Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Project Rainy Day

We decided that today was a cookie making day because what better a day to bake and eat, than a damp, rainy day.

Preparations were made.....

Don't forget Hello Kitty. She's a vital part of the cookie making process, you know.

Kids, stirring the oat-flour-soda-powder mix

Our end result. Oh sooo good. Oatmeal PB cookies w/ some chocolate chunks....


Props to Robyn for sharing this recipe. It rocks.

Shake, Rattle, & Roll!

Last Thursday was our school's annual Sock Hop. We took the kids and they had a blast. After waiting until the last minute to look for a poodle skirt for Norah and then having no luck, I decided to make her one. And then it went terribly wrong. One little wrong fold and oops...there were 2 holes for the waist. Thankfully, felt is inexpensive and can be used for crafts. And thankfully, she was able to borrow a dress from a friend. Whew! Crisis averted.

The kids danced, hula-hooped, ate junk food, and had a good time.



Unfortunately, Aidan froze in a state of shyness when his friends (female) asked him to dance. Here he is, pouting.

Monday, March 23, 2009

WWJH?

That would be Where Would Jesus Hang... As in hang out. In our house.

The dude's name has been coming up in some funny contexts in our house as of recent. The last one being, "Ellie's got Jesus in his mouth!!!"

That comment referred to this tiny gold baby. Probably totally coated in lead. It was the baby from our King Cake that we had during Mardi Gras. And that whole ordeal was pretty funny itself. Before we cut into the cake, Chris read the story on the side of the box to the kids and then explained that the baby in the cake represented baby Jesus. Elliott was so perplexed during the reading. He solmnely stated, "But baby Jesus* is dead." about halfway through the explination. We giggled and went on. At the end, he said, "If baby Jesus is dead, how can he be in our cake?" He just couldn't grasp the concept of representation. Then of course, all the kids were screaming, "I WANT TO FIND BABY JESUS!" And then when we did, they were all, "No fair! Aidan found Jesus! and you cut his foot!" (oops. I accidentally ran into him with the knife when I was cutting).

*The whole 'baby Jesus' kept reminding me of Talladega Nights. "Look, I like the Christmas Jesus best, and I'm sayin' grace. When you say grace, you can say it to Grownup Jesus or Teenage Jesus or Bearded Jesus or whoever you want."

Speaking of finding Jesus, a month or two ago, I was in Marshall's/Home Goods with the kids, perusing the home decor aisles. I was one aisle over when I heard Norah scream (yes, scream), "MOM! I found Jesus!!!!"

Some heads turned. I went over to her and sure enough, it was a porcelin statue of Mary holding baby Jesus. Of course, Elliott had to chime in on how it was BABY Jesus.

And finally, we were at Bartz's party store last week, trying to find sock hop accessories. We passed the Easter aisle and they stopped and exclaimed, "Look! Its the Easter Bunny! And Jesus!" Yup. Costumes. The discussion continued about how the Jesus costume looked silly because of the long hair.

5 year olds. Gotta love them.

The sensitive one

We had conferences on Friday. All went glowingly well. Going into Aidan's, I was already up to speed because we had just had his IEP the week prior, and a lot came up in there.

Aidan is a good student. He's one of those kids who follows the classroom rules. If the teacher gives the strategies for being a Strong Reader, he follows all of them. He does every step, without skipping one. And because of this, he's moved up 2 reading levels in less than a month. We're so proud of him.

Aidan is a shy kid. Not so much with adults....he can sit down and talk an adult's ear off (hello, Uncle Ryan!). But it takes him a long time to build up a friendship that he's comfortable with. Or at least, that's what we see on the outside. His teacher says that he interacts just fine in the classroom, which is wonderful to hear. However, one of his very best friends is a girl. And there are some cruel boys in his class who have taken to taunting him for this, calling them boyfriend and girlfriend. Said boy has also critiqued Aidan's kicking and running skills when it comes to recess kickball. I'd like to have a word with the kid's mom, but that's not here nor there. Thankfully, Aid's teacher called a meeting to try and put a stop to the behavior by talking about how you treat your classmates and how boys and girls can be friends and its ok.

