A visit from Grandma Idaho

It has been the usual whirlwind o' fun around the Christensen household. We're just catching up on some of the great things that happened in February.

Just before Valentine's Day we received a special visit from my Mom, "Grandma Idaho." Maddie invented the name when she was 3 and it has stuck like glue. In fact, Mom even used it as part of her new blog. Grandma came out to visit the girls and, among other things, take them to a play at Charlotte's Children's Theater. They saw Big Friendly Giant and had a blast. We also celebrated Maddie's birthday a bit early and Grandma took us to P.F. Chang's.

Beyond fun and games, one thing I love about my mom is her work ethic. She led the charge on many industrious projects around the house in her short visit. Thank you. She painted the front room, painted the deck, and spoiled the girls to name just a few.

In other news, right before Grandma's visit we got our second snow of the year. Hooray. Gone by sundown and up into the 50s the next week. Hooray.

Sally loses her first tooth

Tales of a 5th grade Valentine

Maddie has an admirer...a boy from her class last year (who is not in her class this year) snuck into her classroom before school while Maddie was on morning Safety Patrol. He left a stuffed animal, card, and box of candy on her desk. She said as soon as she saw them, she swept all of it into her backpack before anyone could see it and comment on it. She came home from school, both mortified and flattered, and had to brave her dad with the news that it has begun. "Apparently", she said, "I made a good impression last year."

Please DON'T ask her (or tease) her about this--it's sort of a sensitive topic, as you can imagine. But it was cute to see her so pleased and to know that others notice our beautiful, wonderful girl.

The sin of Gluttony

Too bad that right after I made my weight loss goals public I discovered the most delicious, most wicked recipe EVER!! I planned to make a cake for my friend's birthday and her favorite is carrot cake, but she also likes cheesecake and that's what I was craving, so I googled 'carrot cake cheesecake' and found this gem of a recipe.

Personally, I think the two hardest things about making cheesecake are the graham cracker crust and preventing cracks in the top of the cake. This recipe eliminates both problems--no crust and you frost the top. It's the easiest and best cheesecake ever. Even my friend's husband who doesn't like carrot cake approved of this one. I hope you enjoy it too!

Poor nasty bunny

"Nasty bunny" is the name of Bea's special friend, so named for it's nasty appearance and smell. Our other girls have chosen "special blankies", but Bea has devoted herself wholeheartedly to this sad little creature. Our friend Helen Wright wins the prize for creating the favorite blankie/bunny.

Why is the bunny nasty? Mostly because Bea puts herself to sleep by sucking on the hand knots or chewing on the ears. She wipes her nose and teething drool on Bunny. She has pulled the face apart, giving bunny two long mole hairs that hang from its chin. When we put her in her crib, she cries until Bunny is wrapped around her head, and when she wakes up in the morning, she wrestles bunny to the mattress and chews on it until Bunny is soggy and ragged. Washing doesn't help, either.

We asked Helen to create another bunny from similar chenille yarn, but 2nd bunny doesn't get the same adoration. It is but a poor substitute. Viva la stinky bunny!