Beaker's 4th Birthday

Well, with the passing of her 4th birthday, my beautiful little Zu Zu has outgrown her first nickname. She has moved on to "Beaker" (like the muppet) which is appropriate since she makes squeaky noises all time. Despite this new nickname being a good "fit" for her, I can't help but lament that we no longer call her Zu Zu. I suppose that's my lot as a mom, watching her kids grow up. They never stay small, no matter how much we wish for it sometimes.

We had a small birthday party while in Alma a couple days before the actual event since we would be camping in the U.P. on the 19th. There was cake and ice cream, presents, and family. A good time was had by all.

The Brain and I stayed up all night working on Beaker's new tent. We got all the pieces together, but the finishing touches have yet to be finished. Here's what it looks like right now.

Probably not all that impressive to some of you amazing seamstresses out there, but we were working without a pattern, so I think it's pretty good. Eventually the front doors with have patches sewn on them to look like the rest of the patchwork and there will be letter's on top that say Beaker's House. I have to add ties and buttons to make all the walls fit snuggly on the PVC pipe. Needless to say I'll be posting more photos of the finish product.

Happily, Beaker also got some fun items to play with in her new tent as well, like a bean bag and a Buzz Light Year Pillow.

Check back for a post on our vacation in the U.P.

If you build it she will come....

This Memorial Day weekend was in many ways the same as it always is. We traveled to Alma, MI to spend time with my family and take in the Highland Festival (a fabulous weekend of Scottish games, dancing, and bagpiping). The main difference this year from year's past was that my dad and I spent 2+ sweat drenched days building a bed for Zu Zu. She's been sleeping in a toddler bed for about a year now and it's time to make the step up to a big girl bed.

My friend Emily had told me about a fabulous blog where I could find free building plans for simple furniture (www.knock-offwood.com). I checked it out and after many hours spent searching through the plans I found the perfect bed for her.

So here's the fruit of our labor. A beautiful bed for a beautiful little girl. She has requested a red polka dot blanket, so I guess that project is next on my list. It will probably take the top spot over all of the other things I should be doing.

Needless to say, I'm more than a little pleased with my handy work and I'm already itching to build a bed for myself...and maybe a dresser or two...and some bookshelves....and a pantry cabinet.....and.....

If you have an interest in building furniture, or your just a practical person like me, check out the blog listed above for some awesome DIY possibilities!

Climber Girl and Robo Boy

It's been a month since my last post, so it's time to add another.

The days have been passing quickly and everyone has things keeping them busy. The Brain took a job in Canada with a start date TBA, so he's trying to flush out everything he needs to finish while editing a book chapter he's been working on.

The Chief has been busy working on his science fair project. We salvaged some parts from an old answering machine and VCR to build a mini-robot. It was suppose to be light sensitive, but we had some issues getting the photocells to work. Right now it just moves forward. Here's the Chief and the Brain working:

The science fair was last night. Everyone thought the mini-robot was a success despite it's lack of light sensitivity. I imagine this is just our first adventure into the world of robot building.

As for Zu Zu, she's been taking a rock climbing class for a while now. She looks forward to it every week. Here she is climbing the big wall:

I have to say watching all of the kids in class is nothing short of awesome. It's been great to see her find something she can call all her own. Of course, the Chief wants a chance to try it as well now.

As for me, I'm just trying to keep the house and family from collapsing into chaos. It seems on the verge very often and I admit that I'm pretty tired these days. It's worth it though when I think of all the things we have going on. Everyone is happy and that's what matters most to me.

Cheers!

samwise

Par for me...

So, my "Philosophies for Life" list has come to a stand still. Rest assured that I have more than three. In fact, I went to post my fourth philosophy "Cultivate", but I just couldn't wrap my head around everything that I needed to say about that philosophy. So, for now, my list is on hold.

I thought I would let everyone know that I have finished reading The Hunger Games as well as its sequel Catching Fire. I really enjoyed both, although I wish they were longer. There are some really great themes being explored and I wish it went more in depth. However, I realize it's a book for teens, and I think the author does a great job keeping that in mind. You could say that no one ever scoffed at J.K. Rowling for writing long books, but to each there own. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the conclusion to the series that will be out in August.

In light of reading those two books, I have not been as diligent about reading my non-fiction picks. That's about par for me. I did go back to reading those last night though which is an improvement from my previous attempts at non-fiction where things get set down never to be touched again.

