Notes From a Small Town

Costumes

Last year, we asked Ronan wanted he wanted to be for Halloween. He said a bear. So, I procrastinated and found myself looking for a ready-made bear hat a couple of days before Halloween. (In my defense, Calum was still pretty young). He ended up seeing train conductor overalls and decided that was much cooler. Whew.

This year, we asked again...starting in September. It changed from a lion to a character from the Wizard of Oz (in hope that we would agree to read it to him this year instead of next). And, finally, he settled on a turtle.

Thank goodness I have an engineer-minded husband who likes to create costumes for his kids. He cut out the shape from cardboard (we still have a ton of moving boxes). Then, he and Ronan taped it, paper-mached it, and painted it. We put the finishing touches on the details the night before his school festival. I made the pants.

Most importantly, he really liked the costume. And, we think he actually looked like a turtle. Calum was a lion - borrowed from a friend - thank goodness. They are both so adorable. Really.

And, now I must go and throw away most of the candy...

Sleep vs. Eating

A baby's two favorite activities?

We're quite lucky as Calum is quite happy doing both. For a baby, he's a pretty good sleeper and while he is starting to turn his nose up at previously loved foods (plain avocado), we can mix it in with some applesauce and he'll eat it. (We mix his kale in with portions of this recipe).

But, on certain days, we actually wear him out.

 

 

birthday wreath

Somewhere along our journey as parents, I decided that we should place more of an emphasis on our birthday celebrations. After all, now my time is measured based on my children's ages, milestones and achievements. However, it needed to be enjoyed in a way that would tread lightly on the earth, but still be something to get excited about. I started researching some old traditions - German, Irish, Polish, Italian, French, and Scottish. (That pretty much sums up our blended heritage). In doing so, I discovered the birthday wreath (ring) - an old German celebration.

Many of these rings were wooden and in a modern twist, each year a new figurine is added, either bought or handmade. It seems like a wonderful tradition, but not exactly what I was seeking for our family celebration. After much thought and discussions (thanks Heather), I settled on a wreath, wrapped in ribbon, with floral wire curled up to hold four photos. These photos should include the person throughout the previous year and should be chosen by all other members of the family (Ronan was quite excited about the photo choosing).

 

As I am not skilled in the ways of wood-carving, I bought a pre-made wreath from the craft store and wrapped some ribbon. Since the potential for fire is quite high (what with all those paper photos strewn about), our candle is contained.

True to tradition, we get up early and place the photos and light the candle before the birthday person awakens. Then, the person blows out the candle, we eat breakfast and open presents.

At least, that's the way it's gone this year. We started with Ronan's birthday and it's gone through three of us, so I hope that it has stuck as a tradition. It's relatively easy to remember, gets the whole family involved, and is heavy on the memories and less on the stuff. I love it.

(Poorly taken photo from Joe's birthday)

In addition to the birthday person's favorite dinner and birthday wreath pictures, a good cake always makes for a great birthday. So, for Joe's birthday - a mere four days after my own - we celebrated with another millet/orange marmalade cake and lots of singing. I don't think anyone said it better than Homer (Simpson, that is):

"Mmmm...cake."

Thinking about Winter

...well, not really in Florida. But, through the eyes of another child. A child who I remember quite fondly from my own growing up years. A family I have been itching to introduce to my eldest son. (I was a wee bit nervous that he may reject said family...preferring the picture-book version we started with over a year ago). I don't know why I worried. He is an avid listener and lover of books, including audiobooks. So, I brushed off my old children's librarian storytelling skills and began.

He was enamored. We had to read just a few more pages. And, a couple mornings later...Daddy took over my storytelling role. Thankfully, her story has captivated one more generation.

Blockbuilding Today, Architect Tomorrow?

Or maybe an engineer? Or a career in home renovation? He definitely likes the demolition part - a lot. Hmm...now that I think about it, he and his dad have that in common.

Regardless, there's always a lot of building (and demolishing) going on around here. Always. Sometimes it's the easy to clean up kind, and sometimes, well, let's just say that sometimes, I bite my tongue and realize that he is getting something out of his work and it will eventually get put away.

A few months ago, I stumbled across the book, Block Building for Children. It was literally a browsing accident and I am ever so thankful that I found it. Almost immediately, I had ordered it and stashed it away for Christmas. And, then, right before Christmas, I opened up the book and noticed that a particular set of blocks was needed to complete most of the structures. A little searching and my boys have been building (or chewing and destroying, in Calum's case) with this set ever since.

 

And, the best part...Joe and I really love building these structures as well. Many of them are a bit sophisticated for four-year-old Ronan to do on his own, but it's a great family activity and if the structures don't look exactly like the picture, well, we like that just fine too. In fact, our foreman will often call for some last minute changes and since he's the boss of these projects, we adjust the building plans.

Besides, there are lots of other buildings to be made...infinite, one could say. These are heavy blocks (and will leave marks on your younger brother if you accidently hit him with one) which makes them perfect for intricate structures. Or, maybe it's just another way to play with the other toys.

 

And now that the tiger has a cage, he needs a zookeeper...and some food, of course.

