Thursday, March 6, 2008
Quote of the Day
Eleanor came out into the living room at about 7:15 this morning (very late for her) and declared, "I had a GREAT nap." If only Henry had slept so well!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Kisses, Hugs and Other Updates
Henry is giving the most wonderful kisses and hugs these days. By kiss, I mean open-mouthed, slobbery gumming on the cheek/chin -- very sweet.
He is also sitting up very well for long periods of time. He occasionally leans forward as if he is going to crawl but doesn't have enough control yet and usually face plants. He did a couple of super face plants into the grass yesterday when I was outside raking the leaves out of the daffodils. Still not entirely sure how he managed to do it, I had him set up in a way that I thought would make it difficult.
He still loves his sister and she is able to make him laugh more than anyone else. If she is laughing, he is laughing too. If she is crying, he is usually still laughing.
Both kids have had a rotten cold for the past week and I have been referring to them as my barking seals because that is exactly what they sound like. And, I am not sure if it is due to the cold or teeth but they have both been excessively cranky. Eleanor is getting some molars on the top and Henry might be getting one or two of his front bottom teeth, though we can't see anything yet.
Amazing how fast they change! More pictures soon to come.
He is also sitting up very well for long periods of time. He occasionally leans forward as if he is going to crawl but doesn't have enough control yet and usually face plants. He did a couple of super face plants into the grass yesterday when I was outside raking the leaves out of the daffodils. Still not entirely sure how he managed to do it, I had him set up in a way that I thought would make it difficult.
He still loves his sister and she is able to make him laugh more than anyone else. If she is laughing, he is laughing too. If she is crying, he is usually still laughing.
Both kids have had a rotten cold for the past week and I have been referring to them as my barking seals because that is exactly what they sound like. And, I am not sure if it is due to the cold or teeth but they have both been excessively cranky. Eleanor is getting some molars on the top and Henry might be getting one or two of his front bottom teeth, though we can't see anything yet.
Amazing how fast they change! More pictures soon to come.
Art, for Goodness Sake
I have been feeling like I need to be more artsy around here lately. It all started out when I enrolled Eleanor in an art class with Paula, her new art teacher, several weeks ago. It is the most adorable thing -- six little darlings around a low table up to their elbows in paint, glue, glitter and joy. (Thank you to Cathy for the recommendation.)
Coincidentally, right around the same time, I came across a new blog that I am really enjoying called The Artful Parent. The woman who writes the blog, Jean Van’t Hul, seems to know exactly what questions I have, because every post is just what I need to keep (or bring) a little bit of art and beauty in our day to day existence. So, thanks Jean.
The idea of art in everyday life has also got me thinking about the Kuna. They really live artfully without even stressing out about it like I seem to be doing. They just naturally incorporate beauty, color and lovely forms into daily life. The most obvious example is the molas that the women wear, but even in small things such as the wirwir, a kitchen utensil that they use for making madun (a thick warm plantain beverage) the Kunas' artful ideals shine through. And, don't even get me started on their language -- I mean, a word like wirwir to describe something that stirs really fast -- it's fantastic. Anyway, the exhibit and book "The Art of Being Kuna" really hit the nail on the head with that title.
These various tangents have led to much more artsy experimentation around the house. This morning we tried a bit of painting, which I have been hesitant to do because of the carpet. However, as I have seen in art class, Eleanor is pretty decent at keeping it (whatever materials she is working with) on the table. So we gave it a go.
The results were very satisfying, Eleanor enjoyed experimenting with the brush, her fingers, a baby food jar, the textured watercolor paper and the paint. From what I have been reading lately, it is important to discuss the experience with Eleanor rather than the finished product, but I must say, the middle piece with the baby food jar prints, is quite visually appealing to me. In fact, I think I am going to frame it and put it up somewhere. And, my worrying was for naught, as no paint ended up on the floor.
(These pictures are sideways, I couldn't pin them up the way she painted them because there wasn't enough space. So, tilt your head to the right and you will see them as they were created!)
Coincidentally, right around the same time, I came across a new blog that I am really enjoying called The Artful Parent. The woman who writes the blog, Jean Van’t Hul, seems to know exactly what questions I have, because every post is just what I need to keep (or bring) a little bit of art and beauty in our day to day existence. So, thanks Jean.
The idea of art in everyday life has also got me thinking about the Kuna. They really live artfully without even stressing out about it like I seem to be doing. They just naturally incorporate beauty, color and lovely forms into daily life. The most obvious example is the molas that the women wear, but even in small things such as the wirwir, a kitchen utensil that they use for making madun (a thick warm plantain beverage) the Kunas' artful ideals shine through. And, don't even get me started on their language -- I mean, a word like wirwir to describe something that stirs really fast -- it's fantastic. Anyway, the exhibit and book "The Art of Being Kuna" really hit the nail on the head with that title.
These various tangents have led to much more artsy experimentation around the house. This morning we tried a bit of painting, which I have been hesitant to do because of the carpet. However, as I have seen in art class, Eleanor is pretty decent at keeping it (whatever materials she is working with) on the table. So we gave it a go.
The results were very satisfying, Eleanor enjoyed experimenting with the brush, her fingers, a baby food jar, the textured watercolor paper and the paint. From what I have been reading lately, it is important to discuss the experience with Eleanor rather than the finished product, but I must say, the middle piece with the baby food jar prints, is quite visually appealing to me. In fact, I think I am going to frame it and put it up somewhere. And, my worrying was for naught, as no paint ended up on the floor.
(These pictures are sideways, I couldn't pin them up the way she painted them because there wasn't enough space. So, tilt your head to the right and you will see them as they were created!)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Pink Martini
We went to see Pink Martini on Thursday for our date night. What a lot of fun. Getting dressed up and going to the Kennedy Center for an evening of lovely music with my dear husband -- I can't ask for much more than that. Pink Martini is a Portland, Ore. based band that plays a very diverse lineup of music. They were accompanied last night by the National Symphony Orchestra.
My favorite song was their opener, Ravel's Bolero. It was just amazing the way they built it up and then busted it open with the horns. I think it was my favorite because the tune is so familiar from Torvill and Dean's 1984 Olympic performance -- one of my all time favorites.
I also really enjoyed the song Hey Eugene, that the singer China Forbes, had written about someone she met at a party who never called. Hilarious. (You can listen here if you scroll down to the bottom.)
A huge thanks to Bill for the tickets and Sarah for the babysitting!!
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