Dorothy, Dino, and a Diva

Happy Halloween to everyone! Our day began with pajama day for the girls (the school's way of discouraging costumes at school, I believe). They were pretty giddy about that. Little Buddy and I went to the gym, but as we were getting out he melted down because he didn't want to be embarrassed about having a costume on in the gym. I couldn't let him take it off because I hadn't brought him a jacket since his costume provided enough warmth. So we left the gym without going in and went to the post office and made a delivery and a Kohl's trip in his costume. It's funny that he's already so sensitive about his clothes. I spent all morning trying to convince him that he's a KID and he's supposed to be excited to wear costumes. He was not convinced until he got to school and saw all the other kids also in their costumes (he was skeptical that I was making him be the only one there too).

 

 

 

After school we ditched homework and piano practice with reckless abandon and got ready for the fall festival at church. We live in an older neighborhood with almost no kids, so no one feels like they are missing out on trick or treating. And there's nothing creepy at church. And they get candy but not pounds and pounds. They also get to see friends, play games, and bounce in a bounce house. So it's a win/win for everyone.

 

Meet Dorothy, Dino, and Diva. Aren't they all adorable?

 

 

Little Sissy and her buddy playing festival games

 

 

Big Sissy training for the Hunger Games :)

 

Little Buddy concentrating hard for the sake of candy

Though Your Sins be as Scarlett

I won't lie. My kids are sheltered. And I'm pretty OK with that. They don't watch TV, but that is mostly because we have old rabbit ear antennas and we don't get very good reception. They do watch movies sometimes, but apparently they haven't seen Gone With the Wind. We were at Pasta House eating lunch one Sunday (because kids eat free, of course), and Little Buddy saw this poster hanging in the lobby. "Look, Mommy," he says. "That lady is getting baptized!"

 

I look back at this every time I need to smile.

Time to be liked and not "liked"

I'm pretty sure no one reads this any more since I haven't blogged in a year, but I have grounded myself from Facebook and trying to recall what it's like to type out my thoughts in more than a sentence or two at a time. Why get off of the biggest social media site there is? Well, I think because it's the biggest social media site there is. I have/had 600 friends on Facebook, all people I am at least loosely connected with, and by the time I take the time to read the details of all their lives I have lost the deeper connections with the fewer--MUCH fewer--that God has given me to nurture at this moment.

Also I'm addicted.

I'm addicted to knowing what everyone is doing and wearing and eating for dinner and who they're hanging out with in their spare time. I am addicted to being "liked" when I post something clever. I'm addicted to having something to do when I have to wait for any length of time anywhere. Do you know what I used to do? Pray. Think. Imagine. Dream. Write. Plan. Remember. Play. Sleep.

It's time to go back to those days. I seriously had to ask my husband what my blog url was. I couldn't remember. Even now I'm having trouble navigating the site. But it will come back to me. And the people who actually like me can keep up with me here. And though I won't be "liked" nearly as much, I think I'll be liked better--by the people that matter.

Thanks for welcoming me back.

Allison Wonderland

Little Sissy is leaping and bounding towards learning to read. It's all very exciting for her, but at the same time it's rocking her world. It started when we were reading a Tangled book about colors. She knew that Rapunzel was wearing a purple dress, but she paused when she got to the word because it didn't make sense to her. All along she has been saying "jress" and is still convinced that the books (and I) are lying about the real way to say it.

Same with "chruck" (truck).

I had to laugh today when we were reading Alice in Wonderland and she kept saying "Allison" even though it clearly said "Alice." Apparently they printed that one wrong too. Every time. In every book. Because everyone knows her name is Allison Wonderland.

Here's to hoping that she can rise above the conspiracy theory and learn to chrust me again.

Preschool Introductions

Yesterday I was parent helper in Little Sissy's preschool class. Parents are required to help at least 3 times each semester. Between all the times I've gone for Little Buddy and the times I've gone for Little Sissy, the kids are getting used to seeing my face. I was never without someone cuddling up with me or on my lap. Very fun.

Yesterday I was struck by the way Little Sissy was describing everyone to me to make sure I remembered them. Her perceptions just cracked me up.

"That's Charlotte. She's had dried up chocolate on her face since last year."
"That's Olivia. She has to have her fruit snacks cut into little pieces."
"That's Evan. He's getting bigger and doesn't have to bring his puppy any more."
"That's Ella. She hits sometimes."
"That's Kassie. She has short hair like me."

Do you ever wonder how people would describe you if they had to wrap it all up in one sentence?

Fall Festivities

Last year at this time I was regretting that I was so busy with my business (interesting word, isn't it?) that I didn't have a lot of family time. Thanks to the economy, my wish has been granted and I've had much more time this year. :) We've been to the pumpkin patch 3 times, Grants Farm, Boo at the Zoo, and the Family Fall Fun Fest (that might be in the wrong order, but it's definitely 4 F--somethings in a row). The girls chose to be Laura and Mary Ingalls (not Holly Hobby, not Little Bo Peep, not Amish girls--just to be clear). Little Buddy was Scooby Doo for part of the festivities and a pirate for the rest.

This year they've been much more aware of all the "creepy" things around. They are very sensitive to it and prone to nightmares, so I try to limit their exposure. It can't always be helped, though, as was the case at Grant's Farm. I was very surprised they were willing to get their picture made with this guy. Notice that the weather was freakishly warm just a few weeks ago. Now we have our coats out.

Here they are at the FFFF. Their dolls are Baby Carrie and Baby Grace.

Boo at the Zoo. I hated to cover up the calico dress, but it was quite chilly! Those animals can sure produce the candy!

One of our days at the pumpkin patch. Sadly, Big Sissy was at school. :(

Isn't she just wicked cute??

A couple of funny stories from the season, because you know how I love to tell stories. First, Big Sissy read the Donald Duck version of "A Christmas Carol" at school. There is a part where Scrooge has died and there is a picture of the tombstone, which says R.I.P. She wanted to know if that meant "Rich Icky Person." It made me giggle thinking of all the rich icky people in the cemeteries.

Then we were planning to carve our pumpkin (which we still haven't done). I said out loud that I would have to do a google search to find out how to cook the pumpkin seeds. Little Sissy, who is always so helpful and sincere, said, "Mommy, why don't you just turn the seeds over to see how to cook them?" Perhaps we eat from a box too often? :)

Yes, Boys are Different!

When Little Buddy was a baby, people would ask me, "So is it different having a boy?" I would shake my head and laugh because he was the sweetest, cuddliest little baby who smiled all the time, slept great, ate good. But then he turned about 2 and oh my, yes. It is different. He still will play with "girl stuff" from time to time, but he just plays with it differently. He is still my most affectionate child, and I hope that never changes. But he's almost my most physically aggressive child.

Today I was reminded again of the differences when I was trying to teach letters and sounds as we were eating lunch. "What starts with F? Ffffffff....."

Little Sissy: "Fairies, fancy, fish"
Little Buddy: "Fffff....football! And FARTS!!!" (hysterical laughter)

Yep, I've got a boy. And I love it.