Mother's Day

I got the one thing I really wanted for Mother's Day: pictures of me with my kids! Usually I'm behind the camera, so I was glad to have an excuse to have some pictures with Ethan and Madeline taken!

I also got a book I wanted and a new journal! How did they know mine old one is almost full?!

I love being a mom. Even on the hard days, I am so grateful for these two little jewels in my life. They bring me great joy!

My Best Friend's Wedding

My best friend got married today! We've been friends since we were babies and today was a most splendid day! I sobbed through her entire sealing. It was just so wonderful. Lindsey, you were stunning and you're beautiful inside and out!

My mom did all of Lindsey's flowers. They were amazing:

Lindsey and James:

And here are just a few fun shots I took during the day:

Mickey the Mouse

Ethan got brand new jammies this week! And if you ask him what kind they are, he will proudly tell you that they are "Mickey the Mouse jammies"!
He really likes them.

I really like them too, and this is why:

Regular price: $24.00
Sale price: $12.99
Coupon: $10 off a purchase of $10 or more at JCPenny
My price: $3.19!

Emily, aren't you proud?!!

Counting

Ethan started counting in the car today. Just out of the blue, but that’s not all that unusual for him. Ethan has always loved numbers and orders. But today he amazed me. I mean, I knew my three year old could count, but I really didn’t realize how high.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 . . . he counted and continued to count all the way to 67 (with only two mistakes)! And when he got to 67, he sighed and said, “70, 80, 90, 100! I can count all by myself!”

Whew, I should say so!

May Recipe

Minty Broiled Shrimp Salad

From the Minimalist Cooks at Home (Mark Bittman)

20-30 minutes
Serves 4

2 pounds shrimp in the 15-30 per pound range, peeled (and deveined if you like)
1 tsp minced garlic or more to taste
1 tsp salt
½ tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tsp paprika
4 Tbls plus 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
30-40 mint leaves
6 cups arugula and/or other greens

Preheat the broiler, and adjust the rack so that it is as close to the heat source as possible. Place a large oven-proof skillet or thick-bottomed roasting pan on the stove over low heat.

Combine the shrimp with the garlic, salt, cayenne, paprika, half the olive oil, and the 2 tsp lemon juice; stir to blend. Turn the heat under the skillet to high.

When the skillet smokes, toss in the shrimp. Shake the pan once or twice to distribute them evenly, then immediately pace the skillet in the broiler.

Mince about one-third of the mint. Tear the remaining leaves and toss with the arugula. Stir the remaining olive oil and lemon juice together in a bowl.

The shrimp are done when opaque; 3-4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a plate; it’s fine if they cool for a moment. Add the shrimp juices to the olive oil-lemon juice mixture and stir. Dress the greens with this mixture and toss (if the greens seem dry, add a little more olive oil, lemon juice, or both). Place the greens on a platter and arrange the shrimp on top of or around them; garnish the shrimp with the minced mint.

Spring Flowers and Cute Kids

My mom, lovingly known to my children as Mimi, has had beautiful spring flowers in her yard my entire life. Maybe that’s why I love tulips so much. It’s hard to pass up the opportunity to take pictures when the surroundings are so lovely.

Little Biddy

I would like to introduce you to Little Biddy:
Ethan has been calling Madeline “Little Biddy” for over three weeks now and I still have no idea where he came up with the name. And he’s very insistent about her being called that too. Whenever I call her “Sugar” or “Sweetie” or Madeline for that matter, Ethan will say, “NO! She is LITTLE BIDDY!!” It’s rather strange, but has grown on me quite a bit.