Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mitchell--The Blue Period
September 20, 2008
I cannot do a project, however small, without help, and Mitchell joined in with gusto as I painted the base coat on some drawer knobs for the little boys' room. I did swap the paint to something washable, and let him go to town on the one knob I didn't need for the dresser. Of course, he did manage to add his touches to the 5 I was planning to use. Also, note how well the bib I put on to protect the clothes is working. What a grand mess he made, but this kept Mitchell busy for most of an hour.
I cannot do a project, however small, without help, and Mitchell joined in with gusto as I painted the base coat on some drawer knobs for the little boys' room. I did swap the paint to something washable, and let him go to town on the one knob I didn't need for the dresser. Of course, he did manage to add his touches to the 5 I was planning to use. Also, note how well the bib I put on to protect the clothes is working. What a grand mess he made, but this kept Mitchell busy for most of an hour.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Instant Gratification?
I'm here on the computer and Caleb scrounges for a snack (since he can obviously see that dinner is not being made yet). He finds a kid energy bar and I tell him he can have it but he has to share some with Mitchell. He agrees, and even gives me a small bite so I can taste. Then after everyone has chewed for a minute, Caleb asks, "Do you have more energy, yet?"
Oh how I wish. . .
Update: Caleb finishes his energy bar and runs up the stairs calling "Now, I have more energy than MARCUS!"
Oh how I wish. . .
Update: Caleb finishes his energy bar and runs up the stairs calling "Now, I have more energy than MARCUS!"
Here's One for the Reynolds
I saw this in the new health food store we have (that I love), and I couldn't resist buying it. I'm trying to cut sugar out of my diet, but I did have a taste, and Alden, you done good!
There's Always Something. . .
This picture was taken the first part of September and things DO look different now--there's NOTHING left. We had thought that we'd keep the supports for the deck, but Guy decided they were not in good enough shape t
o save. So now, we've got the drainage corrected and Guy's sent away for sample materials so he can get the "best" decking material available. Here's hoping we have a deck by Spring :-).
o save. So now, we've got the drainage corrected and Guy's sent away for sample materials so he can get the "best" decking material available. Here's hoping we have a deck by Spring :-).Thursday, October 2, 2008
Signs I Have a Two-Year-Old in the House
1. My kitchen floor gets "mopped" almost daily as a result of Mitchell playing in the sink.
2. The pantry doors are always open because, though Mitchell can't reach the handles, he has figured out that he can grab underneath the doors and pull them open. He usually climbs 1 1/2 shelves up before he gets stuck.
3. We have to completely close Mitchell's bedroom door when he sleeps because he has recently figured out how to climb out of his crib, and will wander around the house when he wakes up, whether anyone else is awake or not. (Unfortunately, he's awfully close to being able to open doors. . .)
4. I haven't downloaded pictures off my camera in weeks.
5. I'm just now updating my blog after about a month.
6. My blood pressure runs at unhealthy levels most days because of experiences like finding Mitchell a) halfway up the staircase on the WRONG side of the railing, b) opening "child-proof" bottles in the medicine cabinet, c) inside the washing machine, d) standing on a chair leaning over the second-floor railing, e) trying to make the macaroni--the pot of water was at a full, rolling boil--f) and in other situations that I'm blocking right now.
2. The pantry doors are always open because, though Mitchell can't reach the handles, he has figured out that he can grab underneath the doors and pull them open. He usually climbs 1 1/2 shelves up before he gets stuck.
3. We have to completely close Mitchell's bedroom door when he sleeps because he has recently figured out how to climb out of his crib, and will wander around the house when he wakes up, whether anyone else is awake or not. (Unfortunately, he's awfully close to being able to open doors. . .)
4. I haven't downloaded pictures off my camera in weeks.
5. I'm just now updating my blog after about a month.
6. My blood pressure runs at unhealthy levels most days because of experiences like finding Mitchell a) halfway up the staircase on the WRONG side of the railing, b) opening "child-proof" bottles in the medicine cabinet, c) inside the washing machine, d) standing on a chair leaning over the second-floor railing, e) trying to make the macaroni--the pot of water was at a full, rolling boil--f) and in other situations that I'm blocking right now.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Helping Me at Least Pretend I'm Musically Literate. . .
I believe that I had a rather musical upbringing. My scores in the game Encore are proof enough of that. BUT I have always had a really hard time following contemporary music or remembering the names of artists or the names of the songs they sing, knowing who I like or what songs would be right for my mood or circumstance. Much of this comes from the fact that I've always been too cheap to buy many CD's. And then I had children and the car's CD player was taken over by "I'm Being Swallowed By a Boa Constrictor" and "Mommy's Taking Us to the Zoo Tomorrow" (definitely classics in their own right), and most recently, the Animanics Greatest Hits. Then I found that even when I was alone, I couldn't stomach the radio stations anymore (ads and DJ's) now that I've "matured," so I mostly just listen to NPR or the local news for weather info. How un-hip is that???
That long introduction is to say that I've found (well, Guy found it and told me about it) a website, Pandora.com where you can just enter in an artist's name and it will generate hours worth of music by that artist, and other artists with similar styles. You do have to register on the site but they save the "stations" you create. It probably shows that I spend too much time on the computer if I need to set it to music, but I've had a lot of fun exploring different music without having to spend any money! I've even used it on Sundays, entering in MoTab and getting a collection of Sabbath-appropriate songs. I fell asleep to my Norah Jones station the other night (and actually had to wake up enough to turn off the laptop). There is even a new Pandora app for your iphone (if you have one) so you can go mobile with it.
So, in short, I like Pandora because:
* there's no long-term commitment to anything
* it's easier than putting on a CD to listen to,
* it addresses my Musical ADD by playing songs from a variety of artists.
There is a lot on the site I haven't explored (ie. "Share" features), but I recommend it, and would love artist suggestions if you have any.
That long introduction is to say that I've found (well, Guy found it and told me about it) a website, Pandora.com where you can just enter in an artist's name and it will generate hours worth of music by that artist, and other artists with similar styles. You do have to register on the site but they save the "stations" you create. It probably shows that I spend too much time on the computer if I need to set it to music, but I've had a lot of fun exploring different music without having to spend any money! I've even used it on Sundays, entering in MoTab and getting a collection of Sabbath-appropriate songs. I fell asleep to my Norah Jones station the other night (and actually had to wake up enough to turn off the laptop). There is even a new Pandora app for your iphone (if you have one) so you can go mobile with it.
So, in short, I like Pandora because:
* there's no long-term commitment to anything
* it's easier than putting on a CD to listen to,
* it addresses my Musical ADD by playing songs from a variety of artists.
There is a lot on the site I haven't explored (ie. "Share" features), but I recommend it, and would love artist suggestions if you have any.
Just a Little Personality
These pictures were taken after we dropped Caleb off for his first day of Kindergarten (a couple of weeks ago). Initially, Mitchell really didn't want to leave the school, and then on the walk home, he used his persuasive powers to steal Guy's hat AND sunglasses.
The second picture is the reaction I got when I told him to smile for the camera. Naturally, we ended the walk with Guy and I each holding a hand and doing "1, 2, 3, Go!" (though Mitchell would usually skip right to the "Go"), swinging him several steps each time. He gets to swing, and we get home a little quicker (it was a hot day). Win, win.
The second picture is the reaction I got when I told him to smile for the camera. Naturally, we ended the walk with Guy and I each holding a hand and doing "1, 2, 3, Go!" (though Mitchell would usually skip right to the "Go"), swinging him several steps each time. He gets to swing, and we get home a little quicker (it was a hot day). Win, win.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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