Good, Clean Fun!

I've been seeing this cool experiment with Ivory bar soap all over the interwebs, so I decided we should give it a try.  All you need is a bar of Ivory brand soap and your microwave.  

My handsome assistant unwrapped said bar of soap, and gave it a good sniff, just for kicks.

The we popped it into the microwave for 90 seconds (I opened the door when I heard it "pop"...figured that was long enough, although I've read it wont hurt anything if it goes for longer)

Before...

After...about 6 times it's original size! 

We transported the plate to the sink, and I let the kids have at it.  The texture was really wierd-- foamy, and flaky.  Then, we experimented adding water and mixing it with shredded toilet paper, which made it a little more pliable.

I wont lie, the microwave did smell a little bit like Ivory for the next day or two...but that was probably a welcome change from the mix of buttery popcorn and bacon that it probably was before!

It's a Bird...It's a Plane...it's SUPER ELI!!

 It all started when I mended two of Norah's night gowns.  Both were in sorry shape...to the point that I had to add a new, chiffon, ruffled trim to hide the dilapidated hem of one, and about a dozen ribbon flowers, to hide where I patched holes  in the other.  (Have I mentioned how much she loves her blue  nightgown?)

At any rate, when they were done, she was prancing around the house, showing them off, when Eli came skulking by, bemoaning, "Mommy, you never sew things for me like you do for Norah."  Which, technically isn't true (I have made him neck ties, matchbox car roll ups, personalized pillowcases, and the like...but I will be the first to admit that the Norah to Eli sewing ratio is completely unbalanced)

So, when his meager request was a "super hero cape", I couldn't wait to make it happen.  We went to JoAnn's, the next day (see how spontaneous being a part-time parent of one has made me?) and Eli selected his "super colors" and I bought the materials needed.  (I was a little nervous when his first choice for the cape was "booger green", but thankfully, he decided on blue, with green accents, after a little deliberation)

A few hours later, we had lift-off...well, almost.  He patiently waited (ok, maybe not so patiently) while I sewed up his cape.  When he finally slipped it on, he dashed around the living room, with an expectant grin on his face, which almost immediately melted into sheer disappointment.  "Daddy!  What's wrong?  It's not flying.  I wanted to fly in the sky like a bird."  To which Jason replied, "Well, your cape flies behind you if you run really fast,and it'll feel like you're flying...give it a try."  So, he did, and he was pretty much a blue, blurred streak for the next 20 minutes, as he did laps around the kitchen/living room, while I fixed dinner.  I should probably also note that Norah is VERY jealous of his newly acquired favorite accessory...but seeing as how she has at least 6 princess costumes in her closet, I think I'm just gonna let her stay that way for a little while.  Sometimes, it's nice for the younger brother to have the upper hand at something, at least for a little while!

How Was Your Day?

I sometimes feel sorry for Daddy, since he's still at work when you get home from school.  You are always full of energy and have lots to tell me about, and I soak it all in!  But, by the time Daddy gets home, you are starting to wind down (or are extremely hyper, trying to stay awake, and usually too silly for a good conversation)  But leave it to Daddy to think of the perfect way to hear all about your day...

I came into your room tonight, after baths, to find "Dollhouse Daddy" having a conversation with "Dollhouse Norah" all about her day at school (with surprisingly similar details to the account "real" Norah had given me  when I picked her up from school).!

It was so precious, I had to take a few photos, in hopes that you will remember what a sweet (and clever) Daddy you have

The Part-Time Only Child

With a Norah, safely at school, Eli and I have been finding lots to keep ourselves busy...especially at the children's museum!  We've always frequented the museum (especially after Gramps and Grandad bought us a family pass for Christmas a couple of years ago!), but it is a completely different experience going there with just one kid in tow!  Norah and Eli being 2 years apart, and different genders,   it seemed like they were always on opposite sides of the museum, leaving me running back and forth between the two of them, trying to keep an eye on both at the same time.  (Norah usually wanted to paint, and Eli was content to play with the trucks and trains)...but with just Eli, I was able to sit down and play with him...and it was so much fun! 

Our favorite exhibit right now is the construction site.  It looks like a miniature frame of a house, but all the wooden beams have magnetic strips on them, so you can attach (with more magnets) sheet rock walls.  There are also holes drilled into the wood, just the right size for adding pvc pipe, which are there, along with plenty of couplers to for adding extensions. 

Eli was especially fascinated with the level.  I showed him how the bubble works to show whether something is level, or needs adjusting. 

