Turkey Lurkey
We have been on a roll the last week or two. A big fat turkey roll. Our home and routine have gone turkey mad and guess what? It's working! I get the distinct impression that my dear Son is finally getting the concept of turkey. What does a turkey look like? What does it sound like? Why do we like turkeys? I've left the whole eating them bit out. I think it might be a bit premature for the whole circle of life talk, lol.

OUR TURKEY'S, THANKS & GIVING TREES

The Back Story
The speech therapist came just in time this week. The three days prior to her visit were filled with a building worry, sadness and general angsty mommy-ness. With the holiday's barreling down the final stretch of the year I find myself surrounded by mommies with 2 year olds both in real life and in blog life. I see/read how they interact together and its such a painful reminder of whats missing in our life. I talk and talk and talk. I force myself to talk, to my Son to surround him with words and... not the results I want. I get his rapid Son-speak that I don't understand in return. The root of my worry is cognition. Does he really get what I'm saying or is it just sound to him? I don't know because he doesn't speak back. The ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) specialist said that it's not uncommon for children who can't communicate to have lower cognition skills (like Son) mainly because how we understand how much they understand is by what they say. I want to believe that he understands me but fear creeps up along the edge of my consciousness and starts little flames licking at the back of my mind.

PAINTING THAT VERY MORNING

Victory Never Tasted So Sweet
I was in tears right up until the morning the speech therapist was coming. Son and I were sitting at the table watching this youtube video of turkey's and drawing. We've been doing something similar every couple of days for the last week or so. I was once again pointing out the beautiful tail feathers spread out in a fan and asked him to draw them for me. He looked intently at the video and then drew a very close resemblance to a feather. Then he glanced up again and drew another in a different color. When he said 'turkey' and then proceeded to gobble I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. When the speech therapist arrived he immediately wanted to play with her, no 15-40 minute warm up period needed. She must have seen the sad desperation in my eyes because even though we didn't talk directly about what had been worrying me she gently told me not to get anxious and change what I was doing. The theme's and routine words are working and he is beginning to talk. She again told me that I was doing a great job (which I needed to hear) and will be back to boost my moral in another couple of weeks.

Words I Needed To Hear
Despite my angsty anxiousness, his vocabulary does continue to grow. This week we've heard "doggy" "chugga chugga chugga chugga choo choo" "ready" "garbage" "turkey" and gobbling noises. In addition I think I heard him say "I love you" - it was after bath and he was warm and settled and content. He came over, wrapped his arms around me and I swear I heard him say it. We will be keeping with the themes. I'm almost happy for Thanksgiving to be over soon so that we can move on to all the wonderful exciting things that Christmas entails. I'm also working (in my mind) on a dinosaur theme to squeeze in between Christmas and springtime.

ADORABLE - YES HE TASTED THE PAINT

Fighting for Power and Balance
Son and I had one of our biggest fights ever last Friday. I was very busy all morning and was feeling particularly productive and happy. After my house work was done I showered and put on real clothes instead of my usual t-shirt and yoga pants. I was looking forward to getting some errands done before nap time since we had company coming over that evening. I brought out his clothes, fresh diaper and I should have brought out the boxing gloves because what followed was certainly a fight. He was almost undressed before he decided that he didn't want to change his clothes. It was too late for me and I wasn't about to let him wear his shark pajama's out in public even if we were just going to Target. It was too cold for one and for another I was actually dressed nicely. I wanted him to be as well so that we could be that 'sane well put together' mother and son pair that I always see out and about and secretly weigh myself against even though I know better. Ten minutes of bitter struggle and battle later and we are both crying. I'm angry and guilty of forcing my son into clothes that he didn't want to wear. I forgot the mother I want to be and became the one I hate. You know the one who dismisses their children's feelings and violates their personal space. The authoritarian who must be obeyed because they are bigger and stronger and always right. I leave him laying on the living room floor sobbing his heart out and retreat to my bedroom where my chest heaves with sobs as I ride waves of horrible mother guilt and frustration. I call Charlie and ask him to come home and take us to the store. I hang up still crying but semi-relieved that relief is on the way. Then I hear my Son hurdle his little body against the door and pound upon it to be heard over his sad crys. I open it up, step back and we just look at each other for a moment. Our eyes searching the others for love and forgiveness and acceptance. Then at once we fling ourselves into each others arms. My hot tears fall into his so soft hair and his breath catches between his sobs. I tell him I'm sorry and squeeze him so tight. He pats my back and snuggles closer. Ten more mins later and we're quietly looking at my collection of rocks and sea shells, talking and laughing and once again in love. Charlie arrives to chaperon us to the super market and but for our red rimmed eyes we looked damn good.

