An Eifel summer closes out with one last picture of the fountain at the the carnival at the Pig Festival in Wittlitch.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The early bird should wake up her children
I am seizing the 15 minute opportunity to get some writing done while the kids miraculously sleep in. They prove that our internal clocks know and understand what a summer break is all about. How did they adjust from waking up by 7:30 to just being able to sleep and sleep? Would Rosie and I make that much racket getting her ready for school?
Speaking or Rosa and school she is very modest. She came home with the state handwriting championship and accompanying article in the paper the next day, not to mention gold honor roll each grading period. If I can't find our scanner and get it hooked up I will take the paper to kinkos (or whatever they have here) and get it posted. She said when I post about her she gets embarrassed so we agreed, NO MORE MENTION OF HER bodily functions including allergies or hair or acne. Nothing. Cannot even say she is sick. In return, I can post day to day family stuff in which she was included. Fair enough.
Rosa and S., her best friend from school, have been spending a lot of time together and I like to see that. They are so cute. We went to the awesome library yesterday, yes me and 5 in tow, and when we picked up S. she said, "Riri, how do you like my new haircut?"
This is Rosie and S. on the playground, and I have no clue who the suspicious lady in the background is. This park is shouting distance from S.'s house and easy walking distance for the rest of us. I love our neighborhood, like Austin when I was a kid, they just ride bikes back and forth, walk to the park or the store. Cheyenne is a great city to raise kids. (Later I will probably go on about the best library ever with it's own kid's floor and play bus bookmobile art installation...)
Mike put the boys to work scrubbing an engine. That's all I can say about this except that Tommy put the steel "tooth brush" in his mouth. Nice. I guess this engine will be for the Chiraco although It could be for "Dad's car that was crushed by the tree that fell down on it." I think I have a photo of the wiring spread all over the basement.
Theresa is talking to Texas Telli looking for the golden triangle of destiny. I have been hearing too much about Telli and his triangles lately. They found a golden triangle of destiny in the laundromat. and then minesota mel tried to take it. Baby bear also loves triangles. I know this like a fact. I think Telli's triangle tossing competition vest looks like a sad relic of the 80's. Now jack black is telling us about octogons.
Speaking or Rosa and school she is very modest. She came home with the state handwriting championship and accompanying article in the paper the next day, not to mention gold honor roll each grading period. If I can't find our scanner and get it hooked up I will take the paper to kinkos (or whatever they have here) and get it posted. She said when I post about her she gets embarrassed so we agreed, NO MORE MENTION OF HER bodily functions including allergies or hair or acne. Nothing. Cannot even say she is sick. In return, I can post day to day family stuff in which she was included. Fair enough.
Rosa and S., her best friend from school, have been spending a lot of time together and I like to see that. They are so cute. We went to the awesome library yesterday, yes me and 5 in tow, and when we picked up S. she said, "Riri, how do you like my new haircut?"
This is Rosie and S. on the playground, and I have no clue who the suspicious lady in the background is. This park is shouting distance from S.'s house and easy walking distance for the rest of us. I love our neighborhood, like Austin when I was a kid, they just ride bikes back and forth, walk to the park or the store. Cheyenne is a great city to raise kids. (Later I will probably go on about the best library ever with it's own kid's floor and play bus bookmobile art installation...)
Mike put the boys to work scrubbing an engine. That's all I can say about this except that Tommy put the steel "tooth brush" in his mouth. Nice. I guess this engine will be for the Chiraco although It could be for "Dad's car that was crushed by the tree that fell down on it." I think I have a photo of the wiring spread all over the basement.
Theresa is talking to Texas Telli looking for the golden triangle of destiny. I have been hearing too much about Telli and his triangles lately. They found a golden triangle of destiny in the laundromat. and then minesota mel tried to take it. Baby bear also loves triangles. I know this like a fact. I think Telli's triangle tossing competition vest looks like a sad relic of the 80's. Now jack black is telling us about octogons.
Friday, June 5, 2009
DSC_0079
he is peace hidden behind the hedge around the corner,
standing stolid, stoic he views his garden hands pursed
as if frozen in stone an instant before tossing his
morning bread crust on the ground for the birds.
standing stolid, stoic he views his garden hands pursed
as if frozen in stone an instant before tossing his
morning bread crust on the ground for the birds.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Mom, Rosie caught him!
This is the little guy we hear all day tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk,tk! He calls his mate, or he wards off the competition, or maybe he is just eating. We have seen him in the back yard in the alley on a phone pole, but this particular morning, we were all outside and he was not frightened away so Rosie saw the opportunity and went for the camera. "Grandma is going to love this!" She was especially proud of the shot if him pecking. I really like woodpeckers, now.
