Have I mentioned how much Madeline loves to bring our current president's name up in any conversation?
I'm just going to let that statement soak into your soul right now.
For the longest time, she called American flags "Barack Obamas."
Seriously.
She would spot a flag a mile down the road and begin yelling, "Barack Obama! Barack Obama!" Or she would catch a tiny American flag in a photo and scream, "Barack Obama! Barack Obama!"
This was the primary form of entertainment at my family's Christmas Eve party at my aunt and uncle's house where American flags are abundant. Every time someone new walked into the room, my aunt would point and say, "Madeline, what is it?" She would reply, "Barack Obama." Someone else would walk in. Situation would repeat. Times 65.
(In case you think Joe and I are obsessed with President Obama and have encouraged this type of identification, let me just say my political beliefs line up with the party that starts with Re and ends with publican. That should clear up the idea of any idolized talk in this household.)
After many months and even more strange looks from curious passers-by, Madeline now only occasionally calls them "BarackObamaAmericanflags" as if it's one word.
Then today, she grabbed the seat of our rocking chair in the living room, began pushing it back and forth and in a sweet singsongy tone that went up and down in volume, she sang, "Barack Obama. ROCKING OBAMA! Barack Obama. ROCKING OBAMA!"
Seriously, folks. This is getting out of control. I have no idea what will happen next.
To the person who is whispering sweet nothings about the president in our daughter's ear, please know you have deeply impacted her life.
March 25, 2010
March 24, 2010
Nap Time in Naptown: Kids Ink and The Flying Cupcake
When I need a fun morning out of the house, one of my favorite trips is to Kids Ink Children's Bookstore and The Flying Cupcake Bakery in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.
Madeline and I love both shops and if the weather cooperates, they are just one block from the canal and 11,000 ducks who would love to be fed.
From the moment the front door softly dings, it's apparent Kids Ink is a special place. Small and narrow and slightly cramped, it's the complete opposite of the large Borders and Barnes and Noble chains.
Madeline loves the train table with Thomas the Train Engine train sets and I love the staff who are straight out of You Got Mail.
I once visited with absolutely no idea what to buy for my 13-year-old sister-in-law who isn't a big reader. Within minutes, the two staff members gathered 15 recommendations and my sister-in-law loved the two books I bought for her.
Madeline and I love both shops and if the weather cooperates, they are just one block from the canal and 11,000 ducks who would love to be fed.
From the moment the front door softly dings, it's apparent Kids Ink is a special place. Small and narrow and slightly cramped, it's the complete opposite of the large Borders and Barnes and Noble chains.
Madeline loves the train table with Thomas the Train Engine train sets and I love the staff who are straight out of You Got Mail.
I once visited with absolutely no idea what to buy for my 13-year-old sister-in-law who isn't a big reader. Within minutes, the two staff members gathered 15 recommendations and my sister-in-law loved the two books I bought for her.
Confession: Me too. Graceling is fantastic.
And what goes with books and train tables? Cupcakes and shabby chic decor at The Flying Cupcake next door.
My favorites are Pucker Up, a lemon chiffon cake filled with lemon cream and topped with lemon butter cream icing, and Boston Cream Pie, a vanilla cupcake filled with Bavarian cream and topped with chocolate ganache.
Prices start at $2.50 but be warned, they only accept credit cards on orders above $5. If you don't carry cash, you'll just have to take a hit for the team and order two.
Kids Ink
5619 North Illinois St., Indianapolis
317.255.2598
Mon - Thurs, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri - Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun, 1 - 5 p.m.
The Flying Cupcake
5617 North Illinois St., Indianapolis
317.396.2696
Mon - Sat, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun, noon - 5 p.m.
The post in which absoultely nothing of value is shared
It's Wednesday already? Seriously?
Our house was hit with a virus and head cold last week and this week, forcing Madeline and I to watch way too many Disney movies on the couch and eat Ricola throat drops like candy.
Sidenote: Why does Tinkerbell's skirt have to be practically non-existent? Apparently modesty is not an attribute of the fairies in Pixie Hollow.
