Bonnets, glasses and trolls

Bianca looked utterly adorable in the 1800's ensemble she wore for her day camp at Old Sturbridge Village on Thursday and Friday. From her bonnet down to her little leather boots. Meanwhile, Mateus and I had our own little day camp at OSV on Thursday (without Bianca's agenda interfering he is free to spend most of his time with the blacksmith, the potter and watching the musket firing demo). Friday Mateus and I hiked through purgatory chasm, played cards and ate cookies at the coffee shop, then, sleepy as we were, we decided to pull the sleeping bags out of the car and head into the woods near OSv for some snugly chill time until it was time to get Bianca. Saturday afternoon was spent at the Science Museum with Daddy. Sunday we went to Cheesecake Factory for Brunch (as usual) and to Breakheart where we took a side trail for a change, played troll on the bridge and the kids played pooh sticks. Yesterday the kids had doctors appointments and we learned that Bianca can't see a lick. The nurse held up the eye chart and after the first huge letter on the top she was at a loss. We all made a big deal about how adorable glasses would be on her and she's wildly excited to get a pair. I think she feels quite special not being able to see.

Little Joys

This morning started off with whipped cream and waffles from my fabulous new waffle iron that I'm oh so pleased with. Bianca helped with the whipping of the cream and they both helped with the sampling of it. After homework (and 15 minutes of Mateus' new obsession, Minecraft, to lift his mood after some troubling math problems) they are off to the woods to play "adventurous boy finds a native american girl and her baby sister (Josaphina)". Lunch will be served on the patio today, for it is sunny and bird's are chirping. Lovely tidbit: last night, while Bianca was taking forever to get ready for bed as usual, Mateus came down stairs and after following me around for a minute I asked if he needed anything. "I just want to be near you" he said. Wonderfulness. Cuddle time on the sofa took place then and there.

Zing went the Strings of her Heart

Bianca's little heart has fallen for Judy Garland. It began with an obsession with the Wizard of Oz, viewed for the first time on the eve of Thanksgiving. Day after day, week after week, Wizard of Oz was requested, begged for and sometimes even screamed for. She is expecting a Dorothy costume from Santa and has demanded a Wizard of Oz themed Birthday party on numerous occasions. She carries around a little stuffed dog in a basket which also serves as a prop when she reenacts scenes from the movie with Mateus as a flying Monkey or the scarecrow. As much as I love Wizard of Oz, it can become a bit sickening the 15th day in a row. I decided to introduce her to other Judy Garland flicks..... The Easter Parade and now Meet Me in St. Louis, which is the current favorite. She even listens to The Best of Judy Garland in her Strawberry Shortcake cd player. Her favorite song? Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Are You Going to King Richards Faire

Bianca, as a fairy princess... in hot pink cowgirl boots... was captivated by every passing princess and fairy. Mateus, as her valiant knight, was enthralled by the sword shops and the jousting tournament. Together they skipped and careened through the maniacal Faire.

The Vampire and the Mermaid go to Wisconsin

The purpose of this vacation was to be with family at a proper interval so as to prevent too much time from elapsing before our next reunion, should my mom explode. A very close second was to witness, in all its horrifying glory, the annual Spooktacular Spooktacular thrown by Lisa.
Well it just wouldn't be a vacation if we weren't ailing in some way. Tuesday morning I pumped Mateus full of Motrin and carried him onto the airplane. Bianca was a trooper and toddled along behind us. The first few days of the vacation were spent "healing" in the form of a frenzied cousin rumpus accompanied by two lazy adults (mom and I) lounging about... eating.
We eventually braved the big crazy world with a journey to "Boo at the Zoo". Though the candy was ridiculously scarce, who doesn't love animals, at night no less. A towering, stilted Dracula befriended Mateus (a fellow vampire) and a tree overflowing with vultures added to the eerie atmosphere. Kristin's farm market was bustling with halloween-ish activities. A whale of a corn maze sprawled out back, there was a wee little petting zoo, make your own caramel apples, and the undeniable highlight was an immense vat of dried corn kernels which the kids spent nearly an hour hurling themselves into. And the grand finale.... halloween night. Lisa managed to transform her garage into a ghostly gala and her barn into a demented (yes demented) and bone chilling experience. Mateus joined the pack of little ruffians in a marathon of haunted barn participation. They added to the experience for us all by jumping out from behind hay bales and popping out of coffins. And Halloween wouldn't be complete if somebody didn't dress up like a pimp.

The great Camping Extravaganza of 2009

With only one warning and one citation for speeding, we arrived at our destination. The Conway Lake Campground. We were the second ones to arrive on the scene. While we all set up camp, the kids captured and tortured frogs (in the most innocent and loving way a frog could be tortured). At nightfall we broke out the hotdogs and marshmallows and played, screamed, drank, and conversed into the night.
Mmmmm bacon, even tastier when cooked over a fire, was my scrumptious morning fate. Only slightly less delightful was my personal amusement with everyones quirky camping styles which seemed to come to light with the morning sun. Aaaah friends.
Storyland was to be our ambition that day. Doesn't seem very camp-ish you say? Well this was camping kindergarten style, but to appease your meddlesome ways, we happen to have more campfires, hiking and canoeing just ahead.
Kenny later told me we were blacklisted from the campground for excessive noise and rowdiness.

