Wild Things

It's bear and cougar season in the Okanagan and I've been a little wary when we've been out tromping through the woods (note: usually I'm a little skeptical of the danger of these things but my friend was over a couple of weeks ago when her husband called to tell her that there was a bear walking down the street. She then nicely asked him to please meet their son at the school bus. Last year, a cougar had to be "dispatched" not far from our house. This year, I've decided to take the sightings more seriously).  Luckily, I have in my possession the best bear scare out there: she's blond, she talks non-stop, and she lacks volume control. Well, if I thought one small girl was good to get the critters out of our way... triple that threat and there won't be a wild animal for miles around. Thankfully, the cuteness factor of cousins is more than the sum of its parts and we got to enjoy three giggling girls this weekend -- I loved it. The Seattlites crossed the border and came to visit us and the weather gods served up one of the nicest days we've seen in the past couple of weeks. It was a great way to kick off our visiting season out here and Molly was absolutely ready to pounce on Eric, Mary, Katy, and Emmy as soon as they pulled into the driveway. Little kids are so funny because their sense of time is a little wacky (everything in our house happened "last night") and they live for the moment; these girls just fall into rhythm with one another as soon as they are together. It was a great visit, too short as always, but we love having people come out!

Jack was happy to have another man around the house... and then he realized that Uncle Eric is outnumbered three to one and was in awe.

Monkey see, monkey do... the little monkeys/animal repellents all ganged up on moms and dads to do the work of walking for them. 

Jack just chilled out in the courtesy shuttle. 

Cousins prove, once again, to be so super fun. But, could Molly's shorts ride any higher and look any more uncomfortable? Yikes. 

Thanks for the pictures, guys! And thanks for the iPad preview... so jealous. 

Play It Again

Molly's Molly-centric world is slowly but surely beginning to get a little rocked. There is tension in the air now that Jack is getting big enough to get his mitts on her ever-expanding roster of stuff (ever-expanding because she assumes ownership over all items of interest to her, not because we've been on a toy buying spree). Oh, the love/hate relationship of having someone around to share with. I thought Molly had go-go-gadget arms but they are nothing compared to Jack's Kevin Garnett-sized wingspan (probably my first and last basketball reference... but that dude is TALL), which can cause some dismay and alarm to his big sister. Thankfully, the power dynamic is still mostly harmonious although I'm trying to nip any and all shrieking in the bud... I've never met an instant headache-inducer like Molly's squeal when something isn't going her way. She should count her blessings, in my opinion, that Jack is mostly content to sit and have toys brought to him -- something she never really was okay with. Her sitting-only stage did not last long while, thankfully, Jack appears to be pretty content on his little rump... for now.

Look at those two playing so nicely together (okay, Jack's trying to eat the thingy -- but that counts as playing)...

Jack: "Can you believe it, Mom, she's letting me push this thing down?!"

Molly: "Hmmm... I think I'm sharing. I know I'm supposed to do this but it really doesn't fit in with my whole mistress of my domain deal."

Molly: "Let me just slide this back a little bit and pretend that I'm still sharing. No one will notice my clever tricks." (Note: Perhaps when Molly asks me if I'm very tired I should stop answering "always" because I think she keeps trying to pull a fast one on my figuring I'm too sleepy to really notice). 

Jack: "Hey mom, I have super-sized my reach but still can't quite get over there. Do you think she did that on purpose?"

Molly: "Here Jack, here's this other random toy that has nothing to do with what we were playing together but now I'll just turn slightly 180 degrees and keep this thing to myself."

Sleep Tight

Apparently, Molly had some trouble falling asleep a few nights ago. Her room must have lacked some je ne sais quoi... she fixed that. I should mention that this was all done stealthily and we didn't hear a peep; we found it when we went to check on her when we went to bed. I've heard rumors that John used to take all his stuff out his dresser drawers... mischievous little mini people. 

It looks like operation destruction went off without a hitch...

Believe it or not, underneath the small library, 25 blankets, miniature stuffed animal zoo, there is one little girl fast asleep after lots of hard work. 

Victoria(ous) Days

We beat all you Statesiders to the punch and had our long, May weekend this weekend (Victoria Day). It wasn't insanely warm (though some thought it was still swimming weather) but it was mild and mostly sunny... sunny enough to finish up one picnic table and benches, build a swing, sit at the beach, and kayak. Perhaps most importantly, Molly's hair has gone up in a ponytail or pigtails each and every day -- pigtails are really more appropriate because her hair curls into little curly cues like a little oinker's tail (and, if you've seen her eat, oinker about sums it all up).

Though the mullet still lives on, the party in the back is at least long enough to put up

Jack is a sly fox when it comes to showing off his new little chompers (unless your finger is anywhere near his mouth and then he'll happily demonstrate how those things work) but there's a little glimpse of the new pearly whites.

