tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70179707985189342332012-02-16T21:14:26.219-06:00bearing witness to the fleeting moments of growing two little girls, an edible backyard, a baby-to-be, chickens, and a novelSarahnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6131100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-88022884401064491732011-07-08T09:04:00.002-05:002011-07-14T08:06:09.438-05:00

Growing with Girls has been reborn over at Everyday Inklings, as the "girls" moniker is now a bit outdated.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-88935995349194139202011-06-30T13:57:00.001-05:002011-06-30T14:00:03.411-05:00

He's only 5 days old, and he's already had us worrying. Not that it's his fault of course. So far he is the perfect representation of the easy-going baby I signed up for. He eats like a champ, happily snuggles the day away, and sleeps whenever he's not snacking or peeking at his new sister-filled, energetic world. We're all madly in love and marveling at every coo and squeak and newborn,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-88720656390591000632011-06-27T13:25:00.001-05:002011-06-27T13:26:40.634-05:00

Little Max joined us Saturday! After a week of fits and starts, it occurred to me around 4 that we might want to think about heading to the hospital. By 6:10, only 40 minutes after checking in, Max was in our arms. He is beautiful. At 8 pounds 11 ounces and 23 1/4 inches long, he's definitely our biggest baby. He alternately looks like Joe, Maya, and Elliot, depending on the light and our mood.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-23946573156773772412011-06-23T14:33:00.002-05:002011-06-23T17:03:13.147-05:00

Baby, baby, baby..... that's all we're thinking over here. I'm officially at 39 weeks, so a week or two can still be expected.... except Elliot was two weeks early.... and I've been having semi-regular contractions since SUNDAY! That's FIVE DAYS. They're distracting, to say the least, and my oh-so-poetic attempt to close out every day as if a chapter was ending has now become an endless ritual of

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-1397040540511383162011-06-21T13:28:00.002-05:002011-06-22T18:45:25.067-05:00

Out of the shadow of her big sister, Elle can sometimes be timid. Shocking, I know, from such a brave, curious, assertive little girl. But without her sister, she seems a little untethered. Until today. She took to her first soccer camp with the natural spunk she always has in our own backyard. Too bad big sister's class was canceled due to rain. They will be quite the pair!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-82104433101806667212011-06-19T19:11:00.002-05:002011-06-19T20:14:56.484-05:00

We celebrated Father's Day with pony rides at Bunker Hill. And a giant brunch. And meandering, bug-catching travels through a new park. But it wasn't just for the sake of Father's Day. With Pip's arrival seemingly imminent (but possibly still 2 weeks away!), we have been trying to close out each day with a sense of fulfillment, as if to say, "And thus ends this chapter." For example,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-15892954393739253842011-06-19T14:16:00.000-05:002011-06-19T14:16:59.414-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-61066603049142892102011-06-19T14:13:00.000-05:002011-06-19T14:13:09.243-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-28164090664235342582011-06-17T15:35:00.000-05:002011-06-17T15:35:41.853-05:00

Given that we're at the "any time now" stage, we're packing in as much summer now as we can. It's such an add perspective, to be both childishly eager to meet the baby and grateful for these free, warm days of unscheduled time. Our most constructive projects were these lovely little pillows. The girls gathered flowers and leaves around the yard and arranged them on one half of a spare piece of

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-37749292819220230952011-06-16T07:32:00.000-05:002011-06-16T07:32:18.472-05:00

These much longed for lazy days are such a gift. My mom even came up for a bit to remind me to keep my feet up while she played with the girls. Contrary to popular opinion, we are in no great rush. Pip can join us whenever he's ready, and until then, we relax... and speculate!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-87060988843761002892011-06-12T20:05:00.001-05:002011-06-12T20:09:03.175-05:00

As it turns out, hosting a low key birthday party for ten six-year-olds is both fun and easy! Especially with a little help from out of town guests! Just prepare one garden party cake, complete with oreo dirt and a variety of gummy flowers, bugs, and butterflies. Start out with a rousing game of Bumble Bee Tag... Followed by Pin the Dot on the Lady Bug (incidentally, making this was a

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-63203848500724531482011-06-07T17:31:00.001-05:002011-06-07T17:33:43.004-05:00

I didn't anticipate choking up at the end of kindergarten. The first days were obviously full of adjustments and reflections, but by the end, shouldn't we be jaded old pros at this elementary school thing? After the delightfully silly concert, Mrs. Johnson ushered us all back to her classroom where she had prepared a DVD compilation of  this year's activities set to the tunes of It's a Wonderful

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-19248762822842829652011-06-05T21:19:00.000-05:002011-06-05T21:19:42.816-05:00

After six years of working to inspire a love of the outdoors, all Maya wanted to do this birthday is go camping. Hooray! She loves bug hunting, long hikes, and sleeping in a tent; mission accomplished. Of course, this year that means fulfilling her birthday wish while sporting the curvy, less-than-ergonomically-designed figure of a woman in her 36th week of pregnancy! Hiking boots are tough

