Close Encounters

Aliens have abducted my sweet little boy and replaced him with a....a...A 4 year old! Aaaaaahhhhh!

I should have seen it coming when Sawyer started repeating whatever we said, insisting on posing like Shrek in every photo, and creating an elaborate make-pretend game at every possible opportunity.

The upswing is that he is actually eating now. The kid can put some food away. He can make very short work of a bowl of oatmeal, a hot dog WITH a bun and corn on or off the cob. He's at 35 pounds and counting and he's walking around in some big 'ol feet too.

I've been saying for years that it's not the "terrible two's" it's the "terrible fours" and apparently, that holds true for my kid too. I know what to expect. I've been teaching 4 year olds for 10 years! And I know I've seen the most challenging behaviors out there. In fact, rumor has it that some of the really challenging kids were put into my class because of my ability to "handle them". I know I am qualified for this job. But how come tonight I dragged my son to the car at Maple View Farms kicking and screaming (with Eliza on the other hip) when he refused to leave even after a 5 minute warning?! Aliens, I tell you.

4 will surely bring some pleasant surprises and achievements. I look forward to Sawyer perfecting his name writing, learning to pump, pedal a bike with control and precision and continue to make friends. And for now I'll be patient. I should be thankful that he still crawls into bed with me every morning, is kind and (usually) gentile, and will let me smooch him. But he's a full-fledged little boy now, scrapes, stinky feet and all. I love that kid, but sometimes I wish had a few more moments with the innocence of his first 3 years.

Enjoying every single day...

Hallie

Get me outta here!!

As my loyal readers know, I am a big fan of my family, my home, my town. I like to keep things simple, easy. I like to be at home, work in the garden, watch the kids frolic in the sandbox or swimming pool, take nature walks. I enjoy the occasional outing with Dave and the kids and the even more occasional outing with just Dave. Yes, I do love all these things but there comes a time in every Mom or Dad's life when you want to scream "GET ME OUTTA HERE!!" I'm there.

Here's why: Date nights are few and far between, summer is only about 1 month more and here's the big one...I have never, ever spent the night away from my kids. Ok, I lied. I spent 2 nights away from my darling son, Sawyer...WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO ELIZA!! Ok, martyrdom in check. This is not a pity party. Rather an expression of a growing need to get away.

I want to walk through a crowded airport...sip a rum punch with my toes buried in the white sand beaches of Meads Bay, Anguilla...Eat a late prix fixe meal at a tiny restaurant in Paris and sit for hours at a cafe watching people walk by, and by, and by...Wander through a museum without a regard for diaper changes, potty breaks or nap schedules. I dream.

Now back to reality. I need a place that is less than 5 hours away by car, good restaurants, possibly shopping, possibly nature, maybe live music, not too remote, nice but affordable accomodations. Basically somewhere I can be with Dave and talk and wander and enjoy all life has to offer that doesn't have to do with all that my wonderful children have to offer.

So, loyal readers, I'm asking for your help. I want your advice, experience, expertise on where to go, stay, what to do. So please comment with your suggestions. And if anyone has a suggestion as to how to get up in the morning without snuggling Sawyer or hearing Eliza call out "Mommy!" I'd appreciate that too.

-The Mommy formerly known as Hallie

Under construction

I guess Summer Hallie is a little slow on the uptake, but I just realized how much I can customize my blog. Please take this opportunity to notice the recent changes, pic, links column and check back 'real soon for an actual well thought out post!

Thanks loyal readers...

Why?

I thought I had a while before this lovely stage...

Lately Eliza has been asking "why?" a lot. And not just in the appropriate toddler-learning-to-talk way either. Here's an example: "Eliza, no no. You can't put more salt on your fruit salad." "Why?" she replies! And then the hard part is actually trying to come up with a valid reason that can be deciphered by a 19 month old. Yeah, the kid is 19 months.
When she continues to ask why for minutes at a time this is what Sawyer says, "Um, Eliza, you can't just ask 'why'. Humans don't just say 'why'. You have to say other things...not just ask 'why'". How does Eliza respond to this? "Why?"

Tonight for dinner Sawyer, Eliza and I had Arthur mac and cheese, corn on the cob and blueberries. Summer is here. Break open the trash bread, heirloom tomatoes and Duke's mayonaise. Summer is here. 4 more days of work for me. Summer is here.

