The last few days I feel like I need to be cloned in order to handle all the little people requests of me.
More than usual, I think.
There is so much they want to show me, tell me, do with me. And it's exhausting.
Sometimes the din is so loud with all of them trying to "out-loud" the next one that I want to scream.
Instead, I grab a Blue Moon and go with it.
But later when the house is quiet as they are all tucked safely in their beds, I ponder.
On how quickly the day will be here when my house is quiet with them here because they won't want to talk to me. I know this will be a phase but it could be a doozy, while it lasts.
They won't burst in the door yelling for me to come look at what they've just make in the backyard.
They won't draw me pictures telling me how much they love me while I cook dinner.
They won't want me to read the same book over and over and over again to them.
They won't make a hundred different requests of me anymore-tv shows, snacks, playdates.
What will I do then?
I try really hard not to lose my mind when I'm feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with them, but I fail often.
Instead, I want to try and enjoy even these crazy days where I feel like I'm drowning.
Because I will miss this crazy when it's gone.
In the midst of all this chaos from the past few days, a few funnies.
I found some huge cardboard boxes in the attic and I gave them to the kids to make a fort with on a rainy afternoon. We got duct tape out, markers to decorate, blankets for the inside.
All was well at first.
Then GoGo got a wild hair and started messing with the somewhat fragile design. D yells at her to stop.
I ask her to stop annoying D and to leave the fort alone.
D says "I Told You Mom. She's Butt." Just butt, nothing more.
At dinner the other night there was a bit of silence while everyone chewed happily.
A random toot was heard. Eyes lifted, scanned each others' faces to determine the culprit.
A wee little voice from the end of the table says "twee fwahg!" Walks with Purpose...
I am putting books away in GoGo's room the other and I spy her recently purchased Sharks book.
It is open to the pages with the Great White and I notice she has circled the picture with the gnashing teeth and gaping mouth, wrote YOU ROCK and put a gold star sticker on it. Jacque Cousteau wannabe...
Bend an elbow, here's to The Crazy.
Fall, Meet George of the Jungle
Fall finally decided to show up this weekend and it was fantastic.
We took the kids to the high school's Homecoming game. We were not dressed for the chilly temps but it was fun anyway.
We made home-made chili, played outside, built a fort and enjoyed the sun and cool blue skies. In jackets and boots. Love.
Walks with Purpose learned the appropriate time to say "Tree Frog" and sang "We Will Rock You" while feeding the birds (although her version is more like "We WHIL WoK U".
Hubs and I went with some friends to do the Canopy Tour at the National Whitewater Center.
It was awesome and I can say that with confidence, now that I am on the ground again.
I am not really a wuss when it comes to heights or "mildly adventurous things" but I was a bit freaked for probably the first hour. I was several platforms and zips into it before I could actually look around me and take in all the incredible scenery. Up to that point, there was a lot of wild-eyes and cursing.
I would highly recommend it to anyone not afraid of heights or peeing their pants in public. Wear black.
We took the kids to the high school's Homecoming game. We were not dressed for the chilly temps but it was fun anyway.
We made home-made chili, played outside, built a fort and enjoyed the sun and cool blue skies. In jackets and boots. Love.
Walks with Purpose learned the appropriate time to say "Tree Frog" and sang "We Will Rock You" while feeding the birds (although her version is more like "We WHIL WoK U".
Hubs and I went with some friends to do the Canopy Tour at the National Whitewater Center.
It was awesome and I can say that with confidence, now that I am on the ground again.
I am not really a wuss when it comes to heights or "mildly adventurous things" but I was a bit freaked for probably the first hour. I was several platforms and zips into it before I could actually look around me and take in all the incredible scenery. Up to that point, there was a lot of wild-eyes and cursing.
I would highly recommend it to anyone not afraid of heights or peeing their pants in public. Wear black.
Heathens and Horses
I probably shouldn't tell stories about teaching Faith Formation but I can't help myself.
A few things from yesterday...
1. Teaching the kids about parables. Ask if anyone went to Mass this past Sunday and heard the parable about the Prodigal Son. Every child but 2 nodded their heads NO, they had not been to Church and therefore, had NOT heard the story.
