being so super efficient and having most of my holiday presents made or bought by now is actually sort of depressing. I am very excited about the gifts for the kids and also to send out all the goodies I’ve been working on. I will post pictures of everything…in January! We do have a number of holiday field trips and festivities planned, so that will be fun. And, I am having a sewing party on Sunday at my house. I cant wait!
today we cleaned like crazy since its been ages we did it thoroughly. I did the bathroom, stove and cabinets, plus kitchen table. John did pick up and vacuum. He even did behind the couch. He found a (un opened) can of pepsi back there. Henry’s doing.
Then I took Henry and went shopping, but it was almost noon and it wasnt crazy at all. Later in the evening my […]
Original post by happychildhood
Zibby is no longer afraid of “R”s, no sir. Now she makes them everywhere. On her shoes. On the wall. On her leg. R R R.
Maybe because we watch LA Ink, Zibby is often found tattooing on herself and requesting to tattoo everyone else. I let her color on my feet. She tattooed several large R’s on her leg.
The other day Zibby agreed to go to Trader Joe’s with me, after initially saying she didnt want to go. When I thanked her afterwards, on the way home, she told me it was “all my pleasure”.
Henry hands me my glasses in the morning when he wants me to get up. They are usually very smudgey.
Tonight he brought me the sling and when I asked him if he wanted to go in it, he nodded his head, in the hugely over-exaggerated way that he nods. And then I rocked him to sleep.
Original post by happychildhood
My latest projects: I used a duvet cover I got at the thrift store for less than 4$. Its a size queen, so I will get a LOT of stuff out of it before its gone.
He obviously learned from Zibby.
They’ve been snuggling on the couch together watching tv lately. Its adorable.
Original post by happychildhood
Henry is 14 months old!
He is now totally walking. He can say Na-na (nurse), Mama, Dada, yeah, no, and gesture yes or no with his head. He can point to what he wants. He can climb up on the stool in the kitchen (yikes!). He is starting to eat a little more food, he tried meatballs, banana and gelato. (gelato was way too cold! he did NOT like that) Oh, and he tried the stuffing at trader joes sample counter. He is transitioning to one nap, I think. He is mostly very happy and even tempered and easily soothed. He gives me kisses on the mouth sometimes, which I adore. He likes to cuddle and hug and squeeze me too. He likes to look at books and play with water and throw things in the tub and in the toilet.
At the park he climbed up the stairs and went down […]
Original post by happychildhood
I took Zibby to ballet this morning. It was a very breastfeeding friendly morning. I ran into a mom I had met at a LLL cafe meeting and she told me how helpful it was to have gone to those meetings in the early months of her baby’s life. Then in the foyer of the ballet center, another mom and I chatted about nursing and its immunological benefits…because Henry was crawling on the floor and tasting the metal doorstops.I scored 4 great books at the book exchange, and then we headed to a friend’s to drop off a meal. Then we attended a lovely and rowdy birthday party. We got home around 4:30 ish and I was feeling so exhausted and tired that I felt almost like crying, so we all laid down and fell asleep. We didnt get up until Buzz came home from work. The result is that […]
Original post by happychildhood
Hey, I was introduced to a new word game the other day.
Its called Bananagrams and I really enjoyed it.
You build crosswords until you’ve used up all the tiles. We played teams. Zibby helped
Ive often joked that I had kids so that someday they’d grow old enough to play games with me. I hope my kids like to play games…I really miss playing. My brother and I played games all the time. Clue, Waterworks, Monopoly, Sorry, Aggravation, Yahtzee…we had a very large game closet and my parents liked to play too. We played Uno, Skip-Bo, Rack-o…now we play Pinochle sometimes if they kids are sufficiently distracted.
I think Ive let go of most of my fierce competitiveness, unfortunately my husband will no longer play games with me. I wish he’d give me and my family another chance, but he won’t. Since I dont see my family much, it’ll be a […]
Original post by happychildhood
Zibby told us to “settle our roll” and she’s still “cracking our minds off” (blowing our minds)
She wants to be an acrobat, a doctor, a ballerina, a rockstar and a mommy.
She loves meat. And noodles.
Did I write this story here before?:
“Mommy! There is park, like you park the car and park like you go to the park! (very excitedly)
And there’s close like you wear close and close the door!” (except its clothes, and I just agreed)
Henry is walking like a superstar and definitely saying Hi and bye and dancing and hi-5-ing us all day long.
Today I was cuddling with Zibby and she was looking very intent on something so I asked what she was thinking about.
She told me “R” and made the motion of writing an R. Deep in thought on Rs.
Original post by happychildhood
Oh, I meant to post every day in november, but I missed a day already. Oh well. Here is a fantastic quote from another unschooling mom’s blog.I will consciously try to keep my children’s names safe in my mouth today and all of my tomorrows.
Original post by happychildhood
The weather here in Chicago has been amazing-in the 70’s all week. We’ve spent several hours at the park each day just hanging out and enjoying every last minute until winter hits. Henry climbs up the stairs and goes down the slide all on his own. Zibby is a crazy acrobat and runs all over with total abandon.
