Caleb has been very funny lately. He has finally decided to walk, and it was quite the ordeal. He wouldn't walk to me or Cliff, but he walked for the cute Anderson girls when they were here. Then he stopped walking again. The turkey. He finally started walking for Cliff and me, but we really have to play it up in the excitement area. I mean there has to be lots of cheering, hand clapping, and a few handfuls of confetti with the mini parade floats. Okay, so maybe that last bit is exaggerated, but boy, do we have to put on a glad face for walking or else he pouts and screams.
Talking about screaming, Caleb has started. Not good. Especially when I babysit a little 4 month old girl and one of them gets startled or scared. They are both "sympathetic criers", also known as "divas", meaning if another kid is crying or screaming, they have to join in, and then see who can outdo the other in loudness and intensity. There are days when all I do is sit on the couch with one on my left side, and the other on my right, and just listen to the two of them try to out diva the other and see who can hog more of my lap.
Caleb has also discovered his life's work: he is going to be Santa Claus. Or a shoe elf. But as his mother, I am biased and going with the glitzier career choice. That's right, Lauren, your dream job is going to be filled by my little boy. He goes around the house playing with cars and making the noises, until he finds a shoe. Once a shoe has been found, the car must go into it. If there is no car available, another object can be substituted. I have found cars, legos, a marble, and a sippy cup in my shoes this past month. I can't wait for Christmas and stockings.
Benjamin really made me laugh last night. He came up to me after dinner and dessert, and said, "Mom, when I say DumDum pop, you need to be quiet." He even did the little shushing finger to the lips like a librarian does when you're just a little too loud. I was a little puzzled, but told him okay, and then he went to my dad and asked him for a DumDum pop. As soon as he said those words he looked right at me, and what could I do? I had already said I would be quiet. You see, he usually asks right when we're getting ready to drive back home from Sunday dinner at my parents' house, and so I usually stop him before he can ask. The clever little boy figured out that if he asked earlier in the evening, and got mom to be quiet, he might actually get a chance to have a DumDum pop. Yes, he did get one, and boy, was it hard not to laugh with him right there.
If you hadn't heard, I wore my hair in pigtails not that long ago, and Ben wasn't a big fan of it. I asked him why he didn't like them, and he said, "Because all the kids at school will laugh at you." Yeah, it made my day. It really did, because I couldn't stop laughing at it.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Ladies' Night
Last night I went out to dinner and a movie with some great friends. Cliff was a little skeptical of the idea, because we went to see "Tangled" and eat at Taco Bell. I told him that this was the only way any of us were going to be able to watch that movie without someone sitting on our laps, directing musical movie chairs, or whispering in our ears. I even got to wear a necklace, because no one would be pulling on it. I know, it's the simple things right now.
It was a lot of fun.
Except I really missed comments like, "I would kill that bad guy dead so fast" or "He has really sharp teeth", that are whispered with a wind gust measurement of 30-35 miles an hour while simultaneously on the verge of chewing off your ear. A lot of those comments are more entertaining than the movie itself.
Although, I am quite glad that there were no meltdowns when the popcorn was gone and everyone went potty without crying and screaming.
Taco Bell was also nice, because we got to order our food without waiting for small people to make up their minds 3 times and then change it yet again after the order has been delivered to you. Everyone ate all of their dinner and even put their stuff away.
In other words, I was spoiled last night. I was thinking of trying to do this about once a month or so, but I don't know if I could handle it all. Well, maybe I'll still try it and see. ;)
It was a lot of fun.
Except I really missed comments like, "I would kill that bad guy dead so fast" or "He has really sharp teeth", that are whispered with a wind gust measurement of 30-35 miles an hour while simultaneously on the verge of chewing off your ear. A lot of those comments are more entertaining than the movie itself.
Although, I am quite glad that there were no meltdowns when the popcorn was gone and everyone went potty without crying and screaming.
Taco Bell was also nice, because we got to order our food without waiting for small people to make up their minds 3 times and then change it yet again after the order has been delivered to you. Everyone ate all of their dinner and even put their stuff away.
In other words, I was spoiled last night. I was thinking of trying to do this about once a month or so, but I don't know if I could handle it all. Well, maybe I'll still try it and see. ;)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Nadia's 3rd Grade Musical
This is a picture of all the 3rd graders singing for their performance at school. I don't remember if the program had an actual name, but all of the songs had to do with the planets and galaxy. We have been hearing about "Interplanetary Mail" and "Moon Madness" for a couple weeks. I have been trying for a week to get the video from this and Caleb's birthday to load, but I think the files might be too big. That's a shame, because Nadia really got into the milky way rap. She is definitely a performer.
