Our Little Research Scientist

Big Sissy never has accidents any more--well, not when she's awake. But today she did. I don't know why. But when we walked down the hall later, this is what we found.

Clearly there is some information she has not yet read about the matter. She will research it. No doubt about that.

It's Finally Here

Big Sissy has been waiting and waiting and WAITING for her birthday to arrive. It's been a little confusing because we celebrated with the big family party back in October. But today it's official. She's 5. You know the question people always like to ask: What do you think you'll be doing in 5 years? Five years ago I could never have imagined how full my life--and my heart--would be today. I feel so blessed. I'm so proud of Big Sissy. She is becoming quite the little lady. She has her share of attitude--don't get me wrong--but she is also very sweet and sensitive to others. She is reading like a champ and writing words on her own. The other day she wrote "Broun Lame." That's the phonetic spelling of Brown Lamby. I was pretty excited about the ou diphthong in there. And I like to say diphthong a lot. It makes me giggle. She loves to use her imagination making up games and stories. And she LOVES to play hide and seek. I got the notice the other day that I need to sign her up for kindergarten in February. We do year-round school in this district, so she will start in July. I almost cried. I really wanted to homeschool her, but that has proven to just not work. She is a wonderful student. I just can't focus more than about 30 minutes a day on it. That's fine for her age, but she needs more. And she can't wait to meet all those new friends. *sniff*

We had kind of an interesting celebration today. Daddy took the day off to hang out with us, but then we realized that we had MOPS all morning. So we met for lunch and then went to Monkey Joe's--a whole place full of inflatables. That was quite possibly the best $20 I've ever spent. They got lots of exercise, lots of fun, and it wasn't hard for me because there was really no way to get lost. Then we came home and put up her and Little Sissy's new bed. In an interesting chain of events, I was getting sick of changing sheets on bunk beds and my parents were tired of storing Hubby's bedroom furniture from before we were married. So the girls are now sharing a queen bed. I think that will be great--until someone pees the bed or starts throwing up in the middle of the night. I'm really excited to have a real bed for guests if they ever should show up at my door. AND, that means that Little Buddy is done with his crib. He cried for a minute at naptime, but by night he was begging to get in his new big boy bed. I would have taken pictures but I'm embarrassed about how much he loves the Disney Princess sheets that are still on there. I will get him a new set soon. I promise.

One thing I love about Big Sissy's birthday is that for 3 months, when I tell people the ages of my children, they don't stare at me and for a short time can believe that I spaced my children "responsibly." Right now it sounds like they are all 2 years apart. They are 5, 3, and 1. Until February, when they are 2, 3, and barely 5 and I get the looks again. They're just jealous.

So happy birthday, my baby girl. And no talk of kindergarten yet. Mommy can't STAND it!!!

The Addams Family Goes to China

These are our cute children before we made them dress up like China dolls. My dad brought the kids some great outfits from China. All was well until I tried to add black wigs. My idea was to put them in buns and stick chopsticks in. Wala! China dolls. But wigs are even less cooperative than their real hair, and it didn't work. The final result was a little more ghoulish than I intended, thus the Addams Family in Asia joke was born.

Dressed in China man costume, but still happy.

Pugsley Addams. Add hat. Present doorbell. Now he's not so sure.

Sweet Little Sissy has been transformed into Wednesday Addams.

Big Sissy was much happier to keep something on her head than her siblings.

Grandpa is tickled pink to see his China dolls. They get lots of candy. And toys. And white out. Why? Because it makes them happy, and that's what grandparents do.

Next stop: party at church. The Asian Addams Family had lots of fun here--crafts, face painting, inflatables, games, and of course more candy.

Morticia--I mean Big Sissy--diligently keeping her headwear on, though it's starting to slip. She would probably wear a chicken on her head for candy. She's a trooper.

People Don't Have Tails!

This week I was talking to my sister on the phone, and I told her I had been working my tail off. Little Sissy interrupted me and said, "Silly Mommy. People don't have tails." I assured her that she was right, but then...

maybe a person does if her teacher makes her put Brown Lamby down during dance class. Look closely.