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| Faery queen crown for Sofie's birthday party. Man, I've got a lot of freckles. |
Monday, February 14, 2011
Pixie Faery Gnome Brownie
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Keats This Week (2/6/2011 - 2/11/2011)
Walking, walking everywhere and deciding that running is preferable. That's our little boy this week. Anything remotely exciting results in Keats walking across the entire living room with both hands raised in the air for balance (and triumph) with a great big mischievous smile spread across his adorable face.
With all this new activity comes a few drawbacks, but I'm sure we'll figure it all out soon. Keats wakes up several times a night screaming for milk and trying to get out of his crib. Ugh. Do I put down a cushy mattress just in case he gets over? Oh, what to do. Apparently my dad used to actually teach me and my siblings how to climb out by ourselves once we reached this stage much to chagrin of my mama. I can see the temptation, though. He's also trying to climb out of his little chair that we use to feed him. It's a little fold-able entertainment chair with a tray. You see, since we don't have a dining table yet, we decided a high chair would just mean us standing while feeding him and who wants to do that? But, the necessity seems to be upon us so next month I think we'll need to slap down a bit of cash for a table and a high chair. I'm happy about it as we've been wanting to escape our couch and movie/show during dinner habit. These purchases will put back a few others we were hoping to make, but it's worth it. Perhaps we'll become "real adults" once we're sitting at a table for dinner?
It is so exciting to enter this new stage of Keats' life. I can't wait to chase him around the park, the beach, the baylands, and to not have to carry him everywhere! I think we'll go to the duck pond today and see what's going on over there... ducklings? Maybe? Crosses fingers.
With all this new activity comes a few drawbacks, but I'm sure we'll figure it all out soon. Keats wakes up several times a night screaming for milk and trying to get out of his crib. Ugh. Do I put down a cushy mattress just in case he gets over? Oh, what to do. Apparently my dad used to actually teach me and my siblings how to climb out by ourselves once we reached this stage much to chagrin of my mama. I can see the temptation, though. He's also trying to climb out of his little chair that we use to feed him. It's a little fold-able entertainment chair with a tray. You see, since we don't have a dining table yet, we decided a high chair would just mean us standing while feeding him and who wants to do that? But, the necessity seems to be upon us so next month I think we'll need to slap down a bit of cash for a table and a high chair. I'm happy about it as we've been wanting to escape our couch and movie/show during dinner habit. These purchases will put back a few others we were hoping to make, but it's worth it. Perhaps we'll become "real adults" once we're sitting at a table for dinner?
It is so exciting to enter this new stage of Keats' life. I can't wait to chase him around the park, the beach, the baylands, and to not have to carry him everywhere! I think we'll go to the duck pond today and see what's going on over there... ducklings? Maybe? Crosses fingers.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
A Very Little Boy
It seems like such a long time since our little man was this little (June, 2010):
By the way, doesn't all that bird chirping and sunshine just make you long for spring and summer? It's so close!
By the way, doesn't all that bird chirping and sunshine just make you long for spring and summer? It's so close!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Planning for My Insanity
It sometimes feels as if I'm constantly planning. Planning but never doing. Why? I'm not sure, but I think the most pressing reason is money. Of course. Each year my husband is paid early in December before going on winter break (he's a public high school teacher). This may seem awesome (and it sure feels awesome in December) but that paycheck is supposed to be for January and it is so hard to save it away for the new year. Each January we come up short (thanks to wonderful Christmas parties that have claimed a bit more than intended) and the ensuing late charges for a number of bills in February means we're tight then as well. By March we'll be back to normal and back living a bit easier.
This year though, I hope to plan better for our apparent inability to save during the holiday season. How? Jars. Yep, jars of cash. Debit and credit cards have become my overspending enemy. Currently we only use our credit cards exclusively for emergencies (like late bills we don't have the cash for) and we've actually cut a few from the lineup last year (yipee!), but these winter months really tempt us into spending more when the weather is dismal and sickness abounds. I mean, who wants to cook when everyone in the house is sneezing, coughing, and groggy? Enter: ordering delivery. Ugh. Too many times! My friend does this jar strategy already for her different bills and I've always thought it was a good idea. It is now time to admit copy cat and save ourselves some bucks. I'll grab some and label them for things like: savings, groceries, random spending, etc.
