Sometimes the internet is just too darn awesome. Here are some of my most favorite links right now:
14 year old Rubik's Cube Wizard. I cannot believe how fast his fingers move!
My bubba. Don't worry -- the name is odd only if you don't understand that "My" is a Swedish girl and "Bubba" is an Icelandic girl. Together they make some lovely lo-fi music and do rad hand-clapping stuff.
PonyDry. Just weird.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Monday, October 5, 2015
The most wonderful time of the year
Fall is the most wonderful.
(Wait - was I just heralding the long summer days and warm nights with fireflies and crickets? Or fawning all over the first daffodils poking their heads out of the frozen ground? I think that's what living in a seasonal climate does - I have a deep appreciation for the changes that come around every 3 months.)
In the past few days, I've raided apple stands at the farmer's market and made 2 gigantic batches of applesauce - nothing was canned. We all eat it too fast. In fact, I've decided that canning applesauce just isn't going to happen this year since it's not worth my time. They literally it eat faster than I can it.
We've roasted pumpkins and made butternut squash soup. We baked applesauce spice muffins and apple crisp. We had our first Sunday night roast chicken with red potatoes... the first of many Sunday night chickens to come this fall and winter.
We've had fall fests and faces painted and balloon animals created. They've jumped themselves silly in bounce houses and roasted s'mores over backyard firepits. The beach bag is retired for the season, the splash pool is in the attic, the super soakers are resting until called upon again next summer.
I'm in the midst of doing the semi-annual TakingStockOfTheChildren'sSeasonalClothing in which I stare at Christopher in disbelief over how looooong his legs keep getting and I laugh at how many of one thing Colin has (long-sleeved shirts) and how few of other things he has (the kid needs long pants, stat), and inwardly weep a little knowing that Evelyn will never again wear that darling summer romper or those ruffled pink shorts because she'll be too big for them next year. You only get to do summer as a one year-old once. The kids all need new mittens and I am happily spending my evenings knitting hats. We need a new snow bib or two, and the big coats will have to be washed up and freshened after 5 months of storage. The boys need boots.
School is good and friends are good. It's nice to have the oven on and make the house smell delicious and not overheat the whole place. Mums are in the front porch pots. The lawn likely won't need another mowing until next May. Time to move the veggie gardening tools to the back of the garage and bring forth all functional rakes. The leaves will soon start falling fast and furiously and no matter how on top of them we are, we are always behind.
It's time to enjoy October before the frenzy of the holidays begin.
(Wait - was I just heralding the long summer days and warm nights with fireflies and crickets? Or fawning all over the first daffodils poking their heads out of the frozen ground? I think that's what living in a seasonal climate does - I have a deep appreciation for the changes that come around every 3 months.)
In the past few days, I've raided apple stands at the farmer's market and made 2 gigantic batches of applesauce - nothing was canned. We all eat it too fast. In fact, I've decided that canning applesauce just isn't going to happen this year since it's not worth my time. They literally it eat faster than I can it.
We've roasted pumpkins and made butternut squash soup. We baked applesauce spice muffins and apple crisp. We had our first Sunday night roast chicken with red potatoes... the first of many Sunday night chickens to come this fall and winter.
We've had fall fests and faces painted and balloon animals created. They've jumped themselves silly in bounce houses and roasted s'mores over backyard firepits. The beach bag is retired for the season, the splash pool is in the attic, the super soakers are resting until called upon again next summer.
I'm in the midst of doing the semi-annual TakingStockOfTheChildren'sSeasonalClothing in which I stare at Christopher in disbelief over how looooong his legs keep getting and I laugh at how many of one thing Colin has (long-sleeved shirts) and how few of other things he has (the kid needs long pants, stat), and inwardly weep a little knowing that Evelyn will never again wear that darling summer romper or those ruffled pink shorts because she'll be too big for them next year. You only get to do summer as a one year-old once. The kids all need new mittens and I am happily spending my evenings knitting hats. We need a new snow bib or two, and the big coats will have to be washed up and freshened after 5 months of storage. The boys need boots.
School is good and friends are good. It's nice to have the oven on and make the house smell delicious and not overheat the whole place. Mums are in the front porch pots. The lawn likely won't need another mowing until next May. Time to move the veggie gardening tools to the back of the garage and bring forth all functional rakes. The leaves will soon start falling fast and furiously and no matter how on top of them we are, we are always behind.
It's time to enjoy October before the frenzy of the holidays begin.
Monday, September 14, 2015
No School Day
So, earlier this summer I planted our front yard veggie bed with all of the annual flower seeds I had to spare. Sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, borage, cosmos, etc. Some of it came up, some of it didn't.