The center of the universe

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. I usually just wait till I come up with something interesting or clever to write about. But lately my mind seems to be consumed with kids, work, kids, work, other people's kids, Dave work, my garden, kids, running, kids. And I don't have anything profound or interesting on which to comment. SO I'll give you the latest updates on - you guessed it - my kids!

Sawyer is turning 4 in about a month. He has 3 year old moments and some 4 year old days. He has become so great about helping his little sister, and there is frequently a good give and take between them. Sometimes he bops her on the head though and once she bit him on the chest in retaliation. He is still very interested in nature and loves to find tiny interesting items around our yard. Lately he also likes to "make a movie". A game in which he creates a scenario, Dave says "Action!" and Sawyer acts out the scene. Dave also yells "Cut!" a few times, gives Sawyer his new motivation and they start the scene all over. And for the first time the other day he said he wanted to be something OTHER than a firefighter - which has been his career path of choice for about 2 years. He said he wanted to be a landscaper. I'm sure he'll treat the earthworms with kindness.

We've been calling Eliza "small but mighty" for over a year now, and she is that! She is very sweet, but has a very strong will too. She challenges her brother regularly, and loves Daddy time. She uses 3 word sentences comfortably now like, "More orange juice, Mommy" and "More murt (milk) now!" Lately she adds "now!" to the end of her demands just to drive her point home. She's brave too. Eliza can climb to the top of our swingset with ease and seems to have no idea that if she were to fall it would be about 7 feet before she hit ground.

I love my kids to pieces and they ARE the center of my universe. But that's the thing...the universe is vast and there are many centers of it. So while I go on and on about how cute and smart and sweet my kids are, I do understand that I'm the one who is going to feel that way the most. And I'm working hard to not let Sawyer and Eliza feel like they are the only children in the world. Just very loved and very special.

Thanks for reading.

I'm not complaining

Sometimes I just need to put things in perspective...for myself. It seems like a good little exercise for those times when I get into the rut of could-a, should-a, would-a, and when I get a mean case of the wants and gimmes.

We don't have a big house, there's not a lot of quiet space here, not a lot of privacy. Sure, it might be nice to have a long hallway, a guest room, a garage. But when my kids are running around the house, I don't have to run far to catch them! And when Sawyer is chatting before he goes to sleep and Eliza is singing in her crib I can sit in the living room and listen. So I'm not complaining.

I've been nursing Eliza for 18 months now. It is tiring, it is demanding, it makes me thirsty, and she has a mouth full of teeth now so...ouch! But there are Moms in the world who don't have enough to eat to make enough milk for their babies. So they're hungry and their babies are hungry. I'm blessed and grateful for what I have and what I can provide. So I'm not complaining.

Dave works 4 nights a week till midnight. It can be a challenge to get both kids fed, bathed, dressed, read-to and tucked in by myself. Then when I'm done, Dave's not here to debrief with. But I can tell Sawyer and Eliza that Daddy will be home when they wake. And I will see him when he comes in (though I'm usually asleep) and we can kiss, hug and be parents together. I don't have to try to explain to my 3 1/2 year old that Daddy is in another country and we hope he's ok and he'll be back in a few months. I have the utmost respect and compassion for those Moms and I'm not complaining.

To quote Natalie Merchant (who by the way I saw perform with 10,000 Maniacs when the opened for REM - yes, I'm dating myself):

"these are the days you'll remember never before and never since, I promise will the whole world be warm as this and as you feel it, you'll know it's true that you are blessed and lucky it's true, that you are touched by something that will grow and bloom in you"

Blessed and Lucky and wishing as much for all who wish for as much.

Lay down your arms

My kid is awesome.

This morning Sawyer was watching The Backyardigans while I got ready for work. He was curled up on the sofa, drinking his milk with his "bordley" laying next to him. He said, "Mommy, I have to tell you about the Romans" So I paused the tv...I've gotta hear this! He had talked about The Romans a time or 2 with Granddad and Mamilene, so he's well-versed in the subject (that is for a 3 1/2 year old)
"The Romans were sleeping outside in the woods where they sleep and they put their guns and swords down. And then it rained at night and their guns and swords got all wet so they crushed them up and took them to the dump...like where me and Daddy got the crushed glass." On several other occasions Sawyer told me about Firefighters or Soldiers throwing their guns in the trash or a landfill. In the case of the latter, I chose not to address the issue of greenhouse gasses and trash vs. recycling. At this point I asked him if that is what he wants. "Do you want all the weapons to be put in the trash?" Is this leading? The answer is yes. He has no hidden agenda here.

