"Let's get the effword out of here" . . . Ethan's exact words as we were standing in the greeting card section of Festival tonight.
"What did you just say?" I gasped . . . taken aback.
"I didn't say the f-word . . . I said effword.
"But Ethan, you implied that you meant the f-word . . . and that's naughty language. You can't say that."
"But I didn't say the word, I said effword."
"But still, it's as if you are saying it, and it's inappropriate to talk that way, so don't even say effword, ok?"
"OK . . . "
Friday, November 11, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Laces
Shortly after I purchased Lego sneakers for both my boys yesterday, I realized I'd also added another item to my "to do" list: teaching them how to tie their shoes.
Ethan had requested shoes with Velcro closure, but I honestly thought the sneakers at Footlocker with Velcro closure looked dorky, so I encouraged him to get the ones with laces.
He reminded me that he doesn't know how to tie his shoes, so I assured him that I would teach him.
Well, he hasn't yet put on his new sneaks. But Colby has. And Colby asked me to teach him how to tie. So we had a brief lesson yesterday.
Then today, as I was right in the middle of the hardest part of my Jillian Michaels kettle bell workout DVD, Colby decided to put on his new sneakers . . . and of course . . . wanted to learn how to tie.
So, being the workout fanatic that I am, I appointed Quinn to the task.
I casually observed the lesson, and thought it was going well until Colby suddenly lay on the floor, sucking his thumb.
And that's how the lesson went.
Ethan had requested shoes with Velcro closure, but I honestly thought the sneakers at Footlocker with Velcro closure looked dorky, so I encouraged him to get the ones with laces.
He reminded me that he doesn't know how to tie his shoes, so I assured him that I would teach him.
Well, he hasn't yet put on his new sneaks. But Colby has. And Colby asked me to teach him how to tie. So we had a brief lesson yesterday.
Then today, as I was right in the middle of the hardest part of my Jillian Michaels kettle bell workout DVD, Colby decided to put on his new sneakers . . . and of course . . . wanted to learn how to tie.
So, being the workout fanatic that I am, I appointed Quinn to the task.
I casually observed the lesson, and thought it was going well until Colby suddenly lay on the floor, sucking his thumb."What just happened?" I asked Quinn.
"I don't know, he's just laying there, not even trying," she said.
"Well, be patient, he's just learning."
"Mom, I showed him once and he can't do it. I knew how to do it after the first try."
"No, I'm sure you needed a few tries."
"No, I didn't. I was doing it after the first time somebody showed me. I remember."
"Quinn, I don't think so. I'm sure you needed practice."
"No, I didn't. I learned after the first try. I was tying my shoes before Colby was even born. I don't know what's taking him so long."
"Quinn, why don't you take a break. I think he's frustrated."
"I'm just saying, I knew how after one try. He should be able to do it now too."
And that's how the lesson went.More Art
A few more pics from the art sculpture place we visited today . . .
The boys were fascintated by the tadpoles swimming in this manmade pond . . .
This was interesting - it was called, "Skinscape" or something like that. I told them they were on top of a huge zit. Heeheehee.
The boys were fascintated by the tadpoles swimming in this manmade pond . . .
This was interesting - it was called, "Skinscape" or something like that. I told them they were on top of a huge zit. Heeheehee.Waterfall
After Franconia, we headed to St. Croix Falls . . . just beautiful, especially after the heavy rain last night.
The kids had a great time splashing around in bare feet in the stream. Colby's brand new Lego sneakers got trashed in the puddles - bummer. He's owned them for 24 hours. I hope once the mud dries I can clean them up for his first day of preschool Tuesday.
We hiked a short trail to the river and the kids tried skipping rocks.
It's so nice to have a great day doing things that are fun --and free. We almost went to Valley Fair today . . . but I honestly think they had a better time doing this.
Tonight Quinn stayed with Bridget for a sleepover and the boys and I had a fun time at home. I just finished reading them books and tucked them into bed. They are so content. I love my little family.
Art
Enjoyed another lovely day with my children today. First of all, they let me sleep in until nearly 10am . . . the secret being Red Box Wii game rental the night before. They quietly pad out of their beds and head straight downstairs for early morning gaming. So, while I tell myself they are being considerate . . .which they are . . .their motivation is also part sneakiness - hoping I don't hear them tip toeing down the hallway for video games and risking me grumbling "No" or "One hour only!" on their way by my bedroom door.
