Dear Big Girl,
Congratulations, you're eight years old! I have really enjoyed this birthday. Last weekend, your slumber party was a lot of fun. You and your friends were busy with the crafts, movie, and playing Felicity. You were a good hostess and party planner!
I couldn't believe it last night when we read "Beezus & Ramona" at bedtime, and the chapter we were on was Beezus' Birthday! What a coincidence. We sure marveled about that!
Your gifts were a lot of fun for me this year. It was so special to surprise you yesterday with music lessons! I am looking forward to your first private lesson on Wednesday. I think your choice to keep working on the violin was a thoughtful decision. Do you know what my favorite part was? The big smile on your face as you walked out holding your new violin! We're renting it for now, but if you decide to keep up your violin studies for eight months, we'll own it! I loved giving you such a big surprise for your birthday!
What a great day today, opening presents from family, getting to choose lunch and dinner, and having a book-shaped cake! Grandma gave you the sewing box you were hoping for (another coincidence from the book: Beezus got a sewing box for her birthday!), and you got lots of books, a movie, crafts, games, a High School Musical doll, outfits, math brain teasers, and some money to spend. You are so happy with all of it, and it's nice to see you appreciate everyone's kind gestures. You sure are growing into a lovely girl. I'm so glad you are enjoying "The Daring Book for Girls." When I looked through it at the bookstore, I thought you would enjoy exploring the many topics in the book and trying out the activities with your friends, sister, or me! (It's kind of like Beezus' book "202 Things to Do on a Rainy Afternoon." Another coincidence!)
You have been growing like a weed lately, and I'm not just talking about your height! You seem to be maturing before my eyes! Your first slumber party, the first time you said, "Mom, you're embarrassing!" when I was acting goofy at home with no one around... as well as your interest in learning new skills like sewing, the plays and lessons you are always planning with your friends, and the times when you and I can get serious and have good discussions about things... it's an exciting time!
But you and I have also been talking about the things that haven't changed (and thank goodness!). You still choose a different stuffed animal lovey every couple of days. I still like to pick you up for a big hug. You still have your fears that I don't quite understand. You may not be afraid of the Disney Princess movies anymore, but you are now afraid of history, and the possibility of learning history in school each day is making you nervous. You were so relieved last week when you came home and told me "Mom, there's nothing scary about the Wright brothers!" (Scary people have included Florence Nightingale and Abraham Lincoln (when he visited injured Civil War soldiers).)
I have been thinking today about eight years ago, June 1st of 2000, when you came into my life and changed everything... as I always do on June 1st! How during the day I was at work finishing up the school year, and in the middle of the night, I was becoming a mother. I spent that whole first June 1st feeling happy, scared, lucky and overwhelmed all at the same time. Whether you like it or not (and at age eight, you still really like it), you will always be my baby.
Showing posts with label big girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big girl. Show all posts
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Milestones
Big Girl hit a major milestone this weekend. She is now taking communion!
I recently discovered another milestone, one I had never thought about before! It's another indication of being a bigger kid: one who gives off an air of more maturity than the out-of-control, unpredictable energy of the little kids.
The cat, completely of his own volition, seeks out your attention and climbs into your lap for some petting!
I recently discovered another milestone, one I had never thought about before! It's another indication of being a bigger kid: one who gives off an air of more maturity than the out-of-control, unpredictable energy of the little kids.
The cat, completely of his own volition, seeks out your attention and climbs into your lap for some petting!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
First Communion
Saturday was a wonderful day.
But I need to say this right now: it was 94 degrees. Unnecessary! Unreasonably uncomfortable! But we dealt with it. We moved past it. We wished we had chosen an indoor restaurant for our lunch celebration. We tried to ignore it while we fainted in the stifling air. We stayed upbeat and celebratory! Kudos to everyone and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!
The girls, in their excitement, woke up very early. Breakfast was eaten, hair was curled by Noni (my mother-in-law), and we got dressed up in our fancy clothes.
Big Girl's exquisite dress was made by Grandma, and the veil was made by Mommy. New shoes and white pantyhose completed the look. Fingernails painted by Noni.
Middle Girl wore her crisp new Easter dress, as well as new shoes and pantyhose. Her fingernails and toenails had been painted by Noni, but she opted for new white shoes instead of colorful flip flops.
The Boy looked dapper in his new fancy khaki slacks and brown dress shoes. The tie was borrowed from a friend as well as a navy blazer. However, we did not put the blazer on him, since (did I mention?) 94 degrees. He asked Noni to paint his toenails as well, which of course she was happy to do. He looked great, despite the "owie" on the forehead from Monday, and despite the huge tantrum he threw while Daddy was dressing him. But that's why we dressed him way ahead of time and plopped him in front of cartoons! He was over the outfit drama by the time we headed over to church.
Oh, and that's me... that's what Big Girl picked out for me to wear!
Big Girl and her classmates gathered before the ceremony...
Look at what the boys had to wear in the (did I mention?) 94 degree heat!
Look at all of the proud parents taking pictures in the (did I mention?) 94 degree heat!
The children then began the Mass they had prepared. They processed in, so we could all see them, and then they went around to the back again and processed in with the priests. (The Youth Choir generously provided the music.) This time, they took their seats with their parents. The second graders handled all parts of the Mass: readings, presentation of the gifts (complete with setting the table on the altar), prayers of the faithful... Monsignor involved them in his homily, asking them questions and using a hand-held microphone to capture their responses for all of us. The children had great responses to his questions, clearly understanding the importance of this day and what they were there to do. Big Girl answered many of his questions with a great deal of self-assurance! She always had her hand raised. In this way she differs from her mother! (When I was a kid, I tried to be invisible.)
Monsignor reminded us that the parents are the first teachers of the children, which is such a wonderful message.
When it was time for the Eucharist, each child in turn went up to Monsignor with his or her parents and received the bread and wine. Then the parents did as well (I received a blessing instead, of course). We returned to our pew (Big Girl had a good spot on the center aisle) to watch all of the family and friends in the congregation go up to take communion.
The children processed out with the priests and then we went over to the Parish Hall where they were sitting at a big long table having some fruit and cake. We got to talk to everyone and take more pictures, and eat cake! (The Boy and Middle Girl really earned their cake, having behaved themselves in church with Noni and our friends the Bakers during the whole ceremony!)
After that, we went to the restaurant (did I mention it was an outdoor place? and it was 94 degrees?) for lunch! The Bakers bought a champagne/sparkling cider toast, and Big Girl got to open her presents. Big Girl felt so special that everyone wanted to share her special day with her, in their own way.
Then it was home to get out of the fancy clothes and into the pool! We didn't know this would happen on First Communion day, but after the planned celebrations, the weather was in charge!
Everyone was wiped out by dinner time, and bedtime came early. Tired and happy kids fell into their beds, one dreaming of putting on her white dress again in the morning and going to church to take communion with the whole parish.
