Just like any typical parents, Gary and I always race each other to the "she's your child" comment when there's a specific display of attitude, temper, etc. Sometimes he beats me to the punch and sometimes I beat him. Last night, I won the race. Here's the story...
After supper, Hanny decided she wanted to pretend she was Rudolph. I thought that sounded like a typical activity for her, as she (and her sisters) enjoy dressing up as something other than themselves and playing together. It was all okay until she wanted to use a gluestick to glue a red pom pom (you know, those little fuzzy balls) to her nose. Yep, she was going to glue it to her nose. Now, I realize that gluing it on with a gluestick wouldn't have left her with a permanently fuzzy red nose, but who knows where the whole "gluing something to youself" idea might lead. While it might begin with a gluestick, there's always that chance of moving on to stickier things. I immediately explained what a BAD idea that was. It wasn't the idea of making her nose red, just the idea of involving GLUE. It's certainly not a conversation I ever dreamed I'd have, but I was quick on the draw. "What if it's stuck there and you have to go to school like that?" I asked. "Don't you think the kids might laugh if you have a red furry ball stuck on your nose?" I asked. Well, she did finally decide that it might not have been one of her most stellar ideas - thank goodness. For Hanny, she has to decide on her own for it to go over smoothly. Thankfully I was using some good logical arguments that appealed to her senses. Obviously, I immediately threw out the "She's SO your daughter!" comment before it was sent my way!
You'd think that would be the best part, the whole idea of gluing the ball onto her nose. Nope. The best comment of all came when she was in need of antlers. Her comment? "What am I gonna do for antlers? I can't glue..." Thank goodness it didn't occur to glue on antlers before we talked her out of gluing on a nose...
Oh, and for what it's worth, we put lipstick on her nose and made antlers out of a headband and pipe cleaners. Sometimes Mama does have a plausible solution...
Monday, December 15, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
"We get the Golf Channel?"
Yep, that's what Gary just exclaimed. If you know me, you know how utterly disinterested I was at that grand proclamation. The excitement around here is palpable. We just tucked the girls in, so the excitement has gone to bed for the night. I'm pretty sure they get funnier by the day. Hanny is so easy to tuck in. She has to have a hug and kiss and then is ready for me to leave the room. Thank goodness. Her sisters always require at least 10 minutes of fun before I finally get to leave the room. Doodle always wants Gary to tuck her in too, so he gets a taste of her true nature on a nightly basis. I never laugh so hard as I do when they're getting ready to go to bed. Tonight, for example, I was snugged up to Boo while Gary tried to get Doodle to give him a good-night hug. She was reluctant, and told him, in no uncertain terms, that "somebody's" (her diplomatic way of saying his) breath was stinky. If you saw her in any other situation you would think she is such a sweet, shy child. Not so. After he finally got headed out the door she thought it necessary to inform both of us that he is a real bed hog. And, apparently, she's noticed that he not only hogs the bed when he's tucking her in but also hogs it when he's in our bed as well. She ought to know. She and her identical (oh, so totally identical) twin were in our bed at 6:00 this morning. They don't quite get the whole concept of sleeping in. Oh, how I wish they would sleep just until 7:00. What I wouldn't give for a 7:00 morning! And do you think they'd stop long enough to rest? Nope. They might miss some fun. In fact, they are still talking to each other in their room. They're probably cooking up some big plans for tomorrow. I can hardly wait! :)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Blessed Birthday
I survived another birthday. Heck, I survived another day. It was a busy day, to put it mildly, but a good one all in all. After we took the girls to school this morning I came home and wrapped presents for 2 hours straight. I have all the girls' and Gary's gifts wrapped now, even the stocking stuffers. I left the others to do so the little ladies can help me. We've got several things we hope to get done this weekend, and wrapping gifts is one of them.