BACK IN HIS JAMMIES AFTER OUR TRIP TO TARGET. A BIT BATTLE WEARY & READY FOR NAP.

Lesson Learned
Upon further reflection I've come to the realization to pj's are not worth the drama. (Duh mom! Of course they are not worth the drama!) I realize that we are both stubborn and obstinate when pushed. And that we are all human. I will fail to live up to my ideal at one time or another but I must must must pick myself up, dust myself off and continue push on. I was thinking that becoming my ideal mommy was sort of a journey and destination type deal. The one where I start down the path to great parenting and each day choose to get up and get right back on it trying my hardest. Until one day I wake up and I've reached the pinnacle of my ideal mommy-hood. Instead I'm thinking that its more an eternal evolution. I either am or I'm not my ideal to varying shades of grey. I'm ok with that. I will apply my family's standard 80-20 rule and as long as I live up to my expectations of mommy-hood 80% of the time I'm doing a great job. The other 20% I need to cut myself a break and remember that I'm human after all and to error is superbly human. Another advantage of shifting my perception in this matter is that there is no more waiting for Son or me. I wake up and I'm already there at my destination, no more someday I'll get there. I already am the best mommy I can be! Yay me!!

and Now the Fun Stuff

CAN I HELP?

I've been recording (I love my DVR) Little Einsteins for Son in the early morning (yes, 7am is early around here) so that I can pull it out when mommy needs 15 -20mins without his incessant badgering help. Not that I don't appreciate his excitement when it comes to loading the dish washer. We also watch it together on mornings where I need a little extra time waking up (i.e. sitting in the chair, diet coke w/ lime in hand staring at the ceiling until the blessed caffeine gets kicks the cobwebs out of my head). Or those days I am just in need of a warm cuddly toddler snuggled up against me and the peace that brings. He now sings the opening song, claps his hands to help Rocket take off, says 'uh oh' when Big Jet shows up and has started talking about peegeezz (pigs). I love it! When I'm in the other room and hear him singing along or clapping his hands I can't help but smile. Thanks your Little Einsteins for making my day.

OUR SCARY HOUSE - I LOVE HOW IT LOOKED IN THE EVENING SUN.

We worked on our 'Scary House' whoooowhoooo... It was a lot of fun. It was a big reminder of what I novice I am when it comes to certain aspects of mommy-hood. If I was adept mommy or even had read the instructions all the way through before I called Son to the table to make our house I would have known that it actually would be late the next afternoon before it would be ready for his help. Apparently there is a whole bunch of prep work and drying and gluing with frosting that goes on before you decorate it! So he colored and I prepped and the next afternoon we both decorated. You could here us both saying "bump and stick" over and over as he would point where he wanted some frosting before sticking the candy on. Also not having much experience with candy he didn't know that's what it was. It's shocking to be reminded how much he is still learning. He was being mighty brave to taste just a little piece of gum drop when he thought I wasn't looking. The look of surprise and pleasure when he found out how yummy it was made me laugh out loud. Ahh... the simple wonderful joys of my day.

WORKING DILIGENTLY

We also made turkeys. Another lesson for me in being prepared ahead of time. It took me three days (15-20mins a day) to get all the parts cut out and ready for assembly. Luckily Son happily obliged to color while I worked on the details. I think they are cute & they totally remind me of a project I did as a Kindergartner. Yes, I was just as curious what glue tasted like (remember paste? mmm...) as Son was when it came time to put our turkey's together. He also colored while I painstakingly cut our leaves for our Thanks and Giving trees for two days. I love learning and playing with him. Someday it may be seamless and we just sit down and create together. For now I'm content to just sit down and try, even if it takes days to finish. I think Son is too.

