Last week, I was talking to a neighbor's mom about the newly opened deli in town and she said, "We're not restaurant people or fast food people. We eat at home." This honesty and clarity of this statement really struck me. She wasn't being granola-righteous about it, or judgmental about people who do eat out, or taking a stance on fast food, processed food, or the like. She was telling it like it was for her family: she and her husband are Italian immigrants who raised their family in the Bronx in the 1970s, just when jarred spaghetti sauce was hitting the shelves. I get the sense there wasn't much money, or any need (I just know she is a great cook), to eat out.
Of course, Mama and I are both restaurant and fast food people. In fact, we were trying to decide if, in the 11+ years we have been together, there has been a SINGLE week that has gone by that we haven't eaten out or taken in or stopped for a snack or picked up a bite or gotten some coffee. I don't think so. She can't remember either. I could give all sorts of rationales: we were both working and found cooking nightly meals or organizing sack lunches too challenging; restaurants are one of our major forms of entertainment (in the same breath, I would say that, in 11+ years, we've seen only 4 films in the theater together: Titanic, 2 Harry Potters, and the last LOTR); we travel a lot on weekends. But in the end, we know it's excessive, from a financial and health standpoint.
And so, we have a new goal--once my mom leaves, mind you--we're not going to eat out at all for one whole week: no lunches from the deli with the kids, no coffee from Starbucks, no restaurant meals on weekend outings. Then, maybe we can stretch it to two. Three weeks is a habit, they say. No, we're not trying to eliminate eating out completely--we still find great value in restaurant meals when they're good, interesting, different--but fast and convenient are no longer justifications for us, for the most part (bearing in mind, we still have one working mom and two preschoolers).
I'm not aiming to be my neighbor's quintessential Italian mama cooking three meals a day, but even a little of her approach to eating would go a long way. It's all part of our new eco-parenting, family-centric, pared down, tv-less, "simple" living. I'm just going to have to become a better cook.
Now, if we could survive on baked goods three times a day, we'd be set!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Slow Down
There is going to be a post slow down over the next week. My mom is coming to town. The cleaning and shopping have already begun in earnest and will continue until her arrival on Wednesday afternoon, which leaves little time or thought for posts.
But I know I will have more of both afterwards!
But I know I will have more of both afterwards!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Kitchen Soup
I have been craving soup since the weather turned cold. But I hadn't gotten my act together early enough in the last few days to start a good bean soup from scratch, with dry beans. I threw caution to the wind today and started soup at 4 pm, but with canned beans.
Bud helped drain and rinse cans of small red, dark red, and cannellini beans and then watched me saute onions, celery, and garlic in oil. We added stock, the beans, seasoning (Penzey's Tuscan), and then one can each of stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Later, I boiled some pasta ("finger noodles" at our house, or rigatoni, because Sis especially likes to put them on each of her fingers and eat them off that way).
And it was soup. Eventually. But in the meantime, the kids painted on paper spread out on the floor. What started as an experiment with small Dixie cups as applicators morphed into a whole soup-making game, with Bud fetching pots and spoons, while Sis poured the paint water into various Dixie cups and other containers. Soon, there was colorful soup all over them and the kitchen floor. No matter. They cleaned it all up--themselves, the floor, and the detritus. And I think my floor is cleaner now.
Plus, there was soup, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, for dinner.
Bud helped drain and rinse cans of small red, dark red, and cannellini beans and then watched me saute onions, celery, and garlic in oil. We added stock, the beans, seasoning (Penzey's Tuscan), and then one can each of stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Later, I boiled some pasta ("finger noodles" at our house, or rigatoni, because Sis especially likes to put them on each of her fingers and eat them off that way).
And it was soup. Eventually. But in the meantime, the kids painted on paper spread out on the floor. What started as an experiment with small Dixie cups as applicators morphed into a whole soup-making game, with Bud fetching pots and spoons, while Sis poured the paint water into various Dixie cups and other containers. Soon, there was colorful soup all over them and the kitchen floor. No matter. They cleaned it all up--themselves, the floor, and the detritus. And I think my floor is cleaner now.
Plus, there was soup, topped with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, for dinner.
Huzzah, Part Deux
"I never met a king before," Sis said when introduced to the king at the Renaissance Festival yesterday.
Indeed.
And they'd never met pirates, fairies, queens, knights, ladies, or wenches before either.
