rambling thoughts. I haven't posted in a long time because I haven't had anything to say. It's been insane at work, and it's not going to ease up any time soon. I'm *so over* winter, too. I hate bundling children, buckling seatbelts over bulky coats, losing gloves and hats, and the ice that covers every surface of sidewalk and roadway. Tonight, I just bought the boys new winter gloves because we haven't been able to keep track of the ones we had.
Bonnie stated such a truth the other day on her blog:
My kids are all asleep. Why is it that when they are sleeping I miss them? Why is it when they are awake I feel like I need a break?
Um, I completely agree. Even Hope has been getting on my nerves. She's definitely showing signs of being two--whining, acting defiant at times, and clinging to her blanket and nuk.
I'm also frustrated with myself for not yet being able to build in time for exercising on most days. It seems like something else always takes priority--work, kids, housework, sleep. I know that it's my job to make it fit. It's like a puzzle whose pieces keep changing, and I'm getting sick of trying to solve it.
January 31, 2010
January 17, 2010
Dancin' Dudes
Grant and Ross recently finished an 8-week all-boy dance class through Just for Kix. Bonnie's girls are in Just for Kix and she raves about the teacher and the overall experience for the girls. She's right--Miss Carly is awesome, and the boys had a great time learning a routine to "Bob the Builder Mambo #5." It was really cute. Unfortunately, Ross almost didn't perform; he was nervous and kept saying, "It's too hard, mom. It's too long." I asked him to show me his saddest face, and he did (see pics below). When I showed it to him, he cracked a smile, so I asked him to show me his happiest face. Then I asked him to wink. That broke the anxiety and he joined his group after that. We also got to see Olivia's Wee Petites dance group and she was so precious.
January 15, 2010
Ross's Perspective
The other day, one of the preschool teachers, Eric, stopped me as I dropped off Ross for the day. Eric told me that the director was doing a project for her Master's classes and wanted to try out her questions with Ross. Ross threw poor Eric under the bus:
Lacey (the director): Ross, who is the oldest person you know?
Ross: Um, Eric.
Lacey: Really? What about your grandpa? Isn't he older than Eric?
Ross: No. My grandpa's 47. I think Eric is 69 or something [fyi, Eric is 33].
Lacey: Hmmm. Well, how do you know Eric is old?
Ross: Because he's dusty. He's old and dusty, I think.
What do you say to that? Priceless.
Lacey (the director): Ross, who is the oldest person you know?
Ross: Um, Eric.
Lacey: Really? What about your grandpa? Isn't he older than Eric?
Ross: No. My grandpa's 47. I think Eric is 69 or something [fyi, Eric is 33].
Lacey: Hmmm. Well, how do you know Eric is old?
Ross: Because he's dusty. He's old and dusty, I think.
What do you say to that? Priceless.
January 10, 2010
Lullabies
As I was rocking Hope before putting her down for her nap on Saturday, it occurred to me that this might be an interesting topic to reflect upon.
When I was little, I remember my mom singing to me when she tucked me in at night. We would say prayers, and then she would sing Away in a Manger to me. I'd listen and think about the "little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."
I have always sung lullabies to my children before bedtime (at least until they got too big to cuddle and rock--although I can still manage that with Grant and Ross if they're interested). When Grant was a baby, my favorite lullaby to sing was You are my Sunshine. I would rock and cradle him in my arms, look into his quiet baby eyes studying my face, and sing softly to him--
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I felt such a connection to Grant through this song. I sang it to Ross, too, but I tried to find another song that could be 'his' song, and Hush Little Baby became Ross's signature lullaby.
Then, when Hope was born, I had a little girl to sing to. For whatever reason, that opened up my options. I experimented with Words by the Bee Gees but quickly hit upon a very unlikely, but very appropriate song that makes a beautiful lullaby when sung softly--Sweet Child O' Mine. Yes, the Guns N Roses song. Don't believe me? Check out how appropriate the lyrics are for a little girl:
She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably break down and cry
Oh, sweet child o' mine
Oh, sweet love of mine
She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder and the rain
To quietly pass me by
Oh, sweet child o' mine
Oh, sweet love of mine
I still sing this to Hope. She snuggles into my neck and I rub her back while singing softly. Another favorite for us (if you slow it down) is the chorus to Michael Jackson's Rock with You:
I'm gonna rock with you
All night
Dance you into the sunlight
Rock with you
All night
Rock the night away
I'd love to hear what the rest of you sing to your little ones.
When I was little, I remember my mom singing to me when she tucked me in at night. We would say prayers, and then she would sing Away in a Manger to me. I'd listen and think about the "little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."
I have always sung lullabies to my children before bedtime (at least until they got too big to cuddle and rock--although I can still manage that with Grant and Ross if they're interested). When Grant was a baby, my favorite lullaby to sing was You are my Sunshine. I would rock and cradle him in my arms, look into his quiet baby eyes studying my face, and sing softly to him--
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You'll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I felt such a connection to Grant through this song. I sang it to Ross, too, but I tried to find another song that could be 'his' song, and Hush Little Baby became Ross's signature lullaby.
