It's December!

The boys woke up bright and early this morning ready to start the countdown to Christmas.  We have two advent calendars (same ones from last year) and every morning from today until Christmas the boys get to take turns getting us one step closer to the arrival of the man in red on each calendar.

We are also continuing our tradition of unwrapping one Christmas book every day.

This year we put the wrapped books under the Christmas tree instead of on the buffet and the boys love that there are already "presents" for them, especially since they won't have to wait until the 25th to see what's inside each gift.

Which means, of course, that yes, our tree is up and decorated and ready for prime time.  Caleb and Isaac had such fun putting the ornaments on this year, it was wonderful just to sit back and watch them rediscover old favorite ornaments and delight in the ones newly acquired this year.  We buy them each an ornament every year and generally collect a few when we vacation.  They wanted to know the story behind every ornament and, thankfully, Kenny and I were able to supply the details, but we'll need to write all that down sooner or later because a few times it took us several minutes to remember where some of our collection came from.

 

We have been collecting children's Christmas books for years and have more than 25 titles so some didn't make the cut this time around, but will likely get read anyway.  We have a fairly broad mix of traditional and not so traditional, plus several that are specifically designed for little ones.  Some day I'm sure we'll phase out the Berenstain Bears and Spot, but for now, they are among our little guys' favorite characters, so they're staying in the rotation for the foreseeable future.  The books we are using this year are listed below in the order they'll be opened.

Santa Mouse, where are you? - Michael Brown
Santa's Favorite Story - Hisako Aoki
The Berenstain Bears Trim the Tree - Mike and Jan Berenstain
I'm Not Santa - Jonathan Allen
The Longest Christmas List Ever - Gregg and Evan Spiridellis
A Wish to be a Christmas Tree - Colleen Monroe
The Little Drummer Mouse - Mercer Mayer
A Pirate's Night Before Christmas - Philip Yates
A Very Shiny Christmas - Debbie Guy-Christiansen
Frosty the Snowman
Max's Christmas - Rosemary Wells
Snowmen at Christmas - Caralyn Buehner
Dear Santa - Rod Campbell
Home for Christmas - Jan Brett
Spot's First Christmas - Eric Hill
Four Friends at Christmas - Tomie dePaola
The Donkey's Christmas Song - Nancy Tafuri
Un dia una senora se trago una campana! - Lucille Colandro
Polar Express - Chris Van Allsburg
Santa Mouse - Michael Brown
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Robert L. May
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Dr. Seuss
The Christmas Alphabet - Robert Sabuda
The Night Before Christmas - Robert Sabuda
The 12 Days of Christmas - Robert Sabuda

Our last bit of decorating was our nativities.  We acquired a new one this year.  It's from Prague, hand-carved and painted.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but we love it.

Just a few more pesky finals and papers stand between me and fully enjoy the holiday season.  But, in the meantime, the Christmas music is blaring, there's plenty of hot chocolate for all, the Christmas shopping is done and holiday cheer abounds.  Happy December everyone!

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:

- unexpected packages in the mail

- dining al fresco in November

- piles of leaves everywhere which means endless fun for the under 6 set

- productive days where everything on the "to do" list gets crossed off

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:

- Mo Willems, if you are not familiar with his Pigeon books or Elephant and Piggie series, you are missing out (whether you have kids or not) -- if you do know these books then you will likely be thrilled to know that there is a new book coming out early next year in each of these series: The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? and Listen to My Trumpet!

- Tums: 9 weeks to go and the heartburn is constant, antacids don't make it go away, but they provide relief when I just can't stand it anymore

- that the weather is still warm enough I don't need to wear nylons to church, oh, how my pregnant self hates those things!

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:

- these to look at every time we leave and return home...hopefully we'll have them for a few days longer before all the leaves fall

- this banana bread recipe -- when you Google "World's Best Banana Bread" this tops the list of results -- I don't know that it's the best in the world, but we made it today and it's pretty darn delicious

- pie shops like this one -- pure genius!

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:

- federal holidays -- Happy Veterans Day!

- my baby brother who is celebrating his birthday today

Happy Birthday, Lyman!

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:

- not having to rely on public transportation

- short check-out lines at Costco

- successfully checking several items off the Christmas shopping list

- this scrumptious blog

Thankful November

Today I'm thankful for: 

- the end of midterms HALLELUJAH! 

