Allora

Hello again

2012-02-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

Today I was reading blog posts from some of my most dear friends. I love seeing what is going on in their lives. I made this poster, hoping it would count as a year worth of scrapbooking.

For Halloween Peter was a Sharktopus, another Peter original costume inspiration, and as always he was indignant with people who called him an octoshark, "No, I am a sharktopus!" Abby was a cupcake, but she didn't mind when people thought she was an ice cream cone. Kate was a bluebird, a very very cute bluebird who didn't mind being called a boy despite the flower on her head. Our street turned out to be a Halloween jackpot with nearly a dozen of our nieghboors handing out full size candy bars. A good time was had by all!

In November Peter turned 7, and had an angry bird birthday party, complete with a giant slingshot in the back yard. The boys loved shooting at the pigs, and building structures. The boys were so into it they started chanting, "KILL the pigs, kill the pigs, kill the pigs." And I said, "Oh no, I have created Lord of the Flies!" Luckily, there were lots of adults present and we were able to contain them before they could turn on the weak, and create weapons, but it was a startling realization that maybe I should have taken that book much more seriously!

I am usually the picture taker, but my mom took this picture when my parents came to visit for Christmas. For me it captures the pure joy of Motherhood, thanks Mom.

Peter is always good for a laugh. He is full of ideas and imagination. He really enjoys math, my inner Tiger mother is really trying to foster that. He is also really into reading. He is prone to extreme laughter, and extreme disappointment.

Abby is everything a little girl should be. She likes school, making jewelry, sewing (by hand and by machine with much supervision), and creating projects. She recently collected clementine crates, then decorated them, and uses them for her doll clothes. She is super fun to have around, and is shaping up to be my life-long shopping companion.
Kate is adorable. She is a lover, and continues to be permanently attached to me, with few exceptions. A few weeks before she was able to go to nursrey I would take her to the room, show her the toys, then tell her "not yet" and close the door. She would FREAK out, this kid does not like to be told no. So, after a few weeks of that she was primed, and she never looked back. She is 19 months old, but is resisting language. She has said over a dozen words, but usually only once. For awhile she said Dad a lot. "Dad, Dad, DAD" but now is saying almost exclusively, "Ma, Mama, MA" with the occasional "oh" or "no." Still she manages to be quite the communicator, and seems to get most of her hearts desires. She LOVES Sesame Street.

We love having David's Sister and her family a few miles away. Here we played Beatles rockband, and tested out Peter's Valentine's mustaches.
This is our recently created stage, one of many projects I have been working on.

So there it is, that is what we have been doing lately. We really love Virginia, and life after residency! We love taking walks and bike rides at the lake behind our house, and I love that daffodils and crocuses are blooming in February!

Permanent Address

2011-08-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

We have moved again, but now we are here to stay. We moved into our new home at the end of July, but due to the Verizon strike we just got the internet today, and not with Verizon!

I am completely in love with this house and this neighborhood. Our house backs up to a forrest, which backs up to a beautiful lake. So far we have seen in our backyard: deer, lots of birds including cardinals, an Azure and Monarch butterflies, salamanders, toads, a groundhog, black squirrels, chipmunks, and at the lake we have seen turtles and cranes. The neighbors are amazing, and bring food when they come to introduce themselves. And, unlike our last house, our new house is not in the flight path!

The study, still a work in progress. I got the chairs from a Borders going out of business sale, and upholstered them with my Mom's help. The second chair is almost finished, I will post before/after pictures later.

I have lots of projects, but this is one of my favorites! I built a locker shelf a few months ago, which fit perfectly in the mud room, except that it blocks the door of the closet. So I cut a hole in the wall and created this laundry station. I still need to label the baskets with names, and paint the wood.

A year Post residency...and other ramblings

2011-07-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

July 1st came and went this year, and nothing really happened. During residency it was the day we looked forward to, it was the one time each year we got a babysitter and went "over the mountain" to the Old Farms Hotel and had some very mediocre salmon, and felt a little closer to the end of residency. This year it only marked the end of our first year in Virginia. Before we left Connecticut I meant to write about my favorite things in Connecticut, but I didn't so here goes. The things I love and miss the most about Connecticut, in no particular order (except number 1):

1. My Friends
2. New England in the Fall
3. Munson's Chocolates creme brulee chocolate
4. East West Grill's Massaman Curry
5. The Hartford Capital Building
6. Pick your own Blueberries
7. Boston and David's Sister Vicki
8. The Elbow Room
9. New York
10. The Riverboat Ferry
11. Old Wethersfield (and the opportunity to say George Washington did ... there)
12. Really good Gyro's
13. People who say sawntameter
14. Being a Yankee
15. Saying "Nutmegger"

After a year, we are starting to feel like Virginians. And I even feel a little pride in being a Virginian, like living here automatically puts me in a special club with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, James Madison, and the ever important Robert E. Lee. As a Virginian, I offer the following lists of things I love about Virginia.

1. The seasons! For the first time in my life they actually make sense. March 21st feels like spring, there are tulips and lettuce and happiness. June 21st feels like the beginning of Summer. And Fall really holds on until December.
2. The monuments
3. The Smithsonian! I love that we can go to the more obscure galleries, and museums without feeling like you have to see everything all at one time.
4. The National Mall
5. Tyson's Corner mall, it took me some time to get my bearings in this massive mall, but I have got it down now.
6. The lakes and rivers
7. Lots of fireflies
8. Mount Vernon, Arlington, and all the other historic sites
9. Amazing restaurants, and tons of them!
10. Old town Alexandria
11. Cherry Blossoms
12. Really great schools

My camera cable has been lost for awhile so here are some of the gems I found when I finally downloaded.

Kate turned 1! She is such a sweet, and funny baby! Her nicknames include, but are not limited to; Kate-Bo-Bate, Bo-bate, Kateapillar, Screamapillar, "hey you baby," Miss Kate, and the tried and failed Cup-Kate. Her hobbies and intrests include, but are not limited to: Hanging from bars, foraging for food (with a ridiculous ability to find acorns in the wild, yes I know they are poisonous to humans), eating crayons (only the non-toxic variety), biting, snuggling, being held, pretending to hand things to people them wildly shaking her head no as she pulls the object back away.

She is completely adorable, and we love, love, love her!

Even when she is a screamapillar!

Now what would have been several other separate blog posts.

End of year teacher gifts. I made the lamp shade with yard sticks.

Camping trip.
:I love the way Peter sticks his tongue out when he is really focused.

Easter...
And our spontaneous rock climbing adventure. We went to Great Falls Park and on our way back from our hike we saw a guy from Church. He asked us if we wanted to go rock climbing. Abby turned out to be ridiculously good at it, even in bare feet. We had a hard time convincing her to come back down. She got to where the rope was tied off, but wouldn't stop. She wanted to stand on top of the rock above the tie-off. Eventually we got her to come back down, she is a natural. Seeing the way she climbed up and rappelled down reminded me of being completely fearless as a child. I was so proud!

Can we build it?

2011-05-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

Because we are renters home improvement projects have been out of the question for me. Thanks to the inspiration from some of my super handy friends and Ana White, I have been able to fill that home improvement void with furniture building. David and I built this bed, in the Amish tradition (with at least one intentional blemish, because only God makes perfect things). Then I built this bookshelf for Peter. I am so happy to have a new hobby.

Marshmallow Meringue

2011-05-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend we went out to a lovely restaurant and had lemon marshmallow meringue pie. It was awesome, so I had to try it at home. I used a graham cracker crust, and I used a Barefoot Contessa Lime Curd recipe, but substituted lemon juice for lime (1/2 cup), used 3 egg yolks, and 1 egg instead of 4 whole eggs (to leave the whites for the meringue), and added 1 Tbsp of corn strach so it would hold up in a pie. Then I made whipped my meringue; 3 egg whites, 6 T of sugar, vanilla, and 1/4 tsp of cream of tartar. Then once the peaks are glossy, I added marshmallow fluff, from the 7.5 oz jar, by the spoonful. Then I put it on the pie, and baked at 350 for 15 minutes. I finished browning the tips with a kitchen torch, this is optional, but be careful because as any camper knows marshmallow is flammable.

Happy Mother's Day!

No picture (camera cord is MIA).

Projects and Cherry blossoms

2011-04-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

I saw this cute grocery store on clearance, and decided to make the frame myself (with David's help). We made it out of 2x2's a 1x12. Then I painted it and used a staple gun to put on some velcro, and we were in the grocery business.
I also made these reusable snack bags for the kids. They are lined with a vinyl fabric, and close with velcro.

A near miss

2011-04-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up in a panic! David was already ready for work and I was just realizing that it was April fool's day, even worse I blurted out, "DO YOU KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS?" I had missed the most crucial pranking window. He had already taken a shower free of Easter egg dye, every light bulb in the house was still in place. I had no idea where the plastic bugs were! There was no time to make a "special" April fool's day breakfast. I didn't think to hide David's glasses while he was in the shower. The whole day seemed ruined, sad...

But then I had an idea! David usually bears the brunt of this special day, but this year it would be Peter's turn. So while he was eating a plastic bug free breakfast I went outside and filled his sandwich box with rocks :P and a note that said, "Aprils Fool's Day, I got you. I have your lunch. Love, Mom." Then I decided to make cupcakes for his class from the book "Hello Cupcake." The carrots are made from orange tootsie rolls, and orange starbursts, the tootsie rolls look better, and the peas are mini sweet tarts, I was trying to find runts, but they are ridiculously hard to find. I went to 7-11, then to target where I almost literally ran into someone I know from church. At this point I am starting to panic. Lunch starts for Peter at 11:05am and I can't find any candies that look like peas. Finally success, I run to checkout and there are half a dozen people in each line at target. I was starting to doubt the genius of my plan, "What kind of person puts rocks in their kids lunch box, what kind of person." This could be scarred for life material if I don't make it in time. I got home, made some frosting, and realized I only had one cup of powdered sugar, I never run out of sugar, but today I did... April fool's on me.

I made it to the cafeteria at 11:07, Peter had already opened his lunch and found the note. The teacher even took the box around to show all the other kids what was in Peter's lunch. Peter say me across the room and said with a big smile, "You got me!"All the kids though it was hilarious, except a few who were very confused. I told Peter that I brought a healthy treat for his class. I hope they like them.

c

Also, I discovered that the cupcake wrapper container makes an excellent single cupcake holder for a lunch box.