Though, they'd been to the Ren Faire as babes in stroller, they couldn't remember having gone and so yesterday was a whole new world. And, at first, it was rather strange and intimidating. Big, costumed, accented people kept greeting and accosting us as we entered. Fun for us as adults used to the Ren Faire banter, but a little overwhelming to a child. It all reminded me of when my sis Aunt Banana was totally freaked out by a witch at the TX Ren Faire and how upset my mom got at the woman for harrassing Banana. But we made it through the crowds and found some music at a distant stage, which was perfect for Bud. We listened to the Brigands sing bawdy songs that fortunately Bud could not decipher beyond identifying the concertina, drums, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. He calmed down soon enough and eventually settled into the festivities and had a good time.
Meanwhile, Sis and Mama headed to the children's section, where they found the sheepdog demo area and "Bunnyville." We were soon all there marvelling at the Border Collie pup, the sheep, ducks, and different rabbits. Later in the day, we actually saw a herding demonstration where the dogs corralled the ducks as well as the sheep. Sis kept asking when the "bunny show" was. But, then, she is very partial to her own stuffed critter, a white bunny named Amy (with sisters named Meg, Jo, and Beth. I wonder when she'll figure that out.).
The kids also loved the toy vendor who wisely sets up a low table and puts out all his figurines and toys and lets all the kids play as long as they want. Two years ago, Bud and Sis had a blast at this booth, even though they weren't even cruising yet and had to be propped up against the table to see, with us nearby to keep them from falling backwards. Bud choose a jousting knight, Sis got a horse, as Mama said they could each choose one. Later, they managed to complete their sets, with Bud getting a horse and Sis getting a knight.
Just in time for the jousting. Again, they didn't understand much of the ribald banter, but they liked watching the people on horseback catch rings on long poles, slice cabbage in half, and throw spears at targets. Indeed, they would have been happy with no talk as long as the people kept riding around. But at least it gave them a better sense of what their little figurines were doing.
It's not the best festival we've been to--Texas and Bristol, WI, and Sterling Forest, NY are bigger, more elaborate, more entertaining--but it's ours now, and their first. No doubt we'll be back every year, to play with the toys, listen to the music, and watch some jousting. Maybe we'll even dress up. And sooner or later, the kiddos won't think it's strange at all.
Indeed.
And they'd never met pirates, fairies, queens, knights, ladies, or wenches before either.
Though, they'd been to the Ren Faire as babes in stroller, they couldn't remember having gone and so yesterday was a whole new world. And, at first, it was rather strange and intimidating. Big, costumed, accented people kept greeting and accosting us as we entered. Fun for us as adults used to the Ren Faire banter, but a little overwhelming to a child. It all reminded me of when my sis Aunt Banana was totally freaked out by a witch at the TX Ren Faire and how upset my mom got at the woman for harrassing Banana. But we made it through the crowds and found some music at a distant stage, which was perfect for Bud. We listened to the Brigands sing bawdy songs that fortunately Bud could not decipher beyond identifying the concertina, drums, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar. He calmed down soon enough and eventually settled into the festivities and had a good time.
Meanwhile, Sis and Mama headed to the children's section, where they found the sheepdog demo area and "Bunnyville." We were soon all there marvelling at the Border Collie pup, the sheep, ducks, and different rabbits. Later in the day, we actually saw a herding demonstration where the dogs corralled the ducks as well as the sheep. Sis kept asking when the "bunny show" was. But, then, she is very partial to her own stuffed critter, a white bunny named Amy (with sisters named Meg, Jo, and Beth. I wonder when she'll figure that out.).
The kids also loved the toy vendor who wisely sets up a low table and puts out all his figurines and toys and lets all the kids play as long as they want. Two years ago, Bud and Sis had a blast at this booth, even though they weren't even cruising yet and had to be propped up against the table to see, with us nearby to keep them from falling backwards. Bud choose a jousting knight, Sis got a horse, as Mama said they could each choose one. Later, they managed to complete their sets, with Bud getting a horse and Sis getting a knight.
Just in time for the jousting. Again, they didn't understand much of the ribald banter, but they liked watching the people on horseback catch rings on long poles, slice cabbage in half, and throw spears at targets. Indeed, they would have been happy with no talk as long as the people kept riding around. But at least it gave them a better sense of what their little figurines were doing.
It's not the best festival we've been to--Texas and Bristol, WI, and Sterling Forest, NY are bigger, more elaborate, more entertaining--but it's ours now, and their first. No doubt we'll be back every year, to play with the toys, listen to the music, and watch some jousting. Maybe we'll even dress up. And sooner or later, the kiddos won't think it's strange at all.
Bacon Day
Mama has been teasing me since my post on baking.
Because she thought I said "bacon" day when I told her about it. Which was confusing, of course, because we don't eat bacon anymore.
