Kiddie Updates

First, Will has started to "read" us books. He started with Freight Train and has now moved onto The Little Engine That Could. It's so cute how he reads and turns the pages at the right time. And, with the little engine, he uses little voices. I love it and it just makes me so happy!
He's also doing a lot more imaginary play - he makes up "stories" and voices for his trucks and trains and acts them out. I'm sure you'll see it the next time you see him - he's doing it all the time now.

We're doing very well with our potty training too - he actually told me in Wal-Mart (sorry, Steven!) that he needed to pee. Of course, we were at the front of the store and the bathroom was in the back; but we went fast and he did a great job. Then, he was in the bathroom with Brent the other night. He was sitting on his little seat trying to poop. He kept readjusting himself and he got a little erect. Because of that, his penis wouldn't fit in the potty anymore. He then wisely told Brent, "My penis is way too big!" It was too funny, and something I'm sure he'll appreciate me documenting. :)

Blogging Is Great But . . .

I really enjoy blogging (I hope others actually read it - post some comments, people!) and reading other people's blogs. I love how it keeps me up to date on Ann and Kristi and John (a friend from college). And, I've learned a lot about my friends that I didn't know before, like Ann's actually into politics (which I'm not so I never brought it up), she used to play the flute, and that she likes a good 7 & 7 (I always thought she was an Amaretto Sour girl) and it cracks me up that she always says, "I'm not much of a cook," but she's always posting good recipes she's made; I learned that Kristi has a bit of a poetic side when it comes to describing her girls. So, I really appreciate the technology and the great way we have to keep in touch. It's so much better than snail mail.

But, at the same time, I worry that it may keep us from actually talking - you know, reaching out and touching someone via the telephone. Let alone sending letters (which I think can be really romantic.) With everyone texting, Facebooking, blogging - does anyone pick up a phone? I know they do (and this is actually a reminder to me that I need to pick up the phone as well), but still.

I sent Ann some of Fi's clothes for Sylvia the other day and included a note that reminded her that I like the sound of her voice. Now, I'm sure this was a bit annoying (it's okay, Ann, you can admit it) . . . But, this is a reminder to everyone (again, this includes me) to pick up the phone. I love the sound of your voices and hope to hear them all soon.

The Dinner that Wasn't

So, Wednesday we were supposed to have Brent's boss over for dinner. Now, I love cooking for people (I actually try to make at least one new recipe a week, either from a cookbook or an on-line find) and can't wait until we have a large house with a real dining room so that I can entertain more (when I grow up, I want to be the hostess with the most-est like Ann - big smile!) And, Brent's boss is French so I figured almost anything was fair game. Although, as much as I love cheese, especially French cheese, I was too intimidated to go for a cheese course. So, here's the menu I had planned (thanks, Food Network):

Crab Salad in Endive Leaves for starters
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/crab-salad-in-endive-leaves-recipe4/index.html
- This is a great recipe; very, very easy and tasty. Plus, you can make the salad ahead of time and just assemble before people show up.

Swordfish with Mediterranean Tomato Sauce and Linguine as a main course
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/lunchbag-swordfish-with-mediterranean-tomato-sauce-and-linguini-recipe/index.html
- Another great recipe; very, very easy, tasty, and quick. I altered it a bit since I didn't want to take the time to make parchment paper "lunchbags" - I just put the mixture (make-ahead) over the swordfish and covered it with foil. I also added marinated artichoke hearts, which were great. Next time, I actually think that I would omit the fresh tomatoes and just use 2 cans of diced.

Ricotta with Vanilla Sugar Croutons and Berries
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/ricotta-with-vanilla-sugar-croutons-and-berries-recipe/index.html
- Yet again, great recipe, especially for make ahead. I omitted the croutons (too much work, and I don't like croutons anyway) and used toasted almond slivers instead. Yum!

So, the menu's all planned, the kids are all ready, and Brent's home a bit early (so I can get ready.) We've poured wine for ourselves and we're just waiting (trying not to attack the starter). Then, about 6:45/6:50, we get a call - his boss was in a car accident coming to our house for dinner! Oh my gosh! This can't be a good sign! She rear ended someone on the highway - oops. She's OK, but she thinks the car may have to be totaled . . . sheesh. So, we greedily ate all the crab salad and enjoyed the fish (it was quite good). We save the dessert for a different night.

Now, this is the 2nd time we were supposed to have someone over for dinner and the dinner didn't occur. The first time was Barb - the night of the black out. This was the second. Maybe I'm just not supposed to have people over for dinner . . . I hope not. Brent's boss has bravely agreed to reschedule; wish me luck for the next time, and until then, I hope you enjoy the recipes.

