nostalgia

School starts in a couple of weeks and we're squeezing in some pretty intensive travel before getting away becomes increasingly difficult. We're visiting Mimi (my mom) in Edina, Missouri for a few days right now. I drove up with the kids without the husband...it takes about three hours and they did so well on the drive. We didn't have to stop a single time for little bladders or nursing baby! Wowie! That's definitely a first.

The trip has a special sweetness this time around. Ella has really been interested in hearing stories about me when I was a little girl. I remember feeling the same way about my own mother and grandmother. Something about learning more about their childhood gives us a sense of who we are and where our roots are. And there's a sense of magic and mystery about imagining what your own mother was like when she was little like you. So this trip has a bit of that mixed in. Recently, Ella has been asking for lots of stories about me as a girl, you might remember me referencing this curiosity in an earlier post.

One of the stories I've told her was about how my cousin Katie and I (most stories of any interest involve my cousin Katie) left our beloved Cabbage Patch dolls at the park underneath the slide and when we went to retreive them, they had vanished. We posted MISSING signs all over town and cried ourselves to sleep. The climax to that story was when our grandma Florence showed up to school the following week with them in her arms as the local sheriff had seen them as he closed up the park that night and claimed them for lost and found. Today I took my kids to that park and they slid down the slide. They also rode on the metal rocking horses that I sat on at my birthday party and got stung by a bee right on my wee little bottom. (Oh how I remember that day!)

After the park we climbed back in the car to partake of a kiddie cone in Rutledge, Missouri. My grandparents lived there when my mom was little and my grandpa Jack always kept a residence there even after my grandma Florence moved to Edina to start her beauty shop. His house still stands overlooking the pond that he dug out himself for fishing. We visited the Minnonite Store called Zimmerman's, which I always have to make time for. They have all kinds of bulk goods like organic spelt flour and rolled oats and fresh local produce. And they've been around since before it was cool to buy local. Their freshly baked breads are amazing...we bought a loaf of organinc whole wheat and it's scruptuous toasted with butter. Anyway....the ice cream there is 30 cents for a kid size cone which was perfect since I only had one dollar in my billfold! (Totally have to have cash and a check book in rural communities!)

Zimmerman's Minnonnite Store: Groceries, fabric, general store and restaurant!

After Zimmerman's, we went over a couple of blocks to the old Rutledge School. We played on the slide and teeter totters where my grandparents played. I love all the history. I think these places won't be around much longer since all the small towns I grew up around seem to be slowly dying.

The most exciting part of this trip is that we'll be visiting my Uncle Steve and Aunt Elaine. They are my cousin Katie's parents and Ella is so pumped. In her mind, Katie is like a fairy tale and she is going to see the house where Katie and I had many of our adventures. I'm so thrilled to introduce her to my aunt and uncle who have never met any of my kids. It's a pretty exciting day for me too! Hopefully they won't bang the keys on the grand piano!

the baby whisperer

On the way home from swim lesson, Ella was making Josie laugh by making silly sounds, like "EE! OOO! AH!" As we got further down the road, Ella started reading her book (she's reading Little House in the Big Woods right now) and Josie got fussy. Ella called out "GOO GOO! GA!" and Josie quieted down. Excitedly, Ella said, "Mom! Did you hear me talking to Josie? She was crying and I spoke to her in baby language and she understood! Know what I said?" Smiling, I replied, "No, Ella, what did you say?" "I said, 'No more crying in the car!' and she obeyed! Did you know I could do that kind of a trick?"

Pretty awesome skills!

same day surgery

In my previous post, I mentioned how Simon was going in to have his birthmark removed. A minor procedure in the eyes of the doctors and nurses we spoke with, but a major decision for us. I admit, I was carrying worry and anxiety about it, so much so that, after it was over and Simon did so AMAZING, I took a three hour nap. I literally felt jet lagged, like I'd been on an airplane all day.

We showed up around 7:30 am and checked in to Children's Hospital. They had Simon put on special "pajamas" and pick out his flavored mask (they customize the scent of the anesthesia gas to make it less scary for kids.) He picked cherry. We met with various nurses, interns, the anesthesiologist, and ultimately, the surgeon, Dr. Woo. Simon followed all their directions without a hitch, and the only thing he whined about was that the pjs were too big and the bracelet they put on him was scratchy.

Down the hall from our room was a big play room with lots of toys, puzzles, games and trikes. Simon LOVED the tricycle and rode it up and down the hall and back and forth to our room since he kept getting called back in to consult with staff. We did puzzles, picked out a movie and tried to play the game "Boggle". (He lost interest in that one.)

