April 2009 Archives

I can't seem to keep dates and general information straight lately. After using every digit on every hand and foot and counting multiple times, I am quite certain that today marks Kumi's 33rd month. But I was also quite certain that her preschool ends in May (it doesn't) and that a friend's upcoming wedding is in June (again, wrong).

My brain is failing me, it seems. This is troubling because I have always had a memory like a steel trap. As a junior high school student, I was a contestant in a national academic decathlon -- geekdom at its finest, let me tell you -- and I managed to commit to memory an astounding amount of information ranging from Greek mythology to trigonometric functions and formulas. Somewhere deep in my "most embarrassing files" there is a newspaper article of the decathlon with a photo of me wearing heinous glasses and holding up a trophy. I think it may have even been for first place. Spelling bees and exams were a snap because I could memorize so much in such a short time.

Now I can barely keep track of playdates and bills that seem to pop up relentlessly. I'll finish reading a book and in the next instant won't be able to remember the main character's name. Such a shame. I can practically hear my brain cells fizzing and dying out like little Japanese fireworks.

What I do know and remember from this last month is that the words "I don't want to" is a powerful tool for a two-year-old. We have entered a whole new toddler world of deliberate disobedience. Even worse than last month. Trying times, my friends. I wish I could say I have been a paragon of patience and a gentle beacon of model behavior for my little girl. Usually I sputter a lot, which is really rather ineffective. Very few things are more humbling than being outwitted and outspoken by a toddler.

I knew I would be terrible at this whole disciplining business. I am actually rather lucky that Kumi is a very sweet girl who will follow instructions for the most part. But a transformation occurs sometime between 3:30pm and 7pm, when my cherubic child turns into a growling, screeching being that refuses to sit, eat, take a bath, or whatever it is that needs to happen at the time. We call it the witching hour and though the behavior doesn't last very long, it wreaks serious havoc on everyone involved. I am feeling a creeping sort of dread for the teenage years.

Yet. This has also been a month of utter fun. Every weekend we've had family time: swimming at a fancy pool or picnicking on the beach or going to the aquarium (complete with face painting). And Kumi went to a most amazing birthday party involving a rented gigantic pink and purple bouncy house, a pinata filled with organic goodies, a gazillion activity centers and a fabulous cake. The parents really went all out and Kumi had the time of her life. The weather has been cooperative for April and we've really taken advantage of the sunny days.

Here are some pix from the legendary birthday party -- you can see how enormous the bouncy house was and Kumi is the tiny form inside:

Discipline issues continue with the household tantrum-meister, but I'm determined not to let it get me down. The banana bread helped (incidentally, I used the recipe from Orangette's lovely cookbook -- such luscious, luscious goodness). But what's really lifting my mood of late is Morrison. Below are a few of my favorites...look at all that monochromatic, neutral, textured, romantic gorgeousness!! Though I must admit I'm not crazy about the bloomer shorts, the top is to die for. If I were willowy and wispy like those models, the clothes would look so good on me. Alas, the only "w" word that could possibly apply to me is "wide," so I am perusing my many sewing books to see if I can re-create this look to flatter my womanly curves.

What's odd is that I am by no means a fashionista and am usually happy wearing the same five outfits that I rotate. But lately I've been feeling a bit...frumpy. Spring is blooming all over the place, and I guess I'm yearning for a blossoming of sort for myself. Less stretched out t-shirt with saggy jeans and more chic "outfits", you know? And I think it would be so fun to create them myself! Yay for ambition!

via mrs. french of bliss -- that woman finds the best stuff.

Like the title? It was dictated by little miss K, which is pretty awesome, I think. It's almost like some military code.

I've been having a stressful week. I wake up feeling tense and anxious, with residual memories of strange dreams. The cause of the general tetchiness may have something to do with Dora. More specifically, the dramatic fits that are caused by the refusal to let a certain 2 1/2 year old watch Dora "DVDV" (DVDs, in her parlance). I am ashamed to confess that I give in on a daily basis and let her watch an hour of Dora every day. Shouldn't be such a big deal, right? From the moment she wakes up though, the only thing on her mind is to find out when I will let her watch the darn show. TV has never been an option because we don't own one, but ever since I let her get a taste of the spunky Explorer, Kumi's been addicted.

Anyway. When I'm stressed, I bake. So I made Challah bread again, though this time I used the recipe from The Bread Baker's Apprentice. Unfortunately, I left the bread in the oven too long and charred the bottom of the loaf. No matter, as it is excellent otherwise.

I made it into french bread the next day.

Then I made zucchini soup from the excellent Everyday Food cookbook (acquired with the free credit I had at our local bookstore -- bonus!). I cubed the leftover Challah bread and dipped it in the soup. Delicious!

The Dora dilemma continues, but I am sure the banana bread I plan to bake today will make things SO much better.

I'm really not much of a photographer. I got a lovely camera for Christmas two years ago, and it pretty much guarantees that most photos come out decent to good despite my lack of skills. Lately though, I've been feeling like I could improve my photography techniques and have been oohing and aahing over some amazing blogs like Nordjus and the various stylists and photographers that get featured on sfgirlbybay. So inspiring! Here are some practice shots of flowers and plants around the house...not quite there but I think I'm getting a little better!