Easter Blessings

Last weekend, we were invited to get away from it all on a mini "camping" trip. Since I hadn't made any Easter plans yet, it sounded like a fun idea.

As a certain tall man in our family doesn't love to camp, I thought this quick getaway in a super simple cabin would be an easy sell. 

After a few glitches, we got the show on the road 5 hours later than expected. But, nothing like a little beer & jalapeño poppers to let all the stress dissolve. We've been so busy with school & ball games that it really was nice to get away & "rough it" for a night.

The kids were in heaven - good friends, potato chips & a playground all to themselves.

Eight kids + one bunny cake = squishy yumminess.

I've never understood the appeal of the RV. It certainly isn't how my parents would choose to travel at any point in their lives. But, our friends grew up with road trips in RVs & were happy to share the intrigue of RVing. 

We were disappointed to discover that campfires are not permitted in this particular park. So, after dinner, the kids watched Hop & stayed up way too late. I don't think they cared that there was no campfire.

At 7 am, the Easter bunny knocked on our cabin door. Greta was pretty sure it was our neighbors & not the Easter bunny who brought coffee.

We had some super tired kids (and parents) on Easter morning. I discovered that I am violently allergic to mulberry pollen so I felt like I spent the whole night blowing my nose.

Spirits were lifted when we were ready to launch the Easter Egg hunt.

The Dads ran ahead with the video cameras.

Not a lot of hiding places in the desert.

The RV park was really full. Albuquerque is along Route 66. We met several retirees who rented RVs for a several week trek from Chicago along Route 66. The RV park was a great location for site seeing (though more urban than woodsy). 

Little Charlie & Big Charlie held their own among the sea of girls.

After the eggs were collected, opened & eaten, it was cookie decorating time.

Then, since no one packed breakfast items, we piled in the car & headed to Denny's.  Where else can you feed 14 people for under $100? The best part was that our adventure was only 15 minutes from home - we were all home & looking for Easter baskets before noon.

Nine

Nine kids.
3 shades of nail polish.
one gift exchange.
8 stuffed animals (Charlie abstained).
22 tacos.
15 cupcakes.
one wish (a puppy).
4 quarts of raspberry lemonade.
8 bags of popcorn.
one movie (Muppets).
6 hours of sleep.
lots of giggles.
1 gallon of OJ.
12 bowls of cereal.

one happy birthday girl.
we love you ella!

Easter Dessert

We entertained for the first time in a long time. Before the snow set in, we had a beautiful weekend. All the patio furniture was set out & we ate dinner outside. Nick never met a parfait he didn't love so I  made this dessert.

I think it will be on the summer rotation and it would be great for an Easter celebration. But, here is how I would change it.

• 1 large angel food cake

For the custard:

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk [don't use the whole container]
• 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

For the glaze:

• 1 cup sugar [cut back a bit on the sugar]
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons strawberry gelatin (recommended: Jell-O)
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, cut in 1/2 (if berries are extra large, they can be cut into quarters) [use way more]
• Whole fresh strawberries and mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

Slice cake, using a serrated knife, horizontally into 3 equal layers.

For the custard:

Beat the cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth.  Fold in the whipped topping; set aside.

For the glaze:

In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and gelatin; add water. Cook stirring over medium heat until thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely.

For assembly:

Place 1 layer of cake in a large clear bowl. Top with a generous layer of glaze, followed by a layer of strawberries and a layer of custard mixture. Repeat layering in this order for remaining cake, glaze, strawberries and custard. Top cake with 3 whole fresh strawberries and fresh mint leaves.

I felt like I used too much of the glaze, but the cake soaks it up tremendously. You could add the whole batch. This could be made the day before you serve it. I would also add a little mint sprig to each dish when serving.

Tea With Anne Shirley

The kids received Christmas money with instructions to use it for a fun outing. I bought tickets to take the kids to see Anne of Green Gables at the Albuquerque Little Theatre. If you are in the Albuquerque area, I highly recommend seeing a production.

We read the book first becuase it was one of Ella's Classic Books for her book club at school. The kids loved the play (I was so impressed with the quality of the performance). The theatre was having a fundraiser. I bought $6 worth of tickets & we won a seat at a tea party. 

Miss Greta was SO excited to be attending. But, we were not expecting the other attendees to be so much older. It was a little intimidating. I was in the same room, but not seated at the table.

My little chatterbox was so shy & quiet I almost didn't recognize her.

The young actresses were so sweet & tried to make her feel comfortable.

The tea was lovely. Greta ate her weight in chocolate covered strawberries. 

She said about 4 words the entire time we were in the tea room. She was ready to leave as soon as she was done eating.

But, as soon as we left the room, she started jabbering excitedly. She could not wait to tell Charlie & Ella about her fabulous adventure. I was so proud of her for sitting by herself & having such great manners.
We will definitely be back to watch Singin' in the Rain later this spring.

April Fool

Virtually no snow all winter & now this! I'm glad I didn't pack away all the winter items this weekend (when it was 80).

