RIP The Great Leslie

I was raised on old movies, and our "family movie" was "The Great Race" with Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. Loved that movie, and not a day goes by without me quoting some line from that movie ("Push the button, Max!"). (On another side note, my parents saw this movie on a date in the theater, and my dad was the loudest laugh!)
Tony Curtis has died. My sister suggested we wear white for him today, and I think it's time to watch the movie again. He has done many other movies, but to me he will always be "The Great Leslie" with a smile that dings, and eyes that sparkle.

Throwback Thursday

William has been playing with this same helmet lately, and I found this one of Emma at about 14 months old. So cute!

School conversations

Patrick: (as they are dropped off at school) That lady is the counselor.
Me: She is? Do you know what a counselor is?
Patrick: She's someone that helps really mad or really sad kids. Like this girl in my class who got sad about her brother dying 3 years ago and because this boy (names not used to protect the innocent) was mean to her.
Me: (caught COMPLETELY off guard)......oh. Well, have a great day at school! I love you!

Emma: I kissed Anthony today!
Me: Oh really? Is that something that we are supposed to do unless it is a family member?
Emma: No.
Me: Where did you do it?
Emma: Right here. (pointing to the playground)

(I eventually got "cheek" as the answer, but I am thinking we are going to have some more conversations with that girl. Lord help me.)

Rain, rain

Did you ever have a pair of rain boots? I can't remember ever having a pair of "wellies" or rain boots, and every time it rains I think I need to make an investment. But not just any rain boots. Oh no. It has to be something ultra cute because it's such a gloomy day. Now, I'm sure many of you are thinking that I am not one who should be giving fashion advice, and I am well aware that I am no Stacey London, but, I do enjoy a cute pair of rain boots.
These are so cute, especially since I have a special place in my heart for argyle. Must have something to do with what my sisters were wearing when I was growing up.

Love, love the polka dots! But the color, eh, while it may be fashionable, it's not chipper enough to make you feel good on a rainy day. We need something with a little more pizazz.

Ooooo! Loving the plaid! And that pop of pink it just too cute.

I have to say that Kate Spade seems to do it the best: the heel, the color the simplicity. Even the name of the boots is adorable. "Lipstick pink." And that bow?? Oh I SO could get away with those. I would feel very happy with those on my feet. Might even attempt to do some heel clicks. Well, maybe not. I'm sure I would fall down and make a fool of myself, as usual.

Maybe I need to get some for all the kids. They have never had them either, poor, deprived children.

Patrick: I love school. I had no idea it would be so much fun!
Emma: Me too!

Excuse me while I go cry for many different reasons.......

Safety First

We have a new chair in our makeshift office area, and the kids are enjoying it's spinning quality. I found them riding it the other day and they told me they had their "safety glasses" on for the ride.

What stinkers.

Thoughts from my week

It is a very sad thing when the pediatrician's office knows you by name. It could be considered a good thing to hear the tone of recognition on the phone, as well as when you walk in the door. It is not, however, a good thing when it is because of how often they see you. I spent most of my week taking my kids to the doctor's office to be told that we are the "strep family" once again. I knew they were sick, but it seemed it was only colds/sinus infections, or at least I hoped it was. I have noticed a bit more grumpiness in the house but I was just thinking that all those early mornings and the long days at school were the cause. Not strep. Not again. We just did this. I am so frustrated. What am I doing wrong? Am I a bad housekeeper? Am I a carrier?? What is it about my kids that makes them so appealing to germs? It is embarrassing to be known so well at the doctor's, AND to be called the "strep family" as you are there. You know what really gets to me? I have been sending the kids to school for weeks, not knowing how sick they were. I especially feel bad because one of the moms in the Kindergarten class was just diagnosed with cancer. I am praying that she does not get sick.

I should have figured it would happen to me. I was scheduled to sing this weekend. I have been sick for the last 3 times I was supposed to sing at Church. There must be some sort of jinx.

My mommy guilt is in full swing right now. I am tired, my kids are grumpy, my house is a mess, and my washing machine has been going non-stop for 3 days. I just wish the coughing, crying and whining would stop. I know the rest of the house wants me to stop too. Here's hoping the next week, month, etc brings healthier kids. And mommy.

William-isms

William is a very verbal child, and not only is he talkative, he is easy to understand. He knows how to tell us what he is thinking, will use the proper pronouns ("are you awake?" "I am") and, in general, amazes us every day. We went for a 2 year check up for him, and it was the first time that I had an appointment where the child answered every question from the doctor (favorite fruit, favorite food). She started to ask him all the 3 year old questions too (counting, colors, jumping) and was equally amazed with him. She asked him what song he knows and what song he would like to sing? He immediate response: "Hot and cold." Ack. How about we sing the baseball song we were singing in the car? (the 7th inning stretch) He was easily distracted by that and obliged, but it did have me worried.

