Light in the Dark

A lot of good to report as of late but it's hard to write about such things when I think about the families in CT.  I just can't wrap my brain around it all - beyond heartbreaking.

So.  D was in the Christmas Cantata last week and rocked as a cow.  I missed his dramatic debut, as I was behind the screen assisting Angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph, and the donkey.  Had to be done.  But Daddy and Gogo saw him so it's all good.
I think the kids did a great job but apparently were on a high after their performance.  Once we got back to our classroom, things fell apart.  It was like someone had misted the room with pure sugar and they all sniffed at once.  They were dancing, arm wrestling and singing.  Insanity.  Next thing I know, the Director is coming in.  Busted, including me.  She gave a wonderful talk about the importance of Christmas and the story of the Cantata.  Then she turned to me and through what I believe to be gritted teeth, told me Good Job on the performance.  I tried to tell them I was an unsuitable candidate for this teaching position…

Speaking of Church...yesterday at Mass, Nora heard the bells ring during Consecration.  She pipes up loud enough for everyone within a fairly decent range to hear, "When the Bell Rings, it's Time to go Home!"  Nice.  She also announced she had to poop during, so really all the way around, it was a holy experience.
She has been pretending she is a Cheetah a lot lately-she growls and hisses instead of speaking, which I guess is her interpretation of Cheetah-speak.  It's cute but can be a tad embarrassing.  This weekend we celebrated my nephew's first bday and when greeting extended family, she did it in Cheetah-ese, complete with ferocious face.  Good times, always.

D has been sick but was well enough to play yesterday.  He visited a friend in the neighborhood and his mother tells me when D arrived, he took notice of their beautiful Christmas tree.  He says "Wow.  Is that an 8 footer?"  Nodding, he says "We have a 6-7 footer."  Killin' me, Smalls.  Such a little man already.

GoGo delivered this note to me last night as I washed up dishes and cleaned the kitchen from dinner.  Love her.
Of course, she also made me a card the other day that implored me to "Sit Next to Me, Poop."  So, there you go.

These little people are my entire world.  I cannot imagine my life without them in it.  Today Squeezalicious and I are surprising D and Gogo at lunch.  I don't normally visit on days I have my youngest home from school but I feel like having them all together today.  

I just want to walk in their school and see them there, safe.  Together.  

Yesterday was my mother's birthday, she should have been turning 64.  I know my sister and I were her entire world, too.  She would have sacrificed anything to keep us safe and together.  

That's what parents do, the world over.  We work tirelessly to keep these little lights shining.  

All we can do at the end of the day, is to live so that our kids know we love and cherish them.

And I surely do.

Christmas Cheer

So GoGo made her First Holy Confession last week.  She was a bit nervous before, but we talked about it quite a bit and once in the Church, she seemed ok.  She was in line and talking to the priest for a hot minute  before she was back to our pew.  In fact it was so fast, I questioned Quick Draw McGraw, doubting that she had even opened her mouth to talk to the priest.  As she is attempting to climb over the back of the pew, she tells me that she had indeed talked to one.  Pointing, she says "That One Right There!"  Okay, then.  She then proceeded to confess to me as well, do her penance and then the Mission was complete.

D is going to be part of the 3rd grade Christmas Cantata at Faith Formation.  His first choice of characters?  A cow.  Lucky boy, that was the part assigned to him last night.  In fact, most of the boys wanted to be the animals.  Go figure.  I am helping Mary, Joseph and the donkey with their parts.  Joseph asked "When is the part where I marry Mary?"  I told him it was already done and he was good to go.  This ought to be good…

Squeezalicous walked around most of yesterday morning crying because she wasn't in any of the preschool photos D has in a little album.  It's something his teacher made for him in his 4 year old class.  She was literally sobbing at one point.  Sheesh.  So, I took one of the 5 flash drives loaded with photos up to the CVS and printed 20 pics of her at various stages of development.  We then headed to Tarjay and purchased a pink album, loaded it up with said photos and I had one happy 3 year old girl.  It made me realized though, how many more photos I have up and around of the GoGo and D.  Poor 3rd child.

The other day she was wandering around downstairs, looking for something to do.  I suggested she go upstairs and play with her sister.  She tells me "I can't.  GoGo said if I can come in her room again, she will call the police."  In her Elmer Fudd voice, this made me die.

