Nanner Time

Today Lucy tried bananas. Based on her facial expressions, she does not like bananas.

Rather than throw them away (I did spend 30 seconds or so mashing them) I decided to break out the high chair tray and see what she would do with it.

She spread them around with her fingers, used her spoon to try to pick some up and feed herself.

It bought me 10 minutes of time to do some much needed dishes. Then I spent the next 40 giving her and the high chair a bath.

Sincerely, Karleen E

Dear Gerber,

I am the proud parent of a near 6 month old. She is a vivacious little lady, with a passion for your pureed foods.

For the last month we have been systematically introducing her to your products. She is very welcoming of the tastes and textures, I have not had any trouble getting her to eat any of them.

My problem, however, is her latest food trial. Yesterday we introduced her to prunes. She enjoyed them immensely, and thoroughly devoured the entire container.

My husband and I are the ones who are concerned for her and the animalistic behavior that followed her ingestion of your product. Several hours after eating your product she displayed characteristics that I did not know were capable of a human being.

Therefore, I am proposing you put a warning label on the side of your organic prunes, warning parents of the possible dangers of feeding this food to their infants.

Please consider my request seriously, as I do not want other parents to unknowingly venture into the foul depths of this product without first understanding the implications of their actions.

Sincerely,

Karleen E

One for the Team

I don't know how most people keep their closets clean. Over the years I've discovered what works for me is a huge purge every spring and fall. At that time I also rotate out seasonal stuff for me and the kids (Turbo refuses to do this, so he always has a ton of crap everywhere. crap that continually frustrates me when I am trying to get to my tiny sliver of closet space.)

Yesterday we went through the closets and dressers again for our spring purge. If it fits, we keep it. If it doesn't, we donate (or this year put it in a garage sale pile. got to save the boobies, ya know!). Winter wear gets bagged up for next fall, summer things are brought back out.

The kids hate doing this. I make them try everything on and choose what stays or goes. Sometimes we argue over a shirt that is way too small or a sweater that has never been worn. They complain, but I always win. It's a privilege only parents have.

When I get to my closet I am usually eager to pull out all of the forgotten treasures from the previous season. This year I am more than welcoming of shorts and tanks, skirts and tees.

Then I started to try them on.

I was smacked with a harsh realization. Last year all of my summer things remained bagged, minus a handful of large tops and dresses. With a growing Lucy in my belly, I bought a new wardrobe to house the extra lbs I was carrying around. The clothes in my summer pile were 2 years old, and I found out, at least 2 sizes too small.

Not that I have retained a lot of weight (only 5 pounds, so I'm not complaining considering the amount I put on...). But my shape is different. My hips are curvier, my bottom a little wider. I'm missing a little in the chest area, one step closer to losing them altogether.

Part of me wanted to collapse on the bed and cry when my fave capri's produced a muffin top fit for your run of the mill trashy college bar maid. The tiny little baseball tees I collected on my honeymoon (and have worn every summer since, creating the most comfy and sentimental clothing items I own) only enhanced my new 'features' and led to more frustration. I wouldn't even try on the bikini's. I know they are now a distant part of my past, items for a 20-something, not a 30+ mom of 3.

I complained a little to the open ears around the house. Then figured I might as well accept the new me. I can try to diet, start to exercise more, watch what I eat. I can become one of those people that holds on to their skinny clothes, hoping for someday.

Or I can trash my old pants and get new ones. I can always find a creative way to keep my meaningful tees.

Rex vs. the Italian

Biggest Sandwich Ever...

Birthday Bash

It's not every day you turn 80,
but you'd never know that looking at my grandpa.

We celebrated his milestone with a beautiful family dinner, put together by my lovely grandma. There was plenty of food & wine, a few speeches, many laughs.

Since I was busy tending to Lucy and catching up with aunts and cousins, Nate snapped most of the photos.

The boy does a pretty good job!

And Then There Was Two

I can't say that blogging is any 'new' obsession for me. Nor can I say that about crafting. I adore both and spend way too much time on them to be considered anything near healthy.

As I said last week I created a new space in my chaotic world for both. It is no where near perfect, and I'm learning very quickly that doing and sharing are very different. (Remember every detail of a project? I can hardly remember what my name is half of the time.) Regardless of these self inflicted headaches, I am excited about this new adventure.

And so, without further ado....I give you Halfty Crafty. Named after my incredible ability to pull off darn good things with half @ss effort, it is the place I will go to share ideas, tricks, and food.

It is a work in progress and still needs some TLC in the presentation area, but I'll get to that. (Still have to talk to PK. I've been busy and I know she's busy too...or maybe she's making me sweat out that bribe comment I made?...you can have whatever you want...diamonds, pearls, the children...ok, not any of the the children...just the boys...)

Beautiful Day

Today was gorgeous.

We played outside, a lot. Rex and I picked the perfect spot for our new summer activity, an herb garden to compliment the huge veggie one already in the yard. We smelled the daffodils, picked the first dandelion, shook out the last of the seeds from the yucca plants (Rex loves to do this because of the sounds they make rattling all over the place). Nate got out his clubs and started to hit golf balls into the swamp, startling our new friends Mr. & Mrs. Mallard out of their afternoon swim. Lucy wore an adorable little blue dress, without tights or socks. Her first encounter with fresh grass was welcomed with a smile and continuous babbles.

Spring has been a long time coming. We're determined to savor it now that it is here.

Just before 6 I wrapped up my dinner post. I was getting up from the computer when I felt an odd sensation on my upper arm. Like a strand of hair grazing my skin ever so gently. I looked over my shoulder, and there it was. Darn near the only thing that could possibly ruin my perfect day.

A little black bug. It's teardrop shape identifiable to every outdoorsy person in the midwest. A tick.

I killed it. Ran my hands over every inch of my body in record time. Searched Lucy. Then Rex. Forced Nate to check out himself. Ran my hands over Otis. Did it again, a little more thoroughly. (The idiot couldn't have been happier to have me freak out in this manner.) I took a shower, convinced I could still feel it crawling all over me.

I don't want to go outside tomorrow. I know there are more of them lurking near the swamp. They are probably talking about ways to thwart my next outdoor adventure right now. Planning, conniving, little blood suckers.

Turbo thinks I'm nuts. He went to the basement and turned on the Cubs. Whatev. Not like they ever craw on him. If they did he'd see. Then he'd understand.