Anna helped me make this soup yesterday afternoon. It was SOOOO good. Seriously good. Seriously fall. Savory soup with just the right amount of sweetness... and very yummy. And very healthy - the only fat in the entire recipe is the 2Tbs. of butter you cook the onions in - and the 1/2 cup of milk. (A side note - I didn't figure out the Weight Watchers points - but I imagine they would be very low - since it's basically vegetables and low-sodium chicken broth.)
So I had to share the recipe for all my cooking friends:
Butternut Squash and Pear Bisque
1 onion chopped
2 Tbs. butter
1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 anjou pear, peeled and cubed (these are not in season 'round these parts - so I substituted 2 bosc pears)
1 carrot or parsnip, peeled and cut into chunks (I used a carrot - I'm still scarred from my experience eating parsnips as a small child)
1 Tbs. honey
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup whole milk or cream (we used whole milk)
Garnish: 4 ounces sharp white cheddar grated
Sourdough croutons*
In large pot, saute onions in butter on med-low heat until soft (do not allow to brown). Add cubed squash, pear, and carrot, and saute a few minutes more. Add chicken broth, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper - increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes until squash is very tender.
Working in several batches, puree soup in blender, or (what we did) blend in the pot with an immersion blender.
(I added an extra step here - and strained the soup through a fine mesh strainer.... the immersion blender did a great job - but I wanted no texture - just pure creamy goodness.)
Return soup to pot and heat through - keeping on low. Stir in milk. Check seasoning and add salt and/or pepper as needed.
Garnish with grated cheese and sourdough croutons.
*2 slices day-old sourdough bread cut into 1" cubes
olive oil to coat
kosher salt
Toss bread cubes in enough olive oil to coat - sprinkle with salt. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes until lightly browned (make sure to watch the oven - so you don't burn them.)
Enjoy!!!
Monday, October 10, 2011
Are You Ready For Some Football???
James had his first true taste of Carolina football. He FINALLY got to attend a game at the infamous Williams-Brice with his dad and uncle. And boy was this kid excited.
Ever one to be afraid of loud noises - he apparently thought the roar of the crowd was a bit much prior to '2001' and Cocky's entrance.
I think he managed to get over it though.
But I dare say - his favorite part of the event was sampling and tasting all of the foods the stadium had to offer. I received an email from Deonne with this picture attached - with the phrase "James is trying to eat his way through the game..." Why doesn't that surprise me?!?
A rite of passage... a game of Carolina football shared with the 'men' in his life. What a great way to spend a Saturday!
Thank you Uncle Darron for sharing your tickets - this is one memory James won't ever forget.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
A Child's Thought To Stop Hunger
Anna's class was recently given the opportunity to express their ideas on how to stop hunger. They were tasked with writing a sentence on how they could stop childhood hunger and then draw a picture of it.
The work was part of the Mast General Store's Food for Kids program. One class from each of several elementary schools across the city were selected to have their work displayed. Anna's was one of them.
We found out about it late yesterday via an email from Anna's teacher - the awesome Teacher of the Year, Ms. Duke. So we headed out after church and lunch to take a peek and see what the kids had created.
It was really sweet to see all of the things each child had thought of as a way to end childhood hunger. The best part of the whole assignment? That these kids were given the opportunity to think about something beyond the three R's of reading, writing, arithmetic - to think about humanity and the greater good.
This is reason 4,982 why I love the school Anna is blessed to attend - and can't wait for our boys to attend and experience.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Fall Fairy Birthday Party
Anna celebrated her 7th birthday with a Fall Fairy Party. It took a while for her to settle on a party theme - her choices ranging from fairy to Junie B, from art to dance. And because she was so all over the place - and I've been so scattered in the ever present UNKNOWN in our life - I didn't get around to planning anything until very late in the game. Truth be told - I just wasn't into party planning mode this birthday. I suppose a lot of that had to do with not knowing if we'd be here or there - and living with one foot in the door and one foot out is schizophrenic to say the least.
