family fun night: making paper

We read yesterday about trees from our Explore Spring book. In reading, we learned about the two types of trees, conifers and dedicuous. Ambrose picked out our tall pine tree as a conifer and sugar maples (having gone to see sugar tapped from them) as an example of a dedicuous tree. Further reading brought discussions of raking leaves (dedicuous), bark and what products come from trees (paper).

Armed with directions from the book, we decided to experiment on making our own paper. Ambrose announced to Damian as he walked in from work that we were going to make paper. Damian asked 'how are we going to do this?' Ambrose quickly responded, 'we are going to cut down a tree and make paper'. Well . . .you can see our finished product (and no trees were harmed in the making of the paper).

tearing pieces of paper (tissue, construction, etc.)

paper soup

finished piece of paper

my little foreman

Ambrose was quite the busy foreman this morning, overseeing the cement being poured in the greenhouse. In the near future the cement will hold tables and chairs. But I'm a bit ahead of myself. . .

I met Pete a few years ago and we have gardened together in various city locations. Pete and his brother bought the old 'Phelps Florist' on Main St/Winton Rd; what we refer to as 'the greenhouse'. Last year in the greenhouse we did some planting and I'm happy to report we turned out quite a bit of produce. But the picture is widening, the ideas have been circulating and are now being put into action.

Pete's sister-in-law will open a market/cafe in the front building. Today the cement was poured in the front half of the greenhouse where the tables and chairs will be placed for people to hang out, eat a bite or drink a cup. The plans include a market with fresh produce and a gift shop.

As far as the produce, we are contributing by having hundreds of seedlings in our basement that will be planted after the last frost. This weekend Pete and I spent about 2 hours transplanting seedlings; it was quite zen like, just digging in the dirt and seeing our work prosper.

The best part is having the boys involved and seeing them excited. Ambrose had to wear his construction vest and hard hat today and act as 'foreman'. Blaise being held by mama just couldn't get over the cement truck that rotated around . . he kept pointing and had a puzzled look on his face as if to ask 'mama, why is it spinning?'

Foreman Ambrose

checking out the cement truck

hard work rewarded - jelly filled donut!

maxwell mark

Maxwell Mark Bindig

March 27, 2009 at 5:08pm.

9 lbs. 1 oz & 22" long

the proud parents - Matthew & Theresa Bindig

Our baby, Blaise, (currently 18 lbs. at 13 1/2 months) meeting Maxwell (9lbs. 1oz)

Ambrose holding Maxwell

We drove to Buffalo yesterday to meet the boys' newest cousin (this rounds out the Weidmann clan to 10 grandkids - 7 boys & 3 girls). It reminded Ambrose of Blaise being in the hospital and immediately he wanted to hold Maxwell. Blaise wasn't really sure what to make of the new baby who is 1/2 his size! WOW!

What a lovely way to spend an afternoon - visiting family and holding a new baby. I was happy to give a handmade stroller blanket made with love. I made the blanket with wind/rain repellent black & red material and gray anti-piling fleece. I know that this blanket will provide warmth for a stroller ride or a place to lay outside but best of all it holds future outings, memories and stories to be told. We love you Maxwell.

touch of spring

According to the calendar spring is officially here! And today we are feeling spring like weather at a very nice 53 degrees. We ventured to the zoo today to take advantage of the sunny weather.

The boys were fascinated by the baboons (and as you can see the fascination was mutual). Ambrose would wave at the baby baboon and Blaise just stared trying to figure out what he was looking at. Our presence had Momma baboon stepping in a number of times (even though there was glass in between) to remind us that she takes care of her baby. Don't worry momma I understand.

Mommy, what are baboons?

Hello there, my name is Ambrose, what is yours?

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We've been talking about spring and have been reading a book called Explore Spring. Yesterday we did several science experiments, one of which was 'Carnation Creation'. We put carnations in colored water to watch capillary action in action.

Everyone participates

Blue tipped carnation

maple syrup

Did you know that a tap on a maple tree will yield an average of 10 gallons of sap per season, producing about one quart of maple syrup? Or, to put it another way, it takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup.

We went to Schoff's Sugar Farm in Victor, NY for 'maple weekend' and saw how to tap a tree. In the evaporator above we could see the sap becoming syrup. The farm is also residence to about 2 1/2 dozen show horses. Ambrose enjoyed having me read all the names off their stalls, his favorite name was 'Nemo' (coincidence since we just borrowed the movie 'Finding Nemo' from the library?).

The best part of all was having pancakes and sausage for lunch with our purchase of real maple syrup - YUM.

entertainment

The 11th annual Hockey for Heart game was last night. A friend of Damian's started this as a dedication to his dad who passed away from heart disease. A wonderful event (isn't any when Damian gets to play hockey?) for a great cause.

This year they added a carnival (face painting, balloons & games) and craft room for the kids.

Caitlin, Hudson, Ambrose & Morgan

While watching Daddy play hockey Blaise was easy to entertain with a simple plastic cup (thanks to Aunt Cathy).

Although his cousins gave it a great try; Blaise was so not easily entertained when asked to pose (something about mommy behind the camera and not holding him).

The night's best entertainment, according to Ambrose, was the Zamboni. He was heard screaming with excitement (through double doors I might add) when it came out to the ice.

fascination

A couple of weeks ago I started several varieties of seeds and with the assistance of moisture (water), oxygen and temperature (fluorescent light/heater) they have emerged as seedlings.

Ambrose frequently wants to visit the 'green things' in the basement to look for new growth. While watering this afternoon I noticed an odd shaped leaf on a couple of seedlings that had just emerged; the cotyledon. A special viewing as we normally see the seedling further along with new leaves.

