And Now We Are Five...

Oliver's fifth birthday party at Airport Bowl in Richfield, MN

Me: How old are you, Oliver?

O: I'm one whole hand!

Sunchoke Update

I was going to write that the "filthy, loathsome, stinking wind" from eating sunchokes wasn't an issue for my family until I spent the evening with us. Huh.

Sunchokes sliced and eaten raw taste like spring. Like tulip leaves or lilac blossoms covered in earth. They take some getting used to, but they are familiar somehow. I am anxious to see how they will taste when cooked. You can mash or roast them in olive oil. They're a tuber, so you treat them as you would a potato, I guess.

But after last evening, I am a little scared to try...

I am full of fresh, organic vegetables and my body is humming, full of energy and good things. This CSA thing may turn out to be a-okay.

The Governments

Oliver said this today on our walk, while I was pulling him in the wagon. He happened to not be wearing any shoes. As soon as he got to the word "governments" my eyebrows shot up. Way up.

"Mom, do the . . . Are the . . . Does the governments . . . Mom . . . Mom! Do the leaders of the governments what make all the rules for the country let kids go in their bare feets on that playground over there?"

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Springtime at Our House

Our sweet neighbor & her little dog, Luna

Whoa. Whoa! Somebody stop me...

Mr. Will, 14 years old & my constant companion

You must turn your head sideways to watch this movie...

think, think, think

"Oliver, it's time to get your jammies on."

"But Mom, I have so many thinks that I'm thinking in my head,
there isn't any room in there for your idea, too."

Visiting the Farm

Preschool visit to a farm today. Oliver rode a big yellow school bus. When he got back, he announced:

"I learned a whole bunch of stuff."

"What did you learn?"

"I'm going to think about it for awhile." Think. Think. Think.

"Do you remember what you learned?"

"I need more time to think." Think. Think. Think. "Moo."

"You saw a goat? A horse? A cow?"

"Yes!"

"Did you learn about milking?"

"No. Oink."

"You saw a farmer? A chicken? Pigs?"

"Yes!"

"How many did you see?"

"Around a hundred. Or maybe it was 38."

"Do you remember yet what you learned?"

"Yes. Don't step in geese poop."

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Later... thinking about how Mom & Dad got married because they wanted to be a family...

"Mom, when I get to be a grown up, will you help me find my own family?"

"Of course. And we will still be your family, too."

"Okay. Hey, I know! I'll get married to you! Is that okay?"

"Absolutely."

"If I forget to marry you when I'm a grown up, you remind me."

"Okay."

"How will you remember?"

"I could never forget."

And Now We Are One...

Sitting around a friend's campfire the other night, Elliott was on Matt's lap. I was holding Oliver a few chairs down. Suddenly I heard a little voice call, "Mama! Mama!" Elliott was leaned forward and waving his whole arm in a stiff little circle at me, flashing his "ain't I clever" little grin. It was the first time he called out to me, and it was just to see me smile...