Honesty. Truth. Tradition.

Honesty.
1. I cannot believe I am even posting these pictures.
2. Dana has not given me permission to post these pictures, but she has also not explicitly forbidden me to.
3. There are a few pictures of us over the last 20+ years that are much much better than these.
4. There are a lot more pictures of us over the last 20+ years that are very much like these.

Truth.
1. We do not get together near often enough. The 400 miles that separate our daily lives might as well be 4000.
2. Every chance we have to spend time together now involves juggling schedules of two husbands and three, soon to be four young 'uns.
3. Personally, I wouldn't change it for the world. In a strange way, the separation of 400 miles has strengthened our friendship in a way that I cannot quite explain.
4. Once in a while, we steal a moment for a 'nice' picture of ourselves. What you cannot see in the picture below are three little boys covered in pizza sauce, a barefooted four year old with his arm stuck up a trinket machine, an eighteen month old climbing out of a high chair and a two and a half year old crashing tractors off the table.

Tradition.
1. Food is a big part of our friendship. Many (almost all) of our old (and new) memories revolve around food. When we aren't physically engaged in the act of eating food, we are talking about food.
2. Books have also played an important role in shaping us. And our children.
3. Pizza Hut's Book It program launched our elementary selves into book + pizza lovers. It is also where we chose to hang out recently.
4. Like I mentioned above, for every one good picture of the two of us, there are likely three or four goofy ones. It wouldn't be right if we didn't goober it up for a camera. And I wonder why none of our kids will stop and take normal, serious pictures for me.

Happy (almost) Weekend!

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Volume 5.

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives

Questions for Tuesday, April 25, 2011

1. How many blogs do you read every day and what are they? (I’m talking the ones you NEVER miss)
D: I don't read any blogs that faithfully. I check in on a few now and then. I do, however, know somebody who follows numerous blogs and she always passes on the best stuff...so that counts for something.

K: Dooce, The Pioneer Woman, Enjoying the Small Things, Toast & Honey - I also Twitter-follow a few people whose sites I visit when they have something new. I had more bookmarked, but when we rebuilt my desktop at work I chose not to transfer them. I cleared a little room in my brain for something more useful. Like Ten on Tuesday. :)

2. How many “best friends” do you have? Do you have different “besties” for different areas of your life?
D: Oh absolutely. Besties at work (not so much co-workers...but faithful library patron besties), lifetime besties (hence the development of this blog), new besties, and probably some besties I haven't even met yet. Life is a great mix of great people.

K: What is this - the third grade? Besides Jack, who I quit my job over in order that we might spend 24/7 together I try to check in with Dana everyday. After 22 years of friendship, I can pretty much guarantee that she'll be around forever.

3. What’s your daily make-up routine?
D: Yikes. If it takes less than 2 minutes can you consider it a routine or just a blip in your day.

K: I think I'm 100% Mary Kay products right now. I don't know what their official names are, but I like it when someone makes up my mind for me and Mary Kay ladies are pretty good about that. So, Timewise moisturizer, concealer, mineral powder, eye liner, eye shadow and mascara. 

4. What is your ideal girl’s night?
D: Out to eat and gab, gab, gab.

K: I haven't had a girl's night in a long time. I have a great friend who has taken me shopping and out to lunch for the birthday the last few years. One of us has been either pregnant or hauling a newborn every time but its been a great laid back day and a way to relax together.

5. Do you keep up with your nails/toenails or are they au natural?
D: My nails are horrible, so why draw attention to them? I can't really see or reach my toenails right now, so they're doin' whatever they do best all on their own. I do occasionally paint them in the summer.

K: Au natural - they haven't been painted in years.

6. What’s your best roommate story (assuming you had a roommate at some point in your life)?
D: Oofta. The only time I had a roommate was in college and I'm not certain how many of those stories are worth repeating. One of my roommates left the window open in our dorm room over a long weekend...in the middle of the winter...when it was 40 below zero. Everything in our room was frozen...like shampoo, contact solution, etc. It was interesting...and we couldn't sleep in there for two nights because it took so long for the baseboard heat to catch up.