Being almost two and a half means working your way up to a bigger swing. Molly will show you how she's two and half by holding up her palm and saying "look! I'm doing it!" meaning she thinks she's folding down her ring and pinky fingers and thumb to show two. Notsomuch. 

In any event, John had some extra lumber lying around and we devised ourselves a swing out of it. Now Molly has two swings since the old swing can't possibly be for Jack... 

The clouds rolled in last night around dinner time so we're going to have our inaugural dinner on our table tonight. I'm impressed with John's meticulous handiwork and so happy to have a place to eat and play outside this summer. Finger painting sounds like a much better idea when there's a hose near by.

p.s. For Holly, the green pac-man like things in the previous post are lily pads. I'm shocked that you can't tell that. I'm actually so far from shocked because I had to wrack my brains myself to remember. 

Animal Farm

Many moons ago, I made Molly a felt board with all different scenes -- farm, ocean, faces, etc. She could not have cared less about it and I stowed my felt, stopped googling small felt creatures, and figured it just wasn't her thing. Like all toys in the recycle loop, putting it away was a good thing because when she rediscovered it this week, it was fun and exciting and she was INTENSE about setting her scenes. Fortunately, she hasn't noticed that my animals aren't nearly as good as the professionally made ones that the librarian or her teacher uses (just another notch down on the crafter scale). I didn't think they were so bad that she thought the cow belonged in the sky or that the pond goes on the barn but maybe they are pretty ambiguous...

Teen Angel

Everybody (or at least every mom) needs an Anika. She is Molly's middle school buddy who comes over to play and babysit on Wednesdays after school. I got the idea from Eric and Mary, and I have to say it's been a high point of my week ever since. I usually go out and run errands but today I stayed home to do some work; I listened to the two of them run (and I pretty much mean run) around for the whole afternoon. I should say, Molly runs Anika around and she obligingly goes along with things. I usually hit my limit when I've done three or four of something in a row -- read the same story in triplicate, repeated the same answer to a question in quadruplicate, built garages/gardens/houses out of blocks only to have King Kong Molly come through and wreak havoc once, twice, three, many, many times, etc. Really, it can feel like ground hog day around here a lot. Anika, though... that girl has stamina. I listened to her read and then act out Curious George for almost an hour today, staged, of course, by little miss director pants. Not only that, but Anika is a really, really good artist (as in, you can tell what her drawings look like every time), and she made Molly a Curious George mask just for fun. I thought I was crafty but she makes me look like amateur hour. Molly adores older kids (girls and boys, unfortunately. She's already tried sneaking off at the beach with some older boys. Ay yey yey), and having Anika come is exciting for Molly each week, too. They can be wacky and zany together and it's really sweet to listen to the squeals of happiness (from Molly). As much as I love spending my days with my small people, I think the old Momski routine gets a little old and it's nice to spice things up with some fresh energy (thank you in advance to our summer visitors/helpers). It also provides me the opportunity to have one on one time with Jack. Even though we're often running around getting errands done (in about an eighth of the time it would take me if I had both of them with me), we always get our moments to blow raspberries or give belly laughs or actually linger somewhere. I take my moments with him whenever I can but it's nice to know I have some dedicated time.

I have never been a huge fan of the middle school years (mine included), but I think I'm being convinced that teenage girls aren't complete mutants (I should have already known this because we very much enjoy the company of our non-mutant teenage family members). It also might mean that I might occasionally wiggle my way out of doing something for a fourth, fifth, eighteenth time because it's Molly and Anika's special thing to do together... maybe, just maybe. 

May Day

The little man is hanging in there -- thanks to everyone for their well wishes and concern. We're mostly going about our daily business (a little blonde angel wouldn't have it any other way) with just a little extra look out for any changes in respiration.

A few May birthdays that we need to wish some happys for: Megan, Beth, Emmy, and Jonah! Sorry that we can't celebrate in person with you all although I'll happily rent Molly out. That girl can do up birthdays right.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Good:
It was a glorious day here... sunny, 80 degrees, and just plain lovely (weather-wise). The kids could play outside, the ducks could take up residence in the back yard, and John could make really good progress on the pic-a-nic table. We actually were able to use the table for dinner tonight, which was fantastic. The benches are still a work in progress but we're enjoying what we can!

The Bad and The Ugly:
Jack is sick. The little man has some sort of respiratory issue and we're trying to determine if it's bronchiolitis, asthma, or an infection. He's such a happy little critter and is trying valiantly to stay happy despite having trouble breathing. It's been a bit stressful around here this week and it's a lot of waiting and seeing and trying things out. We have been able to stay home and not be admitted to the hospital thus far but we got a little closer than I would have liked this afternoon. Anyway, I'm guessing things will turn out fine. So many of us know (unfortunately) that helpless feeling of watching your little person be unhappy and it stinks.

