Just a thought...

How do telemarketers respond when telemarketers call them at home?

It seems like the "Do Not Call" list has not been working too well for us lately.

Fireflies!

Mollie and I went for a walk after dinner tonight. On our way around the block, we noticed Bella was back from her trip. While Bella's mom and I talked, the girls ran around the front yard chasing fireflies- the first of the season!

Perfect evening. Well, it was perfect for me. Matt stayed home with Lucy and she screamed the whole time.

For those who care: Lucy had her first "solid" food tonight- Beechnut Oatmeal with a dash of breastmilk. She devoured it.

Weekend in pictures

Great weekend! Here are the highlights:
- Mollie and I made Mexican wedding cookies and then had a lovely tea party (complete with Mr. Bear and a few dolls).
-After Matt did battle with the yard, we had a barbecue.
-We found a cardinal's nest with 3 eggs in it by our back deck.
-Lucy helped me correct quizzes.
-Mollie made a "fairy" garden.







































There were a few "lowlights" too- Lucy had a red puffy eye so I spent a few hours going to the after hours clinic and waiting for a prescription. And we had a few issues with sleeping- both kids. So it wasn't a "restful" weekend, but it was truly enjoyable.

Raising her right

This morning I asked Mollie what she wanted to drink with her breakfast. She gave it some thought and said, "I would like.... um.... ahem.... I think....um.... I want a big girl drink. Tea, yeah, I want tea!"

Now we're not talking Southern sweet tea. In our house "tea" is piping hot, British-style. You know, the stuff they threw into Boston Harbor.

When I was little, my grandma always made "hocus pocus tea"- regular tea with sugar and lots of milk. My cousin Katie and I would drink it with her out of these tiny little teacups and it was so much fun. So, Mollie and I may have a little afternoon tea today, hocus-pocus style.

Black-eyed peas

This is one of my favorite side dishes- so easy to make and even better after it's been in the fridge for a while. Great-grandma Mollie makes something very similar. You can use any color pepper and substitue red onions for the scallions.

3 lbs. cooked black-eyed peas (or 3 cans)
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
at least 1 clove garlic, minced (I used 3-4 cloves)
a little hot pepper sauce (optional)

Mix all together and serve!

Yum!

Family Picture

I 'm not too big on formal portraits, but having one made is on my list of things to do (since Lucy joined the family). I was sorting through pictures and realized the four of us are in this one-- see me and Mollie reflected in Matt's glasses? (Click on the picture for the full-size version.)

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

Dryer sheets

I don't like dryer sheets/fabric softener. Matt used dryer sheets when we first met and I hated how the laundry came out. Clothing made of natural fibers (like cotton) always felt like it had a lotion-y coating. Towels treated with fabric softener are the worst- they lose absorbency and I don't feel clean after using them.

I was doing some internet research on cloth diaper washing routines and a tangent led me to a site that lists the toxic chemicals found in dryer sheets. I haven't been able to find any reliable, well-documented information showing that these chemicals are indeed in dryer sheets, much less that they actually harm humans in the amounts that are present, but it is an interesting question.

People seem pretty protective about their laundry routines, so I probably won't convince anyone to change, but here are a few good reasons not to use dryer sheets:
*reduce chemical exposure (for yourself, and anyone standing near your dryer vent)
*reduce unnecessary waste (why are dryer sheets unnecessary? if you have a static problem, try washing synthetic fibers separately. these are the main culprits when it comes to static. or try using a little vinegar in the rinse. or line dry your laundry.)
*reduce cost
*extend the life of your clothes

There is nothing like the smell of clean laundry (that is, no smell at all)!

Monsters

Mollie is really developing emotionally. She is now afraid of monsters at night. I know this is a totally normal phase in child development but it's very hard to deal with as a parent. She seems to respond well if I "check" on her every 10 min or so as she's trying to fall asleep. Unfortunately her bedroom is upstairs so that means at least 3-4 (or more) trips upstairs after she goes to bed. Maybe this will help me lose some weight?

