I posted a week or so ago about Elijah's vigilance and how it greatly pains my posterior but when it really matters turns out to be a blessing. Today I learned something else about him. He got the Lego Mobile Command Center for Christmas from us (I can't bear to give Santa credit--isn't that awful? I tell them the little stuff is from Santa!). It's a big, complicated Lego project, something like 1440 pieces. It's my idea of a nightmare, really. He opened it Christmas morning at Grandma and Papa Giller's house and was not allowed to take the pieces out until he got home yesterday afternoon. He set right to it and refused to stop until Brian made him go to bed. Food was delivered to him at his work table. This morning when I got up he was back at it, had been since he woke up. He worked diligently and was near completion but was very tired and making mistakes that would cause problems (collapses and pieces falling off) that would frustrate him and make him cry. That happens with his sister all the time ("I can't find the HAIRBRUUUUSHSSSSSHHHH!!!") and I refuse to help her until she sits down and calms herself. Then she usually can problem solve successfully on her own. Well, this guy was having none of it. He REFUSED to stop until he was done. Finally, after several hours of this, I offered him 5 dollars to stop. He accepted...because he can buy more Legos with 5 dollars.
My God. I almost said I've created a monster, but I didn't. He was born that way. He is very, very, single minded; very diligent; very persistent. I can't help but think it will serve him well some day!
A cute story about him and his diligence. In Wisconsin he and I and Zac were upstairs. The staircase makes us nervous--the railings are spaced widely and Zac could very easily fit through the slats and fall a long ways down to the concrete floor. There is nothing stopping him from falling down the stairs, either. He is pretty good about not going there, so it's usually not a concern. On this evening, he was nosing over in that area and I heard Elijah say "Zac, I'm just not comfortable with you being over there. Come over here by me."
Zac did, too!
Of course, Lij is not a saint. The drawback to Zac listening to Lijah meant that Zac went over to Lij and got into his stuff, so Lij got irritated and then it was my turn to use that line "Come over here by me."
They are all otherwise having a great time getting familiar with their Christmas treats. They spent the day at Lynn's house for the Schurman Christmas today. I had to work. Dang! I stopped by briefly on my way and there was no food ready yet so I had to fill my handy-dandy tupperware bowl that I just happened to have in my hand with hor doevres and cookies. Better than nothin', ya know?
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
a wisconsin christmas
This year, for the first time ever, we were in Luck for Christmas eve and Christmas day. As you can imagine, it was a major undertaking getting there. We drove two vehicles so Brian could come back and work Thursday night. The kids and I stayed til today and drove back just in time for me to get to work.
First of all, I have to say the kids were excellent. Very good behavior, even after the threat of Santa not bring presents lost it's usefulness. They were really excited with everything they got. Last night, we went to Grandma Giller's for the Giller Get Together. I mean, the Goddamn Giller Get Together (inside joke, inside joke). Grandma was as usual 6 sheets to the wind before we got there, having spent the day preparing and relying on rum and cokes for sustenence to see her through. Cousin Mike made the Christmas ham and he is quite the chef.
Every single one of my cousins was there, and I havent seen most of them for literally YEARS. A little background. By birth, I'm the oldest of the cousins (Gary was adopted by Dad when he and Mom got married). The next oldest after me is my own brother Hans, who is 5 years younger; then cousin Mike, who is a year younger than Hans. Then nobody for years. Then the girls started coming, and there are Hannah, Hilary, Hailey, Anna, and Britta, who range in age from 25 to 19. Adam is in there somewhere too. The girls are absolutely STUNNING. I'm not kidding. Every last one of them could take your breath away. And there's 36 year old me with 5 kids! Nonetheless, it was fun to see them. I did have my turn to be 20 something, and didn't like it all that much, so I'm not complaining. When the girls were little, arriving for Christmas was like I was Santa himself, because the little girls thought I was so cool way back then. That was because I was nuts (much like now) and played in the basement with them and climbed the rock wall (the wall in grandma's kitchen.....you'll have to wait for the pics to "get it" if you aren't already familiar with it).
We had several group pictures done which I will upload when I am able.
