Closed Sundays

Maxine and I, both of us battling computer addiction (facebook for me, Bratz Rock angels dress-up games for her,) have declared computer-free Sundays. It actually is a challenge, when you have the whole day, no car, inside with two kids, not to surf mindlessly for as long as their attention spans will allow it. But I have books I want to read, and Maxine has drawings she wants to do, and we have pancakes to eat. And so, see you Monday!

winter

He really did begin to dance around. I swear it.


Snowman and a baby


Ivan eating snowy dirt


sunny and cold


Little Sir (as he is sometimes called around here) wearing his tie-dye jammies




cozy kids

It's three degrees

And I need to officially express my gratitude for my warm house. Times like these I'm thankful for our little house in the hood, that has no problems heating up.
And while I'm on the subject of thankfulness, let me include some more. Jason's not working 7 days a week anymore, hallelujah! If papa ain't happy ain't nobody happy. (I know that phrase is supposed to say "mama," but lets be fair. Papas need to be happy too, not just suck it up and take one for the team, which happens far to often with poor workin papas.)
I've been crazy busy this month. I thought things are supposed to calm down and get all slow in January, but no. I've been doing a lot of work for Maxine's school, getting it ready for the open house next week. Overall I'm really proud of what we do there, the whole school community. It really is similar to the homeschool collective I had envisioned many years ago, with the necessity of everyone's participation to keep it not only afloat, but thriving.
I also started school again myself - this time an in-person class. We're on the quarter system, so the work load is intensive, there's a lot crammed into 8 weeks.
Oh, back to gratitude. My beautiful children. My great friends. My 2005 Honda, my macbook, and my ipod. Having everything I need. My slinged sleeping baby - I should be doing schoolwork right now.

And one or two new...

Old favorites

I sorted through some old picture files the other day. I haven't gotten any pictures printed since I got a digital camera for xmas, 2005! So it's time to do that, I think. Here are some old pictures that I liked, all from when Maxine was 4:


Sleeping Bean.


I love this one.


In Florida. First time in the ocean, looking for waves.

Are you cereal?

Ivan and his rice cereal bowl. First time uploading video... testing... testing...
can you watch this? non-mac users too?

Goals and Resolutions, part 2

Here are some goals for 2009.

1. Daydream more. I tend to spend more time coping with/organizing the short term, rather than using imagination positively to direct where I'd like to be in the long term.

2. I'd like to acquire a deep freezer and a sewing machine.

3. get bike tuned and start biking with Ivan in the baby seat come springtime. This is my key to fitness.

4. Get out of the city more. We got a "scenic Missouri" calender for inspiration.

5. clean out the basement. Ug.

6. Start or find a girl scout troop for Maxine.

7. Have interesting crafting projects going on. Next up: baby pants.

8. print out pictures of Ivan, for his baby book, and a pregnancy/birth memory album.

I guess I'll leave it at that. It's not a complete picture of my life by any means. I don't need to make school or parenting goals, for example, I'm intrinsically motivated in those areas.