31:365 - Stir Fry

A gorgeous jumble of color in the wok made tonight's dinner pretty delicious.

30:365 - A Change in Plans

You know that childhood will come with bumps, bruises, and cuts. You hope they are small and easily fixable with a band aid and a kiss. A bump on the sledding hill led to chipped teeth which led to a surprise trip to the dentist. And, within 30 minutes, Zoe's gorgeous smile was once again intact. 

29:365 - Going Short

Zoe has been asking for months to cut her hair short. I struggle with this because I always wanted long hair at her age. But, there are times as a parent that you have to let children make their own choice. Still, it was sad to see those locks hit the floor. But, the larger-than-life smile on her happy sweet face when she saw her new 'do for the first time was so worth it.

28:365 - All in pieces

Over Christmas break, I took the kids to Paint a Pot to decorate their own bowls. Beckett was so proud of his! In the giggling over breakfast, an arm got bumped and the bowl flew off the table. On the floor lay a mess of rice krispies, milk and a crushed little boy weeping over his bowl. It was heart breaking. 

27:365 - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Rodger got a wonderful gift from a friend: a ukulele kit. After building the instrument, he has become fixated on learning how to pick and strum and he has us all singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".

26:365 - Hot chocolate

Big time snow, kids playing happily on the growing sledding hill in the backyard and a request for hot chocolate -- outdoors. As the kids took a break on their sleds to count the marshmallows in their respective mugs, they graced me with a giggle and a smile...and I happily took a snapshot of their wintry play.

25:365 - Knights, Queens and Dragons

Beckett had a special day at school today - Knights, Queens and Dragons Day. The days of costume preparation and all the ideas that a newly five year old has about "becoming" a dragon have made this so much fun! Zoe captured the moment as he transformed this AM from a sweet little boy into a tail wielding, fire breathing, oatmeal eating dragon.

24:365 - FIVE

It is truly unbelievable to me that my little dude is FIVE! What a fun age! For his birthday dinner, he chose pork loin and Brussels sprouts (yes, really) but he surprised me even more with his cake request: a banana cake with a monkey on the top. Now THAT I can do! He was so excited to take donuts to school to celebrate, wear the birthday hat his sister made for him and unwrap airplane kits, marshmallow guns and "scrisbee" shooters.  Five is going to be awesome! Happy Birthday Beckett!

23:365 - The Morning Commute

Snow snow more snow. Since the snow began, it seems to not have stopped. This morning's commute was slippery and slow but, for a moment, it was a beautiful drive.

22:365 - Sparse Beginnings

At the sight of snow, the kids begin to clamour for dad to build a sledding hill in the backyard.  The kids, armed with shovels, made an attempt to  begin the hill with the limited snow we have been granted. Eventually, Beckett and Zoe thought it was more fun to pull each other around the yard and wait for dad!

21:365 - Target

Ah, the weekly trek to Target. One child running ahead way down the aisle, and the other hanging off the front of the cart. Yup, a parenting experience to which ALL can relate!

20:365 - Finally! Winter!

Winter has finally arrived after crazy warm temperatures. I was hoping this was going to be the year we got the on skis and if things continue like this, we should have plenty of opportunity. We took the kids, bundled up against the sub-zero wind chill, to Van Raalte today to sled. A few runs down the hill and they were covered in snow and giggling behind the neck gaiters and goggles. Life is good!

19:365 - Anticipation

Beckett has a special day at school next week: Knight, Queen and Dragon Day. It took a split second for him to choose to be a dragon. It took a little bit longer for me to figure out how to "whip up" a dragon costume. THANK YOU Mom for my sewing skills and Grandma for your old Necchi machine. That machine will sew through anything is is, luckily, fantastically forgiving!

18:365 - Spicy Bok Choy with Tofu

This dish has quickly become a favorite. Spicy bok choy with tofu and garlic "chip" - deelish!

17:365 - Kindergarten Roundup

It's the time of the year for me to fill out "school of choice" paperwork for the kids. And, for the first time ever, I had to fill out a set for our soon-to-be Kindergartner. Tonight we had Kindergarten Roundup at Zoe's school.  Beckett got a chance to visit a Kinder classroom and do an art project while the parents worked on paperwork. It is really a struggle for me to think that this little guy is ready for Kindergarten. I KNOW that he is but maybe it's more that this Mamma isn't ready for it.

16:365 - Part Two: Boy

Today, I took an image of Beckett's bedside table drawer. Whoa! The difference! Dudes, Batman, glow in the dark bracelets, flashlights, cars, Buzz Lightyear and Woody, a bike bell, cartridges for a Leapster, shells. It was an impressive collection and a fitting depiction of an (almost) 5 year old boy.

