Elmo's World

Elmo's World appeared in our basement over the weekend. His goldfish, Dorothy, as well as his crayon arrived to help Brett celebrate his third birthday.

Didn't he do a good job ; )

Dear Baby Boy

This morning I woke up and you weren't a baby any more. today you are three years old! Part of me is in denial. You weren't born until 10:53 PM, so I still have 14 more hours until you are officially three. Part of me is so excited! I've been trying to teach you to hold up three fingers and I am looking forward to all the other new things you'll learn this year. (Ironically, the only questions I toddler is asked are "what is your name?" and "how old are you?" Both of which you answer incorrectly. "Grandpa" and "five" are the answers you give, when you choose to give answers at all...)

Since time seems to pass without my permission, however, I guess I'll just be glad you are growing up so happy and healthy.

I've seen cute birthday scrapbook pages where moms write down things they love about their kids-- one thing for each year. There is no way I could limit myself to three, so here are some of the three thousand things I love about you!

Your imagination

The way you call Lammie "Tim" and yourself "Grandpa"

How you imitate things I never even realized Daddy and I do

You are such a sweet, big brother

You play and play outside and still want to go back for more!

Big, blue eyes; especially when you are wearing blue pajamas

Your constant excitement about life in general

The hours you spend in the combine and tractor and never become tired of it

Making pancakes and bread while you "dump" ingredients into the bowl

The fact that you know more about farm equipment than I do

Little feet running through the house

You take such great naps and still sleep 12 hours at night!

Watching you play with friends

That smile!

Happy Birthday little guy. You'll always be my baby.

Mommy is not MacGyver

Mothers wear many hats. Cook, nurse, teacher... you know what I mean. And being a little bit of a Handy Manny won't hurt any mom's resume. I, apparently, need to brush up on this skill. Why? you ask.

Because my two year old is locked in the bathroom.

It all started innocently enough. He finished his peanut butter and jelly sandwich with about as much jelly on him as in him. Naturally he was sent to the bathroom to wash.

I opened the child latch on the outside and went back to my own sandwich. Running water... clank of the soap dispenser... water splashing... door shutting... more water... Wait. The door was shut but still water running? Something not quite right...

And sure enough, two seconds later I hear "Mom? Mom? Can you open door?"

So I (reluctantly) abandon my sun-dried tomato turkey sandwich to rescue my son, except it isn't that simple.

The door isn't just shut. Its locked.

Vainly I tried to talk Brett through the steps of unlocking the door. It was a comical experience, filled with lots of "uh hu's" and "yep's" but no results. Cool heads are necessary in such circumstances so I tried to chill and remember what Daddy did when this happened once before. Oh yeah! Unscrew the door knob!

So I did.
Still no luck. What I failed to comprehend before I tore my door apart is that the locking mechanism won't allow the other side of the doorknob to fall. The bolt in the middle still needs to be popped.

Which of course I cannot figure out how to do. Thankfully Brian is working in the shed a few miles away and is on his way home.

But, like I said. My two year old is locked in the bathroom, happily flushing the toilet over and over because there is no one to stop him.So I failed the MacGyver portion of the Mommy test, but at least its not a burning building.

Abstract Easter

You can go online and find a plethora of ideas for making Easter a sacred holiday instead of a secular one. I like the one about celebrating the "12 Days of Easter" using those plastic ressurection eggs and the recipe for cookies that bake over night and are empty in the morning.

But none of this seems to connect with my two-year-old. In fact Jesus is still a very abstract idea for him. (As are sins... ; )

And I might have forgotten to count backwards from Easter and missed the whole 12 day thing entirely.

Despite all this, I still love to color eggs. Since we are not praying to them or offering our creations to any pegan deity, I think its just FUN! Please observe:

And pretty too!

Anyone have any brilliant Easter theology ideas for toddlers?

King Cotton

This is the time of year I might blog about spring planting. But I complained about the wet weather all last spring, so that's old.

It is also the time of year I might tell you about my efforts to spring clean. Unfortunately this years its more effort and less clean.

Thankfully all is not lost. I have, in fact, been doing something very productive, useful, and interesting. I have been sewing.

When I learned to sew either no one taught me or I just did not listen to the lesson about choosing fabrics other than cotton print. I made dresses from calico, pajamas from plaid, and doll clothes out of fabric from the rag bag. None of it was that impressive. Then, in college, my roommate and I made Renaissance dresses. I branched out and used cotton blends.

But now, now I am stretching my abilities. Literally. This top is from a new family of fabrics only recently discovered. They are called... knits. Amazing, isn't it!

This next one is also from the stretch knit family, although it is softer, less silky to the touch.