However, Anna was turning 7, and we needed to celebrate.
One theme that remained constant throughout her various 'Mommy I want a (insert theme) party' was the tag-on statement of 'a slumber party.' She's been dying to have friends over to spend the night - to have a true slumber party of her own. So we caved. We allowed it. We did set some ground rules - no more than six guests (no more of this inviting everyone she knows bit) - and when mommy and daddy said lights out - it meant go to sleep.
I'm sure I sound like a mean ogre parent - and I do want our kids to be kids and have fun giggling the night away. But I also know the ramifications of said giggling - and how vile my child can be on lack of sleep - so we laid down the proverbial law.
It was really hard for her to invite people - because she really wanted to invite everyone. I made her sit and think really hard about the people she really cares about and who she really wanted to help celebrate her birthday. And it didn't help that I waited so long to really start planning and figuring out a date - so she wasn't able to invite dear friends that live out of town - something I already felt awful about - that she compounded with her constant barrage of 'Mommy - this just isn't a party without Anna Reece.' Thanks kid...
Anyway - she finally narrowed down the list to two friends from her class at school, her bff friend from pre-school and her little sister, and two friends from church. And then the fairy frenzy began...
To set the scene - I quickly wrote up an invitation - asking fairies to come and frolic in the autumn air - while completing a very important task. I had little fairies stuck in various hiding places around the house - in and out of our regular fall decorations. I didn't know if any of the girls would even see the fairies or get that they were in hiding - but they did!
On the front door - I typed up this sign and stuck it in the fall gourd and leaf wreath. (Can I just say how much I heart Photoshop?)
As the fairies arrived, they were given supplies to make wands (sticks Anna collected from the backyard that I spray-painted glittery gold, ribbons, sparkly things, and berries) and were given the opportunity to have their faces painted.
Following that - they dined on a selection of fall fairy treats including Harvest Salad (apples, dried cranberries, goat cheese, candied pecans, and greens), Petite Pumpkin Pasta (my favorite fall pasta recipe ever), Gnome-made Pizzas (English muffin pizzas in your choice of cheese or mini-pepperoni), sliced Honeycrisp Apples, and Nymph Knots (refrigerated bread sticks that were tied into knot shapes and topped with Parmesan cheese.) Of course, everything was doused with a healthy sprinkling of edible gold glitter (pixie dust.) Sweets included Autumn Acorns (Hershey's kisses topped with miniature vanilla wafer cookies and chocolate icing stems) and birthday cake.
Following dinner - the fairies got all decked out in true fairy mode - including autumn leaf wings and crowns made of leaves. It's amazing what you can do with some pre-made orange wings (bought in bulk for dirt cheap), a bunch of fabric leaves, some gold glitter spray paint, and a glue gun. Ditto for the crowns - they started as cheap orange flower headbands with a lot of curly ribbon - add in leaves and berries and sticks with a lot of hot glue and voila! Fall Fairy Crowns!
The girls had a special treat - a visit from their Fairy Godmother! Anna and one of her teachers from school have become the best of friends. We happened to be chatting one night about her upcoming fall fairy party - and somehow she offered/was coerced into being the Fairy Godmother. Anna had no clue she was coming - they came down the stairs to the back deck with no idea of what was to come - and all of a sudden Fairy Godmother appeared!
So awesome.
The first order of business was to provide each fairy with her true fairy name. I found this ridiculous website where you can type in your name and a fairy name pops out. So each girl had an actual fairy name. So cute - and the girls loved it.
Next - the fairies received their task. The Fairy Godmother read this story I wrote - and the girls were off on their task to find the missing fall leaves and the magical pixie dust required to help them change colors.
Next - the fairies received their task. The Fairy Godmother read this story I wrote - and the girls were off on their task to find the missing fall leaves and the magical pixie dust required to help them change colors.
I have to pause the story for a moment and point out the picture of Anna and her Fairy Godmother. How many teachers do you know that would take time away from family and friends to dress up in sparkly makeup, crown, jewels, and cape to attend a 7 year old's birthday? Not many. Ms. Craft has truly been like a godmother to our family - and all of us, ALL of us, are thankful beyond words.
