Last night I paid an evening babysitter, then I stayed up till 3 watching Adventures in Babysitting.
Read this. The article talks about toxic chemicals (from cleaning supplies, food packaging, personal care products, etc.) passing through the umbilical cord.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
see what happens if we don't keep up with it?
I went with my cousin tonight to another cousin's "we got married far away" party. It was nice. We started planning a weekend in Florida that I hope works out. One aunt was a french braid bandit . I came home with quite a do. I left with feel good feelings and looking forward to seeing everyone again for Christmas. Another aunt and uncle came over last night and lavished my children with gifts. We made Christmas cookies.
I went with my cousin tonight to another cousin's "we got married far away" party. It was nice. We started planning a weekend in Florida that I hope works out. One aunt was a french braid bandit . I came home with quite a do. I left with feel good feelings and looking forward to seeing everyone again for Christmas. Another aunt and uncle came over last night and lavished my children with gifts. We made Christmas cookies.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Gracie waxes her upper lip
Today we went to the gym: all the kids ran around the gym and I went to a spinning class and showered. All three girls then went roller skating. It was a joy to see the older kids help the toddlers skate. Next, I dropped them off at Sue's and went to work to get ready for our semester end party. It was such a success. The kids participated in the potluck and one of them even brought pico de gallo, my favorite food. I brought brownies, my other favorite food. The walls were covered in art, the students were all there, parents, friends and city people came. I received some nice compliments from students and parents. I had my picture taken with the mayor. It was fun.
Right now I am really interested in the Weston A Price Foundation, a dietary philosophy that encourages raw dairy and pastured meats, and Charlotte Mason, a nineteenth century homeschooling philosophy that starts children in nature as much as possible, with no formal training, then starts them in on classic literature, poetry, and art history. They also make lapbooks, delightful, non-linear scrapbook-like collections of info and imagery on a studied subject.
Today we went to the gym: all the kids ran around the gym and I went to a spinning class and showered. All three girls then went roller skating. It was a joy to see the older kids help the toddlers skate. Next, I dropped them off at Sue's and went to work to get ready for our semester end party. It was such a success. The kids participated in the potluck and one of them even brought pico de gallo, my favorite food. I brought brownies, my other favorite food. The walls were covered in art, the students were all there, parents, friends and city people came. I received some nice compliments from students and parents. I had my picture taken with the mayor. It was fun.
Right now I am really interested in the Weston A Price Foundation, a dietary philosophy that encourages raw dairy and pastured meats, and Charlotte Mason, a nineteenth century homeschooling philosophy that starts children in nature as much as possible, with no formal training, then starts them in on classic literature, poetry, and art history. They also make lapbooks, delightful, non-linear scrapbook-like collections of info and imagery on a studied subject.
Monday, December 15, 2008
e-waste etc.
This blog has a great blogroll on the lower right, where I found this:
How to talk to a climate skeptic
My sister is in Lagos right now.
The second video on this link about e-waste in China is especially good. (thanks, Dee)
Today I am trying to get organized. I am seeking online inspiration for a set menu, in order to buy the same grocery list every week or so ... to simplify and streamline. My mind feels like more of a sieve lately than usual.
We had a busy weekend of visits, crafting, gingerbread house making, industrial quantity cookie making, and driving around. So, this morning we did nothing. I bought some Christmas presents online and was very upset that I was automatically signed up for a $29.95/mo shopper's club and only knew about it because they sent an email to welcome me. I called and waited to talk to someone who sounded on another continent to cancel my scam membership. I am feeling wary of who I buy online from now. hotmoviesale.com was the site that led to an automatic membership with smartsavingscenter.com. Beware.
How to talk to a climate skeptic
My sister is in Lagos right now.
The second video on this link about e-waste in China is especially good. (thanks, Dee)
Today I am trying to get organized. I am seeking online inspiration for a set menu, in order to buy the same grocery list every week or so ... to simplify and streamline. My mind feels like more of a sieve lately than usual.
We had a busy weekend of visits, crafting, gingerbread house making, industrial quantity cookie making, and driving around. So, this morning we did nothing. I bought some Christmas presents online and was very upset that I was automatically signed up for a $29.95/mo shopper's club and only knew about it because they sent an email to welcome me. I called and waited to talk to someone who sounded on another continent to cancel my scam membership. I am feeling wary of who I buy online from now. hotmoviesale.com was the site that led to an automatic membership with smartsavingscenter.com. Beware.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
gracie blows a bubble
Chris suggested we go to Old Country Buffet for breakfast today. Afterwards, we cleaned house, then Charlotte and I did a little shopping. We picked up board books at the thrift store to paint as photo albums.
Wendy came over and we had a nice visit. I maniacally decided to make her a fabric stencil of John's face for her to use as a craft. When she left, I ran a gift card over to the neighbor for her baby shower. They told me to stay and I felt bad that I couldn't. We went straight to my mom's to make gingerbread houses and got home after 11.
Last night I organized the 2000 photos from Hawaii till 3 in the morning. I am determined to make an album for Amy by tomorrow morning when we go over to make cookies. Amy invited us to Hawaii this summer, got us buddy passes for the plane and shared her family's condo. I've been meaning to make her a little artist book about it for six months now.
