A Few of My Favorite Things

Little Girls and Fairy Wings - I wish the magic of childhood found a more prominant place in my memory. That's what daughters are for I suppose. What would I do if I didn't have her to remind of the beauty and magic of Fairy Wings and other imaginary things. And is it blaspheme when your 4 year old questions God's wisdom in light of the fact that he clearly forgot to give us wings? How could He commit such an oversight?


Little Boys and Potty Training (esp when big sisters help) - I must say I am behind on this one. Hesitant because invariably whenever I sit down to nurse Damon, Matt has to go to the bathroom. . . and he won't do it without help. So it is either me stooping over the john with one clinging for dear life and food to the teet, while I make a rather comical attempt at teaching the other how to wrap up business and keep it where it needs to go. . .OR a 'big sister' trying to help him. Hmm. . . I struggle as grown woman, with many years of 'going to bathroom' experience, with how to teach a little boy to go. How is my 4 year old little girl who is just barely beginning to notice certain anatomical differences, supposed to do it? Well, as long as I don't have too many more of these experiences: and we don't miss the window of opportunity entirely, resulting in a grown man with no restroom skills I suppose I will chortle along with the rest of you, and enjoy the memories I am creating with my children. . . .


The sound of cicadas - When we first moved here oh. . . 11 years ago. . . I was rather frightened of these bugs. . . greatful I never actually saw them, only heard their zappy, electric, eery song. But the other night as Alaina and I went on a "dusk bike ride" as she calls them, I heard these grasshopper like bugs, zipping out there quirky yet unique cant, I finally became acquainted and rather enamored with them. Still glad I can't see them, still glad I don't know exactly how many it takes to reach the startling volume they get to, but no longer afraid of them, and more intrigued with their peerless voices. And now they will be associated with the quiet, and special 'dusk bike rides' that Alaina and I enjoy on occasion, part of a sweet memory now.


Twilight Bike Rides - see above and read on. . . it must be a combination of the simple and the profound changes I witness when I walk behind her, straining to hear what she is babbling about up ahead of me, so when she pauses, I will have the proper response awaiting. The sun setting, making the mountains to the east a husky purple, the sky above a calming splash of warm pastel blues, pinks, yellows and reds. Alaina's own red hair, both infused with more fire and cooled by the twilight around her. The way she sits more confident atop the pink and white seat, the way she pedals slightly faster and stronger than the last trip down the road. Both moving further away from me and yet closer too, as she grows more confident in herself, and I witness the little woman she is becoming. This is one of my favorite things.

Say Uncle!

Alaina decided she didn't want me as her mommy anymore.

Alaina: "I want a different mommy."

Wicked Witch (me): "Well you only get one mommy, sorry but you can't trade me for a new one."

Alaina: "Well then I am not going to call you mommy anymore. I'll call you another name. I'll call you Uncle"

Ooohh. How nasty is that? (Chuckle chuckle:))

Yumm!

This recipe turned out FANTASTIC. Little kick to it. . . so just a heads up. Mine didn't turn out as pretty as hers, but so good! Sorry so quick. . .lots of work to do and it is already 11pm. I will post later about birthdays, vacations, camping, and more!

Ear Aches and Lucky Breaks

Matt's ear was really hurting him so we got a dr. appt for the morning. All he wanted to do that morning was sit in front of the tv with a blanket, and he kept asking me to come hold him. . . that is a Defiinte sign that he wasn't feeling well. I told him we would go to the doctor and she would give us some medicine to help it feel better, and he was surprisingly very excited about that. I guess the fear of the doctor was no competition for the pain he was in. I sent Alaina with a friend to a swim party and the two boys and I headed off to the doctor with plenty of time to spare. Until we were about a block away from our destination. I heard Matt's little voice from way in the back seat say, "Mom, I have to throw up." Matt has always been so good about telling us when he has to throw, plenty of warning to get him to the toilet or the sink. . .I was sure I had time to get to the side of the road, which I promptly did. But alas, there was no holding back on his part, and I could hear the disaster from the front seat. The poor boy was covered, COVERED, in it. Not a dry piece of clothing. . .even his diaper had chunks in it. So I stripped him down, while calling the dr. office to let them know I would be a bit behind schedule (they were so ornery. . . told me I couldn't be more than 15 minutes late, luckily we were just around the corner). Then as I was trying to console my sick, sad and naked little boy and change his diaper at the same time. . . the darn thing broke, I ripped the veclro tab right off! So now I have a diaperless, naked, vomiting little boy, and a really stinky car.Needless to say we did get to the doctor on time, Matthew was adorned in an overly large and fairly used Quiznos shirt (which he was embarrassed to be in, but was greatful that Daddy took time out of his busy day to come rescue us in true hero fashion) and a diaper which hung loosely around one leg. What a zoo! I looked like the mother of the year to be sure. But 20 minutes later, and a few tears to boot, we had a prescription and a promise of a much better feeling ear in a few days. "But No Swimming For a Week" said the doctor. (Not if you have Chuck for a daddy!) The rule has been no head under the water. . . He would be miserable without the pool.

$98 dollar miracle ear healing solution! (Worth it to see a smile on his face again)

But I guess the Lord figured that with all the ear aches and such, he would give me a lucky break! I found this in the parking lot at Carl's Jr. on Saturday. Just lying in the middle of an empty parking lot, waiting for someone to come rescue it from the blistering asphalt and scorching sun. Perchance a car should run over it and crush it to oblivion?

Works and everything! Any game suggestions? It had Monster Jam in it already!

For Denise

Ok, I have never been too terribly in to the whole Halloween thing, especially not when compared to Denise, who is absolutey amazing when it comes to all things Halloween and party related. Her talent has piqued my interest! And isn't that what talent should be all about anyway? Ya know, doing something you love and are good at, which in turn helps others see things in a new and exciting way? So Denise, your talent has touched me! Even if it does bring me to this gorgeously gruesome grist!

And Denise. . . I soo wish I lived closer to you. . . I would so be in line with you for both movies. . .that is if you would have me.

OH MY HEEAAVENS!

These look more than heavenly! I think I will take a whirl and make them for the ladies I visit teach this month! Wouldn't you love to see me if I showed up at your door with a plate full of this scrum-diddlie-umptious goodness? I would love to see me!

Picky Palate has THE BEST recipes on it. I am not a cook, ask my husband, but I am inspired by Jenny's talent and willingness to share. She uses so many things that I already have sitting around, it doesn't make shopping too stressful. . .and if her kids will eat it, hopefully mine will at least try it. I am addicted to her blog. . anxious to see what new beautiful dish she will share!

Crafty Aspirations

Think I am going to attempt to make my own version of these. Matt has been enthralled with imagining that monsters are under his bed or in the closets, worth foes for him and his trusty sword. (Whilst he slept, Alaina insisted we purchase it for him as we were leaving Seaworld not too long ago. It was sweet, I thought she had changed her mind from a safe and sensible purchase of a stuffed Shamu. When she told me she wanted a bulky plastic sword I was adamant that she was not getting that. . . she broke down in tears. Finally, frustrated and frazzled she was able to explain to her dumb mommy that she wanted to get it for Matt. Now that made sense).

So anyway, maybe surprising him these will add a few more minutes of entertainment to his already extravagant role playing adventure. O how I wish I could be swept swiftly away by a brave knight to my yesteryear with only monsters, dragons and evil witches hiding dauntingly in the dark corners of my closet to battle.