Saratoga Springs Horse Show

On Sunday, after Bode's soccer practice, we went to the Saratoga Springs Horse Show.   I love horses, and getting to see them up close and personal was pretty exciting to me.   I could have stayed there all day, just looking at the horses and watching the show.  But alas, I have small children.  They enjoyed the show for about an hour. And then it was time to get home, eat lunch and take a nap.

After naps, we went outside to enjoy the sunshine. And Gianna filled up on daddy love.  She missed her daddy while he was gone (though she'd never let him know it).

Tonight, while I was bathing Nico, I found this:

Yeah, a sticker stuck into the palm of his hand.  At least it wasn't in his mouth.  This time around, baby-proofing is going to be so much harder! I've got two toddlers that have all kinds of tiny crap.  And they love to spread it all around the house, too.   I'm going to be so stressed once Nico starts moving around on his own. Ai yi yi.

And in other news, Bode insisted on going to sleep with two boxes of macaroni & cheese.  Today, I went to the grocery store, and I decided to surprise Gianna (who loooooves mac & cheese) with two boxes of the toxic orangey yellow noodles. Well. For whatever reason, Bode Wm would not let these boxes out of his hot little hands this afternoon, and even insisted on taking them to bed with him tonight! He is such a funny little guy.

Note to self: If you hear some strange rattling noise in the middle of the night, don't freak out, it's just mac & cheese!

Happy eve.

xo  

May Day Celebration

Return of the "ghost" looking children (covered in zinc oxide!)

This morning, we went to Bode's school's May Day celebration at Congress Park.  It was nice to mark the start of Spring with a fun celebration.  First, we stopped at Starbuck's for refreshments. Then we walked over to the park, hand in hand. Once there, we parked ourselves under a shade tree to watch the Maypole dance. The lower school (grades K-6) all participated in a Maypole Dance.  Each class got up and skipped around the Maypole, weaving colorful ribbons around the pole while a music group played drums and flutes.  The girls and boys wore wreaths and crowns made of flowers.  (Bode's class had their celebration on Wednesday.)

We participated with the Kindergarten class.  Bode stopped midway through the dance.  I was at a loss as to what to do.  Luckily, one of the Kindergartener teacher's encouraged the children to continue dancing on, around (without) Bode.  Gianna did great, and loved being a part of the big kids' dance. She also seemed to pretend like she was not related to Bode when he stopped the Maypole. (Just kidding.)

It was a nice start to Spring, a nice start to all of us getting out together in the sunshine as a family again.

Happy Friday.

xo

Friday: at home

We have been spending so much time outside, now that the sun has returned.  I love sitting down to dinner and seeing my children wearing rosy cheeks and bringing big appetites to the table! It is the best feeling.

I promise, despite the look below, that Nico has not been confined to the stroller while we are outside. After a stroll around the driveway, he sits on a blanket while Bode and Gianna play around him.

Bode knows how to swing on his own now. Hooray!  Not to be outdone by her big brother, Gianna can swing by herself, too! Hooray, hooray!

This morning, it is raining.  While I paid bills and ordered some things online, Bode did "some writing" (as he likes to say). He can write a B, D, S and an A. It is amazing to see these new skills develop, seemingly overnight and with very little "teaching" from me.  (His school is play-based only.) Meanwhile,  Gianna played with some left-over Easter stickers and plastic eggs she found under my desk.  

Today, we are stranded at home because we have no car! Hopefully the rain will let up a little so that I can take everyone out.  If all else fails, we can always make cookies!

Give a genuine smile to everyone you see, and give your loved ones a big hug today.
Happy Friday, everyone!

xo

Friday fun

It is partly cloudy and super windy today. We got outside before it rains. Bode and Gianna rode their bikes while I strolled Nico.  Then, we filled the bird feeder, made bird food, had some bubble fun, and worked on the soon-to-be garden.  We also went to the grocery store and the pet food store.  It is easy to get a lot done in the morning when your morning starts at 5:33 AM!

