quick update

Thursday, February 28, 2008

quick update
Current mood: cold

Dare I say it? Would I jinx it? What if I just whisper it? Shhh: Glory, halleluiah, I think Sweetcheeks might be potty trained! ~glancing furtively around~ Nobody heard me, right? I'm not tempting fate. Right?

Funny how superstitious I feel about it! But seriously, I'd rather not go back to poopy pants every day. Sweetcheeks has taken himself to the potty and pooped voluntarily every single time for three days in a row now. Woo hoo! He's been doing great peeing in the potty for awhile now, so could this be it? Could we be done?? I hope so. I know there will still be an accident from time to time, but I hope, in general, that he's got it down now.

* * *

BRRRRRR!!! I am cold! The weather's been swinging wildly from 50s, to low 70s, now to low 30s. . . I'm always unprepared. It's been a crazy winter. I am so ready for Spring.

* * *

I tried a new (to me) use for leftover pot roast, today. I diced up roast and potatoes, mixed it with a little gravy, and spooned it onto unbaked crescent roll dough triangles. I covered each with another triangle of dough, sealed up the edges, and baked them. They certainly aren't gourmet- they're alright- but they are tasty enough, and boy are they fast and easy! Next time I'll try biscuit dough instead- I might like that flavor combination better.

* * *

Oops, Babyman wakes. I guess this is just a quickie update.

Photoblog: A Study of Texture

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Photoblog: A Study of Texture
Current mood: lethargic





(this shot's by Billy)

Coffee shop, and Littleman the hikerman

Monday, February 25, 2008

Coffee shop, and Littleman the hikerman
Current mood: accomplished

OK, this is at least the third time this weekend that I have tried to post a blog entry. Nothing drastic has prevented me from blogging- just the usual things (babyman) demanding my attention. Anyhow, earlier today I began my entry thus:

I am sitting in a coffee shop, and a lady just walked in that bears a striking (if passing) resemblance to Dolores Umbridge (as played by Imelda Staunton) in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.



* * *
AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

Something wonky just happened, and I just lost all the rest of this post. Not the part above, for some reason, just all the bunches of stuff I'd written below. *%$##! ^$#$**&!! myspace. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

ANYHOW, I was telling you about . . . Damn, by the time I summarize it I might as well tell you the whole story.
Humph.
I'm going to go make some popcorn.

* * *

OK, I'm back. I made popcorn and loaded some pictures into the computer. So anyway, did you catch that earlier? I was sitting in a coffee shop? Blogging? [insert little happy dance] Billy had Littleman and Sweetcheeks for a day of hiking, no girls allowed. Suited Babyman and me just fine. ;) Of course, right about the time I got that far into my post, Babyman decided he'd had enough of the coffee shop. So I'd postponed it yet again.

Now the boys are home, and I have been informed that Littleman broke all his records yesterday: he hiked 5 miles, all himself! Billy didn't carry him at all. It's 2 1/2 miles in and 2 1/2 miles out, and when Billy suggested that they all turn around and head back (because he knew it would be a long, tough hike if they tried to do the whole thing) Littleman really, really wanted to hike the whole way. It was tough for him, but they did it! Sweetcheeks was so tired on the way out that he slept as Billy carried him. Littleman is very proud of himself.

The intrepid little hikers (photo by Billy):


They were at theRaven Cliffs Trail, which is one of my favorite hikes. I'm proud of my Littleman.

So, I'm quitting there for the night. I'll try not to go so long before I post! And I'll see if I can catch up on some of the other thoughts I wanted to write about.

Learning something new!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Learning something new!
Current mood: tested

Well, I feel a little dumb!
I fancy myself as being pretty informed. I've been reading nearly non-stop since I was a kid, and a lot of that is factual stuff from a wide range of interests. I've picked up a pretty good store of random, (nearly) useless knowledge. It usually serves me well as I try to answer Littleman's endless stream of questions.

