I have Issues.

I am leaving on a road trip tomorrow for my family reunion to the Motherland. I have a kerbillion things that I need to be doing right now. I am sitting on my duff blogging, earnestly avoiding all the work that is ahead of me. I have issues. Big time.
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Pretty much my family reunions rock. Check that, the Potrie family reunions really rock. Sorry other family reading this, but it is true. They are held every two years over a long weekend in August. There is a theme to the reunion, activities planned, communal meals where each family takes responsibility for feeding the hoard at a time. This years theme is "No Empty Seats Please." Which I believe is supposed to be a two fold type of theme. Because literally, in the sense of our reunion, lets have no empty seats (like everyone attend AND be active participants). Then I think it is also supposed to mean in the philosophical sense of lets all get our buns to Heaven, altogether, no empty seats... in Heaven... I might be a little off on that aspect.
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Probably my favorite favorite part of the reunion is the Family Auction. It is so magical, and ingenious. Everyone needs to pay a portion to cover the costs of camping (family's in charge of designated meals buy the food for their specific meal). Everyone brings at least one item for every member of their family, preferable homemade. Said items are Auctioned off. The money you pay for these items then goes to the cost of the reunion. Any overages go to the family history fund or something like that. There have been many fantastic treasures in these auctions, and the bidding can get fierce and oh so fun! Last year I did a needle point of President Hinckley's 6 B's and framed them.
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This year I opted for something of an edible nature. I made granola! I got the recipe from my fabulous friend Rachel . And of course I couldn't just make ONE type of granola, I had to make 7. Over achiever... I know...

All my magical supplies. Notice the onions and broccoli on the left side of the picture? I assure you these did not go in the granola. If I am going to be cooking forever... might as well dirty every pot and pan I own, right? I made broccoli soup with those ;)

Hello lovely ingredients! Did I mention when I was baking this up? Well I needed to do it when the girls were in bed (they just get into everything too much). So I was working on all these shenanigans to pert near 2 in the morning.

Here is my first batch coming out of the oven. I made two base batches, then separated the granola and added other ingredients to the smaller portions of the base to get my "flavors".

Here are the fruits of my labors! Flavors include:

Island Breeze (Candied pineapple with lightly toasted coconut)

Blueberry (dried blueberries)

Mixed Berry (dried cherries, blueberries, cranberries)

Cherry Almond (dried cherries with lightly toasted chopped almonds)

Nut Lover...he he he... ( lightly toasted and chopped almonds and pecans)

Cranberry Macadamia Nut (dried cranberry and lightly toasted and chopped macadamia nuts)

Apricot Walnut (dried and chopped apricots with lightly toasted walnuts)

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I have two baggies of each flavor so I am going to make up two baskets that have one of each flavor and advertise it as a granola sampler! Aren't I clever?

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Another highlight is Family Council which is held Sunday evening. Since I am an "adult" now I can attend which is a pretty big deal in my book. I always remember Family Council as being this super top secret thing. No kids allowed. ADULTS ONLY! Us cousins would always imagine that they were eating tons of treats, candy and ice cream and discussing confidential Top Secret family items. In reality it is to go over the next reunion, who will be in charge, items of interest that the family should be aware of. I have yet to eat ice cream during it. I feel really official when someone makes a motion, then someone seconds the motion and we all vote on it. Like I am for real an adult now.

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Well I am pretty certain that this could be my longest blog post ever. I get an A in the procrastination department. Packing and Laundry here I come! I will be MIA blogging wise until the end of next week!

Milestones

Today is the day. The day that marks the halfway point before I can see Marcus again. Halfway through this first stage in the saga that is "longest I've ever been away from my Honey Buns".
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We are alive. I am still sane. I am doing this.
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35 days down. 35 more days to go.

Picture Shenanigans

We tried to get a nice partial family shot while we were at the fair to send to Daddy. Shenanigans ensued and this is the best one we were able to come up with. I am sweating buckets at this point and tickling both kids at the same time.

Before that shot there were a lot of grass picking and sticking down shirts and in hair. Not to mention paper eating.

There was singing of songs and camera operating instructions "NO, push THAT button!".

There was rolling on the ground.

The was jumping and crawling over Mommy.

"Wook Mom, I really wow to da ground!".

Coaxing her to come and stand by Mommy.

And then getting to the point where you are loosing your patience and don't want to see a camera ever again. Right after this I grabbed Olivia in a wrestler hold and told my Mom to take as many pictures one right after the other that she could in the hopes that at least one of them were decent.

