I (heart) Farmer's Markets

We're pretty fortunate to live in an area where farmer's markets are so plentiful. Pretty much on any given day of the week, you can find one. We've been to the Lake City Farmer's Market in the past couple of weeks. What better place for the boys to get the best kind of free samples-- peaches, berries, apples, cheese, fresh baked bread. RTR even ended up with an inadvertent sample-- grabbing an apple from a box while I shopped at one booth. I didn't realize he had the apple until after I had paid for my produce and was off to another booth. When I returned to where the apple had been lifted, the people running it were gracious and thought it was cute. They were also amazed RTR was enjoying such a tart apple. He ate practically the whole thing-- I retrieved the stem and seeds from his juicy hands and chin.

I've got a little food anxiety-- if you haven't noticed. I recently read (most of) Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food," where he talks about how most of the items in our grocery stores aren't really food-- but food-like substances and how it got to be that way. I like his call to eat food, mostly plants. Also, never eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize. Have you ever read the ingredients list on the food in your cupboard? I try not to buy anything with more than ten ingredients or with ingredients I can't easily identify. What is hydrolized food starch or dough conditioner? There was an article in today's paper about new food labeling rules that must state what country the food comes from. Not only a good idea for people trying to eat foods grown closer to home, but also for anyone wanting to avoid food from countries with suspect hygiene or poor quality control-- Chinese melamine anyone? Cadbury had to recall or pull candy made with Chinese milk products because of melamine.

Life at 15 Months

RTR just had is 15 month check up. I guess not getting in to see the doctor until RTR is almost 16 months (as of tomorrow), shows what a great (popular) doctor we have.

Anyway, here are the statistics:
He weighs in at a lean 21 pounds, 14 ounces. That puts him in the 15th percentile.
He measures up to a tall 31-3/4 inches. He ranks in the 70th percentile for weight.

Tall and skinny. I can't even compare it to his one year visit because I can't find the info. sheet from that doctor visit. I was surprised he weighs only 21 pounds. I thought he was a little more hefty. The nurse also freaked me out when she asked how many words RTR says clearly... and I had to say none. But then the doctor came in and said, no, the count of 4-6 words at this age is sounds of intent, not actual words. Thank goodness! Our little willow of a boy has at least 4-6 distinct sounds that we recognize. Da is dog. Dree is drink (milk). Bah is ball. Ha is hi--usually into a telephone--either a play or real phone. Mom-mom-mom-mom seems to be his version of more. He also signs more, but more what is the bigger question.

As Seen on TV

We've joined the 21st century... at least in one small way with our TV. We used our government coupon and got the HD converter box for our TV. Yes, we do not have cable or satellite TV. In addition to crystal clear reception, we have a few extra channels including a kid's channel called Qubo. At first glance it seemed an okay alternative to PBS, but now we're seeing the side effects of commercial TV. CSR has told me I should get the Pancake Puff pan. It also makes pizza puffs too. That was the first thing CSR pointed out. He also thought I could get a lot of use out of the Pasta N' More Microwave Pasta Cooker. The comical thing about all this is the way CSR pretty much quotes word for word the sales pitch with the same TV tone of voice. I should appreciate the fact that he thinks that I could use some help in the kitchen!

Fun in the Backyard

We're having some beautiful weather. Now that it's September, summer is here. Here is a little video of the boys enjoying the warm weather. Before I went in and got the video camera, CSR was dancing around in the water and RTR was doing his own version. Of course, once I got the video going, they wouldn't really do it again.

It's Getting Better

Day 4 of kindergarten went better. Not nearly as many tears or carrying on this morning. Our co-op preschool teacher (former kindergarten teacher and dear friend!) gave me great words of encouragement and advice. She said this week would still be hard for CSR, pointing out he only went to school two days last week. Among her gems, reminding me to encourage CSR during the difficult times that "tommorrow will be better"...something we can all use and learn from. She also advised ice cream for lunch. So yesterday, as we walked home from school, when I suggested that, his face lit up--like he couldn't believe that his vegetable-pushing mom was going to let him have ice cream FOR LUNCH. It was totally worth it. It also helped that as I got the ice cream ready, he asked for a turkey and cheese sandwich.

We also discovered that the girl CSR sits next to in class lives around the corner from us, so that should be fun to have a friend in the neighborhood.

Kindergarten. It's getting better.

The First Day of School

Today was CSR's first day of kindergarten. Does he look like he's excited?


Tyler took the day off from work-- partly for this big day and also because he worked on the weekend. It was a beautiful day so we walked to school. CSR rode his tricycle. We took a couple of pictures outside the door and then went in the classroom.


The teacher had name tags on the tables so we helped CSR find his. Things seemed to be going pretty well. Then it came time to say goodbye. Oh boy, big emotions set in. He grabbed me and did that silent teary sob thing he does. Brought tears to my eyes too. What to do? My friend Suzanne (who's a teacher) had advised me a few days ago to make the goodbye quick and not linger. Okay, I could do that I thought. Easier said than done. I drew a heart on his hand and one on mine and said he should look at that during the day and think of me and I would do the same. That seemed to cheer him. So Tyler and I started to leave. He jumped up and grabbed me, in tears. Tyler got him back to his seat and talked to him for a few more minutes. I waited outside where we'd left RTR parked in his stroller. Watched other parents too and was glad to see we weren't the only ones with tears.