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-12867039545043517802011-06-01T07:49:00.001-05:002011-06-02T09:44:12.338-05:00

If only I had a picture of each girl on a her roller coaster. Joe took them both out on special days over the past week or so, Maya to the Mall of America to and Elle to Como town. Somehow they have both grown tall enough to ride the roller coasters at their respective amusement parks (Como is geared more for littles, but even so this was Elle's first coaster). I'm about to take Elle on her

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-84794302027636522872011-05-27T07:51:00.000-05:002011-05-27T07:51:48.874-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-38911308551728506152011-05-25T14:36:00.000-05:002011-05-25T14:36:18.614-05:00

Life was a little simpler. Well, a lot actually. We had given ourselves over to the slow, slow pace of the Jamaican beach, reveling in water and sun by day and the piano bar by night. And in the middle of one  glorious afternoon, we got married. We were so very young. We had so many, many firsts ahead of us. First apartment together. First jobs. First home. First baby.... and then so many

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-60286843157086935492011-05-23T20:53:00.000-05:002011-05-23T20:53:20.712-05:00

Never has a child been so enthralled with King Tut... or the ancient Egyptian toilet seat. Never before has a pregnant woman had to beg her (nearly) six year old to stop doing science experiments so she (the mom, not the kid) could go take a nap. This weekend we were short one child, and while we certainly missed our deliciously energetic Elliot, it was wonderful to get some one and only time

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-59555269574211185082011-05-20T13:45:00.001-05:002011-05-20T17:39:30.351-05:00

I'm still chuckling as I write this.... and it happened a week ago! We (meaning Joe... of course... critters are his area of specialization) caught a mouse in the garage way back in March.  Better the garage than the house, of course, but EEEW. Upon making the discovery, I immediately channeled my mother, explaining in near hysterics that "there is never just ONE mouse." "MORE TRAPS," I

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-86856953312853376502011-05-19T14:19:00.000-05:002011-05-19T14:19:58.540-05:00

Clearly, we are making the most of these spring days!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-20269199018923277872011-05-17T14:33:00.001-05:002011-05-17T14:33:56.393-05:00

No one is more gleeful about spring and the attendant end to hibernation than these kids. This crew has already packed in a few adventures (only one was unsanctioned) and summer isn't even underway yet. When one 8, two 6s, one 5, one 4, and one 2 year old have the run of the cul de sac, we adults are equally likely to spend a relaxing afternoon observing from a sunny blanket or (perhaps more

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-49367984880199254272011-05-15T09:16:00.000-05:002011-05-15T09:16:31.482-05:00

We have between 5 and 7 weeks before our little newcomer bursts onto the scene, and we couldn't be more excited! I might be the only person in the world that enjoys these last weeks, uncomfortable as they can be. The are full of anticipation, of planning, of day dreams. They are the very essence of a pregnant pause.    Elliot is as enthralled with her mobile as she was when she was an infant

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-85574576284168110832011-05-11T13:50:00.000-05:002011-05-11T13:50:04.662-05:00

Thanks to Joe's love of the library, our family has stumbled on the most creative and hilarious children's author yet. Check out David Wiesner's author page for a sampling of his many Caldecott winners (Maya's prerequisite these days).These books are short on words and high on illustrated adventure. Now Elle can take a turn reading stories to us! Tuesday, is especially hilarious, full of the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-69852079279822270772011-05-10T20:35:00.001-05:002011-05-10T20:36:53.491-05:00

Oh, my aching feet! We have devoured this pseudo summer day, not wasting a moment in the house. Elle and I were two kindred spirits in the forest this morning. We discovered two new trails in our favorite park. We watched a doe and her fawn dash across a pond and a rather large toad hop lazily across the bike trail.  Elle will be an excellent camper! For more than two hours she was an eager

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-46144661077896795472011-05-03T14:05:00.000-05:002011-05-03T14:05:22.424-05:00

While still not balmy, this morning's sunny and 48 degrees brought our smiles back. Both girls demanded to be free by 8 AM, so the backyard has been a busy place. And looking back, we have hit all of the spring milestones, even if the in between times have been marked by drizzly imprisonment. We dropped off our annual May baskets around the block before heading to South Dakota. The

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-51365494477982623472011-05-02T14:28:00.001-05:002011-05-02T19:44:49.441-05:00

Snowflakes? Really? I realize blogging about the weather is less than worthless, but here we are again, captives in our own house. Watching the grass grow tall enough to mow before we even get a chance to get any grass stains. When we do try to get outside, the chickens don't even bother leaving the warmth of their coop. The kids are cold after 15 minutes and we all end up back inside! The