Then, when Hope was born, I had a little girl to sing to. For whatever reason, that opened up my options. I experimented with Words by the Bee Gees but quickly hit upon a very unlikely, but very appropriate song that makes a beautiful lullaby when sung softly--Sweet Child O' Mine. Yes, the Guns N Roses song. Don't believe me? Check out how appropriate the lyrics are for a little girl:
She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I stared too long
I'd probably break down and cry
Oh, sweet child o' mine
Oh, sweet love of mine
She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder and the rain
To quietly pass me by
Oh, sweet child o' mine
Oh, sweet love of mine
I still sing this to Hope. She snuggles into my neck and I rub her back while singing softly. Another favorite for us (if you slow it down) is the chorus to Michael Jackson's Rock with You:
I'm gonna rock with you
All night
Dance you into the sunlight
Rock with you
All night
Rock the night away
I'd love to hear what the rest of you sing to your little ones.
January 7, 2010
Back to work
Tomorrow I go back to work. The holiday break is over. I know, boo hoo, right? I've had a longer break than anyone I know--one of the perks of teaching at a university. So I'm sitting here with a glass of wine (one of my first in many months) relecting on the time off and the busy months ahead.
Things I will miss about the time off, in no particular order:
--waking up at 7 with the kids instead of 5:45 or 6 to get myself ready for work
--taking our time at breakfast
--being able to go to the mall on a weekday morning, when it's relatively quiet
--enjoying the sunshine coming into my south-facing living room window in the early afternoon
--spending time as a family on a weekday running errands or going to a movie
What I look forward to in going back to work:
--seeing students and colleagues again
--teaching
--feeling more productive during my day (at least when I finish a task at work it doesn't often reappear in a few hours, like cleaning up the kitchen or doing a load of laundry)
What I'm dreading:
--the morning rush of feeding kids, nagging the boys to "Brush your teeth. Put on your shoes. Let the dog out." Like 14 times.
--Getting three kids bundled for winter weather and buckling bulky coats into carseats. I HATE that part of winter!
--Picking up all three kids at three different places during rush hour traffic in slippery conditions when everyone is tired, hungry, whining, and they all have 17 million things to say in the car while I'm trying to concentrate on getting us home safely without ignoring them after not seeing them all day. Seriously, I LOATHE THIS TIME OF DAY. It's a constant personal struggle for me to maintain patience and stamina between 4:30 and 6:30pm. Once Kris finishes basketball season this will get much easier, because he'll be able to pick up one or two of the children.
--Getting home at 5:30 and having to cook (or at least throw together a meal) immediately. I hate doing that, too, especially if the kids all hang out in the kitchen begging for snacks while I'm trying to get dinner ready.
So, if any of you moms have any suggestions or advice on how to make the witching hour easier, I'm all ears. Kind of a downer way to end a post. I guess I need another glass of wine.
Things I will miss about the time off, in no particular order:
--waking up at 7 with the kids instead of 5:45 or 6 to get myself ready for work
--taking our time at breakfast
--being able to go to the mall on a weekday morning, when it's relatively quiet
--enjoying the sunshine coming into my south-facing living room window in the early afternoon
--spending time as a family on a weekday running errands or going to a movie
What I look forward to in going back to work:
--seeing students and colleagues again
--teaching
--feeling more productive during my day (at least when I finish a task at work it doesn't often reappear in a few hours, like cleaning up the kitchen or doing a load of laundry)
What I'm dreading:
--the morning rush of feeding kids, nagging the boys to "Brush your teeth. Put on your shoes. Let the dog out." Like 14 times.
--Getting three kids bundled for winter weather and buckling bulky coats into carseats. I HATE that part of winter!
--Picking up all three kids at three different places during rush hour traffic in slippery conditions when everyone is tired, hungry, whining, and they all have 17 million things to say in the car while I'm trying to concentrate on getting us home safely without ignoring them after not seeing them all day. Seriously, I LOATHE THIS TIME OF DAY. It's a constant personal struggle for me to maintain patience and stamina between 4:30 and 6:30pm. Once Kris finishes basketball season this will get much easier, because he'll be able to pick up one or two of the children.
--Getting home at 5:30 and having to cook (or at least throw together a meal) immediately. I hate doing that, too, especially if the kids all hang out in the kitchen begging for snacks while I'm trying to get dinner ready.
So, if any of you moms have any suggestions or advice on how to make the witching hour easier, I'm all ears. Kind of a downer way to end a post. I guess I need another glass of wine.
January 3, 2010
Happy Birthday, Hope!
Our sweet Hope Caroline turned 2 years old today. It's unbelieveable that it's already been two years since our little baby girl was born. She is an angel, truly. Sweet, good-natured, smiley, tolerant of her brothers, and pretty much just a wonderful child. May this be your best year yet, Hope. We love you.
January 2, 2010
Grant
My firstborn baby, Grant, turned 8 years old on Christmas Day. I can't believe he's that old already. It seems like just yesterday he was toddling around at my feet, wanting me to play with him. Thankfully, Grant still likes to play with me--just yeseterday we put together a lego helicopter set he got for Christmas.
Grant is smart, funny, and athletic. He is rather tenderhearted, and his feelings can be hurt easily. He tries hard to get along with Ross (well, most of the time), and he adores Hope. Grant is a huge help to me and has done more than his share of fetching diapers, helping Ross get dressed, keeping an eye on Hope, and feeding Lola and letting her out. Grant loves joke books, playing Guitar Hero, and he's very affectionate. I must confess, I love that he still asks to go to sleep in our bed and if I lie down with him, he holds my hand as he falls asleep. Today, Grant lost his front tooth! He's as handsome as ever.
Happy Birthday, Grant. We love you.
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