Failed, I have

I have a genuine, bona fide Star Wars fan on my hands. He is about 43 inches tall and almost 5 years old. He's figured out that the most recent movies are really 1, 2, and 3, and that Return of the Jedi is number 6. He pores over the large Star Wars book we happened upon at the library, the one that details every ship from every movie. Today he was babbling on and on about Boba Fett and Jenga Fett. And here's where my failure comes in. I do not know enough about Star Wars to satiate his little mind. I don't quite remember why Han Solo was frozen or how he got out of it. I've never actually seen all of Return of the Jedi, nor do I know the proper name the thing he calls a "two walker." I think he figured it out on his own, thanks to the over-sized book. When he asks me some detailed question about lightsaber colors, Count Dooku, or some other obscure-to-me Star Wars fact, I have to say "Sorry, buddy, but I don't know. You can try asking your Dad later tonight." He just turns away and shakes his head, giving an exasperated sigh.

I tried to redeem myself by playing the original Mario Brothers video game on an online emulator. We didn't grow up with any sort of video game system in our home, and I played only occasionally at our neighbor's house. They were cool neighbors. They always had Cocoa Puffs, which we never had. Anyway, I made it through the first level no problem, and even got a "nice jump" from H. Then it was the 2nd level of the 1st world, underground. I got confused on which key was jump and died pretty fast. "Aw, Mom," I heard from the boy sitting next to me. "Don't die. Just jump." Right, right. Never did like video games. Or Star Wars.

I think I've somehow committed myself to making a blue lightsaber cake for H's upcoming birthday. I'll have to use Yoda's mantra to help me through.

Do or do not. There is no try.

May the force be with me.

Amy

PS -- Off to the Kalahari tomorrow, so I probably won't post until the weekend. Happy days!

My Astonishing Discovery

Here it is, the winning post. Six whole people said they'd like to read this post over the other options. Hope you enjoy it!

My aha moment began around Christmas time, but its truthfulness was solidified in my mind on Jillian's birthday. What was I astonished to discover? It is this: Most childhood magic is a result of Mom's efforts. Most fun family traditions happen because Mom makes them happen. And I am the Mom who must put forth this effort.

On Jillian's birthday I woke up early to greet her and make her day special. She had requested crepes for breakfast. I served them with mango and strawberries and also made a smoothie. Then we had to decorate cakes, which she wanted to help with. I was worried about getting everything done in time for church, since Kyle is gone at meetings in the morning. But we also had to open presents, take videos, and try to make the whole day special, which I really wanted to do. We invited several families over for cake and ice cream that evening and had a remarkably unchaotic and enjoyable time. On Saturday, the day before her birthday, I took Jillian and four friends out for lunch at McDonald's and then to Chuck E Cheese's. This was instead of a standard birthday party. Then on Monday night I made her the pizza dinner I didn't have time to make on Sunday. Whew! I had an interesting conversation with Kyle on Sunday, as I was realizing I didn't have time to do the pizza dough before church. It went like this:

A: I don't think I have time to do the pizza dough before church, and it won't have enough time to rise after church. I feel so bad, but I don't know what to do.

K: Well, I think you should make the dinner she asked for. It is her birthday.

A: (Giving a look that says it all.)

K: Oh. I guess that's easy for me to say, since you're the one that's doing everything for her.

Yes, that's right. I did everything. I did everything for Christmas, too. I bought every gift, wrapped every gift, sent every card, made every treat, and on and on and on. I think Kyle helped decorate the tree. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not really complaining. This concept is just astonishing to me. I grew up and enjoyed lovely birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc. without really realizing all the work that was done by my Mom to make it happen. And she never even went all out. Now I know why we didn't have homemade rolls or pies at every holiday, and why Baskin-Robbins ice cream cakes became a family staple for birthdays. Hey, those cakes are delicious! I now get why Kyle's Mom wasn't too sad to pass of the being-in-charge-of-holiday job to his oldest sister Jill. And I'm learning to start the holiday preparations early, have the kids help with some of the work, and choose wisely the projects I take on during busy times. My friend Rebekah sends a Valentine's Day update every year instead of a Christmas card. It's become a fun thing to look forward too.