We have a day off from school today and the sun is shining. It's not warm, but it's not cold. The kids are outside barefoot with walkie talkies, the odd Duplo car, and a new stomp rocket set (count the seconds until I'll be summoned to retrieve a rocket that's landed on the garage roof). The upshot to full day Kindergarten and having a preschooler who's doing 4 mornings a week is that their days off are like play vacations. And Evelyn hangs out with them as best as she can. She calls after them, "Guys! Guys!" while she's trying to get up or down the stairs after them. It's completely awesome... until it isn't... and then I try to be one step ahead and reassess what might be the best change of pace.
I just went out to the front and cut a vase of zinnias and sunflowers! I've had coffee. Everyone is dressed and playing together. It's 9:19am. The day is a Win.
As soon as things start to fall apart we'll either bike/trailer or stroller/scoot to the library for a book refresh. I'll come up with something for the afternoon as I fake my way through the morning. If we can get to lunchtime and rest time, the remainder of the day will take care of itself.
School is off to a wonderful start. They're both happy and adjusting well. I love that while Evelyn and I are coming and going from our morning activities, we can hear the kids playing at school across the street and know that Christopher is among them and that our stroll to get Colin from his class is just 4 blocks away.
Of course, it's not perfect and there are a bazillion sibling squabbles and lost treasures and feelings hurt. It's still pretty good, though. Happy Back To School, everyone.
We have a day off from school today and the sun is shining. It's not warm, but it's not cold. The kids are outside barefoot with walkie talkies, the odd Duplo car, and a new stomp rocket set (count the seconds until I'll be summoned to retrieve a rocket that's landed on the garage roof). The upshot to full day Kindergarten and having a preschooler who's doing 4 mornings a week is that their days off are like play vacations. And Evelyn hangs out with them as best as she can. She calls after them, "Guys! Guys!" while she's trying to get up or down the stairs after them. It's completely awesome... until it isn't... and then I try to be one step ahead and reassess what might be the best change of pace.
I just went out to the front and cut a vase of zinnias and sunflowers! I've had coffee. Everyone is dressed and playing together. It's 9:19am. The day is a Win.
As soon as things start to fall apart we'll either bike/trailer or stroller/scoot to the library for a book refresh. I'll come up with something for the afternoon as I fake my way through the morning. If we can get to lunchtime and rest time, the remainder of the day will take care of itself.
School is off to a wonderful start. They're both happy and adjusting well. I love that while Evelyn and I are coming and going from our morning activities, we can hear the kids playing at school across the street and know that Christopher is among them and that our stroll to get Colin from his class is just 4 blocks away.
Of course, it's not perfect and there are a bazillion sibling squabbles and lost treasures and feelings hurt. It's still pretty good, though. Happy Back To School, everyone.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Treading through our summer days
Oh, summer. Or maybe I should say Summer of 2015. You have been a roller coaster. We're doing our best to hold on while hugging the tightest curves, as well as being brave enough to reach our hands to the sky as we careen over into the free-falls.
There's sand in the car and a steady stream of shorts, towels, and swimsuits rotating between the beach bag, laundry room, and clothesline. This is the fourth year that I've sworn I'll sew us a beach bag out of canvas with thick straps and just the right number of open and zippered pockets. And yet, we're still using that same old beat up Whole Foods shopping bag. Maybe next year.
Whole Foods! There's a flagship store opening up down the road from us. Christopher has asked to have his birthday dinner there. I'm on board - everybody wins and gets to pick their own favorite yuppie dinner. I can focus my cooking energies on cake. Sweet! Colin, on the other hand, has focused his requests on the type of cupcake that should be baked for his 4th birthday celebration. Unable to decide between vanilla and chocolate, today's verdict is that we're going to swirl them. This could change by tomorrow.
The kids are well adjusted and happy with their summer camps at this point. Of course, this means that everything will be wrapping up in 1-2 weeks. Huh. Evelyn loves to get out in the bike trailer and lurches for her helmet every time we pass by it in the garage. She says "hi" and "bye-bye" to anyone who will look at her while we're out on the go. And she's recently added declarations of "dog!" and "ball!" to the commentary. I love watching them learn how to communicate and move their bodies in this stage. It's like every dog or ball is the most glorious surprise.
"DOG! (eyes wide open, pointing frenetically) Oh my god, did you see that? A freakin' dog!!!"
It's wonderful. I love it.
We'll have two weeks of pure summer unscheduled-ness (unscheduled-mess?) in mid August. No travel, no camp, nocommitmentswhatsoever. I'm going to put on my Super Fun Mama Hat and pull out my List of Things To Do. Yes, I actually have one and if you know me well, you're not surprised. I'll be honest, though -- it heavily favors bike rides, the beach and ice cream.
