Animal Crazy – Nature and Nurture

Jan. 26th | Posted by Nicky 0 comments

Well, my rugrats are back home and back in routine. Aside from being a little tired and very cuddly, they seemed to have fared very well at Gramma and Grandpa’s house!

But on a totally different note: a little insight into what makes Sugar and Spice tick.

If there is one thing my kids are crazy about… it’s animals. The are avid naturalists, and love nothing more than to draw, read, watch or play out animal behaviors. Now, this mostly comes from Jrock and I (the whole nature / nurture thing takes another layer of meaning here.) We both are nature nuts – he is interested in animal behaviors and groups, as well as zoology. I’m more into ecology and interactions, as well as connecting with nature. He really likes mammals – I really like birds and other small beasties. It’s obvious we have passed these passions onto the girls. Jrock’s family were cattle farmers; whereas my family is the outdoorsy side. My dad’s a biologist and we all grew up hunting, fishing and exploring the great outdoors.

The fascinating thing is how the girls’ have got involved in our family interest but made it their own. spice is very creative and dramatic. So she loves playing out big elaborate stories and animal family scenes with her stuffies or small animal figurines. Spice is quite the little artist, and loves drawing pictures of animals and nature. She’s also very happy going for walks to watch ducks, or putter about in nature and the garden. Currently, she is growing some of her own pea plants in my kitchen.

Spice likes to examine bugs and other twigs and things in her microscope, always careful not to harm them. She also likes to call Grandpa on the phone and ask a specific question about something she’s been pondering… like why bighorn sheep’s horns keep growing.

Sugar, our ball of energy, is quite different. She acts out scenes directed by her sister, but her real passion is reading and learning about animals. She memorizes infinite details about different species, their interactions and habitats. Definitely, she’s the academic amateur zoologist, along with the same kind of detachment of many researchers. It doesn’t trouble her much to swish a bug to look at it.

But forget bugs – Sugar is interested mainly in cute animals (puppies) and large flashy species like zebras. Just like her sister, she loves it when Daddy finds her a video online that shows an animal doing something (hunting, reproducing, whatever,) and enjoys not only understanding but being able to explain her findings to other people. If you want to know how climate change works, just ask Sugar. She’ll ‘splain it!

Anyway, here are some of our girl’s favorite animal / nature toys and resources:

Schleich figurines.. boy they LOVE these, especially when they have a family or group of them. Favorites are horses, tigers/lions and the new zebra and giraffes they got for Christmas.

Let's Go Camping

The girls are absolutely gaga for Calico critters – all those infinitely tiny parts and the super cute animals! It’s just so right for their age!

Their matching Falkmanis otter puppets (they also have a skunk and an owl)

Some of their favorite reading books:

And their favorite books overall:

: Jane Goodall’s Animal Families

And there’s this other animal series with TONS of detail that my mom gave them, but I don’t know what it’s called…

And their favorite tools:

Favorite Netflix movie:

Favorite Netflix TV show (Tales of the Riverbank):

Once Upon a Hamster!

Sugar and Spice’s first brush with “the law”

he he – Probably not something that our girls will remember when they grow up, but over the holidays their dad and I were there for their first brush with the law!

We went skateboarding in my office, which was closed for the holidays. We have this awesome smooth cement floor – perfect! for skateboarding. And there wasn’t anyone else in sight.

But after 1/2 hour or so of boarding and a bunch of awesome action shots, the security guard came in and gave us the boot.

We’ve been there before, and the other security guards never cared. But this one was adamant that there was a “no skateboarding” policy on the property.

As we exited the building, one of our juvenile deliquints looked up at me with wide eyes and said “was that a policeman??”

“Naw, honey,” I replied. “Just security. Police wouldn’t care.”

he he

Jan. 24th | Posted by Nicky 0 comments

Little Turkeys

It looks like my little turkeys are having a good time in Creston! According tot he daily reports, they went to watch a figure-skating competition, went swimming, played outside, did their homework (not really homework, just read the same book as they are missing in school,) and have done lots of colouring! I’m so glad we have such good grandparents to take such good care of my special treasures!!

