Bastian, Aunt Lilly, and Aleks, all equally zoned out in front of the boob tube:
Decorating the carrot cake Grandma Cat made with Jelly Beans:
Aunt Natty had a whole scheme, which the kids ignored.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Easter Goofiness
Random pictures from Easter morning. Aleks with a baby Black Star chick on his head:
Bastian, Aunt Lilly, and Aleks, all equally zoned out in front of the boob tube:
Decorating the carrot cake Grandma Cat made with Jelly Beans:
Aunt Natty had a whole scheme, which the kids ignored.
Bastian, Aunt Lilly, and Aleks, all equally zoned out in front of the boob tube:Decorating the carrot cake Grandma Cat made with Jelly Beans:Aunt Natty had a whole scheme, which the kids ignored.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Easter Dinner
All my photos are in the wrong place, on the wrong computer... So I'm doing this piecemeal.
During Easter dinner, Bastian started getting into the carrot cake he and Aleks made.
First he was just eating off the jelly beans they used to decorate it, but then he started grabbing chunks of icing, then chunks of cake itself. Then Aleks came along and joined in (of course, after he saw the adults all giggling about it).
Later, after the boys got muddy and covered in bits of food and lord knows what else, they stripped to nothing and watched Tom and Jerry videos on YouTube.
During Easter dinner, Bastian started getting into the carrot cake he and Aleks made.
First he was just eating off the jelly beans they used to decorate it, but then he started grabbing chunks of icing, then chunks of cake itself. Then Aleks came along and joined in (of course, after he saw the adults all giggling about it).
Later, after the boys got muddy and covered in bits of food and lord knows what else, they stripped to nothing and watched Tom and Jerry videos on YouTube.
Walking to the River
While visiting family, we went on a walk to the Englewood Dam to check out the height of the water since there'd been lots of recent melting snow and rain and flooding in parts of Ohio. Aunt Natty came with us. The road was closed for driving due to the height of the water in the flood basin, so we had to hoof it. 
Papa found some upturned wild onions, which he had Aleks smell. Aleks did not like them. Papa went on about how people should collect them and eat them more often, though we did not. He said the same thing about the wild chickens I saw in Key West.
I found a black salamander laying on the road. Papa said he'd never seen one before outside of aquariums. He was surprised I was able to spot it at all. He was teeny.
Aleks examines the salamander, who curls up in my palm, twisting over on himself. We put him in the edge of the woods under some leaves where he'll be less likely to get eaten or hurt. He seemed pretty still when I found him, so I wonder if he wasn't hurt to begin with.
Aleks picks up some sticks. Papa tells him the big stick is too big for a walking stick.
Aleks tells Papa, "It's not a walking stick. It's a draggin' stick." I picture a dragon made of wood.
An airplane flies overhead against gray overcast skies.
We reach the water's edge, not too far down the road. It's up really high!
Ducks and geese swim by, next to this stop sign where the road should be.
The boys check it out.
Aleks tests the water.
When we turn to go, Bastian refuses to come with us. I hold his hand and guide him, though he keeps turning back and running towards the water. Eventually we keep walking, though then he runs off into the woods. Here he closely resembles the famous Bigfoot photos.
It's really a good thing he was wearing red. Can you spot him in there (click to enlarge)?
Aunt Natty captures Bastian and removes his boots so he can piggyback it the rest of the way.
I get worn out going up the hill, so Natty takes over. Woo-hoo! We made it!
Here's the flood plain in all its glory as we drive over the top of the dam. There was also a huge whirlpool right at the base of the dam, but we weren't able to get a photo.
Papa found some upturned wild onions, which he had Aleks smell. Aleks did not like them. Papa went on about how people should collect them and eat them more often, though we did not. He said the same thing about the wild chickens I saw in Key West.
I found a black salamander laying on the road. Papa said he'd never seen one before outside of aquariums. He was surprised I was able to spot it at all. He was teeny.
Aleks examines the salamander, who curls up in my palm, twisting over on himself. We put him in the edge of the woods under some leaves where he'll be less likely to get eaten or hurt. He seemed pretty still when I found him, so I wonder if he wasn't hurt to begin with.
Aleks picks up some sticks. Papa tells him the big stick is too big for a walking stick.
Aleks tells Papa, "It's not a walking stick. It's a draggin' stick." I picture a dragon made of wood.