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-14308392662485833762011-04-25T20:20:00.002-05:002011-04-26T10:52:21.665-05:00

What's spring without a few new additions? The coop has stood empty for far too long, so Maya and Joe headed East in search of new inhabitants. They returned with the most entertaining assembly, four full-sized, shockingly athletic hens and four itty bitty bantams. They were utterly terrified when they arrived, but after just a few days, the found their niche. Some are snugglers (strange but

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-39408328980356890642011-04-24T08:33:00.000-05:002011-04-24T08:33:56.037-05:00

This morning's outdoor Easter egg hunt was everything they had hoped for! Yesterday's egg coloring and nest-making project was a fun family event too! At our house, for obvious reasons, Happy Easter is synonymous with Happy Spring. The bunny, the brightly colored eggs, the crafts, and the backyard hunt are all celebrations of rebirth and the sense of renewal that comes each spring. No

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-20813923720745591262011-04-18T10:17:00.001-05:002011-04-18T10:48:43.957-05:00

What in the world will we call this baby? Not on our list: Joe Junior, anything requiring a matching mullet (see the cast of the show Earl), anything made up, and anything requiring us to fake a stronger connection to Norway than a general appreciation for lefse and for the trek made by our great-grandparents. We like Max so very much, but our neighbor's dog and my Aunt's dog share that name...

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-34328279580275130732011-04-18T10:02:00.000-05:002011-04-18T10:02:41.119-05:00

Maya prefers to do things in her own time. I've heard that some kids thrive best if pushed or prodded in the right direction. Not my Maya. Not Ever. We learned that with the potty training fiasco of 2007-2008. We've learned it in a hundred different ways since. Still, we're parents, we can't help but nudge a little. So last August when all of Maya's friends raced past on big kid bikes, we

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-64186462756318957372011-04-14T10:03:00.000-05:002011-04-14T10:03:38.592-05:00

I am no artist. My horse drawings are nearly indistinguishable from Maya's; my renditions of other animals are interchangeable. Somehow the sense of proportion and perspective inherent in my grandmother and my mother skipped me. Now, I'm not saying my girls have much more artistic ability than I do, that remains to be seen. But I am impressed by their efforts to express themselves artistically.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-26291544302919299022011-04-12T14:27:00.000-05:002011-04-12T14:27:30.177-05:00

Ahh, the babymoon. An advent of the modern tourism industry, surely, designed to eek the last bit of travel money out of us parents-to-be before all travel stops for a bit. Given time considerations and, um baby-girth-to-airline-seat ratios, we opted to drive north instead of fly south like the rest of the world. As always, Superior was a balm to the soul. We found a wonderful hike nearby,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-90029550222226997852011-04-06T14:16:00.000-05:002011-04-06T14:16:32.764-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-38209829650323443082011-03-30T09:11:00.000-05:002011-03-30T09:11:35.008-05:00

No time to write! Elle's busy entertaining herself with an animal/train city. I'm nesting. Is it a bit early? Sure. But I began spring cleaning after the last cold snap, and the girls' room just sort of happened. I had little time to get choked up over their big move downstairs (no more little snuggly bodies finding my bed in the early morning.... they snuggle each other and read books until

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-1165467550852373762011-03-23T13:24:00.001-05:002011-03-23T13:26:44.687-05:00

Yeah, the title is a direct quote from Elliot Rose. She has been on a real "why" and "how do you make" kick lately, trying to figure out the origins of things. Apparently she has solved the mystery of the belly button. We're still working on how do you make light bulbs and how do you make jars and the ever-popular where do babies come from. Clearly, this search for origins has its roots in

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-64002475367504137122011-03-21T13:03:00.001-05:002011-03-21T13:28:47.994-05:00

Amid the kids' coughs and my own conspicious, involuntary silence, we did manage to have some fun last week. When the warm March sun lit up our deck on Wednesday, we escaped for a little sun and a whole new vantage point. Who knew just a bit of new square footage could turn two lethargic girls into true adventurers. Deck chairs became a canoe, broken tree branches became a campfire,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-18893607162956487932011-03-16T08:50:00.002-05:002011-03-16T12:05:26.453-05:00

I was so looking forward to our lazy spring break. I envisioned field trips to the Science Museum, Children's Museum, the maple tapping at Tamarack, the Art Institute. Having Maya home with us is a treat. Having no 11:30 deadline for kindergarten pick-up is a liberation. But here we are, day 3 of spring break, and that list looks impossible. Why? Because I'd be a fool to bring two little girls

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-80749641333975228312011-03-10T07:55:00.002-06:002011-03-10T08:14:50.690-06:00

So I'm having commitment issues with my novel. All the pieces are there to bring my rough first draft up to a semi-smooth second. Somehow I, the girl who settled down with her high school sweetheart, who makes tricky decisions in the flash of an eye, and believes decisiveness is a key to happiness, somehow I can't commit. The plot is staying true to the first draft, more or less, but the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-16963855183426996552011-03-08T20:09:00.000-06:002011-03-08T20:09:29.310-06:00