WATCHING KUNG FU PANDA TOGETHER

The other day we were in the car coming home from grocery shopping and Son was singing something. I recognized the tones (that is often how Son speaks by imitating the tones but not the actual words)but couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was. I asked Charlie what it was and sure enough if he didn't break out singing the Handy Manny song. "Hop up jump in. Come on let's go. Hop up jump in. Si vamanos. Ho! Ho!" My guys are adorable, especially when their voices are heard in the early Sunday morning air singing happily together.

Son got to spend all day Saturday with Nana. (Charlie's mom) We went on our Ikea date and then out to a movie and he stayed home and played they day away. I'm so glad that they get to spend time together. (still a bit nervous leaving him though) I want family to be a big part of our life but one of the reasons it's not is because I refuse to allow history to repeat itself in our family and demand that all family functions happen on my terms. Fair? Maybe not. But I don't care, this is my Son and my family and nothing is more precious to me. I am my Son's Guardian in every aspect of his life and I take that role very seriously. I'm happy that after four years certain parts of our mixed family's are coming around. Yay for family. Yay for Nana. Yay for Son. And Yay for an exhausted toddler who slipped blissfully to sleep for Mommy.

WHAT A GREAT SMILE! OH HOW I LOVE HIM...

We also went to the gym a couple days this last week. The first day Son cried when it was time for him to leave. He was having so much fun and it makes me incredibly happy to see him playing with other kids. It also makes me happy that when I ask him if he wants to go to the gym with mommy he jumps up and runs to the door. I think we're on the right track for setting him up for a life time of healthy habits. WOOT! I read that he needs 20mins of moderate exercise everyday and 20mins of vigorous exercise 3-4x a week. We're still shy of that for my little tater tot but we're close and I have a new goal to aim for. I love a good challenge and being my kiddo I know he will too.

Curtain Call

That's the latest and greatest on Son. How are your kiddos fairing this week? Any new adventures? Goals? Setbacks?

MOMMY TIP
I've got a brand new Mommy tip from the trenches this week. I've found that Son is in a weird place when it comes to silverware. He is still too little for the metal stuff we have but all of the baby/toddler stuff I've tried are now too small. (And I've tried quite a few in recent weeks) My solution came from our favorite Chinese take out place, China Delight. They sent some plastic stuff home and it works like a charm. Not quiet the size of regular silverware but still much bigger than the usual kid stuff you find. They work just right. The spoons have just enough of a dip to get a good bite without over stuffing their mouths. The forks, likewise, are perfectly sized to fit in their mouth without skewering their throats. They are light, cheap and easy to keep on hand. What about the environmental impact of our throw-a-way Nation? Check out these Compostable Picnicware from Gaiam. Yes they are a bit more than $1.22 a for a box of 50 but they are made from starch and are completely biodegradable. Good Stuff!

When we visited Krystal we went out and ate the best pizza ever at Satchel's Pizza. It was at this funky sort of hippy place and was well worth the hour+ we had to wait for a table. We ate outside at this awesome little stone table with a mosaic inlay. There was happy music in the background and sprinklers cooling the hot May air while watering the squash and other wonderful plants and herbs that were growing around us. It was such a perfect evening - even with two toddlers who would have much rather been sleeping. We also had this amazing ice cream at a different funky hippy place that I went back for more both nights I was there. It was such a great visit and I can't wait to go back. Enjoy!

Son and I sweating it out in the heat.

Krys & Daughter.

tSaying Goodbye.

I've had a couple of Holy Shit Scientist moments in the last few days. I can't stop thinking about them so I thought I'd share them here and see what ya'll think about them.

The first and most perplexing to me is that on election night CNN used a hologram to beam a couple of people into their studio. While I thought this was super cool it is also super frightening. Are we really this technologically advanced and I had no clue about it? What else is going on in the world that I don't know about?

