Budinda Family

just a couple of cute pictures

Sunday, April 26th, 2009 | Bud Curtis, Family, Quentin Curtis | No Comments

http://picasaweb.google.com/ms.lindabeth/20090426#slideshow

UPDATE: Unfortunately, a week after taking these pictures Oliver didn’t return home that night. After hanging “Lost Cat” signs around the neighborhood we finally heard from a neighbor a couple streets over that they had found Oliver who had been hit by a car. Very sad. Oliver was the friendliest cat I had ever known. He played with all the neighbor cats. They say indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats, but Oliver would sit by the window or door and meow to be let out and go explore and play with his friends. He apparently was so friendly he tried to make friends with a moving car. The 2 months Oliver was in our lives was enlightening two months and we hope to someday maybe find a cat as cool as Oliver was.

Author: Linda | Tags: pictures, sleeping

visits with friends

Saturday, April 25th, 2009 | Family, Linda Curtis | No Comments

We’ve had a couple of fun days visiting with friends. On thursday we went out to Ani and Clara’s house with Shirin and Addy. Quentin wasn’t feeling that well, but managed to hang in there. Clara likes to hang out naked – so Quentin got naked too. She is doing really well with using the potty, Quentin peed on the floor. He was very interested in Clara using the potty, but wasn’t quite up for it. We have carpet in our house. I don’t know how the whole naked potty training approach will work for me. I’m sure he will have it figured out some day.
Today we went to the beach with Trish, and Ellen and Mary. Bud came too! We had a great time. The kids played at the playground for about 4 minutes before they headed down to the water. What’s it with little kids and water? All they want to do is walk in the streams and splash. I am wise to Quentin’s ways now, and get him all suited up before we go. He came home dry after many a fall, stomp and slide in the water.

Author: Linda | Tags: beach, friends

a wed. report

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 | Family | 1 Comment

not sure if this will work , but I am trying to link to bud’s twitter pics page. really cute picture of quentin napping with oliver and his pet fox Foxy. We had a busy day today. First Quentin went to sonias, then bud took him to Jumbo Gym, then home for lunch and nap, (I got 4 hours of work done today!), then off to Sandy Beach to play with Clara and Addy, then home for dinner, and currently night time book reading.
I was able to run home from work – which felt great. The sun has been out and everyone is acting like it is Miami. Kids are running around in shorts with no shoes and everyone has on sunglasses. Really it is just around 45 degrees out. 50 tops.
Everyone is just so happy for the snow to be melting and spring to be here. Of course, we still have at least 2 feet of snow in our yard, and 5 feet in some places.
The saga of the roof continues. We got an estimate, and a new roof will be $10,000. Our insurance will cover it but our deductible is $1000. So, we are super annoyed that we paid $500 last year for snow stoppers to protect the roof and porch, and this year we have to pay $1000 and get a new roof. Glad the insurance covers it, but a huge pain in the tush.
More big plans for tomorrow, I am hopeful it will be another sunny day.

Author: Linda

Day at the beach

Monday, April 20th, 2009 | Linda Curtis, Quentin Curtis | 1 Comment

Clara and Ani came over for a visit after work today. The kids had some snacks and then we headed to Sandy Beach. There is a great toddler size playground there. Clara really likes the swing, and Quentin is a fan of the slide. They both had a great time playing – even though there is still snow there and it is a bit hard to maneuver around sometimes.
Quentin was done with the playground after a bit, and wanted to head down to the beach. This kid loves walking in puddles, and when he noticed a stream flowing out towards the channel – he was super excited. Up and down the stream he walked. He was soaked. He had on rubber boots, but he still got pretty wet. I guess falling down a couple of times didn’t help matters. Quentin could care less about the cold water. He just wanted to splash and giggle. When my feet – which were dry- started to get cold with all the wading I decided we had better head home for dry clothes. Mr. Q did not leave without a fight. I wonder if they make hip waders for toddlers, cuz we could certainly use a pair.
Bud picked up a laser pointer – so this evening we watched Quentin and Oliver chase around a red dot for an hour. Both cat and boy could not stop chasing it. It was pretty funny. Quentin must have giggled for an hour straight. And Oliver had a great time too.

