When I became a Mom, I committed to NOT playing food games with my kiddos. I said: "I'm not a short order cook!" I can't tell you how much this has resulted in peace in our home.
The other day, G insisted that she was NOT eating a grilled cheese sandwich.
My response: "OK."
I prepared our simple meal. Grilled Cheese Sandwich, carrots and apple slices. Milk.
She said no sandwich so I didn't put one on her plate. When she saw everyone else's plate she demanded her pizza to which I responded: We are having grilled cheese. We are not having pizza. She fussed. I placed a piece of cheese on her plate and told her it was the piece that would go in her sandwich.
She was silent.
A few minutes later (after I'd started to eat) she asked for a grilled cheese sandwich.
Yup! As a food and power struggle issue - NO WAY! Don't do it Moms....no short order cooks.
1 meal. 1 menu. period. It will work itself out.
Of course, we recently learned that G should have 3 months without 5 additional foods (she is already not eating eggs and rye due to allergies). The new foods to eliminate include: milk, wheat, soy, nuts and all seafood.
So, I might become a short order cook out of necessity - for her health.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I'm not a short order cook
Everything has energy except...
Everything has energy. Sometimes it makes it warm.
Except toys and when you are dead.
'Cuz when you are dead you lose your energy. You might have a hole someplace.
And when you get to heaven after being dead, Jesus gives you air again and then you are alive again. You come alive again in heaven. Jesus doesn't just want dead people. He wants to love everyone.
He will have a talk with you.
God is also watching you. He can see in your heart. He sees love in your heart. And then he takes you up to heaven...when you die or when He is ready to bring you up!
(So there...)
PS - Don't want to forget but Z calls crutches Crunchers.
May 2, 2012
PSS - Went to a girl scout event last night -leader/daughter recognition night. Mom got her 30 years of service pin and I got a 10 year (the pin was actually broken-is that a sign?). Girls made May Day Baskets - Pink and green in a mini chocolate milk carton. Fond memories from childhood!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Quote of the day
"You must be getting old! You are getting a lot of bug bites and some gray hair."
- G, age 6
Last weekend was Easter. Had a nice weekend. Saturday = Easter Egg Hunt at Mom's church.
Sunday =
Easter Bunny surprises
church (Mom's)
FYI, the 3 little kids came straight home from church and changed into their unders and ate candy. It was a little unique. I laughed. They just stared at me like I was nuts - Hello! It's candy time!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
50% diaper free
As of Wednesday morning, G is diaper free. That makes K & G. 50% in schools is failing. 50% in baseball is batting .500 and that is GREAT! I'll report: GREAT!
The peer pressure is on for M & Z. I'm guessing that M will be next.
Went to Zac's track meet Saturday. The kids came home and ran a race(s) around the cul de sac and also ran "turtles" (hurdles) over rakes and brooms in the driveway - which is much safer than jumping over bikes as Z had desired. I love that they learn something new every time they see Zac &/or Isaiah.
Tammy had taken Z to the meet so the girls and I ran to Mardens to grab some red fabric. We bought Taco Bell takeout ($3). G reported that "The girl time today was GREAT!" I smiled.
Nicole is coming home for a few days - sleeping here tonight. Today Jack turned 6 so he's now caught up with G in age. Phew.
Working on organizing the sewing/craft room. It's taking shape.
In the middle of changing out the clothes for the next season and have little piles of clothes to bless others (A, Abigail, baby Jack, Kyra) and then the rest for a resale shop.
Life is good.
Got to get the IRS paperwork in order tomorrow and out in the mail. Next week is a HUGE work week for me. It's the week I've (we've) been working toward for years - the week our external accreditation team does a site visit to determine if we are a go or no go....Pressure is on but, we are ready!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Heaven is real
Thankfully, my Mom cares for my children while I work. She had 37+ years of childcare experience prior to caring for my kids, plus a little more time as a parent. She operated a licensed child care program and took care of up to 12 children at a time so yeah...having her here is GREAT! And she reinforces Biblical values while I'm at work!
I came home from work on Friday and G-girl showed me something. I asked her "Who taught you that?" She responded: "Mem!"
