Shadow

I just spent the last 15 minutes or so explaining shadows to Ava. It seems she has discovered them for the first time tonight in her room. Perhaps she watched Peter Pan one too many times this week. So after a few shadow puppet displays on my part she seemed to be satisfied, with my explanation. However she did ask if Peter Pan was watching her in her room. I said, "No honey, that would be Peeping Tom, Peter's cousin." "OK Mommy, Goodnight."

Two Beds, One Crib and an Empty Bassinet

Well the day has arrived and everyone in our house has a new place to sleep, well the minors anyway. Ava is now sleeping peacefully in her new room and in her big girl bed. Vivian is now sleeping in her new room and in a big girl crib. Up until last week Vivian was sleeping in her "bassinet" but mostly next to me in bed because the poor kid barely fit in the bassinet. With all the new sleep arrangements I suggested switching sides of the bed with Bill just to feel like we where part of the excitement. He declined. But we now celebrating by turning the lights on to see instead of fumbling around in the dark, silently, trying not to wake out roommate. Now I can actually hear Chelsea Lately and Bill can cackle away.

Disney Detox

We had a great time in Disney, but I have to say, 6 consecutive days of amusement parks isn't exactly a vacation. The wonderful Packard family drove all the way from Virgina Beach to meet us for some Disney magic. What can I say, hanging out with the Kilcoynes motivates people to drive 12 hours through the night with 2 small children. All in the name of memories.

A joint family vacation is highly recommended but just like dating, not everyone is a great match. May I suggest trying a few outings or long weekends before you make the plunge into a long term commitment of a week long vacation. I believe the Packards might be our vacation soul mates. We had so much fun together and I hope its not our last trip together.

This was the first time we stayed outside the Disney Resorts and I loved it! We had a 2 bedroom condo with a full kitchen. Sharon and I made frozen meals beforehand so every night dinner was ready to go with minimal effort. I am proud to say we only ate out once (for breakfast) ALL WEEK! Which probably kept us sane considering the alternative, dinning with 4 adults and 4 children.

C-Ya

We are packing up and heading north so no post for atleast a week. We will be hanging with Mikey Mouse!! This is the second trip to Disney World for Ava but for some reason I am MORE excited that the first time. Probably because she is a bit older so I know she will get more out of the rides and characters than just a few months ago. She is SO much older and wiser now at the ripe age of 2 and a half.

One Minute

I think we can all agree that one minute is always equal to 60 seconds. But why is it that 60 seconds doesn't always go by at the same speed. For instance, when I am running full speed (a whopping 10min mile) ONE WHOLE minute seems like 2 lifetimes. Yet, when I am sitting on my sofa with a glass of wine watching Gossip Girl, 60 whole minutes goes by in a blink of an eye.

Butternut Squash and the Birds

While most people I know where probably sucking down Miller Lites around 4:30 this Sunday afternoon, I decided to whip up some Butternut Squash Risotto. Not because I think I am fancy or sophisticated, I was just hungry and out of Miller Lite.

I never made risotto or anything with butternut squash, unless you count baby food, but this was easier and better tasting that I expected. Ava's tongue was wagging throughout the entire cooking process. She even cheered me on as I grated cheese. Nothing makes you grated faster when your little one chatting, "Go Mommy, Go Mommy, Go."

Some of you must be thinking, why so excited about cooking rice? Well usually when I try something new my 3 foot tall in house food critic usually gives me a "Yuck," without so much of a taste. But tonight all I heard was "Mo Mama".

So a great meal and an Eagles WIN! What a day! Can you tell Ava was excited??

Here is the recipe if you want to try it out, another great one from Ina Garten, my cooking hero. I used less chicken stock and cooked it longer. Just keep adding and tasting you will know when you are finished.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/butternut-squash-risotto-recipe/index.html

Ipod

Ava has her own playlist on my Ipod. So tonight when she was in the mood for a little "Ants Go Marching" action I told her to get my Ipod out of my gym bag. I know, I am lazy. I really thought Ava had a good chance to pull off this mission, because when I asked her if she knew what mommy's Ipod looked like she nodded eargerly and then poked me right in the eye while stating, "right there."

Kid Genius

Most people think their child is bright, but I KNOW Ava is of superior intelligent because Bill and I are always giving her mind blowing brain enhancing exercises. We know our training is paying off because when I decided to teach Ava our last name, I only had to tell her once. So when you ask little Ava Acorn her name, she is quick to respond.

Ava is such a quick wit it took her no time at all to catch on to the fact that we all have the same last name. So when I decided to throw her a curve ball and asked her what Vivian's name was by pointing at her Ava proudly proclaimed, "That's Baby Sister Acorn." GENIUS!

The Holidays

2009 here we come!

The blog certainly took a backseat during these busy holiday times. My mom and brother where down for Christmas but this year was kind of a bummer because Bill had to work Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Year's Eve and New Year's day. Not like anyone does much on New Year's Day, none the less it is still a holiday.

Although Christmas is fun and Ava had a blast, I am always glad when its over. Not excatly a relaxing time of year, well only if you are a man and you finished your sole Christmas time chore of hanging the Christmas lights.

As you can see I have added/changed a few things to the blog. Please become a devoted follower! See left.