Brian left from there to come back to work, and then I was on my own with the offspring. Fortunately their bestest behavior continued. We went back to Jack and Judy's and stayed up and played.
It was tricky packing up to come home today. We didn't send anything home with Brian when he went, which was stupid--that was part of why we took 2 vehicles. I take that back--we did send two things back with Brian--Minnie and Leo. That was good because they would not have survived tied to the roof of the denali!
As we drove into St Cloud, William decided he needed to pee really bad. It took some time before I found a place to stop, and I needed gas too, so I pulled into a gas station. Wil and Ben got out of the car and I told them to stand on the concrete island while I gassed up. They stood on the other side of the open door and I was reassured by seeing their feet so I didn't worry. When I was done fueling I closed the door and said "OK guys, let's go in and use the potty". William said "I already did".........................................
................turns out he had just taken the lil' buddy out and done the deed right there. Ben thought it was pretty funny, and I'm thinking the Deputy in the car (Elijah) can't have known it was happening or he would have nixed it.
So we went in anyway, because Ben still had to pee and he has the sense to NOT pee in the parking lot of a gas station. We did that and then approached the counter to pay for some gum and treats. They had a display of the material that they use in their car wash, and it was a sheet of soft fabric cut into little 1/4 inch strips. As I paid for our stuff, Ben braided it. He is SO WIERD!!!
First of all, I have to say the kids were excellent. Very good behavior, even after the threat of Santa not bring presents lost it's usefulness. They were really excited with everything they got. Last night, we went to Grandma Giller's for the Giller Get Together. I mean, the Goddamn Giller Get Together (inside joke, inside joke). Grandma was as usual 6 sheets to the wind before we got there, having spent the day preparing and relying on rum and cokes for sustenence to see her through. Cousin Mike made the Christmas ham and he is quite the chef.
Every single one of my cousins was there, and I havent seen most of them for literally YEARS. A little background. By birth, I'm the oldest of the cousins (Gary was adopted by Dad when he and Mom got married). The next oldest after me is my own brother Hans, who is 5 years younger; then cousin Mike, who is a year younger than Hans. Then nobody for years. Then the girls started coming, and there are Hannah, Hilary, Hailey, Anna, and Britta, who range in age from 25 to 19. Adam is in there somewhere too. The girls are absolutely STUNNING. I'm not kidding. Every last one of them could take your breath away. And there's 36 year old me with 5 kids! Nonetheless, it was fun to see them. I did have my turn to be 20 something, and didn't like it all that much, so I'm not complaining. When the girls were little, arriving for Christmas was like I was Santa himself, because the little girls thought I was so cool way back then. That was because I was nuts (much like now) and played in the basement with them and climbed the rock wall (the wall in grandma's kitchen.....you'll have to wait for the pics to "get it" if you aren't already familiar with it).
We had several group pictures done which I will upload when I am able.
Brian left from there to come back to work, and then I was on my own with the offspring. Fortunately their bestest behavior continued. We went back to Jack and Judy's and stayed up and played.
It was tricky packing up to come home today. We didn't send anything home with Brian when he went, which was stupid--that was part of why we took 2 vehicles. I take that back--we did send two things back with Brian--Minnie and Leo. That was good because they would not have survived tied to the roof of the denali!
As we drove into St Cloud, William decided he needed to pee really bad. It took some time before I found a place to stop, and I needed gas too, so I pulled into a gas station. Wil and Ben got out of the car and I told them to stand on the concrete island while I gassed up. They stood on the other side of the open door and I was reassured by seeing their feet so I didn't worry. When I was done fueling I closed the door and said "OK guys, let's go in and use the potty". William said "I already did".........................................
................turns out he had just taken the lil' buddy out and done the deed right there. Ben thought it was pretty funny, and I'm thinking the Deputy in the car (Elijah) can't have known it was happening or he would have nixed it.