I was tired after Jillian's birthday, but I think she had a good day. I want to be the one to make the magic, I do, but it might just be little bursts of magic, and not 4th of July fireworks. I've decided that the kids will have to take turns having birthday parties with friends, maybe every other year, so that they are a little more special, and a little less work. I might work my "Mom Magic" at unexpected times, like a day off from school. The kids love it when I put on my fake French accent, grab my pen and pad of paper, and declare the restaurant "Chez Ami" is open for lunch orders.

I think being a Mom can be the hardest job in the universe. It can also be the easiest, most fun, most rewarding, and most educational. So here's to facing a future of birthdays, holidays, vacations, and events with pride and gusto! Here's to Mom Magic.

ap

The Evolution of Dance, Part II

This one's from Halloween in 2004. We were at a church carnival. H didn't want to play any games, he just wanted to dance to the music. This isn't his best dancing, but it shows an early commitment to his art.

In other dance news, Jillian has been taking ballet at the YMCA for the last 2 months. Thursday was the last night of the session, so we went to see her little dance performance. I had the camera all ready to go, but OF COURSE the batteries were dead. They won't hold a charge for more than 5 minutes any more. I am so sad because she looked so pretty and did such a nice job. She was very graceful and did excellent changements. : ( I'll try to get a picture of her dancing another day. She has gotten quite camera-shy in the dance department lately. I think she feels like she can't do as well as Hayden. Not true! They just have different styles.

So enjoy the video, and let me know if you have a great digital camera recommendation. I'm looking for something small, fast, and not more than $300. We'll see if I can talk Money Bags into it. ap

And the winner is . . .

My friend Liz! She was the closest to Kara's 6 month check up weight. Liz's guess was 20 pounds, 6 ounces. KJ's actual weight was 20 pounds, 9 ounces. I will be calling Liz for her bracelet preference. Liz is going to have her own baby next week, that's why she's such a good guesser. Thanks for all who guessed. It was a fun contest. I'll think of another one soon. Maybe I'll let you guess my weight. Just kidding!

Amy

Baby Bling Contest

I can't tell you how often I hear what a BIG baby Kara is. My most favorite comment thus far has been "Wow. Looks like she carries most of her weight in her head." It's funny to me how people will comment on babies in a way they'd never comment to adults. Can you imagine saying "Boy, those love handles sure are hanging over your pants." to someone you meet on the street? And yet people are always saying things like "She sure doesn't have any hair, does she?" to me. Last time I checked, you can't really control hair growth, baby weight and size (except in a negative way), and most of how bodies grow and develop. Thus, we've embraced the chub at our house. We're pretty sure she won't be chubby for long, and will soon look more like an asparagus than a tomato.

Now, the contest. I took Kara in for her 6 month check up today. If you can guess how much she weighed today, you're the winner! Make your guess (in pounds and ounces) by leaving a comment at the end of this post. The person closest to her actual weight will receive a handmade bracelet. I will be the one making the bracelet, and I will call/email you for your wrist size and color preferences. Your entry will be thrown out if you make a backhanded comment about my baby's weight, size, or lack of hair. I'll give you a hint to get started: She weighed 17 pounds, 13 ounces at her 4 month check up.

Happy guessing! And hug a chubby baby today.

Amy (who was not a chubby baby)

The Evolution of Dance - Hayden

Thought you Hayden dance fans might get a kick out of this early footage. This particular dance is pre-walking for H. He's about 9 months old. Look for more of the early days of H's dancing coming soon! He's come a long way, and the sky's the limit! Notice the vocals by the Bean in the background. So cute!

