A Tea Party

We busted out the tea set Leah got from Grandma Helen this week. It was tons of fun. Leah enjoyed pouring tea and pouring more tea and pouring more tea and adding milk and adding sugar and adding more sugar and drinking very little tea. There was tea everywhere including all over Leah. Fortunately for me she had no complaints about doing the dishes and taking a bath afterward.

Tis a Gift to be Simple

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Embedded video from CNN Video

This morning the kids and I skipped our usual trip to the YMCA to watch the inauguration. I'm not one to post about politics but this was historical you know. I noticed that the kids could have cared less about what was really happening but both were attentive to the music. I've always loved this simplicity of this tune and I found what it brought to mind fitting for the events of the day. Both the event of the inauguration and of me being able to sit at home with my children and watch it on tv.

Of course there really is nothing "simple" about the inauguration and how a new president is elected and such. It's even more confusing it seems for the mind of a two year old. I told her we were getting a new president today. She said "I like new presents."

Limo = Lemon

On the way home from church this morning I pointed out a limousine to Leah. It was a cool pink one. I said "Leah check out that big pink car, it's called a limousine. She replied with "we put lemon on our pancakes". After a bit of discussion she figured out the difference between limo and lemon.

And for putting lemon on pancakes. We do! Crepes with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar are one of Leah's favorites.


Now that I have typed the word limousine several times I think it is sort of a funny looking word.

5 months for Jonah

Five months ago today Jonah was born and I am reminded that he is growing like a weed. He is becoming less of an infant everyday. As far as milestones and such I have very little idea. He's my second kid so I guess I quit paying attention. As long as he is fed and happy I am happy! Actually, he is nearly sitting on his own. I have seen him roll over both ways but is much too busy chewing on his feet to practice. He loves it when you sing to him and is very ticklish. I am in love with his warm smile and belly laughs. He still is a crappy sleeper but I'm not willing to let him cry it out yet so that is that. Guess it's time to wrap up this post since I can hear him upstairs in his crib kicking his feet. That's his favorite thing to do. He kicks so hard he nearly shakes the whole house!

Put 'em to Work

So I am one of those moms that reads the weekly "Baby Center" updates. You know those ones that tell you where your kid should be at developmentally. The ones that give you ideas of how to tackle the typical trials and tribulations of everyday parenting. Most of the time I feel like I do a lot more reading of "how to parent" suggestions than I do of actually following them. However, last week I decided to try one out.

Leah is getting to the age where she understands that people have jobs and there are things that "need to be done." As in "need to be done before I will pick you up, play a game, etc". I figured (and baby center suggested) that chores would be a good idea for her. So I, the task master, set to work! I now have Leah doing all of the cooking, cleaning and diaper changing around here which is why I have TONS of time to blog!! Okay, not really here is here chore list. Most of it is stuff I expect her to do anyway.

- get dressed
- brush teeth
- put shoes away
- hang up coat
- pick up toys
- set the table
- put clothes in laundry basket

She gets nifty stickers to put on her chart if she completes the task each day. Sometimes I wish someone would give me a nifty sticker for doing the dishes! You can tell that she takes her jobs quite seriously!

Happy Anniversary To Us

The 10th of January is Paul and my wedding anniversary. This year we celebrated five years. It's quite amazing how things have changed in five years. Having kids definately changes how one celebrates. On our first anniversary we whisked away to the Twin Cities for a couple of nights on the town and a visit to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. The next two years we enjoyed nice quite dinners. Last year we dropped Leah off with a sitter planning for her to spend the night. Instead we ate dinner and went back and picked her up. This year we headed up to my parents so that I could attend someone else's wedding on our anniversary. So romantic. We did manage to squeeze in a few hours alone to have dinner. We enjoyed it so much and it was so romantic that we threw it up 4 hours later! Yup. Both of us. And we had to kick both kids out of bed since we were sick and it was too much to snuggle with them too. Most of our anniversary this year was spent sleeping in my parents basement trying to recover from a nasty stomach bug. Thankfully my parents were there to keep an eye on our babies. We know how to celebrate!

Another Foot Post

Here's another one to go along with this one and this one. Leah thought Auntie Bethany's boots were very cool but couldn't figure out how to get them on the right way.




And here's a one of Jonah for good measure. Eating his toes!

Sicko

So how does one convice a two year old that puking in a bucket is a better idea than puking all over her bed or her mommy? Dilemma of the week at our house. Leah has been sick the past two nights. She appears to be fine during the day. Paul tried telling her it was a "magic bucket". I tried to stress how long it takes me to change her bedding. I guess there's no arguing with a sick girl at one in the morning. I wish I would have known that the I was gonna see the mac and cheese she ate for supper again, I would have fed her something else. Instead I was stuck cleaning the regurgitated version out of her hair, and mine in the middle of the night.

Please get better soon baby girl! And please don't pass on whatever it is you have to the rest of us.

"Magic"

Leah received a HUGE trunk of princess dresses for Christmas. Paul calls her his princess all the time so I guess it is fitting. Her favorite outfit is the flapper dress with hot pink sequins! On Christmas Eve, while trying on her gear on Christmas Eve she discoved that she has magic powers over her cousins Brian and Michael. She is a bit bummed that her magic doesn't work quite this well now that Christmas is over and we are back home.

The Unfortunate Prune Incident

Yes, I have plenty of x-mas stuff to post about. We had a lovely time with family, the kids got great gifts, we ate good food, but first I must tell this tale.



So regular readers of this blog know that there have been a few posts in the past about the pooping abilities of my children. They don't really have difficulties in that area. In fact Leah's turd producing ability is profound. Knowing this, I should have thought twice when Leah munched down a snack of prunes last week. I think she had three, but would have eaten more.