So we went in anyway, because Ben still had to pee and he has the sense to NOT pee in the parking lot of a gas station. We did that and then approached the counter to pay for some gum and treats. They had a display of the material that they use in their car wash, and it was a sheet of soft fabric cut into little 1/4 inch strips. As I paid for our stuff, Ben braided it. He is SO WIERD!!!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Cozy Coupe Hits the Road
The day after Thanksgiving, I spied something in the ads that I new we had to have. A Cozy Coupe for Zac! Gramma has one that has been around since Reilly's toddlerhood, and each of my kids in turn (or not) have enjoyed it. We have never had one at home. There it was, on sale. I hurried over to Toys Are Us to get one. If you aren't familar with the Cozy Coupe (I didn't realize they had a real name until I saw that ad), it is a large plastic car for toddlers/preschoolers in which they open the door and sit and then self propel with their feet, a la Flintstone. It has a little plastic canopy that quite often is a good place for stowaway brothers.
He took to it like a fish to water (or to William's bed? See previous entry). He gets in it, shuts his door, dangles his little feet (which, sadly, do not quite touch the floor, because he is a midget), and then he said "BYE BYE!". One would expect he would then take off. Here is where it gets funny. I can see the 5th-born in him. He sticks his fuzzy head out and yells for his sister to come and push him! "ANANA! ANANA!". The poor girl pushed him and pushed him and pushed him for what seemed like hours. When she ran out of gas, so to speak, he started yelling "YAYA! YAYA!". That would be Elijah, 2nd in command, 2nd in line for servitude to The Spoiled One. When I left for work today he had not yet graduated to yelling for Ben, but I'm sure it was coming. He'll probably be 5 before he figure out he can move it himself with his feet.
He took to it like a fish to water (or to William's bed? See previous entry). He gets in it, shuts his door, dangles his little feet (which, sadly, do not quite touch the floor, because he is a midget), and then he said "BYE BYE!". One would expect he would then take off. Here is where it gets funny. I can see the 5th-born in him. He sticks his fuzzy head out and yells for his sister to come and push him! "ANANA! ANANA!". The poor girl pushed him and pushed him and pushed him for what seemed like hours. When she ran out of gas, so to speak, he started yelling "YAYA! YAYA!". That would be Elijah, 2nd in command, 2nd in line for servitude to The Spoiled One. When I left for work today he had not yet graduated to yelling for Ben, but I'm sure it was coming. He'll probably be 5 before he figure out he can move it himself with his feet.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
It's Cold In My Shirt
Wils said that to me after pulling on a shirt from his basket in the laundry room. I know what he meant.....it was cold from sitting in the basket in the laundry room. So here I sat at work, and it's hot in my shirt. It's always hot in my shirts!!!!!
As of yesterday the kids are done with school til after Christmas break. So far they have been very busy with various self-invented sports, some of them less than appealing. For one thing, Ben and Wil (seems it's usually THEM lately....Ana writes and reads, Lij plays with his Barbies, I mean Legos) sprayed the hard floor with water and then took turns running and sliding in it. You might wonder where I was through all this. I was right there watching them. It's almost scary, isn't it? I guess most things just aren't worth getting excited about.
Muffie is finally getting another tooth. It will help with the equine look he has had for several months now. He has a new trick, too--he runs! He is pretty excited with himself and his new skill. You gotta laugh. He and William are into flashlights and if they are nowhere to be seen they are usually in a cabinet with flashlights. They are pretty good buds right now.
I'm mostly ready for Christmas, I think. So far I have stuck to my goal of keeping it simple. Each kid is getting 4-5 gifts, and only one (per kid) is pricey. There are some miscellaneous arts and crafts stuff for the stockings that I didn't include in that tally. Now, the challenge is to get it all to Wisconsin for Christmas, as we will be there overnight Christmas eve. This is so embarrassing but I think we need a trailer to haul everything home. It's not so much because of the stuff, but because of the people taking up all the cargo room. Plus the dogs and luggage for the 2 days we will be there.
We are giving Zaccy his cozy coupe tomorrow because it's just too big to make the trip with us. It will be so fun to see him driving around. I know he is going to enjoy that trunk. Bet he'll put M and Ms in it.
The boys have managed to destroy one of the recliners by rocking backward so vigorously that it now wants to flip backward whenever you sit in it. So what happens is you sit down, relieved to sink your tired self into the big comfy chair, and the next thing you know you are completely upside down with your feet in the air. It feels really stupid and looks even stupider, if you are not the person who is inadvertently upside down. If you happened to have been holding food, you are really up the creek. In my case, I'm usually holding a few kids, the dogs, a book, AND some food.
