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Archives for November 2013

In the lane, snow is glistening

~ chit-chat, family

srk5Our family is in full Christmas-mode and  this afternoon when I was doing Christmas crafts and we listened to Christmas carols, it started snowing. We were both excited (Ladybug didn’t give a rat’s ass, she doesn’t remember snow) like little children and headed straight out for a walk. We stopped by a cozy café and had warm, delicious, fatty donuts and hot chocolate. The Ladybug’s timing was impeccable as always – she fell asleep on our way to the café so she missed out. We brought home some donuts so she’s munching as we speak. 😀

It’s really ridiculous how we’re so excited over a couple of millimeters of snow since we’re going to be knee-deep in snow and sick of it for the three upcoming months, but the first snowfall is just so… exciting and romantic. I’m really happy we’ve had to wait until the beginning of December for the snow to arrive, the anticipation makes it feel extra special.

// Meie pere on juba sada protsenti jõulumeeleolus – kodu on kaunistatud, valdava enamuse ajast kõlavad elutoa kõlaritest jõululaulud ja kui ma täna jõulukaunistusi meisterdasin, hakkas lund sadama. Mina ja H olime maksimaalselt elevil (noorel daamil olid lumesajust pohlad, tema eelmisest aastast lund ei mäleta) nagu väikesed lapsed ja kiirustasime õue jalutama. Võtsime suuna Sõõrikukohvikusse ja nautisime sooje, värskeid, rasvast lirtsuvaid sõõrikuid (mmm…) ja kuuma kakaod. Väike inimene uinus muidugi teel kohvikusse oma vankrikeses ja magas kogu piduliku sõõriksuöömise maha (ei, me ei käinud salaja sõõrikuid söömas, ostsime ikka lapsele ka kaasa).  

Igatahes on äärmiselt pentsik, kui elevil inimene võib olla mõnest millimeetrist lumest, kui ta samas juba paari kuu pärast tahaks igasuguse lume peale natukene oksendada. Aga päris esimene lumesadu on ju niii vahva ja romantiline… Ilmselt on asi ka päris palju selles, et me oleme seda harjumatult kaua pidanud ootama. Tavaliselt on meil ju juba oktoobri lõpus talve võlumaa. 🙂

srk2srkNot the most charming without make-up, but throwing on make up just to go out for a walk with the family sounds a little ridiculous even for me…
// Mitte just kõige sarmikam ilma meigita, aga perega jalutama minemiseks meigi tegemine kõlab isegi minu jaoks tiba kentsakalt…
//srk9
Well played, little girl, well played!srk3
I’m usually not a huge fan of large patterns on wallpaper, but this one looks so authentically retro and beautiful. I had to bring it along on photo!
// Mulle tavaliselt eriti ei sümpatiseeri suurte mustritega tapeedid, aga see on kuidagi nii autentselt retro ja kaunis. Ma pidin selle endaga fotol kaasa võtma!
srk7srk10
Ladybug’s window from the outside // Väikese neiu aken õuest vaadates

Christmas DIY: Crochet-embellished cushion

~ christmas, DIY

padiThis isn’t much of a tutorial because there really isn’t a lot I can teach you – it’s a really-really easy project. I took an old red cushion I found, dug out an old crocheted doily (I bought it from a second hand shop for a project I was going to do), picked up a needle and some white thread and started the doily to the cushion. Easy, cost-efficient and very pretty, if I may say so myself. 🙂

// Suurem asi õpetus alljärgnev ei ole, sest keerulist ei ole siin midagi. Võta punane diivanipadi, kaeva kusagilt välja üks valge heegeldatud linik (kui sul kapipõhjas ühtegi ei vedele, müüakse neid igatahes igas kaltsukas kastide viisi ja nad ei maksa põhimõtteliselt mitte midagi), haara valge niit ja nõel ja muudkui nõelu, kuni linik on padja küljes kinni. Ülimalt lihtne, rahakotisõbralik ja äärmiselt kaunis väike jõulukaunistus, kui nii on paslik iseenda saba kergitada… 🙂
 padi3

