north village love

I am having one of my loving the village days. I did my three mile morning walk with Ezra. He was totally fine in the stroller and mostly sang his silly made up songs (some of them involving poop), really loudly. We came home to find Henry on his bike and  Matty on the front porch. Ashley was in the clothing closet (place where we villagers exchange clothes) and I dropped off some stuff and came home with more stuff than I dropped off. Most of it was for the boys, fall duds for next year. Matty washed three loads of laundry and I hung it all up in our backyard line which we share with all the other families. I love hanging up the laundry, and I love that while I hang it up I smell the Moon family's yummy lunch being made and I hear Little Jonathon Avishay whining  in Hebrew and Anna (Peter's lovely mommy) comes out and tells me that she is going to feed Peter and take her stuff off the line so I will have more room. And Nigel pops his head outof E-16 and tells me thanks for watching Keel yesterday morning. This is community. Later, Talaya and Dawn and I are having our ladies night. Woohoo!

P.S The Business of Being Born is on DVD. We just rented it. Sara and I watched it together and she was even mesmerized. I know I am preaching to the choir here, but everyone should watch this movie. 

a henry update

Just a quick update for al concerned parties, and thank you for your concern! After much communication (phone calls and emails) , we have found out that Henry had only missed two sessions and those two were promptly made up after my inquiries. I also found out that the speech therapist has gone beyond her IEP requirements and checked in on Henry several times. The notebook has begun to be utilized and I have had several email conversations with his pt that make me feel much more comfortable about everything. I know now that  I still can't "trust" the system to work smoothly on it's own but I feel a ton better.  

my favorite pasta dish

This is a great one to bring to those summer potlucks, especially when the fennel is abundant in your garden or your farmers market. It is adapted from Once Upon a Tart- Frank Mentesana and Jerome Audereau, a favorite cookbook of mine. There is not a recipe in there that has not been yummy.

Roast three heads of fennel  (salted peppered and olive oiled), core removed and sliced thin ( 1/4 inch), greased pan, 375 degrees, 20-25 min. until sides are browned. Roast one cubed eggplant ( salted, drained, oiled) , 10-15 minutes until soft. Scrape into bowl with one lb. of cooked penne, 1/2 c. chopped oil cured black olives,  2 cups chopped dill, 1 c. of coarsely chopped Pecorino cheese. This is great served warm or chilled. It is a favorite in our family.

The North Village Mini- Garden

mia sorellas

Three Prosecco spritzers for three sisters

Sorry about the missed posts. I achieved all my goals ( no yelling no stitches, have fun). ANd my sister came to visit.We took the boys to feed the ducks. Its a good thng we are leaving for the summer because we might have been the cause of the first case of avian obesity with all the bread these boys feed these ducks!

No, we did not swallow the whipped cream. Our lips were chapped and this is the best remedy. The cream is so rich. Really.

That is a strawberry. What is a warm late spring weekend without strawberry shortcake with organic strawberries from California. We couldn't wait. Okay? 

Day 2

Ezra loves his cornstarch goop.

The Status: The kids are happy. I think I am getting a cold. Boys are watching "A Bug's Life", their Friday night movie and munching on pizza. I am planning on going to bed very early tonight and picking my big sister up in the morning!!!!Yeehaw! Dishes are done and house is a bit messier, laundry is gathering dust. I am too tired and don't care about cleaning. This may be the most boring bog post in the history of the internet. 

Matty's in Montreal, Day one

I am going to keep a brief online journal of the few days (4 days, 3 nights) that Matty is in Montreal presenting at a conference ( go matty!). 

Goals: no yelling, no stitches, have fun

The Status: Today was pretty good and normal so far since we saw him  this morn. I did not yell at the children and only once did I want to. We had cowboy eggs for dinner and yogurt with strawberries. All three of us trekked out ( post dinner) to dispose of the rubbish and recycling. Both boys were in bed and asleep at 7. The dishes are washed, floor is swept, laundry is clean ( and unfolded, some still on drying rack) and mostly in a basket. Henry's room is neat and organized and lovely, as is the kitchen.  The living room is mediocre and needs a vacuuming. The front flower beds have been planted and are thriving. We have plenty of toilet paper and other supplies. Neither of the children are bleeding and both had their baths. I am not drinking right now although I may soon develop diabetic shock due to the amt. of chocolate I have consumed today (all of my preschoolers gave me flowers and chocolates on our last day). 

xoxo

k