Giving thanks

:: for our first little harvest

:: for a cheerful, creative child

:: for bear hugs

:: for having everything cleaned and ready for the pie baking this morning

:: for shared coffee with a little Silk Nog

:: for the love of my life

:: for little girl's hair

:: for staying connected through oceans apart

:: for the scent of fresh pies baking

:: for a roof over our head and good food in our bellies

:: for pillows, stuffy toys, and play clay

 

What are giving thanks for this very moment?

Almost famous ...

 We've mysteriously made it into the Bay Area Parent Education & Enrichment Guide (page 10-13) - thank you, Cecilia, for discovering the article! It is about raising bilingual children and who is giving good advice to all the parents out there? Kevin! I had no idea (and neither had he - funny, no?).

November musings

 The other day Sophia came home with a new book from the school library (right, not the public library - now try to keep those books seperated). She has always had a strong interest in the creepy stuff, so the book she brought was not a suprise. When we read it, though, it suddenly struck me: that was me, right there:

The book is Monster Mama by Liz Rosenberg. Now I'm not saying I'm a monster (usually), but I often do feel somewhat odd when it comes to parenting here in the States. Being from a different country ("Nah, my mommy is out of Germany!") and culture I tend to do things differently. Mostly not on purpose, but hey, some things, yes. We walk to school instead of driving. My kindergartener doesn't need a huge backpack AND lunch tote for the Wednesday folder. I don't think it's a problem that she can't write her numbers from 0 to 10. I do think kids should not be fed candy at school on non-birthday days. They shouldn't be pressured into selling stuff to collect money for the school either. I don't entertain her at the playground, because that's not what a playground full of kids is for. And no, we don't have a TV and she picks movies from the library.

When it comes to taking part in school life, my husband usually drops hint like "In American culture, it is expected that you ..." Write Thank You-cards. Call back immediately and offer to help. Purr over it and then toss it later. Why this is very helpful, it does remind me that I am far from knowing how to be in this culture.

Having a child I can't just step back and do things my way. I need to be out there, need to be involved and know how to work with what we got here (here I might differ from Monster Mama - she always stays hidden). This sometimes gets exhausting, but I know it's not for me, it's for Sophia who I will love no matter what - because I am her mother, even if I am a monster/German/...

Happy Birthday, girl!

My sweet little bee turned 5 this week - oh my, time flies! And she has gotten so LONG ...

We had our first kids party yesterday and it was a lot of fun! Right when my husband and me were wondering how to pull his off, we got an e-mail from The Golden Apple telling us that we won a monster birthday party for Sophia - hooray!

So we invited eight kids and spend an afternoon with a fluffy monster and a mad professor, did all kinds of slimy and gooey experiments, listened to a story, made worms and dirt, ate chocolate cupcake, and watched a soda geyser explode. Good times! Except for the cupcakes everything was provided by the store and every child got to take home a goodie bag. Now if that wasn't the easiest party ever!

This week is so busy! On my sewing machine: pink zebra shorts in-the-making (Halloween party Saturday- not mine!). In the hallway: a package with ornaments from my shop, waiting to be shipped. Somewhere in Sophia's room: two DVDs that are due. Also mysterious library book from school library wating to be discovered. On my computer: food ideas for birthday party on Saturday. On my desk: chaos. Also: I'll be classroom helper today and my shop needs updating. Oh boy, there is just not enough hours in the day (especially if you like to hop into bed with your book at 8pm).

She might be at school ...

 

... but she is not out of sight!

After a morning of singing, drawing, hopping on the bed, a few clothes changes, scattering dried up bits of play doh all over the floor, and skipping to school horsey-style the house seems blissfully (and strangely!) quiet. How only one tiny person can change the energy around is nothing short of amazing.

I signed her up for a contest of her school's PTA titled "Diversity means ..." - turns out diversity is very hard to draw when you enjoy matching objects. Yesterday we set out different art materials that were allowed (no sculpting and no objects protruding from the page - shame!) and after looking up diversity on a kids' site she worked away.

 

While the only real diversity I can see is the diversity of pictures she produced she did have a great time drawing and painting. My favorite might just be The Piggy Bank and the Banana Tree.

  

On the weekend when Kevin and Sophia were visiting with family I learned something new!

The last time I went to San Francisco I discovered beautiful Fillmore Street and a shop called Paper Source. There, after spending an hour looking at all the great inspring things, I got a foto album kit that I tucked away until a quiet moment. And Sunday was the day!

I used some muslin and a big drawing from Sophia. Now I only need time to put in all my fotos!

 

Big steps

 Yesterday I overheared Sophia sounding out letters and humming to herself on the balcony. When I peeked around the corner I saw her writing and drawing on the chalk board. Seeing the letters she has been carrying around with her take shape was fascinating.

She asked me for help eventually and finished off her work by drawing mouths on the letters - in the shape they make when they are spoken (lots of teeth on D).

Sweet, sweet girl of mine. And this morning you didn't even want a goodbye kiss before school. After I asked you why (shocked and a little bit hurt I admis) you rolled your eyes and gave in. Almost five is not too old for kisses, right? Right?

Nothing soothes better than a day old cheesecake. I found the recipe in radically simple and simple it was:

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
5 oz honey grahm crackers
(1/2 walnuts or pecans - Kevin hates nuts in baked goods, so none for us)
1 1/4 c sugar
3 large eggs
16 oz cream cheese
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp cornstarch
24 oz sour cream

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter a sprinform with 2 Tbsp butter.

Crush the crackers (, nuts,) and 1/4 c sugar, add 4 Tbsp melted butter and put it in the bottom of the pan to form a crust.

now you basically mix everything else together very slowly - first the eggs, then cream cheese, the cup sugar, vanilla, cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt and sour cream. Pour onto the crust and bake for 50 minutes, until firm.

Top with fruit, chocolate shavings, or enjoy pure like I do. Mmmh ...

Cookies up!

Polymer clay German Christmas Cookies, that is. And they are finally up in my Etsy shop!

Kevin took Sophia out for brats and football while I strung the cookies, gathered props, and set up an impromptu photo studio on the balcony (natural light!). Is it fair to say that this took my all Sunday? Well, yes. Am I glad it is in the shop? Well, YES!

I also have pretzel pendants and brooches patiently waiting to be put up, but that will happen another time.

Come have look at the cookies and let me know what you think. Maybe your favorite Christmas cookie is still missing?

Have a great start of the week everyone!