Monk

March 19, 2006 BlogPants

It saddens me that Troll Baby won’t curl up with us in our bed, like Dylan used to do. He needs his alone time to sleep and every little noise wakes him. I have hardly gotten to watch this little one sleep, only because he shoots up as soon as anyone opens his door. It’s amazing how different these two boys are.

Tonight I lay on the couch while Thomas played and Dylan watched a movie Daddy had rented for him. Daren had my feet across his lap and his head kept bobbing as he drifted in and out of slumber. I couldn’t get warm and shivered under a blanket, while Thomas jumped and danced to the music on the movie, then crawled up by my head and leaned in to kiss me. The vocabulary is exploding with him and there’s at least 10 new words a day. I wish I could bottle his little voice and stop time altogether. Soon he will move to a big-boy bed, and potty training will commence. Already I look at his little feet and notice they have doubled in size since birth.

Dylan has taken to drawing robots that are clearly going to take over the earth. He’s been using big words for a 7 year old, like double mondo-missle, extra-classfied, and F-1 Corsair. Huh?

He used to draw happy faced Anakin Skywalkers, and now it’s Robot Warriors with Extra Rocket Boosters. His creativity has been astounding both of us. His most recent drawing says “Extra-classified N-2 Hypnotizing ship (converts enemy units, jewels, ships, etc.)” When asked, he said the robot ship was like a monk.

“A monk?” I asked.

“Yes,” he insisted, “because Monks heal people and hypnotize them into feeling better, but with this, there is no feeling better, there is just a change of mind control. It’s a covert operation Mom.”

Alrighty then!

March Break, Slow and Easy

March 16, 2006 BlogPants

Our kids have slowed me down this week. It’s been rewarding and they have shown me the world through their eyes. Dylan has taken quite an interest in photography and he is proud to show off his work through Didgery Doo (link in sidebar). Thank you to everyone who encouraged him by leaving a comment ~ you should have seen his face. He was BEAMING. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

Dylan also thinks that other kids out there might be interested in following his lead. He is about to create a community blog for kids under 18 to participate by sending in their photos. If your kid(s) might be interested, please send an email to didgerydoo AT gmail.com. All kids must have express permission from their parent/guardian, and all photos remain the property of the artist.

On to March Break. We have slept as long as Thomosaurus Rex will allow, until around 8, which is much better than the usual 6:30 we have to rise at, for school. This alone makes March Break fun for everyone as we go at our own pace.

We’ve risen slowly, getting sippy cups, juice boxes, coffee and cereal as needed, and staying in our pyjamas until we are ready to start our adventures.

Monday looked bleak. The weather was cold, rainy and windy and the kids were restless. Motivation for me was low (read - I was feeling LAZY), and we ended up playing on the rug all morning, building Lego castles under comforter forts and reading library books with big pictures and animated noises. We laughed alot that morning, and by lunchtime, Thomas was eager to sleep. As I went up to make lunch at 11:30, the thunderstorm had worsened enough that the power went out. We grazed on sandwiches and goodies instead of having the hot lunch we all wanted.

Thomas fell asleep easily in the quiet and Dylan and I abandoned the darkened rec room to play with the camera and his cars, Lego men, and the Easter Tree in the front window. I taught Dylan some features of the camera and the afternoon was soon lost in stifled giggles and whispered questions. At dinnertime, the power returned and Thomas woke up at the same time, almost like someone had flipped his switch too.

Soon enough, Daren came home to a hot spaghetti dinner and Dylan proudly showing him photos. We spent the evening just being together and soon, the little ones were off to bed.

Tuesday was the trip to the Maple Sugar Bush with friends. It was still cold and windy, but the rain had turned to snow and the pancakes tasted so good in the outdoors. We were all bundled up warm and huddled together on the wagon. I wore Daren’s giant jacket and looked like a freaking marshmellow man, but hey, I had kids to snuggle. Thomas enjoyed the horses; and Dylan, now in charge of the camera, attacked us all with it. We came home to let Thomas sleep and Dylan played hockey in the street with buddies all afternoon. Red cheeked, he returned with an empty belly and a huge smile on his face.

Wednesday we ran errands, but a simple trip to the grocery turned into fun for the kids since we got the car shaped cart where they could sit side by side and “drive” the cart. They giggled and played through the whole store, muching on bologna and crackers. The best moment was when Dylan put his arm around Thomas’ little shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. I wish I had brought the camera then ~ my heart melted.

Girlfriends of mine came over for homemade quesadillas that night, both enjoying the quiet of not having their own kids with them, but relishing in the presence of our two boys. Thomas charmed them with kisses and games of peek-a-boo, while Dylan showed them his new hobby with such pride.

