After Matilda was born, Lance and Gina were two of our first visitors at home. I selfishly slept through their visit - I was fiercely protective of my rest, knowing full well the insanity that comes from lack of sleep with a newborn.
They are dear, darling people, and never said a word about my rudeness. They just dropped off a huge homecooked meal and a taggie blanket for Matilda. Their friend, Katie, makes baby gifts by hand and I had admired her work when their daughter was born. They remembered and gave us a piece of our own.
It is a little blanket - 12 inches by 12 inches, with a bold animal pattern on the front and hot pink fleece on the back. Each side has strips of multi-colored ribbon for a baby to play with. I thought it was darling and put it with Matilda every chance I got. My persistence paid off when Matilda developed a major attachment to it. It was dubbed "Blanks" and I knew I'd need a backup. Gina came through again and was able to get an almost identical blanket from Katie. The animal print is the same but it is backed with bright blue fleece. Matilda instantly loved it and happily used them interchangeably. Now, one will do in a pinch, but Matilda really wants both of them with her all the time.
This morning the kids and I went to Target. Matilda left both her Blanks in the car and the kids and I did our shopping. While we were in the store some winter weather came through. There was whipping, brutal wind combined with snow and sleet. I fought my way back to my car, pushing Matilda in the cart and dragging Sam next to me, and stopped short when I saw a Blanks on the ground about five feet from my car.
I dashed to it, certain it was about to blow away, and found it partially frozen to the ground. "Ohhh...Blanks!" Matilda said. I clutched it in my hand, horrified by how close we had been to losing it. I walked to the car and was shocked to see the other Blanks stuck to my rear tire.
Obviously they had fallen out when we went into the store. How in the world were they not both lost? The wind was so strong I was having trouble steering my cart in the parking lot. They should both be gone - one of them, at least! - but both were rescued and tucked in with Matilda in her carseat. "Blanks wet," she said a bit disdainfully.
Seriously, if anyone out there is looking for baby gifts that are both beautiful and functional, you need to get in touch with Katie. They're not just blankies - they are magic!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Halloween at IBM
2010 marked our third year of trick or treating at IBM - our favorite! It's our entire Halloween celebration.
We have roughly 70 costumes in our house that I've picked up on clearance and at garage sales. Therefore, Sam chose to wear the same costume he wore last year. It just about killed me. Matilda was a very excited puppy.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
She Speaks
"Matilda, what kind of cake do you want for your birthday?"
"Num-num."
"Yep, it'll be good. What kind do you want? Elmo? Cat In the Hat?"
"Melmo. Go go go go go."
"Elmo AND Cat In the Hat? Which one do you want?"
"Num-num."
"Yes, but what do you want it to look like?"
"Cake."
Done.
--------------------------------------
"Mama! Mama!"
"What?"
"Oh, Mama. Oh, NO. Mama, DOWN."
"What fell?"
"Down, Mama! Down!"
I follow her into her room to find a book on the floor. I put it back in her bookshelf.
"Tain too, Mama. Nice."
I live to please.
---------------------------------------
Sam, Eric, and I sat around the dinner table and discussed our Christmas lists. Suddenly:
"No!"
We all looked at Matilda in surprise.
"No! No. Shhhhhh!"
"Wha -" Eric started.
"SHHHHHH!" Matilda hissed, covering her mouth with her finger. Stunned into silence we all stared at her for a moment.
She nodded, satisfied. "Shhhhhh," she said again, and continued eating.
-------------------------------------------
And a few translations:
"Mama, show-show and brush." (Mom, take a shower and do your hair, you filthy creature.)
"No Sam! No shut! Mine! MINE! AAAAAAHHHHH!" (Sam, please open your bedroom door. I left something of mine in there.)
"Milk an' num-num an' fork." (I would like a bowl of cereal.)
"Mama! Towel!" (I have made a huge mess and need this cleaned up.)
"Shhhhhhoooooooopppppiiiiiiiinnnnnnnggggg!" (We just dropped Sam off at school - let's hit the stores!)
"Go. Socks. Shoes. Coat. Go." (Let's get out of this house!)
"Mama brush." (Please put my hair in a ponytail and get it out of my face.)
"Tub-tub. Bubbles. Book. Down." (I'm ready to do our evening routine and go to bed.)
Deesh-deesh - TV
Bubba - friend/loved one
Butt - diaper/bathroom
Eeeeewwww - any of us, at any given time
Bee - Grandma Bay
Papa - all grandparents
Neckdice - jewelry
Pus - puzzle
Song - all music, instruments, radios
"Num-num."
