Maybe it's because I've had kids later in life, maybe it's because I know I won't be having more after this one, maybe I'm just a whack-job--whatever the reason--I'm not good at having my kids grow up. To me, even four is quite too old. I find myself mostly wishing that they would get stuck in their ages with only an occasional acceptance of growth like when someone's head cracks me across the chin or when a tantrum ensues following disciplinary measures. In the same vein, I'd be happy to freeze my own age as well.
Last night after one of the aforementioned tantrums, Matthew pulled his "I can't go to school because I'm sick" routine. It's been going on for weeks and I've been ignoring it. I started quizzing him as to the reason for his inability to go and he finally spilled the beans that some kids (mostly girls of all people) on the playground said mean things to him. It broke my heart. I wish I could shelter him forever--and yet he's not even begun to taste the reality of the world. I also didn't mentioned to him that he could end up marrying one of them someday. We talked about what they had said and discussed some ways that he may be able to deal with the situation. In his sweet way, he said that he would forgive them. I really do want to keep him little forever. When we get bigger, we just want to knock their blocks off. The sweetest part was after we were done talking and it appeared that the weight of the world had been lifted off of his little shoulders, he said "Mom, thanks for helping me solve my problems." It just made me want to cry. If only I could solve all of his problems. I will do my best, my little man.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
1st Annual Valentine's Day Breakfast Party
Last week I told Matthew that we were going to have a family Valentine's breakfast on Saturday. Like most kids, he was excited about the holiday and making treats, etc. Holidays are a fun break from the run-of-the-mill week.
On Saturday morning, he emerged from slumber and came into my office (that would be the kitchen) where I was working some magic on a fresh pineapple and asked where the decorations were. Obviously I was not living up to four year old party expectations. I told him that I would put some up (which meant I had to make some--I had not made a run to Dollar General). The next question was "who is coming?" "me, Daddy, you and Spencer" Again, not the party crowd he had envisioned. Being the good mother that I am usually not, I told him to call his grandparents and see if they wanted to come over. He phoned both sets and told them to be there at 9:30--his chosen time but it seemed to work. It was 8:15 and I had a whole hour and fifteen minutes to hype myself into party mode.
With breakneck speed, I knocked out several construction paper hearts and threw some streamers around. I'd post a photo but the camera is still broken--along with the mixer--but that's another story. I then awoke Corbin to inform him that I was reneging on my Valentine's Day gift to him of letting him sleep as late as he wanted. We had a party to get to.
Somehow it all came together and we all had a great time. I whipped up some Belgian waffles topped with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, whipped cream and powdered sugar. They were tasty if I must say so myself. Spencer has quite expensive tastes and he was in heaven with the fresh fruit. His new favorite is fresh pineapple. I'd rather give him fresh fruit than a bag of chips--cause that means there are more chips for me!
We are so fortunate to have both sets of good sport grandparents less than five minutes away. What a magical time for my kids. We had such a fun time that I think we'll do it again next year.
On Saturday morning, he emerged from slumber and came into my office (that would be the kitchen) where I was working some magic on a fresh pineapple and asked where the decorations were. Obviously I was not living up to four year old party expectations. I told him that I would put some up (which meant I had to make some--I had not made a run to Dollar General). The next question was "who is coming?" "me, Daddy, you and Spencer" Again, not the party crowd he had envisioned. Being the good mother that I am usually not, I told him to call his grandparents and see if they wanted to come over. He phoned both sets and told them to be there at 9:30--his chosen time but it seemed to work. It was 8:15 and I had a whole hour and fifteen minutes to hype myself into party mode.
With breakneck speed, I knocked out several construction paper hearts and threw some streamers around. I'd post a photo but the camera is still broken--along with the mixer--but that's another story. I then awoke Corbin to inform him that I was reneging on my Valentine's Day gift to him of letting him sleep as late as he wanted. We had a party to get to.
Somehow it all came together and we all had a great time. I whipped up some Belgian waffles topped with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, whipped cream and powdered sugar. They were tasty if I must say so myself. Spencer has quite expensive tastes and he was in heaven with the fresh fruit. His new favorite is fresh pineapple. I'd rather give him fresh fruit than a bag of chips--cause that means there are more chips for me!
We are so fortunate to have both sets of good sport grandparents less than five minutes away. What a magical time for my kids. We had such a fun time that I think we'll do it again next year.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Is it really possible to become obsessed with a minivan?
If you could see inside my head the list of thoughts would go something like this:
minivan, minivan, minivan, feed the children, minivan, minivan, minivan, minivan, bathe them, minivan, minivan, dirty diaper, minivan, minivan, minivan, minivan, oh yeah go to work to pay for minivan, minivan, load the dishwasher, minivan, minivan, minivan, minivan, minivan--but which kind. . . you get the picture.
I've been just shy of obsessed with thoughts of purchasing a minivan.
I've been contemplating whether we need a bigger vehicle for the clan. As you can see from the photos, we have active children and perhaps a larger vessel may make life a little easier.
I change my mind daily with what I think I want or don't want, or need or don't need. Indecisiveness is really a hard burden to bear but I've learned to live with it and be happy.
I scour the vans online every fifteen to eighteen minutes just in case the deal of a lifetime was just posted. But it hasn't been yet. I subscribed to Carfax to avoid a lemon. The more I look the more confused I am and think maybe we should just keep the good thing we've got going. After all, she's been with us longer than any of the kids and is always dependable and does what we want her to do with never a trace of a repair bill.
Any advice?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