Someone needs to write a how to book on getting kids to stay still for 5 seconds so you can take a picture. I would pay big bucks for material of that kind!

Digestive Issues

This girl was having some digestive issues yesterday. I think all the fair food and crazy eating of last week came back to haunt her. She was passing gas left and right. It was like to soundtrack to her afternoon.
If she was walking across the room the toots would be like drum beats to her footsteps. If she bent over she would squeak one out. Then there would be the real doozies, trumpeting all over the place. At first it made me chuckle, then amazed at the duration with which this episode was lasting, then just grossed out. After a particularly loud round of blasts and looked at her. The look that says "you have GOT to be kidding me." It is also the look I use when reminding her she needs to use her manners. Expecting her to say "excuse me".
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"I okay Mommy, my tummy's feel so much better now!".
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Well I am glad she was at least feeling better, because I am not sure that my nostrils will ever be the same. I know, I know... there are MANY reading this saying I had it coming to me. Karma. I just hope she got it all out of her system yesterday!

I Heart the Fair

Fair week is one of my favorite favorites of the summer. So much fun. Kinda like working for extra money, eating yummy yummy's, high school reunion, church reunion all in one. Working at the coffee stand right next to the grandstands were are in a good location for bumping into people. It is so fun to see what is new with people that I used to be in contact with, but not as much anymore. I would be lying if I said I wasn't just a little bit pleased with myself to be able to show off my new slimmer bod (Okay, I'm vain... at least I can admit it). Luckily there were also many instances of embarrassment that helped to shelf my vanity away into a dark corner. All I'm going to say is funnel cakes + corndogs and mustard = explosive outcomes... I shudder to think back on it...
My girls were simultaneous abandoned by me for most of the week and spoiled rotten.

So much to see and do.

So many people to smile at.

I offered to send money with Helen and Lindsay the night they took the girls, to buy them fair dinner. They told me not to worry about it. I am pretty sure they soon regretted that decision. They (meaning JUST my babies) consumed the following in four hour period: poffertjes, hot dog, french fries, ice cream cone, hot chocolate, more poffertjes. Sorry Helen if you are now poor (In fair prices that equals more than some countries annual budgets for a year).

Always take some time to smell the flowers.

Then there were the times when Olivia felt the need to liven things up with her exhibitionist routines...

Helen went to hand one poffertje to Olivia and instead of taking one of the pastry pillows, she grabbed the whole plate.

We also frequented the Army tent. Trying to get Olivia acclimated to that uniform.

I worked my buns off and had a blast. It was busy but I loved every minute. I was able to take the girls with my Mom and Grandma for one morning, and then the girls were able to visit twice more. Once with Helen and Once with Grandma Teri.

My Mom and Teri (Marcus' Mom) were lifesavers in the babysitting department. With how much I was working it was a comfort to know that the girls were being loved and had a somewhat normal routine.

Time is flying by and also moving glacially slow. This is the start of my 6th week without my hunkahunk of burnin' love... 5 weeks since I last heard his voice on the phone. It is crazy to me that this much time has already gone by. It still kinda feels like forever until I see him, or the girls see him. Taking it one day at a time really helps. At the end of this week we are embarking to the Motherland for a family reunion... it's going to rock!

Highway Robbery Of Ridiculousness

This girl has been sick.
So has this girl.

Coughing, snotty noses, whining. My two longest days of the fair were Monday and Tuesday. Monday morning I thought it was perfect timing because the girls were over the worst of it, or so I thought, and I could have a break from them for my sanity.

Shenanigans ensued Monday night keeping this Momma up until the wee hours of the morning with Olivia waking my up in the morning yelling "MOOOOOOoom! I have grodies in mine eyeBROWNS!". I crack open my eyes to see that her right eye is completely fused shut. With gunk. Pink eye.
I hauled butt to get myself and the girls ready in record speed so we could go to the Dr, get prescriptions and drop them off with my Mom before I had to be at work at 11. By a serious of unfortunate events involving lack of time, stupidity and misinformation I ended up getting robbed by the Dr. and the Pharmacy. I ended up spending $100, when I could have only spent 4. I wanted to DIE. We also had to make a bathroom stop before leaving the Dr office (my bladder ain't what it used to be, thank you child birthing). Olivia decided it was high time to leave the bathroom whilst I was at my most vulnerable with my pants around my ankles. We were a three ring circus.

Then I got to work and within the hour the granita machine broke down (Our biggest seller). I felt like I was jinxing everyone around me.

