Full of thanks

9 years ago today was pretty horrific.  Chris was interviewing with San Francisco Fire the next day and I was terrified for him to even go into the city.  I was teaching 5th grade and my kids were afraid and confused.  Their life experience was so limited that it was hard to see it from their perspective and reassure them.  My family knew someone who was killed at the Pentagon and that was shocking news.  

Fast forward 9 years and I have three kids who live in a world that is quite different than it was then.  They'll never know how it used to be and just the simple fact of having to take off their shoes before they go through security at the airport is going to seem normal.  I still miss getting off a plane and having someone greet me right then rather than standing alone at the baggage claim and calling someone who is waiting in the cell phone lot.  It's the little things, really.

It's times like these, days like these, when I take stock of all I have.  I have my mom after a terribly scary run with stage 3C cancer, I have Chris, who goes to work in a dangerous environment everyday, and I have three little blonde kids who fight and drive me crazy who I live for.  And for this.  This alone today makes me happy.  My littlest little has eaten her meals by herself for a very long time but now it's with utensils.  For reals.  What more could I be thankful for?

 

Not as I thought she'd be but pretty fabulous anyway...

I'm pretty firm and set in my beliefs and convictions and I think that's what makes parenting a not-so-overwhelming thing for me.  I don't think that I do everything right but I do the best I know how in most situations.  I don't doubt or regret much and that helps keep my head clear I think.  Chris and I are also always on the same page when it comes to parenting.  Thank God for that because as I just said, I am pretty firm and set in my beliefs and convictions... 


If you had told me 5 years, 7 months ago that the little girl I had just given birth to was going to be an outspoken, often defiant, crazy independent child by the age of 5 I would have disagreed with you.  She wouldn't become that way because I wouldn't allow it.  Because in my pre-birthing-a-child mind I thought I actually had control as to who and what she (and all my kids) would become.  Kind, responsible, well-spoken people have kind, responsible, well-spoken children, obviously.  Well, maybe not.  I know she's not even 6 yet but Drew's personality surprises me beyond words sometimes.


Chris and I are consistent in our parenting, of that I am sure.  Disrespect is never allowed.  Disobedience is never allowed.  Drew, however, continues to push and defy and has since she was two.  She needs to be reminded constantly that she is not the adult.  She acts as if you (as the adult) need to earn her respect, it's not just given to you automatically just because you are an adult.  She does what she wants and what benefits her despite what is right and what she's allowed.  That's when consequences are given - swift and severe.  This still doesn't change the behavior.  She quickly goes back to doing what benefits her.  I'm talking about little things like watching iCarly when the rule in the house is NO iCarly.  Things like sneaking a toy in her backpack to school when she knows that's not allowed.  She already has the philosophy of "asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission".  Whose child is this?

I'm pretty sure this is not a phase although I do understand that with continued consistency and with more life experience that she may learn to make better choices and that her behavior is undesirable to not just us but to her teachers and her friends, too.  We'll have to see.  In the meantime, I am accepting the fact that much of her is not who I thought she'd be but she's got some really great qualities I'm very proud of.  We joke that when she grows up she's going to be a strong black woman.  I have no idea where she gets her personality.  She'll probably be really firm and set in her beliefs and convictions.  Oh, crap.  Wait a second.  That sounds familiar...

So love her...

...if I do say so myself

Today was absolutely exhausting.  From 1:30pm to 7:30pm this house experienced about 20 minutes of quiet, non-fighting time.  Drew and William were at odds over everything from where to put the chair to how to pronounce the sight words we practicing to how to lay the flashcards in a pile.  The fact that everyone survived the day without any injuries only means one thing:

Animal hunt

We often go on an "animal hunt" before bed.  We usually find a snail, a caterpillar, a cricket, or even just a spider.  Tonight we hit the jackpot. 

See it?

Here, a little closer

Mr. Brave

It jumped, but Drew jumped higher

Mr. Not-So-Brave

Taking over

Here is a brief explanation from the 3 year old about what camouflage means:

Halloween thinking, already

Holymotherofgod, it's that time of year again.  I've been dreading it a little because if you remember last year's post (click here) I vowed to make this year's Halloween costumes for all three kids.  Yeah, that's not going to happen.  It's just not.  The kids love trick-or-treating and even though we only go to about 20 houses, I want them to look awesome and feel awesome in their costumes.  That would not happen if I was responsible for them and that's a fact.  I'm fine with spending money on something they will wear for an hour.  I do know from experience that once it's thrown in the dress-up bin it does get used quite a bit throughout the year so... yeah.  It's fine. 

I think I'm one of the few on the planet that does not have an iphone but have you seen the new iphone Pottery Barn Kids halloween costume app?  (If not you can click here to check it out).  It's genius and seriously, if I had the phone, I'd have the app, and then I'd buy the costumes.  I'm a sucker and am exactly the demographic Pottery Barn is marketing to - a mom who is too lazy to make her kids' costumes and therefore is willing to compensate for being lame by spending too much on a dumb costume.  That's me!  And Pottery Barn Kids knows it.

I normally wouldn't be thinking of Halloween quite yet but since we're bombarded with it by advertisers everywhere already, it's hard not to.  And I have to say, I LOVE that at my Costco Santa and the pretty Christmas ribbon are chilling next to the big talking skull and the cornucopias.  C'mon.  Ridiculous.

If I was making the costumes I should be thinking about Halloween, but since I'm not, I'll let pbkids finish their work and I'll put my order in by the end of the month. 

What will your kids be for Halloween?  And are you super awesome and making it yourself or are you lame like I am and let China do the work for you?

How cute would Lauren be as a cupcake? 

GENE YUS

It's almost been a year

This little blog's one year anniversary is coming up soon and I'm thrilled.  This has given me a venue to share, to bitch, to vent, and to get some wonderful feedback and ideas from you.  My husband thanks you!  This blog took the place of his ears for many subjects.
 
I know most of you who visit here and read don't comment, and the majority of the comments I do get are on the facebook link rather than here on the actual blog.  I will be printing into a book the last 6 months (as I did with the first 6 months) and creating volume II of our family diary/blog.  I would like to welcome you to begin commenting if you haven't been in the past.  I write this blog to share and would love to hear your similar stories.  I always welcome feedback and ideas, as well.  We're all in this parenting thing together and we have so much to learn from each other.  I want to start hearing from you.

Most of all, thank you for being a faithful reader.