Wil's fear of a big fish that will come to his bed has re-emerged. He'll sit there and tell you there is a fish under the ice that he is afraid will come to his bed. Now, I know about irrational fears--I REMEMBER the day I was finally reassured that I would not fit down the drain in the tub. But this one....it's just really unique! At one time it was horses ("horshes"). He thought horshes would come to his bed. I can kind of get that one, if I think about it, because they can walk and they do breath air. I remember another wierd fear I had, I was always afraid to roll over in my bed because I was afraid that one of those beings who wear hoods and have no faces would be there. I'll have to work on remembering more of those wierd phobias I had, some of them are pretty good.
As of yesterday the kids are done with school til after Christmas break. So far they have been very busy with various self-invented sports, some of them less than appealing. For one thing, Ben and Wil (seems it's usually THEM lately....Ana writes and reads, Lij plays with his Barbies, I mean Legos) sprayed the hard floor with water and then took turns running and sliding in it. You might wonder where I was through all this. I was right there watching them. It's almost scary, isn't it? I guess most things just aren't worth getting excited about.
Muffie is finally getting another tooth. It will help with the equine look he has had for several months now. He has a new trick, too--he runs! He is pretty excited with himself and his new skill. You gotta laugh. He and William are into flashlights and if they are nowhere to be seen they are usually in a cabinet with flashlights. They are pretty good buds right now.
I'm mostly ready for Christmas, I think. So far I have stuck to my goal of keeping it simple. Each kid is getting 4-5 gifts, and only one (per kid) is pricey. There are some miscellaneous arts and crafts stuff for the stockings that I didn't include in that tally. Now, the challenge is to get it all to Wisconsin for Christmas, as we will be there overnight Christmas eve. This is so embarrassing but I think we need a trailer to haul everything home. It's not so much because of the stuff, but because of the people taking up all the cargo room. Plus the dogs and luggage for the 2 days we will be there.
We are giving Zaccy his cozy coupe tomorrow because it's just too big to make the trip with us. It will be so fun to see him driving around. I know he is going to enjoy that trunk. Bet he'll put M and Ms in it.
The boys have managed to destroy one of the recliners by rocking backward so vigorously that it now wants to flip backward whenever you sit in it. So what happens is you sit down, relieved to sink your tired self into the big comfy chair, and the next thing you know you are completely upside down with your feet in the air. It feels really stupid and looks even stupider, if you are not the person who is inadvertently upside down. If you happened to have been holding food, you are really up the creek. In my case, I'm usually holding a few kids, the dogs, a book, AND some food.
Wil's fear of a big fish that will come to his bed has re-emerged. He'll sit there and tell you there is a fish under the ice that he is afraid will come to his bed. Now, I know about irrational fears--I REMEMBER the day I was finally reassured that I would not fit down the drain in the tub. But this one....it's just really unique! At one time it was horses ("horshes"). He thought horshes would come to his bed. I can kind of get that one, if I think about it, because they can walk and they do breath air. I remember another wierd fear I had, I was always afraid to roll over in my bed because I was afraid that one of those beings who wear hoods and have no faces would be there. I'll have to work on remembering more of those wierd phobias I had, some of them are pretty good.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Barbie Man
I guess I am talking a lot about William lately, but that's because he is so funny. We have had this thing for a long time where I tease him about Barbies. I used to do it with Elijah too an had so much fun. It goes like this----"You like LEGOS? You are NOT going to like Barbie I got you for Christmas!"
Anyway Wils has this book called "Digger Man" and it begins: "I love diggers. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huge digger."
And I read: "I love Barbies. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huuuuuuggggge BARBIE!" and we collapse in hysterics.
Just thought you would like the visual.
His face changed this week--very odd--I came home one day and his cheeks seemed much fuller. He now looks a bit like uncle Hans. When I tell him that, he disagrees and says "no, YOU look like Hans!" to which I respond "Yes, exactly, same idea, doofus"
Zac has also been very funny this week. Last night we had "serial kisses". He was making rounds from one person to the next and offering kisses. He kissed every last one of us probably at least 7 times. Then he smiles like he is so happy that he was able to offer us that opportunity and wasn't it nice of him?
