what a month. carter finallly is over the fever, but he is still coughing and oozing goo, but at least he is in better spirits most of the time.

the other day, it finally snowed. we got out of the car, and i set carter down in the middle of the faling snowflakes that were conveniently huge. they were tumbling out of the sky and he just stood there, looking up, hand out, mouth open, eyes wide, completely entranced, and then after a minute or so, he pointed, looked at me for a minute and in a voice overflowing with joy whispered "bubbles!"

and then he started to dance with them.

we went to the golf course where it accumulated, and the kids had a great time. the dog had an even better time, especially when she stumbled upon a gaggle of canada geese. she almost looked like she was a puppy again.

carter has suddenly decided to start adding words at a ridiculous pace--i cannot even keep up with them anymore. it is like he sat back, looked around, reflected on the past year and said "yup. i put them through enough. now i can start.." one of his favorites in 'bratwurst' -- and he actually does not really like bratwurst itself, but he refers to hot dogs as such. but he also really likes saying it--bratwurst bratwurst bratwurst...and the other day, when we went to visit the kitties at the humane society, when asked what he would name a specific kitten, he said "bratwurst!" -- now how funny would that be? ava attached herself to a little white kitty, and was determined to bring it home today, and i was not really sure how i was going to get out of there without it, but someone had claimed her by the time we arrived.

we have had plenty of projects over the last weeks, due to the fact that all other activities have been curtailled. one day we made crackers--rather good, if a bit soft, and we are now in the middle of trying to make 'farmer's cheese' -- just call me mrs. ingalls. it is actually sort of interesting. applesauce is a huge favorite too. that is really fun for them to send through the food mill. the other morning i set up a painting project with poster paint, but both kids were curiously not into it. they really do prefer watercolors. which is just fine, because that is much less of a mess. i find it odd though that they don't like the poster (and finger) paint. ava never even put a brush to it, preferring the glitter and glitter glue to anything else.

ava has suddenly cultivated an interest in fairies and elves and dragons and goblins and often you can find her over by the plants, conjuring up a new world. it is interesting, because a year ago, she had ZERO interest in the wee folk. and that was a problem at the waldorf school, since the fairies run everything there. but now i am making up stories a la the lord of the rings every time we are in the car.

carter continues to love vehicles. and now he suddenly is determined to be a part of every dishwashing event.

our halloween candy is still available in quantity, and both kids seem to be forgetting about it, which is good. i know i have not written about halloween. it was fun, and i will write more later. but i am seriously pooped. and the house is a mess.