There really isn't too much to report on, but still I thought I'd pop in with a little update. A lot of our activities are on a bit of a hiatus right now, and it is too cold for walks to the library or playing outside for extended periods of time, so we've been making due with other things.
First up, was a home-made vanilla making play date with two friends. I met Takisha and Marie in the Holistic Moms group I joined pretty soon after moving to Belleville. In the last 6 months or so, it has really taken off - play dates, moms night out, etc etc. Takisha mentioned on Facebook that she wanted to make Vanilla, Marie and I chimed in that we thought that would be fun, and a little impromptu (ish) party was formed.
all you need is vanilla beans and vodka or rum. Easy peasy.
Marie, hard at work
oh, and then you have to wait at least 2 months. In the near month since we did this, this is already a nice, dark, vanilla-y looking color. Can't wait to try it in March!
Axel, Marie's 15 month old
Takisha and Johnathan
That was a great way to start the week off. The next week I hosted an official Holistic Moms 'Holistic You' Play date. Together we made our own laundry detergent. It was also pretty easy, but grating a bar of soap is hard work. Together we're learning about ways to reduce our consumption, our waste, and the chemicals we use in our homes. It has been highly educational, to say the least. No good pictures of the day, but the house was full - five women and five kids two and under (Kyalo's the oldest at almost 3). To say it was a bit chaotic would be an understatement.
I made the mistake of not unpacking my suitcase quickly enough. One Sunday afternoon, we heard Kyalo get up from his nap earlier than we hoped. But he didn't come out to us - he went into our room and was quiet. Since we were both enjoying the quiet on the couch we didn't get up to investigate for almost 30 minutes. This is what Dexter walked in on:
That would be my bare escentuals make up all over the floor and all over Kyalo
This is what I get for not investigating the suspicious silence sooner!
does he at least look a little guilty?
A few weeks ago, we had a real Kenyan meal for dinner - sukuma wiki (kale or collard greens), beef stew, and ugali which is a staple in Kenya, a corn flour dish that is used as a utensil. Kyalo tried his hand at it and looks like a pro!
and now, I want to eat all of that again!
Another note, Kyalo gave up his high chair this month. This is probably later than most kids his age, but our table is on wheels, and our chairs are folding chairs, so I have not been keen to let him out. The chair he's in above never seems very stable, and he has to sit on his knees. Looking forward to some day having a 'real' table in our life.
He also discovered a love of vacuuming while in Essex. While our vacuuming needs aren't so great here, we do have a little hand-held vacuum he likes to use.
Today, to kill the morning, we made zucchini cookies. Kyalo enjoyed grating the zucchini. It was a little painful for me to hand it over to him and just let it be (the mess! the slowness!) but it worked out when when he said, 'I'm having fun.' So, grating zukes for the win.
Lastly, and I'm sorry to go on and on, yesterday a group of us once again from the Holistic Moms group got together - this time, to exchange freezer meals. Everyone made two meals four times to exchange, and we had a big swap last night. It was harder work than I expected (have you ever chopped 10 cups of carrots?) and I vowed to never ever do it again. Then, last night, I heated up Marie's white bean, sausage and kale soup, and made a pot of rice, and thought, I might never have to cook again! And, since I did my math wrong and made five of each of my meals, we have my two offerings as well. Tonight we're having a shepherd's pie-type meal. All I have to do is pop it in the oven. I'm in love.
Here's my freezer:
All in all, it has been a good month. I can't believe February is on Saturday. Hoping February is as fun-filled (but warmer) as January!
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