Bluesy Cutes at the Park

Jamie and I had three activities planned for Saturday: clean, go to the library, and take the boys to the park. We did it all.

During breakfast I told Soren we were going to the library. He said, "Go to the library and get books?" I was amazed! Please don't judge, but we have only been to the library TWICE and the last time was last year so that he remembered seemed brilliant.

When we pulled into the library parking lot Soren starting laughing and with great glee and fanfare announced, "The library!" He was pumped. Jamie read to the boys while I picked out a handful of books. I have very early memories of the library and I'm grateful that Asher and Soren will too.

After a refusal to take naps, we took The Deuce to Clemyjontry Park.

I don't love playgrounds--there. I've said it.

As the mother of twins and as the often SOLE caretaker of said twins at the playground, I find ladders and steps and drop offs and quite frankly, other children (the rude ones at least) to be quite harrowing. That said, it is pretty much BLISS when Jamie joins us at the park. It was cold and I was stunned by how much snow was still on the ground but that meant the park was only slightly populated. Asher declared that everything he touched was "cold," and he was right. We still had fun and I think we were all ready when it was time to go. There is something magical in the last light of a cold winter day and it is often best experienced outside with rosy cheeks and warm coats.

On our way home we immediately noticed the HUGE moon in the sky. Soren said, "Moon so high! Can't touch it!" He also said, "The moon is running!" It sure looked that way from our swiftly moving car. I asked how we knew it was night time--"Does the sun come up or go down?" Simultaneously Soren said, "Sun goes down," and Asher said, "Sun comes up." This caused Soren to remark, "Asher said sun comes up but Soren said sun goes down." Soren does not hesitate to point out when he is right but seriously, it's not done in a mean manner. Very matter of factly.

Here is an enormous assortment of photos of my sweet ones at the park:












I love Asher's tongue out level of concentration.




Asher and Soren spent a lot of time at the park with their hands in their pockets.

Accidental Mexican Fest

Black bean, guac, and crema tostadas.


Even the wooden fireman loved them.


Without any proper planning, every night this week has starred Mexican foods or flavors. On Monday night I made tostadas and they were awesome. I toasted corn tortillas in the oven, refried my own black beans, and made fresh guac. I layered the guac over the beans then topped it all with some decadent Mexican crema. Super satisfying.

Tuesday night I made quick Migas, which involves scrambled eggs, salsa, cheese, and tortillas chips. Super yum.

Wednesday night I made red lentil Mexican stew and used avocado and tortilla chips baked with cheese as garnish. My favorite flavors.

Thursday night I wanted to recreate the nachos or burritos as Carrburritos, which basically means adding mashed sweet potato to my repertoire. I steamed sweet potatoes, made more black refried beans, cooked up several eggs, and made a lime and chili spiked sour cream. We mixed all of these on top of warmed corn tortillas. The sweet potatoes were the star of the meal and I was sooo happy that Asher and Soren loved them so much.

Friday was the weekly special: Pizza. Nothing Mexican about it.

"I LOVE it!"

Today I learned that Soren LOVES carmelized onions. I prepared a batch this afternoon and jokingly I offered him one to taste. Well, his culinary world dramatically changed when he accepted that bite. Every five minutes or so he would wander into the kitchen and say, "More onion?" I was able to save a scant amount for our pizza dinner.

During this evening's candlelight dinner I asked Soren, "Do you like carmelized onions?"

His answer?

"I LOVE it!"

We then asked Asher what he loved.

"Rice and beans!"

This is my Deuce heaven!

Spring Inside

This is what it looks like outside: late, late winter and it's broken down trees.



This is what it looks like inside: early spring blossoms and happy colors.




The scene outside today is quite wretched--cold, naked, gray, and not even a storm predicted to make it all worthwhile. I don't mind though, I like a gray day because I think they bring out the colors both outside and inside. Overcast days also make me unusually grateful for a comfortable home and the extraordinary people who occupy it.

This day has been lovely and bright with The Deuce sleeping in later than usual and their play being especially chatty and clever. While they imagined a myriad of different scenarios for their trains, I happily busied myself in the kitchen making preparations for tonight's dinner: pizza dough, carmelized onions, and roasted red peppers. I also made lentil soup and prepped black beans for the crock pot. I'm going to Nashville next week for a few days and I want to have the fridge stocked with options for Jamie and the boys in my absence.

The boys are napping now after a failed attempt to sleep in the guest bedroom. I guess Soren sleeps in the guest bedroom during his weekly naps and Asher stays in his crib. They both wanted to stay in the guest bedroom so I thought, 'why not?' Hah! Their 'sleeping' turned into squeals of, "I'm jumping!" and "I fall!" There was no way the two of them together would lay in bed and actually sleep. I had to separate them, much to the offense of Asher. Many tears were shed but it's cool, the household is resting now.

Snow Tease

An "S" for Soren and our snowy sills.

We were supposed to get up to eight inches of snow last night and today. We got NOTHING and I was truly disappointed. My head was filled with the joys of ONE last snow day. I know I should be grateful for the extraordinary snow we had earlier this month blah, blah, blah, but seriously, it left me wanting MORE.

However, I am excited for spring and green and blossoms and resuming walks with my family.