An airplane flies overhead against gray overcast skies.
We reach the water's edge, not too far down the road. It's up really high!
Ducks and geese swim by, next to this stop sign where the road should be.
The boys check it out.
Aleks tests the water.
When we turn to go, Bastian refuses to come with us. I hold his hand and guide him, though he keeps turning back and running towards the water. Eventually we keep walking, though then he runs off into the woods. Here he closely resembles the famous Bigfoot photos.
It's really a good thing he was wearing red. Can you spot him in there (click to enlarge)?
Aunt Natty captures Bastian and removes his boots so he can piggyback it the rest of the way.
I get worn out going up the hill, so Natty takes over. Woo-hoo! We made it!
Here's the flood plain in all its glory as we drive over the top of the dam. There was also a huge whirlpool right at the base of the dam, but we weren't able to get a photo.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Player Piano
Bastian loves to bang on the old piano at Grandma Cat's house. It was once a player piano, but the scrolls were long ago removed. It's the heaviest, most giantest thing and makes great noise. 
Aleks can recognize middle C, but prefers electronic keyboards attached to computers with video games.
Aleks can recognize middle C, but prefers electronic keyboards attached to computers with video games.
Spring Break
I was away last week on vacation without the family and Papa did not photograph or blog about the boys' exploits in front of the computer and portable DVD player. When I got back, however, we headed down to the grandparents' farm for baby chickens and Easter-ness to celebrate the beginning of Spring.
Aleks loved the Black Stars, tried to name them.
Bastian too. We had to chain the door to the laundry room closed so he wouldn't hassle the chicks too much. He dropped one on its back and nearly killed it. She survived, thank goodness.
Later on the first night, Papa found Aleks in the buff playing with the Buff Orpingtons again (except they weren't really Buff Orpingtons).
Bastian loves to feed the big chickens with Grandpa Jim. He hassles all the hens.
Both my boys are popular with the chicks. When they aren't trying to kill them.
Aleks loved the Black Stars, tried to name them.
Bastian too. We had to chain the door to the laundry room closed so he wouldn't hassle the chicks too much. He dropped one on its back and nearly killed it. She survived, thank goodness.
Later on the first night, Papa found Aleks in the buff playing with the Buff Orpingtons again (except they weren't really Buff Orpingtons).
Bastian loves to feed the big chickens with Grandpa Jim. He hassles all the hens.
Both my boys are popular with the chicks. When they aren't trying to kill them.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Dyeing Easter Eggs
Again, doing this stuff piecemeal and way late. While visiting Grandma Cat & Grandpa Jim for the Easter weekend, the kids got to color eggs. Because my parents have their own chickens, some of which are brown egg layers and some of which are Araucanas, which is also known as the Easter Egg Chicken, the eggs were already pretty colorful and didn't necessarily need dye. In the past, we've had a lot of trouble dyeing them at all - they usually come out rather pale. This year, however, we discovered the secret.
Aleks uses a white crayon to draw on the eggs in lieu of the wax crayon that didn't come with our Paas kit for some asinine reason.
Grandpa Jim, Grandma Cat, and ziggy, who eyes the wine, sit after dinner watching everyone make a mess of the table and themselves and creating technicolor chicken fetus casings.
And the secret is: straight vinegar mixed with the Paas tablets. I believe that in the past we've done a water/vinegar mix, which didn't yield such spectacular results. One of these years, I think I'd like to try plant dyes, like Pepperpaints did.
Some of our fantastically bright eggs in a basket on Easter morning. Unfortunately for Jim, he appears to be the only one who can stand actually eating all these hardboiled eggs. I don't mind one once in awhile, but the Easter ones never taste as good for some reason. I believe in the past we've just taken them all out of the baskets in the morning and made up some deviled eggs for Spring Festival dinner in the evening.
Aleks uses a white crayon to draw on the eggs in lieu of the wax crayon that didn't come with our Paas kit for some asinine reason.
Grandpa Jim, Grandma Cat, and ziggy, who eyes the wine, sit after dinner watching everyone make a mess of the table and themselves and creating technicolor chicken fetus casings.
And the secret is: straight vinegar mixed with the Paas tablets. I believe that in the past we've done a water/vinegar mix, which didn't yield such spectacular results. One of these years, I think I'd like to try plant dyes, like Pepperpaints did.
