• 0.25 cup flour
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 0.25 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 0.25 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ounce chocolate chips

Full posts coming next week!

I’ve been writing over at a new blog (Magnetsfromeverywhere.com) where I’m trying to write for a broader audience. Hoping to turn it into a more educational travel blog. Feel free to visit me over there! We’ll still be posting personal family stuff on this blog.

Today was one of those days that utterly defeats you. I was mostly frustrated with work and feeling like I couldn’t get anything done with the kids (I work from home on fridays). Once I wrapped up my to-dos for the day I felt a lot better and the whole family went for a nice walk in the rain.

When we go back things really starts to unravel. I told Helen Jeanette I was making mac and cheese with tuna fish.
Helen Jeanette: ”I don’t like that.”

Mommy: ”Yes you do. It’s your favorite.”

Helen Jeanette: ”It’s my favorite but I don’t like it.”
Then I asked her to clean up her crafts (spread all over the kitchen floor) before dinner. She responded that no she would not and that she wanted Daddy to do it. After some discussion I pulled out the ”if Mommy has to clean it up it’s going in the trash can” and a total meltdown ensued. She got completely hysterical but never once cleaned up a single item. We put her in time out (in her high chair to restrain her) and she was still freaking out 5 minutes later. I told her to ask nicely if I would ground her from the crafts for a week instead of throwing them away and she squeaked out that request through the tears including a ‘pllllleeeeeeeaaaase’ and about a million gasps for breath. Once I’d agreed to that she calmed down through dinner but halfway through dessert smoothies she started calling Killian a baby in a derogatory way and Chris told her ‘it’s not nice to call Killian a baby’. Instant freak out, ”but *gasp* he’s *gasp* my *gasp* baby *gasp* brother *gasp*.” I agree with her on that one but she obviously way overreacted.
So now I’m sitting on the couch in sweats, while Chris gives them their bath, wondering if the zoo would like a Threenager exhibit.

Helen Jeanette had a wonderful birthday party this weekend! It was much anticipated and much enjoyed by our sweet little girl. Killian looks miserable in most of the pictures, but I think he had a good time too. His pirate outfit was incredibly cute but it was 90 degrees so he went topless for the entire party.

Face painting station, I was especially happy with how this turned out!

The theme was “fairy tales” and my Mom dressed as a chicken. Chicken Little maybe?

Cinderella and Jake the Pirate making an experience was supposed to be a surprise but Helen Jeanette didn’t seem especially surprised. She was happy to see them though!

Helen Jeanette was so earnest in all her conversations with Cinderella. I overheard one conversation where Helen Jeanette said “Actually there are two fairy godmothers.”

The girl loves to dance!

All the kids gathered around to sing Happy Birthday to her.

We sang Happy Birthday again right before we cut the cake.

 Afterwards we asked her what he favorite part of the party was and she said “eating cake.”

She was a wonderful hostess and greeted most of her friends by running down the driveway to hug them.

Megan and Will came all the way from Charleston for the party!

Sobbing, ”I want Killian to say he’s sorry, but he can’t talk!”
After falling, Mommy says ‘Did you fall flat on your face?” Helen Jeanette, ”so so flat”

Helen Jeanette climbed in our bed this morning around 4:30. I sleepily sang her happy birthday and she responded ‘I’m just going to sleep a couple more minutes.’ After cuddling her while dozing off Chris and I both got up to get ready for work. When I got out of the shower she was sitting sleepily in bed and said ‘Is today my birthday?’ Her sweet smile when I told her yes was so heartwarming.

She wanted to eat Cheerios with a big spoon while we waited for Oma Leni to arrive with the doughnuts. We sang happy birthday before giving her a doughnut and she grinned ear to ear the whole time.
After breakfast we let her open presents in the sunroom. My favorite was after she opened her Cinderella dress when she said ‘This is my dress. My brother gave it to me.’ She was so happy and sweet.