Conflict

Lately, I can't decide if I should spend time blogging or knitting after the kids go to bed - my two new interests. So, tonight I decided to compromise and blog about knitting.

How did this all begin? What is this knitting thing? Is there a knitting movement? Is there is knitting King or Queen?

I tried knitting many years ago. I can't believe I'm old enough to say this but....in those days there wasn't a knitting shop on nearly every main street and I didn't know very many people my age doing it.

Now, when I walk down 24th Street in Noe Valley I see a knitting shop that lures me in like the Starbucks a few doors down. It's a very social place. Lots of people milling about...looking at the yarns but also following each other. The yarns are beautiful and so are the sample projects lying around. Buying a ball of yarn seems to be as satisfying as buying a cup of coffee, minus the caffeine. And the yarn lasts longer.

I never did it though...buy a ball of yarn. I couldn't remember what I learned many years back. But, then my friend Margaret started knitting this past Summer. I thought she'd do it for awhile and then get busy with other things. She didn't. She's obsessed. She has several projects going, listens to knitting podcasts and makes entries on her favorite knitting site.

Our family stayed at Margaret's house this past weekend. The dads watched the kids and the moms took the night off. Margaret and I got back around 10PM and soon after Marc and BZ started playing an Xbox game. Margaret and I were bored so I suggested she show me a few things about knitting. We stayed up 'till 1AM knitting and watching the guys slash away at their foes with their virtual swords. It was bliss and now I'm hooked.

It's not just a bunch of practice rows anymore. It has a purpose now. It's a scarf for baby Clayton, my cousin's son. Not sure when I'll finish. I've already had to unravel to fix mistakes many times. Shouldn't be too long though, and I'm having fun along the way.

Sound the Alarm!

Matthew has wanted a pedal fire truck for a long time. He worked very hard over the last several months and did all kinds of things to earn his truck.

He helped clean the bathtub, remove huge amounts of sand from his bed (a leaking stuffed animal), clean/sort/fold laundry, etc.

On Saturday, he became the proud owner of a 1940's styled hook and ladder truck, with room on the back for a crew member named Madeleine. He handed over his hard earned cash and signed an official Bill of Sale before taking ownership. Thankfully, he had a loving relative as a silent investor.

Matthew tested everything on the vehicle...the light, the bell, the ladders. Following the inspection, he took it for a spin.

This morning, he got up early, picked out his clothes and got dressed without any prompting. He said he wanted to ride his truck. Dad took him out after some cereal.

On the way to school he told me they put out 2 fires. And this was just the start of the day. No telling what he could accomplish by dinner.

Mannequins and Buggers

I'm often treated to some funny things during the day. Yesterday I went shopping at Old Navy with Madeleine. They have a bunch of mannequins distributed around the store sporting the latest in ON fashion. Madeleine loved them. She liked hiding behind them, holding their hands and hugging their legs.

When it comes to mannequins, can you think of a better dancing partner? Not really. They don't step on your toes and you can lead every time.

At one point a really groovy song came on in the store. Madeleine got her groove on and danced away. It was super cute, but at some point I finally had to cut in on the dance. It was time to go.

Since she loved the mannequin so much, I suggested she give him/her/it a kiss good-bye. I thought she'd give it a peck on the leg. Nope. She wanted to give a proper smooch on the face. The only thing is, none of the mannequins at ON have a head. I'm not sure how to describe the look on her face as she gazed up at the headless mannequin.

Quick. How about a kiss for Mommy? Okay, time to go.

Later that day I picked up Matthew from school. As I turned onto our street I looked into the rear view mirror and spotted him picking his nose and sticking it in his mouth. I did what any mother would do. I told him to stop and added a very sophisticated word to punctuate my request...Yuck! Matthew replied, "you should try it sometime Mom, they're really good! They're sweet. Actually, the big ones are sweet. Not the small ones." I wasn't sure what to say. I just kept driving.

Secrets in the Garden

When we moved into our house, the backyard was mainly weeds. Over the years I've spent a lot of time nurturing it and have developed a picture of what it will look like when I'm finished.

