Moments

I didn't pose the girls for this picture.

I needed time to clean the house, so I put on a video & this is how they settled in to watch it.

I don't care what goes wrong today. I got to see this.

Be Prepared

I think Jolie is a lot like me.

Before I had kids, I carried a pretty small purse. Now, every time I leave the house I find it necessary to pack for every conceivable scenario. That's a lot of stuff.

I told Jolie she could take her doll for a walk in her stroller. This was not as simple as I thought it was going to be, as she first insisted on preparing...

Roughly twenty minutes later, she emerged from her room with this (2 blankets, 6 burp cloths, 3 bottles, 4 toy dolls, 1 rattle, 1 teething ring, 1 red velvet purse, and a purple beaded bracelet).

Yes, I think we're good.

Screaming Banshee Baby

My sister-in-law Dawn sent me this e-card. I thought it was hilarious. And all-too familiar.

(turn up your volume & click here)
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http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=EG2774032822164M258710291Y&product_id=

SIMPLE Manicotti

This is one of the easiest things I make. Lucky for me, it's also Jack's favorite. The best part...I can put it together in the morning (when my kids are angels), refrigerate, then toss in the oven in the evening (when my kids are devils).

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Ingredients

1 (8oz) box Manicotti

1 (15 oz) carton ricotta cheese

8 oz grated mozerella

1/3-1/2 c FRESH parsley

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 (26 oz) jar Pasta Sauce

Fresh grated parmesean

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Directions
Cook manicotti according to directions on box (carefully separate so they don't stick together). Preheat oven to 375. Mix Ricotta, mozerella, parsley, salt & pepper. Pour some sauce into the bottom of 9x13 pan. Fill manicotti with cheese filling, place in pan, pour remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle with fresh paremsean. Cover with foil. Bake 30-35 minutes.

Seriously?

We love living on the coast. BUT.

This is how much we spent on gas today. Seriously. (This is the station closest to our apartment. I snapped the picture from my cell phone while Jack filled up the car.)

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It's a tough call, whether to feed your kids or your car.
Of course, I love my children. But I really need a way to get to Macy's 1 Day Sale.

Spring Fever

Forget Puxatony Phil.

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For me, nothing indicates the arrival of spring like Jolie in new sandals. This pair was a gift from Aunt Aileen. (thank you!!!)

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To complete the look, we went to the mall last night to pick out a new shade for her toes...OPI's "La Paz-itively Hot."

Anyone? Anyone?

These are mini cheesecake bites I saw in a magazine that I desperately want to copy. I think they'd be perfect for Jolie's wedding reception (Why put off till tomorrow...).

Anyway, after staring at them for roughly an hour, I give up. I have no idea how to duplicate this shape.

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Any ideas?

The OC

Last weekend, Jack's dad treated us to a weekend at a beautiful resort in Laguna Beach. It was HeAvEnLy! Here are a few of my favorite pics...

Ariel at last!

Jolie with her BELOVED Aunt Patrice

Bread, the beach & my warmups. Can we stay forever?

All work and no play make Jack a dull boy

I'm Pregnant!

Because I neglected to ever **officially** announce it, here is my press release...

Jack & I are expecting our third child on November 1st. We are thrilled, and ask that you please respect our privacy at this time.

(Truthfully, we have no privacy that needs respecting. But if I learned ONE thing as a communications major, it's that press releases always end with a plea for privacy).

Grassery Store

Jolie: Mom, do you want to come to my Grassery Store?

Me: Grocery Store?

Jolie: No. Grassery Store.

Me: GRO...CER....Y?

Jolie: GRASS...ER....Y

Why yes, I did. I've never been to a Grassery Store before.

Outside she had collected blades of grass, and was offering them to people for $2.00 a pop.

Now I don't want to get too excited, but if this venture goes well we may start posting on Ebay. They are really quality blades.