In Stitches

What is motherhood without a trip to the ER, right? Maybe it is some right of passage we all must face at some point or another. Last night during bath time there was a slip and fall that resulted in a busted chin and a subsequent trip to the ER for a 6 HOUR wait to hold this 22 month old down for 3 stitches. Yes, Mommy cried her eyes out when he cried "Mommy, Mommy, hold me, night night" over and over again as he was being held down and stitched up. It was a long night but we all made it through it and I think we are just fine. Poor Daddy has had the worst time because he was doing the bathing when it happened. I keep trying to tell him it was not his fault, poor thing. I have said for the longest time that Beau will end up with stitches or a broken bone before age 2 he is so wild, so I guess I called that one correctly! Hopefully we have got it out of our systems now! 3 stitches and a mouth surrounded by chocolate. Aunt Courtney, Uncle Michael and Will sent us a box of goodies that arrived today. (Thanks so much, guys!!) There were 2 HUGE Hershey Kisses, one of which Beau worked on for quite a while. It has all these little teeth marks in it...

This is Beau's "showing of my stitches" pose. Pretty cute, huh? Oh, and Mommy got here hair cut (finally - it has been since November) and colored today back to it's original color. I really think I like it, but it will take some getting used to!

Abby in her new jeans and very cute necklace that you can not see. Daddy took a picture of it but the little heart was upside down. We'll try again soon. It is so cute and Abby LOVES it. It has her little initial and looks like Mommy's necklaces, so she thinks she is too posh... Oh, this child stands just like her daddy and looks JUST like him from behind. It cracks me up. For proof scroll down to Toby's birthday post -there is a picture of he and Beau from behind for comparison!!

Abby on grandparents/patriot's day at her school.

Beau enjoying a cookie at Abby's school.

Abby's snowman in her classroom.

Abby and Beau playing. She is weighing him on this baby scale we have. He is just going right along with it, which I thought was hilarious. Abby is in nothing but her underwear and a tank top, her home uniform these days - sorry!!

Chocolate Chunk Mocha Cookies

So, I have a HUGE stack of recipes that I have clipped out of magazines, newspapers, etc that were laying everywhere in my kitchen. I finally stacked them all up the other night and noticed this one for these cookies. I happen to believe that there is hardly a better drink than a mocha latte (except maybe a peppermint mocha latte...). Well, this is the cookie version of a mocha latte. They are SO yummy and rich and relatively easy to make. Also, the icing is just fantastic with just that hint of coffee in it. The icing would be yummy on anything - cupcakes, other cookies, etc. They were so much fun and tasted so yummy I thought I would share it in case there is anyone else out there who loves to cook and bake like me, and who loves their chocolate. I only wish I could give credit to whoever made this recipe up, but it was out of a stack of clippings so I have no clue what I cut it out off. (Also, Aunt Ann - you may want to store up the icing recipe for your cakes in case anyone ever wants a mocha/coffeeish flavored chocolate icing.) Oh, also...I may be an ignorant, but I have never baked cookies on parchment paper like the recipe calls for you to do, but I thought I'd try it. It made me nervous - it just seems like putting paper right in the oven like that would just catch on fire or burn. It worked so great, though. I was amazed!! So if you've never tried it, I just thought I'd let you know that it won't catch on fire!! (Ha - I know - I worry about the dumbest things sometimes.) I am going to be baking on parchment paper more often! Anyways, if anyone decides to make them - enjoy!!
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 (11.5) oz package semisweet chocolate chunks
Mocha Frosting
1. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients in a bowl.
2. Beat butter and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks.
3. Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
4. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until puffy. Cool on baking sheets 2 minutes; remove to wire racks, and let cool 30 minutes or until completely cool. Spread cookies with Mocha Frosting. Dust evenly with powdered sugar, if desired.
Note: Dough may be frozen up to 1 month or refrigerated up to 2 days. Let stand at room temperature before baking as directed. (makes 3 dozen)
Mocha Frosting: (makes about 3 cups)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup hot strong brewed coffee
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Stir together first 4 ingredients until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, stirring until creamy.

