Teaser

We celebrated Otto's birthday this weekend because the actual day is tomorrow and eric will be at work all day. This way we could do family stuff all day. Plus, he has no idea what day his birthday is, so what difference does it make?? There are many more great photos and stories to share but I will leave you with this...

There was a LOT of this:

Then this:

Followed by this:

How many four year olds get a Hoth cake?

Dinner and a Movie

Otto is on the verge of turning 4. Just a few more days now. Coming up with the right way to celebrate for him is tough. He doesn't really like big parties and he REALLY doesn't like them if he is the center of attention. The last thing I want to do is to have a party that he doesn't enjoy. Two of his best buds are away this semester, one in California and one in Australia. They were not going to make it back to celebrate with us. Luckily, a very good friend and fellow birthday buddy (his was a week ago) is here. He is also not a fan of big parties so his mom, Megan and I hatched a plan. The boys have been talking for a long time about wanting a playdate where they could stay up late so this seemed like just the time. Last Saturday we took just them, no siblings allowed, on a special dinner date and then back to Megan's house to watch Wall-E. The whole week leading up to last Saturday Otto was looking forward to his "dinner and a movie date". It was pretty cute. Who knew the Friendly's just south of town was THE PLACE to be at 5:00 on a Saturday night. We had to wait for a table (remember, around here, there aren't enough people to make waiting for anything a necessity). Due to the crazy amount of people there we had to wait forever for our food. The boys held up really well, but they were starting to get pretty antsy towards the end. Dinner was fine, what you would expect, the fun part was the ice cream for dessert. Otto chose a cookies and cream sundae. It was quite popular. So much so that Otto, who is always happy to share food, gave me the evil eye when I sneaked a bite.

"I will lean in close, but I am not taking my eyes off the sundae".

Good to the last drop.

After dinner we headed to Megan's house to watch an abbreviated version of Wall-E since we left the restaurant when they are both normally going to bed. Megan even had cute little popcorn containers. Of course, she is cool like that. Because the night wasn't decadent enough, There was hot chocolate too.

Making himself at home.

Around eight Otto actually said he was ready to go home. Not being one to push my luck, we packed up and headed home. It was a wonderful evening and a fantastic date. He is quite the ladies man this little dude.

LegoLand

Lately you may be noticing a trend with us. There is a lot of talk of STAR WARS. Let me tell you, it is NON STOP. All day long I am fielding questions about plots and dialogue. Grandmom and Grandpa, if you want to know what to do to get ready for your big weekend with the kids in a few weeks, brush up on your STAR WARS :). Otto has never seen the movies as he insists they are too scary. He is super sensitive to movies and songs so I am sure he right. Eric cut together (because he is cool like that) a short series of clips of just droids and Luke talking but he won't even watch that. He has however seen this commercial and we all think it is roll on the floor funny.

All of his STAR WARS knowledge comes from asking us a million questions about the movies, reading his LEGO STAR WARS dictionary and looking at eric's old STAR WARS cards. Aside from some crazy Lucas freaks out there, he has a better understanding of the movies than most people I know. Along with the total love of STAR WARS is a love of LEGOS. He plays with LEGOS all day long. I am not kidding. We have moved furniture around in the living room to give him a large dedicated space for building. The stuff he makes is really cool.

Otto is defiantly a kid who finds something that interests him, tries to learn everything he can about it until, maybe years later, he has satisfied his curiosity on the subject and moves on the to next thing. It is actually a very good way of learning. Complete immersion. Eric says he remembers entire phases of his childhood devoted to space, snakes, sharks, cars, STAR WARS and girls. In that order pretty much. He claims to still be interested in the cars, STAR WARS girls, snakes and sharks, not so much. You can see why him being an academic is really a good job for him. The only toy he really remembers as holding his attention for long periods of time were LEGOS. He is, I would say, equally as excited about the LEGOS and STAR WARS as Otto is. They sit together for hours and build, build, build. We need more LEGOS just to keep up with what they are making.

Eric has been a bit crushed that I have not shared with you some of his better creations over the past few days. Luckily I can since he took pictures of them before Otto started playing with them.

Exhibit A: Tie-Fighter Notice the corner turning and dots on both sides. "that's a big deal" to quote eric.