I felt that guilt. Just a little. Like, I wish I'd been home today to teach you that.
Then I asked: "What has Mama taught you?" She paused (too long) as she thought. (I'm thinking: "Crap, she can't remember ANYTHING I've taught her.")
She responds with: That Heaven is for real! and with a smile on her face, she turned and walked outside to play.
Yeah. That's the important stuff. I smiled.
Phew.
Monday, March 12, 2012
They don't have an Auntie?!?!
3/11/12:
While watching TV with Auntie, the program highlighted each member of their family. G-girl was disgusted that they family didn't have an Auntie.
G - "Their family doesn't have an AUNTIE?!"
J - "Nope, I guess not."
G -"That is SOO weird.
J - "Yup."
G - "We have the BEST family."
Note: This was with facial expressions indicating her disbelief that a family wouldn't have an Auntie!
(Focus wasn't on why the family had a Daddy. Nope, on why it didn't have an AUNTIE! We love our Auntie. It's going to be tough when she leaves in a week :( )
Friday, February 24, 2012
G turns 6!
The birthday girl is allergic to eggs so an "Under the Sea Mermaid Dirt Cake" was in order.
Decorated with candies and chocolates from a local candy store - in the theme.
Activities:
Decorate your Mermaid Tail for Pin the Tail on the Mermaid
Relay games
Cheese bread sticks and dip (party crossed into dinner)
Cake
Presents
Jumping on beds, laughing and general fun.
Attire: Each girl wore a bathing suit and then donned a homemade Mermaid tail made of sequin stretch fabric and other fun fabric. The solo boy (brother) was the Pirate!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Tooth #2
1/13/12 - G removed her 2nd (right) lower central incisor.
She got up Friday morning, ate chocolate covered popcorn she'd taken from Auntie's bag, bit on her hand and took the tooth out. "Here's my tooth, Mom." Matter of factly. no drama girl!
I wonder what the Tooth Fairy will leave. I'm guessing some cash ($1 bill rolled up) and a marble perhaps?
Monday, December 26, 2011
Greed
I really dislike what Christmas highlights in my children's hearts. Especially G. So much so that she was disciplined right in the middle of opening gifts, she cried and I spent much of the day either crying or super sad. I couldn't shake it.
How did we get here? Why did I ever follow the traditions of a big Christmas? How do we get "out" of this?
So, the details...
In the middle of open gifts when all is "going well", she comes to sit by me (looking for another gift). I hand her one from under the tree. I tell her that this is a special gift. A really special gift that I made just for her. I scoop her up, put her in my lap while she opens the package. She removes the paper. I say wow! "Mama made you a box." She giggles. "No, Mama!" She removes the snapfish book from the box. Somewhat disappointed. I say, "I really want to show you what is in this book, OK?" Yup.
We start. It is a book containing images of most of HER preschool art (year 1 - the day before kindergarten started in Sept 2011.
We look through a few pages. She's not treating the pages with respect but hurrying to get through them. I try to slow her down. I tell her stories of each photo. She doesn't care. I whisper in here ear. I'm calm, gentle, loving. She rips a page.
Then, it began. I was ticked. Hundreds of hours into this project and she could care less. It's about her. It's HER artwork. It's part of HER story. You would think that she'd be interested but nope.
She just wanted to get through this thing. In her mom's loving arms. A gift that wasn't what she WANTED. She wanted to get it over so she could get on to another package to get more stuff. GREED.
"Greed is an excessive desire to possess wealth, goods, or abstract things of value with the intention to keep it for one's self." An inappropriate desire...
My heart breaks. I don't even know how to fix this.
Then, her favorite gift: $1 worth of repositional erasers Santa placed in her stocking. Seriously? Erasers. Great.
Sorry to be Debby Downer over here but...
-We did Christmas Eve service.
-She sang - on a huge stage in from of 900+ people.
-We hung stockings.
-We read the Christmas story from the Bible (which was also a negative experience this year as we had a MUCH more interesting dog visiting to entertain the kids)...I stopped reading the story. Later, G came with her little Gideon Bible and asked me to finish the story. So, I finished reading it to her. Sweetly, just the two of us.
