home bodies

Yes, it's winter and I've been feeling like we live inside a snow globe lately. Partly because it's snowing so often when I look out the window, and partly because I've been inside so much of the time. 

There are a few perks to being a homebody. I've actually had time to "straighten up," vacuum up the crumbs on the rugs, and prepare meals with some forethought, from real ingredients. In fact, I haven't had a single restaurant meal, snack, or drink since last Tuesday night. That's nine days straight of having completely home-prepared food, for both Ruby and I. (Miles eats lunch at school and George has the occasional breakfast or lunch out.) I'm feeling pretty good about "the streak" although I know this is kind of lame compared to the kinds of food preparation some families do on an on-going basis. So it's a good streak for me, but I'm really looking forward to going out to dinner tonight! George and I will visit one of our favorite local places while the kids are home with the sitter. I'm also going to the gym this afternoon, which I have been missing.  

a story--While we were home yesterday, Miles was playing computer games while I made dinner. I asked him to be sure not to yell if he needed me because Ruby was sleeping. He was engrossed in his game already and didn't listen to me at all. Then I turned down the volume on the computer and he turned to me and said "That's great, mama. I'll do that." with complete conviction and a little wave of the hand. I have heard this tone before (and used it before) and it means "whatever you said, that's fine. I didn't hear a word of it but I really want to get back to what I was doing, so please leave me alone."  My, how fast they learn!

music

Use the Force-eps

Sorry for the pun--I know no one wants to think about forceps! It's the most appropriate play on words I could think of for the dichotomy we've been experiencing lately between Star Wars and baby play. Miles is fully immersed in Star Wars, since he watched it with George on one of their recent movie nights. He's been building Lego ships for Luke and Obi Wan and flying them around with lots of "whooshing" and shooting. He gets into full Jedi mode while riding home from school in the stroller. With the rain cover down, the stroller becomes somewhat spaceship-like, and he has little levers on either side of his seat that he uses as guns. So the whole way home he makes various piloting and shooting sounds. He seems to entertain Ruby, who rides in back and is usually pretty restless in the stroller.

Ruby has been in mothering mode lately, and Miles does take occasional breaks from blowing things up to join her in taking care of the babies. He decided that their dolls should be named Calliou and Rosie. Ruby says and signs "baby" very clearly and can be quite demanding about wanting to have Baby with her. She also has started puckering and making kissing sounds and she thinks it's hilarious when we kiss her baby.

Miles occasionally likes to pretend that his baby is in his belly and then, whoosh, he's out! He is usually anxious for his baby to grow up. He's often trying to help him walk, run, or fly. It's only a matter of time before he'll be trying to blow up the Death Star.

One of Ruby's favorite activities is imitating her brother. Last week he made a land-speeder out of a shoe box and a piece of cardboard, put his sheep puppet Baa-Baa in the shoe box (a Luke stand-in), and proceeded to fly the ship while singing "Kiss the Girl" from Little Mermaid. Ruby quickly found her own piece of cardboard and a Rubbermaid container with lid, and put some puzzle pieces in there for her version. They both went zipping around the first floor.

Climb and Play

Ruby reached a new height today when she climbed onto the piano bench. We didn't see her climbing, just heard her start pounding on the keys. Sure enough, she was up there, playing and singing away!

Cute dress, huh? She's ready for the stage!