I found this funny bunny nibbling in my lettuce garden when I brought my lettuce in for the frost last week. And one last photo of Kate being paraded about.
Happy April Fool's day!

A Fabulously Fancy Party

2011-03-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

Abby turned five! We had a "Fabulously Fancy Fifth Birthday Party" inspired by Fancy Nancy. There was a Sign at the door that said, learn to be Fancy with lessons by Amy, Victoria, and David. There was a lesson on accessories, we made bracelets, gumball necklaces, and they got headbands.

I had a station to do "fancy" hair-do. I failed to realize 4 and 5 year old girls would rather make bracelets than have their hair done. I had one taker, the girl with her back to me in this picture (the one with the awesome hair!)

David taught the girls some french words, and my sister-in-law taught them to raise their pinkies when sipping tea, and how to walk with a book on their heads.

The night before the party I made a table runner with the scraps of fabric from the birthday banner I made earlier (I changed the flowers from the last time I posted it.)
Thanks Vicki, and Thank you David for drilling holes in 100 gumballs, then re-drilling slightly larger holes in 100 gumballs. Merci!

Valentine Pictures and Chinese Mothers

2011-02-18T13:50:00.000-08:00

Have you read this article about Chinese mothers? I would write more but I have to go turn off the wii and make Peter practice the piano for 4 hours!

2011-02-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

1. Just for the record this is what Peter's bed usually looks like when it is not being used as a bunk bed.
2. My sewing machine has been broken since early October, and not just a little broken, but like dead. The last time I got in the car to get a new one the universe struck me down in a very unfortunate and expensive way. So, I have been doing a lot of hand sewing, and crocheting. I just finished this for Abby's upcoming birthday. Not sure how I feel about the flowers, any thoughts?

Crawl baby, and other news

2011-02-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

Kate is now a crawl baby, and has been since Christmas day.

Peter and Abby enjoy sleeping anywhere except in thier beds. This began with me letting them Abby sleep in the bathtub when she experienced GI unrest in the night. I put pillows and blankets in with her. They took up occupancy in this box for about a week...
Then after much pleading, they gave up hope of having bunk beds, and created thier own.
I think they really just miss sharing a bedroom, so they come up with ways to sleep in the same place again.

I may regret posting this. I have been expecting a social worker to knock on my door anyday, and say, "we have had several reports from people at the bus stop that your baby is "FREEZING" and that on occasion, you let the sun get in her eyes."

First firsts...

2010-12-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

Picture of Kate at 1am looking SO sleepy!

Abby at Ballet class, she is pretty much the best one in the whole class... except when she gets distracted and licks the bar, I know it's super gross!

(For some reason my copy and paste functions are not working, so forgive the strange order.)

Before Peter was born I started keeping a journal. A Peter journal, not sure what I wrote about while I was pregnant, but the other day I looked at it and realized I wrote 37 pages before the kid was even born. I didn't read it but it if I had to guess, I would think I wrote something like, "drank blue gatorade, then pepto bismol, then puked purple." That's what I remeber. The front page has a list of dates of things he did, and what he weighed... I wrote the first page in Kate's journal last week. It seems very unlikely I will get to page 37 anytime soon.

Maybe it's wrong, but the first firsts, just feel more exciting. Peter lost his first tooth last week. I looked at it and had these thoughts, in this order:

1."I finally understand why David's Mother saved one of these."

2. "This is the first tooth he ever bit me with."

3. "He really should be brushing better."

...and I felt a little sad.

Sometimes parenthood feels like some crazy race I entered without really knowing anything about the length or terrain of the course. There are moments when I feel really good about my pace and progress, then bam, I am right back at the starting line! Back to crying it out, back to first bites, and diaper rash, all the while I am still saying, "please don't lick that." The truth is I think it's worth it. There are some pretty amazing moments, and I will just keep trying to hold onto the beautiful moments, and keep moving.

One thing I wrote in that first journal was this, "I am a mother now, a title that describes a role that consumes one's whole soul."

Having issues, please advise

2010-11-15T08:56:00.001-08:00

Peter got a bike for his birthday, so naturally Abby HAS to have one for Christmas. No problem, right? So I start shopping for girl bikes and suddenly the feminist in me, the one that has been dormant for nearly a decade now, the one that took a nap while Abby and I watched The Little Mermaid this morning, was fiercely awoken after five minutes of girl bike shopping!

I remember the moment I learned to ride a bike. I remember my Dad holding the back of that sweet sweet sparkly red banana seat, I remember the moment he let go, and it was just me. It felt like freedom, my first taste of freedom. The driveway was stretched out in front of me for miles, and it was just me and my bike. Freedom, it felt like freedom.

Here's the issue; every bike looks like either Barbie or every Disney princess threw up all over it. And if that were not enough they come with doll seats in the back. Now don't get me wrong I love babies, and dolls, I really do. I even like Disney princesses, and how consistently they achieve the woman's ultimate success; marrying well, but a bike is not about glancing back to make sure your baby isn't caught in the spokes of your new found freedom.

So the search continues... Does anyone know where I can find a bike the feminist in me won't have the urge to run over with my car, when it's parked illegally in the driveway ?

P.S. Please forgive me if your daughter has a Disney princess bike with a baby seat in back.

star wars cont...

2010-11-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Star Wars Mania

2010-11-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

We had a Star Wars birthday Party for Peter. After going through 5 trials the kids came before the counsel: David, David's Parents, My Brother-in law (who happens to be a teacher at a very prominent local high school, and a very good Darth Vader) and myself. After being approved by the counsel they received Jedi cloaks (not capes)! Then we had a series of other games, followed by cupcakes and Yoda sodas. FYI: thoose are light sabers on the cupcakes, and they are red NOT pink. Then we played a video of thier jedi moves. Stay tuned for amazing jedi video footage.
And my favorite trick of the afternoon, the floating light saber.
I think this might be a jedi mind trick?
The very powerful cousin Davis.
Some Jedi's struggled with the asteroid race...

Abby, found a better way.

And these were the school birthday cupcakes.

Happy Birthday Peter! I love this kid, and it still gets me every time he blows me a kiss from the school bus. I love him so much I watched 5 of the 6 Star Wars movies in preparation for this birthday party. We take birthday parties very seriously, at least I do, and David plays along :) Special thanks to the Jedi Counsel for all their help! You were amazing!

May the Force be with you!

Booooo

2010-10-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

Poor Abby fell down the stairs right before she put on her costume, and knocked "E" loose. I know Halloween contributes to cavities, but I never expected a child to loose a tooth on Halloween from falling down the stairs. Her swollen lip made her look more fish like, so it all worked out.

Happy Halloween!

Baby love

2010-10-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

Miss Kate is as amiable as can be. I have been trying to take in every smile, put them away in my heart for when I might need them later. Abby and I may be taking advantage of her... But, look at this face!
She is practically begging me to dress her up like a giant piece of fruit! And when I do she smiles her amazing little baby smile, that says; "thank you dear Mother, please put more bows in my hair, or leave me in this wet diaper if we are late getting to the bus stop. I don't really mind:)"
To Abby this sweet smile says; "please file my fingernails, and leave dolls in my swing, go ahead and hold me or sing me a song, or lick my face if you feel like it."

This time around this special baby love seems a little more fragile. I have a better idea of how quickly it turns to independence. I value independence, really I do. But, I also value this short window of ambivalence that comes before she starts saying things like;
"Stripes are boring."
"I don't like collars."
"Can I please have shoes with flashing lights in them."

Until that day... I am enjoying this moment.

Ferry Love

2010-09-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend we took a ride on the only remaining Ferry across the Potomac. I have a special love for river boat ferries. I love, love, love them, like can't post the pictures of me on them because I look ridiculously happy, really ridiculous. It was beautiful, and the Potomac was surprisingly clean. We picked apples at a farm on the other side of the river, and I was happy! We also got some amazing pumpkins, heirloom and roma tomato, and various other loveliness.

Then I woke up on Monday morning and it was raining, and it finally felt like fall, perfect canning weather. I made Tomato sauce, applesauce, and cinnamon apples. There is a sweet Ball recipe that calls for red hot candies, and lots of ginger, every year I look at it, and think about trying it, this year I did, it makes for some very tasty spicy apples (that is why some of then look reddish.
Also, Abby started her first ballet class, she is a fan

Blessing Weekend

2010-09-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago baby Kate was blessed. We had lots of family members come visit; my parents, David's parents, Aunt Vicki from Boston, the Virginia cousins, Uncle Mike from Ohio, and our friends the "Bawingas." Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures, and the ones I did get are missing on my computer.

We had a great time, and loved having so many family members around.

I did get some pictures with my parents as we were seeing the sights. I found this picture to be a little creepy.

My Mom took this picture at Arlington. As we were walking away from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, after watching the changing of the guard, Peter ran up to some people coming towards us. With a giant smile on his face, he said to them, with much exuberance:
"Hurry up, there's a dead guy up there."
I was a few feet back and did not hear what he said, but I saw the looks on their faces.

A couple days later we went to Mount Vernon. On the way in we were told there were some baby pigs. After we went through the house, my mom said, "I wonder where the pigs are?"
Abby replied, despondently, "they are probably dead too!"

I had to step back so she wouldn't see me laughing, I really had not anticipated that days of looking at Monuments to dead presidents, rows of headstones, and empty houses would be such a bummer for a little girl.

Here is Kate with Grandma Bassett and my new favorite John Robshaw pillow. I have been very influenced by the neighborhood lately, I am digging John Robshaw, shopping for melon pops, nori, sugar cane, and dragon fruit at Lotte, fighting impulses to spray paint things gold and watching Bollywood movies. Meanwhile Peter is shouting, "Mom, I do not like spicy." And I am all, " if you think this is spicy just wait until your new friends Sawheb or Sulleyman invite you over for dinner."

Re-read realizations

2010-09-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

I have been re-reading my own blog (helps with the maternal memory loss) and I have had a few realizations:

1. I really should get that red APA guide book back out and review some rules. Where does that period go when you use parenthesis?

2. That disparaging blog post I wrote about Cookie magazine correlated with the magazines demise. I really want to say I am sorry, come back we can still be friends, just please stop sending me Allure magazine to fulfill the rest of my subscription. Allure doesn't know me AT ALL, and frankly I am a little embarrassed to have it in my stacks!

