we, I mean she, made it

Every year on the first day of school we (hurry and) take a picture in front of this pine tree.

These are from three year old preschool, four year old preschool and kindergarten.

I want to reach out and hug the Eva in picture in number one and two. I loved the pink cowboy boots and I loved her short hair.

She wanted to wear the same dress she wore on the first day last year. Make it her "first day of school" dress. I talked her into wearing something new. Because, to be honest, I didn't even like the dress last year.

She has amazing neck muscles to be able to hold her head up straight with those huge flowers. Do it while we can get away with it, right? In our defense, today was "red day" and for no reason in particular, she doesn't have any red clothes. I realize that every 4th of July. So the giant red flowers made up for it.

We walked to bus stop. I took pictures the whole way. Another mom laughed at me and said, "You're funny." She thought it was funny that I was taking so many pictures. Boy, she doesn't even know the half of it.

This is the fourth year that Eva is using that pinkish purplish backpack. Makes me feel all good and reduce-reuse-recycle-ish that we have gotten so much use out of it. I could have just washed it to start the new year but instead I spent a bunch of time decorating it. I wasn't sure that I wanted to do the trendy for now bird on the branch but ended up giving in. It just looks so cute. Hopefully it doesn't prematurely shorten the use of this trusty backpack. But, seriously, no joke, doing this kind of thing is my kind of fun.

I was so nervous for this day. Nervous that we wouldn't get ready in time, nervous that we would miss the bus, nervous that we would forget something, nervous that she would freak out about her clothes (she went through a phase last year and I am still scarred from it), nervous that she was eating a gross lunch...

Turns out the day was just fine. She was fine. I was fine.

I used to be the slowest eater I knew. Along came Eva. She now takes the title. I was nervous about her eating in the lunchroom and missing recess and wondered how she was going to eat in the alloted amount of time. Images of her eating alone in the lunchroom as the bus leaves to take everyone else home...

Were you the last one in the lunchroom?

No, there were three girls, I was one of them.

Did you get to finish your lunch?

No.

What happened?

Someone came and told us to go.

A teacher?

No, she was a cooker. (I love it)

So what did you do?

I ate one more chip and went outside.

Feels weird that she is gone most of her waking hours. Feels weird to hang out with just Samuel. He said he missed her. Missed her so bad that he had to raid her room and get into her candy stash and mess up her stuff. I guess we all have different ways of showing love.

been dreading this day

Eva's first day of first grade is coming up.

Makes me think about little Eva Bean.

Makes me think about the little girl that she is.

These photos are from her last dance class in the spring. Lost the photos because the card crashed. Used a company called Stellar photo to recover them. Didn't get them all back but I got enough. It was worth the money just to see Eva with her tongue sticking out all focusing on her little ballerina form.

She got sick of dancing last year. But it was mostly that she was sick of wearing that too little lavender leotard. Wasn't going to sign her up for this year. But she changed her mind at the last minute. And we ordered her leotard 2 sizes bigger.

That photo in the middle? Karl took that one of her. They were at the beach in Chicago. Eva saw a bug and so she didn't want to stand on the sand. She stayed on the towel. I think she is so smart.

One night I went into peek into Eva's room and I saw this tent. She built it to sleep in.

So, looks like our circus has a couple more acts.

Eva set up a tea party complete with centerpieces and graham crackers. Then she got bored with it and chose to watch TV. I think the anticipation was the best part.

Sometimes in the morning, when I don't hear fighting, I can find the kids doing this. Eva is reading to Samuel. It makes me happy.

This picture makes me happy, too.

Eva will come up to me and ask for string, or paper, or ask me to cut something or get something for her. It is so funny to see what she ends up with.

Oh, Eva.

So, now your off to a full day of school. I am afraid of the first grade homework, papers to sign and hope I don't lose, gross school lunch, and getting you off to the bus one time. But, for some reason, I know you are going to handle all of it just fine.

been enjoying summer

reason #651 that I don't want summer to end: winter is too cold

reason #652: we all like to sleep in

reason #653: I'm not done blogging about it

It's not so much that I don't want school to start, it's more that I don't want summer to end.

You see, if summer ends, then you can't slide in a tube down a giant Pepsi and Beef n Cheddar sandwich.