I Read It

Sunday night was a first - Will read me a book. He chose Freight Train (see picture - thanks Amazon!) and read the whole book for me, twice. I'm so proud and excited - I could burst. Now, I realize that he's memorized it (I don't honestly think he's reading) but out of all the books that we've repeatedly read, this is the one remembered enough to read/repeat. He continues to read the book each night to whom ever puts him to bed and each time makes me so happy! So, anyone visiting will get the honor of having Will read you a bed-time story - that should be worth the trip, right? :)

Book and Movie Reviews

Since I'm doing blog catch up, I thought I'd add some more book and movie reviews. Here goes:

Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith
Solid 4 out of 5 stars. This book is about the ending of the War of the Roses (the house of York versus the house of Lancaster) and the life of Margaret of York, who becomes Princess when her brother claims the English throne and then is married to Charles, the Duke of Burgundy. It's very interesting and gave me some more to research and think about in Tudor England. Anyone who like historic fiction and is an Anglophile would like this book.

To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy
Another solid 4 out of 5. This book takes place right after the Daughter of York ends (conveniently) and follows the joining of the houses of York and Lancaster through the marriage of Henry the VII and Elizabeth of York (the niece of Margaret of York). It provided some insight (and vast assumptions) about the father of Henry the VIII (who I know most of my friends have read about) and the stability that Henry the VII really brought to the country, which helped solidify Henry the VIII's reign. I'm sure I'll read it again.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - good movie (3.5/5) Set in WW2 Britain, an old-fashioned governess arranges to work for an American cabaret singer. Situations between 3 men and the cabaret singer, who keeps asking the governess for help in picking the right man, keep your interest and have you rooting for the governess to find happiness. I strongly suggest adding this to your NetFlixs cue.

Run Fat Boy Run - awesome (5/5)! I have watched this movie over and over and have not gotten tired of it. It's about a fat security guard who decides to run the British marathon in order to win back his ex-girlfriend (with whom he has a son and who he left at the alter when she was pregnant). This definitely has British humor (a little dry at times) but it has me cracking up every time I see it. You all must watch this movie!

I'm working into a series of historical fiction books on Ireland next (I had to take a Brit break by reading the Twilight series for the 18th time again . . . I know, it's ridiculous really) so I'll let you know how they turn out.

Sofia Stories

Sofia is growing and changing so much - I know I should expect it and all, but I still can't believe it. She's still not talking much (mama, dada, yeah, hi, and sometimes ni-nite) but she is trying her darndest. She makes the funniest noises with her tongue, especially when we're in the car. I'm not sure how to type the sound but it's like "blabh, blabh, blabh" and when she does stop, both her cheeks are covered in slobber. It's super funny! Even Will asks her, "Fi, what are you singing?" When she's tired of making tongue noises, she starts going "yeah, yeah, yeah" over and over again. It's also super funny! I'll try to get a real video of it (with noise) but as she usually does most of it when we're in the car, I'm not sure that will happen.

Even though she doesn't have the words yet, she's expressing herself quite a lot. She'll imperiously point to something she wants and yells, "GA!" As you guess what this might be, she looks at you. When you finally guess correctly, her eyes light up and she starts nodding "yes" emphatically. It's quite an effective communication tool (and it's funny to boot.)

A few posts ago, I mentioned how we were feeding her naked (as she wants to do it herself and it's just easier on me and the laundry). Well, she still wants to do everything herself and now she wants to sit at the table with us to eat, not in her highchair. We try to get her in it and you'd think we were sending her to the electric chair or something - she struggles, pushes, screams, cries . . . And, when we do get her in there, she tries (and sometimes manages) to escape. So, I'm now working on feeding her at the table (well, helping her feed herself really.) At least we're all eating together now.

She's found some new favorite foods - grapes. I love to have grapes with breakfast, especially in the warm weather. She saw me eating one and kept pointing to it. So, I cut one up for her (since every talks about kids choking on whole ones) but she wouldn't eat it. So, I gave her a whole one - she loved it! She'll go to the fridge and point until you open it, and then, when it's opened, she'll point to the bowl of grapes until she gets some. I tried putting a bunch in a bowl for her - bad idea. She put as many as she could in her mouth (her little cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk!) and then started choking. But, one at a time she can handle. She's also eaten blueberries, white beans, and watermelon (see earlier post) lately and liked them. Thank goodness - I may end up with one good eater yet!

I'm sure I have some more to tell, but those are the ones that come readily to mind at the moment. I'm sure I'll have more soon, as the kids do something funny almost every day.

Watermelon in the Rain

Last week, before the beach, the kids discovered how good and how much fun it is to eat watermelon outside, with the juice dripping down their chins. I got to remember how much fun it was too - I haven't eaten a watermelon with a rind in awhile. We were eating out on the deck when a little spring rain came through and it was just a really nice moment. Will actually ate 2 pieces of watermelon (and he's such a picky eater that this really is worth mentioning) and Sofia made it through 1, all by herself. She had to be steered away from the rind a couple of times - she made the funniest faces when she tried the rind. It made me laugh. After we were done, the kids stuck their hands through the deck rails and let the rain wash them off. It was really cute and made for a great afternoon.