The Left Coast

Oregon started off poorly...... only in the sense that we were puking, feverish and had heinous diarrhea. Bianca had a febrile seizure which landed her in the emergency room via ambulance, but other than that we had a lot of fun.
My mom threw the kids a wicked good unbirthday party, complete with games, a cake and presents. We payed a couple of visits to Liz's farm to say hello to the animals and to sample (or devour rather) the deliciousness that is her garden. A few days were spent exploring with Davie, who is known for his magical ability to turn even mediocre outings into fascinating experiences. Moonshine park is ever beckoning so Lisa, Kristin, mom and I took the kids there a few times for a bit of rafting and innertubing (and butt bruising). The final days were spent frolicking at the Aquarium and the Portland Zoo... because we love to frolick. Then across this great land of ours, homeward bound.

A Night at the Museum

In a tingling of heavenly excitement, Mateus anticipated the sleepover at the Science Museum. At 3pm Jenna, Mia, Mateus and I set out on our adventure. Awaiting us was an evening of exploration, lightening, experiments, an Imax show, starry skies, made up languages, a monster domino effect and most of all utter silliness.
At midnight we collapsed (Jenna and I) or spun (Mateus and Mia) into our sleeping bags in the model trains section of the museum. At 6am, the lights went on....there was more fun to be had.

Amy gets Schooled

Mateus doesn't want just one more celery with peanut butter he wants 200 more, no, no 3,000 more....no wait, googolplex more.

"I think googolplex is more of a concept rather than a number Mateus" says my friend Amy

"No, infinity is more like a concept, googleplex is an actual number" replies Mateus

Yeah, what he said.

Ennon 'n Bonka Boo

Lennon (sweet little neighbor boy who's creative spin on the English language gives us our title) and Bonker Boo (our own, precious Bianca) participated in some serious dancing this evening. It was a whirlwind of stomping, spinning, shaking, and what appeared to be snow angel making. Bianca did the robot at one point and Lennon threw caution to the wind and danced while entirely covered by a blanky. The two performers merged in a not so grateful series of crawling under each others legs and declaring "tunnel". There was vigorous hugging, straddling, rolling and other undulations. Needless to say, the crowd went wild. 

Potter Party Extravaganza

It was all riding on swing set completion. Potion ingredients such as troll slime and eye of newt had been prepared, Birthday cake featuring a mini replica of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been completed, presents were wrapped and decorations were in place. Only the swing set, the rickety, craigslist swing set was left. Walderi and Shelby struggled to put it together and keep it secure in our sloping yard which would soon be taken over by scrambling kids. As the first children arrived a rope was tied hastily around the fort part of the swing set and secured to a tree, where it has remained ever since. At this point the adults cracked open their beers and I led the kiddos in a procession of wand decorating and spell casting followed by the traditional cake and presents. The swing set, however was the hit of the party and has remained the center of our yards universe to this very day (6 weeks to be exact).

Lovely Little Exchange

Mateus is trudging through the wilderness (our backyard) for the perfect stick to make a bow and arrow. Bianca sways daintily on the swing, adorned in plastic jewels, a fairy costume and plastic high heels. Her face, however, is hidden by a thick layer of dirt from a face plant earlier. She hasn't mastered the heels yet. "Mateus, I love you." she yells out to him. "I love you to Bianca" says Mateus. Bianca flips over onto her belly and "flies" on the swing. "Mateeeeuuuus", she calls, "Do I look like a princess?". "Yes" Mateus says. "A pretty princess?" she asks. "Yes, you do"says Mateus. "Hooray" yells Bianca.

Wisconsin or bust

May is the best month to visit Wisconsin because the air hasn't been weighed down by summer yet. In the summer time it's suffocating and you become acutely aware of the fact that the nearest ocean is hundreds of miles away. May is the perfect month for many of our favorite Wisconsin past times like rock collecting behind Lisa's house, playing on Quinns swingset, riding powderpuff or going to the Milwaukee Zoo as well as just regular hang time with the cousins. In addition to the regular activities we also helped Kristin move into her new home, Patrick took Mateus and Walderi for a ride in his airplane and Walderi and I were thrown a Birthday Luau. 

Freezing our Cotton Tails Off

In order to make up for the fact that we put up no Easter decorations, dyed no Easter eggs, and partook in no Easter egg hunts, I dragged my kiddos and the kiddos of Jessica to the Easter at the Zoo shindig on the 35 degree Saturday before Easter. For some reason we were greeted by a bear (Maybe he ate the Easter Bunny) and went on to be painted as bunnies ourselves, make ourselves bunny ears, plant sunflowers in wee, little take-home planters and win prizes by "naming that Disney movie".  Bianca left with some princess stickers. Unfortunately Mateus' choice of prizes wasn't so discreet.... a 2 by 3 high school musical poster. It's already gone missing.