In the Garden
We have finally planted our vegetable garden. While Uncle Jes was here this past weekend, we all went to the nursery together. We chose some pretty plants and raced to put them in the ground before the rain came. We made it. In the back low garden along the wall, there are now eggplant, tomato, cucumber and pepper plants along with the strawberries which already came back from last year.
In addition we put some herbs in pots: basil, thyme, sage, cilantro, and a volunteer oregano.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday already
Okay everybody, Rosie scored a goal on the last game of the season. She is awesome!
As some people know, sleeping arrangements Friday night were odd at best, especially for Mike who dozed off on the floor half on Cleo's dog bed watching O'riley Factor. I tried to wake him up to move to bed because he had a TRIATHLON early Saturday morning. He would not budge. At the same time Rosie fell to sleep in the boys' room watching iCarly, but both of the boys fell to sleep upstairs...Tommy in my bed playing with Dad's old hotwheels from childhood and Mikey on the couch. Theresa and I had no choice but to sleep in the guest bed.
Anyway, Mike was up early and off the the race, then I got the kids out the door to go to the finish line to watch him cross at around 9, forgot the camera, but we were all there and the weather was beautiful. We saw him pass on the cycling leg. He looked hot or sunburned when he started off on the run, and he says that was the worst time for him. The whole thing gave us both renewed comittment to fitness. I guess being there so early in the morning and having the whole family show up to watch is good for all of us.
Jes was at the house when we got back there and I made some buckdwheat pancakes with applesauce in them. Very quickly we changed, got everyone ready and went out the door to the last soccer game of the season. Agian, beautiful weather and sunshine plus the all of us being there got Rosie motivated and she scored a goal!
Next post I will tell about Mikey's friend Peyton, the garden and Tommy's progress.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Today was busy
Tatya sleeps next to me, breathing almost imperceptibly the way only small babies do, and I will do some updates.
What a day. I skipped the 9:30 MOM's event for which I RSVP'd "yes" because Mikey had the bathroom problems which ended in a diaper rash (which you can get even when wearing cotton underpants). It did take us all morning to get everyone fed and bathed and clothed and presentable for an outing with dad while mom sat in the dentist chair listening to the first really interesting woman I have met so far in Cheyenne. Linda.
I know practically everything there is to know now. Her best friend had a granola upbringing, while she came from the midwest somewhere very Catholic with 13 Catholic churches and nearly as many Catholic schools. She has lost a sibling, is somewhat estranged from her strange mother, and is not appreciated for calling a spade a spade. Her only son is coming for dinner and she "will see" how that goes.
This lady is interesting because she told me her entire family history, a recipe for chickory with almond milk and stevia as a coffee substitute, and knew that I had been raised someplace without flouride in the water. She knew also that I had many sibblings by something I said which could not have been much because I was at the dentist. The most interesting conversation in a while.
When I got home of course I was hungry and couldn't eat so fed the baby who had gone without nursing for like 3 hours, and just listened while the boys proceded to hide everything they could find behind a pair of speakers in the living room. And whoever at Rose Art or Crayola who though up the idea of those fistfull of markers that make animal noises when you close them, it doesn't work. They just find the tiney little trigger and carry the open fist size marker everywhere while it says "mooo" or something. Those were all over the living room when I came out of Grandma's room.
When Rosie got home, I asked her to put every toy and marker in a large clear plastic bin for me, while I started dinner and Mikey screamed, "Don't take my toys to donate!" Was i that maniacle? How many times had I threatened to just pick up the mess and take it all to the Goodwill for some one who wants it?
Dinner was pork tenderloin cooked on the grill with asparagus and biscuits then off to the soccer game. I have to say Rosa did not play with enthusiasm, and I think she is under the weather (because she said she had a runny nose and I saw her coughing, maybe allergies to spring). Mikey has a girlfriend her sits on her soccer ball while he tries to play and asks him questions. He gave her one of his snacks, and asked her her name then said, "say it louder, I can't uderstand."
Tommy got cold playing in the evening wind, and he was very cranky. Unless it happened while I was at the dentist there was no nap. We went throught a drive through for coffee and cookies on the way home, and made plans for Uncle Jes to come this weekend. Rosie has her last game Saturday.
What a day. I skipped the 9:30 MOM's event for which I RSVP'd "yes" because Mikey had the bathroom problems which ended in a diaper rash (which you can get even when wearing cotton underpants). It did take us all morning to get everyone fed and bathed and clothed and presentable for an outing with dad while mom sat in the dentist chair listening to the first really interesting woman I have met so far in Cheyenne. Linda.
I know practically everything there is to know now. Her best friend had a granola upbringing, while she came from the midwest somewhere very Catholic with 13 Catholic churches and nearly as many Catholic schools. She has lost a sibling, is somewhat estranged from her strange mother, and is not appreciated for calling a spade a spade. Her only son is coming for dinner and she "will see" how that goes.
