The Fable Game

Enzo Mari - The Fable Game

It’s not a book to read or to leaf through but to make, unmake and build up: a never ending adventure, played and invented anew each time by the endless possibilities at hand. The animal and vegetable pieces fit together in Enzo Mari’s inimitably elegant style to make a framework that can stimulate the imagination of old and young. The opportunities are countless and the limits unlimited in an enchanted world that can be brought to life and inhabited alone, with friends or the whole family. Show Mom and Dad what fun it is to let your imagination run wild!

This is a reprint of the game he made during the 1960s.

You can find this fantastic piece several places, here are two:
Kid O
Modern Child

I found this game at Anthropology On Sale (P.S. They have the best sales ever!...in the home department)! There was only one left and it was tucked back behind other miscellaneous books. e loves playing with it. When beginning a story it goes something like this, "Okay, one day....". The "okay" part is very pronounced and "one day" puts you on the edge of your seat.

This is one piece I get out with him from time to time and manage its playtime. This is definitely one piece I want him to pass down generation to generation. It's lovely.

"One day"

e: "Mommy do I have a baby brother?"
me: "No honey you don't."
e: "Why?"
me: |pause| "Maybe one day e."
e: "I want a baby brother one day Mommy, okay?"
me: "Okay, e."

I love you my boy.
Maybe one day.

Cuckoo

I remember as a little girl going over to my Grandma and Grandpa's house to spend the night and hearing the cuckoo clock cuckoo every half past and hour. I would get lucky if it was later in the day to catch the cuckoo flying out of his nest. Where some would find this hourly bird utterly annoying, I looked forward to it.

Last year I went to an estate sale with my dear friend Andrea. In this house we counted 4 cuckoo clocks. They were all different sizes and some would even sing a tune accompanied by a wooden band. Each purchase came with a card of authenticity. Both Andrea and I walked away with two German beauties. Our clock choices were small in size and simply cuckooed.



I chose the one with a squirrel on top and when e got a glimpse of it, especially after the first cuckoo, he was in love. He would run so fast to see our yellow beaked friend appear. It's since been silenced...not that either one of us found the cuckoo part annoying but rather I couldn't keep up with it's timing. I'd leave for work and the pine cone weights at the end of the chains would be on the floor and the clock stopped. Perhaps one day I'll start it up again.


When finished this clock will be set at e's time of birth.

So where did this soon-to-be orange clock come from? Thank you Grandpa. Grandpa's clock no longer works. It's been sitting in a box entirely too long and some parts have lost their way. Yes, this German antique isn't meant to be sprayed the brightest orange ever but it isn't meant to be rotting in a basement either. In helping e's Grandma move, she gave it to me. As seen in the photo, I am slowly revamping this memorable piece. I look forward to adding it to e's room. I have just the place especially when we get our rooms switched. I think it's super special that this piece will live on in my son's room.

e's looking forward to the finished piece. It's his "special surprise" and he reminds me of this daily.

The design of these clocks are stunning!

e Updates

1. No more pacifier.
2. Night two after sleep doctor and already a bit more difficult but we're pushing through.
3. Doing wonderfully on the potty, checking in with his body from time to time (not for coffee but rather if there's anymore in there).
4. Still eating wonderfully. Favorites such as Sole, Tofu and hummus. However, I was very American tonight and we splurged heading over to Blueberry Hill in the Loop. We both munched on chicken fingers, fries and cheese balls. No, I'm not depriving him of good ol America, I'm just allowing it once every...say...6months.
5. We're traveling soon to see our family out West and I'm already starting to pack our bags I'm so excited. e is looking forward to it too. You say with enthusiasm, "we're going to the beach Mommy in May"!
6. The ABC song has made its way to the top 5 of your favorite songs.

Your Welcome

Tonight is the first night after the sleep doctor workshop. I am already using my techniques and so far so good. If I write another entry tonight around 11, 1 or 3am...that won't be so good...baby steps...

So tonight we had a great night. A wonderful dinner, a walk around the neighborhood, playing outside until it was time to go to bed. We went through our normal routines and then out of your room I went. I told you I'd come back to check on you. This is a technique I've used before so when I heard the sleep doctor supporting this I knew I was on the right track. To your surprise I would come back in just as I said I would and we'd discuss this. So with the last check in I simply shared it was the "last time" and after one shout out to me there was silence.

