Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Tuesday Tunes



Lost In My Mind - The Head & The Heart

Put your dreams away for now
I won’t see you for some time
I am lost in my mind
I get lost in my mind

Momma once told me
You’re already home where you feel love
I am lost in my mind
I get lost in my mind

Oh my brother
Your wisdom is all that I need
Oh my brother
Don’t you worry ‘bout me
Don’t you worry
Don’t you worry
Don’t worry about me

How’s that bricklayin’ coming
How’s your engine running
Is that bridge getting built
Are your hands getting filled

Won’t you tell me my brother
Cause there are stars up above
We can start moving forward

How’s that bricklayin’ coming
How’s your engine running
Is that bridge getting built
Are your hands getting filled

Won’t you tell me my brother
Cause there are stars up above
We can start moving forward

Lost in my mind
Lost in my mind
Oh I get Lost in my mind
Lost, I get lost, I get lost in my mind
Lost in my mind
Yes I get lost in my mind
Lost, I get lost, I get lost
Oh I get lost
Oh I get


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

Pick Apart
The Pieces of Your Heart
And Let Me Peer Inside


Hearts A Mess - Gotye






Monday, November 21, 2011

Spaces - May The Force Be With Me

There are all sorts of special places and items inside a home. I've decided to start trying to do a new "series" here about some of the spaces in our home. I'm going to start with a silly one, because it's Monday, and who doesn't need a little chuckle on a Monday?

Tonight, I was cleaning up after dinner, wiping down the counters and I spotted something behind the soap dispenser. I thought it was a wrapper or a piece of an envelope at first. Oh no, it was not. It was the one and only....Princess Leia! Not Ewok Leia, but the quintessential
Hair Buns Leia! I took this as a sign that she was meant to be in my kitchen, why else would one of my children's toys have wound up on the kitchen counter, far away from all the other Star Wars figures?

It's clear she's meant to be here watching over things. Making sure no one puts rubber bands on my sprayer, that there is soap in the pump. I mean, why else does she have that rocking gun? I really wish that the gun was full of compressed air and could take care of the dust on my window sill. Of course, I could do that with a damp cloth too, but it's not nearly as fun as using an action figure. House cleaning action figures? I may be onto something big here... (Or just really overtired from a fun weekend)



Anyway, I did what any geeky mom would do. Instead of returning her, only to be lost again in the overflowing bin of Galactic Heroes, I placed her in a secure location. It happens to have a good visual of the surroundings and high potential to make me laugh when I'm doing the chore I hate most. I think she looks perfect here. It has to beat Jabba's Palace!

And yes, I would SO buy that Galactic Hero version of her too.

Friday, November 18, 2011

This Moment

A moment from the week that made me smile, laugh, cry - a moment I don't want to forget.
Thanks to SouleMama for the weekly inspiration!


Froggy, biggest brother's bed & a movie - the best medicine in the house evidently. At least for the toddler population.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Just Keep Swimming

Thanks to a post on Tasty Kitchen I was inspired to try to make our own Goldfish crackers. We made our first batch was a few weeks ago and it turned out pretty well, so I decided to make more this week. This time with the aid of little hands. They're incredibly simple, only four ingredients, no preservatives and we always have the ingredients on hand. Plus, it's one of the few foods the kids can help with and not make a bigger mess.




They're also customizable! We made fish, circles and triangle cracker cutters, and Nate made a few 6s. (Another benefit of homeschooling - see how you can LEARN while doing something? Something fun, with your family? I'll leave that for another post though. ahem)


We made these on a Tuesday, with the idea that we'd have plenty to bring with us to the park the next day. These poor fish didn't swim very far. They barely made it through the afternoon. Guess we'll be making a double batch next time.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Sleepy Syda

Syda really only has an on/off switch. Which is why she's capable of falling asleep anywhere and generally does fall asleep wherever she happens to be when the fatigue takes hold. For whatever reason, she tends to fall asleep on the rug on the kitchen floor in front of the sink. We are not even attempting to understand this. Cause really - if there is a specific reason she likes to sleep there, I'm not sure I want to know what it is.

She also sleeps curled in a ball on her belly, for security maybe? It makes for a very sad photo because she looks like a defeated 2 year old who has given the most epic, convincing tantrum of her life to no avail. She has given into the exhaustion of the tantrum and fallen asleep where she stood, just moments ago, arguing her point. This is NEVER the case though. She just feels comfy that way. The thing is, it's much easier to believe that when you see her sleeping in her footie jammies in her warm bed - not so much in food stained shirts on the linoleum floor.