Then Kindergarten starts for Christopher and a short while later Colin begins preschool.
It's going to feel very different around here this year.
This afternoon, a telling scene...
While coloring to come down from the heat and activity of morning camp while the baby girl sleeps:
Colin, practicing his pencil grip: Look, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time.
Christopher, halfway out of his chair and doing three things at once: Look at me, too, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time. Well, mostly.
There's sand in the car and a steady stream of shorts, towels, and swimsuits rotating between the beach bag, laundry room, and clothesline. This is the fourth year that I've sworn I'll sew us a beach bag out of canvas with thick straps and just the right number of open and zippered pockets. And yet, we're still using that same old beat up Whole Foods shopping bag. Maybe next year.
Whole Foods! There's a flagship store opening up down the road from us. Christopher has asked to have his birthday dinner there. I'm on board - everybody wins and gets to pick their own favorite yuppie dinner. I can focus my cooking energies on cake. Sweet! Colin, on the other hand, has focused his requests on the type of cupcake that should be baked for his 4th birthday celebration. Unable to decide between vanilla and chocolate, today's verdict is that we're going to swirl them. This could change by tomorrow.
The kids are well adjusted and happy with their summer camps at this point. Of course, this means that everything will be wrapping up in 1-2 weeks. Huh. Evelyn loves to get out in the bike trailer and lurches for her helmet every time we pass by it in the garage. She says "hi" and "bye-bye" to anyone who will look at her while we're out on the go. And she's recently added declarations of "dog!" and "ball!" to the commentary. I love watching them learn how to communicate and move their bodies in this stage. It's like every dog or ball is the most glorious surprise.
"DOG! (eyes wide open, pointing frenetically) Oh my god, did you see that? A freakin' dog!!!"
It's wonderful. I love it.
We'll have two weeks of pure summer unscheduled-ness (unscheduled-mess?) in mid August. No travel, no camp, nocommitmentswhatsoever. I'm going to put on my Super Fun Mama Hat and pull out my List of Things To Do. Yes, I actually have one and if you know me well, you're not surprised. I'll be honest, though -- it heavily favors bike rides, the beach and ice cream.
Then Kindergarten starts for Christopher and a short while later Colin begins preschool.
It's going to feel very different around here this year.
This afternoon, a telling scene...
While coloring to come down from the heat and activity of morning camp while the baby girl sleeps:
Colin, practicing his pencil grip: Look, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time.
Christopher, halfway out of his chair and doing three things at once: Look at me, too, Mama! I'm focusing on one thing at a time. Well, mostly.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Friday night:
Me: How's the pizza?
Christopher: You nailed it, Mama.
Me: Awesome. Thanks.
Hilarious article about The Default Parent. Yes, we all try to do our best and be super-involved, but the idea of a default parent is just 100% truth.
Mike and I watched a few documentaries last weekend. Chasing Ice and Art and Craft. We'd definitely recommend Chasing Ice, but then again, we're pretty convinced that global warming is a Real Thing. :) It was visually stunning.
Softball, swimming, soccer, bookclub, family brunches, play dates, park dates, wine nights, seedlings, house projects, biking weather... life is nice around here right now.
Me: How's the pizza?
Christopher: You nailed it, Mama.
Me: Awesome. Thanks.
Hilarious article about The Default Parent. Yes, we all try to do our best and be super-involved, but the idea of a default parent is just 100% truth.
Mike and I watched a few documentaries last weekend. Chasing Ice and Art and Craft. We'd definitely recommend Chasing Ice, but then again, we're pretty convinced that global warming is a Real Thing. :) It was visually stunning.
Softball, swimming, soccer, bookclub, family brunches, play dates, park dates, wine nights, seedlings, house projects, biking weather... life is nice around here right now.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Spring and other things. But mostly Spring.
Because Spring is worth shouting about. Spring is dance-party worthy. Spring warrants popsicles and First Birthday Berry Birthday Cakes and just-a-jacket-not-a-snowsuit kind of outerwear.
Spring is The Thing.
- Evelyn is One. Um, hello? How did that happen? The calendar tells me that it was just a year ago that on one very dark and stormy morning, she came sliding into the world and snuggled right into the warmth of our family. She is our proverbial cherry on top. She screeches when we're too slow delivering whatever she might like, she tries to make a run for it at bedtime (though she's still a crawler), she scrunches her nose when she giggles, and she babbles at length once she feels she's gotten to know you. I made her a little dress for her first birthday party and was so pleased with how it turned out! Never short on sibling assistance, her biggest brother helped her blow out the single candle atop her chocolate layer cake frosted with vanilla buttercream and decorated with mounds of blackberries and raspberries. She rather enjoyed every last crumb of it, too, thankyouverymuch. She is spoiled rotten with kisses and attention and hand-me-downs and love. In my next lifetime, I think I'd like to be the third child. It seems to be a pretty sweet spot.