“Sleeping child”: Downloadable printables for door signs

~ DIY

Auntie T told me today how she had put her little Mia down for her daytime nap, when, 45 minutes later, a Jehovah’s witness came ringing the door bell. A downright pissed off T sent them off using the juiciest and angriest bits of her vocabulary and I can really relate to her frustration. The feeling of helplessness when you’ve had your first breather of the day and are just about to sit down at the kitchen table to enjoy a relaxing sip of coffee and it all comes tumbling down on you. I told her she should have a door sign telling anyone who’s coming for a surprise visit that knocking or ringing the doorbell will cause hell to break loose. Then I realized I could use a sign like that, too. THEN I thought – which parent doesn’t? So I quickly threw together a printable that anyone who feels the need can use for those occasions. So we can all finish that cup of coffee that we so well deserve.
printables

Click here to download the PDF in either Estonian or English – whichever you prefer. Print it, cut it out and hang on your door handle!
{DOWNLOAD DOOR SIGN IN ENGLISH}  {LAE ALLA EESTIKEELNE UKSESILT}

Christmas gift idea: The coolest toy in the world

~ chit-chat

Have you ever heard of or seen Kinetic Sand? I’ve never held it in my hands, but seeing this video is convincing enough. What kind of kid wouldn’t love the world’s coolest “pretend sand” anyway?  I could imagine myself (bear in mind that I’m a grown-up) playing with this, mesmerized for hours. If you haven’t got a clue what to give yours or someone else’s kid for Christmas, I can assure you this would be a huge hit for kids of all ages.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

~ sildita

8c76d43b5b462bb25a7afb2f8669d172I think I’ve resisted cracking out the Christmas decorations long enough. Only two days left to the first Sunday of Advent and I’m going to be busy anyway so I’ve got plenty of excuses. The Ladybug and Papa bear are going swimming so I have time to clean this place up thoroughly and then bring forth all of my holiday shinies. Don’t you dare tell me it’s too soon!

IKEA Haul: Some items for our nest

~ ostlemine

ik♥ A mattress cover (very practical since it’s easily removable and washable, I can’t believe we didn’t have one until now)
♥ A new set of dishes (I’ve had another one like that for five years now and some of the plates are starting to crack)
♥ An under-the-bed drawer for the Ladybug’s Legos (as seen in pictures of her room)
♥ Ribbons and tapes for crafting and a cute little stack of post-it’s so me and H can leave each other notes on the fridge
♥ A three-pack of cork pot stands
♥ A proper easy-to-wash garlic press
♥ A tiny saucepan for making the Ladybug her morning porridge.
♥ LED work lights for the kitchen counter-top
♥ 18 wine glasses for our dinner party
♥ A lamp for the kitchen windowpane
♥ Tulle curtains (as seen in the pictures of the Ladybug’s room)
♥ Six little ice cream/porridge/cereal bowls (scroll down to see the picture)
ik2

ik3 ik8

To clarify a tiny misuse of the English language

~ chit-chat

Most people who know me probably know that I’m the world’s biggest pain in the ass grammar Nazi. I’m sure I make a few grammar mistakes that go unnoticed here and there, but what’s so much worse than misspelling is using big words that mean something entirely different than what the writer intended them to.

So, once and for all:

“Self-made” does NOT mean something that was made by someone. It’s not a term to describe any sort of handicraft. Self-made means someone who achieved greatness on their very own. We’ve all heard the sayings “self-made man” and “self-made millionaire”. It means someone who worked their way to becoming a millionaire on their own, without any privileges or help along the way. It’s not a millionaire you make for yourself to have at home as a decoration or anything else as absurd. Unless your body scrub or piece of jewelry made itself appear from nowhere (in which case I apologize), the correct choice of words would be “handmade”, “home-made” or “hand-crafted”.

Are we clear? Nice. Thanks for your time!

