The Blue Sweater

Okay, so I don't read many books these days that have a word count over 30/page. However, I think that I found a new book (Mar.2009) that really peeks my interest and speaks to issues that I've been thinking about lately. The book is called, "The Blue Sweater" written by Jacqueline Novogratz. Check out the book's webpage, www.thebluesweater.com
or watch a video clip from Charlie Rose's interview with Ms. Novogratz here: http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10176

Has anyone else read this book?

Zeke's abc's

Wish I could rotate this video.

Pics of the kids (fall 09)

Happy Birthday Granny

Greta's birthday card for Granny. She drew an airplane, with Cinderella riding on it, a boat (that looks a little like candy corn), and a purple and blue lady bug with a side of Minnie Mouse.

There are many times that I wish we could be in Ohio, today is one of those times. Happy Birthday Granny! I wish we could be there to celebrate with you. We love you so much.

Love,

Nick, Maria, Greta and Zeke

Greta is drawing

Zeke Singing

His first song.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Just to reassure all my readers, I am not, nor will I ever be a stage mom. However, we do enjoy performing at our house from time to time (everyday).

My favorite meal

Okay, so I'm not a food blogger like sister Liz, but I do like to indulge my taste buds once a month on this meal. It's a Rachel Ray recipe. Really! She's super excited about everything and her energy level is never on low (perhaps from her carb recipes, like this one). She's always kind of worn me out, but I think it's because I feel like she's always going and never just takes a deep breath. Slow down Rachel Ray and enjoy your food, it's pretty good!

Pasta with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Cheese

4 servings (generous)

1 lb. short-cut pasta

1 T. Olive Oil

4 bacon slices, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

3 large garlic cloves, chopped

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

black pepper

1/2 c. white wine

1/2 c. chicken stock

1 pint grape tomatoes

1 ball fresh mozzarella, diced

1 bunch fresh chives (I rarely have these, so I usually leave them out) 10-15 fresh basil leaves (torn, again rarely do I have fresh so it's usually dried)

1/2 c. grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain but reserve 1/2 c. of cooking liquid.

While the pasta is cooking, start the sauce. Preheat a LARGE skillet over med.-high heat; add the oil. Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring every now and then, until crispy. Add the onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a little pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 min., or until the onions start to brown. Add the white wine and cook for 1 min. Add the chicken stock and reserved pasta cooking liquid, then bring up to a bubble and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the grape tomatoes and cook them for about 30 seconds, just to start getting them hot and ready to burst. (my mouth is watering) Add the cooked drained pasta, toss to coat in the sauce, and let some of the sauce soak in, about 1 min. Turn the heat off and add the diced mozzarella, the chives, basil grated cheese, and black pepper to taste.

Note: I don't actually use the oil, I find the bacon has enough fat to fry and I actually remove most of the bacon grease before adding the onions and such. Also, when I don't have the wine I just use 1 c. chicken broth.

Greta's Mermaid Birthday

Pictures from Greta's 3rd birthday party.

"Part of your WORLD!"

She's 3!

A little mermaid for sure!

The BEST picture of Nick and Pepley.

Date Night

Going out with my man.

Funny Things Greta Says

Greta has a lot to say. She's always pretending about things she's seen and, even better, she always involves us in her imaginations. Here are some of the things she's said lately that warm my heart:

While going on a walk on a particularly nice day I pointed sky divers parachuting in the sky. Greta says earnestly, "Is that Mary Poppins" (I mean, who else would be flying in the sky?)

I told Greta that she and Zeke would be going to Mammy's today because I needed to go look for some music for Daddy and I to sing at church. She looks at me and suggests, "Do you know Twinkle, Twinkle?"

Yesterday afternoon I turned on the TV and OPRAH was on, Greta asked, "Is that Ursala?" (The sea witch from The Little Mermaid, I really don't know why she made that comparison)

I asked what she wanted for supper the other night,

Greta: Monkey Soup

Me: Monkey Soup!? What's in Monkey Soup?

Greta: Vegetables, carrots, peas...and bananas!

