For now.
Audra has recently discovered Calvin's toys...
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Fair people.
There is no people watching better than state fair people watching. Crazy hair, unflattering clothes, dirty kids. Upper thigh tattoos of tiger cubs nestled in a patch of grass.
You know, the usual.
I always assumed those people looked like that year-round. Until I looked at my own family on our way out the door to the fair.
Calvin was wearing a mismatched outfit, too-small shoes, and too-short shorts, because he likes to dress himself now. Nate was wearing a blue golf polo with his yellow and black gym shoes because comfort is important when you're walking that much. Audra was wearing a sunhat about eight sizes too small because I left her other one at school. And I was wearing a skirt. With tennis shoes. Because...well, I have no flipping idea.
Obviously this is the fair's fault. The fair made me think it was acceptable to dress up like a tennis player and allow my children to go out in public looking homeless. The fair made me eat kettle corn and mini donuts and cheese fries and a turkey sandwich and a sno cone. The fair, darnit, turned ME into someone for other people to watch.
So, new theory. The fair turns normal people into fair people. All those folks with crazy hair and upper thigh tattoos? Yeah, I'll bet they probably spend the other 364 days of the year well-coiffed and dressed in J.Crew.
You know, the usual.
I always assumed those people looked like that year-round. Until I looked at my own family on our way out the door to the fair.
Calvin was wearing a mismatched outfit, too-small shoes, and too-short shorts, because he likes to dress himself now. Nate was wearing a blue golf polo with his yellow and black gym shoes because comfort is important when you're walking that much. Audra was wearing a sunhat about eight sizes too small because I left her other one at school. And I was wearing a skirt. With tennis shoes. Because...well, I have no flipping idea.
Obviously this is the fair's fault. The fair made me think it was acceptable to dress up like a tennis player and allow my children to go out in public looking homeless. The fair made me eat kettle corn and mini donuts and cheese fries and a turkey sandwich and a sno cone. The fair, darnit, turned ME into someone for other people to watch.
So, new theory. The fair turns normal people into fair people. All those folks with crazy hair and upper thigh tattoos? Yeah, I'll bet they probably spend the other 364 days of the year well-coiffed and dressed in J.Crew.
 |
| Mom. Seriously. The hat. Get it off. |
 |
| Kettle C(K?)orn! |
 |
| Kettle C(K?)orn in the back of a tractor! |
 |
| Mini donuts! |
 |
| Giant slide! |
 |
| We have NEVER seen him more excited. He was jumping up and down yelling "YES! YESSS!" when I took this picture. |
 |
| Post-slide high! |
 |
| Crazy hair resulting from too-small hat! |
 |
| Sno Cones! |
 |
| Diggers and kid! |
 |
| Diggers and kids! |
 |
| Fair people! (A keeper for sure) |
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I need a hero.
I'm not sure there will ever be another picture of these two that makes me laugh as hard as these do.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Scooter pie.
The other day when I picked Audra up from daycare, it took me a minute to find her. And when I did, I laughed out loud, because she was under an exersaucer with her little head resting on her arms.
Her teacher said "You know, she scooted under there probably half an hour ago, and she was so content we just let her be!" And she totally was. She looked up and grinned when she saw me but made no effort to move out from under it.
This is Audra in a nutshell. Sweet, easygoing, and content with what she has and where she is. She isn't crawling yet, but she's discovered various methods of getting around and she's happy to settle in wherever they lead her. Like under an exersaucer.
Back at it.
Happy fall, friends!
Okay, fine. I know it's not officially fall. But the kids are back to school, my commute is back to being annoyingly long, and the pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.
It's fall. At least in my head. And I would suggest you get on board with that or find yourself another blog to read because it's about to get all boot shopping and tv watching and comfort food eating up in here.
1. So, Tuesday was the first day of school in Minnesota and many other places. I know this because everyone on Facebook posted adorable pictures of their children with backpacks and cute little "first day of" signs. Everyone, that is, but me. Because it never once crossed my mind that it might be Calvin's first day of preschool. Even though he moved into a new class in a new building with a new teacher. For preschool.
I don't know if I'm sadder that I missed taking a picture of Calvin on his first day or that I missed out on cute sign making. Probably the latter. Especially since he needs a bath and has been sporting some seriously bad hair for the last week.
Will someone please send me an email or something next year so I don't forget to bathe/photograph him on his first day of pre-k?
Much appreciated.
2. In August, I told Nate I was going to do another September cooking challenge on the blog. Now that we're seven days into September, I think it's pretty clear that won't be happening. We'll shoot for October instead. Until then, here's something I made recently that was super easy and quite good.
