Booing & Maaaaoooommmmy….

Bella has struck a pitch the last few weeks that just sets off the nerves.  I really want to change my name.  She says, “Mommy” 10 times in a row just to get my attention even when she gets it on the first try.  She says this word no less than 500 times a day.  Don’t believe me? Ask Joey.  He will tell you.  When he gets home she alternates between the names.  In the same sing-song-scream tone.  When Daddy comes home, forget it!  Sweet, soft, loving, “Daddy!”  Apparently she is not annoyed by him.

We went “booing” yesterday as part of the holiday excitement here in the neighborhood.  Much like May Day, put treats on the door, ring the bell, and run.  Well Joey took this seriously.  As I sat in the van, (borrowed due to convenience) waiting for him to knock on the door, I had to giggle at his excitement.  Then after he knocked and was running toward me it was clear he has watched too many movies with Daddy.  ”Go, go, go I will jump in the door as you drive Mom!  We cannot let them see me!”

“Uh, no. I will wait until you are in the van and buckled, then I will drive away, but great imagination!”

Cleanliness & Mr. Athletic…

I was sure Belle was in her room reading books while I got ready.  Then, she was a bit too quiet.  No books being dropped, or cast aside for the next good read.  No reading aloud to herself.  Hmmmm, better check.  Frown.

“Whatcha doing?”

“Elwwee, messy.”

She changed the Elephants diaper, (wrapped it in a ball) and was using the Purell to wash its feet.  ONLY the feet.  They were soaked with rose scented Purell.  At least she is concerned for the health of her lovies.  Sure bet that Ellie will not get H1N1.

So what new nickname should I use for Joey?  Beckahm or Gretzky?  He really likes to play defense on soccer this season.  Loves practice and the games.  Smiles through most of it.  Then he spots me on the sideline of his game Saturday and had a teeny tiny panic.  ”Are you going skating?  Wait!  I can…um..Dad?”  Head turning frantically between me and the soccer game currently running.  When we told him that Saturday is not the day for him to come with me and Sunday was there was a flood of relief on his face.  The realization that he could do both.  I have been informed that Sundays are our time together and he wants to skate every week now.  No lessons, just be on the ice.  I said, “Okay.”  I mean really, if I sounded too excited it would scare him off.  We will just take it week by week, and continue to enjoy every second of it.

Life…

Today was a stunning Autumn day.  Low 60’s, sunshine, and a light breeze off the bay.  I opened my windows and stayed inside this afternoon.  I put on a movie I have wanted to watch since it was out in theaters last year.  Then I started to really cook.  I roasted a beautiful rosemary chicken yesterday and set out to make the leftovers into chicken soup.  I took out the food processor and decided it was too peaceful a day to run the motor, instead I found peace in dicing by hand.  The movie was set in 1966.  I have often wished I was alive during this time.  This movie made me long for some of the societal and cultural ways we had as a nation then.  I wish more people would take the time to cook from scratch.  I think we could achieve a peace with a lot of what is wrong in our world if we did.  Chicken soup from scratch, simple and complex.  Life in general, complex and yet simple.

Joey made a face when I placed the soup in front of him.  Bella dove in.  Then Joey took a few bites and said, “hey, I like this.  Did you make all of it?”

“I did not get it out of a can.  I planned for all the veggies in there, do you want me to make it again?”

“Definitely.  With more of this green stuff, I like it.”  That would be fresh chopped parsley and basil from the garden he is speaking of.  There are no surprises in the recipe, there was no recipe.  Just a common thought shared by many women over centuries.  Yet another way soup brought me some added comfort today.  Good, healthy, warm, and comforting soup.  I love autumn.

Purses…

Well since I did one only for Joey last night, tonight is Bella’s turn.

She has been making some great improvements on her screaming in the last few weeks since Joey has been in school and I can give her every last drop of attention I have.  I had some errands to do last week that lead us to a great little consignment shop here in Naptown.  As I browsed, she played with a bin of purses.

