Thursday, January 29, 2009

Kabob Update

I didn't try to make liver kabobs. Alek had to make do with plain old liver and caramelized onions. (I know your mouth is watering Heather). But I just had an epiphany....

Chicken Liver Kabobs! I'm totally going to make this on the weekend. Marinate them in the same sauce that I use for rumaki and then skewer them.

Alek has the best mom! Although I wonder how many other kids would be happy that their mom tries to come up with liver recipes for them?

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Boys Stats

Today everyone in the family had a doctors appointment. I think I'm going to do it this way from now on. With 5 appointments all at once they sure book you a huge chunk of time. The doctor and I even had time to shut the door after my family departed from the room and visit for a bit. It was nice not be rushed in and then rushed out.

Here are the highlights as I remember them

Alek (8 years) - everything is fine; he's tall and skinny weighing in at 64 lbs.

Mikah (2 year check) - he's great; learning about 3 or 4 new words a day finally; 34 lbs; no height because he wouldn't even get on the scale by himself. I had to humiliate myself by climbing on it with him. I could have lived without seeing what my weight is. (keep doing pilates, keep doing pilates, keep doing pilates...)

Lukas (9 month check) - average weight (21 lbs); above average height (28"); average head circumference (which, if you remember the size of Alek's head as a baby you'll know how relieved we are LOL); everything else is right on track.

All in all, the boys are healthy and developing at the right pace.

Flooring

I can now appreciate why people have laminate or hardwood flooring.

Boys; diapers; poop; carpet.

On a completely related side-note, I love cherry whiskey paralyzers.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Band-Aids

I wonder how many times we put off ripping off bandaids, not wanting to feel the sting and the burn. Sometimes it just feels healed. Not at all what you were expecting.

Amazing.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Mikah and I Like This a Lot




Mikah likes to sing the "uh uh oh" parts. And dance.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Tae Kwon Do

Alek started Tae Kown Do this week. So far he's had two classes and loved every second of it. he even told the Master that he wished he could come everyday. With any luck it will help his abilty to concentrate and stay focused as well. I'll keep you posted on that as time goes on though. Let's all hope for a miracle in that area LOL! Here's a little video of his forst class. A few days later than I promised my parents, but it's only a few days late which is a freakin miracle!


Mikah is finally starting to talk! He understands everything that he hears but up until lately has refused to help us understand him. He's enjoying trying out new words and we couldn't be happier about it!

Here's a video of Mikah with two of his favorite things; water and soap.


Thursday, January 22, 2009

Overheard from the Back of the Van

"Mom, can we have liver kabobs tonight for supper?"

Alek was serious. He was not happy when I said that we were having pizza. Can you guess what's on the menu for tonight? I'm not sure about the "kabob" part though...

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

It's an Excellent Day!

My favorite parts of President Barack Obama's inaugural address;


On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth...

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.


The man can give a speech. I don't think I've ever had the opportunity before now to believe, really believe, in a politician. May he live up to the faith that people have in him.

If only there was a Canadian politician who inspired our nation in this way...

Saturday, January 17, 2009

This Made My Day

Here is the best commercial! Why don't these things ever happen where I can witness them???

It'll make you smile.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

My Ass Hurts

I started pilates tonight. For real this time. Seriously.

It was hard but, I was going to say fun but maybe shouldn't go that far, enjoyable. Yes, enjoyable. If I can pull this off I just might see a stomache muscle again. And finally be able to say good-bye to my c-section bulge. Two sections in two years was not good for my body. Then again, two pregnancies in two years wasn't so hot for it either.

Hopefully I'll be able to retain the exercises in my memory at some point so that I can do them at home too. And, it's good for stress. Which is an excellent side benefit.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Holidays 2008

Click on the picture and it will take you to my Flickr account. Click on the Holidays 2008 Folder to the right when you get there. Maybe someday I will figure out how to do this better.
Dec08 095, originally uploaded by childb.

Define your Scent

There is a new business in town that custom mixes scents for you. My question is, how on earth do you choose? How do you define yourself in order to get that perfect blend. Do you use character traits (honest, fun, trustworthy, selfish), do you use lifestyle (single, mother, partier, librarian, dancer), habits (smoker, compulsive eater, sings in the shower, loves to vacuum). I'm not sure why this question is weighing so heavily on my mind lately, it's not like I'm about to rush out and get a custom mixed scent. I don't even wear perfume.

Still, I think I would use color descriptors to define myself.

The darkest blue of the deepest part of the ocean;
The hottest red of burning log embers;
The lightest green from the underside of a dewy leaf.

How would you define yourself???

Friday, January 9, 2009

Mikah's Master Cleanse

or... Master Mikah's Cleanse???

Here's how you do it. Have your mommy (or someone else special to you),  run a nice warm bath that is overflowing with bubbles. Proceed to eat said bubbles at record breaking speed. Then wait for it. Clean from the inside out.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Patting Myself on the Back

Lev and I worked like demons today. And we accomplished a lot! We have the bedrooms all switched, the toys weeded out and doled out, garbage gone, and hmm... I'm sure there's more. When I type it out is doesn't sound like much work but it was. It really, really was!

I'm amazed that we got as much done as we did.

Now if only my dryer would dry a load of clothes in under 3 hours. But maybe that's just hoping for too much.

Note to Self

Never swallow a baking soda pill with Dr. Pepper. Never again.

Just don't do it. It's not a good idea.

Oy.