- Easter was fun! We had our annual Cinnamon Roll indulgences and egg hunts (and then did a reverse hunt in which Christopher and Colin re-hid all the eggs and demanded the adults go find them...). The weather was dry enough for walks to the park and library. Then it got rainy. Really rainy. Darn Spring. But today it is dry and green. Nevermind that the wind blew part of the fence down last night. Oh, Spring.
- The afternoon playground scene is Back On. It's so easy to fall back in love with our city and our neighborhood and our lifestyle when the weather lets us go back outdoors. We've become friends with several families in the surrounding blocks thanks to our preschool being 3 blocks away and our daily treks to the park. Just down the block is the epicenter for all 4pm "chance" encounters since that's where the park entrance is located. There are between 5-8 little boys that regularly carouse up and down the block on their bikes/scooters/trikes, chalking (tagging, really) names and rainbows and hopscotch and drawing various flying contraptions all over the sidewalk. They run in a pack like a litter of puppies ranging in age from 2.5 years to 5.5 years. There are also two darling baby girls who crawl and squeal to each other in delight as their brothers zip by every few minutes. Helmets askew, blowing bubbles, requesting snacks and one-more-pretzel-please, racing down the street to wave and shout at the yellow ice cream truck as he taunts them with that obnoxious song blaring to all the sugar-crazy children and all the eye-rolling "I-don't-have-any-money" moms. We sit in the sun chatting about kids and schools and lives before kids and lives after kids while we're interrupted every 5 seconds by our lives WITH kids, somebody offers to brew a quick pot of coffee to get us through the last push of the day, the kids are scooting until the last sliver of sun is behind the house/garage/tree and then we start glancing at our phones (because no one wears a watch anymore!)... 5 'o clock. Where are the bubbles/sweatshirts/water bottle/babies??? Time to round them up and head home to get dinner ready.
It reminds me of summers from my own childhood. I feel so totally and completely privileged to be having this same experience a second time in my life, but now as a parent rather than a kid. Make no mistake: Mike and I work hard for this. To that end, I hope my kids remember these long days of light when they rode bikes at the park with their neighborhood friends until their moms made them come inside for dinner just before the dads got home. I don't think I'll want this forever for myself (these little kids get bigger and move on!), but for now, it is unbelievably wonderful. I am thankful.
Spring is The Thing.
- Evelyn is One. Um, hello? How did that happen? The calendar tells me that it was just a year ago that on one very dark and stormy morning, she came sliding into the world and snuggled right into the warmth of our family. She is our proverbial cherry on top. She screeches when we're too slow delivering whatever she might like, she tries to make a run for it at bedtime (though she's still a crawler), she scrunches her nose when she giggles, and she babbles at length once she feels she's gotten to know you. I made her a little dress for her first birthday party and was so pleased with how it turned out! Never short on sibling assistance, her biggest brother helped her blow out the single candle atop her chocolate layer cake frosted with vanilla buttercream and decorated with mounds of blackberries and raspberries. She rather enjoyed every last crumb of it, too, thankyouverymuch. She is spoiled rotten with kisses and attention and hand-me-downs and love. In my next lifetime, I think I'd like to be the third child. It seems to be a pretty sweet spot.
- Easter was fun! We had our annual Cinnamon Roll indulgences and egg hunts (and then did a reverse hunt in which Christopher and Colin re-hid all the eggs and demanded the adults go find them...). The weather was dry enough for walks to the park and library. Then it got rainy. Really rainy. Darn Spring. But today it is dry and green. Nevermind that the wind blew part of the fence down last night. Oh, Spring.
- The afternoon playground scene is Back On. It's so easy to fall back in love with our city and our neighborhood and our lifestyle when the weather lets us go back outdoors. We've become friends with several families in the surrounding blocks thanks to our preschool being 3 blocks away and our daily treks to the park. Just down the block is the epicenter for all 4pm "chance" encounters since that's where the park entrance is located. There are between 5-8 little boys that regularly carouse up and down the block on their bikes/scooters/trikes, chalking (tagging, really) names and rainbows and hopscotch and drawing various flying contraptions all over the sidewalk. They run in a pack like a litter of puppies ranging in age from 2.5 years to 5.5 years. There are also two darling baby girls who crawl and squeal to each other in delight as their brothers zip by every few minutes. Helmets askew, blowing bubbles, requesting snacks and one-more-pretzel-please, racing down the street to wave and shout at the yellow ice cream truck as he taunts them with that obnoxious song blaring to all the sugar-crazy children and all the eye-rolling "I-don't-have-any-money" moms. We sit in the sun chatting about kids and schools and lives before kids and lives after kids while we're interrupted every 5 seconds by our lives WITH kids, somebody offers to brew a quick pot of coffee to get us through the last push of the day, the kids are scooting until the last sliver of sun is behind the house/garage/tree and then we start glancing at our phones (because no one wears a watch anymore!)... 5 'o clock. Where are the bubbles/sweatshirts/water bottle/babies??? Time to round them up and head home to get dinner ready.