I read a parenting website that suggested sitting in your child's room until they fall asleep (read a book, use your laptop, etc) would provide your child a little extra security until s/he outgrows the fear. But I LIVE for that quiet time right after Mollie goes to sleep and before I am ready for bed myself. I'm thinking I could just plan to stay upstairs and do some sewing or other work down the hall from, but not IN, her room.

Mollie has also been bringing up friends and family that she misses a lot (like Izzy and her grandparents). Her ballet class is over for the year and she's really sad that she's going to miss her teacher. I think she's developing the concepts of time and distance a little bit. Looking at pictures or videos helps.

It's so ironic that I want Mollie to develop the strength and confidence be able to deal with these feelings by herself, but that means she really is growing up. Aack! This is happening too fast!

Some pictures

Feeling a little better after a good night's sleep. Heading that way again in a few minutes (after watching The Office and Lost).

My mom, me, Mollie, and Lucy at our windy Mother's Day picnic

Lu and grandma

It was dam windy!

Mollie was so happy that she and Lucy were wearing dresses with pink flowers!

And a few pictures from the gardens we visited on Saturday...

Feeling blue

I had a great time while my mom was here visiting and now, for a lot of reasons, I'm feeling down.

I'm sad about my brother.
I'm sad about my dad.
I miss my mom.
I hate seeing Mollie miss her grandmother.
I am sad for the thousands of people affected by the cyclone in Burma and earthquake in China.
I'm sad for the man who died in an accident right in front of me on Saturday.
I'm sad for the woman who hit him with her car.
I'm sad for my colleague who broke his back.

And I'm thankful for what I have- my health, my husband, my kids, food and shelter, etc.

This is proving to be a busy week with not much time to reflect, run errands, or relax. I still have 3 packages sitting in the house ready to go to the post office and I haven't managed to make it over there. Maybe by Saturday...

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms I know (and don't know). You have been good examples; you have given me support, comraderie, and strength. I am proud to be in the company of so many wonderful women! I am proud to have learned from the best (that includes you too, Sal).

Cousin K, you are in my thoughts today. You didn't get to meet your child face to face, but I think the moment you find out you're expecting, that's when you become a mother.

F.A.Q.

I was just thinking about the questions I get asked most often and here they are:

1) Why?
2) When are you moving back to California?
3) Are you guys done [having kids] or are you going to try for a boy?
4) Can you fix this?

Those are my top 4. I'm sure there are more. I feel like I'm missing an obvious one.

What you can do with good friends and a little creativity

My dear friend nea sent me several yards of a lovely poodle flannel after I mentioned how much Mollie loves poodles. I couldn't decide what to make until I came across a couple of unworn tank tops when I was cleaning out Mollie's dresser drawers. The pink one matched the poodle fabric perfectly so I made some summertime jammies :



And while I was digging around in my sewing stuff, I found a dragon fly applique that matched the purple tank top perfectly! She loves it- so now I'm on the hunt for some fabric to make a dragon fly skirt/capri pants/shorts.

Mommo's here!

My mom is visiting! We are having a great time. Dad, we miss you and hope you're doing well. Mollie wanted to let Oscar know that everything is really "trashy" and "stinky".

Mollie seems to have worked out her aggression and is back to her sweet (and somewhat whine-y and a little spoiled) self! Maybe we need to have a Mommy and Me day with no Lucy (sorry Lu).

It will be nice to spend Mother's day with my daughters AND my mom this year!

And a special note to A&B- everything will work out.

Sibling Rivalry?

Mollie hit Lucy today. Just smacked her because she wouldn't turn her head toward Mollie and look at her face. This is the first instance of agression I've ever seen Mollie show towards Lucy. How could I raise a child who would hit a baby?

And yesterday she hit me. In both instances I was very firm and very clear in saying that hitting is wrong and we're going to have a talk with her tonight about it. It happened in the car on the way to school so I couldn't put her in time out or take a way a toy.

I think I need to read up about agression in children...

It was not a good way to start off the day. I've been feeling down all day.