Jan. 23rd | Posted by Nicky 0 comments

Ena’s Super Doro Wat

We’ve had so many requests for this recipe, I hope my sister doesn’t mind me posting it. I do make a couple of small changes when I make it, so the version of the recipe below is with my slight modifications!

Chicken pieces (flat of thighs)

Juice of 1 lemon

2 tsp salt

Mix in a bowl and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2 onions

3 cloves garlic

2 tbsp fresh ginger

Mix into a paste using a blender or food processor.

¼ c niter kibbeh
(or ¼ c butter with ¼ tsp each fenugreek, basil & black pepper)

2 tbsp paprika

¼- ½ c berbere paste or 1-2tbsp powder

½-2 tsp cayenne

Heat the butter in a large saucepan. Add the paprika, stir, and cook for 1 minute on med. Add berbere and cayenne and stir to cook 2-3 minutes. Add onion/garlic/ginger puree and sauté on medium until onion loses it’s raw smell, about 5 minutes.

¼- ½ c red wine

3/4c stock

Add wine and stock to taste.

Place chicken pieces in a large crockpot. Cover with sauce and stir. Cook on high for 1 hour, low 4+ hours.

3 tbl flour

2 tbl tomato paste

15 minutes before serving, take bones out of crockpot and return the chicken meat. Add 3 tbl flour to tomato paste and a little cold stock to make a roux, then stir it into the pot to thicken the sauce and add colour. Season with salt and additional berbere to taste. Let the mixture sit with the heat off for 10 minutes to thicken and settle. If desired, add 4 hard boiled eggs (peeled but whole) 10 minutes before serving.

Jan. 22nd | Posted by Nicky 3 comments

Home alone: A week with no kids or husband

Well, I’m two days into a week with no kids and no husband. Pretty blissful, I have to admit.

Jrock had a week’s worth of work in Creston, so he took the kids with him so they could visit and stay with my parents. I thought it was a great idea – the plan was for me to rest and catch up on work.

Well, two days in, and I’m feeling much more rested. I still have the dogs, which are a bit of work, espcially since it’s really cold here and they are jailed inside our +15 degree freezing house. But overall, there is little tidying or cooking to do, and I’m getting an amazing amount of work done.

Usually I try to spend 2-7pm with the kids, at least a few times a week. But that means that I’m back to work for several hours after they go to bed. It’s a choice – I know. I prioritize that time with them. But it does mean that I’m often up to all hours so I’m ready for the next day and on top of my work. People ask me all the time how I do so much with small kids – I say “I don’t sleep much.” It’s totally true.

But with no kids or husband at home (sorry honey, but honestly husbands take lots of time too!) life is simpler and I can work all day + evening with no interuptions. So I get more work done and don’t feel guilty either. I think I may have to arrange for this every couple of months! lol I even got to go out with a friend for dinner last night without worrying about a babysitter. Will wonders never cease.

Oh, btw, if you are a stalker or think that I’m vulnerable because I’m home by myself, think again: #1 – dogs, AND #2 – I keep a hatchet beside my bed. Not joking. Old habit from my single days.

Jan. 20th | Posted by Nicky 6 comments

Silver Star – our cozy winter sleepover

My friend P invited the girls and I up to Silver Star last weekend for a sleepover.

Her daughter T was born in Swaziland and is a year younger than our girls. It was Sugar and Spice’s first sleepover – complete with pjs and a movie!

We drove up Saturday and the snow started to fall down and down – that night there were 22cms of soft new powder! First, we went sledding with P’s eldest boy, ad the girls just had a hoot. Then after a warm supper complete with “kid wine” (sparkling juice) we did the jammies and a movie thing while I super quickly braided Sugar’s hair.

We cozied up in their warm cabin for stories and then P and I got some lovely chat time in over some “adult wine” while the kids drifted off to Neverneverland.

