Quips from the Road

Most people hate commuting.  I'm usually one of them.  But the precious 15 minutes that I'm in the car with my kids between daycare and home is pure gold.  They come up with something new every day to keep me smiling.  Half of these conversations are long forgotten by the time I try to recall them for hubs, but the memory of the laughter and random silliness from our car rides will stay in my heart long after they're driving themselves to school.

Once in awhile, I'll remember their words long enough to make note of them for later.  Here are three exchanges we've had recently that stick out:

Lobster:  I put my thumb on the blue.  Purple is for Z, yellow for E.  Here ya go.  Gobbles, do you want a color key?
Gobbles: Stop it!  There's no such things as color keys!
Me: That's not very nice, maybe she's pretending.  No one yells at you when you pretend things are rockets.
Gobbles:  But that's because of my imagination!
Me: And the color keys are her imagination.  She's pretending to play with her friends.
Gobbles:  No! She's too little for imagination!
Lobster:  Gobbles?  Want one? I put my thumb on blue!
At this point the conversation ended because Gobbles was just so appalled that someone else was allowed to have an imagination - he couldn't believe it!

Lobster:  I wash my hands so I no eat poopy, that's yucky.
Gobbles: (laughs)
Me:  Lobster, that's gross, yes we wash our hands after we poopy, but we don't talk about eating poopy, that's just gross.
Lobster:  I wash my hands - I go poopy potty.
Me: Did you go poopy potty at school today?
Lobster: Yes! I DID!  I went with S and we go poopy potty and Miss K gave me two COINS!  We wash our hands.
Me:  Did you really go poopy potty?
Gobbles: No she didn't.
Lobster:  Yes I DID.
The next day, I asked the Lobster Roll's teachers, because they usually tell me if she uses the potty.  They confirmed that her story was all made up, and, in fact, Stella had moved out of the classroom a few months ago.

Me: Gobbles, who did you play with today? 
Gobbles: I played with M and B. 
Lobster: I played with M and B, too!
Gobbles: No, you don't have them in your class!
Lobster:  Hmm. I play with Mickey and Minnie and Goofy!
Gobbles: No! You don't have characters in your class!
Lobster:  I play with K.H. (yes, she includes last names).  We play Sophia!  I Sophia da First!
Gobbles:  Who was K? Was she the King? 
Lobster:  No, she a girl, she was James!

Finally, not so much a conversation but two notable pickups we've had recently, which, let's face it, are part of the commute.  The pickup routine is as follows - gather Gobbles and his things, go to the Lobster's classroom and get her stuff, then go find her wherever she is for pickup.  Bring everyone out to the common area to get our coats, hats, boots, etc. 

Last week, after we had gotten the Lobster Roll, Gobbles decided he had to go potty.  Ever the echo, the Lobster had to go too.  So I took them into the bathroom in the toddler area, which has two potties side by side.  The Lobster sat down at one and Gobbles stood at the other.  As soon as she saw him peeing, she stood up and turned around to face the toilet.  Thankfully her attempt at peeing standing up wasn't successful but it cracked me up that she really does mimic everything he does. 

I have had my moments of complete exasperation in leaving school too - it's not always as streamlined or laughable as I describe above.  Gathering stuff and getting dressed and making sure we have every tupperware and sippy cup and glove and boot we came in with can get daunting... and forget hair bows- we've lost them so much the Lobster's stopped wearing them!  I look at some of the mothers and wonder how they look so put together and calm all the time.  There is one mom that is very similar to me in her exhaustion and effort of just getting her two to the car some days.  Recently we had one of those nights, after two days of snow dismissals.  We were the last moms in the school trying to get everyone ready for the trip home, and all the teachers were kind of waiting for us to move along.  Both the Lobster and one of her daughters were refusing to put coats on, so we had to switch and get the other's kid dressed.  The only way to get the kids into the parking lot was to have our four kids all hold hands in a line and walk out together.  Despite our frustration we both broke out into smiles as the kids - a pre-k boy, a pre-school girl, and two trouoblemaking older toddler girls - marched out in unison, happy as can be, completely oblivious to the havoc they had wreaked upon us and our tired minds.