-We finished this very nice nativity activity we'd worked on all week (on Christmas Day).
-The kids cleaned out their rooms and donated toys to other kids.
-We "did" Christmas gifts for an entire family, a refugee and a single mom just barely holding onto her child.
-We are so blessed and we try to help many others...this is a part of our daily lives and yet...ugh.
Church on Christmas Day...They all went, I couldn't stop crying and I took a nap instead (who would do that?)
AHHHHH.
Broken.
She ended up being rocked like a baby in my arms as her heart broke. Right by the tree. With snow falling out the window behind us...What others would say is a "perfect white Christmas" which was SOOO not what Christmas is about.
How do I "fix" this for next year?
And I'm still asking: Did this happen because I was overtired? She was overwhelmed? How inappropriately did I handle this? How can she be a part of a family that is so generous and yet she is often very greedy?!?!?! I mean seriously, we are a very generous family. And she sees it/experiences it.
PS - At dinner, I learned later from my sister, that G announced to the kids "I get more presents because I have a Daddy who sends me presents." Oh honey, if you only knew. Z's birth mom sent him 3 gifts including a red motorized (very cool) car that he rides in. Value = greater than what your Daddy contributes - $$-wise and sacrificially. It's not about what you get. It's about what you give and how you love others.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Teeth
G has her first mobile tooth - lower left central (o).
Also, #19 is partially erupted (November).
At some point, when I have time, I will go back and see if tooth o erupted first or p. My theory - you exfoliate the teeth in the order they erupted. I'm going to test it on my sample size of 2 (twins already had their teeth before arriving - except 2nd primary molars).
This is the dental geek in me. OK. Enough.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Elementary School has begun...
We'd visited the school in the May. Met one kid - Olivia. Went for a bus ride. G picked out the room she wanted - based on the stamps. I picked out the one I wanted based on the teacher. We were assigned that teacher/room!!! wooohoo - thank you, Jesus!
We went a week before school for a meet the teacher night.
We went the day before for Kindergarten screening and paperwork.
I'm going to like this teacher - Mrs. Sherry. She's experienced. Literacy rich room. caring. engaging.
The challenge will come in 2 years when our family has THREE K students (and 1 2nd grader).
I had 5 days off before the first day of school - Labor Day weekend and then I took T, W and then Th off that week - for a total of 6 days off. BEST. DECISION. in a while.
Tuesday = Z's 4 year photo shoot (a little late); K & G had eye exams. Afternoon haircut for me.
Mama ran to get a new dress after G announced she wanted to wear a specific pair of shoes for the the first day - for which I had no matching clothes. Lands End to the rescue. One matching dress option. Purchased at full price -!?!?
Thursday morning.
Teary Mama.
Serious G.
She was up early and in my bed for snuggles.
Played - Yahtzee with brother...last "play" as a preschooler:
Bath.
Which reminded me of the first bath I ever gave her:
Hair.
Oatmeal and applesauce.
Released a blue star balloon on our way out of the driveway.
She insisted that she walk to the bus stop and I drive.
It rained (a little). She carried a purple umbrella.
We waited with 3 other parents, another K student and two "older" kids - Georgia, Jondall, Charlie and G.
As soon as one of the other Moms asked how I was doing, I LOST it (but tried to keep it together). G was very serious. Later, when looking at the photos, she told me - "I was so nervous right then...nervous I'd miss getting on the bus!"
I'd asked her to get on the bus and turn for a photo. Nope.
She got on. Didn't look back. Sat in the front seat with a girl from her preschool "Aleaha". I was thrilled that there was a familiar face.
Watch this - I think she was ready!
(right around the older boy - and his brother)
THRILLED.
I cried.
Jumped in the car. Drove to the school. Parked in a no parking spot to jump out and get a video of her getting off the bus. More photos. Noticed that the one girl we'd met in the spring was on her bus! :) Stayed until they went into the school. Went to the K parent reception in the library. Left when I couldn't hold the tears back. EVERYONE could read it on my face.