Tonight, there was a total lunar eclipse. After getting the boys ready for bed, I took everyone outside to admire it- by that time, the Earth's shadow was covering about half the moon. I explained to Littleman and Sweetcheeks that the moon was getting covered up by the Earth's shadow, and we talked about how we see shadows when an object (ie; the Earth) gets in-between the light source (sun) and the surface we are looking at (moon). We made our own shadows on the living room wall before heading up to bed.

A little while ago, I was thinking about my explanation, and I realized that if I was correct (which I was), then I must have the moon's phases all wrong! All this time, I've had a vague notion that we see the phases of the moon because of the shadow that the Earth casts. But of course, that can't be right! Feeling like a ninny for not ever thinking of this before, I went googling for an answer. And of course, I found one:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~krcool/Astro/moon/moonphase/

Check it out- it's a very clear explanation with a great visual!

So it turns out that the moon is always half illuminated and half in darkness (except during a lunar eclipse). We see phases of the moon because we are usually looking at the moon from the side, seeing only part of the illuminated side and part of the darkened side. The phases change in a cycle as the moon orbits around the Earth, changing the angle from which we view it. Which makes sense, because the line between light and shadow is crisp for a moon's phase, but all soft and fuzzy in an eclipse. Ah ha!

Cool huh?

* * *
Thumbs-up for that site on moon phases for remedying my ignorance!

"So, are you going to try for another one?"

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

"So, are you going to try for another one?"
Current mood: relaxed

Having three children now, of course people ask me if we will try for another or if we are done. Generally, I say that I think we're done. That's true. Most of the time if I think of it at all I think something along the lines of "hell, no". There are very good reasons for this.

But.
I must admit there are times that I am holding Babyman, and I mourn that this could be my last baby. I see Littleman and Mr. Sweetcheeks playing together, and I wish for a fourth to join in the fray. And even though my response to the question "Aren't you going to try for a girl?" is always "I DID!" (LOL) I have to admit the thought still lurks that maybe this time. . .

When I was younger, I always thought I'd want four kids. I don't know why. (Of course, I also imagined it would be two boys and two girls, but since when does the universe work that way?) There is something about the even number that seems right for siblings- every one can have a partner, and the middle children are not alone in their plight. Billy was one of four children close in age (two girls and two boys, can you believe it?) and it was an advantageous arrangement for them. Then again I was one of three children, and that's not bad either. :)

I have to remind myself of all the reasons why I've decided we're done- the expense of raising kids, for instance, and the more limited time I have available for each child as another child is added to the dynamic. There's the logisitical issues involved with a larger brood- everything from balancing everyone's schedules to not overwhelming potential babysitters to physically fitting all the carseats in a vehicle. Not to mention the fact that I just don't want to go through pregnancy again. I'm tired of doing that to my poor body. And finally, it really all comes down to our dreams- there are so many things we wish to do, and so many of them really need to wait until we are out of babyhood. As things stand now, in just a couple years I might consider a big trip or some other exciting or drastic adventure. But anything like that with a baby under two plus other young children. . . that's tough. I'm not saying it's impossible- I know we could do it. But it's a matter of cost vs. benefit. I just know I need the children to be a little bit older. Besides, I need to hold onto that part of myself that was around pre-babies, and the longer it takes me to nurture it the harder it is to find. I need to take back a little bit of my life, and I need my babies to grow a little before I am ready to do much of that.

See? Good reasons.

And they usually win out, hands-down. Despite the fact that Billy would LOVE another baby. But sometimes, sometimes I sort of think that maybe. . .
Nature is a powerful mistress.
And babies? Babies are wonderful.
But I do think we are done.

* * *

An aside: I did inform Billy that IF (and it is a big IF), IF I were to change my mind, I will NOT be planning another hospital birth. Sorry, I am over it. I should have had homebirths all along, but was willing to assuage his concerns and compromise by choosing a hospital that was as close as possible to what I really wanted. But it's still a hospital, and no matter why you are there you are simply a number to crunch through the machine. No. Thank. You. I sincerely hope I do not ever need to check into a hospital ever again.

* * *

Tonight's thumbs-up goes to One Sentence, a website dedicated to telling one's story in just one sentence. Some of these are really quite brilliant. Could you tell a story well in only one sentence?

to finish. . .

