My kids are getting to me a bit this week so today while I listened to them argue/whine/cry/yell/laugh I tried to take myself to my happy place. Without Blue Moon, so the trip was longer than I cared for.
But once I got there, I started making a list. Of things I have loved about them or currently dig about them.
1. When D was not quite 3, he was upset one day over what I cannot recall but he came to me and asked me to "wipe away his cries". I can still recall his chubby little hands swiping his tears off his sweet little face as he asked me this. So innocent. I really felt like a Mommy at that moment.
2. GoGo, when playing with Polly Pockets or stuffed kitties or naked Barbies has the absolute sweetest, lightest, high-pitched (without being annoying) voice that she uses to voice her characters. She had that same voice at 2 and now at 6. I love to sit in the hallway and listen to her in the playroom, completely caught up in her own little make-believe world and oblivious to the Mommy spying on her.
3. All of my kids had blankies. D keeps them stashed in his undies drawer now, GoGo still sleeps with hers though they are completely falling apart. Just the other day I noticed Agent P rubs the corner of her blankie with the same fingers that GoGo uses (still). It could be the same little baby hand, rubbing contentedly as she drifts to sleep. I love watching that.
4. D's eyelashes.
5. GoGo's profile.
6. Agent P's legs, especially when they are running frantically from me.
7. That they all love music.
8. That they are nice to one another when it counts.
9. Tonight D told GoGo to "evacuate his area of the couch". GoGo told him she would fart on his blanket. Agent P ran up and smacked at them both. This shouldn't even be remotely funny but for some reason it just was. I just pretended they belonged to someone else for a minute.
10. I love All of them. Their funny stories, bad fart jokes, sweet hugs, tantrums in the middle of the bookstore, wonderful drawings, awesome forts and beautiful faces.
The End.
Beach Bums
The beach was a blast this year. My kids are at the ages where they have no fears anymore of the water, sand, critters. It was a lot of work chasing Agent P around, though, as she is still at the age where she cannot be left alone near a large body of water. Say, the ocean.
So I got a good workout chasing her around but it was so worth it.
She absolutely partied at the beach-she danced in the tide pools, chased birds and crabs alike, found shells and charged the waves in her little fish floatie as though she were attacking Moby Dick himself.
When he tried crawling into Daddy's shoe, Agent P let.him.have.it. And we never saw him again.
If ever I am blessed enough to own a beach house, this shall be Its Name.
Next year I think we are going to try and stay 2 weeks because it seems just as you get your relaxed beach vibe going, it's time to start packing up and heading home. Always sad to say goodbye but I am thankful we live where we do so we can see the sand and waves in only 3 hours.
Great memories.
So I got a good workout chasing her around but it was so worth it.
She absolutely partied at the beach-she danced in the tide pools, chased birds and crabs alike, found shells and charged the waves in her little fish floatie as though she were attacking Moby Dick himself.
This little guy chased Agent P and I all around the beach one morning.
It is a well documented fact that I have an irrational fear of things that can jump on me without warning-crickets, frogs, grasshoppers. Those creatures make me scream like a ninny.
And I know crabs don't technically JUMP, but by God this one gave it the old college try.
I swear to Pete he was after us.
When he tried crawling into Daddy's shoe, Agent P let.him.have.it. And we never saw him again.
If ever I am blessed enough to own a beach house, this shall be Its Name.
My sweet girls-highlights courtesy of too much sun and exposure.
Tired but still sweet.
D informed us he was going to get rich selling our phone number to boys who requested it to call my GoGo. I think GoGo may become rich too for the opposite reason.
D also informed us he was going to work at the beach building condos and houses but not actually live there himself. When asked why, he replied in a tone of voice that said very clearly that Mom Doesn't Know Anything...that he had to have a job and work and didn't I know it cost a lot to live on the beach and he was going to have to buy food and everything!
Well. This line of thinking does not come from my people.
