Is it a Good thing...?

Nearly everytime...I come back from errands, a date with Daddy,
or just running home to get something,
Owen asks: "Can we stay a bit longer? Do we have to go home? Now? Later?"

The other day, the so-called "going away pizza party" in preparation for our trip, we arrived back from our "mommy & daddy" time together before I was to take the kids away from Roger for three weeks, and what do I hear?
"Mom! We are not leaving, are we?"

It's always a good time at Nanny's and even better when all the cousins come.
And even better when there are marshmallows involved!

We are so lucky...

Not necessarily to have access to marshmallows...

But the closeness of friends and family.

I give in...not up...
We are the lucky ones.

Marshmallows and Graham Crackers are not necessary to earn their love,
but I would not trade this back deck for another set of in-laws.

With sticky fingers and chocolate saved for later,
We think of Gramma and Grampa...on their way...soon.
Three nights in a hospital bed may be too long for the busy-bodies they are.
Get well soon Grampa! We love you too!

Hot Days

No Lie: We were at Daddy's softball game for 5 minutes before both kids were wailing.
100 degrees will do that...

Gabby wanted me to hold her, but that would be way too hot!
Owen wanted to play baseball, but neither Gabby nor I could get the ball all the way to him.
He took two swings and then stood there for a really long minute.
We said our good-byes after watching Daddy "warm-up"...really necessary?
Owen refused to walk back to the car.
How did I entice him?
no, not food...

naked slip-n-slide in the backyard!

swinging too?

We got clean and cool in the baby pool...
Owen calls it a "kid pool"...

and we were all better!
Ok...so he asked for a Graham Cracker too...

We are just praying for Grampa Phil to be all better too!
One more day of VBS and then we can all sing you songs, Grampa!
Don't worry about a thing...we just want you healthy and here with us...

Last weekend we were quite busy and I found myself putting off doing the dishes.

They piled up so fast that I had to load the dish washer and then do a whole sink full by hand as well...both times! How does that happen?

For the past two days now, I have been able to keep a handle on the dishes. I have actually had them washed or loaded after each meal. Amazing! I know!

However, I realized why my sink fills up so fast:
We go through four knives just to butter four pieces of toast at breakfast.
Yep...four.
I guess we all like to lick our own knives after we are done...or while we butter (Gabby!).
I have no regrets about becoming a teacher. I won't ever complain about the money because I make as much, if not more, than the average American. My earning potential is not what other professions are, but I get to hit "reset" for a few short months every summer!
That alone keeps me sane...and happy!

Today we met my dear friend's boyfriend for the first time.
He was a good sport finding snails for Owen down by the river and letting her go climb the ropes with Owen for a bit. So happy she has her summer to spend with him!
Thank you Jesus for summer fun, friends, Chipotle, and all the other blessings we forget to mention!

Like kids' haircut places! And suckers to keep them focused!
:-)

Summer has begun!

Summer Sun...Playgrounds...a bit of refreshing rain...tennis camp...cousins...books...bikes...wrestling...sandboxes...picnics...
and potty training!

It always takes me awhile to get settled into summer, to rest up,
and to get to know what life without working is.
Don't get me wrong. I love it.
But you can't just go from being one thing to another in three days.

I don't want to be anything or anyone else.
I was deciding today to live my life as,
"if I don't need it, I don't want it."
Then I took another sip of my Carmel Northern Lite Latte.
Ugh

We do have a hose and water.
Baths on the slip-n-slide.

digging in the sandbox...
lots of naked time.

Who could ask for anything more?

I Smile...

Owen made me laugh the other day:
He was telling me how he wanted to get some new CARS figures...cars...like from the movie?
King, the Green one...Chic (how do you spell that?)...and Lightning McQueen.
"Mom, you can get them at Target...
you have to go in the blue door...
You go in the blue door for toys and the green door for food."
"Oh, Owen! Your two favorite things!"
:-)

I am excited that my boy likes bugs.
He collects them in a jar, a box, a can, his hands...
The other day I had to tell him why his caterpillar wasn't moving anymore.
"But, Mom...there were holes in the jar."
I couldn't tell him that the manhandling must have done the little guy in.

When I take the kids hiking...or just wandering in the woods...
Owen tells me there has to be lots of trees.
We can't go where the sun is.
"It has to be dark, Mom!"

Gabby is not a fan of collecting bugs, but she wants to tickle them.
She wants to tickle toads, caterpillars, spiders, dogs...
"Tick-a-Tick-a-Tick-a..."