This lady is interesting because she told me her entire family history, a recipe for chickory with almond milk and stevia as a coffee substitute, and knew that I had been raised someplace without flouride in the water. She knew also that I had many sibblings by something I said which could not have been much because I was at the dentist. The most interesting conversation in a while.
When I got home of course I was hungry and couldn't eat so fed the baby who had gone without nursing for like 3 hours, and just listened while the boys proceded to hide everything they could find behind a pair of speakers in the living room. And whoever at Rose Art or Crayola who though up the idea of those fistfull of markers that make animal noises when you close them, it doesn't work. They just find the tiney little trigger and carry the open fist size marker everywhere while it says "mooo" or something. Those were all over the living room when I came out of Grandma's room.
When Rosie got home, I asked her to put every toy and marker in a large clear plastic bin for me, while I started dinner and Mikey screamed, "Don't take my toys to donate!" Was i that maniacle? How many times had I threatened to just pick up the mess and take it all to the Goodwill for some one who wants it?
Dinner was pork tenderloin cooked on the grill with asparagus and biscuits then off to the soccer game. I have to say Rosa did not play with enthusiasm, and I think she is under the weather (because she said she had a runny nose and I saw her coughing, maybe allergies to spring). Mikey has a girlfriend her sits on her soccer ball while he tries to play and asks him questions. He gave her one of his snacks, and asked her her name then said, "say it louder, I can't uderstand."
Tommy got cold playing in the evening wind, and he was very cranky. Unless it happened while I was at the dentist there was no nap. We went throught a drive through for coffee and cookies on the way home, and made plans for Uncle Jes to come this weekend. Rosie has her last game Saturday.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
This week I went through a little self aware moment - group of days - wondering about many things developmental. Most of this began with a comment made by the therapists/ teachers of Thomas' Sweetpea class.
I was picking him up Tuesday last when it became clear Mikey (age 3) really needed to go to the bathroom. I asked one of the ladies to hold Tatya while I helped Mikey. As mom's know, 3 yo's need some assistance still in the bathroom department. I showed Mikey the little potty and the little stool in front of the sink. I took a new pair of underpants from his backpack and left him to negotiate the procedure for a minute.
When I went back to where the 3 ladies and the other toddlers sat in a circle on the rug singing the good bye for now song to oneanother, I saw the ladies exchange this look as if they were deciding whether or not to say something. I just raised my eyebrow, in an effort to say, "this is the nicest way I can possibly ask you what it is..."
The one holding Tatya, began.
"How old is this baby?"
"THERESA is 6 months almost seven."
"Oh. She's not sitting up very well on her own...does this concern you?"
"Not until just now..."
By then, Mikey emerged from the little boys and girls room with a shirt and red socks on, nothing more.
"Did you need some help in there, honey?"
So I helped him dress and wash and flush and toss with an audience of two palpably mobile and verbal little girls. Then,
I went back to the goodbye for now circle of goodness to collect my other two children and walk very slowly back to the car, as mother's of two year olds do.
I took the phone number "in case you wanted to have her evaluated." I didn't mention her surgery down there, or her upcoming sedated scan which will tell us if she needs another surgery to free her tailbone to determine if she will maintain use of her legs for the rest of her life...Thanks, Ladies at Stride Learning Center.
Here are some photos of Tatya sitting rather wobly, while playing with Rosie and Mikey on the sofa.
Monday, May 18, 2009
update one - walking talking and potty training
Mike and Tommy walkin
We worked outside this weekend, and the house inside is a wreck. Tommy enjoys walking around with Mike and sort of discussing things, like to the left there is "blue ball" and I think he is pointing out a spot I weeded the day before. He is now in the sweetpeas class twice a week for 2 hours. They are so cute because everyone sings when it is pickup time. He is not afraid to be left, and I think he wants to go more often, because he asks to be driven to "teacher."
His brother, however, is jealous. He wants to go to school too, but he is of a certain age (3) where he would have to have far fewer accidents to be allowed in a regular 3 year old class (at St. Mary's anyway). We'll see what I can find, our options are limited by the size of the city and the fact that the facilities on base are full, but most of all I do not want to send Mikey to a private home. That would defeat the purpose: socialization. I can look after him at home. I want him to meet kids, and interact with other adults who expect him to follow rules too.
We worked outside this weekend, and the house inside is a wreck. Tommy enjoys walking around with Mike and sort of discussing things, like to the left there is "blue ball" and I think he is pointing out a spot I weeded the day before. He is now in the sweetpeas class twice a week for 2 hours. They are so cute because everyone sings when it is pickup time. He is not afraid to be left, and I think he wants to go more often, because he asks to be driven to "teacher."
