BIRTHDAYS AND SUCH

September is birthday month around here. Quite easy to break the bank, if I do say so myself. Especially considering that our firstborn claims September as his birth month. This month he turns 5, and we did a dual birthday celebration with his Grandpa Tom, since three members of the family will be on a missions trip to Swaziland Africa on Ian's actual day. He had no complaints about celebrating early, however!

I couldn't resist tying a huge lollipop to one of his presents. We bought him a compartmentalized kid's money bank (save, spend, give), an atlas, and a framed car painting.

I'm not huge on buying toys. I'd rather buy a book any day!

I had fun making this "Slug Bug" cake (as it was called in the Kid's Cake Book). Whatever will I do when my kids are grown and want a normal birthday cake??

JUST BEIN' CUTE

I was going through my pictures, looking for blog photos and realized that these photos are quite cuter in progression than standing alone. My kids know how to ham it up for the camera!

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

One of my favorite things to do with my sisters is cook!! So I had a grand time when Moriah and my parents brought some Michigan blueberries for us to do with as we pleased. We used a recipe from Marilyn Savolainnen, a friend of my mother's, that had cardamom and cinnamon in it. I was skeptical at first, but they were delish!

#29 VISIT ALFRED AND MARY'S HOUSE

Who are Alfred and Mary, you ask? Why, Tom's paternal grandparents! They raised their two sons in the heart of residential St. Paul. Tom's father was raised in this house at 1506 Lincoln Avenue. Tom and his sister Katie grew up visiting "Bommy and Boppa" often, and Tom has many fond memories here. So, I decided it was time for us to check it out! We drove to St. Paul, parked in front of the house, and then took a walk around the neighborhood and through the back alley. I took a photo of the garage because Tom's grandfather built it! There is something fascinating to me about knowing the history of a building. Each and every structure has a story to tell, and I wish I could see Tom and Carol dropping their two adorable children (biased? I think not) off for an afternoon of fun. Tom and I gathered the courage to knock on the front door, and had a lovely visit with the current owners! They remembered the Poch family and even gave us a tour of the house. I of course had never been in the house, but it was fun to see my husband's eyes light up as he glanced around, a memory illuminated every time he peeked around a corner. I've thought of how sentimental my grandmothers' houses are to me, and that's why I decided to put this on our 2010 Summer To Do list!

FAMILY SHOPPING JAUNT

On a recent visit to Farmington, my parents and two beautiful sisters and I took the kids on a short shopping trip in Edina. France/50th is a charming place to window shop, grab an espresso, partake of a chocolate Babka roll, and especially, lust after that which is out of your price range. Hmmm... good thing the company was uncommonly extraordinary!

AUNT MORIAH

Became an aunt at only 13.

Holds her nephew's (sticky) hand.

And lends her niece her high heels.

What's not to love about Aunt Moriah?

(Why are Ian's hands sticky? Fodder for another blog post perhaps)

#7 AEBLESKIVER

For years I've been pining (and salivating) over a magazine photo I saw of aebleskiver, a Danish breakfast delicacy. How genius to take something as perfect as a pancake and create a sphere out of it with something gooey, sweet and delicious just nonchalantly folded inside! It's like a pancake and a popover mated and had a child named PERFECTION. Interestingly, my first batch of these babies was quite impressive. AND the kids ate them, which is the final test of success. So I made extras to freeze. In fact, I think I'll have myself one right now.

P.S. Look online for a photo of the finished product... it is really a sight to behold!