Sunshine...

leads to an improved state of mind for me.  Wow, today's sunshine has truly been a blessing.  I received an answer to a small prayer for some guidance.  Blessed my socks off.  Something minor.  In search of a babysitter so I could attend a work function with the husband.  The neighbor girl I would normally used was not available.  The other recommendation I received from the girl did not work out either.  Wasn't sure what to do.  Contacted the Children's ministry director at church to see if she could connect me with some teens who babysit.  She sent me a few names and the first girl I contacted is able to sit.  Also, turns out we have worked in the nursery together so we are not total strangers.  Husband is happy.  I did not go to this function last year because he mentioned it the day before.  No time for me to find a sitter!  Big praise for a small blessing.  Happy day!

Ainsley's 8!

Happy Birthday to Miss Ainsley!  She is 8 today and posing here with her new buddy.  We took her to Build a Bear as a her gift.  I have actually avoided build a bear for all these years.  The kids each have one from their first birthday but that is it.  Ainsley saw an ad for the store a few months ago, so I said we could take her for her birthday so I made good on my promise.  Happy Valentines day to all!

Cough Cough...

Hack hack hack.  Cough cough cough.  That is what has plagued this house for a while now.  Not flu just bad cold/cough.  Ainsley had a mild fever for 3 days.  Better today.  She is having a birthday this week and a party this weekend so I am glad she is on the mend.  Aidan is coughing as well, but no fever for him.  He seemed to come down with this a day before Ainsley girl did.  I am trying to stay well.  Drinking plenty of green tea and sinus rinse.  I even nicked a few of the kids Immune C gummies.  They taste much better than Airborne.  Anyway, tons of baking to do tomorrow and Thursday, brownies for Ainsley girl to share with her class and cookies for the Valentines class party.  Ah well, that is all for now.  More later when there is hopefully less hacking going on.

Super Bowl Spread!

We do our special spread every year. B is recovering from a mild case of the flu so some more items than normal were prepackaged. In this case chips and popcorn which is not typical for us. Hubby grilled chicken wings, and crab legs. We also had fruit salad and kid prepared ants on a log. Banana pudding for dessert.  I also had a treat, Malta.  It is a cereal beverage.  Something popular in Puerto Rico that I grew up drinking.  Made from the same ingredients as most beer, but surprisingly sweet and non-alcoholic.  Hubby came across these large bottles at the store and bought me a few.  Funny thing, Ainsley got one for me from the fridge and knowing that was my second one for the evening admonished me not to get drunk.  I laughed and laughed!  Number one it is a non-alcoholic beverage, and number 2 I have not been drunk in years!  I rarely drink.  I can count on one hand the number of cocktails I have had since my children have been born and I rarely drank before that either.  Too funny.  Anyway, we had a good time watching the game.  I stayed up too late watching and am feeling the pain this morning as hubby was up at 3:15 to catch an early flight out.  Napping today I tell you.

As an update:  dinner with our friends went well.  Hoping to have them over again sometime.  They are quite an interesting couple.

Currently planning a birthday party for my baby girl who is not such a baby anymore.  We are actually having a party with the girls from her class this year.  Invitations went to school with her today.  I have purchased little fabric treat bags and materials to decorate them as an activity and will serve cake and ice cream.  Just a couple of hours and 15 girls invited.  Not too bad.  We shall see how many are actually able to come.  I feel a bit pressured to invite all the girls in the class so as not to have anyone feel left out.  My other choice was to invite the whole class though and I was not up to having that many kids over.  I am thinking of serving chocolate cupcakes with pink icing to go with our pink theme.  That is if I can find pink icing.  So cute.  Ah well, have a good week all.  I think I am going to head to bed for a bit.