Who's that crafty Kinder Mommy? It's me...It's me...

Seriously...have you ever? I having been stowing this little cookie idea away deep in the recesses of my pre-kid brain and BLA-DOW here they are! All ready for Kindergarten graduation tomorrow.(sniff, sniff)

Can I tell you one of the best investments I ever made has been in the gel paste, professional dye, rather than those lame liquid drops from the grocery store. And the best part is that I never screamed at a member of my family once during the baking of the cookies. This my friends is progress.

BTW, we bought a new grill today. Pat has been trying to repair ours, and I thought before spending any money at the Depot we should bust down and get one. I pondered WWConnieD? Purchase a new one was really the only option. We'd be saving money really. Think of all the money we will save on electricity because we don't have to turn our oven on while the ac is on. And all of the money we will save not eating out, because we are the Grill Masters.

Tonight we grilled chicken breasts and corn on the cob, both brushed with olive oil and paprika. 12 min corn, 18 min chicken(turn only once!) Then...oh baby. I cut the corn off of the cob(hold with a dish towel) and mixed it with sour cream and dried basil. Holy smokes. From BH&G. I also made the Angel Food Raspberry Bruschetta for dessert. YUM! Can you tell my husband is on vacation?

Please don't take my above comments to mean that we don't want to go out to eat with you, because that is not true. We value friendships over frugality. That's the kind of people we are. Besides some things you just can't cook at home. Like a Costco hot dog and very berry sundae.

Jackerpie

Happy Birthday Sweet Jackson.

A year and a half ago when we were in Buffalo, Sam and Marsi ran the wand across my belly and said the immortal words, "it looks like a boy," I was sure it was a mistake. What would I do with a boy. I was sure we would have all girls. Besides everyone knows that mothers and sons have a sick relationship.

And then you were born. So sweet. So lovey. So sleepy. What was I so worried about? You were such an easy baby. You just went with the flow. Laughing at your sister. Snuggling in the crook of my arm to watch Oprah. Sleeping in your sleeping dad's arms. Boys aren't so bad. What were all these people talking about?

There has been a change recently. I should have known the change had come the first time you banged and screamed at Ella's door to let you in to play. It would have been obvious to some when you crawled from the patio to the master bath and tore through the contents of the vanity, before I realized you were missing. Others would have noticed when you managed to open your sippy cup and dump it all over yourself and your car seat(and to think I was so happy you didn't cry on the car ride). Not me Jack. I don't think it was until you decided to help we with the laundry that I could finally admit to myself what your behavior problem is. You are becoming a boy.

A loud boy who screams with excitement at garbage trucks. A playful boy who laughs hysterically at every animal noise. A lovey boy who waves goodbye to Ella(or is it the school bus) the entire walk home in the morning. This, my love, is exactly what I was afraid of.

I hope and pray that you will grow up to love God, be a great husband, and be as incredible a dad as your dad.

But now, I understand mothers and sons, because the only thing I dread more than you growing into a boy, is that some day you will grow up and be a man.

And women will make fun of a man who's mother still calls him Jackerpie.