K: Not my favorite memory, but when I came back from Christmas break it had gotten so hot in our room that the full length mirror on the back side of our door melted the adhesive off, it fell to the ground and shattered into hundreds of pieces. A very nice 'welcome back'.

7. What’s your “go to” outfit that you wear more than anything else?
D: Jeans and a hoodie or a t-shirt (and after typing I realized just how sad that really sounds).

K: K: Jeans, a t-shirt and a zip up sweatshirt. Hot, I know.
(Anyone volunteer to 'style' us?)

8. Do you have a beauty secret?

D: Wow, no. A hat...maybe that's my best beauty secret. :o)

K: Keep little kids around. Then, even if you spill something on yourself, you have an excuse. Even snot on the shoulder is appealing as long as your kids are super cute.

9. Did you read Seventeen magazine growing up?
D: Sort of. I recall looking at it, but I didn't have a subscription or anything.
K: Who didn't? Wasn't it part of the curriculum for english class or something?

10. How did you learn to put on makeup?
D: I didn't. Maybe that's the problem...

K I just started putting it on. My mom hardly ever wore makeup. Come to think of it, I'm really not sure I apply it correctly. Help?

It always cracks me up to compare these answers. I hope you (or some of you anyway) enjoy it also!

Random Craft Time

I'm cleaning off some camera space. It has been so long since I touched any pictures of my own family, that the cards are nearly maxed with images waiting to be processed. I came across these and thought I should share. This was a super fun, fast and simple activity that Gage I completely one afternoon this winter. The directions we used can be found at AllKidsNetwork, but here are the pictures of Gage in action.

Here are the supplies we used. Stuff most of us have in the house at any given point. (BONUS!)

No dinosaurs were harmed in the making of this project. I robbed these toy dinosaurs out of our rice bucket, which is another popular winter/rainy day activity. Gage received it from a dear friend on his second birthday and its basically a tote with a 20lb bag of rice in it, along with toy dinosaurs, shovels, tractors, funnels and measuring cups. Let me know if you want more info - its a great way to blow an hour indoors! Anyway, these little buddies washed right up when we were finished with them.

Gage was able to measure and dump all of the ingredients by himself. The dough is pretty stiff, so I helped with the mixing and rolling. These photos were taken on January 12, which for point of reference is 2 days before my birthday, and this year was sometime before we replaced that peach door and window into the porch. What a relief to get rid of some more paint-layered fixtures/trim!

It was much less messy than you might think!

Making it look this easy is hard work. Ha!

We tried the dinosaur prints with Gage's hand (hold fingers 2+3 and 4+5 together when you press down). In the oven, they puffed up funny like there was a big air bubble where he pushed his palm in. Hopefully next time, we can perfect the process. Still fun!

Little buddies are ready to bake! They turned out pretty cute. We even painted a few, but I either didn't get pictures or haven't pulled them off a card yet.

A few things we'll do different next time.

• include Max - he would have loved this! It was fast enough to start, finish and clean up during nap time though so he missed out.
• roll the dough thin, cut into shapes and them form the fossil. I thought they should be thicker to get more of the creature pressed in, but they would likely have baked better had they been flatter.
• adjust baking time, they were still a little soft in the center and probably should have been baked a bit longer.

Overall: we loved it! We'll probably try it again sometime when we need a fast indoor activity!

Peeps S’mores for Easter | Eclectic Recipes

Peeps S’mores for Easter Eclectic Recipes

You better believe I'm on the hunt for Peeps. Maybe it will brighten the day around here. I need something. Rain and 38 degrees isn't going to cut it for me. Maybe the snow this afternoon will help. Not.

Hapeep Easter. :)

More later.

Ten on Tuesday, Dana, Volume 4

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives

Questions for Tuesday, April 19, 2011!

These are all books based questions. No need for me to even try answering when the expert has us covered. Free advice - its almost as good as stopping at the Madison Public Library yourself!