Near her brother's shoe - why not? Totoro's there to protect her, no worries.



Strategic placement - she's blocking the trash and the sink in one move. It was a hard afternoon for me, really.



Note her UNused pillow that she brought to the couch herself. Also, how do you sleep sitting up and not get a sore neck?



NOT a tantrum. She slept her peacefully for 90 minutes today.



Office chairs are so versatile!



Even the lollipop in her hand was no match for "The Rug". Maybe it's Lavender scented and doused with opiates?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

So itʼs storming on the lake
Little waves our bodies break
There’s a fire going out



Calgary - Bon Iver
Don’t you cherish me to sleep
Never keep your eyelids clipped
Hold me for the pops and clicks
I was only for the father’s crib

Hair, old, long along
Your neck onto your shoulder blades
Always keep that message taped
Cross your breasts you won’t erase
I was only for your very space

Hip, under nothing
Propped up by your other one, face ‘way from the sun
Just have to keep a dialogue
Teach our bodies: haunt the cause
I was only trying to spell a loss

Joy, it’s all founded

Pincher with the skin inside
You pinned me with your black sphere eyes
You know that all the rope’s untied
I was only for to die beside

So itʼs storming on the lake
Little waves our bodies break
There’s a fire going out,
But there’s really nothing to the south

Swollen orange and light let through
Your one piece swimmer stuck to you
Sold, I’m Ever
Open ears and open eyes
Wake up to your starboard bride
Who goes in and then stays inside
Oh the demons come, they can subside

Monday, November 14, 2011

Wild Pratts: Garter Snake

Our boys won't let Martin & Chris have all the fun. It's a happy coincidence that their last names are so similar, and a point of pride for Ben & Nate. The Wild Pratts recently discovered a Garter Snake in the yard and spent a good hour watching him. Very closely. He didn't do much, but that doesn't matter to young boys who are enjoying the new animals that come with having a yard.


(*It looks like Nate is pestering and poking the snake in some pics, but I assure you no snake was harmed in the making of this post)








Saturday, November 12, 2011

Wishing


My little knitting wishlist. All via KnitPicks of course! I cannot recommend them enough if you're a knitter or crocheter. They have beautiful, affordable yarn in so many weights and hues. Their customer service is also the best I've ever encountered at any retailer. The best! I'd like to write more but I really must go get my knit on before kiddos wake up and come looking for breakfast.


Friday, November 4, 2011

This Moment

Just one photo, no words. A moment from the week that I want to save. Thanks to SouleMama for inspiring such a great Friday tradition.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Tuesday Tunes



Like Ashes To Fire
Rise Higher
Let It All Be All Right
The Need and Desire
Will Require It to Be All Right





Ashes & Fire - Ryan Adams (Title track of his new album)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Trick Received....Now Where's Our Treat?


Living in New England, we expect a cold Halloween. We're well versed in layering beneath costumes or having a good, heavy, warm winter coat to wear over your costume - opening it just enough so people can see what you are at each house in exchange for candy. This is when a mask or face paint can really come in handy. Stay warm and earn your loot. But, we don't usually have to prepare for snow. Temperatures that would be conducive to snow? Sure. But snow itself? Nah. The idea of Trick or Treat being postponed because of power outages thanks to snow? Slipping on snowy sidewalks? Getting your toddler's stroller stuck in icy snow? Are you teasing us? It's Maine, not Alaska.

But this year, that's just what happened. Tim had been watching the forecast for a few days during the middle of last week and was concerned about keeping the kids warm enough in their costumes. Legitimate concern and pretty typical for us. Then, as the weekend got closer Tim started worrying about rain and by Friday - he was worried about snow. It took me about five minutes to join him. Sure enough, Saturday afternoon snow started flying. We settled in with some Halloween cartoons and just as the last one was about to finish, the power went out.

Our power came back Sunday night just an hour shy of being out for 24 hours. But the damage had been done. Trick or Treat had been postponed, our children's dreams of bags full of candy were ruined, getting to show off the impressive costumes Tim had spent hours making for ALL of us was gone. But the thing is, none of us seemed too upset. The shear bliss of having heat again put us all over the moon and the promise of rescheduled Trick or Treat eased the boys' fears of a Halloween Without Candy! Really, when you're 8 and 5 that is a pretty terrifying thought.

