Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Winter Slumber.

Highlights from a winter slumber...it's that simple. Slumber. I have not been awake long enough nor focused enough to capture milestones that Kaitlyn and Dylan have encountered over these past few months so in hopes the moons have truly aligned, my slumber still awaits but the writer in me leaps as the ink meets the blank sheet (or text meets the blank screen)!

Now two months shy of FIVE, Kaitlyn busies herself with make believe, often referring to her brother as 'son', or 'Daddy'; she names everything Isabella; appears to have a knack for Spanish and can't miss a chance to correct her brother's pronunciation; sounds out all letters of ALL words even if it means she will be late to school-a tantrum for reading, should I complain? She screams and wails and certainly knows how to hold her own, but never forgets to say I love you; she feels accomplished when she styles her own hair; drumming a repetitive rhythm comes as natural as her own heartbeat; she has a surgeon's precision when completing her pin prick projects at school; recites lyrics like the alphabet and eats all things all colors including green! Kindergarten awaits her this fall.

Dylan has tackled THREE with the passion of a natural born athlete implying a ball of any sport is an extension to his daily attire; he's a determined bike rider; wants to take his family on a trip in a space shuttle; seems to love orange dinosaurs and all things superhero. He's the new poster child for the you tube tutorial 'How to pester your sister in less than three....(seconds, minutes, miles...you fill in the blank); he loves trains and anything with buttons; he's incredibly thoughtful and tenderhearted; can mimic his sister's colorful expressions while offering a mischievously innocent grin; he loves the word NO but never fails to ask for anything with the magic word, Please. He's finding confidence with his letter recognition; can be found in his birthday suit more often than not and he still cuddles with me in the morning!

My two youngsters now face new responsibilities. They have five fish to care for,  Cosimo (our dog) to walk and eggs to crack for morning meals. What can I say? They are truly growing up.  Each brings a unique flavor to my day that contributes toward my spirit of gratitude. I'm so lucky for their fiery temperaments, their cuddly naps, their copy cat wars and particular food tastes. A day in my life is NEVER EVER boring, that's for sure....like....

...a month ago the children were awfully quiet. Steve and I both know that when we can hear our own inner muse at work something is up. Sure enough Kailtyn had Dylan in a captive audience while she was stripped down outside finding great entertainment in peeing on the grass. Or...when Dylan tries to wake his sister by shoving his foot on her face...how about the remarkable declaration that Kailtyn made, "Mommy, I want a penis so I can touch it"....yeah. It's never dull!



Monday, December 17, 2012

San Diego Reunion


The cousins reunited after a year of continental separation! We were so eager to see Uncle Jeff, Auntie Cupcake (Steph), cousins Truman and Griffin that we decided today would be the perfect opportunity! While Griffin didn't make any of my photos...he wasn't far off from these candid shots! What a blast everyone had...especially at the Coronado beach!




 











Tree hunt...





It really was the perfect outing! A couple of weeks back the kids and I had a sleep over at the Grandparents which was followed with a Christmas Tree adventure. It was a festive morning for everyone and a very successful stop! 

This season, by far, has been the most entertaining for the kids-they both are engaged in all the bells and whistles from Christ centered songs to Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer. It's a JOLLY time over here at the Patterson abode!



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Soccer Mom


I'm certain this will cause some talk. We just made our official reservation for the Tesla Model X. I'm excited. I will be the proud owner of this gem in 2014. Nothing out there quite like it. Mountains? Beach? City? Desert? You name it, I'm driving!



Carnivore

'Do they have hot dogs?' Dylan shouted this out after a solid walkabout among the classroom tables perusing the individually served Thanksgiving meals. No, no hot dogs for this little man which translated to no food. He is in a rut with cuisine selection or maybe I'm the one in a rut. Right now his interests lie in all things white, negative nutrient snacks and meat. Maybe an occasional berry, apple or swig of milk. He's a solid carnivore and squirms with all things green, resists other funky colors like the vibrant orange of a persimmon or the deep reds of a pomegranate. Seriously? It pains me. If I'd allow for it, he'd feast upon cheerios, pancakes and granola bars ALL DAY LONG. Don't get me wrong, he gets his share of the above mentioned favorites, but the deceptive mother in me shows up now more often than not trying to whisk a little extra nutritional love down his throat! I've found that if I rotate the added bang, he won't strike, so the following are my must-haves:

1. Ground Flax Meal-great on anything including salads, muffins, pancakes and panko bread crumbs for homemade chicken nuggets!

2. Green Goddess Juice. I know, juice-it's a curse. I figure since he hardly eats anything green and for some off beat reason he will enjoy a few swigs of this horrifying pulpy mess of a drink, I keep it handy.  Don't think it's a daily indulgence now...he goes back and forth on his Green Goddess strike.

3. Quesadillas. He loves these. With milk being a temperamental interest based upon the mood of the moment, I find great contentment with my attempt to boost his calcium intake even if it means quesadillas every day!

4. Apple Chicken Sausage. Yes, those yummy ones from Costco. He could live off of these. When feeling at a loss for what to cook, I can always count on this sausage to yield a satiated child!

5. Probiotics. I'm starting to add them to his water. I can't imagine what good bacteria could be thriving in his nutrient depleted gut that a few million healthy strains of goodness can't hurt, right?

6. Pureed squash for the pasta sauce! I can't go wrong with this technique!

Now Kaitlyn is the poster child for health in our family right now. Just the other night at Chick-Fil-A she ordered the bowl of chicken noodle soup over the french fries and chicken nuggets as it's now her 'favorite' and it's 'healthy'! She is quick to point out all the colors on a plate being sure to note that she is being healthy and of course quick to point out unhealthy behaviors, too....like the man smoking as we walked by. Yes, that would be my four year old daughter scolding your smoke break! She will eat the salad on her plate first and always snoop on your plate for the off chance you may be eating something different than her and possibly hook her up with a bite!

Needless to say, both children eat. They are not failing in the weight department as both are above the 75th percentile...



Sunday, November 11, 2012

School....



Preschool photo...Fall 2012! 
These two are way too ADORABLE!!!
xoox