Thursday, September 30, 2010
Smile
ALK: "I feel crabby. I draw smile on face. I hungry. I draw food on tummy. " Cute. Thank goodness the markers were washable.
Mania
Do you go with it or ignore it? I took the girls to see Toy Story 3. It was the second movie they had ever been to (Up was the first). B looked at me during the movie and said "a cowGIRL? I didn't know they had cowGIRLS! Girls can be ANYTHING." Damn. I am hooked. Now I am set to buy all the paraphernalia in the store. So I went to Target, lots of small things for sale with Buzz (being played by RFK) and Woody (ALK holds that role), but not much about Jessie.
Scroll down several pairs of cowboygirl boots, cowgirl hats, horses, vests later... I dug out Toy Story 1 from the old VHS stack. Just before the movie I thankfully remembered that Jessie wasn't in it. I told B and she was OK with that idea. She kept saying "two is between 1 and 3. We will find two." Sure enough... she found TS2 on our infamous thrift store trip.
But tonight, tonight is the night when B is prepared to fly through the moon. Tonight is when we see Toy Story 2. The movie where Jessie "was born." I am so excited for the movie. I want it to be so exciting for her... but ... how can it possibly live up. When we took papa to the movies so he could see TS3, they shouted "THAT'S ME" every time their character came on the screen. Is TS2 really going to be all she hopes it will be? Can this mania possibly escalate any higher? I guess I am prepared to find out.
In case you didn't get the program btw, the program notes are below:
Jessie - B
Woody - A
"Little" Buzz - R (did you notice brendan spelled BAR with his babies names. Clever...)
Rex - Brendan
Ham - Me (awesome. I'm the pig.)
Slinky Dog - Nana Dunleavy
Mr. and Mrs Potato head - Grandma and Grandpa Keenan
Big baby - Rachel
I think this is it... but don't forget it. Because if you call Nana nana, you will hear a chorus of "SinkyDog Sinky Dog" from Ms.A.
No offense to Kevin, but I do consider this an improvement from our last movie association game. You see, we were on the way to the Hollidazzle parade last year and I was preparing B for what we would see. And she informed us that she expected to see Kevin skating behind Santa with lots of lights and feathers and bright colors. Now I wouldn't put it past Kevin to flame in such ways... but I was confused how she picked all of this up. Why on earth would she think Kevin belonged dancing down Nicolette Mall with a rainbow feather boa? Turns out... she meant Kevin the bird from Up. I haven't laughed so hard in all my life. "No, not Kevin our friend, Kevin the BIRD!"
Scroll down several pairs of cow
But tonight, tonight is the night when B is prepared to fly through the moon. Tonight is when we see Toy Story 2. The movie where Jessie "was born." I am so excited for the movie. I want it to be so exciting for her... but ... how can it possibly live up. When we took papa to the movies so he could see TS3, they shouted "THAT'S ME" every time their character came on the screen. Is TS2 really going to be all she hopes it will be? Can this mania possibly escalate any higher? I guess I am prepared to find out.
In case you didn't get the program btw, the program notes are below:
Jessie - B
Woody - A
"Little" Buzz - R (did you notice brendan spelled BAR with his babies names. Clever...)
Rex - Brendan
Ham - Me (awesome. I'm the pig.)
Slinky Dog - Nana Dunleavy
Mr. and Mrs Potato head - Grandma and Grandpa Keenan
Big baby - Rachel
I think this is it... but don't forget it. Because if you call Nana nana, you will hear a chorus of "SinkyDog Sinky Dog" from Ms.A.
No offense to Kevin, but I do consider this an improvement from our last movie association game. You see, we were on the way to the Hollidazzle parade last year and I was preparing B for what we would see. And she informed us that she expected to see Kevin skating behind Santa with lots of lights and feathers and bright colors. Now I wouldn't put it past Kevin to flame in such ways... but I was confused how she picked all of this up. Why on earth would she think Kevin belonged dancing down Nicolette Mall with a rainbow feather boa? Turns out... she meant Kevin the bird from Up. I haven't laughed so hard in all my life. "No, not Kevin our friend, Kevin the BIRD!"
Swimming
So Mr Brendan informs me that the three most likely ways your child will miss their next b-day are:
1) Car accident. - we are down to only using the car on the weekend. Great.
2) at the hands of someone they know - I am watching you. And you.
3) Swimming.
Oops. I take them swimming at every opportunity I can. Crap. As I watched the girls run toward the pool last night, free and giddy, I thought why on earth am I doing that? Why am I bringing them to dangers edge and then dunking them in. Literally. The ladies get dunked several times a session. They love it. That is why. My ladies freaking love the water. You should watch the smallest one.