Ok, so I've already shared enough about the sleep doctor this entry is titled "Your Welcome". Checking in with you the third time you were elated that I actually returned you gave me the biggest hug ever. I leaned down to give you a kiss and your arm wrapped around my head tightly, the one arm sling over.
In your bliss you began thanking me...

e: "thank you Mommy for coming back, thank you Mommy for playing with me outside, thank you Mommy..."/...for something, by this time I was noticing just how tired you were...your words slurring/"your welcome Mommy for making me dinner"/you've now grabbed my face so that you have my full attention yet so sleepy/"your welcome Mommy, I love you".

Your welcome e. Thank you e. I love you e.

Sleep Doctor

Elliott's school is great with hosting workshops and play dates. This evening I attended a discussion on children's sleep habits, they brought in a sleep doctor.

They ordered in pizza and as I stood in line the anxiety wore off as the number of parents increased, I knew I wasn't the lone "bad mother" who sneaks you into her bed from time to time. It's silly how alone you can feel in the world of parenting until you stand in a pizza line. We all stood there grabbing our bottled water, plate, napkin and cheese slice not quite looking each other in the eye. Then you catch a glimpse of that parent who looks like he/she has it all together and think, "you too...you have this problem too? NO"!

Scott was going to attend, I think just for my mental support cause he doesn't have the middle of the night wake-ups like I do from time to time. Logistics of not going to see e prior to entering the discussion got in his way. No kids were allowed and e wasn't about to watch him walk back out the door, so he took e home (it's a Daddy night).

I could have filled the entire workshop with questions but I sat back and listened to some stories familiar and some even (yes, perhaps even) worse. There were some parents with multiple children where they do the same rituals and one child snoozes without a peep and the other up three times a night. It was nice to hear that all these books you find don't factor in a lot of in between. The answers aren't black "cry it out" and white "be at their beckon call". Oh yeah and the best part, I'm not a bad Mommy! (kidding)

So I did find out that with two households one can have another sleep pattern than the other and this doesn't go as deep as just nightly whines. I have experienced a few times what they call "Confusional Arousal" and this can be in just my home. I was talking myself out of the possibility cause I was suspecting that if it was that deep it would happen in both households, not the case.

What is Confusional Arousal? Occurs in children 6mnths to 6yrs. within the first and sometimes middle third of the night. The child appears confused and agitated, may progress to crying, thrashing, back arching yet remains asleep. The child often doesn't recognize parents and it may be difficult to console for they'll push you away. Lasts 1-10minutes but can last up to 40minutes. It terminates abruptly with a return to deep sleep.

e has done this with me a few times. I noticed something quite different because he wasn't calling out for me but rather crying and when I made it to him he would push me away, crying acting very anxiety ridden and say he wanted me. When he'd come to this is when the "milking" began. He'd wake, know he was safe with me and then ask for this, that and one hundred more things. I thought for sure it was just bad behavior. Nancy Birkenmeier, the sleep doctor assures me it's something real and it's simply him waking to seek comfort and asking for everything he is comforted by.

She offered some techniques and of course to make an appointment if I find myself at a loss. One pattern I'll be working even harder on is tucking him in and then leaving. I have always rocked e to sleep. I have always come to his call. A good way to help one which in turn will help the other is saying good night while he's awake instead of waiting until he's out. I do this from time to time. e doesn't get worked up anymore when I leave him to fall asleep on his own so you might be asking, then why don't you do it every night? Well, pretty certain it's cause I'm used to it too. I enjoy that time, I enjoying snuggling and looking at his sweet slumbering face.

I will do better to help with managing his bedtime routines and adding to his required sleep number. We're not doing too bad but I could do better and I promise to work harder on this my boy. What I did learn is that I don't have to go to extremes. We can both be eased into proper habits. It's closer than I think to perfection...kidding again...all kinds of factors will sneak up on us from time to time. Vacation, illness, a special night out and simply you getting older and testing the waters can give us yet another parental hill to climb.

If I were to describe this hill it would be lush with the most beautiful flowers and I'd be on top of it yelling at the next challenge, "bring it on", no not "king of the mountain" that's your line e...mine is welcoming every challenge to mold you into the bestest boy ever! With help of course!

Art Director

The areas of open space are for label design.

On days like today I truly feel like an Art Director.

