Catching up

It seems like longer than it has actually been since I last posted. We had a good weekend. I taught class (and was surprised to find that an intelligent college student does not know how to tell time unless the clock is digital. Does that make me old?). Some dear friends who are visiting from Chicago came over, along with some other dear friends that we don't see nearly enough, even though we attend the same church. We had a great time. The weather here is finally the way late October is supposed to feel, and I am enjoying that.

I've been thinking a lot lately about hope vs. fear, and rejection vs. acceptance. I'm sure it will find it's way into some blog posts once I actually get some cohesive thoughts on it all. You know the saying, "Sometimes I sit and think, and sometimes I just sit." Mostly, when I get the chance I just sit. Or my thoughts just run in circles, chasing each other's tails like unruly puppies. Elena just spit up, and I need to do laundry anyway, so I'll post something more substantive later.

A pic of the hottest guy I know, his fire-fighting sidekick, and our girls

Oops--it went in reverse order, and I'm too lazy to change it around.

Little surprises

I had fun last night. After Carlos fixed dinner (he is amazing at grilling!), he suggested that I run to the store to return the DVDs we had rented while he played with the kids. So I got in some shopping. Since the kidlets need some long-sleeved shirts and I heard that Kohl's had some good sales, I stopped by and found exactly what I wanted. That is a pretty rare thing when shopping (miraculous if the shopping is for bras, jeans or swimsuits), so I was happy.

Ariana loves bling. If it is glittery, sparkly, shiny and bright, she loves it. Joel, being so close to her, has been influenced by this. It's funny to me that throughout history in many cultures (not to mention the animal kingdom), guys get the glamourous duds. I don't know why it has recently changed so that in some circles that is seen as less masculine. Anyway, I found a robot shirt for Beeps that is definitely masculine but also covered with shiny gold accents. He was thrilled! He even slept in it. :) (Since Joel would prefer to go naked, except for his Spidey jacket, it is always a good sign if the clothes stay on more than a few minutes). Ariana loved her new shirt, too.

Even better, from their perspective, were the little glow-slates that I picked up. They were a little over a dollar each, but the kids consider them a treasure. You remember the little cardboard tablets with a film over them? You press with the plastic "pencil" on them and it writes, and to erase you just lift the film? The kids have been drawing and writing so much that I thought these would save paper (and be safe for any environment). Ariana drew a remarkable mouse with hers--it made me sad that they erased so easily. It was far better than I would have drawn.

At bedtime we all had a giggle-fest as Carlos told his famous Ipis and Upis stories. Joel would interject "Kiki's house" anytime a destination was mentioned, until everyone was laughing. I have no idea who or what Kiki is, or even why it seemed so funny at the moment. One of those you-had-to-be-there-things, I guess.

The kids slept in this morning, so I built them a pillow pile with all the couch cushions, pillows and extraneous comforters in the house. I'm already smiling as I picture their excitement. They love jumping in the pillow pile! Little surprises make the whole day better, don't they?

Better-than-peanut-butter cookies

Today has been a good day. It started off with lots of snuggles and a delightful thunderstorm. Ariana got very excited about schoolwork, and practiced writing and a little math. She and Joel both drew and colored, on paper this time (they much prefer to color themselves. Last night they were covered with multicolor "chicken pox"). They played on the computer for awhile. Elena was unusually fussy today, but has been happier this afternoon. Lunch was veggie quesadillas. Overall just a normal day. I did a couple of loads of dishes and one of diapers. Then Joel and I decided to do our version of peanut-butter cookies. Here's the recipe we used:

1 stick butter
1/2 C brown sugar (maybe a little more--Joel gets enthusiastic)
scant 1/2 C white sugar (to compensate for the aforementioned enthusiasm)
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp? vanilla (more enthusiasm)
Slightly over half a bag of white chocolate chips (ditto)
Approximately half a cup of crunchy Sunbutter. If you are unfamiliar with it, it is made from sunflower seeds in a peanut-free facility and is perfect for those with peanut allergies. We put a little over a half cup in, but Joel stuck a finger in and tasted it, then scooped out a generous spoonful for himself.
1 C rice flour
1/3 C tapioca flour
2 tsp? of baking powder (Joel was excited here because it was almost time to put everything in the oven)
Mix well, and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. They were really crumbly at first because we didn't let them cool, but once cool they were perfect!