If Sawyer could run for President right now his platform will be as follows:
*Gun Control - a call for all guns and other weapons to be crushed up or put in a landfill
*All meals should consist of crackers, crackers and more crackers
*Kindness and respect for all living creatures - this includes nasty little grub bugs that Mom finds while planting
*And a Cherry-Montgomery family house rule: All buns are fair game

And apparently Sawyer is Jewish...at least that's what he told me tonight.

B'Shalom

Help!

My Mom used to tell me that when my brother was little he liked to sit in his room playing with blocks and listening to Beatles records on his little record player. Nick celebrated his 40th birthday this weekend with an amazing Beatles-inspired cake made by Stephanie.

We have a copy of Beatles 1 that Dave checked out from the library. We've been listening to it in the car. I love the Beatles and I can sing almost every word of almost every song. I have a theory that when Nick was listening to those records in his room I was a tiny baby sleeping in the next room and the songs were just imprinted on my psyche.

Sawyer really likes the CD too. He especially likes "Yellow Submarine". Today we were listening to "Help!", and Sawyer asked me "Why does that guy need help?" I told Sawyer I thought it was because maybe he was feeling a little sad and worried and he needed a friend to help him. Sawyer had a different idea and he said, "Here's my idea...the guy was walking along...and he slipped and fell into a hole and his feet got stuck in the mud so he needed someone to come and help him get out of the mud." Of course I thought this was really cute and funny and then I thought about it for a minute... Help me if you can I'm feelin' down. And I do appreciate you being 'round. Help me get my feet back on the ground. Won't you pleeease pleeease help me. I love 3 year old logic.

Eliza likes it too. When "Penny Lane" is on she's in the back seat singing along "La La la la La"

All you need is love...

*%*

A few notes about this year's half time show...

Ok, what's not to like? It's like Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard and (the late) James Brown all rolled into one tight little package. Yes he has his own symbol, sure he's a little odd but I personally think that was an awesome half time show. And Prince is one Artist (formerly known as) that I would love see live in concert.

He pulled out some All along the Watchtower which solidified my comparison to Jimi Hendrix. Very nice. And shimmied his way up and down a wet stage...in HEELS (no small feat even for James Brown). No nipple shot necessary. Name one other performer who can don turquoise and mandarin orange, high heel boots and a do-rag and still rock it. "Yeah, I'm wearing a do-rag...jealous?"

And for the record I LOVE marching bands.

Who won the game? Sorry, no clue.

-The Mommy formerly known as "Hallie" *%*

Snow Days

Snow days are great. Especially after a night of little sleeping when all you want to do is laze around the house, wearing your pajamas for as long as possible and drinking as much coffee as possible. So when I got the call at 6:30 this morning that school had been cancelled, I knew I was in for a good, dull day.

Don't worry - we did have all the makings for French Toast (pain perdu s'il vous plait) And why is it we all become obsessed with making french toast at the slightest threat of snow? Afterall, why else would we absolutely HAVE to run out to the store for Bread, Eggs, Milk?

We played in the (2 inches) of snow, got nice and chilly. Pegged eachother with snowballs. Tried not to aim for a kid's face. But they have to learn early. Sawyer attempted a snow angel...sad sight. But it was pretty while it lasted. And about the snow Sawyer said, "It looks like the sky is upside down and the snow is right side up!" I love that.

If you read my last post you might have noticed that I sounded a bit worried / un-nerved / concerned. And maybe wondering about the future...kids...etc. But tonight I heard some news that makes me feel that the next generation is on the up and up. It's always happy news when I hear of someone having a baby. But it's especially nice to learn that it is 2 someones who I respect, enjoy, and have a lot of laughs with. I'm so happy to know that these two friends of mine will be able to share all of who they are with a new baby-to-be. They will be great parents and we will all have lessons to learn from them. Or who knows...maybe I'm just glad they're joining the cult we call "parenting". It's always nice to recruit a new member. This calls for 2 armed hugs all around!