I'm also making a few special wallets (labeled as well) for when we go out. Frugality is the name of the game when Birch and I go out with limited cash (and no cards at our disposal). We actually tend to get more for less, like at the sort out table at the Farmer's Market. Do you have one at your market? I highly recommend it! We go every week and get several pounds (ten or so) of fresh, lovely, organic, and local vegetables for about $6.00. No joke. Yum! Oh, and a sort out table just means that the produce isn't pristine looking (jagged carrots, bruised apples, slightly wrinkly peppers, etc.). I got the idea for the wallets from a blog I follow, but didn't mark it down and now I can't find it. I'll update with the link when I do find it.
Looking forward to March and getting a bit more settled in our place, more organized, and getting Keats' playhouse FINALLY finished. Oh, boy.
Here's to planning efficiently and correctly and then DOING!
This year though, I hope to plan better for our apparent inability to save during the holiday season. How? Jars. Yep, jars of cash. Debit and credit cards have become my overspending enemy. Currently we only use our credit cards exclusively for emergencies (like late bills we don't have the cash for) and we've actually cut a few from the lineup last year (yipee!), but these winter months really tempt us into spending more when the weather is dismal and sickness abounds. I mean, who wants to cook when everyone in the house is sneezing, coughing, and groggy? Enter: ordering delivery. Ugh. Too many times! My friend does this jar strategy already for her different bills and I've always thought it was a good idea. It is now time to admit copy cat and save ourselves some bucks. I'll grab some and label them for things like: savings, groceries, random spending, etc.
I'm also making a few special wallets (labeled as well) for when we go out. Frugality is the name of the game when Birch and I go out with limited cash (and no cards at our disposal). We actually tend to get more for less, like at the sort out table at the Farmer's Market. Do you have one at your market? I highly recommend it! We go every week and get several pounds (ten or so) of fresh, lovely, organic, and local vegetables for about $6.00. No joke. Yum! Oh, and a sort out table just means that the produce isn't pristine looking (jagged carrots, bruised apples, slightly wrinkly peppers, etc.). I got the idea for the wallets from a blog I follow, but didn't mark it down and now I can't find it. I'll update with the link when I do find it.
Looking forward to March and getting a bit more settled in our place, more organized, and getting Keats' playhouse FINALLY finished. Oh, boy.
Here's to planning efficiently and correctly and then DOING!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Keats This Week (1/31/2011 - 2/5/2011)
Remember how I thought we'd have to buy Puffs by the case? Well, you can forget that. Keats is now one hundred percent eating food that we're all eating. I know! It's awesome! Plain yogurt, oatmeal, pureed soup, lentils, roasted carrots and cauliflower, cucumber, turkey meatballs, and homemade root vegetable chips (just to name a "few"). Let's just say that when I subtly snack along with my little boy, it's a lot more pleasant.
With Keats starting to fit into yet another set of clothing, eating all these "grown up" things, and just starting to walk, his fast coming toddler status is more and more apparent. On Saturday, to celebrate his friend little Sofie's first birthday, Keats was walking everywhere! To move from one place to another, he always started off walking. He fell down soon enough but it was so exciting to see him learning from his walking friend!
It's amazing how much Keats learns from his friends. When he was very little, he had no interest in playing with the hanging toys on his play mat. Not until he saw his friend playing away. Keats watched with deep interest and then the very next day when I placed him on the mat, BAM, he hit at a dangling lion! Several milestones have come about that way. And now, as he gets older and his mischievous personality comes to light, my suggestions for how he should do things go unheeded. I've tried for months to show him how to drink from his sippy cup, but not until my friend Leslie showed him did he finally get it. Maybe he's just sick of me by the end of the day and in a way turns me off, not in a bad way, understand. It all seems very natural. We play together, eat together, read together, talk to each other, and go for walks together. Several hours of being just with each other--no wonder Keats gets so excited and seems completely refreshed when he sees his daddy walk through the front door, just like me. I expect this situation will continue throughout our lives. It's hard to realize that my way of teaching my child may not always be the best way for him to learn. And that's why it's so completely important to be in a community. To have friends and family around that Keats can also look up to and learn from. I am so grateful for all of them, for all of you.
