Seen, Heard, Noted, and Quoted

Seen:

I finally hung Jacob's new mirror!  (Translation:  My mom came, brought her drill, and helped me hang the mirror.  We cussed and we laughed until we couldn't breathe, but we pulled it off. Thanks, ma!)

Heard:

Cartie has become such a parrot.  Last night, he was saying something that sounded like, "Cray-cray," and we were dying laughing.  We don't even say that, so I'm not sure what he was actually trying to say.  Also, a few weeks ago when he was sick, he would cough, and I would say, "Cartie, don't die!"  So now, whenever he coughs, he'll say, "Die!  Die!"

(I'm posting a picture of his little bitty face because I can't seem to get the video link to work.  You'll just have to imagine how cute it was.)

Noted:
If you want to feel like a terrible housekeeper, dust the top of your window and door moldings.  That's what I did this morning, along with cleaning ceiling fans and registers.  Maybe I should do that a little more often.

Quoted:
Jacob:  When I get big, I'm going to be Jesus's helper.
Me:  That's good.  But you don't have to wait until you're big.  How can you be Jesus's helper now?
Jacob:  I could... wash his car... and go with him to the mall...
Me:  Um, I don't think it works that way.

That Time Where I Threatened Winter

I am so ready for spring.

Do I say this every year about this time?  Yes, I do.  And every year, these last few weeks (hopefully it's weeks and not months) of cold weather just get on my nerves.  I'm tired of winter coats and grey slush.

So I'm posting what I hope are the last of our winter/cold weather pics.

(These were taken a few weeks ago)

And I'm posting what I hope are our last cabin fever pics.

He's driving cars through shaving cream "snow."

He's standing on a plastic container.  Whatever.

Cuddling in blankets for our movie night.

So, Winter, you're done. You're not cute anymore, and winter activities have gotten old.  We are over you, and you need to go elsewhere.

I want to paint my toenails pink, put on my flip flops, take the kids to the park, and grill some burgers for dinner.  My next post better be about one- if not all- of those activities.

Decatur Children's Museum

Last weekend, we were desperate to get out of town and see something new, so we headed south to the Decatur Children's Museum.  I have to say that the Children's Museum of Illinois is ten minutes from our house, and is fantastic, but we're pretty familiar with the place and we wanted a little adventure.

The museum reminded us all of the one in Normal.  It was maybe a bit shabbier, but hey, new toys are new toys!  Some of the familiar areas were the grocery store

the water play area and plexi-glass painting,

and all of the different "drive-y toys."

They had some new and different things to do, such as giant bubbles, a gear wall, and a skeleton who pedaled his bike as you did.  (Jacob wasn't quite big enough for the bike, but he tried!)

They also had a designated toddler area which Carter promptly escaped from.

But the highlight of the museum was the "fix-y car."  The hood stayed propped open, and kids could change the air filter, check the oil, and do all kinds of car maintenance including tire changes and license plate changes.  It was seriously awesome.  I didn't think Jacob would ever leave!

The other highlight of the trip (well, it was a highlight of mine, anyway, was getting a few other really cool pictures of the boys.

We spent about a hour and a half there, which is a long time for us, and definitely felt it was worth the trip!

Nothing Has Broken Today and a Collection of Other Happy Scenarios

At the beginning of the year, I decided I would see how many weeks we could go without any major and/or expensive repairs.  I didn't tell anyone about my plan but thought to myself that I would just count each week that went by and focus on the fact that nothing had broken.

Well... about two weeks into the year, I decided that was a stupid idea and decided to try for a day.  One day where nothing new broke.  Last week almost forced me to abandon this plan as well.  Today, though, today nothing new has broken, gotten torn up, or lost.  I realize it's only 2:00 in the afternoon, and I shouldn't count my chickens, but this is amazing.

Another great thing:  this morning I had the best cup of coffee that I've had in forever.  Yesterday we got a new coffeemaker (old one died), and the difference is amazing!

Happy Scenario #3:  There is finally a mirror on order for Jacob's room.  I've wanted a rope mirror there forever, but I didn't want to pay the prices I was finding online (I'm looking at you, Pottery Barn Kids).  Last week, I checked Etsy, and found what I hope is going to be the perfect mirror for a much lower price.  It even hangs by a real boat cleat!  It's currently stuck in transit because of bad weather from where it ships in Hilton Head, but I'm hoping to have it by the first of next week.

So then I got inspired to change things up in the rest of the house and ordered some new pillows!  I ordered two in the fabric below

and one in tan and cream chevron.  I'm keeping the solid blue ones that are on the couches now, and I have my fingers crossed they will all mix and match well.  On a related note, online shopping rocks.

And finally, one good thing about the relentless cold and wind is that it gives me a reason to have some hearty comfort food. I made Spinach Chicken and Noodle Soup from this recipe and it was fantastic.  I've made quite a few recipes from his site, and I highly recommend it.  Easy and delicious!

What I'm Watching

• I"m watching Nashville, of course, because it's awesome.

• I'm watching the bird's nest.  We have had winds that blew over the next-door neighbor's fence and yet, here's this nest, still in the tree.

• I'm watching Carter, whose new favorite trick is, "Cross Your Fingers!"  

• I'm watching The Good Wife, because it is also awesome.

• I'm watching some really boring kids movies because I keep forgetting to rent a decent one from the library for our Friday Movie Nights.  FYI:  food- in this case Valentine's candy- is still the best part of movie night.

• I'm watching a lot of mid-winter, cabin-fever, bored-and-getting-into-trouble shenanigans.  

Before My Eyes

A few weeks ago we were at a restaurant, and when the waiter came to take our order, Jacob spoke up, completely unprompted:

"I'd like chicken nuggets and fries, please."

Frank and I just looked at each other and laughed.  We had no idea he knew how to order for himself.


This morning, the dad of one of his school friends said that his son keeps asking to invite Jacob over to play. I said Jacob would love to, and then I realized:  this would be his first playdate where the parents weren't friends of ours first.  I would have no problems with leaving him at their house, but up until now, our playdates usually consist of the mom and I having coffee while the kids run around.


Today I also signed Jacob up for his second year of preschool.  It will still only be three mornings a week, but it will be an adjustment to our schedule.  I can't help but think of next year when I will be signing him up for kindergarten.  We've been stuck to each other like glue for four years, one month, and two days...it's going to be a major, major life change for both of us to be separated for seven hours a day, five days a week.  (and yes, I've already thought about half-day kindergarten, which, though unpopular in our district, is an option.)


Don't get me wrong.  I very nearly strangled him twice yesterday because he refuses to listen and pay attention.  Most of the time, I can't wait for him to grow up but every now and then, I realize... he is. Mother/son playdates will be a thing of the past.  He won't always request me to sing to him before bed. The corner in my kitchen won't always be a designated parking lot for Hot Wheels cars, and eventually Mimi, his beloved stuffed dolphin, will just sit on his shelf instead of joining in his make-believe adventures.


Did you know that there are 940 Saturdays between a child's birth and the time he leaves for college? Everyone says the time flies, and usually I am wrapped up in my days and don't think much about how my kids move towards independence each day.

But every now and then, I see it happening right before my eyes. 

Jacob, January 2011

Jacob, December 2013