In A Nutshell

it's like christmas (part 1 of 2)

I've been sneaky. I have to admit, that is one of my favorite things about Christmas. I get to lie and be sneaky and get away with it, because it's for the good of a fabulous surprise.  

Allow me to fill you in; Isaiah wanted a hamster for Christmas. This request was met with a resounding "no" from both his father and I. However, I thought, "What about a rabbit?" Rabbits are larger, less temperamental, more interactive, and can provide me with an opportunity to foster a greater sense of love, compassion, and responsibility in my children.

At the mere mention of this idea as an alternative, Isaiah squealed with glee. A rabbit it is.

I started with research. I learned all I knew about rabbits from when I was in elementary school and my day care had one. With that being said, I knew that they liked my leftover lunch carrots, and that was about it. Knowledge is my friend, and so is Google. My head is now exploding with information about rabbits. 

I picked out two breeds of rabbits that I thought would be the most compatible with my kids. Then I looked around for local breeders that had available young rabbits that met my long list of criteria. Then I called around to local vets to find out how much it would cost to neuter said rabbit. $320 + the cost of a check up? Are you serious? Holy crap. That's expensive. What are our alternatives?

An animal shelter. Smart. Why didn't I think of that first? I guess when I think of an animal shelter I think of cats and dogs, not rabbits.

So, I pack the kids in the car and we drive over to our local animal shelter. I wanted to check out the facilities, and find out how the adoption process works, which we did. We stayed well over an hour talking to the volunteers, petting lots of rabbits, and asking lots of questions. It was fun. 

Just as we were fixing to leave, one of the volunteers brings out this rabbit. It was one of my two breeds of choice, and it met my long list of criteria. I played it cool in front of Isaiah. I didn't want my excitement to unduly influence his thought process. We stay a little longer, hung out with the bunny, thanked the volunteers for their time, and make our departure.

On the way home I asked Isaiah which rabbits he liked the best. He said he liked the one the best. Oh boy. I wasn't planning on having a rabbit in the house for another month or two, maybe even longer, and Isaiah is well aware of that fact. I made it crystal clear that it would be a long while before we got a rabbit. However, because of this bunny's irresistibly sweet personality, I know it won't be around for us to wait. What to do? Talk it over with the hubby, get the seal of approval, and (if I can pull it off) plan a very sneaky surprise. After all, this will be an early Christmas present.

still around

Just so you know. I'm still around even though I have been neglecting this little space of mine. Fortunately, I don't think anyone has noticed. I'm sort of like the missing shoe you've been looking for for a month, then suddenly it shows up like it's been there all along. Oh there it is, and here I am... sort of.

all heart, and no photos

I have mentioned before that my Grandmother lives in an assisted care home. The family is prepping the old house for an estate sale. They're planning on renting the house out, which sort of makes me cringe, but I know it is necessary.

My mom convinced me to make the drive to take a look around to see if there was anything I wanted. I'm so glad she did, and I am so thankful that she prepared me for what I was soon to see. The house looked nothing like what my fond memories paint for me. It was empty both outside and inside, yet filled with tables, and on the tables were lots and lots of things. 

Things. Things that can not be taken from this life into the beyond. There were things that I loved, remembered, and cherished. I took things that I knew would bring me happiness with every glance. I took things that I thought were beautiful, and I took things that were useful. I also took one thing that I thought was utterly ridiculous, but made me laugh.

We went to lunch, the family and I. You can't really go wrong with sandwiches. It was quick and enjoyable. On the way back as Logan and I were getting the kids out of the car, I say to him something to the effect of:

"You know, I can feel Grandpa in the house. He is there. His energy is very comforting, and loving, and I think he is amused by the things I am choosing to take."

Logan looked at me with acceptance. Our opinions on life, and takes on such a subject differ, but he knows and loves me, and most importantly, accepts me. He's the best.

So we get back into the house. We look and sort, and hem and haw. Should we take it? Should we not take it? Will we use it? Do we have room for it? You like that?

I asked my mom about the chairs in the back room. She thought I meant the chairs in the other back room. We walked back together, so she could share the story behind the chairs with me. We talk, she vents, becomes frustrated, and the phone rings. 

She informs me that there is no phone service to the house. It was disconnected when Grandma moved into her new place. My mom says, "... but sometimes it does that." 

Indeed. I tell her it's Grandpa, with utmost certainty. He is here, and it's his little way of saying hello. Plus, he thinks it's funny.

I miss him, and I love him. 

shadow puppets

This happened last week. It was really hot, and the kids were bored. I insisted on having all the lights off and blinds closed in the house and to keep the fan blowing. It was dark, and Isaiah thought it would be a good idea to get out his dad's Maglite. Iwasthisclose to telling him to put it away, because I know how Logan is about his Maglite. But you know what? Logan wasn't home, and when did I become such a crotchety old woman? I'm so glad I kept my mouth shut, and decided to join in on the fun.

