Lemons and Lebovitz

I *heart* David Lebovitz.

He's an American pastry chef living the sweet life in Paris. His blog is full of stories of Paris and abroad, great recipes and lots and lots of eye candy.

Last week David (said like we're on a first name basis, ha!) had a great post on lemon bars.

It was like the sky cleared, the sun came out and spring was a tangible entity.

I had to make them.

The shortbread crust, tangy sweet top dusted with sugar. So good.

Give them a whirl and you'll be seeing spring too.

Jack's Birthday

I have been sitting on this post for a while. Partly holidays, partly not knowing what to say.

Yes we had birthdays with all the trimmings.

A visit from Nana, R2D2 cake and presents on the day.

The kids party with all his preschool friends, rockin' Star Wars cupcakes and a Darth Vader pinata.

What I haven't been able to articulate is how this growing up nonsense is bothering me.

My baby isn't vaguely near babyhood anymore, if anything he is on the downhill slide into full blown boyhood. Preschool is going by at light speed.

I don't like it.

I tell him to stop growing, but he laughs and declares he will be taller than me.

But in the quiet, tired moments I pull him onto my lap and he cuddles in close. I kiss his head and remember my buddha baby of four years ago.

No matter how big he grows, he will always fit in his mama's heart.

And I have to be content to keep my baby there as my big boy takes on the galaxy.

100 Kisses

Tomorrow is the 100th day of kindergarten and to honour the occasion everyone is bringing a collection of a hundred somethings.

Anna did some brainstorming, most ideas involved candy, but then inspiration struck.

"Mommy, I want to bring a hundred kisses."

Fantastic idea, but how to execute it.

So we cut up a hundred pieces of paper, got out the lip gloss and puckered up.

Piled them into a box tied up with Christmas ribbon and Anna's handwritten tag.

What could be sweeter?

Sugar and Hearts

Valentine's Day had for so many years been a sad reminder of my dad. The day he entered palliative care, gone a week later.

The littles, thankfully, are bringing the joy back. Who can resist sparkles and doilies, red and pink?
Hugs and kisses, swirly lollies, cuddles, chocolate, be mine valentines.

Red heart day is returning to its lovely sweet origins for me.
Embrace those you love, eat chocolate, find joy.

XOXOXO