Wisdom Teeth Weekend

Weird weather.  Big piles of snow still on the ground, but Saturday it was nice enough to play outside.  With no jacket!  Yesterday it was chilly again, and today it will be 67.  Thursday, it will only be 39.  And there is a possibility of more snow next week.  I just want to put away all the boots and coats and see some flowers, or anything that isn't gray-ish.

On Sunday, Daphne built a new robot with Kev.  It's the black one in the middle.  It's a lot like a roomba, only it sadly doesn't vaccuum the floors.  But it's a lot of fun to play with.  His name is Scooter.  Walker, Texas Robot (left) is happy to have a friend.  I am happy to have pets that don't chew or shed.  Daphne loves building robots.  She is headed down a very inventor-y path.  I saw this on the wall at school last Thursday, so I took a picture:  

Dream big, Peanut!

I was at school Thursday because it was Brownie day.  It was a pretty fun meeting.  As a prep activity for our Painting badge, I had the girls do some collaborative art.  They each started by drawing a circle on their own paper, then rotated around and added to each other's pictures.

We put them all together and ended up with this, which I love:

Some of the girls had a difficult time with the whole idea of collaborating.  But I think it was good for them.  Hopefully, they liked it when they saw the finished project.  We'll be doing something similar with paint later in the year.  I am curious to see what happens.

They also got to learn how to clean a hamster cage.  I think they liked that better than the art.

Later on Thursday, Kev and I had a Big Night Out.  We got a sitter.  On a school night.  It was a big deal.  First, we went to dinner at Jaleo in Arlington.  I think Jaleo might be my favorite restaurant.  And I think Jose Andres might be my favorite chef.  Every single bite of food we had was fantastic.  I love tapas, because you get a lot of different things to try.  This time, we had a cheese plate, wild mushroom risotto, seared scallops with butternut squash puree, chorizo with mashed potatoes, and some amazing fried eggplants with honey, which were like little donuts.  So good.  

Then, we went to the Birchmere in Alexandria for the Tab Benoit show, which was a Christmas gift from Kev.  Awesome show.  I love Tab Benoit- King of the Stink Face.  Not only is his music great, but he is also really really funny.  Just about every third word out of his mouth is "y'all."  So nice to hear that accent...I miss it.  Anyway, thanks to Kev for a great night out.  We needed it!

And it was perfect timing, because the next morning - DUHN DUHN DUUUUUHN - I got my wisdom teeth out.

I wore the "bravery bracelet" that Daphne gave me, and went in there and got it done.  No big deal at all (thanks to a REALLY good dentist and a healthy dose of nitrous oxide).  

For the last few days, meals have looked a lot like this:

I did work in some cheesy grits on Saturday night, and yesterday I made some wild mushroom risotto, which was ALMOST as good as Jaleo (in my opinion).  Not quite, but close.  And Daphne LOVED it, so that's good.  A new food to add to the rotation.

I love having these teeth gone.  I haven't had a single headache since they came out, and before I was having them almost every day for about a month.  Also, liquid diets are gluten free, so I didn't have a stomache ache all weekend either.  Two teeth gone, and feeling good!  I had some toast this morning -the first thing I've realy had to chew - and that worked out OK.  I am craving something really crunchy, though, like a taco.  Maybe later in the week.  Slow and steady.

Off to the grocery store today, and then laundry, and then hopefully back to the awesome book I am reading, which I will tell you about next time.  One of the best books I've read in a long time. 

Ooh...I bet I can have a donut at Wegmans!  Those are soft!  See you later!

Flashback Friday

Waiting for Daphne's arrival...the calm before the storm.  March, 2006.

Fat Tuesday, Indeed

Last week, we thought we missed Mardi Gras, so when we realized it was actually THIS week, we made a plan.  As it turned out, yesterday was not only Mardi Gras, but also National Pancake Day AND a snow day.  Um...there was a lot of eating.

First stop, IHOP.  IHOP was giving away free short stacks all day for National Pancake Day, and since Daphne was off from school, I took her and a friend so we could take advantage.  FREE PANCAKES!  I couldn't say no to that!

In the afternoon, Daphne and her friend had band practice while I made pie.  I was treated to a "Rock Drumers" concert.  It was awesome.

Then, it was time to prepare Mardi Gras dinnner.  This gave me a chance to use my Christmas Grits.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Dinner was roasted asparagus with balsamic vinegar, and parmesan for the people who like melty cheese.

And shrimp and grits with bacon.  

We all wore some beads, and Kev put on an appropriate Mardi Gras Dinner soundtrack:

Daphne decorated the table with feathers and sparkly pompoms, and she even ate some grits!  I had to leave the cheese out of hers, but that's OK.  She ate grits!  And she liked them!

And then, there was pie.  Delicious New Orleans Lemon Ice Box Pie with pecan graham cracker crust and vanilla whipped cream.

When you start a day with free pancakes and end it with pie, I'd say that's a pretty Fat Tuesday.