And around the corner and they were Kindergarteners. It's Official:
Drove. No place to "be". BAWLED.
Ended up downtown. Went to the new Reny's. Bought 27 greeting cards, 3 red bowls, a new red laundry bucket, a battery organizer and 3 Christmas ornaments.
Left. Went to get a pedicure.
Home. Kim was feeidng the kiddies lunch (pizza). I ate.
Played.
Photos.
Made chocolate chip cookies and 'set' the table for cookies and milk.
Learned about her day.
Real life.
Matter of fact.
Oh, and she reported that some kids weren't very smart because they put their blankets on them at nap time (which is MUCH SHORTER than her last school) and not on the floor - that can be dirty.
After day 1 she exclaimed: "I can't wait to go to school tomorrow!"
She did say her bus ride was sooo long coming home - nearly an hour!
Day 2 reports included: "Mom, Mrs. Sherry doesn't have the same rules as my old school. We got outside BEFORE afternoon snack."
She took her little Barbara Bush teddy bear with her both days (although she blamed K for sending it the 2nd day). She did forget her USA cheering shirt (that I let her wear on day 2- !?!?) at school and was worried until I told her that it would probably be there Monday.
She is TICKED that she can't go back for Saturday and Sunday. TICKED.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The last supper...
9/7/11:
The last day of 4 preschoolers. Tomorrow, G starts kindergarten.
The day was spent with lots of Mom and daughter time. We had Monday off. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are/will be vacation days. This is the BEST decision I've made in a while.
Tuesday - Z in the morning; K & G in the afternoon and during eye appts. Late afternoon was just me time - so needed along with a haircut!
Tuesday - G time. Went to Jo-Ann's together. (She wanted to look at fabric!!). Then to a play date with other K parents/kids. Then to K screening with her teacher. Then we went to my work for lunch (cafeteria) and then to the art gallery on campus. She'd predicted it to be boring and in the end, she loved it!! Home for snuggles - our last afternoon nap for a long time) and laughs. Then, I worked on organizing her clothes.
She announces she wants to wear a specific pair of shoes (for which I have no matching clothes!). I struggled to find something to wear with those shoes. Gave up.
Fixed dinner. Invited her grandfather over for "fish" dinner - her favorite! Salmon. Rice. snap peas. carrots. broccoli. cucumber salad. YUMMY brain food. She had 2nds on fish.
Walked with Paupi to get the mail (in the pouring rain with an umbrella - what a treat!). Home. played in their rooms for 20 mins. Bed. Told her on school nights she needs to go right to sleep. She did. (Oh, Daddy called right before bed and although my phone was going to die and she could only talk for 3 mins, it was enough to give her a big smile for her day).
When I asked what her favorite part of the day was: "Spending time with you!" I love this kid. (I try not to overanalyze thinking that could mean that she is screaming for more time with me - she gets a ton)....
Once in bed, I ran to Sears/Lands End in hopes of finding a dress/outfit to match her LL Bean shoes. SUCCESS! It's a patterned aqua dress with a little (almost) lime to match the shoes. Wish she'd selected pink to match her new backpack. She'll be all patterned up tomorrow for her first EVER get on the bus and go to school picks but...she'll love this dress (that I paid too much for...full price...but I'm glad I could make this happen). It's all in the shoes, they tell me!?!?!
Snacks made. Back pack ready. Really, this is really happening.
Have a sitter coming to help in the morning - with the other kids so I can continue to meet G's emotional needs...I mean get her to the bus and take in every piece of this experience (without rangling 3 other kids).
The end of an era.
I didn't over photograph today. I think I have two images - downstairs on a camera somewhere.
CRAP - Got to go charge the camera batteris. It's 417 am. I can get this done! :)
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Prayer Card
August 2011
Yellow Birthday Hat & Tears
Meet the teacher night did not bring tears for Miss G but for her Mama. Why? MY BABY IS GOING INTO THE SYSTEM! It as though she's all grown up and moving out of the house and I'm losing her FOREVER.
