I'm Addicted . . .

. . . to these adorable, little fabric postcards! Thanks to my Aunt Cindy who can create magic with a sewing machine! I just need to glue on a stamp, choose a Valentiney Post Office to ship them to. Such as Loveland, OH or Loveland, CO or Valentine, AZ. How cool to receive a card with a special Valentine canceallation stamp from a place like that? What's next? Perhaps St. Patrick's Day invites for an upcoming 1 year old birthday, hmmmm . . . .

(Click on my Aunt's link above for directions in creating your own delightful fabric postcards. It's really easy and takes only part of an evening. A quick project with fast results.)

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Valentine_Re-Mailing_with_Postmarks

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(oh, and Live_a_Colorful_Life's conversation of sharing completed projects inspired me to share these at the moment of completion. Here's my "shout", from a chilly basement!)

Simer Rhymer Dimer Do

We have a lot of new names around here:

Mommy has become Mommer.

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Daddy has become Dadder

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Norah has become Norer

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Simon is not a Simonater, he is a Simer

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Grandma has become Grandmaw-maws

Grandpa has become Grandpaw-paws

(but only the ones from Minnesota)

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Grandma and Grandpa Lussow are definitely not a "-maws" or a "-paws"

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So Daddy called him Simer Rhymer Dimer Do,

and Mommy really likes this name.

But, no, "Simon a Simer"

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A Chubby Little Snowman!

An afternoon of fun! Carrot nose provided by Mrs. Dickens next door. Simon called her, asked if she had a carrot, marched himself over to her house, rang the doorbell, and took the carrot! So darn cute!

(turn the volume up for this video clip)

A chubby little snowman

Had a carrot nose

Along came a bunny

Now what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny

Looking for some lunch

And ate that snowman's carrot nose

nibble . . . nibble . . . crunch!

Leftover Hair

I have finally mastered the art of leftover hair, which excites me to no end! Leftover hair is yesterday's style that is good enough to wear today! I love the days my hairstyle lasts two days in a row. I sometimes shower at night to save time in the morning since I received this_gift_of_time as a birthday gift from Eric. So this morning, I declared leftover hair was the way to go. Plus a new haircut always helps!

Midday Connection

Whenever I get a chance to listen to the radio and 12:00 p.m., I always tune my radio to Midday_Connection. I love the topics and somehow always find a comment that relates to my life. The program just provides a peace and a time to self-reflect. The website is great and allows me to listen to the program any time or to download it to a podcast. I also know where the host lives! Anita Lustrea lives around the corner and across the street from us; she is a very lovely lady!

Desserts

Our Friday evenings have turned into game night or family movie night with a fire. One particular Friday evening, cake baking was added into the mix and we created a "Hot Fudge Sundae Cake". After baking and cooling the cake, squares of cake were cut, split in half, and used a cookie cutter to cut out the shape. A square of ice-cream was also cut out with the cookie cutter and sandwiched between the two layers of cake. Topped with a home-made fudge sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top! Yum! Since only three people were eating this yummy creation, the rest of the cake was cut and placed into a few baggies and placed into the freezer for another time. Came in handy as we had my sister for a suprise night as she was stranded on her flight from Mpls to Japan! Just thaw and serve!

Ever wonder what to do when it is too cold outdoors to play? Have a jammie day and make happy face cookies, idea courtesy of Simon's cookie cookbook from Aunt Christina! As we were making the cookies, we discovered that we did not have any powdered sugar for the frosting. What to do? We blended granulated sugar to turn it into powdered sugar as suggested by research on Google. The result - yellow frosting, a bit grainy and interesting to spread, but worked well enough for the day.

Simond did not mind the grainy frosting!

His job was to put the eyes on the cookie, and sometimes the mouth. Can you tell which one is his cookie?

I decided that we did not need a whole batch of happy face cookies available on the counter or in the pantry. We split the dough in half to make heart cookies ahead for Valentines Day. They are in the freezer just waiting to be thawed, decorated, and shared with those we love!

Captured Resting Places

Pain in the . . . .

GUMS!!!

Chomping away brings so much relief! Thank goodness for the vibrating star teether! This pic taken a few weeks ago, working on tooth number 4. Proud to say the pearly white tooth just appeared from under the gums just yesterday! She now has popped her two top and two bottom teeth.

Sledding

Sliding down a snow covered hill with nothing but hard plastic under your butt is so exciting when experienced through childhood fun! Wish I could have been there, but kuddos to Eric for capturing the moment. Reports included a face-first, snow-gulping wipe-out without tears, which caused a Daddy-Son hat exchange. This may be the beginning of sending your kid off to an unknown, and possibly scary adventure. To be repeated this summer with the riding of a 2-wheel bike.