Maya's parent-teacher conference was today, and this blog title is perhaps my favorite take home appraisal. Few things are more satisfying than watching your child build her own relationships and seeing someone else appreciate the wonderful qualities you have always loved in her. And Maya is absolutely a funny kid.... the good kind of funny, full of silly jokes, remarkably accurate (and often

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-87400691550760844852011-03-02T16:47:00.001-06:002011-03-05T14:22:30.658-06:00

What does one do after a week of couch-ridden, cabin-fever-laden doldrums? If you happen to have a three-year-old in tow and nothing else on the day's agenda, you it the town. Preschool style, that is! What exactly might that entail? First up, reading time at Barnes and Noble (the library didn't have one today), lunch at a restaurant, a trip to a toy store, and then a visit to the zoo.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-12518478996917494012011-02-28T16:14:00.000-06:002011-02-28T16:14:48.562-06:00

But a noisy house. We are a symphony of hacking coughs and sniffles with little to blog about other than petty, whiny laments. This morass of compromised health happens every March, and we will rise again to tackle new dance moves and science experiments. Until then, bring on the brownies and the comfy sofa. We must rest!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-50760253252085766652011-02-18T13:35:00.000-06:002011-02-18T13:35:47.260-06:00

Maya, inspired by her Mimi, selected 100 flowers to put on her hat for the big 100 Day party at school! A sloppy walk to the park on a 50 degree February day lifted all of our spirits and reminded us of all the fun and freedom to come as the snow melts.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-88858541454370778662011-02-16T08:21:00.000-06:002011-02-16T08:21:10.905-06:00

Brother! Good thing we have a cousin to shower with pink! All we wanted was a healthy baby truly. This three kids thing was the plan, even if it ultimately meant three teenage girls at one time! I have a few months left to pump the vitamins, avoid coffee and (sniffle) red wine, and otherwise do what I can to safeguard our little addition. Regardless of gender, curiosity did get the better of

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-87641126821125448352011-02-15T19:00:00.001-06:002011-02-15T19:01:50.210-06:00

The baby poll is actually going to close tomorrow when the official results come out! The actual and official results, give or take a sonographic blur. Also, here's a hilarious exchange with Maya:  "Did you know that a lot of Americans have been falling down a long way. And they can't get up. And one of them even got pneumonia!" said a very distressed Maya. "Were you learning about the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-31933221793869786952011-02-14T08:20:00.000-06:002011-02-14T08:20:09.948-06:00

From our little love bugs! Check out Grandma's handywork!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-38884621620999534092011-02-13T12:14:00.000-06:002011-02-13T12:14:11.671-06:00

Given my obsession with homemade bread lately, our science fair project has rolled right into daily life. Maya's operating question (with my help of course) is "Is Yeast Alive." So far we fed store bought yeast and watched it metabolize sugar into a gas that filled our balloons. We experimented with what yeast might like to eat best (frosted cake!), and today, we are baking our own bread with the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-34877231694741340902011-02-11T07:41:00.000-06:002011-02-11T07:41:16.696-06:00

They do their best work in their pajamas!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-23710098037012539102011-02-08T10:42:00.002-06:002011-02-08T13:32:13.241-06:00

We met the baby yesterday, in a splotchy, black-and-white sort of way. The chattiest technician in the world assured us that everything measurable looks really good, including several new things they have added to the check list since the girls were born. Just like the last two times, I found myself wishing for more time. I just want to watch all the swimming around the baby does. It's amazing

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-90579031255988119092011-02-06T10:25:00.001-06:002011-02-06T19:50:34.608-06:00

The last time I googled mysterious health symptoms, WebMD had me pretty convinced I was suffering from tongue cancer. Given my tendency toward excessive worry and over-thinking, I then and there swore off googling any health concerns. Ever. This has exasperated my physician, a tiny bit, who now fields odd calls from me about minor symptoms that I'm pretty certain are benign... but I need that

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-15938930296889052632011-02-04T12:44:00.001-06:002011-02-05T09:33:44.877-06:00

It's Alive! And it likes to eat sugar!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-9933276254157836042011-02-02T15:17:00.003-06:002011-02-02T15:20:35.180-06:00

While my own thoughts remain focused in Tahrir Square, Egypt, where the remarkable and beautifully peaceful protests have suddenly devolved into violence, the girls have turned their attention to the Love Bugs. These fairy tale visitors are leaving the girls lovely little feel good notes, making Valentine's day less a holiday about romantic love and more a spirited celebration of love and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-25100627614155028092011-01-31T17:56:00.001-06:002011-01-31T18:05:12.666-06:00

