Have you seen these girls? Oh Em Gee! They are adorable! I hope my guys are just as food savvy as they get older!
Lily and Audrey are 9 year old twin chefs who aspire to make their mark on the culinary world. They love healthy food and creative recipes. If you're in a food-rut you should check out what they're cooking up! They'll definitely be in my next week's menu plan. Love it!
On a way less cool note:
There's this lady. Suing the pre-school over her daughter's lack of achievement?! Sounds a lot like this yahoo who sued her alma mater when she couldn't find a job after graduation. Since when did personal achievement (or lack there of) become someone else's problem?
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Old Homestead
As a part of my resolution (not for the year... just for life) I've decided to create a 'suburban homestead'. When we were trying futilely to sell our townhouse a major motivation for relocating was to get more space for gardening (veggies) and crafts (sewing, painting, furniture). To better embrace the life we have, I resolved to do this now- create a homestead using our townhouse in the 'burbs. 
Step One: We went to the home improvement store! They were both so damn happy to be in the car cart together (which was very cute to see, BTW!). That thing made shopping a breeze because they were contained and entertained the whole time! We got some seeds, some soil and some chicken wire.
Jack loved planting the seeds. And it was a great little activity. He often watches me work on the flower (front) garden and understands about the "baby plants". I'm really excited to see how he experiences the veggie garden as the seeds grow. We planted 2 types of lettuce, radishes and spring onions.
And garlic- which looks exactly like... garlic. Apparently deer don't like garlic so it seemed like a good anti-deer pro-pasta investment. (Technically not everything we've planted is supposed to go in the ground outside while there is still a chance of frost but it was a risk I was willing to take.)
Henry supervised our work from the safety and comfort of the stroller. Since my hernia surgery I've been back to baby-wearing again but there are some activities that are totally ergo unfriendly- working in the garden is one of them.
Step One: We went to the home improvement store! They were both so damn happy to be in the car cart together (which was very cute to see, BTW!). That thing made shopping a breeze because they were contained and entertained the whole time! We got some seeds, some soil and some chicken wire.
Jack loved planting the seeds. And it was a great little activity. He often watches me work on the flower (front) garden and understands about the "baby plants". I'm really excited to see how he experiences the veggie garden as the seeds grow. We planted 2 types of lettuce, radishes and spring onions.
And garlic- which looks exactly like... garlic. Apparently deer don't like garlic so it seemed like a good anti-deer pro-pasta investment. (Technically not everything we've planted is supposed to go in the ground outside while there is still a chance of frost but it was a risk I was willing to take.)
Henry supervised our work from the safety and comfort of the stroller. Since my hernia surgery I've been back to baby-wearing again but there are some activities that are totally ergo unfriendly- working in the garden is one of them. 
He didn't seem to mind.
Monday, March 14, 2011
I wish
I wish I didn't have kids. Or at least I wish I didn't have little kids who needed me daily. I wish I could hop on a plane and fly to Japan and help. I wish I could roll up my sleeves and hand out hugs and supplies and help as much as I can. I must stay here, but as much as my kids need me- I think Japan needs me (all of us) too.
Most of all I wish things like this didn't happen.
Most of all I wish things like this didn't happen.
My case of the Mondays
In case you haven't heard I'm training to become a certified Hatha Yoga instructor. As part of my certification I need to apprentice one of my teachers. Every Monday since January I've been apprenticing in the mornings at my local studio.
Since I'm home with the kids, my Mother-in-Law has awesomely been watching the boys so I can go and learn.
It's a challenge for me, because we're basically supposed to sit and observe. Don't talk, don't correct students who are doing poses incorrectly. Don't walk around. Don't ask questions.
It's been brutal. Learning by observation is not my best learning style. I was always really pissed that I had to take time to do it if I'm being totally honest.
Until I taught my first yoga class. (It is also part of the certification. I need to teach at least 3 yoga classes on my own time.)
Teaching changed how I observe. Before, I was constantly looking for how people could do the poses more correctly, in better alignment, safer. Now I don't look at their bodies as much. I look at their faces. Because yoga makes everyone smile. I noticed it when I taught for the first time, coming out of poses, or getting into a really hard one - people are always smiling.