After the first meeting, Aidan and I were walking home and he was telling me about it. He was saying how 'J' has not been well behaved since the first day of school and he's just not very nice. I said something to the effect of, "Well, that's ok. You're not going to be friends with everyone. That's just part of life." And he chewed on it and said something like, "Well Mommy, he is still my friend, he's just a boy who does not make good choices most of the time."

Wow. He's so sweet...always willing to give someone another chance and the benefit of the doubt. I hope it doesn't bite him in the butt as he goes through life. I hope that he manages to stay a non-cynical person with a positive outlook.

Too bad he's so hard on himself. We need to work on that...

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

IDontDanceRoutine


IDontDanceRoutine
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
This was hilarious.

LittleBallerina


LittleBallerina
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
She trys. She really does. And she says she loves dance and wants to keep doing it. That's all that matters.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Little Artists

Last week, I came across some dry erase markers that were on clearance at Target, so I snatched them up, since 1) ours have been dry for months, 2) the kids lurve the dry erase board, and 3) they are darn expensive.

Norah and Elliott created some cute art...


Elliott's rendition of our family



"Mommy, this is you and daddy when you were married."


Norah's family portrait. Notice she left out her brothers? Just mom, dad, Norah, and the cats. hrm.

Perfection...

What a fun weekend....lots of swimming, waterpark fun, and friends.

Saturday morning we woke up and looked out the patio doors of our condo to see 3 deer.

What a fun weekend....lots of swimming, waterpark fun, and friends.

Saturday morning we woke up and looked out the patio doors of our condo to see 3 deer.


Not even 5 minutes later, the kids spotted the hot air balloon. Norah commented, "daddy, there are some cool things in this world."





Sure are, baby girl.

And now....a little Sunday Swimming Fun :)



We've got a fun-filled week coming up! We're going to go pick up our worms and start our worm farm (vermicomposting bin), which the kids are very excited about. Norah's got her dance recital on Wednesday. We find out if Aidan advanced to the next belt in taekwondo (he tested on Saturday, but they left early with permission because he and dad had already trekked back to MKE for the testing and we didn't want him to miss out on too much of the waterpark!). He broke his board during testing. Go Aidan! Hopefully we'll get some photos from some other parents. And we have our school's annual Sock Hop on Thursday! Fun fun fun!

Edited to say... ok, guess I won't link to Flickr photos. They're off center and not all there. Grrr.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Once upon a time, the temperature was above 32 in Wisconsin...



A little spring fun. Someday, we'll see temps like this again. Until then, its the blustery, 10 degree, winter coat crap.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Play-Doh Fun!

This? Tofu for you, mama!!!

And this? Pancakes, 'basketti, animal crackers, and oh, a flamingo, too.

Something I'm attempting to instill....

My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants.
~J. Brotherton

Why I love you...



Norah & Elliott.... This is one of the many, many reasons that I love you.

When you rang the doorbell today and then charged in, carrying these in your hands, faces beaming, declaring, "mommy, we picked these for you. aren't they bootiful?", I loved nothing more than being your mom.

xoxo

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Monday, February 16, 2009

We are the champions, my friend-


Aidan took 3rd place overall in the Pinewood Derby. So he won all his races (6) and they averaged his times to get his place. He was thisclose to 2nd place!!

Go Darth Taiter!

Thursday, January 01, 2009

My Little Patient

Elliott did really well yesterday with his tonsillectomy & adenoidectomy. He was a real trooper and did so well in recovery. When he came to, the nurse told me that they asked him if he had anyone waiting for him. He said, "yeah." They asked who he wanted, and he said, "grandma Jeanne." They said, "is she here?" He said, "no." Silly kid. They asked if mom was ok, and he said, "sure."

Here are some photos-
Showing off the matching bands


About to leave for the holding room, after having the happy juice
Post-surgery

Perking up before we left

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Aidan's Rally Sign?


Aidan's Rally Sign?
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
I found this drawing sitting out. I had nothing to do with it. It cracks me up and makes me proud :)

Monday, September 15, 2008

Conquering SkeeBall


Conquering SkeeBall
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
I don't think its meant to be played this way. Future rock climber maybe? Or maybe just a monkey.

