confessions

Since I'm feeling particularly honest today, I thought I'd share a few of the last week's happenings with you. Not in any particular order.

We have eaten a.lot.of.sugar. A lot. Did I mention that it was a lot? Mostly in the form of my Grandma's fabulous English toffee, peanut butter bon-bons (rice krispies, powdered sugar, cheap peanut butter and butter all mixed together, rolled into balls and dipped in melted butterscotch or chocolate), sugar cookies sandwiched with jam and drizzled with icing, cinnamon rolls, pretzels dipped in white chocolate, and peppermint patties.

We are all sick. We've actually been sick for a month, and the glut of sugar certainly hasn't helped. In addition to a wicked flu, the youngest two are now battling something that suspiciously resembles pinkeye.

After a sleepless night of being up with a sick, screaming baby, my hubby went to the store and bought us supper last night. We ate bbq ribs and kraft mac 'n cheese and pillsbury frozen biscuits. No judgment, please. I don't think that my brain cells could have connected enough to follow a recipe yesterday.

The boys' bedroom looks like a war zone in the aftermath of Christmas. I plan to have a toy purge and reorganizing party in the next few days. It will have to be on a day when the boys go off to do manly stuff with Daddy. Otherwise, this is what I will hear as I work: "But Maaammmaaa! That fragment of a happy meal toy that I got three years ago and immediately broke and that has been in the bottom of the toy box ever since is my long-lost favorite toy ever and you can't get rid of it!"

I've had to face the fact that in spite of my best efforts, I now have three boys who for the most part refuse to eat wholesome food. It has gotten worse and worse and has become painfully evident this week. Cookies, candy, Grandma's jello salad and Kraft mac 'n cheese are inhaled, while my more humble soups, veggies, and even almond butter and jelly sandwiches are rejected. Tomorrow begins a new era in our home. The Christmas cookies will be sent to church tonight and unhealthy options will simply not be available. I'm not going to force-feed broccoli or something that they simply detest, but they are going to learn to eat normal food. Not having that junk around won't hurt my waistline either.

I have made kombucha! Yes, I bottled it a few days ago and it tastes like the real thing. I am so excited. It's not quite as fizzy as the stuff that I bought at the health food store, so next time I am going to do a longer secondary ferment. But it is absolutely drinkable. I also have a beautiful baby scoby in addition to the mother that I grew from a bottle of storebought GT brand. I never did a lot of science experiments in school so this has been really, really fun. Even if I don't brew the stuff long-tem, I feel like I have accomplished something so cool.

Ethan's reading has been improving by leaps and bounds and he has finally started reading on his own for fun. He got an Animal Encyclopedia from the Grandparents for Christmas and last night he sat on the couch and read us interesting facts about animals, without suggestion or encouragement. Since he has been a somewhat reluctant reader, I am beyond excited.

I am knitting a grey wool sweater for Anwyn using this pattern that I found via Soulemama. This is by far the funnest knitting project that I have ever done. It is detailed enough to hold my interest, small enough to complete in a short amount of time, and simple enough that I can work on it with little people talking around me. I can't wait to see her wear it!