- the celebratory spa pedicure I treated myself to this afternoon -- I know my feet will be under wraps for the foreseeable future, but it was heavenly and I loved every hard earned minute 

- this blog, she has such great ideas for things to do with little ones

- jam, especially boysenberry and seedless raspberry

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:


- beautiful fall weather -- I was worried that winter was upon us after the cold-spell we had a couple of weeks ago, but the last few days have been glorious and the forecast is for that trend to continue right through the holiday weekend


- leftover Halloween candy, particularly of the chocolate variety, and especially because my kids don't really eat it...more for me!


- Trader Joe's, they have saved my life more than once this year ensuring we still get a well-balanced, affordable, and delicious dinner in spite of our crazy schedules


- Kids and a husband who happily eat leftovers -- I have heard there are people out there who refuse to consume leftovers, luckily none of them live in my house -- how does one cook without creating leftovers anyway?

Thankful November

Today I'm thankful for:


- light traffic and plenty of parking for school drop-off and pick-up (this is such a rare occurrence, it must be noted)


- new recipes that are hassle free to make and taste good to everyone at the dinner table -- tonight's was Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup


- this blog, lots of great ideas for the organizationally challenged, like yours truly!


- parents who know everything, even the stuff that Google doesn't

- a reason to sing this song (apparently the title of which is "Fat Turkey," who knew?):

  There's a great big turkey down on Grandpa's farm
Who thinks he's very gay.
He spreads his tail into a great big fan
And struts around all day.

You can hear him gobble at the girls and boys,
He thinks he's singin' when he makes that noise.
He'll sing his song another way
Upon Thanksgiving Day.

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:

- our wonderful and talented friend Nancy who carved out time in our her schedule this afternoon to take our family pictures (below is a sampling of past photo sessions)

- an extra hour of sleep last night, we all needed it and the boys miraculously slept in too, huzzah!

- midnight ice cream runs -- only twice have I ever had a pregnancy craving I just couldn't shake and last night was the second time -- Cookies and Cream Ice Cream never tasted so good!

Thankful November

Today I'm thankful for:

- 5-year olds who read and 3 year olds who want to

- cinnamon rolls made from scratch by someone else

- broken parking meters, especially when the change compartment has been woefully neglected

- this blog's DIY under $5 feature, though so far just for future reference

Thankful November/ We Love Washington DC, #20

Today I am thankful for:

The National Museum of the American Indian;

 

and storytellers dressed in blue;

Chickasaw Nation dancers;

 and a red, plastic canoe.

Teepees you can stretch in;

 and building a life-size igloo.

Baskets meant for weaving;

 and a temporary tattoo.

 A buffalo hunter in bronze;

and an outing with my two.

Thankful November

Today I'm thankful for:

- babysitters who come at a moment's notice

- this blog THXTHXTHX which reminds me there is always something to be grateful for  

- the luxury of someone else to wash, dry, fold and put away my laundry

- high school marching bands who have no fields to practice on and therefore take to the streets -- an unexpected, but not unappreciated roadblock in the middle of my morning commute

Thankful November

Today I am thankful for:


A husband who is always in a good mood, always happy and able to make dinner, always willing to manage baths and bedtime by himself, and still at the ready to be my sounding board in the midst of being the solo caretaker of our children and home. 

A Month for Gratitude

Oh, hello dear neglected blog.  I wish I had time for you.  I have things to say and share.  Lots of things actually.  I even have pictures to post.  Lots of pictures and I know how you love pictures.  But, time is what I lack.  Lots of time.  

This semester that was supposed to be on the lighter side in terms of workload and homework demands is proving to be anything but.  I'm enjoying my classes, at least.  

But the homework is out of control.  And, I'm struggling to keep on top of things.  

Even as I type this I have a midterm hanging over my head.  Sure, I've got 12 more hours before its due, and that's plenty of time to finish it, but perhaps only if I don't also sleep.  And here's the thing about being nearly 7 months pregnant and not sleeping -- it's kind of an impossible combination.  And, despite the fact that everyone, literally EVERYONE, remarks on how I'm can't possibly be that far along because my stomach is just not big enough, whatever that means, I really am 30 weeks pregnant.  

Really.  