Some of our fantastically bright eggs in a basket on Easter morning. Unfortunately for Jim, he appears to be the only one who can stand actually eating all these hardboiled eggs. I don't mind one once in awhile, but the Easter ones never taste as good for some reason. I believe in the past we've just taken them all out of the baskets in the morning and made up some deviled eggs for Spring Festival dinner in the evening.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Montessori Method Take 2 - Pouring Textures
Taking another leaf out of Maria Montessori's book after seeing a photo of a mom's Montessori playroom, I got a bunch of bowls, scoops, funnels, and grains out for the kids to experiment with. Bastian always loves when I put an activity out for him and comes right up to join in. He also loves cooking and using real bowls and real food was probably pretty appealing. I used quinoa, basmati rice, kidney beans, and red lentils. 
He went to work right away.
He scooped up a bit of everything.
Then dumped it in another bowl or through the funnel.
Aleks got curious and came over.
Then he too joined in scooping.
And mixing and pouring.
Then there were grains all over my dining room. On the floor, on the chairs, on the table, on the rug, in the plant, on the windowsill...
He went to work right away.
He scooped up a bit of everything.
Then dumped it in another bowl or through the funnel.
Aleks got curious and came over.
Then he too joined in scooping.
And mixing and pouring.
Then there were grains all over my dining room. On the floor, on the chairs, on the table, on the rug, in the plant, on the windowsill...
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Papa's Pepper Plants
Papa is germinating several varieties of hot pepper seeds in trays in the kitchen. They rest on a heating pad, to encourage them. Aleks doesn't like spicy things and neither does mama, and from Bastian's experience with the peppercorn, I'd say it's safe to say that he's not particularly fond of spicy stuff either. Regardless of our aversions, Papa loves the heat. Which is odd when one considers our genetic backgrounds. The kids and I are all Mexican, whereas Jon is Ukranian. I suppose genetic background has little to do with taste.
When sent out to purchase a heating pad to warm these earthen buds, I accidentally got one that has an automatic shut-off after two hours. Rather than taking it back to the store to exchange it, Papa opened it up and set to work anyway. It is now Aleks' job to turn the thing back on to "super high heat" when the automatic shut-off takes over. He checks the control panel several times daily and makes sure to tell whoever is listening that he turned it back onto super high heat. Well done, my boy.
When sent out to purchase a heating pad to warm these earthen buds, I accidentally got one that has an automatic shut-off after two hours. Rather than taking it back to the store to exchange it, Papa opened it up and set to work anyway. It is now Aleks' job to turn the thing back on to "super high heat" when the automatic shut-off takes over. He checks the control panel several times daily and makes sure to tell whoever is listening that he turned it back onto super high heat. Well done, my boy.
Magnet Mosaic Tiles
I bought these great multicolored magnet tiles for Aleks at the holidays that he had absolutely no interest in whatsoever, likely because they're open-ended play that is fair trade and sustainable and expensive. Of course. When assembled on the metal circle they come on, the pieces create a beautiful spiral of color. I got them down to try to tempt him from the computer where he's been glued. So he made a zombie on the fridge. 
Later he made a vampire as well, and then Bastian came along and knocked all the magnets to the floor. Which was fitting.
Later he made a vampire as well, and then Bastian came along and knocked all the magnets to the floor. Which was fitting.
Monday, March 10, 2008
We got out!
After no plow for three? four? days, finally we got shoveled out of our driveway. After, of course, we got the car stuck and I dug it out by myself, but I digress.
It turns out the plow guy's truck broke somehow while plowing our neighbor's driveway. So he came back the next day with a rented bobcat. It kept looking like he was going to tip it. It was very exciting to watch. Bastian and I stared out the windows, following the movement from room to room to see it all the snow pushed into huge piles.
A clear path for our car! Jon went for groceries finally! We have fresh vegetables and eggs!
Five feet of snow:
It turns out the plow guy's truck broke somehow while plowing our neighbor's driveway. So he came back the next day with a rented bobcat. It kept looking like he was going to tip it. It was very exciting to watch. Bastian and I stared out the windows, following the movement from room to room to see it all the snow pushed into huge piles.
A clear path for our car! Jon went for groceries finally! We have fresh vegetables and eggs!