It reminds me of summers from my own childhood. I feel so totally and completely privileged to be having this same experience a second time in my life, but now as a parent rather than a kid. Make no mistake: Mike and I work hard for this. To that end, I hope my kids remember these long days of light when they rode bikes at the park with their neighborhood friends until their moms made them come inside for dinner just before the dads got home. I don't think I'll want this forever for myself (these little kids get bigger and move on!), but for now, it is unbelievably wonderful. I am thankful.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Still here.
I started a post last Sunday - almost a week ago now. We had a very sub-par beginning of the week health-wise, so I'm just glad that it's Friday.
Right now the boys are singing to themselves while they have some rest time in anticipation of tonight's preschool fundraiser. Evelyn is napping to fortify her little self for a big night out. It's a pasta dinner. With the teachers there. And a magic show. And dessert. Does it get any better? I don't think so. They've already made some artwork to present to their teachers when they see them tonight out of sheer love and happiness to be back doing what they're supposed to be doing: playing at preschool.
This weekend I want to scrub the car, scrub the house, and start looking towards spring. Maybe we'll plant some seedlings and set them in the front window to sprout.
* * * * * * *
Here's that post which was abandoned last Sunday:
There are snowdrops that seem to have sprung overnight (really - they weren't there three days ago, which is crazy-amazing), and little daffodil greens are standing at attention, poking up out of goopy, gloppy mudslicks all over the neighborhood. Today the temperature is supposed to get up to 70. What?! It's madness.
Yesterday morning Mike spotted the first red robin of spring. March 15. Right on time.
I sang a church job and lined up a few more Sundays. I felt terribly out of shape and give myself a 6/10 for my technical portion of the presentation, but I tried to be all heart and deliver 10/10 for musicality. Later in the day I went for a run and, once again, felt a bit out of shape. It's true that we just have to start somewhere.
We've sporadically enjoyed the park and reconnecting with our neighborhood friends, but the weather can't be counted on just yet. Maybe by the end of the month.
Right now the boys are singing to themselves while they have some rest time in anticipation of tonight's preschool fundraiser. Evelyn is napping to fortify her little self for a big night out. It's a pasta dinner. With the teachers there. And a magic show. And dessert. Does it get any better? I don't think so. They've already made some artwork to present to their teachers when they see them tonight out of sheer love and happiness to be back doing what they're supposed to be doing: playing at preschool.
This weekend I want to scrub the car, scrub the house, and start looking towards spring. Maybe we'll plant some seedlings and set them in the front window to sprout.
* * * * * * *
Here's that post which was abandoned last Sunday:
There are snowdrops that seem to have sprung overnight (really - they weren't there three days ago, which is crazy-amazing), and little daffodil greens are standing at attention, poking up out of goopy, gloppy mudslicks all over the neighborhood. Today the temperature is supposed to get up to 70. What?! It's madness.
Yesterday morning Mike spotted the first red robin of spring. March 15. Right on time.
I sang a church job and lined up a few more Sundays. I felt terribly out of shape and give myself a 6/10 for my technical portion of the presentation, but I tried to be all heart and deliver 10/10 for musicality. Later in the day I went for a run and, once again, felt a bit out of shape. It's true that we just have to start somewhere.
We've sporadically enjoyed the park and reconnecting with our neighborhood friends, but the weather can't be counted on just yet. Maybe by the end of the month.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Sounds of spring
The weather has warmed (just a bit, but enough to make us all feel sparkly and alive again), and the sun has been shining. I think Spring might just come back someday, after all.
I recorded a little audio clip on our walk home from preschool drop off on Monday morning. I just listened to it again with memories of this afternoon fresh in my mind. We had the windows open and muddy boys sloshing in and out of the house: snow + sun + 50 degrees = mud! And icy puddles for toy boat sailing! Did you know that the (very cold) Amazon River was in our backyard today? It's true. Evelyn and I crawled around in the sun room, scrubbing the lower parts of the walls, the boot bench, the window sills... spring makes me want to scrub everything.