Now the kids are confused about baking/bacon.
Which is not the same at all.
Except how I pronounce them . . .
Because she thought I said "bacon" day when I told her about it. Which was confusing, of course, because we don't eat bacon anymore.
Now the kids are confused about baking/bacon.
Which is not the same at all.
Except how I pronounce them . . .
Quintessential Fall Weekend
It's the perfect fall weekend.
Yesterday was cool and crisp and bright and blue-skyed.
Today is gray and damp and overcast and chilly.
I love fall. And I love both kinds of days.
Yesterday was cool and crisp and bright and blue-skyed.
Today is gray and damp and overcast and chilly.
I love fall. And I love both kinds of days.
Bermuda Corner
I've lost something.
Well, it's not even a thing, but I've lost it.
Somewhere in the last two weeks or so, I came across a recipe using cannellini beans, of which I have several cans. I made a note to get the other ingredients but now I can't find the original recipe. And can't even recall what else I bought to go in the dish.
Bother.
I hate it when I can't find something. Both my mom and Mama will tell you that once I lose something (say, a baby blanket, for the most recent, infuriating, but happily-resolved example), I obsess and look until I find it again. Luckily, this is usually fairly fast, but in some instances, it is painfully slow.
Right now, in addition to the cannellini bean recipe, I can't find Bud's yellow paddle from his train book set that allows him to mix and match color paddles to make other colors. I've looked and looked.
And I'm a good looker, so to speak. Mama is always misplacing her keys or wallet or phone, or Sis's Shirt or the like, and I always find them, usually very quickly in very obvious places (today, Mama, the missing Shirt was smack dab in the middle of the coffee table.). So, it's not that I can't find things.
But these things I can't find.
And it's driving me nuts.
I'm going to go look again . . .
Well, it's not even a thing, but I've lost it.
Somewhere in the last two weeks or so, I came across a recipe using cannellini beans, of which I have several cans. I made a note to get the other ingredients but now I can't find the original recipe. And can't even recall what else I bought to go in the dish.
Bother.
I hate it when I can't find something. Both my mom and Mama will tell you that once I lose something (say, a baby blanket, for the most recent, infuriating, but happily-resolved example), I obsess and look until I find it again. Luckily, this is usually fairly fast, but in some instances, it is painfully slow.
Right now, in addition to the cannellini bean recipe, I can't find Bud's yellow paddle from his train book set that allows him to mix and match color paddles to make other colors. I've looked and looked.
And I'm a good looker, so to speak. Mama is always misplacing her keys or wallet or phone, or Sis's Shirt or the like, and I always find them, usually very quickly in very obvious places (today, Mama, the missing Shirt was smack dab in the middle of the coffee table.). So, it's not that I can't find things.
But these things I can't find.
And it's driving me nuts.
I'm going to go look again . . .
Friday, October 3, 2008
Where are We Going?
Eurostar.
Bud is obsessed. There is a picture of the Eurostar in his train book that he has taken a fancy to recently. Yesterday, he actually wanted to know where the Eurostar was, so we got out his landmark world map puzzle and found Europe. We explained that the train went from London to Paris through the Chunnel but there were no city identifications on the map. And he likes the sound of "euro" instead. And so he's shown everyone who will listen where it goes.
Now he's made us promise that he can ride on the Eurostar.
Absolutely.
Bud is obsessed. There is a picture of the Eurostar in his train book that he has taken a fancy to recently. Yesterday, he actually wanted to know where the Eurostar was, so we got out his landmark world map puzzle and found Europe. We explained that the train went from London to Paris through the Chunnel but there were no city identifications on the map. And he likes the sound of "euro" instead. And so he's shown everyone who will listen where it goes.
Now he's made us promise that he can ride on the Eurostar.
Absolutely.
Baking Day
Today is our second "baking day" of Amish Friendship Bread. Last week, we made regular-sized chocolate chunk bread loaves and cinnamon vanilla mini-loaves. Bud liked the former, Sis the latter. Today we made chocolate bread sans chunks and cinnamon vanilla bread cum dried cherries. This time, the vanilla is in the big loaf pans and the chocolate is in the mini-loaf and our new jumbo muffin pan.
Not to worry, we won't eat all that bread. Some loaves are for church, some for our "teacher" last year, some for our teachers this year. Oh, well, and maybe a bit for ourselves. Gotta taste it!
It actually saved our morning. The kids have been at each other's throats all morning. But they wouldn't separate. It was as if their feet were tied together so they couldn't avoid fighting each other to the death. And so, instead of turning on the tv--and for the first time in two weeks, I wished I hadn't consigned it to storage--and instead of separating them upstairs and downstairs (which is almost impossible), I decided we needed to do something . . . together.