How about the End of World Experiment where scientists fired beams of protons at each other trying to learn about how matter is made and about black holes among other things. The machine worked but then a few days later 'a fault developed....' - could that be a fault of black matter eating at your super conducting magnets? Here is an article about the death threats these scientists received because of the fear from what this machine is capable of. This is the world we live in today, what world will our children live in?

I'll leave you with a quote from BBC World News Podcast from yesterday: "The Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Cuba today for talks with the country's communist leaders including Raul Castro whose taken over from his brother Fidel. Not so long ago the site of Cuba and China cozying up in this way would have rung alarms bells in Washington but these are changing times. China is the new economic superpower and Cuba, under Raul, is showing signs of evolving in an attempt to climb out under the weight of an American embargo."

China is what??? The commentator was so casual about it. Like it was no big deal to completly change everything I thought I knew about my place in the world's hierarchy.

I think I need a drink. Then I'll pray some more of Obama. Then I'll be changing my Rosetta Stone order from Spanish to Chinese.

These were taken in the car as we were about to transform Son into a monkey for his first Zoo Boo.

J'dorable!





Oct. 2006

These were taken on our trip home from TN last May. This was a side trip we made to Gulf Shores, AL. It was just a little ways off the freeway and I couldn't resist after hearing Kate talk about it's beauty for so long. I had to see it for myself. Enjoy!

The Gulf Of Mexico from Alabama's Shores.

Super Cool Son!

Some very impressive structures.
I wonder how they weathered this last hurricane season. Or the current housing market for that matter.




Looking down the main drag. Lots of the houses look the same. Had a great family vacation feel to it. (Sorry for the buggy windshield picture.)

We're hoping to go back and actually spend a long weekend there. We did just a brief drive though so I know we missed a lot of what they had to offer. It was a wonderful and sort of odd feeling driving through the past of two of my sisters. I drove through so much of the past, mine and others this year. Still processing ...


Look for more of my recently developed photos coming soon. I've got some more from 2008, 2007 and even 2006.

So this was supposed to be a 'My thoughts on the Weekend' post on Monday reviewing last weekend. Whew! This week just flew by so I'm just gonna put it together here with my thoughts on the week as well. Hope you don't mind.

Taking Care of Me Taking Care of You
Last night was my first 'mommy's night out' where I take the night evening off to just do whatever I want. I've been talking about this for a long time I know but for some reason (anxiety) this is the first time I actually carried through with it and it will come as no surprise to you that I had a really good time. I went to the library and instead of my usual run in grab what I've had reserved and run out I actually stayed there for a whole 2 hours. It was my first time actually going upstairs to the adult section (the reserved and childrens books are on the first floor) and I loved it. It was a little loud and much brighter than I expected. You know how you build things up in you mind over time I was sort of expecting the grand library at Alexandria but Barbra Bush Library in Spring, Texas will do just fine for now. After a time just drinking in the serenity of being surrounded by all those words and stories I left with my arms full and popped down the block to this little cafe I have been wondering about for some time. It was closing in 20mins so I just looked around and got their hours, I will be back. I can already imagine myself curled up in the back with some warm coco and a cinnamon roll reading the latest Paul Coelho novel. I then made a mad dash to Micheal's to pick up some art supplies for me and Son. Unfortunately they aren't offering any knitting classes at present but I'll keep looking since I think that would be so much fun. I also popped by the Walmart that was close by Micheal's and picked up some tp, your never really off duty after all. I came home with a burger, fries and chocolate shake and snuggled in with my book selections. All in all it was a huge success and I can't wait for next week. I'm thinking of that cafe or maybe B&N or maybe a movie. There is so much to do in the city.

Like I mentioned earlier I've been wanting to do this for some time but the real push came a couple weeks ago when one of Charlie's coworkers asked him to go golfing during their lunch break. I hate golf, Charlie loves it. I've felt mightily guilty over the lack of golf in his life for the last four! years and was almost more excited about his new outing than he was. Being the Charlie I love he wanted to go check it out before he actually went. He took a lunch break one day last week and not only did he check out a couple near by driving ranges but also a cooking store that has been on our to do list for at least 2 years and had lunch at a favorite pizza shop. He came home so invigorated, excited and full of life. I was so happy. I'm always pushing him to go and do things without me and Son but it's hard to loosen the desire/habit of having us with him. I know because last night I wished he was there to drive me and Son was there to explore Micheal's with.