It's never boring to see, and there is always something to be learned.
Since I'm home with the kids, my Mother-in-Law has awesomely been watching the boys so I can go and learn.
It's a challenge for me, because we're basically supposed to sit and observe. Don't talk, don't correct students who are doing poses incorrectly. Don't walk around. Don't ask questions.It's been brutal. Learning by observation is not my best learning style. I was always really pissed that I had to take time to do it if I'm being totally honest.
Until I taught my first yoga class. (It is also part of the certification. I need to teach at least 3 yoga classes on my own time.) Teaching changed how I observe. Before, I was constantly looking for how people could do the poses more correctly, in better alignment, safer. Now I don't look at their bodies as much. I look at their faces. Because yoga makes everyone smile. I noticed it when I taught for the first time, coming out of poses, or getting into a really hard one - people are always smiling.
It's never boring to see, and there is always something to be learned.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
I am a Domestic Goddess
There are many things I'm not afraid do do around the house. Basic plumbing repairs, basic electrical wiring, and re-finishing a deck- No Problem! Use my sewing machine- NO WAY!
I have finally conquered my sewing machine fear! Fear is probably not the right word, it just seems like I would have to re-teach myself a bunch of stuff and I was hesitant to try to set it all up only to not be able to get it to work.
Then my mother went out of town. Sad but true, I'd ask her to make pillows & curtains for me because I 'couldn't' do it myself. The mom-shaped training wheels got removed and I was forced into readiness!
I wanted to make paper-towel alternatives and I had picked up some great fabric remnants at the store for a steal. So I sliced and diced into different sized pieces- variety is the spice of life!
I did an iron on seam first.
Hot!
Don't you love crisp edges? They're just so.... neat!
I got the sewing machine out of Jack's closet. The last time I used it was, well... not the intended purpose.
My parents gave me this old sewing table, I was psyched to have a place to work. I love that it's tiny and unassuming but it folds out Transformer-style into this gigantic work space. It's awesome!!
Yes, I watched a you tube video on how to use your sewing machine! Thanks to Leigh-Ann's video I am now a domestic goddess! (As per conquering my big homesteading fear... the sewing machine... ::rawr::.)
My complete works.
Gotta make 'em look pretty!
And now my desk is a desk once more. You'd never know that I'm a sci-fi geek moonlighting as a crafty domestic goddess.
I have finally conquered my sewing machine fear! Fear is probably not the right word, it just seems like I would have to re-teach myself a bunch of stuff and I was hesitant to try to set it all up only to not be able to get it to work.
Then my mother went out of town. Sad but true, I'd ask her to make pillows & curtains for me because I 'couldn't' do it myself. The mom-shaped training wheels got removed and I was forced into readiness!I wanted to make paper-towel alternatives and I had picked up some great fabric remnants at the store for a steal. So I sliced and diced into different sized pieces- variety is the spice of life!
I did an iron on seam first.
Hot!
Don't you love crisp edges? They're just so.... neat!
I got the sewing machine out of Jack's closet. The last time I used it was, well... not the intended purpose.My parents gave me this old sewing table, I was psyched to have a place to work. I love that it's tiny and unassuming but it folds out Transformer-style into this gigantic work space. It's awesome!!
Yes, I watched a you tube video on how to use your sewing machine! Thanks to Leigh-Ann's video I am now a domestic goddess! (As per conquering my big homesteading fear... the sewing machine... ::rawr::.)
My complete works.
Gotta make 'em look pretty!
And now my desk is a desk once more. You'd never know that I'm a sci-fi geek moonlighting as a crafty domestic goddess.I'll say it once more for good measure DO-MES-TIC GODD-ESS. Oh yeah!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Gang's All Here!
Henry, Jack, Camille, Jocelyn (and Hostess with the Mostess, Denise), Jillian, Amedeo, Jessica, Brooks and Brenna's to-be-named Uterus Monster.
With pre-school and play groups and second babies getting the remaining members of the Mom's Group together is not easy! (The Mom's Group is for first-time mommas immediately after delivery, run free through the county for any residents and it runs officially for 8 weeks and then we're encouraged to continue meeting on our own. We met starting way back in March 08, and all the kiddos are January or February 08 babies, just look at them, and us, now!)
