Sunday Curations

...on Monday...again...

Some recent activities, excursions, and enjoyments:

1. Corbin-o has gradually become more and more perceptive to all things in the background of life.  Like songs on the radio, faces in a crowd, conversations overheard.  Songs on the radio has been a favorite while conversations overheard has been a little more annoying.  Its not uncommon for the Bean to quip from the backseat of the car, "That's my favorite song!" And then begin to do his 'car dance.'  A recent favorite- the Happy Song from Despicable Me.  Here we are rocking out:

2. Random rant/conundrum of the day: Pharrell Williams... love him or hate him?  Like I said above, we love the Happy Song, the music video is adorable, its great.  But I hate his other two big hits.  I immediately change the radio when they come on and would gladly inform anyone willing to listen why I think "Blurred Lines" is the worst message to be sending to teenagers-or anyone- ever.  Normally I would avoid supporting an artist (i.e. liking his other music) because of his horrible message from his previous work.  But here I am, letting my two year old dance around the house to Happy. Maybe this is a phenomenon unique to our world today- you can present one public message and simultaneously do the exact opposite.  Or at least appeal to people from two completely different sectors without losing one side... or do people spurn Pharrell regardless of his Happy Song because of his other songs and I'm just unaware of it all?  I would also think our society and its craving for authenticity would reject such an artist...

ok, rant over...

4. We have a great Farmer's Market on Saturdays.  The Bean and I went this weekend.  This is his 'farmer's hat.'

3. Spring is here!

Although we barely had a winter this year.  Maybe rain this weekend?

4. The Olympics is over.  We watched the figure skating, snowboarding, and a little skiing and short track.  Probably like most Americans.  I loved these old photos of winter Olympics past though!

5. Mr. Incredible and I took a right/left brain quiz this week.  I suspected that he would be all left (logic, systems, order) and I'd be all right (creativity, arts, chaos) but we actually both came out 50/50! (at least according to this quiz) Take it for yourself and see what results you get!

Sunday Curations

Some things recently enjoyed:

1.

a petite chocolate cake enjoyed after dinner for no particular occasion.

2. Our Valentine's Soirée.

Our tradition of a fancy dinner at home was expanded to include a few friends and kiddos of course.  On the menu: Orange baked brie, caesar salad wedge, oven-roasted beef tenderloin, green beans amandine, herbed- buttered ciabata, and a variety of sweet desserts.  And delicious wine.  But I'm not a wine person so I can't tell you more than that.  Kid's Menu: milk en sippy cup, heart-shaped mini cheese pizzas, and a few green beans too.

We moved dinner outside this year since we've been experiencing 80 degree days and mild nights.

3. Leo update.  He's eating!  Everything he can fit in his mouth, which makes his life hazardous right now but also exciting.  

So far he loves avocado, black beans, banana, apples, sweet potato, cheerios, any type of citrus (he's not supposed to eat that yet though).  He doesn't like green beans.  

And he does this now:

4.  This family of five (!) lives in less than 700 sq ft.  And its beautiful.  There's something soooo appealing about the simplicity and lack of clutter of their lifestyle.

5. Here's the tenderloin recipe we made for V-day.  Heaven on a fork.

6. More serious- this is what I've been thinking about during the Olympics.  There's been lots of things to criticize Russia for- lack of yogurt, treatment of stray dogs, conditions of the bathrooms.  But this, this really matters.

7. I live with a pair of clones.  One is a little smaller than the other but they act, speak, think the same... and its all very different than the way I do/speak/think.  But I love them anyway.  And life is good (but I hope Leo is a little bit like me- just for fairness sake!).

process

Art is a guarantee of sanity. That is the most important thing I have said. 

-Louise Bourgeois

Sunday Curations

This is my attempt to blog a little more frequently.  We'll see if I stick to Sundays, but for now we're going with it.

This week was a doozy.  Nothing major, but lots of little things that kind of wiped me out.  My favorite two year old figured out all the things that drive me crazy and then proceeded to do them in increasing amounts throughout the week.  He also skipped naps several days in a row and that made life even more 'fun.'  Leo decided to act like he was teething (but no teeth yet) and had a miserable night that coincided with Mr. Incredible being unexpectedly out of town one night for work.  And then we all woke up (Leo at 3am, Corbin at 6am, and Mr. Incredible much later) with colds that derailed our Sunday.  So in light of all this 'fun,' I've decided a little look back at the nicer moments of the week and other things I find interesting might go a long way in making this coming week a little better than last.

1. Corbin-o has an imaginary enemy.  His name is Buster and he's a monster that does bad things to Corbin… like knocking his toys off the table or tripping Corbin when he's running down the hallway.  At first I thought Corbin was talking about a real person that was picking on him at church but we don't know any Busters and we overheard Corbin yelling at him while playing by himself in his room.  Its amusing… and creepy.  Like exorcism creepy.  But all kids do this- right?

2. I'm not sure if this is part of the teething stage or just the 'I'm a baby and put everything in my mouth' stage but Leo has become obsessed with my phone and as a result has gotten quite good at taking selfies.  Sometimes I make it in the background too.  Here's one of his latests:

3. We've enjoyed walks and bike rides to the park nearly everyday this week.  Corbin is getting better at his balance bike (like we actually make it to the park and home without me carrying the thing) and its been a good little outing to burn off some energy.  Watching him scale the play structures or fly down the slides reminds me of those commercials playing right now during the Olympics where they show an athlete and then rewind through their life as they are training as kids, learning to skate or ski, all the way to taking first steps.  Am I witnessing first steps towards an Olympic medal someday?  Probably not since he seems to have inherited my grace and coordination but its fun to think about.

4. I've started going through my craft room and organizing/purging.  Since before Christmas its been a disaster area- wrapping presents, making gifts, stashing random stuff that doesn't have a home.  But seeing an entire box devoted to sketch books or a collection of neatly labeled 'sticky stuff' does make me smile.

5. Arlo Guthrie- anyone know who that is?  "You can get anything you want, at Alice's restaurant…" does that help?  Mr. Incredible grew up on Arlo Guthrie… his parent's were big fans.  I overheard Corbin and Mr. Incredible getting ready for bed singing Alice's Restaurant.  Interesting legacy to pass along I guess.  Now we're on to the pickle song… go ahead and look it up on youtube… you'll be amazed that someone could base their career off of a song about a pickle.

6. Speaking of Mr. Incredible's parents- they're on an amazing adventure in an old van called the General through South America.  They've been to some amazing places- beautiful cathedrals, butterfly reserves, ruins haunted by howler monkeys.  We're following their adventures here.

7. These might be the coolest thing ever.  Corbin was a fan anyway.  I'm not a milk drinker so I'm trying to think what else you could use these with… any suggestions?

8.  I needed to read this post this week.

9. I think I needed one of these this week too!

10. I love reading this blogger and the little glimpses she shares into her life.  I love her heart here.

I'll leave you with a picture of Corbin, fending for himself while Mr. Incredible suffered through a morning of colds.  Pop tarts are a kid's best friend!  Have a great week!

-CtF