I can't believe my boy was 5 a few days ago.
This time, 5 years ago...I was a new mom.

(These were trails at my Mom and Dad's...what a place...what a paradise!)

Cuddles, anyone?

I have a cuddler!
She snuggles in and wiggles her little booty, tucks her legs,
rests her head and says, "cuddle, momma?"
How can I resist? I never do...I promise!

Mother's Day was a day full of snuggles and cuddles...
from both my kids!
Owen is just getting to the age when he says,
"stop taking pictures, mom"

And Gabby's just starting to get to the stage
where she is saying "cheese" every time I take out my phone.

I even catch her snuggling with Daddy and Brother!

Okay...so they were actually just hiding and I found them like this.
:-)
Made me smile.

The way these two play together makes me so happy.
Owen speaks so tenderly and tries to teach Gabby things.
Then he gets frustrated because Gabby toots her own horn,
marches to her own beat...
Owen's a bit sensitive...and Gabby is showing her feisty self!
Feisty...Owen laughs when I say that.

I am getting this feeling that Gabby is going to be a show-off.
Allow me to try to explain the paradox my children are:
Owen has never been compliant, but he is afraid to break the rules.
He so wants to please...

Gabby is compliant and obedient, but she does it with a saunter.
A nod. A slyness I can't explain.
I have a feeling that Owen will not get into trouble...
Gabby will cause the trouble...or look for it...or want it...

My sweet angel...you make me smile...but I'm on to you!
It's easy to be motivated...to demand obedience.
I spend the majority of the day with 13/14 year olds...
I know what I will be dealing with if I don't!

Last night I was reading to Owen. Favorite books these days?
Critter books by Mercer Mayer.
Last night we read, "First Day of School."
When we were done, I told him I was going to be the proudest Momma when he started Kindergarten this fall...he gave me the goofiest grin...

He got a taste of Kindergarten when we went to his open house.
He saw classrooms, did some activities, went on a tour, and played on the playground.
I am becoming more and more thankful for my reduction of contract next year.
Part time. Ahhhhhhhh...

I made a suggestion to the administration about how to schedule my part time with another staff person's part time so we can share a class room.
They are working on it so that it will work.
I will have 3 classes, perhaps one will be advanced.
I may have a homeroom, but I will be done by 3:30.
I will be able to take Owen to Kindergarten AND pick him up!

I don't want a tragedy to be the thing to make me realize that I need to enjoy each moment.
I don't always do this though...sometimes, I am too tired to play hide and go seek or play tag on the playground. Sometimes I just want to read my own book or get my blog updated. Sometimes, the dishes must get done or I have to pick up the house before insanity sets in.

But I never want to regret the games I did not play with my kids
or the adventures we did not go on.

I want to keep laughing with my kids...

Thank you Jesus!

Easter Sunday at this point is quite a blur...
May is going by so fast!
I know that we were not able to go to church that day,
but we had wonderful celebrations together and with family.

a twirly blur...

brotherly/sisterly love...I so want them to be friends forever!

and a proud moment...

Owen didn't wear pajamas!

Easter is the recognition of Jesus' death and celebration of His resurrection,
but we need to remember that everyday.

I am so thankful for my church for showing me new things about the Easter story...

Jesus was a ferocious servant. His final act of servitude: crucifixion.
When Peter denied Christ the third time, Peter wept bitterly.
But this was after a look from Jesus.
The look was not of resentment, denial, or disappointment.
It was a look of understanding. Jesus knew he'd do this.
Jesus knew each time I would deny Him.
He still died...He still loves.

When my children fail to obey, love, or so the right thing,
how do I look at them?
Do they know I love them regardless?...

Precious Moments-Never too busy?

Two weeks ago we were teased. I hate being teased. I blogged about getting yard work done, trimming bushes, pulling weed, cleaning out flower beds, anticipating the arrival of perennials.
And then this happens.
I know: It's gorgeous!
But after Spring has already sprung?
That's tough.

I pulled out of the driveway and decided to take this photo. A car drove past me and I got quite a look for being in the middle of the road looking like an idiot.
I knew I had to take it though because Spring was here...
Meaning: the snow would be gone as fast as it arrived.
I was right; by the end of the day, it was gone.

