Potatoes

We were driving around and we heard a blowing noise from the backseat. We looked back and Jake was blowing furiously at something on his finger. Ali asked if he was making a wish by blowing away an eyelash. "No," he said, "it's a potato". And on closer inspection, he had a little ball of earwax on his forefinger that wasn't exactly blowing away like an eyelash. Why does Jake think he has potatoes in his ears? Well, when we give him his bath, Ali tells him she's cleaning the potatoes out of his ears. Where did she come up with this? Apparently it's a family tradition that's been passed down through the generations. Although it's a cute saying, I am getting a little worried about the confusion that may arise now that Jake's helping out quite a bit in the kitchen.

Sick Day

Well, Ryan is home sick today. I am secretly happy because he is home with us, but mostly sad because he is sick. I was trying to explain to Jake that Daddy was sick this morning, so he walked over to Ry, and said, "I kiss your heart Daddy?" Ryan, laughing, said, "yes." Jake leaned over, kissed him and said, "I kiss your heart! You're all better Daddy!"

Crazy Mondays

Back when both Ali and I were working, and Jake was in daycare, I would take off every other Monday to do something fun with Jake. I told him these were "crazy Mondays." But now that Ali's at home, when I stay home every other Monday, it just feels like a longer weekend since we're all there. But today, Ali had to go in to Sunrise, where she's been doing some part-time work from home, and was at work all morning. I told Jake it was the Return of Crazy Monday! Sadie had no idea what I was talking about, but she smiled anyway.

I took the kids down to the National Building Museum where they have a really cool little kids' "Building Zone" set up with all kinds of activity stations. Of course, it was closed. It was closed because they were tearing down all the equipment from an event over the weekend in the main hall and they thought it would be too dangerous for the kids to be tucked away in this safe and quiet sideroom with all those toys, and instead ushered us out to one end of the main hall where they were working 20 feet away, with no barriers. That same woman who told us the playroom was closed came by later to tell us to be careful of the kids crawling on the carpet because she'd found several small metal objects and SHARDS OF GLASS! Thanks a lot, lady!

Jake and Sadie had a GREAT time anyway. Jake ran and ran and ran around the big space and Sadie practiced her standing and even pushed the stroller around. Jake made friends with all the kids we met and played really nicely - he's such a good boy (ok, I'm choosing to ignore the fact that he dumped out all the folded laundry tonight, and then knocked over the reindeer decorations just to get a reaction).

Here's a video of Jake playing "Ready-Set-Go" from one end of the hall to the other. Notice how long it takes him to get to the other side. He's running fast-- it's just a big building and he has little legs. On the way back he's trying to high-five me, but he misses and says so, and we try again, which apparently knocks him over.

Who's got molars and loves Christmas trees? THIS GUY!

Cheesy

The other night we made ricotta cheese and anyone who enjoys food should try this. It was fun, easy and yum. Here's the story:

Heat 1 quart whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream and 1 tsp coarse salt in a saucepan over medium heat. As soon as the milk starts to simmer (little bubbles all over) turn off the heat and pour in 2 TB white vinegar. Just let it sit quietly for 1 minute, then stir gently for about 2 minutes until you see the curds and whey start to separate. Pour the mixture into a colander lined with cheesecloth (oh, that's why they call it that) that is set in a bowl to collect the whey. Wait a minute and pour out the whey. Then, let the curds drain for another 15 minutes and you, sir, have some homemade ricotta cheese!

What will you do with this ricotta cheese?? Well, you can use it to make complicated things like lasagna or cheesecake, but I suggest something more simple like drizzling it with some nice olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, maybe some fresh herbs if you want to get fancy, and then spreading it on some crusty bread. Or maybe just drop a few spoonfuls in your mixed-greens salad. Or, sprinkle some sugar, cinnamon and chocolate shavings on top for a simple dessert. Leftovers will be happy in your fridge for a week, so you have plenty of time to enjoy your homemade treat.

Haiku

Jake wants to stay up
Chinese visitors need sleep
Worst timing ever

Sadie and the Helmets

Sadie is becoming more mobile and coordinated every day. It's exciting and fun and reminds me of Jake at this stage. She's been pulling up onto furniture, and taking steps while holding on. And over the past few days she's been standing up by herself for a few seconds before plopping back down. Jake took his first step at 9 months, and was walking more than crawling by 10 months. I think Sadie is probably on about the same timeline, with the added encouragement of keeping up with her big brother. Tonight was one of those nights where they were both in great moods and were playing together really nicely. Ali promises me it wasn't like that the whole day, so I guess I was just lucky enough to catch them that way.


Anyway, we were goofing around on the floor, playing tigers and scary animals and Jake said "let's play papachoot!" It took me a few guesses but I finally figured out he was talking about the parachute that Aunt Deni got us. I pulled it out and we all played under it for a while and then Jake sat on one end so I could pull him around the floor, as we often do. I caught Sadie's glance and she was giving me that "whatchoodoing Daddy?" look so I put her on too, for the first time. I put her on Jake's lap, and told him to hold her tight. I pulled them around and around the floor and they loved it. Until Jake bonked his head. Not a big bonk, just a normal five-times-a-day bonk. I jokingly said they should probably wear helmets, but I forgot he takes everything literally. I didn't feel like going down to the garage to get their bike helmets so I said that brown napkins work just as well as helmets. He bought it, so we all tied on our "helmets" and kept playing. Of course, now I run the risk of Jake insisting on wearing one of these brown napkins next time he rides his bike...