And it worked. By cooperating to make bread, taking turns to pour in ingredients and stir, and then cooperating again to make the second batch, and then asking to make a batch of chocolate pudding and finally eating it altogether (all together?? Both.), they actually are getting along much better. Is this reverse psychology? Luck? Exhaustion? Desperation?
But as I type, they are playing Mr/Ms Potato Head together in the other room.
Give me this day, my daily bread baking . . .
Not to worry, we won't eat all that bread. Some loaves are for church, some for our "teacher" last year, some for our teachers this year. Oh, well, and maybe a bit for ourselves. Gotta taste it!
It actually saved our morning. The kids have been at each other's throats all morning. But they wouldn't separate. It was as if their feet were tied together so they couldn't avoid fighting each other to the death. And so, instead of turning on the tv--and for the first time in two weeks, I wished I hadn't consigned it to storage--and instead of separating them upstairs and downstairs (which is almost impossible), I decided we needed to do something . . . together.
And it worked. By cooperating to make bread, taking turns to pour in ingredients and stir, and then cooperating again to make the second batch, and then asking to make a batch of chocolate pudding and finally eating it altogether (all together?? Both.), they actually are getting along much better. Is this reverse psychology? Luck? Exhaustion? Desperation?
But as I type, they are playing Mr/Ms Potato Head together in the other room.
Give me this day, my daily bread baking . . .
Thursday, October 2, 2008
They're Here!!!!
The books came in today!!!! I love book order day. Just walking in the school and seeing bags of books in cubbies made my heart sing.
But I didn't give them to the kiddos immediately. Which was good, because we came home and spent 2 1/2 hours outside having a picnic, delivering the last invitations to Applepalooza, and playing in the yard with a neighbor boy from down the street.
When we came inside, it was book time. We spread out all over my bed upstairs and read through our pile. Sis loved the handled box her set of 12 Diego phonics books came in. She gingerly removed and replaced the books repeatedly. Bud liked the translucent color paddles that came with his book Freight Train and kept making the world around him blue, yellow, or red. We read several of these, even after our playdate with Mama Teacher started.
We read through more of the books at bedtime, including others I had just bought from the book store and ones from the church book sale. There was a sweet book about Owly who asked questions like "How many stars are in the sky?" and "How deep is the ocean?" And a wonderful story about a stray Wish Come True Cat who finds a home. As well as Happy Halloween, Stinky Face, the third in Mama's favorite series about a boy asking crazy questions of his mom. We also have a new read aloud poetry book. And, from our dear friend Miss T, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, the newest one in the series by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
And there are already more books on the way!!!
See, who needs tv?
But I didn't give them to the kiddos immediately. Which was good, because we came home and spent 2 1/2 hours outside having a picnic, delivering the last invitations to Applepalooza, and playing in the yard with a neighbor boy from down the street.
When we came inside, it was book time. We spread out all over my bed upstairs and read through our pile. Sis loved the handled box her set of 12 Diego phonics books came in. She gingerly removed and replaced the books repeatedly. Bud liked the translucent color paddles that came with his book Freight Train and kept making the world around him blue, yellow, or red. We read several of these, even after our playdate with Mama Teacher started.
We read through more of the books at bedtime, including others I had just bought from the book store and ones from the church book sale. There was a sweet book about Owly who asked questions like "How many stars are in the sky?" and "How deep is the ocean?" And a wonderful story about a stray Wish Come True Cat who finds a home. As well as Happy Halloween, Stinky Face, the third in Mama's favorite series about a boy asking crazy questions of his mom. We also have a new read aloud poetry book. And, from our dear friend Miss T, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, the newest one in the series by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
And there are already more books on the way!!!
See, who needs tv?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Good News
The sun is even shining. It's a beautiful day, even though it wasn't supposed to be.
The roof is done, the dryer is fixed, and Gommie is coming for a visit next week. She finally got power back this weekend, after two whole weeks without (though she was living in their beach house that had power). What did she do first? Book a ticket to Connecticut! She'll even be here for our Applepalooza.
With the roofers' dumpster still in the driveway, we cleaned out several big items in the basement and garage. I've made several trips to donate other, still-useful things. I wouldn't say it's neat or clean down there, but it's getting there. Maybe we'll have it cleaned up enough to "finish" by the time the kiddos are in college!