Ladybug’s music lessons

~ kroonprintsess: areng, kroonprintsess: kasvamine, kroonprintsess: pildid, motherhood, music

wI brought the camera along to the little one’s music lesson yesterday to give her daddy and her grandmothers a glimpse of what it all looks like. Why not share them here, too? I have to say taking her to Musamari (that’s what the school is called) is the best decision I’ve ever made – the first time I ever took her I could see how much she enjoyed learning and developing while doing what she loves most and does best. Our little girl has been singing (really singing, not humming and imitating) since she was very little and has now got quite a repertoire. I wish I could upload a video of her singing “Twinkle, twinkle” – it’s pretty much the only song (there’s also “Wheels on the bus” and a couple more, but she doesn’t know all the lyrics to those) she knows in English, but she knows it very well. Unfortunately, me bringing out the camera shuts her up completely. I’ll try to be sneakier!

Back to where we were – she knows all the songs and all the choreography and enjoys every bit of it. All I hear all week is “laulu! tundi!” (“to the singing lesson!”) and she insists on running out of the apartment door in her pajamas the minute she wakes up on Thursday morning. No time to eat and get dressed, mom! We’ve got some beautiful music to make!

So, what do toddlers do at a music lesson? They have simple and memorable songs with different movements to go with each verse, they get to clap along, pat their knees, hop and turn around, etc. When it was autumn, they were given little plastic buckets, which they got to fill with little plushie-mushrooms while they sang a mushroom-picking song. Then there are various instruments and toys that we use for different songs. Never a dull moment!

The little lady brings all her little songs and choreographies home with her and we sing and dance all day long everyday. She’s such a fast learner when it comes to melodies and lyrics, so again, I have to say – I’m insanely proud and happy that she’s got her priorities and preferences straight just the way I dreamed they would be. 🙂

Today wasn’t one of the Ladybug’s best days, she was a little down and didn’t even like being lifted up in the air (that ALWAYS makes her giggle like a maniac). Not to mention singing along or dancing. I guess she wasn’t feeling well… But all days can’t be great days. I at least got to take a couple of pictures to  show you guys – the lighting wasn’t great so they’re not of the best quality, but regardless, I hope you like them. 🙂ww3H&M jeans with pink suspenders
NOA NOA onesie
POLARN O. PYRET socks
ww4The kids all get to wait for their turn with their mommies until the teacher brings them a box of instruments. Then they take a pair for themselves and a pair for mommy. After we’re done, they take their instruments and ours, run to the teacher and gently (as gently as they can) place the instruments back where they picked them up in the first place. I LOVE that going there teaches my child so much more than to just make music – she learns about patience, taking directions and being careful with and returning what isn’t hers.
ww2Yesterday’s lesson was the first time they played the drums. Ladybug knew what to do with a drum because I’ve lured her to go potty by teaching her how to drum on her pink plastic potty chair. 😀

Remind me to talk to you guys about potty-training. We’re not doing good AT all! 

Snapshots: Out for dinner

~ chit-chat, family, snapshots (pildipostitus)

We went out for  a nice family dinner at our favorite American-style restaurant (Mack Bar-B-Que) a couple of days ago and brought along the camera – I’m trying to be an exemplary blogger, after all. 😉
This is probably the first time there aren’t any pictures of the little lady – she was busy playing and refurnishing in the little toy corner, only to run to our table to get a bite to eat or a sip of water and then rush back. 
dnrGee, hungry much?
dnr3Crispy fried chicken fingers. They were juicy, crunchy and delicious. Nom, nom, nom! I wish I had a bowl of these in front of me as we speak…
 dnr4Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers – they’re hot as hell, but worth suffering for. I mean it, they burn like fire in the mouth, but the juicy deliciousness of the cheddar they’re filled with and the bacon that’s wrapped around them is just heaven. Painful, flaming hot heaven.
 dnr5Homer knows his stuff!
dnr1Papa bear had a southern fried chicken burger and their home made ice tea. I ate a yummy, juicy chili cheese burger and enjoyed a glass of Pinot Noir. Our carnivore of a daughter, who’s usually crazy about french fries the few times she comes across any, only ate beef, pretty much. She loved the burger patty with cheese and only took a tiny bite of the fries. Good girl!
 dnr8Hooray! I’ve been fed!