3. I am dying to;
a. take a tractor ride at Belltown hill orchard, pick loads of apples, and can applesauce
on a cool Fall afternoon.
b. Ride a ferry.
c. See leaves change to bright beautiful colors, not just shrivel up and fall off :(
d. Take a swim in Walden pond.
e. Attend the best book club ever.
Sorry I left you New England, I miss you dearly. I would come back, but David says, No.

Girls just wanna have fun

2010-09-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

With Peter off to school and David off to work we have been having a lot of girl time. Abby, Kate, and I have very similar interests, we all enjoy watching Project runway, madame Alexander dolls, shopping, and napping.

Hangin' at the Bus Stop

2010-09-17T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am getting some AMAZING parental advise at the bus stop lately. I am beginning to see why people just drive their kids to school.

On day 2 Kate sneezed at the bus stop, wrong move. A Russian woman says to me,
"Oh no (shakes head, and expresses much worry that the baby has some discharge from her nose)... In my Country is tradition to put few drops, how you say...Mother's milk in baby's nose...few drops, just right in nose...has healing properties!"

I replied with raised eyebrows, "Wow, that's very interesting." What I was thinking was, "here's the thing lady, I have been sucking snot out of peoples noses for the better part of a decade. I have the Graco Snot Sucker 3000 at home and a giant bottle of normal saline, and nothing gives me more pleasure than strapping my baby down, putting one of each in each nare and taking care of that little runny nose. I have really got this, thanks."

In addition to my new Russian friend, I also have a new "friend", recently returned from her summer vacation to her home country of Singapore. I am pretty sure my Mother sent her to look out for my children. Whenever the temperature dips below 80 degrees, and I mean dips to 78 degrees, she strikes.
"don't you have socks for your baby?"
"you really should get going she must be freezing."
"doesn't he need a jacket."
"should she be wearing shorts."

Meanwhile she is wearing the world's shortest skirt and flip flops, and Abby and I are sweating from our vigorous 10 minute walk to the bus stop.

And while I am ranting I might mention I recently got rear-ended by a taxi cab 200 feet from the rental car return center on my way home from my Grandmother's funeral.

Here are some pictures of some recent lunches for Peter, and yes, he really is eating things he hasn't eaten before (I volunteered for lunch one day, just to check.) The rocket ship one was actually made by David while I was away.

More pleasant posts to come...really

First Day...

2010-09-07T07:37:00.001-07:00

About this time last year I was sure that I was not going to be one of thoose Mothers who are sobbing at the bus stop. I was going to throw some kind of party, and go get a pedicure. Then I actually got there, and as Peter hugged Abby and told her that he really loved her and was going to miss her, I totally lost it. I was the only Mother sobbing on the corner, and all the other Mothers were assuring me it was going to be o.k.
David even came with us, see there really is some normal after residency :)

Then it was Abby's turn to go to preschool. She asked if I was going to cry again.

Peter is such an awesome kid! He made 4 new friends before the bus even arrived. He has a fierce independent streak, and only gets scared in the middle of the night. He recently told me he was going to be a Firefighter, a Palentologist, and a metro driver. That is in addition to being a Jet pilot, but he already does that job.

This is Peter's first day lunch. I recently discovered charachter bento for kids, and I think it is super fun. We just got a book called "YUM YUM Bento." This is my first attempt at it, those are octopus hot dogs, I know they look a little creepy, but what octopus doesn't?

So far I am thinking the people in charge of elementary schools are a little bit ridiculous. There are so many rules and procedures, and pick-up times, and ... And make sure the snack is labeled "snack" in it's own bag with 2 napkins, not 3 napkins, or 1 napkin, 2 napkins, and the snack can't have peanuts, and bring a shirt with 6 buttons, and don't wear crocs on Tuesdays, and, "no I'm sorry that is not your son's birth certificate, that is a certificate of live birth" it is on white paper and real birth certificates are on colored paper, "yes, I see it has a seal and signature, but it is not a birth certificate," and this won't do where it says MMRV in the second varcillella spot, " ("the V in MMRV stands for varicella"), "well I can't make that leap."

Peter's Teacher is from Connecticut, she is lovely, and so far seems totally reasonable, unlike certain other members of the establishment.

Welcome Friends

2010-08-26T07:46:00.001-07:00

The decor for the guest room was inspired by my favorite movie. It's quirky, whimsical, and very french. If we were not renting I would put up some awesome vintage wallpaper, but alas... Our goal was to make the room comfortable, without being Kato Kaelin comfortable.

The pictures are from the movie, and in the movie they are in big gold frames. I do not have a big gold frame budget so when my sister said, "just make frames" I heard my Mother's voice in my head say, "yeah, I can do that."

I bought cheapo Ikea frames (actually sent David to buy Ikea frames, thank you) then bought molding, mitered it, stapled it, glued it to the Ikea frame using construction adhesive for wood, then primed, and painted them. "Fowl with Pearls" is my favorite, I have come to like her so much I might even put her in the living room if David would let me. I can't help but laugh ever time I see her.
The bedside table/chair was inspired by an amazing blog I love! I stained mine walnut, and have not yet but the finish on.
My Sister-in-law Vicki hates birds, ALL birds. I hope "Fowl with Pearls" does not keep her away. Vicki, if you come visit we promise to have Melon popsicles :)

Baby Kate

2010-08-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Kate's corner.

Kate is pretty much adorable, and we really love her :)

Kindergarten here we come

2010-08-17T14:02:00.001-07:00

This morning I asked Peter to get dressed. This is how he came down, except the shirt was on backwards and inside out, and I wondered is this boy really ready to go to Kindergarten? I guess if you had to wait for boys to learn to dress themselves (well) they would be... let's just say much, much older.

Peter's new favorite food is "worms" a.k.a caramelized onions.

Spitty Indeed

2010-08-15T17:36:00.000-07:00

The first thing the Nurse said to us when she brought Kate into us after her first bath was,
"She is a very spitty baby."

We thought that was weird, mostly because I am pretty sure "spitty" is not a word. I thought, give the kid a break she has been in a liquid environment her whole life.

Turns out...and it kills we to say this ever, that Nurse was so RIGHT!

She is practically a volcano really. A really, really cute volcano. I put her down on her back in the bassinet, 2 minutes later she started crying, and this is what I found.

I think I would cry too, if I puked in my eyes! Spitty baby!

Sooo Selma

2010-08-03T17:50:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure an interview to get a job at the DMV goes something like this:

Do you hate rainbows and puppies?
How about babies?
Do you swerve to try to hit squirrels?
Are you a chain smoker?
Do you require frequent breaks?
Do you enjoy inflicting pain on strangers?

If you answered yes to all these questions you are hired... as long as you brought 2 forms of photo ID, a picture of your mother holding you at the hospital the day you were born, your 3rd grade report card, and your grumpiest face.

After many trips to the DMV, the state of Virginia finally found me worthy of a Driver's license today.

Unfortunately, the state of Virginia did not approve of David's trusty companion, and transportation for the last 12 years, "Pearl." She got a big red "REJECTED" sticker on the windshield for failing the state safety inspection. She had to be put down... And we felt sad.

"The District"

2010-07-30T02:24:00.000-07:00

My Niece and her friend are here for a visit, and a wisdom tooth extraction. Her visit, plus Kate's overwhelming desire to see the world and all it's greatest landmarks inspired our latest trip to "the District." We ate at an amazing little cafe called Saint-Ex (Barbara Kingsolver would approve.) Then we did the evening monument tour, with amateur narration for the 16 and under crowd.

Kate liked the Jefferson monument best, is hard to tell from this photo, but she was totally inspired!

Peter wanted his picture in front of the Connecticut pillar. As I was taking the picture a woman, with a fannypack, walked by and said with much enthusiasm, "I know where you guys are from... I am from Ohio" David got a very VERY sad look on his face. I smiled and nodded, and I am pretty sure David wanted to yell, No I am from OHIO, but living in Connecticut for the last six years has taught us that engaging in conversation with random people is totally unnecessary. Even when we lived in Connecticut, and people asked where we were from while on vacation he would say Ohio. When clearly they meant where are you visiting from, not where did you spend your most formative years? The picture was fuzzy, but I didn't dare ask him to take another one :)
I offered to take this one to make him feel better, it totally worked.
It's o.k... We are Buckeyes first, and we have this photo for our Christmas card to prove it, I hope I didn't ruin the surprise.

Best picture ever!

2010-05-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Peter made this at church last week. Can you guess which one is me?

Preschool graduation

2010-05-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

House Hunting

2010-05-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

We went to Northern Virginia to start the next chapter in our housing adventures last week.

Our first apartment was so gross I actually called the health department to inspect the black mold in the basement. There were rats, very late night visits from drunken frat boys looking for the kegger next door, there were seriously CRAZY neighbors, and a robbery. Living there started an early morning habit of checking outside to see if our cars had been stolen, a habit that has only recently been broken as we are unable to see our cars from our current dwelling.

Our second apartment was right next to the freeway in Hartford, and blocks from a major fire station. There were so many sirens that we were sure Peter would grow up to be a fire fighter from his in utero siren exposure. I saw a mouse once, but it was still an upgrade.

The first house we saw in Virginia smelled like black mold, deal breaker! The second place we saw after talking to a realtor who had a listing for an awesome property that was "unfortunetly gone now," but he "had another property that would be great" for us. "Very spacious floor plan..."

This was the property!

The stained glass windows were lovely, but we just couldn't figure out what we could do in the Chapel besides throw wild parties.

Finally after seeing many, many terrible wallpaper displays and smelling many tragic smell combinations... (One landlord actually told us we could smoke inside his house, he "wasn't planning on ever living there." There was a bit of a language barrier, and he thought we were asking if we could smoke instead of trying to tell him the current tenant's haze of blue smoke was a deal breaker) ... we saw this place, and I could have cried. I didn't even have to ask if there was a rodent problem.

Jell-o and the Hollow

2010-04-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely Easter! Abby and I made Jell-o eggs for three days before the big day. And we ate Pork. Does anyone else think it is funny that people eat Ham and Pork for Easter? What are we trying to say with that?

Later this week we are moving to the Hollow. That's right Frog Hollow is going to be our new hood. Don't worry, we have been warned of the dangers. And the substantial jump in our car insurance premiums sent a very clear message. However, I have been assured that there are no rats in our new building and that the curry people make there is completely odorless. O.k. I made the curry part up, but I have a lovely new Lavender candle that is stronger than...well, I will see.