Now, until this day she did not own a “real” purse.  She has a toy that sings, but she cannot put it on her arm.  She has turned our green grocery bags in to purses to pretend with here at the house.  Problem being that it is as big as she is and she usually overfills it and then cannot move it.  Then screaming…

As I browsed and she rummaged, I told her if she continued to behave well I would buy her a purse.  Her eyes lit up and she started looking them all over in a new more interested way.  She chose a navy blue box purse perfect for her size.  Two handles she can hold onto OR put on her shoulder.  I know, exciting right?  As I was paying at the counter $5 for a consigned purse, I sort of hesitated then I saw her face.  So excited!  Glowing with anticipation.  After paying I asked for a pair of scissors to cut the tag and promptly gave my daughter her first real purse.  Much to the horror on the cashiers face.  ”What’s wrong?” I inquired.  The cashier burst out laughing and said, “You are in for it!  That is a Kate Spade.”

For those not in the know, and I am just on the cusp, Kate Spade is an expensive purse.  Think Coach, Gucci, something like that.  I got in the car, put my head in my hands and called Matt.  ”Get ready to crack the wallet for your daughter.  She has some impeccable taste.”  I later found I could sell it on ebay for more than $30.

(This is where I take a deep breath and kindly ask no more purses!!  We do not need to add to this…whatever it is!)

Skating…

This post is only about Joey.

Tonight I had one of the best nights of my life with our son.  He came to the rink with me on his own will.  We had an hour and a half blast!  He was incredible!  He took right to it and seemed to immediately forget who gave him all the pointers and instructions in the car and as he put on his skates.  Oh yeah, and as he got on the ice and fell, and then got up and continued to give him tips until he was stable.  He thinks he taught himself.  ”I taught myself how to skate Mommy!  I am so good!”

Yeah, uhummm.

He was doing the basic dips, two foot glides, marching/skating steps, and falling down to stop.  The kid was soaked.  He laughed so hard; not the nervous I am terrified laugh, but the belly giggle that comes from the back of the throat.

He is already asking about next weekend.  I think I may take him up on it…

After all, who can say no to their miracle?

Outgrown & Busses….

Well, the start of the new school year has brought many interesting discoveries.  New friends, routines, and sports are all at the top of the list.  As with any major changes in Joey’s life he always seems a bit, um, surly.  He has topped the charts with back talking and automatic “no’s” even when I am giving him what he wants.  Short of locking him in his room, I have been at a loss on how to approach the behavior.  Then tonight after asking more times than I would like to admit for him to get into the tub, I made an important discovery.

“Joey, please, how come you do not listen to me anymore?”

“Well, I love you Mommy and you are for babies, I am all grown up now.”

“News flash Joey.  You are required to listen to me until I die.  You will never be grown up enough not to.”

“Oh, okay.”

Hmmm, no problems since then….

Belle loves busses.  I mean since we have been putting Joey on the bus for the past week we cannot pass one without her shouting, “BUS!”  As you can imagine with all the people that are in the Annapolis area, there are a ton of busses.  Her big eyes grow wide so she will not miss one detail of the approaching beast.  Then, her body begins to quiver with excitement.  Finally, the finger is raised as she makes her proclamation.  (Just in case you missed the huge vehicle rapidly approaching you.)  Sadly, I believe she thinks Joey just gets to ride that big, fun, yellow, toy all over town all day long.  She will get it someday.

New School & New Routine…

I know that most of you are waiting with baited breath to hear every last detail of Joey’s new school experience.  Here is a quick overview.  I mean quick because this is all I have been able to put together.

-He loves the new teacher.  He wants to try very hard for her.

-He has made a few new friends and found some old ones on the playground.  They like to pretend fight. (!?)

-He wants to walk to and from the bus stop alone, but I have to be there to pick up and drop off.

-Having your own locker is really “Awesome.”

Belle is loving her new “Mommy & Me” routine.  Who wouldn’t?  I mean, I am so exciting with all my cleaning and errand running.  She was up a tad earlier than necessary this morning.  After shoving Big Brother on the bus we boogied on with our day.  I was able to get through a whole hour plus workout (3 days in a row) without any guilt.  When we returned home we were both tired.  Apparently more than I realized, as we both fell asleep together, tangled arms and legs as we read some books.  Little girls smell like lavender and strawberries.  I must have laid there breathing in her little toddler smell for an hour before she woke up. So peaceful, innocent and ready for it….QUIET!  The look of pure joy was twinkling in her eyes when she woke up and saw me was priceless.  Due to our detour of our regular schedule lunch was at 2 pm when she woke up and our day dream ended.