We dug out the crib yesterday. Sure it's early. And yes, we have no place to put it just yet. Elle loves to make bread with me. Listening to all my talk about a sporadically but powerfully kicking baby-to-be put Joe in the mood to check into our crib recall situation. You remember the vast crib recall, of course. And ours is on the list. Thankfully it made it through to girls no problem, but

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-71312801515905254252011-01-28T09:46:00.001-06:002011-01-28T09:48:35.143-06:00

 Hooray. I've emerged from that awkward stage. For the past month I have looked exactly as though I've overindulged at Christmas. Now ( I want to say finally, but I wasn't showing with my firstborn until after the 20th week) I'm sporting a much more maternal profile. It's not just the bagels, I swear! There's no question, a baby will be joining us in just a few months. As my list of "To do

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-65282880224517866372011-01-26T13:29:00.000-06:002011-01-26T13:29:27.205-06:00

In preparation for an exciting play date with a new friend, Maya woke early and wrote this note: Dear Nora, Thanx for wonting me to come to your hows. Luv Maya Yep. Thanks for wanting me. This sentiment will give real meaning to the superficial Valentine's pageantry dripping from every storefront. Again I'm moved to celebrate this silly holiday by flipping it on its ear and showing the loving,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-17195565051360151222011-01-24T14:37:00.000-06:002011-01-24T14:37:03.157-06:00

Elliot loves her creatures, especially the tiniest ones. Little horses, pigs, frogs, and babies are the focus of nearly all of her games. She spends hours moving her creatures through the world that is her dollhouse and the little farm. When she returned to her preschool class today (after an extra long winter break), she immediately bypassed the craft and the play-dough, the tub full of toy

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-28255711535980025422011-01-21T15:00:00.000-06:002011-01-21T15:00:04.009-06:00

I seem to have run out. We're battling a poltergeist again. It's been six months or so... we're due. I'll borrow today from a great writer who thrilled us three during reading time (our ritual 1:00 kitten pile under the covers in my room where sometimes we read a whole Magic Treehouse or five Bedtime with Buddha books before moving on with our day). The following poem was my favorite, not

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-9531155648812528542011-01-17T20:03:00.001-06:002011-01-17T20:06:41.600-06:00

The bagels were the highlight of my weekend, gastronomically speaking. Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day has an amazingly simple recipe. I may never buy store bought bagels again. Of course, they disappeared too quickly for a picture... unlike the French bread I made on Saturday. It tasted delightful, but it looked rather... odd. We served the bread with lunch. The girls had PB&J while Joe and I

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-18812452059186336922011-01-14T10:52:00.000-06:002011-01-14T10:52:42.666-06:00

I never thought I'd be one to call 16 degrees balmy, but that's how this winter has gone. If the temp creeps anywhere near 20 degrees, we're simply fools if we don't get outside. Add to that the odd luck of our lot placement. We're right along the boulevard for a good distance. After all of the snow, and then the freak rainstorm, several plows came in to clean up the snow. As a result we have a

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-64891056270139686602011-01-13T13:04:00.002-06:002011-02-13T12:00:41.958-06:00

Contrary to popular family myth, Elle has been a pretty malleable child, at least where her morning routine is concerned. While Maya insisted on dressing herself at two, incorporating a rainbow of beautiful colors into every ensemble, Elle has been content to let me dress her. In fact, she seems to prefer that time with just us two in her room. Until now she has been rather coordinated, always

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-16406312661976266862011-01-10T19:22:00.003-06:002011-01-10T20:15:21.892-06:00

Not just a person.... my child. I spent the day marveling at Maya. How eager she was to demonstrate her burgeoning piano skills to our neighbor. How politely she asked if I could give her story writing lessons the same way her dad gives her piano lessons. How eager she is to learn to sew. I purchased a fabulous book called Sewing School. I thought it would be fun for us to learn together. At

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-21270465518883804982011-01-07T13:01:00.002-06:002011-01-07T14:39:13.220-06:00

Did you know the kindergarten class is invited to participate in the science fair right along with everyone else? I did not. After reading articles about helicopter parenting and parents co-opting student homework, I've vowed not to do my child's projects. But let's face it. She's five. She'll need some help on this one. It took some thinking and some prompting, but we've finally settled on

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-57943000368515352902011-01-05T15:16:00.001-06:002011-01-05T21:07:18.221-06:00

As always, a couple weeks away from our regular schedule makes me so much more aware of the little changes in the girls when we return. Mornings with Elliot this week have been intense. She moves from one fantastic made up game to the next. If I add something new, like when I pushed two chairs together to make a boat, she immediately incorporates it into her story. Suddenly Jack and Annie (

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-56769585508404053922011-01-02T15:40:00.000-06:002011-01-02T15:40:24.237-06:00