We went to eat lunch with the angels today for their Christmas lunch at school. It was a very nice (and tasty) meal. We then came home and took a few pictures so that we can work on a Christmas letter (albeit a SHORT and sweet one) to get emailed and mailed out early next week. I had to take the twins to the doctor for a re-check to make sure their ears and lungs were improving, so we took off and left Hanny with Dad for the afternoon. They had talked about getting take-out from Applebee's for supper tonight (I had already told them I was NOT cooking on my birthday), but while waiting for the doctor to come in we decided that Mexican food sounded much better. After leaving the doctor's office, the twins and I struck out to find our way from Olathe to Lawrence so we could pick up some food (and a cake) for supper. I knew I could get back on the interstate, but there had been an accident earlier that had traffic at a stand-still, so I wanted another option. I was so proud of myself for finding my own way to Hwy 10! Doodle was getting a little nervous because I didn't know for sure where I was. She's got a little of her mama's worrying blood coursing through those little veins. Poor baby. She was afraid I wouldn't be able to find my way home. I can totally identify with those worries, those ridiculous worries. Anyway... It was so much fun listening to the two of them on the way to Lawrence. They were giggling and having such a good time together. It's music to my ears. We ended up going to JCP, which reminded me why I rarely take them shopping with me. They're a hoot, but ornery as possible. We then ran to Target to pick up a cake and on to get some food. We had a good time together, and so did Dad & Hanny. While we were gone, Hanny made me a birthday care (all on her own) that said, and I quote, "You, Mama, are the gratist mama I evor so" (read: saw). She sounded it out all on her own...I was impressed! Does it get any better than that? They all three had made me birthday cards that had their own stamps of individuality on them. What more could I ask for? I am so incredibly blessed to have these three little people and the one big one in my life! There's nothing more precious than the look I see on those little faces when I thank them for what they have done for or given me. It's clear that they can see how good it feels to give.
So, at 34, I am definitely one lucky woman. I survived the day. I survived the birthday. I will keep these precious birthday cards forever. I will never forget how it felt to get those sweet hugs and kisses from the girls and watch their angelic faces beam as I opened the cards they made themselves. Man, if only they could bottle that sweetness...
We went to eat lunch with the angels today for their Christmas lunch at school. It was a very nice (and tasty) meal. We then came home and took a few pictures so that we can work on a Christmas letter (albeit a SHORT and sweet one) to get emailed and mailed out early next week. I had to take the twins to the doctor for a re-check to make sure their ears and lungs were improving, so we took off and left Hanny with Dad for the afternoon. They had talked about getting take-out from Applebee's for supper tonight (I had already told them I was NOT cooking on my birthday), but while waiting for the doctor to come in we decided that Mexican food sounded much better. After leaving the doctor's office, the twins and I struck out to find our way from Olathe to Lawrence so we could pick up some food (and a cake) for supper. I knew I could get back on the interstate, but there had been an accident earlier that had traffic at a stand-still, so I wanted another option. I was so proud of myself for finding my own way to Hwy 10! Doodle was getting a little nervous because I didn't know for sure where I was. She's got a little of her mama's worrying blood coursing through those little veins. Poor baby. She was afraid I wouldn't be able to find my way home. I can totally identify with those worries, those ridiculous worries. Anyway... It was so much fun listening to the two of them on the way to Lawrence. They were giggling and having such a good time together. It's music to my ears. We ended up going to JCP, which reminded me why I rarely take them shopping with me. They're a hoot, but ornery as possible. We then ran to Target to pick up a cake and on to get some food. We had a good time together, and so did Dad & Hanny. While we were gone, Hanny made me a birthday care (all on her own) that said, and I quote, "You, Mama, are the gratist mama I evor so" (read: saw). She sounded it out all on her own...I was impressed! Does it get any better than that? They all three had made me birthday cards that had their own stamps of individuality on them. What more could I ask for? I am so incredibly blessed to have these three little people and the one big one in my life! There's nothing more precious than the look I see on those little faces when I thank them for what they have done for or given me. It's clear that they can see how good it feels to give.
So, at 34, I am definitely one lucky woman. I survived the day. I survived the birthday. I will keep these precious birthday cards forever. I will never forget how it felt to get those sweet hugs and kisses from the girls and watch their angelic faces beam as I opened the cards they made themselves. Man, if only they could bottle that sweetness...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Lessons from Aunt Donna
I have very impressionable children. I also have children whose only lapse in honesty comes when they're afraid they might cause hurt feelings by giving an honest answer. Yes, I know that sweet honesty will end soon enough, but for the moment it is there. They also are pretty good at telling what they hear.
