Nohe 5

This Is How We Roll

Rachel busting a move Big Willie style.  Also, note Jack's moves in the first and second clip and Nicholas' upside down chair dance in the third clip.  When it is cold outside, this is how we get our wiggles out.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Family Portaits

Family portraits are life perfected.  Everyone is happy, well dressed and facing the same direction.  But the truth of the matter is that it probably took a dozen shots to get the one and only "good" one.  Nonetheless, after going through all the shots from our recent family portrait session, the "bad" ones are probably some of my favorites, because you can see the true personalities of the people in the photos: two year olds are squirmy, big kids get board, struggling parents trying to just get the two afore mentioned groups to look at the camera just once so Grandma can get a good family picture tend to have glazed over eyes and the well rested couple without children are guaranteed a great shot.  These are the truths of life.

So, with that in mind, here is the truth behind the pictures of our recent family photo session.  Enjoy and look for the "good" picture in a Christmas card.

Thinking About Mom

Today I've been thinking a lot about my mother.  You see, tomorrow is my birthday, so I've been thinking about mom and how she must have felt on this day, the day before she was to become a mother, some 30 plus years ago.

Like my two deliveries, Mom knew the date that I would be born, what with being 11 days late (sorry mom) and breached, the doctors thought that it was time for my eviction notice to be hand delivered.

Today when I spoke with her about how she felt, she told me how loved I was even before I was born and how excited she was to finally meet me.  She also told me how she felt a little sad because she and I would never be that close again.  From the next day on, she would have to share me with the world.  In short, she felt all the same emotions that I felt before my boys were born.

It is unfortunate that we aren't able to truly understand our mothers until we become mothers ourselves.  If that weren't the case, I am sure there would be more effort put in to Mother's Day and less eye rolling.  But it is the case and I know that I am truly, truly blessed to still have my mother with me as I journey down the bumpy path of parenthood.

Mom- I love you very much.  I apologize for all the tough times I put you through and I thank you for all the wonderful times we shared together.  You're still who I lean on when the road gets rough.  We may not be as physically close as we were when we were still one, but it has been wonderful sharing the world with you.  I love you with all my heart.

Would You Let These Crazy People In?

UPDATE:  I should have left them outside.  Upon entering the house and removing his coat, Nicholas announced, "Mommy, I am allergic to my eyelids."

Speaking of Coveting Things

Every year I get asked, "What does (insert child's name here) want as a present?"  Usually it is at some inopportune moment and I can not think of anything to suggest.  So I usually just blurt out, "Nicholas likes trains.  Rachel likes Princesses.  Jack should get something he can't break.  And, Teddy likes to nurse, but I don't think that Amazon sells wet nurses."

Well, this year I did something a little different.  I set up Wish Lists at Amazon.com for each kid with a list of toys that the kids would like and that I would like for them to have.  Please note, none of these toys are animated fish, chickens or any other such loud dancing creature given to children for the sole purpose of driving their parents up a wall.  The lists include everything from toys and books to music and clothing covering a whole price range.

To some this may seem to be missing the point of the season, but  I will tell you that I have already gotten compliments for putting these list together from far away relatives who want to get my children something they will enjoy but are not longer plugged in to the Pre-School set.  Plus, it lets folks know what we think are appropriate gifts, i.e. there are lots of books and no Bratz dolls.  This is by no means an exclusive list.  If someone wanted to get the kids something they thought they would like, I would be appreciative and simply touched by the generosity of others towards my children.  However, now when I get asked, "What does (insert child's name) want for Christmas?" I can give an answer that is both helpful and brief.

Any-who...if you are one of those folks looking for a gift for one of my adorable kiddos, here is where you can find the lists for Rachel, Nicholas, Jack and Teddy.

Thankfulness Trees

Rachel is an ad executives dream come true.  Whatever she sees advertised she wants, and she doesn't just want it, she wants it now.  It is like living with a little Veruca Salt.  All of my friends who are more experienced mothers assure me that this is just a phase and that most kids go through it at this age.  Phase or not, it is starting to drive Marty and I a little nuts.

So today, in an effort to refocus the child's energy away from things like Book Fairs and Pizza Nights, I helped the kids make Thankfulness Trees.  Not only was it a seasonal activity, what with Thanksgiving only a week away, but it was a window in to those little minds.

Rachel's Thankfulness Tree listed: Books, House, Sandwiches, Baby (no name, just baby), Bed, Room, Food and Princess Stuff. 

Nicholas' Thankfulness Tree listed: Trains, Teddy, Jack, Thomas Movies, Family, Adoption, Mommy and Monkeys

Jack's Thankfulness Tree was created with help from Mommy who just wrote down the words that he says the most often.  Hey, if it is what he is talking about all the time, I figured he is pretty happy to have it in his life: Juice, Dad, Goo Goo (aka Nicholas), Sissy (aka Rachel), Mama, Music and Balls.

They each had to pick 8 things to fill up their tree (except for Jack who only had to do 7 because he wouldn't let me trace his hand one more time).  It is good to know that Rachel is more thankful for sandwiches and her bed than she is for her mommy.  If this is what 6 looks like, I am terrified for the day she turns 13.

Why I Dream of Grocery Shopping Alone

Wednesday night I went grocery shopping alone.  It was glorious, simply glorious.  No one was begging for cookies.  There were no near death experiences involving a dancing child and a shopping cart collision.  I didn't have to say "Stop that!" even once.  It was great!

Here is a glimpse in to why it was so great.  These were taken today in the frozen food section of Harris Teeter.  Notice that I have to have Rachel actually cart around the groceries because my cart is full of boys like there was some sort of buy two get one free special.  Wouldn't all those calls for "Mommy" and "Mama" drive you up a wall.  It is a wonder we don't starve to death because if I were in my right mind I would never take these crazy people anywhere.  I assure you, it is like this every time we go to the grocery store.

Thursday Funnies

We have houseguests coming this weekend, so I am cleaning up the house so that we can pretend we don't live in a sty.  While I would never kick one of my kids to the sharks, the baby birds do remind me a lot of my baby birds.

Election Day

Today I will take my kids with me when I go to vote.  It is usually a chaotic process to coral children while trying to participate in the democratic process, but I want them to see how important it is to be involved and at the very least vote.

When I was a kid, we were a Navy family and therefore my parents voted absentee, a method does not make it easy to involve a child in the process.  In fact, I don't remember ever seeing my parents vote, although I know they did.

Politics wasn't really a hot topic when I was growing up.  When I was in high school, my friends and I plastered our cars in Perot bumper stickers and got involved in the political process for the first time.  Then I went to college, majored in theatre and didn't even watch the news.  When I started working in the real world is when my political renaissance occurred.

I want my children to know what is going on in the world and to know that they can make a difference.  So, today I will take them to vote.  Someday I hope that they will take their children to vote and we plant the seeds for generations of involved citizens.