More Stinkus-isms

1. "Of course!" Me: Can I have a hug? Ke, formerly known as Stinkus: "Of course you can!" Me: Did you clean your room by yourself? Ke: "Of course I did!" And of COURSE, she doesn't quite say "course" correctly so it's even cuter.

2. I think we're in trouble with a boy-CRAZY girl. She came home from daycare one day and told us she was marrying Carson. Which was the first time I'd ever heard of anyone named Carson. "Who's Carson?" I asked. "He told me I booooo-ti-ful. . . " she answered, batting her eyelashes and flipping her hair. She was literally beaming, and enjoying it a little too much. She decided last summer that she was going to marry her friend Will, despite his very obvious refusal. I think there were even some tears shed: "Her said she's going to marry me!" Insert tears here. The girl's not taking no for an answer! Another night she revealed at dinner that she tried to kiss Alexander today but (pouting) "Hims got away." Mothers with small boys, lock them up NOW.

3. So far, she's NOT outgrowing the "Hold me, hold me, hold me. . . ." Which has become "Homa me" for some reason. . . Somedays I'm grateful for the extra loves, and somedays I'm trying not to pull my hair out. As independent and fiery as this one is, I've said since she was tiny that she'd crawl back inside if she could. :)

4. A few nights ago, I heard something that I thought wouldn't happen for about ten more years.  An angry, tearful daughter stormed out of the kitchen and stomped to her room, yelling, "Dis is the worst night EVER!"  Big dramatic pause.  "And you is da worst mudder EVER!"

A little back story.  My family is guilty of underestimating the amount of time we have in the evenings.  I leave work, all geared up to 1) fold the heaping baskets of laundry that have become decor in my living areas, 2) sweep up the never-ending crumbs under the bar from breakfast (and on more days than I want to admit, clean up the breakfast dishes ON the bar. . .), 3) whip up a fabulous, homemade meal that everyone will LOVE and eat and not pick through to see exactly what ingredients I used and try to find a few lone bites that are acceptable and not contaminated by anything gross.  Unfortunately, I get home and my couch beckons me and my "To-Do" list becomes a little shorter.  You know, we can just dig through those clothes to find outfits--it's like having a dresser in the dining room. . .  And there will just be more crumbs tomorrow.  Plus it's almost dark.  If I just turn on one lamp in here, I can't even see them! 

Anyway, my girls have inherited my ambitions. . .  as well as the lack of follow-through. . . .  That night, Sassy planned to organize her desk.  She even said, "I just LOVE organizing things!"  Hello, little apple from my tree!  She started, but let's just say, it still needs a lot of organizing.  Ke decided she wanted to do Play Doh--and watch a movie.  I despise Play Doh.  I like that it keeps them entertained, and it IS fun, especially with the cool molds and accessories that they have.  But clean up makes me want to scream.  It crumbles and flakes and then they step on it and track it all over the house (which adds to the crumbs I still need to clean up) and then it's all smushed into their socks (which just makes laundry worse).  So after that, dinner was late and it was a bath night so we were pressed for time.  Ke decided it was time to play beauty shop, despite my reminders that we needed to get in the bath.  By the time they decided to listen, it was way too late for a movie.  Cut to door slamming above.

So I convince her that the next night is Friday, we don't have to take baths or go to bed early, and we can watch a ton of movies.  "Oh but wait," I say, "The worst mother in the world would NEVER do movie night. . .   And I'm the worst mother ever. . . "

"Wellll. . . ." she answers sheepishly and I'm totally ready for her to sing my praises and thank me for almost four years of maternal blood, sweat and tears.  "You just da worst mudder today.  Maybe to-mah-whoa you be a better mudder."  Oh, lovey.  You're always going to keep me on my toes, aren't you?

5. Today as I'm finishing up lunch, I hear a very urgent:  "Mom!  I pooped!" and she didn't come and announce to the world that she needed to beforehand.  Hence my panicked reply:  "On the toilet?"

"No. . . ."  Oh fabulous. . . "IN the toilet!"

Oh this girlie makes me laugh.  And grow gray hair.                  

Keeping Score

I'm continually amazed at how fun life is through the eyes of a child.  We took the girls bowling last weekend with some friends.  I've been bowling.  It's fun, but nothing to write home about.  Probably because I stink.  While it's normal for my cousins to bowl 280+, I'm lucky to hit 100.  But this was the girls' first time together and my heart was about to burst in the first few frames.  They LOVED it.

First was the excitement over the black lights and discovering all the ways we glowed.  Ke giggled like crazy every time she pushed the ball down the ramp, then jumped and stomped and laughed. . . . even when it knocked nothing down. 

Sassy was jumping up and down too, and squealing with pure joy. . .  until she noticed the scoreboard.  Ugh.  My little perfectionist who has always had everything come easy to her was suddenly way more interested in everyone's score.  And who was ahead of her.  And then the pouting, sulking and TEARS (yes, tears) started.  Especially when one of the little girls was beating her.  Because (insert sarcasm here) they had SUCH strategy in pushing the ball down the ramp and watching it creep down the lane, hit a bumper and knock over some random pins.  I was SO frustrated.  Sassy wanted to quit, she refused to acknowledge her friend when A got a strike or a spare, and seeing the little girls get one nearly pushed her over the edge.  Grrr.  And of course, I tried to blame myself.  What had I done to make her this way?  Too much praise?  Too much pressure?  Too much glory as the oldest "golden" child?

