Week 47: For The Kids

What's new?

I have no idea where Week 47 went, nor can I seem to do anything right now ('specially write) that does not include making up new voices for characters like dinosaurs, trolls, ogres, goats, slugs, or lichen. Bet you didn't know lichen had a voice? Bet some of you don't even know what lichen is :)

New children's fiction - Oh yes. Henry's Amma got him 2 very cute reads, Dinosailors (Lund and Pine) and Where Would I Be In An Evergreen Tree (Blomgren and Gabriel). Dinosailors is a fun, sing-songy rhyme with made up words and silly adventure, of which I am a huge fan. Where Would I Be In An Evergreen Tree is get-out-of-town-ridiculous-my-dream-of-writing-something-like-that-one-day, so I am obviously biased. It portrays the ecosystem of an old-growth tree on the coast of Washington/Oregon, is quite species-specific, and the artwork is stunning. I liked it because Blomgren doesn't just describe this ecosystem, she creates a living thing out of it. Henry loves it too, by the way. After all, these are for the kids, folks. Ahem.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff was one I got him a couple of weeks ago and forgot to include somewhere along the way. An age-old story of facing, outsmarting, and overcoming your fears, and in a time where my preschooler is constantly discovering new things to be afraid of, I thought it particularly appropriate. Plus, I do a wicked, mean troll voice, and when he gets pushed into the water, I flail around and splash and die dramatically. Again, for the kids.

What else?

Other Week 47 Newness:

• New glass salmon sculpture from my trip to the PNW. Because not only do I need more salmon art, I need more glass things since we move every 2 years.

• New concealer. Here's one I don't often write about: new makeup. Since my makeup typically consists of lotion, concealer, and blush, there isn't usually a lot to report on in the newness for this category. Neutrogena Skin Clearing concealer is a new product in this line, and since I am a sucker for trying new products and my Proactiv concealer just ran out, I picked this little goodie up. It is AMAZING!! 5/5 for covering up scars on your chin from years of picking your face. 

• New crochet projects. The little trinket above was a throw I finished for my Father-in-Law as a Christmas present using Lion Brand Thick n Chunky yarn. The oversized granny square pattern for a throw is always fun because you can finish it rather quickly.

• Henry randomly started singing Jingle Bells, which I am assuming he learned at preschool? I have also realized, now that I can understand him better, that he knows most song lyrics and cuss words. A listener, this one. 

Week 9: Oscars Parties and Puppy Dogpiles

We did not try as many new things in Week 9 because I spent most of it being sick and road-tripping back to Kansas with my favorite 2-year old buddy. But, in spite of the continued and worsening sickness, our last days in San Diego with Daddy were happy ones and included one of my new favorite memories. I spent much of our last full day as a family together for a long while in Urgent Care, but Henry and Ted had some good quality time together, which made all of us happy. I was too sick to even be sad at that point, and all I remember is going into the bedroom to lay elevated on some pillows, after taking copious amounts of randoms, which included something with codeine as well as ZzzQuil, nasal spray, and essential oils. I turned on the Oscars, and my sweet husband and son crawled up in bed with me with their new Thomas the Train I-spy book, and we had the absolute best cuddle time ever AND we got to witness that spectacular mini-show of Les Miserable (Ted was especially excited about that part). And finally...eventually...I fell asleep in a big puppy-love pile. 

I've never hosted an Oscar party before, but I think I will, from now on. Especially if there is a Thomas the Train, puppy-pajama dogpile with my sweet family included :)  

Henry and I are home now, safe and sound, and I am slowly but surely starting to feel better. I am thankful for our special time with Auntie Shana, Uncle Eddy, Cousin Ira and Baby Leif and with our other good friends in San Diego (and so, so sorry for missing the ones we missed due to being sick!) 

We miss our other Third already. I feel like I left with a lot of doubts and nervousness about how this year was going to work and whether or not any of us (Ted, Henry, or myself) were strong enough to handle (insert whatever you can think of inserting, here). I think I came back knowing that I am not, and being totally okay with it because Ted and Henry aren't either. 'Cause ya know what? None of us are that strong - We aren't supposed to be. So, you just accept weakness sometimes and move forward - And often times that is when you finally allow growth and healing and figure out what it is you are supposed to be doing. It helps especially, when you come home to find a homemade lasagna and pot of daffodils on your counter :) 
  

In addition, I left with a 2-year old and came home with a 2.25-year old. Apparently, there is a difference! Most amazing, impressive kid, this one. I just loved driving home across New Mexico and Northern Texas with him in the bright morning sun. I will never forget that. I hopefully will forget how over road-tripping he was by the time we were in Northern Oklahoma :)

Other new things I tried in Week 9:

• Dermatologica skincare products. I love Proactiv, but here in Kansas my pruny skin cannot handle that much Benzoyl Peroxide. Plus, it's time for some grown-up makeup.

• ZzzQuil. I love this product. It works. 5/5 stars.

• Chicken tortilla soup from Islands - So yummy for sick mommas (but without the cheese).