my little asian friend...and other stuff.

I wish I could take credit for this little asian beauty. But I can't. My friend Twyla makes these....and I fell in love. Her little girl turned 2 last week and she made a bunch of these and created a little mobile centerpiece for her party. I told her I was stealing one and going to come up with ways for her to market them. They are beaut-eeee-ful on the back too! I am thinking gift tags, or bookmarks, or mobiles. What do you think.....

Today was a gorgeous sunny day. A little chilly...but how often do you not see a cloud in the sky? Around here that is......

If a picture is worth a thousand words....I have no words for this one. Someone else will have to come up with them. Be still my heart.....

Don't faint...

But, I am actually doing 2 posts in one day! I figured I'd get to it, before I forgot.

lj. did this drawing at school before Christmas. It was one of those things where you could get it printed on all sorts of paraphernalia...mugs, ornaments, cards, stickers, calendars, etc. (A few family members are now able to see this little lovely all the time.)

Backstory: lj. DOES NOT love art. He does not love to sit and "waste his time" drawing. There are much better things to do with his time and he will often let you know. This drawing is ABSOLUTELY precious to me! I have no idea what it is.... but I love it. And I love that there is a scoreboard in it. It's very appropriate.

How to Talk to Moms

This is the book lj. picked out at the bookstore the other day. We were on a hunt to find a poetry book for his homework (more on that later...) and he found this and really, really wanted to get it. It's chock-full of all kinds of good wisdom written from the perspective of a 10 yr old boy (by a 10 y/o boy). It begins with this preface:

Sometimes your mom seems like the most wonderful woman in the world. But sometimes you think she is mean and wants to ruin your life. Really, it is both.

In a very serious, concerned way lj. asked me, "mom, when you were a kid did you think your mom was both trying to ruin your life and also the best mom in the world?" Uhhh...yep. At times.

Some more of my favorites:

Some moms are easygoing. Some moms freak out a lot. If helps if you understand what your mom likes and doesn't like. If you understand your mom, you won't get in trouble as much.

Kids try and say no to Mom all the time. You might try to protest or make up an excuse. But beware of the backfire! The backfire is when your plan goes very wrong.

(The backfire happens about 45% of the time with Dad, and maybe 1 percent of the time with Grandma...everybody knows that grandmas spoil you.)

And best to remember my favorite:

Moms take care of you and feed you, give you advice, help you with your homework, and help you sort out problems. Plus they love you no matter what.

Lj. and I have been going through some rocky spots. I have been having a very hard time understanding him and he has been having a very hard time complying. Thanks to a little perspective-getting (on my part)...I am hoping to keep my eye on the prize. The big picture, so to speak. This little dude is an amazing gift. An amazingly perceptive soul in a 7 year old body. It is hard to remember at times that he is just seven....not thirty-seven. I am doing my best....but at times, that best just isn't very good.

Last night, we curled up in bed and went through his baby book. I read these entries aloud to him and realized again just how much love a mommy heart can hold.

(from his 1st birthday entry: Looking back on baby's first year...)

"wow!" Can it be a whole year passed?! It has been a blink and so much has changed. I am amazed everyday at the new concepts and things j. puts together. Everyday my heart grows bigger and more in love! I never knew how much you could possibly love your child."

I read this to him and he gave me the biggest bear hug and an "I love you mom" to make any mom's heart melt to mush.

And some insight into lj's perspective about growing up from his baby book:

He asked his doctor for a "second opinion" and said "getting big is a process..." at 3. And at 4, he said, "You know why we don't have a baby brother? We aren't ready for one yet. I prayed to God and sometimes He says no to things we aren't ready for."

So much going on in that little head. And so much love to give. I hope I can handle it all.

Park day

MLK day at the park since big bro. had no school. He has become quite the hula-hooper. At one point he had 5 going!! I am lucky if I can keep one going around twice. Maybe I need to learn to shake my thang....

(okay, enough of that disturbing visual...)

On to the fun.....

"look mom, I made the Olympics!"

See, that brown spot? See it there? On the (once) clean, new shirt....Yep. He found the One and Only Red Clay Mud Puddle at the park....yep. Still workin' on that one...