I thought the prunes had worked their magic when Leah requested a trip to the potty while out shopping at the mall. I was wrong. Very wrong. The "magic" happened right in the middle of Leah's nap time. She had a serious assplosion which was major trauma for my potty trained girl. Needless to say Leah got a clean colon for Christmas.



Maybe they should put a warning label on prunes.

snowmen

Sorry I haven't posted much. We've been busy visiting family in Iowa. It's cold and snowy here.

the nativity

So I can understand that Christmas is a bit confusing for kids. I mean really, what is it all about. Jesus, Santa, cookies, reindeer, snow, presents?? Leah has taken in a bit of everything. My favorite statement from her lately when asking her about Christmas is "It's Baby Jesus's birthday!" I think mom will be making a cake! Here she is taking it all in.

more stolen photos

I didn't take these. Auntie Meagan did a few weeks back when she and Ryan visited along with their fancy camera. Auntie Bethany requested new photos, so here they are!

Chat

So this post isn't about my kids. It is about the wonders of technology. I have chatted on-line and used instant messaging but never as much as this week. For some reason, two days this week my mom and all three of of my sisters have chanced to be on g-mail at the same time. It's been a really fabulous, and somewhat amusing way to catch up. This afternoon we got the quite the laugh while Bethany was on her lap top and I was on the desktop chatting with Meg in Illinois and Abby in Minnesota. Made for an easy 4 way chat about a possible x-mas gift for mom and dad. I think mom felt a bit left out hearing all the beeping and typing and not knowing what we were going on about. Who knew we were so technologically advanced?!

I wonder what sort of technology Leah & Jonah will use to chat when they are our age?

Sit & Stand or Stand & Peek

One of Leah's favorite things to do it stand at the counter and watch me cook or help me cook. A lot of times that means sticking her fingers in whatever bowl I have out or sneaking a finger full of butter right out of the tub. Usually Leah stands on the chairs that belong with her kid sized table. I got so sick of running into them in the kitchen that I started putting them away. Well, Leah discovered the joy of re purposing her toys. Example below.




That's her trying to sneak a bit of her gingerbread house.

Jingle Bells

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is Christmas carols. I like that they are the songs you "put away" all year and haul out right after Thanksgiving just like the tree and decorations. Leah is thrilled that I all of a sudden have a new repertoire at bedtime. Her favorites are Jingle Bells and Away in Manger. She is now even identifying Jingle Bells in the background of commercials on TV!

The other thing I have noted about Christmas songs is how tough the words are for small children. Really does my two year old know what "yonder" means or "noel" or "deck the halls with boughs of holly?" Oh well, they are still fun.

This morning Leah serenaded us with her rendition of Jingle Bells. It went something like this.

"Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, one horse open sleigh, HEY!" (arms raised in glee at this part) "Jingle Bells Jingle Bells,one horse open sleigh, Old MacDonald had a farm with a cow EEI EEI OOO." It was great!

My Mellow Mushroom

So this blog seems to be filled with lots of pictures of Leah, I think it needs some of Jonah!

Thus far he seems to be a calm baby. He has earned the name "Mellow Mushroom" from me. He digs chilling out and watching what's going on. I'm sure he's just waiting till he's mobile and can be part of the action. He's thrilled when we sit down and talk nonsense to him. Then he's all smiles. I'm hoping that even when he's mobile, he's calm. I'm not sure I can handle two babies with Leah's energy level!

And here's the pics of our cutie pie.

Just a Trim

I have been debating for months about cutting Leah's hair. There was something about her white blonde silky tresses that I couldn't mess with. She actually sits for "hair dos" and shampoos. However, the longer her hair got, the more the ends were starting to collect jelly from toast & chesse from macaroni. It's no fun trying to get out sticky gray stuff from hair.

So at two years and 8 months old and I finally bit the bullet last week. My friend Angie agreed to trim up Leah's ends while we were visiting up in WI. Leah, armed with a sucker, was a pro. I don't think she moved a muscle during the whole process and was quite proud of herself when it is over. I hope the next one is just as painless. Oh and I didn't cry over her haircut since it really was just a trim and I think I am the only one who can tell she got a cut!

Stamina

I would like to say that Leah is officially suffering from the terrible twos. Actually I should say that I am suffering from the terrible twos. Suffering the joys of daily temper tantrums. I would like to know how small children determine just how long they can scream. Is is fun? Do they really think they will get what they want by screaming? Leah carried on for 90 minutes straight yesterday morning. She was set off by my not correctly helping her put her sock on. I'm feeling really at a loss of what to do with her and am truly amazed at her stamina for whining and crying. Yesterday I went ahead and put myself in a timeout. A timeout from listening to her scream.

I know that this phase will pass but I'm really not enjoying it while it lasts. It's just disturbing watching my cute & engaging toddler morph into a blubbering mess every time I say "no".

Over the River & Through the Woods

This past weekend we made the trek back up to Wausau to celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas with Paul's family. It was a FULL weekend.

Some of Paul's family has made a tradition of heading out to one of the local tree farms to cut down Christmas trees. Paul is big scrooge and refuses to have a real tree, much less go to the woods and cut one down. Well, since for once it wasn't frigid over turkey day, I packed up the kids and joined them. It took a lot of borrowed hats, mittens, snowsuits & boots to keep us warm. I was ill prepared since we haven't had to brave cold temps much down here.

Anyway, it was fun. I think the dog had the best time. I loved the venture into the wilderness and Leah burned some serious energy. Oh and some nice trees were chosen. Unfortunately we are still looking at our pathetic fake tree. I thought about cutting one down, but there's no way Paul would have driven all the way from WI to MO with a tree strapped to the roof of the Benz.

to the trees!

the tall trees beyond the x-mas trees

Jonah all bundled up

the scary bridge over the creek

Leah with her cousins Nick & Stephanie