Full of Hot Air

Saturday was A.'s 3rd Birthday Party. We decided on a hot air balloon theme. The girls are pretty into hot air balloons.

Here is why. One morning, we were having breakfast when a beautiful hot air balloon flew right over our deck, like seriously close enough that the people inside could have heard us if we yelled! We ran outside to look at it, then hopped in the minivan with Daddy and "chased" it as it tried to land several times them finally ended up making an emergency landing on the side of the freeway. We parked, went and talked to the pilot and passengers and even helped them "pack the balloon up." A memorable and fun family experience.

So, for the party, we bought a helium tank (did you know you can get one that fills 30 balloons, for like 20 bucks, balloons included, at places like Costco, Target, and Wal-Mart?) and helped each child make their own "hot air balloon". We let each kid pick their balloon and ribbon colors. I got these fancy Italian cupcake wrappers at Sur La Table that looked like "baskets", and used a hole punch for the side holes, and a meat thermometer to punch the "middle bottom hole" to thread the balloon ribbon through. We used scotch tape to attach the ribbon to the balloon. The children decorated their balloons with colored Sharpies. I asked each child what kind of animal they wanted in their balloon and drew one for them to tape into their basket, and it got to float up and go for a ride. We used tissue paper for the animals so they would be light enough to still "float" in the basket.

Arden's beautifully decorated balloon (and Aunt Courtney serenading Daddy and Sarah.)

Joci's elephant flies high...

and Adelyn decided she wanted an "orange alligator mean thing".

The kids got a "hot air balloon lunch". Pink balloon: ham. White circles are those fancy yummy mozzarella "cheese balls", cut in half so that they will lie flat. Love the "drapey effect" of the mandarin oranges. Maybe halved blueberries next time instead of olives? Bean sprout "strings", a Triscuit for the basket and of course a "Teddy Graham". I basted the "Chinet" plates with blue food-colored water beforehand and let them dry, and it turns out ham sucks the blue food coloring underneath it, out of the plate- that's how I made the "clouds". You could also use cottage cheese or cauliflower or something instead. Courtney had a great suggestion of adding sprinkles for color. We grown-ups had "Minted Lamb Stir Fry" for lunch. It was a good time!

Should I tell my Husband...

that I like it when other men flirt with me?

Last night I found myself at a gas station in what I'm pretty sure was the ghetto, way after dark, 10 months pregnant, with my 1-year-old in tow, in a less-than-reliable car that needed oil NOW.

Now, these kind of situations actually do not scare me that much. This may or not surprise you, but I have, in my life, "been around the block", if you will. (Although I did feel assured by the security guard who was standing in front of the gas station doors.) I just kindof drank it all in: the rap music thumping from every vehicle that pulled up, the "fly girls" (is that even a current term? I am probably so "out of the loop" :) prancing in and out of their cars getting honks and favorable comments from the men, the interesting products and advertisements in the gas station itself, the fashion (a note on the gas station door read "Please remove your hoodie before entering our store" (I wonder why? Do people "pack their heat" in hoodies these days? Or is it just so, if they do end up commiting a crime, they will be more recognizable in the video surveillance footage?))

Anyway, three young men pulled up beside me and one of them, a charming, dreadlocked, "man" said to me, in a complimentary tone, "Ooh, you're blossoming!" and later murmured something about, "Beautiful Pregnant Woman..." after informing his friends that he left his ID at the house and needed their help with his purchase...

Anyway, it's nice to hear compliments from strangers, and be flirted with. It helps me feel like I've still got "it", even though a lot of the time, at this stage of pregnancy, I feel like a beached whale. It reminds me of what I know deep down, and that is that I am Beautiful.

(P.S. Bryce took the second photo- it was completely unposed. Isn't he brilliant?)

The Cowboy and the Moon

I just wanted to show off the ornaments I made for Bryce & Adelyn! (shhh... they don't get them until tonight!) Adelyn loves the moon, and for those of you who know Bryce, well, he likes cowboys, I guess. I think he definitely has an "inner cowboy" :)

Growing up, we had a tradition where we would hang our stockings (which my Mom made for each of us, and has made for everyone who has joined our family through marriage or birth) on the evening of November 30th. The next morning, there would be 23 red & green strings coming out of our stockings. Each night before Christmas we would pull a string out, which had a piece of candy attached to the end! We were especially excited to see who got the "golden coins"- you were a special kid the night you got those. On Christmas Eve there was a "golden string", which had a new ornament attached to it- the idea being to save them all and decorate your own tree with them once you "left the nest". It was a cherished tradition and one that Bryce & I have continued this year. A. is only one year old and she already loves to pull those strings!

Merry Christmas.

Crack Cocaine Curry

I have a problem. I cannot stop, even when I should, when it comes to two things. Chocolate, and curry. My husband really should hide the chocolate chips from me. I really can't stop. There they are, in the freezer, available anytime. He makes chocolate chip cookies from scratch, without a recipe. It is one of the many reasons I love him.

I had a Pumpkin Curry at "E-San Thai Cuisine" downtown once (Portland, OR) and I couldn't stop, even though I was full. I have been searching for YEARS! for a curry recipe that tastes like the ones in the restaurants. I'd try a recipe I'd find online, and it wouldn't quite be it. There was *something* missing. I'd try a different recipe, hopeful that this one contained the secret ingredient. "Ooh, maybe it's fish sauce! Nope. Or maybe ginger! Nope, that wasn't it, either..." I was beginning to think that the secret ingredient was indeed, crack cocaine. Well, I am so excited, I finally found the S.I., and it's not illegal. Email me or comment and I will send you the secret, part of which is in the process in which the sauce is made... Love, Kadra

Joggin'...

Bryce & I have been on an organizing kick lately. We've been following some of "Flylady"'s advice. It happens to be around the same time as the New Year. I think there's sortof a global energy toward Change and Improvement around the beginning of the year.

I've given up on New Year's Resolutions, though. I think I've become a little bitter towards them. I think what finally did me in was, a couple of years ago, when I made a resolution to exercise. Quarterly. And I still didn't achieve it! Oh well ;).