On the trike in our room

The nurse practitioner was an older lady and was a little less soft and cuddly than the other nurses. She was more to the point. She said it would be likely that Simon would need a sedative to calm his nerves before they wheeled him to the OR because, even if he seemed fine, he would most likely throw a fit when it was time to separate from Mom and Dad. She said that even if he was upset, they would need to move forward with the surgery and it would be better to have him calm. But after the anesthesia intern met with Simon, she said she didn't think he'd need any extra medicine and didn't want to give him extra if at all possible because it can aggravate any mood side effects when regaining consciousness. I was relieved.

When the team of doctors and surgical staff came to wheel him away in his hospital bed, I felt tense. Seriously, these people looked scary to me. They were all in their scrubs, with green puffy caps covering their hair and they surrounded Simon and they weren't saying much. I was so amazed that Simon didn't get nervous...they made ME nervous! But he just sat in the bed and seemed to enjoy the ride down the halls escorted by an entourage of highly paid people. Turns out he didn't need a sedative like the nurse predicted.

The procedure was only supposed to take 30-45 minutes, so Bryan and I went to the cafeteria to grab some breakfast. (We couldn't eat or drink in front of Simon since he had to fast overnight.) The food was gross but we ran into a nurse that goes to our church so we ate with her and the conversation was nice to get our minds on something else.

When we went back up to our room, Simon still wasn't back. Minutes passed and I got antsy. I kept looking at the phone and checking down the hall but no news. Just when I started to get really nervous, they wheeled him back to us.

He looked groggy and kind of pale and sad. As soon as he saw us, he started to cry and wanted to be held. We had been warned that coming out of anesthesia can cause some high emotion in children, so I tried not to fall apart. Simon was complaining about the IV in his hand so I asked the nurse to remove it. She told me that even if she took it out I shouldn't be surprised if he found something else to cry about. But Simon is quite the kid. As soon as we took care of the IV, got him out of the baggy pjs and into his own clothes, put on 101 Dalmations (one of his faves) and gave him some soda with a straw, he was good as new!

In fact, he was bubbly and ready to go home. He pretended like he was going to leave without us and started closing the glass sliding doors with us still in his room. We laughed and played along but the nurse got worried that he shouldn't be up playing and that we needed to hold his hand in case he was unsteady on his feet. He just kept blowing my mind with his resiliency, strength and security. He was totally back to his normal self! He bounded down the halls and wanted to push the elevator buttons. He never got nauseated and ate two pieces of toast and a bunch of cheddar bunnies when we got home. I find him so incredible.

The best part of the whole day was taking a nap together. He didn't want to lie down but wanted to bounce and play and be silly. But I insisted. We snuggled up in my bed and slept and slept and slept. Ella got home and slept too! That girl hasn't had a nap in almost two years. It was a sweet time.

To avoid leaving Simon with a really long scar, the doctor suggested we do two procedures. So he'll have to go through this again around December. I feel so much less worried about it now that I've seen what he's made of!

boy time

Bryan took Simon to the driving range tonight. Simon really enjoyed himself and told me now he wants his own golf clubs. But he wants some orange ones. Do they make orange golf clubs ?

Also, make special note of the blue Spiderman shoes. That was my contribution thanks to the Target clearance rack. He's super duper proud of those and wants to wear them ALL THE TIME. Sometimes fashion has to take a back seat to bring a smile to a little shaggy-haired boy.

surgery prep

Tomorrow is Simon's surgery to remove his birthmark. Coming to the decision to have it removed has not been an easy one and I still have some jitters at the thought. We've had a few vague conversations with him to see how he feels about it and also to prepare him for what will occur when we go to Children's Hospital. I savored my moments with him at bedtime tonight and had to record the conversation. Wish I had his sweet voice on tape, but blogging will have to do:

I began by explaining what would happen leading up to the surgery...how he would go with a nice nurse and doctor to get his "flavored air" which he can choose cherry, bubble gum, grape, etc. Then I told him he would get sleepy.

Simon: If the nurse touches my foe-head, it will herrrt.
Me: No, you will be sleepy, and it won't hurt.

Simon gets distracted and starts to move onto something else. I bring him back to point.

Simon: So, we'll doe to the dotter (doctor) and dit stitters.
Me: Stitches?
Simon: NO! STITTers.
Me: OHhhh! STICKERS!
Simon: Yeah.
Me: After you get your birthmark removed, you'll have a special bandage you will wear to take care of it.
Simon: We don't need to wear CABBAGE!