Don't forget, sometimes I take off my shoes and socks too.  Just because I think it's funny!
AND i sit Criss CROSS AppleSAUCE!  I SO funny!

I am just too cool for school sometimes.



Aw, mom! We've had great conversations too!

A late next morning add: 
Typical pre-storm morning with a tantrum thrower, a superhero, and two recalled carseats!

 

Two!

I'm so excited to be

Sofia da firrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs!

Moo.  The cow says Moo.

-A mashup song by the Lobster

 

Dear Little Lobster Roll,

I say this in every letter I write to you or your brother, but I can't believe how quickly time is going and how much you are growing.  You are two years old!  A big girl but still a tiny munchkin, - you weigh in at 24 lbs and are 34" tall.  Yes, that is the same weight your brother was at a year, his height at 18 months.  So, despite having the appetite and taste buds of a grown man, you are only around the 30th percentile. 

Along with those grown man statistics, you have the sass of a teenage girl.  Right now at school we're going through a bit of a phase where every week we're getting notice of you biting someone.  Of course, you seem to have an excuse - C hit me so I bite him.  I bite E but I said I sorry so it's ok.  Your teachers have been patient with you so far, telling us that you're often frustrated as you speak to the other kids and they are not responding back with sentences at your level yet, so you decide to chomp down.  One time, you told a kid I don't like that! and you looked at your teachers for reassurance.  They praised you for using your words, but the next thing they knew you bit the kid anyway.  Lobster girl, I am so torn between being happy that you are a little toughie and worried that you're a "mean girl".

You have enough silliness and intellect to counteract that sass, as you are always making people smile and laugh.  We have to constantly remind your brother not to crack up tooo much at you because you're turning into a ham.  (A ham? We're not gonna eat her?! - Gobbles).  You have so much personality in a little package, half of the things you say I just don't even know where it comes from.  You speak with such confidence and also check in with everyone else.  I'm having fun, Mommy, are you having fun?  You even corrected Gobbles one night at dinner.  We were discussing what the letter of the week would be, as the current week's was 'P'.  We asked him what came after P.  As he thought for a second, you shouted out P-Q!  Of course your brother got mad with you giving out his answer, but we considered it payback for all the colors he's taken your chance on.  Not that we need to quiz you on colors any more, since you have them down now, along with the aforementioned alphabet, counting to 20, and all the random singsongs from school.  In your future we have shapes and spelling your name, which is going to be ever so frustrating, I'm sorry little girl!

This year, you began asking for a Sofia the First birthday party as soon as the last crumb was eaten from Gobble's cake.  You discussed how you would have a Sofia cake and it would be purple and you would have your cousin Poozers there.  So we did just that, a small family get-together with Sofia throughout.  Your brother helped make your cake and decorate it with the tiny pearls the day before your party.  He did point out, as he did with my birthday cake, that you will probably be so disappointed that the cake didn't actually say Happy Birthday on it.  But, I'm not too sure you noticed.  Your party lasted all day with two rounds of pizza and cake plus lots of hugs.  You had a bonus this year in that on your actual birthday we had a snow day (completing the snow trifecta, a snowstorm on Gobbles' party day and my birthday as well this year).  We gave you your present at breakfast so you could enjoy it all day.  Gobbles had also helped us put together that, your toy kitchen.  I'm not sure what you were more excited for, the actual toy or the fact that it was pink, but regardless, you and your brother had a grand time playing (and fighting over) the kitchen all day, with only a few birthday time-outs in between. 