The kids' classes are participating in some program to help a village in Africa purchase livestock and water purifiers.  I hope I understand it correctly, but that's about the gist of it.  So, they are to do chores and earn money to donate.  D came home and wanted to spend $50 of his own piggy bank money so "I can buy a pig for somebody."  Love that boy.  I talked him down to $20 as I know the rest of the class are also generously giving.  GoGo was good with $10.  Of course, she can't find her wallet she has stashed all her monies in, anyway.  Guess who got to donate?

I am done Christmas shopping with the exception of one thing for D and it's super easy.  I am wrapping everything Thursday and then on to baking!  I ordered a couple of Christmas albums off Etsy so after school the kids do their homework to Bing Crosby and Ray Conniff.  I don't know how much it adds to their brain function, but it's fun.

So ready for Christmas here, except for the fact we have no tree yet.  Some great friends came into town this weekend and it was a non-stop party.  So, we never made it to a tree lot but tomorrow is a new day and I don't think these kids will let too much more time go by without one.

Counting down...

Thanks for the Laughs

The other day I thought to myself as I listened to and watched my kids play, I genuninely enjoy these little people.  Which is a nice thought, considering they are my children. But I love watching the slow transformation into the big people they will become someday.  Hopefully, not anytime too soon.

The other night I made a rockin' Sheperds Pie.  D came in from playing in the neighborhood and asked what was for dinner.  I opened the oven door to show him my masterpiece and he said, "I'm not interested."  I would have expected the response Gogo gave me, which was to crinkle up her nose and tell me "I am NOT eating THAT!"  He kills me though-a 70 year old man trapped in a 9 year olds body some days.   He actually ended up eating 2 bowls of it and praised it highly.
He doesn't miss many details, which is a trait he 110% inherited from his daddy.  His teacher I'm sure by now, has recognized this and yesterday made him Donut Police at a class party they had.  His sole job was to stand there and make sure people only took one donut and they one they touched first was the one they put on their plate.  I'm certain he was as good as gold at this.

Speaking of good as gold, Gogo was awarded Star Student last week.  It was given to her for being a Good Citizen and Rocking Timed Math Quizzes.  She was pleased, to say the least.  I'm not sure what the Citizen thing entails but I do know she rocks math-most days she has finished her math sheet on the bus before even getting home.  Another trait inherited from daddy.
Last night she and I took D to Boy Scouts and while there, she decides to root through my purse.  Holding a tampon like a pitchfork, she asks "What is This For?"  No, I wasn't in a room full of dads and young boys and No, I wasn't sitting next to my neighbor.  Thankfully, I don't think he saw anything.  I snatched it away and quickly told her it was for nothing.  She looked dubious and just gave me a "Whatever".

Squeezalicious has been singing this song in the car lately-"The Sun Goes Down, The Moon Comes Out, I'm a Naked Owl!"  This could very well be the lyrics to a current pop song and of course I would never know it.  She also has the ability to hear a song once or twice and then be able to sing it almost word for word.  In her own language, of course.  Out of my 3, she is the most musical by far.  Finally, one like me.
Yesterday she and I were in a very small boutique, wasting time.  The only people in the store were the two of us, the employee and one other lady.  In her best BIG GIRL VOICE, she bellows "MOM!  I got a booger in my nose!"  I shush her and offer her a kleenex.  She digs for gold in the mirror and I take the tissue, assuming she has conquered it.  But, no.  "MOM!  It's still in there!"  So I shush her again, take the tissue myself and begin to mine.  I am successful and I put the dirty tissue in my purse, along with the loose tampons, old raisins and hand sanitizer floating around in there.  She yells "Where did you put my booger?!"  Gawwdd.

Thanksgiving is only 2 days away and I have a lot to be grateful for.  For these three precious little people, their stories and for just being here to take it all in.

Life

Life is flying by.  I feel as though so many funny things happen on a daily basis with the kids and I mean to blog it so I don't forget it but then, I forget to do so.  Nice one, Memory.

