SEVENTEEN

2015 week seventeen

I am never going to complain about rain after a few years of drought, but I can hardly keep from saying I am almost tired of it.

Vera's first finger painting. She loved it so much but continually wanted her hands wiped clean. Thank you Eco-Kids for the free sample Matthew brought home from a trade show. Every time V passes these pictures hung up on our fridge she proudly proclaims, "I make DOTS!" 

On this day, we tried to go for a walk three times. Three times we were four houses down the street and were suddenly soaked. It was probably the first day in my entire life that I was annoyed by a rainy day. No car + feeling sick + bored toddler + so. much. rain = I was a big complainer that day. After a day of being annoyed and complainy I always feel a little disappointed in myself. As soon as Matt came home and I was immediately in a better mood, I reflected, "wow. I wasted this beautiful day being unhappy." 

Our green green yard starting to flood.  And my poor little plum tree looks so bedraggled and weather-beaten.

We gave V two early birthday presents: Her play kitchen and these lovely purple shoes from her Oma. I am not the only one in love with these shoes. V has asked to sleep in them a couple times. :) 

On Saturday it finally dried out enough to get the lawn mowed and the chamomile harvested. This honey-scented handful will make the most delicious tea. Matthew is tired of the constant hum of the dehydrator. "That thing has been going all day!" 3 hours sweetie. 3 hours. 

Early birthday dinner with grandparents. Crouton in her mouth, cake on her plate, and everyone is singing to her: pure happiness. I used THIS cake recipe, and filled it with whipped cream and sliced strawberries and a little pile of toasted coconut on top. 

Some funny things that V says:

"Come on guys!"

"Goodbye Sweetie!"

"Talking on the phone to Oma!" Then she will tell Oma about how she is stuck in the car, or cleaning her room "Big Mess!" or "having a milkshake!"

All she does all day long is "Make a milkshake!" in her little kitchen and bring it to you. She's only had probably 4 milkshakes in her entire life. Clearly they made a big impression on her. :)

"Have a good pee/poop?!"

"What is that?" To everything and everyone. I feel a little caught off guard when she points to a person and says, "what is that?" I usually say, "A person... uhm a lady who works here."

"I do it a-self!"

She will walk into my sewing room, go right to the scraps basket and announce: "My make a mess!"

"My have a peanut?" She really loves salted peanuts.

me: "V, what color is this?"

v: "GREEEEEEEN!" -to everything. If we say "no... what color is it?" then she'll yell "Baaaaaaaah-looooooooooo" (blue)

I had this conversation with Matthew on Saturday after feeling suddenly very sick and needing to grab something to eat immediately:

me: Matthew, I hope you dont think that I'm making up being so nauseous just to eat tasty things.

matthew: I dont think that you make it up...entirely. I think you have a strong incentive to have access to all the berries you want. :)

me: Oh my goodness. How did I marry such a criminal?

matthew: I ask myself that every day. :)

me: Hmm. Have anymore quippy one-liners?

matthew: I don't know. Keep talking. :D

The other night our bathroom was full of flies. It was so gross. At first I only saw two. So Matthew got the gun (the gun that shoots salt to kill flies) and got them. As soon as those two were down we saw another one, then another one. They kept appearing! All told he shot about 8 flies. 8 flies in our bathroom. It was rather frustrating to think you are done and then hear more buzzing. I heard phantom fly buzzing all night. Probably the ghosts of the departed from the bathroom trashcan.

Happy 2nd Birthday Vera! We love having you for our baby so much.