Daily Life in February

We are stuck in winter.  I'm getting SO CRABBY in the afternoons, I feel bad.  I try to control it but even I can hear myself sounding like a complete bitch to Ingrid and can't stop myself.  I want to run outside without a coat on, or go for a long walk to the park or go to the lake.  But it's cold, it snows, it's windy, it's wet.  We try to go for a walk around the block, but after a few  houses I am already sick of hearing Ingrid complain about being cold.  Sigh.

 

So, we huddle inside.  We play with toys.  We paint.  We make play dough.  We play on the iPad far too often.  We get squirrely and I yell. 

 And then I get a drink.  At five o'clock.  OF COURSE. 

Somewhere in there if we're lucky, we take naps.  Otis has started to cuddle with a stuffed animal at his naps, which I love.  It's usually Mickey or a teddy bear.  It's adorable. 

 

 And sometimes I actually get around to doing something.  I painted Ingrid's room last weekend!  No more green stripes!  It's a nice muted gray color, and the stripes still show through but it's not nearly as horrible as the green was.  I will have better pictures when it's "done."

 

I also cleaned the basement and tried moving stuff around so it seemed like a place we'd want to use.  It's okay, but I just don't feel like hanging out in a basement.  An unfinished basement that is COLD right now, even sitting right in front a space heater.  I used Ingrid's broken dresser as a TV cabinet, it turned out okay, I think!

 The only thing getting me through this month is the fact that March means it's almost spring.  Like in a few weeks we can hopefully go outside with smaller jackets on.  But it's supposed to snow 6 inches tonight so I don't know...I'm hanging onto that hope.

 

Rainbows, Bruises, and Siblings

We had a gorgeous double rainbow the other day.  You can't see the other one that was above this, but it was amazing.  It happened right after I put Ingrid to bed, I got her up from bed and she was all confused.  "Why did you wake me up to look at this?"  I thought she'd love it, I was wrong I guess...

Otis and I were playing ball the other day and somehow he face planted on the sidewalk.  Again.  I honestly do not know how it happened, one minute he was laughing and dancing, the next he was splat on the concrete.  His nose got a bit beat up...again.

Yesterday we did some painting early in the morn.  Otis is entranced by the finger paints, but he doesn't quite get that it goes on paper.  He also got one of the dot paints (like a big Bingo marker) and had a big smear of purple all over his cheek for the morning.  Apparently they don't wash off.

After painting we went outside to get some air before it rained.  We found all sorts of ways to get dirty before 9am!

 



New Pals

More of the same summery goodness lately, made even better because we have made friends with the neighbors across the street.  They have a little boy six mo. younger than Ingrid and one just a couple months younger than Otis.  It's been instant BFFs around here! 

Today after nap time we had them over to play.  I'd made this paint I saw on Pinterest, which did not really turn out like paint so much.  It's simply flour, water, and food coloring, but all I had on hand was whole wheat flour, next time I'd try regular flour and hope for a better consistency.  But all in all it was a nice messy project for the kids on a hot day.

We had a pool of cold water ready to wash them up, and of course, popsicles.

The other day we stayed inside for the hot weather, and the AC must have been cool enough because we baked cookies.  I'd gotten some cookie cutters from Ikea that Ingrid desperately wanted to use, so we made moose sugar cookies.  They were delish.

Our Spring Days

Oh the lovely weather puts me in such a good mood!  Yesterday we got out bright and early and went to the lake.  We threw rocks in the water and enjoyed the sunshine.  I love that no one else is around on these chilly days, we get the park all to ourselves.

Today we played out in the backyard.  We got our slide and trike out, and busted out new chalk that was supposed to go in someone's Easter basket...All the crocuses are up, the daffodils are almost here, and the tulips are making their way as well.  After a snack and coffee outside, we came in and enjoyed our sunshiney living room.  Otis was wearing an Ingrid hand-me-down, the tattoo shirt our friend Michelle made!  It has my tattoos printed on the tshirt, it's so cute.

We also did some painting.  I found a paint with water book at the thrifts, completely untouched!  It's so much less messy than any other painting.

While Otis was sleeping, Ingrid and I had quality time together, building block towers just like old times.  She was very happy about having mama all to herself!

Tomorrow is another lovely day of having no plans.  It's supposed to be nice again, so I'm sure we'll find something to do outside.  And most likely coffee will be involved.  I love spring.

Hanging Out and Sewing

My two favorite things!!  This week has been so fun.  Minimal breakdowns on both Ingrid's and my parts.  Friends came over to play.  We cleaned while listening to Abba. We painted with sparkly paints.  Good times!

We also got some sewing done.  I got a new pattern for these cute felt shoes.  I only had eco-fi felt on hand but I figured I'd try it and then spend the money on wool felt if they turned okay.  They turned out awesome!  Totally going to make more of these in wool felt!

Also finally made the taggy book for a friend.  She wanted it months ago but luckily the baby she is giving it to was just born and won't play with it for awhile anyway, so it wasn't a rush order!  I love this Michael Miller print with the bikes.  Bikes are rad.

More to come soon!  Friends are coming over this weekend, Tia is coming to take pictures on Sunday.  It's going to be awesome!

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...

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!!    

A Bad Night, A Better Day

Last night I was happily chopping up veggies for our salad when WHAM, the knife came down--hard--on my thumb.  Youch.  It bled profusely and I knew I'd need stitches.  Luckily Brendan was on his way home from work.  Why do these things happen when I'm by myself with Ingrid?

