Put on a Halloween Happy Face!

Happy Halloween!  Every self-respecting TV sitcom must have a special Halloween episode every year.  Consider this my Halloween episode.  So predictable!

I must admit I'm not into Halloween.  The whole scary movie thing.  Not so much.  Ooh stick your hand in this bowl of spaghetti worms.  Ewe. No thanks.  How about running through a Haunted House and getting scared senseless?  Busy.  Yes, I'm the Grinch of Halloween, Boo Humbug!

Ok so now I'm going to put on my rally hat and dress up as the "Mom who likes Halloween!"    You won't even recognize me.

I actually love pumpkin patches and carving pumpkins and really all things pumpkin flavored. So I'll go with that theme.  A couple weeks ago we made our annual trek through the corn maze and pumpkin patch with our PEPS friends.  Where would we be without them?  Lost.  Literally.  Our friend, Peter, navigated us through the maze like a champ!  (insert obligatory call 911 joke here)  Sadly, we bailed on the pumpkin patch.

Elliott, Karsten, and Z 2011

Elliott, Karsten, and Z 2010

Last week my lovely sister, The Queen, and her adorable daughter, Princess Kate, came over to paint pumpkins with Z-man under careful supervision of Grannie Frannie.  I found my inspiration from a post by Young House Love where you use painters tape to create jack-o-lantern face stickers then let the kids finger paint over it.  Once they're done painting peel off the stickers and voila cute psychodelic pumpkin!  Good times!

Usually people only wear their Halloween costume one day.  I have to continue wearing mine until Monday. (I see you playing your sarcastic violin in pity at me).  I'm actually quite excited for what's in store.  My In-Laws are coming in for a visit this weekend.  The Queen and family are coming over for more Halloween fun Saturday night.  Monday we are headed to our neighbors for a pre trick-or-treat pot-luck.  I've never heard of a trick-or-treat pre-party.  Now, that I can sign up for.  I just hope they don't make me stick my hand in olives eye balls!  Happy Halloween!

Sunday Morning Brunch

I swear we eat more than eggs these days.  It does seem that way given I just posted about Eggs with Soyrizo and now I'm writing about Sunday brunch.  Plus, we had quiche at our friend, Andrea's, house for brunch Saturday too.  Guess we really don't eat much more than eggs afterall.

Hmmm not really sure what this post is about, Saturday or Sunday truthfully...As you see in the picture above there are two tickets from the Ben Harper show Saturday night.  He's so awesome and we also got to spend quality catch-up time with our good friends.  Most importantly my bff Carolyn!  Great time!!

My (lack of) baby book

I didn't get a baby book for Z-Man.  I was ok with it.  Until Z was 15 months old or so and I realized I didn't remember stuff and wanted to.  Like when did he get his first tooth?  Hmmm good question.  When did he sit on his own?  When did he start walking?  When was his first tantrum?  (Like he ever has those)

Would be nice right?  Our good friend, Pete, smartly suggested I could go through my Facebook status updates since I probably posted most of these milestones and could get the dates that way.  Great idea and maybe someday I'll do this... like when Z is 20 and I have more time.

So, for now, this blog serves as my record book.  If you haven't noticed this already then this must be your first time visiting (welcome!).

Yesterday (7/17/2011)  Z was in his room working on going to sleep when he shouted. "Daddy?  Daddy my need potty!"  Now, we've been in this spot before (earlier that night as a matter of fact).  Wanting to encourage C went in and said, "Well let's go"  Off they went to the bathroom and Z pulled down his pjs and let C take off his diaper and boom he went in his potty!  Way to go little man!

This isn't his first time going in the potty.  What was remarkable was this morning... he woke up and told C he had to go potty and went in all smiles.  Sure enough he went in the potty again!  Woo hoo!!! We'll see if this becomes a trend.

As I type this I know that C will groan that I am blasting this on the Internet and someday Z-man will also groan that he can't believe I broadcasted something like.  Sorry, this is my record and I am so excited and proud of my big boy that I don't care.  Hopefully someday I'll be glad I wrote this in his "Baby Book."

Farmers Market

Farmers Markets!  Here's where I'm supposed to say, "I love Farmers Markets! We go every week and here's the amazing pie I made!"  Alas, really it's more like I want to love farmers markets.  I love in-season, just picked produce and helping the local farmer.  I love finding something I've never heard of and figuring out what it is and a new recipe to try.  The truth is I rarely actually make it. (insert stellar batch of excuses here) When I do make it I kind of wander around like a lost duckling not quite sure what to buy or wishing it was earlier or later in the season when more stuff would be in-season.

