For the love of Tulips!

Next week is Tulip Time.  I can't go this year, I am so bummed!  It is so much fun to watch the Dutch dancers, see the tulips, eat an elephant ear, and go to parades.  I was really looking forward to going with Ingrid again this year but alas, we have to move instead.  But how coincidental is it that at the thrift store yesterday we found this:

I can't wait to put up a little shelf in Ingrid's new room with this little lady and the wee wooden shoes we have! 

We also went to the park yesterday and were the only people there!  It was gorgeous out, just a little windy and chilly.  But seriously people, throw on a coat and come play!  Brendan and I are always amazed how many people stay indoors so much.  I'm all for the days of relaxing and all, but once it's spring, I want nothing more than to be outside. 

Speaking of relaxing, here's Ingrid in the chair.  Quite the little queen, isn't she?

Messy Face

Two questions for you, Ingrid:
How does paint get on your nose?

Did any of that frosting get in your mouth?

Last night was lovely, we finally have nice weather again after days of rain.  Everything is nice and green because of the rain, though, so I really shouldn't complain.  I made chicken and biscuits with asparagus (which Ingrid saw and said "pinecones in the fridge, mama!") and a yummy strawberry crisp for dessert. 

After dinner Brendan took the wee one and the dog out to get some energy out before bedtime.  Didn't work, Ingrid was up until past 9pm crying and carrying on!  And then got up at 6am, it's going to be a long day...

Random Good Mom Award

I had the best thing happen yesterday.  It was a lazy rainy day but Ingrid wanted to splash puddles, so we got dressed and headed outside.  I had just put some garbage in the dumpster when a car pulled up alongside us and rolled down the window.  I leaned over and it was someone I didn't recognize, a young guy, but he said "I had to stop and tell you, you are a GREAT mother!"  Apparently he's seen us walking the dog and using the sling, and just having random outside fun when we do.  He kept saying how great of a mother I was, it was the sweetest thing!  It just made my day.

In other news, I don't feel like a good mom, as I've been still really weak from being sick and I have done nothing but lie around and take naps.  Brendan took Ingrid to do fun things yesterday, like swim in the indoor pool and go get ice cream.  I have sat in bed or on the couch and read.  I really really hope I start feeling better soon, this is getting annoying!

Ingrid's New Bed

We got a free toddler bed from a friend of a friend.  I was going to set it up at the new house, but of course got curious to see what it looked like.  So my mom and I set it up yesterday and Ingrid loved it right away!  She jumped into bed, put her blanket on, and said good night.  She took a nap in the new bed with no problems, and slept just like normal last night.  I guess this means we are done with the crib and Ingrid is a big girl.  Sigh...she's not even 2 yet and already she's in a big girl bed and potty trained.  Aren't they supposed to be young for a little longer than this? 

Missing In Action

We've been MIA for medical reasons.  Read all about it here!  What a crazy freakin' couple weeks it's been!!

Sicklies

Ingrid and I have been sick all week long.  It's not much fun but we have been able to enjoy ourselves a little bit.  We watched Toy Story the other day, I love that  movie!  Ingrid giggled at it, she enjoyed it.  We've also made tents in the living room with blankets and chairs:

And Daddy came home early yesterday to play while I took another nap.  They made tunnels out of our moving boxes.  Brendan had a lot of fun seeing how many boxes he could get together.

Today it has been sunny and in the 80s, but we haven't felt like venturing out much.  Instead Ingrid brought some toys onto the porch and then dragged her blanket and Glo-worm out and had a little rest in the sun. 

We've had to still take out the stupid dog though, which is getting on my nerves.  He's now nine years old and I think he's getting old man bladder.  Every two or three hours he starts whining to go out, where he used to be good for five or six hours at a time.  I have since taught Ingrid how to yell "Cody, quit whining!"  Oops.  That kid is a sponge, I swear to god...

Painting, Picnic, and Puddles.

We got a watercolor book at Target yesterday.  It was funny to watch Ingrid try it.  She's used to regular paints, so watching her figure out how to get the brush wet and then get the paint wet and then try to get the paint on the paper was interesting.  It's so amazing when you can watch their little brains working to unravel a new mystery!  She did well with it, and I like that watercolors seem to be less messy than regular paints. 

After painting we went for another picnic.  This is Ingrid's new favorite thing to do.  We take some snacks and a blanket down to the field, let Cody run around, and enjoy the sun.  The other day I wanted to go home so I stood up and started to take the blanket to fold.  Ingrid yelled at me, "No, Mama!  Lay down!"  I guess she wasn't ready to go home...

Post-picnic was puddle time.  I honestly did not think the puddles would still be there, as it hasn't rained in a few days.  But, down by the lake they hung on.  And Ingrid won't let me bypass them, she has to run straight to them with the look of greatest joy on her face!  I caught a pretty good splash shot here!

Her feet were so gross and dirty when we got home, and I hate to think of what was in that puddle!