Of course, there are many others, things I'll think I could never forget. But now that I want to write them down, I can't remember! Look for updates later:)

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Yesterday we went to our local Picture Innovations Studio and had the kids pictures taken. The first year of Greta's life I took her to get her picture taken every three months, they change so fast. I have learned to loathe picture studios. Not because the pictures don't turn out well, they do. It's more my dread of trying to get my kids to sit in a certain pose and smile long enough for the photographer to get a good shot. So, yesterday I made up my mind to tell Greta one time in the car, "I expect you to sit quietly and smile at the lady with the camera, if you could do that I'd be so proud of you". After that I told myself, do not go into the studio, stay in the waiting area. Grammy (Martha, Nick's Mom) was there as well as Aunt Stiana, two people here in Idaho that my children will always choose to go to rather than me. So, I just waited and let them smile and cajole my kids with sweet pleas and compliments. One picture, great! Two pictures, oh so cute! Three pictures, stop squirming Greta! Four pictures, Zeke's crawling away! 5,6,7,8.........about 70 pictures later Greta had had it. Here's where the 1000 words come in, and all from me. I wish that I could learn to parent with out saying sooooo much. I mean, I can't believe that even after all my instructing and refocusing Greta that she'd throw a fit. Doesn't she know that this would only take a little bit longer and then we could go and get a drink at Sonic? My pleas, or threats, whatever, were falling on deaf and indignant ears. When I put Greta to bed last night, I told her that I loved her, but I was a little disappointed with how she acted today. She smiled at me and said a little sheepishly, "I'm so proud of you Mommy". I have nothing more to say now.

Imagination Anyone?

We have a straw basket hamper that I bought for our bedroom when Nick and I were first married. I thought that it would be perfect for our dirty laudry. Ha! First, those of you who really know me will undoubtedly laugh hysterically at the thought of me doing anything with my dirty laudry other than throw it on the floor. Second, didn't I know that baskets are perfect mediums for endless hours of child's play? In the past week, this basket has been a jack-in-box, a house, a hot air balloon, and a boat. Here are a few pictures flying through the air in the hot air balloon with Greta and Zeke.

Lovies

I love many things; my husband, my family, music, God (not necessarily in this order). I also love getting hugged and being held. When I had Greta, and also Zeke, I loved just holding them, it was so comforting for me and also them. My children have also shown an affiliation, or should I say attachment, for holding on and hugging. Each of the kids have developed a special relationship with a "lovie", or a soother. For Greta, it is a little bear attached to a blanket that she has named "Bert". For Zeke, it's little stuffed lion that he just calls "Rrrrawr". Greta has had Bert since birth, and will not and can not sleep with out him.

Greta at 4 mo.

I'm just glad that I have a husband who recognizes my need for hugging, he's all too happy to oblige;)

Greta's Favorites

Updates

Greta is doing all sorts of things lately: potty training, sleeping in a twin bed, and much to my dismay, pointing. I don't mean like, "What's that Mommy?" (asked while pointing), I'm talking about pointing as if to say, "You!"

Unfortnately, I can't blame Uncle Sam in this instance. So where did she learn this? Me! Way to go Mommy. Sometimes I feel that a simple "No Greta" just doesn't cut it and I add an emphatic finger point. Imitation is the sincerest form of what? Flattery? Not so much. Well, she also is doing other things, more gentle, sweet things that I'd rather dwell on. Take a look:

Laughing hysterically while talking complete gibberish is one of Greta's favorite things to do. That's her words, not mine. She likes to tell me her "favorites". Among those are: noodles and sauce (pasta with spaghetti sauce), apple juice, Little Einsteins, making up songs, Flintstones Vitamins, and Pirate's Booty (a puffed corn snack).

Now for Zeke: he's crawling everywhere and he's fast! Of course his most desired place to play is just inside the back door on Pepley's (our dog) bed. This is not my desire for him, for everytime I pick him up I get covered in the dirt and dog hair that has been deposited by said dog, or Daddy. I think Zeke will really enjoy the sandbox this summer. He does, however, also enjoy the bath tub.

As you can tell, Greta loves to do her part in washing Zeke.

This little baby likes to jabber as much as his sister, and a few words have actually emerged from the jibberish. I have a video of him saying "dog" but I'm having trouble uploading it, really. Pretty much Zeke enjoys a good cuddle the most, he is definitely a snugglely baby.