This Sunday forecast was the cold and possibly rainy day of the holiday weekend.  We decided to check out the farmers market since strawberries are in season.  (btw - looking to go strawberry or raspberry picking soon!)  Well guess what?  We had a blast!

Low Tide at Alki Point

Seattle is just now starting to warm up.  As you can see in the picture above from last week my sis-in-law, Katherine, and Z-man are wearing coats!  It had to be mid 60s for the high that day. Crazy huh?!  I'll take it over 90s any day. I'm a total wimp.

That said, with company in town we were hoping for more summer like weather.  How great would it be to order the weather like a burger?  No such luck... Z wanted to go to the beach and "touch the water" so off we went to Alki Beach.  I know what you're thinking "Is this a rerun?"  Well, yes kind of.  Wait, but don't change channels yet!  I promise this episode is different.

We did go to the water and the same coffee shop for lunch.  That's true.  This time after lunch we took a long walk to Alki Point because we could tell the tide was low.  Turns out the Seattle Aquarium has naturalists out along the beach on the point during extreme low tides armed with their glossy books ready to point out the cool things to look for under rocks and hiding in the sand and water.  It was a BLAST!  I geeked out and even snapped a picture of Kat and Z with one naturalist that was super helpful.

The tide is so low you walk out about 50 yards over what would normally be the sound floor.  Along the way crabs squirt water up in the air so they can sink further into the sand.  This move is in attempt to not get eaten.  People watch for the squirting and race to try and dig the crab up before it gets too deep to catch.  Not my bag.  Blach!

There were tons of starfish!  Big ol purple ones clinging to rocks!  There were sea cucumbers hiding under rocks (didn't get a picture).  Did I say already how much fun we had?  Deja Vu?  hmmm.  After the field trip we took Ed and Kat to Starbucks, of course.  Z got a doughnut and was so relaxed and happy.  It was a perfect day!

Chicago Trip: Train to Children's Museum

*Special note* - Happy 100th blog post to me!

Most people take the train to Chicago, commuters.  One morning we took it the other way to Naperville.  It is a far west burb and has a Children's Museum a block away from the train station.  A train ride to a children's museum!  Does life get better for a two year old boy?

Off we went and Z had a blast!  Which meant we did too.  It was a sunny, windy morning.  He loved getting on the train, having his own spot to look out the window, and watching the world roll by.  Z's favorite part of the train was going through tunnels.  Train rides are so much cooler through a child's eyes.

The Children's Museum was pretty cool too.  It was surprisingly crowded for a weekday morning.  Lots of schools were on field trip.  There was an awesome art exhibit featuring always popular Chagall.  It was extremely interactive and encouraged kids to create their own art.

Among the rooms was a water room, a tool room, an air room (C better named it a fluid dynamics room), a math room (sadly, we didn't get to due to hunger and time constraints).  A big thanks to the people that dream up these places for kids to run, explore, and learn.

We grabbed lunch at Potbellys.  YUM!  We all chowed down and happily chatted with Z about his adventures.  Then we were off to catch the train back for naptime.  Once at Grandma's house he picked a couple trains to bring to bed and fell asleep playing with and talking to them.  Lovely day.

Chicago trip: April 2011

We just returned from a trip back to Chicago.  It was super relaxing and I have tons to share in the coming posts.  All family and Z related.  I'll try to sneak in a recipe or two while I'm at it.

Here's one of my favorites from the trip.  It is Z with his papas at the Brookfield Zoo.  It just so happens to be where C and I married nearly six years ago.  I was totally sentimental the whole day.

Z and Po

I love pandas.  My childhood bedroom is called the panda room now by my dad, J-Mo, and nieces and nephew.  I had two wall length shelves filled with pandas.  Once my dad, El-Dude, found out I was prego with Z he brought me nearly all of them for Z.

Z-Man's first official panda was given to him by the Queen.  I was maybe 4 months pregnant and she asked her hubby, Kickball Ken, to pick it up at Walmart for her.  Three Walmarts later Po was found!

Every month for the first year we took a picture of Z and Po.  I swiped the idea from my cousin Aimee.  It is a great way to see him grow.  Now, we are going to try and snap a picture yearly.  The challenge is getting him to sit still.

1 month

6 months

11 months (12 months is too blurry)

2 years, note he seems to be righty

Sunday Pizza: Teaser

Friday night we're making a new batch of sauce. Woo hoo!  Sunday we're trying something new...  Z-man is helping provide the teaser.  Can't wait to tell you our results.

