Tell me you're kidding, Sprout

So it's April Fool's Day, right? How many two-year old Sprout watchers understand that? There's certainly one who does not, and she lives in my house. See, Sprout thought it'd be cute to "scramble" their line-up for April Fool's Day--which apparently is now called April Fun Day, who knew? That's fine if you're an adult, or I suppose if you have prior notice and can get the DVR programmed; but, when you're two and you depend on your nightly fix of Caillou to get through your nightly routine, it's not so cute. I'll admit, I'm not so sure whether I want to curse Sprout or thank them for changing the line-up. While Emily depends on her Caillou fix, I'd sleep much better without it. She watches less than a half hour of TV per day while she gets a breathing treatment, and it has to be this. Caillou's time slot tonight? Pingu. Quite possibly the only show even worse than whiny Caillou. Who wants to watch clamation penguins waddle around talking like Beaker? I can't believe I'm actually looking forward to bringing back Caillou tomorrow night, although since we broke the Caillou cycle tonight maybe we can replace it tomorrow with something altogether tolerable.

Tea for twos, and twos for tea

Our much-anticipated tea party was this afternoon. I had wanted to have a Christmas tea, but Christmas came and went, so we had a mother-daughter tea and egg hunt instead. I had found these great (and cheap) demitasse cups at the Crate and Barrel outlet that were perfect for little "tea" drinkers. We had apple juice for the girls and real tea for the moms along with some tea cakes and other munchies. After getting the girls all "sugared" up, we headed to the front yard to hunt for eggs. Fortunately, after drizzling nearly all weekend it was beautiful outside. The girls ran around the yard collecting eggs, blew some bubbles, and drew some chalk art on the driveway. Emily preferred to sit on the stoop assessing her take from the egg hunt and managed to find and eat all the candy.

My new favorite cookie recipe is this old family tea cake recipe. It makes the cutest little round cookies that taste a lot like the frosted ones from the grocery store bakery:

Tea Cakes

mix together:

2 eggs

2/3 cup oil

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

then add:

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Roll into 1 inch balls. Smoosh with a buttered glass dipped in colored sugar or sprinkles.

Bake at 375 for 8 minutes, makes about 3 dozen.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

Well, despite my best efforts we were unable to secure e-tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll (or "eggroll tickets" as they've become known in our house). I won't dwell on the fact that on-line tickets seemed like a good idea, how it beats getting up before dawn to stand in the rain for hours, or how it seems like we as a society should have figured out how to run an effective ticketing website that doesn't crash repeatedly. Maybe next year.

So, we headed out to Great Country Farms after soccer today for their Marshmallow Harvest and Easter Egg Hunt. I thought the marshmallow harvest idea seemed kind of hokey until I roasted a freshly "picked" marshmallow, bringing back memories of ooey gooey tasty goodness. Emily seemed to enjoy "harvesting" the peeps growing on nearby bushes and "cooking" them over the campfire. She was especially thrilled to eat what she called "candy" before lunch.

After lunch, we met the Easter Bunny and "hunted" for eggs. Ah, preschool egg hunts--more like egg pick-ups. I think the parents were more interested in filling the baskets than the kids were. We probably all have something to learn from these kids, stopping at each egg to examine its color and give it a shake before putting it in the basket. No one even seemed to notice it had been raining all day.

Spring sprang

Thank goodness spring is finally here. Well, ok, so I know we'll have at least one more cold snap before Easter, but at least the grass is green and some of those hundred-some bulbs I sank in the front yard last fall have begun to bloom. We got a little yard work done this morning and a little housework done this evening. In between we had a great afternoon at one of our favorite kidspots -- Frying Pan Farm Park.

It's great to see that Fairfax County still funds this farm with all the farm animals a toddler could dream about. Sheep, goats, pigs, cows, horses, ducks, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, and peacocks make their homes at the park's Kidwell Farm. Free admission and inexpensive wagon rides make it an even more special treat. This time we even took Bailey with us. She was very interested in these strange creatures the likes of which she'd not seen before. Emily enjoyed climbing aboard several antique tractors and "driving" the stationary machinery across her imaginery hay fields.

