Christmas Eve

We’re up late because Aaron has to lock up for the midnight service at the church. I really can’t wait until the kids are old enough to survive the midnight service. Singing “Joy To The World” while the cascade of bells from the bell tower ring out at midnight is something I long to experience again. Someday, I’ll be there. Just not now. Now, I need to go snuggle my not so baby boy back to sleep and keep an ear out for my every growing big girl in case she wakes. This stage of life has it’s beauty, too. Beauty childish giggles, sloppy baby kisses, and quiet moments of wonder as I wake to snuggle my children back to sleep.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Lucille Etta Stein Wentworth

Eighth Grade Graduation, 1934, Killdeer, North Dakota

High School Graduation, 1938, Vancouver, Washington

December 7th, 2009, Renton, Washington

 

Grandma. She passed away yesterday morning at 8:26am at 90 years of age.
February 3rd, 1920 – December 16th, 2011.

My Grandma lived an amazing life. Can you imagine being born in a house without electricity or running water, and going into town every 4 months to what it is today? Most people being a 2 car household, the internet, television, flight. Living through the Great Depression, being born at the end of the Industrial Revolution, living through World War 2, women winning the vote, the era of free love, King’s assassination, Kennedy’s assassination, hearing on the radio men walking on the moon, civil right movement and having an African American president, just to name a few.

Grammie left an incredible legacy. Her stories have shaped my life, her character has influenced mine, and her back scratches have punctuated my childhood with love and care.

I love you and I miss you. I’m heartbroken I wasn’t there to kiss you goodbye.

Weaning: It Happened

Around this time last year, I wrote about Ella UNweaning. This past year of tandem nursing (breastfeeding 2 children) has had it’s ups and downs. Ella had worked down to just having milk after breakfast each morning and if I’m being honest here, I was ready to be done. SO ready.

I tried simply redirecting, and distraction to no avail. It finally dawned on me that in all other areas of her life, Ella thrives on clear boundaries with obvious beginnings and endings. Trying to get her to “forget” about nursing every morning was laughable, especially with  her little brother enjoying milk right in front of her.

So I threw her a weaning party.

The day before, we discussed what kind of cake she wanted and how to decorate it. We baked it, licked the batter bowl together, and she directed me with grandiose gestures how to adore her cake.

The next morning, at 6:30, we gathered around the kitchen table and sang “Happy Weaning Day To You” while she and I blew out the candles. Ella thoroughly enjoyed her cake for breakfast while I ate my slice with nostalgia and dashed with a few tears.

Since then, she’s only asked for milk once and that was with a giggling, silly face.

My little girl nursed for 37 months and from one stage to the next at her own pace.

Her chocolate cake with strawberries and blueberries and sprinkles and strawberries in the middle. Just how she likes it.

Food + Foto Week 5

I left the room for just ONE minute before photographing Ella with the brownie and came back to this face. ha!

Dairy free brownies. Amazing and delicious. The recipe called for water, but I subbed coffee to enhance the chocolate. I also bake them in an 8×8 pan for a thicker, chewier brownie.

You can find the rest of my Food + Foto pictures here.

And yes, I know I missed out on the last of November. I’m okay with it, though. We had a dear friend in town and spending evenings with her trumped the internet.

Which is how it should be.