Their Minds Are Really Working These Days

I vividly remember the early days of my life as a Mama.  Hour after hour of baby talk, cooing and babbling.  Matt would come home from work and I’d talk.  And talk.  And I would soak in the intelligent words that he would respond with… savoring the adult conversation.  Because being home by myself with a baby, and then a baby and a toddler, for 11 hours straight made my brain turn into mush.     

Fast forward 5 and a half years and I’m constantly in the midst of conversations that are beyond me – questions that make my head spin and send me flying to the internet or my Bible for answers. 

Gage and Cooper seem to have over night become inquisitive of the ways of our world, our universe, our God, our creation… everything!

The other night during dinner, Gage peered out the window and saw the sliver of the moon.  He excitedly pointed it out to us and sought an explanation for why sometimes the moon looks like the letter ‘C’ and sometimes its a big circle.  Do I know anything about the Solar System?? Not much.  Thank goodness Matt was there to handle that one. 

Not too long ago, I had to get into it with the boys about lying.  I of course encouraged them to always tell me the truth, but even if they don’t “Jesus knows the truth”.  A few days later, Gage asked me what does Jesus do if he knows we are lying.  He wanted to know, “How does God discipline us?”  I wasn’t sure if I should get into the Bible story of how the two people who promised to give all of the money they earned to God, but didn’t, were struck down dead…  “Good question, Bud.”  I responded.  “Let’s go talk about that.”  I’m still not sure if I gave him the right answers but it did evoke a great conversation about obedience and honesty.  

Cooper’s given me a few good, insightful conversations lately, too.  Just the other night he lectured me extensively about cavities.  How they form, what causes them, how the dentist fixes them and what we do to avoid them. 

I sure wish I could have a little bitty tape recorder, ready to record these conversations so I can always hear him say, “And then, you eat candy.  And then, it sticks to your teeth.  And then, you need to brush them.  Because.  If you don’t.  You’ll get a hole.  In your tooth.  And then, it’ll hurt.  Real bad.  And then.  You’ll have to go to the dentist.  And then.  He’ll have to fill the hole with some stuff.  And then, that’ll hurt…” 

I can hear it so clearly in my head right now, but surely, with time, it’ll fade. 

And an ongoing, agonizing discussion I keep having to have with Cooper is regarding my love for Kaden.  Specifically, in Cooper’s words, “Mama, why do you love Kaden so much more than me?”  He thinks this because I am constantly having to fetch Kaden away from doing things that will hurt him – consequently sometimes taking me away from my time with Cooper or making Cooper have to wait his turn. 

It breaks my heart that his little brain even conjures up this type of thought.

He also asks questions like “Mama, will I always be a boy or will I someday be a panda bear?”  

At the end of almost everyday, I am exhausted from answering questions – wise, insightful questions, as well as questions that are so basic that its hard to put answers actually into words!  Or questions about things that are so common, that the answers have never crossed my mind.  Like,  “Why does it sometimes drizzle and other times rain really hard?” 

And now-a-days, when Matt and I have our time together, I want to do anything but talk.  I don’t want to hear anything, not even my own thoughts. 

Because my brain is mush.  Still, mush!   Funny how things work out.   

Five on Friday

1.  You HAVE to check this out.  I came across this video on Erin Cobb’s blog and I was in tears.  LOVE it.  If you’re at work, you may want to turn the volume down at first.  THEN, the Spirit may move you to invite others to gather around your desk, and turn up the volume.  LOUD. 

 

2.  I’m excited that I figured out how to post videos on here!  I’d better figure out how to take video on my camera before Kaden starts walking, so I can share THAT video on here. 

3.  This may be the third time I’ve been pictured on this blog… see me?  In the ornaments?  These would be WAY better if I was starting with a non-scratched ornament, but those are in short supply (meaning we have none) in our house. 

(This photo was ALL Gage’s idea.  He’s coming around to be quite the poser!)

4.  THANK YOU, Kristin, for pointing out the typo I made in my Dipped Gingerbread cookie recipe from the other day.  It is one and a half cups of vegetable oil… not 1/12.  That would have been interesting, though.  The typo has been fixed and I hope you’ll try out that recipe. 

5.  You may be noticing more watermarks appearing on my photos.  Its not necessarily because I deem that particular photo amazing and worry that someone will copy/steal it. But the sad truth is, that people aren’t always looking for a technically great photo to steal… they are looking for a photo of a little kid showing some skin.  Well, in case you haven’t noticed, my kids prefer their undies to any other clothing.  I could decide to not share those images, but let’s be honest… you’d never see photos of my kids, OR I’d have some serious battles getting them clothed each day.

So, if skin is showing, its getting watermarked. 