Rainy Day Fun

For a rainy weekend, we actually got a lot done. Saturday was Emily's first soccer "class" so we had a first class breakfast on the way there -- drive thru McDonald's eaten at Chick-fil-a. (How's that for compromise?) We picked up a few plants for the yard, and Emily fell asleep on the way home. During her nap I picked up all the sticks in the front yard and planted the new flowers on the stoop. I soon began to rain, and didn't really stop for the rest of the weekend, but after nap we headed back out to pick up dry cleaning, drop off library books, and hit the grocery store. (Pretty much summarizing most weekends around here.)

I had planned to spend today at home--cleaning. Where's the fun in that? I did manage to get three toilets, two sinks, a shower, and the kitchen floor scrubbed. Caught up on dishes, and Andy finished the laundry and vacuumed.

So, Emily and I had a lunch date at the mall. What ever did we do before mall play areas? She had a blast sliding down the tree trunk and climbing on giant alphabet blocks. Then we went to see the fish at LL Bean. She loves to point out the catfish; the others are "goldfish," though they aren't gold and I'm pretty sure they're some kind of bass. We had a lovely "lady's" luncheon at Nordstrom Cafe where all the kids' food groups are represented on the menu: mac and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers, fruit and cheese plate.

Moo

my little cubist!

Literacy Thursday, Goldilocks

This week I decided to review a favorite classic, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This version by Caralyn and Mark Buehner tells the tale with a bit of a modern twist, but not so much that its identity is lost. They add a little mischievous character to Goldilocks as she's skipping along with her jump rope. The bears are also expressive as they encounter Goldilocks in their home. "It's an alien," Little Wee Bear whispered excitedly. The illustrations are wonderful, as they tell the story fully. Emily loves to pick up just about any book and begin, "once upon a time." This is one she can "read" just by following the pictures.

The Snowy Day

We weren't home because there were between 4 and 12 inches of snow outside (according to our "accu-"weather forecasters). We were home because Emily barfed yesterday and had to be well for 24 hours before returning to school. Since she had probably suffered from a case of bad fruit and not a virus, judging from the fact that no one else in our household has gotten the bug yet, she was her usual chipper self all day. Trapped. In the house. All day. We tried to go out to build a snowman but there were two problems: 1) It was just too freaking cold, with blowing snow, and a snowsuit safe and sound at school 2) The snow was too powdery to stick together to make said snowman or anything else for that matter. So, we brought the snow inside!

Emily had a blast playing with a kitchen sink full of snow. She shoveled and scooped and "dug for buried treasure." We even fashioned our own snowman, complete with chocolate chip eyes and a sun-dried tomato nose.

It's my potty, I can cry if I want to

I'm a believer in letting little kids choose their own adventure, so to speak, when it comes to things that won't hurt them. Markers (washable) instead of crayons, ok fine. Read a book or play with playdough. Mismatched clothes. Fine. (None of this is consistent with my control-freak nature, but I get by.) Anyway, this kid-in-charge attitude has extended to sleep training and breastfeeding, and now to potty training. (I guess it's my take on attachment parenting.)

Unfortunately, we started potty training about ten months ago and sometimes I think we've gone nowhere. I got the potty out when Emily started doing her business in the bathtub at about 18 months. Fortunately, she knew right away what she was supposed to do on the potty. The only catch is that she only uses the potty when the mood strikes her. The more I mention it, the less likely she is to go. I let her choose between pull-ups, training pants, and underwear but her behavior seems the same regardless of what kind of underpants she is wearing. She's not concerned about "keeping Dora (or Tinkerbelle or Elmo) clean" and all the stickers in the world wouldn't tear her away from her toys when she needs to "go." Today she refused to put on a pull-up and also refused to go to the bathroom before we left the house; several hours later, we were pulling over to change wet pants. We've gone through several day stretches without pee accidents, but she nearly always poops in her pants. I think she's just got more important things to do than stop what she's doing to go potty. I keep hoping that one day she'll wake up and say, "ya know, I'm tired of messing up my pants." I just hope that happens before I run out of patience.