Anyway, she really enjoyed it and did great during her speaking part. Brandon and the other 1st graders also got to see it. Benjamin was very excited to go, until he got there, and then kept asking if they were done yet. The little turkey.
Monday, February 7, 2011
My Brother's Backwards Post
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Big Talk
Cliff and I have done our best to let our children know that they can talk to us about anything. We will do our best to answer any question or offer advice to help solve a problem. We even have answer and question sessions once in a while for family home evening, just so they know that we are always available, and that we can talk about anything at all with them.
Of course, there are a few subjects that I am a little, shall we say hesitant, to discuss with them. I am sure that every parent has a few of these. They can be awkward, you wonder if you are giving too much information for their age and understanding, and you would prefer to do it as a united front instead of being blindsided by yourself. So what do you do? Shut down the dialogue, or soldier through it?
Readers, I am proud to say that I soldiered through. Nadia and I had the talk about Justin Bieber, and I made it. Oh, did you think I meant THAT talk? Been there, done that. This was much worse.
She came home from school the other day saying some girls had teased her because she didn't know who Justin Bieber is. One of the girls has his phone number, or is his Facebook friend, I don't remember. I just remember I wanted to cry. It means Nadia is now surrounded by Tweens.
BUT, because we as parents had made the decision to be honest and open about everything with our children, I gritted my teeth and we looked him up on Wikipedia and then found a link to see 2 of his music videos. I have never been prouder of my daughter than when she said, "He really isn't that good."
Now, some of you may wonder what the big deal about this is. It means the end of childhood, and I wish I were joking. Tweens are not natural; they are simply kids that have been exposed to too much too soon. I want my kids to remain kids as long as possible. They will be grownup too soon. They need to have memories of being children, not tiny adults.
So my children will continue to dress like children. They will watch children movies and shows. We will keep the lines of communication open, and when the next Big Talk comes up, I will try to handle it with all the grace and finesse of a giraffe. Because that is what I am. A giraffe who loves her children very very very much.
Of course, there are a few subjects that I am a little, shall we say hesitant, to discuss with them. I am sure that every parent has a few of these. They can be awkward, you wonder if you are giving too much information for their age and understanding, and you would prefer to do it as a united front instead of being blindsided by yourself. So what do you do? Shut down the dialogue, or soldier through it?
Readers, I am proud to say that I soldiered through. Nadia and I had the talk about Justin Bieber, and I made it. Oh, did you think I meant THAT talk? Been there, done that. This was much worse.
She came home from school the other day saying some girls had teased her because she didn't know who Justin Bieber is. One of the girls has his phone number, or is his Facebook friend, I don't remember. I just remember I wanted to cry. It means Nadia is now surrounded by Tweens.
BUT, because we as parents had made the decision to be honest and open about everything with our children, I gritted my teeth and we looked him up on Wikipedia and then found a link to see 2 of his music videos. I have never been prouder of my daughter than when she said, "He really isn't that good."
Now, some of you may wonder what the big deal about this is. It means the end of childhood, and I wish I were joking. Tweens are not natural; they are simply kids that have been exposed to too much too soon. I want my kids to remain kids as long as possible. They will be grownup too soon. They need to have memories of being children, not tiny adults.
So my children will continue to dress like children. They will watch children movies and shows. We will keep the lines of communication open, and when the next Big Talk comes up, I will try to handle it with all the grace and finesse of a giraffe. Because that is what I am. A giraffe who loves her children very very very much.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Incredibly Romantic Getaway
Cliff gave me a wonderful present for Christmas: a romantic weekend getaway. No kids, no calls, no work, just the two of us running away together. Doesn't that just sound exciting and fun? Are you jealous?
So who wants to guess how many ways it went wrong?
1. A huge cold front moves in. Do we stay or do we go, and risk the possible blizzard? How romantic will it be to return home to an ice cave because the pipes burst while we were gone? Can I sell the pics of our ice encrusted house and (finally) pay off the dentist?
2. What do you do when the friends you want to visit in Boise have to go to a grandfather's funeral in Utah? And your Utah friends are coming up to Idaho to see her parents? Can Cliff and I actually have a conversation that doesn't include who stayed dry last night or why that contractor insists on using the J-47 sealant instead of the epoxy overcoat system? Who can we now include in our weekend so we can rely on them for all of our conversational needs?