After breakfast, Colby joined me on the deck outside as I soaked in a little late morning warmth and sun. As I stretched my arms upward and leaned back in my chair for a stretch, he laughed. "Mom, you have hair in your armpits. Just like Daddy."
I glanced at my underarms. "That's stubble."
"Stubble? Well, it's not long like Daddy's. His is like this long (as he demos a lengthy lock of axillary fluff on himself).
Then he looks at my legs and says, "See, you have it here, too."
I glance at my stubbly legs. I can't argue.
"And sometimes, Mommy, when you kiss me, there's something pokey on my chin, coming from your chin."
So I ask him to look at my chin and tell me if he sees anything.
"No, there's nothing there. But sometimes it feels pokey on me."
That would be the 2 stubborn errant hairs that recur every several weeks. What he doesn't know is that I plucked them out on Thursday.
Later on, we joined Bridget and her kids for a visit to Franconia Sculpture Park. I hadn't been in a couple of years and was pleased to see some new art.
Like this:
This one was particularly interesting to me - I know Old Orchard Beach - it's in Maine - and I think I "got" the artistic expression. Let's just say that OOB isn't the most natural of scenes.
After breakfast, Colby joined me on the deck outside as I soaked in a little late morning warmth and sun. As I stretched my arms upward and leaned back in my chair for a stretch, he laughed. "Mom, you have hair in your armpits. Just like Daddy."
I glanced at my underarms. "That's stubble."
"Stubble? Well, it's not long like Daddy's. His is like this long (as he demos a lengthy lock of axillary fluff on himself).
Then he looks at my legs and says, "See, you have it here, too."
I glance at my stubbly legs. I can't argue.
"And sometimes, Mommy, when you kiss me, there's something pokey on my chin, coming from your chin."
So I ask him to look at my chin and tell me if he sees anything.
"No, there's nothing there. But sometimes it feels pokey on me."
That would be the 2 stubborn errant hairs that recur every several weeks. What he doesn't know is that I plucked them out on Thursday.
Later on, we joined Bridget and her kids for a visit to Franconia Sculpture Park. I hadn't been in a couple of years and was pleased to see some new art.
Like this:
This one was particularly interesting to me - I know Old Orchard Beach - it's in Maine - and I think I "got" the artistic expression. Let's just say that OOB isn't the most natural of scenes.
This one was called, "Evening".
After touring outdoor sculptures for a couple of hours, we enjoyed a picnic lunch, and then headed to St. Croix Falls for ice cream. I'll post those pictures next.
After touring outdoor sculptures for a couple of hours, we enjoyed a picnic lunch, and then headed to St. Croix Falls for ice cream. I'll post those pictures next.Thursday, September 1, 2011
Foodie
This burger I made tonight was disgusting. In fact, I might not eat another hamburger for a long time. Even Colby, my Hamburgler, didn't like it. He asked, "What's this?" and I said, "A hamburger." He said, "I don't like ham. I'm not eating it." I couldn't blame him. I don't know what it was . . . but it was just plain yucky.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
These, on the other hand, were deeee-licious. We made these cupcakes for Ms. Becky and the daycare kids last week. She's taken care of us for 5 years . . . in fact, she's had Colby since he was 7 weeks old.
The kids each made a card for her, too.G'night!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's -
Last night after his bath this little superhero declared a new name for himself . . . .
"Pull-up Man."
"Pull-up Man."
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Personal Bitch Session
Ok I don't know what happened between the hours of 6 and 8 pm, but my previously decent day took a steep nosedive tonight. And I need to rant.
The first event occurred in the Target parking lot. I was unloading my cart at the rear of my vehicle. Cars flanked mine . . . no big deal. I had an armful of items that I wanted to place in the front seat, and being that the cart corral was on the passenger side of the vehicle, 2 spots down from mine, I decided to open the passenger door and place my cinnamon sugar pretzel, diet Coke, and the kids treats in the front that way. I opened the door, and it made the usual deep squeak sound it makes. I placed the items in the seat, and as I stepped back and turned to slam the door closed, I noticed a woman in the driver seat of the car parked next to mine, looking at me with a rather ugly expression. I didn't think it was directed at me, but it occurred to me that she maybe wanted to get out of her car and was pissed she had to wait, so I just continued on my way, returned to the rear of my vehicle to get the cart and take it to the corral. As I walked back toward my car, the woman from the car was standing at the rear of mine. I looked up and started to say, "Hi," and nod, when she laid into me.
