Quote of the day

Dad: The fruit of the Spirit is...
Adaline: Love, joy, patience, kindness, oh my goodness, and remote control.

Spring Pictures

Every time the kids see a flower or a green leaf or hear birds singing, they say, "Mom, it's Spring!" We're all very happy to get some warmer weather, so we've spent lots of time outdoors. Warm weather also brings dirty, stinky kids--Arthur spent much effort piling dirt on his head today. The kids have had 3 baths in 3 days...a true accomplishment (and necessary evil) for the Galt family. Here are some warm-weather pictures from the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens and Coney Island...and our future Italian soccer players.

Breakfast Conversation

Arthur: Mommy, we eating [as a] family!
Adaline: Oh no. Daddy not here. It's broken.
Arthur: Daddy need to come home. We need to put it back together.
Adaline: I know! We get Dora's map and fix it!

Jamison has been very busy studying for his ordination exam, and the kids really miss him. The kids know that our family is not complete without Daddy. Too bad Dora can't fix everything...I'm sure Jamison would love it if her map could help him navigate through his exam!

Last night I scrapbooked for the first time. I went to a friend's house for a party/lessons. I'm finally starting the kids' album! I can't take any credit, though. She designed the whole thing for me. I think they turned out well.

3 uses for duct tape

1. Secure a given diaper on a child/children by wrapping duct tape around the waist. (This was actually recommended to me by a friend who researched the problem that I am having with diaper catapults.)
2. Secure the child's/children's arms together behind the back in case they are able to wiggle their skinny hips out of the duct tape diaper.
3. Secure the child's/children's mouth in case the protests against #1 & #2 are unreasonably loud.

In severe cases, this might become an appropriate use:


I've had it. This problem ends today. The kids are going over 2 hours on the naked acts before their nap. I just walked in there with scissors and cut the feet off footed-zip pajamas and put it on them backwards. If they can get those off, then I might have to resort to duct tape. I'll provide the child abuse number below :)
The drama continues...

Easter Pictures

We should have taken pictures of our Easter party. We had a potluck consisting of 18 adults and 7 kids! Who said that you can't host a lot of people in a small apartment? It was a lot of fun!

100% chance of rain

What does one do when she sees the weather report of 100% chance of rain and 40 degrees? Movie day? Craft day? Pull-out-all-of-the-special-toys day? Anything to stay inside, right?

Well, not me. I like to load the kids up in the stroller where they stay nice and dry under the rain cover, while I stomp in massive city sidewalk puddles without rain boots wearing short sleeves and a rain coat that is not rainproof. (Side note: Who makes rain coats that aren't water proof? Someone actually invested their time and energy into designing and sewing a coat to wear in the rain that only traps the rain inside the coat in effect soaking every piece of clothing that it touches. Fascinating.) While I was shivering and getting wetter with every step, all my kids could do was whine/cry about anything they could dream of. It was pure torture.

All I could think about on the way home was a hot shower, a cup of hot chocolate, and nap time without any contact with children. Instead I had the privilege of participating in Act II of "Dancing in my Poo"--this time not only from Arthur, but also from his talented sister in the next crib. I could not feel any more sorry for myself at this moment.

I have learned from this experience, though. #1 Buy a new raincoat. #2 Drink two hot chocolates ASAP. #3 Put in 2 hours worth of videos when the children awake (if they ever fall asleep--the verdict is still out at this point.) The children will be lucky if they go on the luxury stroll in the rain ever again.

"Disgusting"

This was the word that my new hair stylist chose to describe my current hair color. It was my first haircut since moving here, and it was a true New York experience. Between the stylist's multiple profanities in Israeli accent and a random salesman pushing boot-legged DVDs onto my lap, I was utterly in awe of the situation. I knew I was at home when I was served a fresh espresso to sip while my hair was being blow-dried.

I was actually happy to find someone who will give me a strong opinion. He cut my hair the way he wanted and told me to come back in two days if I didn't like it. I've always secretly wished that one of those TV makeover shows would pick me to be their next project. Sometimes I intentionally dress a little dumpy, hoping that they are wandering the city streets looking for someone who needs help. To get a free hairdo and wardrobe? That is totally worth the embarrassment of being the unfashionable ugly one on TV. Maybe Shlomy will be that person for me...someone who will just tell me what looks good and do it.

On a different note...here's a picture of Adaline waving a palm branch to celebrate Palm Sunday at church.