Even the negatives have a positive: the exterminator is coming today to get rid of the yellow jackets that the roofers uncovered in the back wall. And, even though we didn't have Rosh Hashanah "off" yesterday, the kids enjoyed school and have been playing really well together at home.
All in all, it's pretty good right now.
The roof is done, the dryer is fixed, and Gommie is coming for a visit next week. She finally got power back this weekend, after two whole weeks without (though she was living in their beach house that had power). What did she do first? Book a ticket to Connecticut! She'll even be here for our Applepalooza.
With the roofers' dumpster still in the driveway, we cleaned out several big items in the basement and garage. I've made several trips to donate other, still-useful things. I wouldn't say it's neat or clean down there, but it's getting there. Maybe we'll have it cleaned up enough to "finish" by the time the kiddos are in college!
Even the negatives have a positive: the exterminator is coming today to get rid of the yellow jackets that the roofers uncovered in the back wall. And, even though we didn't have Rosh Hashanah "off" yesterday, the kids enjoyed school and have been playing really well together at home.
All in all, it's pretty good right now.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Health and Safety
When the kiddos question us about something like car seats or standing on furniture, we always say, "Mommies are in charge of health and safety." We've covered both in fun ways in the last week.
Safety
This weekend, we went to a local firefighter open house. Despite the rainy weather, the kids had a blast. Of course, climbing in the engines was their favorite activity, followed by seeing the firefighters cut open a car in a mock extrication. Of course, there were free plastic red fire hats and lots of coloring pages, plus informational packets (including a free children's DNA kit for your freezer--ugh, don't even want to think on needing that) for parents. It was even exciting to use the firehouse bathroom, past the room with all their gear. The firefighter in full gear and actually breathing oxygen through a mask was frightening but at least now is familiar (kids apparently and understandably freak out and then hide when fully-dressed firefighters enter their rooms. I guess it's good that there are not hiding places in Bud and Sis's room.) And they got to practice dialing 9-1-1 on a telephone during an emergency. I can just see Sis calling 9-1-1 if Bud takes a toy or vice versa.
But the most memorable part was the mock fire. They had a truck fitted out like a small house that you could enter. After a brief introduction it filled with smoke, the alarms went off, and you exited. It was designed to introduce people to what it might be like (minus the noxious fumes and heat, but complete with inability to see and fear). The only down-side: they split up the parents and the kids. I know this would be true life--if the alarm here goes off in the night (which studies show, kids almost never hear), we'll be in different rooms--but it was unsettling to all of us. Sis listened closely to the kids' presentation on "get low and go" and was proud to be the second person out the little window, where we were waiting (adults got to go out the door, thank goodness), but Bud got separated from her and pushed to the back of the pack, where it was the smokiest. He was a little rattled, but came out the window by himself. He repeatedly said he didn't like the smoky room, but we reassured him that now he knew what to do. He's been fine since. And we'll re-visit it all when we set off our house alarm and practice our drill next weekend (we would've done it last weekend but never got to it).
Health
We met the tooth fairy this week. She came to our library, fully dressed in a pink gown with little white applique molars all over. Her wings were even molar-shaped! She talked about good brushing habits with her puppet friend Oscar (who "spit" on the children and was put in time out--Sis's favorite part), thumb sucking with Silly Sally (don't suck on it, sit on it--Bud like the sitting on his thumb part. Sis called Sally "the sucker"), what it's like at the dentist's office with masks and gloves and tools and "Mr. Thirsty", and how her tooth fairy castle is completely made of teeth. She even had two real teeth to show the kiddos, one healthy and one with a cavity (collective ewwwwhhhh here).
And what did the kids remember most from this visit? A video about a giraffe with a new tooth who dreams of a scary "King Cavity" and then helps him get good dental care (all made by Crest, of course). This really unnerved Bud, who has had a close call with "King Cavity" and had to have some cracked baby enamel in two teeth (genetic? grinding? accident of birth?) repaired at the dentist a few weeks ago to prevent cavities. The tooth fairy kept blaming cavities on the kids' brushing and eating habits, which I thought was unfair and not entirely true, in Bud's case anyway. But I kept telling him it was okay. And also that he could still have his loveys since it wasn't the same as thumbsucking (he rarely actually sucks on them). In the end, at least, they seemed to remember, in addition to the scary video, that brushing your tongue prevents bad breath and that you shouldn't share toothbrushes.
Gotta be healthy and safe, you know.
