Life School

Mn was looking at the packaging of this toilet seat when we arrived home from errands.  "You can take it out and see if you can put it on."  "Really?!"  

Me:  "Look over and smile."

Him to Ph:  "I'm laying on the toilet."

 

Ph 5am song

Early one mor-orning, the sun wasn't even shining,
I heard the baby cry-ying and he wouldn't go back to sleep.
We snuggled downstai-ai-airs unti-il he was snoozing,
I laid him on the floo-oo-oor and he wouldn't go back to sleep.
He started to play-ay-ay with his fa-avorite toy-oy-oy,
It was a small drum sti-i-ick, and then he went back to sleep.

Rhubarb BBQ

 Year 2 of AIP is in full swing.  This week, I learned to disassemble and prepare a whole beef heart for the first time, but I'm also doing so repeats from last year.  The main seasonal task is making rhubarb barbeque sauce to freeze.  We made a quintuple batch!!  Still, I'm considering if I should make a bit more.  15 jars for 12 months??  

Floor Bed for Babe Ph

I've a babe that doesn't like to sleep independently.  Consequently, our crib is a storage spot and we only took out a pack and play to try to get ready for a trip...it worked for a few nights a few hours each...we won't be packing it.  

Recently, I acquired a crib that was going to be thrown away (because it's drop-side).  I had the idea that I'd make it into a Montessori floor bed - if you look it up, they have low railings, sit on the floor and sometimes one of the railings swings open like a gate.  I thought the boys might enjoy that in their room (when they start rooming together). 

Well, they're not rooming together yet.  The adults are rooming with the babe.  For the most part we enjoy this journey, with our sweet Ph!  But...wouldn't it be nice for him to sleep a bit longer in his own space??  Yes!!

Today, I found this website:  Sharing a Room with a Montessori Floor Bed - Quirky and the Nerd  And you know how the couple days before vacation prompts you to rearrange furniture, wash everything, build something, start and complete a sewing project, etc?  Well, this was it:

I dismantled the heirloom crib, stowed the pack and play, found homes for all the stuff that was homeless, and set up a safe space for Ph.  He's been sleeping there for about an hour.  I'll update you when the time arises.  

Surprise!

Grandma came today.  Adults knew, Aunt R instigated, kids were oblivious.  Right now Mn has her in his room playing Legos.  Just before lunch, Mn and I went outside to pick up sticks in the yard.  Then, we took pictures of our neighbors' spring flowers, then we followed the mail-lady down the street, "but we're going to stay on {__} Street."  We saw a grey car turning around, looked like Grandpa J in his car.  A few moments later, another grey car drives by (Grma), but it couldn't be because it was stopping in front of the next house, not travelling on to our house.  

Grandma gets out of the car and walks around.  Mn: "Grandma's here!!!  Does she have luggage?!"  Before a hug he looks in the front seat window, then he looks in the backseat window.  Still not seeing any, he climbs into the back seat and pulls down the center armrest and then opens the secret door to the trunk.  "THERE'S LUGGAGE!!"  He climbs out excited, but gets ready to climb back in for a ride down the street.  "But can I get a hug?" says Grandma.  

She parked around the block and walked around to the backyard to see the girls.  I was in the kitchen by then and in a high excited voice Kj exclaims, "Curl Grandma's here!!!"  Hugs all around.

After Mn had gone to fetch the car and unload it with Grandma (this boy is always up for a job).  Job complete he takes off his jacket and boots in the kitchen, under his breath I hear him whisper, "She's a tricker."  Relaying the story to Aunt R, she claims, "Next time...I'll hide myself in the trunk..."  :)  

Flare-up

I signed up for email updates from Christina Tidwell last year when "autoimmune disease" became a real item in my family's life. She has had encouraging and timely (God is good!!) posts and this is one of them.

Flare-up was our last couple weeks ("I feel like 2019." ~KL). The above linked post made me realize we're making our way out of a flare-up. I've had a lot of people ask me "how are you doing?" and I've been trying to be honest, but there is no concise answer right now... I'd say though that today we're "better" (but not back to 2020 good). These are great toolkit ideas if you have 12 minutes to listen.

SUMMARY

1. breathing in and out  

2. focus on what you can control

3. eating healthful foods that will heal the body - NOURISH

4. sleep and rest - rest more than you think you need

5. calling on your care-team and support team

Zoo Day

 We made it to the zoo today.  I got a little extra sleep last night and I think it was just enough (along with the sunshine) to get the idea in my head...and L's!  Being right after lunch, we had the zoo nearly to ourselves.  

Isn't this giraffe beautiful?  We couldn't remember seeing one sitting before.  We didn't see zebras today, but this bongo was in the viewing area.  They must take turns.  

Funny to us that the camels are out, but it's too cold for the penguins.  About the time we got our zoo pass the penguins were finishing up their outdoor time.  The kids have enjoyed watching them out of doors, but I haven't had the pleasure.  Looking forward to that this spring.  (BUT just so you all know!  It's only February.  Not Spring.  Snow will most likely return and be just wonderful.)