I really feel like it too -- from my aching hips to my endless visits to the bathroom to my increasingly limited wardrobe.  And this baby is a mover.  My others were pretty calm, at least before birth.  But, this one, well, it never seems to stop kicking and spinning and stamping on my bladder and exploring my ribcage and making the most of its very limited space.  Especially, it seems, when I am parked in front of the computer, drafting papers, writing essays and praying for inspiration.  In case you were wondering, it is hard to focus on anything academic when the baby inside you is doing calisthenics. 

But, despite my stress and filled to overflowing calendar and discomfort, I'm grateful for all of this.  I am happy knowing that in 10 weeks (wow, that's a long time from now!) we'll welcome another member into our family.  I'm happy being in school and daily edging one step closer to this degree that I am working so hard to earn.  I'm happy to have a busy calendar full of lots more than just assignment due dates (though, there are plenty of those).

I'm grateful for all these things and so many more.  I'm grateful for November and being reminded of the importance of giving thanks.  Maybe I'll try to be a little less neglectful of my blog this month in an effort to be a little more grateful for, well, everything.  Even my midterms...okay, that might be going overboard.     

How-to Tuesday: Homemade Hummus

Last week, when I posted my second How-to contribution, I was excited, a weekly blog feature, LOVE IT.  And then the week wore on and I started to panic.  What was I going to post for week three?  The trouble is, I have exactly 6 things I know how to do, most of which do not lend themselves to blog posts.  I am not crafty (despite last week's post) and I don't have many hobbies, at least not of the sort that produce anything blogworthy.  And right now my schedule is packed to the gills with hours of reading and writing and classes...not to mention my adorable kiddos.

So, I thought and thought and thought and thought and then I decided to make some hummus because we were out and my kids love it and eat enough that making it at home is so much more cost-effective than buying it.  And then I remembered there was a time in my life when I didn't know how to make hummus.  

Eureka, a post for Tuesday!

So, without further ado, here is my How-to Tuesday Recipe for Homemade Hummus. (Note: This is not my recipe, but I've been making it so long I don't even remember the source.)

1) Gather your ingredients.  You'll need (Note: this is the recipe for a double batch, we eat our hummus by the spoonful around here so a single batch is never enough):

 2 cans garbanzo beans/chickpeas

1/2 cup reserved liquid from the garbanzo beans

5 or so tablespoons lime juice (I never measure this, I just squeeze until it seems like enough -- I like my hummus tangy and usually use 3 to 5 limes, depending upon their juiciness)

2-3 cloves crushed garlic (again, just guesstimate, if you like it garlicky, throw in more)

3 tablespoons tahini*

salt and pepper (again, through trial and error you'll find the amount that is perfect for you, but start with 1/2 teaspoon or so of both)

4ish tablespoons olive oil

2) Put everything but the olive oil in the blender (for extra smooth hummus) or food processor (for slightly less smooth hummus) -- important, don't forget the salt and pepper, adding them afterward does not work and will ruin your hummus -- and blend until smooth.  (Note: I usually put the garbanzo bean liquid and the lime juice in first because it makes the blending process go, well, more smoothly, but you can do it however you prefer.)

3) When all your ingredients are blended, check the consistency.  Now, turn on the blender again and add your olive oil a tablespoonful or so at a time.  I just eye-ball this and keep adding until I like what I've got.

4) That's it.  Pour your homemade hummus in a lovely dish, garnish with paprika and olive oil and serve with crudites or pita chips/bread.  Your guests/family will be so impressed when you reveal you made it yourself.  It tastes like you bought it at a Middle Eastern restaurant, truly!  Or, do what we do, skip the garnish and fight over it until every last bit is devoured.
 

* Let's talk tahini.  Tahini is just sesame seeds ground to a paste, more or less the consistency of stiff peanut butter.  You can make hummus without Tahini, but I don't, unless I'm living in a country (like Venezuela) where it is nearly impossible to come by.  Tahini adds a lovely nuttiness to the hummus and the end result just isn't the same without it.  Tahini can sometimes be a little hard to find, but most grocery stores (except Trader Joe's, go figure!) carry it, you just have to find the person in the store who knows what and where it is.  It is a bit pricey too, but a little goes a long way, so splurge, it's worth it.

Ain't too Proud to Beg

It's that time of year again.  No, I'm not talking about Spring.  Nope, I don't mean Easter either.  It's lottery time!  School lottery, that is.  And, I'm not very lucky, so this time of year sends me into a panic.  Truly, luck and I are not well acquainted.  Example: once, I won tickets on the radio to see the Cranberries (remember them) and then the concert was cancelled, true story.  This time last year, I was nervous and anxious and, okay, let's be honest, freaking out, just a little bit.  

