warmer weather

Last week's warmer weather brought out the best in all of us.  Everyone seemed to be in a much better mood, wanting to be outside playing as much as possible.  As soon as Lio stepped off the bus, he threw off his backpack and was ready to play, and even asked Paloma to join him in building a fairy house.  We are so ready for spring!

now and then

Today when I asked Paloma what she wanted to wear, she went to the very back of her closet and picked out the cute little cherry "top" seen above.  It was actually a dress that she wore when she was one year old (below), and that I loved so much I couldn't part with.  We gave it a try, and I think it looks pretty cute.  It made me happy all day seeing her in that little dress top!

rare but magical

I love it when these two get along, which is rare, but pretty magical.  They make up words, games, and even gang up on me a bit.  I hope they grow closer as they grow older and are best friends.  I hope Lio protects her and always has her back (or lets her have his ear - literally) when she really needs it the most.  I hope Paloma continues to idolize him and that she can always stick up for herself, despite the fact that she looks up to him so much.  I love those rare but magical moments.  Why are they so far and few in between? 

many mini cupcakes

I used to think that owning a cupcake shop would be so great!  I volunteered to help a friend bake a bunch of mini cupcakes for an art exhibit, and it gave a touch of reality to my dream.  It was stressful and hard!  I was really disappointed with how they turned out - maybe it was the lack of time that I had to plan, maybe it was my way too high expectations.  I was really hoping for something gourmet and artistic.  The silver lining of this all is that Lio and Paloma love the leftovers they have been sampling, and they think the cupcakes are great!

birthday goodness

John got me some beautiful cupcakes for my birthday.  Beautiful cupcakes deserve to be on a pedestal, don't you think?  Yep, I even got that from him, too!

learning together

Lio has had a few piano lessons, and I think he's getting the hang of it!
I think that I'm getting the hang of it, too.  It's been fun for me learning along side him while he's practicing.  And he has THE BEST piano teacher.  (We love you Jamie!)

let's pretend we are on a baking show

Let's see...in the past few days I have "pretended" to be an art teacher, Miss Frizzle from 'The Magic School Bus', the mom driving the van, a visitor to the zoo, a soccer goalie, a customer at a cafe, a neighbor, and many more that I can't even remember.  Not only do I pretend, there is usually a script involved that I have to follow very closely.  Otherwise, I'm told to "pause the game", reminded of my lines, and then we continue on.  Lucky for you, today was "let's pretend we are on a baking show".  We made one of my favorite recipes - zucchini chocolate cupcakes - crispy on the outside and so moist on the inside, not to mention so chocolatey!

chocolate chip zucchini cupcakes

whisk these ingredients together, then set aside:

1 1/2 c. flour

2 tbs. unsweetened dutch cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

beat these ingredients together:

3/4 c. + 2 tbs. sugar

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla

slowly add flour mixture to the beaten mixture.

stir in:

1 c. grated zuchinni

6 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

pour into 12 muffin lined tins.

bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven, rack in the middle, for 30-35 minutes.  cool in pan for 5 minutes.  enjoy!