Another thing William does on cue is those one-liners. The kids are always shouting "HEY!" about something and I have a response that is supposed to distract them. William has picked up on that and gives it right to them. "Hay's in the barn." One time Patrick was saying something that he wanted, and William sang to him "You can't always get what you want." I have even heard him tell Emma to "Pick a winner!" when she is knuckle deep in her nose. That kid. Too funny.

Found on my notepad:
I overheard Emma find this and she was so touched. Her response:

"To Patrick Reynolds. I like you. I like it when you are happy on your birthday."

She wanted to write something other than "I love you" so she asked me for a bit of help.

8 years

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband. Here's to another great 8 years and many more! I love you!
Tommy said he tried to make this arrangment look similar to my wedding bouquet. Isn't he sweet?

Murphy and me

We seem to be good friends lately. If there is something that can go wrong lately, it will for me. I decided to spend my Monday running errands and especially going to the grocery store. But, I was awakened at 2:30 by a child vomiting, poor thing. So, my day changed. It was spent washing sheets and towels, and just keeping myself busy at home. But I did need to go to the store, so at 8:30PM I go to the store with all the other freaks and procrastinators. (On a side note, I will smile and greet lots of people at the store during the day. Not so much when you go at night. Not the same kind of folks.) I was so proud of myself because I brought my reusable grocery bags, which I usually forget, since that is something else I am good at (now, what was I talking about again?). I get to the counter and she starts loading up the bags. I attempted to pick one up and OHmygoodnesswomandoIlooklikesomeonewithsuperhumanstrength??? She had put frozen goods, a gallon of milk, produce AND an apple juice in the same bag. You have got to be kidding me. I watch as she proceeds to put my eggs on top of everything else in the other bag (mind you, I brought more that just 2 bags). I pay, and ask if, of course, she got the bags discount? Oh no, of course not. They don't give discounts for the bags. Are you kidding me?? I felt like I had a sign on my head: This woman only lives by Murphy's Law. Please be sure to make this late night trip to the store just what she needs to finish her day.

I have to keep telling myself that these moments are occasions of grace and patience for me, but sometimes it is hard.

New Church Photos

I finally found some pictures of the new church dedication. There are a lot of photos, but I wanted to show you how lovely our ceremony was, and how beautiful our church is.

Apparently this is the day for moving the chatty kids to a different seat, as both my kids were telling me who switched and where they went in their new tables. I asked the kids if they thought they would get moved, and Patrick immediately replies "I don't know. I don't talk much." For some reason that just made me giggle, since it seems like such a grown up thing to say.

The second week of school is coming up. Full days for Emma, and lunches times 2 to pack, as well as homework for the upcoming weeks. I wanted to put down some thoughts from the first week before I forgot.

• Emma is defintely enjoying her days. She comes home exhausted and happy, and ready to tell me all about who got in trouble, and how many snacks the girl across the table had.
• Patrick is not always as willing to talk about school. There was a day when he got in the car, and after a few probing questions about his day expressed to me that "he would rather talk to me later about school." I did appreciate his honesty, but was a bit disappointed.
• These kids look so cute in their uniforms. I am so full of pride when they come down the stairs fully dressed for the day.


• Did I mention how early the kids have been getting up? I think it's the excitement, but we have had at least one child up, and I mean UP up for the day at 5:30 AM. Seriously. I am not ready to be up that early.


• I think it's so great that when I drop the kids off I school, they will say their goodbyes and walk to school. No looking back or hesitation. Yay! That helped me so much, especially on the first day.
• William has been really lonely without the kids. He is so cute when we talk about them and when we have to get in the car to get them, but he really misses them. I know it's been hard and I think we are going to have to have some playdates set up, so it gets easier.
• I cried. I admit it. I did cry the first week. I think it was the 2nd or 3rd day of school and my Dad called to see how they were doing. He wanted to be sure they knew that he was proud of them and while he was talking to me, I started to cry. More came when Emma brought home the "kissing hand" story for me: the little boy's mother kisses his hand before he leaves and all day he puts the hand to his cheek when he is missing his mother. Emma brought home one for me, and I was to do one for her cubby at school. That's when I lost it. I kept telling myself that I was going to be okay, but I didn't succeed.
• I love hearing the kids tell others about their day. Each story is different and I wish I could be a fly on the wall for their days. I hope to volunteer at school, maybe lunchroom duty, and bring William so we can see them.

Here's to a great second week!

Throwback Thursday

Tommy asked that I rename these kind of posts in honor of the football season coming up. This is Patrick at age 2.