While thinning pepper seedlings yesterday, Ambrose decided we couldn't discard the smaller seedlings. Our bud vase is now the residence of our extra pepper seedlings and who knows with prime real estate (our kitchen window) maybe some will grow.

pepper plant seedlings

While we are fascinated by seedlings it is always fun to watch Blaise figure out something new. Today he decided that leaves aren't very tasty and decided they should stay on the ground. Good job Blaise!

wearing of the green

St. Patrick's Day Parade

What a splendid way to spend a sunny warm day (50 degrees) in Rochester; the St. Patrick's Day parade. Friends of ours secure a spot along the parade route early in the morning; which works great for us, we just show up. They had a grill going for hot dogs topped with pulled pork and an assortment of appetizers, snack food, desserts and drinks.

Ambrose had just one request, a purple lolly pop (he remembered getting one last year); luckily we managed to catch one from a float. And a bonus he got a bobble head hockey guy!

The parade was almost 2 1/2 hours long - WOW! We enjoyed numerous sites (just check out Damian's sunglasses) - floats, dancers, musicians and people watching is always good.

This St. Patty's Day we toast you and yours:

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be ever at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And the rain fall softly on your fields

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of his hand

-Traditional Irish Blessing

seeing green

Automatically the month of March bears in mind St. Patrick's Day and wearing green. In our basement (and yes it is all legal Betsy) we are hopefully growing green.

A baker's rack has been turned into 'propagation central'. In 14 trays (so far) seeds of eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, leeks, onions and sweet marjoram have been sown.

Damian with his engineering expertise rigged all the lights, the heater (the seeds prefer to be in a beach atmosphere - 75-80 degrees and certainly our basement is no beach) and best of all the very cool setup I have for watering.

The watering system is an engineering feat in and of itself. The water is turned on in the laundry tubs (which contains a split) and the water is set at a slow trickle. Then on the other side of the basement where the baker's rack, a hose is hung to hang into a bucket. The hose is turned on and extra pressure of water escapes for a final adjustment to a slow trickle. Once the trickle is set, I stand on a chair to reach the top racks and water all trays. This all might sound complicated but truly it takes less than 5 minutes. Well you must excuse me as my seeds are crying for more water . . .

But first, we saw our first 'green' yesterday - sweet marjoram!

one up, one down

My poor guy Ambrose has been a bit under the weather; he managed to catch the 'bug' that is going around. While he laid on the couch today very content to watch Sesame Street; Blaise tore through the toy bins.

As I watched Blaise utilize toys as a step stool to reach other toys it again reminded me of the boys' differences: body movement (gross motor skills) vs. hand movement (fine motor skills). Ambrose was content to have toys placed around him; he would play for hours in one spot, manipulating with his hands.

Currently both boys are napping. Ambrose reads himself to sleep while Blaise turns, twists, pushes up against the side, cries out, needs to be rocked, before finally crashing into a nap. Note: we will be lowering the crib all the way down (currently just one slot from the very bottom anyways) for Blaise since he was trying to put his leg up to climb out the other day. Ambrose still asks us if he can get out of his bed.

It is funny how much the boys' take after us . . . I prefer to be moving, doing 10 things at a time (Blaise) while Damian is very content to sit and read (Ambrose). Of course that is a gross generalization because I too love to read and Damian loves to move (play hockey). And thus we see many similarities with the boys as well. Either way, isn't it fascinating?

Look at my little toes

Fire Chief Blaise

look only

After a consignment sale, this past Friday, at the VFW in Fairport we had to check out the machinery on their property; a helicopter and tank. Ambrose a bit taken back with the size kept pointing and naming the machinery. Blaise on the other hand would have climbed right up if he could have figured out a way to do so.

Mom? Well I wanted to climb into the seat, fly the helicopter, drive the tank . . .why just look?

This takes on a whole new perspective as a parent, I have to be the 'authority' and lay down the rules. When in reality all I want to do is the complete opposite! Can someone move the sign (no climbing please) for a minute so I can be a kid again?

what do you see?

I see a little boy who loves to be pushed (fast I might add) on this scooter. And one very tall looking young man (oh my gosh is that my boy Ambrose?) who loves to 'mow' the sidewalk.

I see a smiling little face with chubby cheeks sticking out of a hand-me-down hat. And a boy who knows his photo is being taken and isn't quite sure what to do with his mouth wearing a handmade hat by Aunt Sarah.

I see chubby little fingers gripping on waiting for the next ride. And larger fingers gripping his 'tools' ready to work (play).

I see a cuddly flannel jacket that I found at a garage sale on a little boy. And a cool bomber jacket that we are borrowing from a friend; notice the green pin (from his 'green' themed birthday party).

So many things to see . . . precious.

sleep my baby

Blaise is my 'sleep fighter'. Why give in to sleep when one has so many things to do?

I completely understand; as I try to fit as much into a day as possible. At night sometimes I read in bed to fit one more thing in for the day, only to have the book fall into my face or read the same paragraph five times before succumbing to sleep.

It is always interesting to us (Damian and I) what position we find the boys sleeping in. This afternoon, pictured above, one foot going and one foot twisted all around for Blaise.

two cute things

While reading the other day the topic came up about what Ambrose might want to be when he grows up. . . without hesitation he announced a librarian. How great!

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Tonight while swimming at the Y Ambrose swam a bit more by himself (with a swim vest on). Damian was showing him how to move his arms in a 'scooping' motion and described it as dipping chips. Ambrose coined the phrase 'not peanuts (that would be your hand in a fist instead of cupping your hand) but chip dippers'. So he swam around, smiling from ear to ear, laughing while saying it over and over.