I feigned disappointment, as we had not made it either.
Lovely leader, I am.
2. Asked the kids about their favorite Bible stories. No fewer than 3 told me they "didn't know any." Hmm. About 5 really and truly told me they had never heard about Noah and the Ark.
Now, I am a heathen in the finest sense and my kids are certainly no better for it but really? All that stuff about the big boat and loading the animals 2-by-2? Wow. We have our work cut out for us this year.
3. Finally after some story telling, we ask the kids to draw and write about their favorite parable. At this point, any story about Jesus and God will suffice. One kid's fave was "the one where God died." Really.
I had to seriously bite my tongue and not inquire "Really? Is that REALLY your favorite? The one where he DIES? And are you sure HE dies?"
But I am an adult and I am able to control my sarcastic tongue when surrounded by 8 year olds.
4. I pick up my 2 older ones after class and we are on our way to pick up Walks With Purpose from the nursery. I see D holding his class book and ask GoGo where hers is. She looks very confused. I ask her again. Again, the face.
By this point my voice may have started to get a bit loud as I asked her again, where her book was. I tell her we have to pick up Walks with Purpose and now we have to walk back to your class to get your book and we will be late and For the Love of Pete. One or two mothers may have glanced our way.
Then D, my smart and sweet boy, gently taps the book in my hand. He gives me a look like "Really, the book? The one in YOUR HAND?" For the Love of Pete.
I think all of this heat and rain is affecting my brain. Thank God I saw a few small signs of Fall around today.
http://theroostphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/slowly-but-surely.html
A few things from yesterday...
1. Teaching the kids about parables. Ask if anyone went to Mass this past Sunday and heard the parable about the Prodigal Son. Every child but 2 nodded their heads NO, they had not been to Church and therefore, had NOT heard the story.
I feigned disappointment, as we had not made it either.
Lovely leader, I am.
2. Asked the kids about their favorite Bible stories. No fewer than 3 told me they "didn't know any." Hmm. About 5 really and truly told me they had never heard about Noah and the Ark.
Now, I am a heathen in the finest sense and my kids are certainly no better for it but really? All that stuff about the big boat and loading the animals 2-by-2? Wow. We have our work cut out for us this year.
3. Finally after some story telling, we ask the kids to draw and write about their favorite parable. At this point, any story about Jesus and God will suffice. One kid's fave was "the one where God died." Really.
I had to seriously bite my tongue and not inquire "Really? Is that REALLY your favorite? The one where he DIES? And are you sure HE dies?"
But I am an adult and I am able to control my sarcastic tongue when surrounded by 8 year olds.
4. I pick up my 2 older ones after class and we are on our way to pick up Walks With Purpose from the nursery. I see D holding his class book and ask GoGo where hers is. She looks very confused. I ask her again. Again, the face.
By this point my voice may have started to get a bit loud as I asked her again, where her book was. I tell her we have to pick up Walks with Purpose and now we have to walk back to your class to get your book and we will be late and For the Love of Pete. One or two mothers may have glanced our way.
Then D, my smart and sweet boy, gently taps the book in my hand. He gives me a look like "Really, the book? The one in YOUR HAND?" For the Love of Pete.
I think all of this heat and rain is affecting my brain. Thank God I saw a few small signs of Fall around today.
http://theroostphotography.blogspot.com/2011/09/slowly-but-surely.html
Shark Attacks and Awards
D came home on Friday with an "Outstanding Student Award" certificate. Apparently he was chosen from his class to receive it, got his name announced on the school TV show in the a.m. and got to go to the Media Center (Library, people) and get a special pencil.
I asked him why he received it. He said "just because I always give my best effort in class". Ok.
But did you do one thing in particular that got you the award? "No, I'm just always good". Ok, then.
For some reason he's back on the Legos he got like 3 or 4 years ago. They no longer make them so of course each set is like a thousand dollars now. Maybe not quite that much, but a lot for Santa's list.
So he's been building replicas of the sets he wants.
My girls. GoGo cried when she found out D received that award. Why are you so upset, I asked her?
"Because I'll NEVER get that award!" Hmm.
