Cole-ism

After several years of hemming and hawing, we are signing Cole up for a hockey league. Kevin has bought him goalie pads and he puts them on for an hour at a time, takes out a bouncey ball and a baseball mitt throw it and block it, over and over and over again.
I got this text from Kevin last night when I was out. It pretty much sums up the essence of Cole, which is, if you're going to do something, you had better do it right.

My sweet boy

Cole's been fighting a bad sore throat this week and when I told his teacher he'd be out today she said a kid in his class had strep last week. So to the doctor we went.

The nurse was drilling me with 100 questions and simultaneously handed me a form of equally as many questions to fill out "at the same time." (thanks, nurse).

When she finally left the room Cole told me he'd made a note about how he felt so he would remember when the Dr. came in.

I love this note.

This is my little boy: smart, articulate, precise. Also, if you're going to write anything down, label it. Period.

He does have strep and is on his way to recovery thanks to modern medicine.

Adison-ism

Right before I turned off the light in her room tonight:

Mama? When I get a husband I'm gonna tell him how we snuggled together when I was a little girl and I'm gonna ask him if we can get a house close to you after we get married.

Easter 2012

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate Easter. Sunny, cool breeze, high of just about 70.  We had a wonderful time at church followed by some delicious pancakes at Courtney's. Easter is always such a great reminder to get some good family pictures and this year I'm just blown away by how old Adison and Cole are getting. When I look at them I feel like I can see the future a little, their faces are starting to take on that big-kid look which is both exciting and sad at the same time.

I love the pictures of the two of them. They really do love each other. They aren't mushy about it. They aren't particularly tender to each other a whole lot but they play together a lot and they laugh together a LOT. Pictures like this remind me of the deep bond they have for one another, no matter how many little disputes or spats they might have during the day. I'm so thankful for that, and so aware that it is God's goodness to me and them, because I'm simply not a good enough parent to create that. I'm enjoying every moment of this time in their lives. Young enough to still want to do things with their parents and old enough to do some really fun things like take them on trips and play games and eat at nice restaurants. Kevin and I have really enjoyed watching them take on some of the things he and I enjoy so much. Every year of parenting has its new set of challenges, but it has double that in rewards.

Adison-ism

"Mama? Do you have to agree to get a husband? (It usually works better that way). Did Daddy ask you or did you ask Daddy to get married? (Daddy asked me). Because he found someone reeeaaaaallly pretty and he wanted to ask you, right?"

Then she turned the conversation to what she calls "getting a baby".

Debut

What better day than Valentine's Day to debut the People Feeder Carine sent. Look at it. Ready to vomit M&M's at a moments notice. Can you think of anything better? Well maybe if you could put fondue in there...

The Way He Thinks..

...is so cute. I don't know what a film book is, but I am 100% sure he does and is going about it in the precise way one should go about making one. I also love that he reminds himself that this is a reminder note. Because you have to label things. Everything, specifically.

Special Time

Adison has preschool Monday through Thursday mornings, so Friday she is home with me all day. We do one special thing every friday -- it usually revolves around eating (like the picture, where we are at the Cupcake Shoppe). I have to admit it's not always easy to stop what I have planned for the day to do whatever 'special' thing Adison has in mind, but when I do I'm always glad that I did. Time passes much too quickly and it's really hard for me to let go of my to-do list but it only takes a moment to realize that after this year my daughter will be in a public school more than she is with me during the week. It's a good reminder to try to keep developing our relationship, teach her what I want her to know, and just enjoy this funny, chatty, crazy, animated little girl that is Adison.

Cole-ism

Yesterday as we drove out of the parking lot at Cole's school, the following dialogue occurred:

Me: Cole, look, there's Katarina from your class.

Cole: (rolls down the window) Hey Katarina!!..... It's just a rental car!!

It is indeed, just a rental car. Ours is in the shop having the transmission worked on. But it just struck me as so funny that of all the things he could shout, that is what he decided to go with. All matter of fact, like perhaps Katarina was really worried about where our other car is, even though she probably has no idea what our car looks like.

Adison-ism

Overheard as I lay in bed listening to them play this morning: "The snake POISONS all the people who don't love God!"

I guess that's one way to do it. Perhaps we should review The Beatitudes this morning.

Making the Most of It.

This winter has been so unbelievably mild. On the one hand, I desperately miss the freezing temperatures, frost, and the tease of a possible snow. But these mild afternoons where the kids spend almost the entire day outside are certainly nice.

Adison is getting better and better on her bike and we've started taking rides around the neighborhood. She is so funny on these rides. First, she has to have something in her basket. HAS to. And if it shifts during a bump she will stop and get everything back in order. She is so obsessed with it she once lost control of her bike and fell off trying to "fix doggy". Second, she talks. And talks. And talks. And if you don't feel like talking to her? Not a problem. She's more than happy to chat to herself in a sing songy little voice. Hills are a problem. She hoofed it up this one pretty well today.

Cole on the other hand is pure speed. He's getting really good about following the rules of the road/sidewalk. I'm more comfortable letting him go farther ahead when Adison is talking/adjusting/peddling. He and I have biked up to the grocery store and that was a lot of fun. I love creating these active family times and just hope that as they get older rides like this will still be something they enjoy doing together.