"YOU NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL!" she yelled.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"YOU NEED TO WATCH WHAT YOU'RE DOING!"
"Um . . .excuse me?" I asked
"YOU SLAMMED YOUR CAR DOOR INTO MINE!"
"I don't think I did."
"YES YOU DID!"
"Im sorry you think that, but I know I didn't."
"YES-----YOU DID!"
"Did it leave a mark? Because if it did I would want take care of it . . ."
"NO! IT DIDN'T LEAVE A MARK! YOU JUST NEED TO BE MORE AWARE! AND BE CAREFUL!"
By now she had me pissed off. And feeling a little aggressive.
"You know what? You need to calm down" I said.
"YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL!" she hollered.
"You need to be nicer." I said in a raised voice. Yup, that's what I said. That's the best I could do. And with that, I got in my car, turned the key in the ignition, and drove away.
The second event involves negotiating a slight change in parenting schedule to accommodate my mom's visit in September that was slightly more challenging than I'd anticipated. But that's all I'll say about it. It's resolved and that's what matters.
Then we arrive home, and I have a nice chat with my neighbor in the driveway for a few minutes. When I get inside, I flip through my mail. I find a letter from the condo Association:
"Dear Midwest Maineac (name change for confidentiality),
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors that you have made a modification to your property (blah blah blah)..... "Decorations installed on exterior. Please remove your holiday decorations" . . . In the interest of maintaining the architectural integrity of the Association and the values of all our houses, the Board of Directors requests that you address this issue immediately.
(Then the bylaws are listed) . . . (blah blah blah) if you wish to contest the alleged violation and avoid imposition of fines, you must request a hearing before the Board of Directors in writing, within ten days of the date of this letter . . .(blah blah blah).
WHAT!? Architectural integrity? Alleged violation?? Fines?!?!?!
I have a freakin' single string of summer patio lights on my railing from Target.
Good GOD!
What next? Are there too many weeds in my planters? Are the cushions on my chairs too faded?
I mean really, neighbors. C'mon!
And that concludes my day.
Stay classy, Hugo.
The first event occurred in the Target parking lot. I was unloading my cart at the rear of my vehicle. Cars flanked mine . . . no big deal. I had an armful of items that I wanted to place in the front seat, and being that the cart corral was on the passenger side of the vehicle, 2 spots down from mine, I decided to open the passenger door and place my cinnamon sugar pretzel, diet Coke, and the kids treats in the front that way. I opened the door, and it made the usual deep squeak sound it makes. I placed the items in the seat, and as I stepped back and turned to slam the door closed, I noticed a woman in the driver seat of the car parked next to mine, looking at me with a rather ugly expression. I didn't think it was directed at me, but it occurred to me that she maybe wanted to get out of her car and was pissed she had to wait, so I just continued on my way, returned to the rear of my vehicle to get the cart and take it to the corral. As I walked back toward my car, the woman from the car was standing at the rear of mine. I looked up and started to say, "Hi," and nod, when she laid into me.
"YOU NEED TO BE MORE CAREFUL!" she yelled.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"YOU NEED TO WATCH WHAT YOU'RE DOING!"
"Um . . .excuse me?" I asked
"YOU SLAMMED YOUR CAR DOOR INTO MINE!"
"I don't think I did."
"YES YOU DID!"
"Im sorry you think that, but I know I didn't."
"YES-----YOU DID!"
"Did it leave a mark? Because if it did I would want take care of it . . ."
"NO! IT DIDN'T LEAVE A MARK! YOU JUST NEED TO BE MORE AWARE! AND BE CAREFUL!"
By now she had me pissed off. And feeling a little aggressive.
"You know what? You need to calm down" I said.
"YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL!" she hollered.
"You need to be nicer." I said in a raised voice. Yup, that's what I said. That's the best I could do. And with that, I got in my car, turned the key in the ignition, and drove away.
The second event involves negotiating a slight change in parenting schedule to accommodate my mom's visit in September that was slightly more challenging than I'd anticipated. But that's all I'll say about it. It's resolved and that's what matters.