Exhibit B: Slave 1 (is now the time where I can mention the fact that this represents the only time I ever knew a STAR WARS trivia question that eric didn't. What is the name of Boba Fett's ship? Slave 1. I mean, COME ON, who doesn't know that? :)
I also thought I would throw in some cool pictures that Otto and Eric set up with the toys. Here they are doing crazy flash blocking, red eye using "mood lighting"
And this is just too cute.
So there you go. A glimpse into the world of life with STAR WARS obsessed boys. Mette is fast on their heels though. Today she came running looking for me calling "where is my Padawan Ashoko". You would know from her calling me her Padawan that this makes her Anakin, of course. And you sure as Hell better call her the right name, or it gets messy.

Out we go

Into the land of the white stuff. With any luck there may not be too many (if any!) more big snow falls this season so it seemed wrong not to take the thirty minutes to bundle the kids up in snow pants, boots, jackets, mittens and hats and get out there and eat some snow. Or play in it, whatever suits your fancy. Otto is getting pretty good at getting his gear on himself which is super awesome. He can put on his snow pants and his boots and he can do the cool lay your coat on the ground, stick in your arms and flip it over your head trick. As long as I am there to keep him on task and help him do it in the right order (snow pants BEFORE snow boots, etc...) he can get ready himself. I do the mittens as that is really hard to do yourself. Mette needs me to do all of it but providing I can catch her and aren't foolish enough to let go of her before she is geared up, she is pretty easy too. Then I just have to throw some boots and a jacket on and we are off. Do you have to pee yet? At this point one of us usually does.

Mette is old enough and big enough to get out in the snow and play this year, however with all of the snow gear it still seems a bit like she can't really walk. A light breeze would blow her over. As a result she does not LOVE it like Otto does. But I can't really blame her. Otto can now plow through anything all geared up.

Also, I know I am a bit biased, but seriously, is he not the handsomest kid ever?? WOW. He is going to break some hearts this boy. This mama better raise him right because I have the feeling he could and will do some serious damage.

Like I said, not entirely pleased with the whole operation.

Still very cute though.

Today was the first day we were outside in our own yard long enough to entertain the idea of a snowman. Usually we are out exploring. The snow was good snowman snow, but not awesome. I had hopes of a HUGE figure towering over the yard, but that was not in the cards today. I can't wait until the kids start reading Calvin and Hobbes so we can have some really good snowman inspiration. Until then, this will have to do.

I was putting the scarf and hat on with Otto and turned around to find Mette without a jacket or mittens. I guess they were getting in her way so she took them off. She was cold a minute later so she headed inside for a snack. Super attentive parent that I am, I gave her a snack and headed back out with the camera to Otto and the snowman.

Since she has a pink scarf she is obviously and girl snowman. Since she is a girl she is one of two people (in the world of Otto) Princess Leia or Ashoko Tano. I suppose this snowwoman had a royal presence as she is was named Princess Leia right way. Otto did a lot of posing with her and telling me stories about their time together.

Here he is holding her hand.

And this is just to remind you, me, anyone who is reading that spring will be back and Friday was not just a dream. It is and will be a reality.
Tomorrow I will be back with stories of why Mette is now going to sleep in jammies that are zippered in every direction and why we might consider putting them on backwards!

Off to watch Top Gear with my boy.

SPRING!!

Friday it was 62 degrees here, by some accounts it was even closer to 70. It was glorious. After naptime the kids and I walked, all of us, without a stroller or carrying Mette, to the hardware store and Rachel's house to make and deliver keys. We were literally skipping down the sidewalks frolicking in the warm sunshine. Upon returning home the kids played outside while I worked on making dinner in the kitchen with the door open letting in the warm breezes and the squeals of delight as the children squirted each other with water bottles. It was glorious. Visions of afternoons playing outside and windows open filled my head. I swept the deck and thought about the garden we will be starting soon.

This is the view out of the kitchen window this morning:

Spring may be a little further off.

It is after all still February, but it stings a bit more on the heels of Friday.

I decided to embrace the coming season change by making new curtains for the kitchen.
They are so bright and cheery. It helps deal with the snow. Which is quite beautiful. I'll admit, reluctantly.
Today we are making homemade granola bars and eating marshmallows. Really, how can you not?

Sidetracked

I had plans for today, there was sewing to work on, clothes to be washed and put away, food to cook, and buy for that matter, packages to mail, phone calls to make, in a word, LIFE. Most of that was pushed to the back burner for the day, for a very worthwhile reason.