As I listened to my little clip of our walk, I noticed three things in the following order:
1) We're outside... walking and not in the car! You can hear the stroller shocks squeak a bit, the whoosh of a car that drives by, my rhythmical footsteps... it all sounds like outside. This is so wonderfully different from the inside we've had for the last 3 months.
2) Birds! Tweeting their little hearts out!
3) A chatty, happy baby girl.
Yes. I changed the blog banner to tulips. That's what happens when you give me clear skies and temps that won't freeze snot. I start to get all excited for flowers and bare toes. I've got a ways to go before either of those things happen, but humor me, people.
I recorded a little audio clip on our walk home from preschool drop off on Monday morning. I just listened to it again with memories of this afternoon fresh in my mind. We had the windows open and muddy boys sloshing in and out of the house: snow + sun + 50 degrees = mud! And icy puddles for toy boat sailing! Did you know that the (very cold) Amazon River was in our backyard today? It's true. Evelyn and I crawled around in the sun room, scrubbing the lower parts of the walls, the boot bench, the window sills... spring makes me want to scrub everything.
As I listened to my little clip of our walk, I noticed three things in the following order:
1) We're outside... walking and not in the car! You can hear the stroller shocks squeak a bit, the whoosh of a car that drives by, my rhythmical footsteps... it all sounds like outside. This is so wonderfully different from the inside we've had for the last 3 months.
2) Birds! Tweeting their little hearts out!
3) A chatty, happy baby girl.
Yes. I changed the blog banner to tulips. That's what happens when you give me clear skies and temps that won't freeze snot. I start to get all excited for flowers and bare toes. I've got a ways to go before either of those things happen, but humor me, people.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
My funny Valentines.
Evidence that Valentine's Day breakfast at our house was pretty awesome.
*This post was never published! Hmmm... I'm guessing I was distracted by something or someone...?!
The Valentine's lead up: Many afternoons of Edward Scissorhands-like paper crafting with plenty of sticky glue and tape. Chocolate hearts and sugar cookies piped with cutesy messages.
On Valentine's Day: A bouquet of flowers bundled head-to-toe in pretty florist paper. A light snowfall and a slow braised, silly-simple dinner. Oh, we are so far from being vegetarians in the winter time. Maybe if we lived somewhere warmer? No gift expectations, but lots of making and delivering of handmade valentines to friends and family.
Yep. February wins again.
Well, at least it's March now.
We just survived the coldest February on record for the Chicago area! That's the coldest winter recorded since 1875, people! Please don't point out how deliriously stupid we must be for living here. We're already quite aware and I'm sure all of my neighbors could hear me swearing about it this morning as I shoveled the sleet from our sidewalk (on our corner lot... think about that) wearing Evelyn in the Kelty backpack this morning.
Oddly enough, my first thought as I stepped outside ready to do battle with the ice-covered snowfall was, "it's actually kind of warm out here." And it was a whopping 28 degrees. That's what has become of me. There is no more California left within me. It's. All. Gone.
Evelyn is 11 months old today. Why does it fly so fast?
Christopher's head comes up to my armpit. Let's take bets about how much longer it'll be before he's taller than me! He announced this week that he wants to take gymnastics until he's as old as I am. That is, he'd like to continue doing gymnastics every Monday afternoon until he's 36. I told him that he's going to be in great shape.
Colin is starting to try to write his name (he's been singing it since he was 2, thanks to a little jingle Mike taught him) and is the most endearing 3 year old on the planet. He can carry off a purple playsilk cape, construction goggles, and the scariest "mad" face you've ever seen. I made him corduroy pants with a purple fleece star on the leg this week. He intends to wear them everyday until I sneak them away to wash overnight. That's not happening tonight, so I guess he'll be a little grungy tomorrow. No biggie.
Mike has a nasty virus and went to bed before the kids last night. Gotta get that guy a few more boxes of Kleenex tomorrow or he'll have to start using rolls of TP...
I can't wait until the weather turns. I can run in rain and freezing cold, but I can't (won't?) do black ice. I want to cheer on spring's arrival, but I know that once it's here, my baby girl will be 1. And that's one thing I'm not anxious to speed up. I want to snarfle up her sweet babyness enough to last me forever.
We just survived the coldest February on record for the Chicago area! That's the coldest winter recorded since 1875, people! Please don't point out how deliriously stupid we must be for living here. We're already quite aware and I'm sure all of my neighbors could hear me swearing about it this morning as I shoveled the sleet from our sidewalk (on our corner lot... think about that) wearing Evelyn in the Kelty backpack this morning.
Oddly enough, my first thought as I stepped outside ready to do battle with the ice-covered snowfall was, "it's actually kind of warm out here." And it was a whopping 28 degrees. That's what has become of me. There is no more California left within me. It's. All. Gone.