They have become very attached to my sister and spent a great deal of their time over Thanksgiving break at her house. They even warmed up to her husband (I know...6 years later) and got quite a laugh out of him helping them "tweep" up the wasps in the upstairs. Anyway... Last Saturday Donna stopped by to visit for a few minutes. Meme had bought them a box of chocolates after their doctor's appointment on Friday and they were LOVING it. The had to show Donna their chocolates, and she had to corrupt these sweet little angels. Okay, so maybe it's not total corruption. It does bring back a memory of Christmas of 2006 when Jonathan showed them how to shake the Christmas gifts to see if they could figure out what they were. But back to the story at hand. Donna told them that the way they could figure out what kind of chocolate each one was was to stick their finger in the bottom. I don't have to wonder where I learned this trick as a child. I think it's pretty clear. We went on about our day and nothing more was said until today. Boo finished her lunch first and wanted a chocolate for dessert. I sat her on the kitchen counter and opened the box for her. She bit into a lemon (yes, lemon - it was nasty) cream-centered chocolate and hated it. I tasted it as well and determined that neither one of us needed to eat that one, so I let her choose another one. She asked how we could tell that the next one wasn't lemon. Lo and behold, Hannah piped up with "If you wanna find out what kind it is, you just stick your finger in the bottom. That's what Donna told me...her or Meme, I'm not sure." I immediately called my dear sister because I knew she'd get a chuckle out of it. Meanwhile, Addie stuck her finger into the bottom of one chocolate and proclaimed, "This one must be blueberry!" Needless to say, we've put the chocolates away and discussed the importance of not touching it unless you intend to eat it.
The lesson from this one: Be careful what you say to these little angels. Everything is taken pretty literally and is NEVER forgotten.
They have become very attached to my sister and spent a great deal of their time over Thanksgiving break at her house. They even warmed up to her husband (I know...6 years later) and got quite a laugh out of him helping them "tweep" up the wasps in the upstairs. Anyway... Last Saturday Donna stopped by to visit for a few minutes. Meme had bought them a box of chocolates after their doctor's appointment on Friday and they were LOVING it. The had to show Donna their chocolates, and she had to corrupt these sweet little angels. Okay, so maybe it's not total corruption. It does bring back a memory of Christmas of 2006 when Jonathan showed them how to shake the Christmas gifts to see if they could figure out what they were. But back to the story at hand. Donna told them that the way they could figure out what kind of chocolate each one was was to stick their finger in the bottom. I don't have to wonder where I learned this trick as a child. I think it's pretty clear. We went on about our day and nothing more was said until today. Boo finished her lunch first and wanted a chocolate for dessert. I sat her on the kitchen counter and opened the box for her. She bit into a lemon (yes, lemon - it was nasty) cream-centered chocolate and hated it. I tasted it as well and determined that neither one of us needed to eat that one, so I let her choose another one. She asked how we could tell that the next one wasn't lemon. Lo and behold, Hannah piped up with "If you wanna find out what kind it is, you just stick your finger in the bottom. That's what Donna told me...her or Meme, I'm not sure." I immediately called my dear sister because I knew she'd get a chuckle out of it. Meanwhile, Addie stuck her finger into the bottom of one chocolate and proclaimed, "This one must be blueberry!" Needless to say, we've put the chocolates away and discussed the importance of not touching it unless you intend to eat it.
The lesson from this one: Be careful what you say to these little angels. Everything is taken pretty literally and is NEVER forgotten.
White Wednesday
We had quite a snowy day yesterday, which left us with some super slick roads this morning. The three girls are ALL in school today until I go get them at 10:30. I'm trying to do everything I can so they don't overdo it too early. Their Christmas dinner at school is Friday, so Gary and I are going to eat lunch at school with them before we have to go back to the doctor. Yep, my birthday dinner is going to be at school. I'm thrilled...
I tried to make a list of everything I've got left to buy and do before Christmas. While I don't have a LOT left to buy, I'm not nearly done. In most cases, though, I know exactly what I'm going to buy. I still have a few things to pick up for the girls, so I'd better get moving. I don't have any baking done yet. That's a huge deal because usually by now I have 3-4 different kinds of cookies baked and in the freezer. It's time I got started, I think. If I can just stay healthy and keep everybody else healthy as well. My next list is going to be the baking list. There are several things I want to bake before Christmas, but I have to prioritize. I don't want it to stress me out, I just want to be able to enjoy it. Hopefully after the girls are done with school (the 18th is their last day) we can devote some Mama/Girls time to baking. Hanny spent some time in the kitchen with me yesterday making meatloaf, mashed potatoes/gravy and broccoli/rice casserole. They all three enjoy helping in the kitchen. I just love that, especially this time of the year. There's nothing better than being in the kitchen with three of my favorite people while we bake and listen to Christmas music. It's one of those joys that I probably take for granted, although this year I think I'm fully aware of how special that time is. Any time that is spent doing something other than coughing, sneezing, sleeping on the floor, etc. is worthy of thanks.
