Playing Adult

With all this kid stuff, sometimes it is nice to pretend to be an adult for a change. My friend Dave organized a night out to see Les Miserable back in September. Six of us went out to dinner and enjoyed the show. Matt stayed home and watched the kids. Eventually, I suppose, we might just go out together...but better not hold your breath.

Party, Party, Party

With Elias' birthday only a little more than a month away, the planning for his party has to start soon. Since last September, Elias and I have been to 4 birthday parties for his classmates at school.

Miles' birthday was at the Botanical Children's Garden. We decorated pots, got soil and seeds for planting, played in the stream and ate lunch out in nature.

Sienna's birthday was at Jungle Quest. This is a great place for kids 5 and up, with a climbing wall, zip lines, rope bridges, the works. Elias was scared out of his mind. There was a playing area that didn't require "gear", but it was almost pitch black, so just getting the kids to go in was a challenge. There were two small slides and a rope bridge to cross...that was about it. Near the end of the playing time, some of Elias' younger friends from school decided to try on a harness and ride on the zip line. Elias wanted to go too. He got on his harness, waited in a very long line, but then decided he wasn't so sure he wanted to go (some of his other friends had already backed out). I was up on the platform with him, counted down and pushed him off (yes, I am THAT Mom). Needless to say, he didn't go again.

One of Elias' Best Friends, Joey at Jungle Quest

Lucias celebrated his birthday at the Denver Firefighter's Museum. Last year Dylan had his birthday party there. The kids get to wear firefighter gear, play on a fire engine and slide down a mini fireman's pole. I think Elias enjoyed it, but I don't find the place all that great, and it is really, really hot. For the next party there, Matt can experience the joys.

Elias as a Fireman

The best party (at least for me) was Isabella's. The magician Ann Lincoln came to Isabella's Dad's loft downtown. She did face painting while all the kids arrived. Then she put on a show that I thought was fantastic. She was silly with juggling, losing a wooden bunny and peanuts. She had a real bunny (that the kids got to pet at the end) and a bird. Everyone left with a balloon animal. While I was cracking up during the show, Elias (the only boy at the party) was visibly upset. I think he was worried that Ann was really struggling, and he felt bad for her. He didn't realize it was supposed to be funny. Such a sensitive soul.

Elias as a clown

What to do for Elias' 4th birthday party? A cooking party, amusement park, craft party, bounce house...the options are endless. Better start cracking.

Thank Goodness for Friends

They keep us sane. Last fall we had visits from Serena, Sara and Joe. Oh, how we miss them!

Must Be Noted

Back in early September, Matt held his annual bike ride from Empire, up over the pass, and to our condo in Fraser. This year passed without incident. A group of friends did the ride with him and had lunch at our place afterwards. He is bound to hold it in September this year and everyone is invited, so you better start training!

Must Have Been The Hormones

I have a hazy memory of taking both kids, by myself to ride the Cabriolet, take a wagon to the lodge, have a snack and then head back to the condo...in the middle of winter last year. Ezra was in the Bjorn; Elias was decked out in snow gear. The only thing I can attribute it to is crazy pregnancy hormones. These days I'm lucky if I have the energy to get off the couch. I'm counting on it getting easier as Ezra gets older, cause I'm definitely not going to fix it by having another baby.

Advice

What is with the poo-pooing of advice these days? It seems like everywhere I turn people are complaining that others are offering their two cents, and they would rather not have it. It seems to come up most often in parent circles. Are we all too afraid to admit at times we don't know what we are doing? Do we feel like at all costs we must give off the impression that we are the best parents of the universe? I personally like to talk about the challenges that come with the job of raising kids and love to hear how others handle different situations. You learn tips that you would never have thought of otherwise. Hearing and sharing stories certainly makes you feel like you are not alone. I believe it is time to get real and become less proud. Let's unite and maybe, just maybe, our kids will start eating, sleeping through the night, playing nicely, going potty...and taking our advice.

What Do You Mean Nothing's Wrong?

Back in January, Ezra had his one year checkup. I was hoping, pleading, begging the powers that be that there was something wrong with him. He refused to eat just about anything but yogurt. Maybe it was an ear infection, or tooth problems...maybe his throat was constricted or he was allergic to something. I wanted it to be ANYTHING. But alas, there was nothing wrong with Ezra at his doctor's appointment. He checked out just fine. It seems strange to say, but what a disappointment.

Luckily for us, it does seem as though that was just a phase Ezra was going through as he learned to eat finger foods. He seems to get more and more adventurous, and we sure hope it stays that way. He is on his way to eating way more stuff than Elias eats (although that isn't saying much). Right now both kids like lentils the most (Why are our kids so weird? You would think it would be mac 'n cheese or pizza or something). A few weeks ago Ezra ate for dinner:

2 strawberries
2 tablespoons of chickpea casserole
3 tablespoons of lentils
3 tablespoons of oatmeal
5 tablespoons of peas
1 slice of banana
1 oz of formula

I think he was making up for just eating yogurt the last month.

Deep Thoughts by Elias Kiefer

If you and Daddy both go to jail, I'm going to need someone to help me take care of Ezzy (Ezra).

13 Months

Is it possible for kids to change so much in just one month?

At 13 months, Ezra now:

-Prefers to flush the toilets instead of lifting the lid (that's an improvement).
-Has a favorite word of "Uh, oh." Says it anytime he drops something, which is really quite often, and I think mostly on purpose.
-Loves to crawl into your lap to sit and play.
-Got his first haircut (by me) on Friday, Feb 10th (how come hairstylists make it look so easy?).
-Got his 6th tooth Feb 9th (top, left, 2nd from middle)
-Loves to eat lentils and yogurt, but that is about it (prefers formula at 1:00 in the morning). Occasionally will humor me with bananas and peas. Carrots and broccoli now definite Nos.
-Likes playing in the plant dirt.
-Still eats the mortar from the brick walls (maybe we should start filling in the gaps with mashed potatoes).