Evelyn is 11 months old today. Why does it fly so fast?
Christopher's head comes up to my armpit. Let's take bets about how much longer it'll be before he's taller than me! He announced this week that he wants to take gymnastics until he's as old as I am. That is, he'd like to continue doing gymnastics every Monday afternoon until he's 36. I told him that he's going to be in great shape.
Colin is starting to try to write his name (he's been singing it since he was 2, thanks to a little jingle Mike taught him) and is the most endearing 3 year old on the planet. He can carry off a purple playsilk cape, construction goggles, and the scariest "mad" face you've ever seen. I made him corduroy pants with a purple fleece star on the leg this week. He intends to wear them everyday until I sneak them away to wash overnight. That's not happening tonight, so I guess he'll be a little grungy tomorrow. No biggie.
Mike has a nasty virus and went to bed before the kids last night. Gotta get that guy a few more boxes of Kleenex tomorrow or he'll have to start using rolls of TP...
I can't wait until the weather turns. I can run in rain and freezing cold, but I can't (won't?) do black ice. I want to cheer on spring's arrival, but I know that once it's here, my baby girl will be 1. And that's one thing I'm not anxious to speed up. I want to snarfle up her sweet babyness enough to last me forever.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Inside
January is trying... though nearly not as trying as February (or early March when it feels like February won't go away and yet - it's March! how could it possibly still be snowing and 28 degrees??? - but I digress)... I'm determined to not get carried away with baking too many chocolatey things and fighting the urge to crawl under a big quilt and never, ever come out.
Evelyn suddenly understands what all of our blathering is about and without any consistency baby signs "more", and waves and says "bye-bye" (she said this to me earlier today as she bolted towards the open art cabinet. Soon she will realize that a more subtle approach will likely result in the desired outcome). She says "Dada" and "Mama" and "nigh-nigh" and kisses us all with big, sloppy kisses and claps when she's excited and wants more of something... 9 months is the bestest. I squeeze her and kiss her warm cheeks when she's just woken up, I love to tickle her and listen to her baby chortle, and I want to forever remember her delectableness. Yes, that is a word.
Yesterday Colin and Evelyn ran a mall errand with me. They make a trip to one of my least favorite places a very nice experience. As we walked through the store, Colin's warm hand in mine, he commented, "Mama, everyone is smiling! Everyone is happy!" He is so very socially-emotionally aware. He then said, "I can even feel myself being smiley! I am feeling happy, too!" Glass half full. Pretty much always. It's fantastic. His preschool teachers love passing on little anecdotes of what's happened in class (sometimes it's kissing the other kids, other times it's giving hugs or offering to help his teachers and classmates). On Tuesday they sang "If You're Happy and You Know It..." When they did a "If you're sad and you know it..." verse, he apparently got up and hugged the teacher leading the song, "I'll give you a hug and kiss. Then you won't feel sad." This KID!
Christopher's free play is enjoying a dress up resurgence. The character of choice is a policeman and I am frequently apprehended throughout the day for doing things like cleaning up or cooking. I'm usually led to the living room (often with a small train engineer holding my hand to make sure I don't escape) and handcuffed to the ottoman where I serve out my sentence (varying from 10 minutes to 11 days to many, many years). The food in jail here isn't bad... last weekend I had blueberry pancakes shaped like gingerbread men with syrup, lots of fruit and veggies, and salmon with PB&J topped with chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Memorable, for sure. I recall that the policeman had decided to forgo pants that afternoon, so that made an impression, as well.
He's also set out to learn *everything* about the solar system and secretly reads his space book at night after the lights are out so he can "learn more about the planets."
The mundane day-to-day is made rosy by the endearing and fleeting minute-to-minute.
Evelyn suddenly understands what all of our blathering is about and without any consistency baby signs "more", and waves and says "bye-bye" (she said this to me earlier today as she bolted towards the open art cabinet. Soon she will realize that a more subtle approach will likely result in the desired outcome). She says "Dada" and "Mama" and "nigh-nigh" and kisses us all with big, sloppy kisses and claps when she's excited and wants more of something... 9 months is the bestest. I squeeze her and kiss her warm cheeks when she's just woken up, I love to tickle her and listen to her baby chortle, and I want to forever remember her delectableness. Yes, that is a word.