It must be said: I really can't believe my baby is old enough to take communion. It always seemed so far away! Big Girl explained to me yesterday afternoon that you need to be old enough to understand what is happening when you take the bread and wine, so it does seem like she is grown-up enough for this. Again I am reminded that we are not in the three-little-kids phase anymore! Just look at my beautiful girl!
(Now go back and look at what happened to The Boy's outfit during the course of the morning.)
But I need to say this right now: it was 94 degrees. Unnecessary! Unreasonably uncomfortable! But we dealt with it. We moved past it. We wished we had chosen an indoor restaurant for our lunch celebration. We tried to ignore it while we fainted in the stifling air. We stayed upbeat and celebratory! Kudos to everyone and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!
The girls, in their excitement, woke up very early. Breakfast was eaten, hair was curled by Noni (my mother-in-law), and we got dressed up in our fancy clothes.
Big Girl's exquisite dress was made by Grandma, and the veil was made by Mommy. New shoes and white pantyhose completed the look. Fingernails painted by Noni.
Middle Girl wore her crisp new Easter dress, as well as new shoes and pantyhose. Her fingernails and toenails had been painted by Noni, but she opted for new white shoes instead of colorful flip flops.
The Boy looked dapper in his new fancy khaki slacks and brown dress shoes. The tie was borrowed from a friend as well as a navy blazer. However, we did not put the blazer on him, since (did I mention?) 94 degrees. He asked Noni to paint his toenails as well, which of course she was happy to do. He looked great, despite the "owie" on the forehead from Monday, and despite the huge tantrum he threw while Daddy was dressing him. But that's why we dressed him way ahead of time and plopped him in front of cartoons! He was over the outfit drama by the time we headed over to church.
Oh, and that's me... that's what Big Girl picked out for me to wear!Big Girl and her classmates gathered before the ceremony...
Look at what the boys had to wear in the (did I mention?) 94 degree heat!
Look at all of the proud parents taking pictures in the (did I mention?) 94 degree heat!
The children then began the Mass they had prepared. They processed in, so we could all see them, and then they went around to the back again and processed in with the priests. (The Youth Choir generously provided the music.) This time, they took their seats with their parents. The second graders handled all parts of the Mass: readings, presentation of the gifts (complete with setting the table on the altar), prayers of the faithful... Monsignor involved them in his homily, asking them questions and using a hand-held microphone to capture their responses for all of us. The children had great responses to his questions, clearly understanding the importance of this day and what they were there to do. Big Girl answered many of his questions with a great deal of self-assurance! She always had her hand raised. In this way she differs from her mother! (When I was a kid, I tried to be invisible.)
Monsignor reminded us that the parents are the first teachers of the children, which is such a wonderful message.
When it was time for the Eucharist, each child in turn went up to Monsignor with his or her parents and received the bread and wine. Then the parents did as well (I received a blessing instead, of course). We returned to our pew (Big Girl had a good spot on the center aisle) to watch all of the family and friends in the congregation go up to take communion.
The children processed out with the priests and then we went over to the Parish Hall where they were sitting at a big long table having some fruit and cake. We got to talk to everyone and take more pictures, and eat cake! (The Boy and Middle Girl really earned their cake, having behaved themselves in church with Noni and our friends the Bakers during the whole ceremony!)
After that, we went to the restaurant (did I mention it was an outdoor place? and it was 94 degrees?) for lunch! The Bakers bought a champagne/sparkling cider toast, and Big Girl got to open her presents. Big Girl felt so special that everyone wanted to share her special day with her, in their own way.
Then it was home to get out of the fancy clothes and into the pool! We didn't know this would happen on First Communion day, but after the planned celebrations, the weather was in charge!
Everyone was wiped out by dinner time, and bedtime came early. Tired and happy kids fell into their beds, one dreaming of putting on her white dress again in the morning and going to church to take communion with the whole parish.
It must be said: I really can't believe my baby is old enough to take communion. It always seemed so far away! Big Girl explained to me yesterday afternoon that you need to be old enough to understand what is happening when you take the bread and wine, so it does seem like she is grown-up enough for this. Again I am reminded that we are not in the three-little-kids phase anymore! Just look at my beautiful girl!
(Now go back and look at what happened to The Boy's outfit during the course of the morning.)
Friday, April 25, 2008
Agape Dinner
Last night, the 2nd graders celebrated their Agape Dinner. I learned that agape is a Greek word for love.
Coming home and looking it up on the internet, I found that there are (at least) three Greek words for love (eros, philia, and agape). Agape refers especially to selfless love or God's love for humanity.
Also on the internet, I learned that Agape feasts were common during the early period of Christianity, often centering around the bread and wine of the Eucharist.
The 2nd graders spent the whole school day in a retreat for their First Holy Communion. One of the things they did was bake bread with some of the third grade parents. They made a loaf of bread with a cross on the top. When they got to the Agape Dinner, their bread had been baked and was waiting at their place at the table.
The evening started with some scriptural readings and a toast to the children. They were instructed to open the little present that was on the table. It contained a small glass Blessing Cup, engraved with their own name. What a wonderful gesture! I was not aware of this tradition at the school, and was impressed. The toast to the children included a moment for the parents to speak to their child.
We ate a wonderful dinner, which was pot luck. Big Girl ate her entire loaf of bread during the proceedings (the two boys at our table did not eat even a bite of theirs).
Then the children sang a song for us, complete with choreography! Big Girl sang out loud and strong.
Each child was called up to tell us about the banner they had made. Some children had written out a little speech, which they then read for us, but most just spoke off-the-cuff. Big Girl went the figure-it-out-when-I-get-up-there route and told us about her family, her house, the wine and the bread.
When it was over, we carefully brought the wine glass home to enjoy for years and years. Including today!
We are very happy that the big day is finally here, less than 15 hours away!
Now, let's take a look at my list:
To Do:
Wash the girls' nice white sweaters (done! but we now know it's going to be hot)
Sheer white stockings are the wrong size, need to exchange (done!)
Make reservations for celebratory lunch (done!)
New dress shoes for The Boy (done!)
Trim the girls' bangs (done!)
Paint Middle Girl's toes (done! but we bought her different shoes anyway!)
Wrap gifts, write in the card (do this, then go to bed)
Pack extra batteries in the camera case (done!)
What will Mommy wear? (hmmmm...)
Coming home and looking it up on the internet, I found that there are (at least) three Greek words for love (eros, philia, and agape). Agape refers especially to selfless love or God's love for humanity.
Also on the internet, I learned that Agape feasts were common during the early period of Christianity, often centering around the bread and wine of the Eucharist.
The 2nd graders spent the whole school day in a retreat for their First Holy Communion. One of the things they did was bake bread with some of the third grade parents. They made a loaf of bread with a cross on the top. When they got to the Agape Dinner, their bread had been baked and was waiting at their place at the table.