The next day we all bundled up again to go skating. T is actually a really good skiier, but since our girls haven’t skiied before, she bravely threw on some skates and joined them out on the rink. I don’t skate, but I plowed (still snowing!) a track around the rink and the girls hoofed it around.

It was a wonderful break and a chance to relax. thanks for a great time!

Jan. 18th | Posted by Nicky 0 comments

Lost tooth!

“My baby!” That’s all I could exclaim over and over when Sugar lost her FIRST TOOTH yesterday. My little girl is growing up way too fast!

She was interrupting me in conversation, and I kept saying “just a minute, honey. Just a minute!” but she persisted, and showed me her tooth – and I was dumbstruck. It was so tiny… she had been complaining of a sore tooth for the last couple of days, but we thought she was too young to lose it. Wrongo.

Last night, we had a big debate about if we should throw the tooth on the roof, like they do in Ethiopia, or to put it under Sugar’s pillow. I would have salvaged that tooth, let me tell you, somehow. But the easier solution ended up being the pillow, and she was tickled pink by a toonie under the pillow this morning. Spice, on the other hand, was green with envy.

Spice was watching out like a maniac today – and when I declared that one of her bottom teeth is loose – oh, she was so delighted.

On the way home from work today, I picked up one of our teenage Ethiopian neighbor/friends and peppered her with questions about the bird song (you sing it when you throw the tooth on the roof.) She was delighted to hear about the Canadian tooth fairy (big smiles) but is going to try to write out the words and remember the tune for us so we can sing the bird song next time!

PS: the funniest. There were so many tooth fairy questions today – Sugar asked Daddy: “Daddy, what does the tooth fairy DO with all the teeth? Can we look it up on the internet?”

Sure enough, the internet provided. Apparently the tooth fairy gives them to babies who don’t have teeth yet. Learn something new every day!

Jan. 16th | Posted by Nicky 9 comments

Winter Wonderland

What do we do on a winter day off? Probably one of our favourite afternoons is to go for a hike .. ok, hike is maybe an ambitous term. Walk. A walk, up and down an trail somewhere. Then, there is the manditory warm-up, with good food or good drinks.

This winter day we went up Mission Creek, beyond the city’s greenway. The dogs just had a wonderful time and we enjoyed our slippery route as well.

Then, a wonderful meal at the Woodfire Bakery, which is a must-visit when you come to Kelowna. They make hearty and delicious carnivorous German food from scratch – yum!

Jan. 15th | Posted by Nicky 3 comments

More Genna (Ethiopian Christmas) with friends and at school

We ended up having three days of celebration for Ethiopian Christmas. The day after our own party we went to a friend’s house and eat and visited with our Ethiopian friends. Then on Monday we had an Ethiopian day in kindergarten, complete with stories, food and music.

Sugar and two of her older friends… she has just blossomed and now feels much more comfortable with attention from Ethiopian women. She still squirms when she gets kissed and hugged, but doesn’t hide behind my dress anymore!

A bit of a funny story… we were on our way out to the party, and the girls were decked out in some traditional Ethiopian clothes. Spice looks up at me and says “why do you get to go to the party, Mommy? You’re pink!” Notice the “you are pink” instead of “you have pink skin.” I think they are starting to develop racial contructs. Anyway, I just replied “well, because I’m with you, honey!” She sort of squished up her nose at me and then decided to take me at face value.

The girls’ classroom event was pretty fun. I read the story of “Kaldi and the Dancing Goat” which we bought when in Ethiopia. It tells a fictional story of the discovery of coffee, and then to solve the mystery we looked at and smelled raw coffee beans and roasted coffee grounds.

We played Ethiopian music and instruments, and then the brave kids (most of them!) tried some lentils and injera. Finally, we finished with colouring sheets photocopied out of the “A is for Addis Ababa” book that my mom bought for the girls in Ethiopia. Props to the girls’ teacher, who just let us come and do our thing. We even demonstrated haggling (after a question about where we bought our clothes,) much to the delight of her students.

