[x] When I have a lot going on--usually something that might turn into something...major--I clam up, hence the radio silence. To say I've been preoccupied...well, that would be a huge understatement of epic proportions. If you recall from my last blog entry about ten years ago, we are contemplating the process of fostering-to-adopt a "medically fragile" child. So far, it looks very good and I am feeling very positive. I'm nervous to get TOO excited about it as nothing is set in stone just yet. Once we move along in the process, I'll know more. But keep your fingers crossed for us, please!

[x] So I just checked my email, and lo and behold, I've been selected as a "beauty tester" for Parents magazine! YEAH! I'm seriously so stoked. I am a beauty product JUNKIE so this is right up my alley. Awesome x infinity. :)

[x] The kids are all doing great--enjoying the spring-like spring weather (a pleasant change for the Chicagoland area, let me tell you) and just generally being awesome. Bear is already stoked about turning five (say what?) in May, and is loving preschool like the whoa. He is so cute about it, and his enthusiasm for everything is just so very contagious. LF hit a growth spurt and is eating us out of house and home. I love it! She's still pretty anti-chicken and anti-meat overall, but other than that, there's nothing she'll refuse. We're working on the self-feeding and it's...going. But she's really been walking along everything and will cross the room pushing her "walking toy". So big and so very beautiful!

[x] Beauty turned four on the fourteenth and I think she had a lovely birthday. She wore her "happy birthday to me" shirt, jeans, her pink tutu, and her pink Chucks and passed out cupcakes with flower rings at school--she was SO stoked about it. She chose lunch at Baker's Square and wasted no time in selecting her slice of pie (Oreo, of course). We came home and opened presents, and she was overjoyed with yet another round of gifts. Auntie E and Uncle B spoiled her rotten, and their package arrived just as she was finished opening our gifts--she thought she was done, and poof! another round of gifts appeared. Suffice to say, Beauty's godmother is held in the highest esteem. Quote Beauty: "Auntie Erica is the best! She knew I was out of gifts and sent more!"

Oh, to be four again. :)

We had leftover pizza for dinner that evening (and leftover vegan pizza balls--mmm!) and the kids played with all Beauty's new gifts. Bath day, a little reading, and then, bedtime. It was a lovely day, and most importantly, I think Beauty thought so as well. Four years old already. How time flies by so very quickly...

[x] Not much else is happening here. I tried a new (vegan) cookie recipe today: cookie dough scoops (from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar). Very well received so far! But I mean...you can't really go wrong with cookie dough, can you? I don't think so either.

[x] Okay, time to wrap it up. I've gotta get back on blogging board here. And I will get my groove back. I already feel another entry coming on...soonishly.

<3