To set the scene: Eli was in the kitchen watching/playing on the iPad. Dave and I were in the living room watching the first Batman movie. For some unknown reason, Noah was crying (quite loudly). Eli (very politely) asked Dave, “Dad, can you please make Noah stop crying? I can’t hear the iPad.”
Good to know he used his manners!!
I spent some time this weekend at Dad’s house doing some cleaning, sorting and packing of Mom’s stuff. I was very fortunate to have a very dear friend of mine, Sarah (Foulks) Rabe come with me. She was very helpful, encouraging and hugely supportive.
It was bittersweet, sad and fun. I was able to share a lot of memories of Mom with Sarah. We did some good laughing, lots of reminiscing, lots of sorting and lots of ‘goodwilling’. Dad wasn’t around much of the weekend, which in hindsight, was probably good for the both of us. Sarah and I went through everything that was stored in the two bedrooms, mine and Brianna’s old rooms. We made a good pile of stuff to possibly sell at a garage sale, bagged up lots of clothes. We started a few tubs of items to save for the future – stuff I eventually want and stuff to save for Dad.
I asked Dad what items he wanted to keep for decorating his new house. He said he didn’t know what he wanted for decorating, I told him that since I had his entire house decorated in my mind (I’m a woman, I can’t help it) that I would only keep the essentials. He just laughed at me. :-)
It was a very bittersweet weekend. It is yet another transition we have to deal with in this healing process. I know Dad needs and wants to be out of a house that has so many memories (good and bad) but it is also the house that I grew up in, have many memories (good and bad) and find comfort in calling it
Eli enjoys sorting things. He’s had more fun lately with a couple empty ice cream buckets and paper grocery bags than anything else. One day he filled up a grocery bag with all the cars, trains, farm animals and people (little toy people, mind you) that would fit into it. He then proceeded to carry his prize around the house for a bit before emptying it and starting over.
This morning he’s filling up the ice cream buckets and moving his toys from one spot to another. Now that the toys are dumped out on top of the toy box, he’s using the bucket as a chair. When I think about it, I’m not that different from him. I enjoy sorting things; it gives me great satisfaction to see things organized and put away. I also derive great joy from finding new uses for things. It’s funny how similar we are despite the difference in age.
Last week, we watched our niece and nephew, Alexis and Evan. We decided to have some fun while they were here.
SHAVING CREAM FUN!!!!!
Evan
Messy hands!!!
Eli
Playing in the shaving cream.
Ewwey gooey squishy!!!
Even Noah had fun. Although we decided next time to give him whipped cream, he tried eating the shaving cream and didn’t think it was yummy.
Eli and his messy hands!!
Look at me!!!
Ahhhh!!!! Messy Alexis!!
Alexis let me put her hair in pigtails. So stinkin’ cute!!!!
Messy fun!!!!
I’m a boy! I’m messy! I’m lovin’ it!!
Alexis drawing pictures.
After our messy fun and a bath, they are settled on the couch, in their jammies, eating popcorn. So cute!!! It was fun a really fun evening.
Lately, Dave and I, have been trying very hard to be more conscious of what we are putting in our bodies. We are trying to keep track of what we eat, eat healthier and just have a better lifestyle. However, in eating healthier, we don’t want to give up some our favorite yummy foods. So, we’ve been making some modifications and enjoying the ‘fruits of our labor’. :-) We have guestimated this recipe to be just shy of 300 calories for a half of a pepper cup.
Taco-Stuffed Pepper Cups
Ingredients:
Directions:
The Burlingames 