1. When someone asks you for a book recommendation, what is your go-to book?
Adults: Copper Sun by Sharon Draper or anything by Tracie Peterson. Or (disclaimer...I haven't read these, but they're always hits) books by Janet Evanovich.
Kids: Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zens, I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont, Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi, Signal by Cynthia DeFelice, Clementine by Sara Pennypacker, or Are You Quite Polite by Alan Katz.

2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?
"Welcome to the Madison Public Library. My name is Dana and I am the children's librarian." I kind of like the library, but Easton does have a huge collection of his own books at home.

3. E-readers, yay or nay?
I don't have one...yet. I'd like one, but I'm still trying to figure out how/when I'd use it. That sounds kind of silly...I suppose I could curl up with a Nook and a blanket just the same as a book and a blanket. And contrary to popular belief, we're not afraid e-books are going to eliminate the need for a library. We're embracing the technology and offering down-loadable books from our website. :o)

4. What was your favorite book as a child?
Martha's House by Edith Kunhardt and The Care Bear Cousin's Mystery Adventure by Sonia Black Woods.

5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?
Pippi Longstocking or Amelia Bedelia. I'm a natural.

6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?
Clementine (you should really read it).

7. What is your all-time favorite book?
See any of the above listed titles plus the Jan Karon series, Where Heaven Begins by Rosanne Bittner, and The Diary of Anne Frank.

8. How many books do you read at once?
One for myself and nearly 15-20 for Easton.

9. What is your favorite book genre?
Probably Christian fiction.

10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven’t you read them at all?
Yikes, I only read the first one. Don't hate me. I've vowed to try again...some day.

Now go find a good book to read!

Cliffhanger Squared + Chatterbox

Cliffhanger #1

Breaking News: the BFFs from Life Between Friends saw each other three (three) (THREE!!!!) times in the last 3 days. I will fill you in as soon as I get a minute to grab the photographic evidence off the camera. They're snapshots, but with two husbands and 3.6 children in tow we'll take what we can get.

Cliffhanger #2

My [Kim's] family of four drove 800+ miles together the last few days, hung with relatives and friends, celebrated birthdays, a very important upcoming wedding and Easter, bottle fed lambs, drove tractors and SURVIVED! Stay tuned for a pictorial post chronicling the journey.

Chatterbox

Max has shown proficient use of the English language lately. Example. Our return to Lemmon meant that we unloaded our jam-packed pickup, and headed south to retrieve our pooch from 'the ranch'. Gage was in the bathroom while we were there and I could hear him shout something about getting Max out. I walked around the corner and he was standing in the doorway chatting with Gage in a language unknown to many. I asked Max what he was doing and plain as day the kid replied, "I go bathroom. Gage need help." Eighteen months old and nearly complete sentences. My high school English teacher would be mildly impressed. (Ask me about him sometime...he's a swell guy.) Later as we were shuffling Gage toward the door he was yacking on about something and out of the blue, he starts in with, "Alvin. Alvin! ALVIN!!!" from Alvin and the Chipmunks. It didn't take long for son #2 to catch on and before long they were both screaming, "Alvin. Alvin! ALVIN!!!" to entertain four adults.  Nuts, I tell ya.

Like I said, there should be good stuff coming down the pipe soon for your enjoyment. You'll want to come back and hear about an adventure in salad bars from Pizza Hut, and a breakfast at McDonalds between friends.

Ten on Tuesday. Dana vs Kim. Take 4.