Best friend lives in a cute (non ghetto) neighborhood that does cute things like post cute sayings on their walls on wood blocks and lend each other maternity clothes. I love that kind of stuff.

Here is something else they did that I love. They get giant signs and put them on a giant hill. Like the biggest fattest giantest slip and slide you have ever seen.

And they let us join. Nice, huh?

Another friend lives in another nice neighborhood. This one has cute new houses all with cute front porches. They even have a beach.

We all met there and the kids loved it so much. They played and played and played. And got sun burnt (or burned? Whatever the case I felt so bad! Samuel kept saying he had an "owie" after that. He meant his entire back).

My friends have cute kids.

And I love Eva.

Boys do things like make little pies and line them up. Just to smash them. Girls don't do that, do they? See Samuel's hand up in air like that? He does that a lot. Like it helps him balance or something. Cracks me up.

And how about the kids being completely sacked out on the floor because they played so hard at the beach? Winter doesn't offer that, now does it?

So I was looking at his sunken stomach. Yes, we feed him. That kid eats. Problem is, he moves. He moves a lot.

And these faces, all sweet and asleep like that. Well, that is why we keep 'em.

P.S. Please don't do the math to figure out when I post. I love nights. Nights are my favorite. I am kind of ashamed. But not enough to go to bed.

been bbq-ing

Recent events have got me thinking about this little guy...

...and how much we love him and his sweet sweet personality.

He is my nephew and this is how excited he was when started splashing his cousins with water.

My brother was in town so we got together at my parent's house for a bbq.

This is how he looks when his nephew gets on the balcony and pours water on him.

You know how I have this thing for food? I think it isn't my fault. I think I was raised that way.

When it comes to food, they go all out. The bbq is always charcoal. No shortcuts. And new this year is my brothers smoker. He has made some amazing stuff. This night was smoked ribs.

My mom made these. As we were setting up, I noticed that as each of us walked by her pan of meat, we each stole a piece or five. Just couldn't resist.

I know that the last think my family wants is a picture of them with their mouths full posted on the internet. But for how many giggles I have had just by looking at this picture of my dad, I thought I needed to share.

See that boy scout / lawn jockey-esque bandana around his neck? That has been his kick this summer. Keeps him cool, he says. Maybe it is a dad's job to do "practical" things like this. Maybe it is a kid's job to giggle every time she sees it.

This is also such a real glimpse at my life.

Chopsticks, rice, Japanese potato salad (trust me, it is different than American), lettuce wraps

all with the

Smoked ribs, roasted corn, grilled veggies, garden tomatoes...

The best of both worlds.

creme brulee french toast

Evertime I make this, someone wants the recipe. Well, unless it is for my husband and kids. They don't want to know the recipe. They just want me to make it.

I got this recipe clear back in Chicago. I had it at a baby shower and it was love at first bite. Kris Judd was kind enough to put the recipe in the ward Relief Society cookbook.

Don't worry, it is tastier than it is photogenic.

Creme Brulee French Toast

1 loaf Challah bread (egg bread)

1 c. unsalted butter

2 c. brown sugar

4 T. corn syrup

10 large eggs

2 c. half and half

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 t. salt

In a small heavy saucepan melt butter, with brown sugar, and corn syrup, over medium heat, stirring until smooth. Pour into a 13x9 baking dish. Cut 6 slices one inch thick from the center of the bread, discarding the ends. Arrange the bread slices in one layer in the dish, squeezing them slightly to fit. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla and salt until well combined. Pour mixture over bread. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day. In morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bring bread mixture to room temperature about 20 minutes before placing in oven. Bake uncovered in middle of oven 35-40 minutes or until puffed and edges are pale golden. Serve hot immediately.

My notes:

I get Challah at my local grocery store bakery. I just call ahead and they will make it for me. I have also used any dense bread. French bread does not work. It is way too soggy and Samuel freaks out.

I half the amount of the caramel stuff (butter, brown sugar and corn syrup) and no one misses it at all.

I don't discard the ends. I feed them to my family, the ducks, or I just stick it in the pan.

I usually split this into 2 or 3 dishes so I can give some away. Because my family really doesn't need to eat a whole 13x9 pan of sugar, white bread, and cream.