From the hand to the the heart

Our house seems to be a very busy place. I know we don't have the monopoly on activity - in fact, we probably can't even come close to lots of situations. (Especially since I have a cousin who is the mother to four boys). FOUR! Oh goodness...

...but, they love her a lot and are fiercely loyal to her (two are grown up and out the house and they are still this way). I want that for my boys. And, so, I quiet the "messy" voice in my head and turn up the "let's go outside" voice. I try to listen to the "he's learning something" voice. I place special emphasis and value the "homemade" voice the most.

So, of course, we've been busy...

(Winter squash medley for Calum...ready to be frozen)

(a 1st birthday crown for a friend)

 

And, in my house, homemade can't be complete without a sewing project (or two) left out on the table. Waiting for a few minutes here and there to be eventually be finished.

It's completely normal to listen to the voices in your head, right?

always learning

We've been hard at work - playing, self-teaching and observing. As we navigate this learning at home journey, I find myself riddled with doubts.

 'We should be doing more.'

'He's going to fall behind his peers.'

'I need to get more organized.'

And, although there is a lot of truth in all of those statements, I will admit that I am not too worried about his learning - not yet. Thankfully, I see a lot of value in learning to love exploring, observing and playing - and we are helping to establish a good foundation for all of these. And, every once in awhile my doubts settle and I can really pay attention.

 "Mommy, it's just like the very hungry caterpillar."

(Orientation for picture-taking, notwithstanding...)

And, of course, my little one is working on his own type of learning. And, no, we're not trying to sway him one way or the other toward college. He just likes this Gator blanket. Promise.

I'm feeling very good about the work that's going on around here. Now, if I can only find the time to get started on my Christmas knitting projects.

leading the way

 
(Photo take by Natalie's dad )

This kid's got confidence. There is no doubt about that. After watching the adults figure out the map, he asked for it and began plotting our way. (Of course, his friend Natalie helped too).

One of the many things I love about this parenting journey is being able to sit back and watch the thought process unfold. Ronan is an observer. Give him a room full of children and he will sit and watch their actions for a long time. It takes him many, many sessions to decide to participate in any organized type of event. 

He is the child who, when given three choices, will suggest a fourth (much to the occasional frustration of his parents). If it involves building/fixing/demolition, he is the guy for you. He will jump right in and help you install a sprinkler system or put together a cabinet. He has a confidence about these activities - he's not afraid to jump in and try and fail.

With other activities, he needs that time to figure out how it works. Thankfully, we are able to give him that time. He can follow his own map for his life journey. Its path has yet to be determined and right now there is only a pencil to use - easy to erase and make a new mark, a new a path.

We will continue to offer choices and make suggestions. We will be his guide on this journey - helping him to recognize that we are one big community - responsible to each other in the choices we make. But, as the same time, he is already leading the way. 

(A car he made from his building supplies. He designed it to work on the carpet.)

cloth diaper update

When we decided that we were going to follow through on our plan to cloth diaper, I scoured the Internet for information on what type to buy, how to use them, which ones are a good value, etc. Everything was so personal - much like slings and wraps and other baby carriers. It was a bit overwhelming and a tad frustrating to see such conflicting opinions.

But, opinions are just that - one person's experience. So, here is ours (so far):

I love the bumgenius 3.0. They are easy to use, have only leaked once (and that's when it was already very, very wet) and take up a very short time in the dryer. We do not get much sun in our tiny backyard, so line-drying isn't really an option right now. The velcro is a bit annoying since it catches on everything if he is not wearing pants, but it does make a close fit, so that is nice.

I have been less impressed with the all-in-one organic cotton one from bumgenius. They stained very easily and we've had a couple of blowouts. They also take a long time to dry, so I usually hang them in our room to finish air-drying. However, I love the snap closure. But, I probably wouldn't recommend these for everyday use. 

We have a few prefolds and some covers to test drive in the next few months (he's still a bit small for those). Overall, I am thrilled that we made the jump to cloth diapers - we're mostly using the 3.0s at night since they are so absorbent. Gotta love those baby steps!

Do you experienced, cloth diaper moms have any other recommendations?

two months

This bag has been sitting in my bedroom for over a week. I just moved it to the front door in hopes that it will eventually make it into the car. Can you guess what's in it?

Yep. Most of those are 0-3 month clothes that Calum has outgrown. Already? Somewhere in that baby-gazing, sleep-deprived state, my baby - my last birthed baby - is growing up. I knew it would happen, but it seems so soon (yes, I know he was a big baby anyway). My heart is a bit heavy this day.

But, then, I'm reminded of all of the new things that come with being two-months. He has been gracing us with smiles for a while now. And, those smiles, well, they just make you think that you are the most special person in the whole world. But, that is nothing compared to the laughter and cooing he bestows upon Ronan. It is enough to melt a Mama's heart. Despite some initial grumblings, these two have become a linked pair.

So, I've saved a few outfits and hope to make one of these for both boys - eventually. (Maybe, just for me - to remember). In the meantime, I will cherish each smile, laugh, burp, diaper change and look forward to all of the wonderful things to come.

Thanks for indulging me in some sentimental mommy moments this Wednesday. See you Friday!