The evening started with some scriptural readings and a toast to the children. They were instructed to open the little present that was on the table. It contained a small glass Blessing Cup, engraved with their own name. What a wonderful gesture! I was not aware of this tradition at the school, and was impressed. The toast to the children included a moment for the parents to speak to their child.
We ate a wonderful dinner, which was pot luck. Big Girl ate her entire loaf of bread during the proceedings (the two boys at our table did not eat even a bite of theirs).
Then the children sang a song for us, complete with choreography! Big Girl sang out loud and strong.
Each child was called up to tell us about the banner they had made. Some children had written out a little speech, which they then read for us, but most just spoke off-the-cuff. Big Girl went the figure-it-out-when-I-get-up-there route and told us about her family, her house, the wine and the bread.
When it was over, we carefully brought the wine glass home to enjoy for years and years. Including today!
We are very happy that the big day is finally here, less than 15 hours away!
Now, let's take a look at my list:
To Do:
Wash the girls' nice white sweaters (done! but we now know it's going to be hot)
Sheer white stockings are the wrong size, need to exchange (done!)
Make reservations for celebratory lunch (done!)
New dress shoes for The Boy (done!)
Trim the girls' bangs (done!)
Paint Middle Girl's toes (done! but we bought her different shoes anyway!)
Wrap gifts, write in the card (do this, then go to bed)
Pack extra batteries in the camera case (done!)
What will Mommy wear? (hmmmm...)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
checklist
Done:
Dress for First Holy Communion made by Grandma
New shoes ordered from Zappos have arrived and they fit
Veil made by Mommy
Sheer white stockings purchased
Felt banner made by Big Girl (each 2nd grader made one; they will hang on the pews)
Khaki slacks purchased for The Boy
Navy blazer and light green tie borrowed for The Boy
The Boy's white button-down shirt ironed
Gifts and card purchased (Illustrated Bible and Rosary Bracelet)
Friends reminded about date and time
To Do:
Wash the girls' nice white sweaters (halfway done)
Sheer white stockings are the wrong size, need to exchange
Make reservations for celebratory lunch
New dress shoes for The Boy (just added to To-Do List; Daddy's request. Mommy thinks navy tennies are fine for three-year-old.)
Make salad for the Preparation Dinner potluck (Dinner is Thursday night; 2nd graders and their parents only)
Trim the girls' bangs
Paint Middle Girl's toes (she is going to wear flip-flop type shoes)
Wrap gifts, write in the card
Pack extra batteries in the camera case
What will Mommy wear?
Big Girl receives her First Holy Communion this Saturday morning. This will be my first time seeing this ceremony and I really have no idea what it will be like. Saying that she is excited about it is an enormous understatement. It is all anyone talks about around here! She is very involved in all of our preparations and wants everything to be perfect.
I think I am really going to learn something this weekend. I don't know what it will be, but I am intrigued!
Dress for First Holy Communion made by Grandma
New shoes ordered from Zappos have arrived and they fit
Veil made by Mommy
Sheer white stockings purchased
Felt banner made by Big Girl (each 2nd grader made one; they will hang on the pews)
Khaki slacks purchased for The Boy
Navy blazer and light green tie borrowed for The Boy
The Boy's white button-down shirt ironed
Gifts and card purchased (Illustrated Bible and Rosary Bracelet)
Friends reminded about date and time
To Do:
Wash the girls' nice white sweaters (halfway done)
Sheer white stockings are the wrong size, need to exchange
Make reservations for celebratory lunch
New dress shoes for The Boy (just added to To-Do List; Daddy's request. Mommy thinks navy tennies are fine for three-year-old.)
Make salad for the Preparation Dinner potluck (Dinner is Thursday night; 2nd graders and their parents only)
Trim the girls' bangs
Paint Middle Girl's toes (she is going to wear flip-flop type shoes)
Wrap gifts, write in the card
Pack extra batteries in the camera case
What will Mommy wear?
Big Girl receives her First Holy Communion this Saturday morning. This will be my first time seeing this ceremony and I really have no idea what it will be like. Saying that she is excited about it is an enormous understatement. It is all anyone talks about around here! She is very involved in all of our preparations and wants everything to be perfect.
I think I am really going to learn something this weekend. I don't know what it will be, but I am intrigued!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
smart, or smart-ass?
This made me laugh to the point of crying this weekend. And every time I thought about it again, it made me convulse in laughter all over again.
I found it in my daughter's "green folder," which the teacher sends home every Friday. It contains all schoolwork she has done during the week.
It was on a science "test" (she's in 2nd grade... no tests, really, just "assessments").
There are three pictures:
RACE CAR .. RACEHORSE .. AIRPLANE
Which object do you think is the fastest? (Circle)
Why?
My daughter wrote: "Because the horse looks tired to me."
[laugh] [chortle] [snort]
I found it in my daughter's "green folder," which the teacher sends home every Friday. It contains all schoolwork she has done during the week.
It was on a science "test" (she's in 2nd grade... no tests, really, just "assessments").
There are three pictures:
RACE CAR .. RACEHORSE .. AIRPLANE
Which object do you think is the fastest? (Circle)
Why?
My daughter wrote: "Because the horse looks tired to me."
[laugh] [chortle] [snort]
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
kid lit
You know what, my kids do drive me nuts.
There are plenty of days when I have lots of trouble forgiving myself for yelling at them all day (and is it really my fault? because, after all, the whining started the second we all woke up this morning, and never stopped, and I'm not a morning person and starting the day that way just dooms my mood. -- Well, yes, it is).
But I find that it doesn't help me to dwell and complain and focus on the negative. Thinking about the good things (even though sometimes it's really hard to come up with some) does make me feel better, and I prefer to do things that make me feel good (call me crazy).
One of the things I LOVE is when my daughter reads the books I loved as a kid. It feels so good to get absorbed in a book, and seeing her enjoyment warms my heart and soul.
So it was a delight this weekend when she made a puppet for her February book report:
Just in case you are wondering, she added a little feature inside the mouth of the puppet:
Pippi Longstocking! She's so cute! Great job, Big Girl!
Sorry if these are visually weird for you. I love the Magnetic Lasso tool in Photoshop, and I like having an excuse to use it!
There are plenty of days when I have lots of trouble forgiving myself for yelling at them all day (and is it really my fault? because, after all, the whining started the second we all woke up this morning, and never stopped, and I'm not a morning person and starting the day that way just dooms my mood. -- Well, yes, it is).
But I find that it doesn't help me to dwell and complain and focus on the negative. Thinking about the good things (even though sometimes it's really hard to come up with some) does make me feel better, and I prefer to do things that make me feel good (call me crazy).
One of the things I LOVE is when my daughter reads the books I loved as a kid. It feels so good to get absorbed in a book, and seeing her enjoyment warms my heart and soul.
So it was a delight this weekend when she made a puppet for her February book report:
Just in case you are wondering, she added a little feature inside the mouth of the puppet:
Pippi Longstocking! She's so cute! Great job, Big Girl!