I'm a firm believer that we must have extracurricular activities independent of each other in order to feed our souls, passions, and zest for life. After all I get tired of being a mommy or a wife and not just myself. I was who he fell in love with, I liked my independence (greener grass anyone?) and I often feel like I'm loosing me. I also feel like I'm losing Charlie. Not that people don't change and grow and mature but *le sigh* it was such a tough adjustment coming down here and we both levied ridiculously high/hard demands on each other in order to just make it through those first difficult months. We wanted to set up a strong foundation and that required a great deal of sacrifice from both of us as individuals. Once the dust settled a bit we got pregnant and boom back came the demands. I think we're far enough down the path with a firm foundation that we can come up for air and see that we're still we, me, him and son. We can give each other a bit of breathing room and still be ok. And let's nourish ourselves, our hearts and souls and minds so that we have more to give. I woke up this morning completly invigorated to be the best mommy and wife I can be. That's worth one night a week.

Whale Wars
New show on Animal Planet about the Sea Shepard Society and their tactics trying to stop the Japanese whaling fleet from killing whales. Amazing. Inspiring. People are actually out there putting their lives on the line (they are in the Antarctic) for what they believe. They are actively creating change and awareness on a large scale. Although some of those tactics birth the question about that fine line between creating awareness and acting instead of watching vs. becoming what you hate. Are they eco-terrorists? Are they saints for have the courage to act? I totally recommend it, the new episode is on tonight.

The Lion's Share
Charlie and I had a heart to heart over last weekend after some difficulties in parenting Son. Nothing major, we're just in need of better communication, game plan and shared expectations. You know if you have unreasonable expectations and bad game plan coupled with poor communication things are bound to go sour like they did. The great thing that happened was the conversation after wards. When we got right down to it we both said we felt like we had to do all of the thinking and doing for everyday living. How can that be? If I feel like I'm doing everything and I have to figure it all out how can he feel that way? No wonder we're both on a short path to burn out. I've been taking more charge this week. Figuring things out on my own instead of being so quick to burden him with the problem du jour. I've also taken the stance that if I can do it I will. Like instead of asking him to get up and find the wipes I will. In return he has been offering to help more (so I don't have to ask). He has also been taking more of the initiative with Son instead of waiting for my directions. I feel much better. I think he does too. This week has been a wonderful change and I feel like if we can just keep this going it will be a great new leaf for us. WOOT! for real partnership and cooperation.

The Bread Will Rise
I've been trying to conserve our resources at the same time increasing our healthy food quota. Not an easy task. This last week instead of buying salt filled deli turkey I bought a turkey breast, roasted it for dinner Monday and have been using the leftovers for lunch all week. I've also been making our own bread. My mother in law found me a bread machine at a yard sale and this is the first chance I've had to break it out. Since I don't have the book that goes with it I've been scouring the web looking for recipes. This is actually the third bread machine I've owned and I've used it more this last week than the other two put together. The first one I got from Uncle Howard and tried it once with disastrous results. After that Krystal could prompt the most beautiful breads from it but I stuck to making it by hand. That machine went back to Idaho when Krystal joined Americorps. Next I got one from mom and it was lost to the fire before I even got a chance to use it. I love waking up in the morning, adding the ingredients and just hitting start. Three hours later my house smells wonderful and I've got bread. I still love the ritual of making bread by hand but the labor and time intensity of it doesn't make it practical for me on an everyday basis. I'm still not quite getting the consistency and taste I want from the machine bread but I'm sure if I keep looking and fiddling with the recipe I'll get it right.

Picture This
Over the weekend I had 5! old throw away cameras that I had developed. One of them was from our very first Zoo Boo! I saw pictures of my dear sweet Son barely four months old. Too cute. There were also some pictures from our trip to TN and then down to visit Krystal in Florida. It’s always so fun to develop old rolls of film and relive those precious moments. As soon as I unearth my printer and get it set up I'll scan some in for your viewing pleasure.