Anymore budgets are cut into tiny little pieces and I'm lucky if I get a pinch for stock photography. When a client allocates an amount for true studio shots, I feel like a little kid invited to Disney Land. Today I was that kid and it felt great working as part of a team to produce some fantastic new product shots.

I am working for a great client who has a new product line coming out. I'll share more later, for now I show stunning photography. A local photographer Steve Adams and his team shot the product, the client and a food stylist worked with the recipes and I offered help with concept and layout, dancing between food prep and photography. I truly work best in a team atmosphere. I feed off of others talents and when surrounded by respect my creativity shines.

The success of a good shoot isn't just the end product but the relationships forming in between. The Photographer, Food Stylist, Art Director and Client walked away today proud...not proud in an ego way but proud in humble talent.

Coffee Shop

Last night Karl played at Shaw Coffee. Lots of our friends were there and your Daddy brought you out. It was a fun night. You had a great time running around with your buddy Ewan.

The evening opened with Joel McPeak who had a special cellist guest. Then Karl played inviting Jamee on vocals and Sam on violin and recorder. The music was great!

You ran around, danced and enjoyed a special treat while visiting with everyone and bouncing back and forth between your father and me. Kris, Nikki and Poppi even made it out too. Here are some fun photos of the evening.

Yoshitomo Nara

Yoshitomo Nara is an artist I see daily. I have his postcards sprinkled about my office. I think his childish subjects look a little like e and I.

You can find more of his work here:
www.blumandpoe.com/yoshitomonara

Nara, born in 1959, is regarded as one of Japan's foremost contemporary artists, and has attained a cult status in his homeland that is hardly conceivable for European artists to reach. His signature paintings and drawings of children, often sporting grim gazes, that which recall the tradition of popular Japanese mangas, are among the most sought out items on the international art scene.

Therapy

I have been thinking a lot about rearranging our home. The opportunities for purchasing another home haven't presented themselves profitable so I'm retiring the thought of a larger home for now.

Our home is lovely but I think I could make better use of the space. I just purchased this book and I'm excited to use it as a resource. I was reading another blog, happy mundane and after reading about how wonderful it is I had to purchase it...perfect timing!

First rooms to work on will be ours. I will switch rooms with e giving him the "master" so that he can have a larger space to play. I will take his room, give it a face-lift and it will become my little haven of peace. I look forward to painting the walls chocolate. If you haven't slept in a chocolate brown room I highly recommend it, it's so cozy! The brown needs to be a blue brown not too warm or it just won't provide the same, ahhhhh. I miss the color palette of my last home. When Scott and I designed the home I tackled color. e's room in that home is the chocolate brown room. Hmmm, could that be why he sleeps better at Daddy's house?...I know, nice try.

I'm excited to rework a mural on his new room wall. I currently have on the walls fly by Blik. I will keep these gorgeous birds up and work them into something magical. I'm pretty certain I'll be transferring the musicians as well. I can hear it now..../angry/ "Mommy. Where. Are. My. Musicians?!" When he is reprimanding his animals (or trying to with me) he punctuates each word to get his point across. When I finish his mural design I'll post it.

I look forward to receiving my book in 5-7 days for inspiration who knows what I'll end up doing to the rest of the house.

Busted

I realize that most of my readers don't think some of what I write is half as funny as I do. This entry, I'm still giggling. The kind of giggle where you try and be quiet about it and end up snorting cause you can't keep it in. Perhaps one or two of you might see the humor in this one. I can't stop laughing.

I tucked e into bed tonight. I laid with him for a little bit and then (my normal routine) left telling him that I'd check on him in a minute. I go into the living room, get out my computer and head to the fridge for one, just one chocolate bon bon from Trader Joes. These delicious bite size treats are chocolate over chocolate with a chocolate cookie crust. I eat my treat and immediately hear e's little voice calling me, e: Mommy, why you leave me? me: e, nite nite buddy. His voice is getting louder so I go to him to re-tuck.

I lean into him, giving him a kiss on his cheek,
me: Nite, nite buddy.
e: What are you eatin Mommy?
me: I'm not eatin e.
e: I smell somethin.
I start laughing...I'm clearly busted!
me: I had a treat e.
e: You had a treat Mommy, why?
me: Cause I wanted one. Go to sleep buddy.

By this point I'm answering a lot of why questions at the same time trying not to giggle too much so that I make the point properly that he needs to go to sleep. I ended up needing to leave the room telling him I'd check on him again.

