Peach Coglo

Birthday Mud

Joining Amanda for Weekending

It's gonna be short and sweet today as I am writing this on the computer in my jacked up basement.

Our weekend is continuing because it's spring break for us.

Friday I broke down and let the kiddos watch Ghostbusters despite the scary parts.  It was funny for me and Greg, and okay for the kids.  Elijah proclaimed that the movie was a bit confusing.  Hmmm.

That means Greg is home more-yay!

Saturday I spent time in my studio-double yay!  Afterwards I went out with some dear friends to celebrate our birthdays-two Aprils and a belated October-triple yay!  They gave me some wonderful knitting gifts.  It's great having friends that have the same yarn addiction.

Sunday was spent outside-doing some garden planning and rototilling.  There was also lots of mud.  I won't go into the part where a certain someone forgot that he was supposed to rinse off all of the mud before boot-scooting through my house.

The day ended with my birthday cake made by Greg, a sweet homemade gift from Elijah, hugs from the kids and dinner prepared by our local Chinese restaurant.  The evening ended with me practicing painting trees in the old sketchbook and figuring out some issues with the painting I am making, and some gratitude that I am starting to get it.

How was your weekend?

 

Eleven Years

How this boy got to be eleven years old I will never know.  Eleven super speedy trips around the sun.  I can't believe his growing independence and ever-increasing determination and 'voice'.  He has a 'voice'; he has himself and now he shares himself with us.

He thoroughly enjoyed his chocolate cake.

This year he told me what he wanted for his birthday-such a change. I can even tell what he might like-hence the yoga cd and giant Twix bar I gave him.  Doran is a big fan of what he calls 'Zen and spa music' and the boy just loves himself some Twix.  

What a young man he is turning out to be despite autism and despite all of the "nevers".

Doran even likes a little girl in his class.  I guess this is the age.  He shows his affection by calling her "poopy head".  Rude, but it seems on target for typical 5th grade boy behavior.  We do have to help him refine his approach.

So yesterday, he was celebrated with chocolate cake with a blue balloon (Doran's request), his favorite music (BB King), gifts, kiwi, iced tea, birthday flowers picked out by Eden, hugs, inspiration and wonderment.

Happy Birthday my Sweet!

Weekending~February 5, 2012

Joining Amanda for weekending . . . .

This one was a doozy.  I am a homebody at heart, even more so after kids.  I usually try to keep activities spread out and to a minimum.  However, this past weekend we spent much of our time away-kind of a perfect storm.

Friday blasted off with a birthday celebration for Eden.  Things got a bit off schedule due to an unexpected child pick up at school but the day was beautiful and a birthday girl with a cold.  Poor thing. 

I still cannot believe my baby is three.  Eden kept wishing everyone else "Happy Birthday" and there was nothing we could do to convince her that we were only celebrating her birthday.

She picked out yellow tulips for her birthday flowers, and we all enjoyed a set of grandparents for the party and accompanying southern fish fry (Eden's dinner request; she also asked for 'yellowey' cake with chocolate frosting).  The pinata was a hit and Greg was injured only once.

Saturday was another special day.  I finally finished Eden's penguin-a big deal for me.  Elijah and Helena participated in their first Reconciliation, a super big deal for them and the whole family.  Confession is so much gentler these days-more like sharing and an understanding shoulder to lean upon when troubled-much better and more humane.  It's not like the old days when I was wracked with guilt and fear.  I actually made things up for confession.  The kiddos spent the morning at the Reconciliation retreat where they got to play games, make things, and eat.  Then we spent part of the afternoon at our Reconciliation service-a long, but sweet day indeed.   After all of that church time, we made some birthday playdough for Eden when we got home.  She requested yellow.  This is by far the best recipe I have ever tried-the best.

That evening Greg and I went out alone to my friend Darlene's first annual fundraiser.  It was a blast even though I was scooped on my bid at the silent auction.  I really did want that Tibetan singing bowl and the prayer beads.  Then Greg completely missed a cool item-a plane ride for three.  Someone got for $70.  Better luck next year.

Sunday Elijah and I were back at church for CCD.  Our class took an intimate tour of the church.  There really are all kinds of cool symbols and art all over the place.  Of course, Elijah spotted St. Lucy, a rather gruesome statue.  Maybe it was the eyeballs on the plate she was holding.  At any rate, Elijah and I were able to discuss perspectives, social justice and the world family in depth.  That was very nice.  After mass, we made lunches and decorated lunch bags for people who are hungry.

Yeah we kind of used the rolling pin to break the pinata.

Then the whole family took off to see a ginormous and free train display.   We definitely got our miniature-enjoying nerd on that afternoon.  That was great fun.  Elijah is now convinced he wants to build and fly a model helicopter.

While Elijah took off for tennis, I am not sure what I did.  I think it involved watching sick kids.  Helena became ill later in the day and Eden continued on with her cold. 