For the last several weeks Peter has been going outside to work on his "rock collection." I never saw it and assumed it was invisible like Calvin the Dolphin and his tank, and the Jet Field that are also in the back yard. Until the other day when Peter showed me his very impressive rock collection. I am not sure what I will miss the most the collection or Calvin. Either way I am pretty impressed with the boy.

Hello Sunshine! Hello Pansies!

2010-03-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning I came outside to discover one lovely little crocus. It was the most beautiful thing I have seen in months! And all day it was my most favorite flower in the whole world, the WORLD! Then this morning I discovered a second crocus, and I knew it was time for pansies! We planted a pot full of pansies, and until the tulips bloom pansies are my favorite flowers!

Welcome back Sunshine, and sidewalk chalk, and bubbles, and picnics at the park, oh how we missed you! And hello pansies!

And the answer is...

2010-03-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

I have been having this conversation a lot lately.

Person:When is your husband done with Residency?
Me: June 30th.
Person: When are you moving?
Me: June 30th.
Person: When is your baby due?
Me: June 30th.
Person: What is the deadline for the Obama housing tax credit?
Me: June 30th.
Person: What are you going to name your baby?
Me: June 30th.

A very butterfly birthday

2010-03-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

We had a very low key birthday party for Miss Abby's 4th birthday. "Elefun" was had by all.

Shopping revelation

2010-02-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

So there I was at the grocery store, with everyone else, taking part in the last minute shopping spree, in the tradition of the Nor'easter. I was on my way home from work and I realized that this may be my last chance to replace the Little Debbie heart cakes that I bought weeks ago for the kid's class Valentines, that have mysteriously disappeared. They were sold out, but while I was there I decided to buy things that would get us through the next 24 hours in case we couldn't get to Taco Bell in an emergency.

I mostly let the rapidly growing fetus be my guide. Fetus Peter loved hamburgers. Fetus Abby loved Krispy Cream donuts, I will always remember the day my friend Monique gave me the news deep in my third trimester, that the Krispy Cream right next to my house was GONE! I cried. Fetus X LOVES tacos and burritos!

I have been disinclined to sharing lately, but I am finally ready to share again. So this is what your cart looks like if you let a fetus be your guide. The new Pear Yoplait yogurt (I had to climb up into the case for these babies, apparently the word is getting out about the deliciousness), Milano cookies (I like things that make me think of Italy), Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia (Fetus X likes ice cream too), essential taco ingredients, cream cheese (for cream cheese frosting-duh), cream (to make more ice cream), english muffins (in case the fetus wants an egg McMuffin and we can't get to McDonalds), microwave burritos, a stapler (for the valentines), and juice. I am not going to share how much I spent or saved, kinda personal. I didn't use any coupons, but I did get 15 cents back for bringing my own bags :) I think we are ready for some serious snow!

...and here is a picture of our art, a' la Color me Katie before the last storm. Just in case you don't care about the great revelation that is the content of my shopping cart.

Costume design

2009-11-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

I was able to fulfill Peter's Halloween vision of being a buoy. Unfortunately I failed to really consider how important walking and climbing stairs is on Halloween. He did look awesome, and he some people even gave him extra candy to make up for his poor costume deign. I wanted to put a Seagull on his head, but he said no. And in case anyone is worried Abby did wear a jacket.

2009-10-10T18:59:00.000-07:00

I am completely in love with New England in the Fall. The apples, oh the apples. We went to Rose's Berry Farm with the preschool yesterday, and today we went to Belltown hill orchard,
because one can never have too many tractor rides. Both places are completely beautiful! At Belltown Hill Orchard you ride a tractor around the orchard and then get on and off at various stops in the loop depending on what kind of apples you want. They have the best apples I have ever eaten. I was very seriously considering throwing an apple tasting party, but David thought no.

We rode the ferry home, the longest operating ferry in the United States, two days in a row. And for those 4 minutes, all is right in the world.

This picture was from Friday. Thanks to my friend for the edit. I hope everyone is enjoying the beauty that is Fall!

Red Sox Nation

2009-10-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

So, I went ahead and bought that hat for Peter for his first game at Fenway. Peter has been talking about the Red Sox with anyone who will listen- even the cable guy, Abby has a wicked Boston accent, and we have been in New England for half a decade, so really it was time.
They did loose the game, but Peter fell asleep just before the seventh inning stretch, and didn't even ask who won until we got to the car. Maybe he was just to busy telling his new friends/ Aunt Vicki's friends about his conquests as a jet pilot.

...and then on the way home we stopped by Walden Pond, and I went for a swim. It was stunningly beautiful, I had the pond all to myself, and I felt alive!

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

Henry David Thoreau

Not a single tear

2009-09-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Today was Abby's first day of Pre-school. She decided this morning that she didn't want to go, but was easily persuaded once I put her blanket in her back-pack. On the drive to school I had a little flash back to my first day of pre-school, I was a little nervous until I was able to re-suppress the memory. Peter was able to advise Abby on the procedure for making new friends before we got there. And the rest was uneventful. The teacher said she did really well. She didn't bite anyone, have an "accident," and she didn't even sit in the corner sucking her thumb while quietly sobbing the way those maladjusted kids do.

This may be premature, but I see lots of gold stars in her future!

Some thing change, some stay the same

2009-08-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

I was searching through some pictures trying to find something. I didn't find it. I did find this video, and it made me laugh. Seriously, what a cute baby, I felt I had to share.

This afternoon Abby managed to get a mac n' cheese noodle to stick to the wall, and when I asked her about it she seemed as perplexed as I was. I guess I should be grateful she is not quite as messy as she used to be. I can't even remember the last time she got cake in her eye-good thing I recorded it.

I really cant help it...

2009-08-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween! Not the scary parts where people jump out at you from spooky corn mazes, or those creepy Simpson's episodes, or scary movies, but the rest of it I am totally into.

I have seen these boutique pettiskirts around, and I really wanted to try to make one. The last time we were in New York we found a fabric store called Stretch. They only carried stretchy fabrics, and wow, I have never seen so much spandex! They also happened to have nylon chiffon-which is impossible to find, and required to make a pettiskirt. It must have been fate!

Abby later decided to be a ballerina for Halloween, which has morphed into a ballerina/kitty thanks to these rockin' tights from Gymboree. Abby was not really in the mood to let me get a picture. At least this picture makes it difficult to see her wild mullet and wicked black eye, which she recently acquired from her brother who was trying to help the universe to right itself for the black eye he recieved from ballerina/kitty earlier this week. Abby really is a sight to behold these days, I am thinking about getting her a "question authority" t-shirt and some ripped up vintage jeans to go with her new look.

And here is the preview of Peter's custom Buoy costume. I really don't know where he comes up with this stuff! I am thinking of adding a piece of white quarter round to stick up on the back.
...and just to prove I am appreciating the present moment, as I resolved to do earlier this year, here is a picture of our zinnias. So lovely.
If anyone wants the other half of my cardboard tube, or advise on making a pettiskirt let me know. I really can't help it I love Halloween costumes.

Cape Cod

2009-08-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who gave camping suggestions. Compulsive as I am, I made reservations at Nickerson State Park on Cape Cod moments after I asked for suggestions. We camped right next to a beautiful lake with sandy beaches. "The Cape" was completely beautiful.

We had lots of fun! We went whale watching, which totally rocked! We saw 10 or 11 whales. The kids were super excited at first and then kinda lost interest. Abby would have been way more excited if kittens popped up periodically out of the ocean, but was impressed overall. Peter was excited to ride on a boat, and managed to make MANY new friends. At one point I lost sight of him, asked a fellow whale watcher if he had seen a boy with a red hat,
"Oh Peter?"
"Uh, yeah."
then another passenger called out,
"He's over here."
Peter managed to find another 4 year old on the boat, and make friends with several others of all ages. It can be difficult watching for whales and a very friendly 4 year-old at the same time.

We actually made lots of friends wherever we went. We even got invited to a birthday party, and found a job for David in Rhode Island.

I had no idea that all the good beaches were federally owned. They were beautiful, and when we first got to the beach we were almost completely alone, except the birds, which Peter chased (which is probably illegal in the commonwealth of Massachusetts).

We also saw tons of Seals which were incredibly close to the beach. Overall it was a fantastic trip! I feel like an official New Englander now that I have vacationed at the Cape:)

P.E. Just so you know... I lost my cell phone somewhere, so if you are waiting for me to call and tell you about my trip I probably won't because I don't even have my Mother's phone number anymore, so I probably don't have yours either. So if you want me to call and chat about, well anything send me an email with your number, if you want, of course.

P.P.E. good thing I didn't buy Peter that Red Sox hat (even though he has now informed me he is an official fan of the Red Sox, except when there is a baseball game on and he would rather watch Dino squad) because if I was like, "has anyone seen a boy with a Red Sox hat at the Cape" people would be like, "uhh, which one? and how old?"

Looking for reccomendations

2009-07-31T06:14:00.000-07:00

>This morning the internet was not working. I asked my computer for help, and it told me, "

Windows has confirmed that this computer is currently experiencing a network connectivity problem." Sooo not helpful!

Anyway, that and a chat with a friend yesterday has me thinking I need a little technology free vacation. I am thinking maybe a lake in Vermont or New Hampshire, or the beach in Maine, or Cape Cod. I am looking for somewhere we can camp.

Any ideas?

Hybrid Cookies

2009-07-30T13:19:00.000-07:00

My friend Brittanie introduced me to the idea of using beans as a substitute for butter- shh, don't tell the Barefoot Contessa, she would be terribly disappointed. I got a little carried away at first, but I think I have found a more moderate approach. I think bean cookies are best as oatmeal cookies or with lots of chocolate. I have been working on this one for awhile, and my kids have no idea they are eating beans.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 Cup pureed white beans
6 T Butter (softened)
2-3 T applesauce
1 Cup brown Sugar
1/2 Cup White sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
2 1/4 Cups flour
1/4 Cup Cocoa
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup nuts

I have a magical oven that turns on and off on a whim, so I am a little nervous to recommend a temperature setting. I have not yet had my anual oven temperature tested, as Martha recommends, but about 350 for 7-8 minutes sometimes works for me. Do not overcook, or they will be too cakey.

If you try them and you don't like it, you can always just throw them on the floor the way my husband did when he found out I had tricked him eating beans again!

A hat for Peter?

2009-07-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Peter found a hippo hat that he wore as an infant. He has been wearing it around lately and can not be convinced that it does not fit.