My big boy!

Several weeks ago C had a day off in the middle of the week.  Love those!  He had a ton to get done around the house so decided to send Z to school for part of the day.  Z was running around like a crazy boy and trying to "help" Daddy find clothes by throwing everything out of the drawer.  So C picked him up and plopped him in his crib.

Undeterred Z hopped up and proceeded to climb out of the crib and jump into a pile of bean bags!  In the middle of the climb I hear C yell, "Uh Lisa you better come in here and see this."  I caught him mid jump.  I about had a heart attack!

We didn't feel like learning if he would try the same manuever that evening and opted to transition his crib to a toddler bed.  We were pretty scared about the whole thing but the alternative was a cracked head.

C went and got a gate for the doorway.  We're thinking of changing out the door one day to one of those half doors!  Wouldn't that rock!?

The first night was a dream.  He ran to the gate once and cried.  I brought him back to his bed and he fell asleep.  It has been about three weeks and we haven't had  trouble putting him to sleep.

That is, until the last two nights.  I think he wants to stay up with us as if we're up to anything fun.  Little does he know how lame his parents really are.

Sunday Pizza: 01.09.2011

It was a whirlwind week and weekend.  My dad got into town and his new condo then my sister had a baby, Kate!  Exciting!

Sunday pizza was with the regulars Mom, Dad, Emily, Pete, and Elliott.  E and Z are in school together and they act like brothers.  It is awesome cuz 90% of the time they entertain each other.  Then there's that 10% of the time when they fight like brothers.  Part of growing up.

In this week's episode both boys really showed off their skills in pizza making.  I have lots of pictures this time... hope you don't mind.

Both looking at the camera.  Next time, smile :)

Nice pounding technique

Xtra Cheese Please

Is Domino's hiring?

Oven ready

I learned a new term Sunday, "Plate me!"  Yes!  It is used when a person, such as Pete, takes a bite of piping hot, just out of the oven pizza and realizes 450 degree pizza sauce is really friggin hot and needs a plate to throw his pizza onto!  I was laughing like you wouldn't believe, but not so hard that I couldn't grab the camera and snap him scalding himself.  Luckily, he's a good sport and smiled for the camera. Nice work, Pete.  About an hour later I asked if he wanted some Aloe. [As if I actually know where that is in the house.]

Being silly. Yes, the pizza is on the table...

After dinner Z and E played like no one else were around.  First, they played behind our ginormous bean bag.  Then they decided it was coloring time.  We all just watched them move from one thing to the next and chatted merrily.

Looks like they're both righty

After everyone but my dad left we had a sweet moment where Z asked him to read a book to him before bed.  I melt.  There are lots of special moments in your life and this was one of them.  Dad, I'm glad you have a home out here and can't wait for J-Mo to come out too.

Awe.

Any ideas for next Sunday Pizza?  I'm stumped?  Here are some thoughts... Something fun with the dough like wheat or blue corn.  Deep Dish.  Super thin crust.  Special ingredients.

Choo Choo!

I melt...

Yes we are officially into trains full steam!  Here's Z-Man with Thomas PJs, thanks Aunt B (aka the Queen), playing with one of his new trains.  Just had to share my cute little bear!  Couldn't you just eat him up?!

Room Makeover

C and I have been off the last two weeks of the year!  Woo hoo!!  It occurred to us this is the first vacation we have had together in over three years without going to visit family or having family visit us.  Don't get me wrong we love seeing loved ones, but it has been wonderful to reconnect and just hang out.

When he was born we were renting a house so we only put up pictures of pandas and didn't paint.  We moved into our house over a year ago but put top decorating priority on the non-bedroom parts of the house.  We are feeling good about those rooms now and were excited to work on Z's room!

Squeak No More worked on Z's room!

C would like me to point out that it is a great time to decorate his room since we really know his personality.  Good point!  First off, his floors are incredibly squeaky!  Beyond words squeaky!  C's bro, Matt, told us about a product he saw on This Old House called Squeak No More and we tried it out. When I say "We" I mean C! :)  It worked GREAT and I'm happy to say Z's room no longer squeaks!  Rockin!

Next, we ran to Target and a couple bean bags to set up a reading nook near his crib.  This way we can read right before bedtime in his room.  The same day we had Z help us put the glow-in-the-dark star and planet stickers on his ceiling.  That was way fun!  Finally, we got some no VOC paint tinted blue and chalkboard paint and painted his room!  Below are the before and afters.  He walked in and kept turning around and around and just loves being in there now!