Week 3 in Review

 January 17: Just when you think that all is calm and all is right... it happens... we start sniffling... our lips start to chap... our noses get runny and we start to feel a little "icky". Though no one is sneezing. We're starting to feel a slight shift in the air. We need Spring... and have a long time before we get there.

January 18: A long day of travel was endured today. I already posted about it... the drive down to Grand Rapids was horrible... the drive home was bearable. I think we need some time now without much traveling.

January 19: Sleeping in...snow... rain... thunderstorm... thundersnow... ice pellets... snow... snow... snow.

 

  Today we slept in, you played out side in the morning in the fresh fallin snow. Your cheeks were rosy... but it was actually "warm" for playing. The snow flakes were the size of golf balls! The white covered trees sparkled as the sun attempted to peak through the snow. It didn't last long though, it was too far tucked behind the snow clouds. The beauty of Michigan in full force this morning. We are very blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful area of the country. We do it take it for granted in many ways. We should get out and enjoy mother nature more... (okay you hoolies and daddy do a lot -- mommy with the ouchy knee not so much.)  As you rolled and danced in the sparkles from Heaven, I watched you from the window (my "perch") I was reminded of the first time you both played in the snow together. I remember the stark differences... Gg's disgusted look in her 1 year old face and the joyful delight on Kk's 2 1/2 year old face. Gg was still a "baby" and really it was her first real time in the snow. It was precious... it was perfect.

 

 As I perched there in the window watching you make snow angels, I was immediately taken back to that first snow date we had. I laid in the snow and showed you both how to make your first snow angels. Gg wasn't thrilled... she wasn't having it... her little face beet red and her eyes were beginning to water... she refused to lay in the snow. Kk on the other hand loved making snow angels. I remember having to help her figure out how to make her arms and legs do that up and down in the snow motion... she kept kicking her legs in the air... and then she'd laugh... I know she was just teasing me. I know she was testing me to see if I would play her "I don't know how" game. Of course I played because that's what mommy's do... they play along to make their babies happy. I will never ever forget the giggle... that turned hearty and then a complete gut laugh that Gg let out when mommy fell backwards into the snow. When I did it the second time I had both of you laughing so hard... I will never forget that musical sound, ever.

From my perch today, I watched you sled down the driveway... the hill going down toward the shed...the attempt from the dirt "road" toward the house. Trial and error are so fun to watch you both figure out. You have such determination on your little faces. Since the snow was fresh and ultra thick you really had to make a pathway before the sled would really go. You each took turns pushing the other through the snow in order to create the "sled trail". I don't know what's more fun sledding with you or watching you from our warm home.

 

 January 20: Today we had Sunday School. Daddy took you; as mommy did not sleep well because of that crazy windy weather last night making my knee ache. I was hesitant about daddy taking you because of the icy roads but daddy promised if it was an ice skating rink out there he'd come home. Apparently it was fine because you did remarkable in church then you went to Sunday School. After that daddy declared it a daddy-daughter breakfast day. He took you to Burger King where you ate some cinni-mini's, cheesy hashbrown bites and oj.

 

 You came home with full bellies, smiles and cool stories from Sunday School. Kk played a game about the Holy Spirit. It was like the game "head bands" where you have to guess what your card says. Kk's word was understanding. She tried to explain about what it meant but then said, "it's like you trying to get what I'm saying." Gg brought home a wheel about what God made in the week and what he made every day. So proud of the beautiful creation AND she was able to read the entire thing without any mommy help!

Tonight we had ravoli for dinner. Gg says to daddy, "daddy I don't like ravoli cause I don't want sauce water on my ravoli." It was too late daddy had already put all ravoli in the sauce. Gg says, "Oh daddy, I am not a sauce water fan. Please don't make me eat the sauce water." Daddy's solution was, "let me get you some bread & butter so you can soak up the sauce water."  Gg accepted have to eat the sauce water quite well. Sauce water is my new favorite way to describe pasta sauce.

The sniffly sneezes are sticking around. I wish these germs would leave us alone! How much more can we do to avoid sickness? We wash hands, take vitamins, eat healthy... I think we were just doomed since the crud is everywhere. 

