Pigskin

Rowan and I went to the zoo with my parents and Maddox recently. It was a sunny day, but the wind was fierce. As we strolled through the outdoor displays, I couldn't help but wonder if people from warm climates would enjoy a day at the zoo in 40-degree weather.

We were there to see the new farm babies. Unfortunately, that meant walking to the farthest reaches of the zoo. Rowan and Maddox had a blast, though. They especially loved feeding the goats and climbing on the pig statues.

Inside one of the buildings, there was pig statue with a window where the pig's stomach should be. Through the window, you could see all sorts of pig products, such as spam, hot dogs and pet treats. (Kinda gross, actually.) There was even a football inside. As Rowan stared at the contents of that fake pig's stomach, I could see the wheels turning. Then grandpa asked him a question.

Grandpa: Rowan, do you know why a football is called a pigskin?
Rowan: Sure do. It's cause they RIP THE SKIN [makes ripping motion with his arms] right off the pig and put it on the football! That's how they make it.

My dad and I burst out laughing.

Then, this morning, Rowan went on and on to Kyle about how people turn pigs' ears into dog treats. "And Daddy, the pigs are like, 'Hey, I can't hear anything! Where are my ears?!'"

I was worried that he might be a little freaked out by the pig statue, but he had no trouble eating babyback ribs tonight!

Here are a few pictures from our day:

-Angie

A 3-Year-Old's Take on Life

Rowan was hiding under a laundry basket in our spare bedroom this morning, having a conversation with himself. When Kyle happened upon him, they had this amusing exchange.

Kyle: What are you doing?
Rowan: I'm in my cage with my children.
Kyle: Oh yeah?
Rowan: Yep.
Kyle: What are your children's names?
Rowan: Not, Dot, Sot and Toot.
Kyle: Toot?
Rowan: Toot's the boy.
Kyle: Huh. Do your children have a mom?
Rowan: Yeah. Her name's Hot. She's my wife.

Based on this conversation, I surmised the following about Rowan's view of children, gender and marriage:

• Kids trap you in a cage.
• Boys toot.
• Wives are hot.

Can anyone argue with that?

-Angie

Worrywart

My kid thinks a lot. Maybe too much. On the plus side, he’s bright and considerate. On the downside, he worries about strange and distant possibilities. Below are a few of our recent conversations.

Sunday Around 9:30 a.m.
As I’m finishing up breakfast on Sunday morning, I send Rowan to wake up Kyle. (I sleep in on Saturdays, and Kyle sleeps in on Sundays.) When Kyle finally comes downstairs, he’s laughing about the conversation he’s just had with Rowan.

Rowan: Mom made breakfast, but I want you to stay up here and play with me.
Kyle: But then my breakfast will get cold.
Rowan: I have an idea! I can get your breakfast and bring it up here. I’ll hold the plate really really still. And I'll walk very slowly and hold the railing. I promise I won’t fall down the steps like I do in my imagination.

Today Around 9 a.m.
We’re rushing out the door, and then Rowan asks me a strange question.

Rowan: Our doors are kinda small, right? [Looking around the house]
Me: What? [Grabbing our bags and pans of muffins for ECFE]
Rowan: Our doors are kinda small.
Me: Uh… I think they’re just regular doors. [Still rushing]
Rowan: I know, but they’re small for MONSTERS, right?
Me: Oh…[Stopping] Yeah…totally too small for monsters.
Rowan: Like a monster can’t even get into our house because the doors are so small.
Me: Yup, our doors are too small and our house is WAY too strong for that. Plus, I’ve never ever seen a monster around here. (A previous attempt to say that there is no such thing as monsters only caused more obsession.)
Rowan: That's what I was thinking.

Simple answers don't seem to work for this kid! And now he's started asking me what happens to people’s bodies when they die. “How do they drink milk?” “Why can’t they just keep their body all the time?” “Who do we know that’s really old?”

The more they know, the harder it gets!

-Angie

Love, Rowan Style

Time to return to blogland!

Since it's the season of love, I give you Rowan's take on Valentine's Day (now known as "Heart Day" in the public schools, I'm told):

Wishing you lots of love AND candy this week,
-Angie

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Christmas 2008

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2006

Christmas 2005

The Truth About Motherhood

The following conversation took place while Rowan was on the toilet. It seems like our most enlightening moments occur in the bathroom. Go figure.

Me: Rowan, please don't kick your pants off! I shouldn't have to keep putting them back on you all the time.
Rowan: Yes you should. You're a mommy.
Me: That doesn't mean that I have to do everything for you.
Rowan: Uh huh. You have to take care of me and Daddy.
Me: Then who takes care of me?
Rowan: Um...[thinks about it...laughs]...I don't know. Maybe I can help you sometimes after I get bigger.
Me: Thanks.
Rowan: I yuv you, Mommy.
Me: I love you too, sweets.

I told this story to Kyle, and he immediately started laughing. Then he asked, "Is that funny or not?"

What do you think?

-Angie

'Tis The Season!

Poor Thanksgiving. As soon as that turkey passes our lips, we're on to the next thing. It's too bad, really. Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. Great food, loving family, and NO STRESS!