Monday, February 18, 2008

to finish. . .
Current mood: tired

Earlier today I had to cut my computer time short, and so didn't really get to finish my post. I don't have that train of thought running anymore, but at least you got a cute pic to admire. Since I am enjoying posting pics for you, here's another random shot:


Sunset, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

* * *

Lately a couple of you have let me know that you have been reading my blog posts and enjoying them. Thank you!! It makes me feel really good.

* * *

Since I didn't do a thumbs-up last post, here it is for today: footie pajamas! For adults! This is what I got Billy for Valentine's Day. We have fleece footed pajamas for the boys, and Billy has always lamented that you cannot buy such things in adult sizes- he wanted some too! Well I finally found some, and they're pretty awesome. I may end up having to get some for myself, in fact. They have some in velvet. . .

a smile and an analogy

Sunday, February 17, 2008

a smile and an analogy
Current mood: rushed

Here's a silly, drooly baby smile to start today's post:


Did it make you smile? Huh? Huh?
I fixed the photo so it's bigger, now. Yes, that's Babyman!
* * *

Do you remember that movie Speed? I never saw it, but I remember the previews. The premise is that there is a bomb planted on a bus, and if the bus slows down to less than 50 mph, then the bomb will explode.

This is what it is like to drive with a fussy baby in the backseat. Stay at a fast steady speed, and all is fine. Slow down too much, and they will explode.

Have to run! More later!

wonder

Friday, February 15, 2008

wonder
Current mood: inspired

It seems like I am often writing about the trials of my mommy existence, yet I seldom make note of the simple unadulterated joy that's also involved. There are a few reasons for this- usually the trials make for better writing, and I have a need to write about them. It helps relieve a little tension and allow me to laugh at myself. But unfortunately, another reason is that I simply tend to see the tough stuff more than the joy. I am so swept up in managing, that I am missing out on the little moments- flashes of beauty that can suddenly bring it all into perspective.

What brought this realization to mind was a simple instant earlier this week: I was driving to pick Sweetcheeks up from Montessori, and Littleman was in his seat in the back of the van. The weather was lovely, and I had the radio on. A Genesis song came on, and Littleman asked me to turn it up. My mind was wandering, ticking off lists in my head and planning strategies to try to manage the day efficiently. I looked in my mirror to check on Littleman in the back seat, just as I do often, without thinking. This time however, the whole moment caught my attention and I suddenly felt aware. Littleman was watching out the window, lips pursed, head bobbing expertly to the beat. His bedhead was particularly admirable that day, his hair exploding off one side of his head as if he were still moving at mach speed even when strapped into his carseat. He was so present, so genuine and delightful. It wasn't anything Earth-shattering- in fact it was quite normal- but suddenly I was aware of the blessing of it all, and the beauty of that moment.

Not only did I revel in the sudden awareness, but I realized that I should be paying closer attention to these little joys. That I wasn't keeping myself open, so that the wonder could shine through. This is key, I think, to reawakening the relaxed, creative and spontaneous self I used to be. The first step to creating magic in my life is to recognize the magic I already have, and wonder at it.

* * *

Today's thumbs-up is for these acoustic images- remarkable little atmospheric tracks put together from field recordings gathered all over the world. The site is called WildTracks, and the recordings are by Steven Van Roy. Have a listen, and enjoy.
(note: after you click on the title of the track you want to hear, you still have to click play. It took me awhile to figure that out. Doh).

Some days, I should have just stayed in bed.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Some days, I should have just stayed in bed.
Current mood: amused

The other day Billy was free to hang out with us all day (yippee!) My mom was supposed to take Sweetcheeks to stay the night- but to make a long story short, that fell through. Instead, Billy, all the boys and I headed to the park. When we got there I needed to nurse Babyman, so Billy headed out with Littleman on his scooter and Sweetcheeks on the trike. Once Babyman was ready, I started gathering a few things for the diaper bag so that he and I could catch up with everyone else. Lo and behold, we had no extra pants for Sweetcheeks. And let me tell you, going anywhere without a spare pair of pants for him is just asking for trouble. I checked in with Billy (what did we do before cell phones?) before driving back home to pick up some extra pants.