I'm sure in his little head he was thinkin....
Yeah, sure Mommy, why don't you go off and have yourself another treat! I'm mean have another nothing! Dahhh, did you honestly think I couldn't smell the chocolate on your breath?

I was officially busted! Nice job e! Nite, Nite.

P.S. I can't stop crying laughing as I reread this. I love those deep belly laughs!

Should children watch TV?

I'm pretty certain there are a few people out there that believe plunking your child down in front of the television is grounds for abuse. I'm pretty certain that they meant all shows EXCEPT the Lawrence Welk Show. This show is definitely, perfectly OK.

After an early dinner tonight we had plenty of time to play. We were building with blocks when e decided to turn on the TV. We can thank Pop and LaLa for the newly normal size tube (our last one was all of 13"). We do not have cable and because of this the channel is almost permanently on PBS, channel 9. As the TV flickered on we heard the sounds of the Lawrence Welk Show. e: Violin's Mommy! me: Ahhh, e that's a big band, it's the Lawrence Welk Show.

Well, I had to grab my camera! He began to sing and dance, his eyes fixed on the television. I had my block microphone and he had his. After each song we shouted "Yay" and clapped and when a new song or dance came on we participated. The songs were either about having your heart broken or my favorite for the evening (and the only one I could sing along to), "You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You".

Funny, I remember both sets of grandparents watching this program when I was a little girl. I thought it was super boring then but now I find the songs catchy and the wardrobe classic. Cracks me up! And to watch e...that REALLY cracks me up. I know...video would do this much more justice. Enjoy the photos, that's all I got.


The Lawrence Welk Show was a musical variety show hosted by former big band leader Lawrence Welk. New episodes were aired in either a local, network, or syndicated capacity for more than 30 years; repeat episodes are still being broadcast usually on PBS.

IF by Rudyard Kipling

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,'
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

This was posted by our friend Mike on his blog.
I had to steal it...it's perfect. Thanks Skippy!

As I tucked you into bed tonight...

after milk, stories and prayer...you nestled your body into mine for snuggles and said "me happy Mommy".

Me happy too e.

Funk or Funky?

So I'm still feeling a bit under the weather. This cold isn't only upper respiratory but it's effecting my mood...I'm coughing with a scowl on my face...pretty!

So I decided I needed to look through e's Flickr site and watch the Easter video (yet another time) to help my funk. Enjoying several giggles, I'm well on my way to smiles.

I'm so overdue to catch up on my daily entries, I've been trying to find something to talk about other than my current emotional state...I know...I'm not doing a very good job up to this point...hack, hack, frown. Then I remembered my latest find, Funky Monkey Baby Boutique!

I was recently searching for an unique gift for my girlfriend Nikki Golding who just had her second child. Devon Harvey Golding was born March 19, 2008 weighing 7lbs, 5oz and 19.5" long. He has the sweetest big sister, Savannah and I wanted to get them both something fun.



Funky Monkey has the cutest "Big Sister" tee and "Little Brother" onesie, they were perfect. They are a company out of Canada who carry sweet gifts and have wonderful customer service. Those of you with children...happy shopping!



Nic, thank you for the picture of Savannah and Papa.
Congratulations! e and I miss you guys!

"Just Beat It, Beat It!"

In mid song.


Is this on?


In mid dance.

Michael has nothing on e.

Yesterday e wanted to wear just one glove, this without prompting, it was if he knew who he was going to mimic. He picked up his micro phone and began singing and dancing. Scott has shared they from time to time watch Idol and I have done this with him too so this is the only place he might get an idea such as this. It was funny and familiar so I had to capture it.

I'm well aware I'm overdue for a post. In short, we had another water issue. This time it came with sludge and came up threw the laundry room floor. After getting that fixed and clean, I am back down for the count with a frog/grapefruit in my throat! Ahhhh! I'm home today to get extra rest and fight this off.

I'll write more later...off to rest!

Love you e!

e: I want to go to the beach, Mommy!

me: Ok e! We're there! Yay!!!

e, I just booked our flight. We're headed in May to see Aunt Pat and Tia Pina for an entire week. It has been almost a year since we've seen them, I can not wait for them to see how much you've changed.

I look forward to a nice, relaxing visit and lots of beach time.

Can't wait to see you guys!

e at 15months when we visited last.


Pillow fight with Tia Pina.


Tia Pina, Aunt Pat and e.