Brenna read about a cool activity where you make frozen yogurt with a couple of ziplock bags some ice and some salt. Genius! Shake it, Kids!
They're only 3, so the moms did the bulk of the shaking, but it totally counts as a workout! Right?!
I just cut a hole in the inner bag filled with yogurt and let Jack squeeze out the frozen treat!
I'm shocked and pleased they all sat still long enough for a group shot!
With pre-school and play groups and second babies getting the remaining members of the Mom's Group together is not easy! (The Mom's Group is for first-time mommas immediately after delivery, run free through the county for any residents and it runs officially for 8 weeks and then we're encouraged to continue meeting on our own. We met starting way back in March 08, and all the kiddos are January or February 08 babies, just look at them, and us, now!)
Brenna read about a cool activity where you make frozen yogurt with a couple of ziplock bags some ice and some salt. Genius! Shake it, Kids!
They're only 3, so the moms did the bulk of the shaking, but it totally counts as a workout! Right?!
I just cut a hole in the inner bag filled with yogurt and let Jack squeeze out the frozen treat!
I'm shocked and pleased they all sat still long enough for a group shot!Wednesday, March 9, 2011
We're going through a phase
Jack his hilarious and energetic and creative and loving. But right now he's killing my soul. And I mean that in the nicest way.
He's a great listener when I ask him to sit in his seat for a meal, put trash in the trash (or recycling in the recycling), he holds hands in parking lots, washes his own face and hands after meals and helps me cook by pouring and measuring. This is what makes it so frustrating. He's totally capable of following instruction and often does not need to be asked more than once or reminded.
But I feel like I'm constantly trying to pull him and Henry apart. I know Henry's mobile now and his development is really taking off and that must be really threatening for Jack because his toys are no longer 'safe' but I can't take it anymore!
A month ago Jack hardly heard the words "time out". Now I'm sneering them at him 20 times a day because for the millionth time in a row as soon as I say "Jack, please do not push/hit your brother" he does just that.
I'm not sure what to do. Part of me doesn't want to make excuses for him and let him bully his brother because I'm afraid of what it could mean down the line. But part of me wonders if I should be putting him in time out over and over and over because it's clearly not having the desired effect. Maybe he'd respond better to "Henry, are you okay? Did Jack push you? He did. That was not nice." Instead of "I just told you not to push your brother, GO. SIT. IN. TIME OUT."
Most of what I've read online talks about praising them when they're playing together well, and I do quite a lot of that. Please tell me it's going to get better. I don't expect them not to fight, I just would like to be done with the disciplinging Jack at least once an hour every waking hour of the day.
I'm open to any suggestions or pep-talks about how it will get better!
He's a great listener when I ask him to sit in his seat for a meal, put trash in the trash (or recycling in the recycling), he holds hands in parking lots, washes his own face and hands after meals and helps me cook by pouring and measuring. This is what makes it so frustrating. He's totally capable of following instruction and often does not need to be asked more than once or reminded.
But I feel like I'm constantly trying to pull him and Henry apart. I know Henry's mobile now and his development is really taking off and that must be really threatening for Jack because his toys are no longer 'safe' but I can't take it anymore!
A month ago Jack hardly heard the words "time out". Now I'm sneering them at him 20 times a day because for the millionth time in a row as soon as I say "Jack, please do not push/hit your brother" he does just that.
I'm not sure what to do. Part of me doesn't want to make excuses for him and let him bully his brother because I'm afraid of what it could mean down the line. But part of me wonders if I should be putting him in time out over and over and over because it's clearly not having the desired effect. Maybe he'd respond better to "Henry, are you okay? Did Jack push you? He did. That was not nice." Instead of "I just told you not to push your brother, GO. SIT. IN. TIME OUT."
Most of what I've read online talks about praising them when they're playing together well, and I do quite a lot of that. Please tell me it's going to get better. I don't expect them not to fight, I just would like to be done with the disciplinging Jack at least once an hour every waking hour of the day.
I'm open to any suggestions or pep-talks about how it will get better!
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