"Yep, it'll be good. What kind do you want? Elmo? Cat In the Hat?"
"Melmo. Go go go go go."
"Elmo AND Cat In the Hat? Which one do you want?"
"Num-num."
"Yes, but what do you want it to look like?"
"Cake."
Done.
--------------------------------------
"Mama! Mama!"
"What?"
"Oh, Mama. Oh, NO. Mama, DOWN."
"What fell?"
"Down, Mama! Down!"
I follow her into her room to find a book on the floor. I put it back in her bookshelf.
"Tain too, Mama. Nice."
I live to please.
---------------------------------------
Sam, Eric, and I sat around the dinner table and discussed our Christmas lists. Suddenly:
"No!"
We all looked at Matilda in surprise.
"No! No. Shhhhhh!"
"Wha -" Eric started.
"SHHHHHH!" Matilda hissed, covering her mouth with her finger. Stunned into silence we all stared at her for a moment.
She nodded, satisfied. "Shhhhhh," she said again, and continued eating.
-------------------------------------------
And a few translations:
"Mama, show-show and brush." (Mom, take a shower and do your hair, you filthy creature.)
"No Sam! No shut! Mine! MINE! AAAAAAHHHHH!" (Sam, please open your bedroom door. I left something of mine in there.)
"Milk an' num-num an' fork." (I would like a bowl of cereal.)
"Mama! Towel!" (I have made a huge mess and need this cleaned up.)
"Shhhhhhoooooooopppppiiiiiiiinnnnnnnggggg!" (We just dropped Sam off at school - let's hit the stores!)
"Go. Socks. Shoes. Coat. Go." (Let's get out of this house!)
"Mama brush." (Please put my hair in a ponytail and get it out of my face.)
"Tub-tub. Bubbles. Book. Down." (I'm ready to do our evening routine and go to bed.)
Deesh-deesh - TV
Bubba - friend/loved one
Butt - diaper/bathroom
Eeeeewwww - any of us, at any given time
Bee - Grandma Bay
Papa - all grandparents
Neckdice - jewelry
Pus - puzzle
Song - all music, instruments, radios
Thursday, October 21, 2010
I Had No Idea That Heaven...
...was right off the 75th St exit.
Sam had his very first friend-driven playdate today. His life has been one playdate after another but today's was the first one that wasn't my doing. Garrett invited Sam over to play and Sam accepted.
We have been very, very excited about this playdate. We headed out to Garrett's house at 9 this morning. When we turned on to the gravel road leading up to their house, Sam could hardly stand it.
"Oooooooh, Mom...the road is BUMPY!"
"Sam, it's gravel. If you're already this excited you're going to need a nap this afternoon."
I could hardly believe it when I pulled up to the house. It was Wonderland. They had a play structure that is better described as a playground in their yard. There was a dirt pile covered in toy trucks and shovels. The bunny cage stood next to the motor bikes. A pony patiently waited for attention under the treehouse. All of this stood in the middle of a massive, working farm. There were barns, semis, cows, tractors, and ATVs as far as the eye could see.
Garrett dashed out of the house and threw himself under the tires of my car. Sam went inside without even a goodbye. Matilda, devastated that she couldn't stay, was given a short tour by Garrett's mom. ("Matilda, do you want to pet the bunny?" "No." "Matilda, do you want to pet the pony?" "NO!")
Sam spent the whole morning there and I picked him up after lunch. He was a little sad at first but I was able to lure him out to the car with a new book. We said goodbye to Garrett, the dog, and the cat, and we went home.
I begged and pleaded with Sam for ANY information about his day. 50 points to anyone who can guess what he reported.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yep. "We had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, AND milk, AND chips, AND A BROWNIE!"
We owe Garrett a playdate. Does anyone know where I can buy a giraffe?
Sam had his very first friend-driven playdate today. His life has been one playdate after another but today's was the first one that wasn't my doing. Garrett invited Sam over to play and Sam accepted.
We have been very, very excited about this playdate. We headed out to Garrett's house at 9 this morning. When we turned on to the gravel road leading up to their house, Sam could hardly stand it.
"Oooooooh, Mom...the road is BUMPY!"
"Sam, it's gravel. If you're already this excited you're going to need a nap this afternoon."
I could hardly believe it when I pulled up to the house. It was Wonderland. They had a play structure that is better described as a playground in their yard. There was a dirt pile covered in toy trucks and shovels. The bunny cage stood next to the motor bikes. A pony patiently waited for attention under the treehouse. All of this stood in the middle of a massive, working farm. There were barns, semis, cows, tractors, and ATVs as far as the eye could see.
