A Question

"Mom, if I stop shaving will I grow a mustache?"

I didn't know he'd even started shaving!

Any answers?

Peasies

Some of the best nutrition advice I ever got: feed your children frozen peas that are still frozen. Straight from the freezer. Even the ones covered in ice crystals. Even the ones that are fused together into golf ball sized masses. They'll eat 'em.

Sweet with only a tiny vegetable aftertaste.













Even this kid eats them by the handful. Nico tested, momma approved.

By the way, once your kids are down with the peas you can also feed them frozen corn and carrots...although peas are still our favorites.

"Oh, this was the best day. It was like 35 degrees."

The title of this post was said by me, to Matt in complete sincerity. And it took a few moments after saying it for it to seem ridiculous. That being said, it is winter. Cold, snowy, dark, etc. Sunshine and warmth seem very far away. So, after months of the high being in the teens and twenties 35 degrees feels pretty amazing.

In the midst of winter we had some rain that washed the snow away and we made the most of it. (The next day it snowed...) It felt so good to bring boys and bikes outside. I dig the outside. And I frankly dig no snow. We have since had lots and lots of snow and played heartily in it, but to me this really was the best day.

Faux-Hawk

Nico then.














Jacob now.













Way to rock the hawk, boys.



(Please, please know that our house is not always completely strewn with toy debris. I feel like the last few posts have shown off some very messy backgrounds. I mean, we have plenty of toy debris...just not quite as often or as bad as pictured. I hope.)

Baking

I think many young mothers have visions of baking with their children. As the children wear sweet little aprons and soft music plays in the background. Maybe. Something peaceful and instructive at least. I certainly thought I would really enjoy it (even without the aprons).

But I historically haven't much. It's stressful. They are like little time bombs in the kitchen. Whenever I bake I think about if I really want them in there. I usually grudgingly decide I should offer to let them help me. They gleefully say yes. I sigh. As they noisily drag chairs into the kitchen my pulse quickens and I start thinking, "No! Back! Stay back!". But, by then it's too late and into the kitchen and onto the chairs and into the baking they come. These pictures were taken during some Christmas baking (remember, backlog). Note the careworn expression on my face.














Despite my desperation as I watch flour miss the bowl or salt spill on the floor I do realize one thing: they really, really like it.














(Even if Nico looks like he's in incredible pain. That's joy, man. Pure joy. I know the signs.)














This past week Jacob and I baked some oatmeal cookies while Nico napped. It was genuinely more enjoyable than other baking experiences. Perhaps having just one child to guide helped. One child who has better motor skills. Regardless, Jacob was even up to the task of scooping the dough onto the cookie sheet. I really didn't want him to. And pretty much ached to just do it for him. Despite my ridiculous desire to snatch it out of his hands and do it for him he did a great job.

And I guess that's the point of baking with kids. To teach mom to let go of some control and to let the kids (and moms) know that they are capable of some pretty fun things.

























Even if they're not wearing pants. Ever.


















So, for now, we'll keep on baking.

Just Reading

A few weeks ago, when Jacob had his infamous stomach bug (the one Nicholas had had a few days before with minimal problems), I found the boys in Jacob's messy, messy room like this.

























I really like these two. Especially at these moments. Not so much during power struggles. Or tantrums. Or whining. Or fights over toys. Or brazen defiance. But here? Man, I really like them. It is oh so easy for me to not appreciate these moments when they come. They sneak up on me so quietly sometimes I just don't notice. Darling.