Rough Day

After so much fun in Maryland (when I get organized, I'll post some photos and tell some stories), Kai had a bit of a tough time transitioning back to school again.

After the second day of being back, I picked him up and he didn't greet me in the way he greets me almost 100% of the time (smiling, hugging, cheering, and so happy to have been at school).

I asked him how school went and he said, "It's been a rough day." I asked why and he didn't say much. After we got in the car, I asked why he wasn't talking much (again, we usually both chit chat the whole way home) and he said, "I've used up all of my words today, Mama."

I just had to laugh.

I asked his teacher about how the day went and he said that indeed it was a rough day for most of the kids since they all had A LOT of energy (remember, it's been so cold here that they can't go outside and play). I guess Kai was the leader of the pack with running and yelling and chasing. His teacher wasn't surprised that he had run out of words....

Now, I can honestly say that I don't think I've EVER run out of words.....

Our boy likes to snuggle....

X-mas 2009

Captain Underpants!!! (My mom gave him the cape and he stole the goggles from the Santa Bear and whipped off all of his clothes to pronounce, "Captain Underpants!")

He is showing off the cool hat that Joey's friend, Leesa, gave him (Check them out at her company's website: www.pedoodles.com)

Well, we had a great Christmas and New Year!

Kai was so excited about Santa this year. He woke up on X-mas morning with a shriek, "Did Santa come?" and raced downstairs to investigate. I thought it was sweet that he was very concerned if Santa was going to bring us presents. He didn't want us to feel left out on all of the excitement.

And, in case you were worried, he did!!

We spent X-mas Eve with my Mom and Brother and then headed to my Dad and Kit's house on X-mas Day. Then, we were off to Maryland to see Joe's twin sister, Rosie, and her family....busy, busy, busy! And, so much fun!

Pssst....

Lordy, Lordy, Look who's 40!!!!

Holiday Concert

One of these kids is not like the others.....

Yep, so, Kai likes to show off his tummy, so does his Mom!! (see post below)

Kai had his holiday program at his school and it was hilarious. We videotaped it and will try to post it (wait, really, how many of you truly want to see it? Ok, probably not a lot. Scratch that idea). Anyway, we were laughing so hard watching the 3-6 year old children up on stage doing their thing. And, they did it so well! Kai had been practicing for weeks and perfected Jingle Bells, Feeling Groovy (Go Simon and Garfunkel!), and some recycling tune.

Santa

Kai visited Santa this week-- he was so excited to finally meet the Big Guy!

He sat on his lap, gave him a big hug, and then told him he wanted a "Legos Firestation." When Santa asked him what else he wanted, Kai looked so confused and said, "You only get one toy." (Good boy! This is what I've been telling him!)

He also wrote a letter to Santa and mailed it-and woke up the next morning and wrote another letter to Santa to "make sure he remembers."

I tried to assure him that I think Santa got the message :)

29 weeks

Ok, so I feel HUGE right now-- it could be that I chase around an almost three year old all day or that I'm in the biggest nesting phase (it happened with Kai too and when I asked Joe about it the other day he laughed super hard and said he has never seen something like this before-- I am obsessed!) so I don't sit down too much or that I've eaten all of those cookies that Jane helped us make (is it bad to eat over a dozen cookies each day?)....but, whatever the case, this little girl is getting big!

Christmas Tree Part Two

So, Kai called me into the room a couple of days ago and said, "Look Mama, I decorated myself as a Christmas Tree."

A couple of things to point out: Why did he take off his clothes? Aren't you glad we use washable markers? And, yes, for those of you following Kai's fascination with all things private, he did color his "pee pee" and was quite proud of it. He said, "Mama, doesn't my pee-pee look so nice like this? I should do this everyday." I had no comment.

Christmas Prep

It's no wonder that Kai is loving Christmas-- so do Joe and I!

We found our "Charlie Brown" Christmas Tree (it leans so severely that I swear you think it's going to give you a hug), have made cookies (thanks to our neighbor Jane who came to the rescue and taught me a few things about baking), shoveled all of our snow, and made a snow angel or two.

Oh, speaking of angels, check out our angel at the top of the tree....the tallest tree branch with the smallest angel you've ever seen!

Song in my heart

Kai has been excited about his winter concert at school for the past week. We have been singing "Jingle Bells" numerous times a day and he is really getting into the Christmas spirit.

This morning, he woke up and told me he wanted to sing. We were still snuggling, with pajamas on, and stinky breath.

I asked him if he wanted to sing "Jingle Bells" again. He said, "No, mama, I want to sing the song I have in my heart."

