Daddy the Doctor

Emma asked to see the pictures from when William was born the other day. When we asked her why, she said "I want to see Daddy taking the baby out." (I had a c-section, and no, we don't have photos of him coming out.) I said that no, the doctor takes the baby out, and she insisted it must have been Daddy because he was wearing one of those masks. I told her that everyone - doctors, nurses, Daddy - all wear a mask in the operating room, except Mommy. Patrick chimes in from the back seat "And the baby. The baby doesn't wear one either." I have to admit that we all got the giggles imagining the baby wearing one too.

Christmas Fun

What's a Reynolds family holiday without a little dancing?

Christmas

Christmas Eve Mass, and the only photo I could get of the kids.

Then we put the kids to bed too late after reading lots of Christmas stories. Patrick was up very early the next morning (he admitted the clock had a "3" on it!), and tried to wake us ("I'm lonely downstairs") a few hours later, which should have given us the first clue. What woke me was the noise of the toys that I had just wrapped the night before. He decided he had been up long enough - during which he made piles for everyone of their gifts - and unwrapped all his presents. I will say that was not my finest hour - of the morning or of my motherhood - and poor Patrick will never do that again, I'm pretty sure. We did try to salvage the day, and we started all over.

William put baby Jesus in the manger after giving him a kiss, which I missed.

William would ask with each present when we started, before anyone opened it, "Do you know what it is?"

This he made at school for us. It's a really big tile!

William had a theme for his gifts: All about Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story. He didn't seem to mind very much. We had a great day, full of family and fun, and most especially a nap for Patrick and some time with family, a new Disney sing-along game, and some more Just Dance.

ETA: We found out later that Tommy's brother's girls got up and opened all the presents in the morning. Apparently, it runs on the Reynolds side.

Christmas Joy

It's been a long time since I was in school, or even at the age where we would see a Christmas pageant. I had forgotten the beauty of such sweet children, telling the story of Jesus and singing the beautiful Christmas and Advent carols. Emma was part of the pageant at school the other night and I had such a wonderful time seeing all the sweet children sharing with us the true meaning of Christmas, ans preparing us for the exciting days ahead. I was so full of emotion, and if the room had been a bit darker, I think I would have let the tears stream a bit easier. There were some silly reasons I was emotional, and one was how happy I am that we DO an Christmas pageant, not a "holiday show." I didn't get a chance to talk to Tommy about it, but was so happy that he had the same feelings. He had never seen a Christmas pageant before (public schools all his life) and he really loved it. He was so happy that our children are part of such a wonderful school, that keeps bringing us back to Jesus.

Still here!

Thank you to those who have not given up on me and my blog. I am still here, and crawling toward the second trimester (IOW, where I hope to feel better) so I can be my usual posting self. I have been spending most of my days in bed and napping at each chance possible, as my house, laundry and dishes have reached the toppling point. My excuse? I'm too short to reach the top, so someone else has to help me. Yeah, I wish. My Tommy has been helping as much as he can, but he is so busy himself, and sounds like a big bear with a whopper of a sinus infection, that he is just as tired. We did invest in Costco-sized paper products for the house, but we can't seem to convince the kids to use them. For some reason, they only want cereal in a "real" bowl. Speaking of the kids, they are really excited about the baby coming. When we told them, it was actually during night prayers, just like the post, and Emma said "WHAT??" and Patrick said "that's a small belly for a baby." Emma keeps hoping it's a girl, and I am just hoping that we can find out soon so we can start planning the room situation for the kids, and prepare.


While we are on the subject of preparation, are you as stunned as I am that we are in December, and CHRISTMAS is right around the corner? I have barely done Advent, and it took me 3 days to get the wreath out. Our candles are from years past, so it looks like we have been using them, but in reality, we are squeaking along. Oh, and not just Christmas is this month. We have a birthday. My social butterfly's big day is the end of the month, and she is gung ho on having a "friend party" and all I can think of is PLEASE not at my house! We will have to limit the number, I'm pretty sure, but we will do something for her, and invite some of her BFFs and best BFFs (apparently there's a difference). My mother reminded me today of another 6yo child who - on her own - planned a party at the house and called and invited as many people as she could, and didn't even tell her mother. I guess Emma comes by it honestly. I do remember it being a really great party.

Thanks for the kind wishes and all the prayers. I keep hoping *today* is the day that I will actually get up and take my kids to school in clothes other than pajamas (let me tell you, a coat will hide those cute penguins) so I can start my day right.

To Infinity and Beyond!

Why our kids are so excited

Our new night prayers with the kids:

"God bless Mommy, Daddy, Patrick, Emma, William and the baby."



Coming in June!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It has been a full week at the school with a visit from the Pilgrims and Indians.