The kids were truly April Fools fools this year. *They tried to freeze Nick's underwear (defrosted while they were trying to set up the gag).*They put lots of salt in Nick's coffee (he played along very well despite all the giggling faces handing him his coffee mug).*Ella served the twins un-defrosted waffles for breakfast (let's just say Charlie's a better sport right now).*I served "cupcakes" for dinner. (this recipe without the crust in cupcake wrappers with mashed potato "icing"). Poor Charlie sadly told me he thought I really made cupcakes for them.*And because I forgot how long jello takes to set, yesterday morning I served "fruit punch" for breakfast. Greta just kept trying to suck that jello through the straw.

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Put Me In Coach

Spring officially started this weekend. Charlie & Greta had their first T-ball game of the season. 

This was Greta's first year playing and I really wanted her to have fun playing (not just enjoying the post-game snacks). She was grinning from ear to ear during her first at-bat.

The batting helmets run a bit large!

I had my eye on the first base coach.

Greta tried so hard when she was playing first base.

Such a little hustler.

Charlie saw a lot of action as the "pitcher."

He really hustled after those balls too. Considering most of the kids panicked & forgot where first base was (or forgot to run at all), Charlie & Greta's efforts were even more impressive.

The weather was perfect. The winds were low & the kids were so excited!

Can you see Ella hovering in the dugout?

Charlie's New Year Resolution was to hit a home run during the season. The last batter of the inning is the only person allowed to advance more than one base. I'm sure he'll still be thrilled when his moment in the sun arrives.

Between now & the end of school, we have 4 t-ball/softball games a week (plus another few nights of practice). Nick & I will have to split up several nights when we have overlapping games. I know as long as the parents keep bringing awesome snacks, I have two little ones who will maintain a lot of enthusiasm for this sport!

Homework Week 4

March was supposed to be the month about me! I had grand plans.  I haven't done much with photography since we moved to New Mexico & I was very excited to sign up for an e-course. 

Fast forward three weeks & after preparing for & taking spring break, the month has disappeared. The course is almost over & I haven't posted a homework assignment. I'm going to try to do as many as possible over the next week. 

This week's assignment was to tell a story in a single image. I wanted to tell the story of girlfriends - the secrets, the inside glances - all the fun stuff. These two are inseparable & had so much fun with the photo shoot. Though, I must say it is very difficult to see how grown up they look in some of the shots.

It was so hard to pick just one photo, but this is one I love.

The second part of the assignment was to post a self-portrait. 

I think I need to invest in a tripod & a remote! This isn't a true self portrait, but I am in the picture & the twins had fun taking turns with the camera. The photo isn't framed how I anticipated (their little hands couldn't quite handle the camera), but I am in the photo! I didn't plan to make this one black & white, but our clothing clashed & because of the way Charlie held the camera, part of the tree was blown out. But, impressive for a 5 year old!

Cowgirls Unite!

Ella's horseback riding experience culminated with a final "trail" ride. I bought a groupon to ride along with her. After I spent the night with the girl scouts at the Children's Museum, we were off for an early morning adventure.

I felt like Annabelle - after a not very restful night - I just wanted to close my eyes & curl up in the sun. 

My original thought was that I would ride behind Ella to make sure she stayed safe.Ella told me that wouldn't work. Annabelle is a follower. She doesn't like to lead. My horse, Hope, is Annabelle's favorite friend. And it was true. Hope tried to overtake the trail leader several times.

New Mexico landscapes include every shade of brown you can imagine. I'm still amazed that Georgia O'Keeffe was so inspired by the landscape here.  Of course, unlike our trail ride, she was gazing at mountains, not the backside of a shopping mall (like  90% of our trail ride).  

We did get one photo of me & Ella next to the mighty Rio Grande.

The kids really wanted to go horseback riding over Spring Break. That didn't happen, but maybe we'll find a way to do it in Indiana this summer.

If only we can find another sweet & gentle horses like Annabelle & Hope.

Our mini-adventure was a fun way to cap off a Mom & Ella weekend adventure.

Wolf Creek

From Colorado Springs, it was a good half day drive to Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

We met up with friends for some margaritas & good times. 

After a fun night of living room slumber party & showing of Peter Pan, it was an early morning start up the mountain - not a problem for the kids since they were up at 5:30.

It was a momentous adventure this year. I took a lesson with Joy & we hit the slopes. 

Charlie, Greta & Jonas took lessons as well. 

Nick & Ella did a green run with us. I asked Ella if she had fun skiing with me. She said "not really." Apparently, I go much slower than she likes.

She did have fun riding the tram to the bunny slope with Charlie & Greta.

Nick was so happy to see all of us skiing together. I tried not to watch as Charlie, aka speed racer, shot down the hill as fast as he could.

We had a celebratory picnic in the parking lot after a triumphant day.

No tears this year!!

A little chocolate treat for our champions!

Afterward, we all soaked in the hot springs & enjoyed a tasty spaghetti dinner. As soon as the kids heads hit the pillow, they were out. Something about the combination of 6 hours of sleep & 8 hours of exercise worked - no one was up before 7 on the second day.
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