swimming

We head to family swim at least once a week - and my boy has weekly swim lessons too. He loves it!

Big Race Day

We had a sort of impromptu party the other evening. Marek was excited to see Handy Manny's Big Race, so we turned it into a transportation-themed evening with food, cupcakes, art & activities. He had a blast!

the ivory tower

I was raised in the world of academia. The photo above is of the "Sample Gates", the entrance to my alma mater for grad school. My two years spent here while working on my master's degree were two of the best years of my life. I love this university and this college town. In fact, I just have a big soft spot in my heart for college towns. A college town is my ideal place to live. I probably think this because I was raised in a college town. But I also think there is a beautiful harmony in small college towns - with the university providing diversity, intellectualism, arts/music/culture, and a vibrancy to a town, while the non-university portion of the town provides a great balance of authentic small town life experience and culture. 

My childhood memories contain a backdrop of the world of the university. Some of my earliest memories are of my parents lugging our travel crib up old, broad flights of stairs at the university my father taught at, so that I could take a nap while he worked. I remember sitting in his small, cramped office stacked with papers and books, pretending that I was a professor. I'd make makeshift typewriters out of yellow legal pad paper and pretend to type up important papers. I climbed trees outside his building, played catch and practiced batting a ball behind the parking lot. As I grew older, I played "teacher" in the empty classrooms on the weekends, evenings, and between classes. I made my parents sit and listen in a classroom as I "taught" them everything from math to AP biology to french as I prepared for the next day's exam at school. When no babysitter was available, I'd sit quietly in the back of his lectures and write or doodle. I grew up among the whispers of the politics of academia. I spent my summers riding my bike through the campus, hanging out in the union building, roaming the stacks of the library. I grew up with one parent heading off to teach summer school in other states, heading to conferences and lectures in other areas of the country. I missed him terribly during his summers away, but I was also so proud of him. Road trips almost always included stops to the nearby colleges and universities. My father was the only professor in the family, but my mother, when she went back to work, worked at the university, too. While I don't work at a university, I do hope that I'm instilling a love of learning in my son. 

Marek's childhood experience will be unique, of course, but full of love. And that, above all else, is the most important thing I can give him.

update

I haven't updated my blog in awhile. Not nearly as regularly as I had planned this year. Days just whirl into other days and I barely have time to breathe sometimes. Everything has been so good, but there are piles upon piles of unfinished (or yet to be started) projects I'm hoping to get to this year.

Who has been keeping me busy: a 5-year-old going through a super-attached-to-mommy phase (how can I complain with hundreds of kisses each day?). A boy who currently loves his new gym class, playing "safety town", riding his brand new bike with wobbly training wheels, who brings me flowers "because I love you so much, Mommy", who loves Polo, who loves to create "happy houses" as an art project, is reading up a storm on his own, is taking swim classes, and who sings lovely.

What has been on my mind: planning this year's vacation, my relatives, friends, loving the people in my life, needing to take more photos, deciding on kindergarten plans, religion, books, springtime.

silly & sweet

Those two words completely describe Marek. He's been missing me a lot lately while I'm at work, so when I return home in the evening he is hyper and looking for attention. I get a million kisses every evening and I just love it.

Showing off at dinner with Grandma. He is obsessed with these French import Polo books by Regis Faller.

Back from a weekend trip in Washington with Grammie and Grandpa from South Dakota. Reuniting with his puppets for an impromptu evening puppet show. Love you!!

sunny days

The weather has been gorgeous here for the past few days! It's amazing what a little sunshine can do! Marek was out from preschool sick with a cough and fever this week, but he was feeling a bit better this morning and begged to go back. We cut daffodils out of our yard this morning to give to his teacher; he was so proud of his bundle of sunshine.

love

Today is Valentine's Day, the day we traditionally reserve for celebrating those we love. But every day I celebrate how much I love my little boy. I have loved him since before he was born and each day I find new ways, reasons, and depths to how much I love my son. I just never knew how much love my heart could give until Marek came into my life.

Today I celebrate:

*sweet feet that once moved and kicked inside my pregnant belly that now move a 5-year-old to run, skip, hop, and dance around in life. Wherever those toes take him, I know he will go far.

