Mrs. Clean

I cleaned the top of my refrigerator today. Why? That's probably what you are asking. Well I got into the cabinets above the fridge to get out the roasting pan. Why wouldn't I roast a chicken when it's 85 degrees and humid. I digress.
My point is, it's amazing what a little Lysol spray and a magic eraser will do.

Alexander: 7 Months

This is Alexander today. Exactly 7 months old.

I've said it before and I'll probably keep saying it: Slow down with the growing, already! This little guy is just developing so fast. I want my baby to stay a baby, well for a while longer at least.

So what's he doing?

Well he's rolling, scooting, sitting up, he gets up on his hands and knees and rocks. He scoots backwards. And just yesterday I watched him go from belly to sitting position. OMG! Not that he's mastered it by any means but this is what I am talking about. Slow Down!

He's interested in everything! Especially his brother's things. He loves watching Nicholas and other kids as well, I learned this week. He of course puts everything in his mouth.

Is he eating?

Why yes. He loves food. He is learning to like the spoon. He would much rather have pieces he can grab. So he pretty much eats anything I think he won't choke on: pancake, Puffs, peas, green beans, banana (a favorite), melon, sweet potato, butternut squash, acorn squash, apple, pear, bread. He likes that net thingy which I put apples and melon in.

He LOVES the cup. If you have a cup, he eyes it and wants it. I am so surprised he can actually drink out of it. He can.

Does he have teeth?

He has his bottom teeth he got at 5 months and is getting one of his top teeth now. I wouldn't be surprised that his other one soon follows.

He is just such a sweetheart. A happy little guy and silly personality.

First Day

So of course I am a little behind on this.
Nicholas started preschool last Thursday.
He had to pose with the sword. I don't know why. The mind of a 3 year old. He was so super excited! And of course it was raining. So we're in full gear.

We've arrived! Nicholas asked me about a half hour before we left the house, "We go to preschool now?"

"Almost honey, almost."

I made him pose.

Then he sprinted off to the door. I couldn't be more thrilled for him.

He did fabulous his first week. And so bittersweet for us Mommas.

My little boy!

The Apprentice

Nicholas loves it when I make cakes.
So of course he has to help.

He will be my little baker someday....hopefully. I think it a valuable skill

He's so proud.

The finished product. We decided they are worms on the cake.

I've been busy

Cakes Cakes and more Cakes
I have been one busy baker.

My first assignment. A monkey for a little monkey turning One year old.
Here is her smash cake:

And the big cake:
I thought they turned out pretty darn good.

And yes, all this is done free hand. My second assignment. An artists' cake.

Here it is:

Someone was having a painting party.

7 Days

T

This is said to be a lucky number. And I suppose it is for us today. Hurricane Irene hit in the wee hours of last Sunday morning. And with it came damaging ( this is really understating it) winds and lots of rain. So in these wee hours of last sunday morning, our power was knocked out. And 7 days later it has been restored. Yes folks it has taken 7 whole days for us to regain power. I will never again take electricity and running water for granted. We have been living in our house all week with no electricity or running water. Thank heavens for rain barrels. They have allowed us to carry buckets full of water inside the house to flush toilets. Our preparations ahead of time gave us a tub full of water to use for washing. Ice bags in the freezer saved our meat for 4 days when we moved it to a friends house. We lost everything in our fridge. Have been cooking on the grill. 100% of our town lost power. 140 roads in our town alone were affected. You couldn't drive down a road without a downed tree or power line. Our road was blocked at one end due to a tree on a power line. We didn't even know if we could get off our road for a couple of days. Irene was actually downgraded to a tropical storm before it hit CT. And I tell you I feel for those that have have been through full blown hurricanes. I really hope you never have to experience this. And I hope I never do again. There is really only so much preparation that can be done. And then it happens. And you deal with the aftermath. And it was so surreal. Here we are living in the stone age while some parts of the state never lost power. And they were not that many miles away. Maybe less than 20. So I am thankful tonight to not have to brush my teeth by flashlight with a cup of cold tub water. And I will sleep well after a nice hot shower and clean sheets. And wake up to a cup of real ( not instant) coffee that I have to walk outside to the grill to make.