Ten On Tuesday, Questions for April 12, 2011

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
D: I drive. I would prefer to walk or bike and when I lived closer to work and didn't have a stroller to push I actually did do that quite often. I did walk some after Easton was born, but I'd park at the library then walk him to day care and felt a little silly pushing an empty stroller. Okay, I really didn't care...but people looked at me like I had lost my child. (Oh, and I think I have to be over 60 to have access to public transportation in Madison.)
K: I mostly drive, since winter now lasts 9 months of the year, but I prefer walking. Strollers are beautiful aren’t they? On a good day, I’d walk my kids to daycare, walk to work, walk to pick them up and walk them home. Its three miles if I get to do it all. I’ve never ridden public transportation, but they do provide a great service in this community. Its likely how Gage will get from preschool to daycare next year.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
D: I don't have a schedule. When I get sick of it or it starts to look even worse than usual. The last three times I've had my hair cut I've gone to someone different. So I guess no, I don't go to the same person every time. I did, however, go to the same person for the first 13 or 14 years of my life. She was cheap, easy to make an appointment with, and would do it over again if I didn't like it the first time. It was my mom.
K :Probably not often enough. If I can get there every 2-3 months I’m doing good. When we first moved here, it was 2-3 times a year. Since I have to look nice to impress my boss (ha!) I try to do it a little more often. Cutting bangs was my strategy for having to go more often, but I still end up trimming them at home. I do go to the same person every time. She’s a great person, and she doesn’t yell at me for crooked bangs trimmed with dull kitchen shears.

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
D: I try to read the Madison Daily Leader every day, but sometimes I leave before it gets delivered to the library (yes, it sometimes arrives after 5pm). If that's the case, I do read it online.
K: Yes, I quickly scan the copies that come in the mail, and the online Madison Daily Leader. I like to see which former classmates and acquaintances are getting married and reproducing.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?
D: This. Is. Torture. I can't answer this without leaving a list. I'll save that for another blog post. Maybe when I'm on maternity leave.
K: Dana – what a cop out. ;o) I just finished the book Alone by Lisa Gardner. It was good. I also started reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books last fall and finished them up this year. They were good. These four books are not my usual reads. A little more gore, a little less mystery than my ‘norm’. I’m a Grisham fan. These were great books though. I just put 25 Favorite Kid'sBooks on my Droid’s Nook eReader. I hope to start with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. I’m embarrassed to admit how many I have (and haven’t) read on the list. Time to change that.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
D: Date Night (It's the only one I've probably seen from beginning to end this year, and it was actually good.)
K: I honestly don’t even know. I’m going to go old school and say The Lion King. I’ve seen it enough times that I should be ‘over it’, but I’m not. I love that my kids sing along, Max giggles in the same parts every single time and they roar at the most appropriate times. We’re a regular three ring circus.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
D: Depends on the day. Lately: sweet and in the form of Little Debbie Ho Hos.
K: Sweet. Chocolate. Mountain Dew. The End.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
D: Absolutely. I can't skip it. Lately Easton and I have been sharing frozen waffles. Otherwise it's usually a bowl of cereal.
K: No, I know I could probably train my body otherwise, but if I try to each much before about 9:30, it makes me a little sick to my stomach.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
D: I thoroughly enjoy Peeps and Jelly Belly jellybeans.
K: Easter treat: dyeing Easter eggs with my Grandma Teresa. Its her ‘thing’. I’ve invited my friends over to participate (when I was 26), take lots of pictures and now, stand back to watch my sweet sweet Grandma in her element. I think she has the metal egg droppers saved from almost 30 years of coloring Easter eggs with her grandkids. I always try to schedule a trip to Madison a week on either side of Easter to see her and dye eggs. (And I don’t even make it back for Christmas sometimes.) She has hidden eggs for me every single year of my life. And I’ve found almost all of them. It means so much that my kids are able to partake now.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you?
D: 8:30am satisfies me.
K: I’ll take 7:30, however, I’ve come to the realization lately, that if I bust it out of bed a little earlier in the morning (by like 6:30) my day is so much more productive.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
D: Yankton. It's a dual purpose vacation. Wedding (Yay...I FINALLY get a sister-in-law!) + family reunion. It will definitely be a blog-worthy experience as I'm due just 3 weeks before this big event. Maybe Baby will come slightly (but not too much) early. (Are you listening, Baby?)
K: I don’t know yet. I would love to go to Vegas with Jack for PBR Finals this October, but I’m not holding my breath. We’re attending quite a few weddings this summer, in every corner of this great state, so I’m thinking we’ll have mini vacations spread out all summer. In another 18 months or so, when Max is 3, I want to take the kids back to Disney. The Happiest Place on Earth.