St. Blaise’s Day

J+M+J

Today it was St. Blaise’s feast day, so we got the blessing of the throat in Latin after mass. I was holding Joseph, and while he was getting his throat blessed, he did not move a muscle. He merely stared at the priest with a look that said, “What on earth are you doing? I don’t know you to well.”

A+M+D+G

Sleeping Beauty

J+M+J

I just finished watching my new movie that I got for Christmas, the ballet Sleeping Beauty in my nice, new, warm, and blue bathrobe. Oh, it was a beauty! (ha) The dancing looked very difficult and lovely. It made my blood pump. The fairies in it had lovely solo parts, and it was amusing at the part when Aurora pricked her finger. She went around the courtyard, showing everyone her pricked finger. She must have been so protected that she had never pricked her finger before! There was lots of jumping, and it made Alexander, Joseph, and John Paul want to jump around also. They jumped and spun and did anything else they thought was ballet-like. I love ballet!

A+M+D+G

“Bebe”

J+M+J

I have found it to my advantage to revert back to when I was younger and carry a doll around the house. Why? Because ever since Joseph learned the word ‘baby’ and the dolls were brought out, he can’t get enough of them! He hauls them around, shows them to Mom and I and wants us to rock them, no matter what we are doing. He will point them and call them, “Bebe.” and then he will point out its nose, and my nose, and Mom’s nose, and Maria’s, and Landon’s, and the nose of anyone else that he can find. The good part is, if I sit on the couch and invite Joseph to see the two dolls I have, he will hug them. He also gives me love as well.

A+M+D+G

Nice Brothers

J+M+J

Joseph and Alex were fighting over who would sit on the exercise bike chair. Not to do anything, just to sit. So I lifted them both up onto the chair. They were both pleased at this remedy. I said, “There, now sit like nice brothers.” A little while later Joseph started to try to push Alex off the chair. “Help, Sarah.” Alexander said. “Joseph not being ‘nite buter’.”

A+M+D+G

“Wake up, Alex”

J+M+J

It was time to wake up Alex. Joseph had just woken up, and I was holding him. We went into the room where Alexander was asleep and I put Joseph down on the bed. Joseph saw sleeping Alex and laid down beside him. I, too laid beside Alex and began to rub his back while saying “Alexander, wake up.” He wouldn’t wake up, he was so tired. Joseph thought it was hilarious that Alex was asleep. He laughed, then put Alexander out of his mind and began to play with me. I love playing with Joseph, because when he plays with me I get lots of hugs and kisses. Then Joseph became concerned that Alex was asleep and began to rub Alexander’s back vigorously, talking worriedly. When Alex finally was up, Joseph was much relieved.

Telling the story ruins it. You would have to be there to know what it was like. I love Alex and Joseph.

A+M+D+G

Hot Chocolate

J+M+J

I was sitting at a little table outside with Landon, John, Alexander, and Joseph drinking hot chocolate. Before we drank any, we all howled at the full moon that was just rising, even Joseph. I had to help him drink his. He was sure it was going to be too hot, even when I had tested it to be sure it wasn’t. He flinched when he took a drink, yet he really wanted to. He kept coming back for more.
I think I have finally gotten the recipe just about right. It took quite a while. The biggest thing was that for three years I have been adding cinnamon to hot chocolate. When I do, I have to stir it a lot because the cinamon separates itself from the mixture. I have just realized that cinnamon adds a gritty texture and a bad taste to hot chocolate. What I confused with a missing ingredient was really one ingredient to many. I want to put the recipe here, but Landon thinks it should be secret, so I will leave a couple ingredients out for now. Maybe I will put them on later.

1/2 cup boiling water
2 T butter
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup white sugar
1 pinch of salt
5-1/4 cups milk (Whole if you want a scrumptiously creamy treat.)
1 T vanilla extract
3/4 cup half-and-half cream (Only if you don’t use whole or two percent milk.)

Bring water and butter to boil in a saucepan. Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn’t scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 6 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature. (optional)

A+M+D+G

Circles

Coming home from my grandparents on Mom’s side, Joseph was a big crank. He would not stop crying. Trying to sooth him, I rubbed my hand in his hair in circular motions. He did stop crying, and I put my hand down and rested it on his seat. Joseph grabbed my hand and lifted it up to his head. I started masaging him again for a while, and when I stopped he grabbed my hand again. later he grabbed my hand from his head and dropped it into my lap. He likes head massages, but not forever.

Joseph’s Favorite Room.

J+M+J

 

Today, thanks to a carpet cancellation, the carpet people came at eight o’ clock.   They finished installing it about ten thirty, then every child poured in to the room.  The baby gate was taken down with as much joy as the Wall of Berlin.  The most happy one was Joseph.  He has spent the time from when the door was taken down to now trying to get into the school room.  Now he happily joins the other children in playing on the fresh carpet.

 

A+M+D+G

Joseph’s Scheme

J+M+J 

Joseph, for some reason or other, has become a great fan of my DPN’s and unfinished legwarmers.  I do not leave my knitting where he can get it when I am not working on it, so he has adopted a plan to get it.

Joseph is lying on the floor of his bedroom.  He is getting his diaper changed, but his mind is not on that.  Only a few feet away his eldest sister, Sarah, is sitting on the floor.  In her hands, tantalizingly close, lies her knitting. He reaches out for it. Just as he is about to touch it, she moves it away.  His mother is done with his diaper, so he sits up.  He decides that he can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.  He begins showering his sister and Godmother with love. Then suddenly he springs out to grab her knitting.  If we coulds hear his mind, it would go something like this: ‘I love you Sarah! I love you very much Sarah! I want a kiss! I want a hug! I want your knitting! Give me your knitting! Give it to me!’   Joseph’s plan has failed. His sister simply stood up.  But he is not giving up.

 ‘You havn’t heard the last of me! I will get your knitting! I will!’

A+M+D+G