Mother's Day 2012

Making cards for Grandmas

Milk Tooth

Not long after this last dentist appointment Eli noticed a loose tooth.  I was excited about it and only told him positive things, but he just asked "when is it coming out? will it bleed?"  He wouldn't wiggle it to get loose and I was worried we'd have to take him to the dentist.

Thursday his friend was over and I made him a treat of a lunch (hotdogs!) which he stopped eating and said he was full.  I figured it was the tooth.  He just hung his head and started crying out of fear. It had gotten unbearably loose and so the I made the poor boy a milk shake instead.

Before dinner we tried to get his tooth out and there were lots of tears and bargains, but all our attempts were foiled by the slippery little thing. Luckily it came out on its own the next day.  He came running "I feel something!" between sobs and spit it out into my hands.  I hope the rest of them aren't this dramatic.

He did have a sense of humor the next day. He kept tricking me by saying that he had another loose tooth.

New Smile

Spring Time

I should have been grateful for this mild winter, but I have been waiting for Spring.  It was so dreary there was nothing to blog about for 2 months.  

It has been fun seeing the trees sprout back to life, discover what flowers would pop up (the original owner was quite the gardener), watching Brian obsess over plants that should turn into food. Everything else is unnecessary to him, except maybe the flowers that attract pollinators.  The kids love the freedom to head out back and play for a couple hours.  We've been busy making bird feeders, setting up a little garden for the kids, chasing the rabbit, and unbusy lounging in the hammock and having peaceful dinners outside. Here are a few pictures:

Rain and broken umbrellas don't stop them from going out

Esme's bird feeder

Eli and I worked hard on this beauty

The birds are yet to appreciate

Pear blossoms

Some of the many bulbs coming up

Of course the radishes are flourishing and the better
stuff like carrots, lettuce, beets, chard are slow-going

Eli's kid garden Easter basket

Esme's Easter basket

The kids have their own little spot to care for their flowers and watch new ones open. We'll have to set down some rocks so there will be a place to uncover bugs and their peas should be sprouting up soon.  Soon it will be warm enough for their tomato plant, cherry tomatoes and peas sound like the perfect things so they can munch while they play.

Rock Candy

I was bummed when Eli's teacher said their Valentine treats had to be store-bought, his class mates would never see these beauties.  We decided to make some anyway for friends not from school. The jars didn't hold much syrup, so they ended up being skinnier than the ones in the tutorial. 

I could get addicted to rainbows. 

 

Happy Valentine's Day

Brian's home sick, Eli's at school, so we're having fun with Esme. She's been asking to paint her toes for a long time. She picked red over pink.  She did a good job staying still, waiting until I said it was okay to get down. Even bossing dad not to touch her toe nails.

Then she insisted on painting mine, stopping as soon as a little got a mess on her fingers.

Best Big Brother

Eli's always doing thoughtful things for his sister.  On this particular day a week or two ago it was warm and I sent the kids out to play.  He saw Esme struggling and helped her into the swing and pushed her.   At playgrounds other parents are often note what a nice big brother he is.  Always helping her along and wanting to play with her.

Lately he's the one who gets her out of her crib, an awkward, almost painful feat. A few weeks ago he said "Mom, can I got get Esme?"  "No, she's still asleep" "But if she sleeps too long she'll die."  He was very concerned.    

And when someone gives him a treat, he asks for another for his sister.  I'm sure sometimes because he doesn't want to share, but other times he does it when she would never know he got a treat.

1st Article of Clothing

I might have started this dress before Esme was born, not even sure. I stopped when the snaps on shoulder pushed my presser foot off the edge and I could never get that dang biased tape on.  For some reason this Sunday, I decided to get it done before church.

Sorry, the pictures are blurry.  This will be the first of many dresses.  She was soooo cute Sunday.  I seriously look at her and wonder how she came from me.