So, tonight we ventured out in full costumes and got our Halloween Haul. Pics and a post of that to come. For now, a documentation of the first Halloween With Snow, that I can remember in our neck of the woods. Also, to our friends and neighbors who may still be without power, we hope it's back on very soon! This is such a January move, October! Not cool.


The front yard on Tuesday.



The front yard Sunday.



One of the best things about no power is the sight of book lights and lanterns glowing bright while the boys curl up in sleeping bags and take off to distant lands. Currently, Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix and When You Give A Pig A Pancake are very useful to distract from no power and no heat.



Also, we LOVE the Cloud b Constellation Night Lights! They help light up ceilings at bedtime, and are great during a power outage. We turned our living room into a Planetarium with thousands of stars and constellations to seek out. (Thank you Adventure Uncle & Awesome Auntie!)

Friday, October 28, 2011

This Moment

A picture, no words. A moment from the week that I want to remember.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Snow


The view from our front door tonight. Leaves, pumpkins, and snow.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Walking


Fall is certainly here in our little neck of the woods. What better time to get out and explore a bit? Since moving into our home in July we've been consumed by outside chores, like raking, building a pen for the bunnies, cutting down trees, planting bushes...the list goes on. One thing we hadn't done, but kept intending to, was to explore our little patch of woods a bit. On Tuesday, with the sun shining down on us and the autumn wind making our cheeks pink, we set out for a look around.

We're only on an acre of land, which may not be a lot to some and an abundance to others. For us, it's heavenly and is certainly more than the driveway we had at our apartment. Behind our house is a nice section of forest that spreads for a bit before opening onto a neighbor's yard and road. Certainly plenty for my three pioneers to explore. Ben has already declared that he and Nate need to build a fort out here and is waiting for the next sunny day to start collecting branches and pick a site. I think this spot looks ideal.


We found all sorts of interesting specimens, like red berries, deer poop (yay! We have deer!), trees bent from Irene's visit this summer, an old wooden fence and a large variety of mushrooms. Or is that Lichen technically? I really need to get some field guides at the library tomorrow.



The best things we found: enthusiasm, curiosity, fun, adventure and contentment in OUR backyard.









Tuesday Tunes

We waste time on blame and weak revenge
Waste energy and projections
We're living proof, we gotta let go
And stop looking through the halo





Feist's new album, Metals is out now, I'm waiting patiently to borrow a copy from our library. Patiently....patiently....patiently. In the meantime, I'm so enjoying watching some live performances while she's out promoting the new tunes. She also did a great interview on Morning Edition a few weeks back. (Where I first heard this song and got it stuck in my head)

How Come You Never Go There - Feist
How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

I went up to a window
Lightning banging on the cymbals
I ripped into the night
Came storm into your eyes

My horse had worked the fields too long
My bear had lost its innate calm
It's true enough we're not at peace
But peace is never what it seems

Our love is not the light it was
When I walk inside the dark I'm calm
Where we look for where we went
It's only echoes in the melody

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

We waste time on blame and weak revenge
Waste energy and projections
We're living proof, we gotta let go
And stop looking through the halo

We carry on as if our time is through
You carry on as if I don't love you
And so we find the way is out
To cut the heart out of the doubt now

The room's full but hearts are empty
Like the letters never sent me
Words are like a lasso
You're an instrumental tune

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

How come you never go there?
How come I'm so alone there?

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Two!


Syda turned 2 today. She's still such a peanut and very much a full fledged toddler at the same time. She's such an adventurous kiddo, more so than either of her brothers at this age. At her checkup a few weeks ago our doctor reminded me that two is the age when most kids start to realize that they are their own person, separate from mom, dad and siblings. It's both exhilarating and terrifying for the two year old. It's the same emotions for this mama of a two year old. There is a part of me that is so excited to see Syda growing, exploring and expressing herself, and there is a part of me that is shocked that she's not a baby anymore.



She's a full fledged toddler now and I'm loving (almost) every minute of it. I know the toddler stage has its share of challenges, but it really is my favorite stage of having a young child. Syda is showing us more and more of her personality and boy is there a lot to see. I'm so looking forward to seeing what this year holds for her and us, as we have the privilege of sharing it with her. Happy Birthday Syda!!!! We love you!!!


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Tuesday Tunes


Dear Syda,
Happy 2nd Birthday! (almost) Let's enjoy the few days of 1 that are left, you're growing up so fast! All parents say that, (especially mamas) but it's really true in your case. I mean it. Slow down, I'm exhausted.