Being the good wife I am, I finished up the salads with a dishcloth wrapped around my thumb, doing things one handedly as I raised my thumb above my heart.  Do you know how hard it is to make hamburgers with only one hand?  But I managed, and was very proud of myself.  Brendan came home and we ate dinner, as I figured I'd be waiting around awhile and would get hungry, so I should eat before I went to the emergency room.

Now, here's a sad thought:  I was happy to go have a couple hours to myself.  At the ER.  Because I was bleeding and would need stitches.  Brendan offered to come with me and I jumped up and ran out the door before he could catch up.  Not really, but I wanted to!  I put a book in my bag, told him to take care of the wee one, and hopped in the car on the way to the ER.  And had two blissful hours of non kid time.  And stitches.  I got three stitches and a comically big bandage, and then I was home.

This morning I woke up to a huge throbbing pain, but so far ibuprofen has done me well.  Ingrid seemed to sense I didn't want to do much today so she happily played with her kitchen and blocks and books.  I finally managed to get out of my pajamas at 11am and we went to splash in the puddles.  Ingrid loves her puddles, she loves rainy days!

After that we did some painting, on paper, the table, Ingrid's arms, legs and upper lip.  Thank god for washable paints. 

We also had our squirrel friend come visit.  He would have come inside if I'd opened the door, he is so curious!  Our cats hate it.

And now it's nap time, and then we have a doctor's appointment for Ingrid.  It's been a nice mellow day, which is exactly what I needed. 

Another sewing project yesterday, another circle neck shirt.  I love these but man are they a test of my patience.  There are so many little tiny things to check before you can sew, so in my haste I always manage to make a mistake.  They're still cute though, so I will make tons more to practice and hopefully learn the tricks to making them easier to sew. 

Springtime This and That

I am so happy it's nice out lately!  We have been doing a little of this and that lately:
Wearing rain boots and splashing in puddles.

Making flowers out of Ingrid's paintings.  We did this with her coloring pictures at Christmastime, making them into snowflakes and a paper chain.  Since it's spring, I thought we should make butterflies and flowers.  I love how they turned out!

Dragging out every single toy she owns and bringing it out to the porch.  She loves doing this!  All her kitchen ware and stuffed animals have enjoyed some sunshine the past few days.

It  has been completely enjoyable the past couple days, just lounging around with my little one, basking in the sun, and going for walks to the park.  It is so nice to just hang out and not have to entertain her, as I had to in the winter.  Everyone feels so much better with all the daylight and sunshine!!

And tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day and we are off to a party at Jami and Ben's house.  Hooray! 

Thrifting with my Lady

Ingrid and I went thrifting yesterday and had the best time.  Usually she's very whiny and just wants to go, but yesterday she was into it.  We pretty much stayed in the kid's section, as I was scouring the racks for some vintage finds.  A friend is starting up a kid's vintage shop and I love a reason to buy the things I don't have a need for.  Ingrid found lots of toys to play with and they even had a ride on horse that kept her entertained, so I was able to do all this pretty smoothly.  So, we spent about an hour going over ever little piece of clothing in the kid's section, piling up things in our cart, looking them over, decided what was worth the money and what wasn't.  Here's what we came up with:

Pretty cute indeed.

Yesterday was a good day overall.  We started out by painting out in the cold morning, which didn't bother Ingrid in the least.  Mama, on the other hand, needed a hot cup of coffee to keep her warm and kept asking "are you SURE you don't want to do this inside?"  After lunch we took a nice long walk to the park, let Cody run, let Ingrid swing, and we all got to enjoy the weather.

I was just telling Brendan last night how funny it is that every year at spring time I get so unbelievably overjoyed at the first nice weather.  It's like over the winter I forget that there can ever be a day over 25 degrees, that the sun can shine and actually make you warm!  You'd think it would be old news after 33 years of living this way, but alas, each spring it's like I've never experienced it before.  I love spring.

And, one more funny anecdote from Ingrid:  This morning she had a glass of plain milk.  She asked for pink milk, I said not right now, she asked a few more times, I said no a few more times.  She left the room, rummaged around in the kitchen, and brought back the can of strawberry powder!  And then she asked again "pink milk, please?"  That kid does not take no for an answer!  I have to respect that!

Great Family Weekend

I got a hyacinth plant a couple days ago after seeing people talk about spring coming to their parts of the world.  I want spring!  But we have snow and ice, so I had to buy my piece of spring.  It smells so good!

Saturday we woke up and decided to get breakfast.  While we were there we remembered the Kiwanis sale was going on, so we checked it out.  It was packed again, and with Ingrid there with us it was kind of crazy.  We found some really good things this week!  We got a Charlie and Lola pop up book that I'm not letting Ingrid touch for a long time.  She ripped something off right away and I got mad.  How stupid is that--what else is a kid going to do with a pop up book??  But this is so cute, I want it to last!

I also got some great vintage fabric.  I sewed some things up tonight with it:

Brendan got an original Trivial Pursuit game, which we realized has the most ridiculous questions...Luckily we have a box of questions from a different version, with questions we could actually answer.  So, game night was on!  We should do that more often.

For Valentine's Day we got Ingrid a balloon at the grocery store.  I was going to pick out a pink or red one, but she demanded a yellow one.  

Then today we ran some errands, painted pictures, and played with Play Dough.  We just spent lots of time together and it felt good.  I like my family.