An Unexpected Visitor...

So the week started off a little sour. After our wonderful camping trip we came home and realized that Maggie was not feeling 100%. We kind of knew on Sunday but we just chalked it up to the heat and needing to come home. Well Monday she still was not herself so I called the Doctor thinking it was strep again and to my surprise it turned out to be hand, foot and mouth disease. booooooo. It is a super contagious virus and there is nothing we can do about it:( I felt terrible because she was in pain and there is no treatment except Motrin to help manage the pain and fever. Anyway, those who know me well, know that I am on the go. I rarely stay home and just hang out. I have know idea why this is, but I am always at the gym or grocery store or over at a friend's house or at the park. I was a bit bummed out that I was going to be stuck inside all week (which is how long it usually takes before it is not contagious). While I am bummed that I missed Larisa's house and the park and the gym, we are in it day 3 and I have to share some enlightenment's thus far.

1) Matthew has an amazing imagination. He has always been really good at playing by himself and being super independent. Apparently, I was the same way growing up. I can remember the Barbie houses and scenarios I would play out for hours! I am lucky and he is the same way. Yesterday, he had this whole train scenario laid out on the dining room table and he was explaining the whole thing to me. It was quite intense:) He must have played for 2 hours while Maggie napped.

2) It was good to slow down and do some tasks I have been meaning to do but just put off. Sometimes, I think that I am afraid to stay home too much because I will get bored or the kids will fight but I know deep down that they don't need to be rushing around everywhere. I think I have gotten less annoyed and frustrated at them in the last 3 days.

3) I think Maggie is done with the bottle. Yes, it is (was?!) my dirty little secret. I was still giving her a bottle at night and sometimes at nap time and she has decided that she is done. (PRETTY PLEASE!!!???) I was not looking forward to that battle.

4) I like being a stay at home mom. I have people ask me ALL the time how I do it and do I like it. I have been thinking about it a lot lately (I have had some time on my hands;)) and the answer is YES! I am not saying that it is always pretty or I don't have difficult days because I have them all the time, but I genuinely like being home with the kids. I don't know if it is because I didn't really like teaching as much as I thought, or I like having my own schedule and getting things done in the day. I am not going to lie, I have a TON of support, but honestly I could not see myself going back to teaching any day soon.

Anyway, I try to look on the bright side of these things and I think that I have had time to appreciate all I have, and how lucky I am. Seriously, the most difficult thing has been explaining to Matthew why he can't ride bikes with Olivia and Nolan:( Also, Maggie is doing very well. I was expecting the worst and her rash is almost gone, her fever has been gone for 2 days, and her throat seems fine because she is eating! Let's just hope Matthew is in the clear...

Camping!

My family has been going to Lincoln Rock State park in Wenatchee, WA for about 25 years. It holds some wonderful memories for me from my childhood. My mom has been putting the bug in my ear for about the last year that she wanted us to come. I wasn't sure about camping with two small children but then Lincoln Rock did something wonderful...they built small cabins with AC, beds and electricity!!! YAY! Now this is just up the Herzog's ally. Anyway, we went, we had a great time and we came home exhausted. I don't think I have ever seen Matthew play so hard in my life and he slept like a log every night. Here are some highlight shots of the trip.

Sometimes they love each other and get along...

And other times I feel like I am yelling at them all day to play nice! AHHHH It's ok though because, having two siblings myself, I know that is the way it is sometimes. These are some very cute shots of them loving each other. Sometimes I will catch Matthew saying the cutest things to Maggie. Yesterday, were in the midst of cleaning out the garage and Maggie was wanting more grapes to snack on. Matthew got up, washed more grapes and said to her: "You know you are my sweet baby sister?!" Awwww. Maggie has recently started calling Matthew "Mats" or "Brouwer". He kinda gets mad at the Mats one because we have never called him anything but Matthew. We try to explain that she can't quite say Matthew. Anyway, these are to remind me that they do indeed love each other! (even though right now they are wrestling...)

Po Po Po Poker Cake...(Ok Bad Lady Gaga)

This is one I did for an adult birthday. I was very excited with the way that it turned out. I get nervous when I have a "paying customer" that isn't a direct friend because I want them to not only love the cake design but like the taste! Well the cake design was so far a hit but the taste, we will have to get the feedback?! *crossing fingers*

Columbus, Ohio

All the cupcakes before we frosted them.
The assembled cupcake tree.

The table

A close up of the cupcakes

The finished product.

The cake for cutting.

The happy couple

Not a great picture of us but the only one I could get:(

I traveled back to Columbus, Ohio this weekend to attend the wedding of Elizabeth and David. I taught with Elizabeth at St. Agatha when I lived there. It was so surreal to go back after four years! Things had changed but then at the same time they didn't change at all. I saw so many of the people I taught with and went to back to St. Agatha to check out the renovations. It was a very fun weekend despite the heat and humidity and oh yeah...I forgot to mention that I made her wedding cupcakes! 250 cupcakes and a mini cake for the top! It all went off without a hitch and she made a beautiful bride:)

4th of July

I know I know...it has been a bit. I have been doing some fun things: I went to the midnight showing of Eclipse with some girlfriends which was AWESOME! We have been seeing some friends and enjoying the weather when it decides to cooperate. For the 4th of July we were invited to Loon Lake to spend the day with some friends at their cabin. The weather was a bit touch and go but we decided to go out and risk the rain. We were not disappointed. It turned out to be an amazing day and we had a lot of fun. Thanks D and Richie for letting us up to "D's cabin" as Matthew put it!!!! Here are some fun pictures:)