15:365 - Part One: Girl

I was putting things away in the kids room today and was thinking about a list that I have kept for years of the funny things they say or the things they are each "into". When I opened Zoe's bedside table, I was struck by the notion that this was a pretty good snapshot of her, right now. The fairy doll, the Hello Kitty head, the ear buds, flashlights, head lamp, National Geographic tear out cards (I had those!!) band aids and my old tooth fairy pillow. The archeology of a childhood.

14:365 - New 'do

Dude in on his way to making a full recovery....a solo day with mom means a new hair cut and lunch at GregorDog. 

13:365 - Whip It!

Zoe and her friend Beka spent the afternoon with the EZ Bake Oven. Beckett got in on the action with impromptu ice cream sundaes and the can of Redi Whip.

12:365 - Reflection

Still under the weather, Beckett stayed in jammies all day. Some times it takes being forced to slow down to appreciate the quieter moments. 

11:365 - Down for the count

Very sick little dude today. B woke with a fever of 103.4 in the early dark hours of the morning. It was time to get out the supplies, begin alternating acetominophen and ibuprofen, and writing every thing down. I hate it when one of my little people is sick.

10:365 - Lunch

Working part time leaves little time for lunch or anything else during my day. I usually grab a quick bite of something while working and the tomato basil bisque has become a favorite.

9:365 - Kindermusik

I love getting notes from school about the kids.  Today's note was from Miss Darcy, Beckett's Kindermusik teacher. Zoe had Miss Darcy for Kindermusik when she was about 18 months old so Miss Darcy has been in our lives for a long time. Currently, Beckett is working on a unit using the recorder. Oddly enough, Zoe is working on a recorder unit at school too! Miss Darcy's note about Beckett being excited to bring his recorder home did NOT surprise me. The funny part about "be ready" made me laugh out loud. Dueling recorders soon???

8:365 - Slow start

Breakfast is hard to eat when race cars are involved. It was much more fun to check out the cars on the counter than to finish breakfast and get moving for school. 

7:365 - Don't cry over melted ice

Downtown's annual ice sculpture contest was foiled within 24 hours by another odd "heat wave" this winter. By the time the creations were completed, the weather changed and the melting began. Beckett begged us to make a trip downtown to see the carnage!

6:365 - Crabby people

Rodger and Zoe are crabby...crazy for crab! Zoe was grocery shopping with me this week and saw king crab legs on sale. And proceeded to plead with me to buy it for her and her dad. How could I resist! It is a bit of a spectator sport watching the two of the crack through the claws but the oohs and ahhs and rolling of eyes at the deliciousness are so worth it!

5:365 - Java Gym

Beckett was invited to celebrate the 5th birthday of one of his best girl "buds", Kiersten, today at Java Gym. What a cool idea! The place is a floor to ceiling climbing gym with tunnels and stairs and all different levels. It was hard to get a shot of any of the kids as they ran and climbed and tumbled....what a blast!

4:365 - Paint A Pot

Took the kids to a local pottery painting place today. They both chose to make new bowls for ice cream / cereal / oatmeal. The could have stayed for hours decorating and so we will be making a return trip soon. Both are anxious to pick up their finished, fired piece next week!

3:365 - Chicago

It has been a while since we have made a trip to Chicago with the kids. Zoe has asked more and more about it over the last few months and rather than wait until Spring, I decided to take advantage of her extra long Christmas break. We took the train from downtown into the city. I suspect the novelty wore off after an hour or so but my iPhone kept her busy. First stop: The American Girl store. We spent the better part of 3 hours walking the store, scoping out a few outfits we could not leave without, making an "appointment" to get Chloe's hair done before taking a break for lunch at the Drake (where my mom used to take me).  And then it was back to the AG store for Chloe's appoint, a trip to Garrett's for popcorn and a walk up and down the stores on Michigan Avenue - all before taking the train home. Whatever misgivings I may have had about trekking to Chicago immediately dissipated due to the enormous grin on Zoe's face. What a great time we had together!

2:365 - Spelling Pictures

Finally going through the reams of homework Zoe brought home - just in time for school to begin again! One of the many, many things I love about Montessori is how they use multiple tools to teach the same information. Spelling pictures is a fave of mine because not only does Zoe learn words and meanings, but her pictures give me a glimpse into her mind. Her super hero for "justice" is priceless.

1:365 - Happy New Year!

The first day of the new year was spent celebrating with the Toths. Debbi went over the top with mimosas to ring in another year. We all made homemade pizzas and played well into the afternoon. What a great day!