Hospital de Los Luceros

Sickies Unite!

That is what I'm calling my boys - Jonathan and Christian - this week: sickies!

It all started earlier this week with Christian seemingly having allergies. But alas, there was a cough going around Christian's daycare and you guessed it ... he got it.

Then Jonathan got it and hasn't been feeling well all week (Jonathan even came home early and has been sleeping all afternoon). Both of my boys have been coughing and feverish at times. Unfortunately, there isn't much I can give my two year old. It is so awful to watch him go into coughing fits that upset him so much he's on the verge of crying. And it's heartbreaking to see him laying down on the couch, lacking all energy.

I'm convinced Motrin is a miracle drug. We've had to give Christian Motrin a couple of times this week to bring down his fever - and it works within minutes.

So far, I've remained healthy (depsite failing at teaching Christian how to cover his mouth when he coughs, which results in me getting coughed on way too many times) by:

1. Taking Airborne
2. Using Allergen Block
3. Using the neti pot my mother-in-law gave me (I get nasty allergies and she very kindly sent me a neti pot a while back. If you haven't tried using a neti pot, you should!)
4. Lots of hand sanitizer
5. Plenty of prayer between Jonathan and me asking God to let me stay healthy (because once Mommy gets sick ... that is bad news (as you mommies out there can attest to!).

To be honest, I feel "something" starting to come on. But I'm just too busy with work and taking care of my sick boys to get sick myself.

Better do another shot of "Airborne" ASAP!

Jennifer

Wordless Wednesday - February 24, 2010

Click image to enlarge ...

Cupcakes and Smoky Pizza

I so desperately want to be Martha Stewart - minus the snooty attitude, of course. I want to be creative in crafts, decorating, cooking and baking. I want my home to look like a model home and my yard to look like it belongs on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens.

And then there is reality.

1. I have a full-time job that occupies way too much of my time.
2. I am a very busy mommy
3. I can't decide on a decorating "style" I like and want to emulate.
4. We aren't made of money (and we refuse to live on credit cards)

I recently found this recipe in Woman's Day magazine. The cover photo of these beautiful cupcakes had fondant flowers and bees made of yellow peanut M&Ms and Tootise Rolls. I was instantly smitten and inspired! We were having guests in a few days and these cupcakes were to be the dessert.

I made everything from scratch - as the recipe instructed - with the exception of the fondant itself. However, I did color and cut the fondant. I made the little bees, too.

Dessert was preceded by a couple of take-and-bake pizzas from our local grocery store. We'd never cooked two at a time before and as I visited with our guests, I started to smell something burning. I openened the oven to find the pizza tray that came with the pizza (and yes, was supposed to go into the oven) was burning to a crisp - it was on the bottom rack and closest to the heating element. How embarassing!

I simply have no talent for preparing food for a group larger than my family of three - even if it's just putting a couple of pizzas in the oven. I want to be Martha Stewart, and it just isn't going to happen ... ever.

But the cupcakes came out cute! Not quite the high, fluffy frosting as the magazine showed (I'm certain there was some tricky photography there. Maybe there was a hidden cone in there that they covered with frosting?)

And by the way, the honey lemon frosting in this recipe is delicious!