Happy Valentine's Day 2008

This afternoon after I picked Abby up from school we made (totally from scratch, icing and all -Aunt Ann would be proud) cupcakes for Valentine's Day. Abby insisted all day the Daddy was her valentine, therefore I adopted Beau as mine. We got the kids books (Fancy Nancy and Peek-a-Boo Choo-Choo) and they both scored lots of loot from school. Overall it was a good Valentine's Day. We just wish Daddy could have been home before 7:00!!

Beau taking a ride on his "neigh-neigh" before bed. He really gets into it, kicking his feet up and everything.

Here is a picture of the kids with Mee-Mee one her visit last weekend. They are playing Sesame Street on the computer, so I can't imagine what could be so confusing for Mee-Mee...

Beau enjoying one of the cupcakes Aunt Ann mailed Toby for his birthday.

Abby doing the same. This girl LOVES her sweets, I'm telling ya'll... Oh - please notice the jewelry. We are in a phase lately where she gets full on ready with jewelry on certain days. Clip on earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets. You name it. Sometimes she looks crazy, but her mommy just rolls with it. I tell her how beautiful she accessories and we go on our way. I have gotten so used to it I almost forget how she looks until I see people pointing at us in public places. At least it makes them smile.

So, here's the thing. Apparantly, if you live in Louisiana, New Orleans or not, Mardi Gras is a huge deal!!! These people go nuts for it around here. Fat Tuesday was actually on Toby's birthday this year. People decorate their yards, their cars, their doors...some people even leave up the ol' Christmas tree but cover it in purple, green and gold! It's nuts! Anyways, we walked down the street last Sunday for the "little neighborhood Mardi Gras parade". Well, let me tell you...there were floats galore. They threw beads, candy, stuffed animals, frisbees, balls, etc. One float even threw hot dogs (all wrapped up with condiments and everything). My hubby actually caught one (I'm so proud)! This is a picture of Abby with our loot. She and Beau had a BLAST. I say its fine as long as no one pours alcohol, shouts obsenities or flashes us. It was very friendly in that sense, lots of kids and in the middle of the day...

Abby helps me when I give Rocky a bath.

Beau and one of his latest obsessions. He just loves building these really tall towers and then kicking them down. I have to say that I was impressed with his tower building ability. He did this one all by himself!

Three stooges eating popcorn and taking in a movie. The little guy on the left is my neighbor and precious friend's little boy, Hudson - whom Beau affectionately calls "Huts"!

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A picture of Beau sleeping in his big boy bed. We actually took this one a while ago, but I thought I'd put it on here.

Toby putting Abby to bed.

Happy Valentine's Day everybody. Things are good around here. Toby is working a ton and I am getting to spend lots of quality time with my young-uns! They really are growing up SO fast. I was filling out Abby's registration for school for next fall tonight and realized that she will be in actual pre-K. There are no 2 or 3 day a week options. They automatically go for 5 days a week in pre-K here. This kind of freaked me out and I got emotional about how big the kids are getting and how fast it seems to be happening!! We had a good Hallmark Holiday here. We got lots of fun cards and gifts in the mail from our great family and friends. Mail delivery takes on a whole new meaning when you live away from home! Poor Toby has had fever for the past day, but seems to be getting better after a healthy dose of Tamaflu (he had the flu shot...). He works tomorrow, moonlights tomorrow night and again on Sunday. He has been working a ton, so our time spent with Daddy is precious!! Lucky for me we have had several nice days sprinkled here and there, so I try and get the kids outside and playing when I can.

Anyways... I wanted to ask everyone about their digital cameras, too. I am not very good at all with Toby's fancy camera with all of its' lenses and flashes and settings, etc. Not to mention the thing is HUGE and difficult to just throw in the diaper bag and pull out on a whim. I am looking for a smaller camera with easy to understand settings that takes great pictures. Oh, I also don't want any delay. The smaller one I have now has a delay from the time you press the button until it actually takes the picture and it drives me nuts! If you just love your camera and want to recommend it to me I would be grateful. I don't even know where to begin to look for one. There are SO many out there!! Thanks!

Hope everyone is doing well! Happy Valentine's Day again!!!!

Happy Birthday, Toby

Happy 33rd Birthday, Toby! Thanks for being the best daddy and husband a family could ever ask for. We love you!!!