My darling, my baby doll, my precious little girl...she is working the art of manipulation.
"Mommy! Owie! Hut! Fin-guh, hut!!"
Translation: "Mommy! Ouch! My finger hurts!"
I don't think it really hurts...I think she has learned how much attention you can get when you are hurt. You get a mother's loving touch, some sort of cream, and a band-aid.
So, she likes to try this...

Yes, I am the bad parent who forgot the Cubbies vest.
Yes, I forgot the camera so I had to use my cell phone.
And, yes, I was the horrible mother who left early and didn't get to see the other 300 kids get their awards. Hey-before you judge...
Owen rebelled and rarely wore his vest all year-even when I sewed his patches on!
My camera is on the fritz and I'm asking for a new one for Mother's Day.
And...my two-year-old was crabby because it was her bedtime!

But I sure was a proud Mommy!
Owie learned 26 verses this year and got a certificate.
He loved being on stage and said he wanted to go up there again.
He was so cute...I couldn't help waving at him.
He waved back.
Yes, I never thought I would be one of those parents! :-)

Today is Good Friday and our Bible Study falls on this night.
We invited Mimi over to help. She's such a blessing.

Palm Sunday

Today Owen got to use big-boy black scissors to cut the edges of his palm for Palm Sunday lessons. He is into the response, "I know, Mom!"
So, when I was telling him that Palm Sunday is remembering Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, he said, "I know, Mom."
I am so glad they have such wonderful teachers! :-)

Gabby looks more disheveled that how she woke...she was quite happy, makes the bed-head even more adorable! When her usual "teacher" was not at her class, she almost hesitated going in. But, Pam (I just learned her name) took Gabby in her arms and that's all it takes for Gabby.

You'd never guess that Owen got stitches only a week ago...when I picked up Owen after church service, I said that to his teacher. She looked so surprised! He's jumping and running and forgetting it's there...until I take off the sock and band-aid to clean and dress it again.
Then he says, "Mom, you have to carry me. Can I watch a movie? I can't walk..."
Blah, blah, blah...
"but I need something!" :-)

I have another post in my mind about the blessings of life and being a child of God...
I'll keep you waiting...for a bit...

If you are squeamish...don't look!

Know that you have been warned!
Summertime couldn't be here fast enough for Owen.
As I recall, he had his suit on and was in the "pool" last April too!
I was so proud to have my yard raked and be able to see my perennials poking up in the landscaping.

Owen was out playing, digging up worms, getting dirty...head to toe!
We were just finishing up to go inside to get cleaned up...
then I thought of one more thing to do...
I headed to the end of the driveway to clean up around the mailbox...
Owen "found" a broken glass bottle that had been kicked up into our yard...
probably by a plow this winter.

I knew immediately he would need stitches...
blood and a big flap of skin!

He was such a trooper until they tried to stick him with a needle
to numb the area to prep for stitches.

"DON'T DO IT! DON'T DO IT!" Literally kicking and screaming.
So, Urgent Care was useless.
We were sent to the ER.
While waiting, poor little guy was so tuckered out, he fell asleep on the gurney.

Yes, he has Spiderman pj's and swimsuit on and he's dirty. Very dirty.
You know how they tell you to keep in mind that if you were to get into an accident and they had to strip you down to help you...make sure you are not wearing your grandma panties?
Well, you can't plan what your kid is wearing when you head to the ER either!

Nice doctor got it done and got it done FAST!
Yes, it's a bummer that O is hobbling around, but he's recovering.
He sure knows how to milk it though!
:-)

How do we say Thank you?

So...What 87 year-old comes over so one can have a wonderful night with her husband and best friends? Mimi...
Gramma mimi is amazing.
She not only drives across Wisconsin and Illinois to see her youngest grandchildren and great grand children, because family is the most meaningful depth in her bones, but she "babysits" for a four and two-year old without thinking about what it will actually take to keep them occupied while Mom and Dad hit the town. I take for granted that I know such a woman. I know she was "Mom" to 5 children, but I find it amazing that I am still getting to know her each time I get to see her.

Roger and I got to go out with some friends ...
and she took my kids for a walk, hunted "dragons," and put on PJ's, read stories, said prayers...

She knows the beauty of friendship so she is letting me have just that...
I hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her.
Not just as a "babysitter."
But as my Grandmother.
Grand...
She sure has been grand to me.
People who love me so much to let me have my life to live...
I hope I can give, or am giving, as much of myself so that others can live their lives...
My kids...am I doing that unselfishly???

Am I giving back enough?...