james turns one!

Happy birthday, little James!  We just could not celebrate you enough on Sunday - you are so, so loved by all of us.  Your birthday was such a perfect day- from the unexpected February sunshine to watching you explore all your new toys to taking your very fist steps, it was perfect in every way.  I will be happily reliving it in my heart for quite some time.

We had the usual birthday banner, courtesy of the kids. And I made a cheesy garland that I will now never be able to part with, it is too cute.

James took his presents very seriously

 I just love the look on his face here. Present time made him a little pensive, apparently.

His favorite gift was his very own box of kleenex.  He removed all 90 sheets from the box that evening!

So excited!  This picture does not quite convey the magnitude of tense anticipation and excitement that was   pouring out of James.  Every muscle poised and ready - like a cougar preparing for the attack!

Needless to say, James enjoyed his cake very much.

What a perfect day! One of the highlights was when I was turned around from doing dishes at the sink to see James saunter casually into the kitchen.  On his legs!  Walking!  He totally got that his birthday was kind of a big deal.  

Happy birthday, sweet boy! Thanks for making every day a joy for all of us - you are one adored little brother.  Love you!

the winter of my discontent

Bleh. Bleh, bleh, bleh.  I have a serious case of the winter time blehs.  Maybe it's just an Oregon thing. Or do you have it too?  It is just so darn dreary around here!  I can only take so much fog and dankness.  Eve skipped happily home from piano lessons the other day and burst in the door saying, "I love how green the sidewalks are here!"  Yes, because they are covered in moss, Pollyanna.  That is not normal.

So what solves this winter time ennui?  Sunshine, you say?  No!  Wrong answer!  The correct answer is chocolate.  Chocolate solves pretty much everything.  So you should make Fudgy Brownie Cake.  It is quick to prepare and you can eat it soon after baking, something that is very important to me.  None of this "cooling" and "frosting" business.  It is delicious and is everything its name promises it will be.

I know it doesn't look fancy, but it is made in a springform pan, which might up the fanciness a little bit.  So go stick it in the oven now so you can settle down with a lovely piece of chocolate perfection after the kids are in bed.  And wait for spring.