While you were gardening . . .

It's a beautiful day. I put my Maggie down for her nap, my Maggie who has 8 teeth and took her first steps on Saturday, and went outside to plant my new hydrangeas. As I was digging and weeding and enjoying myself, I kept ignoring the prompting to check on Addie. Chloe came outside and I asked her where Addie was. She didn't know. And yet I was so enjoying myself that I still didn't go in to check on her. Eventually, I popped my head in the door, checked the baby monitor, saw the back of Addie's head watching TV, and went back outside.

A few minutes later, I hear the door open and this comes out.Wait, that's not quite it. It had a whole lot more black on it. I think it was more like this.

Yeah, that's more the expression it had, too. It was a slightly messier application. It might have been a post modern interpretation of KISS, but it certainly didn't look like my Addie. I immediately asked her what she did it with. First she took me to the whiteboard markers, which scared me greatly. We're about to go on a trip, and I'd prefer to do that with an unmarked child. It didn't look like marker, though, so I decided to look in my room. However, I put her in timeout first.

A note--my bedroom door is always closed tightly, with a child proof cover on the knob as added security. Addie has proven in the past that she is just not to be trusted. But as I walked down the hall, I saw this.

I went in my bathroom, and saw this. Sneaky little child. She had put everything away, but there was still evidence of her mischief.

I opened the bag and found this. Another note--this mascara is awesome and I'll tell you why. Forget the cheesy "beauty tubes" commercials. I haven't paid attention to whether or not it actually lengthens my lashes. What I love about it is that it doesn't smudge and it doesn't cry off. However, it does come off easily with warm water. So, waterproof mascara that is easy to remove when it's time to take it off. The one disclaimer is that the "beauty tubes" do collect in little clumps and look like dead spiders in your sink. But it's worth it.
Here's the inside of my make up bag. Hooray for mineral powder foundation! Really, I do love it, but it sure does spread easily.
I left the bathroom, shaking my head at her ingenuity, and noticed this.
And then I saw the splash on the doorframe. Addie is nothing if not thorough.
By the time I finished inspecting and photographing her work, she had also worked up some fake tears and smeared off most of her artwork. I really am disappointed that I didn't get a better picture of it.
These next few are pretty awesome in their own right. Apparently ingesting and/or painting that much makeup directly into your eyes makes you a little slow.
And unable to close your mouth.
Oh, Addie.
I sure love you anyway.

Hello?

Um, yeah, so it's been a month and a half since I posted. I am awesome at blogging. But maybe this picture will help you forgive me.

It's been a pretty busy month and a half. I still haven't posted about Disneyland. Or my trip to Utah with all three girls all by myself. Or getting ready for a baby shower at my house justifying the facelift of my entire backyard. Or finally finishing the bathroom remodel. Or my baby sister visiting.

But I will.

Just not tonight.

Tonight I will mention a few favorites.

Addie singing, "SupercalifragilisticGetMeOutOfHere!" No idea where she came up with that.

Maggie growling, "Uh-Muh," in Cookie Monster voice while I'm getting ready to nurse her.

And Chloe telling me what she wants to perform for the Primary talent show is a rock star dance. I'm a little afraid. Because though I have not taught her these moves, she already knows how to drop it like it's hot and back it up.

Remember St. Patrick's Day?

The night before St. Patrick's Day, we sat down to make our Leprechaun trap. We bought Lucky Charms to bait it with, which brought out the Irish appetite in all the Mannions.

Can I Lucky Charm you?
Oh, yes I can!
The girls got down to serious work.
And Daddy helped, too.
They set up the trap in a new spot.
And in the morning, there were green footprints!
And this little stinker. Why am I even trying to catch another leprechaun?
They followed the path . . .
all the way to the trap.
Rats! He got away again! But he did leave gold and movies and Irish potatoes.

Chloe didn't take the loss of the leprechaun lying down. Next year, leprechaun, next year.

Easter Eggstravaganza

The night before Easter, while Bracken was at Priesthood Session, we dyed our Easter eggs. I asked the girls to pose for a picture. Addie, as always when given directions, went deaf. And Chloe gave me, "Really? I am so beyond this?" And I was like, "Really, you are 4. Four! Smile for the camera!"
At least Maggie gave me a wonderful smile.
Oh, her dirty, runny nosed smile. With one ear that sticks out. Dang, she's cute.
As I was mixing up the colors, I discovered one of the tablets was brown. Seriously, brown. Who wants brown Easter eggs? Well, Addie for one. I couldn't keep her eggs out of the brown dye. And when I told Bracken about it, he shared with me that she'd told him earlier in the day that she wanted to dye her eggs brown. And the point goes to the egg dye kit manufacturers.
And Chloe condescended to give me a hint of a smile.
The next morning, she was definitely excited, though. And look how cute the back of Addie's head is. And her little slippered feet.
Maggie was excited with her haul, too. We got her some fruit squeezers from Trader Joe's--they are the bomb. Totally saved our bacon at Disneyland.
And as the girls sorted through their goods, Chloe was most excited about--the grass?
We watched General Conference that morning while snacking on candy. Bracken also took the girls to see his mom in the hospital--she spent the holiday being treated for a variety of problems, but is generally doing much better. That afternoon, the rest of Bracken's family, and our friends the Morris' came over for dinner and our annual egg hunt. Here are all the kids waiting while the eggs are hidden.
"So, Will, do you think we hid enough eggs?" "I don't know, Bracken. I can hardly see any."


And here are our happy hunters, getting last minute instructions from Bracken. Notice the use of the hand.
They are so excited.
And they're off. Look at that cute Gigi. Oh, I could squeeze her.

Chloe got right down to business.

Addie needed a little help.
Me and my cute husband. Sure love him and all he does for us.
Autumn and Syrus
Is that a pink one, Mom? I only want pink ones.
Grandpa Jack, Gigi and Eden.
Daddy helping Addie
Chloe, Isaac and Autumn, and my lovely green garden.
And then they went inside and dug in. Addie ate herself into a stupor, then left half a Cadbury Creme egg, sticky side down, in the carpet.
Bracken helped Chloe empty all her eggs.
Isaac and Autumn, with Addie and Gigi passed out in the background.
And let's not forget this sweet little grinner. She was napping during the official hunt, but has been constantly on the prowl for stray treats ever since.

Pasta with Ham and Peas

This recipe is a fast favorite. It's great if you have leftover ham or leftover pasta.

8 oz. uncooked pasta--we like bowties, or "butterflies" if you ask Addie
2 T butter, give or take
1 T olive oil, or so
2-3 cloves garlic, minced (and by minced, I mean use a garlic press on it. Who really wants to mince garlic, besides the Pioneer Woman?)
8 oz. ham cut into 1/2 to 1 inch pieces
8 oz. frozen peas, and/or french cut green beans
2-3 T lemon juice
zest of one lemon
1 T fresh basil or parsley, minced
Parmesan

Bring med pot of water to boil, season with salt and add pasta. While pasta is cooking, melt butter and olive oil in large saute pan over med. high heat. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until garlic is fragrant but not brown. Add ham and cook and stir until heated through and slightly browned. Stir in frozen vegetables and cook until thawed. The pasta should be about done by this point. Drain cooked pasta and add to pan with ham and veggies (or add your leftover cooked pasta and heat through). Add basil, lemon zest and juice to taste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. At this point you can either stir in the Parmesan, or sprinkle it over individual servings. Very simple, very fast and very tasty.