America's Future Iron Chefs...in PBKids Kitchen Stadium

Today, Henry and Sydney had some quality time playing in PBkids Mini Prep Kitchen and Retro Pink Kitchen.

They were busy opening and shutting the fridge, most likely looking for the top ingredients, produce, and spices. Henry ran across the store to get a blue plate from another table display when he was ready to plate his latest creation.

Henry got a bit startled and upset when he put his pot in the sink and it made a loud crash. He must be used to a limestone farmer's sink or something. Later Sydney tried and was surprised too, but she went back for more crash and bang.

Sydney supervised and at one point tried to take a bowl from Henry. A nice pink melamine mixing bowl. Henry gave her the "Dan eyebrow" and hugged the bowl. Then, still hugging the bowl, he explained to her why she couldn't have it. "Abla dada mama bbbbbbb. Areuh ga da."

Sydney seemed a bit taken aback, but she wasn't going to try to argue. She knows that Isabelle is Henry's big sister and that he has a lot more practice with the holding strong/arguing skill. Then Henry proceeded to convince Sydney that she should take the pot. He handed it to her, but she didn't seem that interested. So Henry tried to take her hand and fold it around the handle. Sydney decided to humour him and took the pan. Then they were off back to cooking.

After the last dishes were set in the fridge, stove top, oven, dishwasher and clothes dyer, Henry and Sydney headed over to the ironing board next to the mini-prep kitchen. Henry tried to hang on to the over sink hooks and dangle as the whole thing began to teeter I got up to grab a few utensils to hang from the hooks. "Henry they're not to hang yourself. They are to hang these (a spatula, slotted spoon and rolling pin)". He seemed satisfied and went on to iron...well not exactly iron. He grabbed the iron and ironed the end of the ironing board and continued along the tracks towards the faucet and around the bars that held the hooks and back to the ironing board "CHoo...choo...choo...choo" he sang. Well perhaps he's a future iron chef, but for now he's still my baby boy...emphasis on boy.

Date night...and its repurcussions

After three years, I finally got it together and our fabulous babysitter Jen comes once a week so that we get a date night. Ahhhh....date night....you can picture it now:

Mom gets out her fabulous little black dress that fits perfectly and is pressed and clean. Isabelle watches as I pull on my silky hole-free nylons and slip on my leather heels that feel as comfortable as slippers. She prances around the room clomping in my other leopard print heels. I spray on a little scent and carefully put my silver earrings in. When the babysitter comes I give Isabelle and Henry a soft kiss on the head and jauntily walk out the door. Dan meets me at some fabulous Boston restaurant where we enjoy each others company over candlelight and talk about this and that. NOPE....not exactly.

Let me preface this with the fact that I am grateful that I finally got it together to have a babysitter come and that our children are healthy and relatively easy to take care of. I'm also thankful that date night is even an option given that I don't work outside the house and that my mommyhood income although low on taxes is also low on income.

So actually we have had a couple nice dinners out. We have so many fabulous restaurants around us in Boston, Cambridge and Charlestown. Our last two nights out were at Olives in Charlestown where the food, albeit rich, and atmosphere were a real treat bringing us back to our more carefree days and Chez Henri a favourite from the old neighbourhood.

We've also had a quick dinner at a Mexican fast food chain after my workout at the gym (that I do enjoy as a little me time and I don't have to listen from the shower to hear if anyone is crying) and then grocery shopping.

Date night has also been coffee/tea at a local bookstore with another mom just to catch up and mostly vent about kids and husbands and life in general.

There's also the most recent date night, which is the Isabelle and Mommy date night. I've been pretty tired lately since I've been sick, and Henry's getting molars. The flip side of this is that Isabelle has had a pretty short-tempered, impatient, and non-indulgent mommy for the past few weeks. So I figured it was time for another Belle and Mom date night.

