Darn, I thought I had a delicious mango-pineapple sorbet fake treat, but it turns out it has sugar. In my memory I made it with pure pineapple mango goodness. How disappointing. 😛 These look great though!ReplyCancel

Also, this isn't a treat but it's a darn good snack… Toast topped with a smashed ripe avocado, with fresh lemon juice and pepper on top. I'm addicted.ReplyCancel

I love the fact that you call it the 'South Pacific'…. we don't actually call it that down here…. like 'I'm from the SOuth Pacific'..but it certainly sounds very romantic!!! And musical-esque. Perhaps I'll start calling it that….ReplyCancel

C–I know, it's a little over the top but if I say the Cook Islands people are like "where?" But if I say The SOUTH PACIFIC people are like…oooooohhh…and then where? Where do you live?

Erin–yes it has cocoa powder. The sweetness comes from the honey and coconut oil. They're really good. I still need watch how many I eat though…shoot, they still have calories.

Erin #1–That avocado on toast sounds so good! Honestly, the trick to going treat-free is eating good food for all your regular meals.ReplyCancel

Such an endearing story. Is it just me or does she speak phenomenally well for a kid her age? My goodness.ReplyCancel

Poor little thing, What a great story!!ReplyCancel

So much good here I had to comment – and really, you had me at Beach Boys. My mom raised us all on the Beach Boys. And old school Motown-type stuff. She used to sing "Jimmy Mack" to me all the time, being that I was her Jimmy and all.

When my nephew had his g-tube removed for good (he has goldenhare syndrome), his parents had a bbq and in celebration, let him throw it in the bonfire as a nice "good riddance"/milestone moment.

The song I sing for my son (who was two months preemie) is one that stuck with me from the time he was in the NICU. "I and Love and You" by the Avett Brothers. I posted about it here: http://www.thebookofjimmy.com/bumpin/ReplyCancel

Thank God for Help Me Rhonda! (Who ever thought that phrase would be appropriate?)

Lamp, you go girl. You are one tough cookie and you have some pretty awesome peeps in your corner. You are all truly inspiring.ReplyCancel

Great story, love Lamp even more, can she get any cuter.

I have to confess, the bit that I liked the most was about the music. I'm not American, I don't live in American but I read loads of American blogs and they nearly ALL come across as super happy perfect families. Ok, so that's not a bad thing but I sometimes have to stop reading for a bit because I wonder what the hang is wrong with me and why am I not super Mum. Anyhow, I'm going somewhere with this, I loved how you wrote about kid songs making you want to 'stick knives in your ears'.

You are freakin brilliant. Amazing. Go you.

From a reader far-away-from-AmericaReplyCancel

I love this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ReplyCancel

This totally made me cry…I can just imagine her spitting our that little binky to sing the chorus.

It is a funny thing having, "blog friends"…I guess I think of the little Lampstress as a baby still. I kept thinking to myself, "She speaks in whole sentences?!" I recently had a blog friend that I have never met in real life tell me she can't believe my youngest is old enough to speak in sentences…I guess I know what she means 🙂ReplyCancel

So sweet. Got to love the tender mercies that get us through those rough nights. It's crazy that they don't stitch up a home like that. When a trach comes out they basically put a band aid on it till it heals as well, but with stomach acid I would have thought differently. Wow. She is so tough.ReplyCancel

Sweetest story! Love that memory.ReplyCancel

I'm totally trying those grilled sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are heavenly.

Also, I get you with the reduced friends thing. Our family these days is the focal point. And I really, really like it. Definitely a nice feel. Kind of a back-to-the-basics thing.ReplyCancel

I feel all squishy after reading this post. You are blessed!ReplyCancel

I had a large close knit circle of friends back in the UK, now I have just a couple of friends! I get out with the kids and meet people, join library programs and all of that good stuff but somehow it feels harder to connect to other moms now. Like no one want to get past "hi how are you? How old is your kid?" I long for a friend I can invite over without cleaning the house top to bottom etc, a friend I can be truly comfortable with without trying you know? Your family is adorable by the way and I trying those grilled potatoes this week!ReplyCancel

I love this post. Your precious daughters, their faces, their words! The best part? You writing it down where it will be recorded forever! Thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

I was thinking the same thing about Lamp.ReplyCancel

Yes, I have to say she's quite verbally advanced for her age. People will say things like, "oh is she saying any words yet?" And then I watch their jaws drop to the floor as she says, "Mama I want more fishies please." Or something of the like. She's been talking in sentences since 15 months. I can keep bragging if you want… 🙂ReplyCancel

Yes, the "ordinaries" of life are often forgotten, yet so many of them are precious. I agree with Kiki that it is so great that you are preserving those memories here!

"Cute pony tail sistah." The sweeeetest! You brag on that sugar doll Lampy all you want, Miggy!ReplyCancel

I swam with the dolphins out in the wild. They were not tame. Scared me a little. They would bump into me……..like a game…..and they are big. It was still fun.ReplyCancel

My sister did that in Hawaii. They could hear the humpbacks singing to each other. She said it was one of the most amazing experiences of her life.
Get. Excited.ReplyCancel

Sooo glad you will dive there! We snorkeled with the humpbanks in Tonga! We didnt see any when diving, but you could hear them under the water and that deep call was enough to vibrate in your chest. Seriously one of the most amazing experiences of our lives!

One word of caution, they were very "loose" with scuba rules. The dive shops we used had great equipment but took us way beyond the depth we were certified to, into caves we werent trained for,etc. If that freaks you out a bit, then just ask loads of questions before you book the dive. In the end, it was fine, but looking back now, not the safest thing I have done.

Now, back to imagining yourself swimming with whales… 🙂ReplyCancel

I think the angel in your last photo looks like Lamp!ReplyCancel

so cute! I love their heads under the keep out sign! Oooo lil' girls can be so naughty:) Totally feeling guilty of not exploring my town! You've motivated me to get out and do it! thanks!ReplyCancel

We love the Missions too! We have never taken the formal tour–we just wander and read. My husband is a history buff, so he fills in the gaps of my knowledge. It's a great outing when you just want to walk around and it's free! Whee!

BTW, I loved!!!! your Nebraska paintings. It makes me kind of homesick!

Laura (from Nebraska and Costco)ReplyCancel

I am totally loving your San Antonio finds! And yes, I've been exploring our new town as well, and have it all written up as beautiful blog posts in my mind. Maybe I'll get those up soon and you can have extra reason to be excited for June.ReplyCancel