Yesterday we slept until nearly 9 (wow!) and both boys enjoyed a play date while I ran a couple of errands. Later, we went to see Dylan’s babysitter that used to watch him, and her family. We enjoyed their company over pizza and chatter, and the atmoshere was so comfortable and warm. We returned last night to find Daren home early from work and the kids got to play with him for some time before heading off to la-la land.

Today we are hosting a play date with more old friends, and none of us can wait. It’s been too long since we saw them last, and yet it’s the kind of thing where it will seem like we only saw one another yesterday. I love friendships like that.

The weekend brings family back from Mexico, after a month of missing them, I’m sure Saturday night will be full of kisses, hugs, stories and laughter. If Daren’s cooking, our tummies will be happy as well!

What did you do for March Break?

Didgery Doo!

March 14, 2006 BlogPants

The Plans, they are a-changin’

March 13, 2006 BlogPants

Well the rain came down and when I called the surprise destination, turned out the horses had been sent home as the mud was too deep. We are supposed to get a freeze tonight and the woman said to call tomorrow morning. So tomorrow, finger’s crossed, we will go.

The rain has tapered and if it holds off, we will be feeding seals and dipping candles this afternoon. I hope the Troll doesn’t mind missing his nap. I’m cringing at the thought of a screaming toddler this afternoon but it seems when I expect the worst, I get the best.

He was exceptional this past weekend. Charming, with his little voice repeating everyone elses, as the chatter flew around him. He must have said 20 new words just this past weekend, including Salsa (instead of Nelson - a relative), and Nee Nee and Ah Ah - for Granny and Papa. Everyone was smitten with him and I think he knew it. We asked him if he was cold and he pulled his shoulders up around his ears like he does when I’ve scooped him up out of the tub. He chased my cousin’s cat, calling, “Tittie! Tittie!” and squealing while the cat just glared at him. I think she liked the attention though, because when Thomas got busy with something else, she would sneak back into his vision and plop her furry butt on the floor, then sprawl out onto her back, stretching her paws into the air and flitting her tail. What a flirt!

My oldest cousin, her boyfriend and I made dinner for all 14 of us. In light of Jessica’s recent surgery, my Aunt and Granny got a well deserved night off as we made my delicious pasta, garden salad and a huge tray of BBQ’d chicken and steaks. Here’s the recipe for the pasta….if you’re so inclined.

A Few Of My Favorite Things Pasta:

WARNING: I don’t measure stuff….sorry!

Ingredients:

3 Heads of Garlic, Roasted and slightly mashed*

Red Onion, chopped

Crimini Mushrooms

Olive Oil

Red Peppers, chopped

Heavy Cream

Parmasean Cheese

Your choice of noodles - we used spaghettini - the thinest noodles. Linguini and Penne also work well.

Mozzerella Cheese, grated - to taste

Directions:

You can roast the garlic and chop the veggies, ahead of time.

*To roast garlic, place the garlic on it’s side and slice off as little as possible, exposing the cloves (leave the garlic intact in a head). Place into an oven-safe dish and douse in olive oil.

Bake at 375 degrees until fork tender (typically 30-40 minutes)

In the meantime, chop veggies and saut? in olive oil and a pad of two of butter (no I don’t measure!) add a little coarse salt to bring out the flavour of the veggies.

Remove the roasted garlic cloves from the head and mash them with a fork. (These little gems are also a great appetizer on sliced french stick loaf with goat cheese and the garlic on top - yum!)

Add to the saut?ed veggies: the mashed garlic, heavy cream and parmasean cheese. For 14 people, I used a tall boy container of the parm cheese (ALOT) and a litre of cream. You need to keep stirring on medium to avoid the sauce from burning - let it heat up, then turn it to medium low and stir occassionally. When the sauce thickens, it’s ready.

Top your favourite noodles, sprinkle on your grated mozzerella and enjoy!

(You can add lots of other things to this sauce, like chicken, or different cheeses or veggies…..whatever you fancy!)

Most Overused Word. EVER.

March 12, 2006 BlogPants

This has been bugging me for some time, but are you as sick as I am of the word “couture?”

It sounds like a sneeze. Say it like you live in a trailer park and it sounds like a really wet sneeze. Ew.

Most people who have ‘picked it up,’ not only learned it from America’s Next Top Model or Project Runway (which I STILL haven’t seen, dammit), they don’t know how to use it. I’m officially banning “couture” from my vocabulary. Gesundheit!

More tomorrow. This past weekend was a blast! Not sure when I’ll post, as I’m surprising the boys with a mystery day-tripping destination tomorrow. I love March Break!

P.S. Did you see Natalie Portman on SNL? NOT SAFE FOR WORK OR KIDS. OR PETS. Much swearing.

