Hensley: You Walked!

Hensley! You walked today! Your first 6 independent steps were at the library during story time. You were right in front of me standing, looking intently at a child with a snack nearby. Then you did it. 1 step, 2, 3, 4, and not just 5 but 6 steps toward that child with the snack. Then you stopped and stood there. I looked around so eager to interrupt the story and tell everyone, but I kept my mom cool. Just whispered it to a friend, and she shared in my delight!


Your dad got home and you walked for him. Then we thought...oh, we should document this! So I grabbed the camera and got these steps...

Here are some other photos to remind us of your personality at one!

On your birthday: your shy expression...tucking your chin in to your shoulder with a slightly furrowed brow. 

Yummy in my tummy. Must get every last bite. 

Here's the full furrowed brow. Watch out!

Those toes sneak up to your tray all of the time. Silly toes! Toes are not for eating.

Lovin' Uncle Eric and wearing his childhood sweater made by Great Grandma Cox.

Getting a ride from Grandpa Ben.

Different: But the Same

So I'm a little behind the rest of you, as I just finished reading The Help. Great story. I have a word for Miss Hilly and her Home Help Sanitation Initiative. 


Dear Miss Hilly,


I thought of you this morning as I was giving my children a bath. I had my African son and my American daughter in the same bath tub. I was thanking God that things here and now (in our family) are not the way they were in Mississippi in the 1960s. I mean, really ma'am. 


Sincerely,


Kristyn


So Tegegne, you watched part of this movie with me and I explained it in very simple terms. I really dread you knowing the reality of the way people were treated. (Your dad and I) also look forward to difficult conversations such as these because we know you will be interested and you will care. You care about people and you take their feelings to heart. Son, you will do great things and I pray that you can be an example of loving people equally. 


Love,


Mom

Mom: Shops Sandals

Steve Madden

Minimarket, Urban Outfitters

Aldo

Zara

Happy Birthday: Mom and Dad

Our Twenties! Just one year left!

Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday Mommy and Ababayehhhhh,
Happy Birthday to You!


Taryn made me a birthday breakfast this morning! Delicious pancakes (blueberry yogurt multigrain) with the best chocolate milk!
Michael started his morning with 10 bags of gummy worms from his students! And we have a date tonight at a famous Italian restaurant in town. They give a complementary birthday chicken spiedini, which is what they are known for!


Some thoughts on being born. What a deal, huh? Everyone is born, yes? Born into a family. A mom and dad, or just a mom. Poverty, middle class, or wealth. Siblings or the first born. Some born into a country or race with privilege and freedom, others hardship and inequality. All born as teeny babies, that cry and sleep and want to be held. 


I'm thankful that I was born on the same day as my dear husband. Looking forward to our date tonight!


Love,


Kristyn

Kony 2012: Invisible Children Campaign

KONY 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.

Kids: Adventure and Not-So-Much

So it's too bad the key ingredient for a tree house is the actual tree. Too bad because this yard of ours has none, nada, nilch. Not even branches dangling over from a neighbors tree. But rest assured, we will build some plaything, climbable and with optimal adventure in mind for our 4-year-old-awesome-kid this summer!


I guess it's not so bad...because the not-so-adventurous Baby Hens is not up for climbing a tree anytime soon. She will climb to the second stair and plop herself there for a bit. No walking yet, but everyone and their brother tries to get her to take those first steps...and I think that's why she hasn't taken them! I know I'll see her out of the corner of my eye any day now...strutting across the room all by herself.



Tegegne still loves to read, aka be read to. I've been picking up Stage 1 books at the library with hopes he'll start reading to me soon! Sometimes he's interested, sometimes not. I've learned that forcing it is no fun for either of us!


Love,


Mom, who looks forward to a bit of backyard adventure herself

Kid Stuff: Fun with Food

Yogurt bites. Drop a dollop of yogurt onto a tray with waxed paper, freeze, and enjoy. 

Frozen grapes on a stick!

Ideas via pinterest kid food and jill dubien. 

Fun with Photos: Instagram

We love using Instagram with our Ipad. Do you use it? Look us up at michaelivan5...it's so fun to follow friends by photos!

Conversations: with Tegegne

Tegegne: Daddy, I want to be a store owner when I grow up. 
Ababayeh: What store, son?
T: Aldi. I want to own a Aldi.


Mommy: Wow, what other stores do you want to own? 
T: Aahhh, the Mexican one.
M: Abarrotes? 
T: Yeah. Abarrotes.


Then he proceeded to tell us his work schedule and that he'll be really busy with work. Aldi closes at 1 then he goes to Abarrotes and it closes at 7...no, 6! He's going to be very busy and go to bed when it gets dark, so he'll have to spend time with his family in the mornings. He wants 5 kids, but later said 16. He wants to marry "Ababayeh." 


(Sitting at breakfast with the kids and Hensley is trying to communicate that she's ready for another bite.)
T: Mommy, what are we going to do when the new baby is crying and Hensley is crying at the same time?
M: Ha! That is a great question. I think I'll need your help.
T: Hensley! Stop crying because there is a new baby coming that is going to cry really loud. 

Bicycle Basket: Eats

Cinnamon Brown Butter Bread, Smitten Kitchen

Made these this morning and yum. Cinnamon Brown Butter Bread, by Smitten Kitchen. Any recipe that has you brown butter has to be a winner. Tegegne and I baked during Hensley's morning nap. Which she takes only sometimes, and we or I love it when she does! (Do you want to know my dilemma when trying to decide between muffins or a sweet bread? I thought...phew...I'm could eat over half of whatever I make being uber-hungry-prego-mama, so would it look better to only have 6 mini muffins sitting there when Michael comes home, or half of a loaf of bread? He is super polite and would not say anything, but it's my conscience that I've got to deal with.)


This turkey quinoa meatloaf is soooo good! Micah and Taryn made it for us Sunday night and it was delish! 


For Hensley's birthday party I made mini (crockpot) meatball sliders (similar), Taryn's moms easy cheesy potatoes (similar, but she uses country style hash browns which are small round potatoes), and a tasty winter salad with mixed greens, oranges, slivered almonds, crisp apples, feta cheese, red onions, croutons, and Cardini's pear vinaigrette. 


Made Julia Child's crepe recipe for dinner last night. We did ham, wilted spinach, and a creamy cheese sauce. And then of course the dessert crepe with Nutella and strawberries!


That once sleeping baby is now on my lap throwing a fit because she doesn't get another cinnamon muffin! We are both done, I'm telling her...she's not buying it, so farewell and happy eating!


Love,


Kristyn