The girls were so proud! And it was so nice to see them showing off their culture – with positive attention form the other kids. A great experience!

Jan. 13th | Posted by Nicky 0 comments

Children in Ethiopia – on the edge of survival

Jan. 11th | Posted by Nicky 2 comments

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted anything about Vulnerable Children Society on my blog – but perhaps it’s overdue.

The truth is, even though we have had a WONDERFUL first year and a half, and been able to help many children, there are so many more waiting. I have their pictures… most of the kids are small and undernourished, and look sad or nervous. (They are such different pictures than the ones I have in our “already sponsored” folders – those children are smiling and healthy.)

One of our VCS directors recently visited Wonji, where we (through the goodwill of our awesome sponsors) are able to support extremely vulnerable children. She had been to the area a few times before, but was just aghast at the current need. There are so many kids who are either HIV+ themselves, or have parents/guardians who have HIV. The sad fact is, the ARVs (anti-retroviral medicines) they receive from the government DON’T WORK UNLESS THE KIDS ARE ADEQUATELY NOURISHED. So children in Wonji are dying of AIDS, not because they don’t have access to medicine, but because they are so malnourished that the medicines don’t work. They need food+meds to live.

This is a complete tragedy.

I know that we in North America have been hit hard by an economic recession. Many families have lost income. I empathize with families feeling a crunch. In our home, Jrock went free-lance in the fall, and has very little work in January/February. But we are lucky, and in no long-term danger. My income pays the bills and we never want for food or shelter. Our short-term strains are nothing compared to the absolute catastrophe that so many families in the Horn of Africa are facing.

So here’s my unapologetic request: if you have $35 a month to spare, please sponsor a child in our House 2 House program through Vulnerable Children Society. You know exactly where the money is going… and I can assure you that your on-going commitment will mean literally the world to a deserving Ethiopian child.

To sponsor a child, please visit www.vulnerablechildren.ca

You can also download our newsletter to see what we’ve been up to! This is all thanks to our amazing donors and sponsors, and super partner organization, Faya Orphanage.

PS: I’ll be putting my money where my mouth is today, too, and sponsoring another child.

Yummy! Merry Ethio Christmas!

Well, we ended up having a really nice Christmas – and my friend M was SO impressed by the food. Whewf! She really was surprised by the azita – which was pretty easy to cook and a refreshing contrast (it’s served cold and has jalepeno and lime flavors) to the rest of the food.

A little pre-supper dancing to Ethiopian radio…

Doro Wat was the favorite as usual… but my injera was VERY respectable. Jrock said it’s the best I’ve made yet. The only trick is that it was sticky. I asked M about this and got kind of a convoluted answer, so I’ll press her further to fin out why. But the texture was right, it had a bit of shine, lots of eyes (bubbles) and a really nice flavour. Yeah!

The injera looks small, but I have a really huge mesob (basket).

J and C and their daughters Tigger and Chuckles joined us on short notice – I figured we always get to go to Harvest Moon Festival dinners and the like, it would be nice to share with them too. So we had a big meal and the five kids played until late. And now I have leftovers for many many frozen meals.

Azita

The crockpot doro wat – always a crowd favourite.

Alesha lentils – very mild and garlic gingery – everybody likes it

Aib done by Suagr – it was a few people's favorite!

Beef tibs

Jan. 8th | Posted by Nicky 6 comments

Preparing for Ethio Christmas – what was I thinking?

Melkam Genna! Today is Ethiopian Christmas and I’m cooking up a big feast of Ethiopian dishes for supper. Usually we go to our Ethiopian friends’ house, but M is working a night shift and can’t cook, I volunteered for them to come over here. What was I thinking???

Jrock came down from the TV room to check in on the action.

“Smells like onions,” he grinned. It always smells to high heaven like onions for an Ethipian feast, since I’ve chopped 9 onions today.

