Monthly Archives: June 2011

Rhubarb

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rhubarb

I have a lot of rhubarb in my freezer. A lot! Through the CSA we’ve gotten it for two weeks in a row now and I need to figure out what to do with it. The first batch sat on my counter for far too long and I finally decided to throw it in the freezer for awhile. A quick google search sent me here (a great site I frequently end up on when I have questions about preserving fresh produce) and the freezing process went smoothly enough. Rhubarb is really annoying to peel! Did you know that? It’s all stringy and weird and smells like celery (not a veggie I like!) I persevered though and now have a ton in the freezer… What do you suggest? Strawberry rhubarb pie was my first thought and the obvious answer, but I just can’t motivate myself to make a pie. I found this site with 9 Perfectly Pink Rhubarb Recipes and I’m thinking about making the Rhubarb Buttermilk Mini Muffins but I’m afraid I will eat every last one of them. Not good! Hmmm… ideas?

Lex’s six year check up

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We had an awesome visit to the doctor’s office today. Seriously. Lex had an appointment at 9:15 and he chose to go to school for an hour first instead of just going in late. The surprised me a bit, but it worked out well. He happily left with me when I came to pick him up. He did an awesome job at the appointment. He behaved well, he cooperated with the doctor and did everything she asked him to. It was just awesome. Then, to top it all off, he happily went back to school! He was chatting with everyone along the way, on the way out telling people where he was going and on the way back telling people that he was growing well and very healthy. It was adorable and by far the smoothest part of my day! How often can you say that about a doctor’s appointment.

checkup

His stats are all good: 50lbs (73rd percentile and up 8lbs from last year!) and 44 1/2″ (31st percentile). I, and the doctor, think there was a measurement error last year. His record said 44″ at his 5yr checkup, but we all agreed he’s grown more than 1/2″ this year. My oh-so-formal pencil on the wall measurement system had him at 42″ last year and 44 1/2″ this year. I think that’s more likely. She agreed.

Somewhat unrelated to the doctor visit, but very related to his turning six, Lex had a new milestone yesterday. He actually spoke on the phone!!! I had Alan on speaker phone and Eve was talking to him. Lex ran over to see what was going and then he started talking too! Right at the phone! :) I doubt Alan could understand what either of them were saying because they were both talking excitedly and over one another, but nonetheless Alan was excited to hear Lex’s voice over the phone! He is growing up.

I was just reading some posts from when he was three and four years old… I get lost in my own blog sometimes. I can spend hours, seriously, reading about what happened in my own life, in my own house, years ago. I mention this only to say that Lex really, truly, has come a long way. There are so many posts about struggles with him. Fighting. Yelling. Pure exhaustion. He is such a sweet, nice boy now. He was then too, but it’s different now. Minor issues still, but nothing, nothing!, like it was before. I feel like I’ve weathered (or conquered?) a storm and now have a beautiful, nearly calm sea to explore. I truly am fortunate.

Mr. Independent

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lex

Lex has entered a new phase of independence the past few days.  Will it last?  We shall see.  He has been protesting bath a lot lately (gently, not forcefully, luckily for me) so a few days ago I told him he was dirty and needed to get clean and I gave him a few choices on how that could happen.  When I mentioned a shower he jumped at the idea.  Since then he has been taking showers on his own.  He can do the whole thing without help.  It’s pretty amazing.  I wondered when the time would come to switch from bath to showers and it seems, like many things child-related, you just know when it’s time.  Or they just tell you :)  Yesterday was a super busy and exhausting day and Lex started to meltdown around 5pm when we were cleaning up outside and heading in.  I gave him the option of helping us clean up, or heading in for a shower.  He ran right in.  By the time I got in (after more cleanup and chit-chatting with my friend who was visiting) he was done and stepping out of the shower.

He also has taken to making his own breakfast and dinner.  As long as dinner means sandwiches, bagels, oatmeal, and/or yogurt.  He still needs a bit of help in the kitchen and makes a bit of a mess, but he is motivated and learning!  As part of our summer activities I’m going to have cooking or “kitchen” sessions and I think (hope!) he’ll enjoy them.  I’m getting excited!

Graduation day…

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Eve had a little “graduation” yesterday and today, her final day, was spent having a “field day” at the playground. They played games, ran races, went on a nature hunt, etc. Parents were invited to come. I had errands to run, but I made it for the second half of the morning. It was cute. At the end all the teachers were saying goodbye and the kids were running around hugging everyone, but Eve found me and snuggled in to my neck and refused to hug, or even acknowledge, anyone. I think she was very sad that it was all ending. She cried a bit. It was sweet. The class and teachers took a school bus to the playground and when the bus came to pick them up again I asked Eve if she wanted to get in the car with me or ride back to school on the bus. She picked the bus and cuddled into one of her teacher’s arms. A few other kids followed her to the bus. I followed the bus to school and picked her up there. :) She was happier there and said her goodbyes nicely. It’s always sad to see the year come to an end. She will be in Pre-K next year with one of the girls, but the rest of the class will be doing other things.

When I picked her up at school yesterday we (the parents) walked in to find all the kids wearing construction paper mortar boards and garbage bag gowns. It was ADORABLE! and we were all bummed that we didn’t bring cameras. I didn’t even have my cell phone with me! Eve was nice enough to put it back on when we got home. She wanted to show Alan and I wanted to snap a few pictures. Win-win for everyone :)

cap and gown

The graduate. She also got a little certificate.

close up

Always silly

After several days of 90° temps it was a chilly one today. I started off in shorts, but zipped home to change into pants and a sweatshirt before the playground. I think the kids stayed warm enough with all their running around though. :)

ducklings in a row

Little ducklings in a row (and the parent paparazzi standing by)

take down

Between activites the kids decided to chase and subsequently take-down one of the teachers. I don't think she minded. :)

eve

Eve pretending to be shy.

Each kid also got a “yearbook” to take home. It’s a bound book of pages of photos of themselves, their classmates, and their teachers. Each teacher wrote up a favorite memory, and each kids was voted for something. Eve got “Best Dancer.” I’ll agree with that!