Because unless you’re given permission to take a photo from a blog/site, it is illegal.  You’ll notice that if you right-click an image on my site, it reminds of this copyright. 

And it is ALWAYS illegal to post those pictures as your own or to alter them in anyway.  Believe it or not, some people do this, and it sicks me out.  Just, FYI. 

6.  I can’t leave it on that note… so, here’s my sweet-boy Tado. 

  Have a delightful weekend! 

OUR Christmas Tree

We live in the land of the Christmas Tree.  Oregon’s Willamette Valley is one of the world’s leading producers of them and the particular ‘hill’ that we live on crawls with Christmas Tree fields.  So when I considered by-passing having a tree in our house this year, to avoid incidents with Kaden, I knew it would be unrealistic.  And a bit silly.  And have since realized, unnecessary! 

This past weekend we visited our good friends’ tree field and after a half an hour of me “hmming and hawing” and countless “ooh, look at this one!” we picked one.  Gage and Cooper ran around playing ‘Hunt the T-Rex’ with our friends’ grandsons, totally bi-passing the family-unity part of this holiday tradition.  But they had a blast, so oh well.  Matt began to cut it down with his hand saw and I said, “Wait, I have to get a picture!”  He replies from under the tree, “Don’t worry, this will take a while.”  I try to adjust my settings and then wack, I hear it hit the ground not even 15 seconds later!  I guess he underestimated himself.

Then the 4 little boys took it upon themselves to haul it out of the patch and up to our car.  That was my favorite part.      

It was surprisingly dry when we got it home so we quickly rearranged some furniture, brought it in, and started vacuuming.  That is a must. 

The decorating had to wait until the next day, when we were able to get more strands of lights…

Cooper appointed himself the official “back of the tree decorator” and did a mighty fine job of covering a 1 foot square area with about 20 ornaments. 

Speaking of ornaments… this one is Kaden’s…

This one is mine (from 1981)…

And this one is just pretty…

And drinking Peppermint Hot Chocolate (from Costco… SERIOUSLY. SO. GOOD!) by the tree has become a daily activity. 

Have you ever done something year after year and then one year finally realize there is a BETTER way to do it, and you bonk yourself on the head and say “Why didn’t we think of this 5 years ago??”  That’s what we’re thinking in regard to where we put our tree this year.  Previously, we crammed it into our living room, allowing it to take up 1/3 of the walking/playing space.  This year, we moved out our small table and put the tree inside the breakfast nook’s bay window. 

It is so much happier there.  And now we’re eating in our dining room and surprise, surprise, the boys are SO much more behaved during meal time! 

All is well in Christmas Tree Land.  Kaden hasn’t climbed it yet, Cooper hasn’t climbed it yet (although he keeps cuddling up on the window sill and hiding behind it) and Gage is actually reminding me to water it. 

So, it looks like this tree may actually last until Christmas!  

Molalla’s Christmas Tree Lighting CELEBRATION!

Hello… I’m posting these photos to prove that we actually got out and about in the world… well, in Molalla anyway.  For the annual Christmas tree lighting.  We feel pretty excited to say that we’ve attended ever since Gage was a baby – so, for the past 5 years.  We may be the only ones in Molalla who can say that, except for Father Ed, who always prays before the “festivities” begin.  By “festivities” I mean seeing Santa and seeing the tree lit.  Exciting. 

Gage thought and thought about what he was going to tell Santa’s helper what he wants for Christmas, but when the time came, he was a bit shell-shocked.  Cooper burst out “I want a fishing pole!”  “Yeah, me too!” said Gage.  Kaden just sat there thinking, “I cannot move my head in this ridiculously tight hood.”  

Probably G&C’s highlight was sitting in the fire truck…

And then for the main event… the tree lighting.  We counted down … and nothing happened.  So, we all tried again and half of the tree lit up.  Then, the rest followed. 

  And because my mom was with us, the entire evening was a hit with these boys. 

MY favorite part was tracking down the parade of Emergency Vehicles with all their lights on.  We parked on the side of the road and watched the stream drive past us.  Can you imagine how exciting that was for little boys?  They hung out the windows waving and listening to the honks and sirens.  It was a beautiful thing watching the boys’ faces.  Even Kaden was mesmerized (while hiding in the back of the car, in the comfort of Grammie’s arms). 

If anyone from Molalla is reading this, you should come out to this event next year.  We could make it fun!  :) 

Really!

Recipe for Dipped Gingersnaps

I hope my post yesterday made you want to try out these cookies.  You won’t be sorry – and this recipe makes a ton so there are plenty to share or freeze or eat three a day like I do.