As I near home, I notice a large van parked in front of the house. I've never seen the van before, and I can't see anyone around. It strikes me as odd. I pull into the driveway, hitting the button to open the garage. Looking inside, I see that the door inside the garage (going into the house) is ajar. Now, I'm creeped out. Still it's possible that, in our typical mad rush to get out the door, we might not have closed it properly. So, I decide to leave Babyman sleeping in his carseat while I have a look.

I quietly creep through the door and pause in our little basement storage room (it's a split-level house). The dogs are not waiting to greet me at the top of the stairs, as they normally would after hearing the garage door. I listen carefully, and then I can hear dishes being shifted around in the kitchen. It sounds like silverware clinking. It's definitely not the cat! Somebody is in the house.

I silently hightail it back outside and into the van, hitting 911 on my cellphone as I go. As I lock myself and Babyman in, I report my suspicions and await the police. The adrenaline is pumping. The dispatcher keeps me on the line until the cops start arriving- not one, not two, not three but four police cars show up. As soon as I hang up with 911 I call Billy to let him know what's going on. He's a bit alarmed, of course. . . but then he asks me if it could be our friend Jeremy. Jeremy and my brother had planned to drive a dishwasher out to the house that week (long story), and it hadn't worked out. Perhaps Jeremy had borrowed a van to drive it out? Sitting there in my van, looking at the cops gathering on my driveway, a curious mixture of relief, amusement, embarrassment and dread flooded me. Of course! Somehow I knew immediately that Billy had it right. That was good- my house wasn't being robbed- but now I had to tell all those police "Oops, sorry! It's just a buddy of ours. Didn't mean to call you out here for nothing- (insert airheaded giggle) My bad!" I let the police know it might be a friend, and described Jeremy. Sure enough, a moment later Jeremy comes out to get something from the van, only to discover police everywhere! Police, and my sheepish, relieved self. Luckily, everyone involved was very good natured about the whole thing. I was very, very embarrassed.

So, after calling the cops on a very good friend, I snagged some pants for Sweetcheeks and headed back toward the park. Billy decided to continue down the path with the boys, and meet me at a restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. We had a nice meal, during which Littleman dumped out his ENTIRE glass of water and Babyman fussed for much of the time. (My sandwich and veggies were still quite yummy, though). Afterwards, the plan was that Billy would take the boys out to play some more, and I would settle in at the coffeeshop to sip tea and knit while Babyman napped. Ahh.

I get my tea steeped just right, and pour a nice cup with some honey. Just as I begin casting on the next section of the sweater I am knitting, Babyman gets fussy. I spend the next 30 minutes or so trying a variety of things to get him to calm down, while my tea grows steadily colder. Finally, he falls back asleep in his carrier. Just about then, Billy and the boys show up.

The boys are cheerful and wired, climbing all over the chairs and crawling under the table. (I was in a back corner of the room, where some cushy chairs were grouped together, so at least they weren't bothering anyone else. Much). While Billy figures out what to order, Sweetcheeks poops in his pants. So, Billy (what a great Daddy!) takes Sweetcheeks and some supplies (I told you we'd need those pants!) off to the bathroom. I manage to drink a couple sips of tea, then I sit back again to knit.

Littleman by now has drunk more of my tea than I have (it was rooibos, which is decaf). He's using my coffee stirrer as a straw, leaning over the cup so he doesn't have to pick it up off the coffee table. Just as I get about halfway through a purl row, he comes over to me looking crestfallen. "Mommy", he says, "I'm sorry but when I was drinking your tea a drop of my mocos fell in it". Now, for those of you that do not speak spanish, "mocos" basically means "snot". (It's the word we use for snot in our household). So you can imagine how delighted I was with this little tidbit of information. Sigh. Seeing that I was looking a bit downtrodden at this turn of events, Littleman comes over to give me a sweet hug. He leans over to hug me where I'm sitting, wrapping his arms around my waist and laying his head on my lap. Awww. After a moment he looks at me with his sweet, curious face and innocently asks, "Mommy, why is your tummy still fat?"