Safety
This weekend, we went to a local firefighter open house. Despite the rainy weather, the kids had a blast. Of course, climbing in the engines was their favorite activity, followed by seeing the firefighters cut open a car in a mock extrication. Of course, there were free plastic red fire hats and lots of coloring pages, plus informational packets (including a free children's DNA kit for your freezer--ugh, don't even want to think on needing that) for parents. It was even exciting to use the firehouse bathroom, past the room with all their gear. The firefighter in full gear and actually breathing oxygen through a mask was frightening but at least now is familiar (kids apparently and understandably freak out and then hide when fully-dressed firefighters enter their rooms. I guess it's good that there are not hiding places in Bud and Sis's room.) And they got to practice dialing 9-1-1 on a telephone during an emergency. I can just see Sis calling 9-1-1 if Bud takes a toy or vice versa.
But the most memorable part was the mock fire. They had a truck fitted out like a small house that you could enter. After a brief introduction it filled with smoke, the alarms went off, and you exited. It was designed to introduce people to what it might be like (minus the noxious fumes and heat, but complete with inability to see and fear). The only down-side: they split up the parents and the kids. I know this would be true life--if the alarm here goes off in the night (which studies show, kids almost never hear), we'll be in different rooms--but it was unsettling to all of us. Sis listened closely to the kids' presentation on "get low and go" and was proud to be the second person out the little window, where we were waiting (adults got to go out the door, thank goodness), but Bud got separated from her and pushed to the back of the pack, where it was the smokiest. He was a little rattled, but came out the window by himself. He repeatedly said he didn't like the smoky room, but we reassured him that now he knew what to do. He's been fine since. And we'll re-visit it all when we set off our house alarm and practice our drill next weekend (we would've done it last weekend but never got to it).
Health
We met the tooth fairy this week. She came to our library, fully dressed in a pink gown with little white applique molars all over. Her wings were even molar-shaped! She talked about good brushing habits with her puppet friend Oscar (who "spit" on the children and was put in time out--Sis's favorite part), thumb sucking with Silly Sally (don't suck on it, sit on it--Bud like the sitting on his thumb part. Sis called Sally "the sucker"), what it's like at the dentist's office with masks and gloves and tools and "Mr. Thirsty", and how her tooth fairy castle is completely made of teeth. She even had two real teeth to show the kiddos, one healthy and one with a cavity (collective ewwwwhhhh here).
And what did the kids remember most from this visit? A video about a giraffe with a new tooth who dreams of a scary "King Cavity" and then helps him get good dental care (all made by Crest, of course). This really unnerved Bud, who has had a close call with "King Cavity" and had to have some cracked baby enamel in two teeth (genetic? grinding? accident of birth?) repaired at the dentist a few weeks ago to prevent cavities. The tooth fairy kept blaming cavities on the kids' brushing and eating habits, which I thought was unfair and not entirely true, in Bud's case anyway. But I kept telling him it was okay. And also that he could still have his loveys since it wasn't the same as thumbsucking (he rarely actually sucks on them). In the end, at least, they seemed to remember, in addition to the scary video, that brushing your tongue prevents bad breath and that you shouldn't share toothbrushes.
Gotta be healthy and safe, you know.
Thinking of Her
Our thoughts go out to Miss T whose Omi passed away on Sunday. She heads north for the funeral this weekend.
We're thinking of you and wishing you well.
We're thinking of you and wishing you well.
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Roof Over Our Heads
There is pounding and thumping and scraping overhead. A team of roofers is ripping off three-quarters of a century of roofing on this house. It will take a few days to the whole week, depending, I'm sure on how many (not if) quirky challenges they find.
I'll keep you posted.
I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Of Pickles, Prizes, and Prayers
We spent the whole day at our church's festival today, praying for no rain (well, we're UUs, so I can't really be sure if there were actual prayers said, just wishes, hopes, vibes, tidings, but I'm not sure about prayers). It didn't rain and we had a great day. (Hmmm, so what does that say about prayer or the lack of it? I mean, Falwell thought the gays caused Hurricane Andrew. Has anyone wondered why Houston got hit by Ike? Too much attention to Mammon? I digress). I was there early to set up the baked goods table, complete with cookbook, and the kiddos and Mama arrived when the fair opened to the public.