I begin to laugh rather uproariously and he acted embarrassed.

Simon: (shyly) We don't wear cabbage. We eat cabbage at our house...

I continued to giggle, enjoying his conversation. Then he scolded me.

Simon: Stop laughing.
Me: Oh sorry buddy. Did my laughing make you feel bad?
Simon: You dunna make me frown.

All that enjoyment aside, I feel reluctantly peaceful about this procedure. I know this hospital is very highly regarded and the doctors are amazing. I know the people there genuinely care for and specialize in treating children. I know God will be with Simon and look over him from beginning to end. But I'm still nervous about letting go of his hand while he is wheeled away. I'm slightly frightened about anesthesia. Pray for me if you think of it. But pray for him and his safety and recovery more importantly.

How I love my little dude.

somebody stop her!

Gotta love the Bumbo seat

This girl is crazy! She is seriously up on hands and knees rocking like she wants to crawl. Crawl? Really? She shouldn't even be thinking of such things till she's at least eight months, right? She likes grabbing at everything too and sits up pretty great. I can't believe how big she's getting...it's like Star Trek hyperspeed!

reading

In light of my last post about the library, I felt it necessary to brag on our eldest for a minute. She started reading not too long ago and because she enjoys reading so much, it seems she's blossoming more and more every day. Each time we visit the library, she ventures out to more challenging early readers. We started with the #1s and now she's up to #3s (1-3rd grade). I'm thinking she must be reading at a second or third grade level...she's finishing books quickly and doesn't shy away from paragraphs. I'm so proud of her! I do miss that time of reading to her now that she wants to read to me all the time, but it's worth it. Simon doesn't have the same patience for it as I do...

Reading in Ella's bed

we love the library

My old library in Edina, MO

I spent most summers at my Grandma's house and, in a town of a thousand people, there's not a whole lot to pass the time. I would walk three or four blocks down Main Street to the little library with a carpet-covered, claw-foot tub in the children's section. I loved sitting in that tub with a pile of books. I wonder how many hours I accrued at that place? A bunch.

Introducing my kids to the library has been one of many small joys. The kids get so excited to go and pick out as many books as we can carry and we get to enjoy the glossy pages of books we could never afford to buy. Reading together makes the idea of bedtime less disastrous for the kids and I love the time where they are still and quiet next to me. Time just seems to slow down.

My kids local library...slightly more impressive.
Photo credit to: http://idkwdywtg.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We joined the summer reading program at our local library late this summer. It was kind of funny when the lady told me the goal was to read 15 books. (Ella reads that much in a day, easily.) So I signed up all three kids. We met the goal by the following week and went back to return our books and claim our prizes. I had no idea what loot they would get! (When I was a kid, it was a certificate for a personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.) My kids each got to pick out a free book and two small prizes, plus they received free tickets to the Magic House. Then, we put our names in a lottery drawing for a Nintendo Wii and other cool stuff we'd never buy ourselves. I got a call yesterday letting me know that both Simon and Ella won tickets to a Cardinals game. Seriously? Do kids really need that much incentive to read a book? Whatever. We're not complaining. Thank you Public Library! We adore you!

fantastic friday

We had our first family day in three weeks today. It started out lazy and slow...we all felt like sleeping in which, in my mind, is the perfect start to a day. Mid morning, Josie needed a nap, so while she slept, Bryan took the older two to Tower Grove to play in the fountains and wading pool. They came back and had baths and a yummy lunch and then we rested a bit and got ready for a movie. We trekked across town to the dollar theater to see "How to Train Your Dragon". What a treat! We've only been to the movie theater as a family one time before and that was before Josie was born. The kids loved it. They enjoyed the show and it was the kind of kid's movie that a parent doesn't mind sitting through. We treated ourselves to icy Pepsis, which tasted amazing on a 100° day.


By the time we made it home, it was getting well past normal dinnertime, so we chucked the menu and had breakfast for dinner: waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, strawberries and smoothies. We ended the day with a pile of books in Ella's bed. We laughed, snuggled, and nearly fell off the bed several times.

Aside from Simon's meltdown when we ran out of quarters for video games, it was the perfect day. I just love Fridays.

like my coffee with sugar and cream

This morning Bryan asked Ella if she'd like a cup of coffee. She wrinkled her nose and said, "I'd drink Mom's coffee, but I'd never drink yours."

