Sugar Cookie Production

The twins and I spent Sunday afternoon making three dozen sugar cookies for this week's pre-school v-day parties. We had a blast. I'm still finding cookie dough and powder in the kitchen. My little elves were very helpful. They used the rolling pin, cut the cookies (each had a heart cutter) and most importantly enjoyed eating the raw dough. Too bad they were napping when it came time for clean up. Today was their first of two parties. Each received a cupcake, lots of lollipops, and many handmade valentines.

Kevin and I are really happy with the curriculum at this school. So much so, that we enrolled them again for next year. I've heard horror stories about pre-school enrollment. In this area, parents wait in line for days hoping they can get a spot. Registration was this past Monday, but due to a schedule change at work I wasn't going to be able to stand in line. Luckily, our neighbors agreed to watch the kids so Kevin could go in my place. He arrived 15 minutes early and found out that while this program fills up fast, he was the first line! We are so excited because that guaranteed us our days and our teachers. As Kevin said, this is not the Harvard. They will go three days a week (t,w & f). They will be in separate classes (John a Panda, Kathryn a Bear). We've got one more year of part-time pre-school, and then it's off to full day. Unfortunately, the current program doesn't have a full-time schedule. We'll have to switch to another program. We've got our sights set on one school that is very popular.

Today was voting day in Maryland. I was in and out of the polling booth in 5 minutes. I'm proudly wearing my 'I voted' sticker. Kevin is preparing for his trip to Chicago. He leaves for HU in four days. It'll be just me and the twins for eight days. Yikes!

Will you be my Valentine?

Last week, when I took the twins to preschool I was told that Valentine's Day would be celebrated everyday the week of Feb 11th. This is because not every child comes every day and it wouldn't be fair to exclude those missing. I was also told that every child would need to bring a small valentine for their peers.

Since I can no longer indulge in chocolate because of my kidney stones, my mantra is no one can enjoy chocolate! Chocolate is the treat of choice on February 14th, but this year the twins will be gifting everyone in their classes a goodie bag with one playdoh & one packet of Annie's cheddar bunnies. Hopefully, this should help with the sugar rush that will occur with all the chocolate their classmates will receive.

I spent Friday night cutting & stamping 20 pink hearts out of construction paper. Then in factory like assembly, I put together 20 goodie packets this afternoon. 1 container of playdoh - check, 1 bag of crackers - check, 1 handmade valentine - check. John & Kathryn tried to help, but all they really wanted to do was open every playdoh container. Luckily, the playdoh came in packs of thirty; leaving them ten extra for themselves. I folded the bags and secured a tag to each bag. I found these tags, handcrafted by Secret Agent Josephine, on the Etsy site. Have a look at these beautiful tags. I even have leftovers to use again in 2009, unless she comes up with another adorable set!

Tomorrow we will be making valentine sugar cookies for the parties. I don't have a sugar cookie recipe that works well for me. Instead, I bought some Pillsbury pre-made sugar cookie dough which I will roll out and cookie cutter. I also purchased some pink sprinklers and chocolate. John & Kathryn, my kitchen helpers, will be tasked with cookie decoration.

Until the next post - Happy Heart Day!

Where have the entries gone?

Blogging isn't as easy as I had hoped. I have a few blogs I follow on a regular basis and the writers have a talent I haven't mastered - finding time to make daily entries. The beginning of 2008 has brought us:

• Kevin came down with the same sinus/ear infection that the rest of the family fought during the holidays.
• The twins returned to preschool. This meant our laid back holiday was really over and we were back to schedules and routine
• Budget season has begun for me at Gtown. I will be knee deep in financial statements and business plans for the next four months.
• Kathryn refuses to wear pants or tights. She has gone into her 'dresses only' mode. I've been told by other mothers that this will last another 10 years (yikes!).
• John's last two molars are coming in. Lots of tears and Motrin (for mom).
• An ambulance ride to the local hospital because I was inflicted with the most horrible pain that left me screaming on the living room. Whatever could it have been? A 6mm (think rice krispy) kidney stone. Pain to birth two 6lb babies (at the same time) = 2, Pain to pass this tiny stone = 20.
• After three months of sleeping in the living room, our master bedroom is final complete. I will share before and after in my next post.

I intend for this blog to be a daily recap of the happenings of the Glasscock family. I hope that the twins can look back and see what they've been up to at various points in thier life. So, John & Kathryn? When you read this when you're all grown up, here's what you're up to at Big Boy/Girl 31 months

• Kathryn will only drink chocolate milk, wear dresses and demands that Sherman come with us everywhere we go. First it was Herbert, but lately she calls him Hammer. She'll say - Hammer come or Hammer stop.
• John will not take a bath. Refuses by running to the farthest corner of the house when we run the water.
• The other night, Kathryn said "I love you daddy" and then gave him a big kiss before going to bed. Kevin melted.
• John can say almost the entire alphabet. He's still a very shy child. He won't talk unless spoken to. He surprised us with 'Dog, where are you?' today. No cajoling. A four word sentence!
• John's favorite book is 'Llama Llama, Red Pajama'. He'll want you to read it at least 5 times a day. I can hide it and somehow he'll find it.
• When the camera is out they pose like supermodels. They work the camera with their 'cheese' smiles.
• They no longer point to the following body parts - head, eyes, ears, nose, teeth or tongue. They are proud to say each word.
• Potty training is just around the corner. John has Elmo underwear and Kathryn girlie panties. We've used these cotton briefs to get them used to being wet. We've had many accidents, but we are progressing.
• They tend to give me a harder time that anyone else in their life. No one believes me when I talk about the tantrums they perform for me
• Luckily, they are more than cute enough to make up for these tantrums.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. They are amazing kids. Please enjoy some photos from the last few weeks. Please note that the photo of them naked with hats doesn’t mean we keep the heat off. That morning they wouldn't eat their waffles unless they were shirtless and were wearing their knitted caps.