“Heh – you must be a little nervous having the best Ethiopian cook we know come over and try your food!”

Thanks, honey. I was trying not to pay attention to that.

M is seriously an amazing cook – that’s one of the reason all our community celebrations are at her house. And her injera is better than most Ethiopian restaurants. Luckily, I know she isn’t judgemental and will just appreciate my effort. Still – a little nervous.

On the menu tonight – Doro Wat (Chicken Stew; Auntie Ena’s amazing recipe,) Alecha (mild yellow lentils,) Azita (lime and green pepper black lentils,) and Beef Tibs (like a beef stir-fry.) Oh, and I can’t forget – Sugar made her first batch of Aib, Ethiopian fresh cheese today, with fresh herbs. Her dish will be well received no matter what! lol but it actually is tasty too.

Wish me luck!

Jan. 7th | Posted by Nicky 14 comments

Tags: melkam genna Ethiopian Christmas adoption

New chair for our new boy’s digs

No – this is not our new boy. He’s the girls’ friend from across the street But they all tried out the new bright green leather chair I bought on Boxing Day special our our new little boy from Lesotho’s room.

Which probably makes you ask – what’s the deal with your adoption from Lesotho anyway? Well, the country changed its rules the same month we were supposed to be matched, and although those changes in principle are a good idea, it will take time and some considerable work to get all the adoption stakeholders up to speed. So our December meeting never happened, and so we wait for a hopefully January matching meeting.

In good news, a couple we spent the May Long Weekend with just traveled over Christmas to pick up their second child from Lesotho. Congrats L & M! And it’s great to see things are still moving forward, past the matching stage.

Jan. 5th | Posted by Nicky 4 comments

Tags: lesotho adoption

The worst Christmas Tree EVER

Poor Jrock – this year he went out and chose the Christmas tree with the girls sans moi. He was so proud when he brought it home… I knew something was amiss right away – but little did I know it would be the WORST CHRISTMAS TREE EVER.

I have no idea if it was the type of tree, or that it was harshly pruned, but that tree was so stiff and prickly. The girls and I had welts all up and down our arms decorating it.

Sugar – non too impressed with the ailing tree.

Then, even though we watered it faithfully, it stopped drinking and dried out right away. I don’t know if Jrock didn’t cut enough off, or if it sucked the water dry the first night and got an airlock – or simply if the tree hadn’t been cut fresh. But it dies right away.

By the time we got home from Christmas, you couldn’t touch it without the needles falling off. In fact, when we tried to take the ornaments off, ALL the needles came off with them! I kid you not – that miserable skeleton of a tree was all that was left to go to the tree graveyard.

Off to the tree graveyard…

Next Christmas, I pick the tree. A nice, soft fir…..

Jan. 2nd | Posted by Nicky 14 comments

A wonderful (horrible) Christmas

We invited ourselves out to my parent’s new home and joined my sister and her husband in Creston for the holidays. Overall, we had a lovely Christmas… with homemade perogies, skating and broomball, excited children opening gifts, turkey and stuffing, and warm times with family.

BUT – there was a downside to the holiday. On the way over the Salmo-Creston pass (you’ve seen it on Kokanee beer cans) my ears were plugged up and started to hurt like a much warmer place. By the time I got to Creston, my head was in agony. This was Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day I had to go to the hospital. The doctor showed off my “angry” ear infection to the nurses and my husband, and I returned back to Mom and Dad’s with antibiotics and a very sore head.

Ever since, I’ve been in so much pain – my ear feels like it’s holding a pressurized balloon. The only silver lining is that when we drove home (avoiding the Creston-Salmo PAss) we went through Nelson and saw from friends that we wouldn’t have otherwise. But it certainly put a damper on the holidays for me.

Luckily, the girls and Jrock are suffering form no such malaise and they had a wonderful holiday. The girls had a blast playing with all their presents and their extended family. We all had a restful and relaxing time at Mom and Dad’s.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday too (minus the ear infection!)