We have officially entered my favorite time of the year-fall with its crunchy leaves and amazing colors, Thanksgiving with the food and fan and Christmas.  I am a junkie for all things Christmas.
I am way ahead on Santa this year-last year was a scramble and I hate that feeling.
Once again, D asked for like 2 things and his sisters asked for the moon.  Par for the course.

I found this Christmas picture from last year-or at least what I was trying to get and use as our "official" picture.  Fail.  But Dear God, they are still precious.

Walks With Purpose can write her name now!  GoGo could as well in 3 year old preschool but D could have cared less about doing that.  I think it may have been the end of 4's/beginning of TK before he could give a legible autograph.  So different.

GoGo informed us the other day that "Math and Geometry are FUN!".  D looked at her as though she had lost her mind and I have to say, I did too a little bit.  That subject is her ace, for sure.

I am struggling a bit finding reading material for D that he is not bored with or hasn't already read.  

He has been tossing the football a good bit lately.  He and daddy have been running plays in the backyard.  If I mention the idea of playing flag football, I instantly get shutdown.  He has an aversion to organized sports.  He just does not like to be "scheduled" too much and I have to agree with that.  I am 100% that way.  He likes the freedom of being able to operate on the fly and there ain't nothing wrong with that.

Tuesday was No School for us.  We accomplished so much and had a great day.  However, I have to throw out the Halloween candy because my 3 snuck into it before leaving the house and then proceeded to behave like maniacs in every public place we visited.  They farted and chased each other around Old Navy, played hide 'n seek in the Trader Joe's and recalled loudly, their fart antics in Jersey Mike's.  

To balance that behavior, they all put on socks and "ice skated" around the downstairs as my new record player blasted The Beach Boys.  I adore them.

 I cannot wait to print this blog in book format one day and share with their significant others/husbands/wife the details of their childhood.  

We still have the new kitten addition, Blueberry.  She survived a vicious attack from a feral cat but I think she's mending quite nicely.  WWP told my sister she "gotted a kitty named Boobary".  

She also told us at dinner last night that sometimes "the kitty sniffs her hand" and then WWP "bumps her a wittle, not too hard."  Animal Planet might need to do an intervention here.

GoGo's First Confession is coming up the end of the month.  D struggled to come up with enough sins to confess (please) but something tells me GoGo won't have that problem.  

I am so thankful for these three incredibly different little people and all that they have brought to my life.  Even when they fart and run.

Scratch One off the List

We successfully completed a Bucket List entry last week by taking 3 little people to Disney.
I have to say, it was more fun than I anticipated.  We were exhausted and our wallets quite a bit lighter, but a good time was had by all.  My inlaws were able to come down with us and that made the trip even better.  We did Legoland, Seaworld and Magic Kingdom so each person got something a little special just for them, although they all loved each park.  We crammed a lot in just a few days.  But a week would have been just too much for us - this was just right.

These pictures are not great quality-I didn't use my big camera.  So, these were all iPhone.  In fact, I'm going to try film for a while.  At least as long as I can still buy it and get it developed.


The night before we left, Walks With Purpose scored 2 tickets to Disney on Ice from a sweet friend.  She was in heaven.

WWP at the Lego Driving School.  Somehow, she managed to earn her drivers license.

Legoland had a really cool Driving School for the older kids complete with stop lights, traffic circles and crazy drivers.

Another highlight for WWP-meeting Buzz Lightyear just minutes after we exited the Buzz Lightyear ride.  There was a time in D's young life when he could not sleep without Buzz by his side so I think he was digging it too.

The Castle-what we all wanted to see.

GoGo in the Duplo section at Legoland.

Flamingos partying at Seaworld.

Jaws...

My Sweet Three

Our newest family member, upon our return.  Blueberry.  Don't ask me why.

The Club

Well, I made it.  To the "40" club - and no, that is not a reference to any large bottle of alcohol best served in a brown paper bag.  Last month I turned the Big 4-0 and I am so happy to have done so.  For a hypochondriac such as myself, making it this far is a real accomplishment.  Although the flip side of that is, my once-around could be half way over.  But, such is life.