The show was followed by a Thanksgiving lunch. It was so neat to see all the parents and grandparents come and be with their kids, and all the Parish priests were serving at each lunch (there were at least 4 lunches, and I attended 2!).

Papa and Mani came for Patrick's. We discovered that Patrick LOVES pumpkin pie, but turkey, not so much.

William was a trooper for both lunches, and enjoyed plenty of cookies and PBJ.

Patrick's buddy from scouts and school. (If you look over Patrick's right shoulder, his teacher is sitting right there.)

Emma and her BFF. My daughter is the social butterfly and knows everyone's names and is very sweet and says hello to them all!

Papa had to go to court, but Mani was able to stay for Emma's lunch.
We are so blessed with family, friends, faith and our parish. It's such a joy to have you all in our life, and we are so grateful for the prayers, support and love.

I love it when I drop the kids off at school and they tell me that the "life guards" are out. After a giggle, I do tell them they are called "crossing guards."

The Writer

"Mommy, how do you spell....." is the beginning of most things asked by Emma. She LOVES to write. I am so impressed with how well she is doing. You won't see her going many places without a pencil and paper.
We met with her teacher and she told us that Emma is totally prepared for this year, and she is doing great. She also told us of how she is working to challenge her in higher levels (YAY!). It felt soo good hearing that, since we did Kindergarten with her last year (and she is reading some words at 6th grade level!) and I hoped she would be excelling.

Emma enjoys writing, and we have given her this book to be the author and the illustrator for her stories (which remind me of Twitter postings - "I am at Miss Susan's house"). The only downside is that she is so eager to write, that if she has a desire, she will write on ANYTHING. Paper, mail, floor, fridge....oh yes. I did say fridge. In a RED SHARPIE. I was so worried it wouldn't come off, but with a LOT of scrubbing, it rubbed off. Otherwise, we would have had Emma's name on there as a reminder to all of us when she was in her writing stage. Yes, I know. This too shall pass. But right now I am going to channel that energy to keep her skills up.

The Stinker

I just had to share these photos of William, who is the funniest little kid. If you ask him his name, he says "My name is Buzz" and declares that he is "the real Buzz."
He is NEVER without a Buzz Lightyear toy in his hand, and absolutely loves anything with Toy Story charactors on it.

He is also a good sport when it comes to dressing up in a costume find at Grandma's house. So cute.

This is the newest Reynolds grandchild, Hayden Chase, born in August, and William asked to hold him. I don't think Hayden was thrilled.

William didn't get any cake at Grandpa's party. :) His latest thing, which I haven't caught on camera yet, is to "fly like Buzz." Tommy puts him over one shoulder, and with arms outstretched he says "to infinity and beyond!" and Tommy runs around the room with him. It makes me giggle every time.

November Rambles

• There's nothing like working in a new office to give you a slice of humble pie. My work added a second location and it was my first time there last week. I opened every.single.drawer in that office at least 100 times that day. I turned the corner, and turned OFF the lights in the operatory, while my boss was working on a patient and in the process of trying to turn them back ON, turned more off. I went in the wrong door too many times to count, and had to ask more questions than this 13 year veteran should be asking. Needless to say, I came home exhausted, embarrassed and sheepish. I felt like it was my first 3 months of work again, except for the fact that I KNEW what I was doing, but just didn't feel like it.
  
  
• Did I mention that Thanksgiving is at MY house this year? We have family coming in from DH's side, and I am so happy that we get to have us together again. One of Tommy's brothers is being deployed again (3rd time!) so we are so happy to see him before he goes again. It is actually one of the first years (that I can remember) that all the Reynolds are in the states for a holiday. I'm sure I'm wrong. LOL


• So, Patrick. Strep. AGAIN. Sigh. Not sure what to say about it, but that poor little guy. When he gets it, it makes him vomit. I am ALWAYS sure that it's a stomach bug, so I give him the whole BRAT diet, limit food, fluids, etc. You would think I would figure it out, but nooo, I am a dunce and keep expecting that it's NOT strep. The doctor says that it takes 7 times in one year to talk about a tonsillectomy, and we are on 3 (or 4) this year. Maybe one of us in the house is a carrier? We can test that at the doctor's so I am ON that! Not sure what happens if we are, but we'll keep taking it one step at a time. What am I doing wrong? How can I get rid of this in my home?? If I'm not careful, I'm going to start thinking I'm a bad mommy.......oh wait. I've already gone there.


• I thought that having uniforms for the kids would slow down my laundry duties. The mount Neverest has seemed to grow exponentially lately. Anybody want to come help for a couple days, see if I can catch up? I can promise you......um, my undying gratitude! Seriously, I am not sure how I could thank a person willing to help me with something they already have to do for themselves.
• I am so happy! My kids got their first report cards today, and they are doing so well! I am sooo relieved, proud and grateful for this school year. Thank you, Lord!