In other news, we're packing slowly but surely and should have everything ready to go in a couple weeks.  The first of May cannot come soon enough.  Our 20-something neighbors were having a nice fight all day yesterday, with slamming doors, swear words, and much yelling.  And our other neighbors' washing machine was unbalanced and making the loudest noises above us all day long.  It sucks living in a complex!!    

Applesauce Crafts Sale!!

Just thought I'd give a shout out that my etsy shop is having a sale.  If you read this blog, or my other one, you know we're moving.  And instead of schlepping all my etsy stuff with us, I thought I'd put it all on sale and try to get it sold!  Do you know anyone having a baby?  Do you know anyone with messy kids that need a bib?  My small lovey sized blankets would even be great for kids to use for their dolls! 

Here's a sampling of things available:

International orders are accepted, just let me know through etsy's Conversations where you need it shipped to and I'll let you know the cost of shipping.  Don't pass up these great deals! 

It's Cold Again...

It was so nice and sunny and then BAM!  We're hit with rainy weather in the thirties.  Blah, I want the sun back!  I'm trying to tell myself we need the rain so the flowers can come, but it's hard when I have to bring the dog out and the wind whips us in the face and Ingrid cries to go home.

We tried to continue going outside, but even Ingrid didn't want to, so we found some inside things to do.  We met some friends at Urban Toddler the other day, where they go to play and scream and run and I didn't have to pick up after them!  We went to the library and got new books.  We have colored.  I did a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, with a little "help" from Ingrid.  And yesterday we got a package of fabric from our friends Heather and Penelope, so we made some new pants.

Ingrid liked them :)

We also made some bread yesterday, since Ingrid was bored and getting on my nerves.  I thought that perhaps doing something together would make us both happy, but she kept trying to eat the flour and get her hands in the warm gooey yeasty mix.  I ended up getting more irritated, I'm such a bad mom!!  When it was time to knead the bread, though, she did a lovely job with her piece.  We had a miniloaf pan so she got to bake an Ingrid sized loaf of bread.  She thought that was pretty cool.

And today we are meeting some friends at Ikea.  They're shopping, Ingrid and I will get meatballs and browse around for our new house.  Not very exciting, but that's our life.

I'm Going to Miss This.

So we're moving.  We found an apartment by the university and it will be so much better than living in a complex.  I've been so excited by the thought of living near things again, and not having tons of neighbors.  And then Ingrid and I went to the lake today and I realized...I'm gonna miss being able to walk to a big lake and have peace and quiet.

Our apartment complex is on a lake, and there are trails all along the lake and a big grassy field.  No one ever goes out there, strangely, so when we go it's usually just us, totally quiet and peaceful.  We let Cody run around, Ingrid examines rocks and sticks, we hear birds and smell fresh air.  It's great.  For a crappy apartment, the lake part of it is really quite nice.

Anyway, we went today and had a great time.  It was gorgeous out and we took a picnic with us.  Cody even went swimming, which Ingrid thought was hilarious for some reason.  Afterward, Ingrid went down for her nap with no trouble at all.  All that fresh air sure does help with sleep issues!

Eggs and Baskets and Balloons.

We finally got around to dying Easter eggs yesterday.  It was messy, and not really that much fun.  Ingrid just wanted to stick her hands in the dye cups and lick her hands.  Blech.  But, we got some cute ones.

This morning she woke up bright and early and found her basket.  I got the felt basket last year and just added some little dollar toys--play dough and a bouncy wind up bunny.  No candy this year because seriously, I would be the one to eat it all up, and none of us needs it!  Although someone said something about jelly beans and I thought mmmm, jelly beans.  I may have to get a bag on clearance tomorrow!

Brendan took Ingrid out to the park and to go hiking through the Arboretum.  I used the time alone to clean house, work on a jigsaw puzzle, and watch Lost.  It felt amazing to have a few hours all to myself.  Then it was naptime, so I got to nap on top of it!  I'm telling you, we love our lazy Sundays here!

And also, I finally cut Ingrid's hair!  And how glad I am after seeing that picture of her up there!  She's needed it so bad but I wasn't sure if I was going to take her somewhere or do it myself again.  I couldn't take it anymore so snip snip with my sewing scissors and viola!  I can see her eyes again! 

Easter Party

Our friends had a little Easter party in their backyard yesterday.  Luckily the weather cooperated and it was sunny and in the 70s.  The kids wore their cutest new spring wear, including Ben's amazing hat:

The girlies were all wearing skirts and pigtails, it was just that kind of day!  The kids got to pick up Easter eggs (which were thankfully NOT hidden, just thrown around the lawn.  Trying to give hints to Ingrid where to find something is so frustrating:  right there, no, by your hand, no right in front of you!!)

Allie has a great selection of toys, but the best one by far was this motorized Barbie VW Bug.  How ridiculous is this thing??  The kids loved taking turns driving around and no one knew how to steer so it was constant screaming, NO!  You're gonna crash!  Turn! 

Before we left, I had to get some pictures of Ingrid in the bathroom.  She was dancing on the counter and the mirror was playing tricks.  I suddenly had this glimpse of what it would be like to have not one but two of my little monster!!  Ahhhh!