Mmmmmmm.

Today, there is a 2 hour delay, but Daphne is headed to school soon.  I have errands to do, and I'd like to go burn off a few Mardi Gras calories at the rec center.  Staying home can only lead to eating leftover pie.

I forgot to mention that I have to go back to the dentist on Friday to get my top two wisdom teeth pulled.  I had a feeling that it was wisdom teeth causing all these problems.  I'm not even scared.  Just ready to get these teeth out and stop having a constant headache.  Plus, I hear there will be ice cream during the recovery process.

In happier news, tomorrow night Kev and I are going to see Tab Benoit, a cool New Orleans blues guitar player/singer.  I can't wait.  The tickets were a Christmas gift.  It's going to be a good show.

And in bird news (!), we saw a yellow-rumped warbler through the kitchen window the other day.  A new bird to add to my list!  Yesterday, I saw a ruby crowned kinglet.  Not new, but I haven't seen one since Texas, so it was a nice treat.  I guess it's migration.  You never know what you might see if you just pay attention.

OK, off to get Daphne on the bus if I can get her to turn off the Wii.  I hope you enjoyed your Tuesday, no matter how fat it was.

Snow Day #12

Guess what.  It's snowing.  And schools are closed today.  Blah-dee blah-dee blah.  Snow days are no big deal around here these days.  Nothing to get too excited about.  Kinda boring.  Been there, done that.  Twelve times now.

Daphne is a little stir crazy.  She spent the morning spying out the window at the snow plow driver, who she decided was suspicious.  Then, she suddenly declared, "I need to think!" and plopped herself onto the couch in this, which must be the "thinking" position:

Then, it was time to practice her "spidermanning."

Now, she is sitting in her dad's chair inspecting her feet.  I need to find this kid something to DO.

The weekend was pretty low-key.  There was some drumming and some uke-ing.

There was some pre-storm playing outside.

And Kev and I re-created our delicious salmon dinner from last week's Cookology class:

I had my first ever Brussels sprouts, which weren't half bad!  

Last night I watched the Oscars in its entirety for the first time in many many years.  I love this picture of the great Benedict Cumberbatch photobombing U2.  I bet Bono is so mad.  U2 is great, but I can't imagine that Bono has any real sense of humor.  Still, I love that song they did last night.  It should have totally won.  That Frozen song sounded exactly like every other Disney Princess song (lame).  I can't believe it beat both U2 and "Happy."  I was really rooting for Dallas Buyers Club because it was so great, and I'm glad that Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey won.  The Wooderson reference made me so happy, and now I need to see Dazed and Confused again.  I can't figure out why American Hustle was nominated for so many things.  It was OK, but not Oscar-worthy.  Except for the fabulous clothes.  Ellen was just kinda meh.  And Liza Minelli.  Good grief.  So, there's my Oscar re-cap for ya!  Sherlock rules!

It is VERY VERY quiet in the other room, so I should probably go check on Daphne.  Happy Monday!

Midweek Catch Up

We had a nice visit with G-Ma while she was here.  There was a lot of chicken tortilla soup, and she watched Daphne so that Kev and I could go to Cookology and learn to make delicious Jamaica Jerk Salmon (nobody burned their eyes!)  She also helped out at our big cookie booth on Saturday.  

The girls were awesome and sold 118 boxes of cookies which is double our best booth total from last year.  Yay!  Plus, they are really cute.

We went to breakfast at Shoes on Sunday, and it was warm enough for Daphne to wear The Poncho.  Yay, again!

We are all glad that grandma came to visit.  And we're looking forward to seeing her again during Spring Break.  Yay, a third time!

Sunday night, our little family went to Del Rio for delicious fajitas and disappointing fried ice cream.  Then we took a picture of ourselves with Quincy, Domo, and MamaLlama becaue Kev said that all the pictures I post are of food.

On Monday, I asked the 8 ball if winter was almost over.  Um...no.

And this is what happened on Tuesday:

But it melted as quickly as it arrived.

Tuesday afternoon, the Brownies went to Costco on a field trip.  It was pretty much the best field trip ever.

Free pens, hairnets, cookies, pizza, churros(!), and a backpack with a few goodies inside, plus a guided tour of the whole store plus behind the scenes access to the offices and breakroom, and a screaming contest in the soundproof hearing testing room.  A screaming contest!  They were allowed to scearm on purpose!  They each got an employee badge with their names on them.  Daphne wore hers to school today.  She wants to work at Costco.  When she's nine. As a cake decorator.  Thank you, Costco.  You are awesome. 

It snowed again this morning, and then it all melted again.  There have been no closings or delays at school this week.  But there is more winter weather on the horizon.  I can't figure out why, but for some reason I don't mind.  The past two winters have been such duds that I am fine with this one lasting a while longer.  More soup for me!

Tomorrow I am going to the dentist.  I fear the dentist almost as much as I fear the airplane.  I am not looking forward to it.  I know I will get news that I don't like.  But at least I won't have to get a shot in my eyeball, so that's something to be happy about I guess.