I "Heart" My Family

Valentine's Day was lots of fun. I got the kids these cute robes. They are so grown-up with them on. They wear them in the morning and evening when it's cool, and of course after their baths. Our dinner was a success despite the Bean's complaints. Man, that girl had a lot to say! The filet mignon was quite good, and the fettucine was absolutely perfect. In my humble opinion, of course. I do have a wee bit of a confession, though. I was so tired and full after dinner that I didn't make the molten chocolate cakes. The kids had already eaten so many treats that day, and my stomach was kind of hurting. Kyle didn't seem too disappointed. I've promised him a romantic evening NEXT week when I will make the cakes. We got each other funny cards and watched "Lost" together. Hey, we've been married almost 10 years. Not every Valentine's Day has tons of sparks, right?

Still the love of my life. Besides, I don't kiss and tell!

Our pretty table. The kids were fascinated by the pink hearts in the vase. And they loved blowing out the candles. Notice no flowers. Hmm. None seemed to appear this year. Curious.

Bean and Pea said they were on a date. How cute, huh?

This picture is from Wednesday. It was AWESOMELY sunny. I loved that day! I went on a run in the afternoon and totally kicked it. Try running to "The Distance" by Cake if you ever want to feel pumped up. It was great to finally feel exhilarated after so many depressing gloomy days.

Asparagus got to sit in the high chair! This thing's been sitting in our basement since we moved here, doubling as a basketball standard. I couldn't get her to look up for this pic, though, because she was much too fascinated by the little star sweet potato puffs. She can even grab one on occasion.

Ta ta for now!

Amy

Two tricks, by Asparagus

Thanks to Bean for her assistance in the making of this video. No babies were harmed during production. Craft services provided by Mom. Annoying voice over credits go to Amy. Production stills follow.

Sisters hanging out between takes.

Startled look -- this is so on purpose.

A little yawn -- This movie star business is so tiring.

R, S, T

R is for Recipe

Here's the recipe I use for chocolate molten cakes. The trick, I think, is the baking time and the amount of shaved chocolate you put in the middle for the molten part. Don't overbake them, as they'll cook a little more as they cool down. As for the chocolate shavings, they go a long way, so don't overdo them either. Best with raspberries and ice cream or whipped cream, in my humble opinion. Also cute when made in little heart pans for Valentine's day. Cheers!

S is for Song

I was thinking about our (meaning mine and Kyle's) song. It is "Storybook Love" from the movie The Princess Bride. Kyle had 'Storybook Love' engraved on the inside of my engagement ring, and then he surprised me by serenading me (with guitar!) at our wedding reception. He did a lot of romantic things for our wedding. Not so many since then, but he still has some surprises every once in a while. Here are the lyrics (Which, in case you were wondering, I've had to edit. I found at least 10 typos!):

Come my love, I'll tell you a tale
of a boy and girl and their love story.
And how he loved her oh, so much,
and all the charms she did possess.

Chorus:
My love is like a storybook story.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel.
My love is like a storybook story.
But it's as real as the feelings I feel;
it's as real as the feelings I feel.

Now this did happen once upon a time,
When things were not so complex.
And how he worshiped the ground she walked on.
When he looked in her eyes, he became obsessed.

[Chorus]

This love was stronger than the powers so dark,
A prince could have within his keeping;
His spells to weave and steal a heart
Within her breast, but only sleeping.

[Chorus]

He said, "Don't you know I love you oh, so much,
And lay my heart at the foot of your dress?"
She said, "Don't you know that storybook loves
Always have a happy ending?"

Then he swooped her up, just like in the books,
And on his stallion they rode away.

That give me goosebumps just reading over it again! Which makes me wonder, what's your song? And how did it come to be? I actually can't remember how this became "our song." I'll have to ask Tall Man later.

T is for Telling everyone I know

about my friend Stephanie's new business. She's a very talented seamstress who is opening up a web-based bag business. I want to give her a shout out because I love her a lot and wish her the best. Visit her Bloomin' Bags website to take a look at the bags she makes. Good luck, Steph!

