Random Conversations with My Kids

It’s so hard sometimes to capture all the little snippets of every day conversations that you’d like to remember so that you can tell your kids one day, “You were sooooo cute when you were (insert age)!!” I have these moments all the time, and I’m sure many parents do, too. Whether you’re in the car, doing chores, fixing them a meal, sharing a meal – there are just those fun moments.

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One night I sent the kids to brush their teeth and I said I’d be right behind them. Ollie is only 2, so he needs helps, usually. Not even 2 minutes later, Ollie comes waltzing into my bedroom.

“Did you brush your teeth, Ollie?”

“YAH!”

“Are you sure?”

“Ahhh-beee say I good, so… I done!”

“Really, Abby said you’re good, so you’re done?”

The answer was a definite YES, and when I checked with Abby, she had a good chuckle. Now she says, “I good, so I done,” anytime she can.

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Ollie’s ABC’s needed a little work and this is how it went in the car. Please sing along.

Ay – Bee – Tsee – Dee – Eff – Gee – Aych – I – Jay – Kay – Emm – Oooo – Pee – Kew – Ahr – Ess – Tee – You – Vvvv (long pause) Seven – Eight – Nine – Ten

Now he says, “Tee – You – Vee – Duhbuh You – Eck – Why and Szhee”

———

“Ollie, how are you today?”

“Pine.”

“You’re Fffff-ine?”

“Yah. That’s what I say, Pine.”

“Try saying “ffffff-ine”, Ollie.”

“Ffffffff-Pine.”

“What about Fat Cat?”

“Fffff-Pat Cat.”

“Okay, we’ll work on that somemore.”

———

On the way to school one morning I had such the Mom-moment. Mom-nesia, if you will.

“Abby, I should record that new tv show with the show choir-high school show.”

“Yeah, it was cool. What’s it called, Mom?”

“I can’t remember.. uh, you know, we watched it the other night, Geek? Yeah, I think it’s called Geek!”

“Geek? Oh, MOM, don’t you mean GLEE? Bwahahahaha. Mom, you’re funny.”

“Ollie says, Punny mommy.”

———

Ollie: I wuv Unc-kuh Gweg. (our new brother-in-law)

Mom: That’s really nice, Ollie.

Ollie: I big wike Unc-kuh Gweg. I big boy.

Abby: Uh, Ollie, you’re not.

Ollie: Yah, I AM!

Abby: NO, you’re still LITTLE!

Ollie: NOOO, I big boy. Maaaaahm, Ah-bee say I wit-tuh, but I big!”

“Ollie, if you think you’re a big boy, then start using the potty.”

Yeah, that ended that conversation really fast.

—————–

Tags: favorite things, funny, kids, living, talking

The Craft Social

It might be intimidating to some to go all by yourself, not knowing anyone except for maybe through blogging, to a gathering of over 100 women (and one man) to craft for two hours.

It was FABULOUS!  Really, it was. This pic was at the beginning of the evening.  Attendees either brought a donation or food, and a craft project to do on her own.  There were also crafting stations where you could learn how to do a new project: duct tape wallets, decoupage bowls, paper-decorated clothespins, poloroid slide transfers, beading, and other various crafts.

I brought a cross-stitch project to work on, but really, I socialized, made a magnetic bookmark, little paper adornments and a pom-pom flower.

Meeting so many talented people and watching them create these beautiful pieces, made me want to try more things!  Hello to Toni at the refreshment area, Margaret, who was working on her applique, Kathy, who writes Merriment Design, Cindy, an event planner and crafter, Alexandra, who brought a scrumptious tart, Debbie and Rosemary, the stampin’ up ladies, Tripp Hudgins, the nicest husband and only man in the group (so enjoyed talking about paper and ink), Beth Engelman, blogger/writer, and Jess Jones, the social coordinator and blogger.

I can’t wait for the next one!

Tags: crafting, favorite things, Friends and Family, fun, paper, recycled, websites

Mother’s Day 2009

Breakfast in bed has become tradition in our house. No, I did not eat all that bacon. We all ate in bed, so, yes, the sheets were taken off immediately after breakfast.

Toast, bacon, an ambrosia-ish salad, raspberry jam, Kerrygold butter (so good), a blob of Delice de Bourgogne cheese (even more delicious), Burnside Estate (black tea) from TeaLula and Ollie-friendly blueberry granola.  Eastman outdid himself this time.

Cajun-seasoned scrambled eggs were hiding under the plate o’ bacon.

So excited to start reading these books!! But, best of all, Abby made a most beautiful stained “glass” picture of a flower and did a survey on Mom.

