Today…

Outside my window: It’s gray and foggy, kind of pretty but also makes me want to climb under the covers and be lazy. Which is funny because this weekend I wrote up this little master family schedule to prevent laziness and encourage us to be more active during the day. I was going to whisk the kids off to the mall play area this morning but the baby has a head cold and it just doesn’t make sense now. Maybe tomorrow?

I am reading: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I finished Easy on the Eyes by Jane Porter on Friday and spent the weekend picking out a new book to read, eventually settling on this. It’s kind of weird to read about a woman divorcing her husband and running off to Europe but it’s very well written and engaging. To be honest, I’m still digesting my last read and haven’t fully committed to this one – sometimes I think I should wait a few days before starting a new book, but ::shrugs:: I’ll come around. I always do.

Last night: I baked some cookies for Bunco night. I’ve taken to baking a batch of cookies, keeping six or so for the family and sending the rest to Bunco – that way we get our little indulgence but don’t find ourselves stuck with more cookies than we should really be eating.

I’m really proud because: the baby is starting to eat semi-solid foods like chunks of banana or sweet potato. She’s also showing interest in cruising the furniture already! I hope she slows down a little or else she’ll be driving before she turns three!

In the kitchen:

• Monday: Sweet Potato Burritos
• Tuesday: Spaghetti with a Home Made Sauce
• Wednesday: Grilled Cheese and Creamy Tomato Soup
• Thursday: Black Bean Quesadillas
• Friday: Penne a la Betsy

I am really excited about: some trips we have planned coming up. At the end of the month we’re going to take a day trip to Milwaukee and at the end of May we’re going back to MA to visit family. I’ve been in planning mode for awhile, figuring out all the logistics. So exciting. I can’t wait to see friends and family again when we’re back on the East Coast.

I really want to make: these lemon ricotta pancakes I saw online last week at a blog called Patent and the Pantry.

This weekend we: fell in love with a couple cute houses nearby for pretty decent pricing. The house we liked best, though, sold before we even had a chance to look inside. I’m still waiting to hear back about House #2 but we’re a little disappointed. If we like House #2 enough to be serious about it, the Netbook and DS will be put on immediate backburner and we’ll see what we can do but I don’t really have my hopes up per say.

Some other links I think you should click:

• Looking for free audio books? Lifehacker mentioned this website bookshouldbefree.com which has loads of free audio books in public domain.
• Simple Kids has been talking a lot about creating basic family routines. I liked this sample flexible routine she wrote up in January.

One last thing I want to tell you about before I go: I mentioned that the baby has a cold today. What I didn’t mention is that while I’ve been nursing his sister back to health, MM has been playing doctor to his teddy bear who also has a cold apparently. I caught him tucking Teddy Bear in for a nap this morning and reading him a bed time story. So sweet.