3. My incredibly loving yet diabolical brother got the new Rick Riordan book and gave it to me. Can I read it on this romantic getaway? Can my love of books and my love for Cliff live peacefully side by side, or must they eventually tear each other apart? And after that last sentence, have I read the inside flap to too many romance novels?
So what actually happened on this incredibly romantic getaway? We stayed at home. I cleaned a bathroom and Clifford took a nap. We moved the big TV into our bedroom for New Year's Eve to watch 4 hours of Leverage and ate some subpar cheese bites. I bought a new coat and Clifford didn't complain while I was shopping for it. Clifford shopped for a 32 gig Ipod Touch and I didn't complain while he searched (in vain) for it. We baked cookies and a pie and slept in until 8:30. And we loved it.
So who wants to guess how many ways it went wrong?
1. A huge cold front moves in. Do we stay or do we go, and risk the possible blizzard? How romantic will it be to return home to an ice cave because the pipes burst while we were gone? Can I sell the pics of our ice encrusted house and (finally) pay off the dentist?
2. What do you do when the friends you want to visit in Boise have to go to a grandfather's funeral in Utah? And your Utah friends are coming up to Idaho to see her parents? Can Cliff and I actually have a conversation that doesn't include who stayed dry last night or why that contractor insists on using the J-47 sealant instead of the epoxy overcoat system? Who can we now include in our weekend so we can rely on them for all of our conversational needs?
3. My incredibly loving yet diabolical brother got the new Rick Riordan book and gave it to me. Can I read it on this romantic getaway? Can my love of books and my love for Cliff live peacefully side by side, or must they eventually tear each other apart? And after that last sentence, have I read the inside flap to too many romance novels?
So what actually happened on this incredibly romantic getaway? We stayed at home. I cleaned a bathroom and Clifford took a nap. We moved the big TV into our bedroom for New Year's Eve to watch 4 hours of Leverage and ate some subpar cheese bites. I bought a new coat and Clifford didn't complain while I was shopping for it. Clifford shopped for a 32 gig Ipod Touch and I didn't complain while he searched (in vain) for it. We baked cookies and a pie and slept in until 8:30. And we loved it.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Some Day
Some day I will be able to decorate my Christmas tree exactly the way I want it. I won't have to use plastic ornaments, or string popcorn and cranberry garlands, and I will use any color scheme I so desire. The ornaments won't be bunched up with big patches in between, because kids want to keep their special ornaments together. There won't be a loud train constantly being turned on and then knocked off the tracks from the excitement of watching it go.
Some day I will be able to do holiday baking without interruption. No one will cry because they are getting some orange slices with a cheese stick instead of the gingerbread girl with all the sprinkles. Nothing will burn because I am dealing with baby drama. Holiday treats will go out to the neighbors on time, instead of sporadically throughout the winter season and maybe even March.
Some day I will have to decorate my tree all by myself, without small hands to help. I will be the only one to sing with John Denver and the Muppets; I will be the only one to see if all the lights are working. It will be quiet and maybe even a little somber, instead being full of voices and joyful impatience and life. Ornaments will go up without the excitement that only comes from a child unwrapping a welcome surprise.
Some day all of my holiday baking will be done with efficiency and some degree of cleanliness as well. There will be no small and warm body pressed against mine and the counter while we try to measure together. I will have to figure out what to bake by myself, without the help of strong and loud opinions or promises already made to teachers and friends. Instead, there will be rows of naked gingerbread people and no ideas as to what they should wear.
Although I may at times wish for Some day, I need to remember the little joys that I can be a part of today.
Some day I will be able to do holiday baking without interruption. No one will cry because they are getting some orange slices with a cheese stick instead of the gingerbread girl with all the sprinkles. Nothing will burn because I am dealing with baby drama. Holiday treats will go out to the neighbors on time, instead of sporadically throughout the winter season and maybe even March.
Some day I will have to decorate my tree all by myself, without small hands to help. I will be the only one to sing with John Denver and the Muppets; I will be the only one to see if all the lights are working. It will be quiet and maybe even a little somber, instead being full of voices and joyful impatience and life. Ornaments will go up without the excitement that only comes from a child unwrapping a welcome surprise.
Some day all of my holiday baking will be done with efficiency and some degree of cleanliness as well. There will be no small and warm body pressed against mine and the counter while we try to measure together. I will have to figure out what to bake by myself, without the help of strong and loud opinions or promises already made to teachers and friends. Instead, there will be rows of naked gingerbread people and no ideas as to what they should wear.
Although I may at times wish for Some day, I need to remember the little joys that I can be a part of today.
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