A Change Will Do You Good
I'm in the process of changing my email from yahoo to gmail. It's sort of a bittersweet goodbye for me. I've been using yahoo ever since I was in 8th grade before I really even had a concept of the internet of email. I used it to send messages to 'pen pals' in England. *swoony sigh* Alas the days of intrigue and playing with young men's hearts from across the pond are over. Well at least that kind of intrigue. Krystal helped me set up my first email account mes_69 - lol. Yes I'm feeling kind of sentimental about it but yahoo just hasn't kept up with all the services that I can get through google. I already use google calandar, blogger is google based, igoogle and now gmail. I sort of hijacked Charlie's gmail account for this blog and part of my new sovereignty dictates that I try change that. Give him some space and privacy and reclaim my own. I don't know if I can can switch email accounts on the blog so that may have to stay for the time being but everything else is in the process of being switched. I'll be sending out an email soon with my new address but I still get my yahoo mail for now. It will feel so good to consolidate and un-clutter my mind and computer.

Finis
Please note the new blog love on the right. Beauty That Moves is a great place to spend a few moments a day. Connecting. Remembering. Dreaming of Inspiration. I'm so glad I found her blog on Simple Green Frugal Co-op.

I have no big plans for the weekend. Gym. Art projects. Unpacking the bedroom. Homework. Charlie is working so it should be a very pleasant laid back couple of days. I'm wishing peace in all of your hearts for the coming days. Look for some new pictures and Christmas thoughts coming your way soon.

What are your thoughts for the week? Plans for the weekend?

Son & Charlie @ Home Depot for Potting Soil

Speech therapy is going so well. I'm not sure if it's the actual 45 minutes that she is with us or all of the information and encouragement that she passes along to me. She makes me feel like I am doing a great job when she talks about how creative and organized I am. I guess a little outside validation goes a long way. Of course it makes me want to push myself and do better. Son's speech is almost exploding. This week he's said: Tooth Brush, See You, Come on Mom, Balloons, Uh Oooh, You ok. His favorite this is Uh Ohh, he uses it just about every time something doesn't go the way he expected. Fire truck drives by "uh ooh." Forgot his boat on the way to wash "uh ooh." It's wonderful to hear him vocalizing. He has also started mimicking me when I try to talk to him over mid-morning snack (pumpkin muffins, he can't get enough of them). I'll try to talk to him and usually start out "so, how is your morning going?" His reply: "So. So. So. Soooooo." Hmm… I'm thinking I'm gonna need different tactic. He has also used the word 'yes' in context, no small feat for any toddler but a language challenged one it's amazing. I have been forcing myself to talk to him about what ever is on my mind. It's very difficult for me but I'm told that a high volume of words spoken is imperative to his learning our language. Since he spends most of his waking moments with me it defiantly falls to me to fill his day with words. Not my strong point. He doesn't have to understand them exactly just hear them. I started talking to him about Christmas. I explained Santa as a 'right jolly old elf.' Oi Vay! I need help. Serious Serious Help.

I've sort of had this realization that he's not going to automatically learn language I have to teach it to him. He's not going to automatically learn to put his clothes on I have to teach him. He's not going to automatically learn to paint I have to teach him. He's not going to automatically learn how to behave in public (or private for that matter) I have to teach him. It's been sort of a slow revolutionary thought growing in my brain, culminating with The No Cry Potty Training Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. In that book she flat out says that it's up to you to teach your kids those things. Oops… how did I miss that memo? For some reason I had it in my mind that he just sort of absorbed all of that information and made it work for him. After all I didn't teach him to walk, did I? Any helpful tips for teaching your children in a respectful kind and loving way are appreciated. I love Elizabeth Pantley's view point of raising children. It is bang on how I want to raise son, filled with respect, love, kindness, compassion and strength. Her No Cry Sleep Solution was so very useful in helping me figure out how to help Son sleep without ascribing to methods I'm not comfortable with. I've got the No Cry Discipline Solution and No Cry Toddler Sleep Solution waiting for me at the library. I've also been reading online (it's an ebook through our library) about what our words and mannerisms are really saying to our kids. Very useful information but I can't remember the name of the book itself. Mainly I'm just trying to figure out what kind of person I want Son to be and how best to cultivate those traits in him. No easy task but one I'm totally up for.