January 21: Great Auntie Roxanne asked mommy to write a poem in honor of Great Grandma & Grandpa Kaurich. So mommy wrote a poem...

Together for Eternity

If we smile into the sunshine,
We often see your face.
As the breeze dances around us,
It’s as though we feel your embrace.
We know you’re together for eternity,
Your love encircles us daily knowing you were meant to be.
Our lives forever changed,
Those tearful days the Lord decided to call upon both of your names.
God had a greater plan, for this we must accept.
We are finding ways to cherish each day; in remembrance of you.
We miss you more than anything; your smiles especially too.
We are learning to celebrate each day knowing you’re blissfully together for eternity.

After Great Grandpa Pete passed away I wrote a poem called Smile about him and Great Grandma put it in the newspaper with a picture of him smiling. I will look for the poem this week to show you.

It reads: A Smile. As the sunlight warms the freckles on my nose, I feel a presence in the room.  As I turn I see your smile, as it was that special day, when we began to understand each other. A time longer than most has become our lives.When I think about our past, I wish I would have treasured our time together, so I could say the things that were left unsaid. When fate takes us by the hand of time,we realize that life is precious, when it's often too late. Wanting forever to be possible, wishing you weren't gone. Finally, I realize you never really left me, as I thought you did. In my heart you will stay, thank you for that smile.

Today is the inauguration of President Obama for the 2nd term. This is a remarkable moment in our nations history. Now, twice for the sake of the people; re-elected in by the masses... President Obama can hopefully continue to better our nation for the next 4 years.

 I received an email from Gg's teacher Mrs. McGeorge saying that Gg is being moved up into a higher reading group. She is now officially in the chapter books club! (She's been a chapter book reader for a very long while now at home...) so glad that she is able to share her talents at school now too! Her first school chapter book, Junie B. Jones; Mushy Gushy Valentine. A definite favorite!!

Kk brought home her first division worksheet today. Division is tricky but she figured it out! I'm so proud of Kk's never give up attitude!

Tonight when daddy was getting your lunch boxes ready for tomorrow; he asked why Gg didn't eat her pudding. Gg said, "I don't like that kind, it tastes like candle wax." To which daddy who doesn't miss a beat says, "When did you eat candle wax?" Gg didn't think it was funny...well those dimples still managed to make the photo so she may have found a little humor in it.

 

January 22: Today was declared an "unofficial" snow day by daddy. Only because you both have sniffles, sneezes and coughs... oh my! Every school around us (almost) is closed due to the weather. It's been some extreme cold.

Brrr...I am cold just seeing this.

Daddy was called out to an accident last night and the roads were glare ice... enough so that it scared him. So we're staying snuggly, cozy, and wrapped up in blankets perfect today. It's only 7:34 a.m. and so far Grace has read a chapter from Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine (so she wouldn't be behind in class) and Kailee is doing Raz-kids. I am impressed with both girls because even with stuffy heads they want to do their school work.

When daddy got to the Soo this morning he said it was -16 degrees. He said that kind of cold makes your lungs hurt. Brrrrr.

Never Grow Up

Today we heard the song, "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift (click on the title and it will take you to listen to the song)... this is exactly how mommy feels. I don't know how Taylor Swift was able to capture a good majority of what I believe and put it in a sweet song... it sounds like it could come from the perspective of a mom or an older child looking back.  I guess she has some life experience or maybe her mother enlightened her. Whatever inspired this darlings, know that purity comes only once. Your sweet innocence will forever be encouraged... fostered... and appreciated. We can treasure each day, like she speaks of in the song; just don't be afraid to grow older... just take your time to do so.

The whole reason for the blog is so you can remember special moments in your life. This is for you my sweet darlings. Every memory that I have that is special to me; I hope I can transpose on the blog or in a scrapbook so you can always have that memory too to hold onto forever. Growing up doesn't take that long... so maybe if we steal moments away and post them here we will forever have them and thus not allow you to grow up as fast.