Yes, she is wearing this shirt again. Hearts + pink = Gianna fav.

I think Aunt Dawnie and Aunt Melinda both suggested this bird feeder idea this winter. Even though it is now warmer, maybe the birds will still appreciate the effort!  We took a paper towel roll and cut it in half. Then I spread peanut butter all over the two tubes.  Bode and Gianna rolled the peanut butter tubes in bird seed.  I strung the tubes on ribbon and we hung them on branches.  (We originally hung them low, and I went back and hung them on higher branches.)

Don't worry,  we won't be eating peanut butter-bird seed sandwiches. That was the last of that peanut butter!

While I was working on our little garden plot with Bode and Gianna, Nico sat on the rug. I put two pin wheels in front of Nico for entertainment. He scooted close and tried to grab them.  It's so fun and easy to entertain him right now!

Happy weekend.

xo

Sunshine on my shoulders

I hate to be dramatic, but today was probably one of the best days I've had in a long, long time.  The weather was warm and sunny.  The sun helped a lot.  Getting outside with the monkeys helped a ton.  We spent all morning outside, took a midday nap break, and then all afternoon outside.  It was so great. 

I love being outdoors.  We are usually outside in all kinds of weather.  I never want my children to look at rain, snow or other less "ideal" conditions as a reason not to go outside.  I love how the Swedes  (?) believe that there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear.   

Alas, with the new baby, I  stayed indoors a lot this winter - despite having good gear for the babe. I just didn't like that Nico couldn't tell me if it was too cold, if he was too  hot, if his eyes/ears/toes were frozen, etc.  It's so hard to tell with a wee babe what he is experiencing.  So I played it safe. And I probably didn't need to be so cautious. But now my lock-down is over, because it looks like we are finally getting some decent weather!  And Nico is older and can at least "grunt" his displeasure or "coo" his happiness. 

Today, Nico sat out on a rug and had a great time. And I discovered that he is now scooting! I put him on one end of the rug, and he slowly made his way to the other side, completely upright. At first, I was confused...did he move? I was so distracted that I couldn't remember where I had put him. But then, I moved him again, and he moved on his own. So I called him "Scooter" this afternoon. I kind of like the nickname. I'm not sure if it will stick.

At one point, he scooted to the edge of the rug and picked up a leaf.  It was so neat to just sit back and watch him. He looked the leaf over for a long time.  He had a Very Serious Look on his face as he studied it, turning it this way and that.  Then, he grunted and grumbled while he smashed and crumbled the leaf to bits.  I tried talking to him while he was crushing the leaf, and he completely ignored me. He would not be swayed by my hyper narrative as he pulverized the leaf.

Gianna is slowly warming up to Nico.  Today she sat down beside him for a minute and I quickly snapped a pic. She also gave him a hug! I didn't document that one, because I was just so shocked by the gesture I stood there with my jaw on the ground.  It must be so hard to give up your status as "baby."  I always try to tell her, "You'll always be my baby girl." I'm 99% sure that Gianna and Nico are going to have the same coloring.  Nico might even be more blonde than Gianna. 

Bode and Gianna love to bike together these days. It is really cute.  Bode can sometimes get rough, bumping his front tire against Gianna's rear tire.  But they do enjoy spinning around each other and "besting" each other on speed.  Gianna has gotten so good at riding her bike. Something just 'clicked' and now, she spins around as easily and as fast as Bode.  I think Bode is a little bit surprised! (Note: no helmets in these shots - BUT - I usually always make them dismount the bike until they put on their helmets. Really. We weren't on bikes for long as I had something else up my sleeve. See below!)

For as long as I've been an apartment dweller and adult, I guess, I've wanted a garden.  I've always talked to RWF and made Big Plans for a garden. But there's always an excuse.  Last year's excuse was I'm Pregnant and Too Tired.  This year, I really want to put something in the ground.  Sooooo I decided to take the eyesore in our backyard and put some veggies in there.  I worked on it today. There is a lot of work to be done.  And it may not pan out. But at least I started something. Right?