POWER

Question:

What would you do? With all your power......

I was cleaning, re-arranging, and listening to music in lj's room (while a. also pulled every toy/book/random whatnot out to play with) when this song came on his ipod. It reminded me and inspired me (as music so often does) of the reason we do what we do. We have an awesome power and responsibility (as humans) but especially as parents....and we have this ONE life and one moment to do something with it. I can't help but feel like I've squandered so much and been irresponsible with it. I just don't know what to do with my power!

What I know right now: power = energy...and I need superpowers!

Wouldn't we all like to think we would do/be/create something great if only given the opportunity. Well, we do. EVERY DAY!

My doing/being/creating greatness is going into these two little beings for now. For there is the future power...

SO....... what would you do.........

Dinosaur bones, mass extinction, fossils, bones...more, bones

We are big They Might Be Giants fans in this family. I was way back when....when songs like "Birdhouse in Your Soul" and "Constantinople" were on my playlists, like in the early 90's.... like 1990 early 90's....As most of you, my dear readers, probably were too...

Along their creative path, they have come up with crazy (and I mean crazy) podcasts, books, and more inspiring music. But, I have to say that their kids' cds have become staples in this household. "No" and "Here Come the ABC's" played themselves out when lj. was a wee tot. He still likes them though and we are always on the lookout for new releases. "Here Comes the 1,2,3's" and most recently, "Here Comes Science" are always good food for junior minds (and the young-at-heart). I had to post a few faves. So, check 'em out.

("7" is an often quoted song around here....We want cake, where's our cake?)

Ahh....Geekdom at it's very finest.

I am a Paleontologist

Seven

Terrible Twos?

Little a. has been showing his independence lately...lots of "nooooooo mommy" and "DOOONNN'T" with the accented determination of a demonic monkey. His personality is generally happy and mellow, but at times...the stubbornness of a mule shows through. (Does he get this from his father? No, his mother AND his father most likely...)

Now, the little stinker (as he's so lovingly called) has been having some big issues sitting down and eating. About 5 minutes into his dinner, he declares "mommy, heowp" (help) with the most pathetic tone you ever did hear. Tonight he was having a grand time blowing his green juice out as he drank it...and did I mention, it was green?! Thus, a big mess. Then general silliness and disaster ensues between the stinker and the big brother. Lots of spitting and throwing of food items. Lots. Lots of no's.

Tonight, J. had to put the discipline hammer down. Something we really haven't had to deal with yet with this one. J. got up and held little a's chin in his hand to get his attention...little a. was in mid "noooooooo(BUuURrP!)" and then started laughing at himself. L.j. got going...I couldn't help it, I looked at J. and the giggles won.

Oops, missed out on that important discipline opportunity. :)

All in a day's work

Up early (for me) Not so for kids.

Headed out for "quick" errand...hahahahahahahahahaha

Left card at home. went back home. out again..... "bye bye home"

Made it to store. waited for coffee. pushed funny toddler around in cart, while making zerbert noises and funny faces, tickles and whistles through straw.

Had to poot. Ooops...not a poot. Now understand what it feels like to need a diaper change.

Waited in long line at "Chic-o-lay". (Heard a very clear, very exuberant "YAY" from the back seat when pulled into the drive through...)

Pulled soaking wet toddler from car seat, with soaking wet car seat cover....screaming toddler.

Changed two sets of pants. Yes, Two.

5 or 6 piles of laundry.

annoying email from other committee member on PTA.

a few tears, more laughs...

saw snowflakes

kid home early due to snowflakes

bonked kid's head on car door frame

what feels like entire household turned uppa-side down.

(Christmas needs to put itself away....or those little elves need to come back.)

Ok, deep breaths. All in a day's work.

Look Who's Cookin'...

Little a. got this little stove for Christmas...from Santa. (Santa was good to us this year. I should definitely give a shout out to Sa-NANA-ta...for blessing us all with more than we need.)

He has been making us breakfast each morning. He also makes sure to salt and pepper his cereal for good measure. It's super cute. But don't take my word for it...see for yourself. :)