Here are the lyrics: 

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up
You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At 14 there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots
But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older too
And don't lose the way that you dance around in your PJ's getting ready for school
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
No one's ever burned you, nothing's ever left you scarred
And even though you want to, just try to never grow up
Take pictures in your mind of your childhood room
Memorize what it sounded like when your dad gets home
Remember the footsteps, remember the words said
And all your little brother's favorite songs
I just realized everything I have is someday gonna be gone
So here I am in my new apartment
In a big city, they just dropped me off
It's so much colder that I thought it would be
So I tuck myself in and turn my night light on
Wish I'd never grown up
I wish I'd never grown up
Oh I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
I could still be little
Oh I don't wanna grow up, wish I'd never grown up
It could still be simple
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
Won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And even though you want to, please try to never grow up
Oh, don't you ever grow up
Oh, never grow up, just never grow up.

Thank you Taylor Swift for giving this mommy a song that speaks from the heart. 

Little Be's...

I know Gg will eventually appreciate this post but after listening to her this morning as I lay in my chair pretending to sleep I knew I had to write about it for the sake of smiling, happy, never forget these forever moments. If you have the song "Let them be Little" on anything technology, start playing it now because it's very fitting for this post. If not click on "Let them be Little" and it will open in a new window or take you to Lonestar's version of the song (which is my favorite).

You little hoolies are in the playroom playing so sweetly... I hear a lot of, "be's" in Gg's vocabulary. Grammatically incorrect but child friendly and humorous to boot... Some feel mommy should correct the incorrect use of "be's" but I feel it important to allow speech to progress as the child does. I know that one day all too soon the "be's" will disappear. It will happen without any warning. It will happen when I least expect it. It will happen and I may not even consciously notice at first but my heart will (oh I not-so-secretly dread that day -- can you stay my "be's"-ing baby forever?)When Gg asks a question it sounds like this, "Will she be's at the place?" "What be's for dinner?" "Where be's the iPod?" It's the little "be's" inserted into the sentence that makes me chuckle. It doesn't happen all the time...most of the time Gg's grammar is spot on (that's when my heart notices and gives a little jolt which shocks me into knowing that you're growing up)... sometimes the "be's" take place for another word like will or is and sometimes it's just an inserted "s" on be... it makes me aware that you are growing up, yet so innocent at the same time. I find nothing wrong with a child using grammar incorrectly... I find it precious... sweet... endearing even. If I can give you your "be's" for a while longer; it will allow me the opportunity to really take in that little voice "be's"-ing it up. I love the little "be's" and I hope they last for the length of your pure heart Gg. I "be's" loving you both forever and always!!
---
*Just to note: I never use the "be's" in my vocabulary and I will repeat Gg's sentence to her (with the correct usage: example, What am I making for dinner?" ; often to verify I'm understanding it correctly. Just felt it note worthy to say that I don't "encourage" the incorrect use; I only tend to not discourage it.

Directors & Actors

Over the past week you little Hollywood bound beauties have begun using the iPod to make movies. All kinds of movies... last night I couldn't sleep because of the windy weather and the severe quick change in the "pressure" was reeking havoc on my knee. Since I couldn't sleep I decided to play on a little technology and text with Auntie Tab who was working (being a nurse a huge responsibility and wowsers she had quite a night at work). In another post I will elaborate upon the topic of health care and the life loving wonders who work in it. So, I couldn't sleep and the iPod has a few fun games that we enjoy; Smurfs and Candy Crush (I beat level 31 -- woo hoo! We've only been working on that during our technology time for weeks!) After my eyes started to go crossed I decided to look through the pictures...which is when I found your inspiring videos. Some are "documentary" style; Kailee the voice-over explaining to Grace the videographer how to do certain things; like "read a cat". Referring to a book she checked out at the library. There was some funny, interviews...very funny in fact. I am going to make sure we save these amazing videos so one day you can look back upon your creations, to see just how talented you are at such young ages. (Yes that is a mommy gushing moment!) Your little videos comforted me to sleep last night and I hope you make many, many more of these remarkable lil snip-its.

372 Miles

...that's how far we drove today... 7 hours of driving total... it was a LONG day of sitting in the car. You hoolies were so well behaved though. We couldn't ask for better travelers. We drove in some crazy weather on the way there (which is why it took us 3 1/2 hours to get there).

