38 Days :: 19

New yarn. Fingers a-tingling. So soft. From alpacas and Peru.

Tidbits

Upchuck

"It's kind of exciting and shocking."

---First, upon learning that Upchuck's planet is extinct.

Tough night last night for First, two hours of pretty active stress and upset anticipating my being out tonight (to see Matt Pond PA!) and doing his best to convince me to change my mind.

This morning, taking a shower and then blow drying my hair (which I am starting to do these days as my hair goes through yet another awkward growing out phase) proved to be nearly meditative activities.

I had to laugh that I was feeling zen with a roaring piece of electrified plastic in my hands.

38 Days :: 18

38 Days :: 17

I do like a good breakfast.

38 Days :: 16

Kinder's djembe.

38 Days :: 15

Onion, garlic, ginger, celery, carrot, potato, turnip, olive oil, chicken stock, water, vegetable bouillon, bay leaves. Immune system set to boost.

38 Days :: 14

Mad Libs early Sunday morning. Sometimes I can't choose just one.

Words are not enough sometimes

Julie painted this from a photo I took of Kinder last year.

My photo was inspired by photos we took of him when he was a wee babe. He had a bit of jaundice and was born in winter in New England. One very sunny day, my mom rested him atop the back of our loveseat and he dozed bathed in sunlight.

And then, lucky for us, Julie was inspired by the light and shadows in my pic and this gorgeous watercolor was brought forth.

38 Days :: 13

The menu for Ming Ting's (one of First's Webkinz) restaurant. I recommend the vegetable soup, french fries and chocolate.

Yesterday's snow

Science in the kitchen

Materials:
yummy bear vitamins
Bragg's
water
hemp peppermint castile soap
rosemary essential oil
blue magic sand (silicon dioxide)
index card
piece of paper towel roll
seltzer

Tools:
mini-test tubes
teaspoon
dropper
scissors
knife
cutting board

Procedure:
1) cut vitamins to fit into test tubes (1/4 pieces)
2) shred and place a piece of paper towel roll into test tubes with vitamin pieces
3) put some magic sand into each test tube using a teaspoon - be careful not to get it in your eyes
4) cut index card into tiny pieces and put into test tubes
5) add a drop of rosemary essential oil to each test tube
6) add drops of Bragg's into test tubes
7) add some water - next time use a dropper!
8) add a drop of soap to each test tube
9) pour seltzer into a cup
10) use a dropper to put a drop of seltzer into each test tube
11) use a magnifying glass to see what happens

Observations:
• the dry stuff is getting mushy
• tiny salt looking dots on the paper towel roll
• liquid is cloudy not clear
• liquid is overflowing
• smell of rosemary

38 Days :: 12

With an assist from First in the selection.

38 Days :: 11

Our dentist was very pleased with our teeth.

Oh

Earlier today I captured this shot of Kinder and fell in love. For the millionth time.

Then, a few minutes ago, in response to Little Bill exclaiming on tv, "this is the worst day of my life!" (he had the chicken pox and had to miss a baseball game), Kinder piped up, "the worst day of my life will be the day Äiti dies!". Then he said, "that's what I think about when I'm in bed."


Oh.

Oh.

Oh.

38 Days :: 10

38 Days :: 9

Äiti look I'm in my cocoon. ---Kinder

38 Days :: 8

38 Days :: 7

Our seasonal table.

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38 Days :: 4

Why aren't you feasting on chocolate, Äiti? It's a great way to start the day. ---First

38 Days :: 3

Making a card game: Country and Continent Rummy.

38 Days :: 2

My first pineapple upside down cake.

38 Days :: 1

38 days

Talking with Wendy earlier today has gotten me thinking. The idea of a cleanse, in preparation for spring. SouleMama recently posted 30 pics in a row on her blog as part of some project or other. It was cool.

I'm feeling inspired though doubtful that I could keep my mouth shut for a month.

We'll see what happens. 38 more days of winter. 38 pictures taken of my life. 38 moments without words.

Fresh air

It was a quiet Sunday today and we were indoors again. Cap spent time organizing some photos and working on his laptop. The kids played with a fair amount of kvetching and some tears. I finished Anansi Boys (slow start, but quite satisfying in the end).

By afternoon the kids and I were playing card games and Cap realized it was a bit too cold and windy for any lengthy outdoor play time (unlike last Sunday).

So, I took the bull by the horns and suggested a trip to the library, which the kids readily agreed to.