Sorry if these are visually weird for you. I love the Magnetic Lasso tool in Photoshop, and I like having an excuse to use it!
Monday, February 11, 2008
100 Days of Second Grade (so far)
Big Girl's school celebrated the 100th Day of School on Friday. The children in grades K-3 were invited to make a project using 100 of anything. If they chose to make something, they could bring it for display in the 100 Museum down in the multipurpose room.
Big Girl's project was "100 Origami Cups." Big Girl and Mommy folded together at the kitchen table, and after about an hour and a half, we had 100 cups. Then we pinned each one to a piece of styrofoam for ease of transport and display.
In hindsight, I have lots of postmortem ideas -- other simple shapes instead of cups, and loads of other ways to display (10 stacks of 10 is just one). But this is pretty cute for the optional project that it is, on top of her normal homework for the week.
Here are a few of the other projects on display. A necklace for a bear made out of 100 colored paperclips, something made out of 100 Legos, a football made out of 100 candies, 100 stickers on a paper, a valentine made out of 100 pieces of pasta...
A couple of children told Big Girl that Origami cups are not interesting and she should have made cranes. Cranes would have taken us at least four times as long to make, and Big Girl's Origami skills are really at the "cup" level right now. We might have been able to make hats, but not cranes. But Big Girl and I agreed that her project was really cool -- big and colorful, and did a good job of showing how many 100 is. We decided it was a successful project.
Okay, what is up with the children telling her that? I mean, hello, stringing 100 paperclips together and hanging them on a bear? Sticking 100 stickers on a piece of paper? Whatever, those projects are fine, but if that's what you're going to make, don't tell my kid her cups are not interesting enough. Sheesh. One of the kids is Big Girl's best friend, too! I talked it all out with Big Girl, all is well, and I know we all dealt with comments like this as kids and turned out okay (builds character, yada yada), but still - it's stinky. Blech.
Big Girl's project was "100 Origami Cups." Big Girl and Mommy folded together at the kitchen table, and after about an hour and a half, we had 100 cups. Then we pinned each one to a piece of styrofoam for ease of transport and display.
In hindsight, I have lots of postmortem ideas -- other simple shapes instead of cups, and loads of other ways to display (10 stacks of 10 is just one). But this is pretty cute for the optional project that it is, on top of her normal homework for the week.
Here are a few of the other projects on display. A necklace for a bear made out of 100 colored paperclips, something made out of 100 Legos, a football made out of 100 candies, 100 stickers on a paper, a valentine made out of 100 pieces of pasta...
A couple of children told Big Girl that Origami cups are not interesting and she should have made cranes. Cranes would have taken us at least four times as long to make, and Big Girl's Origami skills are really at the "cup" level right now. We might have been able to make hats, but not cranes. But Big Girl and I agreed that her project was really cool -- big and colorful, and did a good job of showing how many 100 is. We decided it was a successful project.
Okay, what is up with the children telling her that? I mean, hello, stringing 100 paperclips together and hanging them on a bear? Sticking 100 stickers on a piece of paper? Whatever, those projects are fine, but if that's what you're going to make, don't tell my kid her cups are not interesting enough. Sheesh. One of the kids is Big Girl's best friend, too! I talked it all out with Big Girl, all is well, and I know we all dealt with comments like this as kids and turned out okay (builds character, yada yada), but still - it's stinky. Blech.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Truth about Three
This is a follow-up to my "Ode to Three." If you haven't read it, please go here (or scroll down a few days) and read it first.
Then come back to hear more about it!
_______________
I need to share with you the background of my post "Ode to Three." Picture me at my computer, composing loving thoughts about my children. While writing about the wonder of the first baby, Big Girl was standing next to me throwing a HUGE fit because she couldn't find her silver locket. Tears flying, much yelling, not pretty.
While writing about my two daughters, so devoted to one another, Big Girl was bawling that Middle Girl had "given" her MG's gold locket "to keep forever" and now WANTS IT BACK!! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
While waxing poetic about how wonderful it is to have three children, The Boy was putting stickers all over our wooden TV cabinet. Daddy came home and said, "TB, WHAT have you been up to?" Between that and throwing every ball we own over the fence and into the pool FIVE TIMES last weekend, we're sure glad to have our three!
So, now that we've both enjoyed a good laugh about that (and SIL S. gave me a pat on the back for still being able to focus on the positive in my writing during that scene), it's time for the TRUTH about three.
CHAOS.
It takes them less than ten minutes to make a complete mess out of any room in the house. And often, this is happening in two or three rooms simultaneously.
One urges another to remove all of the couch cushions and turn the couch into a trampoline.
One decides to tackle the others and knock them to the ground (over and over) whether they like it or not.
Another decides to wail and moan and play a victim instead of just getting away from the tackling sibling.
You know how kids suddenly do ANYTHING to get your attention when you're on the phone? Now imagine three kids doing it, while also competing with each other over who can be the loudest and most demanding.
You think you've got it made, two kids have agreed on the same thing for lunch! or are in agreeable moods for an errand or the walk to school! But wait, before you thank your lucky stars, there's another kid in the mix, and they are NOT agreeing to the plan.
I'm so used to the chaos at this point that it has become background noise. I don't really hear them anymore! I wish I had a dime for every time I've been talking to someone and they say "Um, I think your son is trying to get your attention," and I suddenly realize he's been wailing at me and pulling on my leg and I hadn't even noticed! So, yeah, the chaos has pushed me over the edge a bit.
When other mothers find out I have three kids, they almost always say, "You have THREE? I don't know HOW you do it." and I just give them the answer my moms have both given me about coping with kids: you just do it.
The thing that seems to give people pause most often is the idea that they would be outnumbered by the kids. With two, each parent can handle one kid, and everyone is covered. Each child is holding a parent's hand, and that lessens the chances of somebody running off. But it's okay - we learn that we all need to take responsibility for our family. There are only two parents, but the kids learn that if we all help watch out for each other and share ownership of our family, we'll all be okay. And I think that's a really great thing to learn. I admit, it's not like they act this way all the time, but I think it's an underlying lesson that slowly is taught just by how the family works. We can't rely on someone else to take care of everything, we have to participate in order for our world to work.
And similarly, we can't control everything and have it be a certain, precise way, we've got to relax a bit and be flexible and creative. Because there are other people around who demand (and deserve) a say as well.
So bring on the chaos. I don't mind it. (Well, sometimes I need a break from it, but that's okay too. We learn that we need a break and we find ourselves a getaway sometimes.)
Yeah, maybe three ain't always so pretty. In fact, I'd say it's messy, but also ... beautiful.
Then come back to hear more about it!
_______________
I need to share with you the background of my post "Ode to Three." Picture me at my computer, composing loving thoughts about my children. While writing about the wonder of the first baby, Big Girl was standing next to me throwing a HUGE fit because she couldn't find her silver locket. Tears flying, much yelling, not pretty.