The picture does not do the snow justice.

Lucky for us daddy is an expert driver who put new "meats" a.k.a. tires on Red. She got us there quite safely -- thank goodness!

Because you were such great travelers daddy treated you to icecream!

G in her "Dr. Vanderlaan ready" attire.

Kailee "being patient"... and glad she isn't "the patient".

Dr. Vanderlaan had a "no news" is good news diagnosis. There was no change for G at this point. She found it interesting that G had spots only on her right side but she also noted that some of the ones that the previous doctor noted were not "classic" cafe au lait spots... G's are more "reddish" in color which makes Dr. Vanderlaan a little hesitant to say they they count as the "characteristic spots". So now we wait... we see what happens... we pray... we continue to come back yearly... and we continue our Dr. Thente' visits too. We'll take this "no news" as good news and continue about our lives peacefully. As peacefully as we mommy can without going crazy. I know I'll need some hair dye along the way... but it's okay. The life of a mommy.

All About G Week

This week in school it was All about Grace week! She got to share all kinds of fun stuff about G!! Monday she shared pictures of herself throughout her 7 years of life! Tuesday she shared her favorite book: Olivia and the Fairy Princesses. Wednesday she shared her favorite toy & item: her toy (the girl from Brave with the bow & arrow) and her "Wankie". Thursday she shared her favorite healthy snack: chex mix with dried fruit. Friday was supposed to be favorite Music, since there was no school Friday we brought that in on Thursday too; which is You Are My Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell. A full fun week of G!

Poster Reads: Birthday: November 4th, 2005. If I had a Wish it would be: To have a hundred dollars to donate to charity (char i dy). My Top 10 Favorites: Food: Fruit (Froet), Sport: Football (Futball), Friend: Alynna, Lia, Kora & Jimmy. School Subject: Math. Holiday: Christmas. Pet: Lilly. Season: Spring. Toy: Blanky. TV Show: Mary Poppins. Pizza Topping: Cheese (Chease)

This side of the poster reads: My favorite color is: Teal. My favorite icecream is: Bluemoon (bloowmoon). I have 1 sister, 4 pets. They are...Kailee,Lilly, gold fish, algae fish and little blue fish. I am happiest when my family is together. My favorite book is Pete the Cat.

Week 2

January 8th: Sleepy, happy face.

 There's been a lot in a week... so much so that only pictures can do it justice.

January 9th: Just sassying it up a little since you've been a whole buncha sassy lately.

January 9th: Being all silly... all KINDS OF SILLY!

There's been a lot of sassing going on with Gg lately... she's been in all kinds of trouble... that sassafrass can come out in such negative ways... yet can be EXTREMELY silly too. I love that you are finding your voice... I do not love that your voice is often high pitched, squeally and quite often sassy though. You are learning that it is unacceptable. It takes patience... sometimes you don't like the consequence for your action but you know it's necessary (which I find honorable - after your little sassy moment & I've had a while to process it too because when it first happens I don't find it honorable -- I find it unbelievable that you know that the consequence is necessary yet you still do the action. Learning you're learning I tell myself. You ARE learning.). 

January 10th: Spelling Words and Math facts!!! Homework days... oye!

 Our after school routine still involves snack, relax and then homework to boot! You both do it without protest and I'm so proud of you! You studied so hard for your spelling tests too!! Only to have it postponed because of a SNOW DAY Friday!

January 11th: SNOW DAY BABY! Pj's and goof balls!

 We spent the day in our PJ's... until Gg had to go to Grace Ewing's for a slumber party. (One that she earned because she wasn't sassy yesterday or at all today. Kk and mommy had a picnic on the floor in the living room and watched Barbie Charm School. Then with daddy too we watched Barbie and the Pop Star. It was a nice relaxing quality time night together.

January 11th: Wii'ing it up with Grampa Lou & Gramma Deb while Gracie is at Grace Ewing's house over night!

January 12th: Good morning mommy.