Geeeez.
What a day.

(The evening was an improvement, though)

* * *

Thumbs-up tonight goes to this fun little site: http://www.ericmyer.com/blue/stereotypes_II.htm. Swapping out the halves of faces is surprisingly amusing. . . I played with it for quite some time! Check out Editions I and III as well. Enjoy!

hide and seek, and other sundries

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

hide and seek, and other sundries
Current mood: tired

Billy came home early tonight, and was upstairs playing hide-and-seek with the boys. This involves one person hiding in another room while the other two wait, and then the hider yells "OK!" when he's ready to be found. Well, Sweetcheeks decided to be the hider. I hear Billy saying, "No, wait! Wait- wait until we're not looking, THEN you hide." There's a pause, and then I hear Sweetcheeks: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10!" Billy chuckles. "Are you ready?" "OK!" yells Sweetcheeks. I hear Billy and Littleman head for the room where Sweetcheeks is presumably hiding. Billy adds as they enter the room, "And be really quiet so we don't hear where you are."
"OK!" comes the loud reply.
Oh, well.

* * *

This living room floor was clean 3 hours ago. Sigh.

* * *

To update on the Sweetcheeks potty saga, he is doing really, really well with peeing in the potty. Usually, if I forget to make him go, it will be fine- he will take himself to the potty and go when he needs too, without wetting his pants. (Exceptions are usually if we are out and about, and I forget to take him. Then, he's more likely to have an accident. So I still try to be diligent then). He's also been waking dry after a nap or even all night! He still has issues with pooping in the potty, though. I don't know why, but he apparently REALLY doesn't want to poop in the potty. He poops in his underwear every time. It's a real pain. I'm not sure how to solve that aspect, but we are not returning to diapers. So, I guess we'll see.

* * *

Earlier, I was looking forward to getting the kids in bed, and then sipping some wine (I almost spelled that "whine", LOL- I get a lot more of that, let me tell you!) while sitting on the couch and watching my new Harry Potter DVD with Billy. But now I am just too damn tired. Oh, well. I'll watch it at some point. At least we saw it in the theater!

* * *

We are all sick. It's been a head-crud kind of a cold. I thought Sweetcheeks was better, but yesterday he suddenly developed an earache. By evening it was severe. WHY do these things ALWAYS happen when the pediatrician is closed? But I had some natural remedies on hand from our last episode with an ear infection (they're infrequent around here, thank goodness. . . knock on wood. . .) and I started right in with a homeopathic blend and some herbal ear drops. (Plus some tylenol to stop the pain and hence, the screaming. Poor kiddo). Once the tylenol kicked in he felt better. I continued the remedies, and this morning he woke up fine. Hmm. This stuff is great, but THAT great? Maybe it wasn't an ear infection. He wasn't running a fever. In any case, I am very, very glad he is feeling better. I can focus my worry on Babyman, who now has a cough. It's not bad yet (still just in his head), and hopefully won't get any worse. But hearing that cough come from that baby body just curls my toes. I cringe just thinking about it. He's not running a fever, is sleeping and nursing well and seems like his normal self. So for right now, I'm in wait-and-see mode. Hopefully he will improve soon.

* * *

Today's thumbs-up is for my In-laws, who came today to play with the kids and help out a little so I could get a few things done. Yay, Grandma and Grandpa! I am blessed with great in-laws. But since that doesn't really seem to fit in with my usual thumbs-up format, I'll do another- it's a little random, but still great: a website to teach you how to tie knots. Each knot is pictured, the steps are described, and best of all each step is illustrated by video. It's really one of the best knot-tying tutorials I've seen. So, go learn a new skill today!

a bloggers' meme

Monday, February 04, 2008

a bloggers’ meme
Current mood: overstimulated

OK, so I was "tagged" with a meme. (Meme? Meme? WTH is a meme? I mean, where did that term originate? I've always just called them "surveys", but that's not always an accurate description. Like now. So, I guess "meme" it is). Ahem. Anyhow, (waving at Kyddryn) thanks for the tag! You can find my tagger's blog here at blogspot. And see, that's the beauty of this particular meme. The best part isn't the meme itself (though often interesting), but the list of links to other people's blogs. My blog gets exposure, and so do several others. So, be sure to take advantage of that, and check them out!