Lately I have been finding wounded Barbies around our house. Some with legs missing from the knee down, others without heads. Yesterday I found these 2, lying around.
I asked GoGo - what is up with all these injured Barbies?
"Shark Attacks". That was really and truly her answer.
She is obsessed with sharks right now.
I don't know if she's going into Marine Biology or horror films, but right now she would watch Jaws everyday if I let her.
WHO bit this one's arm???
My Walks With Purpose. Taking it all in.
At Least We Were in the Right Place For It
So I survived my first attempt at teaching a Faith Formation class.
Or as my kids call it, "The Class About God."
Which, they say, they don't really need. Because they already know all about God.
Because they are very clearly in dire need of warm bodies (hence, they asked ME to teach) I signed our happy selves right on up and Walks with Purpose attended nursery while the other 2 received instruction.
I was to have a co-teacher who unfortunately for me and my students, was a no-call/no-show. Bummer.
I had to wake Walks With Purpose up from a nice nap to even get there on time so it's not hard to imagine her state when dropped off at nursery for the first time.
In fact, I received a frantic call about 20 minutes later to attend to her, as she had an explosively, bloody nose. Nice. My first thought? She probably had some sort of apple-sized mass in her sinus cavity, causing her little nose to gush blood. My next thought? At least we are here, on Church property. Maybe some extra call lines to the Upstairs.
After seeing that she was fine with Elmo on the tv and snacks in her hand, I returned to my class.
Which at that point, consisted of only my oldest child. Then in a crazy rush, they all came bustin' in. Fifteen of them, one of me.
There were 2 in particular that I quickly realized WILL require extra "laying of the hands."
My brain was yelling PUNKS while my mouth sweetly inquired if everyone there remembered the Our Father from last year?
Again, at least we are here. Pray for patience, NOW.
GoGo had to be peeled from me like an old fruit roll-up when I dropped her off at her class. She hadn't pulled that stunt in a very long time. But on the return trip, she barely acknowledged me in the hall as she filed by with her class. Well. Hope she was saying some of those Our Fathers when she walked on by.
I felt good when I left even though I doubt I inspired any child to consider the Church as a vocation. Maybe next week...
Or as my kids call it, "The Class About God."
Which, they say, they don't really need. Because they already know all about God.
Because they are very clearly in dire need of warm bodies (hence, they asked ME to teach) I signed our happy selves right on up and Walks with Purpose attended nursery while the other 2 received instruction.
I was to have a co-teacher who unfortunately for me and my students, was a no-call/no-show. Bummer.
I had to wake Walks With Purpose up from a nice nap to even get there on time so it's not hard to imagine her state when dropped off at nursery for the first time.
In fact, I received a frantic call about 20 minutes later to attend to her, as she had an explosively, bloody nose. Nice. My first thought? She probably had some sort of apple-sized mass in her sinus cavity, causing her little nose to gush blood. My next thought? At least we are here, on Church property. Maybe some extra call lines to the Upstairs.
After seeing that she was fine with Elmo on the tv and snacks in her hand, I returned to my class.
Which at that point, consisted of only my oldest child. Then in a crazy rush, they all came bustin' in. Fifteen of them, one of me.
There were 2 in particular that I quickly realized WILL require extra "laying of the hands."
My brain was yelling PUNKS while my mouth sweetly inquired if everyone there remembered the Our Father from last year?
Again, at least we are here. Pray for patience, NOW.
GoGo had to be peeled from me like an old fruit roll-up when I dropped her off at her class. She hadn't pulled that stunt in a very long time. But on the return trip, she barely acknowledged me in the hall as she filed by with her class. Well. Hope she was saying some of those Our Fathers when she walked on by.
I felt good when I left even though I doubt I inspired any child to consider the Church as a vocation. Maybe next week...
Blessings
There is a very tiny church near my house that I drive by at least 8 times a day.
There is a sign out front that reminds drivers to "Count Your Blessings, Not Your Problems."
Blessing Number One.
Blessing Number Two.
Blessing Number Three.
Trying to appreciate things in the moment with these guys and not worry so much about all the fluff-stuff in life.
I would hate to miss a second with this fabulous trio.
