What's your sign?

I was reading a book to the kids the other day and it mentioned astrological signs and I said:

"My sign is Cancer."

3 minutes go by and Spirit, evidently not fully listening, jumps up from his seat and looks me in the eye and says:

"YOU HAVE SINUS CANCER?!?"

Me: "No. I do not have sinus Cancer. I have an astrological sign, just like you do, and mine is Cancer. Your sign is Capricorn."

Spirit: "oh. Phew."


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REMEMBER TO CHECK IN HERE TOMORROW FOR A FUN GIVEAWAY!

REMINDER!!!

DON'T FORGET to check back in with me on Tuesday -- there is a giveaway a happenin' here!

Raspberry Cream Tarts and a giveaway

These little tarts are cute and fun and a great Spring time dessert. Using tortillas to make these cute, crispy little tarts and then fill them with a yummy cream cheese mixture. The recipe calls to top them with raspberries, but I have also used strawberries for an equally delicious tart!

I just had a thought that would make Pampered Chef proud - I wonder if you could use crescent rolls instead of the tortillas? Hmm, I may have to try that next time!

I know many people are still suffering through cold and snow and I am sorry for that, but where I am we have had great weather lately and I have even started some yard work which got me thinking about these wonderful little treats! {I just got word that we may get some snow tomorrow!}

Raspberry Cream Tarts (makes about 16)
INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 flour tortillas (8 inches)
Warm water
1 package (8 oz) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons fat-free milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup fresh raspberries

In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; set aside. Cut tortillas with a 3 and a 1/2 inch biscuit cutter; discard tortillas scraps. Brush both sides of tortilla rounds with warm water the spray tops with cooking spray; sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Press into ungreased muffin cups.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pans on wire racks.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, milk and almond extract; mix well. Spoon into tortilla shells; top with raspberries. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

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THE GIVEAWAY
Be sure to come back here on Tuesday for a really fun giveaway! I am so excited! I can hardly stand to wait...

It is going to be a fun giveaway so be sure to come check it out!

Hiking

Mr. Man took the boys hiking a few days ago when they were out of school (one of the many "Teacher Work Days" that they close school for). They went hiking up the mountains to where we scattered our baby's ashes. There is a name marker on a rock there and we leave flowers and the boys like to take toys to leave too. The place is a cemetery in the mountains and is very peaceful (seems weird to have a cemetery in the mountains, but it really a cool place!) You are above the city and can look down at it all.

Anyway, they hiked up the mountain (yes, you can drive it and we usually do drive it, but they thought it would be fun to hike up) and when they got to the top and got to our baby's stone someone had placed a picnic table there. It usually isn't there. So they took their picnic lunch out of the backpack and ate. Mr. Man told me that Spirit (8 yo) insisted the baby wanted Cheetos. So Spirit carefully placed a handful of Cheetos on the stone. They also picked some of their favorite Hot Wheels cars and left some for the baby too.

Here are some pictures they took on the day of the hike.

Why do they grow up so fast?

I was watching Lady Bug last night, they way she talked, the way she moved, the way she was playing and the way she was coloring - she went from being a "little girl" a few weeks ago to being a "big girl" now. Before her 4th birthday she was still "little" and now she is more mature. Her sentences are structured better, she speaks more "grown-up" and she even grew taller I noticed.

I want my baby back. I want her to be a baby for just a little while longer. I love to watch her grow and learn but at the same time I want her to be "little" again -- just for a little bit.

I look at Spirit and Lefty and remember when they were tiny babies too, and now they are in school and we have teacher conferences and bullying issues they are facing and they don't want to snuggle up with me at night anymore. Spirit hasn't kissed me since he was four years old (I still smooch on him though!) which means Lady Bug, being four now, may stop the snuggling and stuff too. I don't want that. I want my babies -- all 3 of them should be little forever!

The longest bike ride... E.V.E.R

The weather here has been so beautiful so Spirit and Mr. Man took off on a bike ride the Saturday evening and were gone quite awhile. Pretty soon Spirit comes in, looks at me cooking dinner and says:

"Mom. You should thank the Lord I'm not dead."

Me: *kinda chuckling* "Really. Ok. What happened?"

Spirit: "Dad took me on the longest bike ride ever. I think we rode about 5 miles."

Pretty soon here comes Mr. Man saying they did ride about 5 or 6 miles and he was sure both of them would be hurting in the morning! I just thought it was hilarious the way Spirit approached me on it!

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On another note:

Spirit called me at work yesterday

"Mom, how is your day going? Has it been fun at work today? What did you have for lunch and what time did you eat?"

I thought it was cute, but it made me wonder if he was guilty of something and why was he asking me these questions??

I never found out if he was guilty of something, I think he was just wanting a conversation with me and when you are 8 that is the best ya got - you throw out all the questions at once and don't really wait for the answers!

Conferences

On Friday we had Parent-Teacher Conferences for the boys.

First, we met with Lefty's (first grade) teacher. She said he is an excellent role model and when the other children are acting up, he is always doing what he is told and doesn't succumb to the bad behavior. That was good to hear. She said he is doing 2nd grade spelling and reading at a 4th-5th grade level. She said he tends to rush to get his stuff done and she has to make him double check his work and often he finds mistakes because he rushed and didn't follow all of the instructions. She told us during the testing they just did on each of the children he was above level on all areas so she is happy with his results (well, dah!!!)

Then, we met with Spirit's (second grade)teacher. She said he is doing well. He went through a bad phase of lying and not listening in class, but that has improved. He, like his brother, is reading at a 4th-5th grade level. She said for spelling they have a basic list and a "challenge" list, he consistently does the challenge words each week and has no problems with them. She has started giving him bonus words to work on and he is doing well with those too. She said he doesn't like to sit when it is time to work. She allows him to stand as long as he stands at his desk and doesn't leave his desk area. She told us she is not concerned about him at all because they just did some testing on all the kids and he tested way above where they expect them to be at the END of the year, she said she is going to continue to challenge him making sure he continues to rise on the curve that he is on.


THEN we got home and Lefty pulled out a school book he is reading and starts saying to Spirit in that sort of nah-nah-nah-nah-nah tone of voice "Look at this...I'm reading at the same level you are!" Spirit freaked out and hit his fist on the table saying "NO! That is MY reading level. You can't be reading that yet." So we are hoping that this won't discourage Spirit and he'll give up. Both boys LOVE to read and I would hate to see Spirit get frustrated that his little brother is reading at the same level he is and just stay at the same pace he is on. I am sort of hoping that he will just continue to read and improve. He is already reading at a higher level so it isn't like I expect him to be at college level by the end of the year or anything but I would hate to see him go stagnant.

I am so proud of them both!