Yesterday Colin and Evelyn ran a mall errand with me. They make a trip to one of my least favorite places a very nice experience. As we walked through the store, Colin's warm hand in mine, he commented, "Mama, everyone is smiling! Everyone is happy!" He is so very socially-emotionally aware. He then said, "I can even feel myself being smiley! I am feeling happy, too!" Glass half full. Pretty much always. It's fantastic. His preschool teachers love passing on little anecdotes of what's happened in class (sometimes it's kissing the other kids, other times it's giving hugs or offering to help his teachers and classmates). On Tuesday they sang "If You're Happy and You Know It..." When they did a "If you're sad and you know it..." verse, he apparently got up and hugged the teacher leading the song, "I'll give you a hug and kiss. Then you won't feel sad." This KID!
Christopher's free play is enjoying a dress up resurgence. The character of choice is a policeman and I am frequently apprehended throughout the day for doing things like cleaning up or cooking. I'm usually led to the living room (often with a small train engineer holding my hand to make sure I don't escape) and handcuffed to the ottoman where I serve out my sentence (varying from 10 minutes to 11 days to many, many years). The food in jail here isn't bad... last weekend I had blueberry pancakes shaped like gingerbread men with syrup, lots of fruit and veggies, and salmon with PB&J topped with chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Memorable, for sure. I recall that the policeman had decided to forgo pants that afternoon, so that made an impression, as well.
He's also set out to learn *everything* about the solar system and secretly reads his space book at night after the lights are out so he can "learn more about the planets."
The mundane day-to-day is made rosy by the endearing and fleeting minute-to-minute.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Ruminating
Just as with most things... if I spend too much time mulling over the perfect product, the path to execution never ever begins...
So here is 2015 and I haven't posted since October? Ack. Quick catch up:
Mike: lab, Atlanta, Shanghai, Boston, squeaking commuter bike, soccer coach, BBQer of turkey, weekend parental superhero, ruler of bathtime, swim lesson chauffeur, Friday night fireplace wizard, project partner
Me: kids and rug rat wrangler, cooker of all things warm and belly-filling, Chewy Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies, knit, sew, Amazon-worshipper/slave, packing-for-five jedi master, runner (jogger?)
Christopher: fast, faster, fastest, word dictation, chapter books, Octonauts (Kwazii), gymnastics, soccer, Yellow Room lover, seasoned air traveler, did I mention fast?
Colin: lover boy, snuggler, whiner (he is 3, after all), do it by myself-er, Octonauts (Captain Barnacles), dinosaur families, watercolor projects, snack-expert, pasta afficionado
Evelyn: pincer grasp, sweet potato, Sweet Potato, two bottom teeth, gaining speed, squawker, big-brother-adorer, wool long-sleeve onesies, big sloppy kisses, 18 pounder
We had a delicious and fun-filled Thanksgiving with our fantastic neighbors here in Evanston, rounded out the end of the year at school and work with parties and hand-made gifts from the kitchen, traveled to warmer California locales to visit with friends and family, and are happily back to the daily grind as of today.
Though I'd gleefully trade the anticipated real feel temp of -9F at school drop off tomorrow morning, I will take the swirl of big, fluffy snowflakes that are falling right now. It is early January, and I do love a good reason for hot chocolate, soup and oatmeal whole wheat rolls straight out of the oven. Mmm.
So here is 2015 and I haven't posted since October? Ack. Quick catch up:
Mike: lab, Atlanta, Shanghai, Boston, squeaking commuter bike, soccer coach, BBQer of turkey, weekend parental superhero, ruler of bathtime, swim lesson chauffeur, Friday night fireplace wizard, project partner
Me: kids and rug rat wrangler, cooker of all things warm and belly-filling, Chewy Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies, knit, sew, Amazon-worshipper/slave, packing-for-five jedi master, runner (jogger?)
Christopher: fast, faster, fastest, word dictation, chapter books, Octonauts (Kwazii), gymnastics, soccer, Yellow Room lover, seasoned air traveler, did I mention fast?
Colin: lover boy, snuggler, whiner (he is 3, after all), do it by myself-er, Octonauts (Captain Barnacles), dinosaur families, watercolor projects, snack-expert, pasta afficionado
Evelyn: pincer grasp, sweet potato, Sweet Potato, two bottom teeth, gaining speed, squawker, big-brother-adorer, wool long-sleeve onesies, big sloppy kisses, 18 pounder
We had a delicious and fun-filled Thanksgiving with our fantastic neighbors here in Evanston, rounded out the end of the year at school and work with parties and hand-made gifts from the kitchen, traveled to warmer California locales to visit with friends and family, and are happily back to the daily grind as of today.
Though I'd gleefully trade the anticipated real feel temp of -9F at school drop off tomorrow morning, I will take the swirl of big, fluffy snowflakes that are falling right now. It is early January, and I do love a good reason for hot chocolate, soup and oatmeal whole wheat rolls straight out of the oven. Mmm.
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