With so many friends living far away or just plain busy with their own
lives, a party is just what one needs to have some fun and get together.
And oh what a party we had this weekend! My best friend's little girl
turned one year old and we hosted the wonderful party at our place. They
came over the night before and Miriam (my friend) and I made fairy
crowns and laughed together.
The next day we set up all the beautiful decorations she made at her home in the California woods. Terrariums, a fairy garden, and a moss wreath. Friends arrived, we ate delicious food, opened presents, ate cupcakes, and just plain enjoyed each others' company. It was such a fun party and so lovely. Little Sofia looked absolutely adorable with her fairy wings, tutu, and crown. Happy birthday Sofie! We love you so much!
With Keats starting to fit into yet another set of clothing, eating all these "grown up" things, and just starting to walk, his fast coming toddler status is more and more apparent. On Saturday, to celebrate his friend little Sofie's first birthday, Keats was walking everywhere! To move from one place to another, he always started off walking. He fell down soon enough but it was so exciting to see him learning from his walking friend!
It's amazing how much Keats learns from his friends. When he was very little, he had no interest in playing with the hanging toys on his play mat. Not until he saw his friend playing away. Keats watched with deep interest and then the very next day when I placed him on the mat, BAM, he hit at a dangling lion! Several milestones have come about that way. And now, as he gets older and his mischievous personality comes to light, my suggestions for how he should do things go unheeded. I've tried for months to show him how to drink from his sippy cup, but not until my friend Leslie showed him did he finally get it. Maybe he's just sick of me by the end of the day and in a way turns me off, not in a bad way, understand. It all seems very natural. We play together, eat together, read together, talk to each other, and go for walks together. Several hours of being just with each other--no wonder Keats gets so excited and seems completely refreshed when he sees his daddy walk through the front door, just like me. I expect this situation will continue throughout our lives. It's hard to realize that my way of teaching my child may not always be the best way for him to learn. And that's why it's so completely important to be in a community. To have friends and family around that Keats can also look up to and learn from. I am so grateful for all of them, for all of you.
With so many friends living far away or just plain busy with their own
lives, a party is just what one needs to have some fun and get together.
And oh what a party we had this weekend! My best friend's little girl
turned one year old and we hosted the wonderful party at our place. They
came over the night before and Miriam (my friend) and I made fairy
crowns and laughed together. The next day we set up all the beautiful decorations she made at her home in the California woods. Terrariums, a fairy garden, and a moss wreath. Friends arrived, we ate delicious food, opened presents, ate cupcakes, and just plain enjoyed each others' company. It was such a fun party and so lovely. Little Sofia looked absolutely adorable with her fairy wings, tutu, and crown. Happy birthday Sofie! We love you so much!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A New Do
You may have noticed that the blog has been undergoing an identity crisis. I'm trying to customize it to be more us and less blank. Not knowing much HTML isn't helping the situation. I'm also trying to think up a new name. I didn't realize there's a blog called "Under the Sycamore" and seeing as it's very popular and mine is, you know, not I thought I'd change the name, especially since I'm not in love with the current one anyway.
So, I'd like to ask you an important question:
What is it about my blog that you like the most? What defines it to you and why do you keep coming back to read the new entries?
This is also your opportunity to let me know what you'd like to see more of. Thanks for your help and for sticking with me! We'll figure ourselves out soon, hopefully.
Thanks again!
So, I'd like to ask you an important question:
What is it about my blog that you like the most? What defines it to you and why do you keep coming back to read the new entries?
This is also your opportunity to let me know what you'd like to see more of. Thanks for your help and for sticking with me! We'll figure ourselves out soon, hopefully.
Thanks again!
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