Thanksgiving Lasagna

Yep, that's what we're having. I am hauling out a pan I froze last month and decking it up with garlic ciabatta, green beans and salad. Dessert will be molten lava baby cakes with Nigella Lawson's decadent recipe and ice cream. The girls won't eat the cakes, which works out great for Stefan and I: zap em in the microwave Saturday!
My mother was really dissappointed that I was not making a turkey etc. for my family. I hadn't really thought about it. With the little ones the time off seemed better spent making Christmas presents and relaxing....not that we aren't eating well. I haven't figured out how to match the deep fried turkey with the stuffing and gravy from my childhood so until I have solved that dilemma I won't be making turkey.
The girls went in the Burley and their papa hauled them to the park on his bike. Now his boss just called and he dissappeared into his office. I hope that doesn't mean work for him today! He wants to get making the play stands (from waldorf) for the girls.
Tristan has had another growth spurt and he is all about reaching out and touching, especially faces. He is such a darling baby. Now if he would outgrow this spitting up all the time. It is hard to keep him smelling sweet!
I want to be sewing the moses baskets for the girls' dollies, however Tryn is saddled with me until her dad gets off the phone. Oh, wait, he has to do some work. :(
On a happy note, I am in my skinny jeans. YEEHAW! I feel like the extra working out effort has paid off, since this has never happened so quickly. I am especially thrilled because I have been eating like a pig, even caving in to my ravenous chocolate lust and desire for peanut butter. I do work out at least two times a week (which is a new level of diligence) and so that is a milestone. The challenge then is to not spend the holidays thinking I can eat more! I would like the remaining tire of flab around my waist to shrink down before Christmas and the visit home. Did I mention that nursing Annika twice a day seems to have benefits for me as well?!

Gear

My sutemi pack is swell. It is long enough that it actally sits on my waist. Getting the hang of the front and hip carry positions and easy on and off is a bonus! Tristan loves it. What a nice option since he is about 20 lbs and mostly dead weight....the ultimate baby wrap just doesn't cut it when he is so heavy. (or that I broke one of the rings). Something quick for an in and out at stores is quite useful so that Annika stays in the cart. I also figure using it around the house helps me get stronger and lose weight.
Tonight off to church for a lecture from a member, a history professor at UW, on the origins of Thanksgiving.
I should go and get busy getting interrupted.

Well, Colleen

Here goes. Thwarted for a week, I will attempt to post.
Life is busy. Excuse me, a plea to wipe a butt arises from the bathroom.

Mission accomplished.
Interruptions are the work of my day. If I looked at the interruptions as such, I think I would be more amenable to them. So often I see what I am doing as the critical need (and yes, making dinner is truly critical) but it is what I often have to stop to do that is more impotant in the greater scheme.
Common interruptions:
Breaking up fights
Disciplining
Feeding (like eating lunch and having our Bible storytime) (or just snacks)
Drinks of water
Changing diapers for two, wiping the butt for one
Breastfeeding
Answering questions
Giving directions
Explaining
Picking up a fussy baby
Finding Annika. She likes to dissappear mysteriously when getting into trouble
Reading
Listening
Kissing owies
Teaching how to help

Tryna

Today as Annika addresses her sister it is "Tryna, Tryna, Tryna." It is funny since she has always called her Trynee or just Tryn. "Mama, E miled at me!" after handing something about Tristan or "wook, mama, wook" while showing me what she built. I love baby talk made into sentences. Lately she has also picked up bossing her sister around, "Tryna, shush, be shush" or "NO! Trynee, NO TANK YOU!" The announcement now comes also from the backseat of the car, "mama, I have a question." I ask what the question is and she smiles, says "um...that whud a pace" while pointing out the window. I think what they mean is can I have your attention? because we always get the declarative sentences.
On another note, I think I am quitting yoga due to the hoop jumping to get childcare. I can only call the babysitting area the day before the class to get a spot, and for three weeks I have either forgotten or called too late. Forget it!
It feels like a conspiracy against non-members. I hate that crap.
Less television and more reading occured this past week. Stefan has too much to do and nowhere near enough time to get it all done especially since the Christmas sales push is on. He wrote a paper last night and blasted that off, which always amazes me. (I hate writing papers).
My head is buzzing with all the things I could be doing, so I sit down at the computer and vegetate. Great solution.
I ordered a sutemi pack
to carry Tristan in. He is too big for the baby wrap already. I look forward to trying this one since it comes in a tall version and I am 5'10".
Wow. I am brain dead and unfocused. A great deal of the day has been spent breaking up fighting between sisters.
Homeschooling is going to change my whole life. Again.

sidenote

Stefan for Christmas Note:
Bookcases Niall Barrett
Taunton press 1999
Fine Woodworking Magazine

Exhaustion

Go figure, a post later I am fried.
Today we made it out of the house to a kid friendly joint, My Coffeehouse. Train table, magnetic board, kid kitchen, etc....and a lot of moms taking kids aside to explain the benefits and necessities of sharing. I finally met up with Susan and her three little ones. I can't remember most of what we talked about. I am truly exhausted.
But home again and a three year old meltdown en route and upon hearing that it was naptime. To be fair, I switched gears on her, but throwing yourself on the ground sobbing at the mere beginning of instructions is not going to improve without rest.
The plea pitifully arose as I laid her down on the bed, "please, mama, can you wait to make the bread til I wake up?" sweet kid. she really wanted to wear her new apron.
well the pizza is at the door!

Too Much Caffeine

So, drinking coffee after five-not a good idea. Wired and sick from some joe-sipping at the homeschool jamboree. The other ladies brought all their resources and I just sat back and listened. I try not to feel too behind by remembering they all have kids a year to two older than mine. Being the least experienced, I was the prime beneficiary. (I did show one overdue mom the acupressure point on her ankle and she had a strong contraction that convicted her it wasn't hogwash.)
The conviction that I watch too much TV is growing, due to some divinely placed cues. For one, a interesting discussion about television via St. Anne's Public House landed in my backpack after church. Secondly, the time I have is short, and mind numbing crap is certainly not helping me get the pile of books cracked open. Thirdly, I feel plain dumb as of late when talking with contemporaries that actually read. My vocabulary seems riddled with 'awesome', 'cool' 'sweet' and yes, my favorite: 'dude'......
How is the week? Well, I have been reading fairy tales with the girls. In the original version of Snow White the wicked queen dances in red hot iron shoes until she dies! Man, do I feel gypped by Disney. Nothing compares to the original brothers Grimm. Why "translate" a new, weaker version? Basically to make it more pc....and you all can guess how I feel about that. Tryn really loves goldilocks and snow white. Having longer, more beautiful books makes trying to hit the two hour mark of reading more enjoyable for mom. If you are going to read, get books that you both enjoy.
Last night was spent tidying and watching the Amazing Race. (back to tv) Television itself would make you think that there is only one culture and if you don't get the references in itself to itself that you are somehow deficient in knowledge...which only illustrates how useless the knowledge truly is. I like the comparision Joost Nixon makes between tv and movies in the above link. Hey, copies are free. You may just start thinking.