The Ruzical Zoozical

2009-12-21T06:46:00.001-08:00

The holidays are just around the corner, and this year has been especially fun. Sofie is very excited about Santa and she went to two theatrical performances: The Holiday Extravaganza in Warrensburg with Mimi and Uncle Parker - Matt was scheduled last minute to work and Uncle Parker was a good sport (but it was complete with tap dancing, ballet, Santa's Elves, sparkles, and Sugar Plum Fairies, and also yesterday, we had the ultimate holiday "girl's day out" with Trinity and Kate and some other great ladies and their girls. We saw the KC Ballet's "The Nutcracker"! Sofie wore her holiday dress and we curled her hair. It was so much fun. Just before intermission she was fussy, and toward the finale as well, but other than that, she really enjoyed herself.

Matt can be heard singing Christmas Carols and Sofie hasn't bothered the presents under the tree at all! The dogs are enjoying the cold weather, and I'm enjoying the beginning of my two-week vacation. The mornings are very quiet before everyone wakes up, and I savor that time for ME. :)

Dad and Penny are snowed-in in DC, and we won't be seeing them as planned today, but it will all work out and we'll have a great time whenever we get to see them. Mom is hosting Christmas Eve at her house and on the menu: brisket and homemade mac and cheese - and vegetarian broccoli cheese soup just for us! Bob and Jeanne are hosting Christmas Day at their house and this year will be nuts! with kids opening mountains of presents. It will be loads of fun.

Sofija Soleil's 2nd Birthday

2009-04-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

Highlights from a fanastic day

Don Bosco

2009-03-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

I am honored to work with people every day who come from Nepal, Burundi, Vietnam, Korea, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Somolia, Iraq, Costa Rica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, China, and EVERYWHERE!! I now work at Don Bosco ESL which is a non-profit funded by the state and fed. government in congruency with Penn Valley Comm. College. The classes are for adults and are free for everyone. We have 9 levels of English classes, 1 being pre-literate (meaning that in the native language, there was no written language) and 8 being GED prep. I have learned so much about the refugee process in the USA as well as how cruel the world is to undocumented immigrants (which I already knew, but now know on a more personal level). Thankfully, they have Don Bosco for support. I love all my students and everyday is ever-changing. I have about 60 students coming and going and I constantly have new students every day. The picture with me is my Hatian student who is a professional soccer player!! Cool.

Arteezy

2009-03-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

This was a fun day: Sofija Soleil's first water color. She loved it. The pictures tell all, and since then, we've collaborated on a mother-daughter acrylic diptych (a two-panelled work of art). Love that paint!!!

S.C.O.R.P.I.O.

2009-03-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

"The MUTT’s shell is an ambiguous shape that allows artists to take it in any direction. The real fun of this figure comes in the form of its accessories. The roster of add-ons is ever-expanding and open to suggestions and so far includes: shutter shades - arms - rounded animal ears - pointed animal ears - pig snout - mustache - angel wings - bat wings - block teeth - round teeth - haggard teeth - devil horns reg - devil horns large - bunny ears. An artist series is also being planned." -www.toycyte.com

Here is the newest edition from "Loo Diggy's" toy collection: The Self Controlled (or Special Combat) Off-Road Political Invasion Operative: SCORPIO. I think Matt's title is still out for jury, but so far so AWESOME!!

Made from "found objects" and a PVC base toy called "Mutt" (that Matt's good friend T.J. and another friend Tyler developed) this "assemblage sculpture" is one bad mammojamma. The Mutt toy now has national and international recognition! SCORPIO is now in a show in New York City! Woo hoo! Go Matt. Amazing. More info here: http://www.myspace.com/mutttoy

I think my favorite feature on SCORPIO is that my old reading light is the tail and lamp. I never did like that reading lamp until now...I'm always on the lookout for a great reading lamp, so if you find one, I am in need of a new one. No LED! :)

Our Daily Grind

2009-03-28T06:46:00.000-07:00

Sofie is the busiest little girl I know. However busy she is during the course of her day, we have these wonderful pockets of calm and gentel quietness where creativity and reflection prevail. I love to watch her create, explore, and reflect the world around her. What an itellegent little girl!

St. Pat's in KC

2009-03-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

What a lovely day for Sofie's 1st parade. Matt had the day off so we went to the KC St. Pat's parade. Grandma and Eugenia were there too! Hooray!