Caleb, our 5 year-old and rising Kindergartener, currently attends a great school.  He loves it.  We love it.  It's perfect.  Really.  And, in a perfect world, Isaac, the 3 year-old, would go there too, starting in September.  He would wake up in the morning, gulp down something "nutritious" (like Froot Loops), get dressed, don his back-pack and follow his older brother into their great school.  He'd go to his Pre-School class and come home every day exhausted and babbling about new friends and teachers and songs and stories.  He would love it.  We would love it.  

It would be perfect.  Really.

But, alas.  There are too many kids for whom this school is perfect forcing them to hold a lottery for each precious slot.  Last year, there were 11 spots and over 100 applicants.  Thankfully, Caleb got lucky.  We got lucky.  

It was a miracle.  

I believe in miracles.  They happen in my life all the time.  Caleb getting into this school was a big one.  And we've had others, even bigger ones.  Some we needed, some we didn't expect, some we couldn't imagine our lives without.  

And now, we need another one.

Today I spent hours in the car driving from one end of the city to the other dropping off enrollment forms at schools we would prefer our boys didn't attend.  Fine schools, most of them, but not perfect.  But, if Isaac doesn't get into Caleb's school, we need a back-up plan.  And, since I'd rather they didn't attend separate schools, we submitted applications for Caleb as well.  It makes me sick to my stomach to think we'd have to pull Caleb out of his perfect school, that he loves.  But.  But, we have to be realistic.  It's a lottery, someone has to get in, sure, but several someones won't and that could easily be Isaac.  

It could easily be us.

The lottery isn't until next week, and I can't stop thinking about it.  It's beyond my control, I know that, but still, I can't quiet the contingency plans running through my head.  None of the contingency plans are appealing.  Thinking about them doesn't make me feel better.  The only thing that works is praying.  And I am.  We are.  We need a miracle, and I'm not above begging for one.  It's just one year.  I know that.  And it's just pre-school.  I know that too.  But, he's my baby.  They're my babies, and this school will be perfect for that one year.  And, in the grand scheme of things I know one year of school isn't that big of deal.  In fact, it probably really doesn't matter at all.  But, it matters to us right now. 

Last year, everything worked out just fine and there is every reason to believe things will be fine this year, too.  No matter what happens, things will be fine.  But, I know prayers make a difference, especially when it comes to miracles.  So, for the next week we'll be crossing fingers and toes and clutching rabbits feet and avoiding black cats and begging, praying for a miracle.   

A Long Overdue Introduction

Hello. 

Hi.
 

My name's regular exercise.  And you are? 

Linsey. 

Nice to meet you, Linsey.  I've been wondering when we would finally become acquainted. 

I wish I could say the same. 

Wow, that's not very nice.  After all, we just met, maybe you could at least give me a chance before you write me off completely?

Right.  But, here's the thing, we've met before, several times in fact and I don't remember those meetings being anything but painful.  In fact, I'm still harboring some serious resentment, obviously.  

Are you sure those weren't just brief encounters, like you were a submarine and I was a battleship sharing the same ocean as we passed silently in the night? 

Huh? 

I mean, did you really give me a chance or did you just do a once-over and move on? 

Well...I like to think I give everyone a fair shot to make a great first impression, and really, you didn't.  I always had a pounding headache afterward and needed a shower.  That doesn't sound like a great beginning to me. 

I've been told I can take some time to warm up to.  But, once you do, we'll be true friends, BFFs even.  Don't you want a BFF? 

Um, no, what am I, 12?  I'm more in the market for kindred spirits.  What do you think, are there any circumstances under which you could be a kindred spirit? 

I can!  I know I can!  Just give me a chance to show you.  What have you go to lose? 

I think the better question is, what have I got to gain? 

Is that a serious question or are you just being obtuse (behavior, by the way, that is beneath you)?  Let's be honest, you know what I can offer you.  And, you have everything to gain from this relationship.  But, it's up to you.  I can't force you to love me.  

Alright, enough with the guilt trip, what do I have to do? 

Well, we should start by getting together a few times a week.   

A few times a week?!?!  Are you familiar with my schedule?  More importantly, are you crazy? 