I stalked the sunset each night but inevitably when it was a huge orange ball in the sky and simply breathtaking, I was without camera or driving across the bridge and Hubs deemed it too dangerous to snap photos while attempting to cross the ICW.
Don't you just love sandy, chunky, baby feet??
My 3 played well together this week-lots of digging, night crabbing, shell collecting and wave jumping.
What GoGo would have looked like on the beach circa 1976.
Building and admiring some sea creature he discovered.
Not sure what is going on here but either she's trying to Jimmy Hoffa him or she's attempting a rescue. Hard to say.
Can you believe we saw a Bambi on the beach??? D spotted him first, of course.
I swear that boy can see through metal.
Next year I think we are going to try and stay 2 weeks because it seems just as you get your relaxed beach vibe going, it's time to start packing up and heading home. Always sad to say goodbye but I am thankful we live where we do so we can see the sand and waves in only 3 hours.
Great memories.
Let the Good Times Roll
Countdown to Beach began oh, about 6 weeks ago.
We finally leave this Saturday and I could not be happier. Bonus - looks like we may run into some local friends also visiting the sand. Extra Bonus - a large body of water to escape the heat, many Blue Moons, other adults to help mind the little people.
Although the reality of that is, as Mommy, I will still be expected to chase my brood around the beach while attempting to read a book and drink beer and listen to my music. And so vacation is a bit of a misnomer but things could be worse. I could be chasing my brood around in 95 degree sun with NO large body of water and NO Blue Moons and NO family around. So, there you have it.
Speaking of sand, D informed me yesterday he was going to move to the beach when he gets big to build condos and other assorted buildings. Bonus - he will let hubs and I visit whenever we want. I adore him.
Gogo informed me the other day her fave beach is Myrtle. WHY?
We've only been there maybe twice with the kids to do rainy day things like the Ripley's Museum and the arcades. We'll have to work on this piece of her puzzle - that's like choosing PBR over Blue Moon.
Agent P, I feel certain, will remove her diaper at least once a day on the beach, attempt to eat sand, run from crabs, be knocked down by waves at least ten times a day and eat her weight in Cheez-its and popcorn.
Maybe while down there, I will buy a winning lotto ticket and we can just extend our stay for a while or 20 years.
We finally leave this Saturday and I could not be happier. Bonus - looks like we may run into some local friends also visiting the sand. Extra Bonus - a large body of water to escape the heat, many Blue Moons, other adults to help mind the little people.
Although the reality of that is, as Mommy, I will still be expected to chase my brood around the beach while attempting to read a book and drink beer and listen to my music. And so vacation is a bit of a misnomer but things could be worse. I could be chasing my brood around in 95 degree sun with NO large body of water and NO Blue Moons and NO family around. So, there you have it.
Speaking of sand, D informed me yesterday he was going to move to the beach when he gets big to build condos and other assorted buildings. Bonus - he will let hubs and I visit whenever we want. I adore him.
Gogo informed me the other day her fave beach is Myrtle. WHY?
We've only been there maybe twice with the kids to do rainy day things like the Ripley's Museum and the arcades. We'll have to work on this piece of her puzzle - that's like choosing PBR over Blue Moon.
Agent P, I feel certain, will remove her diaper at least once a day on the beach, attempt to eat sand, run from crabs, be knocked down by waves at least ten times a day and eat her weight in Cheez-its and popcorn.
Maybe while down there, I will buy a winning lotto ticket and we can just extend our stay for a while or 20 years.
Manners
It really bothers me when adults do not use their manners.
When a 6 year old recognizes that a big person was rude, it's time for some Emily Post.
At least 4 times this week (and it's only Wednesday), we have witnessed adults with absolutely no manners.
Now, this would not be the first time my kids have seen such nonsense. Only in other cases, they may not recognize the rudeness, right away. Like talking about how much someone's house costs or bragging about what someone spent on vacation...that's just bad breeding.