Tags: cooking, family, favorite things, holiday, kids, tea, TeaLula, treasure

Martha Stewart in Chicago

Holy cow!! I met Martha Stewart!!!! *whew* I have to get the rest of this excitement over Martha out of my system.

I took Ollie on a little trip last Friday to Macy’s on State Street… totally last minute decision. Left the house at 10:15 a.m. for her 1 pm book signing.

Got in line at about 12:00 pm where we were greeted by Macy’s staff with bottled water and cookies. The staff was so nice.

We made friends with people in line… thanks to the lady from Scottsdale, AZ for taking our picture. We liked talking with the well-dressed-newspaper-reading guy, too. The Asian lady behind us in the picture had her dog, Emma, in her purse. And we talked about making homemade dog treats.

The line started moving a bit past 1:00 pm. A voice came from beyond a corner, then applause. None of us in line could hear a thing, but oh well, we thought, they’re probably just introducing Martha. Realistically, I figured if we were still in line by 2:00, we would bail because I had to pick up our daughter at school. However, the line was moving at a good pace, and then the skies opened up… a Macy’s staff person approached me and said, “Martha asked that mothers with young children in or with strollers, and disabled people get consideration and be ushered to the head of the line. I already brought up two moms. So, go ahead, go up there and talk to the women at the head of the line, and they’ll get you in the queue.” We love Martha, don’t we? The lady in the bright yellow green sweater was apparently a main coordinator (or Martha staff) and she got us right in.

I’ve been telling people that Martha Stewart is really stunning in person. She’s a beautiful lady… she’s also a powerful woman. I wonder if I admire her more for her lifestyle-crafting-cooking inspirations or her empire building skills? She was very nice, cordial, talked with Ollie a little bit (funny pic in the gallery), asked who the crafter was in our house, what crafts I do (I could have said, “Everything!”, but only told her that I papercraft and sew). For all the things I could have said to her, I basically came up with, “Ms. Stewart, it is such a pleasure to meet you.” She said, “Why, thank you.” Then she said, “Oh, he lets you craft? You have time?” I said, “Well, I sneak in time… but really, I don’t sleep too much,” and she grinned, “Yes, we know about that.” She said, “Very nice to meet you.” to my brother.

There was an older lady whom we met after the signing who was quite upset that Martha was 12 minutes late. She said, “I gave her one demerit for every minute she was late, so that makes 12 demerits…” Wow. Okay, lady, I don’t know how you give demerits, or what they’re going to do for Martha, but I’m pretty sure she wasn’t too concerned about you.

The rest of our short visit with the lifestyle maven is captured in pictures…Ha, ha, thanks for the pictures, Patrick! Don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t there!

Tags: books, celebrity, crafting, favorite things, fun, macy's, martha stewart, shopping

Happy Earth Day

Had a really nice time at our local Earth Day fair. Look, we took a ride around our nature center park. Made the man work with all of us in the cab! There were more activities than I thought, which was nice for the kids. We also had a great time listening to Rocket J, local band. They covered some oldies and goodies. We KNOW the drummer! So cool. He’s actually the father of my daughter’s preschool friend. Almost needless to say, Ollie rocked out big time. Air guitar and all. He wanted to stay and dance the whole time. Daisy, Abby’s friend, invited Ollie onto the stage, but I don’t think he was quite prepared for that, and politely said, “No.”

We went around and visited the various booths. Here are some highlights aside from the local garden club, soil and water conservation district, National Wildlife Federation and local park district.

Sustainable, handmade paper products, such as wildflower seed notecards, memory books, gift tags, frames and custom wedding invitations at www.womancraft.net,

Soap artisan makes hand made natural Olive oil soaps, body oils and bathing essentials (www.abbeybrown.com),

Fine specialty teas promoting wellness and health at www.senteamentalmoods.com,

Books promoting diversity, creativity and discovery for children at www.readingbarefootbooks.com

Tags: chicago, earth day, family, favorite things, fun, kids

The crafting to-do list

The little one is chowing down on Easter jelly beans, and he’s very content right now, so I’m taking this opportunity to empty my head of some projects that I want to finish.  Maybe I’ll even finish them before April 30?  I stumbled onto this website, http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/, and I liked her Spring to Finish idea!

So, what do I want to finish?  Maybe the better question is, what can I realistically finish by April 30.  Can I include the Easter napkins?  I made 18 cute, Easter-Spring themed napkins for the tablesetting.  Will have to update with pictures.

1. Wine cork bulletin board – in progress

2. Baby burp cloths – 1-boy, 2-girls

3. Finish 1st stage prep for the big T-shirt quilt (I think I have 9 t’s left to interface)

I think this is do-able.  We’ll see.

Tags: crafting, favorite things, time