PEEP WARS!

My kids have been talking about Peep Wars for years but we had never actually seen it, so I surprised them with a package of sticky sweetness and we witnessed the puffing and popping of the tooth rotting thing they call a peep.

Dave's Birthday

Poor Dave. Another birthday come and gone and he was out of town. I made a nice dinner the night before and then I made his favorite cake the day after, when he got back. Since none of the kids like German Chocolate Cake frosting (even though I prefer the frosting to the cake!) Alaina had the idea to make cupcakes so I could frost some with chocolate for them. I made Dave a huge one, then did half chocolate and half coconut pecan caramel.

I am grateful that he works so hard for our family. That he is ambitious and driven and successful because of his tremendous efforts. He travels so much and I think he misses out on a lot of things and wouldn't be willing myself to do what he does for us. And so for that, he is my hero!

Happy Birthday!

Andy is 16!

Somehow Andy turned 16 last Friday. Not quite sure how that happened or how I feel about it, but it seems it doesn't matter because each year everyone gets older (except me, of course!). It just doesn't seem possible that Dave and I started our family 16 years ago. I am so thankful for Andy and his kind heart. What a great kid!

Originally Dave was going to take him and a few friends skiing at Tahoe but the timing didn't work, so he ended up having his friends over for a Role Playing Game they do on Fridays. Parties are so much easier as the kids get older because they just do what they want and don't need a lot of help. Except with food. So I made what Andy asked for:

*beef jerky

*breadsticks

*pink lemonade pie

*caramels

And I even bought soda and his favorite salt and vinegar kettle chips.

He and his friends had a great time just being teenage boys...

Winter Select Soccer

I just have to have a proud mom moment...

Ryan is on a Winter Select soccer team with great kids and coaches that hasn't done too well on the scoreboard. Everyone is having fun, which is the point, but Ryan is a little more about winning. In the high scoring game last Saturday, they lost 6-7, he scored 5 goals and had one assist. He had only scored 3 goals all season before this game, so it felt a little like a win and he was so happy. He decided that whenever he scores a hat trick, I have to buy him a new soccer jersey. Good thing the season is almost over!