chess master

In his ever-expanding quest for new games to play, Logan has discovered chess and now wants to play it every chance he gets. He learned the names of the pieces and how they move very quickly and is already improving on visualizing what my next move may be. We'll have to buy a book or go online for lessons as I am a very rudimentary player and don't really know any of the classic opening moves, etc.

from our home to yours

bundled boys

Big snow storms require serious shovelers so we called in the professionals.

gingerbread gallery

Logan's classroom decorated gingerbread houses one afternoon. I was able to take a late lunch and participate as a parent helper. Afterward, the masterpieces were put on display in the school lobby.



The little house was so much fun we assembled and decorated a larger one at home. The boys laugh while Dad mixes the frosting.



Applying the "mortar".



The all-important decorating of the peak.



Owen's finished product.



Logan's finished product.

logan's holiday program

Logan's school had their annual holiday program today. Mom, Dad, and Owen were all able to attend the afternoon show. During a song about ice skating, Logan was excited to be one of the selected children to leave the riser and "skate" in front of the stage. He always particpates fully and we're very proud of him.






Backstage photo following the performance.

o christmas tree

After having an undecorated tree for nearly a week, we finally strung the lights and placed the ornaments. Every morning the boys have been checking for new packages that may have appeared while they were sleeping.

snow day

School was cancelled today following the big storm--with 10" of new snow, we really wanted to play outside, but windchill temps of -20 kept us hunkered down inside.

It wasn't such a bad view, though:

a time to play

Owen and I spend a lot of time together during the day, just playing. Sometimes it is initiated by this mama, but often it is directed by Owen himself and I become more of an observer. He is a delight to be with and can carry on quite the conversation. Here's a snippet from a recent animal encounter on my desk.

Owen: Want to play, mama? Want to play right now?

Mama: Okay.

Owen: Okay, you get this one and this one. These guys come from the ocean, these are dinosaurs, and this one is a gecko.





Owen: Boom, boom, boom! (they all pile up) Look, he's taking him on a ride into the desert. Want to play, mama?

Mama: What should I do?

Owen: I'll play too. Come play with me. (Speaking as the monkey) I want some 'nanas! Yummy! Bruce (the shark) ate some, kinda... Yum! now they all ate. Now they are all not hungry. Now they are eating one more batch. Now they have to go to bed, in my own bed.

Owen pushes all of the animals through the crib slats.

Mama: Goodnight animals.

Owen: I'll go to bed too. The kid will go to bed too.

Owen climbs into his crib and continues to play with the animals for 45 minutes, entertaining himself and amusing the mama. Active imagination is a good thing; you won't find us cancelling curiosity in this house (as King Friday did in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe--episode 1, season 30, Mister Rogers).

mother's little helper

Tracy and Owen decided to make yogurt cereal bars as a surprise treat. Both boys really enjoy helping in the kitchen.

Owen mixes the wet ingredients...



...and measures the dry ingredients.

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The mornings are crisp, our breath frosty, and everything outside is covered in a white blanket. Winter's beauty is here, and we are ready...

last of the fall harvest

We made our way through the last of the pumpkins from our CSA and
co-op last week: scooping, scraping and baking, then simmering with spices for hours. The house smelled like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for days.



Owen poses with his private stock of pumpkin butter.

i wanna be your kingpin

Logan received some free bowling games from his gym teacher so we packed up the van and headed down the hill for a game. Tracy looked on while the boys stormed the lanes.

cap collection

For a few years now, I have tried to create and donate something handmade to warm up my local (or not so local) community: blankets for Project Linus and knitted squares for Afghans for Afghans.



This week, I've happily sent off my first package of mama-to-mama handmade love: fifteen newborn caps, cut from repurposed t-shirts and all sewn up for the Caps to Cap-Haitien project. I'm proud to share my time and creativity knowing that these caps will warm the heads of sweet babies and help to give them a safer and healthier start to their lives.