First, the rules.

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Now, on with it.

- In middle school, I started my own business (not licensed, of course) selling my homemade cookies. I sold them to teachers, neighbors and parents of friends. I think they probably just bought them to be nice. :) $5 for a baker's dozen. It was a pretty sweet deal for me, because all my supplies just came out of my parents' kitchen- the money I made was pure profit. As long as I didn't take too many orders per week, I could get away with it. My poor folks.
- I love reading mystery novels- they're like candy. My favorite mystery series is probably Martha Grimes' Richard Jury mysteries. I got hooked on mysteries long ago by the combined efforts of the lovely Miss Marple and a couple siamese cats named Koko and Yum-Yum. Oh wait, first there was Nancy Drew and Encyclopedia Brown!
- I have never cut my hair short. At most, it's been trimmed a few inches- but otherwise it's been free to stretch out endlessly since it first started growing. My mom had to do a lot of detangling when I was little! Perhaps that's where I developed my high tolerance for pain?
- I wish I could take horseback riding lessons regularly.
- I believe in magic.
- I have the ability to belch like a. . . wow, in an effort to find a suitable simile, on a whim I googled "belch like a" (with the quotation marks) and found "belch like a- trucker, troll, dyspeptic pensioner, gluttonous rhino, bastard, sailer, bloated mule, frat boy, glutton after Thanksgiving dinner, champ, flamethrower, dog drinking grog, 300 lb. defensive tackle who just ate a dozen hard boiled eggs, foghorn, rugby player, 53 year-old drunk, a Yule log thrown on a fire of lusty living, and a Yankee Stadium urinal at the end of an extra-inning game. (EWWWW). That's just a quick skim of the results. Anyway, I can belch. Really, really loud. But, I generally don't.

OK, now for the blog links. I have a dilemma, here. Most of the blogs I read just aren't proper venues for me to play tag with a meme. There are a few I can annoy:
Like Gypsy Guru here at blogspot. I read her blog regularly. Also, I can bother Farbod over on myspace, because he'll wonder why the hell his friend's sister is even reading his blog, let alone being all annoying and sending a meme his way. Plus, his blog can be very entertaining. I'd send you to some of my other friends and family on myspace, but most of them don't blog much at all. However, I can point you to a couple good "mommy" type blogs on myspace: Jackie and Tommasina. Those are worth a look, so check them out!

I am honestly out of good ideas. I think I'll cheat a bit, and simply list some links to good blogs, and call it done. I've been trying to think of more for days without coming up with suitable ideas. I'm afraid I'm just not all that connected in the blogosphere yet!
So, be sure to check out:
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman
and BECAUSE I SAID SO.
And, since I'm cheating I'll list a bonus: Yarn Ball Boogie. They're all great blogs!

Enjoy!

Was that really me?

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Was that really me?
Current mood: wistful

I was just thinking about a song on my iPod. Most of you aren't familiar with it; it's called That's When I Knew, and it's something Billy wrote about our relationship once upon a time. (A number of jokes about HOW very long ago did occur to me, but I'll spare you!) :) Of course, it actually wasn't THAT long ago really. . . and yet, hearing it made me sad. The song references me a number of times- things I said or did, and as I listened I realized that I never get the chance to say or do any of them these days. As a matter of fact, that person the song is for hardly seems to be me at all, at least on the outside. (And I'm losing it on the inside, too I think).

The sorts of things I'm talking about are lighthearted, spontaneous, creative and relaxed. I don't feel like I'm any of these things, today. And sitting here just now, an irony occurred to me: those are some of the key elements that I always thought would help me to be an excellent Mom, yet it is mothering that seems to have stripped them right out of me! Now, doesn't that bugger all?