Moving on to other really important stuff.
I love Cool Burst Tylenol Cough and Cold. Like, head-over-heels, want-to-guzzle-it-down-all-the-time love. That blue stuff is awesome. (This might be the drugs talking right now.)
That may not be really important to you but I'm telling you, that little container was the highlight of my week.
Another highlight is that I'm currently leading in the family bracket tournament. Since I have Kansas winning overall, I'm pretty sure this will be the only time I can lead but I would still like to take this moment to say "BOO-YAH!" to some people that I love so dearly.
This morning, Madeline and I spent two hours perusing the aisles of Wal-Mart just because it was our first outing into humanity in a really long time.
And we literally perused. We soaked in all the beautiful items in the Easter section. We spent a good 30 minutes in the princess/Barbie/anything glittery aisle. We stared at the fish tanks and watched in horror as one fish ate another. (Seriously, it was hard to look away but, oh, so disgusting.)
I bought Madeline some brightly-colored pipe cleaners for $.97 and she hugged them to her chest like bars of gold for the rest of our persuement around the store. I love that she is so easily pleased. (I believe I just made up "persuement.")
There's really no good way to wrap up a post of weekly highlights that include Tylenol, brackets and Wal-Mart so I'll just say that next time I write, I promise to write something of value.
Our house was hit with a virus and head cold last week and this week, forcing Madeline and I to watch way too many Disney movies on the couch and eat Ricola throat drops like candy.
Sidenote: Why does Tinkerbell's skirt have to be practically non-existent? Apparently modesty is not an attribute of the fairies in Pixie Hollow.
Moving on to other really important stuff.
I love Cool Burst Tylenol Cough and Cold. Like, head-over-heels, want-to-guzzle-it-down-all-the-time love. That blue stuff is awesome. (This might be the drugs talking right now.)
That may not be really important to you but I'm telling you, that little container was the highlight of my week.
Another highlight is that I'm currently leading in the family bracket tournament. Since I have Kansas winning overall, I'm pretty sure this will be the only time I can lead but I would still like to take this moment to say "BOO-YAH!" to some people that I love so dearly.
This morning, Madeline and I spent two hours perusing the aisles of Wal-Mart just because it was our first outing into humanity in a really long time.
And we literally perused. We soaked in all the beautiful items in the Easter section. We spent a good 30 minutes in the princess/Barbie/anything glittery aisle. We stared at the fish tanks and watched in horror as one fish ate another. (Seriously, it was hard to look away but, oh, so disgusting.)
I bought Madeline some brightly-colored pipe cleaners for $.97 and she hugged them to her chest like bars of gold for the rest of our persuement around the store. I love that she is so easily pleased. (I believe I just made up "persuement.")
There's really no good way to wrap up a post of weekly highlights that include Tylenol, brackets and Wal-Mart so I'll just say that next time I write, I promise to write something of value.
March 19, 2010
Madeline in 14 months?
Jen sent this to me several weeks ago and I laugh every time I watch it because it makes me realize that we females never really change when it comes to our emotions and boys.
"I love him. (gulp) (sniff, sniff) And he loves me!"
March 17, 2010
I'm a lucky leprachaun
I already shared this picture at Nap Time in Naptown but I just have to post it here too. (I'm still trying to figure out this whole two blogs thing.)I snapped it two days ago while experimenting with our camera with which I still have a love/hate relationship.
Love because sometimes it takes pictures. Hate because sometimes it doesn't.
But I love this shot. She is laughing hysterically at the breakfast music.
What can I say? She's an easily amused child and I love her for it.
Totally random but I have to share this too. This is a quote from Joe that made me double-over in laughter. He was trying to explain something about our hot water heater and didn't mean this to be funny at all.
Joe: "So you know when you take a shower first thing in the morning? Um. Nevermind. You don't."
And then we both started laughing.
Because it's so true. I never shower first thing in the morning these days.
And by "these days," I mean since the morning I went to the hospital to be induced. I'm more like a 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. kind of showerer now.
