Care to make a guess?

As summer approaches, our appetite for good sandwiches increases. We'll share two delicious sandwiches on Sunday, but first, does anyone want to make a guess for what is on this sandwich, a current favorite of John's?

Bending the rules???

My husband is always game for a good deal.

When he was a kid, the Twins had the deal that children were free; children were defined as ones who were carried in to the stadium, not by an age limit. John let his dad carry him in until he was 10!

So last night we went to Baskin-Robbins to partake in their 31-cent scoop night. While John & Helena waited in line, I had decided to get one Pralines & Cream scoop and one Jamocha Almond Fudge scoop. Then we parents switched spots.

John had been planning on getting three scoops, but when his wife told him to read the fine print (limit of two), he came up with a plan. He'd get vanilla and chocolate, and Helena would get Brownie Madness and Cookies & Cream.

Yes, he bought Helena, a near three-month old, her first ice cream last night.

Did she enjoy the ice cream?


You be the judge.

Old McDonald had a Zoo

And in that zoo he had a lion, E-I-E-I-O!

(remember to turn up your volume)


What a great reaction, huh?

Whose glass is whose?

We don't have a dishwasher, so we try to minimize dishes. But there's the ever-present question:

Is this your glass or mine?

There are all kinds of solutions out there that you can purchase, but may I make a suggestion? Rubber bands! My mother-in-law came up with this while visiting in March, and it has been working great. So get out those rubber bands and save on those dishes!

Happy Easter!

It's interesting how having a child causes you to read the Bible differently. I've always thought about how hard it was for Jesus to have his Father not answer him when he called out on the cross. But on this Good Friday I was struck with how hard it was for God to not answer him.

God saw Jesus's disciples fall asleep, even though Jesus had asked them to pray because he was "sorrowful to the point of death." Then a disciple turned him in for money, all the other disciples abandoned him, and then the crowds that cheered a week earlier called for his murder. And then He, Jesus's Father, had to not answer when Jesus called out in wonder "Why have you forsaken me?"

I have a hard enough time not picking up Helena from the crib when she first whimpers! God's action, or perhaps better put lack of action, really shows the importance of what was happening and His love for us.

Two Questions

Question #1: When will it end?

It = this weather. This cold, damp, windy weather. We were on the University of Toronto's campus today and everyone was wearing warm coats, hats, mittens, scarves, etc. Winter clothes. So strange to think that school is over for the summer when it feels and looks like the fall!

Question #2: Do you have this problem?


Plain yogurt. I can only find it in large containers in the grocery store, but I buy it anyways because it makes such a delicious addition to certain Indian recipes. But then there is all the extra that I never know what to do with it.

With the help of allrecipes.com, I now have the answer:

Strawberry Smoothies.

We discovered the recipe on one of 2011's two glorious 70 degree days. Now we're enjoying the smoothies when we pretend that it's wonderful outside.

Fat Rob Burger

There's been talk that the Skinny Pukeko might need a partner restaurant in order to attract everyone. Skinny Pukeko would attract the more health-conscious and less meat-conscious customers while the other restaurant would do the opposite. So far no partnership has been made, but we have discovered what would be one of the specials on his menu.


The Fat Rob Burger: A beef burger with bacon inside, along with bacon and the delicious addition of a sautéed Granny Smith apple on top.

The future restauranteur's father's review: This is one of the most delicious burgers I've ever had, and I don't say that lightly.

The Events of Helena's First Vacation

Helena had an extremely exciting two-month birthday with her first long car trip, first trip to a different country, first airplane ride, and first time meeting some of her Minnesota family. But that was just the beginning of the fun!

Her cousins threw a tea party in honor of Helena.

Her Grandpa and Nana Lynni met her.

She played with her closest girl cousin, Mary Elise (6 months).

Helena reconnected with her Grandma.

Her cousins compared their big feet with Helena's little feet.

Her cousin Sophia gave Helena the cutest hat which she had made by herself! Helena really does wear it happily, unlike most of her other hats!

She took naps with her Uncle Rob.

Helena made a visit to her Papa's office.

She was introduced to and lovingly held by her great-grandmother Mutti.

Helena was thoroughly entertained with her Uncle Rob's antics.

Believe it or not, her Papa dressed her and even changed her diaper multiple times!

Helena modeled the bonnet her Nani wore when she was a baby.

It was a great first vacation!

It's good to be back.

What a great vacation we had. Helena met all kinds of people and did a great job traveling.

But one person was missing - her daddy. We had nine long days without him. But now we're back, and the fun that goes with being around John has begun again. Like listening to stand-up comedy jokes from Lila the Lamb :)


A photo-filled post of the trip coming soon...