No, these recent situations were the little things that most kids pick up on right away because they are the most basic of manners that I remind my own children of several times a day.
PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
GoGo was kind enough (and without any prodding from me) to hold the door on 2 separate occasions for older ladies and neither one of them said Thank You. And they looked right at her so it's not as if they didn't see her. What does that teach a child?
I always try to let pedestrians cross in busy shopping centers because I am always thankful for the kind folks who let me cross with my insane train of little people when leaving the Teeter, the bookstore, etc. And I always show my gratitude with a flash of the peace.
So twice this week I let folks cross-would it kill you to hold up a hand in thanks? Give me a peace sign-shoutout? Apparently the answer to that question is YES.
Unrelated but not unimportant...GoGo has enjoyed this week with our "girly time" as D has had an all day camp. She has asked me more than once to have "girl chat" (I don't even know what this is, really) where we attempted to talk fashion, friends and our upcoming beach trip. She's only 6 so we didn't solve any global issues but she seemed happy and that's all that counts.
She has also slept walked twice in the past 2 weeks-not sure what to think about that but her doc appt. next month will hopefully shed more light.
Agent P has had the sniffles but seems to be on the mend. She has really enjoyed playing with GoGo and her friends in the nbhood this week.
D has Camp Invention this week-right up his alley. They take things apart, build them back in their own creative way, learn about atoms and have fun. Plus he gets to do it with his buddy so all the better.
Please enjoy the day and Thank You for stopping by.
When a 6 year old recognizes that a big person was rude, it's time for some Emily Post.
At least 4 times this week (and it's only Wednesday), we have witnessed adults with absolutely no manners.
Now, this would not be the first time my kids have seen such nonsense. Only in other cases, they may not recognize the rudeness, right away. Like talking about how much someone's house costs or bragging about what someone spent on vacation...that's just bad breeding.
No, these recent situations were the little things that most kids pick up on right away because they are the most basic of manners that I remind my own children of several times a day.
PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
GoGo was kind enough (and without any prodding from me) to hold the door on 2 separate occasions for older ladies and neither one of them said Thank You. And they looked right at her so it's not as if they didn't see her. What does that teach a child?
I always try to let pedestrians cross in busy shopping centers because I am always thankful for the kind folks who let me cross with my insane train of little people when leaving the Teeter, the bookstore, etc. And I always show my gratitude with a flash of the peace.
So twice this week I let folks cross-would it kill you to hold up a hand in thanks? Give me a peace sign-shoutout? Apparently the answer to that question is YES.
Unrelated but not unimportant...GoGo has enjoyed this week with our "girly time" as D has had an all day camp. She has asked me more than once to have "girl chat" (I don't even know what this is, really) where we attempted to talk fashion, friends and our upcoming beach trip. She's only 6 so we didn't solve any global issues but she seemed happy and that's all that counts.
She has also slept walked twice in the past 2 weeks-not sure what to think about that but her doc appt. next month will hopefully shed more light.
Agent P has had the sniffles but seems to be on the mend. She has really enjoyed playing with GoGo and her friends in the nbhood this week.
D has Camp Invention this week-right up his alley. They take things apart, build them back in their own creative way, learn about atoms and have fun. Plus he gets to do it with his buddy so all the better.
Please enjoy the day and Thank You for stopping by.
Survival Week
This is the first full week I have all 3 little people at home.
No school, no camps, nothing too scheduled except abreak work meeting for Mommy on Friday.
It's Day Two.
My older 2 have playdates in the pm so that leaves Agent P and I to manage her afternoon nap together. Think I got it covered.
Gogo received a new music cd for her bday and she has been dancing like a maniac ever since.
She has this Joe Cocker-Cher thing going on. She has the facial contortions of Joe and the hair swinging of Cher. It absolutely delights me.
