Super Girl & Moo of course

Sometimes I catch Maddie referring to herself as "supergirl" as she climbs sideways down the stairs. Not the safest way to travel down the stairs..I know, but I thought it was so cute. She is my super girl!!

& Pretty n pink sweater was such a hit that I made another with a fun "seaspray" green cotton yarn. Its probably time to move on to another pattern, but I think I could make one in every color:)

Buttercup

Buttercup yellow,
standing so tall.
Raise your head &
look to the sky.
Spring calls.

Feed the Cats!!

Last week I got an idea from soulemama's blog for creating a chore chart. It sounded like a productive way for us to get daily things done around the house (since we werent relaxing on some faraway beach for spring break.) With a few index cards, bulletin board & crayons they came up with their list. The plan was to keep chores for the week & then Jack decided they should change daily. I dont think he liked cleaning the counter very much. I keep thinking of ones to add..since I wasnt in on creating the originals. They did come up with some pretty good ones...though I cant imagine Maddie making her bed or Jack for that matter. If I can figure out my camera maybe I'll get a better shot & you can see the board. In case you're curious they read: sweep the floor, put clothes in hamper, set the table, clean counter, feed the cats (i'm including bond with the felines since there's no card for him), clean the sink, drier, make your bed, mop, silverware (put away). Also Maddie is exempt from feeding the animals since the cat & dog food makes her gag! Who knew it could be so complicated. We'll see how long we can keep this going.

Dan Zanes Rocks!!

Today we went to see "Dan Zanes & friends today" at the Mershon Auditorium.
http://www.danzanes.com/pages/news.php
I love family days!

5th day... a visit to the zoo

We made an impromptu trip to the zoo this afternoon. It was nice, not too crowded. We spent most of our time in Asia. J&M love watching the elephants. There was a new baby born today, but we didnt get to see. Lots of talk about the brand new calf/babe..wish we couldve seen him. The tiger was asleep, but the lions were wide awake. It was the first time I had heard a lion roar right in front of me (it was more like a growl)..the lioness was looking at something making a very intimidating sound..very cool. The male was pacing the fence . I've never seen him up & moving. We mostly visit in the summer. But today he was up & HUGE. It was amazing how small I felt watching him. Of course, my new camera that I remembered to bring along was dead when I got it out for a pic. Maybe I can get Jack to invent a solar or wind pwered camera. That would definately come on handy since mine always seem to need charging.
Here's a zoo pic from 2006.

4th day of SB.

Mad at ballet today practicing for her big dance in May.

Jack finished his camp today & brought home these inventions. Jack says they tell the age of things.. He had so much fun with Max at science camp!! He's disappointed it's over so quickly.

I finished Maddie's pretty n pink sweater. I told you it was bright!

3rd Day of SB..& alittle music

Jack had a science camp today. He was very proud of his boomerang & bouncy flubber ball he made. He was also super excited about making inventions that really work with old electrical equipment. Cant wait to see what he brings home tomorrow. Also..for the "what I'm listening to" ..this week would be "Bells of Scotland" by J.Demos:)

2nd Day of Spring Break!!

This morning we went ot Integrity Gymnastics...they loved all of it!! esp this foam pit!

1st Day of Spring Break

The sun was warm today, so we headed outside to find some sunny spots. J&M laid in the driveway coloring & soaking up the sun. Thanks Sandy for the big belated bday boxes. They both loved the coloring books & new twisty crayons. Maddie took her time going thru her new clothes. She loves having Caitlyn's old clothes. She says she loves the way they smell like Caitlyn:)

And Moo...King for the day!

Striped Jammies.

I finished Maddie's striped dress Friday night (except for the crochet edges)!!! After staying up late to finish it, I was so excited for her to try it on Sat morning, but of course, she refused. Picking out her clothes can be a long morning process!! But tonight she decided she would wear it to bed..:) Take a look..

I decided to start another project...just because it always feels good to have something on the needles if I have time to grab them & knit. Maddie picked the hottest pink yarn Joanns' had & after many attempted negotiations to maybe consider a lighter shade of pink, we walked out with the "pretty n'pink" color. Maddie says "i love it!!" here's the pattern i'm using:
http://soulfulhuesknits.blogspot.com/2008/02/girls-cap-sleeved-spring-top-with.html

Royal Typer

I stumbled onto this little gem today..a "quiet de luxe model" royal typewriter from the 1940s at a local thrift store for $10. I did a little research & this model is suppose to be one of Ernest Hemingway's favorites.