Exchanging Ariel for Nim

Image credit koiart71 on Flickr

The day Ariana became acquainted with Ariel was a bit traumatic. She was two, and during a moment when I was occupied with her new little brother managed to get a hold of a jar of Vick's and smear it in her eye. Following the Poison Control advice, I wrapped her in a towel and flushed her eye for several minutes with water. Even now, she remembers how horrible that was. Being pinned and having water in her eyes was pure torture. Just as it ended, Carlos arrived home with Disney's The Little Mermaid DVD. Relief and distraction!

Frankly, I despise The Little Mermaid. The songs are catchy, the animation is good, I love Sebastian the crab, but I think Ariel is an aggravating, self-centered nitwit. I really can't think of many qualities that she displays that I want my daughters to emulate. Her curiosity, perhaps. Her lack of prejudice. But I certainly don't want them to give up their voice just to get a guy. (And I would definitely hope that they would display more sense when entering into any contracts!) When things don't work out, and the evil Ursula actually expects Ariel to keep her word (oh, how horrible!), she whines for her daddy to keep her from being held accountable (even though it means sacrificing the entire kingdom. That is supposed to make things better?! It would seem that Ariel's impulsiveness and lack of forethought were a family failing). Then she waits for her prince to kill the witch.

Last week, we watched Nim's Island, and Ariana's imagination was ignited. This is truly an adventure story about girls. Nim is strong, brave, and capable. She is smart and able to do whatever needs to be done. And while I could probably pick the movie apart and dissect things that I disapprove of with this character as well, I like that at the end of the movie my daughter felt powerful and energized.

Of course, as princesses go, Ariel isn't really worse than many others. My dislike is probably somewhat exaggerated. Yet even now, girls are often portrayed as wringing their hands and waiting while the guys have the adventures. I don't want my girls to become passive princesses who must wait to be rescued, or my son to see women that way. One of my favorite verses in Daniel, that I want all of my children to internalize, is from chapter 11, verse 32. Depending on the translation you use, it says that "the people who know their God will be strong and do exploits". Another version says that they will "display strength and take action". This is what I want for my princesses--to be strong and courageous, to have the wisdom, power and capabilities to take the action that is needed, and to never give up their voice.

Making marvelous memories

Today was one of those incredibly rare perfect days. We took the kids to a Children's Museum a couple of hours away. The ride over was fun. Joel (who is still rear-facing) played giggle games with me all the way there.

The museum was awesome. I would have been wild over it as a child, and I loved it even as an adult (well, physically I qualify as an adult ;)). It is fantastic. They have made what is essentially a child-sized town, where kids can dress up in whatever role they are playing (firefighter, surgeon, etc) and practice and play. They have ambulances, a surgery station, a dentist office, a store with kiddie-sized shopping carts, a courtroom and more.

We started off with the super spider-web climbing area and slide. They played almost an hour there. Then we went outside to one of the multiple playgrounds out there. After some time on the pirate ship, we followed each other through the castle maze and the kids did several rounds with the slide there. Then it was time for the train ride, much to Joel's delight.

Once we were back inside, we explored the cave and aquarium, which led to the archeologists sand pit. Joel loved digging up the dinosaur bones in the sand. Even better, it was next to the airplane, so he got in some flight practice. Ariana loved doing the grocery shopping all by herself, but her favorite was the surgery room. I think she could have spent hours in there. She did every station from administering anesthesia to patiently repairing a knee to examining all the internal organs.

They had a beautifully stocked creativity center with paints, markers, crayons, foam stickers, glue, scissors and a variety of paper, play masks and other items to decorate. Next to that was the bubble area, with all sizes of bubbles and bubble wands.

We will definitely be coming back.

Best of all, it has been such a peaceful, joyful day. Nobody got cranky. The kids were totally cooperative and never fussed, even about leaving or being in the car for the long drive. Even the ride back was pleasant. We played catch with a rolled-up sock until the kids fell asleep. Everyone just enjoyed everyone else.

Our typical days are, well, typical. Moments of chaos, someone gets grouchy (probably me), the kids watch too much TV, someone's always making a mess. One of these days I'll do a post on exactly what happens in a normal day (my dear friend Blessed Mama did this recently, and I was impressed at all that she accomplishes in an average day). But since today was such a delightful one, I want to hold on to all the memories. On the next normal day when everything seems to disintegrate, breathing in the happiness from today might restore the sunshine then.