Bryan takes his coffee black. Guess the kids will be froo-froo coffee drinkers like me!

sometimes i don't have what it takes

In the post before, I mentioned how Bryan had been on a trip to Brighton. When he travels, I do what I can to enjoy myself and do things I wouldn't normally do when he's home (like eat popcorn and apples for dinner and watch Gone with the Wind after the kids are in bed). But in a general sense, the time he's away is really challenging. In the last few weeks, I've noticed the kids behavior has been "off". It just seems like we've struggled with things that aren't normally difficult. For Simon, there's been more whining, more fit throwing, and other strange things that aren't normal for him, like biting his sister on the cheek! For Ella, it's been more attitude trouble. She's been pushing the boundaries and doing things she knows aren't allowed. She's been pouting when she doesn't get something she wants right when she asks for it. There has been badgering where I'll tell her "no" and she'll make the same request five minutes later. It has been rather exhausting around here and I have felt really ill equipped on a new level. Several nights, I've laid in bed thinking and praying about how to connect with the kids (mainly Ella) and how to guide them without barking at them or crushing their spirits. I've beat myself up about the moments that I've failed and been reactionary or frustrated and wasted the day being stressed out. I lament at my lack of wisdom in guiding them sometimes.

This week, Bryan is home and it really has helped, if even to give me a few minutes to breathe and get refreshed to approach my kids with a smile. It's brought back the balance around here and it's helped to talk some of this stuff out with him and readjust our philosophy on a few things in order to help the kids through this bump in the road.

Today, Ella made me a card and it was so timely and kind, it was just what I needed to receive from her. I actually had to compose myself to keep from crying it was so darned sweet.

to Mom | *love* ellA

to MOM I LOVe You to MUCH MOM  We HAVe SO MUCH FUN AND I LOVE YOu JUSt HOW YOu ARe

Sometimes being a Mom is so humbling. It's a good thing.

joplin trip

For the past several years, Bryan has made a trip to Brighton, England for a conference in the month of July. Usually, we just stay home or have someone come visit to make the time pass more quickly, but this year, I decided to venture out. Our wonderful friends, Lane and Abby Clevenger from Joplin, MO have two kids (+1 on the way!) close in age to ours and our families get along really well. In fact, I refer to the Clevengers as the younger, hipper version of our family. Lane is a finance guy who works part time for the church and Abby is an artist (fashion and design). Their oldest, Isabelle, is a free-spirited, imaginative, feminine girl while Hudson is the boy-ist boy I've ever met. He likes to growl and play rough and tease the girls. I love the parallels between our families and cherish any time I can get with Abby. It's one of those easy friendships that has come so naturally, I truly consider her one of my closest friends. Anyway.....I took advantage of the free time and decided I would make an adventure for us and travel all by myself with the kids. It actually went rather smoothly!

The Clevengers are in the middle of renovating the house they just purchased so we ended up all staying at Lane's parents' place. They have lots of room and they were seriously the most hospitable people I have ever encountered. Lane's mom, Suzette, treated my kids like they were her own grandkids! In fact, both kids began referring to her as "grandma" and are still calling her that!

We spent lots of time swimming in their pool and Simon and Ella got much more confident in the water. We also celebrated the 4th there and Lane threw firecrackers at the kids (totally in the safest way, of course) which really freaked Ella out and she spent the rest of the visit trying to play pranks on Lane. Abby and Suzette planned a tea party with all kinds of treats and candy. Marshmallows were the favorite treat by far.

Our last night there, Suzette planned a craft night. Every night was a party for them...they stayed up later than they ever had before, ate more candy than they've ever eaten, and had such a great time. I know the memories are burned in their little brains. They seriously did not want to leave. It's so nice to have friends to visit!

water babies!

tea party!

crafting

carpe diem (seize the day)

Today I realized that I'm really enjoying my 30s. I remember hearing women say that they were happier in their 30s more than when they were twenty-somethings and I always thought that seemed strange. But now I get it. I spent a lot of time in my 20s wishing for something different and being dissatisfied with myself. What a lot of wasted energy. In my 20s, I was pounds lighter but I never felt pretty enough. I have days now where I don't have time for a shower and I never felt more beautiful. (Well...that may be a slight exaggeration...I am more beautiful after a shower. :P) I know that physically, I haven't become more beautiful, but it's something that radiates from within. It's a sense of security, grounded-ness, and satisfaction. I'm learning to not be so hard on myself. That takes some learning for me...I find I hold myself to too high a standard sometimes. I don't want to waste any time wishing for what I don't have. There's too much good to enjoy today!