While writing about my two daughters, so devoted to one another, Big Girl was bawling that Middle Girl had "given" her MG's gold locket "to keep forever" and now WANTS IT BACK!! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
While waxing poetic about how wonderful it is to have three children, The Boy was putting stickers all over our wooden TV cabinet. Daddy came home and said, "TB, WHAT have you been up to?" Between that and throwing every ball we own over the fence and into the pool FIVE TIMES last weekend, we're sure glad to have our three!
So, now that we've both enjoyed a good laugh about that (and SIL S. gave me a pat on the back for still being able to focus on the positive in my writing during that scene), it's time for the TRUTH about three.
CHAOS.
It takes them less than ten minutes to make a complete mess out of any room in the house. And often, this is happening in two or three rooms simultaneously.
One urges another to remove all of the couch cushions and turn the couch into a trampoline.
One decides to tackle the others and knock them to the ground (over and over) whether they like it or not.
Another decides to wail and moan and play a victim instead of just getting away from the tackling sibling.
You know how kids suddenly do ANYTHING to get your attention when you're on the phone? Now imagine three kids doing it, while also competing with each other over who can be the loudest and most demanding.
You think you've got it made, two kids have agreed on the same thing for lunch! or are in agreeable moods for an errand or the walk to school! But wait, before you thank your lucky stars, there's another kid in the mix, and they are NOT agreeing to the plan.
I'm so used to the chaos at this point that it has become background noise. I don't really hear them anymore! I wish I had a dime for every time I've been talking to someone and they say "Um, I think your son is trying to get your attention," and I suddenly realize he's been wailing at me and pulling on my leg and I hadn't even noticed! So, yeah, the chaos has pushed me over the edge a bit.
When other mothers find out I have three kids, they almost always say, "You have THREE? I don't know HOW you do it." and I just give them the answer my moms have both given me about coping with kids: you just do it.
The thing that seems to give people pause most often is the idea that they would be outnumbered by the kids. With two, each parent can handle one kid, and everyone is covered. Each child is holding a parent's hand, and that lessens the chances of somebody running off. But it's okay - we learn that we all need to take responsibility for our family. There are only two parents, but the kids learn that if we all help watch out for each other and share ownership of our family, we'll all be okay. And I think that's a really great thing to learn. I admit, it's not like they act this way all the time, but I think it's an underlying lesson that slowly is taught just by how the family works. We can't rely on someone else to take care of everything, we have to participate in order for our world to work.
And similarly, we can't control everything and have it be a certain, precise way, we've got to relax a bit and be flexible and creative. Because there are other people around who demand (and deserve) a say as well.
So bring on the chaos. I don't mind it. (Well, sometimes I need a break from it, but that's okay too. We learn that we need a break and we find ourselves a getaway sometimes.)
Yeah, maybe three ain't always so pretty. In fact, I'd say it's messy, but also ... beautiful.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
First Reconciliation
On Wednesday, the whole second grade class received the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. It was a nice evening for the children, their parents, and the teachers, principal, and priests. No siblings were there, so the parents could focus on their second grader.
Big Girl was in a mood when we were getting ready to go. She was not happy about her wardrobe and wanted a fancier option. This was an enormous fit. The Hubby and I figured she was nervous about her one-on-one time with the priest. I finally got her to get dressed by letting her wear my necklace. (I had asked her what jewelry she wanted Mommy to wear, and she requested purple since it is the color of Reconciliation. I have a set of purple flower necklace and earrings from W's wedding, so I decided on that. During her fit, I offered to let her wear my special purple flower necklace and she was very happy about that idea and agreed to get dressed.) The Hubby and I both thought she looked fantastic, and she got unsolicited compliments from some of the other parents as well.
It was RAINING so we put Big Girl in tennis shoes and carried her black satin shoes in a bag. We put on our coats and got our umbrellas and waded over to church.
It was a nice ceremony the children had prepared, and the Monsignor discussed the lost sheep with the children. Our assigned pew was front and center, and Big Girl raised her hand to enthusiastically answer Monsignor's questions. The Hubby and I were a little surprised about that...
When it was time for the confessions, the three priests each took a seat spread apart on the altar from one another. One by one, the children came up and sat with one of the priests. The parents waited at the bottom of the altar stairs. Big Girl was one of the first, and was directed to Monsignor. We couldn't hear their conversation, (we didn't know what she was planning to say, but she did figure it out ahead of time) but I could see Monsignor's understanding face looking at my daughter. After each child was done with the priest, he or she brought her candle (made by their Big Buddies in 5th grade) to the teachers to light and leave on the altar.
When we got back to our pew, Big Girl said she had been nervous about talking to the priest, and didn't look him in the eyes, but looked at his stole the whole time instead. But she also said she felt "renewed" from her talk.
We had to walk across the street in the downpour (switching Big Girl's shoes again) for the reception, put on for us by the 3rd grade parents. The children had made placemats for themselves and had assigned seats for their ice cream and cookies. The P family had seen us battling the elements and offered us a ride home, which we accepted!
She is just in that stage where she sometimes seems grown-up but still acts little too. We are privileged and happy to be making this journey with her.
Big Girl was in a mood when we were getting ready to go. She was not happy about her wardrobe and wanted a fancier option. This was an enormous fit. The Hubby and I figured she was nervous about her one-on-one time with the priest. I finally got her to get dressed by letting her wear my necklace. (I had asked her what jewelry she wanted Mommy to wear, and she requested purple since it is the color of Reconciliation. I have a set of purple flower necklace and earrings from W's wedding, so I decided on that. During her fit, I offered to let her wear my special purple flower necklace and she was very happy about that idea and agreed to get dressed.) The Hubby and I both thought she looked fantastic, and she got unsolicited compliments from some of the other parents as well.
It was RAINING so we put Big Girl in tennis shoes and carried her black satin shoes in a bag. We put on our coats and got our umbrellas and waded over to church.
It was a nice ceremony the children had prepared, and the Monsignor discussed the lost sheep with the children. Our assigned pew was front and center, and Big Girl raised her hand to enthusiastically answer Monsignor's questions. The Hubby and I were a little surprised about that...
When it was time for the confessions, the three priests each took a seat spread apart on the altar from one another. One by one, the children came up and sat with one of the priests. The parents waited at the bottom of the altar stairs. Big Girl was one of the first, and was directed to Monsignor. We couldn't hear their conversation, (we didn't know what she was planning to say, but she did figure it out ahead of time) but I could see Monsignor's understanding face looking at my daughter. After each child was done with the priest, he or she brought her candle (made by their Big Buddies in 5th grade) to the teachers to light and leave on the altar.
When we got back to our pew, Big Girl said she had been nervous about talking to the priest, and didn't look him in the eyes, but looked at his stole the whole time instead. But she also said she felt "renewed" from her talk.