Finally, the day after your birthday you brought brownies to school to share with your friends.  A few days later, you told me how your pal G sang to you then took your cake and blew out your candles.  You told it with such conviction that, even though they don't do candles at school, I had to ask if G really did steal your cake.  Of course she didn't, and there you were again just creating elaborate stories.  Creative or manipulative?  It's too early to tell yet, but I urge you to stop telling your teachers that Gobbles hits you, because you know that's not true.  He puts up with your love slaps and bites like a champ but has yet to lay a hand back on you.  Oh my Lobster Roll, your terrible twos have begun.   

I'll end with this, a blurb I actually wrote in time, on the evening of your second birthday after putting you to bed:

Tonight when I went to check on you and cover you up I heard you whisper Mom! with just a little bit of urgency. In the dark I saw your little arms reach up towards me, I didn't even hesitate to scoop you up. "Let's sit" you said, so I headed over to the glider with you on my shoulder. I cradled you in my arms like a baby, and for once you didn't fight me. I stared into your wide open eyes and we rocked and rocked. You sucked your thumb abs twirled my hair with a steady smile that got bigger when you reached your pinky out in attempt to pick my nose.  I embraced the moment until you gently pointed back to your crib.  Time for nap, you whispered and I placed you back in your crib.  You lined up your two dolls as well as two Minnie Mouses, asked that your princess blanket cover the whole group, and said goodnight.  I wished you happy birthday one last time and closed the door, knowing just a little bit more of my baby will be replaced by a little girl tomorrow. 

My Little Lobster Roll, your Daddy, Brother, and I love you all so so much.  I wish I could slow down time just a little and keep you this age a little while longer, where it's still socially acceptable to pick your nose and eat it and have it be cute.

Love you forever,
Mommy




Mommy's slowly getting better at her cake-ing.  Wondering when she's just going to
give up and buy one?

Starting off the morning of my party in the corner...

Now i'm dressed up and ready for the ball!

Why thank you, i think i look quite charming as well!

Charming or just a mischief maker!

It's my party and I'll cry if i want to!

Causing more trouble!

Hahaha you crack me up!

I'm a lover of the animals as well!

I'm not always up to no good!

What?  You said stocking so I tried it on!  It's a little big!

Wow, my very own underpants!

HAHAHA look at my underpants!

Oh mom, finally, a picture of me.  Working had as usual.

I know, i know, I'm the best big brother ever!

What could it be?

Ahhh! It's pink!  Yay!  I like pink!

Gobbles, we look so sweet right now, but we're going to fight over this later.

More candles to blow out!

Another celebration! Yea!

Holidaze

This blog is a month late, but the cards are still up. 

The holidays are always a busy time for anybody, especially our family with three birthdays and an anniversary in December/January.  We're getting better at handling it though and the kids are getting older and more used to the Thanksgiving through mid-January rush.

This year Thanksgiving was the easiest one on record, and even with the time crunch of having morning plans we were able to get the turkey cooked and all the food on the table.  Well, except for the cranberry sauce, which we ALWAYS forget in the last minute push to get dinner plated.  I think we still have one of the five cans we bought for the event.  It was our 7th time hosting in the past 8 years and since we now have the 36 hours prior to dinner meticulously scheduled, it was our most relaxing.




Sure, Mommy, I'll help you saute the squash for the soup!

Mmmm - Cannoli may have found some drippings

Now Gobbles gets to blend the soup!

Tastes great!

On Thanksgiving morning, hubs was ready to participate for the first time in the annual neighborhood football game.  Sounds fun, but this is no ragtag operation to be taken lightly.  The hosts had out a bloody mary bar and we all brought some kind of breakfast food (or beer) and lawn chairs to watch the men play in their backyard, while the under 12 crowd played another game behind us.  It was the coldest Thanksgiving of record, and of course the Lobster Roll was not feeling it.  Gobbles was fascinated with the playhouse the kids had, so he chose not to play football with the other kids.  After about 20 minutes of trying to socialize while the Lobster alternated between put me down, I go play with Gobbles and I cold! Pick me up! go inside!, I decided to take her home.  Gobbles stayed behind to play with friends and watch hubs, who apparently didn't realize his son was still there until Gobbles decided he wanted to leave - before the game was over but when I was already home. Thankfully, his neighbor buddy's mom was on her way home too and dropped him off.  Love this neighborhood!