Turning 40 offers one an opportunity to reflect on life, past mistakes and joys, the future.  Since my birthday fell on a Monday, I really did none of those things.  Instead, I did what I always do; laundry, chased Nora, worked a little, helped kids with homework, shuttled them to Faith Formation, taught Faith Formation and shuttled back to Scouts.  Throw in some baths and bedtime routines, and there was my day.
But I was here, with my people, and that was the best gift.  Although a new tank watch wouldn't have been too awful, either.  I did enjoy a wonderful ice cream birthday cake.  And Zac Brown tix.  And the next day enjoyed a long ladies lunch with much laughter and sweet gifts.  Had coffee with friends.
So.  It was all good.

Fall is coming/here, depending on the day and that makes me incredibly happy.  It's my favorite season and I love the things we do as a family this time of year.  We have the pumpkin patch, mountain day trip and App State football game coming.  Plus, I know Christmas is quickly approaching and I live for that.  In fact, I have already purchased 4 gifts for my little people.  Way ahead.  Not.

Walks With Purpose is in love with a little boy in her preschool class.  Too young?  I don't know.  My best friend as a child and I each had 'boyfriends' when we were in preschool together.  But WWP is funny about it and not afraid to tell God and everybody about this boy.  She is holding her own in a class with 2 girls and 9 boys.  In fact, she asked Santa for a tool bench so she can have one at school and one at home.  For all of her DIY projects, I suppose.

GoGo joined Girl Scouts, or Brownies to be more precise.  She also is wanting to start gymnastics now-it's ever-changing with this girl.  She is acing math at school and I love that about her.  As a girl who most definitely sucked at math, I love that she gets it.  Smart girls are cool.

D is having a great run.  He won the Terrific Kid Award last week, came in first in a Fun Run and completed his first 5k this weekend.  Love to see him shine.

We are headed to Disney in a few short weeks and I am so excited to see their faces.  D can't wait to do the rides and Legoland, GoGo is dying to see Shamu and the dolphin shows at Seaworld and WWP is going to own the Big Castle! at Magic Kingdom.  My inlaws are joining us and the kids are psyched about that.  Plus they get to miss a few days of school.  Good times.

And That's a Wrap

Well.  Our fantabulous summer has come to an end.  I was sad to see it go.  We had such a great time together-so many awesome road trips, good times with family and friends, wonderful memories.

School has started for everyone and it's going well.  Activities have also started.  We are picking up a few extra as we go along.  Losing some as well.

GoGo joined Girl Scouts last night.  She wants to start gymnastics too but the only available time interferes with Mom's Friday evening socializing so we'll see.  I will try to find an alternative because she seems pretty certain on this.  She continues to rock the piano.  She has also discovered what I already knew-she is pretty good at math.  It seems to come more naturally to her than reading does.  She has been called to the front to show things on the white board to her classmates and she pretends she is embarrassed but I know my girl and she is deep down proud.

Walks With Purpose may start a tumbling class-or ballet.  We'll see.  She is happy just playing with friends right now and learning new things at her little preschool.  She is only one of 2 girls in a class of 11.  She has already asked Santa for a tool bench.  I have started calling her Squeezalicious lately.  I can't help myself.

D wants to take a break from guitar.  While this breaks my heart, I cannot argue with him.  He has been doing it since February/March.  He has not practiced as he should.  But.  I firmly believe if you are not feeling something, really loving it, then maybe you should keep on exploring.  He told me that basically you are born, go to school, get a job and work and then die.  He said he doesn't want to do stuff that makes him unhappy, he wants to have a good life.  Profound for a nine year old, no?  And I don't think he was talking about the backpack and briefcase parts of life.  I think he means the extra stuff that is not essential to happiness.  He has known what he likes for a long time now.  He likes to create whether it's building or drawing or writing.  That is his "thing".  He loves being outside, riding bikes and fishing.  He wants to become certified to dive.  If there were a club or class for boys that included playing in the woods, snorkeling and building stuff, he would be in absolute heaven.

I taught my first 3rd grade Faith Formation class this week.  Thank God I have a co-teacher now, otherwise there would have been several visits to the Confessional, I fear.
Two mistakes my first go at it:  1.  I failed to have a closing prayer so I had to threaten TWO prayers plus bring your Rosary next class!  2.  We have a sweet boy with an alert dog for his diabetes.  This dog is a precious chocolate lab that I loved all over for the entire hour when I could find a way to his corner.  After class the mother of said boy instructed me to inform the group that there was to be no attention paid to said dog-no petting, no talking to.  Ooops.

