Several Weeks of Updates: Quick Takes

Hi everyone!

Attempting to keep caught up here... failing miserably.  But I'm here today, to offer you just a few updates on current life in the Sugar and Spice Household!

--1--

I have to share a bit about my sister's bridal shower because it was a most wonderful girly weekend that I thoroughly enjoyed.  We had a tea party!!!

The food was delish and everything was so dainty and beautiful!  I hope the bride had as good a time as I had :)

There were Pride and Prejudice coloring books:

and wedding-themed Mad Libs:

Such a fun afternoon.  I hope I can have more tea parties with these lovely ladies in the future!

--2--

Of course my gals enjoyed the hotel pool while we were there:

...and a couple pizza parties in the hotel room:

Don't you just love that magical charm of staying in a hotel?  Big excitement. ;-}

I have to give a HUGE shout-out to Grandma and Grandpa who were so extremely helpful that whole weekend.  A 7-hour car trip and hotel stay is a lot to manage with these gals and my folks were just so great to take that on with me.  M stayed home because we traveled on a work day for him.  I couldn't have done this weekend without our beloved G&G!

--3--

The weekend after the shower we had C's birthday party at the bowling alley-- her idea.

She decorated the cupcakes herself, of course.

We had SO much fun with our friends.  I would do this birthday party again, for sure!  SUPER easy for Mama-- just brought a few allergy friendly snacks, cupcakes, and goody bags.  The kids had a BLAST and although I suspected they might get bored with bowling after the first hour, I was totally wrong.  They loved it and nobody wanted to leave when it was over.  All we had to do was pay for the cost of the lanes which wasn't expensive at all.  Oh, and P.S., candlepin bowling.  The greatest.  Of all time.  Hooray.  Win win win.

--4--

I have to share one of my fave vegan meals lately-- it comes together so quickly and is SO tasty.  It has been on repeat throughout this winter.

Just stir fry chopped onion, chopped carrot, chopped red pepper, a package of frozen broccoli, and a package of frozen edamame.  Using the frozen veggies saves me some chopping-- I just throw them in in the last 2-3 minutes of cooking and only cook long enough to thaw and warm.  That way they stay crunchy.

Cook some rice noodles, add peanut sauce, and bam.

It's like homemade Thai takeout (sort of).  Try it.  You know you want to.

--5--

I'm going to be on Season 5 of Sing That Thing with Labyrinth Choir!  So exciting!

It was such fun with good friends.  You should watch us!  If you live in New England, the first episode will air April 12 at 8 PM on WGBH.  If you don't live in New England, you can stream from the Sing That Thing website after the season airs.

--6--

Another thing that has been on repeat has been this little lady in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

I'm not sure if she has some new fears going on, or if it's her newly-acquired at-night potty training skills (no more diapers in our house, even at night!  woot!) but it is affecting sleep quality for everyone, to be sure.  I have been fighting a bad head cold these past three days and I think having my sleep interrupted for three nights in a row probably hasn't helped.

For so many years, I was really strict about returning rogue children to their beds at night to preserve sleep quality and discourage bad habits, but these days I just can't even.  I don't know if it's old age, or just being super tired and busy all the time, or being burned out after years of doing it, or... maybe it's just a little bit that she's the baby and I spoil her.  There is something a little bit wonderful about having her snuggly, pudgy little body and fuzzy head right next to me.  For the first five minutes.  Then I get a stiff shoulder and stiff neck trying not to disturb her.  Know what I mean, Mamas?

--7--

And yet ANOTHER thing that has been on repeat this winter, especially since we had our tea party, is tea.

Friday night I made biscuits and we just had biscuits and jam for supper, while watching J's favorite show of all time, Nerdy Nummies... and drinking lots of tea, of course.  With plenty of milk and sugar.  So, so comforting.

I was getting really sick with my bad cold that day, so please excuse the messy kitchen.

It was the perfect lazy dinner for the end of a busy week, and the perfect cozy beginning to a vacation week from school.

Cheers to all of you readers: here's hoping you're staying healthy this winter and finding all the things that comfort you too.  :)

For more quick takes, visit This Aint The Lyceum!