Oh well. We're officially moving on! (If you can't beat 'em...)

Our house is now full of Christmas cheer! I'm not sure how to cope with Rowan's crazy energy. Every time he sees the tree, he asks me when ("seriously WHEN") Santa is coming to our house. I'm hoping that a daily chocolate from the Advent calendar convinces him that patience is rewarded. (I've given up on convincing him that patience is its own reward.)

Rowan had a blast decorating the tree. Christmas traditions are so much more special now that he's mature enough to participate!

Of course, he still has some maturing to do. He tried to convince me that cousin Avery taught him to do this, but I know better. I informed both kiddos that this picture will be on my Christmas card in about 12 years.

Avery was just one member of our Christmas decorating crew. Courtney, Jason, Grandma Connie, Grandpa Kevin and Scott all stopped by. After decorating, we enjoyed creamy chicken and potato soup for dinner and flourless chocolate torte for dessert. Mmmm.

And then we sipped wine while ooohing and aaahing at the beautiful tree. It was a lovely afternoon!

Stupid Things That Cost $1

I'll admit that I'm a bit sheltered (and quite possibly a food snob), but I couldn't believe my eyes when I encountered the following freaks of nature at a nearby grocery store.

1. Microwave-ready potatoes. They're regular russet potatoes that have been washed and individually wrapped in some kind of fancy new plastic that doesn't melt in the microwave. Each potato costs 99 cents.

2. Grapples (pronounced grape-els, according to the package). They're regular apples that have been "bathed" in a concoction of natural and artificial grape flavor and encased in a hard plastic carton. A package of four costs $3.99.

Why? Seriously... Why?

Elf Yourself

Rowan and I had a blast with Elf Yourself yesterday afternoon. We put our whole family in the act.* Enjoy!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

*Points to anyone can describe the significance of our two lesser-known family members.

Little Shutterbug

Rowan LOVES playing around with the camera. I usually end up deleting the results (blurry snapshots of my butt in yoga pants, for example). But Rowan recently took some pretty cool pics.






He even captured an elusive and rarely documented creature: Kyle doing yardwork. (tee hee!)

-Angie

Election Day

Tuesday was such an amazing day. Exciting, nerve-wracking, historic, emotional and SO MUCH FUN! Naturally, it helped that our presidential candidate won!

We voted first thing in the morning. Our polling place is only two blocks from our house. Rowan actually ran the whole way, shouting "Barack Obama heeeeere weeeeee cooooome!" He thought we were going to visit Obama at his house. I think his enthusiasm died just a bit when finally made it through the line only to be greeted by a ballot and a permanent marker.

In the evening, we watched the results roll in at an election-night party at my friend Bev's house. I arrived with a flourless "Barackolat" torte. I stenciled Obama's face onto the torte with powdered sugar! The cake was a big hit (and everyone said it tasted great too).

Bev hosted quite the shindig! The picture above includes only a portion of the party goers. I hear there was even a lone Republican in attendance! (She didn't stay long enough for me to meet her. I hope she wasn't scared off by the cheering as the big battleground states fell for Obama.)

Rowan spent the party playing games with the kiddos upstairs. He was NOT excited when it was time to leave. (I wasn't really either, honestly.)

Hope you had a great election day!

-Angie

Rowan's Obama Song

After (over)hearing information about this election for months, Rowan is quite excited that the big day has finally arrived. He's been singing about Barack Obama all morning! Even if you don't agree with our politics, you've got to appreciate the kid's enthusiasm.

Happy election day! Get out and VOTE!

-Angie

Rowan's Spooky Story

Listen if you dare... Bwah hah hah hah!

Happy Halloween!

Autumn Marathon

Nasty Cold. Pink eye. Stomach flu. Ear infection.

If you wondered why we’ve been too busy to blog lately, now you know.

Thankfully, Rowan recovered from his various illnesses just in time for some fall fun. Last weekend, we visited the apple orchard, carved/painted pumpkins (and roasted seeds!), baked apple crisp, and raked leaves.

An entire season in one weekend. Whew!

I'm glad we didn't wait for this weekend. I think the snow flurries might have dampened our spirits.

Next up: Rowan's triple birthday do-over costume extravaganza!

-Angie

Happy Birthday, Rowan!

Leave it to a 3-year-old to make the best of a bad situation. Rowan spent his birthday weekend with the stomach flu. We had thought he might be feeling better by today, but the virus just made its way down the digestive tract (if you know what I mean).

This morning, Rowan woke up feeling sick to his stomach and asked in a groggy little voice, "Is today my birthday?" I told him that it was, but I also promised that we'd have a super fun birthday do-over as soon as he was feeling better.

By this evening, Rowan was feeling a little more playful. He even let me take a few pictures of him in his mismatched PJs (we've been doing A LOT of laundry).





Rowan wasn't nearly as perky yesterday. In fact, he was so tired by naptime that he fell asleep standing up!


Happy birthday, my sweet little man! I'm so sorry that you had to be sick on your special day. Daddy and I will make it up to you as soon as you're feeling better. We love you!

-Angie