Rhubarb Pie

We came home with a huge bag of fresh rhubarb from my grandmother's garden in Vermont. I cleaned and cut it into pie portions, froze a stash of them and saved a couple out to make right away. I did the first tonight - it smelled FABULOUS while baking. The children ignored the daily instruction to "wash up for dinner" and each of them had to be excused mid-meal to attend to things that should have been taken care of before they sat down...thereby earning themselves a No Dessert ruling. They were, therefore, sad-eyed and drooling while Chris and I feasted. Of course I made fresh whipped cream.

Admin post

As I just noticed Ashley was awarded 2 well deserved points, I realized I hadn't noted May's winner. Since May would be a 5-way tie among myself, Karen, Joy, Lisa, and Paige, I'm going to roll it over into June...so Ashley is currently in the lead.

Karen's take on girl shoes

...went over pretty well Chez Stoll, Lisa. Sorry this is a blurry one taken with the cellphone...

Replacement Children

Last weekend was great...except for my two kiddos...with whom I had "had it up to here." So, as I was cajoling and them down right threatening them to get in the car I let slip what I was thinking. I told them both that if they did not stop acting up and start behaving I was going to take them back and get me some new kids. I was going to replace them. And replace them with GIRLS none the less. Much arguing and quite a few tears emerged at this point (at least they were in the car.) My 4 and 1/2 yo was still somewhat skeptical (the one arguing) my almost 3 yo was horrified (the one crying). So, I ask them if they will behave (much yes head nodding) and if they will listen (again much head nodding) and before I could get out the next phrase my almost 3 yo looks right at me and says, "mama, I behave...don't trade me, trade Kyle (his older brother)." Later that day, the boys are acting up around their dad...Kyle (not quiet as skeptical at this point)stops misbehaving and tells my husband not to tell me because I am going to trade them out. Ahhhh, peace.

Sneaker Woes

The laces that came with Lars' sneakers are about 12" longer than they should be. As a result, even though the sneakers are high-tops, the laces drag the ground in a trip-hazard sort of way even when the shoes are well tied...and, let's be honest, the sneakers of a seven-year-old boy are rarely well tied. We've been meaning to replace the laces - really! - but somehow seven (ok, eight) months have passed and those darned laces are still too long. I finally made it over to Target to get replacements. Standing before the shoelace display, I was wondering what length would work (what? measure them before trying to buy? who?), when I realized the absurdity of buying new shoelaces for shoes that are already worn through at the heel...so I repositioned myself in front of actual shoes and called home. "Confirm sizes of the kids' sneakers for me, please?"

Chaos ensued. Chris could only validate one size; the other pair of shoes was too worn down to read. Lars began calling out names of friends of his that have sneakers like what he wanted. Ross started with a color - black - and wanted the kind with some letters, V-A-N-S. Their voices swam in and out of focus and I pictured the kids leaping at Chris like puppies, trying to get close to the phone to make sure their orders were placed. Finally, the kids settled a bit. I got Ross on the phone and asked if he wanted sneakers like the ones he has (sans letters) or if he must have the letters? When he didn't answer right away, I put in that the ones he has are $18 and the ones with letters are $36, then explained that we'd split the cost of the more expensive ones, if he wanted those. The idea of using $18 of his current $19 on shoes didn't hold much appeal, so he settled for ones without letters. I started to describe the three color and pattern choices in the shoes before me but got frustrated, so we hung up. I picked two pairs of shoes and got out of there.

I found the two skeptics at home, arguing. Ross clearly did not think anything in my bag would ever touch his feet. Lars looked worried about why Ross was looking like someone had covered the sun and wondering if he should also be concerned. "Ok," I said, "I'm going to give you the shoes I picked out. You can say whatever you want to - POLITELY - about them. If you don't like them, we'll take them back. IF YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF IN AN INAPPROPRIATE WAY," I raised my voice for emphasis, "Any inappropriate way, we will take these shoes back and arrange some very pink, probably sparkley GIRL SHOES for you to wear until your feet grow again." After a bit of mumbled discussion, they followed me downstairs.

With the threat of glaring girl shoes hanging over their heads, the boys viewed their new sneakers. Amazingly, both of them were happy with my choices! As they tried on their new shoes, Ross asked, "Mama, you wouldn't really have made us wear girl shoes, would you?"

I cheerily retorted, "Oh, yes I would have!"

"Told you," Lars sneered, and with that the boys ran off to continue their argument break in their new shoes.

Useful Kids

We had friends over for dinner tonight. We haven't seen them in a looooong time; too long, really, maybe a year? When last we were together, their baby was turning one - today, he's past two. They arrived, there were hugs, and in the greeting mix, Ross and Lars absconded with the baby. I glanced into playroom, saw trains coming out, and offered our guests drinks - the kids were taking care of the kid! I saw it as joyous. Our guests allowed it to happen but seemed nervous, even after I explained that Ross loves to play with little kids and has yet to lose anyone. At some point in our conversation, Chris mentioned how fond Lars is of knocking other kids over and sitting on them. Really, Lars hasn't done that in years (except to his brother, who generally deserves it), but our friends looked as if they might be calculating possible damage of a sixty-pound seven year old sitting on their 20-pound toddler. Dinner was fabulous! They are food people like we are and our shared meal came out really well. As they were handing round the satay sauce, they explained it was made from sunflower seeds as they're not feeding nuts until their kid turns three. Oh? I suggested they might not want him to have the fruit salad, then, since it had pecans. *sigh* We had a great time with them and I hope they're not putting us on a list of crazy people (underage child watchers! nuts!) they will avoid.

But Mommy needs a playdate!

So we have this regular dinner with the boys down the block, both of our partners work Thursday evenings. And all four boys run and tire each other out, put on pajamas and collapse as soon as we get home.

The problem? Bruiser has pinkeye, and possibly some other nasty virus. Me too, but I can generally be trusted not to wipe my eye boogers on other people. I should cancel and keep my kids home, but I think someone might not survive the evening.

And therefore, I justify.... well, he's had a day of antibiotics, he can't be that contagious... they saw him last week just before this started, they'd have it already... and finally... but Mommy just really needs her playdate.