Good bye daily naps for a week and a half. Good bye ignored piles of things to do.Good bye days with no schedule, punctuated only by snacks, roller skating in the basement, and occasional social gatherings. With the regular school/work schedule upon us, we've had to spend the day getting the house back in shape, attempting to get ourselves back in shape (goodbye chocolate pretzels), and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-36154615644410833612010-12-29T20:33:00.001-06:002010-12-29T20:35:41.836-06:00

This lull between Christmas and New Year's Day is such an important time for our family. It is a time to pause, to revel in the fun and goodies of the big traveling week before (and to dry out from them). It is a time to reflect on all we've done in 2010, and as always, a time to look ahead to the next year. Last year I resolved to do less, namely less needless worry and less television.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-88437060597011130592010-12-22T09:01:00.001-06:002010-12-28T09:50:03.889-06:00

Secrets are Fun: This is the longest Joe and I have ever gone without telling anyone such big news! The first person I told was a client at Meals on Wheels! That kind man didn't even know he would play a special role in my personal history. He just chuckled, congratulated me, and went back to his taxidermy museum (truly, he has turned his apartment into a museum of stuffed BEARS, LYNX, and even a

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-71176952680509658452010-12-21T17:06:00.000-06:002010-12-21T17:06:18.884-06:00

It's been a big year. From the Grand Canyon, to several trips into the wilderness, to adventures in our own backyard, we have filled up 2010. So, um, I haven't had a lot of time to finish the Christmas card. It didn't arrive today, making it impossible for me to get them in the mail before we depart for holiday visiting. Until the card can arrive (sadly, just in time for everyone to pack them

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-50970682742120613212010-12-20T13:55:00.000-06:002010-12-20T13:55:32.439-06:00

Poor Anakin. After 12 years with Joe and I, well 11 years with us and one with Nana because we foolishly acquired a cat before we had a place of our own, we now say our goodbyes. It's been a tough year for our fellow creatures. What began as a herd of three cats and a flock of chickens is now an empty coop and no more feline companions. At least the kittens are now master mousers back at the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-64533434469786329902010-12-17T08:36:00.002-06:002010-12-17T08:39:34.062-06:00

Mornings alone with Elliot now have new significance. I've been assured by some rather optimistic middle-child friends that it really is the best of all worlds. The oldest paves the way in terms of parental rule-making. The youngest snags all of the neurotic, empty-nester attachment issues. Meanwhile the middle is left to collect love from every direction, avoid blame by hiding behind the eldest

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-44626096357315965412010-12-15T18:29:00.004-06:002010-12-16T15:25:41.395-06:00

It was just a small, gray, fuzzy blob. A Pixar alien, cute in its own little almost-babyish way, swimming around, turning this way and that, hiding coyly. We almost didn't get to hear a heartbeat, the little creature moved so much. Until we did. That faint, fast thump, thump, thump, thump so distinct from my own, and so promising. Maya was enthralled. Elle was asleep. And Joe and I were

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-54335881456031953622010-12-13T21:06:00.000-06:002010-12-13T21:06:26.201-06:00

Maya is a reader. She has been writing her name since before she was two. She has been sounding out words at will for over a year. Afraid I might turn her away from reading by making it a chore, I never pressured or pushed or cajoled her past whatever point she was ready to go. She has seemed so ready, so on the cusp of really reading, since kindergarten began, that last Monday I finally

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-86290297190918445222010-12-10T14:23:00.000-06:002010-12-10T14:23:15.565-06:00

The world's most beloved happy meal toy during the silliest lunch date after delivering Christmas cheer and meals on wheels. Gingerbread cookie creations that lasted an entire afternoon!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-51306109577340971332010-12-08T14:14:00.000-06:002010-12-08T14:14:05.679-06:00

As a prelude to the big Christmas event, my whole family (all the adult members that is) gathered in Tulsa for a glamorous wedding weekend. This is truly the first time Joe and I, my two globe-trotting (well, one is more small western town trotting, but still) siblings, and my parents have had the leisure to hang out without my girls. They were missed, of course. But as expected, the Halverson

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-53054236474035823502010-12-01T21:58:00.001-06:002010-12-02T09:26:28.220-06:00

In spite of residual exhaustion from Thanksgiving and a pending 8,000 words to write in three days, we managed to put up the Christmas tree on Sunday. Afterward, Joe and I were enjoying how wonderful the house smelled with the fresh tree taking up a third of the dining room. I spotted Elle setting up her little fences for the miniature animals downstairs, and invited her to come smell the tree.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-35450287723018818212010-11-30T16:27:00.001-06:002010-12-02T09:27:14.002-06:00

NaNoWriMo is over! And I held up my end of the bargain: 50,000 words laying the foundation of a promising story just begging for additional research and edits. I'll get to that when the ache in my wrists subsides. I may have saved too many words for after the Thanksgiving visiting. I'll post the few pictures I took this weekend,but for those of you still watching, I'll now be updating Growing!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-59496578765954168422010-11-15T20:13:00.000-06:002010-11-15T20:13:42.664-06:00