Shh, pay attention, I'm not done yet.  First, let's not pretend that you are any busier than anyone else, okay?  Second, you'll want to wear comfortable clothing and bring a towel.  Some of my friends also like water bottles.  Some of my better friends swear by i-pods with special playlists.  But, that might be too advanced for you? 

Oh, is that a challenge?  I'm totally making a playlist too!

Finally, the fun stuff, we get moving.  Cardio first then some strength training.  We'll sprinkle in some ab crunches and leg presses here and there too.  You'll love it.  What do you think?

What do I think?  UGH!  But, I will not be accused of being judgmental and dismissive.  So, I guess, I'm in.

YEA!  One more thing, in the interest of full disclosure, you should know you'll have to get up before dawn, our meetings will be in a place that doesn't smell as nice as it could and the headaches might come back.  But, I promise if you stick with me, even these obstacles to our friendship will pale in comparison to the long-term benefits.  Did you hear that?  I PROMISE!

I knew it!  There's always a catch!  So, how long do I have to do this before I can write you off for good?

Seriously?

I'm just saying, what if being kindred spirits isn't in our future?

This is a ridiculous exercise, but if you insist, 1 month.

....er....okay.  1 month I can do.  And then, if I never see you again, we're square right?  No writing derogatory messages about me on bathroom walls?  No notes to my doctor tattling on me?  No threats about osteoporosis or chronic fatigue?

No.

Promise?

Sure.

Why so flip?

Because, Linsey, "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

Okay, okay.  But if this is going to work, that kind of corniness has to stop! 

1 month later

So?

You might have been on to something.

I'm sorry, what was that?

YOU WERE RIGHT!

Kindred spirits forever?

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think so.   Mind you, I'm still not wild about the 5am wake-up calls, but the headaches are dissipating and the smell isn't as bad as I thought it would be. 

I knew it! See you tomorrow?

See you tomorrow. 

Things I Love Week -- Day 6

Stuff I could (because I have), but would 

rather not, live without.

image from here

Shout advanced gel for heavy duty stains saves my life almost daily.  Well, okay, so not my life, but certainly it saves me money and keeps my boys' clothes from looking, well, like boys clothes.  It is a miracle product and not all that easy to find.  I buy whatever is in stock whenever I find it.  It's worth it, I promise.

image from here

These are my favorite snack food, bar none.  They are the perfect combination of tangy and sweet and far healthier than what I could be eating, see yesterday's post.  I put them on and in everything too, oatmeal, salads, cookies, etc.  Or, I used to.  Giving them up has been really challenging.

 image from here

If you read my blog with any sort of regularity, you know that we travel a lot.  A LOT.  And, most of the time with the boys.  For us, the go go Kidz Travelmate is an absolutely essential item.  It is a bit pricey, but it has paid for itself ten times over and I never hit an airport without it.

image from here 

We are Apple people and I love my MacBook Pro.  Especially now that I am back in school, I never leave home without it.  How I ever managed to graduate from college without a laptop attached to my hip, is a wonder.

  I have found so many discount, out of print and rare editions of books on this site.  It is my go to site anytime I need a book that was published more than 5 years ago.  If you are a reader, or you give gifts to readers or you want to be a reader, visit abebooks.com and have a ball.

image from here

Ah, Vanity Fair.  I've been subscribing to it for ages.  As a grad student, it's just about the only unassigned reading I allow myself these days.  I read it cover to cover every month and then wait, impatiently, for the next issue to arrive.

image from here

These are the best invention ever.  In the car, on the airplane, in hotel rooms, on furniture, at church, NEVER ANY MESS!  Brilliant.  Positively brilliant.

image from here

If you haven't discovered Gymboree bubbles yet, run, don't walk to your nearest Gymboree and get some today.  They are glycerin-based so they last longer and so does the fun!

For more celebrations of love week, go here.

Things I Love Week -- Day 5

Candy.

  

Somewhere not so deep inside this adult, is a 7 year-old girl who still wants to know how many licks it takes to get to the center.  Who loves the idea of edible jewelry.  Who thinks candy bar posters are the ultimate expression of love.  And, who believes that sour candy in bulk is pure joy.

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

image from here

From Red Vines to Cherry Sours and Jelly Belly's to Salt Water Taffy, I love it all!  Excuse me for just a moment while I deviate from the green diet and go indulge my sweet tooth.

For more celebrations of love week, go here.