homemade gummies

This idea and recipe came straight from here.  It is quick.  It is easy.  Even with a three year old and nine month old (strapped in a carrier).  

Ingredients needed:

• 1 package Jello
• 6 packets of gelatin
• 1/2 cup of cold water

Mix Jello and gelation together.  Add cold water and stir thoroughly.  Stir continuously on medium heat until the mixture has melted.

Pour into molds.  We used our ice cube trays from Ikea.  Freeze for about 10 minutes.

Pop out of the trays and enjoy!

more rice play (practice photo shoot)

I  am taking an online photography class to try to learn how to really use my camera.  Part of the class focuses on using photography to capture the little things of your day - the things that you could easily gloss over to get the dishes done or maybe even take a shower.  Here is a little practice work: 

In other news: this little blog is up for a Pittsburgh blogging award of sorts!  If you feel so inclined, hop over here and vote.  You could do so every day if you like!  

Six years ago today I was the one wearing those shoes!  My, how the times have changed.  

sisters painting

                                           

It all started with an innocent  request to paint.  "Yes, I can manage that," was my reply.  It was 4:30 p.m.  Dinner was nowhere near ready.  The house was trashed  happily lived in.  I thought I could keep Eleanor busy on one side of the art room so that Abby could use her new easel.  

Lofty thinking.

"Up!"

Oh, I am in love.

Somehow (by the Grace of God no doubt), messes were cleaned, babes were cleaned, dinner was made, housed was not cleaned, but that is nothing out of the ordinary, just in time for Daddy!

And the finger paint came completely out of their clothes with one wash.  Amazing.

up (eleanor's first word)

In the last two weeks Eleanor has mastered grabbing onto something and pulling herself up.

She is pretty proud of herself too.

Here is the kicker.  We were both taking a nap together.  She woke up first (as she always does).  She pulled herself up on the co-sleeper (I did have a groggy hand holding onto her shirt) and then as clear as day said, "uuuup."  It woke me right up as I thought I was hearing things.

She sat back down and sure enough said it again.  She stood back up.  She did this over and over again with a huge grin.  And I was just as amazed, giggling right along with her.  I know this is how it is supposed to happen.  I've done this once before with Abby,  yet it completely floors me to think about all of the steps that have to happen for Eleanor to say a simple word such as "up."  And then she does it -  all of a sudden - one afternoon waking up from a nap.  

Tonight I feel old.  I feel like the *other* old moms that tell me to enjoy these years because they happen so fast.  And even if I secretly roll my eyes at them because I could really use a full night of sleep, I am whole heartedly agreeing with them.  

 I think I'm going to have a(nother) walker and a talker on my hands before I know it.  

tomatoes for pap

(these pictures are from a month ago, but i am just getting them from my camera - so behind)

abby's great grandfather was pretty sick.  on one of our visits, we were talking about his tomato plants in his backyard.  pap loved planting and caring for his tomatoes.  he looked forward to it every summer.  pap did not think he would have tomatoes this year.  it was just too much for him to do by himself, but his daughter stepped in and made sure he would have his tomatoes.  abby must have been listening to our conversation about the the tomatoes and she wanted him to have tomatoes too.  

prior to another visit  a few weeks later with pap, abby wanted to make him a picture.  when i asked her what she wanted to make him, she said, "tomatoes!'  

it literally made me cry for a few reasons.  she is three.  and life is very much all about her.  i would say that is pretty typical.  the word *egocentric* comes to mind.

so this is the first time she thought of what someone else would like.  she didn't want to make him rainbows or butterflies on purple paper (her faves).  she wanted to make something that was special to him.  she remembered.  i know i know - to most people it's just a picture of some circles that represent tomatoes, but to this mama it is a huge milestone.

it is the first glimmer of what we as parents work so hard to teach our children - how to care for other people,  even if it is just some circles that represent tomatoes.

we are so happy to say that pap is doing much better.  

art tip for 3 - 5 year olds drawing actual objects (no longer scribbling) - give them a fine sharpie marker to draw their picture first and then let them paint or color the picture in - it makes for a much more pronounced/stunning picture.  this little trick is something used in reggio emilia preschools - one of my favorite philosophies of early childhood education.  

little girls

Do you have a little girl?  Do you teach young girls?  Do you have a niece or granddaughter?  Then I suggest you read this blog post about talking with girls.  Do you ever compliment a little girl on how cute she is based on what she is wearing?  Right.  I've totally done it.  I did it last weekend.  Although I make a conscious effort not to do that with Abby, I am definitely guilty.

I could spout off some pretty depressing stats about on how we are raising girls in a culture that blatantly tells them they are never enough - six year olds are dieting, twelve year olds want plastic surgery, and the list goes on.  I don't want to focus on all that is wrong with our culture because that doesn't really change anything.  Changing the little things we do - like trying not to gush over the way our littles look - is just a start, but I think it could make a powerful difference.

Read it and then come back and tell me what you think.

If you are interested in this subject, here is a great book Josh and I have read and highly recommend.

Thanks to Rae Rae for passing the post along to me!  If you have any other resources you have found helpful, let me know.