His brother, however, is jealous. He wants to go to school too, but he is of a certain age (3) where he would have to have far fewer accidents to be allowed in a regular 3 year old class (at St. Mary's anyway). We'll see what I can find, our options are limited by the size of the city and the fact that the facilities on base are full, but most of all I do not want to send Mikey to a private home. That would defeat the purpose: socialization. I can look after him at home. I want him to meet kids, and interact with other adults who expect him to follow rules too.
update one - walking talking and potty training
Mike and Tommy walkin
We worked outside this weekend, and the house inside is a wreck. Tommy enjoys walking around with Mike and sort of discussing things, like to the left there is "blue ball" and I think he is pointing out a spot I weeded the day before. He is now in the sweetpeas class twice a week for 2 hours. They are so cute because everyone sings when it is pickup time. He is not afraid to be left, and I think he wants to go more often, because he asks to be driven to "teacher."
His brother, however, is jealous. He wants to go to school too, but he is of a certain age (3) where he would have to have far fewer accidents to be allowed in a regular 3 year old class (at St. Mary's anyway). We'll see what I can find, our options are limited by the size of the city and the fact that the facilities on base are full, but most of all I do not want to send Mikey to a private home. That would defeat the purpose: socialization. I can look after him at home. I want him to meet kids, and interact with other adults who expect him to follow rules too.
We worked outside this weekend, and the house inside is a wreck. Tommy enjoys walking around with Mike and sort of discussing things, like to the left there is "blue ball" and I think he is pointing out a spot I weeded the day before. He is now in the sweetpeas class twice a week for 2 hours. They are so cute because everyone sings when it is pickup time. He is not afraid to be left, and I think he wants to go more often, because he asks to be driven to "teacher."
His brother, however, is jealous. He wants to go to school too, but he is of a certain age (3) where he would have to have far fewer accidents to be allowed in a regular 3 year old class (at St. Mary's anyway). We'll see what I can find, our options are limited by the size of the city and the fact that the facilities on base are full, but most of all I do not want to send Mikey to a private home. That would defeat the purpose: socialization. I can look after him at home. I want him to meet kids, and interact with other adults who expect him to follow rules too.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
this is Winky from violastudio on Etsy. I love they idea of combining media, especially upcycling old clothes, and sweaters, vintage books and fabrics, embroidery and sewing made new. I have seen some really cute and inspiring crafts.
The idea is that I can somehow balance what I can handle making myself with what I buy hand made. Handmade baby things are the best, especially because it is still the time when I get to choose.
Right now I am looking for a "how to" on shrinky dinks made from recycled plastic berry containers and the other similar plastic "trash". You sand them then color them with pencils and bake at a low temperature.
I need the specifics though; the article I read said which # plastic; tempurature and duration in the oven...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Day of Platitudes
Yesterday was a day in platitudes: making the bed became a symbolic gesture synopsized in one brief if/then idea; gardening the spirit of renewal. I feel the song on the radio like an adolescent and feel the season's change, a verge in my emotional being. This would be good, so in touch with the world around me, but I have learned that one thing leads to another for me.
There is no enjoying self awareness and emotional reactivity, even though with it comes energy and creativity, when, deep within my mind I know what follows. A certain gloom or absence of any emotion, tiredness, fatigue and lack of interest or pleasure in much of anything.
Child-rearing can be hard and full of small regrets, some of which become larger. I will say I regret losing my temper or raising my voice with Rosa and Mikey. I have this nagging belief that over time they will learn to try and judge the mood of their parent which a child should not have to do. I feel that at times I sound too harsh and of course there were better words to use, better ways.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
sublime stiching - Jenny Hart is awesome
this Austin girl knows what she is doing and cool too. Her site has patterns, books, calender of events, textiles and more.
Sublime Stitching | This ain't your gramma's embroidery!
Sublime Stitching | This ain't your gramma's embroidery!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
While Mother Mary Prays
Blissfully, solemnly holding baby Jesus in her arms cast white porcelain Mother Mary prays over the button and bead flowers that my Rosa made for me at least four mothers days ago. I think to myself that somewhere I have a digital photo, but I have over 13,000 poorly labeled digital images spanning two laptops and an external drive. Why keep them if I cannot find them? I go through this thought process often re: linens, art supplies, gift wrap and craft supplies, spices in the kitchen cabinet and even clothes in the closet.
Mothers' day is as good as any time to reexamine the goals I set out in the beginning of the year. The simple list, as one reader commented, of not so simple tasks. Almost to the halfway point I am ready to regroup and see how I am doing (there is a word for this...).
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
For Mikey, the robot
Kids Craft Weekly - Issue 70: the robot. Mikey loves the robot, pretends to be the robot, watches for the robot, and so it is safe to assume, he would love to make a robot. Although the ideas for gluing together 2d robots on cardboard are pretty, I am afraid my son will have to make something he can turn around and play with. Good thing #4 is the matchbox robot.
Cakie's birthday buildabear handmade
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