First Day of First Grade & Attention…

Today was Joey’s first day at CSCES.  He is in First grade and very nervous and excited about it.  The day began with a fast paced morning routine followed by the infamous first ride on a school bus.  He donned his new backpack and eagerly awaited the bus on the corner with the neighbor’s little girl, K.  They were both so wound up and excited they barely spoke, yet held hands for mutual support/excitement.  I followed the bus to the school and met him as he got off to assist him with the very chaotic finding of teacher and classroom.  Then I kissed my baby birds hand and let him fly free.  Well, not totally free, I will get him at the bus stop later.  We will have some friends and neighbors over to share some fresh baked cookies, milk, and first day of school stories.

Belle did not want to leave her brother at school.  I was screamed at, pulled at, slapped at, and, of course, the classic arms out as I carried her screaming, “Joooooooooeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyy……”  But, hmmm, not ten minutes later of having my full attention she has not screamed all day.  We have sung songs.  (Me badly as usual, no idol for me.)  We have played puzzles and other girl toys, then went for errands and home for lunch.  The two of us have laughed quite a bit and I look forward to this time away from Joey to get to know my daughter better.  After all, isn’t this why I stay home?  To know my kids well, love them unconditionally, and be there for every major event in their lives.  What a gift I have from my husband to be able to do this.  Thanks babe.

School Prep & Getting Even (Sort of)….

Joey starts First Grade Monday, August 24!  I cannot believe my little bug is so big.  We have had a whirlwind week of shopping for all necessary supplies, clothes and of course the famed backpack and lunch box.  He is very excited and very nervous about going to his new school.  We have complete confidence that he will do very well and make new friends fast, as well as see some old ones he may have forgotten about.  We have been trying to cram all things fun and educational into this week that is flying by very quickly.  Play-dates everyday, swimming, reading, writing, going to the parks, and hopefully making it to bed at a reasonable time to begin his new schedule.  Busy, busy.

Well, all of that running around has made my children very, um, musky.  So we have been having longer baths at night with some good aroma therapy  to clean and relax them.  Joey always has to be reminded not to splash, squirt, or dump on his sister.  Last night she was able to get even and she loved it.  Joey did consent to allowing her to dump pitchers of water over his head.  Over and over and over…again.  She was laughing that wonderful hysterical toddler laugh that so so infectious to anyone around.  He loved it too as he hammed it up by making faces, shaking out the excess water from his hair, blowing bubbles and making a complete ruckus.  I love the interaction they have and am pleased at the age difference so that these memories could be made.

Rainy Swimming & Quiet (What is she doing?)….

A day later as usual.

Yesterday was a bit busy.  My friend was kind enough to watch Belle for me while I took Joey to Orientation for First Grade.  (So exciting I will spare everyone the very exciting details of where the toilets and cafe are.)  This pushed our routine back by about 2 hours.  Apparently, Bella had a good time with some older 4 year old girls.  When we returned home from our excursions I took the boys (as I retrieved Aiden after the Orientation) to the basement and reached some higher toys for them.  As I returned upstairs I was looking for Belle.  Then the “oh no, it is too quiet” panic hit.  As I tore up to the bedrooms to find her, images of soap or lotion all over the bathroom and bedrooms tore through my head.  All for naught, I found her all snuggled up in her bed with her animals and blankets, almost asleep.  Love that she puts herself down for a nap when worn out.

After a very brief rest, we all went to BV to swim for a bit.  After a good time was had by all, Joey had his swim lessons.  While waiting for the lesson to end Aiden & I had bets on whether or not the dark clouds moving in rather quickly would hit before the lesson was over.  Aiden won.  It absolutely poured.  Funny thing though.  Two boys soaked from swimming, still in wet trunks, with wet hair, were worried about getting wet on the way to the car.  Boys really?  They ran as fast as they could with their towels over their heads.  Really?  Now there was no chance at dry car seats.  :)