We got Henry settled with Jen. He had a fabulous time dancing around the kitchen with Isabelle showing us some new moves. I think he's been watching MTV when I'm not paying attention. Does MTV even exist anymore? Do they have music and dancing? Belle and I head out with Henry yelling "Bye" to us down the stairs. We stop at Kotobukiya in Porter Square to order some sushi and then Isabelle and I go to Made By Me to paint some pottery. Isabelle and I talk about how I couldn't have sushi when she was still in my tummy. She keeps asking when she gets to hold her chopsticks until finally we get our bag and she gets her chopsticks.

At Made By Me Isabelle chooses a Monkey for herself and dog for Henry since Henry likes dogs. I choose to Japanese-style teacups for the kids. The sushi is great, the painting is relaxing and Isabelle enjoys choosing the colours, squeezing the paint onto the palette -this is a favourite, and painting then going up onto the counter and starting all over again until both pieces are done. I relax as I paint each cup wondering if they'll look half decent given the distractions and interruptions, but I relish them and I don't mind if they're not up to my "pre-mom" quality because what does that mean anyway. Each day is different now, then, and before then. Isabelle is so relaxed and it is nice to just be in each others' company.

The next morning...a late night and a perfect evening transform into a huge meltdown...Isabelle won't wear anything she chooses for various reasons. I give up and go get myself dressed. She cannot get out of her monster meltdown until I shut the door and she realises she's reached my limit. Then we go back upstairs. I put my pajamas back on and we start fresh. Insane I know, but that's the mindset of a 3 year old and in particular my 3 year old.

Then we head to Starbucks for a little peace and caffeine.

Happy Tuesday.

Leah

Buzz and Bees

So, I'm a bzzzagent. Yeah, I know it sounds weird. I think it might be even dorkier now that the new bee movie with Jerry Seinfeld is coming out or is out (I'm a mom of 2 kids under 5- I really have no clue when movies come out in the theatres). Now when I mention bzzzagent, I see myself as a ridiculous cartoon bee. So to save face, I just tell people that I am part of a word of mouth program.

Basically, I try some new products that I would potentially buy/use anyway and then I share samples, coupons, and opinions about the products.

At the moment, I've tried the 100% Naturals Chapstick. I liked this because it's Chapstick so it is familiar and also it had no scent or weird tingling. I saved on stick for myself and then use one for each child (labeled with my p-touch). This is the season for chapstick so I usually have 2 or 3 kinds in every pocket, car and bag.

I also have the Barilla Tortellini, but I've been busy cooking so I haven't tried it yet.

My favourite new toy is the Philips Sonicare FlexCare toothbrush with UV to sanitize the brush. I've had a bad cold for the past month so somehow I feel healthier with the UV. It's also kind of like going to the dentist, so I felt a bit strange the first time using it...I'm not a huge fan of vibrations so it took a couple minutes for me to relax. Finally, I'm a notorious 10 second tooth-brusher and with this brush I actually clean my teeth properly. My dentist and my husband will be so proud! Now if I could only find time to shower! (just kidding... most of the time)

The last two bzzproducts I have to try are the Back to Nature nut and trail mixes....I love their granola bars, but have to try these to see if they are up to par.

Finally, I have to try the CVS Photo book. I five a lot of photo books as gifts since we have two young children and many adoring grandparents. I just need a minute to sit down and upload the pictures.

Well that's all the Buzz I have for now. Next topic....memories of the season (I'm just not ready yet.)

A Nice Day Out - City version & Country version

Lately, we've had a couple low key days with just the right time and space for both kids to play and explore the world around them and just enough coffee and fresh air for me to relax and enjoy watching them.

The Country Day... We headed out to Drumlin Farm. It was a cool day and the trees along route 2 towards Lincoln are picture perfect. Henry loves all the animals. Isabelle is quick to point out any "stink" and nervously asks where the foxes are and do we have to go see them and where is the skunk...followed by 500 questions so that she can know as much as possible about these animals to help her not be afraid.

The kids spend the majority of their time digging in the dirt patch in the garden with trowels. I sit on a platform in the sun and inhale the wafting scent of basil: a strong summer smell weaving it's way into this fall air.