Author: Linda | Tags: clara, water

fun with oliver

Saturday, April 18th, 2009 | Linda Curtis, Quentin Curtis | 2 Comments

We have been having a great time with our new cat Oliver. He and Quentin seem to be getting along great. I had forgotten how much cats sleep, and at first was worried that he spent so much time under our bed. Turns out he just likes the peace and quiet there. But when he is ready to get up – he likes to hang with the family. He really likes to be with us at night when we put Quentin to sleep. Quentin is learning not to step on Oliver and not to pull his tail. This is going to take a bit of time. Lucky for us, Oliver is quite tolerant. He was a stray cat – but I have a feeling he had kids in his former house.
I have been taking Quentin to folk festival this week. He doesn’t quite seem to appreciate the music yet. We have gone with Mary, Ellen, and our friends Maureen and Autumn. It has been great to see them all. Usually Q just wants to leave and go look at a sign outside with a big star on it. He really likes stars. He also likes identifying letters – and there is writing on the star sign…so he could hang out there for quite some time.
The one musical act he seemed to enjoy was a Klezmir one. I wonder if he realized it was the music of his people? It was the only time he sat quietly on my lap and when he wanted to get up – wanted to dance! The rest of the time he is screaming door and trying to escape.
well – q is pulling on my leg and asking for help – gotta go

Author: Linda

Oliver comes home and folkfest BBQ

Thursday, April 16th, 2009 | Family | 2 Comments

We were so excited to bring home our new cat yesterday. We decided to name him Oliver. His previous name was George, but I think he will figure out we call him Oliver. He checked out the house, and Quentin chased him around giggling. After a time, he found his way to the upstairs. Sniffed all over, and decided to make a spot for himself under our bed. He stayed there unless we coaxed him out with a green feather toy. Quentin was not so happy about the hiding cat, but easily distracted with his new purple and pink rubber boots and the prospect of going outside with them on.
We had a bunch of folks over for dinner and a BBQ last night. It is folkfest week which means live music at Centennial Hall all week long. It is usually a blast – but quite a lot of work for the parent of a toddler. This year someone is streaming live video on the web – so we were able to watch from our couch. We got to watch some great performances and not have to search for parking, or chase little people through crowds. I made a coconut sweet potato dish, tossed salad, BBQ thai chicken, salmon, steak, and halibut. Bud worked the grill while my usual wed. night ladies workout happened. The rest of the guests arrived after we had finished our planks and bridges and I think everyone had a good time. Oliver made an appearance at the top of the stairs, and even came down for a bit. He seems to be a social cat, but likes to sleep a lot.
We were up way past quentin’s bedtime, and when I asked him if he wanted to go up to sleep – he bolted for the staircase. Oliver climbed into bed with us, and cuddled with Quentin for a bit before finding a cozy spot at the foot of the bed. Q was asleep in 15 minutes. This might lead to a long nights rest – but for some reason he was awake before 5! It could have been because of the snow crashing off the roof all night. We had snow stoppers installed last summer to keep the snow from crashing off the roof. In the past we have had some issues with it. Deck starting to come off house. Topper on truck destroyed. So much snow to shovel. So, this year we thought we were set. Cover on deck and snow stoppers! Well, last night – the snow stoppers started to come off the roof. There were loud creaking type noises starting at around 3. By five it sounded like we were under attack. Now there is a large metal piece hanging in front of the office window, and some other pieces in the snow in the yard. And all the snow that was melting came too.
So, we tried to settle quentin back to sleep until around 6, when Bud took him downstairs and let me sleep in for bit. I got up at 7:15 feeling not entirely rested – but a lot more so than Bud. We did our usual morning routine, and at 9 were in the car and heading over to Sonia’s. It is my day to watch the kids. Not 5 minutes in the car, I look in the rear view mirror – and Quentin is sound asleep. So, I call Sonia – and figure I might as well go home. He has been sleeping for the past hour, which is how I have time to write such a long post. Just when I think we have a nap/play/work schedule all figured out something like this happens. Just a lesson in being flexible.
I had a very busy day planned today. Swim, Sonia’s, Work, Haircut, Shopping, Playtime in the Park, Dinner, Out with friends for a kid free folkfest night, bed by 9:30.
I think I will make some tea and read a magazine and relax.