 We had a quiet morning too. It was SO WARM outside today. It hit 57 degrees! Grace came home in the afternoon. Then we all got cozy and enjoy the smell of "Spring" like weather in the air.

January 12th: Cheesey lovey mommy kissy face.

January 13th: Little hands make big giant beautiful creations!

 Only to be snowed in Sunday! We woke up to icy roads and blustery winds. So we were not chancing the roads to go to Sunday School so we stayed put!

January 13th: Lazy Snowed In Sunday.

January 13th: Tired, Exhausted Grumpy Grace.

January 14th: iPod crazed kid!

 We also decided to decorate the house in hearts! (These are my favorite hearts below). We had fun getting out the scissors and stickers... crayons and markers. These hearts are going to be forever hung up every Valentine's day.

January 15th: House dripping in hearts... EVERYWHERE!

January 16th: Queen of the House... will not move and will get mad and nip you,  if you move her.

January 16th: Playing with the Queen of the House.

 Two little girls love Lily so much... to bad Lily isn't much of a lover. She's more of a loner. She always has been; well except when it comes to mommy. She will come and sit with me when she's looking for some lovin. She's a good girl though... when she's not nippin' at you for buggin her. She's under the table; Kk is trying to get her to chase the flashlight and Gg is video taping it with the iPod. (Making movies is also another fun new thing that you hoolies have been doing.)

January 16th: Studying for a spelling test... serious business goin on right there.

 Gg is taking her studying very seriously lately. She studied her spelling words hard this week and I know she will have another 100% this week too!

New Toys

 Great Grandma Hoover gave you each $10 for your birthdays that Grampa Bob has had for a while and Sunday he and Gramma Sandee decided to take you to Walmart to spend that money. You each were able to pick out your own things; which is something that you love. You were gone for about an hour... which sounds about right; I could hear your little minds whirling about all the toy possibilities. It's fun to spend birthday money on fun things like these. Gg's toy is from the movie Brave. I cannot think of the little girls name...darn it. Kk picked out a fur real puppy! She loves it!

Jerky...

...I went to physical therapy this morning, when I pulled the car into the garage, placed it in park and opened the car door there was a smell. A pungent odor, one that seems to seep into your clothing... the smell of jerky fills the entire house. Here's the "chef" behind the odor... Daddy loves jerky... and he is a huge fan of his homemade jerky! (As are you little hoolies too!)

Quite a Reader!

We have always known that Kk is an amazing reader! Whenever she gets a chance she has a book in her hands. She read an entire Fairies chapter book while she was eating her dessert tonight. Well, today I received a phone call from her teacher saying that she is a phenomenal reader! She scored VERY HIGH on her NWEA testing; was ranked first in her class. Just so proud of our high ranking girl! Way to read Kailee!!!!

A Week In!

The new year has been rung in and we're settling back into the hum-drum days of schooling it. To think that last week was only a 3 day learning fest...it felt like the longest week ever. The birds were chirping and the chick-a-dees were peeping a song last Wednesday long after you left my safe keeping into the safety of Miss Bonnie's bus... she then took you to school where your little bodies were eased back into the day-to-day. Last week was hard to get up... it was torcher in fact when the alarm clock went off. It makes that sound that makes me want to snuggle you both closer just for a few more days..er... minutes. Since de-Christmas-a-fying the house; it feels a little empty... echo-y and a little bare. New Years Day we were already discussing Valentine's decor... we're thinking hearts in the windows and all over the walls. Non-holiday time is fine... but holiday'ing the house is way more fun. Valentine's in particular because it's "pink, pink,pink" everywhere! Kk is a huge fan of the pink and so we will make our way to JoAnn Fabric's to find as much "pink-a-riffic" as we can! We are still in talks about whether to make or buy pre-cut hearts. (I personally am a fan of your homemade decorations. Seeing your amazing beautiful creations around the house make me feel warm and fuzzy inside.) I always get what I want... soon you will see that.

Saturday morning Gg came into the bathroom while I was taking a shower to ask if you both could spend the night at Gramma Deb & Grampa Lou's. I said I would call Gramma and Gg informs me that Kk has already called and Grampa Lou said, "You can always stay here." Our original plans only included going over there to go sledding which... then turned into an over-night stay and play date with Abby and Jordy.