A few weeks ago we learned that a dear friend and colleague of eric's was diagnosed with breast cancer. She and her family are currently living abroad but the diagnosis and plan of attack is brining them home sooner than planned. I am sure there will be a line of people who want to give all of them a HUGE hug. I know that is all I have wanted to do since learning the news. While they have been away they have rented out their house, common practice here in university town. Them coming home early makes for a bit of a pickle. The people who are now renting their house have become friends of ours as well, they even have a child in school with Otto. They are happy to move and give the house back, but a family of 5 with two dogs can't just go anywhere on a few days notice...

Enter our amazing town. They have been looking for a place for a while, and even are about to buy a house, but they need a place starting RIGHT NOW for about the next three months. Today was the day they needed a house. Many phone calls were made, discussions about how allergic people really are to well cleaned, post dog house we had and by lunch time today they had a house. My partner in crime Rachel and family have been generous enough to lend their house while they are away. I took the new family there this afternoon and it looks like it is going to be a great fit. Keys are being copied, logistics are being nailed down. It is done, children will be tucked into clean warm beds each night and life will continue to go on as seamlessly as it possibly could in this situation.

There are many things we give up living here. There are no great museums, or stores, or live music. The diversity is a joke and EVERYONE it seems goes to church, which is fine until you are someone who doesn't, or *gasp* Jewish or *double gasp* Muslim. The closest airport that functions is over an hour away and "functions" is a stretch. But, it is beautiful, the houses are amazing, the area provides wonderful local food and the community is fairytale-esque. People here will drop everything to help someone else. They are truly kind and thoughtful. This family coming home will not have to cook for months. It will all be taken care of. There have been massive emails all day today discussing airport pickups, who will be stocking the fridge, etc..

I am happy do without all the fancy big city advantages. Family and friends who in a moments notice are willing to go so are far more satisfying than any museum or restaurant.

Now we can all focus on the task at hand, and I quote one of the main rally leaders today

"help us tell cancer to FUCK OFF!"

Our little Peanut

16% for height and 27% for weight, peanut status for sure.

Today was Mette's 2 yr. appointment. Because she is Mette it was all roses and lollipops and laughter. She clocked it at a whopping 24 lbs. Which is the first time she has tipped the scales higher than 20.6 at the dr.'s office, so that was huge. She stands a towering 33" high. Well, towering in her mind. Her head is a perfect 50%, but we knew that! Being as neither eric or I are giants of any measure the dr. said she looked to be right on target. When Mette entered the exam room she turned to me and said, about the nurse, "she wants to give me stickers". yeah, she has the gig down. Be sweet and cute and they give you stickers and lollipops. She started asking about the treat shortly thereafter. She was pulling out all the stops with "may I have a treat, please?". It was a quick answer to the "does she have 6 words?" that is part of the developmental questions you have to answer. She has six different ways of telling you she doesn't like what you have to say, thank you very much.

She also eats better than her big brother with a fork and spoon so check there.

She mastered stairs a long time ago, check.

Potty trained, check

Knows her colors, check

can scribble, check, circles, check

can point to (and tell you all about) her ears, eyes, mouth, nose, belly and feet

undress herself, check, sigh

put clothes back on, shows NO sign of interest in that!

It was a quick visit with a lot of "yup" coming from me. I am sure there were questions I should have been asking, but I can never preform in situations like that. Normally there are not shots at 2 years, but she was sick for her 18 month appt. so she got those two today. It was no big deal. They had Hello Kitty bandaids. Need I say more?

She did a fantastic job of charming up all the nurses and old ladies in the waiting room. That girls is trouble. She is so stinking cute and sweet, until things aren't going her way, then watch out!! Eric was always worried about her dating but he is starting to change his tune. The past few days she has been flexing her "I am 2" muscle quite a bit. She had a COMPLETE meltdown at dinner a few nights over what we think was the wrong drink being offered, but we aren't really sure. She had to be removed from the kitchen and stood in the dining room yelling "I screaming!" just in case we weren't sure. Eric thought perhaps we should just video tape it and when possible dates came by show then the video and casually mention, "hope you picked a good restaurant...". I think it might work very well.

I suppose I should be gushing about my BABY and how she is growing up so fast, but that just doesn't feel right. I love to hold and snuggle teeny tiny little creatures, don't get me wrong, but I really love little KIDS. The kind you can talk to, and believe in some magical world that you are reasoning with. Kids who tell you stories, and have opinions. Even if sometimes those opinions seem like they will take over your life. Right now Mette and Otto play together all the time. It is amazing. Having them so close in age is paying off big time right now. I am sure that won't always be the case so I am trying to be thankful for each day we have.

