Monday, February 13, 2012

simon says, draw!


One of Owen's favorite (non-electronic) things to do around home is play simon says, draw.
I discovered this drawing game at The Artful Parent.

We could (and do) play this for hours.
We just take turns (I probably take more turns directing) saying "simon says draw...a heart, a rainbow, a starry night, 10-smiley faces", etc. 

I've learned so much about Owen doing this with him (Maya doesn't dig this game as much as us. She usually plays with her doll house or kitchen while we draw).



He and I lack talent drawing...we're very simplistic, but we make up for it in effort.
It's so interesting to me though how we interpret the directions, or chose to depict them, so differently.

I said to draw three squares. I drew three squares side-by-side. Owen drew 3 squares, one within another so they were all different sizes. Then I said draw 3 circles. I drew 3 circles under my squares. Owen drew his within his squares and one surrounding all of them.

I said draw a spider. I drew an 8-legged spider; Owen drew a spider hanging down from a spider-web. 
Fascinating! 
:)

Anyway, I recommend it.
I also read this post today (Elise switched blogs) and I thought it was very thought-provoking. 
I love the questions she asks. 
This is particularly interesting to me as we, as a family, move toward playing more and more board games. It's hard to find one that engages us all equally and there is probably something to our varying personalities influencing which games we enjoy. 

Also check out this (short) excellent video about art and creating with kids from Made by Joel.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

woody's birthday celebration


Bart & Ginger came up to help us celebrate Woody's big day!
Always a treat for OM when they have undivided attention for hours at a time...

Woody decided to forgo the seafood menu this year and instead opted for a belly full of appetizers:

baked chicken wings ('cept the store was out o wings so we opted for drumsticks)
spring rolls w/ sriracha dipping sauce (shrimp swapped for avocado)

 (making meatballs)







 (wouldn't be Woody's bday without a few princesses running around: 3, 4, & 5 year-old princesses)












Woody's best present...
(I've omitted some pages but O definitely has the story arc down)





I love happy endings...

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

some random bits of glee...



I watched in amazement last week as my ever-cautious baby boy walked down the stairs from school with soiled knees.

This kid feels pain (emotional and physical) like no other so he, up to last week @ least, generally avoids activities that are potentially harmful.

As he grows though he keeps surprising me with the things he is willing to try. Running and sliding on his knees is a new thing he's working on. 

He must have tried it in the grass @ school. (Once)

I smiled ear to ear when I saw those dirty knees. The things that make a mama happy.

On a related recent smiling-spree, this article on NPR last week really resonated: 


I passed the "Quiet Quiz" with flying colors. Can't wait to read it...


My other kid meanwhile is knocking our socks off with her mad soccer skills.

She stands alone in her sequin-y, sparkly, doing her very best super-sweet-earnestness amongst a sea of boys and their histrionics. 

Seriously dudes, save the drama for your mama! 

Go Moo go!


Take that fellas...she smoked you.




That's me back there trying to be helpful and kick the ball back to that kid. 
I'm sure I made it worse. Soccer wasn't really my thing.
If Maya has talent it all comes from her dear dad.


OK, other bits of glee (non-kid related):

My blog would be so much cooler if I could write like her. Day in and day out she never disappoints. Always funny and thoughtful...just love her.

101 Cookbooks has also been providing some super delicious delights 'round these parts.
Winter Pasta and Maple Sesame Miso Squash need to be part of your life this week. 
mmmmmm....

Woody and I watched this movie a couple months ago. It was some random Saturday night and I thought it would be tolerable but it turned out to be charming, funny and completely entertaining. 
I love when that happens.

Monday, February 6, 2012

outside inside


This was from a few weeks ago.
We left the house all bundled up...




and then we came back home and Maya changed into her favorite outfit...

and did some jumps.



while Owen played on his beloved DS...




in between jumps she'd take breaks.





while O remained oblivious to her as he navigated Mario Kart.