Garrett dashed out of the house and threw himself under the tires of my car. Sam went inside without even a goodbye. Matilda, devastated that she couldn't stay, was given a short tour by Garrett's mom. ("Matilda, do you want to pet the bunny?" "No." "Matilda, do you want to pet the pony?" "NO!")
Sam spent the whole morning there and I picked him up after lunch. He was a little sad at first but I was able to lure him out to the car with a new book. We said goodbye to Garrett, the dog, and the cat, and we went home.
I begged and pleaded with Sam for ANY information about his day. 50 points to anyone who can guess what he reported.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yep. "We had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, AND milk, AND chips, AND A BROWNIE!"
We owe Garrett a playdate. Does anyone know where I can buy a giraffe?
Sam in the combine.
Sam on the pony, Bullseye. This may be my new favorite picture of my dude.
Friday, October 15, 2010
There's A First Time For Everything
As we drove to school this morning Sam was talking about his friends. He always confuses Garrett's name with Beckett.
"What is his name, Mom?" Sam asked.
"Your best friend is Garrett," I answered.
"Oh yeah, Garrett," Sam said. After a moment he added, "And my girlfriend is Brooklyn."
Wha - ?
"Brooklyn is your girlfriend?" I asked.
"Yeah," Sam said. "You know, your friend's little girl."
"Yes, I know who Brooklyn is. I just didn't know that she was your girlfriend."
"Yep," he said.
When we walked into Sam's classroom, none other than Garrett and Brooklyn were waiting inside. Sam cried happily, "Oh, my best friend and my best girl!"
"What is his name, Mom?" Sam asked.
"Your best friend is Garrett," I answered.
"Oh yeah, Garrett," Sam said. After a moment he added, "And my girlfriend is Brooklyn."
Wha - ?
"Brooklyn is your girlfriend?" I asked.
"Yeah," Sam said. "You know, your friend's little girl."
"Yes, I know who Brooklyn is. I just didn't know that she was your girlfriend."
"Yep," he said.
When we walked into Sam's classroom, none other than Garrett and Brooklyn were waiting inside. Sam cried happily, "Oh, my best friend and my best girl!"
Here's Brookie - we really can't blame Sam for being smitten.
Monday, October 4, 2010
All We've Got
Everything can be related back to an episode of Roseanne.
Does anyone else remember when DJ was in the spelling bee? Dan and Roseanne were out of work and the whole family dressed up and sat in little chairs in DJ's classroom to watch him compete. They hooted and hollered, cheering their youngest child on, until a woman behind them sneered, "For goodness sake, it's just a spelling bee."
Roseanne turned around and snapped, as only she could, "Hey! Listen lady, this is all we've got!"
Last night was the Homecoming coronation at Dover-Eyota. I'd been counting the hours until I could go, as this year Miranda - our darling Miranda - was nominated for Homecoming Queen.
I'll let that sink in.
Homecoming Queen! Miranda, who doesn't get excited about anything, was calm and mildly amused by all of it. I was more worked up about it than she was, to say nothing of the hysteria felt by Grandma Barb, Jackie, and Mike. We've talked about nothing else all week. Right away Jackie made plans to buy yellow caution tape to block off seats for the huge group of people who would come to cheer for her girl. Some very silly people, who had obviously never met Jackie, thought she was joking.
Jackie, Mike, Kaci, James and I piled into Jackie's car and headed to Eyota at 5:00. Coronation was at 7:00 and there was no way we weren't going to be the first ones there.
The school was locked when we got there two hours early. What's a loving family to do? Why break in, of course.
Once in the auditorium Jackie and I used her caution tape to save 25 seats. 25! Some kids had a mom come...some had both their parents and a sibling...but it's safe to say that Miranda was the only one who had seats saved for 25 (and that was just the reserved seats!).
I honestly felt a little bad for the other queen candidates. When Miranda walked out on stage we all went absolutely nuts. We were screaming and cheering like crazy people. Each candidate couple did a walk around the auditorium and as Miranda walked by us we waved, called hello to her, and her grandpa tried to give her a high five. It was just ridiculous.
At the coronation, when the kings and queens are crowned, the crown is held in a teasing way above each of the candidate's heads and the crowd cheers for each one. Again, I felt bad for the other kids from the noise that was made when the crown was over Miranda's head. And it wasn't just us - the whole place went nuts.
Well, the crown didn't end up on Miranda's head, but that didn't stop our enthusiasm. After the crowning, the lights were up and the royalty was still on stage for pictures. "Miranda! Miranda!" I called. Jackie yelled, "MIRANDA!" With a slight frown on her face, Miranda jumped and looked out at us. The second she did, our entire group again erupted in cheers and waving.