The hippo hat has now gone missing. Peter climbed up on my lap today and told me in his most sincere voice that he really wants a hat "he can wear." He is pretty sure he needs one, and it seems a reasonable request for a little boy that is totally in touch with what it is that little boys need.

Here's the thing... I have some concerns about what I put on my boy's head. So... I have this thing... An almost uncontrollable urge really. Whenever I see someone with a big Blue (or "maize") "M" on their head or chest I HAVE to heckle them! Apparently, it is only appropriate to heckle strangers at sporting events and parades in which sporting events are represented on floats, but I still want to. It's an issue for me. Going to the airport is a huge execrsice in self control. I always see at least one "M" in every airport, and I can't always control myself. In one moment of weakness I almost heckled a boy with an "M" on his head. That really shook me, I realized he couldn't possibly have made that choice, he couldn't possibly know. Not to mention the fact, that is in never o.k. to heckle children! And, yet for one small moment I still wanted to. I am not proud of it, but it was in that moment I decided I would dress my children with caution. I know that there are people out there that take sports way more seriously than I do, and the wrong letter on a hat on the wrong day, at the wrong time could be very bad. I have seen perfectly innocent cars get overturned and the only wrong thing they did was get painted blue.

So, a hat for Peter... Ideally, he would choose his own hat, but he if far to young to have enough information to make that kind of decision for himself. I mean what if he wanted a "Y" on his hat?

I was thinking maybe one of these.

Peter was born the week the Red Sox won the world series. I wanted to his middle name to be "Babe" but David said no. And, this is the hat of choice in our area. And he is quite skilled at t-ball.

For now, I think I am going to look for that Roots hat we got in Montreal. I can only think of one person that hates Canada. It is a little small, but defiantly safe.

What do you think?

Haircut insight

2009-07-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about Abby's new haircut when I remembered that we watched Roman Holiday a few weeks ago. Suddenly it all became clear.

Coincidentally, or not, she has developed a sudden interest in tricycles, and has learned how to ride this week. I really can't blame her, the movie has a very significant impact on me too. Maybe next time, we will have to skip that, "shorter, shorter, shorter" haircut scene. What is life without taking risks? If Abby and I go missing, you all know where to find us.

I think I will hold off on "Breakfast at Tiffany's" she is way too young for smoking, changing her name, climbing out windows, and standing in front of Jewelry stores windows, longingly.

Look away children, look away!

2009-07-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

I heart Manhattan!!!! I love the beat of the city. I love that you never know when you will see Elmo getting interrogated by the police, or when you will walk right past John Krasinski.

Peter also loves the city for the easy access to two of his favorite things; trains, and hot dogs. He even learned to hail a cab from a recent episode of Reading Rainbow (you should totally ask him to show you if you see him, hilarious) I really can't get over how educational television is for children!!!

There is one image that was unfortunately preserved only in my mind. We got on the subway, Peter insisted on holding one of the poles a short distance from where we were sitting. He was standing there, enjoying his ride when a couple rushed onto the train. They sat down directly in front of Peter when the man reached into a bag, pulled out two lollipop, gave one to his girlfriend, and they popped them into their mouths. About 2.5 seconds later they realized a very adorable 4 year old boy, 2 feet in front of them, was watching them eat lollipops. The looks on their faces as they realized what they had just done were seriously PRICELESS! They glanced over at us, and suddenly became very embarrassed! The man started to apologize to us, and assured us he would have shared, but he only had two. I burst out laughing, and I so wanted to take a picture of this adult couple eating lollipops,the man shielding the little white stick from view with his hand, like he was trying not to get caught smoking a cigarette at church. Fortunately everyone appreciated the irony and humor of the situation, except maybe Peter, but taking a picture might have been crossing a line (especially so soon after crossing that line by taking that picture of Elmo's embarrassing encounter with the police.)

You just never know what's going to happen in the city...

I knew this day would come...

2009-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

And if you have met Abby, you probably did too.

Miracle of Miracles!

2009-07-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

We grow food! Yesterday I went outside to check on the garden, and I was shocked to find green beans. I know I probably shouldn't be shocked that food is growing in our garden, but I totally am!

Happy Residents Day!

2009-07-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

It is July 1st, the day that new residents start. Very exciting (if you are one of them.) This is our 6th July 1st in Connecticut. David is officially Chief today. Congratulations!

If you can avoid going to the hospital for awhile, I would. Absolutely no elective surgery for at least 3 months. If you do need to go to the hospital and you are approached by a very nervous, sweaty palmed doctor with a very bright white, well-pressed coat, make sure you ask if it is his/her first time sewing someones arm back on, or whatever the procedure is that you require.

So good luck to all you new interns, chiefs, and everyone in between!

And the rest of you, be very safe!

That word I am not supposed to say

2009-06-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

So I have been that doing that thing, the word for which I have been forbidden from saying. The word is Decoupage, and David doesn't like the way I pronounce it. The dialogue reminds me of a scene from "My Blue Heaven" with Steve Martin. An FBI agent played by Rick Moranis says, "capishe" to Steve Martins character, a mobster in the Federal Wittness relocation program. Then Steve Martin's charachter says, "don't say that, it hurts my ears when you say it." Anyway, it hurts David's ears when I say it, but I still had fun.

Reconsidering my relationship with Cookie Magazine

2009-06-24T07:44:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of the magazine. It is the perfect genre (does it count as a genre?) for kids who can only stay focused for 30 minutes at a time. Magazines are ideal for trips to McDonald's, and air travel with young children. My longest relationship with a magazine is with "Martha Stewart Living". I started my subscription 10 years ago, and have changed my address as many times. I stuck with Martha even through the incarceration episode, the magazine size was cut in half ( I was cruelly mocked for my loyalty), but they were some of the best issues ever. I am also a fan of "Popular Mechanics", I am not going to elaborate. I once bought a copy of "Ask This Old House." I read it over and over, but ultimately decided a subscription would just fuel a fire my husband has been trying to squelch. We had an unfortunate subscription to "the Reader's Digest" for awhile. I think it resulted from an exchange between a very sad looking child and David at the door step, but I am not sure. I had a cooking magazine subscription for awhile, but I got bored. I have considered a subscription to "The New Yorker" on multiple occasions. I have thought how great it would be to mention a cartoon or a book review I read in "the New Yorker" at book club, the way my friend Nancy does, but ultimately I have decided that a subscription to the magazine would only make me feel like a dilettante.

Now that I have divulged all my magazining habits... There is one other magazine I subscribe to. "Cookie" magazine and I have had a secret thing going for two years, maybe three. Rest assured I know I am not in thier target demographic, but the articles about dealing with preschool moms make me feel so validated. The clothes articles are ridiculous, and the advertisments are so not for girls like me. But they have fantastic recipes, like sushi for toddlers (which turns out to be great in theory, but not so much in reality). I love the travel sections, again not really meant for me, but they fuel my aspirations.

So this month I saw the cover of Cookie, and was instantly annoyed. Tori Spellings advise on parenting. Really? I really have had enough from celebrities. Celebrities are beautiful, beautiful things belong on the covers of magazines, I will concede the point. But what makes people whose major job qualification is to pretend to be other people, uniquely qualified to give parental advice or to design clothes and perfumes for that matter. I really don't have anything against Tori Spelling, but I really don't care what she has to say about parenting. Maybe an article about what to look for in a nanny, or how to choose a plastic surgeon, but parenting? Are those even really her kids? Is that really her back yard, or some set?

In small print on each page of the article they describe the clothes the family is wearing, where they are from, and how much they cost. I decided to add them up, and I found that the clothes they are wearing for the photo shoot cost $4,706. Which is fine if you are obseanly wealthy. My issue is the title of the article; "Speling Lessons: All Hollywood's littlest princess ever wanted was a normal life. Now Tori Spellin has one..." Really?! Because if my little girl was wearing a dress that cost $352 we are so not going for a trycicle ride in the back yard/ movie set. Come on Cookie magazine. Give me a break!

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T14:59:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite picture of the kids with David. Happy Father's Day!

Also, here is another Father's day post about my Dad.

I like trees too

2009-06-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

My friend Robin called me out on my Utah love blog posts today. I thought I better explain that my new love of Utah does not preclude my love of the Nutmeg state.

Things I love about Connecticut:
1. Trees, beautiful trees!
2. Humidity, I really do love it even if it makes my doors stick (I should really fix that, but it involves painting and I hate painting.)
3. When I go to the grocery they almost always have the kind of cheese I am looking for.
4. Sane strangers rarely try to talk to me, and I find I kind of like being left alone, with the exception of when I sneeze, in which case people in CT always say "bless you" (not oh no, do you have allergies, just "bless you.") And I like that.
5. I like that people say "carriages," "tag sales," and "we spent the weekend at the shore."
6. I like the CT shore (we all know RI is better, but I really only have something to prove to my CT friends here.)
7. I love that grass grows from seed, with rain water!
8. Random people I see do not make me wonder if they are related to some kid I went to high school with.
9. If I decide to hate my neighbor, instead of love them which I know is what I should do, I don't have to see them at church and feel guilty about it. This one is purely hypothetical.
10. My garden loves Connecticut too. I am a novice gardener, but I can't help but be fascinated by things growing from seeds. We even harvested seeds from the Zinnias we grew from seed last year, planted the seeds, and now those seeds are growing! AMAZING!

Drunken Ducklings

2009-06-19T12:56:00.000-07:00

Our prolonged Utah vacation ended yesterday with a red-eye flight out of Las Vegas. My kids slept through the first leg of the flight, which was wonderful. But I failed to anticipate how they would respond to being awakened from a 3 hour night time nap. They were more than a little groggy as we exited the plane. I had refered to them lovingly as my little ducklings on previous flights, because of the way they waddled absent-mindedly behind me. Strollers usually just cause more trouble in airports than they are worth, and my kids can walk. I had them quack periodically so I knew they were still there, and becasure it was entertaining. Well, after the first flight they were slightly impared, and the obedient following turned into a very sad druncken waddle. Walking a straight line was completely out of the question. On the way to the gate I actually caught the gaze of a man who was openly laughing at us. I said, "yea, I know know were a circus act."

Eventually we did make it to the next gate. But only after stopping to buy some breakfast potato chips which resulted in ridiculous amounts of beverage requests, and I thought, "SO there is a good reason not to feed your kids chips for breakfast."