OK...off to do something productive for a while.  

PS.  Dallas Buyer's Club is brilliant...see it if you can.  

Pictures from the Week

Daphne had a President's Day campout in her teepee with all of her dogs.  She gets to do all the best stuff!

I went to a President's Day kntting night out with The Finch.  I made a wine coaster.  It's purple and swirly and I like it.

Girl Scout cookies have arrived.  I had to do a lot of loading and sorting, but Daphne got to make them into a Reading Fort.  She gets to do all the best stuff.

Last night, she performed in the Second Grade musical, DinoStars.  It was very cute.  Unfortunately, they put Daphne on the front row, level with the audience, so we couldn't see her at all from our seats in the way way back.  It was really upsetting.  So, I went up the side row to the front to sneak a few pictures.  I can't figure out why they didn't put the kids up on the stage so everyone could see them.  I guess it's silly to be so upset, but it's the only musical performance she will ever have in elementary school, (unless she decides to join the chorus, which is highly unlikely) and we couldn't see her.  At all.  Not even the top of her head.  She was pretty anxious about the whole thing and is just glad it's over.

My mom is here.  She is taking a nap.  I already took a nap.  Now I'm waiting for the dryer repairman to come and for people to come and get all of these cookies out of my house.  Tomorrow night, Kev and I are going to a cooking class.  I can't wait.  We had so much fun last time except fo the part when I touched my eye after cutting up the chili pepper.  That was extremely un-fun.  This time, we're making Jamaica Jerk Salmon.  I think I will put Kev in charge of any chili peppers.    

Have a good weekend

Flashback Friday

Going to a ballet class, February 2010.  I think it's funny that Daphne ever had a ballet phase.

Treasure Hunts and Secret Missions. And Lobster.

It's been quite an interesting Valentine's/Presidents/Snow-Day weekend.  Actually, it isn't over.  Tomorrow is Presidents Day, and there is no school.  I am pretty sure that Daphne hasn't had a whole week of school without at least a delay since the New Year.  It's hard to get into a good groove, but we're making the best of it.  Lots of Olympics-watching and knitting and reading and Legos and so on.

For Valentine's Day, Daphne set up an elaborate treasure hunt for Kev and me.  We followed the clues that eventually led us to a sweet little handmade card.  Daphne is awesome.

This morning, while I was in the shower, Kev and Daphne snuck (or is it sneaked?)  away on a secret mission to get me some donuts!  I don't know if I was more excited about the donuts, or if Daphne was more excited about the secret mission.  Either way, breakfast was delightful.

The early afternoon was less delightful.  Our dryer is broken, so Daphne and I went to the laundromat to dry some clothes.  I hate the laundromat.  It was crowded, and it smelled like scented dryer sheets, and I had a headache when we got home.  

Things got much better, though, later in the day at Ford's Fish Shack, where there are lobster rolls.  Kev and I got a sitter for Daphne, and had a nice relaxing dinner out.  Lobster rolls are the perfect food.    

You can't complain about a day that is bookended with donuts and lobster rolls.

We have a busy busy week coming up...my mom is coming to visit, Girl Scout cookies arrive, Daphne has a school musical, and Kev and I have a cooking class.  I don't think there will be any more snow, so that's good.  I got my one big snow, and now I'm ready for spring.  

I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day and enjoy celebrating the Presidents tomorrow.  I wonder if Daphne will make decorations...

At Last, a BIG Snow

On Wednesday night, it started to snow.  It's hard to see in the picture, but this particular snow was sparkly.  It looked like glitter coming down from the sky.  Prettiest snow I have ever seen.  And it kept on snowing until it was about 15 inches deep.

Daphne couldn't wait to get out and play in it.  She didn't have to wait long.

While she played, Kev and I shovelled.  He did most of the work, but I did quite a bit, too.  

When you live in the "north," there is some sort of unwritten moral obligation to shovel a path on the sidewalk, so that what Kev is doing above.  To get TO the path, though, you have to wade through the snow on either side of it, and by now it may be impossible because the plow came last night and probably made a giant mountain between the street and the path.  I bet we won't see grass until April.

Daphne enjoyed her (10th!) snow day.  She got to have a snow cone that was actually made out of snow (we used cherry syrup from her shaved ice machine kit), and she read an entire Lemeny Snicket book.

It was nice to have a bonus day with Kev, too, and we finished the evening with jambalaya and a family game of Clue, which Daphne won.  She showed up in the living room wearing her detective suit, CLEARLY taking the game seriously.  It paid off.  Mrs. White, in the Study, with the Rope.  Way to go, Sherlock Holt!

Today is snow day 11, and Kev had to go back to work.  Daphne is making some sort of Valentine's Day surprise up in the attic, and I am blogging and wishing really hard for a donut.  I could really go for a donut.  My coffee seems lonely.

I am being called to the other room.  I guess my coffee isn't the only one who's lonely!

Happy Valentine's Day!