Now, back to fairy programming...
Once the fairies had collected their loot - they had the very serious and very important job to help their leaves turn colors. You can see from the concentration on these fairy faces that this was serious stuff.
We followed the sugar ingestion with birthday cake (because you can't have too much sugar at a slumber party, right?) and then had everyone change into pajamas and set up sleeping bags to settle in for a movie (Thumbellina) and Fairy Snacks (popcorn, pretzels, and M&Ms served in individual chinese take-out boxes).
Now, I had a lot of help. Nici (mama to two of the fairies who attended) stayed the night. The WHOLE night. I kinda told her that a third of the guests were hers - so she had to stay to help by default. (But I think she would have stayed anyway.) Two of the other fairy mamas (Nicole and Catherine) also stayed to help make wands, serve dinner, keep the fairies on schedule, get them into (and out of) their fairy gear, and eventually settled into bed.
The person who had the most issue was Jack - who got his feelings hurt when he realized he couldn't sleep in the den with the girls. I think he was deeply insulted that he had to sleep in his bedroom - alone, no less - because James was at a sleepover himself. But once he settled down with a few lullabies and snuggles from mama - he was good to go.
Nici ran out the next morning to get doughnuts and chocolate milk (I again called 'uncle' and did not fix the elaborate pumpkin pancake and sausage breakfast I'd planned) - and all girls were collected around 9.
A lovely way to turn seven - and what I think was a pretty good first sleepover.
I do think it'll be at least a year before we do that again though....
Things that were missed - my mom. Anna hasn't mentioned it - but I think she is keenly aware that she didn't even receive a card from my mom and stepdad this year - that her birthday went by completely un-noticed by them. I don't have a lot to say about that - except that it sucks. And that I'm doing the best I can to shield my daughter from the horrible mentality of my stepdad.
My sister Logan - okay - so she's not really my sister - but she's the closest thing I have to one. If you're reading this L - you were missed a LOT. It didn't seem like a birthday without you and your girls. And B.
My dad. But there's a valid excuse for that - and I'm confident he was watching over us from Heaven - smiling down at the fluttering fairy wings and laughing his big Daddy laugh. The one that made his eyes twinkle.
But all in all - a very fun, very fairy party.
Highs and Lows
Lows:
So Jack has some weird virus. It started last week with a barking cough - which a trip to the pediatrician resulted in a diagnosis of croup and a prescription for an oral steroid. He seemed fine other than the cough - we gave him the medicine - it definitely lessened the barking coughing - then Saturday he started with a nose-dive - including waking up from his nap in a stellar mood, not wanting to eat, a few random 'urps', and culminated in him falling down the stairs to the basement and landing on his head.
Yeah - that was a fun one to watch happen....
Late that night he threw up - a lot - which caused us to raise eyebrows - that whole concussion thing... but he seemed fine. Sunday he awoke with a fever that didn't seem to come down despite the Motrin we shoved down his throat.
Second trip to the pediatrician in three days resulted in a diagnosis of some sort of infection (possibly sinus?) and a prescription for an antibiotic.
Monday he was still feverish - despite three doses of antibiotic + Motrin. In an effort to retain some credibility at work I stopped in to my office with Jack after dropping the two older kids off at their respective schools. He just didn't seem right - kept moaning and complaining that his neck hurt (raising eyebrows about meningitis) - so I called the pediatrician office to talk to the nurse.
Along with every other mother in Columbia. I was on hold for about 15 minutes - which is a long time with a feverish two-year old in your lap.
Extreme Low:
While waiting for the nurse to answer - Jack wanted to get down and walk around my office - and kept acting so weird - and - well - he ended up barfing all over my office floor. On the carpet. With my boss just around the corner. Awesome. And at the same time, the nurse picks up - so I can't tend to the barf covered kid, nor the carpet which is rapidly absorbing the curdled milk that he just threw up. Double Awesome. (For the record, I made Deonne go back later in the day with carpet cleaner to address the remaining yuck-o that I wasn't able to properly address.)
