Second Haircut

I cut Claire's hair again today - just a trim, but still long enough for braids and ponytails. I am just waiting for the day that Claire gets ahold of a pair of scissors and cuts her own hair... it's only a matter of time. For now though, cute hair and a cute girl. By comparison, Miles has already had 3 haircuts. :)

Cookie Monster

I made cookies and ate them last night, all while watching The Biggest Loser... I deserve every pound I gain!!

We are addicted to this new oatmeal chocolate chip pecan cookie recipe - I modified the recipe from All Recipes - it was a basic oatmeal cookie recipe - so good I have to share:

1 cup butter, softened (butter flavored shortening makes cookies fluffier)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups quick cooking oats (I used 2.5 cups)
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions
1.In a medium bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture. Mix in oats. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour.
2.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Flatten each cookie with a large fork dipped in sugar.
3.Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

First Swim

It is April in Las Vegas and 80 degrees, so that means we can start swimming (in a heated pool, that is). We went to Becky and Danny's timeshare for a swim - the first for Miles and his cousin Gabe. You'd think it was my first swim for how white my legs are, but I got over it enough to get myself into the pool. I love that Gabe and Miles had this "first" experience together. Miles was a bit unsure about the water at first and kept moving all around in my arms, but Gabe seemed to take right to the water. Becky and McKinley had fun too!

Perfect Nanny

We just got a new digital video camera - a Zodak Zi8 that shoots in HD and is about the size and shape of a blackberry. I have been having fun taking video of the kids and I got Claire to sing one of her songs for me in the car today - Perfect Nanny from Mary Poppins. Here are the lyrics in case you can't understand her completely. And though my new camera is cool, it doesn't have a light or flash and this was taken at night in the car, so it's a little dark - but the song is what matters on this one.

If you want this choice position
Have a cheery disposition
Rosy cheeks, no warts!
Play games, all sort

You must be kind, you must be witty
Very sweet and fairly pretty
Take us on outings, give us treats
Sing songs, bring sweets

Never be cross or cruel
Never give us castor oil or gruel
Love us as a son and daughter
And never smell of barley water

If you won't scold and dominate us
We will never give you cause to hate us
We won't hide your spectacles
So you can't see
Put toads in your bed
Or pepper in your tea
Hurry, Nanny!
Many thanks
Sincerely,

Jane and Michael Banks.

Tourists

Everyone should be a tourist in their own town at some point - it is just easier to do it in Las Vegas than in some cities. There is always something to do or see. Start with a trip to the Bellagio to see the flowers and the water show, with the extras of dancing on the sidewalk, talking to Zorro, Darth Vader and Princess Leia. Then a walk to Caesars Palace to eat at Serendipity and pay tourist prices for a frozen hot chocolate, pretzel and soda ($6 for a soda should give you an idea).

Phantom of the Opera

My sister and I went on a double date with our husbands to see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian - Becky and Matt had never seen it before (Matt had been boycotting Andrew Lloyd Weber since he saw Starlight Express in high school). We had wonderful seats (thanks Ken!) in the front center section - so close we could feel the heat of the fireworks and see the hint of crazy in the Phantom's eye. Are we supposed to love or hate the Phantom? I never know. Either way, we had fun out on the town.

Miles - 7+ months

Miles is almost 8 months old now (next week). He has two bottom teeth and is about 18-19 pounds. He sits up and is a stealth crawler - he doesn't crawl quickly but rather scoots around and rotates 360 degrees. He is usually in a completely different position every time I check on him or feed him (still once a night, grr) at night.

I am not as on the ball with things like taking his picture as often as I did with Claire. Nevertheless, we had Jenn take Miles' photos out at a local park. He wasn't as smiley as he usually is, but I actually really like his serious pics. He's such a little man, I love it!

Happy Easter!

Easter egg hunting at MeMa's - who knew the Easter bunny was so tricky! We even found an egg still hidden from last year. And our Easter bunny brings money!

Let's Go Fly a Kite

In a nod to Mary Poppins, we got a kite (albeit a nontraditional design) for Claire and took advantage of the recent windy weather in Las Vegas. I guess our street works just as well as a park, though I can't say our neighbors loved it (Matt nearly took one guy out when he rode by on his bike,) but we had fun with Uncle Nick who is visiting for Easter weekend.

Bike Posse

Claire is so excited to finally be part of the bike posse on our street - her face says it all. It makes me sad though because it means she is getting older. Sigh.