Baked Chicken Fajitas
Courtesy of Six Sisters Stuff via Pinterest
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, seeded and sliced
2 T vegetable oil
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t salt
Serve with:
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Lettuce
Avocado
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, green peppers and onions and spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine the oil and spices in a small bowl, drizzle over the chicken and veggies, and toss to coat. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
3. I am on the prowl for cognac boots. I think I mentioned this earlier. This falls into the stuff-I-want-but-can't-stand-to-shop-for category. Very few things fall into that category. Very few. Because I love to shop. I even love a good shopping challenge. But boots. Ugh. There are too many factors to consider: color, height, circumference, width, style, heel. I want something I can wear casually with jeans but still dress up with skirts and tights. I want something I can walk in while holding 50lbs of children. I want something that's close to my knee but not over it. I want real leather. I don't want to pay a zillion dollars.
I'm never going to find them, am I?
4. Well, if I can't have perfect boots, I guess I'll have to settle for perfect flats. Like these metallic Tory Burch ones I've always wanted that only cost $195.
Hahahaha.
5. Have I mentioned my addiction to Downton Abbey? I am hopelessly obsessed with that show. Like, going through withdrawal obsessed. Luckily, the season three trailer came out this week. It's not enough to keep me satisfied, not even close, but I'll take what I can get.
Please listen to me. If someone suggested you watch Downton Abbey and your response was "Ew. A PBS Masterpiece Theatre period drama? Not a chance" then you need to shut your mouth and get yourself to the nearest streaming video service. While you're there, just go ahead and block out the next 15 hours of your life. You'll thank me later.
6. I am working on my fall must-haves clothing list. So far it includes the aforementioned boots. I know I need more than that, seeing as I spent last fall/winter in maternity clothes and most of what I wore the year before is now probably out of style or ill-fitting. Postpartum dressing really is the pits. Because even if you lose all the baby weight, nothing fits like it did and you pretty much have to start over or get real creative with your styling. Sad to say, styling is not my strong suit. Or even my mediocre suit. I so wish I could be one of those girls with perfectly tousled hair and a casually draped scarf that looks amazing over the most basic but well-fitting tshirt and jeans, but mostly I am just awkward and frizzy and wearing Gap jeans that stretched out five seconds after I put them on.
7. Seriously, what is the deal with Gap jeans? They used to be my go-to, now they are my run-from. This blog post is kind of hilarious and awful and while I don't really like any of the jeans she's hocking on the positive side (not a fan of pocket adornment myself, I'm a 33-year-old mother and marketing professional after all, not a teenager looking to score some beer and a new lower back tat), I can't argue with the fact that those Gap jeans are frump city. If you have recommendations for non-mom jeans with a 34 or 35 inch inseam that are appropriate for the workplace and won't break the bank or stretch out beyond recognition within minutes, by all means — send them my way. I'm getting desperate.
8. My kid wants to be Super Why for Halloween. My mother-in-law has kindly agreed to make the cape, but I'm at a loss on where to find a solid green outfit and blue mini shorts. I'm thinking it might be easier to find a pair of blue track pants and a blue t-shirt and accent with a green mask and cape. He probably won't even notice. Although he's remarkably observant at the most inopportune times, like when I mutter "what is your DEAL?" to a frustrating driver or someone says "stupid" within an 800-mile radius.
And yes, I realize there is a Super Why costume available for purchase, but I am one of those snobby moms who prefers homemade costumes. And by homemade I mean purchased at several different locations instead of in a single bag.
Snobby AND efficient.
9. There is nothing in the new fall lineup that interests me besides The Mindy Project. And maybe Nashville, since I looove Connie Britton (it's all the Friday Night Lights we've been watching. She's so good.). How disappointing. Although I guess that will help with our who-gets-to-watch-what-now-that-we're-both-home conundrum.
10. I have a long-awaited movie date with Christian Bale tonight. Sigh of happiness.
Don't worry, Nate will be there, too. Probably wishing he wasn't after two hours of me saying "Wow. He's so hot. Isn't he hot? Wow."
Okay, fine. I know it's not officially fall. But the kids are back to school, my commute is back to being annoyingly long, and the pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.
It's fall. At least in my head. And I would suggest you get on board with that or find yourself another blog to read because it's about to get all boot shopping and tv watching and comfort food eating up in here.
1. So, Tuesday was the first day of school in Minnesota and many other places. I know this because everyone on Facebook posted adorable pictures of their children with backpacks and cute little "first day of" signs. Everyone, that is, but me. Because it never once crossed my mind that it might be Calvin's first day of preschool. Even though he moved into a new class in a new building with a new teacher. For preschool.
I don't know if I'm sadder that I missed taking a picture of Calvin on his first day or that I missed out on cute sign making. Probably the latter. Especially since he needs a bath and has been sporting some seriously bad hair for the last week.
Will someone please send me an email or something next year so I don't forget to bathe/photograph him on his first day of pre-k?
Much appreciated.
2. In August, I told Nate I was going to do another September cooking challenge on the blog. Now that we're seven days into September, I think it's pretty clear that won't be happening. We'll shoot for October instead. Until then, here's something I made recently that was super easy and quite good.