Third trip to the pediatrician in four days resulted in a diagnosis of a virus. Blood work showed his white count was below normal - 'viral supression' - whatever that meant - but ruled out a bacterial infection like meningitis.
So we get to let it run it's course.
Four days later and I'm still home with him. I'm sure I've lost any and all respect from my colleagues - who are sympathetic and understanding to the fact that I work and have three small kids - but at some point - that goes out the window. If you can't do your job - you can't do your job - whether you have a good reason or not.
And therein is that age old struggle - and constantly feeling like you are never doing enough - either slacking at work so you can tend to your kid - or not being the mom you want to be so you can do your job.
But back to Jack - he seems to be turning the corner - no fever - but is still not eating, is extremely moody and grumpy, and sleeping a lot. So I'm not entirely sure he'll be back tomorrow.
Highs:
Despite his vile mood at times, I have to admit that I've enjoyed this time with my boy. Uninterrupted time to read stories, put together puzzles, lay with him in his bed and sing him to sleep, and receive the hugs and 'I luv you mama's' has been priceless.
Jack has been by my side - and become completely attached - to the point that I actually heard him tell Deonne 'I don't want you - I want MAMA' - which I'm sorta ashamed to say - I liked hearing come out of his little mouth.
But all good things must come to an end - and I hope and pray he'll be better soon - so we can get back to our 'normal' life.
So Jack has some weird virus. It started last week with a barking cough - which a trip to the pediatrician resulted in a diagnosis of croup and a prescription for an oral steroid. He seemed fine other than the cough - we gave him the medicine - it definitely lessened the barking coughing - then Saturday he started with a nose-dive - including waking up from his nap in a stellar mood, not wanting to eat, a few random 'urps', and culminated in him falling down the stairs to the basement and landing on his head.
Yeah - that was a fun one to watch happen....
Late that night he threw up - a lot - which caused us to raise eyebrows - that whole concussion thing... but he seemed fine. Sunday he awoke with a fever that didn't seem to come down despite the Motrin we shoved down his throat.
Second trip to the pediatrician in three days resulted in a diagnosis of some sort of infection (possibly sinus?) and a prescription for an antibiotic.
Monday he was still feverish - despite three doses of antibiotic + Motrin. In an effort to retain some credibility at work I stopped in to my office with Jack after dropping the two older kids off at their respective schools. He just didn't seem right - kept moaning and complaining that his neck hurt (raising eyebrows about meningitis) - so I called the pediatrician office to talk to the nurse.
Along with every other mother in Columbia. I was on hold for about 15 minutes - which is a long time with a feverish two-year old in your lap.
Extreme Low:
While waiting for the nurse to answer - Jack wanted to get down and walk around my office - and kept acting so weird - and - well - he ended up barfing all over my office floor. On the carpet. With my boss just around the corner. Awesome. And at the same time, the nurse picks up - so I can't tend to the barf covered kid, nor the carpet which is rapidly absorbing the curdled milk that he just threw up. Double Awesome. (For the record, I made Deonne go back later in the day with carpet cleaner to address the remaining yuck-o that I wasn't able to properly address.)
Third trip to the pediatrician in four days resulted in a diagnosis of a virus. Blood work showed his white count was below normal - 'viral supression' - whatever that meant - but ruled out a bacterial infection like meningitis.
So we get to let it run it's course.
Four days later and I'm still home with him. I'm sure I've lost any and all respect from my colleagues - who are sympathetic and understanding to the fact that I work and have three small kids - but at some point - that goes out the window. If you can't do your job - you can't do your job - whether you have a good reason or not.
And therein is that age old struggle - and constantly feeling like you are never doing enough - either slacking at work so you can tend to your kid - or not being the mom you want to be so you can do your job.
But back to Jack - he seems to be turning the corner - no fever - but is still not eating, is extremely moody and grumpy, and sleeping a lot. So I'm not entirely sure he'll be back tomorrow.