I won't comment on the weather today, or about the weather on Sunday or Monday. I'll bet you can guess what it is.

Amy

Big Plans

I love it when I have a few tricks up my sleeve! This week is both Valentine's Day and Jillian's 7th birthday. Since Valentine's Day is on a Thursday and we don't really have anyone to babysit, I think I'm going to prepare a romantic family dinner. What? Did you really mean that, Amy? A romantic FAMILY dinner? Why yes, I did. I did it last year with great success. It's amazing how polite and quiet children can be if you light candles, set the table nicely, and expect good manners. Our menu:

Pan-fried filet mignon with sauce (I kid you not. $16.99/lb at Whole Foods.)
Fettucine alfredo
Crusty rolls with citrus butter
Fresh green beans (or haricots verts, if you're feeling fancy)
Sparkling juice
Molten chocolate cakes with raspberries and whipped cream

Mmm. Last year the kids ate everything and loved it. They felt so special and grown up. It was really a lot of fun, and even better than a restaurant could have been, for at least half the price.

Today we probably made about 40 homemade valentines in our house. We were a machine. I have several cute envelopes ready to be mailed to some cousins tomorrow. I wish I could send valentines to all the great kids I know out there. Maybe someday! I plan to make some sugar cookies and neighborhood valentines this week, along with a secret surprise for some of my girlfriends. Hope I have time for my big plans before Thursday.

The kids made me breakfast today. They commandeered the kitchen and asked me what kind of cereal I wanted. Then they got me a banana on a plate (because who wants to touch a mushy banana), and a glass of water. It was a delicious breakfast.

But wait! I digress! Back to my big plans.

I am at a loss as to what to get Jillian for her birthday. I'd really like to get her a new bike, but it isn't quite bike season yet, and it makes more sense to get her a new one when we're settled in our new home. I got her a few small things, but nothing great. She's at that awkward age where she's almost outgrown the littler girl toys, but isn't ready for electronics and the 'tween stuff. I don't want to give up on finding her good gifts, though, because she's only 7! I can't wuss out and go to the gift card now. Wish she liked Star Wars or Legos as much as H. Then it would be easy! We haven't even discussed what cake she'd like, or what we're doing for her special day. I have planned a TIME to have cake and ice cream, though. That's a start, right? She's really excited to pick where we get to sit at church, though. I always say no to the front row and then tell her she can sit wherever she wants on her birthday. Front row, here we come! That should be interesting, since Kara seems to cry and fuss most of the time. Writing this out has made me realize I need to do a bit more planning.

Kara finally rolled over today! She's been sitting up for about 10 days, and is getting quite steady, but I've been waiting for the rolling to begin. It's not easy to hoist almost 20 pounds(or more?? We have the big weigh in next week.) over. She's so cute to watch, because it's certainly not effortless. And there's a look of pleasant shock on her face when she realizes she's on her back again. Not quite as exciting as H's dancing, but still entertaining. Should I post a video of that? Just kidding!

Gotta go plan.

Amy

Saturday Smiles -- in three parts

I. A strange yellow orb was seen high in the sky this afternoon. It made everything very bright and reflected off of the snow in a most pleasing manner. I went out to take a picture of this phenomenon, only to find it had disappeared. The usual thick dark snow clouds filled the sky instead. I'll have to be quicker next time I see this strange heavenly sight. Does anyone know what it is?

II. We have a song writer in our midst. Here are the lyrics to two songs Jillian composed today:

Don't Go

Don't go, I'm love you.
Don't go, I'm gonna miss you.
Don't go, you have sparkles in your eyes.
Don't go, Doooon't go.

If You Were Mine

If you were mine, I'd take you soarin'.
If you were mine, I wouldn't have my troubles.
If you were mine.
O-o-o-o-o-o-yay.

Now we only have to come up with some good tunes to set these lyrics to. Maybe I should get Jillian that guitar she asked for for her birthday next week.