As I turn the corner toward our front door, I often look out to our backyard. I usually wish that I could add some mulch and finish off the path I dug out. And sometimes I even imagine the trellis and gate that would serve as the entry to our oasis.

Mulch and trellises always come after diapers, kids shoes and preschool tuition. Still, I want to see the path finished. I want to complete the picture.

As I've nurtured the garden, the garden has nurtured me. And as I've watched the garden grow, the garden has seen me grow.

Last week in the garden I thought about how 90% of the garden IS complete. Not only is it complete, but it's flourishing.

Looking at the garden from different points in the yard made me forget that the path even needs to be done. Seeing the butterflies flutter around and the bees rest on flowers was revealing too. They were very happy and didn't seem to care about the path.

It is easy to think that if something would just come to pass that everything would be in balance and that all things would fall into place...the picture would be finished...complete. There is a sense of security here.

You know what? Once that thing comes to pass, there is something else. Nothing is ever complete.

There are a lot of things that are growing and flourishing in my garden. That's where I should place my thoughts. In the absence of fear there is peace and security. There is faith. This is the path I want in my life.

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

We went to Lemo's Farm in Half Moon Bay today. My mom came with us. It was a field trip for Matthew's school.

There were all sorts of activities, aside from finding pumpkins. The kids went on a pony ride (first time for Madeleine), train ride, tractor/hay ride, haunted house, jumpy house. and petting zoo. We had loads of fun, but we wanted more.

On the way home, we stopped off for tacos at the beach in Pacifica. We sat outside, watched the ocean, ate lunch and collected rocks.

The other day Matthew told me he really wanted a collection of rocks. Today he tried to sneak a few boulders in, but I explained that he could only collect rocks that he could carry.

In a valiant attempt, he tried to tell me the rocks (boulders) were for me. There was a quiet understanding that then I could carry them. There was also a quiet understanding that I had no interest.

He decided on several very large rocks that he could carry and we headed home...2 pumpkins and 3 rocks richer.

Scones

We made orange-almond scones today. Yummy! This is the picture after we cleaned up the counter. Madeleine can't wait to get her hands on them.

Matthew and I had a good time measuring. I told him to tell me when we reached the line for 1 cup of milk. He didn't tell me to stop until 1 1/2 cups. Oops, "we went over the line, Matthew". For some reason, he thought that was SO funny. He kept repeating it.

He also kept repeating "P" when we started talking about the "reciPE". "P" is such a funny letter because it sounds like #1, and that always leads to so much laughter. Even Madeleine joined in on it all.

I remember when my mom took my brother Mike, my cousin Kathy and I camping when we were little. I can't really remember the game exactly, but somehow we were pulling big plastic letters out of a bucket and when we pulled out the "P" it was all over. We couldn't stop laughing until...well I guess we fell asleep at some point.

A new generation and a more laughter about "P".

Painting

I took Madeleine outside to paint. It was a beautiful day to be doing things in the sun. She had fun painting the paper, the grass, the sidewalk, etc.

She likes to do art projects. She can spend a lot of time at the kitchen counter coloring, painting, pasting and adding stickers. She sings quietly as she works, although I don't always understand the words.

I get a little nervous when the glue starts piling up on the paper or when crayons or paint start falling on the floor like dominos, but I try hard to be calm. I wouldn't want to crush a future Monet.

Recently, a mother at Matthew's pre-school warned me about the dangers of having a sample as a guide for projects. Apparently there are guidelines for appropriately developing an artist. I just do my best and try to have fun with them.

Daddy and Me

On Sunday's Marc helps out our church with the sound. He goes early to set-up and Matthew likes to go with him. He likes to spend time with Daddy. He also likes to eat the muffins that are out for the early birds who prepare the church.

I like the quiet time at the house with just the girls. Madeleine and I hang out and take our time getting ready. She likes to put on a "pretty dress" and "tights". She points out "mommy's tights" and then shows me her "baby tights".

It's so cute to see Matthew walk around to "check the sound" and then report back to Marc on what is needed. He's also learning how to work some of the buttons and knobs. He likes being back at the sound board with him. It's a nice bonding time for them until he runs off to church school.

My First Blog Post

It's late and I'm tired. I'll type more in my next post.