The Farm Report

Category: Neko

  • Ariel

    Ariel

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    When we realized Neko thought we could just go to the store and get anything, we concluded it was time to start talking about money. Especially when it came to the Ariel doll she was coveting.

    Now, this isn’t a doll I would ever normally approve of. The thing is virtually a Barbie, which I swore would never set foot in our house. But I’m trying to tell myself she will be so obsessed with the sparkly, glowing tail that she won’t notice her impossibly small waist and clamshell-covered bosom. This is all rationalization, I know. Be kind. I’m in the last few weeks of pregnancy. My resolve is not what it used to be. We said if she could save the money, she could buy Ariel.

    So we instituted an allowance. But how much do you give a three-year-old? We wanted to give her enough that she could actually purchase things after a few weeks of saving, but not give her too much and make it all meaningless. We also wanted to introduce the concepts of saving and donating.

    We settled on $9 a week. $2 into savings (for the long haul), $2 to donate to others, and $5 to spend. We made a big chart where she could tape up her dollars as she saved. And you know what? We think she’s actually getting the concept!

    This Saturday she had enough money to purchase THE DOLL. It has been the focus of everything all day, every minute, and seriously, have you seen how her sparkly tail lights up?

  • Tree, tree, tree

    Tree, tree, tree

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    We got rid of the Xmas tree today. The needles were falling off at lightning speed, and I really missed the real estate in the play area. Nonetheless, saying goodbye to the tree is always sad. It leaves a gaping hole in your living space, and even though the holidays are hectic, it reminds me that all the excitement and anticipation is over until next year.

    So today we hatched a plan. As Tom took the lights off the tree and assigned it to its new job as fertilizer, I settled the kids down for a project: planting Xmas tree seeds. This great little kit made it super-easy. Although I’m sure you could do it yourself for much cheaper, it was nice for this first-timer to have all the supplies I needed.

    Rehydrate the soil, plant seeds, and then into the refrigerator for 30 days. When we have seedlings and the right conditions outside, we’ll transplant them to an area on the farm.

    While Neko was still a little sad to see the tree go, I think she’s excited about keeping an eye on our seeds. And I love the idea that someday down the road we’ll pick our family tree from a grove planted by our own hands.

  • Mud puddles

    Mud puddles

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    It’s been grey and gross around here. Overcast skies, threatening rain, and rarely a peek of sunshine. Maybe that’s why we’re on the sixth day of 2007, and I have yet to write a post.

    By mid-afternoon today, everyone was cranky. Shep woke up from nap in a bad mood. Neko didn’t nap. Tom is getting a cold. I’m depressed about how much I clean and how much of a disaster this house still is.

    I managed to get the recycling out this morning, but the trash bin was full and the mudroom shower was becoming a second dumpster. “I’m taking out the trash,” I said. “Who’s coming?” Neko balked until Shep sprinted for his boots. Then suddenly Neko wanted to go, too. Even Tom found his coat.

    As we carried the bags, the kids started playing in the mud puddles. We considered if we should stop them, but, you know, they were in boots and we own a really nicer washer and dryer.

    Turns out fresh air and mud puddles are a good cure for cranky kids. And maybe their parents, too.

  • Friends, family, fun

    Friends, family, fun

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    We met Griffin, Vince and their families at the museum today. Marlo, Jeff, Vince, and James were in town for the holidays, so a get-together is a must.

    The kids ran headlong toward one another, and it was like no time had elapsed since they saw one another. We tried to get some good pictures of the three of them, which wasn’t so easy. Then, once Griffin left, the whole photo-op turned into some sort of WWF on the floor between Neko and Vince, giggling all the way.

    We must figure out how to get Jeff transferred back to our neighborhood.

  • Thingamagoop

    Thingamagoop

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    Last year, after a hot tip from Chris, I got Tom a Thingamagoop for Xmas. It’s one step away from a high school science project. A homemade box with circuitry wired inside. Turning the knobs results in different frequencies of noise. The antenna is light-sensitive, so it changes the pitch as well. Basically, it sounds like a CB radio gone crazy. Tom loves it. The kids love it.

    So this year, each of the kids got their own. I got one, too, because I think Tom didn’t want me to feel left out. Tonight was one of those award winning moments for any music-loving Dad. The kids got out all three Thingamagoops and were seeing how they interact with each other. Shining their lightbulbs at each other. Turning on and off the lightswitch. Tom was beaming with glee.

    Now that is a Xmas gift.

  • Postcards from the edge

    Postcards from the edge

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    Dude, we so have our Xmas photo for this year.

  • The week before Xmas

    The week before Xmas

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    The week before Xmas when you’re a SAHM is deadly. All of the kids’ activities come to a grinding halt, so you have nothing with which to fill the schedule. Yet, you could put in a 40 hour work week just on wrapping, holiday cards, shopping, etc. So the irony is, although you have all this free time, none of the stuff you need to get done is compatible with small children. So I find myself wracking my brain for new activities, while silently panicking about everything on my “to do” list.

    Today we headed down south for a series of activities. First stop: Aquarium. Normally we don’t go there because Neko likes to treat it as her opportunity to do the 100 yard dash…how quickly can she make it from the entrance to the exit? But today she actually slowed down enough to pet a shark and glance at the jellyfish. I see this as a success.

    Next stop: Dewey’s. And the kids actually sat in their seats and ate. And I got to listen to the painful, I swear it could have been a sitcom, office Xmas party taking place next to me. Seriously. Beyond. Hilarious.

    Third stop: The walking bridge. Neko ran from one side to other with an intensity that could have fueled a small country, and Shep and I walked leisurely behind. Good to get in some fresh air.

    Fourth stop: Border’s. Mama needs some coffee for the long drive home.

  • Wally & Jackie’s

    Wally & Jackie’s

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    We look forward to Wally and Jackie’s Xmas party each year. It starts at 4pm, just after naps and runs until you change your kids into their jammies and drag them home, kicking and screaming. The kids keep themselves occupied with the ample toys, and parents stand a chance of actually talking to one another.

    As a special bonus, in the middle of the party, Wally dresses up like Santa and distributes gifts to each child. Neko happily sat on his lap this year, while Shep began his phone call to Children’s Services the minute he came within a three-foot radius of the Big Guy.

    We couldn’t pry the 12-inch Wiggles dolls out of Neko’s hands the entire evening—you can see her clutching them while she visits with Santa. Meanwhile, Shep just moved from one ball toy to the next and then the next. Heaven. Pure heaven.

  • She’s watching us

    She’s watching us

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    This evening, after Shep was in bed, Tom and I were catching up on the day when we noticed out of the corners of our eyes that Neko was hard at work in the kitchen. She had a big pile of shirts, and was methodically flattening them between two pieces of silpat. She buzzed around the shirt, tucking here and striaghtening there. Passing over them with a travel pack of Kleenex. Finally, she would knock the shirt off the bench and into a waiting bowl below.

    All of a sudden we realized what she was doing—she was silkscreening t-shirts.

    Now if you haven’t seen the whole set-up in the shop, you wouldn’t be able to appreciate the accuracy with which she had replicated each step. But it was uncanny.

    We can’t decide whether to be amazed and proud, or suddenly aware that we are living with Big Brother (Sister?). She’s watching our every move.

  • Return and exchange policy

    Said this morning after Tom throws the dogs outside in frustration:
    “Dad, we just need to return them to the grocery store and get some new dogs.”