We had to walk across the street in the downpour (switching Big Girl's shoes again) for the reception, put on for us by the 3rd grade parents. The children had made placemats for themselves and had assigned seats for their ice cream and cookies. The P family had seen us battling the elements and offered us a ride home, which we accepted!
She is just in that stage where she sometimes seems grown-up but still acts little too. We are privileged and happy to be making this journey with her.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Our Special Day
On Sunday, Big Girl and Mommy went to American Girl Place for our special day in celebration of her big accomplishment: she has stopped sucking her thumb! Mommy is SO proud of her little girl for achieving a difficult goal that requires HARD work over a long period of time, and Big Girl is very proud of herself.
The day was pure magic. A whole day spent holding hands! The kind of day after which you draw stars and hearts all over it on your calendar.
We dressed Elizabeth for the outing. She wore her Holiday Gown and cloak.
At the American Girl Place, we did many fun things together. We saw the show, which featured eight talented girls and four adults performing eight songs depicting scenes from the Historical Dolls' books, as well as three songs about girls' friendships. Big Girl had seen it before, and enjoyed it even more this time I suspect. I could not help tearing up throughout the performance! Something about watching those girls perform brought back some memories for me!!! One of the last songs was a tap dance, and the two girls in that number wore cool red shoes. The whole thing was great! After the performance, the girls from the show came out and signed programs and talked to the girls and their dolls.
Then it was time for us to have tea. Elizabeth had her own seat and her own cup and saucer. Big Girl and I chose apple cinnamon tea. They served us tea sandwiches as well as scones and other goodies. At the table there was a box of "Table Talkers." We took turns taking one from the box and asking each other questions.
We also did lots of looking around at all the dolls (each has her own section) and shopping for outfits. Big Girl had to choose whether she wanted to get Elizabeth's hair done, take a photo with Elizabeth, or buy an outfit(s) for Elizabeth. Mommy said she could choose any two. After much difficult deliberating, she chose to take a photo and buy one outfit (which required another hard decision).
We came home with a framed "Magazine Cover" photo of Big Girl and Elizabeth (it looks like they are on the cover of American Girl magazine). We also got a book of short stories about the colonial girls, a red ballet outfit for Elizabeth, and a souvenir miniature doll for Middle Girl.
We were there for about five hours and enjoyed every minute we spent looking, eating, and talking together. She thanked me many times for giving her such a special day, and I thanked her for all she had done to make it possible! As Big Girl said, "this will be a day I will always remember!"
The day was pure magic. A whole day spent holding hands! The kind of day after which you draw stars and hearts all over it on your calendar.
We dressed Elizabeth for the outing. She wore her Holiday Gown and cloak.
At the American Girl Place, we did many fun things together. We saw the show, which featured eight talented girls and four adults performing eight songs depicting scenes from the Historical Dolls' books, as well as three songs about girls' friendships. Big Girl had seen it before, and enjoyed it even more this time I suspect. I could not help tearing up throughout the performance! Something about watching those girls perform brought back some memories for me!!! One of the last songs was a tap dance, and the two girls in that number wore cool red shoes. The whole thing was great! After the performance, the girls from the show came out and signed programs and talked to the girls and their dolls.
Then it was time for us to have tea. Elizabeth had her own seat and her own cup and saucer. Big Girl and I chose apple cinnamon tea. They served us tea sandwiches as well as scones and other goodies. At the table there was a box of "Table Talkers." We took turns taking one from the box and asking each other questions.
We also did lots of looking around at all the dolls (each has her own section) and shopping for outfits. Big Girl had to choose whether she wanted to get Elizabeth's hair done, take a photo with Elizabeth, or buy an outfit(s) for Elizabeth. Mommy said she could choose any two. After much difficult deliberating, she chose to take a photo and buy one outfit (which required another hard decision).
We came home with a framed "Magazine Cover" photo of Big Girl and Elizabeth (it looks like they are on the cover of American Girl magazine). We also got a book of short stories about the colonial girls, a red ballet outfit for Elizabeth, and a souvenir miniature doll for Middle Girl.
We were there for about five hours and enjoyed every minute we spent looking, eating, and talking together. She thanked me many times for giving her such a special day, and I thanked her for all she had done to make it possible! As Big Girl said, "this will be a day I will always remember!"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Why I Don't Home School
Big Girl has a science assignment: Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque. I asked her to please read me the instructions. "Have your child hold various items from around your household in front of a sunny window. Discuss how much light comes through each item. Put each item in your chart under either "All (transparent)," "Some (translucent)," or "None (opaque)."
Then I said, "Okay, BG, go collect some things." "No, I want you to do it," said BG. "And I want you to hold them up to the light, too," she added. "No," I said, "this is your assignment and it says for the child to do it." "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!" she shouted. "WHY DOES THE CHILD HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING???!!!"
Epilogue:
I told her that it is fair, since she is the student, after all, the one doing the learning. But she yelled some more about how the child has to do everything, and then stomped around the house for a while muttering about how the child has to do everything.
Eventually she came to me with a bunch of items and I sat by the window with her while she held them up and we talked about the light coming through.
Then I said, "Okay, BG, go collect some things." "No, I want you to do it," said BG. "And I want you to hold them up to the light, too," she added. "No," I said, "this is your assignment and it says for the child to do it." "IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!" she shouted. "WHY DOES THE CHILD HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING???!!!"
Epilogue:
I told her that it is fair, since she is the student, after all, the one doing the learning. But she yelled some more about how the child has to do everything, and then stomped around the house for a while muttering about how the child has to do everything.
Eventually she came to me with a bunch of items and I sat by the window with her while she held them up and we talked about the light coming through.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Shopping with our Christmas money
We went to the bookstore and the girls each got some books and then decided to pool the rest of their money to buy the complete set of American Girl DVDs.
We are reading the books one chapter a night at bedtime. Middle Girl likes having some chapter books of her own. We watched the Samantha movie, but it had a "scary" scene in it (Big Girl had read the book so she knew it was coming, and psyched out both herself and her sister) so we'll have to pick the right time to watch the others (not too close to bedtime or when anyone is feeling tired).
The Boy didn't take long to decide on what he wanted. He got a book about basketball at the bookstore. At the toy store, he got a Lightning McQueen race track that Cousin L had gotten (and The Boy had coveted) and a set of Mr. Potato Head and his friends Mr. Corn and Ms. Carrot.
The race track has seen a lot of action. A LOT. If you put more than one car on, they sometimes crash! What could be better?
At first, The Boy was not comfortable with the idea of mixing up their parts (putting Mr. Potato Head's hat on Mr. Corn, for example). In fact, he SCREAMED when the girls wanted to show him what it would look like. Eventually, though, he has gotten used to it and even laughs about putting the arms in the hat hole. Now, that's progress.
Monday, January 7, 2008
A Special Outing with our Friends
After we got home from our vacation, we went to see Disney Princesses on Ice. E and S gave tickets to Big Girl and Middle Girl, and vice versa. The moms chaperoned. Needless to say, it was an unusually big Christmas present for this group!
