The Mother of Geese

I asked Amelia to please wash her hands for dinner. Instead she: Put on her Home Depot Apron. Put on her cousins cape. Put on her hat. Took my shoes off. Put them on her feet. And then went downstairs to play with Mariko.

Max was not in the mood for church today. But he sure looked cute wearing a sweater that Bradfo wore when he was little.

Abbie was teasing Max and irritating him one day after school. I watched it all play out hoping they would solve it without my intervention. Max lured Abbie outside. Came back inside. Locked (hawked) the door. . Ate her cookie. Watched her reaction Awesome

Abbie's class had an assignment to recreate a US symbol. We figured the class would be full to the gills with flags and Washinton monuments. She decided she wanted to do the US seal. On cake. So I whipped up some Black Eyed-Peas. (seems like appropriate history type food) Listened to the Black Eyed Peas. And set her to work. She is crazy talented. Notice the seal she printed from the internet and her practice copy to her side. She used a chopstick to draw the images. Then Williams and Sonoma decorater pens did the rest of the magic. And yes, she received full credit.

I asked Amelia to please finish her bagel. Instead she: Found some blue painters tape and decided to play with it for awhile. When she grew bored of that she crumpled it up into a ball. Then she found some toothpicks. Then she put the rest of her bagel on the toothpicks. Then she was finished.

Max really enjoyed a day dedicated to wearing green and doing mischief. Obviously.

Brad really wanted to go see the La Brea Tar Pits. I really wanted to make the kids pretend like they were trapped animals. The nailed their roles after being stuck in the car for so long.

I don't remember having this picture taken (it must have been Amelia) but I when I first discovered it I couldn't take my eyes off of it. I didn't recognize the woman in the picture. (never mind the hair color). She seemed so old, so tired, and so sad. I wouldn't necessarily describe myself in that manner, but as I watch my children grow and develop into their own beings I realize they don't need me like they used to. My days are still consumed with their well being, struggles, and happiness. But as they are maturing and growing, as they should, their need for me is diminishing and I am having a difficult time adjusting. It's heartbreaking. A few months ago I felt the whisperings to take time to enjoy the little things and let everything else go. I needed to hunker down and just be still so that I can be present for those moments when they do need me to "mama them". I imagined myself like a bird watcher this winter waiting for the elusive sightings of ...

...is brought to you by the letter D D- I gave them a Dollar. To get a Donut on the way to Discovery Park. We came home and Did the Dishes then went to Dinosaur Museum. I can't wait for summer!

Tell me this isn't about the cutest rabbit you ever done seen? This girl is seriously. So! Fun!

We became separated from the Brad, Amelia, and Max after we got off the Indiana Jones ride. Brad was wearing of all things, a black shirt and after about an hour of searching through the crowd Abbie exclaimed "I'm sick of seeing black guys!" Whoopsie. I finally asked to borrow a cell phone from a stranger and we caught up to the group.

Brad is so good about taking the kids to home depot so they can get their inner builder on. This month he brought Hazen along for the fun

Remember how the year 2011 has been slightly on the plaguey side on the spectrum? (vermin and smoke?) Today Amelia came home from school more "disheveled" usual. That is saying mucho because she does tend to err towards the street rat side of hairdos rather then the "My mommy just did a post on a hair blog spending 73 minutes on the updo" hairdo. Conversations over corn quesadillas went like this: Me: Amelia, what in the world happened to your hair today? Amelia: Oh, chomp chomp, Ms. Howell did it, chomp chomp. Me: why did Ms. Howell do your hair? Amelia: She did everyone's hair. chomp. chomp. And so did the doctor. (now, to be fair they have been having a bit of a hygiene kick this week. Yesterday they learned how to really wash their hands.) Me: Did Ms. Howell or the doctor say anything to you. Amelia: I don't know. chomp chomp. Me: Did Ms. Howell send a note home with you? Amelia: Nope. chomp. I don't know. chomp chomp. Me: (slowly backing up to make ...

Hardcore. Charlie Sheen style. Winning!

After last year's science party I decided I could make like many other parents and go to every other year when it comes to the birthday parties. Abbie seemed on board with that, but when the date came closer I changed my mind and decided I didn't want to ruin the "magic" of her childhood so I threw her a surprise birthday. She was equal parts thrilled equal parts annoyed that I lied to her.