We have Disney coming up next month, which I cannot believe and cannot wait for.
Then before we know it we will be frying turkeys, singing carols and opening gifts.  This year has flown by, as they all do now.

All good things must come to an end.

Nora-isms

If I don't write these things down, there is no way my feeble mind will be able to recall them at a later date.  And I know I will want to be able to.

While biking in Jamaica, Nora whined "Dad!  It's hot!  My wegs (legs) need water!"

While visiting the Abe Lincoln Museum, we picked up a pink Civil War infantry cap for her to wear.  Because, she insisted.  So the other day I catch a glimpse of her in panties and cap only, rounding the corner, singing to herself.

The other night we're all 5 snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie.  She leans in and whispers to me "Mom, I gotta tell you a secret.  I wuv you."  I squeeze her and smile.  She goes over to hubs and again, leans in close for the secret telling.  "Dad, I gotta tell you a secret.  I wuv candy!"  My girl.

Today she and I were milling around the driveway, waiting for the bus to bring home D and Gogo.  She insisted upon checking the mailbox and just as she got there, a lawn truck rumbled by.  I yelled for her to stay on the side of the road.  The truck passes without incident and she says to me "See Mom!  I told you!  No cars runned me over today!"

Also while we're waiting for the big yellow ride, we spy a wasp in the grass.  I tell her to watch out for those guys, as they can sting.  Her eyes widen.  "They can STING me??  WHY?!?!  I am a nice person!"


Today was the first day of school for D and Gogo.  WWP starts next Tuesday.  It was weird to not have them with me today as we ran errands and played at home.  I missed them.  No surprise this morning-D and Mommy didn't want to get up and Gogo was up on the first call.  It seems both had a good first day-nothing too exciting and nothing negative.  They both made a new friend or two.
And that is about all you can ask for, any day.

Yeah, Mon. No Problem.

We are settling back into reality after a wonderful week in Jamaica.  We stayed at the Half Moon, the same resort we went to 5 years ago when hubs' brother got married.  Upon arrival, it didn't appear kid friendly.  It's like stepping back in time - no high rises, just beautiful one and two story villas, white washed and filled with British Colonial furnishings.  Which is appropriate, as Jamaica was a British colony until just 50 years ago.
But the kids had a ball!  We rode our bikes to each meal and all around the resort, we partied on the beach with snorkels, sailboats and buckets, we kissed dolphins, we were on a first name basis at the swim up bar.  The kids even had 2 mornings of camp that included golf, massage and beach olympics.  How much better can it get?

I would say by the end of the 2nd day, most staff knew WWP by first name.  I don't know if that was from me yelling her name as I chased her around the pool or what but as we passed housekeeping in the morning, we would hear a "There is Nora!  Good morning, girl!"  Nora would pass by on her bike and say "Everybody knows Nora".  And then I died laughing.

The other cool thing is that while there are a lot of American families there, it's still heavily British and European so we were able to meet some interesting folks.  My kids got to see their first 9 year old boy in a Speedo.  It's good for them to see there is a great big world out there and not everyone dresses, talks, eats like you.

I was unable to capture the lushness that was the resort-towering palm trees, hot pink flowers of various types, green foliage.  All nestled against the white wash of the beautiful buildings.  My camera and my ability were lacking but I gave it a go.  I took a gazillion pics, many on my phone.  I don't have time now to go through them all but here is a quick sampling.

The Lobby

GoGo Chillaxin'

Straight Out of My Camera

Discussing the huge fish they just saw underwater

Just D and Me on the beach this afternoon

Our Suite, viewed from our "private" beach

Pool closest to our suite and nobody was ever there!

Swim Up Bar Pool…everybody's fave

A critter in the bushes by the pool

A critter in the water on the beach

Making that huge hermit crab sanctuary

Pedaling for her life-she did great first time on training wheels

The boys sailing

Just Give Peace a Chance, GoGo says

The courtyard between the suites on our end

WWP partying in the hot tub

I want to live here…it's a cottage built out in the ocean just for massage and yoga...