Five feet of snow:
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Two Feet of Snow
With two feet of snow on the ground, the boys make their debut on the front lawn. Cautiously, at first.
Bastian digs in, trying to escape to the street.
He can't get far since the snow is almost as high as him.
Aleks gives up, lays down in the middle of the yard.
The driveway and the yard are the same height, since the plow didn't come. By 1 am Monday morning, they'd plowed the neighbors driveway (employed by the same landlord), but not ours. Not sure if Aleks will make it to speech therapy by 11:30.
The extent of it.
Bastian digs in, trying to escape to the street.
He can't get far since the snow is almost as high as him.
Aleks gives up, lays down in the middle of the yard.
The driveway and the yard are the same height, since the plow didn't come. By 1 am Monday morning, they'd plowed the neighbors driveway (employed by the same landlord), but not ours. Not sure if Aleks will make it to speech therapy by 11:30.
The extent of it.Saturday, March 8, 2008
Nothing Doing
There's a rumor going around that there's a ban on all non-emergency vehicle travel right now here in Cleveland. Not sure of the validity, but the plow hasn't come to our house in two days, so it doesn't much matter. Unless, of course, we get a great urge to get our Accord stuck in the two feet of snow covering our driveway, and even if we didn't, seeing as everything is closed, where on earth would we go? Not very far would be the right answer. You know it's bad when even the bars are closed. 
We are unfortunately out of many grocery necessities at the moment as well. I used creamer on Bastian's cereal the last two days. Today we ate homefries with cheese and peanut butter on toast. Looks like lots of grains in our future the next couple of days. We'll be fine, but I'll surely miss my eggs in the morning and either Bastian's gonna have to do without cereal or I'll have to do without cream in my coffee if this goes on much longer. We do have plenty of rented dvds, Ben & Jerry's, and beer, though, so we're all set for lounging. The problem with that is that I've been doing plenty of lounging lately and should instead be working on cleaning the house (since I'm stuck in it, after all) and maybe working on my new chapbook. We'll see.
Right now, Bastian is harassing me for the camera, whose lens he never fails to fingerprint and whose wrong buttons he never fails to press. Time to break out the collage box.
We are unfortunately out of many grocery necessities at the moment as well. I used creamer on Bastian's cereal the last two days. Today we ate homefries with cheese and peanut butter on toast. Looks like lots of grains in our future the next couple of days. We'll be fine, but I'll surely miss my eggs in the morning and either Bastian's gonna have to do without cereal or I'll have to do without cream in my coffee if this goes on much longer. We do have plenty of rented dvds, Ben & Jerry's, and beer, though, so we're all set for lounging. The problem with that is that I've been doing plenty of lounging lately and should instead be working on cleaning the house (since I'm stuck in it, after all) and maybe working on my new chapbook. We'll see.Right now, Bastian is harassing me for the camera, whose lens he never fails to fingerprint and whose wrong buttons he never fails to press. Time to break out the collage box.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Baking Banana Bread
Today there is yet another snow storm. This is the third in two weeks, I think. We're expecting up to 10 inches by morning.
So Bastian and I got the rotten bananas out of the fridge that I'd been planning to make banana bread with the last three days and got to work warming up the kitchen. Aleks elected to watch 5 Children & It in the living room.
Our recipe was passed down from my grandmother. Nothing elaborate and horribly sweet, but super duper yummy.
Banana Bread
1/2 c. margarine or butter (we use local Amish butter since Jon's no longer vegan)
1 c. sugar (still got at least a pound of turbinado left, so that's why it doesn't look like sugar)
2 eggs
3 overripe, mashed bananas (we've had rotten ones in the freezer for ages which works perfect)
2 c. flour (we used whole wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract (Aleks prefers to call it by the full title, "vanilla extract," though he has trouble with "extract")
1 c. pecans or walnuts, chopped
Cream butter. Add sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add eggs, beat. Add bananas, beat. Add flour, soda, salt & vanilla. Mix well. Stir in nuts. Bake in greased & floured loaf pan at 325° for 1 hour or until knife comes clean.
Papa called just after we'd added the sugar and when I came back in the kitchen, I found Bastian trying to put the mixer together.
Bananas added, we blend and blend and blend.
