Brothers
On Friday around noon I decided to get haircuts for the little boys. The big kids were in school. I put Matthew up next to Sam in the van (usually Sam and Josh ride in the middle and Caro and Matty like the back). The haircut place I go to (my beloved Clara) is about 20 minutes away. In the car, I was explaining to Sammy that he didn't have to cry (like he did last time in June) during his haircut, that he could choose a video to watch and he would get a lolly when it's done. Matthew piped in and said, "Sam, you just sit there and Clara cuts your hair. You watch Thomas and get candy. It's great to get a haircut." So reassuring! And guess what, he didn't cry.
Then, a few minutes later Sam was counting. He likes to count 1, 2, 3, 4...8. Very consistently he skips 5-7. Matthew again said, "Sammy, let me teach you. It's 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (counting on his fingers.)" "Okay, now it's your turn...now you try..."
Later Matthew had fallen asleep on the sofa bed. We pulled it out for him one night. Sam curled right up next to him and laid down on his silky blanket.
Sam's first question is always, "Where Matthew is?"
I was thrilled when I was looking at Matthew's work on the bulletin board as his school on back to school night. In his "All about me" book he listed as his favorite activity "playing with my baby brother."
There's nothing that's more fun to observe as a parent than sibling interactions. Friday was a highlight. These 2 little boys-- it's so much fun to see them interact right now.
Green Stuff, Part 2
Today I was telling Mark that I was repurposing my annoying gallon storage bags (not the ziploc kind--the kind with no zip top) as stinky bags for Sam's messy diapers. Mark and I are all about "repurposing" these days, but for different reasons. Mark said, oh, that's good for our budget. And I said, oh, that's good for the environment. (well not neccessarily plastic but not buying any new plastic). Well it's all for green...regardless.
Green Stuff, Part 1
We had grass seed planted by Mike, our grass guy. He did a beautiful job in our previous house, and in this house the backyard has been a bit of a disaster. Too much shade and worn down areas that made up a pitcher's mound, first base, second base and home plate. We had some trees trimmed,and 2 huge hemlocks taken down, and we are beginning our backyard makeover.
It was planted on Saturday and the conditions have been great for growing baby grass. In fact, if you asked me what I have been doing all week (besides rearranging the living room and taking care of 4 kids), I would say "Watching my grass grow."
Occassionally, I get a little freaked out that it's not going to come in. That there will be bare patches or the birds and squirrels have eaten all the seed or that we've watered too much and it's all washed away, but then I have to remember to "Trust Mike." He knows what he's doing and has been doing this for a long time. So we pray that the grass will grow and check out the windows about 17 times each hour and yep, it's still growing.
Forcing Your Hand
There's nothing like an unfortunate circumstance to force your hand to do a chore you have been putting off for a long time.
The grape juice spilled in the refridgerator. That forced me to clean the fridge--finally. And it has stayed clean for about 4 days.
Yesterday, Matthew threw up on one of his beloved couch cushions. I thought, let me try washing it...it did zip off, so I washed it and it's still air drying. Then a few hours later, he threw up on the other one. Again to the washer. Now I have clean cushion covers. Yeah!
Cushions
If you asked matthew what his favorite activity would be, it would definitely relate to the couch cushions. In our family room, we have a couch and a chair and a half. 3 long rectangular cushions. 3 overstuffed back cushions. 2-4 throw pillows. Every day he upends the cushions, creates some kind of house, train, or fort and that's how the cushions remain until the kids have gone to bed and I am ready to have a little TV time. It's not worth straightening them more than once a day because he just rebuilds his structure. He snacks in there. He watches TV, looks at books, plays with his siblings or friends. He wraps himself in his blue blanket (the silky one) and just gets all this good sensory input from the couch cushions. Last night Mark said he fell asleep on top of the rectangular cushions turned vertically, all sprawled and comfy. (I did not witness this to photograph it as I was at the gym taking a step class with NO MUSIC!!! Just for the record I am so annoyed with the gym for some sloppy behavior over the past week on their part.)
Now I should finish blogging and maybe take the boy outside for some fresh air and get him out of the cushions.
Go make a panini!
I had been wanting a panini press for a year. Because when we stay at Peggy's house, I have a panini a day practically. I finally caved and bought one. Poor Mark has been wanting a soft egg cooker for some thime. Instead, the choice for "small kitchen electric appliance of the month" was the panini press.
Today we had 2 different paninis to choose from. For the veggie option we had mozzerella, tomato and basil. The other option was chicken, pesto, spinach, roasted red peppers and provolone. Both were brushed with rosemary-infused olive oil. They were so melty and so yummy. And guess what, I can have another one tomorrow!
Goodbye Summer!
Goodbye Summer. We loved you this year!
Mark's latest business trip
Teaching Elvis impersonators how to play Monopoly for a World's Record in Vegas.
