Egg Nest Cookies

These are a fun and super simple little treat for Easter or any springtime occasion.  I made my batch with my 2-year-old and it was incredibly easy with good results.  We used Martha Stewart's Almond Coconut Macaroon recipe and then added M&M chocolate eggs to the center once the cookies were cool.

Almond Coconut Macaroons

via Martha Stewart

(we added M&M chocolate eggs to the center)

Makes 8 bird nests

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg white

1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 

(we used sweetened because our store didn't carry unsweetened)

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of coarse salt

Whisk together the egg whites and sugar and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Make 8 mounds and be sure to press down a little bit in the center of each to form a nest for your eggs.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool.  Add chocolate eggs or jellybeans.

ladylike

This morning I dressed her up for spring pictures at preschool which are exceptionally cute at this age.  Last fall, she refused to participate in picture day at preschool.  As she sat on the front step waiting for our carpool, I reminded her that she should always sit with her knees together when she has a dress on.  She took that advice very seriously and focused for about 10 minutes on sitting properly with her little knees tucked up tightly together. We will see how the spring pictures go this time around...

palms

These palms waved high and wild by my children make me so happy. I remember waving them the same way as a child not really knowing the true meaning of having them present on one special Sunday each year.  Yearly traditions and rituals that my children now participate in add such special depth and meaning to my life.

time to read

Over our Spring Break, we made an effort to make reading fun again.  Sometimes, I feel like we get so caught up in completing reading assignments and homework, the sweet joys of reading get lost in the shuffle.  We decided to find great new stories and fun new places to read.  Even our little one participated in her own funny little ways.

We laid blankets out in the yard close to bushes and under the trees 

to create a few special reading havens.   

Our bucket of chalk remained close-by for drawing and writing about our reading. 

It was a great break away from assigned reading and into the wonderful experience of getting lost in another world of a book.

sew

Just as children learn to read on the laps of their parents, I am overjoyed that these girls are learning to sew on the laps of the ones they love so dearly.

Little bags and quilts are the perfect projects to ignite their sewing curiosity.  It is neat to see them working the machine, cutting and measuring and ultimately utilizing something they made.  It feels good to see them making something.  I like that they understand the amount of work it takes to make even the smallest project.  I think it infuses appreciation of handmade goods into their lives.

Away

Just a little time alone, to linger over a chocolate croissant and a proper latte, made with the correct amount of dense foam does wonders for a busy mother.

A little trip up the mountain to this charming cabin with wood burning stoves to keep the frost away swept us from our sometimes monotonous routines at home.

Just a little drive up to a natural hot spring along birch tree-lined roads made us take another look at the wonders of Mother Nature.

Happening upon a woody and spirited snow-girl in the woods was as magical as magic can be.

Ice and snowy roads made the adventure up the mountain that much more alluring.

Taking a bit of time to rekindle a beloved hobby lifted his spirits.

To spend time together and rediscover ourselves amongst the radiant snow, mountain air and to enjoy time that was completely ours, was renewing in the best of ways.  I remember thinking, I will be a better mother having had some time away.

There he waits

She stands tippy-toed on her little green stool to take part in the cooking activites that happen daily around 5pm. From another perspective, he stands ever-so-close just waiting for something to drop.  He knows the youngest children drop the most down.