The farm is quiet. There is a small burst of energy as a school group walks by. Isabelle, Henry and I have a small snack and watch one of the preschool farm classes do some chores.

We then head over to our Lindentree Farm and harvest our last raspberries, and pick up our horn of plenty for the season. The brussel sprouts are blanched and frozen waiting for Dad (and whoever else will eat them with me) at Thanksgiving.


The city day...Henry, Sydney, Samantha and I started our day as usual trying to figure who was napping when and what we could do that morning. It was a beautiful day so we chose Newbury St. a little shopping, a little walking, some coffee and a bite to eat and the Clarendon St. playground. Henry and Sydney were in heaven with all the toys and structures at the playground and I was in heaven with all the goodies and styles in the shops.

At the playground we are surrounded by children in a range of fashions, many nannies and the odd mom somewhat styled and fashionable with perhaps an oat or two stuck to her pantleg and a cell phone stuck to her ear. I was in awe watching Sydney and Henry in all their cuteness just taking in the scene of toys, kids, a couple dry leaves for Sydney to sample before she picked up Henry's discarded madeleine. They were so happy. Henry almost ran over a small group of nannies dressed in their puffy vest with the requisite shawl or pashmina thrown over it as he backed up the toy car because he doesn't know how to go forwards yet. What made this day so nice aside from the shopping and the weather was that I could appreciate the time I have with the kids. The moms that were there (2 of about 12 adults and one had her nanny with her)looked miserable and lost. Yes, I have my days when I feel like I need to be peeled off the floor, but I never feel the way those moms looked.

Also, for parking...after a couple times of circling the street a man waited for us (it seemed) we asked if he was leaving and he pulled out for us. Then he got out and gave us his parking stub with an extra hour. That was a nice start to our outing.

Life is good.

Leah

(Stream of conscience writing...not going to edit..have other stuff to do>)

Spinning, stretching, pushing, pulling but not working out

So this past week or perhaps two, I've felt like a lost ball thrown hastily into the back of the car or perhaps dropped there on day. We are driving along a dirt road. I'm an inanimate passenger in my own life just being thrown from one direction to the next, rebounding, getting stuck and rolling back.

My driver? A 3 year old child. That can't be good.

I have moments where I'm myself. The moments are like one spark of a sparkler. I see Isabelle taking care of Henry. Henry's laughing at Isabelle and she is trying so hard to recapture that moment over and over again as the sit in their car seats in the back of my car. I see Henry study Isabelle. Henry climbs the stairs ahead of me and puts his hand up and says "Wait!", just like his sister does not really knowing what he just said or did. Henry putting a dishtowel in the washing machine closing the door and reaching up to turn the knob. These moments are spectacular and brilliant and full of lightness, but I can't hold on to them. I don't think we're allowed to hold on to them.

The rest of the time is difficult. Henry wants to do and see and have what his big sister does. Isabelle wants the support that Henry gets because he can't do what she does. I want to figure it out so everyone can get what they want and what they need, but that doesn't work because really...I have no idea what we all need or what it is that we really even want. I've decided I think to much, but that really doesn't help much.

So for now what is working is for me to roll with the punches. I'll try to steer a little and enjoy the ride. We'll see where that brings us tomorrow, next week, and beyond.

Fall Season of Change

Fall might actually be here and for that I am grateful. I can't really handle 80-90 degree days in October.

I want to enjoy the warmer clothes, cozier nights, and Fall walks with the kids.

Small thoughts today. I'm just trying to distract myself from Henry's cries as he decides not to nap and my mind racing wondering if he's not actually tired and his nap is shifting, or if he's just fighting harder now.

I had to smile when I went up after a failed afternoon nap to see that Henry had thrown all his pillows and bedtime toys on the ground. My little rebel...fighting naps with a vengeance.

I'm trying to go with the flow let the winds of change sway me from side to side before they softly lay me down on the ground to be kicked up again. I'm not succeeding yet...but tomorrow is another day.