Independence Day

Like Liz, I think I'm slowly becoming dispensable to my oldest child (although, for the record, Molly doesn't have Ethan's helpful streak. Or, I should say, she's nudge nudge wink wink, big-air-quote "helpful"). She likes to announce to me what we're doing for the day (9 times out of 10 we're most definitely not doing it), likes to get her shoes and hat on by herself (for the record, it was 73 degrees today, not really a hat day... didn't matter), gets her babies up and fed and down for a nap (these naps must be taken in Jack's room and seem to last an awfully long time), must "pick up" her Little People for the night by parking them (after several nights of this I did, finally, pick them up after she went to bed. They seem innocuous enough but those buggers always end up underfoot somehow), lets me know that she can paint her own toenails (maaa-ma, I'm painting my naa-ils. My reaction? What? Nooooo), and is Queen Independent on the playground.

It's bittersweet (and sometimes maddening, sometimes hilarious), these steps towards independence. Thankfully, given that her mitts are still heat seeking mischief missiles, I have a bit more time of eagle-eyeing her before she's completely off on her own. 

Mother May I

Oh mother's day... what fun it was to wake up (late, YUM!) to little people beaming from ear to ear and one of them yelling "happy mother's day" at the top of her lungs over and over. Seriously, because the clock read something past 8, it was cute. I got a card with birthday cakes and butterflies (???), breakfast in bed (with my own pepper grinder extraordinaire, which translates into a very peppery bed), and very few responsibilities for the day. It was lovely... and one of the best parts -- my present. Mr. Handy Man is building me a pic-a-nic table. I've been eyeing picnic tables for awhile and John decided to build us a custom one. Very sweet. 

My little folks have been enjoying being home with their own stuff, beds, and time zones at their disposals. Jack has sprouted teeth and I'd really like to give them back. I am very attached to his gummy smile and these suckers are making him miserable; it is just heartbreaking because he's a really happy little fellow most of the time. Molly gets funnier by the day, yelling all sorts of statements about everything from her crazy hair to the weather to what everyone else is doing (there is no such thing as going to the bathroom in peace any more). She also asks INCESSANTLY "what yur doing?" or "what happened?" or "what we going to do?". Big brother (sister) is watching and listening. I cringe when we're out on a walk or in a store and she spots a person of interest... I'm not sure her portrayals of other people are always PC, accurate, or appreciated. I spend a lot of time telling people I'm sorry... 

I do love being their mom, though. Of that, I'm sure. 

Little Miss Lady... she's got three purses/wallets on her shoulder, shoes on her feet, and an agenda a mile long. 

Mr. Drool... and itty bitty teeth. 

These two are playing more and more together, which is very nice and sweet. I'm partial to the little man's plumber game. 

Mother's day was warm enough to be outside to garden, enjoy snacks, take a walk, and...

build a picnic table! 

Mommy Dearest

Happy mother's day to all the mothers in my life, big and small, far and near. A special happy happy to those first time and expectant moms out there -- enjoy your first special day. It's an honor and a privilege to be a mom; to be surrounded by a community of moms makes it even more special. I bet most of the things I know in life (which, sadly, may not be much... especially these days. Has anyone seen my brain cells?) have come through some wisdom or wit from my own mom or one of those special ladies with munchkins at her feet out there. It's not so much that mommyhood is a club (or cult) but a complete way of life, one that I wouldn't trade for all the peace and quiet in the world (but a day of it might not hurt...).

I hope everyone is celebrating someone's mom tomorrow. I'm sending my own some big, international hugs!

Eat Your Heart Out

We're back from our quick jaunt to the east coast. We had a lovely time celebrating Jack's six month mark, briefly visiting (always too brief) with some friends and family, and ringing in some good times (and little sleep) with a gorgeous bride-to-be (if you want to see her good looking security detail, check here). John did some solo parenting with both kids, which is always harder when you're away from home, and now we're staying put for awhile. Whew. In other news...

Jack has started enjoying the wider world of fruits, veggies, and grains. He appears as eager to triple our grocery bill as much as his older sister did and I've been hunting around for different veggies (parsnips? never cooked them before but I have to admit that I'm a fan) to keep things interesting (thank goodness for the farmer's market starting up again). Aside from avocados, which Molly wasn't a fan of either, he'll pretty much gobble anything down. His expressions are pretty priceless. The avocado look is sort of "what the hell are you trying to pull on me, lady? I didn't know that paste and toe jam were on the list of first foods" while the banana look was more of "I'll eat this really fast before you realize that it gives me the toots" and everything else is "I'll keep my eyes locked on you (and don't you try and wander around the room) and my mouth in a perfect O so that you can get the spoon in there juuuuust right". 

Messy babies are my specialty (I'm eating all my pre-baby words about feeding pictures being grody) and Jack is clearly really good at getting the wrong end of the spoon to do his bidding. 

Luckily, he's also apparently good at cleaning up his own messes.

Jack isn't the only new eater in the house. Molly's taking very good care of her own brood. She may be on to something with the naked noshing.