I thought I heard him wrong so I said, "What did you say?" He said, "You know, the song I have in my heart that I just have to sing."

I said, "Well, let's hear this song in your heart." Then, he went on to sing a long song about Santa, snowmen, Jesus (my mom just bought him a book about Jesus and he told me he figured out that Santa and Jesus share the same birthday on x-mas), and then, of course, because he is our Kai, he also included "tooting" and "pee pee" in his song.

Sing it boy!

Laura's Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

So, really, there is just one recipe that people ask me for (probably because I don't bake that much and probably because this is really that delicious!). But, when I make this, everyone asks for it.

I just made it for Kt's Blessingway (well, actually Joe made it, because he is an all-star husband and I was having a crazy, busy day) and again, folks were raving about it!

I first had it at my bridal brunch (the day before our big day) when Sarah (Paar) Hanhan dished it up. I'll try to post a photo, but for now, if you need an amazing coffee cake-- go for it!

2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter

*Combine flour and sugar, cut in the butter. Set one cup aside for later.

1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. almond extract
2 eggs
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup raspberry preserves (or jam)
1/2 cup sliced almonds

*Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, sour cream, almond extract, & 1 egg to the mixture above (the larger portion, not the one cup portion). Blend well.

*Spread the batter (you have to use your hands!) on the bottom of a greased and floured spring form pan and up the sides about two inches.

*In a small bowl, blend the cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 egg. Pour onto the batter.

*Carefully spread preserves over the cream cheese mixture from above.

*Put the rest of the four/sugar/butter mixture from the first part on top of the raspberry preserves, and put sliced almonds on top.

*Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes If you check it, the middle may be gooey but that is how it is supposed to be.

Enjoy! And, save me a piece!

China

Ok, this is a PG-13 posting....

I was reading to Kai a book about children living in China. After a few minutes of reading, Kai sat up and said, "How do kids live in China?" So, I explained how China was far away and you have to fly over an ocean to get there etc. But, he said again, "I don't think kids can live in China." So, again, I talked about how kids live in different countries all over the world. You get the picture.

Finally, in complete exasperation, he said, "But, Mama, no one lives in my pee-pee." I paused. I was completely confused.

Then, it hit me-- Kai's word for "vagina" is "gina" (not pronounced as the woman's name, but just take off the "va" from "vagina"). So, if you say this out loud, you realize that "gina" sounds a lot like "China."

I realized he thought the kids were living in someone's vagina. Oh, Joe and I had a good laugh about this one. It's all especially funny since Kai is very interested in babies right now and where they come from and he even asked my mom the other day if she had a "gina" and if he could see it!

Ay de mi!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was just my mom, Joe, Kai and I. A pretty tiny crowd, but a pretty fun crowd, if I don't say so myself...even though poor Joe had sinus infection #3 of this Fall.

The funniest part was Kai when we sat down at the table to have the big meal. He looked around and said very thoughtfully, "Where are all the people?"

We laughed so hard.

We started a new tradition of making gingerbread houses and also took our traditional walk to the Mississippi River. You know though, with such a small crowd, it truly takes on a slower pace and it let me reflect a bit more on the meaning of the season.

Here are some of the things I'm most thankful for this year:

1. My health. It has been over 3 years that I've been well!!! I have energy, a good immune system, and I would guess that most people who met me today would never believe that I spent a good almost two years in bed. I try to remember most mornings how lucky I am to cram so much into one day.

2. My happiness. I have learned that my happiness depends on one thing--me! Simple, right? But, oh did this take a lot of years and I'm still working on it....

3. My family. I am so deeply rooted in my family that I grew up in and also in the family that I am creating.

4. The future. We will have a new baby in March and a son who continues to keep us laughing...it helps to remind me that life just keeps getting better.

Well, I could go on and on, but I think I will head to bed, which leads me to:

5. Sleep!! Kai finally sleeps through the night. Hallelujah!!!

Christmas Card

Shhh......here it is: sneak preview to our x-mas card!

Hot Dog

Kai: "When I grow up, I want to be a fireman, policeman, ambulance driver, doctor, taxi driver, teacher, store keeper, woman, and hot dog."

"I Gotta Feeling"

Check out this video of "I Gotta Feeling" on Oprah!

Kai watches this video at least once a day. We all dance around the living room trying to do the moves. If we are out at a store or in the car and hear the song, he says, "It's MY song!" His favorite part is the woman dancing by herself in the beginning. As the song picks up momentum, he says, with great excitement, "EVERYONE DANCE NOW!" And, we join in the crowd!

Who can blame him for being addicted to this great show? It's contagious.