P.S. Dear O'Malia's, I love you but no green bagels at the parade this morning? Try to get it right next year. Thanks. Hugs and kisses, Katie
Nap Time in Naptown: St. Patrick's Day traditions
If you know me in real life, you probably know that I love St. Patrick's Day.
{It's a "my house is decorated in green and shamrocks" kind of love.}
Since I don't stop at just decorating, these are three of my favorite St. Patrick's Day traditions. They involve items and ingredients you probably already have so you hopefully won't need a special trip to the store.
Visit from the Leprechauns
Just like missing cookies and carrots on Christmas Eve, let your kids wake up to evidence that the leprechauns stopped by in the night.
Remember, green food coloring is your friend on this day.
Add a few drops to your milk jug and let your kids discover it in the fridge. Or my personal favorite is changing the color in the toilet bowl.
{Yes, it's slightly disturbing to look at, but seriously, how fun will that first blurry-eyed bathroom visit be?!}
Green Eggs, Veggie-style
Serve up green eggs the healthy way with spinach and not green dye. Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious has a yummy green scrambled eggs recipe but if you don't have the cookbook, you can follow The Little Foodie's version.
Irish Soda Bread
My mom always make several loaves and lots of muffins of my grandma's Irish soda bread on St. Patrick's Day.
It's great for breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner or midnight snack. Or all of them.
This is sweeter than most traditional recipes and doesn't include raisins {because why add something healthy if you've already eaten spinach eggs} but since my grandma was Irish, I think that makes this recipe totally authentic.
Grandma's Irish Soda Bread
3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 tbsp butter, melted
1. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Mix wet ingredients in separate bowl. {I use my four-cup Pyrex measuring cup to cut down on dirty dishes.}
3. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until combined.
4. Bake in greased loaf pan for one hour at 375 degrees.
5. Attempt to not eat the entire loaf in one sitting before your husband comes home from work.
{It's a "my house is decorated in green and shamrocks" kind of love.}
Since I don't stop at just decorating, these are three of my favorite St. Patrick's Day traditions. They involve items and ingredients you probably already have so you hopefully won't need a special trip to the store.
Visit from the Leprechauns
Just like missing cookies and carrots on Christmas Eve, let your kids wake up to evidence that the leprechauns stopped by in the night.
Remember, green food coloring is your friend on this day.
Add a few drops to your milk jug and let your kids discover it in the fridge. Or my personal favorite is changing the color in the toilet bowl.
{Yes, it's slightly disturbing to look at, but seriously, how fun will that first blurry-eyed bathroom visit be?!}
Green Eggs, Veggie-style
Serve up green eggs the healthy way with spinach and not green dye. Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious has a yummy green scrambled eggs recipe but if you don't have the cookbook, you can follow The Little Foodie's version.
Irish Soda Bread
My mom always make several loaves and lots of muffins of my grandma's Irish soda bread on St. Patrick's Day.
It's great for breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner or midnight snack. Or all of them.
This is sweeter than most traditional recipes and doesn't include raisins {because why add something healthy if you've already eaten spinach eggs} but since my grandma was Irish, I think that makes this recipe totally authentic.
Grandma's Irish Soda Bread
3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 tbsp butter, melted
1. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Mix wet ingredients in separate bowl. {I use my four-cup Pyrex measuring cup to cut down on dirty dishes.}
3. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until combined.
4. Bake in greased loaf pan for one hour at 375 degrees.
5. Attempt to not eat the entire loaf in one sitting before your husband comes home from work.
March 16, 2010
The red Cinderella palace
Madeline likes all things pink and princess.
When the toys are out, our house can look like a Pepto Bismol bomb exploded.
("My colors are blush and bashful.")
Her favorite princess is Cinderella.
Last year's Easter dress is now dubbed "Cinderella's dress."
And yes, I did help her create what appears to be a Cinderella shrine, complete with figurines, movie jackets, books, a magic wand, a purse and a princess tic-tac-toe board.