The memories you are making with Gramma and Grampa will forever be in your heart! When they brought you home to us yesterday, Gg was telling us about playing Mario Wii U with Grampa... "Grampa is not bad mommy, he's just not as good as you." (Oh and mommy isn't that good to be honest either so that's hilarious!) Gg was Grampa Lou's "saver" while Grampa played. After Gramma and Grampa left... you wanted to play Mario with mommy. So we started out playing and then I had to shower; while I was in the shower Gg and Kk played together and you both got to level 2 all by yourself!!

Without much warning bedtime crept upon us quickly... Gg had a very rough afternoon...after you played Mario you both were playing in your room and Gg hurt Kk... then Gg couldn't play Mario anymore for the night... then Gg got crabbity and we had to take away blankie... to end the night Gg was carried to bed by daddy with much resistance... my heart was aching the entire time. It hurts the parents just as much as it does the feelings of the child when they are in trouble. My heart was throbbing in pain over the outburst of Gg. I just want you both to know that when you act out -- we cannot allow the behavior... we cannot justify it. We are raising you to be adults... productive members of society and to be that you need to understand consequences of your actions. If we don't teach these lessons -- we then begin to expect things and then feel entitled and nothing is entitled to anyone...other than happiness and love of our family and even that is something that is partnership. We love you more than the entire world... our life is not always unicorns and rainbows. Some days we have dark clouds that make us feel grumpy and gloomy... our Eeyore moments are few and far between though. We learn from them, we love each other and move on. Just remember we learn from these moments. It's important to remember that even when we feel like Eeyore; we can learn something... find a bright spot and move forward. We do this and don't forget it! xoxo

Jump for Joy!

or Jump Joy-Joy Jump!

Uncle Lou Nights

The Wii U has been a huge blessing! You each get to have some Uncle Lou time and it's meaningful and perfect!

There's nothing better than playing games over the Wii U with Uncle Lou...well except maybe Grampa & Gramma!

MY Heart

Be Someone's Angel

This afternoon I (on my 1 crutch) went into my favorite store (my first official store outing by myself) and started looking at the cards. I hear a little boy saying to someone; "you neeeeeed this, it will be fun." The adult voice said, "not right now." The little boys said, "It's almost your birthday I will buy it for you." The adult voice (who I now see is an older woman maybe in her 60's) says, "What will you buy it with?" He put his hand in his pocket and open up his hand that had a bunch of change in it, "with MY money (my was very emphasized)." The lady smiled, hugged him and said, "come on". 

I seen him put the little item on the shelf. As I got closer I seen it was angel key chain. The lady and little boy are now at the other side of the store. I went and bought the keychain (which was $1.29 - 60% off rocks) and asked the sale girl to put it in a box. She did and when I told her it was for the little boy to give to the woman he was with; the girl even wrapped it with some Christmas paper. I asked the girl if she would give it to the little boy and tell him to give it to the woman for her birthday and say "an angel heard he wanted to buy it for her, so the angel thought she should have it." 

I went back over to the cards and from across the store I heard the little boy said, "Was her name Sarah, that is my mom's name and she's an angel!"  I got all teary and had to leave because then I thought what did I do? I sat in the car and waited for them to come out of the store and little boy was skipping holding the ladies hand with the present still wrapped. They were parked 2 cars down from me, I got out of my car as she was buckling him in and heard him say to the woman, "I know it was her because my mom knows that you love Angels and always said you are my angel."

 I went back in the store and the sale girl said that the woman was a little taken back, but thanked her for the gesture. 