Baked Chicken Fajitas
Courtesy of Six Sisters Stuff via Pinterest
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, seeded and sliced
2 T vegetable oil
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t salt
Serve with:
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Lettuce
Avocado
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, green peppers and onions and spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine the oil and spices in a small bowl, drizzle over the chicken and veggies, and toss to coat. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
3. I am on the prowl for cognac boots. I think I mentioned this earlier. This falls into the stuff-I-want-but-can't-stand-to-shop-for category. Very few things fall into that category. Very few. Because I love to shop. I even love a good shopping challenge. But boots. Ugh. There are too many factors to consider: color, height, circumference, width, style, heel. I want something I can wear casually with jeans but still dress up with skirts and tights. I want something I can walk in while holding 50lbs of children. I want something that's close to my knee but not over it. I want real leather. I don't want to pay a zillion dollars.
I'm never going to find them, am I?
4. Well, if I can't have perfect boots, I guess I'll have to settle for perfect flats. Like these metallic Tory Burch ones I've always wanted that only cost $195.
Hahahaha.
5. Have I mentioned my addiction to Downton Abbey? I am hopelessly obsessed with that show. Like, going through withdrawal obsessed. Luckily, the season three trailer came out this week. It's not enough to keep me satisfied, not even close, but I'll take what I can get.
Please listen to me. If someone suggested you watch Downton Abbey and your response was "Ew. A PBS Masterpiece Theatre period drama? Not a chance" then you need to shut your mouth and get yourself to the nearest streaming video service. While you're there, just go ahead and block out the next 15 hours of your life. You'll thank me later.
6. I am working on my fall must-haves clothing list. So far it includes the aforementioned boots. I know I need more than that, seeing as I spent last fall/winter in maternity clothes and most of what I wore the year before is now probably out of style or ill-fitting. Postpartum dressing really is the pits. Because even if you lose all the baby weight, nothing fits like it did and you pretty much have to start over or get real creative with your styling. Sad to say, styling is not my strong suit. Or even my mediocre suit. I so wish I could be one of those girls with perfectly tousled hair and a casually draped scarf that looks amazing over the most basic but well-fitting tshirt and jeans, but mostly I am just awkward and frizzy and wearing Gap jeans that stretched out five seconds after I put them on.
7. Seriously, what is the deal with Gap jeans? They used to be my go-to, now they are my run-from. This blog post is kind of hilarious and awful and while I don't really like any of the jeans she's hocking on the positive side (not a fan of pocket adornment myself, I'm a 33-year-old mother and marketing professional after all, not a teenager looking to score some beer and a new lower back tat), I can't argue with the fact that those Gap jeans are frump city. If you have recommendations for non-mom jeans with a 34 or 35 inch inseam that are appropriate for the workplace and won't break the bank or stretch out beyond recognition within minutes, by all means — send them my way. I'm getting desperate.
8. My kid wants to be Super Why for Halloween. My mother-in-law has kindly agreed to make the cape, but I'm at a loss on where to find a solid green outfit and blue mini shorts. I'm thinking it might be easier to find a pair of blue track pants and a blue t-shirt and accent with a green mask and cape. He probably won't even notice. Although he's remarkably observant at the most inopportune times, like when I mutter "what is your DEAL?" to a frustrating driver or someone says "stupid" within an 800-mile radius.
And yes, I realize there is a Super Why costume available for purchase, but I am one of those snobby moms who prefers homemade costumes. And by homemade I mean purchased at several different locations instead of in a single bag.
Snobby AND efficient.
9. There is nothing in the new fall lineup that interests me besides The Mindy Project. And maybe Nashville, since I looove Connie Britton (it's all the Friday Night Lights we've been watching. She's so good.). How disappointing. Although I guess that will help with our who-gets-to-watch-what-now-that-we're-both-home conundrum.
10. I have a long-awaited movie date with Christian Bale tonight. Sigh of happiness.
Don't worry, Nate will be there, too. Probably wishing he wasn't after two hours of me saying "Wow. He's so hot. Isn't he hot? Wow."
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
A shared profession.
Last night before bed:
Calvin: Daddy isn't feeling very good, Mama.
Me: No, he's not, sweetie. His tummy hurts.
Calvin, thoughtfully: God can help him.
Me: Yes, he sure can!
Calvin, nodding: He's a nurse, too.
I really don't know how he pieced that together. His father is a nurse and God is his heavenly father, so fathers = nurses? Or God is a healer and Daddy is a healer so healers = nurses?
Or maybe he just looks up to his Daddy so much that he can't imagine anyone, even God, having a more noble profession.
Either way, it is astonishing to watch the Lord work in my little boy's heart and mind.
Calvin: Daddy isn't feeling very good, Mama.
Me: No, he's not, sweetie. His tummy hurts.
Calvin, thoughtfully: God can help him.
Me: Yes, he sure can!
Calvin, nodding: He's a nurse, too.
I really don't know how he pieced that together. His father is a nurse and God is his heavenly father, so fathers = nurses? Or God is a healer and Daddy is a healer so healers = nurses?
Or maybe he just looks up to his Daddy so much that he can't imagine anyone, even God, having a more noble profession.
Either way, it is astonishing to watch the Lord work in my little boy's heart and mind.
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