A week or two ago, I put a notebook and pen into our library book basket (a basket which holds whatever library books we currently have out) so that we could jot down titles or authors, as we thought of them, to look for on our next trip to the library. The kids were eager to get a copy of The Lorax which they had recently discovered through a card game we have at home.

By the time we got dressed (oh yes it was a pajama day) and headed out the door, the sky was looking ominous. And sure enough, it started to snow just then. The flakes, the fresh air, the biting wind, it made us all giddy and we started playing with the basketball, the umbrella and the camera.




We did eventually make it to the library. We ran into Donna and Daniel, we filled our bag with books and dvds. Then we headed up to Cap's office and picked up his old Playmobil toys which included some furniture which looks awesome in its new location, on the second floor of the Playmo house.

Okay. Another way to get fresh air, is by laughing. Go to Youtube and search for Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon. Then search for Beastie Boys and Richard Scarry.

Happy Sunday!

Funny

The kids are watching an episode of Ben 10 in Spanish with English subtitles. They asked me to change the set up on the dvd so they could watch it "in Espanol", as they put it.

Chocolatey goodness

We're going to a birthday party this afternoon. Friends are wonderful about including and accommodating First's food allergies in their planning. But I always try to bring something from home because a) just-in-case, and b) he's one picky eater.

So I asked him what he desired and he went for chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. The cupcakes are cooling and I was psyched to discover the leftover frosting I made for Cap's birthday cake (is that possible?) is still good. It's just soy butter and melted chocolate, so I guess it makes sense that it has kept well.

Wanting to be close

First is in one of his phases of wanting to be close...no, needing to be close. To me. When we're at home (which is almost always these days), if we're not in the same room, he wants to know where I am. I'll get up to go to the kitchen for some tea and usually, he'll come looking for me, calling for me (and our apartment is not big).

There is a level of anxiety just below the surface that makes me sad for him. But, also, feels normal, for him (if that makes sense).

It's never lasted longer than a few weeks and so I am hoping that it will pass soon.

Last night I made the mistake of talking about my sister's upcoming kid-free birthday celebration shortly before the kids went to bed. First couldn't get his mind off of the fact that he would not only be without me, but without Cap, too. Some lavender on his pillow and Rescue Sleep remedy and a lot of hugs and some tears later, he did fall asleep.

And a talking to. Cap spoke to him pretty bluntly (the voice of reason---I found it very hard not to become uber-empath last night) about how First's drama was disturbing Kinder's bedtime and the expectation that he has for age-appropriate behavior (ie. not making such a fuss about not being able to be with me/us for a few hours).

Matt Pond PA is playing locally the night before Sandy's birthday bash and my brother will be able to come baby-sit...but I may forego First having to endure us both being out for two nights in a row.

Leap year baby

My sister was born on leap year. (Why is it called leap year and not leap day?)

She just told me she will be in the studio audience of Martha Stewart's show on leap year babies. You can attend only if you were born on February 29! I love this idea and am thrilled that Sandy will experience some serious solidarity on her special day.

Actually, the show will tape the week before and air on the 29th. Check it out!

The birds and the bees

A recurrent conversation as of late is how my boys plan on living with me forever. Kinder wants to live with First for the rest of his life, and First wants to live with me. So, the scenario is discussed from various angles in our talks.

This morning, First was trying to work out having babies. He wants to have kids when he grows up, but he's not very interested in getting married.

"I know! I can get the girl part of my baby from you, Äiti."

(I did an awesome job of not reacting---much patting of the self on the back.)

This was followed moments later with...

"Oh, but that won't work. Then my kid would be my brother or sister."

Look ma...

Kinder learned how to write his name in Japanese today...

Snow

We got a bit of snow this week. I have to say the winter has been a disappointment in the snow department so far.



Two shots taken out our front windows (one by First, one by me).

The big game

The Patriots lost. Cap has been very sad. The kids and I had fun staying up to watch the game. First loved the funny commercials. Kinder rooted for both teams since his father is a Pats fan and his dear uncle, a Giants fan. I enjoyed the homemade onion dip.

Train cards

The kids made birthday cards for Lukas. Lukas loves trains. I love these cards!

Co-op dinner

We hosted last night. I made the yummy bean bake, brown rice, salad and chocolate chip cookies. Photos, particularly with my limited skill set really don't do this weekly event justice. It's amazing how we all fit together and have such a warm, good time.