Then we arrive home, and I have a nice chat with my neighbor in the driveway for a few minutes. When I get inside, I flip through my mail. I find a letter from the condo Association:
"Dear Midwest Maineac (name change for confidentiality),
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors that you have made a modification to your property (blah blah blah)..... "Decorations installed on exterior. Please remove your holiday decorations" . . . In the interest of maintaining the architectural integrity of the Association and the values of all our houses, the Board of Directors requests that you address this issue immediately.
(Then the bylaws are listed) . . . (blah blah blah) if you wish to contest the alleged violation and avoid imposition of fines, you must request a hearing before the Board of Directors in writing, within ten days of the date of this letter . . .(blah blah blah).
WHAT!? Architectural integrity? Alleged violation?? Fines?!?!?!
I have a freakin' single string of summer patio lights on my railing from Target.
Good GOD!
What next? Are there too many weeds in my planters? Are the cushions on my chairs too faded?
I mean really, neighbors. C'mon!
And that concludes my day.
Stay classy, Hugo.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Mom Quiz
This week I expressed to my therapist that, although I do a lot of activities with my kids, I sometimes wonder how "in the moment" I am with them, and if I'm fulfilling their emotional needs as much as I should be. I don't spent a lot of time fretting about this, but it's just that sometimes, I feel like I'm just going through the motions and could maybe be a bit more in tuned to them.
Prior to my appointment, I shared this information with a dear friend of mine and her response was, "You do so much with your kids. Stop "shoulding" on yourself."
I thought that was pretty funny.
So anyway, my therapist suggested I give each of my kids a sort of "Mom Quiz" as a way to see what their responses would be. She said, for example, that if I asked them, "What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?" and they responded, "Sit on the couch and text on your phone," that maybe it would help clue me in to where they are at with their perspective of my attention and fulfillment of their needs.
So tonight I quizzed each one of my children alone, individually. I was surprised at how enthusiastically and seemingly straightforward they answered the questions. Especially Ethan. Well, actually Ethan didn't surprise me. He's pretty aware and doesn't sugar coat anything. I like that.
Mom Quiz
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Quinn: hi
Ethan: No and I love you
Colby: I love you
2. What makes mom happy?
Quinn: When we don't fight
Ethan: When we be good kids
Colby: Being good
3. What makes mom sad?
Quinn: When animals die
Ethan: When we don't be good kids
Colby: Being naughty
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Quinn: tickling
Ethan: you never really make me laugh . . . unless you tickle me
Colby: by doing something funny like telling a knock knock joke
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Quinn: I don't know . . . shy?
Ethan: I don't know! A good kid?
Colby: A kid, a girl, she was nice
6. How old is your mom?
Quinn: 38
Ethan: around 30
Colby: 12
7. How tall is your mom?
Quinn: 10 ft 3 inches
Ethan: 38 inches (after measuring me with his fingers)
Colby: 16 feet.
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Quinn: see us
Ethan: Talk with us
Colby: Doing workouts
9. What does your mom do when you are not home?
Quinn: cleans, eats, takes naps
Ethan: work, have parties with other people
Colby: be sad, she just lays in her bed and does work. she also goes to work.
10. When mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Quinn: A good job taking care of us
Ethan: Being a nurse or winning the lottery
Colby: Taking good care of us
11. What is your mom really good at?
Quinn: coloring, painting nails
Ethan: being a nurse
Colby: making stuff, helping building legos
12. What is your mom not good at?
Quinn: keeping her bedroom door open
Ethan: I don't know anything you're not good at. Sometimes when we go shopping you forget to get something like bread so we have to go back and get it another day.
Colby: not helping us build legos, she's good at not spanking us
13. What does your mom do for a job?
Quinn: nurse practitioner
Ethan: being a nurse
Colby: works. She has a work where she helps people
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Quinn: ice cream, sandwiches, because you always make that for work
Ethan: vegetables
Colby: gross stuff, mac and cheese with pork stirred in it, things that looks yummy to grown ups but not to kids, like soups.