First, we met for lunch and had a dignified meal (my kids had their favorite: spaghetti). Then, with new doggie/dolls along for the ride, all six of us in one van, we drove down to the Sports Arena and got there (gasp) early!
Finding our seats took some trial and error, and we partook of some cotton candy and sno-cones (but proud to say we resisted the MANY other opportunities to buy Princess shtuff), and S did not know why it was taking so long for the show to start. We really were quite early, especially for this group.
We were full of anticipation!
And the show did deliver. We saw all of the Princesses, as well as their male counterparts, and Tinkerbell, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. There were at least two musical numbers from each Princess's movie. We saw silverware and candlesticks dancing, acrobatic pairs skates, a swordfight with a fiery (yes, fire!) dragon, and fireworks inside the arena. The looks of awe and wonder on my daughters' faces was worth my admission price! I'm sitting here trying to describe it without Disney cliche's, and failing!
Now, having said all that, the show was made for my girls. I mean, ice skating Princesses, it's two gifts in one! But there's no reason to see it without a little girl.
First, we met for lunch and had a dignified meal (my kids had their favorite: spaghetti). Then, with new doggie/dolls along for the ride, all six of us in one van, we drove down to the Sports Arena and got there (gasp) early!
Finding our seats took some trial and error, and we partook of some cotton candy and sno-cones (but proud to say we resisted the MANY other opportunities to buy Princess shtuff), and S did not know why it was taking so long for the show to start. We really were quite early, especially for this group.
We were full of anticipation!
And the show did deliver. We saw all of the Princesses, as well as their male counterparts, and Tinkerbell, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. There were at least two musical numbers from each Princess's movie. We saw silverware and candlesticks dancing, acrobatic pairs skates, a swordfight with a fiery (yes, fire!) dragon, and fireworks inside the arena. The looks of awe and wonder on my daughters' faces was worth my admission price! I'm sitting here trying to describe it without Disney cliche's, and failing!
Creatures of the sea entertained us with "Under the Sea!"
Now, having said all that, the show was made for my girls. I mean, ice skating Princesses, it's two gifts in one! But there's no reason to see it without a little girl.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
a science and art lesson
Got some new pictures of niece M! Here is my favorite one:
Hello, little smiley! Can't WAIT to see you!
Hello, little smiley! Can't WAIT to see you! It was fun to see the kids in Big Girl's class so excited to see her again on Tuesday morning. I think she enjoyed that very much!
Here are some photos from the last time we went to the Gardens (Nov. 1):
Surprisingly enough, we found something there we had never noticed before:
You drop rocks through this thing, and they bounce off all the metal nails and it makes a beautiful chiming sound. The Boy spent lots of time on this. What could be better than picking up a handful of rocks and dumping them, then being rewarded with a beautiful, musical sound?!
We had to go do the experiments again, which we so enjoyed last time:
First, you put a drop of nectar (from one of three types of flowers) on the sensor plate of the refractometer.
Then, you look through the eyepiece, and read the number corresponding to the boundary between blue and white zones. This tells you the concentration of sugar. (Doesn't this look like a lovely museum? It really is.)
Lantana = 20%, Salvia = 25%, Lavender = 30%.
Butterflies prefer nectar with 15-25%, hummingbirds prefer 20-25%, bees prefer 30-50%.
Here are some of our favorite artworks from that visit:
Pinkie and Blue Boy, mounted across from one another
Blue Boy is by Thomas Gainsborough, c. 1770. The outfit is a costume of 1630's style dress, as Gainsborough painted this as an homage to the works of Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck (1559-1641).
Pinkie is by Thomas Lawrence, c. 1794. Sarah Barrett Moulton (called "Pinkie" by her grandmother) was 11 at the time of the painting. Her younger brother, Edward, was the father of poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Children playing (there was another one of two sisters that we liked as well)
This is Clavering Children by George Romney, c. 1777.
I have always loved this one by Mary Cassatt of a mom and her toddler daughter.
Breakfast in Bed, c. 1897
Mary Cassatt was an American expat living in Paris, and was a close friend of Edgar Degas. She often depicted women and children.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Halloween is coming
Middle Girl was back at school today, and in fact was back at Sunday School yesterday for the costume parade. Chickenpox was so much better for her than it was for me way back when! Just a few spots, just a few days, and that's it! Hooray for vaccines. We'll see in about two weeks if Big Girl or The Boy come down with it. Also the neighbor girl, who managed to slip into our house on Friday afternoon. I suddenly realized, "V is upstairs playing with Middle Girl. Do her parents know this? .... Do her parents know Middle Girl has the chickenpox?" Well, the neighbor parents did know she was at our house but did not know about the chickenpox. Oops! Parental faux pas -- I felt like an idiot. "Should I send her back home?" "Probably too late now, don't you think?" said neighbor mom. Time will tell!
Middle Girl had gone out front to swing on the swing while I was just inside in the living room on the phone. Neighbor girl saw Middle Girl outside, ran out to play with her, and next thing you know they're in the house and playing upstairs. Neighbor girl has a talent for this sort of thing!
Big Girl has some Halloween goings-on at school tomorrow: Pumpkin Carving Contest and 2nd Grade Spooky Scenes (aka dioramas). So I was up to my elbows in pumpkin goop this evening. Good thing the diorama was already done. Then on Wednesday Big Girl has the Halloween parade at 11 am and Middle Girl has the Orange-and-Black-Day singalong at ... 11 am. I have called in backup (The Hubby will come over from work to be in one place while I am in the other).
A couple weekends ago, we chose our pumpkins. Tonight we scooped out the goop. Each child reacted differently to this job. Let's analyze (this could be fun):
Middle Girl got right in there, and worked hard, enjoyed the squishy goopiness, and was the first to get it cleaned out.
The Boy was very serious about his job. He used his little scooper to take the seeds out but needed mommy's help with the scraping. He worked quietly.
Big Girl got a little dot of goop on her cheek. She went in the house to get a paper towel for herself.
Shocking.
She did not work quietly, but made sure we all knew her opinions of this job. "Eeew! Gross!" "Mom, can you scoop mine out?" (Mom: "put your hands in there and pull out the goop.") "I don't want to! It makes my hands messy!"
Middle Girl had gone out front to swing on the swing while I was just inside in the living room on the phone. Neighbor girl saw Middle Girl outside, ran out to play with her, and next thing you know they're in the house and playing upstairs. Neighbor girl has a talent for this sort of thing!
Big Girl has some Halloween goings-on at school tomorrow: Pumpkin Carving Contest and 2nd Grade Spooky Scenes (aka dioramas). So I was up to my elbows in pumpkin goop this evening. Good thing the diorama was already done. Then on Wednesday Big Girl has the Halloween parade at 11 am and Middle Girl has the Orange-and-Black-Day singalong at ... 11 am. I have called in backup (The Hubby will come over from work to be in one place while I am in the other).