Ready to add nuts:
Bastian was trying to eat the batter, which, having raw eggs in it, I told him not to do. I told him to mix it up and I think he thought I said "kiss" because he kept kissing the end of the spoon and the air.
Bastian went to watch the movie while the bread baked.
Complete! The house smells great.
So Bastian and I got the rotten bananas out of the fridge that I'd been planning to make banana bread with the last three days and got to work warming up the kitchen. Aleks elected to watch 5 Children & It in the living room.
Our recipe was passed down from my grandmother. Nothing elaborate and horribly sweet, but super duper yummy.Banana Bread
1/2 c. margarine or butter (we use local Amish butter since Jon's no longer vegan)
1 c. sugar (still got at least a pound of turbinado left, so that's why it doesn't look like sugar)
2 eggs
3 overripe, mashed bananas (we've had rotten ones in the freezer for ages which works perfect)
2 c. flour (we used whole wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract (Aleks prefers to call it by the full title, "vanilla extract," though he has trouble with "extract")
1 c. pecans or walnuts, chopped
Cream butter. Add sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add eggs, beat. Add bananas, beat. Add flour, soda, salt & vanilla. Mix well. Stir in nuts. Bake in greased & floured loaf pan at 325° for 1 hour or until knife comes clean.
Papa called just after we'd added the sugar and when I came back in the kitchen, I found Bastian trying to put the mixer together.
Bananas added, we blend and blend and blend.
Ready to add nuts:
Bastian was trying to eat the batter, which, having raw eggs in it, I told him not to do. I told him to mix it up and I think he thought I said "kiss" because he kept kissing the end of the spoon and the air.
Bastian went to watch the movie while the bread baked.
Complete! The house smells great.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Press Play
This is every day at our house.
Aleks has been building lots of robots and spaceships lately.
The boys unlatched the bedroom closet and grabbed the dino stamper set, which Bastian pew-pewed with all day long. I gave him some paper to stamp on, at least.
Aleks has been building lots of robots and spaceships lately.
The boys unlatched the bedroom closet and grabbed the dino stamper set, which Bastian pew-pewed with all day long. I gave him some paper to stamp on, at least.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Goopity Goop
We made goop. We used corn starch and added food-coloring to water to shade our goop. Aleks picked out the colors - green for him and red for Bastian.
They dumped in their corn starch then added the water.
Then set to mixing it by hand.
It turned soupy and weird. We had to add more corn starch and then more water to change the consistency.
They let it drip and drizzle, clump and melt.
They mixed the two batches.
They shared their love of goop.
It turned a blah gray.
Aleks' hands turned gray too and he tried to pick the bits off.
Bastian tried to save the bits from the table, sensing how it was both dry and wet.
The drips got everywhere.
In the evening, our friend Heather and I went on a super-secret mission to try to get into the super-secret Arcade Fire show. Aleks was very curious about our mission. He asked if it was real and I said "sorta." Then he asked what "sorta" meant as though he had never before heard the word. I said it meant yes and no. I told him we were on a mission to get into a show, but we weren't actually saving lives or anything. Heather, upon hearing about Aleks and I's conversation, decided that seeing the Arcade Fire was potentially life-affirming and thus a significantly real mission. By canvassing for Obama for an hour, we were successful.
Aleks called while we were there and invited Heather to dinner at 5:30 on Tuesday.
They dumped in their corn starch then added the water.
Then set to mixing it by hand.
It turned soupy and weird. We had to add more corn starch and then more water to change the consistency.
They let it drip and drizzle, clump and melt.
They mixed the two batches.
They shared their love of goop.
It turned a blah gray.
Aleks' hands turned gray too and he tried to pick the bits off.
Bastian tried to save the bits from the table, sensing how it was both dry and wet.
The drips got everywhere.
In the evening, our friend Heather and I went on a super-secret mission to try to get into the super-secret Arcade Fire show. Aleks was very curious about our mission. He asked if it was real and I said "sorta." Then he asked what "sorta" meant as though he had never before heard the word. I said it meant yes and no. I told him we were on a mission to get into a show, but we weren't actually saving lives or anything. Heather, upon hearing about Aleks and I's conversation, decided that seeing the Arcade Fire was potentially life-affirming and thus a significantly real mission. By canvassing for Obama for an hour, we were successful.Aleks called while we were there and invited Heather to dinner at 5:30 on Tuesday.
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