P.P.S. If you like the Simpsons, you’ll be amused by this too.

Of Redneckken’ and Library Ladies

March 9, 2006 BlogPants

This is a busy time for me and I’ll be off and on for the next two weeks. The kids and I are heading up to see my cousin Jessica who just had surgery. Her strength amazes me. Only 16 and here she is on her 9th surgery. Go show her some bloggy love!

This morning was quite a change - the snow is melting and it’s been raining non-stop for 2 days. Hubby got a ride to work and left his car behind mine. He didn’t leave the keys so I pulled a redneck move, doing a 52-point turn in the driveway and driving out via the lawn. Yeehaw! You shoulda seen the look on dat dere crossing guards face!

Thomas and I headed up to Stupidstore (Great Canadian Superstore for you newbies) and I was worried he would be a CrankyPants because he refused to eat breakfast, but he was the most endearing, sweet little cart-monkey today. It helps that I fed him banana-yogurt drinks and Teddy Grahams through the whole store. He is really trying to talk now and repeats everything we say. Today it was “yist yist!!” (list) and “Ohhhhh Mama…” I seriously considered ripping open a bag of tortillas, rolling him up and taking a bite of his cutey cuteness.

We stopped at the library where he squealed and laughed through the entire place as I chased him down. Not one to let my kids run free in public, I had to make a huge game of how important it was for him to give the library card to the lady at the desk. Once I hoisted his diapered butt onto the high counter, he threw the card like a frisbee and it hit the library lady in the nose. Damn. It took all my strength not to laugh.

Well the errands aren’t over - I have to run these kids to the chiropractor now. I’ll be back blogging as much as I can over the next two weeks, but don’t expect much. It’s March Break, yo.

Have a safe one! And don’t forget to go give Jessica bloggy love!

Martini Mamas

March 6, 2006 BlogPants

Sassy can’t decide whether to order another drink or to soak up some of the virgin daquiri with garlic mashed potatoes…….

I’m 13! Not 12! 13 I tell ya!

Drink #1 - notice the camera in focus.

Not drink #1.

Nicole beams at the bartender who resembles Orlando Bloom. We know what’s she’s thinking!

I’m innocent, really.

tidbits

March 2, 2006 BlogPants

Overhead in the car after Miss Priss was picked up and I carried her over an icy puddle (to avoid her leopard print boots being ruined, OF COURSE), then loaded her big-ass suitcase into the trunk: “If we were a lesbian couple, I would SO be the manly one.”

I must remember to buy Visine when I have to drive 4 hours in a complete motherfucker of a blizzard. My eyeballs are BURNING. Why I’m on the computer, I have no idea. It’s called addiction.

When I’m driving in said motherfucker of a blizzard, I must remember that little mouths will repeat the last word of any given sentence, especially if that sentence is “This blows monkey ass.” We heard “Ass ass ass” from the little piggy, ALL THE WAY HOME. Mother of the year, I tell ya!

No pictures yet. We’re too wiped and have talked more than Daren talks in an entire year. Women, eh? Speaking of Daren, he came home from work with two beautiful bouquets: one for our lovely guest, and one for MOI, his kick-ass wife.

Our sea-monkeys have been doing it for DAYS. The poor woman sea-monkey is ripe with children already and he just won’t leave her alone. Maybe she wants it though….all those pregnancy hormones couldn’t keep me…….never mind, my father-in-law and grandparents read this blog. Damn!

Must start an anonymous blog someday.

Tonight on ER there was mention of a blog that the red-headed doctor is keeping? Did anyone else catch that?

Okay, my eyes are drier than the crust on a toddler’s nose. But not MY toddler’s nose! I’m a good Mama.

G’night!

**Comments are moderated for this entry**

Reunited and it feels so goooood….

BlogPants

In about 5 hours I will be at the airport, picking up my best friend Sassy. I can’t wait to see her again. Last time we saw each other was on our Thelma and Louise car trip to NY. She flew here and the two of us fueled the car on giggles and Doritos for the 10 hour trip to meet 3 other friends.

Sassy is the type of person that can make you laugh with just a look. She is extremely funny and has a million stories from her colourful life. I’m proud to not only know her but to be best friends with her. Never in my life could I have imagined that a couple of 30 somethings Moms would meet on the internet and become so close. We talk on the phone, all day, every day. We know each other better than anyone else knows us. We’re going into our 4th year of friendship and here’s to many more!

I’m so excited and we’re SO blogging this fookery! WOO HOO! Safe flight, bizatch!

**Comments are moderated today. I’ll approve shit when I get home, if I’m not too busy.**

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March 1, 2006 BlogPants

Suburban Turmoil

Petroville

Home Grown

Old Horsetail Snake

Half of the Sky

Practigal