Drew and Cam and I have found a fun new hobby.  We've been watching You Tube videos for the past two days.  I came upon a video of Itzhak Perlman and then started searching for more.  I found some AWESOME ones.  I found this awesome one of YO YO Ma and Itzhak playing Dvorak's Dumky trio.  It's really cool to watch, they're like superstars to me!!  Don't laugh, it's true.   Drew has really been enjoying it, which is so exciting to me because he starts cello lessons next month.  Whenever I think of it I get so excited and just get this totally ridiculous grin on my face.  Anyway, I hope you like it :)  And for any piano loving friends, go check out Lang Lang's version of Chopin's Etude No. 3...but don't watch his face, it's too distracting. 

Photo Assignment and more...

My Dad and some of his co-workers do photo assignments every week, and this week they invited me to join them.  The assignment is to walk, run, drive, etc. 10 min. from home and take a photo.  So, last night, I took the boys on a walk to see what we could find.  The first photo is my favorite.  Right as we were crossing the street, one of Drew's training wheels popped off.  I loved how the picture turned out though, with the long shadows and the texture of the road. The second picture could of been better, but I didn't notice that dumb light pole in the photo until I got the pictures on my computer.  I like sunflare, it's kinda fun.  I had my aperture at f/22 to get the sunbeams.  I had to bring up the exposure in Camera Raw and then did some other tricks to brighten up the sign, it was really dark.  This is a fun assignment though, it gets me away from the every day "smile-for-the-camera-kids!!" shot.  P.S. Dad, how do I make my photos horizontal?  It's totally crooked and it's buggin' me!!  Also, you might be wondering why I would choose to take a photo of a crosswalk sign.  I thought it'd be fun to do, since Drew is going to Kindergarten next year.  

Kinda Random, I know

If any of you are interested, I made a REALLY yummy salad today.  Here's the recipe!

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

1 Box short pasta, i.e. rotini, penne, farfalle, etc.

Fresh Spinach

1/2 bunch Cilantro

1 English Cucumber (they're wrapped in plastic)

1 red pepper

shredded carrots

Feta Cheese

1 pkt. Good Seasons Italian Dressing

Vinegar

Balsamic Vinegar

Olive Oil

Cook the pasta, drain and put in the fridge to cool down (don't wash it off, it takes all the starches off and then the dressing won't stick very well). Meanwhile, chop the cucumber and the pepper however you'd like-I chopped the pepper up in tiny little pieces, cause I don't like big chunks of pepper in anything.  Put Cuc's, pepper, and carrots in a large salad bowl.  In a seperate bowl, mix up the salad dressing (just follow the directions on the back).  I used white wine vinegar and about 1 T. of Balsamic.  You can use any kind of vinegar though... When pasta is cooled, combine with veggies in the salad bowl, top with the dressing and combine.  Take the Cilantro and set it on top of the salad and put this in the refrigerator (covered) for a couple of hours for the flavors to do their thing.  When you are ready to eat, remove the cilantro and you might need to add a tablespoon of vinegar if the salad is too dry.  Add the spinach to each serving and toss together-you want it to wilt a little-if you put it in before you refrigerate it, it gets too wilted (blech!) and then top each serving with feta cheese.  Also, if you're wondering why I don't just chop up the cilantro and include it in the salad, it's because I'd gag if I did that.  If you love cilantro, put it in, I'm sure you'll love it!!  

Enjoy!!

Thank you, Love and Logic.....

This past week has been BLISS with my two little boys.  Before that though, life wasn't always so wonderful.  I've had a hard time with Drew-he's really argumentative, and Cam-just his getting into everything.  I was having a hard time enjoying my kids and the hard (but cute) stages they would go through.  I've actually been having a hard time since Cam was about 3-4 months old.  I've also put off having bebe no. 3 because of my own feelings of insecurity of being a good mom.  So, after having Love and Logic recommended to me by more than 1 person, I ordered the book.  I have read through the basic principles (I haven't finished it yet) and already have started to implement the parenting style that is taught.  I have noticed such a difference.  My kids have been wonderful yes, but I've noticed a bigger difference in myself.  I have learned SO much about myself, how to be a better mom and I'm really happy right now.  I feel now, that I can really enjoy these two sweet boys that I am lucky enough to have in my life.  So, thank you Love and Logic, for helping me :)