On the next flight Peter was fascinated by the safety information in the "seat back pocket" in front of him. Seriously fascinated! He poured over it for a good 20 minutes before he started to explain the rules to me. I wish they would have let him do the flight announcment. If they had it would have gone something like this, "First, turn your phone off, Mom, did you turn your phone off? Second, if you brought your computer aboard (yes, he really did use the word aboard) you need to turn it off to save electricity...In case the plane crashes in the water (which was a contingency he was totally ok with since it was in the brochure) we may need all that electricity. If we crash in the water there are slides on the wings, yea there are slides on the wings, did you know that there were slides on the wings? And there should be no fires on the airplanes, that's not safe...And no smoke either." He might have also mentioned that the other important rules to flying on the airplane are that there is no crying and no kicking the seat in front of you, if he had the attention of the whole flight. Peter takes airplane safety VERY seriously. After he was sure that he had explained all the important rules to me (the highlights of which are listed above, but there were several others that I can't remeber on account of being a little foggy myself) he spent another 30 minutes looking at the brochure, and I wondered why I brought all that other crap to entertain him.

More adventures in Utah...

2009-06-10T16:55:00.000-07:00

Abby and Celeste catching frogs.
and the widow-maker (saving details for Father's Day)...

Another lovely day

2009-05-27T18:18:00.001-07:00

More fun with cousins, and yes they eat a lot!
Abby's first twinkie.

Abby really loved the pony rides.

Dear Utah,

2009-05-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

You are a completely beautiful state! I am finding myself appreciating you much more than I usually do. David assures me my new found appreciation is only because it is May. Even still, I think I have been too hard on you. Sorry Utah, I still love you, here's why:
1. I seriously can't get enough of all these friendly, and helpful people. After flying from Newark to Las Vegas (big jerks) I almost cried tears of joys to get on the St. George shuttle. All the people, especially the driver were EXTREMELY helpful and friendly! No one even complained that we first made the shuttle late, and then had to stop for a potty break as we were entering the Gorge. These strangers buckeled in my kids car seats, and assured me they had all been there. It was a seriously love fest. Thank you nice people!!!!!
2. I have recently realized most of my favorite people are from Utah, or their parents are.
3. Utah camping is really fantastic!!!
4. I have this strange feeling of belonging here.
5. I went to a Wal-Mart here and it didn't suck! I was a little weirded out by all the long shorts, babies, and blonde hair, until I considered that I look just like them. Huh, I guess these ARE my people.

Peter refused to be organized by birth order, he just kept saying, "I want to be number one!"

Boy + Firetruck = Happy Day

2009-05-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

A Day in the Life...

2009-05-14T06:03:00.001-07:00

Very Bad squirell

2009-05-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

Anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent squirrels from eating our barbecue?

Happy Father's Day

2009-05-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Dad,

Happy Father's Day to the toughest...
strongest...

handiest...

Guy I know, who isn't afraid to hold a baby...
ride a tricycle...
attend a tea party...

lend a girl your jacket.

Thanks for teaching us the meaning of the word "pull"...

and for letting us pick wildflowers (just not too many.)
Thanks for the all games of pooh sticks...

and for always stopping for a ride on the gate...

...no matter the weather.

Thanks for fixing that deck before any one got hurt...
...And for shielding me behind that tree when it finally had to come down.

Thanks for walking away when we got unruly...
...and for setting us straight when needed.

Thanks for being able and willing to build anything big, or small, with style.

Thanks for being the kind of Dad any kid could count on.

Thanks for the camp outs...

...and thanks for always packing more than your share.
Thanks for teaching us to appreciate nature, and to leave things better than we found them.

Thanks for the trips to the farm...
the trips to the lake...

...and the scuba trips (karaoke bars and all.)
Thanks for letting the girls in on the hunt, and thanks for not actually killing anything while we were there.

Thanks for teaching us ski (water and snow)...

...and to row.

Thanks for taking us on the longest "seven mile" trip ever...
...and for being the kind of Dad, I knew could never possibly drive us off the side of the honeymoon trail, even though we were all a little nervous about it.

Thanks for teaching me to jump off cliffs, and always double checking to make sure I tried the rope the right way (especially that time that I didn't)...
Thanks for carrying me to bed after a long trip, even when you knew I was only pretending to be asleep.

Thanks for watching the logging channel, and never shirking from a challenge.

Thanks for being a great example...
Thanks for the long chats, and the sometimes longer lulls. Thanks for the bike rides, and for being an expert at removing slivers. Thanks for always taking the time, and having the patience, to untangle my hair from carabiners and vacuum cleaners alike ( I know you always had a Swiss army knife in your pocket that could have gotten the job done quicker.) Thanks for all these memories and for a thousand others.

I love you Dad!
Happy Father's Day

Mother Dear I love you so...

2009-05-10T16:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Mom,

This year for Mother's Day I have decided to issue a public apology for my bad behavior. So here goes:

1. I am sorry for that incident at McDonald's when I was 4, rest assure karma has repaid me for this one, but sorry none the less. You deserve serious props for ever going back!

2. Sorry for sneaking that special "china doll" out and breaking the foot, when you told me not to. Thanks for not getting mad.

3. Sorry for hitting you with a yard stick when I played teacher. I hope you understand that I had to be tough to be taken seriously.

4. When I was 10 I was sure that my being born was an evil plot for you to get out of doing the dishes. I see now that my theory was wrong on so many levels! Sorry.

5. Sorry if I made you nervous when I jumped off cliffs head first (with a harness of course).

6. Sorry for walking away any time you offered your advice when shopping. I see now that I was not as chic as I imagined. The pictures of you in the 70's (and me in the 80's) are added proof that you were way more stylish than I ever gave you credit for.

7. Sorry for the loud angry teenager music.

8. Sorry for the loud angry teenage years.

9. Sorry for that bent window screen.

10. And I am sorry for all the restless nights, the fingerprints, the "accidents", the spills, the broken glasses, the broken curfews, and for all that eye rolling.

Thank you letting me do my own hair, and letting me wear mismatching socks when I thought it was cool. Thanks for the homemade costumes, and the homemade dresses (even the matching ones). Thank you for being at my dance recitals (even when it became clear that I was not made to dance). Thanks for making me take piano lessons. Thanks for going along with my "asthma" attack when I was scared to death at my new school. Thanks for breaking up Tylenol with sugar water in the middle of the night when I was clearly old enough to swallow a pill. Thanks for loving me when I was the most unlovable.

Mother Dear, I love you so.

Have a Happy Mother's Day, you deserve it!

Miss Sassy Pants get a sassy new do

2009-05-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

This one is just as a warning for anyone who may come to my house and wants to use this pillow.

A thing of Beauty

2009-05-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

After much ado, our garden has a final resting spot. Hooray for fresh vegetables!
Peter made sure to measure both the beds after they were installed.

A beautiful spring day

2009-05-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

We went to a Flamig Farm today. This sheep was wandering free, he followed us around, and won my heart. I would have brought him home, but the neighbors would never approve.

Abby was into feeding all of the animals. Peter was not so eager, but he thought the chickens were hilarious!

My lilac bush bloomed today. We planted it 3 years ago, and I expected it to bloom the next year. I guess you have to wait for the really good stuff in life. It is beautiful!

Six degrees of Mormon bloggers...No only five

2009-04-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

This post it kind of creepy, but I am going for it. I was feeling sad this afternoon and sometimes I try to bury my sadness with the happiness of random bloggers.

1. I went to J.J.'s blog (always good for a smile, and a totally legit friend).

2.I decided to check her sister's blog who lives in Williamsburg, VA which is on my list of places to settle down, so technically I check this one for research.

3.From there I clicked one of her links to see if there are more people who live in Williamsburg who are friends with JJ's sister, so I would know if there are enough people in Williamsburg for a book club.

4.From there is gets a little less researchy, and a little more blog stalkery (is there a word for looking at blogs of people you don't know)? Next I clicked on a blog about saving money on diapers at some drug store. I noticed a list of St. George friends, and my random wandering turned into a game to see how many blogs it would take until I found a blog of someone I have actually met.

5. I went to a blog called the Papa's. And I remembered being a shop aide with a boy whose last name was Papa. He got me sent to detention for my first and only time, but we were legit friend's in the 8th grade. I think the blog belongs to his brother's wife who I also went to high school with. I am 95% sure I know this girl, but I went one step further.

6. I found several people I knew from her links.

I went back to check and it turns out that I did know #5, which I confirmed 100% when I clicked on link that had a picture of the boy who got me sent to detention.

Maybe "the past is best left in the past," a North and South reference for my book club friends... but I do feel much better now.

If you play this game let me know how it works out for you.

P.S. I meant David Copperfield, not North and South. oops.

Easter

2009-04-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

I am 99% sure Peter will ask me someday why I dressed him in homemade plaid pants, and I will tell him it was because I could, and I liked it! Hooray for Easter and 4 year-olds! I hope everyone had a great Easter! Next year I will try to remember 9:30am is a terrible time to take outside pictures.

2009-04-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

Red #40 is not our friend

2009-03-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Abby found red fruit snacks, and there was a messy incident later that night. Then she ate about 10 Marciano cherries, and again an incident. I had a very strong suspicion she was allergic to red dye. A few weeks later I decide to finally make the bug cupcakes Peter has been asking for. They were lovely, if your into that sorta thing... I totally forgot about red dye, until about 2am...

I pretty much felt like the worst parent ever when I saw this picture with Abby and her red fingers!

So on Sunday when I took Abby to Nursery I started to become the responsible parent of a child with a food allergy. I felt silly as I told them that Abby had a red dye allergy. I started to say, "but you probably don' t have a lot of snacks with red dye in them.." And just as I said it one of the workers shifted her position and asked, as she motioned to a cake with RED gel icing letters covering most of it:
"So do you think this would be o.k.?"
"Uhmm... NO!"
"Well, I think it is just strawberry flavored."
"Yeah...No!"

I felt a little stunned, but relieved I had spared myself an extra load of laundry for the day.

No more pink frosting for Miss Abby or red sprinkles, tragic for a girl who loves pink so much, she refused to even acknowledge the other colors by remembering their names, or landing on them in Candy Land.

Orange and purple may be out too.

Happy Birthday

2009-03-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

Abby is now 3 years old!!!! I really couldn't be any more excited that she is no longer 2! I know that lots of people say, 3 is worse than 2, but if you want to be my friend don't say it to me. Abby has actually been very well behaved lately! She is very sweet and suddenly likes to snuggle! WE love love love love our little Abby, and are very grateful to have her!