Highs:
Despite his vile mood at times, I have to admit that I've enjoyed this time with my boy. Uninterrupted time to read stories, put together puzzles, lay with him in his bed and sing him to sleep, and receive the hugs and 'I luv you mama's' has been priceless.
Jack has been by my side - and become completely attached - to the point that I actually heard him tell Deonne 'I don't want you - I want MAMA' - which I'm sorta ashamed to say - I liked hearing come out of his little mouth.
But all good things must come to an end - and I hope and pray he'll be better soon - so we can get back to our 'normal' life.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
And Now She is Seven...
I know I sound like every other mother out there with every passing year when I say once again that it baffles my mind that my daughter is seven years old. It seriously feels like it was just yesterday that her tiny tightly swaddled body was placed in my arms for the very first time - like it was moments ago when I looked in her eyes for the first time and asked the question 'who are you? What great things will you do in your life?' And realized at that moment in time, just how much a mothers heart can love.
It hasn't been all lollipops and dandelion daydreams, though. I would be blatantly lying to ignore the challenges we've had in raising this beautiful, strong willed, insanely smart girl of ours. And since I hope that our kids one day read this blog - to see the ups and downs of their childhood documented in the written word - I have to tell it all - the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly.
The Good - oh my Anna. You are such an amazing child. You are whip-smart. You are able to see things and process things and understand things at a level that I can't quite grasp. Often times you seemingly stare into space, your wide eyes turning yellow-green when you really concentrate, and I know that you are thinking deep and profound thoughts. And it's not just your mom thinking you're really smart (even though that's my legal obligation - I'm sure I read that somewhere on your birth certificate.) Others see this unique trait in you as well. All the time.
And I struggle with that. I tend to down-play your abilities. I don't want you to get that proverbial 'big head,' nor do I want to be 'that mom' who thinks and acts and tells the world (in an annoying way) just how awesome their kid is.
But for the record, even though I may not say it - or may shrug off the compliments you receive when I'm around you - I think you are, indeed, amazing. You baffle me.
The other night we were watching the Carolina football game and a commercial came on advertising trucks. I can't recall the brand, or what they were saying - but the image was of the truck racing across the desert with a band of wild horses just behind it. You stopped in your tracks - feet frozen to the ground (which is what you typically do when you are deep in thought) - watched the ad - then turned to me and said 'mommy, I don't get it. What are they trying to say? That trucks are faster than horses? Duh... of course a truck is faster than a horse...' and went off on your way.
How many kids stop to think about the meaning of a TV ad? I'm sure I would have stopped and watched the same ad at the same age - but I would have been watching the horses - and daydreaming about how pretty they were...
And that's just one small example. You constantly bring things to my attention that I would have not thought about - or realized as important - and you constantly observe and process and conclude things that are beyond your years.
You are also very articulate. Your vocabulary is one of a teenager - and your reading level is off the charts. You write amazing sentences, and intricate stories, and while you struggle with spelling - and always ask 'mommy how do you spell ___?' - I'm kind of glad there is something you need help with.
You love to write letters and love notes to your family and friends - and I adore receiving your notes that say 'I love you mommy' on them more than you can ever know.
You are extremely artistic. Your drawings are down to the minute detail. Last year, in kindergarten, the class was asked to draw a fly. Every child drew a picture of a fly - taking up most of the sheet of paper they were given. Not you. You drew a tiny fly in the center of your page - a detailed and to scale drawing of a fly - true to size.
You are a sweetheart. You love tremendously and honestly and openly. And I'm realizing as time goes on just how sensitive you are. Your feelings are easily hurt, and I worry about you as you move forward with friendships in your young, yet dramatic life. I remember how awful girl friendships were in grade school - one day someone is your best friend - the next they aren't. It is a tumultuous time - and I hope I can provide you the love and support and guidance to help you navigate this stage of your life and come out on the other end relatively unscathed.