I lectured D on his brain turning to mush from too much DS playing over the summer. I could tell by his face, he was trying to figure out if that was at all physically possible. He has had some video game time but also some bike riding, random baseball games, catching fireflies, building forts with this sisters, sleepovers and lots of swimming. I even made him do "homework" yesterday before we left the house. I love that he picked a chapter book called "Fart Powder" for his beach reading. I adore this kid.
Agent P has really started to talk a lot more and I can even understand about 75% of it now. Her hand gestures and facial expressions are what really get me, though.
To demonstrate that Gogo hit her (which I seriously doubt), she came up and yelled "Gogo hidaxibltmd me" while hitting her own chest like a small gorilla. She also does this thing with her eyes, where she looks at you from the corner of her eye. Talk about peripheral vision. I called her Sidewinder the other night because she made laps around our downstairs while walking sideways the entire time. She is an absolute joy.
Mama needs more coffee now...
No school, no camps, nothing too scheduled except a
It's Day Two.
My older 2 have playdates in the pm so that leaves Agent P and I to manage her afternoon nap together. Think I got it covered.
Gogo received a new music cd for her bday and she has been dancing like a maniac ever since.
She has this Joe Cocker-Cher thing going on. She has the facial contortions of Joe and the hair swinging of Cher. It absolutely delights me.
I lectured D on his brain turning to mush from too much DS playing over the summer. I could tell by his face, he was trying to figure out if that was at all physically possible. He has had some video game time but also some bike riding, random baseball games, catching fireflies, building forts with this sisters, sleepovers and lots of swimming. I even made him do "homework" yesterday before we left the house. I love that he picked a chapter book called "Fart Powder" for his beach reading. I adore this kid.
Agent P has really started to talk a lot more and I can even understand about 75% of it now. Her hand gestures and facial expressions are what really get me, though.
To demonstrate that Gogo hit her (which I seriously doubt), she came up and yelled "Gogo hidaxibltmd me" while hitting her own chest like a small gorilla. She also does this thing with her eyes, where she looks at you from the corner of her eye. Talk about peripheral vision. I called her Sidewinder the other night because she made laps around our downstairs while walking sideways the entire time. She is an absolute joy.
Mama needs more coffee now...
Mission Accomplished
Well, Agent P has done it.
She has successfully completed her Mission of Bringing Sweetness, Love and Laughter to our family.
She is the best.
She turned Two yesterday at 1:23pm.
She is easy to please, although we are certainly beginning to navigate the waters of terrible 2's. She can have some drama and some hissy-fits.
But she balances that with her wonderful giggle, hilarious facial expressions, her dancing to absolutely any type of rhythm, her absolute joy in being with her older sister and brother and her sweet baby kisses.
Most days, I could absolutely, positively eat her up with a spoon.
A few minutes in a few days, I could do otherwise. Such as when she is running through the house naked, peeing on the floor or dismantling a Lego creation or dumping a bag of chips all over the pantry.
She continues to amaze me by how much she seems to grow and learn each and every day. She doesn't talk as much as my other 2 did at this age but she certainly understands. Hubs asks her if she wants pancakes for breakfast and she goes right to the cabinet to grab the hand-mixer. She does have a real love of food, especially sweet treats.
She loves to play hide and seek, dance to anything, eat and play anything with Gogo and D.
We love her and are so glad she was assigned to our Mission.
Happy Birthday, Agent P! We Love You!
She has successfully completed her Mission of Bringing Sweetness, Love and Laughter to our family.
She is the best.
She turned Two yesterday at 1:23pm.
She is easy to please, although we are certainly beginning to navigate the waters of terrible 2's. She can have some drama and some hissy-fits.
But she balances that with her wonderful giggle, hilarious facial expressions, her dancing to absolutely any type of rhythm, her absolute joy in being with her older sister and brother and her sweet baby kisses.
Most days, I could absolutely, positively eat her up with a spoon.
A few minutes in a few days, I could do otherwise. Such as when she is running through the house naked, peeing on the floor or dismantling a Lego creation or dumping a bag of chips all over the pantry.