Tomorrow is our playgroup and my dentist appointment (cracked tooth!) so I have to get up early and clean and uh…plan out what the playgroup is doing! Better go get some zeeeees.
xoxo
Original post by happychildhood
This year, we will be staying local for the holidays. That means we wont see much of my family, because they all live in different states. We will have Turkey with Buzz’ parents and spend Xmas Eve at their house (or his sister’s), but I would like this year to make time to do some fun stuff with just us, and with some of our friends, too.
The whole “presents” thing about Christmas is a little strange for us…we sort of give presents all year-so there is no false build up or manipulation or waiting game to be played. Getting gifts absolutely does NOT hinge on being good or well behaved or anything like that. No one is threatened with punishments or lumps of coal if they spaz out or have a fit. Thank god, cuz I have fits all the time. Anyway. Last year, it was actually kind of a […]
Original post by happychildhood
Today we spent the whole day at the brookfield zoo. It was perfect weather, and we all had a lot of fun. We brought a picnic lunch and played at the playground, took the motor safari all around, visited animals and rode the carousel.
It was Bub’s first ride! He was a little concerned at first, but then spent the rest of the ride clapping to the music.
We came home to a lovely crockpot dinner of beef stew.
Life is good.
Original post by happychildhood
Please check out this special fundraiser
As many may be aware, Teri Kuiper became extremely ill this past week and
was subsequently rushed to the emergency room. She has since been diagnosed with
bacterial meningitis. The recovery will be slow and her ability to work,
hampered. The Kuipers are unfortunately without health insurance and have a
limited financial support system. Teri was widowed thirteen years ago and has
managed to support their three girls on her own and home un/school. She’s
become an expert at pinching pennies but these are just too many pennies to pinch.
We have decided to come together and host a fundraiser to benefit the Kuiper
family.
Here’s how it will work: A site has been created (
_http://unschoolgathering.com/Teri_ (http://unschoolgathering.com/Teri) ) and contributors will offer
an item (or items) for sale. Contributors will be expected to provide the
following:
* a picture of the item or of each item if contributing more than one
* a brief but thorough […]
Original post by happychildhood
Yup. Henry is taking steps. Baby steps. A few here and there, standing alone, deliberating, reaching, walking and falling. He likes popcorn and chocolate, playing at the park, dancing, petting kitty and books. He likes to use spoons and forks and wants cups and mimics all the parts of eating except really eating. He likes to flop around ont the bed. He likes phones and remote controls. And buttons on tvs and such. And of course, he wants to do whatever big sister is doing. Zibby is having so much fun at her classes. She is really good at gymnastics and its fun to watch her do her tricks. She is playing around with words (opposite day!) and meanings and incorporating spanish and asking about letters and wanting to write things all the time. She loves to make and give gifts to her friends (just like me!) and always has a […]
Original post by happychildhood
I’m real big on Tribe. When I became a mother, I immediately began to grasp how important having a community is, and how much I needed to get myself one.
I joined La Leche League. I joined an Attachment Parenting group. I sometimes went to homeschooling group events (with my 3 month old!) because I knew some of the parents there and I knew I wanted to Unschool.
Around the time Zibby turned one, I asked a woman from LLL, who lived close to me, if she wanted to start hanging out once a week. I sent her this article and she said it sounded good. we agreed to rotate houses. Whoever was the guest brought lunch for all, and the host provided dinner, but we both made the meals, and the husbands were expected to share dinner with us all, too. We did it for almost 3 years until her kids were in […]
Original post by happychildhood
Today we went to Horner Park for their Pumpkin Patch Day.
We did the pony ride, petting zoo, pick-a-pumpkin and decorate it, and face painting.
It was a full morning.
Zibby got her choice of pony, whose name was Chili. In the petting zoo, Zibby fed a bunch of goats, and got to pet a big fat bunny (conejo!), some chickens, a piglet (serro!), a donkey, a llama, a calf, a duck, and sheep (oveja!) That was a lot of fun. (this last friday our spanish class was about animales)
After the pumpkin patch we went home and had lunch and after lunch Zibby went to her friend Nathan’s birthday party. It was at the gymnasium where she takes gymnastics. They did some obstacle courses and then had free play for a while. She had a great time and Buzz got to see her gymnastic skillz.
I remember that last year *I* thought *I* […]
Original post by happychildhood
Roya has good taste! Check our her Etsy Treasury That toy box is stunning! What a nice collection.
Ive been wandering around at the etsy site when I have a spare computer moment. I’d love to set up a little shop and make cute baby pants and reusuable bags and jewelry…….
Original post by happychildhood
We picked up our rental RV on Tuesday afternoon (after an endless wait at the rental office) and drove home to pack it up and pick up our traveling companions, my friend Barrie and her two kids. We didnt get started until almost 7 pm, I think. We got to Indianapolis, to our KOA site, and passed out immediately. Wednesday morning we woke up and hit the road right away. The kids were great roadies and we finally made it to Black Mountain around 7 pm. We dropped of Barrie and fam and headed over to our KOA campsite.