And then I realized yet again---Uggghhh, she's ME.  How many times do I HAVE to be the best?  And how many times do I compare myself to others?  That woman is: really skinny, fun, pretty, fashionable, cute, tall, petite, etc.  She has: perfect hair, a cute purse, great shoes, a fabulous husband, expensive jewelry, etc.   That mom: makes homemade Play Doh, always does fun crafts, takes her kids to exotic museums, clips so many coupons that the store pays HER.  Their house is: bigger, nicer, prettier, better decorated, newer, etc.  Just the other day, I was stewing over something that someone else had (when I KNOW that's a Commandment to follow. . . ) and I heard a tiny voice whisper, "But you have Me."  And I suddenly realized how much I've been blessed with.  Not that others don't have Him, but I truly don't "NEED" anything.  Someday when I'm gone from this earth, nothing else will matter.  When I stop to realize everything I DO have, I'm embarrassed at how often I dwell on what I don't.  And all this time I've been telling Sassy that she won't be "the best," there will always be something else who is, and it's OK. . .  Why is it so hard to practice what you preach?

During the very last frame, A and her family went to the restroom, and go figure, Sassy got a strike. 

She squealed, yelled, and jumped up and down.  I was SO glad that she got to feel that.  But of course, I had to remind her:  "Wouldn't you have wanted A to be here to celebrate?  Maybe she wanted YOU to celebrate earlier with her."  On the way home, Sassy commented that she apologized to A for acting the way she did.  I was shocked.  And proud.  Without any prompting whatsoever, Sassy realized that she wasn't acting appropriately and she took responsibility for her actions.  A great way to end the night.

If she's anything like her mama, she'll probably always struggle with comparing herself to others and trying to be the "best."  (An unrealistic goal that's never attainable. . .why doesn't her mama see that?)  But I'll take the unsolicited apology.  Even if I'm not the skinny, perfect, fashionable mom with the cute purse who takes the girls to exotic museums, I'm still doing something right.  And not that we're keeping score, but that's gotta count for something.  :)             

Gifts

I doubt that the Mayans (haha. . .) had New Year's Day on their calendar. I really don't know how it originated--maybe it was the brainchild of Richard Simmons to sell workout tapes? I know it's a hot time of year for diet books and gym memberships. . . And despite that (ha), I love New Year's. There's just something about the promise and hope of a new year. In all honesty, January 1 is no different than December 31--every day should be a new start, a clean slate. But it truly feels magical watching that ball drop, toasting those you love, and passing around lots of kisses (I love that we share this night with our babies too!) It's a chance to wish on the upcoming year, work on those resolutions (that we may or may not keep. . .) and wait for what God has in store.

At first glance, our past year was pretty uneventful. Some may even say "boring." There were no extravagant purchases or vacations. No major milestones or moments. No surprises or announcements. Which made it a GREAT year. I'm learning more and more to welcome and embrace the daily grind. Life is made up mostly of little, day-to-day moments and only broken up every once in a while by something "big." One of my constant resolutions is to focus on those little things. They're not always easy to acknowledge, but every night, I thank God for the blessings of the day that went unnoticed. Those are the true, quiet gifts that make up life. And in looking back over the past year, we were definitely blessed.

Our 2012 Gifts:

• Keke started a new daycare in February, which has turned out to be the BIGGEST blessing. This isn't the best picture but there she is in the middle-right, singing her little heart out during the Christmas program.  Boy did she sing!  I love that in this pic, the little boy standing in front of her is turned around to see where all that noise is coming from.  HA!  Thank you, God, for opening doors!  

• We became a diaper free household this year. . . hopefully in 2013 we can master the "staying dry overnight" thing. Oops.
• Sassy started first grade and she's had another great year.  Her big news of the year is that she has three less baby teeth in her mouth and a few extra bills in her piggy bank. :)
• Our new baby niece E was born in June, and we got to be her godparents a few months later.  Love her!
• We enjoyed lots of little getaways with family and friends--SUCH a fun summer!
• Baby S was born in November on the other side of the family--the girls are so excited to get a B cousin!!!  And that familiar, dark gorgeous hair makes this mama melt. . . .   (But not enough to conquer diapers again--sorry, aunties!)  

• We had one auntie, uncle and cousin move only two hours from us--YAY!--and one auntie and uncle move 1,000+ miles away--BOO. . . . but YAY for all of the amazing adventures they'll have and the trips we'll get to take!  Like Disneyland!  :)  We're excited to get together with the S Family more and happy for the O Family.  So fun to see what God has planned for our loved ones!
• We refinanced the house so maybe 2013 will be the year that we finish the basement. . . and dare I say, get rid of the blue toilet?!?  I almost hate to see it go.  I mean, we just moved here.  NINE years ago!!!  Nine years, really?  Can't believe we've been here that long.

We're excited to see what else 2013 brings.  Stay tuned for pictures of a (HOPEFULLY) white toilet.  And if you're in the market for a blue one, Hubby says he's putting it on eBay.  :)  Happy New Year!