She continues to amaze me by how much she seems to grow and learn each and every day. She doesn't talk as much as my other 2 did at this age but she certainly understands. Hubs asks her if she wants pancakes for breakfast and she goes right to the cabinet to grab the hand-mixer. She does have a real love of food, especially sweet treats.
She loves to play hide and seek, dance to anything, eat and play anything with Gogo and D.
We love her and are so glad she was assigned to our Mission.
Happy Birthday, Agent P! We Love You!
Bubble Whisperer, Birthdays and Ships that have Sailed
D is the Bubble Whisperer, apparently. Who knew? We had the in-laws over this weekend for a joint birthday shindig for the girls and he amused Agent P with bubbles for quite a while. Big Ones.
My girls are getting big. Obviously, this makes me incredibly happy in that they both made it another year and they enjoy good health.
Obviously, this makes me sad as I do not possess any type of machinery that will allow me to shrink them down to baby size EVER AGAIN.
They were spoiled by the inlaws and had a great day. A fantabulous Craig's List find was a very barely used Barbie Jeep for Agent P. Although based on the 127 pictures I have, it seems D and GoGo haven't figured out that it was not a gift for them. This morning before 8am, they all cruised my driveway with the JohnBoy and Billy show on. Nice.
My kids are already enjoying many invites to birthday parties, sleepovers and playdates at the pool with their friends. Friends that by and large, they have made on their own. I have learned that just because you live close to someone or the Mommies play nice together, that doesn't guarantee any kind of real friendship for the little people. Acquaintances? Yes.
Already at their young ages they have seen the Ship Sail on friends they once had. They may not realize that, just yet.
Whether it's from lack of common interest, the location of our house or maybe we just didn't cut the mustard anymore, as my dad would say - I couldn't say. But I do know that this won't be the only time they experience that so I guess they may as well figure it out now. Even though it makes me sad for them. Even though it may not be fair.
But mommies have to deal with it too-we have to sort through our fellow mommy friends and assign them positions such as Preschool Parking Lot Friend, Playdate M-F Friend, or maybe jackpot Anytime Friend. That last one is where your families are friends and you actually speak sometimes on a Saturday night, not just a random Wednesday morning.
My dad used to tell me that I would be able to count my true friends on one, maybe two hands. I know now he is right, it just took me a long while to figure that out. Damn late bloomers.
My girls are getting big. Obviously, this makes me incredibly happy in that they both made it another year and they enjoy good health.
Obviously, this makes me sad as I do not possess any type of machinery that will allow me to shrink them down to baby size EVER AGAIN.
They were spoiled by the inlaws and had a great day. A fantabulous Craig's List find was a very barely used Barbie Jeep for Agent P. Although based on the 127 pictures I have, it seems D and GoGo haven't figured out that it was not a gift for them. This morning before 8am, they all cruised my driveway with the JohnBoy and Billy show on. Nice.
My kids are already enjoying many invites to birthday parties, sleepovers and playdates at the pool with their friends. Friends that by and large, they have made on their own. I have learned that just because you live close to someone or the Mommies play nice together, that doesn't guarantee any kind of real friendship for the little people. Acquaintances? Yes.
Already at their young ages they have seen the Ship Sail on friends they once had. They may not realize that, just yet.
Whether it's from lack of common interest, the location of our house or maybe we just didn't cut the mustard anymore, as my dad would say - I couldn't say. But I do know that this won't be the only time they experience that so I guess they may as well figure it out now. Even though it makes me sad for them. Even though it may not be fair.
But mommies have to deal with it too-we have to sort through our fellow mommy friends and assign them positions such as Preschool Parking Lot Friend, Playdate M-F Friend, or maybe jackpot Anytime Friend. That last one is where your families are friends and you actually speak sometimes on a Saturday night, not just a random Wednesday morning.
My dad used to tell me that I would be able to count my true friends on one, maybe two hands. I know now he is right, it just took me a long while to figure that out. Damn late bloomers.
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