Living in Munchkinland

Happy Birthday to my Munchkin. Today he is three. Of course, he insists that he's four. He doesn't want to be three. I just agree. He can take back that extra year when he's thirty. We had a birthday party for him yesterday afternoon. We meant to have it on our back porch, but with gray clouds and rain in the forecast, we moved it mom and dad's front drive. Please don't feel bad if you weren't invited. After relatives were invited and Davis' closest regular playgroup friends, we already had over thirty people there! The party was a great success. We had a pinata and cupcakes and presents and then we all trouped down to the river for a quick play in the sand box. The theme of the party was "things that go", and we had a tractor for the kids to play on, at least ten different riding toys out on the circular driveway, a thomas the train pinata, and tiny tractors on the cupcakes. Davis is thrilled that today is his actual birthday. He keeps

Saturday night was the Texas Music Night at the Long Center. The dress was Texas Chic, whatever that means. We ate barbecue in the fancy tent and then moved into the hall to watch a fabulous concert with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Then Lyle Lovett joined him on the stage. After a few songs, then Willie Nelson came on and sang. Last, but not least was a fabulous Rick Trevino and a very drunk seeming Flaco Jimenez. The concert was awesome. Then we walked outside to some pretty fabulous fireworks. I'll post pictures now and tomorrow I will blog about the Capital 10K that Michael worked this morning and then Davis' 3rd birthday that happened this afternoon. This weekend was all about fun and just about kicked my butt. I need to go rest now. Love, Amber

We are living it up around here. Mom and Dad are big supporters of the Long Center and bought a table for the opening weekend of the Long Center . Last night was the fancy night. It was black tie and Michael rented a tux. The concert was fantastic and the tent, entertainment, decor and food was really amazing. I uploaded the pictures to flickr. Here's the blurb about last night. The commemorative weekend begins with the Long Center Black Tie Gala Opening. The Gala Conert-hosted by Broadway legend Tommy tune - features the Austin Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Peter Bay; the Austin Lyric Opera; and Ballet Austin. Other guests include pianist Anton Nel, Graham Reynolds and The Golden Arm Trio with a film by the Austin Film Festival, the Conspirare Symphonic Choir, Craig Hella Johnson, Artistic Director and conductor with the Wesley United Methodist Church Intergenerational Choir and Singers, William Joyner and Michael Amante with Rena Strober. Tonight is the All Texas Music

The Austin Mamas were talking about Peter and the Wolf the other day and reminded me of how much I used to love listening to the recording. I went online and picked a recording out for Davis and ordered it immediately, hoping it would get here in time for his third birthday. We got it today and I decided not to wait for the birthday, but instead go ahead put it on his little CD player in his room. He was riveted. He sat in his rocking chair doing nothing but listening from beginning to end. When it was over he told me he liked it a lot and that it was a little big scary and that he wanted to listen to it again. And that's what he's doing right now. Sitting there in his rocking chair listening to it again for the second time in a row. If you're interested, this is the version that I got for Davis. Peter and the Wolf. I must add that I just went to check on him after the second time through. He was still sitting in his chair, but he had tears on his cheeks. I asked

I got this recipe off of Kalyn's Kitchen , which is my one of my very favorite blogs. It's delicious, easy, and fast. It's also comforting and filling. Try it! I'm making it tonight out of the stuff I have in the pantry. Spicy Sauteed Chickpeas with Beef and Cilantro (Makes 4 main dish servings, recipe slightly adapted from Mark Bittman's Quick and Easy Recipes from the New York Times.) 1 lb. low fat ground beef (or Bittman says use other meat) 1 tsp. plus 1 T extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp Cavender's Greek Seasoning (0ptional, or use your favorite seasoning for ground beef) 2 cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drain and save liquid (or use 4 cups cooked chickpeas and save 2 cups cooking water) chicken stock to add to chickpea liquid if needed to make 2 cups 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chile powder, more or less to taste (or use a diced chipotle chile from a can or other hot sauce) 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic salt and fresh ground black peppe

We had a great Easter Weekend. Michael had a half day off on Friday and we spent time in our yard with the kids and dogs weeding, and chasing the kids and just being outside. Saturday morning, Michael spent several hours mowing and weed eating the lawn. It looks beautiful. I spent the time getting ready for our annual easter egg hunt and potluck picnic at the river. Traditionally, this picnic happens on Easter afternoon, but because the weather was supposed to be beautiful on Saturday, and crummy on Easter, we moved it. It was so much fun! The kids did well on their Easter egg hunt and got tons of candy. Tiffany had brought a ton of Easter toys and the kids went wild. The food was great. Elizabeth and Zach came and brought their family and Kade had some friends come as well. Marchelle came for the whole weekend. It was great. Sunday morning the Easter bunny brought eggs and toys for the boys' baskets. Then he hid eggs over at MiMi and PaPa's house. We drove over at

I'm happy. It's not something grand that's making me happy. It's the little things. I really love our new home. I'm on top of things. I'm relatively organized. My house is relatively clean. The kids are fun (most of the time) and they are really starting to play together. The dogs are starting to play together too, and it's really fun to be outside for everyone. Everyone is getting along. Davis and Sam are eagerly anticipating Easter. Davis knows all about the Easter Bunny and Sam LOVES the plastic eggs. We're having a practice easter egg hunt Saturday at the river and I know the kids will love that. I'm not saying that it is easy. It's not. I started this post with Sam screaming at my feet, though now he's quiet since I'm stuffing him with banana. He's getting his molars in and they are hurting him and he's taking that out on the people around him. And of course the kids fight or drive me crazy, but when that happens

After all the drama of the fire, the weekend turned out pretty great. Michael and I got to escape to San Antonio after all. Our bed and breakfast was booked up for the weekend, but we got to spend the night at the Marriott Riverwalk which was great. We drove down in the morning and spent the first half of the day riding roller coasters at Fiesta Texas. We rode five different roller coasters and loved the Tony Hawk themed ride. I highly recommend it. It was more "weeeee!" than "ahhhhh!" and that's just the way I like it. In the afternoon we laid around the hotel room doing nothing and had a fantastic indulgent time. That evening, we had an amazing dinner at Las Canarias on the riverwalk. The restaurant was lovely and the food was terrific. We did a five course tasting menu that used grapefruit as the theme. Each course was paired with a different wine. It was fantastic. We ended up at Steers and Beers for karaoke and partied into the night. The next m

I needed a fire. Just about the time that Michael and I were giving final instructions to mom on the kids and were ready to jet out of here for San Antonio for my first night away from both kids ever, a fire broke out on the ranch. A big fire. We smelled smoke and heard sirens. We ran up to the road to see what was happening. Uncle Larry ran over and told us we had ten foot flames rushing down the pasture. He and Gramp had run like mad to get the cows through the gates to safety. We were evacuated. The sheriff came to our door and told us to leave. We went to my mom's house and waited even though she had a call to evacuate as well. The entire ranch is burnt up to the houses. Smoke poured over the entire ranch. The only pasture left is the one right in front of our house. Michael, Uncle Larry, Gramp, Andrew and Dad all stayed up at our house and the hippy house to fight the fire. Dad had a south by southwest gig but didn't make it. All of us stayed and fought to ke

We have a new baby! Her name is Stella and she is 11 weeks old. She's a white lab mix and we got her from a rescue organization here in San Marcos. So far she is just a sweetheart. She needs some training, but she is smart and wants to please. Henry likes her (a lot- He didn't get the nickname Humper for no reason, I'm glad he's fixed.)and so do the kids. Here's to adding one more baby to our already baby filled household! Cheers! I finally have a girl!!!!

The kids have been playing together in their rooms without me for AN HOUR. I'm so excited! Please, oh please, let them be friends and do this all the time. Let the twenty month age difference that was so hard for the first year start to work in my favor. It is a sweet, sweet sight.

China Grill Barbecue Salmon 35 min | 15 min prep | SERVES 4 (Change Servings) This recipe came from the China Grill in Miami Beach and I found it in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. Then I changed it up and created something new with it. It originally called for a Chinese mustard, but Michael and I love Wasabi Mayo so much, that I chose to use that instead. I also had turnips from my local box I hadn't used yet and so I threw those in and it was so good. Michael told me I could make this recipe every week it was so good. I hope you enjoy it! This would be considered Phase 3 on South Beach if you care about things like that. * 1 1/2 lbs skin on salmon fillets(four 6 oz. fillets) * 3/4 cup already made barbecue sauce * 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar Vegetables * 1/2 head napa cabbage * 3 small turnips, cut into matchsticks * 1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil * 1 lb oyster mushrooms, chopped * 1/2 cup white wine(or sake) * 1/4 teaspoon salt

Davis is officially potty trained!!!! Woohoo! Last week I told Davis that he was too big to wear diapers and that he was going to wear big boy underwear and pee and poop in the potty. He half heartedly disagreed, but then went for it. I pulled out his little potty and put it in his room and he was set. From that point on, he never used a diaper again (except at night) or had an accident. He loves the independence of it all and loves his new Thomas the Train underwear. (he's totally obsessed with Thomas right now). He even fights me at night about the diaper. He says, "Mommy, did you forget? I wear big boy underwear now!". I promised him that if he keeps his diaper dry at night for two weeks then he can sleep in underwear. We shall see how long it takes for that to happen. I am so proud. And so relieved! When we tried in October it was such a battle. This time it was so completely easy. Every one told me that if we waited till he was older it would be a cin

Today I felt good. I got lots of things accomplished. I made us a breakfast of oatmeal and eggs with lots of fresh ground black pepper. We left the house at 8AM and drove to Austin. We voted at our precinct. (Go Obama!) Then we went to the doctor's office and picked up medical records. Next we went to Music Together class where I sang, chatted and cavorted. After that we headed to the bank where I met with a representative and closed our bank account. I stopped and got the kids food and headed home. Where I went into the bathroom and noticed five large pieces of that freshly ground pepper between my middle four teeth. Go Amber! I'm so cool. I bet that advice I handed out on sleep training at music together class was even more convincing coming from the pepper mouth. Moral of the story. Look at yourself before leaving the house. Or any of the times you take your toddler into the bathroom to pee.