He entertained himself yesterday by getting his finger stuck in a little part of William's car track and crying for his dad to help him get it out. Brian would help him and the he'd laugh and go stick it in there again and cry some more. It got to the point where when I got home Brian handed him the little piece of track and said "Go show mommy" and he did; he stuck his finger in the little hole and fussed. It was the most ridiculous thing!
Ana sent me out the other evening to get her pickles because "I want them SO MUCH!". She said she had been thinking about them all day and the need was just getting worse. Somehow she talked me into getting dressed and going out in the cold and snow for her. But as my dad says, I "get it". I, too, have issues with pickle cravings. When you need a pickle, you need a pickle. They must be dill. When I walked in the door and handed them to her she literally sighed. 10 minutes later the jar was all but empty, as we are not the only pickle people hereabouts.
Lijah saved another "wife" this week. Over the summer he on separate occasions pulled both Wil and Zac from the lake. In both instances, either Brian or I was present but Elijah was closer and faster and had them out before we got there. Monday night, Zac somehow found a small, round, hard, candy by digging in my work bag which was stupidly on the floor and unzipped. Elijah ran up to me carrying him and said "Mommy, he's choking." I was in a space out and didn't respond, and he said "Mommy, he's choking--COME ON!". I realized what was happening and had him head down and was doing back thrusts on him and it took probably 10 thrusts to get it out. He wasn't moving any air at all--very, very, very, close call and scary! Anyway, what if Lij wasn't so hypervigilant? What if he wasn't so insistent? Both of those are traits that drive us nuts about with him, but I we definately have a new appreciation of them (and him). It was interesting to see how calm he is in a crisis, too. Much better than his dad.
Anyway Wils has this book called "Digger Man" and it begins: "I love diggers. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huge digger."
And I read: "I love Barbies. My brother is too little, so he doesn't know, but soon I'm going to buy a huuuuuuggggge BARBIE!" and we collapse in hysterics.
Just thought you would like the visual.
His face changed this week--very odd--I came home one day and his cheeks seemed much fuller. He now looks a bit like uncle Hans. When I tell him that, he disagrees and says "no, YOU look like Hans!" to which I respond "Yes, exactly, same idea, doofus"
Zac has also been very funny this week. Last night we had "serial kisses". He was making rounds from one person to the next and offering kisses. He kissed every last one of us probably at least 7 times. Then he smiles like he is so happy that he was able to offer us that opportunity and wasn't it nice of him?
He entertained himself yesterday by getting his finger stuck in a little part of William's car track and crying for his dad to help him get it out. Brian would help him and the he'd laugh and go stick it in there again and cry some more. It got to the point where when I got home Brian handed him the little piece of track and said "Go show mommy" and he did; he stuck his finger in the little hole and fussed. It was the most ridiculous thing!
Ana sent me out the other evening to get her pickles because "I want them SO MUCH!". She said she had been thinking about them all day and the need was just getting worse. Somehow she talked me into getting dressed and going out in the cold and snow for her. But as my dad says, I "get it". I, too, have issues with pickle cravings. When you need a pickle, you need a pickle. They must be dill. When I walked in the door and handed them to her she literally sighed. 10 minutes later the jar was all but empty, as we are not the only pickle people hereabouts.
Lijah saved another "wife" this week. Over the summer he on separate occasions pulled both Wil and Zac from the lake. In both instances, either Brian or I was present but Elijah was closer and faster and had them out before we got there. Monday night, Zac somehow found a small, round, hard, candy by digging in my work bag which was stupidly on the floor and unzipped. Elijah ran up to me carrying him and said "Mommy, he's choking." I was in a space out and didn't respond, and he said "Mommy, he's choking--COME ON!". I realized what was happening and had him head down and was doing back thrusts on him and it took probably 10 thrusts to get it out. He wasn't moving any air at all--very, very, very, close call and scary! Anyway, what if Lij wasn't so hypervigilant? What if he wasn't so insistent? Both of those are traits that drive us nuts about with him, but I we definately have a new appreciation of them (and him). It was interesting to see how calm he is in a crisis, too. Much better than his dad.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Country Mouse goes to the cities
On Tuesday, I had a remapping (implant) appointment at the U of M. It's difficult to want to go to these appointments when I work full time, because when I'm off for a day I want to hang out with my guys. However, it was important that I get this done, so I decided to take William with me.