A slightly amused, tired look passed over Miranda's face and we saw her turn to the girl next to her. "That's my family," she said simply.
Does anyone else remember when DJ was in the spelling bee? Dan and Roseanne were out of work and the whole family dressed up and sat in little chairs in DJ's classroom to watch him compete. They hooted and hollered, cheering their youngest child on, until a woman behind them sneered, "For goodness sake, it's just a spelling bee."
Roseanne turned around and snapped, as only she could, "Hey! Listen lady, this is all we've got!"
Last night was the Homecoming coronation at Dover-Eyota. I'd been counting the hours until I could go, as this year Miranda - our darling Miranda - was nominated for Homecoming Queen.
I'll let that sink in.
Homecoming Queen! Miranda, who doesn't get excited about anything, was calm and mildly amused by all of it. I was more worked up about it than she was, to say nothing of the hysteria felt by Grandma Barb, Jackie, and Mike. We've talked about nothing else all week. Right away Jackie made plans to buy yellow caution tape to block off seats for the huge group of people who would come to cheer for her girl. Some very silly people, who had obviously never met Jackie, thought she was joking.
Jackie, Mike, Kaci, James and I piled into Jackie's car and headed to Eyota at 5:00. Coronation was at 7:00 and there was no way we weren't going to be the first ones there.
Me and Mike on the way - you can see the hysteria in my eyes! Mike doesn't look that excited but trust me, he was out of his mind.
Me and Jackie. Wheeeeee!
The school was locked when we got there two hours early. What's a loving family to do? Why break in, of course.
Jackie and James, living a life of crime.
Once in the auditorium Jackie and I used her caution tape to save 25 seats. 25! Some kids had a mom come...some had both their parents and a sibling...but it's safe to say that Miranda was the only one who had seats saved for 25 (and that was just the reserved seats!).
I honestly felt a little bad for the other queen candidates. When Miranda walked out on stage we all went absolutely nuts. We were screaming and cheering like crazy people. Each candidate couple did a walk around the auditorium and as Miranda walked by us we waved, called hello to her, and her grandpa tried to give her a high five. It was just ridiculous.
At the coronation, when the kings and queens are crowned, the crown is held in a teasing way above each of the candidate's heads and the crowd cheers for each one. Again, I felt bad for the other kids from the noise that was made when the crown was over Miranda's head. And it wasn't just us - the whole place went nuts.
Well, the crown didn't end up on Miranda's head, but that didn't stop our enthusiasm. After the crowning, the lights were up and the royalty was still on stage for pictures. "Miranda! Miranda!" I called. Jackie yelled, "MIRANDA!" With a slight frown on her face, Miranda jumped and looked out at us. The second she did, our entire group again erupted in cheers and waving.
A slightly amused, tired look passed over Miranda's face and we saw her turn to the girl next to her. "That's my family," she said simply.
My sister and my Miranda - love, love, love.
Gorgeous, beautiful, wonderful, proud and happy family.
Stunning, beautiful queen.
All we've got? Admittedly, yes. But truly, too, all we'll ever need.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Baffled
Sometimes I feel like I'm totally in control, the house is amazing, and my kids are in line.
Then I wake up.
Where, oh where, did I lose my grip on this family? What moment pushed me out of this speeding car? And will I ever regain my role as ruler of this household? I LOVE all of my committments - friends, kids, job, Aldrich - but it's too much. I feel like I'm giving 50% to all of them. I am a 110% kind of girl so this scraping by drives me nuts!
Something's gotta give, y'all, but I don't want to give anything up!
Sigh. Ramblings like this are what happens when Matilda wakes me up at 4:30 to retrieve her nuk from the floor and I'm unable to go back to sleep. Now, I have to get breakfast, do dishes, bathe and dress all of us, return a shirt at Target, get diapers, design and make fundraiser posters, bring catalogs to my friend, do a cubby stuffer at Aldrich, mow the lawn, go to the bank, do laundry, send Lunch Bunch reminder emails, clean the bedrooms, make and clean lunch and dinner, and go to a meeting tonight for the Aldrich fall party. Oh yeah, and there are two children in there somewhere who expect to be properly raised. And have I mentioned my lovely husband who would like a chance to see me, too?
Well, no time for brooding - I'm off to tackle today!
Then I wake up.
Where, oh where, did I lose my grip on this family? What moment pushed me out of this speeding car? And will I ever regain my role as ruler of this household? I LOVE all of my committments - friends, kids, job, Aldrich - but it's too much. I feel like I'm giving 50% to all of them. I am a 110% kind of girl so this scraping by drives me nuts!