She slaps the water with her left hand then I ask her about the other hand and she switches and starts to splash with the other hand. She floats on her back, she kicks, she loves that stinkin pool. And the other two? Love. Pure simple love. They love to float, to "monkey" around the pool, to kick and even to start to do the little bird, big bird, flap.
B asked A to join her to chase the other kids around the pool. A asked for more floating more floating. Both went under water with me. It is great. Not to mention the fact that it is a warm pool. Comfortable. Lovely. No moments of walking through that warm spot in the pool. Just blissful ignorance.
So Brendan, you take your actuarial table and *@#) it. We are going to swim. You don't have to anyway. B informed the life guard that swimming was for girls anyway. They get the cuter swimming cozzies.
1) Car accident. - we are down to only using the car on the weekend. Great.
2) at the hands of someone they know - I am watching you. And you.
3) Swimming.
Oops. I take them swimming at every opportunity I can. Crap. As I watched the girls run toward the pool last night, free and giddy, I thought why on earth am I doing that? Why am I bringing them to dangers edge and then dunking them in. Literally. The ladies get dunked several times a session. They love it. That is why. My ladies freaking love the water. You should watch the smallest one.
She slaps the water with her left hand then I ask her about the other hand and she switches and starts to splash with the other hand. She floats on her back, she kicks, she loves that stinkin pool. And the other two? Love. Pure simple love. They love to float, to "monkey" around the pool, to kick and even to start to do the little bird, big bird, flap.
B asked A to join her to chase the other kids around the pool. A asked for more floating more floating. Both went under water with me. It is great. Not to mention the fact that it is a warm pool. Comfortable. Lovely. No moments of walking through that warm spot in the pool. Just blissful ignorance.
So Brendan, you take your actuarial table and *@#) it. We are going to swim. You don't have to anyway. B informed the life guard that swimming was for girls anyway. They get the cuter swimming cozzies.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Do all parents think their baby has red hair?
Except for the obvious (I am looking at you little D) I think all brown/blond baby hair must look red at sometime. We have always caught glimpses of it. I stand by the assumption that their scalp is just pink and the hair light and it isn't the hair.
But, when proclaiming my assumption, Ms. B informed me that she had blond hair and blond skin. Papa has black hair and blond skin. She has assured me that if anyone actually had pink skin, she would be first in line for the treatment. Until then, Little R is in her "red phase."
Kids say the darn-dest things
BMK: "Mom, you have a hole in your sock. Please darn that tonight."
SDK: "Righto- cheif!"
SDK: "Righto- cheif!"
Leaving the house in the AM
Nannies spoil you. You don't have to get those babies anywhere. It is a sad day every time I open their bedroom door and start the wake up process. We were 9am sleepers until day care came around.
I have strategies, we are getting a rhythm. Hopefully, the boss understands that she is a part of making the AM process run smoothly, as it typically results in me being 15 minutes late to work.
Oh well, I can't resist it when A says "no, I not come out there. You come in here." It is snuggly and warm in there.
I have strategies, we are getting a rhythm. Hopefully, the boss understands that she is a part of making the AM process run smoothly, as it typically results in me being 15 minutes late to work.
Oh well, I can't resist it when A says "no, I not come out there. You come in here." It is snuggly and warm in there.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Shopping!
I had the best, but also the most difficult shopping trip today. I went with only my oldest, B. It was so nice to be able to walk the store and not worry every moment where she was. She stayed close (the cart was FULL!) and shared with me what she was curious about. She found items that I was specifically looking for. It was a fun mother/daughter time. Until I started to feel guilty.
It is so strange. We were at the thrift store, doing the reuse portion of the reduce, reuse, recycle. Finding halloween costumes... a few puzzles. And then the cart was full. Everything was 40% off and I just couldn't stop. Not a great lesson. We did have some laughs though.
B decided that I needed some slippers. She picked out this pair of ridiculously gigantic slippers. They were huge, they were gross and they came with a comment of "momma, these are huge and would go great on your pig feet." The ladies near me looked at me very confused why I would allow this charming kid to call me a pig. She didn't know I am assigned to be Ham from Toy Story.
Another moment... Brigid found a drum. I told her that she could get it, but that "only a crazy momma would actually buy her kids a drum." Five minutes later, a lady walked buy and said "hey crazy... the drum is still in your cart." It made me smile. So did the 10 minutes of non-stop drumming when we got home. Stay tuned for the moment of regret. I am sure it is coming.
Anyway. There were lessons at shopping. B kept grabbing and dumping things into my cart. I am not lying to you when I say that I:
A) had to call in help to meet me at the store (to activate the 40% off)
B) had to get a second cart
C) spent $100 freaking dollars at a thrift store at ... need I say it, 40$ off.