III. Both J and H performed in a talent show at church last night. J played a piano piece and did really well. H danced, of course. He got a little flustered and ran off stage early, though, so here's the part of the dance you would have seen. Notice the slow interpretive movements and the robot. I love it when he does the robot. : ) I'm fairly certain I'm more amused with H's dancing than most, so thanks for indulging me. Happy weekend!

Amy

Janufeb blahs

I've been trying to write a new post for a few days now, but I just can't seem to come up with anything witty or touching. Sorry, dear readers, but the winter blahs have effectively taken over my mind. I find myself lethargic (except during my training runs), melancholy, and wishing spring were here already. Not the windy, blustery, rainy spring, but the bird twittering, tulip growing, sun-shiny spring I vaguely remember from years past. I think my tolerance for Michigan (and Massachusetts) winters has run out. Yesterday at 11:00am it was very dark. I was out trying to run some last minute errands before the storm started. But before I could get home, the hail began. Then it snowed. Then it rained. Then it sleeted. Then it snowed some more. All of my car doors and the door to my gas tank were frozen shut this morning. I had to pry the gas tank thing open with my keys and my scraper. Sigh. I know, I know, no one likes to read a bunch of whining. I'm done now.

To combat the winter blahs, we're headed to an indoor water park on my birthday. It's called the Kalahari, and I think it will be magnificent. Four other families are joining us. We'll stay two nights and play until we drop with exhaustion. Then we'll turn on the fireplace and warm up. We're sharing some 3-bedroom suites with full kitchens, so the kids will love being together and going crazy for two days straight. Should be fun! Maybe I should visit a tanning bed before we go. My pale skin's not going to look so great. Nah, that's what we Michiganders look like - pasty.

Kyle's off to some job interviews soon, so wish us luck! He has interviews at University of Oregon, Washington University in St. Louis, and Northwestern University in Chicago. I've already picked out a house for us in Eugene. You can see it here. It has a little apartment over the garage for anyone who wants to come and stay with us. I don't have any idea if we can afford this house, but I like it. Of course, we don't have a job yet, but I like to be prepared. I've been looking at houses in St. Louis and north of Chicago too. What fun! Can't wait for that second bathroom and the garage.

Okay, I'm feeling better. I think I'll go shovel some snow and read a book. Kara's sleeping and the other two are at school, so it's me time!

Amy

Love Notes

This little mailbox brought me birthday greetings last year. (Thanks to Em and 30 friends!!) Now it's being repurposed to bring love notes to our family. Everyone except Kyle is getting into the spirit. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting sweet notes from Jillian. Hayden's trying his hand at writing too, with much success. Lovin' the time of year for lovin'!

In other news:

Kara sat up by herself today for up to 10 seconds. She doesn't roll yet, because she hates being on her tummy and hasn't done it accidentally, but I'm glad she sits up. Maybe now her head has a chance of appearing normal. (see photo and poll to the side)

Kyle and I went to a modern dance performance on Saturday with some friends. Our neighbor is getting his master's degree in modern dance and was in two of the pieces. Kyle started out happy enough, but his happiness soon turned to confusion, revulsion, and perhaps even fear. The last piece was reputed to be hip hop, but it was more of a hip hop/modern fusion. In it, our neighbor is seduced/entranced by a woman in black and a woman in white. There was some music, but a lot of the piece is performed to Japanese?? words being spoken over scratchy sounds. Several of the dancers spent a lot of time either crying loudly or laughing loudly, and I think there was some barking too. At the end of the piece, our neighbor is sacrificed on an altar of dancers by the woman in white, after which she laughs out loud like a maniac for quite some time. As Kyle put it: "This is totally mental." Just as memorable was the piece which chronicled 5 great events in history, including Swimming across the English channel and the invention of the portable vacuum cleaner, which represented a phallus at one point. Hmm. I am certainly culturally enlightened. There was some great dancing, don't get me wrong, but I think I prefer Hayden's hip hop. I'm certain Kyle does.