Helping WWP dig on the beach




We made some awesome memories this week and we all hated to come home.  But school starts next week and life as we know it here keeps moving forward.  We have had the best summer and I hate to see it end!  Some playdates and pool time this week and then it's backpacks and homework next.  Both my kids got awesome teachers this year so I am looking forward to a great school year!  Even though I dread getting up at the crack of dawn…such is life and ours is a good one.

Free and Easy

It is a very good thing I am not particularly skilled at playing an instrument right now and that I have 3 little people and other earthly commitments or I would be playing on a street corner in Nashville in a HOT MINUTE.

I just got back from my first girls trip in Music City and to say we had fun would just be stupid.  We owned that party.  We hit the "musical must-sees", shopped, had a great dinner our last night and laughed.  And laughed.  And cried from laughing.  And wet ourselves a wee bit from all that laughter.

I figured the first night we would all be up for a late night out and we surely were.  We sang our hearts out, burned through cash at the bar and laughed like deranged hyenas.
Saturday came.  Good Lord.  The only cure was a lot of Starbucks and a pile of greasy bacon.

But the 8 of us rallied old school and closed it down Saturday night.  I hated to see Sunday come for a couple of reasons, least of which was my epic hangover.  My abs literally ached from laughing so hard and often.

These girls are the real deal-I have laughed with them and cried with them.  They know me and my faults and still don't unfriend me.  I don't have to hide anything about where I came from with them, as we all know the same streets and characters.
We took this trip for a few reasons, one being that about half of us are turning 40 this year.  We talked of a trip when we turn 50.  I hope we can swing a few between now and then.  If my abs can take it.

I came home to a chorus of "Mommy!  Mommy!  Mommy!" and it was so good to see my people.  GoGo had called me 3 times on Sunday and in one of our conversations, she told me she was making bottle cap bracelets.  I assumed she meant from a craft kit.  Nope.  She informed me that she made her own with "what she found around the house."  Nice.  Mommy could have made a few or 50 of these this weekend too.

For the Love of Pork

Too good not to write down somewhere and here will do.

Dear friends and wonderful neighbors are moving away in a few weeks.  Huge bummer.
But good for them.  And we wish them well and are already planning an epic road trip.

So.  Folks are planning a going away party for them and we had mentioned doing a huge bbq.  I was telling hubs this at dinner and mentioned we may just get a whole pig and roast it.
Gogo had been lying quietly on the couch, minding her beeswax.  Suddenly she pops up and with absolute glee shouts out "What?!  We are wrestling a PIG?!"  Seriously.
I tell her no, we are going to roast one and EAT it.  Still obsessed with the idea of swine being at the same party as she, I am asked with unconcealed excitement if "the pig will be in a cage and can we pet it??!!"  Sheesh.

Unrelated but not unimportant, we spent a few days with another batch of dear friends in Atlanta last week.  We weren't inside 15 seconds and all 3 of my little people disappeared with their friends and were not heard from until dinner time.  It was as if they just played together last week, no time elapsing.  I love that about this family.
And while on paper, it would seem the two mommies have nada in common, in reality we are a great example of friendship to our children.  Our childhoods and cultural backgrounds are totally opposite, she is younger than me by a high school career, our musical tastes are polar extremes.  And yet.  She is one of my best friends and it is just a huge joke on God's part that we are not living as Betty and Wilma right now, talking over the fence that separates our yards.  So, even though we don't have every single thing in common, we are still tight.  And that is a good lesson for my little people-you don't have to like, do, live like everyone else.  And you can still be friends.


Speaking of friends.  I am off on my first EVER girls weekend starting this Friday, with my Ya-Yas.  My girls from 20+ years ago.  My forever friends.  We are going to put a good dent in the beer supplies of Nashville, catch some live music, eat well and shop.  And laugh until we cry.  I'm wearing waterproof mascara all weekend.
I am nervous about leaving my little people.  I have never been away from all of them for more than 24 hours, and that was work related and I was right downtown Charlotte.  This will be different for all of us but FUN for mom.  Plus, I get to drive for 7 hours alone with my music as loud as I want.  Yay me.