A couple weekends ago, we chose our pumpkins. Tonight we scooped out the goop. Each child reacted differently to this job. Let's analyze (this could be fun):
Middle Girl got right in there, and worked hard, enjoyed the squishy goopiness, and was the first to get it cleaned out.
The Boy was very serious about his job. He used his little scooper to take the seeds out but needed mommy's help with the scraping. He worked quietly.
Big Girl got a little dot of goop on her cheek. She went in the house to get a paper towel for herself.
Shocking.
She did not work quietly, but made sure we all knew her opinions of this job. "Eeew! Gross!" "Mom, can you scoop mine out?" (Mom: "put your hands in there and pull out the goop.") "I don't want to! It makes my hands messy!"
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
12-Sept-07
I am so tired today! All of a sudden summer ended and the school year started up and my calendar exploded. I am never home at night right now and Big Girl is giving me what-for about it. I am sure the others feel similarly (BG is the one who lets me have it about everything - is it BG or is it age 7?). I've been teaching Safeguard the Children classes for our church, as well as rehearsing for all of the various gigs coming up in the next month. I've been saying that singing in a band is a good substitute for doing musicals because it gives me a chance to sing but I'm not taken away from the family as much. I guess that is negated when you are singing with 4 or 5 different groups! Also, Hubby and I went on a couple of dates while my mom was here so when you add it all up, I am out every night. This Friday I should be able to stay home.
We had a special outing last Sunday. My mom took all of us to see "Hairspray." It was the first time the five of us have been to the movies together, and it was only Big Girl's 3rd (or so) movie in a theater. Hubby and I (and my Mom) had already seen it, and Hubs bought the soundtrack and the girls have been listening to it obsessively. We surprised them by taking them to see it! They were so excited. Middle Girl sang along with the opening number, it was so cute. Big Girl sat there the whole time with her wide eyes taking it all in. The Boy enjoyed it too, as he's been listening to the songs with the girls, although he did have to walk up and down our row for part of the time. Even though there were a few times when I was thinking "oh, boy, I hope that lyric went over their heads," it was a fun time. Afterwards, Big Girl was still floating on air that she actually got to see the movie in the theater. The next morning, she said "I still can't believe it! I was dreaming that I would see Hairspray in the movie theater but I thought I would have to wait for the DVD! But my dream came true!"
We had a special outing last Sunday. My mom took all of us to see "Hairspray." It was the first time the five of us have been to the movies together, and it was only Big Girl's 3rd (or so) movie in a theater. Hubby and I (and my Mom) had already seen it, and Hubs bought the soundtrack and the girls have been listening to it obsessively. We surprised them by taking them to see it! They were so excited. Middle Girl sang along with the opening number, it was so cute. Big Girl sat there the whole time with her wide eyes taking it all in. The Boy enjoyed it too, as he's been listening to the songs with the girls, although he did have to walk up and down our row for part of the time. Even though there were a few times when I was thinking "oh, boy, I hope that lyric went over their heads," it was a fun time. Afterwards, Big Girl was still floating on air that she actually got to see the movie in the theater. The next morning, she said "I still can't believe it! I was dreaming that I would see Hairspray in the movie theater but I thought I would have to wait for the DVD! But my dream came true!"
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Transitions
September is always a time of transition, but this year it's really out of control. Oh, I've probably had more major transitions, June 2000 being the biggest of course with the birth of my first baby, but nonetheless I am really feeling it now.
I am experiencing a weird feeling -- it seems that we are really done with the baby phase. The Boy will always be my baby, but I guess he's not a baby anymore. I've been sorting through the boxes we still hadn't unpacked after our November 2006 move, and finding baby blankets that we just don't need anymore. I've packed them away for our church's Giving Bank, but it was actually really hard. They're just baby blankets, but they seemed to symbolize a period of my life that really defined me. It's jarring to realize I'm not in that phase anymore. I've got friends and family who are just entering that phase, or haven't entered it yet, and here I am done with it! Congratulations to Shannon, who is embarking on this momentous time, which shakes you to your foundations and through a series of imperceptible shifts, you redefine yourself completely. Kind of like that age-18 phase when you are master and re-creator of your identity. This makes me realize there will be more of these phases, which is uplifting. But still, it sure is a big transition for me. My kids are preschool- and school-age kids now! I'm a go-here-go-there school mom now.
My first-ever niece was born yesterday morning. S & C are parents now, which is wonderful. Niece M is absolutely gorgeous. What an earth-shattering thing it is to become parents. Nothing will ever be the same. I'm overjoyed that I now have two nephews and a niece, and I feel that our family is so blessed. It's tough being far away from them, though. I am jealous of my sister-in-law (whom I adore) because she got to hold her yesterday! So welcome, M, you have really made my day. You were the one who inspired your Auntie Barbra to start the blog she's been contemplating! Little darling!
Big Girl's in second grade. Yesterday was her first day of school. All of the parents tell me that Mrs. N is wonderful and we're in for a terrific year. I am really looking forward to it and the possibility of the parents being more relaxed than they were in first grade. I'm all for relaxing and supporting the kids in their enjoyment of childhood!
I am experiencing a weird feeling -- it seems that we are really done with the baby phase. The Boy will always be my baby, but I guess he's not a baby anymore. I've been sorting through the boxes we still hadn't unpacked after our November 2006 move, and finding baby blankets that we just don't need anymore. I've packed them away for our church's Giving Bank, but it was actually really hard. They're just baby blankets, but they seemed to symbolize a period of my life that really defined me. It's jarring to realize I'm not in that phase anymore. I've got friends and family who are just entering that phase, or haven't entered it yet, and here I am done with it! Congratulations to Shannon, who is embarking on this momentous time, which shakes you to your foundations and through a series of imperceptible shifts, you redefine yourself completely. Kind of like that age-18 phase when you are master and re-creator of your identity. This makes me realize there will be more of these phases, which is uplifting. But still, it sure is a big transition for me. My kids are preschool- and school-age kids now! I'm a go-here-go-there school mom now.
My first-ever niece was born yesterday morning. S & C are parents now, which is wonderful. Niece M is absolutely gorgeous. What an earth-shattering thing it is to become parents. Nothing will ever be the same. I'm overjoyed that I now have two nephews and a niece, and I feel that our family is so blessed. It's tough being far away from them, though. I am jealous of my sister-in-law (whom I adore) because she got to hold her yesterday! So welcome, M, you have really made my day. You were the one who inspired your Auntie Barbra to start the blog she's been contemplating! Little darling!
Big Girl's in second grade. Yesterday was her first day of school. All of the parents tell me that Mrs. N is wonderful and we're in for a terrific year. I am really looking forward to it and the possibility of the parents being more relaxed than they were in first grade. I'm all for relaxing and supporting the kids in their enjoyment of childhood!
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