A Perfect Party

As you know, String Bean turned two this week. Today she had her birthday party. Had we invited all her friends and fans our house never would have held everyone, so we had to limit it to family and babysitters.

The morning started out with String Bean taking Pop (grandpa) to her favorite park. With the two distractions gone, Mr. Bean, my mom (Nana) and I were able to set up for the party and cook lunch for everyone. Mr. Bean assembled his famous homemade lasagna the evening before and prepared most of the green bean casserole. Mr. Bean also put together an awesome slide show of String Bean's Second Year. He got the garlic bread ready while my mom and I spot cleaned, moved furniture, set the table, laid out the buffet, and decorated with photos of String Bean.

String Bean and Pop arrived home from the park and while Pop took a bath, String Bean took a (very brief) nap. When she awoke, Nana gave her a bath while Mr. Bean and I took care of last minute details.

Auntie Carolyn showed up early to the party since today was String Bean's fitting for her flower girl dress for the wedding. My mom made the dress and had to do some last minute hemming, but wanted to be sure the length was correct first.

Guests began to arrive at 11:30 and lunch was served at noon. Just prior to eating and saying the blessing, String Bean lead the group in singing the "Choo-Choo Song" which introduces everyone in the room. String Bean was the perfect hostess.

Following lunch, we watched the slide show Mr. Bean had made. It was a hit. By demand of the cousins, presents were opened immediately following. Ama and Grandpa tuned in for the present opening via Skype and enjoyed seeing everyone and everything String Bean got. String Bean enjoyed opening the gifts and loved everything she got (which was evidenced by her playing with every toy this afternoon).

We ate ice cream and cupcakes while String Bean made a mess.

It was the perfect party and we are happy that String Bean is loved by so many!

Happy Birthday, String Bean!

Dear String Bean,

We have enjoyed being your parents these last 24 months. You've brought much laughter to our home and have enhanced our lives in ways we never could have imagined. We look forward to this coming year and seeing you grow into a big sister, learn to use the potty and expand your vocabulary more and more. We can't wait to hear all your thoughts and help you discover new things.

We love you more each day than the day before.

Love and Kisses,

Mommy and Daddy

Remember Our Veterans!

I come from a rich heritage of veterans. My grandfather (Pop-Pop), my grandmother (Nonna), my dad, and my father-in-law all served our country.

Pop-Pop and Nonna both served in World War II in the Army and Army Nurse's Corps, respectively. They did not meet until after the war, but that common background is what started a conversation that has resulted in 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

My father-in-law served the US Navy for a few years which helped him get through college through the GI Bill.

My dad served the Marine Corps for 20 years before retiring and now works as a contractor for the Army.

Remember today on this Veteran's Day to thank a veteran for their service to our country. After all, freedom isn't free!

Leaf Raking

Our church does an annual community service day. For the last few years, they added helping out at the neighborhood elementary school as an option. Since Mr. Bean attended that school, he can point out such historic locations as the door which he cried at every day for a week when kindergarten started and the place he got beat up in first grade.

We went to the school to do some yard work. Because of the economy, there isn't much room in the budget for anything beyond mowing the grass and removing the snow.

When we arrived, since String Bean was with us, we requested a work assignment without a playground view. We were given rakes and paper bags to fill in the side yard of the school. String Bean was given her own rake which was the perfect size.

For the first hour of the event, String Bean did a great job "helping" us clean up the side yard. Then, she hit herself in the head with the handle of the rake one too many times. Luckily, our friend Fred was in charge of collecting the full bags of leaves and depositing them at the garbage site. He had a wagon to assist him which made the perfect perch for String Bean as she then assisted Fred with his assignment.

Mr. Bean and I both walked out of there with a few blisters. I think String Bean managed to not have a bump on her head, and we all enjoyed spending a few hours out in the sunshine!

PSA from Cashew

Cashew would like everyone to know that sucking on a baby wipe is a *bad* idea. And if one should happen to suck on a baby wipe, they definitely should not stick their entire hand into their mouth to try to wipe off the taste. It will make you puke.

Two Years Ago Today

This day two years ago both my parents and my in-laws were waiting as my due date for String Bean came and went. I remember going to the OB that day and being told that I was not in the least dilated, the baby had not dropped, and they didn't suspect I'd be going into labor any time soon.

6 days later, I was induced since there was still no sign of an impending arrival and String Bean had gotten too cramped to do much moving anymore.

After 26 hours on pitocin and zero contractions (and saying farewell to my father-in-law who had to get back to work), I was wheeled into the operating room and we welcomed String Bean into the world. She was worth the wait!

Legos

Scene: 7 pm in the living room. String Bean is playing with our Goodwill find-Duplo Legos.

Me: I am so glad we don't have a son right now. Can you imagine how many Legos would be all over our living room?

Mr. Bean: It isn't too late. We could be having a son!

Me: Yeah, but now that I've realized this, I have years to mentally prepare for it.

Mr. Bean: True, and we have months to teach String Bean to clean up after her brother.

Another Crock Pot Creation

Mr. Bean asked me today why I have been doing so much cooking lately. I think the answer lies within the magic of the crock pot. I just love it.

Tonight I made chicken in the pot which is the first time I've ever tried chicken. Here is my recipe:

Chicken Stew-like Yummy Food
Chicken Breasts
Family size cream of chicken condensed soup
milk
celery
1/2 onion (or more)
garlic
salt
pepper

Defrost chicken. Combine cream of chicken soup and 1/2 of its can full of milk in the crock pot. Add garlic, salt and pepper to your liking and stir. Coarsely chop celery (I used 3 stalks) and add to pot. Finely chop onion and add to pot. Add chicken last and be sure it is smothered in mixture.

Leave in fridge overnight, or begin cooking. Set on low for 6 to 8 hours. Once chicken is cooked, shred it by using a wooden spoon. It should fall apart pretty easily.

Serve over rice, biscuits, toast, or potatoes....or...or even plain! (To borrow a line from Holiday Inn.)

New Parking Lot

At work, they put in a new parking lot to accommodate the new science building they are putting in. I have been among the first to be asked to park in it.

There isn't anything like being one of the first cars to pull into a freshly bricked and painted lot. The lines are visible; the potholes do not exist.

It is the simple joys.

Sniffles and Coughs

I have officially infected my entire family. String Bean is sniffling and snotting everywhere she goes. I just love the entire face rub that puts snot everywhere. That stuff is tough to get out of eyebrows and eyelashes.

Mr. Bean took his temperature this evening and discovered it a one tenth of a degree above normal. Sound the alarms! He's starting to get the snot String Bean and I have been sharing.

We LOVE cold and flu season!