Monday, September 08, 2008

The Addition of Ike


Ike and Norah
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
We bribed Norah. We've actually been bribing her for 2 years now. And she finally followed through. So we had to hold up our end of the deal and get her a cat. After seeing many cats, she picked Ike - a 1.5 year old boy stray. Ike's a great cat - - he loves the kids, loves attention, lets them manhandle him while continuing to purr, and never uses his claws (he's not declawed). Quinn doesn't love him, but that's another story.
Ike also likes the basement rec room, which is fine by me, because that keeps his hair out of the rest of the house. He's a serious shedder.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Butterflies


DSC_0009
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
I think this is the first year our butterfly bush has lived up to its name. We've got monarchs like mad in our backyard.

First Day of School


First Day of School
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
Back to school!! One first grader and two in JK. 2.5 hours to myself. Whatever will I do?

Monday, July 28, 2008

Elliott's first person

Just this last week, Elliott started drawing stick people. He's never drawn a face or person prior to this. Watching him, he switched to his left hand when it came time to draw the left arm and left leg. What a strange kid!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Wahhhh


Wahhhh
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
My whiny little man. He can find anything to cry about. This time it was because he wasn't quick enough to get a tootsie roll at the parade. Gotta love him.

First Missing Tooth


First Missing Tooth
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
Aidan lost his first tooth recently. He looks like such a big boy and so cute!! He was so excited to get a visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

My Delicate Little Ballerina


Miss N
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
yeah. ha ha ha ha.

Too Cool For (VB)School


VBS Trio
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
Can you believe it? Yeah...my kids went to a week of VBS (forget that we don't belong to a church and/or they've never been to one). They went to the one associated w/ the twins preschool. And they loved it. Aidan went to a week of Y camp later on and said, "Mommy, I don't want to do summer camp again next summer, ok? But I want to go back to bible camp!" They had a blast.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

aidan in uniform


aidan in uniform
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
Aidan's a big boy now...he takes Tae Kwan Do once a week for an hour and really likes it. He has to practice during the week, and he has to learn how to count to 10 in Korean and learn the TKD creed. Serious stuff!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Chivalry is not dead

Last Friday, Aidan went on a field trip to a nature preserve with his class. One of his female classmates forgot her jacket, so he offered his to her and let her wear it until they got back to school.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mothers day book8


Mothers day book8
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
My mom is special because she loves me.

Mothers day book6


Mothers day book6
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
My mom is very smart. She knows all about lallgre (laundry).

Mothers day book7


Mothers day book7
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
My mom likes to crk (cook).

Mothers day book5


Mothers day book5
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
My mom likes to eat soop (soup).

Mothers day book4


Mothers day book4
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
It really bugs my mom when ants r in the hows (house).

Mothers day book3


Mothers day book3
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
She has brond (blonde?) hair and brown eyes.

Mother's Day book2


Mother's Day book2
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
This is my mom. Kare (Karri).

Mother's Day Book


Mother's Day Book
Originally uploaded by flabonganator
Aidan made me a mother's day book in school.....

Monday, April 14, 2008

Puzzle Mania!

This weekend, the dynamic duo went from doing 25pc puzzles to doing 100pc puzzles! WOW! Elliott is a boy obsessed. He does them over and over and over. Last night, he fished his cucumber chunks out of his salad and pieced them back together.

durrrr...

blog readability test

TV Reviews



Uh, apparently one does not need as much edumakashion to read this as they need to read Lynn's blog.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

She Spells!!!!


This is Norah's version of Mommy! She handed it to me and told me it was my name!! Momee!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Spring! Spring! Spring!


(ok, i dont know how to rotate that, since its not sideways on my file. huh.)
Yeah, its officially spring, but its hard to believe it when there's still snow on the ground and its still pretty cold out. But look at this!!!!

My Little Hunter

While we were driving today, the kids saw a deer crossing sign and asked what it was. I explained and then Elliott asked, "daddy took those things off the deer. what were those things?"
Me: antlers
E: why?
Me: for decoration, I guess. that's something hunters do.
E: when I grow up, I am going to hunt.
Me: do you know what hunting is?
E: yes, I shoot the deer.
Me: with what?
E: with a cannon. yeah. I would use a cannon.
Me: what would you do with the deer after blasting it with the cannon? would you eat it?
E: NO! EW! Nuffin'. I do nuffin' with it.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

D-d-d-d-d-Dora!


