More Mushrooms and Green Bikini, Please

As you may have already read, Husband and I have started the South Beach diet.  We are eating a lot of vegetables; Harper too.  Last week in an attempt to have something a little different, I marinated some mushrooms, peppers, onions and zucchini along with chicken breasts for the grill.  Harper has had this before, whether she remembers it or not, so I loaded up her plate with small portions of chicken, mushrooms and zucchini.  For those of you who have not had the pleasure of eating with Harper, when she is enjoying her meal she "hums" while chewing.  This is a quirk of hers that has been ongoing since solid food...we'll say about 5 months.  So, she is humming away, enjoying dinner when she stops and says, "Mom, I would like more mushrooms and green bikini, please."  Absolutely, Girlfriend!  The irony is that by eating the very thing she asked for more of her mommy hopes to see more of a green bikini this summer too :)

Easter 2010

The Easter Egg hunt was held at our house this year.  Last year, it was at my grandparents home in Almond.  Although we didn't exactly know it at the time, it was the last holiday to be held there by members of the immediate family.  And it was, in reality, a nice way to pay homage to all the gatherings held at that little house on the hill.  It was cold, but fun!  This year, it was a record heat wave!  The kids all had fun hunting for eggs filled with melted candy and other goodies.  My personal favorite part of the day was watching Nick go bonkers with squirt guns!  That child is out of his mind...good luck Dan and Bel. 

Here are just a few little snapshots:

Day One: South Beach

Being overweight tends to run in my family.  Not morbid obesity, but rather "chunk."  I have been battling the bulge since about twenty eight.  Prior to that, I could more or less eat what I wanted and still wear a size 6 (this is not including a spell in college where binge drinking 5 out of 7 days a week blew my butt up into a size 12.)  Now that I have had a child and am nearing the big 4-0 I find it more difficult to keep my weight down.  Did I mention I really, really like to eat?

Several months ago, my older brother started a life change plan that included The South Beach Diet.  My thirteen year old nephew joined him.  Needless to say, they have both lost weight and look great!  Which got me thinking...

Then yesterday I had to return some DVD's to the Gates Library.  As Harper was looking through some books I perused the Book Sale.  Low and behold, there before my chunky eyes was a copy of The South Beach Diet and it was only fifty cents!  Oh Karma, maybe you aren't such a bitch afterall!  (That or us bitches really look out for one another.)  While I cannot say that I have read the book cover to cover, I can tell you I have skimmed enough of it to understand the basics.  It really makes sense.  And the best part?  Husband is committing to the life change plan as well.

The Little Girl Who Cries Wolf

Yep, she sure does.  Whether it is pretending to have to go to the bathroom or pretending to be hurt, she likes to cry "wolf."  Under a great amount of frustration I told a quick version of why we do not, under any circumstance, pretend to be hurt when we are not.  It has not stuck.  It continues...and with it grows my frustration.  Any suggestions as to how to curb this new form of entertainment?  I think tomorrow we will be taking a trip to the library where I will pick up a book (or twelve!) about this topic.  Let me know what all you Mommy blog-buddies have to say about this.  Thanks.

Happy, happy, happy!!

And if this sunshine was not enough, I received an update via Facebook that AKUS (that is: Alison Krauss and Union Station to the newbies) is touring this summer and will be playing at The Highland Bowl RIGHT HERE in the ROC!! You can listen here:

 www.alisonkrauss.com/content/jukebox.php

You know spring is here when...

When the ducks come back! We have officially been at this house for three springs. The first year, I was surprised and delighted by our visitors - a pair of Mallard ducks. We fed them bread and watched them. The next year (last year) we weren't quite as surprised and even more happy to feed them bread. This year, we expected them! "Donald" and "Daisy" now get bird seed (which they love,) swim in our pool and answer to "Here duck, duck" when we open the sunporch to throw them food.

Remember coloring Easter eggs when you were little? I do. I loved it. I loved all of it - eating them, too! Last night was our night to color eggs. Harper had a blast. She is quite the artiste, if I do say so myself. (I think she gets it from me.) The shots I took are new-to-me techniques I am finally, after four years, getting the nerve to experiment with on the camera. I kind of like the artsy-fartsy look of them. I plan on making egg salad and deviled eggs with the eighteen eggs Harper made beautiful.

And finally, spring wouldn't be spring without a picture of a bunny. So here she is: 'Tis Herself, Giselle Enchanted. Isn't she cute?