Here's to more snow angels on more snow days...

A Missed Opportunity

I am not an environmentalist. But probably should be...maybe we all should.

Back to work today. Staff Development at CFS. The whole day focused around how to be more environmentally and ecologically aware. I chose to view An Inconvenient Truth in my first session, and to learn about Biodesel in my second session. I had been putting off watching this film because I thought it would be too grim, too depressing. It was grim, but I have a new found motivation to inform myself and others and to - at the very least - encourage you to view the movie.

It's not about politics or political motivation. It's simply about the very real prospect of the future of our planet being much shorter than we might like to think. Al Gore says it is possible to make significant changes NOW that will make a difference.

I feel we owe it to the 2 children at the top of this post to at least try. In 50 years, Sawyer and Eliza will be pre-retirement. They might be lucky enough to have their own children, and maybe even grandchildren. If we don't do anything to help our planet for them, then we are doing those 2 children, and the millions more of their generation, a grave injustice. You can start by watching the film.

www.climatecrisis.net

Rant - check. Braggy photos of my kids - check. Soap box - check.

And as always, I appreciate your comments.

It's all about the Candy

Sawyer was up before 6:00. He wanted to open the last box on our advent calendar. He knew there was a chocolate santa in there. It is undeniably ALL about the candy.

Well, Santa did not do a "man pee" in our yard. But the Reindeer did make a bit of a mess on our deck. Not what you're thinking...Sawyer made a plate of food for the reindeer. You know, a carrot, a turnip and an ear of corn (which he insisted on shucking beforehand). And the reindeer ate most of it, but left a few scraps and kernels on the deck. Apparently Santa enjoyed the pretzels and pepperoni we left for him. And he helped himself to a glass of milk. Santa also did a little grafitti work on our chalk board in the kitchen.

Santa came to our house, stuffed the stockings, left the presents, ate a snack...everything he was expected to do. But here's the thing: I'm not sure Sawyer buys it.

Dave and I have the sneaking suspicion that Sawyer is humoring us a little. He was excited and all, but as for the magical part...he doesn't go full-force into it yet.

We did have a lovely Christmas Day though. A nice brunch with Granddad and Mamilene, Uncle Nick and Aunt Steph. Good food and lots of great gifts. And after both kids took much-needed naps, we made our way to Granddad and Grandmay's house for more playing, gift-giving and snacked on delicious left-over turkey on rolls. A very special Christmas.

Oh, and Dave held back and diverted the water that turned our Butterfly Trail into a lake and was close to flooding our driveway. We've got 2 cats we would be happy to put on the Arc.

Merry Christmas and watch out for the zombies in the mall.

Say "Fromage"

I thought I would include some new pictures on this post. I'm still figuring out how to add more than 1 picture + text, so patience please.











This is now

That was then...











Sawyer and Mommy



Eliza likes to help with chores

Making it up on the Fly

We live a ways out of town. So Sawyer (and Eliza) and I end up having some interesting conversations while driving down Hwy 54.

For example, the other night Sawyer caught a few minutes of an old episode of The Smurfs at Uncle Nick's house. Understandably he had some questions about them. Although I was a HUGE fan of those little blue creatures at age 8, I could not quite remember the details of their existence and perils of living in such close proximity to the Evil Gargamel. This is one to pass off to Dad, I think. When we get home, Daddy can't quite remember the details either so quick thinking leads him to invent some smurfs - as to apeaze Sawyer and his queries regarding this program. We proceded to tell Sawyer of the adventures of "Tranny Smurf", "Morbidly Obese Smurf", "Foot Odor Smurf" and "Alternative Lifestyle Smurf". I know, it's wrong.

So tonight we met Santa (again) at U-Mall. Sawyer told him what he wanted for Christmas, and we asked Santa if the Reindeer would like carrots or celery for a snack on Christmas Eve. On the way home Sawyer says, "Sometimes you have to pee on Christmas" I continued the conversation asking Sawyer how he thinks Santa goes pee when he comes to our house. Does he use our bathroom while we're nestled snug in our beds or does Santa do a man pee on our yard? "A man pee, I think", says Sawyer.

