Dueling Poets? That's a weird title!

We sat down and came up with a subject, then wrote poems separately. Here are the different opinions and styles we got...


My Most Fantastic Birthday Hat
By Aimee
On the day I turned three,
My birthday hat was pink and sparkly.

When I was nine,
Outlandish clown hat sublime.

Then seven--Kevin, Devon, and Nevin,
Just about everyone laughed at pipe cleaner decked seven.

But eleven, oh eleven was the best of all,
How clearly I remember that half basketball.

(Fictional!!!)


Birthday UHLO (Unidentified Hat-like Object)
By Kate
Pompoms, sequins, polka dots, feathers,
Horror of horrors upon my head,
Embarrassed flush, color does rush,
You'd never catch me in one dead.

JK (Paul just made me an elegant up-cycled paper plate and streamer one)

The Good of Summer 
Creamy goodness to slowly savor,
Cherish the thought of that awesome flavor,
Although you begin to grow nummer and nummer,
Be reminded of all that is good about summer.

Ice Cream Mountain
Dreamy, drippy, creamy, licky, melty, milky, oh what fun,
Eat a cream cone in the sunshine, eat the flavors one by one,
Make your way up Ice cream mountain,
Press you onward 'til the cherry's won,
Dreamy, drippy, creamy, licky, melty, milky, oh what fun!

The Cat in the Bag
By Aimee
Don't let the cat out of the bag,
Oh, please don't spill the beans!
'Cause sister Kate's day is in the morn,
The secret you must keep,
Don't tell her of the elephant or purple dancing bears,
If you must say something, please whisper in my ears.


Secrets
By Kate
A secret is a little trifle,
That desperately wants out,
For some reason you want to tell,
The whole world what it's about.

A Gift of Goldfish (Crackers, that is)

You just might be an older sister if...

You receive love notes written in pictures
You find a tiny sock in your hamper
You can recognize the musical themes from Peter Pan and Cinderella
You have the Blues Clues birthday song stuck in your head
You've had a crayon washed and dried with your laundry
Your roommate has told you about her silly straw at 3 in the morning
Your afore mentioned roommate has asked you to help her back into bed when she has rolled out
You almost have Goodnight Moon memorized
You recieve many invitations to tea
You've participated in a potty training celebration
You're used to forks on the opposite side of the plate
You're used to spelling words aloud to those who ask
You can paint tiny toenails
You like Cinderella and AristoCats
You've been told "I have a princess on my bum." (Pull-up designs, 'nuff said)
You've had gumballs as decorations on your 18th birthday cake (Young cake decorators)
You prepared and wrapped tons of Christmas presents
You can help a little friend with a word search
Your younger brother claims you are his little sister (little as in short)
There's a long line of people hoping to be in your future wedding
Your pen-pal receives a three-year-old's art
You accidentally teach a whole class the driver's manual
Your fancy shoes "walk off" seemingly by themselves
You've accidentally been told your birthday present
Everyone (even the 3-year-old) knows the parts to the Messiah: Christmas Suite because you were learning it
Your bunk bed is suddenly turned into a fort
The endearing nicknames are mutual (Kate's been called a "little ice cream")
You've sewn a loved sock doll's head back on
You receive a gift of goldfish when they find out you like them (and then they ask for one of them when Mom says they can't have any more of their own)
You mistake another little child for one of your siblings
The youngest cries because of your face cleansing mask
Cinderella and the Handsome Prince are the standard for clean, sparkling white teeth
You're a five point harness expert
You play Hi-Ho Cheerio and Elefun like a pro
You've used a sippy cup when nothing else was clean
A little voice whispers "goodnight" to you at ten pm or so
A crowd gathers the first time you try makeup
It is the height of festivities when you pull out your old toys and play with the kids for a while
They want to borrow your Mr. Potato Head

We love you, little people!
Love,
Aimee and Kate



Note: List was compiled from real happenings happened to real people, two of which there are.

A Favorite Link

A friend of mine has started a really neat new business. She is selling the cutest, most functional aprons and you should check out her site!
http://apronstringsnthings.wordpress.com/

Drum roll please! New author added!

Announcement! Remember that great guest blogger Perry and I had on here a few times? She is now an official author and member of this blog! Look out for some great, likely comic, blog posts by her in the future. Join us in welcoming our sister Kate!

Hubby, Aimee and "Babee"

For my birthday my two littlest sisters gave me these lovely paper dolls they made.
I guess they have plans for me!! Lol. A lovely depiction of my, Lord willing, future as a wife and mother. Thanks girls!

Note: The man is entirely imaginary and is the artists' representation of a fictional character.
All resemblence to males either living or dead is merely coincidental.

You'll Never Guess Who I Am Talking About

This is Kate. I'm here to tell you about this person. She's very artistic... the best at making scrapbooked greeting cards, drawing realistic faces, etc. There are only two categories for her: "things with sparkles" and "things that need them". She's really funny--sometimes without meaning to be. She's a really good roommate who discusses our latest favorite movie (or movie character) with me at talking time. She is the one who takes me to the mailbox, except for when it is raining really hard. We used to fight over the mirror when we were 6 and 8 years old. (That sometimes still happens, not as much since she will move over when asked sooner now). She loves scarves, (often borrowing mine), homemade snacks (particularly anything chocolate or chocolate-like), shoes, scrapbooking, anything crafty (especially Shrinky-Dinks lately), and really sour lemonade.

Her birthday is tomorrow.

And yes, Sis, I suppose (even though it is still kinda' embarrassing to say) I love you too! Happy 19th year!

Thanks for sharing the mirror. We are all happier for it.



I'll admit I was ornery too...

Great Quick "Dinner" Idea

In my family I'm known as "The Snack Queen". I've also won the credential of being the "Cinnamon Roll Lady." (By the way, this is Kate). I thought I would share with you one of our favorite it's-Sunday-and-we're-tired-and-there's-nothing-to-eat snacks.

Carob Almond Banana Smoothies by my darling mother

Milk 3C
Ice (opt)
Honey 1 TBS
Carob 3 TBS
9 Frozen bananas
Nut butter (preferably almond) 1 TBS

Blend. And eat. And don't forget to top with carob chips. And enlist your brother to help make them. And put the smoothie in nice canning jars. And serve it on a platter. And take a picture.


Carob Chips from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
Makes 1 cup

3/4 C Roasted carob powder
1/4 C Rapadura or sucanat*
1 C Coconut oil
1 TBS Vanilla extract
1 Tsp. Chocolate extract

Place all ingredients in a glass container and set in simmering water until melted. Mix together well. Spread mixture on a piece of buttered parchment paper and allow to cool in the refrigerator. ** When hardened, remove parchment paper and cut into chips. Store chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

*Add more sugar or chocolate extract to taste.
**I use the freezer because I am impatient.

I heartily suggest you sample some while you break them up. : ) And you should try them in these amazing granola bars. (http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2012/08/03/ks-healthy-granola-bar-recipe-classic/)

So goodbye, I have to go cook something.