*smiles that light up the room, that make me laugh, and can turn any bad day around for the better

*the gentle, sweet way he sees the world

*the endless number of kisses, hugs, and "I love you"s that I receive daily

*his insatiable curiousity & great sense of humor

*the snuggles

*the beauty and song he brings wherever he is

Happy Valentine's Day Marek!

update

I haven't posted here in awhile! I'd rather be sharing a thoughtful post, but I'm limited in time tonight and wanted at least to share an update of what we've been up to lately.

We spent a great weekend up in Portland for the Disney Rockin' Roadshow at the end of January. We stayed in one of our favorite hotels, road the MAX, saw a fun show at the Rose Garden, had delicious food, and did a little shopping.

We saw a fabulous children's music show: Gustafer Yellowgold's Show. LOVED it! This is an absurd, fun, cosmic, quirky music and animation show put on by a talented Morgan Taylor. So lucky the show could come to our town and give a fantastic performance.

Here we are at the show. This isn't exactly the best photo of either of us. He looks so grumpy or sleepy here, but actually the camera just caught him at the wrong moment. He had a great time!

We also went to a live quartet performance of music around the world. I am still in awe of how music just speaks to Marek. Speaking of music, I've met with a piano teacher and we've observed a lesson...the next step is parent education and lessons for me. Then Marek will start his lessons. We're trying the Suzuki method and I'm really looking forward to it, although it will be a lot of work for me too!

He's signed up for swim classes and gym class this winter/spring too. I really hope I'm not overdoing it. I don't want him to feel overscheduled, so we'll see how it goes. Work has been keeping me super busy, along with a big home project, and I am already ready for spring - or a vacation!

Marek told me last night that when he grows up he wants to be my daddy, since I lost my dad several years ago. I thought that was so sweet of him. I know someday he will make a wonderful father.

laughter

Dear Marek,

I love how happy and funny you are. Recently, you've been asking to have "laughing parties" every night before you fall asleep. You want to look around the room, find something funny to talk about and laugh hysterically with me. I love how you bounce, flop, and play with a pile of pillows while singing at the top of your lungs, like we are doing here. I love how we can dance together and sing together and be crazy together. I love your smile, your silliness, and how our friends and family always comment on what a funny little guy you are. You've got one heck of a sense of humor for someone so small and I hope that no matter what life throws at you, you'll always be able to laugh. I love you so much!

Love, Mommy

preschool is a serious affair

Marek loves shirts with ties. I think he's the only boy in his preschool that wears them, but he is so excited and proud to wear his "tie shirts" each week. He's not always dressed in formal or "nice clothes" for preschool, but those days he definitely feels special. I know the feeling. I love being comfy, but there's something energizing and empowering about wearing more formal clothes. I wore a suit to work a few weeks ago and everyone kept asking what the occassion was - a job interview, important meeting, something special? Not just that, I always feel like I take myself more seriously when I'm dressed up. I love putting on a nice dress and going out for dinner or to a party, although most days I am casual.

If you are a mother, you probably know how happy it makes you feel when even the smallest thing can make your child feel proud of himself. If he's glowing, I'm glowing.

Bowling Day

At the bowling alley with his best friend and their family. He was pretty excited to be able to show off his bowling shirt too. And neon shoes - awesomeness.

"Skating" at the Bowling Alley

Bowling '10 from Kristin S. on Vimeo.

out west

Marek was hard at work today building his log cabin. If only we could be visiting Uncle Kevin & Aunt Trina's log cabin right now. They have snow!

 We'll settle for our toy version of the rugged life. I spent part of the afternoon going through boxes of toys and memories from my childhood. He incorporated a few old lincoln logs of my brother's with his set to create his cabin. Marek was so excited to see what I used to play with. It was really nice to see how the same toys I used to love and adore - simple and now well past their prime - could make my boy so excited and keep him engaged in great play. We had so much fun today.

bloggity blog

One of my many goals of starting this blog awhile back was to capture the small moments of life with a young child. I wanted to freeze these moments in time, so that when my child is older we could look back and reminisce on his childhood. Not just the major accomplishments or memorable times, but the simple, joyful or tearful, everyday moments that really make up life. To catch a funny phrase, a sweet moment of innocence, a new joy, a wonder, a difficult task overcome, a laugh over lunch, a walk in the woods, a sandcastle built, a new song sung, or a smile that appears after a long, hard day.