Weekend with -eppercorn

So Emily's class pet Peppercorn ("-eppercorn" to her) came home with us this weekend. He comes with a journal and a monogrammed bag, and we are to entertain him until Monday when his adventures will be discussed in class. Oh, the pressure to entertain! His journal records his past weekend adventures for all future parents to judge. Last week he went to the Great Wolf Lodge, where he went on waterslides in the winter! He picked out Christmas trees with at least three families this winter and has gone on countless trips to Grandma's house.


Well, this weekend is restaurant week. Andy and I have planned not just one, but two date nights as a belated Valentine's Day. Andy notes we don't actually have to tell the truth in the journal, though many parents include some photos to document their adventures. We'll see what we come up with; I hope our furry houseguest doesn't think we are bad hosts.

Presidents' Day at Smithsonian

Day four of another long weekend, so we headed downtown to the Smithsonian. I'm not sure why we thought we'd be able to drive right up and park by the back door of the Natural History museum, but my trusty backup Reagan Building wasn't too badly priced given the holiday. Emily loves the animals at the Natural History museum even though they don't move. (She provides her own soundtrack.) I think it makes a nice complement to the zoo because she can get so close to the animals at Natural History. I find it a bit creepy the way they have the animals grouped -- walrus, bats, and armadillos side-by-side but by and large the exhibits are very well done. She asked me to take a picture of this hammerhead shark in a jar.

After a visit to the ocean, mammals, and dinosaurs, we decided to head next door to the recently renovated American History museum for lunch and a quick visit. The last time we went to Natural History, we ate at the newly renovated Atrium Cafe. The food was good, but the prices were exhorbitant. American History's cafe was no different. We had barbecue that rivaled a "real" restaurant, but lunch for three at more than thirty dollars was a bit pricey considering Emily had a side dish and a small milk. Since the museums are free, perhaps admission for three at two museums plus lunch all for thirty dollars isn't so bad. It was well-worth seeing Emily get excited about the exhibits. We only had time for two exhibits at American History -- Invention at Play and the Hall of Transportation. The invention area looked like a great place for elementary school aged children to explore with a lot of hands on exhibits. The Hall of Transportation has been recently renovated into a room that flows from horse-drawn trailors and early trains to motorcycles and minivans. There's even a Chicago El train that visitors can climb aboard. Next time we'll have to start at American History so that we have time to see more before naptime.

My Funny Valentine

Our family Valentine adventure started with chocolates at 8 am. (Andy and I both got each other Godiva truffles this year -- further proof that great minds think alike.) We then headed for McDonald's for breakfast on our way to the Metro. Our quick train ride down town was arguably Emily's favorite part of the day. Our destination? Disney on Ice. It was a perfect storm of sorts for Andy -- ice skating meets dance numbers meets cheesy script meets hordes of other people's children. He was a trooper, though, and Emily had a blast. We hadn't really taken her to a show before except for the short ones in Disney theme parks. She was well-behaved, getting restless only toward the end when Mickey Mouse wasn't coming out fast enough for her liking.

After the show, we headed to Nando's peri-peri chicken for lunch. Andy and I last ate there in London while I was pregnant with Emily. I had seen Nando's in three countries but there were none in the States at that point. Now there is one in Washington, DC. We had fond memories of their spicey chicken and very tasty spiced nuts. It did not disappoint. I dare say, though, I liked Emily's meal better than my own. Her barbecue chicken wings were sweet and smokey, her corn on the cob had just the right char. After lunch, it was back to the metro and home for a much-needed nap.

