Sunday, May 30, 2010

Four Staples and a Funeral

Well, we've became true parents this week. I think it's a requirement for all parents to have to deal with stitching, super-gluing or stapling back together one of their children (at least one anyway) and we've been initiated finally. After 5 years of a clean record, it's about time. And how did I know that child would be Lucy? She's the more carefree of the girls, also the most reckless at times. But this one wasn't even because of some daredevil stunt.

Here is the accused. What crime, might you ask? Oh let's just say it was all a big spit up, I mean slip up.Innocent looking, right?! Don't be fooled by those big brown eyes. Sure, he's cute, but he is most definitely the culprit here.

Friday night we were getting the kiddos ready for bed. Amelia was declared the tired one for the day and was already in her bed, but Lucy was hanging out with Matthew and me. We were expecting some friends from Holbrook to come and play games, so I motioned for Lucy to follow me upstairs to get Matthew ready for bed, and then she would go to bed. Well, the good big sister that she is, she grabbed a handful of toys for Matthew to play with while I started for the stairs. And that's when he spit. It wasn't even voluminous, like most times, I kind of sighed and said to myself, its only a tiny spit, I'll clean it later, and continued up the stairs. Well, poor Lucy found that pile of spit, and the next thing I knew, there was a loud thud, and a loud cry and Lucy was on the floor. We consoled her, and thought all was well. Then I saw the blood drops on her shirt. When I went to investigate -- I couldn't make it through her hair because of all the blood in her hair. Still not thinking it serious, I carried her upstairs to the bathroom to wash out the blood, and then I saw the lovely open wound. I had never seen a wound before that had me thinking "stitches", so this was my first. Just then, of course, our friends showed up. Which turned out to be a blessing, they offered to watch Matthew and Amelia, and off we went to the Instacare.

One thing was determined in all of this -- Lucy is the bravest little girl I know. I'm glad she was my first child to need stitches, and I'm glad her sister has never needed them. She would have puked on the doctor or something had it been her. But not Lucy. She sat very calm the entire time. On the way there, we were reciting nursery rhymes like Humpty Dumpty, and Jack and Jill, and Lucy then had it in her mind that the doctors would put her brain back together again. They chose to staple the cut instead of glue or stitch it, which I thought was interesting. I had never seen a doctor staple someone. It really is just a stapler they use! I'm sure it claims to be a medical stapler, but a staple is a staple, and they shoved four of them into my little girl's head. The saddest part were the tears that streamed down her very still face while they were numbing the area, and then putting the staples in. I think I was saying comforting words to comfort myself more than her! But she was brave!! Brave, brave little Lucy! And they haven't fazed her since. I couldn't be more proud!

As for the funeral, after 7 1/2 years of delicious waffles, our beloved little Toast Master waffle maker died.
It did have the decency to wait until the last waffle of the morning had been poured though. It was a faithful little thing. But with that, we decided it was a good time for an upgrade. We like waffles, I hate to admit it but my children probably have syrup meals about 3 times a week. (sometimes more...) So we looked in America's Test Kitchen cookbook for a product recommendation and went with their economical recommended waffle maker, the Black & Decker grill and waffle baker. Works pretty nicely, although they said they came out evenly done, and ours had some heat variation. But still made some pretty good waffles!
And look! It makes 4 squares at once!! That's probably my favorite part!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Little Girls

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and Spice and all that's nice,
That's what little girls are made of.


Yes, the tongue is a completely necessary part of putting make up on. No, my children should not have access to make-up, but how can you oppose something so darn cute?! I especially liked the one glove look she was pulling.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

I'm Sure Glad I Have a Sister

I was just thinking how grateful I am that I have a sister. She is great! I think back to when we were kids and how all I wanted was to be like her, to be with her (much to her chagrin), and how much I simply idolized her. She didn't like pineapple, so I didn't like it either (even though I had never tried it.) Even after she moved into her own bedroom I often would wander downstairs just to sleep in the same room as her. After all these years, she's still my hero. I love her to pieces, and I'm glad we are friends.

She got to come visit for mother's day with her husband Jeremy. It was so fun to see her! I know these family visits end up being so exhausting and kind of whirlwind-ish, (especially when you get your company sick... sorry for that you guys!) but wow, it was great to see them!
They were good sports and came boucy-castling with us, and I think we all realized that bouncy castles are for the young - and not the young at heart.
Uncle Jeremy helped the girls build forts, and roast pretend marshmellows over a pretend campfire. Uncles are great!! And then we spent our Saturday doing service for our mom for mother's day. Amelia rode her bike for hours through the cold-a-sac, and Lucy...
Well, she planted herself in the yard.
Sisters are amazing. I'm glad God created sisters.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Falling in Love

Once upon a time...
Two people fell in love and were married. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, love was in the air, it was a completely perfect way to start a new and exciting life together.








Seven years later...
it snowed on the day of their anniversary. (thanks for not snowing 7 years ago!)



Well, those two people worked hard and finished their education.
filled seven years with completely blissful and perfect memories together...


And oh yeah, created a beautiful family together...


We had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into.
Sorry honey. You're stuck with me! But you know you love it!!
I am a lucky, lucky woman to have such a funny, romantic, adorable and wonderful husband. Did I mention how patient and understanding he is, too? Seven years. And they have been the best seven years of my life. Forever is gonna be fun!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Too Tight

Amelia finished off her dance class for the year tap-tap-tapping away to the tune of "Puttin' on the Ritz". I think I'll rename the tune for her, "puttin' on the tights"... she hates all clothes that are itchy, tight, cold, "weird" and just about threw in the towel a month ago because of annoyance with the dress standard of dance classes. But this class has been great for her. Although I don't think she'll grow up to be a professional dancer (and may not ever choose to take dance classes ever again) she did it, and did really well. I was so proud of her, watching her learn from a teacher and she always did her best to do what teacher Erin told her to do. She's going to do so great in school this year! Wow! My little girl starts school in 3 months. But she's ready. She loves the interaction with others, with a teacher, friends, friends, friends. This girl LOVES to have friends. She'll be her own kind of little miss popular, but the kind of popular that people love because she makes them feel loved and they feel good being with her. She's a good kid. I love her to pieces, even when she was complaining of tights and leatards being too tight and feeling weird all over. She's amazing! I love her lots and lots!


Isn't she just the cutest thing ever?! Yeah, I know I'm a bit prejudice.