I have been wanting to find an old typewriter for Jack. He loves to type on the computer & I knew he would love this!! The thrift stores around here are like gold mines...you can find all kinds of treasures..old books, furniture & even cool clothes. Today my heart skipped when I saw a big black box sitting on a bottom shelf with lots of dated computer items...please be a typewriter!!.. When I got the box opened, I was sooo excited. I snatched it up, like I found a brand new mac.

Just after I surprised him with it, he gave me this little note....

It's almost here!!

cool breezes surprise,
awaken warm hearts today.
leaving us thankful and blithe.

Get Out & PLAY!!

Two ted talks I watched this week are about the importance of play..even for adults. I really enjoyed these:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play.html

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital.html

I love watching the kids play & spying on them when they pretend. Maddie can sit forever & read stories to herself & act out the parts. Jack likes to make things & use them in his imaginative world. I never know what I will find around the house. One of my favorties recently is this little clear box he filled with water & something from our yard. When the light comes thru the box it's so cool. At school last week his class learned about solar & wind energy. Check out Jack's wind powered car.

It's amazing the worlds they create & jump right into. I think I am envious of the way they see the world thru such simple yet complex ways. Maybe we can learn as much from our kids as they do from us.

Ted.com

I love this site..www.ted.com
It's so much better than tv & you learn so much.

Trying out my new toy

I got a new toy this weekend...a brand new camera!! & no sharing!

Weekend Pics

YaYa & Poppy took the kids to Springtacular Friday night (our school's annual spring carnival/fundraiser) They had a blast...
John & I took GM & GP to see Slumdog Millionaire. It was good..painful to watch at times, but it leaves you thinking of India & life there.

More Stripes

Stripes..

Try to imagine Maddie wearing a cute little striped sundress....yes, it is bright like the sun..., maybe alittle too bright! i've had this yarn in my stash for a looonng time. I thought i'd knit a tanktop & then like i do alot in the beginning of a project.. I changed my mind & it's slowly becoming my own pattern of stripes. I love making stripes! I'll keep you posted on how this one turns out.

Around the house again...

New knits..Maddie's hat I made as an accident of sort. It started out as a gift for a new baby & my gauge was way off so now she has a new "carolina blue" one. The new baby got the white set. It's first time I've ever used bamboo yarn...I loved the feel of it, very smooth & warm. We bought a bamboo comforter for our bed last year & it's very warm too.
I like to take pics of random things around the house each week...I figure one day I can look back & remember all the toys I picked up & smile.

Demos..greek or egyptian??

We made our monthly trip to the "first saturdays" at cma on Maddie's bday. CMA has an Egyptian treasures exhibition "To Live Forever" thru June from the Brooklyn Museum. I am fascinated, like most people of this ancient culture. This exhibition is a collection of middleclass Egyptians funeral items. So instead of gold coffins you will see coffins painted yellow. The Egyptians believed you could defeat death and live forever in the afterlife. Part of that process involved certain rituals & material things from this world that often they were buried with. ie, shabtis (small nude statues that were their servants in the afterlife), senet (the oldest known board game). You get to see all of this stuff as you walk around. We even got to play a modern version of senet. The one they have on display was unbelievable...made me think about how creative you had to be for entertainment 4,000years ago!

One of the most fascinating things I saw was the Mummy Demetrios. He is still wrapped in bandages & linen, painted red & has a portrait showing his face. He is one of two mummies never unwrapped in modern times. There was even a CT scan done of him revealing he had gall stones. It was fascinating!!

Oh & the art project that the kids made was clay canopic jar. The Eygptians used these to store body parts in for their burial!! Thankfully we didnt need body parts to make ours. Take a look at J&M's

Jack playing "Joy to the World"

Springy Weekend...

Who dances lightly through the world in slippers mossy green?
Who covers trees with tiny leaves where birds can hide unseen?
Who brings the flowers?
Who brings the showers?
Who brings the buttlerflies?
Of course, you know the answer-
That zingy, wingy, singy, flingy, swingy season SPRING!!
-Patricia Hubbell

One More Day of Being Three...

Turning 4 is BIG!! It's exciting to see Maddie so excited about her birthday this year. Everyday this week we've had a countdown to how many more days till her birthday. She is excited to know in the morning she will officially be 4!! Jack ask what time will be tomorrow...I say "12am in the morning, midnight.." The wheels are turning, let's hope we dont wake up at midnight for the bday party!!

Thanks Robin & Rex for the "fancy" gifts, before playgroup this morning, she & I played Fancy Nancy's board game....She loved the peel off & on stickers (great invention!!) Thanks Adeana & Jay for the barbie that has doggies that do tricks. She loves the tiny little dogs to pretend with. AND..Thanks Nana & Ben for the surprise balloons & gift basket waiting when we got home today! She is loving this birthday coundown!!

March 2006

Can't she stay little forever...