Oh yes and we're nigh on potty training. I've been feeling that we were both ready for the last month or two and now with Son's burgeoning language skills I know we're ready. Enter the No Cry Potty Training Solution. It makes sense to me to find a source whose parenting values align with yours and lean on them for the support and information all mommies need. We're also nigh on the 'terrible two's" ugh. We've already experienced more tantrums, meltdowns and bad behavior. Another resource that I love love love is Louise Bates Ames book Your Two-Year-Old Terrible or Tender. She also has books for other ages 1 through teen I think. She explains how children go through a period of equilibrium around their birthdays and then as they near the half way mark they go through disequilibrium. Let me just say disequilibrium has come to the Storm household. Charlie and I had a rather disastrous Ikea venture last weekend. It was partly our fault for not having enough snacks and toys for Son to make it through the gigantic store. (I thought I was being so clever by taking his lap desk and letting him use the Ikea papers and pencil to write down what he wanted to buy. That is until he chewed up the pencil, got bored and staged a mutiny.) And it was partly just too much sitting and over stimulation for a toddler who would much rather be at the park. So we left early (much to my dismay) and decided that next time we'll get a sitter. Mom and Dad will have an Ikea date night (so romantic) and Son will stay home and have fun with the sitter. He gets so much more hyper and so much more upset. It's weird to have my usually easy going laid back guy turn into a whirlwind of doom in the middle of Ikea or the kitchen or wherever we happen to be. I've been examining our food for additives and extra sugar just to be sure I'm not accidentally giving him ammunition to go mad cow on me. I save chocolate milk or juice for after nap because I've already noticed just that little bit of sugar is enough to keep him from sleeping well.

Now for the fun stuff. We planted some herbs together yesterday. He had a lot of fun playing in the dirt and sorting the rocks that go in the bottom of the pots. I got a good chance to talk to him about herbs and plants and growing things. Yay for fun teaching situations! We went to the park last Saturday and he got to run and play. He had such a good time chasing the ducks and saying "wheee" as he went down the slide. We also met up with Nana and Grandpa Dave and went to the mall playground. Everyone had a good time and as we were leaving he got to sit on Grandpa Dave's Harley and pretend to drive. Good Stuff! He's so darn cute in the mornings. He loves to take Mr. Bear and his blanket and cuddle in the man chair as he watches morning cartoons. He also loves to help put things in the garbage! We're still learning about having a toddler in the kitchen but he was such a big help yesterday by handing me clean dishes to put away. One of my favorite things he's doing now is coming over and giving me a hug if we've been in different rooms. It's spontaneous and full of love as he's genuinely glad to see me. He had reached that awesome stage where he loves to sit at the table and play with his cars. He loves to squeeze into the chair that is up against the wall or climb around under the chairs. I have very fond memories of playing at the table when I was a kid so it warms my heart to see him doing the same thing. He is still adjusting to having to only eat at the table (a new rule here in our new home) but is doing a pretty good job so far. He has also started singing more, usually during Little Einstein's or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. My most favorite thing he's doing this week? He's been giving drumming performances. He sets up a couple of blocks as his drum and uses two straws as his drum sticks. He pounds away for a few seconds while singing and then sets him drum sticks down and says "mmmmmmmm" while bowing with his arms out to his sides. A freaking dorable! As I type this he is doing toddler yoga in the form of downward facing dog on the chair cushions he's thrown on the floor. Oh how I love this little person.