I think I'll take the few minutes I have left before it's time to go get the angels and stir up some kind of cookie dough. If it's made, I can always find time to bake it. Wish me luck! Oh, and if you have any great cookie recipes to share, please leave them in the comments - I love to try out new ones! :)
I tried to make a list of everything I've got left to buy and do before Christmas. While I don't have a LOT left to buy, I'm not nearly done. In most cases, though, I know exactly what I'm going to buy. I still have a few things to pick up for the girls, so I'd better get moving. I don't have any baking done yet. That's a huge deal because usually by now I have 3-4 different kinds of cookies baked and in the freezer. It's time I got started, I think. If I can just stay healthy and keep everybody else healthy as well. My next list is going to be the baking list. There are several things I want to bake before Christmas, but I have to prioritize. I don't want it to stress me out, I just want to be able to enjoy it. Hopefully after the girls are done with school (the 18th is their last day) we can devote some Mama/Girls time to baking. Hanny spent some time in the kitchen with me yesterday making meatloaf, mashed potatoes/gravy and broccoli/rice casserole. They all three enjoy helping in the kitchen. I just love that, especially this time of the year. There's nothing better than being in the kitchen with three of my favorite people while we bake and listen to Christmas music. It's one of those joys that I probably take for granted, although this year I think I'm fully aware of how special that time is. Any time that is spent doing something other than coughing, sneezing, sleeping on the floor, etc. is worthy of thanks.
I think I'll take the few minutes I have left before it's time to go get the angels and stir up some kind of cookie dough. If it's made, I can always find time to bake it. Wish me luck! Oh, and if you have any great cookie recipes to share, please leave them in the comments - I love to try out new ones! :)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Six Years Ago Tonight...
Six years ago tonight was the night we brought Hanny home from the hospital. Wow...time really does fly! We had a care plan meeting with the "team" - doctors, nurses, social worker, patient advocate, etc. - about the twins before we left and got to bring the little angel, all 4 pounds 4 ounces of her, home with us afterwards. She was so tiny. Her preemie clothes were hanging off of her. It's just amazing to think about how small she was. What an amazing blessing to look at her today and see just how far she has come. It doesn't seem like it's been that long ago...
Let it Snow, Let it Snow!
It's snowing! :) It's a wonderful day to be in the house enjoying the warmth and Christmas lights. Hanny went to school again today while her sisters stayed home. If they could just kick these coughs... I know how they feel, though. I finally got some sleep last night, after propping myself up on a pile of pillows. It will really be nice to feel good again and have some energy. It will be exceptionally nice to have three little ones feeling good without any residual coughing.
Beyond that, nothing has changed since yesterday. I haven't gone anywhere or done anything. That's not totally true. I've done laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, cleaned the kitchen, etc. I haven't done anything fun and exciting.
I wish you could hear Boo reading Are You My Mother? right now! It's such a cute book anyway, but she's really reading with feeling! She's perched herself at one of the little card tables with a pile of books that probably weighs more than she does. We did school work when Hanny came home (and still have some to do), so now they're all three spread around the house having some alone time. Doodle is at the kitchen table playing with the doll house. Hanny is in her room playing with Cinderella and the pirate ship. It's a good thing they don't mind being stuck in the house too much. They're awfully good girls...maybe Santa will remember them this year! :)
Beyond that, nothing has changed since yesterday. I haven't gone anywhere or done anything. That's not totally true. I've done laundry, cleaned the bathrooms, cleaned the kitchen, etc. I haven't done anything fun and exciting.
I wish you could hear Boo reading Are You My Mother? right now! It's such a cute book anyway, but she's really reading with feeling! She's perched herself at one of the little card tables with a pile of books that probably weighs more than she does. We did school work when Hanny came home (and still have some to do), so now they're all three spread around the house having some alone time. Doodle is at the kitchen table playing with the doll house. Hanny is in her room playing with Cinderella and the pirate ship. It's a good thing they don't mind being stuck in the house too much. They're awfully good girls...maybe Santa will remember them this year! :)
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