What happened to the meadow?

2009-01-14T11:51:00.000-08:00

We just loved walking down the street to the meadow in the summer and when fall came, we still took our daily walks there . . . but everything had changed! All the carrots had been picked, the sunflowers faded. Our walks were really like mini science adventures: always exploring nature and the changes during the seasons.

Silly Sof Winter 2008

2009-01-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

Looking through some of the photos from December, I thought these were pretty funny!

Sofie dressed up with a duct tape bracelet ready to backpack across Europe. (She's checking her flight schedule) :)

We like taking pictures at mealtime. . .

Static Cling!

Lovely Flix for Etsy

2009-01-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Here's a sample of some of my Etsy pictures for sale. For those who don't know about Etsy, it is an online "store" where artists sell any and all things handmade. If you can think of it, it is probably for sale on Etsy: handmade!! It's nice because if you do find something that you like, you can speak directly with the product's maker--in which case is very handy for things made for children. There are so many cool arts and crafts on Etsy, and now you can find me on there too. I have my own "store" called RuziPhoto.

Christmas with the Ruzichs

2009-01-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

Wow. Our family is so amazing. First, Dad and Penny came a week before Christmas since this year they drove all the way from DC! Penny picked out such adorable gifts for Sofie and Dad and Matt were good sports to put together the little grocery cart. One of the coolest gifts from the Waites was the Constellation Turtle, which displays a glowing map of real star charts onto the ceiling. The best part was the family time. We made our parents watch Squidbillies--but still, nothing compares to the year we made them watch Team America. I will never forget that moment when Kim Jong Ill sings next to the Hummel collection and Dad nearly lost it laughing so hard. Yeah, that's Christmas with the Waites.

Mom and Jerry had a relaxing Christmas Eve compared to the normal all-nighter, which was a nice change. We started out slow with a nice lunch and the kids devoured their gifts by 6pm. Plenty of time to get them snuggled in for Santa. I did enjoy staying up late with Mom and Gram. It always surprises me that (except for when I was pregnant and cranky) it's very often the three of us who outlast everyone else. Very fun. And I thought I lost my tolerance for alcohol.

And for a very nice change of pace, we got to the Ruzichs early this year on Christmas Day. Eugenia was dying to open her gifts as usual. Jeanne made the best food and I don't know when I've seen more gifts and people in one place--ever!! Truly amazing. Everywhere I looked there were laughing people and kids and laser blasters and barbies, and loud stuffed animals singing--a real RuZoo!!! :) And we loved every minute of it.

So far, the real faves. of all the lovely generous gifts have been the Little People. Sofie can play with those cute Little People all day. Oh, and the Glo-E bear. Sof pretty much loves it as much as her beloved Red Bear. I have to admit, the Glo-E bear is pretty rockin'. But so is the the sing-n-say guitar, and the magnadoodle, the GIANT CareBear, and the shopping cart and veggies, and the teapot baby doll, and the water baby--not to mention all the superfly clothes (where can I get a coureroy poodle skirt to match Sofie?). The MegaBlocks are a hit too. I think I have the most fun creating wild and bizarre abodes while Sof has a 'blast' knocking them down. I was just really happy to receive the complete works of Jane Austen and an iHome and be lazy lazy lazy with my most wonderful husband and little sweetie. lol

A little Summer Throwback

2009-01-05T17:24:00.000-08:00

How do swimsuits sound when the weather is 5˚? Not so great. But the thought of summertime warm June days sound delicious. Here's a little throwback to summer.

Sofie and Sadie

2008-12-05T18:12:00.000-08:00

The time shared with the little angels is so rewarding, thankfully we get to watch them learn and grow--Matt and I wouldn't have it any other way. We have been babysitting Sadie on Wednesdays for a few months now and the girls love to play and color together; best buddies fo' life!

Here Comes Fall, My Favorite Time of Year!!!

2008-12-05T17:10:00.000-08:00

Cozy sweaters and blankets, crisp mornings, and evenings with a bite. . . Apple cider and yummy vegan stews are once again on the menu. As we increasingly become more of a plant-based-diet-family, now is the perfect time to break out the slow-cooker for some delicious beans and rice. I just love Fall, and we've been making the most of it. Unfortunately, Sofie has discovered that her garden no longer exists, and I think she was pretty disappointed. We kicked off the season with an afternoon walk to the meadow and an evening walk to our neighborhood Italian Deli, Cupini's, with Mom (aka: Mimi).