Somehow, November is half gone. The November book writing craze is half over, and for better or worse, my humble attempt is half way (plus a little) to the final word count goal of 50,000 words. At least I can say that this second earnest attempt at NaNoWriMo is significantly less terrible than the first one. The story has a bit of an arc, the characters are becoming a little more interesting

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-24622883766156198012010-11-03T14:45:00.002-05:002010-11-03T19:56:36.479-05:00

This is going to be a quiet corner on the web for the rest of the month. Pictures here and there perhaps, but little else. I'm funneling every word I can spare into the annual National Novel Writing Month. I'll still be writing over at Doing Good Together a couple of times each week, so if you want a peek at the girls from that angle, just head over there. This year, inspired by the riveting,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-22778952674047942662010-10-31T20:54:00.000-05:002010-10-31T20:54:01.175-05:00

We spent our day at Pinehaven Farms, visiting our chickens in their lovely new home. Shockingly, we recognized all four of them easily, even amid their new coop mates. I wouldn't have predicted that. Now we know, a chicken is not just a chicken. They are definitely living the good life over there, amid a whole fleet of other animals. There were kittens scampering around, so tame the girls tried

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-35117495157827989422010-10-29T12:57:00.000-05:002010-10-29T12:57:57.843-05:00

The original set of sisters in my life.

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-17809012411354107812010-10-27T14:41:00.003-05:002010-10-28T14:20:03.195-05:00

I overheard the girls "playing" trick or treat in the playroom this morning (it has supplanted the previous "Meals on Wheels" game they enjoyed when we first began making deliveries. I heard the knock on the door. Then Elliot's little voice, full of false timidity, asked "who's there?" Then in unison, they sang the following song loudly before dissolving into giggles: Trick or Treat Smell my

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-77921916738295447492010-10-26T13:27:00.000-05:002010-10-26T13:27:03.802-05:00

This fall of unseasonably warm days and shockingly blue skies has kept us in denial. Today, there is no denying that the next season, with its forced hermitage and excessive darkness, is bearing down on us. This year, though, the cold weather may not feel so stifling. I haven't seen the girls in two hours. They are deep within an expansive fort of sheets and pillows and heavy-duty paper binders

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-5918729328800626362010-10-22T08:14:00.000-05:002010-10-22T08:14:35.286-05:00

For all of this beautiful month I have been hearing, "I don't want to go in the backyard." Partly because Maya is now terrified of any flying bug. Partly because the neighbor kids are more likely to race out to play if they spot my girls in the front yard. But I like to think that part of the problem was clutter. This week, I put the garden to bed, stashed all of the toys in the shed for winter,

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-14927568119019552272010-10-20T20:12:00.001-05:002010-10-22T10:16:13.130-05:00

They flew the coop. Our hens had all but stopped laying, and their days were numbered in our backyard. The question was, where...or how. The popular suggestion from our former farming relations has been fairly consistent and involves a clothesline, a meat cleaver, and a stew pot. None of that for us thank you. We took the wimp's way out. Craig's List can solve almost any bad case of the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-9917019499141837382010-10-15T07:29:00.001-05:002010-10-15T07:29:47.110-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-26528637939092870722010-10-14T07:21:00.000-05:002010-10-14T07:21:57.826-05:00

Our very favorite park, Tamarack Nature Center, has a new dimension every time we visit. This week, tree fort building! We stumbled upon a new path, one we've overlooked on every previous visit. This path took us into a wooded area that had clearly been gifted to tree fort builders. Suddenly I was 8 again. We spent two hours playing in and around the already built forts, and then constructing

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-70220283123375714172010-10-08T08:20:00.001-05:002010-10-08T08:36:59.440-05:00

An interpretive song and dance, involving thing one and thing two.... I think. She kept this up for an hour!

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-2839425288523020162010-10-07T07:00:00.000-05:002010-10-07T07:00:47.846-05:00

Our book order arrived! I've had my eye on Zen Shorts for a long time, and it arrived on just the right day, as I mentioned over at Doing Good Together.  Without too much detail, let's just say, a little time for zen was much appreciated, and my meditation practice has been revived. Now to revive the novel writing habit, which waxes and wanes and gets shoved aside when more practical writing and

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-11637918876108010832010-09-30T20:08:00.002-05:002010-10-01T08:24:54.909-05:00

If you've ever imagined what a day would feel like if you matched a small child step for step, you might be able to guess how I'm feeling at the moment. Today we turned Elliot three with every ounce of energy we had. Forgive any incoherence, as I'm not sure I can spell my own name correctly at this point! Act 1: Solo Elliot on a little kid adventure Joe took the day off, as is his custom for