Other than that, it's a dismal Michigan spring day. Rain, wind, cool temps...but I can't complain since it has been exceptionally nice recently. I hope life is treating you well, wherever this blog finds you!

Cheers,

samwise

Philosophies for Life: Day 3

Today's Philosophy:

3. Celebrate.

I thought a lot about what today's philosophy, and decided that since it's my 30th birthday I should go with Celebrate.

I'm a firm believe in celebrating. I love making a big deal out of holidays and birthdays. I love the decorations and gift giving. I love being together with family and friends. They're specials days of the year that are joyous. However, in the past few years I've come to believe in celebrating the small stuff as well.

Things like a sunny day or cleaning up the basement. The chief learning to tie his shoes or Zu Zu painting a gallery's worth of pictures.

It may seem silly to celebrate things that are so regular, but doing so makes everyone in the family happier. The kids smile more and laugh easier on days when we "celebrate". I'm happier (which makes everyone happier).

These small moments don't have to turn into huge ordeals. Order takeout or eat outside. Do a special project. Watch a movie on a school night. Little things like that can make the most normal of days feel special.

Big occasions often get captured on film so they can last a lifetime. But the small celebrations make up all the time in between those pictures and I, for one, remember those moments fondly. They are the moments that make up the regular days for our family.

So I want to know, what small moments do you celebrate?

Cheers everyone,

samwise

Philosophies for Life: Day 2

Today's Philosophy:

2. Make food. Eat food. Together.

Again, sounds totally unoriginal doesn't it. I mean, who in this world can go without eating? However, I would argue that not everyone who eats food makes it.

Just ask the Brain. He's only allowed to cook a few things. That probably seems ridiculous on my part, but cooking brings me inner peace and I don't want to let those moments slip away. Plus, I'm a better cook than he is.

Anyway, I believe cooking is rooted in love. For me, cooking a meal is one way for me to say I love you to my family. We eat dinner together every night and it's a great way to spend time together.

Also, I want to equip our children with a healthy understanding of food. We live in an era of fast food and eating disorders, so it's our responsibility to help our kids navigate the chaos of choices out there. We try to emphasize well-rounded eating (though admittedly I'm not always great at it). But, my hope is that the kids will come away from our meal times with a healthy view of food and how to eat that they can carry with them always.

My cooking runs the gambit of multi-ethnic flavors and often we'll have to convince the kids to try what's in front of them. The prodding can be annoying, but I like to think that I'm helping my kids learn to be adventurous. Maybe that's just the delusional side of me talking, but I think they'll thank me one day for serving them Bi Bim Bop.

So, find a way to exercise your inner cook. For the inexperienced try making homemade mac-n-cheese instead of the blue box. For the more adventurous, take on something more challenging like making pierogies (including the dough).

Tell me, readers, what do you love to cook? If you need some suggestions, just ask. Cooking is my specialty.

Cheers,

samwise

Philosophies for Life

I thought I would start a list to get myself to blog a little more. I'm always trying to convince myself that something aught to motivate me, so I'm going to begin with a list on Philosophies for Life. Everyone has specific ideas they view as essential to life. Here's the first of my essentials (in no particular order).

Today's Philosophy:

1. Read books. Daily.

I know, I know. It's certainly not a unique idea. But, have you ever stopped to think about exactly what you read during the day? Emails, blogs, online news articles, magazines, newspapers, food labels....the list could go on and on and never once mention a book.

I'm currently in the middle of reading two books, a task I've never taken on before. Not only is that new for me, but both books are non-fiction which is really random. Those of you that know me best, probably know that I've never finished a non-fiction book in my life (not even in college - much to my prof.'s dismay). Admittedly, I rarely pick up non-fiction material, so this is me aspiring to new heights.

Anyway, the books I'm currently reading and enjoying are: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and Reading like a Writer by Francine Prose. On top of those, I'm about to add a fiction book to the mix - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. We'll see how it goes.

So, why is "Read books. Daily" one of my philosophies? Severals reasons actually, but here are just a few.

1. I want my kids to love reading. Therefore they should see me reading, often.

2. Reading expands your knowledge, as well as your vocabulary.

3. Reading is relaxing. It's one of my favorite ways to slow down and enjoy the moment.

So tell me, my few faithful readers, why do you read books? And what books are you reading right now?

Cheers!

samwise