I want to be a toddler

As I sipped my liquid sleep and Henry ate breakfast, I noted a few things about his behavior: he was hungry and he enjoyed watching his actions in the buffet mirror. Then I thought, "Gosh, I want to be a toddler."

I want to scream when I'm mad. I want to shovel food in my mouth when I'm hungry. I want to cry alligator tears when I'm sad (well, I guess I already do that one. Right, Eric?!). I want to lie down on the floor and simultaneously bang my arms and legs on the hardwood when I'm frustrated. I want to watch myself in a mirror for a few seconds every day - not out of vanity, but because I really don't know what I look like when I eat or say "ga." And I want to laugh uncontrollably at nothing.

Ramblings

"Tulips in spring. Tulips in spring. Tulips in spring."

My mantra to get me through these long, cold winter days.

Eric and I will be visiting one of my "family"members across the big pond in The Hague come April/May. *sigh* Looking forward to catching up with an old friend and reminiscing about the good ol' days. Those thoughts alone are enough to warm me up from this arctic chill.

Mirjam and me...sideways

Thirty by 30

Inspired by an old high school friend,  I wrote down some things I would like to accomplish this upcoming year and a half before I turn thirty. Here is my list:

1. Clean out attic room
2. Buy [and wear] red lipstick for a day
3. Organize closet and dresser
4. Tattoo
5. Write Henry's birth story in his journal
6. (on that note) Not be pregnant
7. Seven day cleanse of just local and/or organic fruits & veggies
8. Bike from Cannon Falls to Red Wing...and back
9. Read "Pride & Prejudice"
10. Knit a scarf
11. Make my own place mats and cloth napkins
12. Learn to play a song on the Casio
13. MIA day
14. Tent camp
15. Picnic in Sculpture Garden
16. Bike around Minnehaha Falls...in one of those crazy bikes...while eating an ice cream cone
17. Refinish chair for Henry's playroom
18. Go to local meditation center
19. Fix the swing set
20. Refinish rocking horse for Henry's 2nd birthday
21. Have dinner at Corner Table
22. Waconia day
23. Jog around Lake Harriet and Calhoun
24. Try brussels sprouts again
25. Go sailing
26. Teach Walter and Ardy how to stay
27. Get photo albums up-to-date
28. Vodka gimlet at Moscow on the Hill's patio
29. Go to a drive-in movie
30. Museum of Russian Art

Grand Forks

We had an awesome weekend with the Cutler duo in Grand Forks. The weather was chilly, of course, but we kept ourselves occupied with food, food, and more food (and a cocktail here and there ;). Oh yeah, we also experienced a virtual hurricane:

Thanks to the coaching of the Cutlers, Henry is now up to walking about five or six feet! Perhaps he will be "toddling" by the time we start ECFE (which would be great since the class is actually called "Toddling Toddlers")....

Where's Dad?

Henry loves Eric. LOVES. It's great. Really. I just wish he'd show that love for me. I mean. The only time he gets remotely excited for me is when I gesture my hand as if milking a cow. C'est la vie. I'll win his heart over eventually. I will. I will. Eric, being the good soul he is, often tells me it's just because he's gone all of the time. Apparently this means his presence is more "fun" because it comes in sporadic doses. What? Me in your face all. day. long. isn't fun? Whatever.

So here's a video of Henry waiting for Eric to come up from the basement (and peeking under the door to try to see him)....

Katz Christmas

Let the Christmas celebrations begin! We had a great day celebrating with my side of the family today:  brunch, Cranium (of course, my team won), and good company. I was horrible and didn't take any photos throughout the day, but my dad captured the group photo:

The Girls from Ames

My Northfield book club's last read was "The Girls from Ames" by Jeffrey Zaslow (author of "The Last Lecture"). Simply put, the book told the story of 11 friends from Ames, Iowa, and accounted for the power of solid female relationships. I liked it and I think most of the gals in the book club liked it too.

This past Sunday we met at Contented Cow to discuss the book and we had a special guest:  one of the characters from the book! It was absolutely amazing! The character, Kelly, lives here in Northfield and teaches in a nearby community. One of the gals in the book club used to work with her so was able to coerce her to stop by for a short bit, which turned into 2.5 hours. It was a bit surreal for me to hear Kelly talk and speak of the other characters. I had to remind myself that the book was nonfiction. Kelly is real. These gals are real. This was probably a similar experience to a 5 year old girl having breakfast with Cinderella (Cinderella is real, right?).

Anyway, Kelly talked about the arduous process of "writing" a book, brought the original manuscript, showed us contracts, and spoke of "what's to come" for all of the ladies. Minutes before she arrived I was being caddy about one of the characters of the book. All in good fun, of course. As she sat there and spoke of these ladies, I started to feel badly about saying such things. Because, again, these gals are real people.

Henry being Henry

Split Pea Soup

Spoons are for the weak.

St. Olaf Christmas Festival

Eric and I had the opportunity to go see the St. Olaf Christmas Festival Concert last night -- thank you Miss Kaethe! These tickets are incredibly hard to come by so we are so grateful for her generosity.

The choir(s) and orchestra were beautiful. And now I have the urge to learn how to play the violin. We enjoyed the music so much that we may just tune in to listen to it again on the radio today. I guess it's safe to say that we are officially in holiday mode.

But I can't leave this post without saying something about the overwhelming presence of Norwegian sweaters at the concert. I don't think I've seen so many people wearing them at one time. Not even when I lived in Norway. Seriously. But I love it. And I want one.