Love,
Mama

We are one and that's wonderful
You are you and there's never gonna be anyone like you
Never gonna be anyone like you
Never gonna be anyone like you


Friday, September 23, 2011

This Moment

A Friday ritual. A single photo from our week that captures a moment I want to remember. Many thanks for the inspiration to SouleMama.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

I could only dream of the dreams we'd have
How our hearts would be entwined
If you would let me be the one
To open up your mind


The new album, "The Whole Love" comes out a week from today (the 27th). Pre-order your copy now. Do it! Now!


Open Your Mind - Wilco

Friday, September 16, 2011

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Five



Five. 5! Five! Nate turns five today. With each child's birthday, I'm surprised that another entire year has passed. It feels especially important this year since it's Nate's fifth birthday. There is just something about being five that screams independence and signals growing up. It is the official entrance into 'Big Kid' territory.


Nate seems to know this. The past few weeks he's been very proud of all the big changes headed his way this year. He's thoroughly enjoying being a Kindergartner and he asks to take out his workbooks before he's had any breakfast each day. (and before I've had any tea) He's been making cards for cousins and friends, practicing his letters and taking pride in his ability to share messages with his favorite people. The biggest marker for me as Mama, is seeing his growing independence. He's begun to tag along with Ben and his friends at the playground, he takes great care of Syda and always tries to help her, he seems to go out of his way to make Tim & I laugh each day with a joke or silly face. He's become such a dynamic personality. He's not just the baby brother anymore. He's a kid. A wonderful, funny, kind, loving, fearless, wild, sweet, adorable kid. We're so lucky he's a part of our family. Happy birthday Nate!!!




Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

To Nate,
With much love, a bit of shock, a dose of pride and endless gratitude for being born into our family five years ago this week.
Love,
Mama

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer
Every day in every way
It's getting better and better
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy


Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Tuesday Tunes

For Tim,
With love, on the eve of his --th Birthday.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

This Moment

A weekly ritual. No words, just a picture capturing a moment from our week that I want to remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Tuesday Tunes



And when you come back uptown
Remember not to look for me there
I give you one more change to make it better
But you don't seem to care





Ten-Twenty-Ten - Generationals

When I need it so bad
Why do you not come to defend
Is there any way to tell me
That you're gonna be a terrible friend

You remind me of a distant constellation
The way you color it up
But don't let me touch

So now you wanna know
Is that important
Well maybe now
And it just depends
It just depends

And when you come back uptown
Remember not to look for me there
I give you one more chance to make it better
But you don't seem to care


You pretend to be accosted by tradition
And now you cover it up
Tell me you don't
Well now you wanna know
Is nothing sacred?
And I don't wanna have to compare
They don't compare

When I see your friends
They say it's in my head
All my friends seem to think
You might leave me for dead

I don't remember if it's coastal complication
It keeps leaving it out
And color it up
And if you wanna know
I won't confront you
With all the stupid things
That you said

Monday, August 22, 2011

Fair Times

This weekend our town hosted its annual fair. It's a small town fair, with booths featuring local crafters, businesses, food vendors and games. There was a collection of bounce houses, a rock wall and a huge inflated slide. There was an antique car show, a parade full of sirens and lights and floats. The highlight for us was the kids Doll Carriage and Bike Parade. All kids 8 and under were encouraged to decorate their bikes or doll carriages and participate in the parade.

Nate was more than enthusiastic about being a part of this. He decided he wanted his bike to become a rocket, which is fitting since his bike is actually a Huffy Rock It. Tim outfitted the bike with cardboard, tape and zip ties to secure a great rocket frame and Nate & Ben decorated it. (and the front steps a bit)

The day of the parade was 85, sunny and without a breeze to be felt most of the day. Nate buckled up and rode his bike through it, right to 3rd place!!! The rest of the day was filled with time in bounce houses, obstacle courses, some classic games and cooling off with Sno Cones. I have to say, this small town is really starting to feel like home.






The winners in mid-ride. The Pilot at the top of the picture came in first, then the cowgirl and her horse, and then our astronaut and his rocket!









*Ben was with us. We had a scheduling mishap and Ben & Tim had to join us after the Bike Parade. Ben was disappointed about missing it and the fair itself may have been smaller than he had hoped. The heat sure didn't help generate much enthusiasm either - BUT a visit with friends afterwards and a long afternoon spent swimming in their pool certainly did.