Upsides? My kids were probably crabby yesterday... but I didn't have to deal with it (thank you grandma). I got to spend the whole day at the fair, which is one of my favorite places. I drowned my sorrows with cheesy riley fries a la Piggly's. Then I had some dance therapy while listening to the weird Al concert, simultaneously amusing and embarrassing everyone around me.

Nothing like deep fried grease topped with cheesy grease and a little weird Al to set the world right again.

Not to mention someone left a little surprise for me on my car yesterday......... which will have to wait for another post because I need to get my grodie self into the shower. But I have never had anyone be so inventive with sending me the love before!

Estrogen Overload Update.

I have been livin' it up with watching things instantly on netflix (and also with the great movie suggestions by those who commented a while back).

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I love how netflix thinks for me. My tastes preferences created a special row for me labeled "Dark Romantic Period Pieces.". I got a little depressed by just reading that title. I never really thought of myself as a dark romantic period pieces kinda gal. These just work for me right now. They aren't sappy. They don't make me sad my husband isn't around (unlike if I had chosen something sugary sweet "over the moon" love story). They fit well into my estrogen party theme. Intriguing. Compelling. Thought provoking. Plus you can never go wrong with British men is suspenders (can I get an Amen?)

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My favorite out of the ones I have seen so far is North and South. SO GOOD. I plan to re watch it in a few days. If you haven't seen it, like BBC and enjoy watching British men in suspenders, then I highly recommend this for your viewing pleasure!

Today is the Day...

On this day, 6 years ago, Marcus and I were married. I always forget our anniversary. EVERY. FREAKIN. YEAR. No joke. I don't know what my problem is, but remembering dates is just not my thing. I have issues with birthday's too (as in I always forget Marcus' birthday as well. Along with my Mom's... my Dad's... my kids...). Usually more than half the day has gone by and then Marcus will casually say "Oh by the way... Happy Anniversary." and then I feel like a total retard. He used to just say it first thing in the morning, but then I think he started delaying when he would say it so as to give me a chance to remember.... which I never did. Worst wife of the year award. But for the record he has never once made me feel bad about it. When I try to cry repentance he just say that he knows it's not my thing (dates) and to not worry about it, with a smile on his face.
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Actually maybe it is just numbers in general that I have a hard time with because I always forget how old I am. Like when asked I really have to think about it before I answer.
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So I forgot it this year too. I only realized it at about 3:00 pm when I went to write a letter to Marcus and I checked the calendar to see what the date is (to date the letter). There in red writing:
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Our 6 Year Anniversary!
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Oh epic fail once again. Had I been conscious of dates I could have sent a "Happy Anniversary" letter in the mail in time for him to get it today. I guess the upside is that beings how he isn't here it's not like he will know that I forgot about it... again.
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Even as neglectful as I may be, the stars aligned so I could get a picture of my studdly stud muffin of sexy goodness (does that work for you Kaitlyn?). Thank you facebook (2nd Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment Page) for producing this beaut. At the range. Shootin' it up. This is the first time of being able to see him in his spiffy new duds. I could get used to seeing him in uniform ;)

He is the one shooting the gun... Not the one posing like he is a swim suit model...

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Mmmmmm. Definitely likin' the uniform.

Information Age

So I have to say that the time we live in is pretty amazing. Not only do I get my regular letters from my blue eyed beauty (that's for you Kaitlyn), but then there is all the fabulous things on the internet.
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Like I became friends with the 2nd Battalion 193th Infantry Regiment on facebook. It is officially run by Fort Jackson and they upload pictures during each of the phases of each company and then group them that way into albums so it is easy to find. They also post encouraging quotes, or let us know how many days left until graduation, or tell us useful information about graduation. I have yet to see a picture that I can make out Marcus in, but it is so wonderful to see the people he is with and see all the things they just went through. I could see pictures of them exiting the gas chamber (those were REAL special, most of the guys looked like they were going to hurl) and also of the victory tower.
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I was also able to find out, from Ft. Jackson's website, all kinds of information and maps that I will need during the graduation festivities. There were also information numbers, general numbers and a number direct to Marcus' company, so I could confirm anything I needed.
I have received multiple letters in the mail from the Army giving me all sorts of information. It is really blowing me away how much they are mindful of the families at home and all the efforts they take to make it easier for us.
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In addition to the Army correspondence I have also received a letter from church headquarters in Salt Lake. It was such a beautiful letter, thanking me for the sacrifice our family is making right now.
Here is just a portion:
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"In these troubled times, it is heartwarming to see members (of the church) courageously step forward to help preserve our freedom and way of life. You can be proud of the part you have played in supporting Marcus in this important decision. Military life can be very rewarding for both the service member and his family. We express gratitude to you for your selfless service and sacrifices in his behalf."
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Then they gave me information about the Military Relations Division of the church. Numbers I can call to help locate church services where ever we move.
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All of these things go such a long way to help ease my mind. I know there are so many people who are mindful of us during this time and it really lifts my spirits.