Well, that isn't true and I know it but I feel like 5.5 years have just BLOWN away. I feel like I worked too much, missed too much and should have done more with her.
I also worry about all of the things she'll be exposed to. Will she make friend(s) with kind, loving people or with ... others.
Is she strong enough to be light in the world (no, she isn't - yet).
I was emotional. She expressed it in different ways - naughty, distant, shy.
She didn't want to play with the other kids because she didn't "know them"! Well, honey, you are going to spend 5:7 days a week with these kids.
One kid came up and bit my arm with a toy snake hard enough to hurt. I was surprised! A stranger. I was pleased to see this face in her room - a biracial girl with braids and a white Mama but...now I have visions of her teaching my daughter naughty things and handing out condoms in 4 years.
I know it will be OK - well, I hope it will be. I pray for that.
I LOVE her teacher. She was wearing a starfish necklace and that made me smile.
G was the last to leave the room. LOVED playing on the playground. Didn't want to leave and cried on the way to the car.
Was sad that Nicky (her preschool friend) won't be in her class but he'll be 2 doors away.
And, well, in one week she'll be a little bit further away from the nest.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A chalk board wall and her faith
For about 16 months +/-, G has stated that she doesn't love Jesus, she won't pray to him. Ever.
Why? At church 2 Easters ago she learned a lot about the crucifiction of Christ and that if you pray to Him, you'll go to heaven. She took this literally. As in: Pray. Go to Heaven. Now.
So, she's not taking any chances of getting there before me (and her Dad). So, no prayers.
Well, a few weeks ago, I painted a wall in our kitchen first with magnet paint and secondly with chalkboard paint.
Today was the day to try it out. The intent all along was to write memorable quotes along the top and let the kids have control of the bottom.
I started. She got into it. This followed a great evening after Saturday night church and a discussion of Creation, God, Jesus, Salvation and the end times.
Here is what G wrote on the wall right before a cupcake picture and bedtime. I LOVE IT! She's all about "I have decided to follow Jesus...." <--The song. Who knows....
So glad I splurged on the paint.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Last Day of preschool
I'll post more later but for now, I want to remember this quote from G was we were looking through the artwork and cards she brought home from school today.
G: That is so-and-so. He's mean!
Me: Why is he mean?
G: He always calls me broccoli.
Me: Why don't you call him cauliflower?
G: (mouth dropped wide open and eyes big) - I would never ever be that mean. I mean never!
8/24/11
Friday, August 19, 2011
Jesus Loves Me...from the O.R.
(N, Z, G, A, K, M - Willard Beach)
3 scopes down her throat. Might have a diagnosis on the chronic cough. We'll know Monday or Tuesday.
This day was one busy day:
1. Up to deliver car to dealership for service. Got a loaner. Actually like the loaner. Crap.
2. To the beach with 6 kids, 1 mom and a grandma. Great time (Willard). Perfect weather. I'm reminded of the beauty God provides for us ... if we just look.
3. Home with kids. Bathe G. Shower. Off to hospital.
4. Hospital - parking, registration, prep, surgery, heard from all 3 docs. She might become a GI patient (vs. ENT, Pulmonary). More on that later - maybe.
5. Popsicles. Home. Sleepy G. I was off to pick up the car and get Tylenol.
(her welcome home crew)
6. Home for supper, company (briefly - Lois & Mark). The kids (including G and A) went for swims with Paupi. In to bed. 3 got to watch "Meet the Fairies" - the movie G has wanted from redbox for FOREVER.
Now...to the good part:
We had a great hospital experience. They rolled her into the OR. I got to be there while she went to sleep....and that is how I got the biggest smile on my heart as I heard an entire OR team sing "Jesus loves me".
How?
The anesthesiologist asked if we sang songs.
No response from G. I nodded. He looked at me to pick one.
(I was manipulative...I mean thoughtful about being a child of God...)
I picked Jesus Loves Me.
I assumed that I'd be singing alone or with the doc but no...the room sang!!
A cool experience.
I walked out knowing that each person in there had to think about Jesus BEFORE performing their role in the surgery of my child. His child.
(((((LOVE))))))