Free play

A birthday double-header spelled some much-needed mommie time for me this weekend. I took Emily to Lottie's party on Saturday, complete with rock-star-like Ms. Nancy, the school music teacher, singing tunes like "Pop, Pop, Pop, the Bubbles" and "Move Those Sticks." The kids had a blast sticking stickers, eating pizza, and "free play." It also meant that since I took Emily to Saturday's party, Andy took her to Sunday's party at the Little Gym and I got FREE PLAY!

So, I hit three discount stores, the ones with department store overstocks and odd gourmet candies, hoping to find a simple pair of black heels and some work clothes. I made it through two of them before getting sucked into the children's department. What is it about kids clothes that makes them irresistible? Emily scored two pair of shoes and an Easter dress out of my shopping trip. I treated myself to lunch and picked up a few things for my Valentine. Finally, I stopped in Nordstrom on the off-chance I could find some shoes to buy with a gift card from Christmas. Oh, the good life. It's not very often that I shop at a place with the calibre of service one finds at Nordstrom. Thelma, the most wonderful shoe sales lady ever, found not one, but three pairs of black heels for me. (I only bought one, and it was with a gift card, but it sure was fun!)

Literacy Thursday, Itsy Bitsy Spider

I've finally gotten around to participating in Literacy Thursday by blogging about one of our favorite children's books. I'm always looking for creative things to read that are both educational and entertaining.


This modern twist on the classic, Itsy Bitsy Spider by Keith Chapman, brings together fun illustrations, rhyming, and alliteration into a short book that preschoolers love. The spider, "spinning silver silk webs high up in a barn," bounces from one farm animal to another and finally in the safety of his mom's web. This book is one of Emily's favorites -- I think the combination of animals, sounds, and a fun ending she can anticipate make it especially fun.

That's why they call it a long weekend

Four long days at home together, and we emerge victorious. (At least I hope we'll emerge, since we now all have colds.) I'm really not complaining about having four days to spend with my family, I'm just not sure I've got the stamina to make it fun for everyone.

Day 1, we headed to My Gym for Emily's weekly class. She had a blast sliding into the ball pit and jumping on the trampoline. Andy and I had a date of sorts in the afternoon and enjoyed lunch at Coastal Flats and a meal-prep session at Let's Dish. I feel slightly guilty about paying someone else to do the shopping and cut up the vegetables for me, but having quick, tasty meals on-hand is well-worth it. I like being able to alter the recipes--a little more cheese, a little less onion--unlike grocery-store prepared foods.

Day 2, we hosted a pizza-making playdate (complete with tickle-torture pictured here). The girls couldn't have cared less about eating the pizzas they created, but we had fun. Emily flips into "show-off mode" any time a friend comes by. The nice side effect to this is that she plays with toys she's ignored for months.

Day 3, we headed out for a special breakfast and then back to My Gym for a make-up class. Since we had been there a few days before, the class was the same more-or-less. Emily seemed to LOVE that, presumably because she could predict what was going to happen next. She has gotten really brazen lately, and was even telling the coaches what steps they had missed in the routine when they did things a little differently than the coaches from two days before. Everyone seemed to take it all in stride. That evening, I had a play date of my own and met a friend at the ice rink. It had been four years and a baby since I had been to the rink, eight years since I had skated nearly every day. It felt great to get back on the ice and discover that I could still do a spin or two (barely).

Day 4, just when we thought we had this stay-at-home thing under control, Emily managed to go through the house like a tornado, undoing all the cleaning we had done before the Day 2 playdate. And she talked. Non-stop. All day. She tends to provide color commentary for everything she does and repeats herself constantly: "Me-may changing Bertha, Bertha stinky, Me-may get diaper for Bertha, Me-may making lunch for babies, Me-may make lunch, Me-may changing Bertha . . . " Most of the time it is cute to see what is going through her head. Today it was simply too much. Maybe because we were trying to watch the inauguration coverage, maybe because we were feeling slightly trapped because of said inauguration's road closures, maybe because we were all a bit under the weather. I feel slightly guilty admitting that I'm ready for a quiet day at the office.