Today Soren called a winter tree (no leaves) a 'broken down tree.' I guess we are all ready for a change in seasons...but I'd still be happy if we got more snow.

Asher's Kind

Oh Asher. When he was a tiny tiny baby babe I called him "Mr. Academy" for his dramatic presence--overwhelmingly adorable and overwhelmingly emotional. Asher continues to have a huge spirit. His happiness is huge and even when it departs, his happiness comes back quickly and without a grudge.

Asher continues to love a long hug and the tightness with which he holds on makes me never want to let go of his irresistible sweetness. I live for our 5pm reunions Monday through Thursday because he always welcomes me home with a bounce and a long, long, cheek to cheek hug. Yay!

Asher makes me laugh when he doesn't want something or doesn't like something because he'll so, "No, it's dirty." If he's not feeling it, then that thing is 'dirty,' even if it is a fresh slice of apple or something clearly not dirty. Oh Asher.

Soren's Kind

I banged my knee in the locker room after a grueling boot camp class where we did what felt like a million suicides. The pain was intense and my knee continues to ache. When I was carrying Asher upstairs for the nightly bath routine I mentioned that my knee hurt. Moments later I heard, "Mommy help you!" and Soren gently took my arm and helped me walk up the final two steps. His sudden and unexpected kindness nearly made me cry. How does a two-year old know to say and do such a kind thing? Soren is just that kind of child.

Asher spilled his water at dinner so I told him he was old enough and big enough to clean up the mess himself. Asher said, "No." Soren said, "Soren clean it?" and took the paper towel and cleaned it himself. That also nearly made me cry because it was so sweet.

Jamie sneezed yesterday morning and Soren said, "Bless you."

Soren is quick to ask if we are okay and if we are happy. I marvel that at such a tender age he is so aware of the condition of others. We are lucky to have his affection and devotion. He is an extraordinary child.

Camden's Clandestine Treat

Chilled out Asher.


Stabbing at the last banana treat.


Gone.



Camden and Sara decided to make their own smoothie, which was going to have bananas, sprinkles, and cinnamon. Once it was realized that they didn't have a blender for said smoothie, they decided to make banana treats instead, which consisted of banana slices covered in sprinkles and chocolate sauce. I knew all of this because I was wandering in and out of the kitchen keeping track of their ambition. They were aware that their little endeavor was slightly on the scandalous side so they were very cautious. Camden kept asking that I 'don't telly daddy' and at one point they thought they heard daddy so they grabbed their goods and fled for the back of the house. Oh man, that made me laugh.

It's a good thing I kept track of their efforts because I found their banana treats cooking in the toaster oven on a PAPER plate. I promptly removed the charred plate and Camden promptly placed the plate in a basket and grabbed a handful of forks so he could properly present his treat to the family. Camden and his details!

Oh man did The Deuce LOVE his bananas! By the time I ran out to the car and back for the camera the sprinkled bananas of chocolate goodness were GONE.

Mos Def: Quiet Dog

This song makes me want to shimmy shake!

Mumford and Sons

British Banjo? I love it!

Those Boys

Watching Asher and Soren hold hands and spin around the deck made my thoughts dizzy with a mingling of disbelief and joy. I look at them and think of the special relationship we have had since they were created--the two of them sharing an amniotic beginning and the three of us always connected. It seems impossible that those little men of mine were once piled on top of each other IN MY WOMB. They have grown so rapidly and beautifully and astonishingly. I struggle to keep up with their growth and maturity but also with their increasingly complex needs. It is staggering at times to find a balance between their needs and my abilities but I am infinitely grateful for the challenge of being their mother because that challenge humbles me and amazes me.

I am still lugging those boys around, at the same time, all the time. Up the stairs, down the stairs, to the car, and every where else. I am grateful for a body that allows me this luxury. I love holding them and feeling them and smelling them but sometimes I wish our desires to be held and to hold would merge more often. Usually one of them wants to be held while I am preparing a meal and usually after following them around asking, "Mommy hold you?" I get, "Mommy not hold Soren," or "Mommy not hold Asher." Dang.

Mostly I just watch and listen and I am learning when to swoop in for that successful merging of two or three people who all want a hug.

Valentine's Day

Last year Jamie bought me an indulgent box of a dozen Godiva chocolates--they were raspberry cordials and they were exquisite. I love, love, LOVE cherry cordials and even though I love the flavor of chocolate raspberry, the expensive raspberry cordials took me several months to finish. Jamie admitted that it was (annoying? frustrating?) his Valentine's day gesture of love was not fully appreciated. Once again I am the jerk receiver of a thoughtful and wonderful gift. Let's just say I didn't get a box of chocolate this year. It's okay.

I spent a month making heart after felt heart after heart. Inspired by this:



I made these:



This crappy photo is all the proof I have of the many beautiful orange, yellow, pink, red, purple, and maroon heart pins I made. I loved working with felt. I made rose clips for my younger nieces and I also greatly enjoyed making those. I can't wait for more felt projects!

We had Valentine's dinner with our cousins and I made a few festive pom poms and before the trip The Deuce and I made a Valentine for everyone. So fun!






Baby b's: Soren and Wyatt.


At home we celebrated with hearts and color: