Just a Moment

He stood at the backdoor glancing out at the rain. His blond curls were tousled and what is left of his toddler belly poked out from under his pajamas.

Suddenly, he opened the backdoor and said in as authoritative a voice as he could muster, "Rain, GO away!"

I both wanted to laugh and hug him while asking him to stay this way forever. Since I do not have the power to make time stand still, I decided I better write it down.

Perhaps one day I'll look into the eyes of my grown son and see glimpses of that two-year-old that just melts my heart.

Now, if only he did have the power to give us a breather from all these April showers!

Don't Cry Over Your Spilt Newman's Own Salad Dressing

Making a salad takes effort. It just seems a lot easier to skip the raw veggies, you know?

However, since I'm a big believer in good nutrition, I dutifully wash and chop up veggies for salads and snacks.

Do you know what is very, very frustrating after spending time making a lovely salad? (The same amount of time that it would have taken to make a dozen sandwiches.) Let me tell you.

It is very, very frustrating to take out the bottle of salad dressing, twist off the lid and then pour only to realize that you forgot that the bottle doesn't have that little cap thing with the small hole allowing for a slow flow. (I'm just sure that is the technical name.)

Just ask my two-year-old son. This is what his dinner plate looked like after his very sweet mama let him pour his own dressing. Oops.

Now, Newman's Own people, I realize you probably aren't reading this even though I put your name in the title. Here's the thing. We are very loyal to your products. In fact, I buy your salad dressings almost exclusively. You would think I would remember that you don't make your lids for busy mamas like me, but I don't. Therefore, all too often a perfectly good salad is ruined because of the poor design of these salad dressing bottles. (Some might call it user error, but whatever.)

Would it really be too tough to throw a mom a bone, especially one who is dutifully trying to feed her kids in a healthful way? Truly, we don't need any more reasons for toddler tantrums around here.

That is all.

How We Celebrated the Holiday that Isn't About the Candy

Wow, it has been more than two weeks since I last wrote a post. Where does the time go?

We had a fantastic Easter traveling to see family in Iowa. We did the egg thing, the basket thing, the eating thing, and all the other fun things that have become Easter traditions. However, the best thing was the fact that this year Ann is starting to grasp why we celebrate Easter. She has proved this by playing a little game with me.

"Mom," she begins. "Do you know the point of Easter?"

"The candy," I tease.

"No, you're kidding," she says. "It's because Jesus AROSE!" she says while jumping up and throwing her arms in the air.

Yes indeed, my sweet one, yes indeed.

Coming in a very distant second best thing about this Easter was dressing my kids up in their coordinating outfits courtesy of one of the grandmas.

Here is our little photo shoot. Little Jane made it quite an adventure. To say she was ready for a nap is an understatement.

Here are the rather compliant "big" kids.

We plopped Jane down hoping for a good shot of the three of them.

At least they are all still on the couch, right?

The week before Easter, Tony dressed up as the Easter Bunny for an event hosted by the company where he works. Fortunately, our kids didn't let the other kids in the secret.

Happy Belated Easter! It's certainly one holiday that can never be celebrated enough!

Date Night

I was wearing sweats and hadn't showered since before my run.

Not a bit of makeup could be found on my face.

Still, my date proudly held my hand. Date night was his request.

We shopped, rode the carousel and shared a snack.

At the end of the night, as I stretched out beside him, he sweetly said, "I love you, Mom."

I gently kissed his forehead and quietly shut his door, but not before saying, "I love you too, my little man."

May this only be the beginning of many special outings together.