You adore family - and would like nothing better than to be with your younger brothers all day. While you really like to order James around - and we constantly need to remind you to play WITH him and not tell him how to play - the two of you have amazing imaginary games. You are the princess, he is your prince. You are the damsel in distress, he is the pirate. You are the mermaid, he is the sea creature sent to chase you. And you are so sweet to Jack. I think you think he's still a baby at times - which he protests greatly - but you are very protective of him - and rush to hold his hand or put your arm around him when you are out in public (much to his dismay.)
You have an incredible imagination - which can sometimes cause problems when the lines between reality and the imaginary become blurred.
You love to help - and strive to do your best in all you do. You don't settle for 'that's okay' - rather you'll work hard to make sure you get whatever it is you are trying to do right.
You are fiercely independent - and want to do everything yourself. I admittedly struggle with this. I want to give you your freedom and let you grow... but it's hard for this mama to watch you grow into a little girl from the baby I feel like I just held tightly in my arms. And, you want to help - you willingly accepted your list of chores on the 'chore chart' and have no issue completing the tasks listed. And if we had more time, I'm sure you would be right by my side helping to cook as much as possible.
The Bad - not really bad, but challenging. There isn't a 'bad' bone in your body - but there are indeed places where we butt heads - where we will always butt heads, I'm afraid. Your independence is a gift - and a struggle. Your ability to understand things quickly is a gift - and also a struggle. Many a day you are sent to your room for arguing with your dad and/or I, because you simply think you are right. And while you may be - we're trying to teach you respect. That you need to have obedience in your life. That your parents are in charge - no matter what. Whether or not you agree with it.
Another challenge is helping you keep your emotions in check. This started at the end of the last school year - hit a peak over the summer - and is seeming to subside now (THANK GOD). It's hard to see you become SO upset and SO emotional over EVERY thing that doesn't go according to your will. It is improving - and I hope it continues to do so as the school year progresses.
The Ugly - okay, so that's an exaggeration. You are my child - and nothing NOTHING you could ever do would be really 'ugly' in my mind. But again, there are definite challenges. Mostly stemming from the fact that you think everyone on the planet just fell off the turnip truck, and you have somehow been stuck living among a bunch of blubbering idiots. And again, we're working on that - and it is improving.
I wish I could explain to you now, and in the future when you read this someday, just how much you are loved. I know from personal experience that you will never fully comprehend a mother's love until you are one day, a mother.
My friend Kathy over at 3 Little Loves once said she wished she could bottle up her children's personalities at each age and put them on a shelf forever. I wish I could do that as well.... I think most moms do. I'd love to take you off the shelf at this age in about 15 years - when you are off at college and starting your own life - so I could remember the little seven year old girl who adores the imaginary world, can't get enough of all things fairy and Barbie, who has a tender heart and an open mind.
I love you my baby girl.
Happy Birthday
It hasn't been all lollipops and dandelion daydreams, though. I would be blatantly lying to ignore the challenges we've had in raising this beautiful, strong willed, insanely smart girl of ours. And since I hope that our kids one day read this blog - to see the ups and downs of their childhood documented in the written word - I have to tell it all - the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly.
And I struggle with that. I tend to down-play your abilities. I don't want you to get that proverbial 'big head,' nor do I want to be 'that mom' who thinks and acts and tells the world (in an annoying way) just how awesome their kid is.
But for the record, even though I may not say it - or may shrug off the compliments you receive when I'm around you - I think you are, indeed, amazing. You baffle me.
The other night we were watching the Carolina football game and a commercial came on advertising trucks. I can't recall the brand, or what they were saying - but the image was of the truck racing across the desert with a band of wild horses just behind it. You stopped in your tracks - feet frozen to the ground (which is what you typically do when you are deep in thought) - watched the ad - then turned to me and said 'mommy, I don't get it. What are they trying to say? That trucks are faster than horses? Duh... of course a truck is faster than a horse...' and went off on your way.
How many kids stop to think about the meaning of a TV ad? I'm sure I would have stopped and watched the same ad at the same age - but I would have been watching the horses - and daydreaming about how pretty they were...