A case of the Mondays

We seem to always have a hard time settling into the week around here. I think everyone is ready to head back to work and school on Monday morning, but we're all exhausted by the end of the day. As long as I can remember, Emily has been grumpier than usual on Monday evenings, eats early, and goes to bed early and easily. It has always been tricky to come home and make dinner before she's melted down. So, as part of my new year's meal plan, I've decided to head off part of the Monday evening madness by making Monday night supper while Sunday's is cooking. This week, Andy had a tasty French chicken roasting in the oven while I had chili cooking on the stove. Chili tonight, leftovers in the freezer, and one serving left for lunch tomorrow.

Coffee, Santa?

I'm trying to keep Christmas simple this year. We spent this afternoon reading Christmas stories, watching movies, and enjoying treats from friends. Before bedtime, I let Emily choose some cookies to leave out for Santa. I shouldn't have left them at doggy eye-level. When I asked her what Santa might like to drink with his cookies, she replied, "Santa want coffee?" Of course, reluctant to actually brew a pot of coffee for Santa, I suggested that chocolate milk might be a good choice as well. She agreed. I guess she figures men drink coffee or maybe he's got a long night ahead.

What a trip

We headed home for an early Christmas last Wednesday amid a lot of uncertainty about my dear grandfather's health. Ever since his 90th birthday party last August his health has been failing fast; he was ready to go. To make a long story short, we arrived on Wednesday at 6 and he passed at 10. I was really struggling with whether to go to see him in the nursing home: mom said he wouldn't know I was there, my sister said I'd rather remember him happily partying at 90. I think I made the right decision. Anyway, the next three days brought life lessons about funeral-planning. As it turned out, I missed the visitation and funeral altogether when Emily landed in the hospital with breathing problems on Sunday. She ended up in the same hospital, on the same hall, as where my grandfather had spent some 12 days a month or so ago with pneumonia.


Emily came down with her usual crud on Thursday and we made a trip to the pharmacy to get a refill on her inhalor, which of course we had left at home. She still sounded junky on Sunday morning, so we headed to quick care expecting to do a breathing treatment, get some liquid steroids, and head home. But, nooooo. Now it's Tuesday and we're still in the hospital waiting for the magic button that measures pulse oxygen to pop up the right number. (Well, actually, right now, she's making laps in the hallway with Dad.) She's been a real trooper for the most part, entertaining the nurses with her squeaky voice demanding that she's "all done." She told the emergency room nurse that she was "all better" as we transferred up to the hospital and put her on oxygen. She's had fun pushing any buttons she can get her hands on. Last night when Andy asked her if she was pushing buttons again, she exclaimed, "I'm pushing Daddy's buttons!" That was the truth for sure. I think they are making up, which probably means she feels better, but for most of our stay he's been greated with a loving "get out" or "get away."

We've come to appreciate our least favorite (her favorite) DVD, which she's watched at least a dozen times now. Having myself been hospitalized exactly once (when I delivered Em,) I had great fantasies of cartoon band-aids, jazzy scrubs, ice cream, and toys. Perhaps somewhere else. So, in the meantime, we're making the best of it--even if that means sending Dad for hometown take-out favorites.

Twinkle Twinkle What Are

I'm now not sure why, but at some point I started singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to Emily when I was putting her to bed. It started as a game where I'd ask her to close her eyes and I would begin to sing. If she opened her eyes, I'd stop. In the beginning, she'd scrunch her eyes closed and I'd start and stop singing (well, more like reciting in a sing-song whisper) 5 or 6 times before making it through the song. She'd then ask for it again and again. I figured if I could just get her to lie still and close her eyes, she'd eventually fall asleep. Anyway, here recently she has begun to learn the words herself. She will sing it during the day all mixed up with the Itsy Bitsy Spider and sometimes the ABCs. "Itsy bitsy spider, up water spout, twinkle twinkle little star, how wonder what are . . ." At night, though, I sing (whisper) it one time through and now instead of asking for it again, she recites it herself. This week she is getting most of the words right! I wonder what she thinks it means.