I debated about writing to you both about this experience but I decided it's important to have moments in life where you get to be someone's Angel. There will be times where a simple gesture... like shoveling someone's driveway for them or paying for the meal of the people behind you in line at a fast food restaurant will make a difference. It will inspire those who received the kind gesture to spread more love in other tender ways. We must spread our love to those through kind actions; it's because of these actions that the world is full of good people. I want you both to try and be someone's Angel every day even if it's a small way. xoxo 

Mondays & Thursdays

Every Monday and Thursday since December 3, Mommy has been getting up and going to Physical Therapy at 6 a.m. Every Monday and Thursday I try really hard to be quiet so I don't wake you -- as you both typically pay me that courtesy when I'm sleeping. However, I cannot be that quiet because my crutches are so loud on the kitchen floor. So, this morning I took it really slow (since I knew you hoolies didn't get to bed until after 8 p.m. last night) and was so proud of myself for being extra quiet. I turned on the light over the dryer and started putting on my brace and shoes. After I get my first shoe tied, a sleepy eyed, yawny, stretching arms high in the air with wankie in hand Gg turns the corner and says, "Mommy you didn't even wake me to give me a good bye kiss." My heartmelted... then within a blink of an eye she was in my lap getting her morning snuggle in before I left. As I was tying my other shoe, Kk peeks around the corner and says, "Mommy, have a good day at Therapy." My life would never be complete with you both. I am truly the luckiest mommy in the entire world. Your encouragement and sweetness has given me the strength to accomplish so much!! I am officially down to 1 crutch with the brace now -- I know it's because of you both. xoxo #proudtobeyourmommy

"Weirdo"

So tonight we were playing Mario course it was just to use up our "technology time"... because I would NEVER let you hoolies play video games all day -- I'm a good mother who sends you outside for hours first! Anywho... Mommy & Gg were playing Mario and Grace was my "blocker" on the Wii U console. All of a sudden this strange little rabbit thing popped up and ran across the screen. And then Gracie reads the screen aloud as Daddy is walking past into our bedroom, "Mario, some Weirdo just took my stuff." Daddy stopped in his tracks and said, "what did you say?" Gg re-read the sentence and said, "Oh that little rabbit's name must be Weirdo." Nice... Nintendo is corrupting my kid! That's what I get for giving you technology time. xoxo

Bienvenue 2013!

Bienvenue is french for "Welcome"... we are not completely sure if this is the "correct" use of the phrase  (maybe my sweet French speaking awesome friend Katy will enlighten us) but we're running with it. So, we rang in 2013 with sleepy heads... daddy and I actually managed to keep our ever so droopy, sleepy, caffeinated, toothpick lifted (kidding) eyes open until 12:22 a.m. and then we joined you in sweet slumber. As day break crept upon us, 7:22 a.m. I heard whispers... tiny sweet sleepy little whispers from your room. "Happy New Year Gg." Then, (as I imagine it in my head) Gg rolled over thumb still inserted in mouth, she says out the side of it with a tiny smirk upon her thumb filled mouth,"Happy New Year Kk." Then you both hop out of beds like little rabbits and bounce into the playroom to pick up where you left off yesterday with your Lala's.

The morning has been low key, not so much lazy because there's been far too much bustling about by daddy for us to say it's been "lazy"... he's been inspired to hook up surround sound in the living room. This means WIRES EVERYWHERE!!!

 
Oye! One project after the next... this also means more technology taking up shelving space that is already limited. Oh boy so, naturally I'm doing what any mommy would do, I'm looking for more appropriate shelving options to house said, "out of storage for the first time in 7 years" technology for daddy. This is something that will make us both happy. He gets to have his "boys with their toys" fix and I get my "tuck it away, I don't want to it taking up every nook and cranny everywhere" way. Well, I'm not really getting my way as much as daddy but there are sacrifices we all have to make in marriage. Lesson #3890 (or so) sometimes it's just easier to make do than it is to fight the inevitable. Moral: be nice and nice things happen.

The new "out of storage for the first time in 7 years" technology provides us with some theater quality sound in the house which is kind of fun. Right now we're watching the Lorax that Santa brought us and it sounds really good. Plus, Kailee is even playing her DS which is noisy and it's not even distracting which is a pretty big step around here. Lately trying to watch tv or listen to a radio with you little hoolies in the room is hard to hear... which is what "inspired" daddy to dig out the new "out of storage for the first time in 7 years" technology.

Well, daddy is home now after going to on a quick fire call... no fire thankfully! Back to "proper placement" of said technology discussions... xoxo