Something's gotta give, y'all, but I don't want to give anything up!
Sigh. Ramblings like this are what happens when Matilda wakes me up at 4:30 to retrieve her nuk from the floor and I'm unable to go back to sleep. Now, I have to get breakfast, do dishes, bathe and dress all of us, return a shirt at Target, get diapers, design and make fundraiser posters, bring catalogs to my friend, do a cubby stuffer at Aldrich, mow the lawn, go to the bank, do laundry, send Lunch Bunch reminder emails, clean the bedrooms, make and clean lunch and dinner, and go to a meeting tonight for the Aldrich fall party. Oh yeah, and there are two children in there somewhere who expect to be properly raised. And have I mentioned my lovely husband who would like a chance to see me, too?
Well, no time for brooding - I'm off to tackle today!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Two By Two
How, how, HOW do kids know exactly what to do to drive their parents over the edge?
Matilda's whining is out of control. Everything she does, even when she's happy, is accompanied by whining noises. We've yelled, bribed, pleaded, and ignored and nothing stops it. Her latest thing is adding a syllable to 'no.'
"Matilda, it's time to (go to bed, read a book, get dressed, etc, etc)."
"No-ah!"
"Matilda! That isn't a nice way to talk. Don't say no like that."
"No-ah."
"Matilda!"
"NO-AHHHH!"
Repeat the above 658 times and you'll have imagined my entire day.
Gah!!
Matilda's whining is out of control. Everything she does, even when she's happy, is accompanied by whining noises. We've yelled, bribed, pleaded, and ignored and nothing stops it. Her latest thing is adding a syllable to 'no.'
"Matilda, it's time to (go to bed, read a book, get dressed, etc, etc)."
"No-ah!"
"Matilda! That isn't a nice way to talk. Don't say no like that."
"No-ah."
"Matilda!"
"NO-AHHHH!"
Repeat the above 658 times and you'll have imagined my entire day.
Gah!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sam's Story
"Sam, tell me a story."
"Okay! Once upon a time, there was a kingdom. And there was a princess in it. And she got eaten by a crocodile. But she got out."
"How did she get out?"
"There was an opening by the tail. And she got out and she fought the crocodile. And then she got to go to her kingdom. The end."
Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Sam made up a story about a woman so amazing, she could be eaten and digested by a crocodile and STILL come out to defeat it. Sam, you are the most fun I've ever had.
"Okay! Once upon a time, there was a kingdom. And there was a princess in it. And she got eaten by a crocodile. But she got out."
"How did she get out?"
"There was an opening by the tail. And she got out and she fought the crocodile. And then she got to go to her kingdom. The end."
Ha ha ha ha ha!!! Sam made up a story about a woman so amazing, she could be eaten and digested by a crocodile and STILL come out to defeat it. Sam, you are the most fun I've ever had.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
...And We're Off!
No matter how much you'd like to protest, summer is over. The routine of fall and winter has begun.
Eric had the last week off of work and we had such a good time. We worked on our house and it is so satisfying! Every room is DONE. We threw out tons of stuff and everything has been deep-cleaned. I think this is the most organized our house has ever been. It's a beautiful way to start fall.
Yesterday Eric took Sam to meet his teacher at Aldrich. I stayed home with Matilda. Sam reported to me that he had a great time, that he saw Brooklyn and Laura, that Braden is in his class, that there is another boy named Sam and that Mrs. Plute loves to read books. Tomorrow is his first full day and he can't wait. He says he is really excited about snack (sigh) and that he's going to tell Mrs. Plute that he has a lot of cars in his room.
Eric is back at work, Sam is in school, I am working almost every weekend, and there is never an end to my responsibilities for the Board. And tonight is the beginning of 19-0!
I LOVE this time of year!
Eric had the last week off of work and we had such a good time. We worked on our house and it is so satisfying! Every room is DONE. We threw out tons of stuff and everything has been deep-cleaned. I think this is the most organized our house has ever been. It's a beautiful way to start fall.
Yesterday Eric took Sam to meet his teacher at Aldrich. I stayed home with Matilda. Sam reported to me that he had a great time, that he saw Brooklyn and Laura, that Braden is in his class, that there is another boy named Sam and that Mrs. Plute loves to read books. Tomorrow is his first full day and he can't wait. He says he is really excited about snack (sigh) and that he's going to tell Mrs. Plute that he has a lot of cars in his room.
Eric is back at work, Sam is in school, I am working almost every weekend, and there is never an end to my responsibilities for the Board. And tonight is the beginning of 19-0!
I LOVE this time of year!
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