gone with the week

These two can take a house apart and it will look like a hurricane passed by ;-) But it is all worth it!!! I miss them if I don't see them for just two hours.

My first story time with two of my children there. I found some excellent finger plays, rhymes and stories but the craft turned into lots of fun... We made sunflowers spinners. Our two-year-olds pored TONZ of glue and lots of sunflower seeds ;-) It was an instant hit!

Feo turned one month ;-) Sonia is a book worm and she passes on her passion to her brother.Mom, how do I look with all these books? Is it fall? What about a snack?!My mom called and said it is a respectable age! Best of Feo... he loves Sonia and can't stand to be away. She went to her music class with papa this week but by the time they got into a car she kept asking papa where Feo was.

We take baths together ;-) It is lots of fun with Feo swimming like a little fish and Sonia asking me to put his head all the way in water.

I survived yet another 104.5 fewer. On Thursday my friend, Valerie took me and the children in for the day. She saved me from a coming of an anxiety attack... by being Heaven sent ;-) It made me think of how grateful I am for bonds of love, womanhood and friendship. Here is a quote from Elder Bednar that lifted me up along with the blessing from my loved one.

"Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts our fear (see 1John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul." Thank you everyone who picked up a phone when I called and helped me figure out what to do!!!

On Saturday we all felt better and went on our Huntley Meadows walk... I am glad we did because for the first time we enjoyed a company of a beaver.

He just hung out with us for about ten minutes letting us enjoy him.

As soon as we thought to take a family shot... he dove in ;-)

Silly beaver!

Two of my favorites guys in the world ;-)

Last week Jeremy snapped a photo right before bedtime...and then on the stairway with all of us ;-)My best table runner ever!!! It took me nine months to make one ;-) Feo is going to think he belongs in the middle of the dinner table because he is always there when we are in the kitchen!

Grandma's Blanket

Nana, Jeremy's mom sent us a package for Feo with a hand made blanket. Gigi Wilder made this blanket for Jeremy when he was a baby. So we piled up on it and took a picture ;-)

Kid EuroFestival in washington DC

Feo's first week of life

On Saturday we couldn't stay home simply because we all had a need to get out and go places. It was raining so we went to see... Children's Museum. KidEuroFestival happened just to take place over with Nikos Xanthoulis presenting ancient Greek music. We got through a classical lecture first (please read target age: dead people ;) and then enjoyed listening and playing ancient instruments.

We explored a museum exhibits with birds and animal tracks.

Then we made "A doll with Amber eyes" or Estonian Raggy. We listened to a story and learned to appreciate the sound of a language we can't understand.

Feo's second week

We found ourselves in the Embassy of Finland listening to my all time favorite Mumin stories. I grew up on this. They are as epic and full of goodness as Hobbit to all well brought up nine-year-olds ;-) Snufkin played his harmonica and Moomintroll a base and we all enjoyed music and dancing. The Embassy building itself deserved a visit and admiration. Meyer's style architecture fitted well the surrounding.Open space, great utility and everything seemed child friendly. In the bathroom the sink was right height for Sonia to wash her hands. Finnish people think about children and build practically. While we played, Feo rested on the floor pillow.

Perhaps some one might think it's odd but for me Mumintroll wins over anything Disney has to offer. At home Sonia and I watched Mumintroll cartoons made by Russians/Soviets. Pretty cool stuff ;-)

Feo's third week

Our last trip took us to Austrian Embassy for an opera composed for children. Take a guess and you'll be right... Wolfgang Amadeus Motzart and his Bastien und Batienne was performed by Noah Donahue, a 13-year-old soprano and Katherine Mariko Murray, a 17-year-old soprano. Plus an Austrian guest baritone Steven Sheschareg. Pure music heaven for someone like us ;-) Sonia was thrilled and it made my day even better.

Sonia's new puppy

This morning Sonia woke up, walked into our bedroom and said she wants a yellow puppy. Jeremy was in the shower and I couldn't help but laugh. I asked her what about Mischa; she insisted on the puppy so I told her to go and talk it over with her papa.
"Papa, Sonia wants a yellow soft puppy" she said into a shower.
"But what about Mischa? He is our puppy!" came from the shower.
"Mischa is mama's. Sonia needs yellow soft puppy, please"
"A lab?"
Sonia came back into the bedroom still asking about a soft yellow puppy. I told her a new puppy would eat up her toys and pee everywhere.
Then when we were getting dressed in her room, Sonia pointed to her yellow puppy on top of the book shelf and exclaimed again "I want my yellow puppy!"... Ooh, Good Heavens!!! One dog at a time ;-) And never, never assume you know what puppy the conversation is about.

Happy Halloween!!!

Door to door trick or treating at church kicked off our Halloween fun on Friday... lots and lots of candy gathering. My friend Carma majored in costume design at BYU... she looked amazing and I would have never recognized her. She easily put on forty extra years ;-)

Some other friends that simply stunned me with their Egyptian theme.

When Sonia got to the front of the Halloween parade, KC exclaimed "What a tiny little elephant we have here!"

She didn't think she was an elephant... Sonia is Slon! At music class we sang for her about Slon.

Saturday brought more candy with it. Our neighborhood turned into a great place to go trick or treating at night. First door we knocked. Is it how tracting feels when you are on the mission? ;-) More candy than any of us ever wanted plus some really creative decorated porches. We said hello to some friends and made some new friends. Sonia was brave to knock on the door of a very old lady in a wheelchair. Sonia cheerfully said "Trick or Treat!" and "Happy Halloween!" to her. Some other neighbors asked if we were Republicans, since we have got an elephant with us. ;-)

Jeremy pushed both kids in Sit and Stand. When I lamented about both of our children being comfortable, Sonia corrected me and said "Childs." We've got two childs this Halloween ;-) It worked great! I had free hands and could sort of keep up with everyone. I would have not missed this night for any naps ;-)

At home we feasted on candy instead of dinner until no one could eat any more. Sonia tried hard to convince her papa that he could have another one.Candy usually just doesn't happen at our house... here is Sonia's first lolly pop ever. Yummy! Next time we have to wait until Spring and Easter ;-)

Highlights of the week

Last week was our first full week all on our own without any help and we managed well. Life is falling into a new routine; with occasional sleepless nights and some sleepy nights. I also catch naps during most days and that makes my recovery go much easier ;-)

In the morning we wake up and have some snuggle time, play games and read in mama's bed.

Then we get out of the house to run to the library on one day or music class on another. Come home for lunch and naps. Then we do some crafts and arts. We colored a scarecraw this week.

We have dance and music at night to get the wiggles out and then papa comes home. Books, dinner and more snugles finish up our day.

Pumpkin carving

Last month we checked out lots and lots of books about Autumn, changing leaves, harvest time, pumpkins and Halloween. Sonia would say "Halloween comes we are going to carve our pumpkin". Last night was such a night.

Sonia and papa found a nice, happy and super easy pumpkin design then they went to work.

Pumpkin turned out to be super thick. It is a sweet pumkin that has lots of flesh. I am thrilled because we are going to make some yummy pies this Sunday!!! But for now it is a jackolantern; we come downstairs in the morning to look at it and light it up at night. Sonia and I are so excited about it!

That day Sonia made stars and spaghetti with play daugh. Sonia is such a good big sister. She loves talking to Feo about all she is doing. Feo's cord fell out that morning too... our big boy ;-)
He does play favorites... mama is his favorite for now ;-) Papa calls him "Mama's boy."