Cleaning Up

So, Kai attends Sunny Hollow Montessori School, just about 5 minutes away from our house in St. Paul. He also attended a toddler Montessori program last year, so he is well versed in the ways of Montessori.

His teachers ("guides") informed us at conferences last week that he is doing wonderful and they can see how prepared he was for school this year (he is in the "children's house" with 3-6 year olds...although he is not quite 3 yet). His guide said that she has never had to ask him to clean up his "work" or push in his chair etc. He flows perfectly from activity to activity.

Yesterday, at home, Kai decided to throw every single toy he owns in the middle of the family room. He wasn't upset, just thrilled to be doing some throwing. I took a deep breath and just said, calmly, "Well, it looks like you will have some cleaning up to do after you are done," and continued cooking dinner.

Well, let's just say that one hour later, there were no toys picked up and I kept asking and asking and asking....and he kept saying no over and over again. So, finally, I said, very exasperated, "Kai-- you need to pick up your toys now. I feel very sad that you haven't done so and we need to get ready to eat."

He came over to me and very gently stroked my hair and patted my cheek and gave me a hug and said, "Mama, I am sorry you are sad. Let me love you a little to make you feel better." I smiled thinking that he finally got it. But, then, after more kisses he said in a whisper quietly in my ear, "But, you are going to have to still pick up all of MY toys!!"

Truly. Now, what would Maria Montessori think about that?

Seriously....


(By the way, at conferences she also said that Kai has a very "well developed" sense of humor. She said she hasn't seen an almost three year old "get" humor in the way that Kai does....then, the guides laughed saying, "You better watch out in a couple of years...")

KT's Blessingway

I truly am so lucky that so many wonderful women in my life are pregnant. Kt Huber is due on Christmas and since we have been 16 years old, we have dreamed of having babies at the same time. It's almost too much to think that our dream came true!! For those of you who need a reminder, Kt and I met at Camp St. Croix and spent years as counselors together. She has also been my #1 adventure companion-- we went to Northern Ireland together for a summer and spent months traveling and volunteering in Central America.

It is so much fun to think that her adventure in motherhood is just about to begin!

Molly Cooney, Katie Pfaff, and I planned a non-traditional baby shower for Kt called a "Blessingway." It comes from the Navajo Native American tradition and it was truly one of the most special things I have been apart of.

We did a lot of different rituals, all focusing on Kt and her transition into motherhood. Here are some of the highlights--pampering Kt with a foot soak, hand and neck rubs; putting together a labor necklace for her to use, stringing a web of support, and of course, lots of eating!

Sevien

Here he is.....Sevien!!! Our dear friends Andrea, Randy, & Soren have a new addition to their household and we are so happy for them.

We had been "on call" for the last couple of weeks waiting for the little guy to make his appearance (and for us to hang out with Soren) and it looks like Sevi was just waiting for us to go out of town to make his grand entrance!

Soren is Kai's best buddy and we are anxious for Sevi to meet our little gal in March.

We met Andrea, Randy, and Soren when the boys were just a month or so at our ECFE class at Sullivan School. Soren and Kai are 3 days apart in age and they only live 3 blocks away.

Andrea and I have truly lived through every stage of parenting together....you know, those phone calls when you need a friend to remind you that although you haven't slept through the night in weeks (well, in our case, years) things will get better. Or someone to take a walk with and talk about slings, baby food, time outs and crabby husbands (hee hee...)

And, now, our next babies will be only a few months apart too. I laugh though because I assumed the second time around we would know so much more than before with our first children. But, already while watching Andrea, I realize I have forgotten so much! Thank God this time she will be have a few months experience to guide me through....

Oh, and the BEST news is that Ivy is pregnant too (in the top photo it is Andrea (Sevi), Me, and Ivy). We met Ivy and her daughter Helen just a few months after we began ECFE classes. She is the third side to our triangle of support. Ivy is about 8 weeks behind me with her pregnancy. So, the gang will all be getting bigger!!!

These photos were taken at Andrea's "Meet and Greet" for Sevi this weekend......

Duluth

We joined Joe in Duluth this week for a couple of nights. It was such a treat to have uninterrupted fun with Kai. While Joe was at work, Kai and I checked out the aquarium, watched the ships, chased some seagulls, threw rocks into Lake Superior, and just explored! Then, when Joe came home, the fun kept coming-- the last photo is of us at a Thai Restaurant (Kai has entered into a wonderful phase where it's easy to go out to eat with him, as long as it's noodles!) and I'm not sure what Kai is doing to Joe's nose. I think he missed his lips!