I'm not sitting here all depressed about this- it seems a bit inevitable, after all- but I DO so hope that matters will improve. I'll have to consider it, and see what I can do to bring a little bit of "me" back into my interactions with my kids. If they could see me as Billy once did, I doubt they'd recognize their own mama. I miss the magic in my every day.

* * *
One of the things I used to do a lot was blowing bubbles. I had bubble solution on hand at all times (almost). I loved to climb high in a tree and sit there, blowing bubbles and watching them dance away. I remember long, lovely afternoons with Billy, listening to albums (and CDs too, but a lot of good old vinyl) while we sat at his bedroom window, talking and blowing bubbles into the warm Georgia breeze. I also had a Klutz Bubble Thing, which we carted to Stone Mountain a number of times, and wowed passers-by with my monstrous bubble prowess. I have had so much fun with this thing over the years. I'd lost mine, and only recently replaced it- so, soon I do at least plan on introducing my own boys to this bit of soapy magic. Therefore, today's thumbs-up is for the Klutz Bubble Thing- here it is packaged with the book for more fun. Best used on humid days, so start dreaming of Spring and Summer. Enjoy!

Here comes the rain. . .

Thursday, January 31, 2008


Here comes the rain. . .
Current mood: peaceful

Just a moment ago, the rain really started coming down. I just love that sound, especially if the rest of the house is quiet. (Hell, I just like the sound of the rest of the house being quiet, as long as it doesn't mean the kids are up to something disastrous somewhere out of my sight- but adding in the rain sound is especially lovely). My ears had barely registered the subtle hiss and drip-drop of a quiet, gentle rain outside. Then all of a sudden, the sound builds and builds to a beautiful heavy roar that beats down on the roof and rushes through the gutters. There's a whole little symphony of plops, drips, shushing and gurgling out there, if I stop typing to focus in and listen.

Oooh, and there's the train, sounding it's horn off in the distance. All the way from old town, that magical sound comes drifting through the watery night. What is it about the sound of a train that catches our attention, bringing to mind half-acknowledged glimpses of life's possibilities? That feeling that, even in this chaotic, messy life you are living right now- this Groundhog Day of runny noses, dirty laundry, running late and sibling rivalry- that even here there is magic and adventure just outside your door. I don't know why, but just hearing that sound makes me feel better, and seems (in a small way) to put my struggles in perspective. Life is good, remember?

And it's raining. :)

* * *

Sweetcheeks is doing really well with peeing in the potty. On the poop front, well, we're still working on that. He pooped in his underwear twice yesterday, but he voluntarily went and pooped in the potty again today. (One step forward, two steps back?) I hope he catches on sooner rather than later, because I have to say I am getting VERY tired of cleaning up poopy accidents. VERY tired. But over all, I'd say things are still going well with the Sweetcheeks potty saga.

And Babyman actually seemed to like his little massage after his bath tonight. Which is nice, because when I actually have the time to do it, I love giving my babies a massage. I ought to try teaching his older brothers how to give me one- at least on my neck and shoulders! (They did occasionally rub my feet for me when I was pregnant!)

Oh, and speaking of teaching them to be helpful, the other night Littleman requested chicken soup for dinner. He'd prefer soup in a can, but I didn't have any that he wanted. I did have some chicken broth in the fridge though, so I told him I'd make some soup for him. He grudgingly agreed. While the broth heated I pulled out some carrots, celery, garlic and noodles. I started to cut up the carrots before thinking, "DUH!" as I realized Littleman could participate. He has this little wood-handled vegetable chopper, which he had not had the opportunity to use yet. I set him up at the kitchen table with the carrots and celery, and showed him what to do. He did a great job cutting up the veggies for me, and even Sweetcheeks was able to cut a few carrot pieces, too! They were very excited about the whole thing, and gobbled the soup down when it was done. Littleman made sure to tell Daddy about the soup "he" had made!

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I guess we could say that today's thumbs-up is for that little vegetable chopper. Or for rain (we need it so!). Or for that distant train. Or for this Mom's version of the the William Tell Overture on youtube. But I think right now, my winner will be fresh, clean sheets and my nice warm blanket. Ohhhh, YEAH.

'Night!