Water shoes arrived yesterday for my kiddos, for our trip to Jamaica-mon next week.  As Walks with Purpose has been pointing out for about 2 months, "she is going to wide on horseys AND dolphins!"  We shall see.  But a good time will be had by all, regardless of which of God's creatures we galavant around on.

What a great summer this has been-my kids have had lots of fun trips, seen lots of cool stuff and had a great time.  Kind of makes me want to homeschool.  For a hot minute.

Dancing Queen

I think before the summer is over I'm going to introduce GoGo to some Abba and Donna Summer.  They have some dance music I think she might dig.  She learned "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" at dance camp this week and suddenly she is into the old school stuff.

There could not have been a more suitable camp for this girl - Oceans in Commotion was the title.  It was all about the beach, surfer girls and fun in the sun.  Perfecto.

Her program was today and I have to say, she rocked it.  I was not a girl who participated in dance willingly as a child so I am not 100% comfortable with this sport.  But my GoGo was totally in her element today.  Huge smile the whole time, routine down pat, good timing and some serious sashaying.  Love her!

This girl just danced her heart out sans music, yet in the rain.  If she doesn't get a little bit of outside time each day, she is not a happy camper.  She is a wet mess here but happy as a clam.

No pics of my sweet D, of course.  He manned the video of GoGo's performance and then wouldn't have any photo taking of himself.  Figures.

Looks like a wet weekend but there is a party in there somewhere, quick road trip next week and then back to the pool and summer lounging.  

Sort of dreading school starting.  Ask me again in 20 minutes, though.

Conquering Our Fears

Walks With Purpose has been participating in swim lessons for the last week, finishing up this Thursday.  As she just turned 3 last month, I should have been doing this a long time ago.  But, when you are the 3rd child, sometimes things don't get done when they should/need to.

So.  She's in a semi-private with one other child.  Up to this point, she has loved the water.  She hasn't wanted to go past the rope marking the 3-4ft change but, whatever.  She hasn't cried.  Or thrown up.

First time for everything!  The first 2 days were great-you can see her smiling, blowing bubbles and she successfully submerged herself a record 3 times.  D observed that and said "Look, Mom.  The beast went under water."  We HAVE to get a new nickname and quick.  

Day 3 for some reason, she threw up half way through the lesson.  Without taking in any water or eating anything bizarre for breakfast.  Immediately after, she was seen dancing around the pool deck to "Chicken Fried."  

Day 4 was a total calamity from start to finish.  I had to nearly hog tie her to get her swimsuit on and she wailed in the car the whole (8 minute drive) to the pool.  She cried from the car, to the teacher and for the next 30 minutes straight.  It was a banner day for me as a mom.

I don't know what happened but already she's telling me today she doesn't want to go.  D had real fears of the water when he was her age so I may end up putting her in Little Otter to help with all of this.

Like her sister's swimsuit on her?  A size 6?!?!  That cleavage is a bit much on a 3 year old but the rest of the suit fits fine.

Notice the epic red rash on her back-still not sure what it was but looked like about 20 skeeter bites that never itched or hurt.  Weird but gone now.

Horrible Iphone pic but we are riding the train at Concord Mills.  A first for us and a treat after braving the Lego store with all of them.  Sheesh.

See these guys?  This is about how old they were on our first trip to Jamaica.  I cannot believe how little they were.  Gogo wasn't even 2!  Well, next month we are taking them again, this time with WWP.  I cannot wait-this time my older two will be able to snorkel, swim with the dolphins and a ton of other stuff that they were just too little to do.  And WWP can ride a bike with training wheels so we can cruise the property together.

My only fear is of WWP on the plane.  She has flown before but she was a comatose 8 week old in a pumpkin seat with a bottle shoved in her mouth to quiet her.  Now she is an energetic chatterbox that has a hard time sitting still.  Benadryl, anyone?  Joking.  Maybe.

Lest I Forget the Funnies...

Just a few things my little people have done or said that have cracked me up lately…and my brain will forget these gems if I don't get them down somewhere.