I love the idea of having something fresh from our very own garden. I also love the idea of our children learning about where our food comes from and helping in the garden.   This spot that I chose was probably an old fire pit (?), next to an ancient stack of wood. I hope that I can plant something in there, and make it pretty.  If it doesn't work out, it's far enough away that I can ignore it. And, by using this existing 'structure' there is no harm done to our existing grass. Hopefully it will be the perfect starter spot for me.

Last, Nico would like you to know that he is still enjoying rice cereal.

That is all.

xo

Hippity, hoppity...

This morning, we went to an Easter egg hunt.  It was held at a park, and hosted by my mom's group. I did nothing for it except get up this morning, iron a shirt and pants for Bode, dress my children and myself. I didn't even drive us over there. Bob did that. I really need to help these moms out. They are so great at putting together these events. I used to volunteer all the time, before babies. So, here it is, in writing: I commit to volunteering for an event hosted by the moms group in the near future.

First, Bode got some bunny ears.





Then we checked out  the park (a new park, for us).

He turns 2 1/2, and all he wants to do is RUN.

The lovely G

The "music" portion of the event took place.  We sang "Here Comes Peter Cottontail," and I laughed, watching Bode and the other children trying to hop-hop-hop down the bunny trail. While we sang songs, some of the moms and dads hid the Easter eggs.

A supportive audience.



I see a guitar in his future.



Last year, at his first Easter egg hunt, Bode was just barely toddling.  He saw the eggs, but didn't know what he was supposed to do with them. He had difficulty holding his Easter basket, navigating the ground, and  putting eggs in his basket. It is neat to look back on that time and think of the changes that have taken place (those developments so quickly forgotten). This year, Bode had no difficulty carrying his basket as he ran around the park. He had no trouble finding the eggs, picking up the eggs and putting the eggs in his basket. He found his allotted amount in no time, announcing, "Oh, dere's one..." in his sweet little voice, as he bent over to pick up a plastic egg.

After the egg hunt, we sat for a little show put on by another one of the moms. She always makes up her own stories, acting the story out with stuffed animals and puppets. She uses simple props that she makes herself, like a leaf made out of green construction paper, a cave made out of tissue paper and a shoe box, etc.  The children are always transfixed (and I am, too). So, here it is, in writing: I resolve to find my "creative niche" this year.





I met another mom there who immediately started talking about how "beautiful" Gianna is,  as she nursed her own beautiful 5 month old baby. We chatted for a few minutes, and then she asked, "Did you want a girl?"  I didn't  hesitate for a second before replying, "No, I wanted another boy."  I said this while I held my precious girl in my arms.  She admitted that she wanted another girl (instead of the baby boy that she held).  Is this an unusual conversation? I don't know. I can say that I said this without reservation; no fear of being judged for my answer.  And I admit this freely here because I believe that everyone knows that Gianna is a blessing to me (along with Bode, of course).  I just had no idea how special a little girl is, but now I am seeing it every day. And I'm enjoying watching Bob and his little girl interact, too. Bob is more of a "daddy" than I ever imagined. He is just so great with both babies. He has such a wonderful relationship with Bode. I can't wait to see what kind of dynamic he has with Gianna as she gets older. And the same goes for me:  I have two little people to love, and I can't wait to see how our relationships evolve over time.





Every night, we read stories about Easter. I'm not sure  if the Easter bunny has sunk in. I may be wrong, but I think that Bode doesn't realize that the Easter bunny is going to drop a basket of Easter goodies for him and Gianna. I have already started on Bode's Easter basket and I can't wait to see his reaction. We have our PAAS egg dye and eggs at the ready. I bought two PAAS egg dye kits. I've got it on hand in case we need an "emergency" activity for a rainy day. Or maybe I bought two kits because I'm a big kid and can't wait to color eggs. Hippity, hoppity, Easter's on its way.  Are you ready?