And that's just one small example. You constantly bring things to my attention that I would have not thought about - or realized as important - and you constantly observe and process and conclude things that are beyond your years.
You are also very articulate. Your vocabulary is one of a teenager - and your reading level is off the charts. You write amazing sentences, and intricate stories, and while you struggle with spelling - and always ask 'mommy how do you spell ___?' - I'm kind of glad there is something you need help with.
You love to write letters and love notes to your family and friends - and I adore receiving your notes that say 'I love you mommy' on them more than you can ever know.
You are extremely artistic. Your drawings are down to the minute detail. Last year, in kindergarten, the class was asked to draw a fly. Every child drew a picture of a fly - taking up most of the sheet of paper they were given. Not you. You drew a tiny fly in the center of your page - a detailed and to scale drawing of a fly - true to size.
You are a sweetheart. You love tremendously and honestly and openly. And I'm realizing as time goes on just how sensitive you are. Your feelings are easily hurt, and I worry about you as you move forward with friendships in your young, yet dramatic life. I remember how awful girl friendships were in grade school - one day someone is your best friend - the next they aren't. It is a tumultuous time - and I hope I can provide you the love and support and guidance to help you navigate this stage of your life and come out on the other end relatively unscathed.
You adore family - and would like nothing better than to be with your younger brothers all day. While you really like to order James around - and we constantly need to remind you to play WITH him and not tell him how to play - the two of you have amazing imaginary games. You are the princess, he is your prince. You are the damsel in distress, he is the pirate. You are the mermaid, he is the sea creature sent to chase you. And you are so sweet to Jack. I think you think he's still a baby at times - which he protests greatly - but you are very protective of him - and rush to hold his hand or put your arm around him when you are out in public (much to his dismay.)
You love to help - and strive to do your best in all you do. You don't settle for 'that's okay' - rather you'll work hard to make sure you get whatever it is you are trying to do right.
You are fiercely independent - and want to do everything yourself. I admittedly struggle with this. I want to give you your freedom and let you grow... but it's hard for this mama to watch you grow into a little girl from the baby I feel like I just held tightly in my arms. And, you want to help - you willingly accepted your list of chores on the 'chore chart' and have no issue completing the tasks listed. And if we had more time, I'm sure you would be right by my side helping to cook as much as possible.
Another challenge is helping you keep your emotions in check. This started at the end of the last school year - hit a peak over the summer - and is seeming to subside now (THANK GOD). It's hard to see you become SO upset and SO emotional over EVERY thing that doesn't go according to your will. It is improving - and I hope it continues to do so as the school year progresses.
The Ugly - okay, so that's an exaggeration. You are my child - and nothing NOTHING you could ever do would be really 'ugly' in my mind. But again, there are definite challenges. Mostly stemming from the fact that you think everyone on the planet just fell off the turnip truck, and you have somehow been stuck living among a bunch of blubbering idiots. And again, we're working on that - and it is improving.
I wish I could explain to you now, and in the future when you read this someday, just how much you are loved. I know from personal experience that you will never fully comprehend a mother's love until you are one day, a mother.
My friend Kathy over at 3 Little Loves once said she wished she could bottle up her children's personalities at each age and put them on a shelf forever. I wish I could do that as well.... I think most moms do. I'd love to take you off the shelf at this age in about 15 years - when you are off at college and starting your own life - so I could remember the little seven year old girl who adores the imaginary world, can't get enough of all things fairy and Barbie, who has a tender heart and an open mind.
I love you my baby girl.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
"G"
The reality of just how sensitive and perceptive my children are hit me across the head last night with a big THUMP. We were driving home from a full afternoon and evening at church - the kids prattling on about what they had done, who they had seen, what they had played. Eventually the talk turned towards the remaining obligations we had to accomplish when we reached home last night (i.e. homework, bath, stories).
