Oreo Balls of Death

By popular demand (the ones of people who read this blog have a sweet tooth apparently), here is the recipe for Oreo Balls of Death, thanks to Jill Lee:


Ingredients:
Package of Oreos, crushed
8 oz cream cheese, softened
Baker's chocolate (white or milk)


Directions:
1. Using a mixer, combine Oreos and cream cheese.
2. Roll into balls and place on wax paper on a plate.
3. Freeze for at least one hour
4. Melt white chocolate or milk chocolate.
5. Remove frozen Oreo balls and dip in chocolate.
6. Freeze again and enjoy!
7. Apply for next season of Biggest Loser.


Okay, I may have made up that last step, but I'm just thinking ahead.  Hope you like these as much as we do!

Happy 33rd to me!

So I'm now 33!  Now I know why my parents and family never really made a big deal out of birthdays growing up (McDonald's parties when we were little, a few presents and friends for a sleepover as teenagers).  It's so I wouldn't be disappointed later in life when my birthday rolled around and all I got was a 2-year-old throwing a tantrum and peeing his pants in the driveway when he didn't want to come inside.

I kid, I kid.  A few cards came in the mail, my sisters sent me a lovely present, my mother-in-law sent a very pretty shirt, and my out-of-town husband even managed to wish me a Happy Birthday the second time we talked during the day.  (He claims that no one had to remind him, but I remain skeptical.)

The best part of the day was when my neighbor Jill brought over dinner and dessert.  Yummy homemade pizza and these amazing Oreo cake balls that I saved for later so that I could shove them down my gullet while I watched Biggest Loser.  What?  I'm pretty sure I could eat 1,000 Oreo balls and still not qualify as a contestant.

"Happy birthday, Mommy!  Aren't we being well-behaved?"

Aaah, that's more like it

Dan and Ben and baby Grace

More giggles from Ben

Ben is a gigglin' fool these days!

And listen for Dan when he answers my question: "Dan, what does the news van carry?" ("News!")

Cosby sweater

Our weather has taken a turn for the worse--what happened to spring?! Today was 40 degrees and raining, so Ben got a chance to wear a cute sweater outfit from Granny Rash.  I didn't think he'd get to wear it before either the weather got too warm or he got too big, but he looks great in his new outfit (don't mind the gummy crackers stuck to his leg--we just got finished with dinner).

Lazy spring days

Nothing much too exciting going on around these parts!  We're very happy that spring has sprung (unlike poor Buffalo--five inches of snow and counting today) and we can spend more time outside.  Dan is very content to dig in the dirt and load up his dump truck over and over again.  He gives a running commentary the whole time he's playing, which is pretty funny.  Today, I overheard him saying, "Fill up the truck.  Take it to the recycling center."  Ben and I just sit in the shade on a blanket and watch and laugh.

When we're not outside, Dan and Ben just like to entertain each other.  I can't wait until Ben can talk back--I think their conversations are going to be hilarious!

Giggling Ben

Dan loves to play with Ben nearby in his Bumbo.  All day long, I hear, "Put Ben seat! Put Ben seat!" and I know that the seat in question is the Bumbo.  They play pretty well together, if you consider Dan handing Ben a car and Ben chewing on it to be playing.  Yesterday, Ben was in his seat and Dan was crashing his monster trucks into the train table, pretending that they were jumping over things.  Ben was very amused by the show Dan was putting on!

Almost spring!

The weather was beautiful today (low 60s, sunshine) so we sat outside for a little bit after Ben woke up from his nap.  My mom arrived yesterday--it's so nice to have adult conversation in the middle of the day!  Ben looks very serious a lot of the time, but he's really very smiley and cuddly, I promise.

Dan woke up while we were outside so we came back in and played in his room while he was getting out of his post-nap funk.  Ben was a good sport and let us put him in the dump truck for a few cute pictures.  I'm finally reading Nikon D3000 for Dummies so hopefully my photo quality will improve.  Bear with me as I figure things out!

"Noooooo! Don't take Ben away!"

My two-years-apart twins

Ben had his 6-month well-baby check on Wednesday and he is perfect, just as I suspected.  He tipped the scales at 17 pounds 15.5 oz and was 27 1/4 inches long.  For comparison, Dan was 17 pounds 15 ounces and 27 inches long.  Pretty much identical, just like at four months.  But just how identical are they?  Here are two pictures of Dan from March 15, 2009, followed by two pictures of Ben from March 4, 2011.  I think it's obvious that they are brothers!

Major Dad

Zach was promoted to Major yesterday!  He was selected for it way back in December 2009, but it took this long to actually pin on the rank (and get the raise--my main concern).  He claims that it's no big deal to get promoted, but we are very proud of him regardless.  I dressed the boys up in their best (and only) matching sweaters and we went to the squadron to watch the promotion ceremony.  It was a short ceremony--a Marine read the promotion order, the commanding officer read Zach the oath and he swore to it, then I helped pin on his new rank.  A couple of fellow pilots wrangled the boys while all this was happening.  Dan did interrupt the ceremony a few times to announce, "Go see the hocter (helicopter).  WANT TO GO SEE THE HOCTER!" If Marines weren't so serious during these things, I'm sure a few would have at least cracked a smile.

Congratulations, Zachary!  Unfortunately for him, I promoted myself yesterday to Lieutenant Colonel, so I still run the show around the house.