David also had a birthday, I won't mention how old he is. Even more significantly he finished his last month of general surgery and his last in-house call!!!! HE had the whole weekend off, and was able to go to church for the second time this year.
Here is the dress I finally finished to match Abby's (at my sister's request).

Mini me

2009-02-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

Almost every day lately someone tells me that Abby looks just like me. I am not sure how I am to reply to this? I mean, I know Abby is cute, and I would really like my hair to be shock blond again (Abby's actually has a strawberry blond tint to it these days, ask me about it later if you want to hear a really gross story)... So do I say, "thank you, we are cute aren't we" or do I say, "yeah, I know" or is there something else?

I got some pictures back today and I decided to look at some of my old pictures and see how much she really looks "just like me!" So here it is. Now keep in mind she also looks a lot like David when he was a baby too.

Hobitats and summer hopes

2009-02-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

It is the hope of spring that has inspired a new wave of projects. I have been sewing sun dresses for Miss Abby. I have 2 down and 3 more in the works. Hopefully it will be warm enough to wear them someday! Luckily at 2pm on most days, even the bitter cold ones a ray of sun hits the most comfortable spot on the couch, and when I close my eyes and imagine myself on a beach somewhere, and I am warm... It is quite lovely.

Last week I was talking to Abby about her upcoming Birthday. I asked who she wanted to come to her party.
"Sleeping Beauty... and...uhmm.. Mrs. C (Peter's average sized preschool teacher)
I said, "I think Mrs. C is to big to come to your party."
Then Peter said, eager as always to find a solutions said, "Oh, well if she is too big to fit through the front door,maybe she can fit through the back glass door."
Later when he was talking about the party, he said, "...and then Sleeping beauty will come over, and Mrs. C, (ever so slight pause) through the back door, and then my boy friends could come over... we could but up the spooky (spooky said while holding up his hands and wiggling his fingers) decorations, and then...

Here is our latest footage of Peter talking about hobitats. Thanks Grandma for the bugs and books.

Abby's First haircut

2009-01-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

I am little behind, but Abby got her first haircut. I mentioned that I was a little sad to loose the curls. The lady who was cutting them off replied, "yeah, there gone." Such compassion.

Before:

After:

She was so good, and just sat there, she loved it.

A new year a new me

2009-01-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

I have decided in 2009 I will:

1. Stand on my head every day, except Sundays of course. I had Peter take a picture of me in a head stand, but decided this one was prettier, with the Mountains and all.

2. Eat more soup. Yum...soup.

3. Enjoy all the beauty that is Connecticut.

4. Umm.. I think 3 is good for now.... O.K. do more ironing.

Happy New Year!

All things Christmas...and a trip to Ohio

2008-12-27T18:28:00.000-08:00

Miss Do loves the snow, but we couldn't get her to stop trying to eat it.

The week before Christmas we went to Ohio to visit David's parents who returned from their mission in Cambodia. Welcome home! It was lots of fun to spend time with family. Above is one of the few pictures I took in Ohio. Abby was chasing the dogs. Note her lovely ear muffs. My sister in-law asked if Abby was bringing back ear muffs. Umm.. did they ever go out?! They really are the only alternative to hat hair, and by the way they are "ear muffins" not ear muffs (another abbyism I have whole-heartily embraced.)

Our kids were ridiculously good on the trip thanks to a DVD player with 2 sets of headphones. They didn't even notice we were driving in a major snow storm until we were almost through it. But by the time we got to New Jersey on the way home Peter was getting a little ansty and after he had all he could handle and in a sudden burst of panic he yelled "HUNGRY, THIRSTY, POTTTTYYY." It was pretty hillarious and we stopped at the next exit.

Click... Sometime I feel like I blog like I am giving a slide show, sorry, but pictures are really so effcient. So you see in the next pic (that's a Diegoism) is what might have been the cutest Santa picture ever had everyone stayed seated. This was at Peter's pre-school Christmas party.

Someday Peter is going to see this picture and feel the way I felt when I saw a picture of myself sucking my thumb at preschool. He was trying to hold up 7 fingers while they were singing a song about the days of the week. I was also struck at how big that girl looks next to Peter (3rd percentile meet the 90th percentile).

We had a very Merry Christmas, and we hope you did too. On Christmas eve we had a very festive Nativity with a Dragon/donkey and a sheep/dog, and a very cute baby Jesus. Life has been so busy lately we didn't really even think about what we were doing for Christmas, and were grateful to get together with friends.

Forgive me for this but my friend showed me a blog tutorial on how o make a Christmas garland. I promised her I would share the result.

Fancy Nancy is Abby's new favorite book!

I really love how excited Peter gets about Christmas. It makes it all worth it. This face is in response to his new "geotrax" trains that he has been playig with non-stop since Christmas. It turns out his love of trains has not faded, he has even intoduced the geo trax team to some of Thomas' friends, not Thomas himself yet, I think he might be worried about his feelings.

And forgive me again for posting Abby's new bed. I know she is only 2, but she has never had girl bedding until now. She likes the quilt and the pillows, but she was way more impressed with a 2 dollar plastic kitten that walks in circles. Meow...

The Thanksgiving Haps

2008-12-08T13:16:00.001-08:00

We finally did it. After years of planning we made it to the Macy's Thanksgiving day Parade. We were even grateful for our previous failed attempts. Our kids are old enough to walk on their own, but small enough to sit on your shoulders and fit in small spaces. I had never really considered the endurance that is required to hold a child on your shoulders for hours.

Above is Peter's view until moments before the parade started. It was very intimate, as you might imagine.

We stayed at the Morgans Hotel a few blocks from Grand Central, which was perfect for us (as Peter would say :). We even got upgraded to loft, for being part of the family I suppose.

I was a little surprised to see the Fetch with Ruff Ruffman float, and Peter was delighted! I even recognized some of the "Fetchers" to my chagrin.
I know it looks like we had to make up super early in this picture, but we really only arrived at the parade 45 minutes before it started.
Here is Abby with her train ticket, and her baby, and yes one of those harnesses with a lease. I know it is not PC, and David was super opposed to the idea, and I had to go to Wal-mart to get it (which by the way I am NEVER going back to that store, please don't ever ask me to ((and it is not because I am an elitist, I could elaborate, but it wouldn't be pretty ((( and yes I know Wal-mart is fine in places like Utah and Virginia and even Ohio ((((and yes I know that this is not grammatically correct)))) but she has not survived 6 toxic ingestions and a broken arm for me to lose her in Manhattan.
Peter had a perma-grin pretty much the entire time.
Here we are in New Haven and on the train platform. There is something so romantic about train travel, especially on Thanksgiving weekend!
O.k. 2 more stories...

1- We got on the subway from Grand Central to Times Square, then to Columbus Circle, as we got on the train a Woman said to Peter "Do, you kow who is coming to town? Santa is coming to town!" Then she looked at me and said, "Do they know?" Then I said in a very solemn voice, "Oh, it was going to be a surprise." She got this horrified look on her face and apologized profusely. I was totally messing with her, I thought it was hilarious, so did her husband. Idid tell her I was joking.

2- After the parade we ate lunch at a little Deli. Abby was being a little difficult and I noticed David fell behind and leaned down to have a little chat with her. Then 3 blocks later as we were entering Grand Central Station I looked down to notice that Abby didn't have any shoes on!
She sometimes takes her shoes off to punish us. After some debate I headed back to discover two litttle pink shoes set neatly outside the deli where we ate our lunch! Oh, dear sweet Abigail what would we do without you.
We did have our Thanksgiving dinner the week before Thanksgiving and Abby was in charge of the Sea Foam lime Jell-O. She refused to let me stir it. It was a little chunky, but still delightful!

I know I am a little late, but we are very Thankful for our little family and all the many blessings that we enjoy.

Miss Do & Peter too

2008-11-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

My right eye has been twitching for a week. I suspect it is "terrible two's." We love miss Abby, sometimes she is cuter than one can handle. I am fond of telling her she is "cute as a button." We like the way she says it, "I cute a buttn." Yesterday I told her she was cute as a button and she said, "No, I cute as a zuopper." She loves her clothes and has to have all her jackets fully zipped or "zoupped." Otherwise she will chant, "zoup it, zoup it, zoup it." She also says "ye" instead of "you", it's very formal, and "me" instead of "my." I do not correct her language quirks, first beacause they are way too cute, and second even if I did she is too stubborn to change.

Miss Abby has a will of steele, thus the twitching, but we love her so.

Peter is hillarious! David has been teaching him to read. At primary yesterday they asked for a volunteer to read something. He jumped out of his chair and his hand shot up and he said, "Oh, I know how to read." Uhh, not quite ready for the big leages friend. He has also become quite fond of joke telling. He thinks he is hillarous, but again not quite ready for the big leauges.

Pete is quite the big brother. The other day Abby decided she wanted to wear his sweater, and he wanted to wear it too. I let him wear it. A major fit ensued and Abby refused to leave the doorstep.
P: Are we going to leave Abby
Me: I am thinking about it.
P: I don't want to leave my sister.
Me: We are not really going to leave her.
P: Mom, I don't really like this sweater anymore... Abby can wear it.

Crab Party!

2008-11-17T13:29:00.000-08:00

Peter has been totally into Crabs and lobsters since we went camping in Maine last year. He just had to have a Crab Party. He is so social he wanted to invite everyone he has ever met, but David set the limit at 8.

We played Rock Band with Aunt Vicki and Nicki after the party.
David was in charge of the entertainment. Here they are having a frog race, I think the crab race went undocumented.
...and the crab cake. Yeah go ahead and google crab cake and see what happens. I was on my own for this one, luckily I have been watching Ace of Cakes. It is good to have television when the internet fails you. I did also make crab cakes, the savory kind, for the big people.

There really is not anything that could make Peter happier than having a party!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T17:13:00.001-07:00

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I started the kids costumes months ago, I even did a blog post about being done, and yet was sewing the clasp for Abby's cape on at 6:05pm when David came home.

Even with my last minute frenzy Peter and Abby had loads of fun trick or treating!

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

It could be LOVE!

2008-10-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

We went to Virginia last week in search of a new place to call home (in 20 months and 1 day.)
Peter was super upset about the idea of moving. He likes our "house" and Connecticut. Several days with his cousins and a trip to the beach changed his mind pretty quickly. He was ready to stay in Virginia with Davis, he suggested that we find another Peter to take home with us. Then he kept pointing out houses for us to live in on the way home.