My favorite perfume

Image credit williamcho on Flickr

I've always been fascinated by the way a particular fragrance can instantly transport us to a certain time and place when we smelled it. As a child, I remember when I would visit someone's house my clothes still smelled like it even after I got home. Even now I think that I could identify many places and people just by scent alone.

So what are my favorite scents right now? Hands down, my husband and kids. With our allergy issues we don't even do too much on strong scents like perfume, etc., but I just love the way their skin smells. One of the most soothing things I can think of is snuggling my baby close and breathing in her scent. When Carlos was gone this summer, in the moments when I most missed him I would bury my face in one of his shirts and it was almost like getting a hug.

Of course, we've all been around people who, bless them, tend to radiate a pungent miasma of their favorite aftershave or perfume. Then there are others who only as we get very close can we smell the lovely fragrance they wear. I kind of think that that God's scent is like that. You have to get close to Him to really smell it. One of my favorite verses is I Cor. 2:14. It talks about how God spreads the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. He does it through us. I hope that after visiting Him, my clothes smell like His house.

Peace--$1.97 a roll

Shortly after I posted, Carlos called to suggest meeting for lunch. So we enjoyed a lunch out together, an hour at the indoor playground, and then did our weekly shopping. I picked up a little kindergarten workbook for Ariana, and she is thrilled to be doing school. In the same aisle they had a roll of bubble wrap--ah, the joy of squeezing and popping the little bubbles!

Someone recently asked if I enjoyed peace and quiet. I laughed at the idea. Any mom with multiple preschoolers would join me in my mirth, I know. So, no, there isn't quiet, exactly. But the kids are delightedly popping bubble wrap and the house is full of peace. :)

It's the weekend!

Yay! Even better, next week is Fall Break! Well, at Carlos' university, anyway. So I still teach all my normal classes, but he'll have Monday, Wednesday and Friday off. I'm not sure what we'll do, but we always have fun when he is off.

Tomorrow is my favorite sister-in-law's birthday. I can tease her about being older (she is almost two months older than I). We're having a party tomorrow with grilled steaks and yummy sides. The kids and I are going to make our favorite blackberry wine cake today (it's Carlos favorite, too, so he is happy about that). My beloved sister may come over today, too. We'll also probably do a little shopping. Ariana and I will work in a chapter from the Bobbsey twin books. I also need to clean (always!), do some grading and a load of diapers.

Right now Joel is cuddled up on my lap--he loves to snuggle--and Elena just filled her diaper. Ariana is asleep, amazingly. She is usually the first one up.

Well, I better change Elena's diaper and get breakfast for the rest of us. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Almost afraid to hope, but...

I think Ariana may have outgrown her wheat allergy! I'm trying to stay calm and remind myself that a reaction could still occur, but inside I am jumping for joy. She initially tested positive for wheat almost two years ago. Because of concerns about celiac, we kept exposing her for a few weeks after eliminating her other allergens. Her reaction to wheat was strictly behavioral. It would make her loud and ultra-emotional. She'd have tantrums and be bouncing off the walls.

A year ago, she had a food challenge with out allergist and reacted very quickly. The nurse, who knows us fairly well by now, immediately recognized that that behavior wasn't typical for Ariana. The allergist agreed she was still allergic. So we have been good at avoiding it for quite awhile. She accidentally got a tiny bite a few weeks ago, though, and didn't react. Carlos and I both commented on it, but let it go.

Then I fixed tacos a few days ago and didn't realize that we were out of corn tortillas. We had flour tortillas for Joel (who is allergic to corn) and she begged to try one, so I let her, watching her carefully the whole time and telling her to tell me immediately if she started to feel yucky.

Disclaimer: I take allergies seriously, even though most of the reactions we've experienced haven't been too severe. If your child is diagnosed with an allergy, I do NOT recommend do-it-yourself food challenges unless you have Epi-pens and your allergist's approval.

She ate every bite and was happy and calm the rest of the day. She has had another taco everyday since then and no trace of a reaction so far! Her reaction to egg doesn't appear until about 5 days after exposure, so I know that she might still develop a rash or something. I am try to contain my excitement, but...wow! If we could have wheat again, it would open up so many foods for us!