More house projects

So what do we do with a rare 4 day weekend where none of us hbe to work? We spend it turnin our gust room into a room for our 2 year old. Henson had really outgrown his small room, and since I should be transitioning him to a toddler bed anyway it seemed like the right time to make the switch. 

You know me, I love picking new colors and obsessing over room design, so it was fun to get to figure out what to put into it. The wall colors were my choice, the orange for the reading tent was Henson's choice. Special thanks to Henry, who did all the painting this time around, eventhough he hates painting. 

I think out of everything Henson is most excited about seeig all of his books out. It's fun to see how much he loves his new room. Now we will have to see if he sleeps in the new bed without getting up 100 times a night ;) 

Henson's first trip to Kripsy Kream

Not surprisingly, he liked it (despite the seriouse face)

A Call for Tolerance

Maybe it's just me, or the situations I have been in lately, but I've been noticing an increased amount of misplaced animosity; a seeming need that some people have to put down the actions or choices of others in order to validate their own. I'm not talking about big, theological or moral issues. Instead, I'm talking about simple everyday choices like where we live, how we raise our children, how we spend our free time, how we eat, and on and on. It seems ridiculous to me that if we really feel secure in our choices that we still engage in such pointless negativity just to make ourselves either feel or appear superior.

I absolutely love where I live. That's no secret to anyone who knows me, and I will gladly tell anyone who asks me the many reasons why I do. However, I would never put down another persons chosen location in order to glorify my own.  Similarly, I take my parenting choices very seriously, and hopefully I'm making the choices that are best for my son.  That does not entitle me to disregard or insult other methods or choices, and I would not presume to know what is best for another family.  

So please, let's remember that we are capable of sharing our passions and opinions, and even our dislikes, without attacking those of another. 

(please forgive any typing errors. This was composed on my phone)

2 Years Old

For the last few years the fourth of July in our house has been less about independence day, and more about this little guy.

So in honor of him turning two here is an update on the little guy.

His favorite song lately is the happy birthday song.  The week leading up to his birthday he was singing it to all of us (including the dog) so he was in heaven when we actually sang it to him.  He was way more interested in opening gifts this year, and over the moon when he got several things with airplanes on them.

 

That night we biked to gravely point park by the airport to watch the DC fireworks.

Since turning two Henson continues to talk up a storm, wanting to be part of every conversation in the house and making sure that car rides are never quiet.  Jumping and climbing are suddenly two of his favorite things, along with singing his own version of the alphabet song and blowing bubbles. It's fun to have a 2 year old around the house!

Happy Easter

In protest to all the cute Easter dresses and crafts available for little girls, and the lack of cute things for boys, I organized a bow tie making day with a few of our good friends. We got a picture of the handsome boys wearing their ties (and us moms) at church on Easter. Isn't it a fine looking group of little friends? :)

Snow Day

Somehow a snowy day always makes me feel like I should do something out of the ordinary. So today we took advantage of the car being covered in snow and decided to stay in and try a few things I have been wanting to do.

We made a fresh batch of finger pain, and Henson spent about an hour making artwork which is now hanging in our kitchen.

 This was at the beginning...

 The messy aftermath

We also made cloud dough, which is just flour with baby oil, but it makes it so that the flour still feels soft but can be molded like moist sand.  It's actually pretty cool.  It my be a coulp days before my kitchen floor is entirely free from flour residue, but it was worth it.  I had to convince Henson even take a break to eat and nap.

 

 Of course, what's a snow day without playing in the snow.  We built our first snowman of the winter (although I guess it's not really winter anymore...)  Henson lent him the hat, and gave him some flours from our bush.

 

And of course, I had to build a snow dog for my animal loving boy.

 It didn't last long, because as soon as we had built it Henson tried to sit on it, than pick it up.

I also made the broccoli, cheese cornbread muffin recipe that I have been wanting to try.  They were ok, but I think Henson liked them better than I did.  Our whole wheat zucchini bread is still much better.

I didn't just play the entire day.  I also reorganized (or started the process of reorganizing) the sewing room and our food storage.  I can't wait until I can get some wood to build my shelves in there, it will be so much easier to keep my materials sorted.  I also got a zuccini tofu lasagna ready and in the oven early, so despite playing with my toddler basically all day, I'm allowing myself to feel productive.

As much as I am ready for spring to be here, it was nice to have an unexpected snow day.

Lopez Update

The beginning of spring is in the air, and the nicer it gets the more motivated I am to go places. Luckily there are plenty of places to go in Alexandria and DC.  Some of our favorites have become the zoo, the aquarium and the Natural History Museum. 

I've always loved the turtles, and now so does Henson. 

Hanging out with the golden ape at the Natural History Museum.

I love living within walking distance of so many parks here.  We have taken to packing picnics and walking to the park when the weather is warm enough. 

Otherwise we are plugging along as usual.  Henry is still working through his MBA program, and if all goes well he should finish up in December.  It will be nice to have a little extra family time for the holidays.

Henson is learning his alphabet, and has started naming letters whenever he sees them.  We still have a few more to get down.

I am still doing freelance sewing work, and enjoying the start of spring cleaning. 

Happy spring to everyone!