And finally, the world of DENIM. You can make jean that actually fit! Truly! Observe if you will, not even a belt!

Despite holding a crying baby on my lap while wrestling with seam binding tape (and I felt better that two JoAnn's employees didn't know what that was either...) and handing out goldfish crackers between ripping seams, I actually had a blast.

And I've purchased another pattern and some fabric to begin asap.

But old habits die hard.

Its cotton.

Shutting Down

I am back.

I hope.

It was my New Year's resolution to get back into blogging. However, I began my new year's resolutions in March this year. Which is a little late, but better late than never! Actually I had a 12 day old baby on January 1st so I decided to take a three month maternity leave. From life, apparently.

So baby Anna turned three months old last week (on my birthday!) and now I'm back in the saddle again.

( 3 month pic!)

I hope.

You see, were are currently experiencing technical difficulties. My computer (which just returned from the shop where it was being FIXED) likes to randomly shut down.


This is good for you. It teaches you to save your work often and tests your patience so it will grow. It also works like a timer to keep you from spending too much time on facebook.


It does, however, prohibit blogging.


But at least now you will know what happens if I just--

MIA

Let's see. I did talk to my husband on the phone yesterday. And I watched him run out the door on Tuesday morning. So I know he's still out there. But I'm pretty sure our toddler thinks Daddy is Missing In Action.

We were supposed to get rain yesterday, but didn't. (!!!) The forecast predicts more rain for today. So even though it is not actually dry enough to be doing some of these jobs, the guys have been working round the clock trying to beat the storm.

I think they have sprayed several fields; I think this because the weeds in the field around the house are turning yellow and drooping in a way most becoming to weeds. I also think they may have accomplished some dirt work and various other "mostly-dry" tasks.

But, in fact, I really do not know.

Because I haven't seen my husband in a couple of days...

Tanks

This crazy get-up is the anhydrous rig. I snapped this picture on the one day in April the weather cooperated enough to allow Brian to apply the fertilizer. They ran several acres in the 24 hour dry spell. But now it's raining. Again.

So what are they up to now? Swiping tanks. That thing that looks like propane on wheels comes from the local Co-op, as does the anhydrous. In order to run you need (well, first you need dry weather) a steady stream of tanks being pulled from Co-op to the field. I have actually known my husband to set his alarm clock for 4:00 or earlier AM to be the first in line for tanks of anhydrous. If you have to wait in line at Co-op, or Co-op runs out and you have to wait for a new shipment, you are accomplishing nothing in the field. As we are now several weeks behind schedule it is imperative not to sit twiddling our thumbs should the sun ever shine again.

So we are swiping tanks. There are several tanks near the shed, more in the next field, and some more sitting in the field planned after that.

Now we just need to store up some sunshine!

Just a Little Bit

Brian is in town purchasing chemical and fertilizer for the planting season. While he is there he will be getting some Respect.


Shouldn't everone?


But apparently this is a brand of fertizlier. Who knew?


Suppose they sell it at Wal-Mart?

My Farmer

You've probably never heard of the North Missouri Agri-Life magazine. Don't feel bad; until recently I hadn't either.

However! If you should stumble across the spring 2009 issue, you should turn to page 27 to see the best lookin' farmer I know! (That would be my husband, not my father-in-law. Although if anyone asks, he is adorable.)

The two page article is mostly about my father-in-law's move from teaching high school math to full time farming. It talks about choosing to pass on a family tradition etc., etc. It also discusses the risks involved these days in row crop farming. But I just like the photo. Brian and his dad are standing in front of the STX Case IH tractor (think big red tractor.) wearing coveralls, Carhart coats, and frayed farm hats. Hubby has that really adorable smile I love.

That's my farmer.

If Only

If we could just hold out for a few more days it could actually happen.

What could happen? you ask.

Farming.

Real farming. The kind that involves more than eating hot dogs at the local tractor dealership and looking at lawn mowers. (Although we do need a lawn mower, so I'm glad we went.) But I'm talking pulling tanks and disking corn stalks. Running the anhydrous bar and repairing terraces. Mopping the dinning room and making dinner. Oh. Scratch that last bit.

The weather is finally warm, and with the wind we have going here the ground should dry out in no time. If only it would stay dry!

Promised Pics

Terrible Twos

It's official. The little guy is two. Terribly two. Right now he's sitting on my lap screaming at me because I will not let him play with the electrical outlet. What a mean Mommy.

The fun part about turning two was the Birthday Party. I had tons of fun planning and scheming to make it just right. And I think it turned out really well. I created a dump truck cake, "birthday zone" sign, and CAT truck center pieces. With yellow and orange balloons it all came together!