On our trip back from the 'Lou,  Gogo fell asleep about 20 minutes from home.  She's all slumped over in the 3rd row, clearly out.  I call back to her several times, letting her know we were almost home.  No response.  So now Walks With Purpose starts yelling "GOGO!  GOGO!  WAKE UP!!!"  No response.
I am beginning to get a little concerned, as there is a whole lot of yelling on our part and ZERO response on hers.  At the traffic light on our exit, I ask D to quickly unbuckle and go back there to check on her.  He gets right in her face while shaking her shoulders and says "Mom Says To Wake Up-We Are Almost Home!!!"  She has that reaction we all do when woken suddenly.  Her arms flailed, she looked like a deer in headlights and she yelled.  D tells her "Mom thought you were dead so I HAD to wake you up!"  My D knows me so well.

Yesterday WWP was rooting through the pantry as she tends to do.  "Buzz, I need a snack!"  "I mean MOM, I need a snack!"
Apparently there is a line in Toy Story 3 where one toy says to another "Hey Buddy, you better keep your mouth shut!"  Yesterday WWP tells me that and I die laughing.  It is so funny the way she says the Hey Buddy part.  So I suggest she share that with Daddy.  Her rendition is "Hey Daddy, you better keep your mouth shut!"
Think someone watches too much Toy Story??

Gogo went to the mall with friends in the neighborhood the other day and bought a makeup set at Claires.  My Gawwdd, the memories that brought back!  Anyway, she has been practicing her "art".  Yesterday she applied a wee bit o' green eyeshadow.  I mean to the point that when she turned around, she looked like the guy from Lucky Charms cereal.  I guess hubs appeared startled to see her all done up but Gogo simply says "I know-I look fashion and beautiful."  Gotta give it to her being so self-assured.

I love that these guys can make me laugh so much with so little effort.

Flyover States

I am officially a Road Warrior.  I just completed back to back road trips with my 3 little people, the second one sans hubs.  In D's words, it was Epic.  Our return trip from the 'Lou we made straight through in 14 hours.  I would not suggest this to just anyone.  It requires lots of snacks, new books/games/toys, good music and the knowledge of a Blue Moon at the end of the road.

I don't know how to explain the smell in our van right now, but it's righteous.  I need to call a fumigation team today to sanitize it.
Walks with Purpose essentially potty trained while on the trip.  Again, not something I would recommend to most mothers.  We had to use the training potty on the side of a few interstates and we quickly came to realize that she simply prefers to pee in the grass on the side of the road.  Whatever works.
My kids are GREAT road trippers.  Of course, there were some bouts with whining and bickering and crying jags but really, those were few and far between.
I was really impressed with how sweet D and Gogo were with my grandma.  She is 87, in a nursing home and not accustomed to loud little people.  They were so thoughtful of her and I was really proud of them.
You learn a lot about your kids while hurtling driving down the road with them.  WWP is very capable of entertaining herself for long stretches, if need be.  Gogo is like me-she just needs her music and a good book.  My D is a thinker.  He and I had some interesting conversations-he is a dreamer and wanderer as I was a child.

We drove through a few flyover states and all around them and their stark beauty never ceases to amaze me.  Where we live now is very lush and green and mountains can be found not too far from our driveway.  So, the kids are always surprised to see such flat land-nothing but cornstalks and sky in most directions.

This trip we did a lot of things I did as a kid or very young adult but had sort of forgotten about.  The kids loved it all.  D and Gogo both told their dad last night how awesome the trip was and how much fun they had.  I think D failed to mention he didn't want to come home and would have gladly stayed a bit longer at Grandpa's house.

Yummy food found here.  And cool chairs.

We drove up to Springfield to see the Lincoln stuff and it was beyond cool.  This old train station was right across the street from the new museum.  Totally worth the drive.

The Lincoln Tomb was really moving.  We rubbed his nose for good luck on the way in.

I had not been down here in many years but it was still so neat.  D was in heaven because of all the crystals and the rest of us welcomed the 60 degree temps on a 95 degree day.

We also just bummed around the City.  We did the Science Center, Cunetto's, the Landing and 

Soulard Market.  This place is so cool and way more than any farmers market they have ever been to. 

There was a lot of merry-making in general on our visit.  It's so bittersweet to go home-I love to see everyone and show my kids all the cool stuff but it breaks my heart to leave.

 My kids are beyond exhausted.  We plan to catch up with friends, hang by the pool and generally enjoy summer break laziness for a while.  One more Epic trip in August then back to reality.  Thank God for summer break!