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Quinn: Taking good care of us
Ethan: You make dinner for us, you get us in bed
Colby: Giving me good stuff for my birthday
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Quinn: Strawberry Shortcake
Ethan: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - the mom
Colby: Dora
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Quinn: play games, go to the playground, sometimes get nails done together
Ethan: go shopping
Colby: play with bubbles, musical chairs
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Quinn: hair color, eyes, ears pierced, we like doing people's hair
Ethan: we both have white skin
Colby: we like being nice
19. How are you and your mom different?
Quinn: you like those sandals and I don't
Ethan: you're a girl, I'm a boy
Colby: you are a girl, I am a boy
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Quinn: Because she takes care of us, tucks us into bed
Ethan: She kisses us and hugs us
Colby: she likes me. She does good things with us like play with us, gives us a sticker chart
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Quinn: Maine, Florida, Target
Ethan: the park, the alligator place that's far away, Maine
Colby: work, and at home where it is quiet
Hearing their responses offered me some insight to the things that they notice. For one, I am so thankful that they feel loved well-cared for. Not that I was overly doubtful, but to hear all of them say it feels good. Other things that they said, like my bedroom door being shut, or not making Ethan laugh, make me more aware of little things that I could do that might make them feel more whole. Other things, like my favorite foods and Colby saying I like mac and cheese with pork stirred in, seem totally random. In fact, I don't think I've ever - or would ever- eat something of the sort.
Just the same, it was a fun experience, and it was a nice way to spend a few minutes of alone time with each of my little darlings.
Prior to my appointment, I shared this information with a dear friend of mine and her response was, "You do so much with your kids. Stop "shoulding" on yourself."
I thought that was pretty funny.
So anyway, my therapist suggested I give each of my kids a sort of "Mom Quiz" as a way to see what their responses would be. She said, for example, that if I asked them, "What is Mommy's favorite thing to do?" and they responded, "Sit on the couch and text on your phone," that maybe it would help clue me in to where they are at with their perspective of my attention and fulfillment of their needs.
So tonight I quizzed each one of my children alone, individually. I was surprised at how enthusiastically and seemingly straightforward they answered the questions. Especially Ethan. Well, actually Ethan didn't surprise me. He's pretty aware and doesn't sugar coat anything. I like that.
Mom Quiz
1. What is something mom always says to you?
Quinn: hi
Ethan: No and I love you
Colby: I love you
2. What makes mom happy?
Quinn: When we don't fight
Ethan: When we be good kids
Colby: Being good
3. What makes mom sad?
Quinn: When animals die
Ethan: When we don't be good kids
Colby: Being naughty
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Quinn: tickling
Ethan: you never really make me laugh . . . unless you tickle me
Colby: by doing something funny like telling a knock knock joke
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Quinn: I don't know . . . shy?
Ethan: I don't know! A good kid?
Colby: A kid, a girl, she was nice
6. How old is your mom?
Quinn: 38
Ethan: around 30
Colby: 12
7. How tall is your mom?
Quinn: 10 ft 3 inches
Ethan: 38 inches (after measuring me with his fingers)
Colby: 16 feet.
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Quinn: see us
Ethan: Talk with us
Colby: Doing workouts
9. What does your mom do when you are not home?
Quinn: cleans, eats, takes naps
Ethan: work, have parties with other people
Colby: be sad, she just lays in her bed and does work. she also goes to work.
10. When mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Quinn: A good job taking care of us
Ethan: Being a nurse or winning the lottery
Colby: Taking good care of us
11. What is your mom really good at?
Quinn: coloring, painting nails
Ethan: being a nurse
Colby: making stuff, helping building legos
12. What is your mom not good at?
Quinn: keeping her bedroom door open
Ethan: I don't know anything you're not good at. Sometimes when we go shopping you forget to get something like bread so we have to go back and get it another day.
Colby: not helping us build legos, she's good at not spanking us
13. What does your mom do for a job?
Quinn: nurse practitioner
Ethan: being a nurse
Colby: works. She has a work where she helps people
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Quinn: ice cream, sandwiches, because you always make that for work
Ethan: vegetables
Colby: gross stuff, mac and cheese with pork stirred in it, things that looks yummy to grown ups but not to kids, like soups.