Anyway, back to the dumping things in the cart. I finally informed her that if she put something in, I was going to take something out, and it would be of my choosing. This weird argument seemed to work. She would test it, but then move on. Who knows if I would choose the strawberry shortcake game, the cowboy boots or the super awesome slippers. Do you know what she was most concerned about? If I would take out the items she had picked out for her sisters. She found something very nice and very specific for each of them. She is the SWEETEST. I wish they knew. Anyway... I also informed her that the majority of the purchases were going to be put away for Christmas. Did she freak out? Nope. She said "I bet they are going into the prize closet. I love that place."
At the end of the day, we had a fun adventure at the store. Bought too much, but also learned that some of the fun of enjoying the new toys could wait. Also, there is a limit to how much we can put in the cart. Hopefully it sticks.
She also went to bed hungry because she skipped dinner to play with the new stuff. But food choices is another story for another time. She is asleep, she survived her choice. That is what life is about right? choices.
It is so strange. We were at the thrift store, doing the reuse portion of the reduce, reuse, recycle. Finding halloween costumes... a few puzzles. And then the cart was full. Everything was 40% off and I just couldn't stop. Not a great lesson. We did have some laughs though.
B decided that I needed some slippers. She picked out this pair of ridiculously gigantic slippers. They were huge, they were gross and they came with a comment of "momma, these are huge and would go great on your pig feet." The ladies near me looked at me very confused why I would allow this charming kid to call me a pig. She didn't know I am assigned to be Ham from Toy Story.
Another moment... Brigid found a drum. I told her that she could get it, but that "only a crazy momma would actually buy her kids a drum." Five minutes later, a lady walked buy and said "hey crazy... the drum is still in your cart." It made me smile. So did the 10 minutes of non-stop drumming when we got home. Stay tuned for the moment of regret. I am sure it is coming.
Anyway. There were lessons at shopping. B kept grabbing and dumping things into my cart. I am not lying to you when I say that I:
A) had to call in help to meet me at the store (to activate the 40% off)
B) had to get a second cart
C) spent $100 freaking dollars at a thrift store at ... need I say it, 40$ off.
Anyway, back to the dumping things in the cart. I finally informed her that if she put something in, I was going to take something out, and it would be of my choosing. This weird argument seemed to work. She would test it, but then move on. Who knows if I would choose the strawberry shortcake game, the cowboy boots or the super awesome slippers. Do you know what she was most concerned about? If I would take out the items she had picked out for her sisters. She found something very nice and very specific for each of them. She is the SWEETEST. I wish they knew. Anyway... I also informed her that the majority of the purchases were going to be put away for Christmas. Did she freak out? Nope. She said "I bet they are going into the prize closet. I love that place."
At the end of the day, we had a fun adventure at the store. Bought too much, but also learned that some of the fun of enjoying the new toys could wait. Also, there is a limit to how much we can put in the cart. Hopefully it sticks.
She also went to bed hungry because she skipped dinner to play with the new stuff. But food choices is another story for another time. She is asleep, she survived her choice. That is what life is about right? choices.
We have a good thing going here...
Two papa items came up today that just triggered how amazing we have it here.
Firstly, the daycare pulled me aside today and said "your girls always talk about papa. I have been doing this job for 17 years and never met any girls that talk about their father as much as your girls do. He is something special."
True enough!
Later, when taking care of a sick A, I fed her a diet of TV and her first TV dinner ever (Amy's ... organic.... don't judge). I thought it would be fun. She refused. She said: "no, I want papa food. papa food makes me feel better. I don't want this pretend food."
*sigh* I CAN cook. I just thought that sick days involved instant food, Soap operas and The Price is Right. In our world it must revolve around homemade food and hugs.
Not a bad life. Not a bad papa.
Firstly, the daycare pulled me aside today and said "your girls always talk about papa. I have been doing this job for 17 years and never met any girls that talk about their father as much as your girls do. He is something special."
True enough!
Later, when taking care of a sick A, I fed her a diet of TV and her first TV dinner ever (Amy's ... organic.... don't judge). I thought it would be fun. She refused. She said: "no, I want papa food. papa food makes me feel better. I don't want this pretend food."
*sigh* I CAN cook. I just thought that sick days involved instant food, Soap operas and The Price is Right. In our world it must revolve around homemade food and hugs.
Not a bad life. Not a bad papa.
Engage
Paper. I cant organize it, I can find it, I cant stand it.