It entertained her for a very very very long time.
At least watching princesses in movies means she's extremely ladylike.
Or not.
When the toys are out, our house can look like a Pepto Bismol bomb exploded.
("My colors are blush and bashful.")
Her favorite princess is Cinderella.
Last year's Easter dress is now dubbed "Cinderella's dress."
And yes, I did help her create what appears to be a Cinderella shrine, complete with figurines, movie jackets, books, a magic wand, a purse and a princess tic-tac-toe board.
It entertained her for a very very very long time.
At least watching princesses in movies means she's extremely ladylike.
Or not.
March 15, 2010
So...I'm *kinda* excited
Today I'm starting something new. It's something I've been excited about for awhile now.
Nap Time in Naptown.
(By the way, Joe gets total props for the name. What would I do without him?)
I've been itching to do more writing, similar to what I've been doing here but beyond capturing my family's memories.
I am continually inspired by all the amazing people and their creative ideas out on "the Internets." And I really really love how much Indianapolis has to offer for families and their wee ones.
So I wanted to carve out a spot to put my favorite ideas, traditions and tips, some focused on Indianapolis, some not.
I hope I'll see you over there!
P.S. I love these toes.
Nap Time in Naptown.
(By the way, Joe gets total props for the name. What would I do without him?)
I've been itching to do more writing, similar to what I've been doing here but beyond capturing my family's memories.
I am continually inspired by all the amazing people and their creative ideas out on "the Internets." And I really really love how much Indianapolis has to offer for families and their wee ones.
So I wanted to carve out a spot to put my favorite ideas, traditions and tips, some focused on Indianapolis, some not.
I hope I'll see you over there!
P.S. I love these toes.
March 9, 2010
Aldi's is Madeline-approved
Madeline loves trips to Aldi's because:- The carts require a quarter which is now her favorite duty.
- A pirate flag is across the street which she has dubbed "the Peter Pan flag."
March 2, 2010
Reading with Daddy
Joe is in the midst of studying for his license. It's seven exams from March through December.
So at any point in 2010, feel free to pray for him.
The downside is that, as a couple, we can't plow through three seasons of The West Wing in one month.
I thought this year would mean late nights by myself while he was studying at Starbucks or the library in peace and quiet. Or eating dinner with just Madeline while he stayed late at work to study in peace and quiet.
But this is Reason #198,384 why I love this guy.
He wants to just be around us at home and has turned studying time in special time with Madeline.
Reading with Daddy has become Madeline favorite thing to do. They'll climb on our couch and just read. For an hour at a time. Sometimes longer.
When she doesn't want to read anymore, she still wants to be next to him and will gladly play quietly with her horse and cowboy instead of playing loudly in another room.
The hours of quiet and stillness in this house would almost be eerie if they weren't so darn cute together.
The best part about being a family is being together.
P.S. Did you notice Madeline is wearing her Christmas dress in two of the three pictures? Oh yes, we're still wearing that dress.
So at any point in 2010, feel free to pray for him.
The downside is that, as a couple, we can't plow through three seasons of The West Wing in one month.
I thought this year would mean late nights by myself while he was studying at Starbucks or the library in peace and quiet. Or eating dinner with just Madeline while he stayed late at work to study in peace and quiet.
But this is Reason #198,384 why I love this guy.
He wants to just be around us at home and has turned studying time in special time with Madeline.Reading with Daddy has become Madeline favorite thing to do. They'll climb on our couch and just read. For an hour at a time. Sometimes longer.
When she doesn't want to read anymore, she still wants to be next to him and will gladly play quietly with her horse and cowboy instead of playing loudly in another room.
The hours of quiet and stillness in this house would almost be eerie if they weren't so darn cute together.The best part about being a family is being together.
P.S. Did you notice Madeline is wearing her Christmas dress in two of the three pictures? Oh yes, we're still wearing that dress.
March 1, 2010
Every child is a budding artist
What's exceptionally strange about these photos is that Madeline is wearing my childhood art smock and I clearly remember wearing it along with my brothers.
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