His birthday present from Mom and Dad was a swing set (see old post here!). We invited his Sunday School class and they broke the set in nicely.

I'm working on a picture trails slide show, so I'll post more later. Right now my screaming toddler has fallen asleep in my arms.

Two is not completely terrible.

Share

It certainly does not feel like spring. Spring should be warm (or at least not snowing) with cheerful tulips and magnolia trees in blossom. Instead we have frost advisories and rain, rain, and more rain. Which, naturally, puts a bit of a damper on the farm's plans.

Brian would like to be done with anhydrous by now, in reality he has hardly started. Corn could be going in the ground within a week or two; I count us blessed if the ground dries out by the end of the month!

They are hauling a lot of grain to town on a somewhat miraculous contract. The Chicago Board of Trade is not paying much of anything for commodities, but the local markets still need corn and beans. Brian and his Dad worked a deal with a local plant to deliver corn now at a great price! It meant locking in prices for next year-- which is an uncertain business-- but for the moment it appears to be a great deal, both now and next year. The other plus, the little guy can ride in the semi as Brian hauls the grain. Provided he doesn't scream in his car seat for pancakes all the way to Kansas City and back that is!

So if you are reading this from some sun drenched plain or scorching desert, please. Share.

Glad You Asked

Soon it will be spring time on the farm and I will be able to entertain and enlighten you about all matters agriculture.

But not yet. Brian is still hauling grain to town (prices are down, down, down) and fixing things here and there. They ordered chemicals the other day, but nothing too exciting.

So what is exciting? So glad you asked. The answer-- watching bread rise.

Yep. It's my new favorite pastime. Yesterday I got one of the best loaves yet! If you haven't heard about my obsession, check out No More Bricks at http://www.breadclass.com/. If you have heard about it-- why aren't you baking bread!!! Last night I made bread bowls and Tuna Chowder. It. was. so. good.

Seriously. Join me.

ENTIRE HOUSE

I really am still here. I have just been... busy.

Which is everyone's excuse, I know. But to prove it I shall now list all I have accomplished in my bloggy absence.

Cleaned: every room, every closet, every drawer in my ENTIRE HOUSE.

Organized: every room, every closet, every drawer in my ENTIRE HOUSE.

Dusted: every shelf, every nick-knack, every book in my, well you get it.

Attacked: every cobweb, every dust bunny, every mouse dropping.

It feels WONDERFUL! Unfortunately I have a toddler, so it won't stay this way long. But at least all that deep down dirt is GONE!

Now, please send clean-up cure for typing in all capitals with exclamation points...

Clean Door

My mission: Spring Cleaning. Monday I did both bedrooms; the closets, the dressers, under the beds, you name it. Tuesday I did the living room, hallway, and purple bathroom. Every drawer, every shelf, every piece of furniture. But Wednesday I went to a whole new level. I did the office.

Brian took the little guy with him in the morning, so I started with the office closet. So. gross. We had a mouse living there. Should have charged him rent. Or at least a $100 deposit. Which he would not have gotten back. It took me three and a half hours to do the closet alone. But... it is finished! It sparkles. It shines. There isn't a single cobweb, mouse dropping, or dust bunny.

I stood back, admiring my work.

And then I shut the door.

At least it is a clean door.

More on Music

A link to this video was in my mailbox yesterday, along with a newsletter about Chris Filer, the musician we met at Farm Bureau. Apparently this little single is on the charts nationally (not number one, but hey!). The kids are his kids (well, not the Asian girl...) so it was fun to see them, but the funniest part was watching Chris's face. He was telling us about making the video and he said they kept telling him not to look angry. His reply: "You put make-up on me. I am angry." I actually don't think he looks mad, but it made me laugh anyway.

Not Today

Thanks to the mysteries of technology, I am not actually blogging today. Nope. I wrote this a few days ago. Because today I am not walking freely around my house with easy access to a computer. My floors, drum roll please, are being cleaned!!!

I've never had my floors done before. Growing up, we vacuumed and Resolved and Shouted and all that. And since my carpet is somewhat new (about four years old) I have not yet had this experience. But the heavy traffic areas are really bothering me and the throw-up from last year's flu bug really changed my carpet forever. Please let it change back!

So I'm sure this is a very interesting process and I should tell you how well the cleaners are coming along.

But I can't. Because it's not today.

Pretty Please

Yesteray was my birthday and Easter is still a few weeks away, but my favorite day of the year might just be today. For any of you not counting down, today it the first day of spring!

I used to teach my kindergartner's the seasons do not just *bang,* change like that. Some of the days before March 20th will seem like spring and some of the days after will seems like winter.

But please.

No more winter.