Baby Butts Drive Me Nuts

Why are rolls and dimples only cute on a baby?

Build a Bear Fashion Show

While we in Hays a few weeks ago, we went to a children's fashion show sponsored by one of the clothing stores and benefiting this charity. Since then, Ella has been obsessed with putting on her own fashion show. We actually got her talked down quite a bit. She had in mind a fashion show in the park, which she planned to promote by putting up signs around town and hand delivering personal invitations. She settled for a smaller show with Madeline after supper last Saturday.

With some help from Nathaniel, the girls set up chairs for everyone in front of the trampoline. They also prepared water and pink lemonade, which they sold for one cent per glass. (Luckily Banker Matt was on hand to buy a round as no one else had any money.)

Rachael Ray's Best Basic Brownies

If you know me well at all, you know that I am a brownie freak. I love brownies to a degree that is just insane--only fudgelike brownies, though. I really don't get cakelike brownies. If you want something cakelike, eat cake...with lots of frosting. But if you want a little taste of heaven, make gooey, fudgy brownies (and then eat half the pan before they cool).

I have tons of incredible brownie recipes. (Ask Don Foster if you don't believe me. He's the only man I've ever met who loves chocolate as much as I do. Clint Stalker is his closest competition, but Don has him way beat. Only Don Foster could eat a pound of chocolate walnut espresso tiles while waiting for the UMW bazaar dinner to begin, and then come back for more. It makes me feel loved.) Most of my favorite brownie recipes, however, require fancy chocolate (which I don't always have on hand and can't buy in Satanta) or take a long time to make. (Like the one that's baked in hot water bath and then submerged in an ice water bath as soon as it's taken from the oven. The result is divine, but it's a lot of work.)

My new favorite brownie recipe for when you need chocolate and you need it now comes from Rachael Ray. Her Best Basic Brownie recipe is quick, easy, gooey, and delicious. It requires no fancy ingredients, and it's just plain good.

Here's the recipe (finally):

Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 9 pan. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups sugar, 1 1/2 sticks melted unsalted butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in three eggs, one at a time. Stir in one cup unsweetened cocoa powder and one cup flour. Transfer the batter to the baking pan and bake until just set, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy.

I Said No Texting, Young Lady

Emilia loves to play with Ryan's phone. I guess she's updating her status on Facebook?

First day of school

Ella starts first grade today. She's a little nervous, but also excited. Just for comparison, here are some pictures from the first and last days of school last year.

Back to daycare

Today was Emilia's first day at Julie's. She cried most of the day and didn't sleep much at all. We hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Mommy's Little Helper