library card

One of Ambrose's favorite authors is Dr. Seuss. We frequently are read There's a Wocket in my Pocket (he knows it by heart). And most mornings closet doors are opened and closed looking for 'wosets', bureaus are peeked into for 'nureaus' and pillows are overturned for 'zillows'. Rhyming has become a second language in our house.

Today at Strong Museum was a celebration in conjunction with 'Reading Across America'. We had the pleasure of attending a story time enveloping Dr. Seuss (and would you believe they read There's a Wocket in my Pocket). We made whimsical hats (paper formed over an upside down sand bucket) and even signed a giant 'Cat in the Hat' hat.

The best part though for Ambrose was he now 'qualifies' to receive his own library card (he can write his own name). He is now officially a library card holder! And what was the first book to be checked out? A Dr. Seuss book, I had trouble in getting to Solla Sollew.

Ambrose's library card

Whimsical hat modeled by Dad; One Fish, Two Fish shirt modeled by Ambrose

eleven

We had a group of friends over yesterday to celebrate Blaise's birthday; eleven kids to be exact. We originally met our friends at a story time at Brighton Library back when Ambrose was barely sitting up. Our group has grown from 5 kids to 13 (going on 14); which of course makes play dates very fun!

At Ambrose's suggestion we served pancakes for a mid morning breakfast/snack with oranges. And we were having so much fun playing we went right into lunch with peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and rice krispy treats.

Our group has been meeting fairly regularly on Wednesdays. Now with the oldest kids going to preschool, scheduling is becoming more challenging to see everyone - we also get together some Fridays. I certainly hope that we can continue to get the kids together (they are just now starting to 'play together') for years to come.

The birthday boy

Thomas, Alana, Ben & Ambrose 'riding to school'

playtime

eating lunch

reading across america

As a kid I didn't go many places without carrying a book, if there was a 'down minute' (riding in the car, waiting at an appointment, etc.) I filled it with reading. I was a pretty shy kid (although it may be hard to believe now) and books allowed me to dream. I'm sure my parents didn't enjoy the part where I would be so into a book that nothing else seemed to matter (i.e. getting ready to go somewhere, listening, etc.). Laura Ingalls Wilder, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Madeleine L'Engle and so many more favorite authors . . . after all there was no Harry Potter at that time.

Ambrose has fallen in love with reading. Any down moment he is running for a book, tugging on my hand to read a book, sitting on the couch reading aloud to himself and as soon as he is done with one book he wants to read more! Blaise has found a passion to knock the books off the table so that they are sprawled around the floor. He then crawls to them and using his cute chunky fingers haphazardly turns the pages, forward and back, back to forward.

We are celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday (3/2) this weekend by going to Strong Museum for a special weekend associated with 'Reading Across America'. We started early - as you can see 'reading across the living room'.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear - Eric Carle

Dr. Seuss

family fun night: dinosaurs

It started with dinosaurs roaming around during dinner. Does that dinosaur have an herbivore or a carnivore diet; what should we make for dinner?

Then on an archaeological dig in our living room, we found several different species of dinosaurs (currently there are over 330 described species and still growing). After finding our species (brown, green, blue or gray - very scientific you may note) we made dinosaur soap. Yes, soap.

Dinosaur soap

We later found dinosaurs roaming in our kitchen. Dirt (brown play dough) leveled with our special trowel (rolling pin from Ambrose's kitchen) for the many footprints left by our dinosaurs. And after all of that dirt play, right into the bathtub with those dinosaurs!

Aren't they extinct?

We enjoyed some books by one of our favorite authors Jan Yolen - How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon? As well as How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? and How Do Dinosaurs Count To Ten?

They may be extinct but that didn't stop lots of fun tonight!

Dinosaur Soap:
3 T hot water
plastic dinosaurs
3 T unflavored gelatin mix
1/3 c liquid bubble bath

Combine hot water w/gelatin and stir until it dissolves. Add bubble bath and pour mixture into plastic container. Drop the plastic dinosaurs in the mix. Put in refrigerator for 1 hour. Once it's hard, remove it from the container. Use a cookie cutter to cut shapes around the dinosaurs. Cover whatever you're not using with wax paper and refrigerate it.

Tip: You can make soap with all sorts of animals so let your imagination run wild!

similarities

Like father like son.

The eyes.

The analyzing.

The enjoyment of putting coins into a piggy bank, looking at maps and the game of hockey.

I found Ambrose and Damian in the living room watching a hockey game this afternoon after putting Blaise down for a nap. I ran over to give hugs and I was promptly told by Ambrose "Mommy, your blocking the hockey game". Well.

I wonder with so many similarities being 'seen' or imitated; what will the future hold? Maybe Ambrose will pick up a hockey stick and love the game as much as Daddy. Or how about playing an instrument like Mommy? Whatever the activity it will be fascinating to watch from early learning to accomplishments.

For now I will settle for great Daddy bonding time (and not stand in front of the TV!)

comforts

Winter is the enjoyment of: aromas filling the house from comfort foods - chili, soup, breads, etc. and eating them too! Snuggling under a blanket to read a good book, bundling up to go out in the snow, and so much more.

Our comforts during winter break this week: have been lying low at home (while nursing Ambrose's cough/flu), lots of hugs, cuddling with Blaise (as he cuts his 6th tooth), kisses from Blaise, (he just learned how to give kisses - mouth wide open & some tongue) and nourishing all of us!

Nourishing:

Ambrose = jello & toast

Blaise = anything he can get his hands on (toys, food, etc.)

Mommy & Daddy = special treat - Pumpkin Apple Bread - one word- yum!

Birds outside = special treat - Cheerios strung by Ambrose (sampled by Blaise)

*Pumpkin Apple Bread:

3 c flour (I used 1/2 whole wheat)

2 t cinnamon

2 t baking soda

1 1/2 t salt

3 c sugar

1 (15 oz can) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

4 eggs

1 c oil (I used canola)

1/2 c water

2 apples, peeled and chopped

*I added 3/4 c sliced almonds

Combine flour, cinnamon, soda and salt, set aside. Mix together sugar and pumpkin. Add eggs, oil and water. Add dry ingredients. Fold in apples. Bake in greased bread pans at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (mine took almost 80 min). Makes 2 loaves. From Democrat & Chronicle

indoor garden

We have accumulated a number of seed catalogs. The colorful pictures that lie inside show a bounty of vegetables, herbs and flowers. These images enter into one's mind to tempt ones gardening gene - the gene that causes one to over order from the catalog since there is a need to experiment with new varieties while leaning on the old. While flipping the pages and making a list, crossing out and adding to . . . the desire for fresh beans (well fresh anything really!) right off the vine is tremendous.

My bud Ambrose who is also enamored with the seed catalogs loves flipping through and naming the vegetables. He made an 'indoor' garden today using an a seed catalog. He cut out his choice of vegetables, herbs and flowers and taped them on Popsicle sticks. He stuck each Popsicle stick into his 'garden'. If only it was this easy . . .

Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been,
I have great faith in a seed.

Convince me that you have a seed there,

and I am prepared to expect wonders.

-Henry David Thoreau

I anticipate numerous wonders as soon I will begin to propagate a number of seeds . . .stay tuned for more details (and photos).