AAAAHHHHHH!!!

Just booked my flight to go see Marcus when he graduates! I found the seat sale of the century and am currently printing out my itinerary. I was also able, through the glories of the Internet, find our all sorts of information about Graduation day. There was a number that I could call and talked to some lovely Army man to confirm the dates "Glad to be of service, Ma'am." (boy howdy do I love being called Ma'am, all dignified with that sweet as pie southern accent).
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So excited to have my tickets!
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So excited to have talked to someone in the same place as my man!
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So excited to get a sweet ticket deal!
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Pretty much most exciting night ever!

Precious Cargo

Last night was a girl night. I put the kids to bed at a friend's house so we could watch a chick flick. It was so much fun and the time flew by. Then it all of a sudden got REAL late. You know, the kind of late where you are having fun with friends and then *POOF* it is past midnight.
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Driving home on the county roads, all was quiet. Hardly anyone else around. I could see Olivia from my rear view mirror and was watching her sleep. I was not being a neglectful driver, I kept checking the front and the road was also in my peripheral vision, BUT my attention was on my girl.
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I had just crossed over Hannegan, heading east on Smith. Then very distinctly I had a strong impression.
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You need to be vigilant. You are carrying very precious cargo.
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That instant I became fully alert to the road, snapped my eyes straight ahead and saw the deer bound out in front of us. I had just reached 50 mph and had to slam on the brakes and veer sharply to miss the deer and then veer sharply back to not go in the ditch.
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Had I not had that prompting we would have hit that deer. Not maybe... we absolutely would have hit it.
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In reflecting on this today I realized something. When we say our prayers, either my own prayers or the family prayers I say with Olivia, we always end them with the plea to keep our Daddy safe on "his awmy twip". We have foolishly never once asked for protection for ourselves. How grateful I am for the prayers of our family and friends on our behalf. For the prayers from my husband, earnestly asking for the safety of his family at home. Those prayers are keeping us safe. Heavenly Father was watching out for me and my precious cargo last night. I am humbled in gratitude for our safe journey. I will not forget to ask for help for myself from now on because I know now that I need it.

Technically Speaking.

Are you still considered a prisoner if you imprison yourself?
Olivia finagled a way into Bianca's crib, such a way that she could not get herself out again. You see my eldest only takes calculated risks. She is very cautious. She figured out how to climb in because there is a nice comfy landing inside when she falls. Getting out is not quite the same story. My floors are concrete. Olivia is keenly aware of this fact.

Upon realizing that they were both caged, I took it as the perfect opportunity to jump in the shower. Not to wash my hair or anything fancy like that. I wash my hair every other day... but I get sweaty when I sleep and if I don't shower in the morning I feel just down right GRODIE. So shower I did. For 5 blissful minutes I sudsed up.

Then I went to check on my prisoners. Olivia figured out that by moving this play table to the crib she could get the height she needed to propel herself over. They were playing in there together, laughing away.

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So does that technically make me a neglectful parent that I kept my kids caged to shower?

Upsides...

Being the "look on the brightsides" kinda person I am nowadays, I just discovered a new positive to being "only one" right now. WAY easier to make my bed.
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I know, you are thinking "Live it up girl, spread out and enjoy all that glorious room!". Two reasons why I am NOT doing just that. It feels weird, like no one should be allowed the freedom to have that much room to waltz about whilst sleeping. Like I physically CANNOT make that shift. Also, I wouldn't want to get used to all that territory only to have to relinquish it back again.
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Then there is the fact that I switched sides. Like my side used to be (if you are looking at the bed) the left side. Ever since we got back from our trip I have been sleeping on the right side. That first night I went to get into bed it hurt too much to see his side empty , so I just jumped in it. It made me feel closer to him and made me stop feeling quite so sad that he wasn't there with me. And now, every night, I climb into the side that ISN'T mine. I leave my side blissfully indisturbed. When I wake up the morning, I only need to adjust the quilt on the side that isn't mine and throw the pillows back on and I am done.
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You would think it would feel weird, to switch sides of the bed so suddenly, but it doesn't. I feel totally okay when I go to tuck myself in at night. I know that the side that IS mine is waiting for me... when the owner of the side that ISN'T mine is back again.
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Sweet Dreams...