We played lots of games and won lots of little trinkets: there was duck toss and fishing and egg hunt and bean bag toss, all of which I think they actually remembered from last year. And, like last year, the kind coordinators of the booth let the kids have several turns playing each game without requiring tickets (though we did also buy at least $10 in tickets to play too). There was a new trinkets table--the church email announcing it said to bring all your junky little toys from fast food meals and the like and so I had intended to steer away from this completely because we don't need anymore of those--where Bud purchased a rocket ship (and not a cheap meal toy at all) for 25 cents much to his continued delight (and to that of the adults around us at lunch when he asked me "to put the rocket in my pocket."). Sis won a Pet Shop game with little pet figurines and also a stuffed Siamese cat at the Nothing But Nets fundraising booth for malaria nets--that and the kettle corn were her favorite parts. Bud loved the music--the techno sampler, the folk strings, the acoustic singalong, anything with a fiddle/violin. They also had their hands painted with spiders (Bud) and cats (Sis), but insisted on washing them off the moment we got home. Mama and I bought some books--a vegetarian cookbook for me and lots of kids books--and found a few tag sale treasures, including some really cheap but solid dollhouse furniture (most likely for Sis eventually) and a wooden plaque with a cat (the hobo sign for "a kind-hearted woman lives here), that we have intended to buy from Signals or Wireless or Paragon or whatever that catalog is for years. We saw several good friends--thank you, thank you, oh good-natured ladies who bought the cookbook (and to Mama Teacher who baked dozens of muffins to sell!)--and also a couple of people we haven't seen in ages. It was a really wonderful day.
The only downsides: I don't think we sold many cookbooks. And I saw our kiddos' carseats for sale at the tag sale--offered up with our knowledge and approval by the person we'd passed them to--but still kinda bittersweet to come across, since Harvest Festival was their very first outdoor outing in those very carseats 3 years ago, when they were only about 2 months old. Oh, they were cute in these little white and yellow sleepers with matching hats; we have pictures. Time flies. But I think I'm glad we have these annual traditions and rituals to help us mark it as it goes.
But what will the kids remember most? Something a new congregant taught them at the end of the day:
"Give me five,
On the side,
Cut the pickle,
Tickle, tickle!"
Oh, this was exceedingly hilarious and too fun not to share with everyone, especially Mama, me, and each other. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. If you see us during the week, definitely ask them about the "pickle thing."
Just make sure I'm nowhere nearby.
We played lots of games and won lots of little trinkets: there was duck toss and fishing and egg hunt and bean bag toss, all of which I think they actually remembered from last year. And, like last year, the kind coordinators of the booth let the kids have several turns playing each game without requiring tickets (though we did also buy at least $10 in tickets to play too). There was a new trinkets table--the church email announcing it said to bring all your junky little toys from fast food meals and the like and so I had intended to steer away from this completely because we don't need anymore of those--where Bud purchased a rocket ship (and not a cheap meal toy at all) for 25 cents much to his continued delight (and to that of the adults around us at lunch when he asked me "to put the rocket in my pocket."). Sis won a Pet Shop game with little pet figurines and also a stuffed Siamese cat at the Nothing But Nets fundraising booth for malaria nets--that and the kettle corn were her favorite parts. Bud loved the music--the techno sampler, the folk strings, the acoustic singalong, anything with a fiddle/violin. They also had their hands painted with spiders (Bud) and cats (Sis), but insisted on washing them off the moment we got home. Mama and I bought some books--a vegetarian cookbook for me and lots of kids books--and found a few tag sale treasures, including some really cheap but solid dollhouse furniture (most likely for Sis eventually) and a wooden plaque with a cat (the hobo sign for "a kind-hearted woman lives here), that we have intended to buy from Signals or Wireless or Paragon or whatever that catalog is for years. We saw several good friends--thank you, thank you, oh good-natured ladies who bought the cookbook (and to Mama Teacher who baked dozens of muffins to sell!)--and also a couple of people we haven't seen in ages. It was a really wonderful day.
The only downsides: I don't think we sold many cookbooks. And I saw our kiddos' carseats for sale at the tag sale--offered up with our knowledge and approval by the person we'd passed them to--but still kinda bittersweet to come across, since Harvest Festival was their very first outdoor outing in those very carseats 3 years ago, when they were only about 2 months old. Oh, they were cute in these little white and yellow sleepers with matching hats; we have pictures. Time flies. But I think I'm glad we have these annual traditions and rituals to help us mark it as it goes.
But what will the kids remember most? Something a new congregant taught them at the end of the day:
"Give me five,
On the side,
Cut the pickle,
Tickle, tickle!"
Oh, this was exceedingly hilarious and too fun not to share with everyone, especially Mama, me, and each other. Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. If you see us during the week, definitely ask them about the "pickle thing."
Just make sure I'm nowhere nearby.