  

He quickly discovered that if one side was too high, he could "cut it down" with the saw, and make it just right.  He also had a great time fixing leaks in the pipes I plumbed, with his trusty pliers.

Other days, we hang out around the house, playing checkers, or tic tac toe.  Sometimes he even helps me fold laundry!

Not to say that we dont' miss that older sister (because we do!)...but we are getting by...and enjoying the first steady "one-on-one time" we've had since Eli was born.

  

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

Today, God sent rain!! (After one of the worst droughts of our lifetime, this was big news!) We were so thankful for the rain this morning.  You thought it looked "strange" (read: dark) outside...poor Norah, it's been so long since we've had a storm, you've forgotten what it's like.

I explained to you that today was a special day of prayer for Mr. Taylor...that people all over America, and even in other countries would be praying hard for Mr. Taylor all day.  I asked you to pray for him, too. 

We headed to school (I, thinking I'd drop you off at the circle drive and let you walk yourself to class today), only to discover that you wanted us to walk you all the way to class.  I, in my rookie kindergarten-mom unpreparedness, didn't bring an umbrella, one.  So, we parked as close as we could and made a dash for the covered awning.  (Eli found this to be the greatest adventure of the morning)

We made it in with just a few raindrops on our clothes, but I noticed your eyes were red and watery.  The weather had you a little down.  (The prospect of being away from Mommy during a thunderstorm was a little scary) I gave you two kissing hands, and your confidence seemed restored. (How I wish this could always be enough to heal your hurts) Thankfully, Sr. M. noticed your less perky-than-usual state, and asked me about you after you sat down.  I explained, and he gave me a knowing smile--I knew he would take good care of you. 

You had a new student join your class today.  His name is Tyson, and we know him from story time at the library (and from McDonald's with the indoor playground).  He is a good friend of Kambrie's.

A New Friend

Norah, each day you come home and update me on your "new friends".  I'm happy to see that you are really making an effort to "be friends with everyone", as you informed me today.  Today, as we had our after school snack/debriefing, you told me that you made a new friend.  But you were "too embarrassed" to tell me the "friend's" name...finally, you divulged that his name is Sebastian.  He sits at your green table.  You drew a picture of him on the back of your classwork today (thankfully, after you had completed it).  He wears glasses.  You explained that he told you he wasn't good at coloring, so you helped him with his paper.  I told you that it was sweet of you to want to help him, but that you needed to let him do his own work because practicing will help him do better.  (But it is still ok to encourage him)

Everything was copacetic with the girls on the playground today, no hurt feelings...insert sigh of relief here.

N's Kindergarten Adventures: Day 2

Another successful drop-off!  You walked right into class  and charged to your seat, where Sr. Mosqueda asked for an "abraso oso" (bear hug) and told you he had "trabajar" (work) for you.  You forgot to hug/kiss me goodbye.  It stung a little bit, but I chalked it up how happy/excited/well-adjusted you are.  (But did make a mental note to school you on the importance of proper mother-daughter goodbye etiquette later)

Eli, again, called for "Suzy" until you spotted us at the  pick-up spot after school.  You were less excited today.

You said your day was "half good, half bad", then divulged that the "bad" was that Kambrie had informed you that you were not her best friend.  I asked you how many friends you had, and you replied, "Lots and lots."  And I explained that it didn't really matter if you were best friends, as long as you had good friends.  You agreed, and decided you didn't want to have a best friend, because it might hurt your other friends feelings that they weren't the "best".  I told you I thought that was a good idea.

Paris moved seats (the "bad boy" from the first day of school was moved into her seat), leaving just you and one other little girl (Melissa) and three boys (Sebastian, "Naughty Jeremiah", and another boy whose name you can't remember) at your "Green" table.

Today you made a new friend, Lyla.  She asked you to play with her at recess.  You told her you had to tie your shoes first, and as you bent down to tie them, you noticed another little girl sitting all alone, with her head in her hands.  After you finished with your shoes, you went over and asked her if she wanted to play.  She brightened up, and said, "Yes!"  She said you could call her KK, and the three of you played on the slides together.

You drew a picture of Mr. Mosqueda's house today.  You made it red because "red is his favorite color".

You also made a card for Mommy and Daddy with cut-outs of your hands and a little poem about us kissing your hands in the morning, so you could hold them to your cheek during the day (in case you get sad and miss us).

We laughed because that is just what Mommy and Daddy did yesterday (Daddy kissed one hand, and Mommy kissed the other, and we called them your "Kissing Hands" to use in case you missed us)