Monthly reviews are my favourite tradition. Here’s how it works – every month I come up with some things I learned. Then, I ask you all to join in with some recent revelations of your own. And we all learn and grow and what-not. Or at least share a laugh at our own expense, because some of these lessons are both hard-fought and funny. Sound good?
So, without further ado, here are some things that I learned in April.
Things I learned in April
1. I made a balloon-y baby blanket for a new special someone.
2. I learned how to make dandelion blossom fritters, using this recipe. Delicious, especially drizzled with maple syrup.
Dandelion blossom fritters, right up close
3. I honed my solo parenting skills when Jon spent 4 nights in Las Vegas.
4. I learned that all the cool kids have their own yoga mat.
A yoga mat of my own
5. I discovered the wonder that is Trader Joe’s. Another reason to be jealous of Americans.
6. I enjoyed some much-needed downtime and rediscovered that my husband and kids are actually pretty cool people to hang out with.
Me downtiming with my family in the background
7. I read that I just may be a terribly irresponsible parent. But I’m cool, and I’ll tell you why tomorrow.
8. I learned how to make a raised garden bed. Or, more accurately, how to watch others make me a raised garden bed. 
The new garden bed, which I stood by and watched others build me
9. I was reminded of my hopeless maternal sentimentality when the arrival of Hannah’s school supply list for kindergarten caused me to tear up. New crayons for school – sniff!
10. I discovered that through the wonder of paprika and chili powder, I can dye a white egg to look just like a brown one. Thankfully, the turmeric (yellow and half of green), purple cabbage (blue and half of green) and beets (pink) turned out a little better.
Easter eggs dyed using veggies and spices
What about you? What did you learn in April? Please share!
PS – I am a finalist in Vancouver Mom‘s Favourite Vancouver Mom Blogger contest! If you’d vote for me (and any other fabulous contestants you read) once a day until May 6 I’d be ever so grateful. 
I’ve been looking into making a raised garden bed too.
I struggle with what I did in April. There wasn’t a whole lot going on. But I’ll tell you this much: If a butter says it’s spreadable, it’s not. And whipped butter isn’t very spreadable either.
Yes, it was a fascinating month for me… HA!
.-= Sara´s last post ..Flowers from Hawaii =-.
You discovered Trader Joe’s, eh? Isn’t that place awesome! Yesterday I picked up 22 bags of mango…and a few other things.
Ms Strocel, I’m looking forward to your post tomorrow. I think it’ll address some of the issues I have.
We had dandelion blossoms cooked as asparagus (as per recipe). Next time I’ll drizzle the maple syrup on:)
.-= Francesca´s last post ..Rescuing vintage crochet edging: a free pattern =-.
In April, I learned that taking an 11pm meeting followed by a 7am meeting results in ridiculous exhaustion. But that the child who wakes me up at 5am in between, if acting cute enough, will still get hugs and kisses.
.-= Lady M´s last post ..Festival Day =-.
I love this and holy mama you learned a lot in April.
I pretty much learned how to have a complete breakdown and then how to have another one. But May is a whole new month and mama’s got her mojo on so cheers to April and a big ‘ol hello to May!
We have a raised garden bed now…due to Mike dumping a LOT of dirt into our existing bed…will it ever be planted? Only time will tell
.-= Carrie´s last post ..Remembering 7 years ago… =-.
I just learned that lowering my standards to the point were they all have been met already is a win win for all. April was a burn out – the plan is to take it easy next month… wish me luck!
.-= mrs.notouching´s last post ..Because Every Mom Should be a GlamourMom =-.
April was a bit selfish for me – learned a lot about self-care, and how important it is. And as I warned I might last month, I took a page out of your book, or straight off your blog, more accurately, and created a post of my month in review as well. I linked to this post.
.-= Alexis´s last post ..Things I’ve Learned – April 2010 =-.
I love Trader Joe’s!
Going to color our eggs naturally next year!
I wish I could have a nice garden (all I’ve got is SHADE)
Dandelion fritters sound yum!
.-= Joni Rae´s last post ..Watercolor Painting Fun… =-.
I got four raspberry bushes from a neighbor, planted them near my fence, and tied the stalks along the horizontal fence boards to help train them to grow along the fence. THEN, I learned that raspberries don’t really work like that, and I had to go untie them all.
@mrs.notouching – I know what you mean about standards. Sometimes I like to make a to-do list full of stuff I’ve already done and then joyfully cross them all off.
.-= Issa´s last post ..April 2010 Pig Update =-.
If I could marry Trader Joes, I would.
.-= harriet Fancott´s last post ..Geek Speak interview =-.
I learned that I need to just stop trying new fancy Easter egg dying methods that don’t work and frustrate my kids.
.-= SeriousMom´s last post ..Fuck isn’t a bad word. =-.
You are the trend-setter of Vancouver bloggers my dear with your monthly re-caps!
My husband and I have talked about eating dandelions before. We have enough of them around here.
.-= Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)´s last post ..What I Learned: April 2010 =-.
I think this is a great idea!
.-= Kelly Be A Fun Mum´s last post ..100 Balloons =-.