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Quinn: Taking good care of us
Ethan: You make dinner for us, you get us in bed
Colby: Giving me good stuff for my birthday
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Quinn: Strawberry Shortcake
Ethan: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - the mom
Colby: Dora
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Quinn: play games, go to the playground, sometimes get nails done together
Ethan: go shopping
Colby: play with bubbles, musical chairs
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Quinn: hair color, eyes, ears pierced, we like doing people's hair
Ethan: we both have white skin
Colby: we like being nice
19. How are you and your mom different?
Quinn: you like those sandals and I don't
Ethan: you're a girl, I'm a boy
Colby: you are a girl, I am a boy
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Quinn: Because she takes care of us, tucks us into bed
Ethan: She kisses us and hugs us
Colby: she likes me. She does good things with us like play with us, gives us a sticker chart
21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Quinn: Maine, Florida, Target
Ethan: the park, the alligator place that's far away, Maine
Colby: work, and at home where it is quiet
Hearing their responses offered me some insight to the things that they notice. For one, I am so thankful that they feel loved well-cared for. Not that I was overly doubtful, but to hear all of them say it feels good. Other things that they said, like my bedroom door being shut, or not making Ethan laugh, make me more aware of little things that I could do that might make them feel more whole. Other things, like my favorite foods and Colby saying I like mac and cheese with pork stirred in, seem totally random. In fact, I don't think I've ever - or would ever- eat something of the sort.
Just the same, it was a fun experience, and it was a nice way to spend a few minutes of alone time with each of my little darlings.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Expo-zay
If you can learn something about a person based on what she's reading, then I must look like one desperate woman in need of a lot of help. These are the books that were on or near my nightstand tonight:
I mean, really -
1. Mars and Venus on a Date: A Guide for Navigating the 5 Stages of Dating to Create a Loving and Lasting Relationship . . .ok I guess this is understandable for a recent divorcee . . .
2. A Mirthful Spirit: Embracing Laughter for Wellness . . .ok, she understands the role of humor and happiness . . .that's healthy.
3. Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents . . . Uh-oh, perplexed? No words? . . .eeks.
4. The Self-Aware Parent. . . .ok, she's trying . . .
5. Insightful Parenting . . . ok, she's really trying . . .
6. The Five Love Languages of Children . . .not so bad here, seems kinda normal . . .
7. Why Men Love Bitches . . . WHAT?
8. Lost in the Wild . . .um, a metaphor for her life, perhaps?
9. How to Talk to Kids will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk . . . she obviously doesn't feel heard or know how to make herself clear. There seems to be a pattern here.
And finally:
10. Half Broke Horses . . .um, another metaphor? Am I that horse? I just looked up how to break a horse. The first steps in breaking a horse are to "Catch the horse. Carry your halter, and slowly approach the horse. Talk to the horse in a low voice while gently rubbing her neck. Then, slowly put the lead around her neck so she can't get away . . ." Oh my . . .Good grief!
So that's my life, defined, in the land of self-help and metaphorical fiction these days.
Kid Talk
Ethan: "Mom, if you git sprayed by a skunk you have to take a bath in potato soup."
Me: "Uhhh . . . (slow to process) . . . Oh! I think you mean tomato juice" then I chuckle at his word scramble.
Quinn: "That's so gross. What if it gets in your eyes?"
Me: "It would probably sting. So you'd want to be careful."
Ethan: "How long do you stink like a skunk if you git sprayed?"
Me: "That's a good question . . .maybe a few days . . . but I don't really know. You have to scrub really hard with the tomato juice."
Ethan: "What if you smelled like that for a year?"
Me: "You wouldn't have many friends."
Colby: "What if I get sprayed?"
Me: "I'd keep you in your room and only let you out to pee."
Colby: (Laughing). "What if I had to poop?"
Me: "Ok, you could come out to poop too."
Quinn, Ethan, Colby: LAUGHING. "What if a dog gits sprayed?"
Me: "Same thing as us. Tomato juice bath."
Them: "Eeeeeewwwww."
Me: "Uhhh . . . (slow to process) . . . Oh! I think you mean tomato juice" then I chuckle at his word scramble.
Quinn: "That's so gross. What if it gets in your eyes?"
Me: "It would probably sting. So you'd want to be careful."
Ethan: "How long do you stink like a skunk if you git sprayed?"
Me: "That's a good question . . .maybe a few days . . . but I don't really know. You have to scrub really hard with the tomato juice."
Ethan: "What if you smelled like that for a year?"
Me: "You wouldn't have many friends."
Colby: "What if I get sprayed?"