More of the Little Dancer. . .

2008-12-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

Ballerina Halloweena

2008-12-05T16:40:00.000-08:00

Sofie really dazzled as she spun her way down the aisles at the Brewery. Matt and Sof make such a great team and the pictures of the two together are priceless. She made the cutest ballerina for Halloween! My personal confession: I loved making the über girly tutu!!!

Flowery!

2008-12-05T16:30:00.000-08:00

I can't get enough of the pretty summer flowers from my garden! The meadow produced some beauties too. Sofie and I walked nearly every day to pick flowers, veggies, rocks, twigs, pinecones, and anything else we could find our hands on. Sofie is becoming quite the floral artist as well. Take a look. . .

Summer with the Ruzichs'

2008-12-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

We absolutely loved being as sustainable as we could this summer! The fruits of our labor sure paid off, and thanks to the Lutheran Church garden (Our Saviour Lutheran is actually our landlord), we had unlimited access to the beautiful garden's flowers and organic veggies! We endearingly call the garden the "meadow" since it is actually a huge vacant lot which includes the garden that is located a few lawns from our house. It's our perfect little lot of heavenly urban meadow. My garden took off too in my attempt to grow seeds this year. I learned a lot and will try the pumpkin patch again next year. Unfortunately, we had a infestation of vine-boring moths and ruined most of our squash crop. The tomatoes were monstrous, and I will grow more peppers and carrots next year. That said, we had a beautiful productive summer full of fun, sun, love, and family.

Sustainable in KC?

2008-04-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Yikes! Food and gas prices soar while folks are lining up to get McDonald's in our back yard. When you smell grease 24/7 during the warmer months of the year and hear late-night drive-thru drunks all year 'round, it doesn't do much for the patience or the olfaction. Here is our little solution to soaring gas and food prices (it will smell better than fast food and do wonders for your patience): instead of buying plant starters this year, we have purchased a mini greenhouse and will attempt to grow some of the staple veggies from seeds. Broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, and squash will be on the menu this summer, not a Big Mac! (Big Mac's were NEVER on the menu to begin with, but I bet they too will become more and more expensive in the coming months). Eat fresh local fruits and veggies. Best Choice now makes Clearly Organic--which is yet another way to reduce your carbon footprint while balancing a tight budget.

Sofie's First Dandelion

2008-04-15T19:30:00.001-07:00

I love dandelions. Reminding me of little sunshines on the ground, I used to pick bouquets of them as a kid, and when I was a little girl, I used to take the yellow dandelions and soflty draw with them on my forearms. I liked how they felt against my skin, and I even traced dandelion "sketches " on my mom's arms. Funny, the little things that girls find pretty where others find weeds.

There are so many exciting things to discover in the front yard, and the little ladybug (aka: Sofie) is figuring out fast! I came home from the BLVD gym and found Matt and Sofie playing in the front yard today. They looked so warm and full of life that Sofie and I lingered on in the springtime sun long after Matt went to work. What we discovered together: dandelions are still one of my favorite flowers (maybe Sofie's too), seedpods are fascinating, and red clover isn't as fun to chew on as my car keys.

Sofija Soleil's First Birthday

2008-04-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

On March 29, 2008, we celebrated Sofija Soleil's First Birthday (actual bday is April 3). Between all of the Ruzichs, the Waites, the Hughes, the Hefrons, the Meyers, and everyone else, we had a lovely (and large) group and a great day for our little angel.

Sofie was wonderfully spoiled and I know the adults enjoyed playing with her toys just as much as she did. I nearly burned the strawberry cake, but just like Mom's, it turned out gooey, moist, and oh-so-strawberry-delicious! From organic cotton dresses, onsies and cute little monkeys, to books for Sofie's library, the day was perfect. I still reflect on the party: the most lovely of all Ruzich parties to date (the Matthew Ruzich parties that is. . . all of Jeanne Ruzich's parties are lovely!!) The pretty little garlands and paper cranes were so special and Crystal's recycled tissue paper flowers were trés parfait. Thanks to Crystal, the festivities were well documented.

Little Earth Mama

2008-04-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Spring memories with Sofie: Playing in the soft, warm sunlight. Happy and content as can be. Life should always be this beautiful.