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I am pleased to report that it took four winters in young Simon's life to appreciate the snow! He now jumps into snow with or without the apporpriate attire, picks up and throws, creates snow angels, and flops down into it without a moment of hesitation. He's on his way to loving winter. He doesn't know that it's too cold and we sometimes tire of the snow and get cabin fever. Those are all learned theories that his young soul doesn't need to know yet!! He asks each day, "is it nice outside?" Only last week with temperatures way below comfort and safety levels for outdoor play did I say "no, it's too cold". His eyes only saw a sunny day with lots of snow in which to play.

Throwing in the House

Now what mother actually allows throwing in the house, even during house-bound January? Well, there has been quite a bit of throwing in our house; which has kept us both busy and sane. Let me tell you why.

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Norah had the icky sickies and the poor baby spent a few days throwing up. That should not be allowed for any tiny person to endure! So, really that kind of "throwing" is not really allowed in our house, but it kept us busy! We are most excited for nice brown-colored filled diapers. Enough said.

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The next type of throwing that has been occuring at our house includes paper airplanes. Simon gave Daddy one of those page-a-day calendars where each day is a paper airplane to fold. You know, those daily calendars that get used until, oh, let's say, January 15! I was really skeptical about purchasing this item but thought it would be a fun Daddy/Simon activity. Well, I was right and it was a perfect gift. Every evening after dinner Simon excitedly waits for Daddy to fold the airplane. Imagine trying to explain that Sat/Sun share a page. These airplanes provide movement and excitement while not breaking a single item in the house! Plus, if one gets stepped on, squished, wrinkled, torn, lost, or eaten (by Princess Drool) it's not really noticed. Seriously, there will be over 300 airplanes to make. And with names like Flying Mantis, Double Eagle, Stratofortress, Douglas DC-3, Twin Prop 101, Aramis, and Toreador - we are entertained with Simon's attempts to repeat the names! I must admit it is quite fun to spend 20 minutes flying paper airplanes like crazy all over the house, every day!

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Here is a sample of the airplanes on display. Notice the drawer on the coffee table. That is the "airplane hanger", a perfect place to store them when not in flight.

Here are abandoned airplanes.

Here is what the calendar looks like, as well as a sample of the directions Daddy follows every day! He'll have great paper folding skills by the end of the year. It is cool that the paper is in proportion to an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. Do you know how to mountain or valley fold?

If looking for a cool gift to give "Daddy", I highly recommend the paper airplane page a day calendar. It is by far the most used Christmas gift of the year!

Heavens to Hershey

Simon has grown to love hot cocoa after playing outside. (His is really just warm and he sips it with a straw.) He declares the need for hot cocoa upon entering the house from the out of doors. We had played outside on Monday, because of the house bound temperatures to come later in the week (which is now) and are keeping us house bound. So, out to play we went and a request of the beverage was declared. Our homemade, premixed supply given as a gift was gone, none in the house. And he wouldn't let it go. Hot cocoa actually sounded yummy. Resources limited, I looked at the Hershey cocoa can sitting in the pantry and realized we had all the ingredients. Just cocoa, sugar, water, milk, and vanilla. And oh my word, I don't think I can ever drink Swiss Miss or other instant-just-add-water-hot-chocolate ever again!

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So any of my readers who are frozen and frigid beyond necessity, pop open your Hershey can in the cabinet and make a yummy warm drink! Your insides will be warmed all the way down to your toes!

It's Too Fair

I have learned that with increased vocabulary and the ability to put two words together, language development explodes. Well, we are witnesses to language explosion. The talking never stops and the things that Simon says are just way too adorable, as you have read some stories in the past.

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The latest is "it's too fair", appropriately said when he seems to be treated unfairly. Really, it's just when he is not getting his way with Mommy! Intonation with emphasis and all, "it's. too. fair." sounds quite funny!

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Another fun thing to hear is pretend phone conversations, dialogue with toys, and his conversations and greetings with Norah. Comforting comments, expressions of affection, and sweet stories always warm my heart. Upon leaving for work, I sometimes here "ooh, I'll miss you Mommy".

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And where does the idea of monsters come from? We never talk about monsters in our house with the exception of his two "monster trucks". Haven't and won't watch Monsters Inc. to give any ideas. Recent questions like "no monsters down there?" have been asked. As well as the answer of "in the wall" when asked where the monsters live. We do not dwell on this topic and will just see where it leads. Not yet ready for the books "Go Away, Big Green Monster", "There's an Alligator Under My Bed" and "There's a Monster in My Closet". Hopefully calming fears about imaginary things is not in our near future! I could bypass some of those childhood fears.