Me: "I'd keep you in your room and only let you out to pee."
Colby: (Laughing). "What if I had to poop?"
Me: "Ok, you could come out to poop too."
Quinn, Ethan, Colby: LAUGHING. "What if a dog gits sprayed?"
Me: "Same thing as us. Tomato juice bath."
Them: "Eeeeeewwwww."
Jamberry
Mmmm . . . the red raspberry jam might be my best one yet. This was just a tiny left over that was not enough to justify a jar of its own. So, the kids and I sampled it right away.
Just look at that! Beautiful red, seeds evenly distributed throughout!
Here's the strawberry jam, not as striking, but hopefully just as good. Anything should taste decent with 7 cups of sugar, right?I deviated this year and used natural, unrefined turbinado sugar instead of the old standby white sugar. We'll see how the jam sets. I expect it'll be just fine.
Voila! The final products. Strawberry jam in front, raspberry toward the back. Last summer I made enough, including giving some away, to last the year. Hopefully this will last as long.
Voila! The final products. Strawberry jam in front, raspberry toward the back. Last summer I made enough, including giving some away, to last the year. Hopefully this will last as long.Random thought: This post reminds me of one of my favorite books I read to the kids when they were toddlers, called Jamberry by Bruce Degen. I should go dig it out of the bookcase just for fun, but I have a couple of the rhymes in my head . . . like, "Under the bridge and over the dam, looking for berries, berries for jam," and "Strawberry ponies strawberry lambs, dancing in meadows of strawberry jam," and my personal favorite line, "raspberry jazzberry razzamatazzberry."
It was a Jamberry weekend for sure.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Berry Good Weekend
Just check it out:
That's what 3 willing children and a hopeful mother can accomplish in just under 2 hours at the Berry Patch.
This is Quinn reminding me that I promised "no more pictures," but I couldn't help it. She was strikingly beautiful yesterday. As her mother am I supposed to say that? Oh well, I can't help it. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
And then there's Ethan clowning around as always, of course. At least he didn't duck away from my camera like he usually does.
Colby held up the rear of our group, mostly because he was trying to walk and eat fresh raspberries from his "green bak-set" at the same time.
The posed and prompted group shot:
The real sentiments: "How much longer?" "I'm sooooo thirsty." "It's soooo hot it's making me dizzy" . . . to name a few.
Ethan held up this beauty and exclaimed, "This is so money!"
Quinn was so beautiful, so natural, and sooooo helpful in the field.
The boys, figuring out where the better strawberries might be . . .
And then we came home and prepared the berries for jam. I'll post more on that later.
That's what 3 willing children and a hopeful mother can accomplish in just under 2 hours at the Berry Patch.
This is Quinn reminding me that I promised "no more pictures," but I couldn't help it. She was strikingly beautiful yesterday. As her mother am I supposed to say that? Oh well, I can't help it. I couldn't take my eyes off her.
And then there's Ethan clowning around as always, of course. At least he didn't duck away from my camera like he usually does.
Colby held up the rear of our group, mostly because he was trying to walk and eat fresh raspberries from his "green bak-set" at the same time.
The posed and prompted group shot:
The real sentiments: "How much longer?" "I'm sooooo thirsty." "It's soooo hot it's making me dizzy" . . . to name a few.
Ethan held up this beauty and exclaimed, "This is so money!"
Quinn was so beautiful, so natural, and sooooo helpful in the field.
The boys, figuring out where the better strawberries might be . . .
And then we came home and prepared the berries for jam. I'll post more on that later.Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Strawberries 'n Cream
It's that time of year again . . .
Fresh strawberries, sliced
Paired with these . . .
A close up:
and . . .
. . . results in this:
Mmmmmmm. . . . almost as good as Mom used to make. But not quite.
Fresh strawberries, sliced
Paired with these . . .
A close up:
and . . .
. . . results in this:
Mmmmmmm. . . . almost as good as Mom used to make. But not quite.It left my kids blank and speechless.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Chicken Sandwich
Mmmm. Just take a looksie at this creation we had for dinner. I grilled some basil pesto chicken, while it was still hot I topped it with a slice of dill Havarti cheese, added a handful of arugula, and then wrapped it in a generous slice of grilled garlic Na an. The kids did without the arugula and cheese, by the way.Talk about deeeee--licious!
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