But.. the other day at the Walker, the gave the girls paper and pencils. The girls took this gift very seriously. They sat in front of paintings and art and drew. They really studied the paintings and drew them. When I tried to move them along, A would say "no mama, I'm not finished yet."
B took a different approach. She pointed out things that she saw in paintings and had me draw them in specific places for her. Both approaches worked well for the girls and helped them to talk about the museum for much longer.
The plan that has come out of this is that Each girl has a small journal sized notebook. I am getting them each page markers too. This way, the paper stays in the book. They have a way to extend the outing by taking notes or pictures or small items. It will also work as that mommy journal that I would never actually keep up with if left to myself.
They will be like field journals. Lets see if it works. Here is hoping. I think years and years of them would be down right adorable.
But.. the other day at the Walker, the gave the girls paper and pencils. The girls took this gift very seriously. They sat in front of paintings and art and drew. They really studied the paintings and drew them. When I tried to move them along, A would say "no mama, I'm not finished yet."
B took a different approach. She pointed out things that she saw in paintings and had me draw them in specific places for her. Both approaches worked well for the girls and helped them to talk about the museum for much longer.
The plan that has come out of this is that Each girl has a small journal sized notebook. I am getting them each page markers too. This way, the paper stays in the book. They have a way to extend the outing by taking notes or pictures or small items. It will also work as that mommy journal that I would never actually keep up with if left to myself.
They will be like field journals. Lets see if it works. Here is hoping. I think years and years of them would be down right adorable.
What makes an Auntie?
B went running to the fence shouting Auntie, Auntie Auntie Barb. I wondered what makes an auntie. So I asked.
Apparently, the criteria is quite steep.
1) you have to be family. If you are not family, you have to come over regularly so we can audition you (bmk)
2) you have to be red (alk)
3) you have to be nice and loving (bmk)
4) you have to have games on your phone (bmk)
5) you have to be a girl (alk)
Me: So... who are your aunties?
Rachel is the most auntie. Then we have T, Elizabeth (with straight hair just like mine, bmk), Auntie Alanna and Megan.
Me: Any other Aunties?
BMK: yes! Barb, Michelle and Kassie!
Apparently, the criteria is quite steep.
1) you have to be family. If you are not family, you have to come over regularly so we can audition you (bmk)
2) you have to be red (alk)
3) you have to be nice and loving (bmk)
4) you have to have games on your phone (bmk)
5) you have to be a girl (alk)
Me: So... who are your aunties?
Rachel is the most auntie. Then we have T, Elizabeth (with straight hair just like mine, bmk), Auntie Alanna and Megan.
Me: Any other Aunties?
BMK: yes! Barb, Michelle and Kassie!
Why grandma care is the BEST
We have had full time grandma care for 2 of the three babies in their first year. The other got daddy care. Each spent their first year being held and hugged and taught by someone that loves them more than life.
Today, RFK waved at me. She really waved with full arm extended. I could almost hear her saying elbow elbow wrist wrist wrist in her head. It was so amazing.
It is the little things that remind me daily that 1:1 care is an amazing gift that we are able to give to the girls. Hooray for family.
Today, RFK waved at me. She really waved with full arm extended. I could almost hear her saying elbow elbow wrist wrist wrist in her head. It was so amazing.
It is the little things that remind me daily that 1:1 care is an amazing gift that we are able to give to the girls. Hooray for family.
A curious morning
Today Brigid and I were talking about day care and the “big girls.” I am just inspired and stressed at the parenting job we are assigned to do.
BMK: “this is my robot lion.”
SDK: “Awesome, I bet he is tough.”
BMK: “he is, but the big girls won’t think so. They will call him dumb.”
SDK: “they must not have met him.”
BMK: “clearly. But they call everything dumb. They forgot how to have fun.”
SDK: “Having fun is important. Even momma and papa like to have fun.”
BMK: “Papa dances funny.”
SDK: “Agreed. Momma does too.”
BMK: “momma has a great imagination. You tell me great stories. The big girls don’t have an imagination. That is why they won’t understand my lion robot.”
SDK: “no need to worry. Just be Brigid. Brigid has a good imagination, is dramatic, funny and smart. She is also very caring.”
BMK: “that is why babies have mommas. To remind the babies to just be themselves. That is the best person to be. I AM BRIGID.”
SDK: “true. Now take that robot lion to day care and have fun with everyone, big or little.”
BMK: “I love momma and papa.”
The next day:
BMK: "Mom, is it really my job to be Brigid?"
SDK: "Yep, that is your only job."
BMK: "thanks for only giving me one job, I am still learning how."
All the animals in my family
According to #2, we have a giraffe, elephant, cow, and mongoose in our family. Who knew?
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