

These specs are to Em what the airsoft gun is to Jake. No crying Four-eyes at our house. These babies are polished, adjusted and discussed with an intensity formerly reserved for Webkinz and soccer trophies. This week, Emily heads to the orthodontist to straighten her smile. (In the tender words of her loving older brother, "Glasses plus braces equals nerd.") The tween years can be humbling.

Item Number Two: Twin Kitty Cats are Always Fun, Sometimes a Twin Brother is Not.

Luke told me that he wants his birthday to be on a different day than Sam's this year. He's over the whole wombmate/roommate thing. I don't blame him, but I'm not exactly sure how to handle it. Having twins was very efficient of me and I really enjoy parenting my children As A Single Unit. Individuality sometimes throws a wrench in my plans.

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Item Number Three: Jake's birthday was two weeks ago, but I don't have any other photos.

Please note the birthday cake (lemon with cream cheese frosting) which the birthday boy decorated himself. Those are Lego guys battling on top. Brad, of course, chose chocolate velvet pie for his birthday cake. Some things never change.

Item Number Four: Recycling Can Be Fun!

Sam enjoys building with recyclables, counting and the color orange. The best way to freak Sam out is to say "You can have a few marshmallows." He will sit paralyzed for a minute or two and then ask, "Mommy, how many is 'a few'?" Sam appreciates exactness in all aspects of his life

You Might Be Having a Snow Day if...

...your kids are riding a sled instead of a schoolbus.

...the laundry room looks like Land's End landfill.

...nothing is crossed off your beloved To-Do list.

...hot chocolate is consumed by the gallon.

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...you run out of a household essential and find new joy in having a husband with a home office and four wheel drive.

...two words: carbo loading.

Prediction

Someday...

When you're living miles away, I'll bet you crave it.

You'll try to treat your homesickness with some microwavable imitation,

Something found in the frozen food section, wrapped in cardboard and plastic.

Someday...

Your cute little girlfriend will try to impress you

With candles, a tablecloth, and something hot from the oven.

You'll taste it and smile and maybe even ask for seconds,

But, of course, you'll be thinking, It's just not the same as Mom's...

Someday...

When I'm dead and gone,

The one thing you'll miss most is sitting at the kitchen table.

And you'll wish for just one more home-cooked meal.

But tonight...you cried and pouted, choked and gagged.

And, later, I found three mouthfuls of homemade goodness

Spit into the bathroom sink.

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Luke's Lasagne

Brown 1 pound ground beef. Adding 1 tsp. minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. parsley, 1 Tbsp. basil, 2 tsp. salt, 2 cans diced tomatoes, 6 oz. tomato paste. Simmer for one hour, uncovered.

Combine 3 cups ricotta cheese, 3 eggs, 2 Tbsp. parsley, 1/4 tsp. pepper, 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

Grate one pound mozzarella cheese and 1/2 lb. mild cheddar cheese.

Cook 8 oz. lasagne noodles (or use oven-ready noodles).

In 9x13 inch pan, spread one-half can tomato sauce, then layer: noodles, meat, ricotta, mozarella. Repeat. Top with cheddar cheese. Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Best served with garlic toast and a crisp green salad.

(Keep Softscrub nearby...to wipe all traces from bathroom sink!)

Easter Parade

Remember this?

Well, luckily, I did not take my own advice this year! And look...

Aren't they the CUTEST li'l bunnies ever?

Finally...

My kids were so happy to finally have a snow day today!

It looked so beautiful and we had so much fun...

...until 9:50 a.m.

when a couple of people started to do this...

So we had to come inside for a lotta this...

OK...I'm over it.

Send in the sunshine!