Author: Linda | Tags: friends, oliver

birthday party

Monday, April 13th, 2009 | Linda Curtis | No Comments

Some very exciting news in the Curtis house. We found a cat to adopt.
Hopefully, we will be able to take him home soon. It usually takes 24 to 48 hours for the adoption process. We are working on names. I really like Buster, but Bud doesn’t think it is quite right. I have always thought my next cat would be named coconut kitty, and cocokitty for shorty. But this guy just doesn’t fit that name. I might name him Larry or Peanut. I have till he comes home to decide. He is real sweet – and he and quentin played together at the pound. They seemed to get along great.
This weekend I made a cake for the Women’s Lobby Auction. It was a chocolate buttermilk cake with Mocha frosting. I wish I could have kept it for myself. It was a bit lopsided, but still went for some good money.
On sunday, we went to the Taylors for sunday brunch. There was a lot of good food and friends. I forgot to take my camera – but take my word for it – a toddler dream come true. Elyas was a great host, and seemed to have a great time showing his friends around the house, and sharing his food and sippy cups.
Sunday night we went to Sydney’s for her birthday party. Quentin feels right at home at her house, and went right up to her bathtub. He really likes to play in her tub – it is full of letters. There were lots of folks, food and dogs running around. Quentin had a great time. Sonia made the most tasty bean stew with saffron. I brought some rice pasta, smoked salmon salad. There has been fresh and smoked fish like crazy at my favorite shop – Jerry’s Meats. I can’t get enough of that place. Anyway – my gals are coming over in a few to do our monday workout – so I better get going…

Author: Linda | Tags: friends

canning and passover

Friday, April 10th, 2009 | Family, Linda Curtis | 2 Comments

We have had another busy week. I can hardly remember what happened – but I did manage to take some pictures. Last weekend I did some canning with my friends Monica and Ani. We all split a case of apples. Monica is a canning pro. She has a cabin out of town that she and her husband live in during the summer. So, they are busy getting food put up so they have supplies for the summer. She has the most delicious looking chicken noodle soup in giant quart containers. Plus salmon, turkey dinners, lots of veggies, fruit…you get the picture. I would love to get a little more confident with canning – we have so many blueberries in the yard. I should have years supply of jam! I guess I’ll let you know if it happens in the fall.

This week was passover – so we had our usual gang over for seder. Cheryl, Aaron and Mariya and I have been doing passover together for years. We vary in seder seriousness. My favorite year we just ate our favorite passover foods. Usually we do follow a hagadah. And we always have a hearty discussion. We usually invite some other guests to join us. This year our friend Rick came over – he is a fan of ritual – so he fit right into a passover seder. It was fun to have him here. Of course Cheryl’s fiance and his daughter were also here. Darren made some sinful macaroons.

Years ago my Dad put together a condensed hagadah that the family could sit through – with little complaining about seder length. That’s what we usually follow. This year we made it through the entire thing. Folks were here from 5:30 to 10:30. Can you imagine if we were following the non-abridged version? I’d still be dishing out horseradish two days later. We had matzah ball soup (veg and chicken), salad, salmon dip, halibut, lamb with mint yogurt sauce, spinach matzah kugle, deviled eggs, roasted eggplant, roasted beets and potatoes. I think that was everything – since I already mentioned macaroons. They were so good I think my sister who hates coconut would have eaten two. Mariya and I did most of the cooking – and hadn’t finished the shopping (let alone start cooking) at 3. With 2.5 hours till guest were arriving – it was looking like we might only have the soup which I had started the day before. Somehow we got it all done and I don’t think anyone even guessed that we might not have had a festive seder meal. Anyway – it was fun and I feel lucky to have friends to share the holidays with me since my family is so far away.

Today is friday fun day – and hopefully we will have fun. Quentin hasn’t been in the best mood lately. Sharing and taking turns are really hard to do. I know it’s hard for adults too. We have a bunch of plans – but we might have to spend the day on the couch watching they might be giants videos – over and over again. I hope that doesn’t make me a bad Mom, and Quentin a TV addict.

Author: Linda | Tags: canning, passover

friday

Friday, April 3rd, 2009 | Linda Curtis, Quentin Curtis | 1 Comment

We have had a really busy friday, and it is only 3 in the afternoon. Clara came over this morning while Ani did her civic duty and reported for Grand Jury duty. Quentin and Clara had a great time playing and mostly got along great. They did a bunch of hugging, kissing, and pushing. After a bit, we went to Jumbo gym and met up with Ani. Jill and Elyas were also there. The kids played like crazy and started to seem exhausted so we headed to my house. We had a quick lunch while the kids continued to melt down. We put on gear, babies on backs, and went on a snow shoe. It was a beautiful day – warm but still great snow shoeing. Sarah Bosma also came with us. All the kids took naps during the walk – and all the ladies got a good work out. Quentin woke up when we got home, but seemed still worn out, so he is relaxing watching a DVD. I have plans to take him to town for the first friday tonight. Every first friday of the month is an arts walk in town. There are a couple of shows I want to see. Not sure if it will actually happen – but I am hopeful.

Author: Linda | Tags: friday