a little inspiration

First off.  I can hardly believe I am even writing this.  Second- Really? You: :Are a crazy, wild creature. :Are not called the Bug much anymore.  Now it is mostly bird and baby lion. :Love watching the excavators at "struction" site down the street. :Like tea parties and dinner parties. :Are loud when I want you to be quiet and quiet when I need you to be loud. :Still love building "nests" with all your pillows (and ours too.) :Mostly want Papa but sometimes ask for Mama too. :Love your Deedle. :Pretty much have this whole potty thing down. :Love Desi. :Brush and feed the cats.  Even Sebastien purrs! :Can peddle your bike all by yourself. :Are very clear and can talk about all sorts of things now. :Like to "Do it myself!" :Have had your first stitches. :Like to cuddle. :Love belly kisses and tickles. :Can write and read some letters. :Can sing the whole ABC song. :Can count reliably to 11 and reco...

Now that we are spending all day everyday together I am working hard to get nap times in.  Mostly they happen in the car or not at all.  I try to always have something to do with me.  Crochet is so wonderfully portable. After my miscarriage I got a sweet little package in the mail from one of my best friends from high school.  (Oh, the wonder of facebook!)  It was full of yarn and what a perfect gift for hands that are always seeking to be busy. I had a hard time deciding how to use it.  It wasn't a whole lot, but it was beautiful.  I wanted to make it into something for myself but Spring was coming fast and the need for scarves and hats was almost over.  Finally, I came across this shawl pattern (ravelry link.)  It has been the perfect thing.  Warm, but not hot.  Perfect sized even for Emerson to use when he is chilly.  I wear it way more than I expected and with this chilly, rainy weather it adds just the coziness I...

We are learning every day.  As Emerson gets closer and closer to his third birthday I am amazed at how much he knows and can learn each day.  Right now I hear him in the kitchen with Oma learning about division by cutting up cookie dough.  A few weeks ago he wanted to "draw" some letters with Papa. The letters below "rar" and "mamaa" are ones that he had help with.  The others he did mostly by himself.  Of course he doesn't know what to do with them but having the interest in the world of letters is so exciting. ps- I really want to make this .

Emerson and I are learning how to be together most of the time again.  In the past six months or so I have only really had all day Sundays with him and for most of those Papa was around too.  And, oh, how much you grow between 2.5 and 3! The other day we had on of those perfect days.  We both had our listening ears on and we were both being kind.  He made a bracelet in the morning and helped me patch my pants in the afternoon.  We played with his big pink ball and pulled weeds together.  Yesterday was bad.  I don't really have any parenting skills for the really hard days.  It was awful as I watched myself and didn't know what to do with him.  I was so tired and aggravated.  And so was he.  What are your tricks for turning a bad day around?