The playdough project

I decided it was time to try out playdough with Matthew! I found these homemade recipes and have just put the cooked flour one in the fridge. I had read on one site where the mom added some vanilla to the dough so it would smell good(instead of no smell at all). I added most of a bottle of lemon flavoring. I took a tiny taste - assuming that Matthew would be doing the same at some point - and it tasted like a salty lemon. I wish that I had had some food coloring - but I didn't. I chose the cooked recipe because it supposed to last for several months in an airtight container in the fridge - which is a lot longer(several months longer) than the uncooked versions. It was really easy to make.

We'll see how Matthew likes it this afternoon! I'm so excited!! :o)

The Growing Tree

So, I'm either really early for Christmas or I'm really late for last. Unfortunately, it is the latter. I had this idea last year in the midst of all of the holiday busyness, each year I hope to have him add his hand prints for as many years that fit onto the tree. I traced his hands last January and finally got around to putting this all together this week.

Slowing down

I really appreciate this post! This is one of the blogs that I frequent.

Moving away from everything that I had come to know for so many years has certainly made it easier on my schedule. However, between working, being a mother to a 20 month old and wife to a busy husband, I still struggle with remembering what's important. This was a good rebuke for me. I hope that you find it refreshing, too!

Stella turns 100k

My beloved Rav 4 (aka Stella) turned over 100,000 miles this past weekend! I love my Rav; she has been very good to me! She has been to Texas and Pennsylvania and everywhere in between.

For her birthday, she is getting new tires. :o)

Daydreaming about peanut butter

With Matthew's 20 month date coming up, I can't help but daydream about all of the peanut butter he'll be eating in a little over four months. I really don't anticipate any allergies - he's had so many accidental exposures to nuts this past four or five months I really think he'll be fine.

With that said, however, I do realize that all of my excitement is conitingent on whether or not MTE decides to give pb a chance. I'm trying to prepare myself for him finding this source of protein even more revolting than chicken, beef, pork, cheese(apart from pizza) and eggs. Counting down the months.........

Yee Haw!

I had been waiting for Matthew to grow into being able to ride his rocking horse. He had been close for a while. When we got back from vacation, funny enough, this was one of the first toys that he rediscovered and he fits on it perfectly. He really enjoys it, so, we moved it out to the living room with all of his hundreds of other toys :o).

The rocking horse holds a special place in my heart. My grandfather made it for my neice when she was born(19 years ago) and then was painstakingly restored by my brother and given to us last summer. It's really beautiful and I'm so happy that MTE is enjoying it!

We've been back from vacation almost two weeks, now! I feel like we're almost back to "normal". I think once Mark starts back for the semester and is gone 7-4 - then it will be our normal again. Don't get me wrong, it's nice having him around - I can work out, sleep in a little later or go to the store with more freedom - it's just not the routine.

Matthew has really grown this summer! I haven't measured him, but the shoes that we bought in July for Fall fit him perfectly right now - yikes. Thank goodness for the consignment sales coming up - I've already bought a great pair of winter Stride Rite shoes for $3.75!

He's funny and sweet - definitely has a mind of his own - and lets us know. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be Matthew's mom!

New York City, July 2009