Then it was family meeting time and dinner.  The evening finished off with weaving in ends of some finished knits.  Hmm on to something new!

Here's to being grateful for our full times and true appreciation for our slower times.

How was your weekend?  I hope it was truly lovely.

Seven Times Around the Sun ~ Times Two!

Thank you all for your sweet birthday wished for Elijah and Helena.  They turned seven on Saturday.  I can still remember with much clarity the stormy night they were born.  As I think of it, we have these monsoons every year around their birthday.

What to do to celebrate?  Mama had her own ideas but of course it was their birthday.  I wanted to celebrate them and make sure they felt celebrated and special.  In this day in age it seems like the last birthday party has to out-do the previous one.   At every birthday, I try to find a happy medium-a birthday celebration the kids want and enjoy but nothing that will blow our budget and cause a lot of undue stress.  We all know when mama is stressed, everybody is stressed.

There were requests for bouncy house parties, Chuck E. Cheese, Bounce U., etc.  All of these had been experienced at parties they had attended.  They all involved a whole lotta cash and mayhem.

I told the children that we weren't going to have a big, big party like we did last year.  I said I thought they might prefer being the bosses for the day.  They could decide what to have for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as the activities for the day.  And of course, we couldn't forget the birthday cake.  Well lo and behold, they had an incredible day.  Helena actually told me unprompted that it was her best birthday ever, "so much better than Bounce U. mom!"  Elijah, a man of few words, looked happy and content all day.  What a relief.   Everyone wants their children to have great birthdays.  I was so glad they had that.

I made sure to buy them both a bouquet of roses and I put a single rose at their places at the table.  I found out from Greg later that Helena was wondering if they would get flowers again this year.  It's interesting how traditions take hold even after they only occurred once before.  There was also card making, present wrapping and decorating.

Here's what they did: lunch at Dairy Queen, ice cream cake baking and construction, playing inside (because of course it rained for the first half of the day), a carousel ride and play in the park, a visit to the planetarium and grits and dad's homemade bread for dinner (true story - their choice).  Elijah had "white" grits and Helena had cheese grits.

On Sunday, my parents came by to see the children and to give the birthday couple their gifts.  All in all I think everything turned out the way it was meant to be-we had two very happy seven year-olds.  I still can't believe they are seven!!

 

 

 

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Weekending ~ June 26 2011

Today I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for Weekending.

 

This weekend was full of birthday activities for Elijah and Helena:

I could not believe that they are now seven, or as Opa says "the age of reason"

It was very exciting to them.  Helena was especially excited to be seven

They chose what they wanted to do and eat that day

There were cards made my mama, a trip to Dairy Queen for lunch, a carousel ride, and presents

There was a homemade ice cream cake.  I baked the cake while Greg assembled the various cake and ice cream parts

The rain finally stopped.  We almost didn't recognize the sun, he's been gone for so long

Sunday was unplugged and slow with raspberry picking and two-wheeled scooter fun

Opa and Grandma made a birthday trip down to see the new seven-year-olds.  We were so grateful for their time and presence

Greg and are are experimenting with taking weekends off.  Since there is no office for him, there is no studio for me.  We'll see how it works out as summertime flows along.  It was difficult for me since I don't get much-needed time to paint already,

But there was knitting and learning a new-to-me stitch, the linen stitch

There was time to catch up with girlfriends

All in all a great weekend to celebrate and rest before the busy week begins anew.

 

How was your weekend?

 

Ten Trips Around the Sun

On his trip with Jennie, Doran picked out birthday balloons.  His friend Jack chose the purple star balloon for Doran.  Doran chose the one with bandages.

I can't believe Doran is now a full decade old-crazy how time just scoots along.  I mean can you think about what was going on in the world ten years ago?  Man.

Anyway, Doran had a rainbow birthday.  Ever since his Outigo word play, he has been fascinated with rainbows.  Doran has grown and developed in so many ways this year.  I am amazed by how far he has come and how far we have come.

We celebrated his birthday on Saturday.  Doran went with his friend and aide, Jennie, to the reservoir for a 2 1/2 hour walk-his choice.  That boy does love the outdoors.  Then there was more outdoor play with mud and tents and tire swings.

While Doran was playing, I worked on his rainbow cake.  He had informed me that he wanted one.  I scored some natural food coloring and it actually worked out pretty well. 
You can make the colors as intense as you would like.  Mine turned out rather pastel as I was using this stuff for the first time-quite cautiously I admit.  It is a bit costly so I didn't want to use more than necessary.

Trying to make green cream cheese frosting . . . .

This is not the most graceful of icing  jobs but Doran got the idea.

Doran's birthday flowers

After a pizza (from the store [restaurant] as Doran specified) dinner, it was time to open presents.