But the reality is that I've barely posted any of these moments. I have hundreds of photos stored on my computer and, for the most part, they're yet to be uploaded and shared or printed out and scrapbooked. I have conversations with friends and family in which I share the "moments" of life that I wish to remember...but I tend to forget to write them down as much as I'd like. My goal for this year is to post more and more often!

I also have such limited uninterrupted time to be online to think and to share...and I have to admit that I am in awe of so many of the wonderful blogs out there of friends and dedicated bloggers that share their real thoughts and their beautiful, creative photos and projects. But I'll try not to let that get in my way of sharing. I do hope to acquire a better camera this year so that I don't miss any more moments that could be captured in the beauty that they are rather than the way they turn out with my current camera.

So, I'm off to tackle some of my creative projects. Happy 2010!

marek this week

• Loves to wear a tie!
• Is beginning to read to me.
• Loves preschool.
• Puts on regular shows - singing and puppet shows.
• Is kind-hearted and gentle.
• A big fan of board games.
• Funny as can be. This little guy has quite a sense of humor.
• Still loves music. Still singing as if life were a musical. Moves to the beat everywhere.
• In the middle of a growth spurt. Hungry and thirsty a lot!
• Current favorite books: Dodsworth (in Paris, New York, or London); Itty Bitty; Toot, Toot Zoom!; the Pigeon books by Mo Willems. He's also beginning to really like non-fiction. Current question: what is condensation?
• Quite possibly the biggest and best giver of hugs, kisses, and snuggles.
• Has my heart.

a very Merry Christmas indeed

Twas the night before Christmas...enjoying

magic and warmth at home.

New pj's were on...bedtime was near...

Christmas nativity play attended. Delicious dinner was eaten. Cookies for Santa baked and decorated. Last evening of Advent. Warm, happy night at Grandma's.

Daddy came for the holiday and lots of Daddy & Marek giggles were shared. Santa was tracked online. Santa's magic key was placed on the doorknob. All was ready.

Christmas Joy.

Stocking surprises.

Santa brought gifts great and small.

A new puppet stage and a Playmobil pyramid.

I learned that I should open and double check the contents of all presents ordered online prior to Christmas Eve. Marek's special gift of a working, light-up, talking railroad crossing came missing a part. Notice that the sign isn't on the top of the stand? I wasn't excited about that find. Calls to make to the company on Monday... But, luckily, my boy doesn't mind at all! He's been playing with it constantly even without the top part attached.

Many happy memories. As Marek said, "the best Christmas ever!"

Hoping that your Christmas was merry, bright, and filled with love and peace.

reality

Today I read a sobering article in the Wall Street Journal online. So many people are faced with challenges. At least a library card is free - and gives you access to a wealth of information and entertainment.

"Please, Santa, get Dad his job back

For America's Santas, it's hard to be jolly when kids are asking for bare essentials -- shoes, a library card, a place to live...

As a longtime Santa Claus at a suburban Chicago mall, Rod Riemersma used to jokingly tell children they would get socks for Christmas if they were naughty.

This year, he stopped telling the joke. Too many children are asking for socks."

Read the full article here...

Simple Pleasures

I baked these Christmas Tree Brownies for a recent Christmas gathering. So easy and delicious!

This is my favorite time of year. I love everything - well, almost everything - about the Christmas season. Every year I feel like a little child instead, looking forward to the magic of Christmas. And now as a parent, I find myself trying to recreate the magic of Christmas for my own child. It is too easy to get swept up in trying to do too much, though. Buying too many presents, obsessing over the perfectly decorated house, trying to bake the best food and entertain like nothing else. Sometimes seeing Christmas through the eyes of a young child makes the whole season a lot clearer. Of course there's an element of "What will Santa bring me?" But there's so much joy and happiness watching the Christmas magic unfold in the everyday traditions, gathering with family and friends, and simplifying. Taking time to focus on the story and message of Christmas and spreading love and peace. That's the magic.

Mr and Mrs Claus - a family tradition at the table as long as I can remember.

Small treasures from St. Nicholas Day:

Christmas Land

my birthday boy