cuski

Cuskiboo, known around our household as just plain Cuski (or Cusk), is Jakes best-loved, dearest possession.  They are the best of friends.  

It all started when Jake was two or three months old and we put Cuski in with him during naptime.  He soon became a permanent resident of Jakes crib and as little Jacob grew, so did his great love of Cuski.  He would actually squeal in delight when I would put him down for sleep.  He was just that excited to see Cuski.  He would cuddle Cuiski and sometime sleep with him draped over his face.

(Here is Jake in July, 2011, just a few months after his first birthday.)  

Now at almost four years old, Cuski is still his favourite thing.  Jake talks a lot about Cuski and they go on many adventures.  According to Jake,  Cuski is a hockey player (usually for the Canuks); he has a new car in which Jake rides in the front seat; he has a few houses, including a "real big one" in Vancouver; Jake and Cuski like to drive to the zoo... etc.  It's all too hilarious.  

The sad news (!) is that right around the time we took Jake's soother away, he started to chew poor Cuski.  Jake insists that this does not hurt Cuski.  When I suggested one day that being chewed was making Cuski sad, Jake cried.  Yet, no matter what we tried we couldn't break this habit.  I mended the first hole but quickly gave up. 

It's actually atrocious that I haven't thrown him in the garbage yet.  I know it is.  But I just cannot bare to break Jakes heart!

Look at poor Cusk now :(

Now what to do...  replace him or encourage him to outgrow this friendship?!   Big decision.    

Note: I get asked a lot "what is a Cuski" and I just learned, according to the internet, "‘Cuski’ is the anglicised Welsh term meaning ‘to sleep’ and was created to bring comfort to babies and children all over the world."  Good to know ;)      

pasta pro

I made the mistake of making homemade fettuccine with BOTH kids a few weeks ago - tasty but a handfull.  The takeaway from that little experiment was that it's a little too messy for a 1 year old (duh!).  Avery ended up covered in flour and obsessed with eating raw noodles but Jake showed real pasta-making-promise.  So just Jake and I did it again the following week (thanks naptime!) and it was a huge success. 

The best part of pasta making is... the pasta maker!

made in Italy, of course :)

Jake was in charge of settings 0 to 5.

He was a pro, no assistance necessary. 

And settings 6 and 7 were a "team effort" with Jake turning the crank and me guiding the pasta through.  Jake would've liked to make pasta all-day-long.  

He helped with all the layering.  His favourite being the cheese on top.    

And, ta-da!  Homemade lasagne. 

  

We'll be making more pasta together again soon.  Our time in Italy ensured that pasta making will be a family tradition around here.