Helena made Doran a felt rainbow with a wee pot of gold at the end. 

She also painted this still life.

Elijah sewed a flag for Doran to "flop".  Doran "stims" to calm himself (waving his hands and/or swinging floppy material like a sock, a rubber snake or a coil key ring).

 

Doran spelling "love" with his new dot paint.  I think that means he really enjoyed his birthday and that he feels how much we all love him.  It was a lovely day!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Weekending 41011

* Today I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for Weekending*

This weekend was full indeed.

There was outside tent-making with tomato cages and old tablecloths

Elijah racing remote control cars at a buddy's birthday party

and all four going to another birthday party-this time a super bouncy one

Celebrating a certain someone's tenth year on this Earth

I am so grateful for this precious being

I realize more every day that despite all of the challenges and true frustration how lucky we are to have Doran

I enjoyed Helena and Elijah's generosity of spirit towards their brother

and love the creativity and fun spirits of all four

There was a rainbow birthday cake

There was mud play

I soaked up time with my mom and brother in NYC

and spotted John Goodman strolling off Broadway-quite random

I recognized how much I adore and miss Manhattan Island

and felt so lucky to be able to luxuriate in the freedom that the City allows you to just be

I was energized and inspired by the most phenomenal show

If you can get yourself to Broadway, you must see it-truly

I had no idea David Bryan from Bon Jovi was such an incredible composer- mad props to him

It is clear that art is most elemental and necessary for the human spirit

I was sad to leave NYC but happy to see my family in CT again even if they were asleep

It's definitely time for the kiddies to go back to NY

This weekend ended with me feeling lucky and blessed in every way

I am incredibly grateful

 

How was your weekend?

 

Birthday Doings

We celebrated Greg's birthday on Sunday. Each year I try to make the celebration more special as well as more simple. Is that possible? I think so. As I get older, I feel more of a need to celebrate milestones, birthdays, as well as big and little things. Celebrating definitely brings more joy to life.

We went to my mom's house where she made him a birthday dinner, and of course, a birthday cocktail. We had a great time joking around, taking a walk, talking about science (yes we party like that), and watching one of Greg's birthday videos.

We are actually still celebrating. My dad has this tradition of making his birthday celebration a month-long occasion. I think that is a great idea. His approach always gives me more time to finish his gifts because you know I am forever late with the homemades. We'll probably make Greg's birthday celebration last a week as we have Doran's birthday coming up very soon too.

So yesterday we gave Greg some flowers. Helena gave him a "Dad dot-to-dot". There will be a sprinkling of some more simple gifts throughout the week.

What kinds of birthday traditions reign in your family?

Happy Tuesday!

Weekending One

Today I am joining Amanda over at The Habit of Being for "Weekending".

This weekend was filled with:

brushing the cobwebs out of my brain to recreate Greg's birthday cake from last year

spending some awesome time with lovely ladies

discovering pajama jeans (Thanks Heather. I can't even bring myself to link to them.)

making a colossal mess in the kitchen that still has to be cleaned up

taking photos of my dad

sharing the only photo of my grandfather's mother

being organized enough to get some laundry and some cleaning done

listening to Greg's tale of being lost for 1 and 1/2 hours trying to find a pinewood derby race that was only 2o minutes away (a hint to the state of CT and town of Bristol-street name signs would be nice)

being grateful that he hung in there and Elijah was able to race his car

knitting some more on my legwarmers (these are going to take a while)

helping Elijah prepare his "All About Me" poster for school and gathering treasures to share

not cooking on Sunday and enjoying one of my mom's incredible meals

realizing I need to get the Easter decorations out

reading more of this-so good

celebrating my hub's birthday and looking forward to another year

How was your weekend?

 

 

Frocks

My grandmother always loved a new, pretty frock.  That's what she called her dresses.  The word itself cracks me up.  It's so old-fashioned and joyful.  Helena also loves a new frock.  Now it looks like Eden is a natural member of the club.  I wonder if this affinity for clothes is genetic.  The other day Eden received a couple of new frocks for her birthday from my mom.  She immediately asked me to "Hold da pop."  She was eating a lollipop* and needed me to hold it while she reviewed her new clothes.

* We have been trying some new low sugar lollipops that don't have artificial anything in them, and no corn syrup either.  A few folks in this house have some serious sweet tooths.  That is a hard fact to reconcile with my efforts to reduce sugar and increase the healthy stuff.  So far two of the four enjoy these (Doran and Eden). 

 

Eden struck a similar pose when she was a baby after receiving some clothes from Greg's mom.

 
This was Christmas 2009.  Some things never change.  The girl likes an outfit.

 
My grandma used to set her lips like this too when she was considering her garb.  Eden's enthusiasm and her poses are all her own.  I wish my grandma could see Eden.  I think she would get a huge kick out of her.  :-)  Have a great day everyone.