Friday, September 26, 2008
A Week of Changes
So, it's been a week of change: first, the tv ended up in the basement; then we cut up our credit cards (except one each for emergencies, to be kept NOT in my purse, just another way to cut spending in these uncertain financial times); we have been substantially cutting down on laundry because our dryer is still broken and Sears won't be here until next week (it's under warranty, luckily); and I have a new plan--one dish per person and you must wash your own! I read about it in a magazine. Some lady with 8 kids always had a pile of dishes in the sink and a fight on her hands to get someone to do it. So they each got one bowl-like plate that they decorated with their names and each is in charge of washing his or her own. I'm not going to take it quite that far but I did have the kiddos wash their own plates along with their hands today. And they loved it!! I think we might have something here. Maybe I'll invest in a fun sponge with the soap in the handle--this will also save soap. They've always loved playing in the water in the sink. Time to turn fun into usefulness. Getting older sucks, right? Yeah, but already being older and figuring these things out is great!
Self-Awareness
Sis just turned to me, "We're sick."
"Yes, you are."
"We'll have to stay home from school."
School isn't for 5 days so I assured her we were going to do everything we could to get both Bud and Sis over the sniffles by then. But it was touching and bittersweet to see her little face register that she was, indeed, under the weather. I'm not sure they've ever put a name to being sick before, even though they've had enough colds.
Let's hope it's a rare occurrence. And not just because I want them to go to school, but because they want to go to school.
"Yes, you are."
"We'll have to stay home from school."
School isn't for 5 days so I assured her we were going to do everything we could to get both Bud and Sis over the sniffles by then. But it was touching and bittersweet to see her little face register that she was, indeed, under the weather. I'm not sure they've ever put a name to being sick before, even though they've had enough colds.
Let's hope it's a rare occurrence. And not just because I want them to go to school, but because they want to go to school.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Like Mothers, Like Children
So, we were examining the book order form today, trying to decide what to get.
Bud spotted Zen Shorts and wanted that. But we already have a copy upstairs. It's one of our favorite nighttime books.
He replied, "So, we need one for upstairs and one for downstairs."
Bud spotted Zen Shorts and wanted that. But we already have a copy upstairs. It's one of our favorite nighttime books.
He replied, "So, we need one for upstairs and one for downstairs."
My Car is Home
My minivan came home tonight, after almost 7 weeks in the shop.
It has a new hood, a totally new paint job, new driver door, new bumpers, and I think new front bummer and headlights.
And I'm devastated.
I don't know if it's because seeing it brought back all the stress of the storm and the days following, or if it's because I missed the car (which I never would have guessed because I am not a car person), or because the paint job seems darker, or because all my bumper stickers are gone, or because there are shards of glass and metal in all the little crevices despite an obviously good interior vacuum, or because there are smudgy, greasy handprints in odd places on the roof upholstery.
The kids jumped right in and were driving and having a happy time until I shooed their little barefoot selves out of the car. They went in to bathe and I went back out and sat in the driver's seat and wept.
Mom, I know you're not online right now because your part of Houston still doesn't have power, but is this how you felt after the burglary? after the fire? after the various floods at Dad's shop? after his Suburban was carjacked with you right there? right now, after Hurricane Ike? Just a little violated, a little unsure, a little overwhelmed, a little depressed? I know in the long run, or even in the short term, that everything is okay. It's just a car. And the car is still just fine. And we're all okay. But it doesn't feel like ours again yet.
Even if, in the end, my UU chalice medallion that hangs from my rearview mirror is intact, unscathed, and still in place, despite all the damage and clean-up. Surely, that's a sign.
It has a new hood, a totally new paint job, new driver door, new bumpers, and I think new front bummer and headlights.
And I'm devastated.
I don't know if it's because seeing it brought back all the stress of the storm and the days following, or if it's because I missed the car (which I never would have guessed because I am not a car person), or because the paint job seems darker, or because all my bumper stickers are gone, or because there are shards of glass and metal in all the little crevices despite an obviously good interior vacuum, or because there are smudgy, greasy handprints in odd places on the roof upholstery.
The kids jumped right in and were driving and having a happy time until I shooed their little barefoot selves out of the car. They went in to bathe and I went back out and sat in the driver's seat and wept.
Mom, I know you're not online right now because your part of Houston still doesn't have power, but is this how you felt after the burglary? after the fire? after the various floods at Dad's shop? after his Suburban was carjacked with you right there? right now, after Hurricane Ike? Just a little violated, a little unsure, a little overwhelmed, a little depressed? I know in the long run, or even in the short term, that everything is okay. It's just a car. And the car is still just fine. And we're all okay. But it doesn't feel like ours again yet.
Even if, in the end, my UU chalice medallion that hangs from my rearview mirror is intact, unscathed, and still in place, despite all the damage and clean-up. Surely, that's a sign.
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