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-742114248692446712010-09-29T21:05:00.000-05:002010-09-29T21:05:00.284-05:00

I just posted over at Doing Good Together about today's Meals on Wheels experience. It's sort of a rambling post, but it essentially made me realized the best thing about Maya trotting off to Kindergarten for half the day.  For too long, I've joked that these two think they are twins. They play so well together. Maya's friends all treat Elle as one of the group. Elle runs to her sister for

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-17552550914925732912010-09-27T20:02:00.000-05:002010-09-27T20:02:03.863-05:00

It is birthday week! Happy Birthday Elliot Rose! And coincidentally, Maya is the superstar kid at school this week! (Yeah, I signed her up hoping to alleviate some birthday jealousy, but... kids will be kids I guess). Is it really possible that Elliot is turning three already? We've already had one round of birthday fun this weekend. Festivities will continue all week, and right on through next

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-39578095473019782672010-09-25T08:58:00.001-05:002010-10-09T06:34:52.283-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-33850991099943849832010-09-24T10:19:00.000-05:002010-09-24T10:19:17.341-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-90604747461751303912010-09-23T14:51:00.001-05:002010-09-23T14:53:54.484-05:00

While I'm sorting out which girl has class when and which Spanish class to sign Maya up for, the girls jump around upstairs shouting "Neeeeeeeigh" at the top of their lungs. They have horse races, feast on oats, and set up their own stables. The flickering, fluctuating details of back-to-school plus my own work plus my own class plus various social events on the horizon have me so disoriented, I

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-78543632940498299162010-09-21T13:36:00.003-05:002010-09-21T16:26:19.292-05:00

Only a couple of weeks into school, a routine has formed. The highlight of our day is now Reading Time. It occupies that lazy hour between lunch and naps, when the three of us get to reconnect after our few hours apart. We snuggle up with the Magic Tree House to see where Jack and Annie's latest adventures bring them. We dive into new picture books from the library. And Elle and I cheer Maya on

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-43057644627437798362010-09-18T07:29:00.000-05:002010-09-18T07:29:28.275-05:00

Remember that feeling? Being a kid on Saturday was this delirious sense of freedom. Maya is experiencing her first one right now. After watching one episode of their new favorite (and mine too), Shaun the Sheep, Maya  switched off the television and started throwing pillows into a pile. "We can't watch TV all day," says my most dedicated TV negotiator. "It's Saturday. I get to play ALL DAY. Come

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-73669982851996212312010-09-17T10:43:00.001-05:002010-09-19T20:24:44.151-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-39825227480192037042010-09-16T06:58:00.001-05:002010-09-16T06:58:40.275-05:00

I believe we ate our last zucchini-based meal last night. All of this cool weather is closing out my garden. Except for the herbs and kale and the chard, all of which I had better figure out what to do with before they're gone. Did I mention how we managed to get the girls in the canoe on the last weekend of summer? The two girls wiggling in the middle did add an excitement to the paddling

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-25654154613771664622010-09-14T16:41:00.001-05:002010-09-14T16:48:35.892-05:00

Not to be outdone by her sister's foray into Kindergarten, Elle has changed and grown in the last week beyond my predictions. She has doodled alongside Maya all her life. Her scribbles have always been vigorous, but rather formless in spite of my gentle demonstrations: E-L-L-I-O-T. Then, last Thursday, she wrote a crystal clear E.  And then an L. "Is that an L mom," she asked sweetly. She

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-92066546896752116952010-09-10T06:58:00.001-05:002010-09-10T09:20:08.646-05:00

The Tooth Fairy, odd as that little creature is, swept through our house last night. She (he? it?) left behind a girly headband and a note answering Maya's question. Q: What do you do with all the teeth?  A: Shhh.... It's a secret! Happy Toothless Day. Right, yesterday was a long day that mostly sapped my creativity, but seriously, how could you answer that question in a non-psychopathic way?

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-42860378697080416912010-09-07T14:22:00.001-05:002010-09-07T15:27:34.235-05:00

When people look back, they always say "remember that time..." Our summer has been full of moments that will eventually be "that time." Not that I want to be constantly looking backwards or wrestling to hold on to this present moment. We've just had a lot of milestones piling up together. This sense started when Joe stepped back from his play house creation and said, "Wow, so this is that time

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-60327837542517511202010-09-07T10:47:00.000-05:002010-09-07T10:47:33.988-05:00

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017970798518934233.post-32747673173081348132010-09-06T09:44:00.001-05:002010-09-06T09:44:54.122-05:00

This was me on my own first day of school. I'm almost certainly more nervous this time around. Preparing to send this caring, curious, smart little girl into the world. Alone on a bus. Into a classroom where they might not know instantly what a delightful, funny little person she is. But she is excited and nervous and interested for tomorrow all at the same time.So today we play and tomorrow the

Sarahnoreply@blogger.com0