She's 2 years old!

Last week we hit quite a milestone with Avery turning 2.  To celebrate her birthday, we went to the Works for dinner on Thursday, with Gramma and Grampa Herage.  Avery was really well behaved, but I think that had a lot to do with Gramma keeping her entertained for the whole meal.  Then on Saturday we had her birthday party, with most of the family.  Unfortunately there weren't any other kids there (besides Micaela), because the Fergusons were down and out with colds, etc, and because we didn't really think we could handle a party with the whole gang of kid friends.  That will be next year's challenge!

Avery really enjoyed her party and got through it with no major melt-downs.  She liked her cake - mostly the candy decorations on top - and enjoyed the presents.  She seemed a little confused as to why I wouldn't let her play with anything after she opened it, but then it would have taken hours to get everything open.  Thanks again to everyone who came, thanks for all of the help you gave us and thank you very much for Avery's presents!

So the story of the cake...Most of you probably know that I am no baker.  I can cook pretty well, but I find that a lot easier because you don't need to be so precise.  Of course, baking is a different story - following the recipe actually matters a lot more!  Anyway, I decided to make Avery a butterfly cake.  With some very helpful suggestions from Amy and Dana (including the advice to use a box cake instead of making one from scratch), it turned out pretty well.  But thank goodness I did use a box cake because making the icing alone took me forever.  Decorating it was also a big challenge, due to my shaky hands and the very tiny candies, and I swore up and down that I would never do this again.  Of course, next year when it is Micaela's turn for a party, I will probably feel guilty if I don't make her one too.  So I will just have to plan a little better! :)

And how is Micaela doing?

She is pretty good - as of 6 weeks she is now at 10 lbs 7 oz and has grown to 23 inches.  That means she's grown 3 inches since birth, or the birth measurement was a little off.  I am going with the latter theory. :)

Right now she is going through a phase of pretty bad gassiness (I refuse to call it colic). She hits her peak discomfort between 6 and 8pm, making it really challenging to cook dinner, play with Avery after dinner and put Avery to bed, but we are muddling through.  I did all of that on my own last night while Greg was curling, and I was the only one who didn't cry at some point or another. :)  Actually, Avery was pretty good with the whole thing, despite not being able to hear her stories sometimes because of Micaela's crying, and there were only 2 time-outs through the whole process.  It can only get better, right?

Ditali in Tomato Chickpea Sauce

This was the cover recipe from the March 2010 issue of Canadian Living.  It was ok, vegetarian, easy to make and my mom and I liked it well enough - but it isn't going to win any awards for tastiness.  Avery wasn't a big fan, but did eat the chickpeas (which she surprisingly loves). Greg didn't go anywhere near it, and I didn't even think to offer him any.  I might make it again, but only if someone else is coming for dinner.  Otherwise there would be too much leftovers!

From the mouths of babes

In the spirit of recording the funny things kids say, here's one from Avery.  We were at a sugar shack on Sunday for breakfast (Sucrerie du Terroir in Val-des-Monts, the same place we went last year), and then went for a quick walk to see the sap running into the buckets.  When we lifted Avery up to see what was going on, she quickly annouced, "pee!"  So there you have it, sap = tree pee. :)

As for the sugar shack, I thought the breakfast was better last year.  Since it is quite a drive, and is fairly expensive, I don't think we will be heading back there again.  Anyone have suggestions for a favourite place to go?  Preferably more towards the east end?