Hi, Summer. We're Happy to See You.

I'm trying to squeeze every last drop of Only Child Awesomeness out of these last few days, so I surprised Alexis by picking her up from her after school program (which I never do, and could only do today because I worked from home) and carried out a plan.

A good plan.

It wasn't anything fancy or complicated, but I knew it would be something that would make Alexis happy. Which, it did.

You know those sketchy ice cream places that are only open in the summer? The ones that you know you don't want to look too closely at because there's likely lots of gross behind those little windows, but they serve magic out of those windows, so LOOK AWAY. FOCUS ON THE ICE CREAM. We have one of those places near us. It finally opened for the year yesterday.

When we pulled into the parking lot, Alexis literally squealed with excitement before barreling out of the car and running up to the window to place her order. Seven never placed it's own order, but apparently Eight wants to make sure it gets EXACTLY what it wants.

When the teen behind the window handed out the medium Panda Paws in a cup, Alexis' face lit up. She pumped one fist in the air and declared, "I LOVE SUMMER!"

I just watched and smiled.

Alexis may be growing SUPER impatient with that whole lump of sibling taking its time thing, but every second of her impatience is fun to watch.

Especially the seconds when she's enjoying the little things in life.

Thanks for Waiting, Tiny Human. Now Keep It Up.

The REALLY important thing is that $210 is headed to Center for Victims, but go ahead and try telling that to Alexis.

She spent the entire day being a very sad puppy. She was the sort of sad puppy that turns to the giant lump of sibling and yells, "COME OUT ALREADY" because apparently she has "due date" confused with "expiration date" and really, really, really was counting on an exciting day today.

I totally failed her. Or something.

I tried to explain that this whole thing isn't like a meat thermometer that just pops out when that date arrives, but she was all "Why would you put a thermometer in meat?" and then "MOM, I'M A VEGETARIAN." I guess the analogy is lost on her.

All of that is to say, if you're disappointed you didn't win the $100 Amazon gift card, trust me -- you aren't as disappointed as Alexis.

For what it's worth, here is who is still in it to win it. Remember, Price is Right rules, so no going over.

• Jennifer with May 27th at 1:30 am
• Lauren May 27th at 9:00 am
• Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl with May 27th at 11:55 am
• Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl with May 27th at 3:28 pm
• Uncle Crappy with May 28th at 2:15 am
• Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl with May 28th at 9:57 am
• AKuipers with May 28th at 11:00 am
• Dawn with May 29th at 7:00 am
• ATobin with May 29th at 7:50 am
• Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl with May 29th at 10:36 am
• Melissa with May 29th at 1:00 pm
• Ex-Pat Pittsburgh Girl with May 29th at 2:24 pm
• Dawn with May 29th at 3:00 pm
• Erin with May 29th at 8:00 pm
• Belle with May 30th at 7:47 am
• AKuipers May 30th at 9:00 am
• Jennifer with May 31st at 3:54 am
• Sheila with May 31st at 9:00 am
• Paula with June 1st
• Kyle with June 1st at 10:00 pm
• Kyle with June 2nd at 12:00 am
• Kyle with June 2nd at 12:00 pm
• Jennifer with June 3rd at noon
• AKuipers with June 3rd at 1:00 pm

We shall see what happens. In the meantime, let's all sit and watch Alexis nearly explode from anticipation, shall we?

(My vote is that we wait at least a few more days. Names still aren't picked and the room still isn't done.)

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Earlier this week, I happened upon rhubarb at the podunk grocery store near our house. I very nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement because RHUBARB! I love it so. The only problem was that I couldn't decide what to make with it, other than ALL OF THE THINGS.

But then I remembered Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. There is no better place to start than that because it's super easy and super good.

I have posted this recipe before, but that was three years ago. It's still perfect all this time later. So, why try to recreate the rhubarb wheel when I have it handy?

I still maintain a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream makes it even more amazing.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

2 cups diced rhubarb (approximate 5-7 average size stalks)
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the diced rhubarb, sliced strawberries, white sugar, and corn starch in a 9x13" baking dish. Spread the mixture evenly across the baking dish.

In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, butter, brown sugar, and flour. (A hand mixer works well. Or your hands. Frankly, crisp recipes are crazy forgiving. You can do whatever you want and they still turn out fantastic.)

Sprinkle the oatmeal mixture over the fruit.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

There it is ... my happy place. Right there.