Mommy to Mommy

My helpful mommy hint of the day is all about getting your kiddo to help wash the kitchen table. Son loves to help me clean and even though we only use green friendly cleaning products I still don't like him licking the vinegar water off the kitchen table. Yuck! So during the day I will give him a wipe up and I take a wipe up and we wash the table together. We use the same wipe ups that we have for diaper changes not the Clorox bleach ones. They are safe, gentle on his skin and since they don't smell he doesn't try to figure out what they taste like. The down side of course is that while they are great for wiping up sticky things they are not anti-bacterial. I just don't worry about it during the day and after he goes to sleep I'll give the table a through wash down. I like to use vinegar water with a drop of lavender or tea tree essential oil for the anti-bac properties. Makes the room smell so clean and lovely and you have a great clean table ready for the next day! Happy washing with your pint sized side kick!!

Finally I am posting the aforementioned beer bread recipe. I know it's getting colder in most of the US and let me tell you this bread would be perfect with a nice bowl of chili or stew. The top is so perfectly crunchy and the middle so chewy. Mmm... divinity in a bread pan.

I like to use a really strong chewy hoppy yeasty beer for this, like Samuel Adams Boston Lager or Guinness Stout. I've tried several different ones and have yet to be disappointed. You don't end up with an alcohol taste at all, just yummy yeasty bread. This is a good time of year to find some excellent dark lagers and ales. Check out World Market they have an excellent selection, you can stock up now (they let you mix and match single bottles) and keep them in your pantry all year long.

This is from Williams Sonoma Bread Cookbook. It's a super fast and easy batter bread with no fuss at all.

3c. Flour
3 TBS Brown Sugar -Packed
1 TBS Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
1 bottle Beer, unopened at room temperature
4 TBS Unsalted Butter, melted plus extra for greasing and serving

Preheat Over 375. Grease 9in-by-5in loaf pan.

In a bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Open the beer and add it all at once; it will foam up. Stir briskly just until combined, about 30 strokes. The batter should be slightly lumpy. Pour into the prepared loaf pan and drizzle with melted butter.

Bake until the top is crusty and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Let rest in the pan for 5minutes, then turn the loaf out onto a rack. Server warm or at room temperature the day it is made. Cut into think slices and accompany with plenty of butter.

Note: It really is only good the first day, after that it gets soggy. Maybe make it in the morning and eat it all day.

What are some of your favorite fall and winter foods?

YES WE CAN!

I am so excited that Barack Obama is going to be our next president. I cried last night when it was announced. I cried when he gave his speech. I cried this morning when I watched this video again:



YES WE CAN to justice and equality!
YES WE CAN to opportunity and prosperity!
YES WE CAN heal this nation!
YES WE CAN repair this world!
YES WE CAN!!

Nothing can stand in way of millions of voices calling for CHANGE!

We are not as divided as our politics suggest!
We are ONE people!
We are ONE nation!

YES WE CAN!

A couple videos ala Sheryl Crow for your viewing pleasure:



God Bless This Mess





Out of Our Heads

There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. See who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally - least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over... Gather yourselves. Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we've been waiting for.

~ Hopi Elder

I saw this quote over at Beauty That Moves and had to include it here. So perfect.

I have a mild case of election anxiety. I think it comes from going to sleep 8 years ago thinking that all was right in the world and waking up to the realization that something had gone totally wrong. (thanks a lot Florida) I keep wondering what if? What if my candidate doesn't win? What if he wins but is unable to create the changes we so desperately need? What if I make more than 250k in 4 years and need to divorce Charlie just so we don't get hammered in taxes? What if I'm a fool for having such hope?

Truthfully I'm not totally happy with either of the candidates. Disappointed that they both say they are better than 'crazy season' politics but them partake in them. I'm afraid they both are too entrenched in Washington's BS and aren't really looking out for me.

I was reviewing what is on our TX ballot yesterday and stumbled upon the Libertarian website. I really liked what I read with the exception of their take on gun policy. They have some pretty good ideas on smaller government, protecting our privacy and gay marriage. Check them out at http://www.lp.org/ you might find some interesting things.

Then again who says we can believe them either? Who can we believe these days? I feel more and more like it's time to circle the wagons and just become as self sufficient as possible. Withdraw from the mundane world as much as possible and learn to rely on ourselves again.

What do you think? Can we belive these guys? Are we doomed no matter who is president? Is it time to go off the grid?