I brought out this little book that Logan had stashed away, and put it to good use. What good is a shadow puppet book, without the little hands to play with it?

I think this snail was my favorite.

The heat was getting the best of my creativity, so I also printed out Martha's shadow puppet templates. As you can imagine, with two young boys, the shark was their favorite. 

Nothing beats a little good ol' clean, free fun.

my little prince

I have a deal with my eldest son. He reads a book, and when he is finished, I rent him the movie that is based upon the book. The movie has turned out to be a huge incentive, therefore making this an incredibly successful deal. It also opens up a dialogue of contrast and comparison; what gets left out, and what gets added in. It is interesting, and most importantly, fun. 

Isaiah finished reading The Little Prince about a week ago, and I rented him the anime series that was on T.V. when I was a kid. Ah, nostalgia. 

In this is stereotypical 80's anime rendition, the little prince is wearing a purple one piece jump suit, a white pilot's scarf, and a cute belt with a star on the end. I thought it would be fun to try and make a belt like that for Isaiah, then half way through the project I began to let the demons of self doubt creep in. I was hoping he wouldn't think it was totally lame. After all, he is growing up... but he's still my little boy, and I don't want him to grow up. You get it. 

So, imagine my surprise when I show it to him, and he genuinely digs it. I wanted to cry. He told me he liked it. He put it on over his pajamas and went to bed wearing it. Ah, he is still my little boy, but not for much longer. 

That little voice whispers demandingly in my ear, "Cherish these moments. Cherish them!", and I do. I love him so very, very much. My little prince.

 

last night

Last night Daddy was able to get the baby to sleep when Mama couldn't. 

Last night a dear friend came over with a couple bottles of wine and the need for a whole lot of relationship advice.

We talked for hours, and hours. 

We let time slip away and watched as the sun began to brighten the sky.

I decided to hit the hay before it was so light outside I wouldn't be able to sleep. It was only a couple of hours; a power nap, really.

Right now I am enjoying a few precious (quiet) moments all to myself. Logan & Isaiah are at the pool, and the two young ones are asleep. It's just the time I need.

a little giveaway

My awesome step mom sent me a trio of fat quarters several weeks ago and I heart them. They're so bright and cheery. I wanted to make something with them that I would use frequently, so that I could see their shiny personalities all the time. 

I had some PUL from a project that never came to fruition, so I thought that reusable snack bags would be the perfect project to use some of it. I followed this tutorial by Laura Wilson.

One thing I learned; working with PUL is a nightmare (that's the G rated version, anyway). It shifts and bunches all over the place. Grrr. Next time, I will just use quilters cotton for the lining and fuhghettaboutit.

Now about this giveaway... I was able to make 9 bags from the 3 fat quarters I had, which is more than I would use at any one time. So, I thought it might be nice to bequeath a trio of these handy little snack bags to one of my wonderful readers. I consider it an act of paying it forward.

Anyone interested can simply leave a comment on this post. I will select a random winner at noon PST on Friday.

Update: According to random.org my random winner is poster #6, who wrote:

These would be wonderful for back to school!

Posted by: this little light | July 23, 2009 at 06:35 AM

Please e-mail me your address, and I will send these off to you. Thanks!

seeds

Ever since Isaiah and I planted his "tickle me" plants (wiki link), I have been itching to grow something that I can eat. I really miss our community garden days. There is so much satisfaction to be had in growing your own food.

I did a little research on the internets and found a list of things I can grow now, even though it is late in the season. I picked what I thought we would have the most fun with and get the most use out of from Johnny's. I figured that would be a good place to start when selecting seeds for ones garden. 

Here's what we'll be working with:

beets

kohlrabi

runner beans

pok choi

Now, when I say "garden", I actually mean a bunch of pots. We live in a condo with a front and back patio, and no ground space, so I have to do what I can in pots. Hmmm... anyone have any tips for growing edible food in a container garden? I'm just kind of winging it here. 

today was filled with...

Today was filled with radish eating,

butterfly catching (more chasing them around than actual catching),

milk mustaches and dried up boogers,

wind in the trees,

and observing noticeably hairier little knees.

git-er done

This bib has been "done" for like a month now... at least. Although, I could never call it complete because I hadn't gotten around to sewing on the velcro closure. I swear, sewing on the velcro was like trying to lose the last five pounds on a diet. 

Anyway, it's officially done now. I'm going to send it to my cousin, whose baby is reaching eatin' age. I'll be sending the bib along with a copy of  Simply Natural Baby Food, by Cathe Olson. It is by far my favorite baby and toddler food book out there.

I am also about 1/3 of the way through the baby vampire bib, but dang, the girl could be in high school before I get around to finishing it. Like they say, a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. I figure I should just send the bib and book I've got while I'm ahead. 

You can find the pattern for this bib and others here, at the Needle Noodles shop.