Besides, weighing a whopping 24 pounds, I can still sling her up on my hip like it is nothing, making her still seem like my little baby.

Mette's Birthday Monologue

What follows is what I believe to be a good view into the inner workings of a sassy now two year old's mind.

Bitches, step back and no one gets hurt. I have been asking for these balloons for three months at the grocery store and I am NOT sharing.

(note: we bought the balloons as promised for her birthday but gave them to Otto to take upstairs to her in the morning and he got all the credit for giving her the balloons. Parenting FAIL)

Is it not the greatest thing you have ever seen!!! Look, they float in the as if suspended by magic.

Damn straight they are having breakfast with me!

I will even share my cereal with them. So there.

Oh boy, presents!!! I will tolerate sitting on Daddy's lap if he gives me presents!
uuuuhhhhh, (low guttural growl of pleasure) Teeny Tiny Hello Kitty!!!!!
(Otto, who has done an AMAZING job of watching Mette get all the presents and attention while waiting for his birthday three weeks away, did score some amazing STIG presents from friends in Australia. One of the gifts was a STIG encased in soap. He now is the cleanest almost four year old boy you have ever seen. He wants to get that STIG out so badly!)

Dr. Mette here to take listen to your lungs and give you 500 shots/day. If you are lucky I will also take your temperature. It is a special experience.

(Mette loves to smell my coffee every morning. She is totally interested in the ritual that is the morning Java. When I saw this wooden espresso machine, I knew it was perfect for her.)

JAVA, now I don't have to try and sneak mama's, i can just make my own.

(stopping in the middle of present mayhem to read a new book.)

(Ever since Nonna Jen's baby shower Mette has been asking for this little computer. It has been a huge hit ever since. Otto really wants to play with it as well, but somehow he has controlled himself and lets her play with it. The dance moves they have been doing to the music was worth the price alone!)

My puter! They really do listen to me. Now I can check my email and sing songs all day long!
We had a really great day at home, just the four of us on Sunday celebrating her birthday (which really was on Monday). There is of course a long post about how much she has grown and how crazy it is that she is two, but I am saving that for next week when we have her stats on how much she actually HAS grown after her dr. visit.

Rainbows

As I sit here I am slumped on the couch with Mette while she watches Sesame Street in a post cake sugar coma. The espresso machine is chugging in the kitchen as eric makes me a cup of the only substance capable of helping me make it through the afternoon.

For the past few weeks leading up to this weekend Mette has been requesting a rainbow cake for her birthday. A rainbow cake sounded like a fun treat to make, so off in search of good saturated food gels i went. I found them! Organic, natural and local went out the window today. Well, mostly, the eggs were local organic, and the butter organic, but all of that pales in importance when you see these colors.


Cake batter divided for the four layers of the cake -above.

Pink in the pan, ready to be baked -below.


All four layers, stacked and ready for icing.


Mette requested sprinkles for the top and picked green, pink and purple edible flakes. She wanted black but I convinced her to stay with these three. I am all for black most of the time but this didn't seem like the right application. For a little extra "two-ness" I used a paper cut out of the number two to create sprinkle dimension.


Working hard on blowing out the candles.


Got it!


Cutting into the cake was the best part!


This pretty much sums up Mette's feeling on cake!


We were supposed to be celebrating with grandmom and grandpa but the roads between here and there are coated with a thick layer of ice so they were not able to join us. It of course would have been more festive with them here, but there is rumor they might come down tomorrow, which is really Mette's birthday so we will just have to keep celebrating!

More photos of the birthday girl to come.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Mette's Ice Festival

In special celebration for Mette's birthday weekend, the burg is holding an Ice Festival. Market Street is lined with small ice sculptures and the park downtown has three large sculptures. There will be the requisite pancake breakfast tomorrow followed by children's games and a polar bear plunge in the river tomorrow afternoon. We may or may not participate in all of tomorrow's activities, but we did go downtown today and check out all the ice sculptures. Otto touched each and every one of them, they are all cold. Just in case you were wondering. I didn't think to bring the camera, but managed, thanks to some great light, to get a few good shots of the kids with my phone.

Otto was really excited to watch them carving the big ice castle.




Cold hineys on the ice throne made for a quick but cute photo opp.
Tomorrow we are off to get provisions for the "rainbow cake" Mette is requesting. She is pretty darn excited about the big day coming up!