Once we hit 94 his little head was swiveling like crazy, catching sight of all the wonderful bobcats and trucks. His Christmas list grew by about a foot between Cold Spring and Monticello. The drive down went smoothly and he was fascinated by the sight of the sky scrapers in Minneapolis. Nothing could compare, however, to the parking ramp at the U of M. We parked on the 7th floor and he loved the view.
He played in the Lions 3M playroom at the audiology department and it was pretty wild to see my mini me doing that 30 years after I did.
He came in with me for my appointment and was just the bestest boy. When we were done, Emily, the audiologist, said she didn't think she'd ever seen a kid sit like that for a whole appointment. He had written on a piece of paper for a bit and then he just sat there on my lap and observed.
When we were done we were both very hungry and he was very clear in his desire for McDonald's chicken nuggets and "'barque" sauce. I wasn't keen on it, so first we did a drive through at Sbarro's. When I had my pizza safely in hand, he announced, "Your pizza is making me starving!"
When he was done with his chicken nuggets with 'barque sauce, he announced that he thought we should also get ice cream. We didn't, but he is still asking about it 5 days later.
So then, on the way home, we both had to go the bathroom REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. He announced that he had to go poop. I told him that I did too. Made a beeline for a gas station in St Cloud...we ran in to the bathroom as fast as we could and I have never felt such relief in my life. "God, William," I said loudly, "that feels good!" . And just then, a lady walked in. Apparently I hadn't locked the door very carefully. So there I sit, taking a dump, expressing my relief loudly, with my 4 year old angelically agreeing and concurrently announcing that his "poopie went away" and this lady walks in. I'm sure I had an expression of utter bliss on my face, to top it all off.
So she got real nervous and backed out and shut the door and I, well, I went about my business, I mean there is no stopping some things once you start. I did say "I wish that lady didn't come in here, Wils,". And Wils said, "Yeah, mommy, I wish she didn't either." So he did his job and we took our time washing our hands and all that. Then we left..and she was waiting outside the door. I never in a million years thought she would be. I really thought she'd have headed for hills (wouldn't you have?). "Oh, excuse me" she stammered again. "That's OK!" I chirped cheerfully. After all, nothing beats a good crap.
Once we hit 94 his little head was swiveling like crazy, catching sight of all the wonderful bobcats and trucks. His Christmas list grew by about a foot between Cold Spring and Monticello. The drive down went smoothly and he was fascinated by the sight of the sky scrapers in Minneapolis. Nothing could compare, however, to the parking ramp at the U of M. We parked on the 7th floor and he loved the view.
He played in the Lions 3M playroom at the audiology department and it was pretty wild to see my mini me doing that 30 years after I did.
He came in with me for my appointment and was just the bestest boy. When we were done, Emily, the audiologist, said she didn't think she'd ever seen a kid sit like that for a whole appointment. He had written on a piece of paper for a bit and then he just sat there on my lap and observed.
When we were done we were both very hungry and he was very clear in his desire for McDonald's chicken nuggets and "'barque" sauce. I wasn't keen on it, so first we did a drive through at Sbarro's. When I had my pizza safely in hand, he announced, "Your pizza is making me starving!"
When he was done with his chicken nuggets with 'barque sauce, he announced that he thought we should also get ice cream. We didn't, but he is still asking about it 5 days later.
So then, on the way home, we both had to go the bathroom REALLY REALLY REALLY bad. He announced that he had to go poop. I told him that I did too. Made a beeline for a gas station in St Cloud...we ran in to the bathroom as fast as we could and I have never felt such relief in my life. "God, William," I said loudly, "that feels good!" . And just then, a lady walked in. Apparently I hadn't locked the door very carefully. So there I sit, taking a dump, expressing my relief loudly, with my 4 year old angelically agreeing and concurrently announcing that his "poopie went away" and this lady walks in. I'm sure I had an expression of utter bliss on my face, to top it all off.