Thursday we headed over to the Blue Ridge Assembly YMCA to start our conference experience! We got our registration stuff and I found Beth to hand over all the donations I had brought. I made a scrapbook Passion Basket for the silent auction, plus TONS of stuff for the raffle and immediate […]
Original post by happychildhood
We’re back from our family vacation in the RV to the conference!
We got back on Tuesday afternoon, but arrived home to a bit of a drama. My cousin ended up in the hospital (in town from WA for a convention) and apparently had a very bad asthma attack that sent him into respitory arrest. He was taken to the hospital via ambulance, unconscious and not breathing. He was on a ventilator and everything. My aunt and other family flew in on the red eye since the Drs didnt even know what was wrong with him at first. Cousin regained consciousness the next day, but they held him until Thursday to run tests and make sure he was ok. It was scary and of course, we wanted to visit with our out of town relatives we dont get to see that often. I didnt even get to unpack for a few […]
Original post by happychildhood
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Sweet Baby Henry turned one today. Here is a photo of him with sister Zibby and cousins Devonney and Bella.
What a wonderful year it has been! Honestly, I think it has been such a smooth transition from one kiddo to two kiddos. Zibby is great with Henry and they usually get along very well. (toy scuffles not withstanding). Henry is a super chilled out dude who goes with the flow (except when teething is really bad) and we all just love to have him around.
Henry is now trying to stand on his own (lasts for a millisecond), crusing around very well, makes the sign for milk, claps and dances with music, shakes his head no, makes tons of noises, loves kitty and sister and nursing and PAPA! can put things in holes (pegs and such) and can turn on zibby’s leap pad with ease! he likes balls […]
Original post by happychildhood
tomorrow begins our vacation adventure involving an RV and an unschooling conference.
I am eager, anxious, excited, nervous, and mostly packed.
Recent happenings:
I got my hair cut by a friend at her house. She lives in a loft downtown chicago, right near the loop. It was really cool. We left one of zibbys shoes there and when we went back to get it the next day, we passed by Blommer’s chocolate factory. Naturally, we stopped in to the shop and bought some locally made chocolate. they also had a variety of old fashioned candy for sale, including gum cigarettes. hunh. I didnt think they made those anymore. I was tempted to buy them, out of nostalgia, but nostalgiac purchases have been whupping my butt on ebay, so I restrained myself. I did buy three packages of chocolate, one lik-a-maid and one pop rocks.
We had another sewing party and I got 3 bags, […]
Original post by happychildhood
tomorrow begins our vacation adventure involving an RV and an unschooling conference.
I am eager, anxious, excited, nervous, and mostly packed.
Recent happenings:
I got my hair cut by a friend at her house. She lives in a loft downtown chicago, right near the loop. It was really cool. We left one of zibbys shoes there and when we went back to get it the next day, we passed by Blommer’s chocolate factory. Naturally, we stopped in to the shop and bought some locally made chocolate. they also had a variety of old fashioned candy for sale, including gum cigarettes. hunh. I didnt think they made those anymore. I was tempted to buy them, out of nostalgia, but nostalgiac purchases have been whupping my butt on ebay, so I restrained myself. I did buy three packages of chocolate, one lik-a-maid and one pop rocks.
We had another sewing party and I got 3 bags, […]
Original post by happychildhood
The transmission in our Ford 350 truck went out last night so that means no camping this weekend and a huge repair bill. The estimate was from $2,000.00-2,300.00 ouch! I guess our unit study on the hard times of the depression have some similarities with the times of today. I will keep the faith that the Lord will provide as he always does.
Original post by kdskogen
Baby Henry turned 11 months old when we weren’t looking!
He is now signing milk a lot, seems to say mama and dada, cruises around like crazy and stands up only using one hand to hold on. Buzz says the other day Henry stood alone for a couple seconds! He just got his 8th tooth (and it was a doozy) He likes to play with cars and balls and Zibby. He likes to eat cornflakes and veggie booty and not much else. He does like to pretend to eat with spoons and forks.
He nurses great, the EC pottying is going well, and he is generally a happy, bubbly lil guy. Today he actually tried to get off the bed the safe way, on his tummy, feet first. Usually he just wants to go head first (ay yi yi!) He is learning!
He is also very dextrous. He can get cans of soda […]
Original post by happychildhood
Today we went to a homeschool family swim party at a very fun pool with diving boards, a big slide, etc. The kids had a blast and it was fun to talk with the other families who share so many of the same values we do. We then had a b-day party and had fun visiting with family and friends there as well. Sunday was church and serving which is always a highlight in my week. Gets me pumped up for the week!
Original post by kdskogen
Today Zibby sat on an egg to see what would happen.
It broke.
I was nursing Henry back down to his nap while this took place.
I came out and thought the cat barfed on the rug.
No, ZIbby says. Its an egg. I was a mother hen and I sat on it.
***
The other day, as we are leaving for my LLL meeting:
Zibby: I sure am glad we are going to LLL meeting
Me: You are? Why?
Zibby: I am having some breastfeeding problems.
Me: Oh, really? Whats going on?
ZIbby: When I nurse my baby at night, she bites my nipple.
Me: Mmm. Yes, that is a problem.
****
Original post by happychildhood
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