There is a sign out front that reminds drivers to "Count Your Blessings, Not Your Problems."
Blessing Number One.
This Sweet Boy.
Yesterday his teacher told me what a hard worker, good listener and good boy he was.
Things I knew but nice to hear nonetheless.
Blessing Number Two.
My Lovely Middle One.
At her third piano lesson yesterday, she "graduated" to songs. Already.
Blessing Number Three.
The Precious Baby in the Family.
She enjoyed her first week of preschool. She's loving it.
Trying to appreciate things in the moment with these guys and not worry so much about all the fluff-stuff in life.
I would hate to miss a second with this fabulous trio.
Nothing, really
So 2/3 of my little people are back in school. I don't want to jinx anything by even commenting, but things are going well. In terms of getting up without argument, arriving on time, nice teachers, etc.
D in particular is faring well in the a.m. He, like his mother, abhors being woken up early. But he has not uttered one word of complaint since school started last week. He seems to really like his teacher and the rhythm of things.
We are, however, only on Day 6.
GoGo has come with 2 Yellows in a row. For those unaccustomed to quantifying your day with a crayon, this means she received a verbal warning from the teacher. For what? Talking too much, of course. I told her today if she comes home with that again, she will lose some privileges. She reminded me it was the other girl, talking to her that caused her to get in trouble. Naturally.
GoGo also had her first piano lesson yesterday and I am proud to say she rocked it. Granted, it was only 15 minutes long but hey, you gotta start somewhere.
I was really convinced Walks With Purpose was going to be a boy named Jude Patrick and I was going to be able to live all my rock and roll dreams through said child. While she does enjoy her some tunes, she will most likely not be in a Beatles Tribute band.
But GoGo on the piano is very cool. Her math-friendly brain gets the way the keys have order, "finger number"s, etc. Maybe we'll be able to gather 'round the piano at Christmas for some seasonal fare.
Speaking of Walks With Purpose, her preschool open house is today and she starts next Tuesday. She has been clapping her hands all morning when I tell her this.
I have signed her up for 3 days, although I do not intend to send her 3 days every week. I just like the idea of having options. I sent my older ones for 2 days when they were her same age. I was always told "as many days as they are old". And I love doing things Even-Steven when I can. But there may be days when I have a work commitment or need to volunteer at the big kid's school or just need my toes done.
So there we are with the 3 days.
Settling in to a new schedule. New activities. Weekend trips. The holidays before we know it.
Nothing, really. But quite a lot, also.
D in particular is faring well in the a.m. He, like his mother, abhors being woken up early. But he has not uttered one word of complaint since school started last week. He seems to really like his teacher and the rhythm of things.
We are, however, only on Day 6.
GoGo has come with 2 Yellows in a row. For those unaccustomed to quantifying your day with a crayon, this means she received a verbal warning from the teacher. For what? Talking too much, of course. I told her today if she comes home with that again, she will lose some privileges. She reminded me it was the other girl, talking to her that caused her to get in trouble. Naturally.
GoGo also had her first piano lesson yesterday and I am proud to say she rocked it. Granted, it was only 15 minutes long but hey, you gotta start somewhere.
I was really convinced Walks With Purpose was going to be a boy named Jude Patrick and I was going to be able to live all my rock and roll dreams through said child. While she does enjoy her some tunes, she will most likely not be in a Beatles Tribute band.
But GoGo on the piano is very cool. Her math-friendly brain gets the way the keys have order, "finger number"s, etc. Maybe we'll be able to gather 'round the piano at Christmas for some seasonal fare.
Speaking of Walks With Purpose, her preschool open house is today and she starts next Tuesday. She has been clapping her hands all morning when I tell her this.
I have signed her up for 3 days, although I do not intend to send her 3 days every week. I just like the idea of having options. I sent my older ones for 2 days when they were her same age. I was always told "as many days as they are old". And I love doing things Even-Steven when I can. But there may be days when I have a work commitment or need to volunteer at the big kid's school or just need my toes done.
So there we are with the 3 days.
Settling in to a new schedule. New activities. Weekend trips. The holidays before we know it.
Nothing, really. But quite a lot, also.
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