Here we are in front of the Governor's house in historic Williamsburg.
This is at the birthplace of George Washington.

I convinced Mike that this pictures would look really great on his myspace page.

Can you tell the door picture was coerced?

Here is Peter at Virginia beach. He had so much much fun! He got a little too close and fell in, he even thought that was fun. He got a new shirt he loved so much it took me 3 days to get it off of him.

David has researched where every oral surgeon in the state of Virginia lives, practices, went to school, and what year they graduated. He is also working on the population to oral surgeon ratio. It is all very intense.

I have to say we like it in Virginia a lot. The weather there in October was way better than the weather in Seattle in June. I have also been told the possibility of staying in CT another 3 years may also exist...

Phone is re-connected

2008-10-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

Our phone works again! After only 10 long phone calls to Vonage, Clyde managed to solve the phone mystery and we are again able to communicate with the world at our old number.

Halloweeen Preview

2008-10-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

I finished Peter's and Abby's costumes today! Hurray!!! This is a new record for me, I usually finish minutes before the first time they wear them. There is still a cape in progress, but I am feeling pretty good about the situation.

Abby's pattern came without the instructions. David said, "It isn't a hard dress, you don't need those." He got a very stern look for that one before he conceded he had no idea what he was talking about. The truth is my Mom taught me the sew by picture method of sewing, so it all worked out. I had to put the zipper in 4 times, and the darts are a total mess, but it is dark on Halloween, so were good. Can anyone explain why a dress for 3-5 year-olds has darts anyway?!

My Mom convinced me I didn't need a pattern for a spider costume. Thanks Mom for the tips on this one. I had to use pink snaps on the bottom, please don't tell Peter. I really want to buy him some shiny black tap shoes to complete the costume, but I don't think he or David would go for that. What do you think?

Watch for a Virginia post, I started one that got deleted.

Pumpkin Picking

2008-10-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

We went to "pick" pumpkins, which technicality is more gathering than picking, but it was super fun! We got our friends the Shamo's to take a break from their house renovations to come with us. David got a new camera for work, and decided to bring it along. On the way I changed the camera instructions to French, I wanted to be funny but not to mean. The joke ended up being on me, and unfortunately the pictures suffered.

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Riding the ferry to "pick" pumpkins has become our little tradition. It is hard to say who likes Ferries most Peter or me.

Phone issues

2008-10-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

We have recently changed our phone provider, then switched back. Apparently, this is more difficult than expected because our phone has been "disconnected" for 2 weeks. I apologize if anyone has been unable to get a hold of us, but I am assured (for the 3rd time) that our phone service should be restored to the old number in the next 24 hours. In the mean time if you need to get us you can 1- send an email, 2-stop on over, or 3- send a pigeon. Sorry again for the inconvenience.

My inner child is making me look nuts!

2008-10-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the Madame Alexander, Wizard of Oz dolls at McDonald's? Well, I love them, and I am determined to collect all 12! They are awesome, the eyes really close! I get that this makes me completely insane, and yet I still want them, for Abby of course. I really hit me today as I went to the drive through today, and had the following conversation.
"Hi, can I get a happy meal with the winged monkey?"
"Uhm... do you want nuggets or a hamburger?"
"Oh yeah, nuggets... and a winged monkey"
Then when I got my food I asked if I could exchange some of my duplicate dolls for different ones. The lady tried to give me a batman toy instead. I am really not the kind of person that gets super picky with restaurant employees, but this is important people!

So far we, I mean, Abby has the Winged Monkey, the Wizard (already MIA) , Lullaby Munchkin (pink hat), and the green Munchkin. In my defense Abby does really like "dollies," and David even commented that we don't have any "girl toys." I think we are going to have to rent the "Wizard of Oz."

Picking for reccession

2008-10-01T17:10:00.000-07:00

I can't help but love New England in the Fall! And I believe picking apples is the quintessential New England Fall activity. I have noticed how my relationship with pick-your-own has morphed over the years. It started out as an fun with friends, back to nature, photo-op, tractor ride kind of event, but is now a food preservation activity. We missed the playgroup apple outing this year because of preschool, but rest assured we got apples. David came for the picking and helped facilitate the transition of a fun outing into a years supply of applesauce. Here we are dressed to work, I know now I should have left the camera or brushed my hair, but I can't post without pictures, even scary ones.

I didn't take any pictures of our applesauce, but it is lovely, and if anyone ever needs any we have lots to share. I don't know exactly what it is, but I love canning. It makes me feel in touch with my roots. I know it sounds crazy, but it is seriously magic to eat food you picked yourself nine months earlier.

Can't help but love a toddler!

2008-09-10T10:02:00.000-07:00

Peter Story #1

After preschool today we were eating lunch when Peter asked: "Mom, can I have a pet Dinosaur?"

Me: "Sorry Peter, but Dinosaurs are extinct."

We have covered the whole extinct thing many times, Abby thinks it is hilarious that dinosaurs "a stink" as she plugs her nose.

So I covered it again, and finally said, "...the dinosaurs all died."

Peter said: "Oh...," paused, looked a little sad, then with renewed hope said: "...I know, we can ask Jesus if he can create them again."

me: "uhmm...that sounds like a great plan."

Peter story #2

Our babysitter told me this story about Peter a few weeks ago.

Peter and Abby were very proudly showing Rachel their belly buttons. Peter asked Rachel if he could see her belly button. She told him that she didn't have one. He was very concerned then asked, "Oh, is that because your not married?"

Funny, funny Peter!

Now Miss Do:

Abby has become quite sweet and lovable lately. She likes to say, "I cute a butt'n" (I am cute as a button).
Here is her personal arrangement of "Twinkle, Twinkle" and what she call "teach me, guide me, find the way" She loves to sing this version of "I am a child of God" over and over again.

Sorry for the dark video. Yes, Abby is now calling her baby "Sister", and no that is not an announcement. Also Peter is playing with the night light through the child proof twisty light switches. Peter and Abby are able to bypass all childproofing measures, so now I guess we just watch and pray for their safety.

There is beauty all around...

2008-09-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

By it's very nature the human condition is fragile. There is a continuous ebb and flow of birth and death. Life is in one moment full of joy and hope, then in another it is wrought with grief and despair. The capacity of the human heart to bear these extremes is remarkable, and when we are unable to bear the grief there is the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

In the past weeks I have been witness to much sadness and loss. I have been moved at the strength of the human spirit to continue in the face of such trial, and yet I have been consumed with proxy sadness. Yet, it seems that great loss and trials do indeed turn the hearts of men to God, then to greater appreciation of the beauty of each day.

With that said, and with greater reverence for present moments, I am grateful for:

and subsequent pies

for our free "sandbox"

and the subsequent messy children

for the miracle of flowers planted from seeds, and watered by rain
for willful pouting sessions
closely followed by a snack, a purse, and a big smile

The humor of my husband (someone brought these from thier garden and these were the only bags he could find)and my handy husband who allowed me a project during my project suspension

I love my family, and the beauty that is "all around when there's love at home". My thoughts and prayers are with those of you during your time of loss.

Did I mention we went to the Pageant?

2008-08-31T12:47:00.001-07:00

In July we went to see the Hill Cumorah pageant. We had a very low tech trip. The air conditioning was broken, the cruise control was broken, and we used an Atlas (a paper one), and we camped! Our first stop was at the Smith farm in Palmyra. Once we got there our low-tech, didn't seem so low-tech after all. The farm was lovely, and as the sun was setting a beam of light shone through the Sacred Grove. It was a Sunday evening and we were alone in the grove. There was a feeling of peace there that reverenced our two rambunctious children straight from a very long drive. It was a place of peace and a place of power.

What about Midlothian?

2008-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

I think I have finally settled on a place to live (as always, my decisions are subject to change). I would like to move here! I found this lovely home in Virginia. David and I think that Virginia may have all the things we love about Connecticut (e.g. seasons, history, good architecture, and good educational and cultural opportunities) without the things we do not love about Connecticut (e.g. very high cost of living, enormous rich/poor gap, snootiness, extreme cold, and poor customer service).

We are below the 2 year mark and are now counting down months, that is 22 if you ignore next week, which I am. I really go back and forth on trying to live in the moment and appreciate every day of my life, and trying to escape into my dreams of the future. I do long to be able to park in a garage attached to my house.

I am really grateful for having amazing friends here, and am in no hurry to leave them. Thank you to those of you who have helped me survive this insane week!

What do you think, Virginia?

Things that go BOOM!

2008-08-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Toaster Plus lighter
Plus 34 inches of pure mischief.

Equals a very large BOOM!
Meet Miss Aidoo: her interests include dressing herself multiple time a day, sleeping with shoes on, dressing her baby, roaring like a dinosaur, insisting all her injuries are the direct result of "Dinosaurs hoouting" her, chemical ingestions, singing, walking on point, having her toes painted, wearing tutus, and most recently pyrotechnics!

Grosgrain

2008-07-30T11:19:00.000-07:00

Reverisble Bird Seed Skirt GIVEAWAY!!!!

So I am totally into this blog grosgrain.
This woman creates amazing children's clothes. I am totally inspired to sew more.

Clarification

2008-07-22T14:56:00.001-07:00

I have never been great at math... When I was talking about picking out 3 pairs of shoes I was talking about myself, Peter, and Abby. Still just the two children.

An easy decision

2008-07-19T12:11:00.001-07:00

I am among the most indecisive people on earth! I know this is a great character flaw, but whose perfect? Today I took the kids shoe shopping for the fall. It turns out the best remedy for indecision, and procrastination is planning as far in advance as possible to allow maximum procrastination and decision time. Only my Mother, Sister, and David fully appreciate the amount of time that it takes me to make one of my most tedious decisions. Which shoes to buy. However, today it was an easy choice. Which one do you think I picked?

Keep in mind I don't give a darn about the WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN!

Cousins

2008-07-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

We had a visit from our cousins, who are also our friends, a few weeks ago. Peter was in heaven!

It took a little coercion to get Tammy to agree to a picture, but I told her it was for her Mother.

These two are our icons of fashion and beauty.
Poor Morgan should get the cousin of the year award for several very long shoulder rides.

Last project for 6 months

2008-06-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

I know it is a little weird to post pictures of my bathroom, but my parents wanted to see the new tile work.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-14T18:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day. Here is Peter preparing to sing for Father's Day in church. He totally knows the words, but when we got the camera out he couldn't seem to remember them.