And here's an update about Eliza...her newest words include kitty / eliza / brother / apple / cracker / diaper - and she's working hard on "shoes" too. Eliza Doolittle she is not. Or so I thought. When I was putting an already-sleeping Sawyer in bed tonight, Wylie E strolled into the room wanting to play. Sawyer asleep, I ushered her out of the room. Sensing something in her mouth, I did a quick finger sweep. About 5 marbles dribble out of her mouth! If you have not seen My Fair Lady, do watch it, and you will understand the marble connection.


That's it for now. Thanks for reading.

The thrill of defeat

A picture to grab your attention.

I've been feeling defeated lately. I guess it's the challenges of trying to balance work & family, finances, keeping the house clean-ish, me time, me and dave time. Anyway, sometimes I feel like it's hard to do everything and do everything successfully. I do know that it's all relative and that plenty of people have things a lot harder. But as Leah reminds me, "it doesn't matter if other people have it harder...that doesn't make your situation any less difficult for you." (or something to that effect)

I do think I'm pretty good at Mommying though (toot toot). So in an effort to feel like my knowledge about (at least) parenting might benefit someone other than Dave, Sawyer and Eliza, I will include in this post some of my tips / ideas / tricks of the trade.

1. The most valuable word you can teach your baby is "more". If they can say "Mama" they can say "more". It doesn't have to be totally clear either. But it's a heck of a lot better than grunting and pointing to get something. And once they see that it works, they're hooked.

2. Put spinach leaves in a smoothie. Your kid won't taste them and you can add a veggie to their daily intake.

3. Make your own playdough. It's much better than store-bought. Use a ton of food coloring.

4. Smooch your newborn baby on the lips. It's just the best thing in the world.

5. Hang your child's artwork on the wall right next to your "real" art.

6. Teething babies like to chew on toothbrushes.

7. Cinnamon toast cut into triangles are donkey ears and they are yummy.

8. If there is a puddle your child has a God-given right and responsibility to splash in it. Do not deny them this. Just be prepared to have a wet child.

9. The best way to get rid of monsters is to say "Abra Cadabra Hokus Pokus...Monsters GET OUT OF THIS ROOM!" I'm telling you, it really does work.

10. Be patient...most of the time, fair...some of the time, serious...when you really mean it, and silly...when you just have to!

Thanks, loyal readers.

Joyeux Halloween

A kid in my class asked me "How many more days of Halloween are there?" I told him "8...like Hanukkah." Yes, the season of giving (and ingesting) is upon us. Time to stock up on toothpaste and whole grains...whatever you can do to counteract the massive amounts of sugar intake that is to come.

Yesterday we celebrated Halloween here in the Cherry-Montgomery household. Sawyer came up with his own costume. Originally he wanted to be a tick (truly scary). Then he wanted to be a race car. Not a race car driver, mind you, but an actual race car. So I got my hands on a cardboard box and a kitchen knife. Then it became a tick DRIVING a race car! So add a pair of wiggly antennae and it's a go. We like to work with whatever the kid has to offer.

Eliza, at the last minute, was a lovely little gypsy! We went to U-Mall, then to Boulder Lane where Sawyer and Eliza trick-or-treated with Uncle Nick and Mamilene. And Mommy remembered the 9 or so years I trick-or-treated on that very street (though with different residents) Good times.

My query for this Halloween: Why do candy bars taste SO much better when they're 2 inches long?

Pink Cake

Happy Birthday to Eliza!

This weekend Eliza celebrated her 1st birthday. Yep, the big one. You might be thinking year 16 or 21 or 30 is "the big one" but actually it's year 1. Just think about what Eliza - and most other one-year-olds accomplish in their first year; holding one's head up, rolling over, pushing up, sitting...ok, right there are enough gross motor skills to get us through a nice yoga class. Then comes babbling, holding a bottle or sippy cup, finger feeding...skills that will come in handy for years to come. Eliza can also turn the pages in a book, point and clap...just try to get through formal education without those skills. And Eliza has also learned to give hugs, maul the cats, say "bye bye" and jump on the bed with Daddy and Bro.

I'm so impressed.