Slippers and The Tanger Store

I bundled everyone up to go to the Container Store to purchase organizational goodies. So, getting out the door goes like this:

• make sure Simon goes to the bathroom
• tell Simon to put on his shoes
• change Norah's diaper
• make sure I go to the bathroom, nothing worse than me having to use the bathroom when out and about
• freshen up the hair and put on a bit of make-up
• help Simon put his second arm through the sleeve
• wait for him to zip up his own coat
• wait for him to try to put on the second mitten, ask for help, and stuff the thumb in the thumb hole
• watch him put on his hat
• wrap and tie his scarf
• wonder if he should wear boots, but veto that idea quickly. determine shoes are fine
• put hat on Norah
• put on and zip her coat
• put on my coat and accessories
• sigh of relief that my keys were in my coat pocket, no searching needed
• grab diaper bag, check for needed supplies and purse with wallet
• search for and put Norah's shoe back on, again
• go out back door carefully as a hot wheel track is attached to the garage door
• open car doors with bundled kid, diaper bag, and little space in the one car garage, careful not to bump any hanging garage item to come falling down. And trying not to scrape "winter car" on my coat. You know, the nasty dried road salt - I call that "car". Can't tell you how many times I have "car" on my coat! I digress.
• buckle both kids in
• back out of the garage and 3/4 of the driveway, and luckily realize that I am wearing slippers
• pull back in the driveway and change warm slippers for cold shoes in garage, could you imagine getting all the way to the store with slippers? I would just continue my errand as if I did not know.
• acknowledge that I broke my cardinal sin of wearing black shoes with white socks. But, black shoes were the pair available and convinced myself it was better than slippers and I would be okay.
• while driving, Simon asks where we are going and repeats "The Tanger Store?"
• Absolutely love the calming effect of just being in The Container Store

Hopefully the organizational goodies will help keep me organized! The Tanger Store has yet to disappoint me!

Why No Posts?

Well now, that is a very good question!

We enjoyed a fabulous Christmas.

• hosted Christmas Eve dinner
• took both kiddos to 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, so very beautiful. Busy though with Eric ushering and my ringing bells. Thank God for our 2 full pews of family to help hold and contain tired and sleeping babes!
• enjoyed a relaxing Christmas morning
• did not get Elvis in Eric's family's famous white elephant gift exchange
• came home and packed like crazy in the attempts to beat bad winter weather travel

Then a trip to MN.

• awoke on Dec. 26th to a sheet of ice, did not leave until 1:30 p.m. Actually the best trip ever, lots of sleeping due to afternoon naps. Since the sun goes down early the kids were tricked into bedtime in the car.
• had another "Christmas" with my family
• took Simon ice skating for the first time
• celebrated my sister's 30th birthday
• drove back in snow
• arrived to a rain soaked area carpet in the basement

Came home and celebrated an enjoyable New Year's Eve and Day

• remembered to take pictures
• cooked a special dinner - surf and turf - Cuban pork tenderloin and shrimp with rice - yummy
• Put Norah to bed at 6:00ish, played games with Simon until 8:30
• watched a movie and rang in the New Year at 12:00
• had "made to order" breakfast egg bakes and skillets on 1/1/09
• watched the Rose Bowl Parade in its entirity in pajamas
• went to Eric's cousins for New Year's Day in the afternoon
• did not watch any football
• Resolved to put things away

Undecorated the house

• the tree and all decor taken down and put away prior to returning to work

Started back at work. Which involves crazy amounts of IEP's in January. Hence, the lack of posts. Adorable pictures have been taken to document all of the above. Sometime, when I have more time and can juggle all that's on my plate better, I will add a slide show or an album on the side.

Then on the evening of January 5, 2009, Eric's Mom fell and broke her leg. She broke her femur and had surgery the next evening and a 38 cm. stainless steel rod was placed in her leg. She is doing amazingly well. She will be in rehab/recovery at Elmhurst Hospital for the next 4-5 weeks, as she cannot put any weight on that leg. So, Eric has been busy visiting her and helping Bill at home with all of this snow we've been getting. Another 8 inches this weekend!

So that's why no posts.

To Resolute or Not?

Happy New Year! The conversation goes: Are you making a New Year's Resolution this year?

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In the past, I have taken this quite seriously and have accomplished some great resolutions that have truly made me a better person. I find this time a great opportunity to attempt to accomplish one thing at a time on my to-do list of refining myself.

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So, this year, I resolve to put things away. Put little things away each day like clothes, items from the basement brought up and used but left on a counter, mail left on a flat surface for days, toys/clothes/kid items (even Simon will be included in this resolution). Put away larger items like too-small clothes, pictures and other childhood mementos, storage items, items banned to a flat surface in the basement during the mad-dash to straighten/clean the house. This little resolution of putting things away will hopefully accomplish so many other ideals. Like a clean house, more time spent playing and not managing stuff, and actually having bare, flat surfaces more often than just for company!

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In order to put things away, here are some desirable oraganizational products: wall_mounted_magazine_rack, a re-charging station, or a valet for the kitchen to hold phones, keys, receipts, and other small odds and ends. Will keep you posted on the progress of my accomplishments and success of any products purchased!

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And of course, working out more often is another lofty goal! Eric and I have already scheduled within a week individual times to get to the gym. But that is a typical resolution every year for practically everyone!

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Good luck to you in your decision to resolute or not!