On time....

.... for church. The first time that has happened in months and we are down one parent! I have been running a tight ship, it is the only way to keep everything running smoothly without my brain falling apart. The upside? (Well besides being on time for church) I have never been more organized in my entire life.
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Dirty dishes go straight to the dishwasher, kitchen cleaned after every meal, all toys picked up and put away before meal times-naptimes-bedtimes. I run a load as soon as there is enough laundry. Punctual bedtimes of 7 (Konks) 7:30 (Owaya). Not to say that things don't go wrong, they do. Every once in a while there is a disaster level mess, kids throwing tantrums, normal life with two kids two and under. But I can easier handle those things when all the little things are running smoothly. Also as soon as the girls go to bed I don't want to be fartin' around with housework. I want that time for ONLY me. Estrogen overload.
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I made some rules for myself too. Once the girls go to bed it is the start of me time. Sometimes (but not always) it is also my dinner time. I can blog my brains out, watch my beloved BBC miniseries, check email, write letters. No Internet past 9 pm. Lights out by 10 pm. I haven't always followed this to a T, but for the most part this has been the case. I can't afford to have any crazy insomniac episodes, sitting in front of the computer! Chances for a nap the next day are very slim and I need to be on my A game for the girls as well.
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The results thus far have been punctuality, well restedness, more sanity. The girls have been napping awesome and bedtimes have been no fuss.
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We came home to a clean house, we ate lunch, we took naps. I even got a nap, the first one since we have been home from the road trip. One glorious hour of bliss full sleeping.
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Here is to another week of schedule keeping, crazy cleaning, organization life!

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

I have this problem. Really, it is the biggest problem I am dealing with. I have these two young ladies...

... and all the work that goes along with keeping these two young ladies happy and/or healthy. (Let's face it, they aren't always happy)...

Then there is also the problem of keeping my sanity amongst all this glorious work. Solution?? Division of labor, baby.

The eldest feeds herself, the youngest feeds MOSTLY herself. If the eldest FED the youngest then I would be free to tidy up a little... do some dishes... sneak on the computer...

But then there is the issue of the youngest absolutely refusing to wear any kind of bib. If the eldest is feeding the youngest... well... it can get quite messy. Messier than if the youngest was feeding her own self.

I suppose one could always enforce "Monkey Law" whilst eating. That is just stripping the youngest down to her skivvies... that would save on the time spent cleaning the messy clothes.

Then there is also the issue of the eldest sneaking bites for herself. Even when she has already eaten HER lunch. No way of telling how much food actually made it into the youngest belly.

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Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.... Me thinks this is creating more problems than it is solving. Alas, back to the drawing boards.

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For the record my inner dialogue is still running a la BBC miniseries mode. So yes, I was writing this with an English accent running around inside my head. Tea and crumpets sound about spot on right now....

Decisions

I asked Olivia what she wanted for breakfast this morning. Normally, if given the choice, her favorite breakfast option is Cheerios. So when I ask her this question it is normally with the anticipation that I will not have to make anything extravagant for her.
She gave it some serious thought and concluded she wanted pannekoeken.

Daddy's are an interesting creature. It is their job to make life as fun as possible. Whether that is by being silly, making pretend words for things, or different languages for things. Whatever it takes to keep kids on their toes and smiling. So when we first started doing pancake breakfasts for Olivia, Marcus called them pannekoeken breakfasts instead (Dutch for pancake).

So hearing that made me smile, be impressed with Olivia's Dutch accent and simultaneously miss my other half like crazy.

So even though the multitudes were starving, we whipped up some pannekoeken. The soundtrack to the morning's festivities was the Beauty and the Beast VHS that I had started earlier in the effort of having a shower undisturbed. Right when I was flapjackin' up a storm the song "Be Our Guest" came on. Then I really got my groove on, singing (screeching), dancing and flipping.

The youngest wouldn't hold still for very long in her frenzy of stuffing these golden, glorious orbs into her mouth. (Coach's Multigrain pancake from Costco anyone?).

Konks couldn't quite decide if the camera was edible or not.

Syrup or Jam? Today the request was for syrup.

Between the two of them, they consumed 4 pancakes that where just a little smaller than the size of Olivia's plate. It is rainy outside. They are filled to the brim. We may have started The Jungle Book but I figure making a real homecookin' breakfast will make up for any amount of zombie time they will spend in front of the TV this morning.