moon set in Mesa

BROWNIES!

Ok.

here's how I got the directions to make these vegan, raw brownies...

"Mix equal parts walnuts and dates in the food processor."




"Add some cacao,maybe a 1/3 cup or so."



"Just squirt a bit of agave nectar in there."



"Oh yeah, vanilla, add a few drops vanilla.  Maybe a 1/4 or 1/2 tsp.  Or more if you like it."


"Press in a pan and chill in fridge.
Or just eat it in balls right out of the food processor bowl."

Birthday dinner

On their birthday every year, the kids get to choose where they want to have dinner out

They have chosen the same few restaurants.

Leigh picked Manuel's again this year.  

We had to wait till Wednesday after her birthday to go because the reason we go there

is the balloon lady.

She is truly awesome.

Birthday money

To be continued...

Good Friends

Right before Carson was born, one of my good friends had a crazy occurrence with one of her kids.

There was a lot of uncertainty and unknown scary changes going on suddenly.

A few of us did what friends do

We drove in a minivan to Tucson with a batch of kids to see her.

With Rice Krispie treats.

 

 

A couple weeks later, a baby was born and a boy had surgery

and life went on.

The boy who had surgery still has his struggles; his family in their positive joyful way deals with those struggles.

The baby grew up, there was something about the relationship between the baby and the boy...

something special.

The baby (now a boy) has some sort of connection with the boy (now a teenager)

He receives news of events about the boy (a teenager) with reflection.

And seems to know just what the boy needs to have.

Today he thought he needed 

mustaches

(and an animal shaped punching balloon)

On the way home, the baby (now a boy) said

"Mom, B___ will always remember me, even when he grows up, he will still know me."

I am Nine today!

I'm sensing a sleeping bag theme here....

And the party continues...

Apparently one night of sleepovers was not enough....
Mary stayed while her parents celebrated their anniversary.  Girls watched the Hobbit
(Although nobody was able to stay awake for the whole L O N G movie...)
Exhaustion finally set in.