Faces only a Mother could Love

It must be spring if my children braved the backyard of Amy's house for over an hour with nary a complaint of chilliness. Amy and I actually sat at her dining room table and had a (prepare thyself) CONVERSATION while observing our adorable yet wonderfully soundless children through the glass. We froze up as they came running for the door, but alas, it was only to grace us with some farting noises against the sliding glass door and then back to the sandbox they ran.

Fun, Children's Museum Style

The bubble room may have been a mistake (Bianca used liberal amounts of soap and waved her wand with such enthusiasm) but looking back I'd say we had a perfectly splendid afternoon. No major melt downs to report, no fights broke out, Mateus didn't steel anything this time (he swiped an agate at the Science Museum once- I gave him the whole song and dance about how stealing is bad but what mother couldn't feel a tad proud?) just good, clean fun. Highlights: Bianca enjoyed being on "tv" with Arthur (from cartoon of same name), Mateus is always ecstatic in the room of golf ball rolling, a new, psychedelic climbing structure had us all captivated for a good hour, and on and on into the night (not really.... I was having a Kerouac moment there).

The Adorable Strangeness of Miss Boo

I've decided it's about time I create a compilation of Bianca's charming (and not so charming) little quirks. This will most likely have to be an on going list because these oddities are so numerous it would be impossible for me to recall them all in one sitting. Here we go....

*Bianca is obsessed with "baby jammies". It is a rare occasion indeed, that we leave the house without her wearing at least a jammy top or bottom. I try to layer them under blouses or skirts so it vaguely resembles regular clothing but nobody seems to be fooled. "Did she just wake up form a nap?" is an often heard question.

*Bianca will only say sorry to her friends (family members get special treatment in this case) in the voice of a monster. A low, raspy "sorry" accompanied by an evil, pouty face and sometimes even folded arms.

* Bianca is extremely particular about the positioning of her dolly. It's arms must be down by it's sides and it's legs in a very slight pike position. It may only change from this position when it is in it's highchair at which time it may assume a seated position. The moment dolly leaves that highchair, boy, she'll seek you out, shrieking, until you have piked that dollies legs just so.

*Bianca's drug of choice: Elmo

*Bianca, I assume, feels restricted by her car seat. Since the age of about 6 months she's experienced what I can only describe as pre-explosive behavior when riding in the car... particularly long car rides. She clenches her teeth, arches her back, and strains against her seat belts until she turns red in the face. Oh Bianca, what a corker you are.

Well color me black and call me Mateus

Mateus moved up another level in Martial Arts. He is now second section and could not be more pleased with himself. He was a bit peranoid that there would be no applause when receiving his belt from Instructor Bob. I assured him I would clap and holler with such gusto that others would eagerly join in.

 It was quite a test he had to pass. It involved his first and second katas, as well as a range of kicks, punches, and self defense techniques. It also ends with every tester's most dreaded question, "how is he doing at home (or school)?" I must admit I had abused the power of this question in the previous weeks leading up to the test. "Mateus, what did Instructor Bob say about listening?", "Mateus, are you being respectful of Bianca? Instructor Bob is going to ask me about your behavior." 

Mateus outranks me... I'm only first section.

Future pet? Au contraire mon frere...

It began with a "promise" made 2 years ago by Walderi. One lovely spring day, while strolling through Breakheart, a 3 year old Mateus was enthralled by all the dogs being walked. "Can we getta dog, pweeeeze?" was the question. "When you are 5" was the answer. Normally, I give Walderi a dirty look when he makes promises he's not certain he can keep, however, seeing as this particular promise allowed Mateus 2 years to forget about it, I figured no harm done. Well we are on the brink of the big #5 and that blessed day is as clear in his mind as ever. So, in desperation, we have been attempting to turn him on to other animals. "How about a fish?", "No, I like dogs better". "Turtles are really cool", "dogs are cooler".

Then came that fateful day in Mateus' beloved  science class. He takes this class once a week at the Y and I'm always so impressed with the activities Miss Nancy puts together for them. Nature walks, volcanic eruptions (courtesy of baking soda and vinegar), bartering for shells and using them to make wampum necklaces, and then, finally, the day of live animal encounters.... Enter: the Boa. It was love at first squeeze.

At first I considered this option. Snakes are clean, quiet, and that particular Boa and Mateus really seemed to hit it off. Then I pictured the cons. Perhaps it escapes from its cage at night and decides it wants to snuggle with me. I do like snakes, but for some reason, only during daylight hours. Or worse. Say I forget to feed it and I find it with a satisfied grin on it's face and a Bianca sized lump in it's tummy. 

So we're back to the drawing board. Is a dog in our future? I have a few more months to encourage him to fall in love with hermit crabs.