James' homework was to collect four items that started with the letter "G" and put them in his blue bucket to share at school the next day. So we started brainstorming "G" words - like giraffe, gorilla, grass, and glue. Eventually the word 'grandparent' entered the conversation - which then prompted a discussion about different grandparents we know - their own Grandma and Grandpa Long, GiGi (our dear friend Nici's mom who is kinda like a grandma to my kids and a mama to me - who I promise I won't steal Nic), some random grandparent name that I'd never heard of (Pee Pee) that James swears is what his buddy at school calls his grandma (WHATEVER crazy kid) ... that sort of thing.
And then talk of this Friday's Grandparents Day at James' school - when all grandparents are invited to come for lunch and a program - and how James is SO excited for Grandma Shelby to be there with him.
And then someone said it - I'm not quite sure who it was - 'I wish Nonna could be there.'
It was like a stab to the heart. Because I wish she could be here too. So much so that I can't put that need/want/desire into words.
James then piped up about how she was sick - and that's why she couldn't come visit or play with us or go to things like Grandparents Day. I confirmed that - and said I really wish she could be here with us as well.
And then silence fell. They were all quiet. For some reason the radio wasn't on. It was just the kids and I - looking out the window - all of us in that moment of time when there just isn't anything else to say.
And from the quiet - I heard Anna whisper to James 'shhhhhh.... don't talk about this. You'll make Mommy start crying because she misses Nonna so much.'
I seriously felt like someone had reached a hand into my chest and pulled on my heart. And I silently choked back tears in the quiet that ensued.
She then started to say something completely silly - acting like a goofy kid - obviously trying to change the subject.
How did that happen? When did my child become so astute and sensitive to me and my feelings? I've tried so hard over the years to keep my emotions in check when I'm around her - opting to cry in the solitude of my car when no-one is around.
It made me overwhelmingly happy and proud that she was so worried about the emotional welfare of her mom.
It made me overwhelmingly sad that things are so crazy for us that she is even aware of things like sadness and hurt. And that she knows that her mom hurts deeply and profoundly.
James' homework was to collect four items that started with the letter "G" and put them in his blue bucket to share at school the next day. So we started brainstorming "G" words - like giraffe, gorilla, grass, and glue. Eventually the word 'grandparent' entered the conversation - which then prompted a discussion about different grandparents we know - their own Grandma and Grandpa Long, GiGi (our dear friend Nici's mom who is kinda like a grandma to my kids and a mama to me - who I promise I won't steal Nic), some random grandparent name that I'd never heard of (Pee Pee) that James swears is what his buddy at school calls his grandma (WHATEVER crazy kid) ... that sort of thing.
And then talk of this Friday's Grandparents Day at James' school - when all grandparents are invited to come for lunch and a program - and how James is SO excited for Grandma Shelby to be there with him.
And then someone said it - I'm not quite sure who it was - 'I wish Nonna could be there.'
It was like a stab to the heart. Because I wish she could be here too. So much so that I can't put that need/want/desire into words.
James then piped up about how she was sick - and that's why she couldn't come visit or play with us or go to things like Grandparents Day. I confirmed that - and said I really wish she could be here with us as well.
And then silence fell. They were all quiet. For some reason the radio wasn't on. It was just the kids and I - looking out the window - all of us in that moment of time when there just isn't anything else to say.
And from the quiet - I heard Anna whisper to James 'shhhhhh.... don't talk about this. You'll make Mommy start crying because she misses Nonna so much.'
I seriously felt like someone had reached a hand into my chest and pulled on my heart. And I silently choked back tears in the quiet that ensued.
She then started to say something completely silly - acting like a goofy kid - obviously trying to change the subject.
How did that happen? When did my child become so astute and sensitive to me and my feelings? I've tried so hard over the years to keep my emotions in check when I'm around her - opting to cry in the solitude of my car when no-one is around.
It made me overwhelmingly happy and proud that she was so worried about the emotional welfare of her mom.
It made me overwhelmingly sad that things are so crazy for us that she is even aware of things like sadness and hurt. And that she knows that her mom hurts deeply and profoundly.
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