The kids got to meet Dora while at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America this past week. Norah hid behind a sign, while the boys ran up for the photo op.

Eggcellent!


Easter Eggs!!!
Someone asked me if I got a new camera yet. Yes, I did. I got the Nikon D40x. I love it, but I am also still very very much learning how to use it.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Let's see....to catch up:

All 3 kids are swimming, with Aidan being the best. N & E do it mostly underwater, but its still swimming. And its very cool. Too bad they (the dynamic duo) have a hard time listening to their swim teacher.

We had N & E's conferences in February.
They are doing great in preschool and the teachers are really happy with how far they've come since the start of the year. They're finally starting to separate themselves from each other (yay), but often times, Norah will still trail Elliott, whereas he's more independent at school. She's also the troublemaker of the two - the one who tackles him, the one who has her mama's wandering mind and the need to do something else while still listening to the teacher talk....

We had Aidan's 2nd conference in March.
He's doing GREAT!!! Not counting his specials, he got all 4's!! Last report card, he had 3 or 4 3's, so he made some improvement. (4's are the highest you can get). His teacher said that he's made so much improvement from the start of the year and she's so proud of him. He's reading, he's doing addition, and he's become much more social and is starting to be more sure of himself. We're still working on being assertive. Which is funny, because he so does not have that issue at home.
His Speech and Language Pathologist said that he's made so much improvement, as well. He met a lot of his goals with her, but still have some, and then she set some further goals for the next 12 months.

He's going to start a TaeKwando class at the Y in 2 weeks. I hope he likes it. I think it will help him with the assertiveness thing and with his confidence.
He's also said that he wants to do t-ball again this summer. I gave him the choice between that or soccer. I am kinda surprised, and wish he had chose the latter, but what are you going to do? It was his choice.

Norah is in dance - she has her recital on Wednesday. Then she'll continue with it for the next session. She's really enjoying it and its nice to see her interact with other girls. Although she doesn't know that I see her. Because she does not want me to watch her. She's made that very very clear. Every week. Weird kid.

Elliott's been taking a sports class - they go over the basics of soccer, kickball, and football. He has really enjoyed it. I think I'll have him take it again, so that he has a good grasp on them and can choose a sport in fall. But he's also taking a preschool movement class in 2 weeks. Gotta keep them busy, right?

What else?
Aidan is 6. Which just floors me. Not so much that he's 6, but that I've been a parent for 6 years. I don't feel old enough, and it still seems like just yesterday that he was a baby.

Norah's got mad drawing and coloring skillz. She colors completely in the lines. And she's drawing some cool pictures - people with hands and feet and hair and accessories - like popscicles or cat tails. Cats (natch). All of her faces - people or animals - have straight faces. Never a smile, never a frown, never anything but a stern, straight face. Its rather funny.

Both Norah and Elliott are starting to spell. Finally! We've got their names down, which was my goal before they started K4 this fall.

Norah will start seeing a psychologist in 2 weeks. Oh yay. The GI person and I decided that enough was enough and it was time to end this ridiculous behavior. She's still withholding. And then there is the whole won't-go-on-the-potty thing. Good times.

And finally...the kids will take their first real road trip next week. Its spring break, and we're taking them to MN for a few days. Going somewhere where its warm. ha ha. They're quite excited, as am I.

the return of the slacker!

Norah has discovered the art of being girly.
She loves to apply scented hand lotion several times a day.
She loves all her lip balms - flavored princess, flavored hello kitty, glittery gloss - its all good.
And best of all, she loves putting makeup on her Barbies. Oh yeah. She found a little Barbie makeup compact among my old Barbie stuff (gross) and I gave her some q-tips and she goes to town, making her Barbies "pretty". Pretty scary is more like it.
I'd share a photo, but apparently, either my new camera or my mac or something doesn't want to cooperate with sharing photos on the internet.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Barbie Night Out


Apparently barbies like wine just as much as a mama does. Looks like they may have had some kind of wild night.