So she got real nervous and backed out and shut the door and I, well, I went about my business, I mean there is no stopping some things once you start. I did say "I wish that lady didn't come in here, Wils,". And Wils said, "Yeah, mommy, I wish she didn't either." So he did his job and we took our time washing our hands and all that. Then we left..and she was waiting outside the door. I never in a million years thought she would be. I really thought she'd have headed for hills (wouldn't you have?). "Oh, excuse me" she stammered again. "That's OK!" I chirped cheerfully. After all, nothing beats a good crap.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Misc
I have to start blogging every day even if only for a minute, so I remember the good stories. I'm forgetting too many of them.
Here's a few:
A few nights ago I was upstairs doing stuff at about 10 pm. The kids had been "in bed" since about 8:30. Ben came running up to ask (in his clipped little voice) "What. Did. You. Get. For. Ayana. And. Elijah. For. Christmas?"
and I said to Ben...."You go back downstairs and tell them to stop sending you up to ask me that."
and Ben said "OK!" and skipped away.
..................................................................
Last night the kids were putting on a talent show for me. They all practiced together all evening and then when it was time to perform William came and sat on my lap. I asked him if he wasn't in the talent show any more and he said "Yes, Mommy, I am, but I'm taking a break."
..............................................
Two good stories from the psych ward. I have gotten two insults in the last two days that have made me stop and think a bit. They were darn good though! The first, from a drunk, when I was in his face: "Did you get in an accident or something?" (is my face deformed? I know my nose is a little crooked, but you have to look really close!)
The second, from an old guy who didn't mean to be insulting: "That's gotta be naturally curly hair. I used to have a dog with hair like that."
Thanks. I think? (Woof!)
..................................................
We got our tree up but it's pretty funny. There is something wrong with the base and it won't stand up. So it's leaning in a corner fully decorated. Zac keeps taking the ornaments off, of course. There are several that have photographs of the kids at various stages. Zac has taken a liking to one of Elijah as a baby and he said "baby Yaya" and gives it a kiss (like I taught him..haha). He also found Reilly! "Reilly!". There is a viking ornament too, and he says "Viking".
He is VERY good with his gestures and signing. We have a new game we play where he copies whatever you do with your hands. He'll thumb his nose, stick out his tongue, squinch his eyes, puff his cheeks, whatever you do for him to imitate. It's pretty fun.
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Here's a few:
A few nights ago I was upstairs doing stuff at about 10 pm. The kids had been "in bed" since about 8:30. Ben came running up to ask (in his clipped little voice) "What. Did. You. Get. For. Ayana. And. Elijah. For. Christmas?"
and I said to Ben...."You go back downstairs and tell them to stop sending you up to ask me that."
and Ben said "OK!" and skipped away.
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Last night the kids were putting on a talent show for me. They all practiced together all evening and then when it was time to perform William came and sat on my lap. I asked him if he wasn't in the talent show any more and he said "Yes, Mommy, I am, but I'm taking a break."
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Two good stories from the psych ward. I have gotten two insults in the last two days that have made me stop and think a bit. They were darn good though! The first, from a drunk, when I was in his face: "Did you get in an accident or something?" (is my face deformed? I know my nose is a little crooked, but you have to look really close!)
The second, from an old guy who didn't mean to be insulting: "That's gotta be naturally curly hair. I used to have a dog with hair like that."
Thanks. I think? (Woof!)
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We got our tree up but it's pretty funny. There is something wrong with the base and it won't stand up. So it's leaning in a corner fully decorated. Zac keeps taking the ornaments off, of course. There are several that have photographs of the kids at various stages. Zac has taken a liking to one of Elijah as a baby and he said "baby Yaya" and gives it a kiss (like I taught him..haha). He also found Reilly! "Reilly!". There is a viking ornament too, and he says "Viking".
He is VERY good with his gestures and signing. We have a new game we play where he copies whatever you do with your hands. He'll thumb his nose, stick out his tongue, squinch his eyes, puff his cheeks, whatever you do for him to imitate. It's pretty fun.
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