Friday, December 12, 2008
there's a penis!
(not in the video. I just like the video.)
While reading the girls a library book for kids about Michelangelo, I laughed about tape someone had put over a penis. They asked what was funny and then looked for as many penises as they cold find. "there's a penis! there's a penis" in stereo.
Gracie loves to wear a belt.
Today we had friends over because I locked the keys in the car at gymnastics and Tracy was kind enough to drive us around. We had lunch, played with two electricity kits, and then went to an art opening together. It was fun.
She was interested in seeing my artwork. I have no confidence about anything I've ever made and about how prolific I've never been. I don't want to disappoint anyone who thinks I am a real artist. There is only one way to solve this: put the kids to bed on time and go downstairs and paint till Chris gets home. Stop talking. Worst case scenario: I get bitten by a spider. Best case scenario: I finish the work due in March, I become a better teacher for becoming a better artist, I start to sell work and make enough to take the family on an RTW. Or even just pay the dentist. Stop talking.
...look at their castle.
closer...
While reading the girls a library book for kids about Michelangelo, I laughed about tape someone had put over a penis. They asked what was funny and then looked for as many penises as they cold find. "there's a penis! there's a penis" in stereo.
Gracie loves to wear a belt.
Today we had friends over because I locked the keys in the car at gymnastics and Tracy was kind enough to drive us around. We had lunch, played with two electricity kits, and then went to an art opening together. It was fun.
She was interested in seeing my artwork. I have no confidence about anything I've ever made and about how prolific I've never been. I don't want to disappoint anyone who thinks I am a real artist. There is only one way to solve this: put the kids to bed on time and go downstairs and paint till Chris gets home. Stop talking. Worst case scenario: I get bitten by a spider. Best case scenario: I finish the work due in March, I become a better teacher for becoming a better artist, I start to sell work and make enough to take the family on an RTW. Or even just pay the dentist. Stop talking.
...look at their castle.
closer...
Thursday, December 11, 2008
what a douche. I am mostly hopeful that things can only get better for IL gubernatorially.
This weekend we saw the Smashing Pumpkins at the Aragon. It was amazing. I felt like I was witnessing something important. They rocked so hard and the lights were so intense, I felt like my chest ripped open like a black hole and it all swirled in. The last half hour or so, his brother (who is disabled) came on stage and played the timpani drums and tambourine. They were so at home on stage, Billy walking around and laughing. It was great. They are not rocking hard here, but this is from that show and one of my favorite songs in high school.
I took the girls rock climbing this week but forgot my camera.
We spent Sunday afternoon, the five of us, making paper snowflakes, getting a little competitive.
The girls, especially Charlotte, have been making little puppets from craft sticks and construction paper. I had no hand in this. In fact, I read a book this week during school hours. Totally slacked. Honeymoon with my Brother.
They did math and grammar worksheets today. And played on the computer too long. We made gingerbread men and elf paper doll chains.
This week I quit the gym and then rejoined it at Chris' urging. For my sanity, not my hot body.
I am done with pink hair. I can never last more than two weeks. I think I've done a version of pink five times this fall. For the first time in six years. I'm not sure what that's about. I don't want to get caught up in perfecting myself in a media sexy way. Pink reminds me to keep my sense of humor and youth. My hair is fried. I only care about world travel right now and can't be bothered with hair maintenance. This is why I shaved my head in college. I just didn't want to deal with it. I was thinking that's what doing drugs is like: you have problems so you try to escape them - it's like not wanting bangs anymore so you cut them off at the scalp. It only delays your happy results.
This weekend we saw the Smashing Pumpkins at the Aragon. It was amazing. I felt like I was witnessing something important. They rocked so hard and the lights were so intense, I felt like my chest ripped open like a black hole and it all swirled in. The last half hour or so, his brother (who is disabled) came on stage and played the timpani drums and tambourine. They were so at home on stage, Billy walking around and laughing. It was great. They are not rocking hard here, but this is from that show and one of my favorite songs in high school.
I took the girls rock climbing this week but forgot my camera.
We spent Sunday afternoon, the five of us, making paper snowflakes, getting a little competitive.
The girls, especially Charlotte, have been making little puppets from craft sticks and construction paper. I had no hand in this. In fact, I read a book this week during school hours. Totally slacked. Honeymoon with my Brother.
They did math and grammar worksheets today. And played on the computer too long. We made gingerbread men and elf paper doll chains.
This week I quit the gym and then rejoined it at Chris' urging. For my sanity, not my hot body.
I am done with pink hair. I can never last more than two weeks. I think I've done a version of pink five times this fall. For the first time in six years. I'm not sure what that's about. I don't want to get caught up in perfecting myself in a media sexy way. Pink reminds me to keep my sense of humor and youth. My hair is fried. I only care about world travel right now and can't be bothered with hair maintenance. This is why I shaved my head in college. I just didn't want to deal with it. I was thinking that's what doing drugs is like: you have problems so you try to escape them - it's like not wanting bangs anymore so you cut them off at the scalp. It only delays your happy results.
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