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup molasses

4 cups flour (+ a little bit more)

4 tsp baking soda

1 Tbs.  ground ginger

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp.  salt

additional sugar (for rolling)

1 1/2 packages (30oz total) Almond Bark, vanilla flavor

1/4 cup shortening

 

Directions

In mixing bowl, combine sugar and oil.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Stir in molasses.  Combine dry ingredients; gradually ad to the creamed mixture and mix well.  Shape to 3/4 inch balls and roll in sugar.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (mine takes 10 on the nose).  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Melt Almond Bark with shortening over low heat, mixing continually.  Dip cookies halfway (or more) into Almond Bark (careful not to get your fingers in… its HOT!).  Shake off excess (or not). Place on waxed paper.  Sprinkle with sprinkles before dip dries.  Then let dip cool/harden before removing from paper. 

NOTE:  The Almond Bark dip is also SO good on pretzels. 

Mimi’s Dipped Gingersnaps

I want to share with you our favorite FAVORITE Christmas cookie recipe. It comes from my mother-in-law and never disappoints.  They are Dipped Gingersnaps.  Moist gingersnap cookies dipped in vanilla flavored almond bark. 

Because of his amazing “Terandadon brain” (watch Dinosaur Train) Gage has the ability to remember the craziest details from WAY back in his life.  So, he recalls helping me with these cookies, starting when he was 2.  And consequently started asking when we could make them on Thanksgiving.  A few days later, it was time. 

The ingredients…  

Oh, and they can’t possibly make Christmas Cookies without hot chocolate.  I found this stuff at Costco and I may prefer it over a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks.  

After the dough is made, the fun begins. 

Gage had a hard time trusting Cooper with such responsibility of rolling the balls in the sugar.  But when reminded that I let him do it when he was 2, he sighed loudly and handed some more over. 

And then you bake them…

And watch the sunset while they cool…

… and then make the Almond Bark to dip the cookies in.  This stuff gives the effect of dipping something in white chocolate, so I’m tempted to say you could do that, too.  However, at 1.99 a package for this stuff (and needing 1.5 packages) I think Almond Bark is the way to go. 

Then the REALLY fun part.  Gage carried around the red sprinkles and Cooper carried around the green, all day in anticipation for the finale. 

Well, the finale is actually eating them, but you’ll sense that when you make them yourself. 

I know its mean, but I’ll share the recipe tomorrow.  :) 

Five on Friday

1.  I am shocked that I am awake right now to be posting this.  Kaden is almost a year old and he’s decided to start waking up during the night again.  But, then again, Cooper is almost 4 and he’s deciding to do the same.  12:30 – Kaden.  1:30 – Cooper.  4:15 – Kaden. 5:15 – Matt leaving for work.  6:15 – Kaden.  Now its 6:30am and I’m blogging.  How’s that for dedication??  :)  And the boys will be up in a half hour to start our day.  Oiy. 

2. I am so happy to have my camera back.  The report that came back with it said they had to replace the circuit board, which was malfunctioning causing the camera to freeze up and prevent the Auto Focus system from working properly.  I have to say I’m relieved that there WAS a problem with it so I know it wasn’t just my inadequacies… but now I have NO excuse but to totally rock this camera.  Eek.

3. Did I tell you that I picked my logo?  Or, logos?  Annie Bananie, of Bananie Designs did a wonderful job (in my totally unbiased opinion).  She was so patient with me and very encouraging with ideas.  At first I wanted just brown, blue and green, but the ‘melon’ color really added life to the design, which is what I want my photography to be about.  Life.  real life.       

Now, I need to put myself out there as a photographer.  Yikes. 

4.  Does a bare baby bum ever get old"??  

I don’t think so.  Sweet. 

5.  More photos of Kaden, taken while practicing with my Speedlite.  He’s doing this thing with his bottom lip now.  Not too long ago he ALWAYS had his tongue sticking out. Now, he’s sucking his lip in.  I love documenting these little phases they go through – they seems so trivial and unimportant in the big scheme of things, but its part of Kaden’s story, so I want to remember it.  Sigh.  

 

 

6… I can never stick to just 5! 

7.  Cooper is so emotional lately.  Everything makes him cry.  Wearing a pull-up.  Christmas.  The raccoon on the side of the road.  Gage pushing his chair in.  Wow.  I hope this is just a side-effect of being sick for so long and not an indication that I do in fact have a pre-teen girl on my hands, rather than a 3 year-old-tough-guy.  Ug. 

8.  I was able to run errands with JUST Kaden yesterday and actually meet up with Matt for lunch!  My dear mother-in-law welcomed G&C over to her house so my outing would be much easier.  And because she loves them.  But wow,  what a difference minus 2 makes!  Kaden and I zipped all over the place and I left COSTCO smiling!  Crazy.

9.  And now, it is 7 o’clock and soon I’ll hear bickering enter my cozy, quiet little corner of the house.  Let the day begin. 

Have a wonderful weekend!