But mostly I am grateful for the blessings Eliza has brought to our family for the last year. She came out teeny and yellow-ish. And she is now a little bigger, sassy, busy as all get out and generally a fabulous 1 year old!

So here's to "Wylie E" and a name she can live up to.

My 5 year Husband

Dave and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary this past Friday, 9/29. Got a babysitter. Went out for a nice dinner that did not involve asking for a cup with a straw, extra napkins or chicken nuggets. Nice for us. So here's my point...My husband of 5 years (!!) gave me a card and a beautiful neclace. The neclace is 2 circles, one silver, one wood (the traditional gift for 5 years) The card has a quote that Dave found and wrote that says:

"Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry." (Tom Mullen)

I love my husband. I love my family. But if you're reading this you probably knew that. My life is good and I'm a lucky lady.

A few thoughts

Dear Loyal Readers (all 2 of you),
Thank you for sticking by The Cherry Tree in our dark days and our experiences with rant-writing and hulahooping. I promise more cute kid pics and uplifting writing will carry us smoothly into Fall.

Here are a few of my ideas...in no particular orders. Just a stream of my own thoughts. Read-on and please enjoy.

-Whole Foods brand lime popcicles are the most delicious popcicles you can buy. Do yourself a favor and pick up a box or two.

-Someone should make a cinnamon toast flavored ice cream. Or how about oatmeal cookie? If you have connections at Ben and Jerry's, please give me due credit. Thank you.

-Eliza is almost 1! She can climb up and down the stairs - well enough that I almost trust her to do it w/o supervision. She makes an amazing snoot face. She still loves the mama milk. She likes fruit as much as her bro. She is thinking about talking, but hasn't yet figured out what to say.

-Washington state is a WONDERFUL place for people to relocate.

-Chapel Hill & Carrboro are great places to stay.

-Sawyer got in the car from preschool the other day eating a chunk of bread. I said, "whatcha eating?" He said "Challah" Nice. He also said that they say "Shabbat Shalom" at preschool. With all the languages he is exposed to in my family, I think Hebrew or Yiddish might be his first 2nd language!

-Neighbors are important. Yesterday our neighbor Jonah fell in our pond! He was a good sport and it was very exciting. Then he and Sawyer were playing in Jonah's camper and Sawyer got his first shiner! We have a path between our houses so there will definitely be more excitement (and injuries) to come.

-Arrested Development is (was) an amazingly funny show. If you have not seen it you should rent the first season and start from the beginning. It really is pee-in-your-pants funny and the Chicken Dance takes it to a whole other level.

-A good haircut will make you feel renewed. A bad haircut will make you want to wear a hat.

-"A boy of quality should not be threatened by a girl for equality" That's what my kelly green shirt says in a picture taken of me at an ERA march in about 1982.

Stream over. Thanks for reading.

-hallie

"You know...for kids!"

Maybe it was our fault for venturing out to Weaver St. Lawn on a Thursday evening...

It started out fine. We got some yummy food. Sawyer picked an Orangina. Eliza tried baked tofu. We ate and then made our way to the part of the lawn where barefooted kids frolic, fairly good music is audible and yuppies-who-want-to-be-hippies sip their organic pino noir. And yes, where the hulahoops roll by like tumbleweeds in the desert.

One of said hulahoops caught the eye of my sometimes standoffish 3 year old. Rainbow striped and spinny. Being chased by another smallish child. I noticed and suggested to Sawyer that we go check them out. We walked over to the (you know who I'm talking about) hulahoop lady. As we approached her and the pile of spheres propped against a tree, Sawyer said something to the effect of "can I try?" Her response was that NO, he could not try and that the hulahoops were "very expensive" and not for children. Not even an effort to, at the very least, show him hers. Instead she suggested that the nearby children might share with him.

It's a #&%@ing hulahoop!!

Sawyer actually started to cry a little, bless his heart. I picked him up and explained that the lady had not learned to share. He was a bit upset, but quickly recovered and we made our own fun climbing the tree and watching the train go by.

Ok, before I get too pissed off I will end with this...If there is to be an ordinance placed on how to spend one's free time on Weaver St. lawn, couldn't it be placed on the hoolahoop fanatics?!

(In your comments please include your most creative option for jetisoning a hulahoop on a crowded lawn.)