No joke football game

Hubs came home from the football game with what he thought was a broken finger, but never got it treated because he didn't feel like being in the ER on Thanksgiving, because, you know, it's just a finger.  Our families showed up and the kids felt all important having their own kiddie table for the first time.  We stuffed ourselves until we couldn't eat anymore and enjoyed each other's company.

Let's eat!

Butternut Squash soup with Spiced Creme Fraiche and Apple Chips

Beer bread



Red Lobster's secret recipe cheddar biscuits

The turkey - beforehand obviously!

Simmering the gravy

Sage stuffing

Haricot Vert with Shallots

Well Poozers - this looks like a fine table at which to dine!

Forget eating - let's play!

Yea, so what I'm wearing pants with my dress?

Look out - here it comes!

Smiles with my girl

The Lobster didn't share her joke with anyone else

Thanksgiving family shot

The next day, hubs had more neighborhood gang time fun when he and eight other dads took the kids to the mall (yes on black Friday) for Santa pictures, lunch, and a matinee.  I was looking forward to it because I had my own black Friday mission.  A few weeks before Gobbles picked out a superhero coloring set for a friend's birthday.  That morning, as we asked him what he was asking Santa for, he told us that he indeed wanted a superhero coloring set for himself.  Exclusively at Kohls.  Not knowing if they would sell our or what, I braved the crowds while hubs had the kids.  After I got what I needed I swung by where they were eating lunch to retrieve the Lobster Roll for her nap, as she wouldn't make it through the movie.  He told me that it was an easy morning, despite our daughter taking one look at Santa and bolting.  I later found out that of course it was easy for him - the neighborhood girls basically babysat our kids the whole time!  Gobbles did not stop talking about his Santa encounter and hanging out with his friends and all the fun he had, so it turned out to be a great day for them.

We're so excited to go see SANTA!

Wahh hooo santa!

The Lobster ran away screaming!

Well thank goodness for photoshop!

The days in December which we were not celebrating something else were all dedicated to Christmas.  Tree hunting and decorating, happily smiling for the Christmas Card, nonstop cookie making, and brunch with Santa.  At school, Gobbles had a winter show (nondenominational of course), and since you were transitioning classrooms, he actually practiced with two classes.  He waited until the very last minute to decide who to sing with, and chose the familiarity of Preschool 1, with a bit of our prodding.  We figured it was a nice send off before he started full time with Pre-K in January. 

Yes - I LOVE trees!

We even climb Daddy like a tree!

Which one?

This one!!

Now a post-tree hunt break

Check out my pretty decorations

And there's my birthday ornament!

Merry Christmas

Let's assemble on Spoon's rock for pictures!

Just posing for the card, ya know!

I love my big brother!

Check out these special effects again!

It's like a harry potter christmas card!

Nothing is prettier than snow and Christmas lights!

Ready to use these boots!

A little tentative on the hill!

When in doubt, roll!

Or make an angel!

This sled goes much faster with two of us!

More Santa visits!  Promise me a free breakfast and I have no problem sitting on his lap!

See - cupcakes make us happy!

And silly!

We're talking, steal mommy's necklace and pat grandpop on the butt silly!

Well, Daddy's never really silly anyway...

Still counting down to christmas!

Baking, baking, and more baking!

Boy mom, you're lucky we like to help!

Angels by these angels!

Wow it even spanned more than one day!  At least more than one outfit!

Ready to eat, let's go!

 

Playing with playdough on an unseasonably warm night on our decorated sunporch!



Ready to see Gobbles perform his winter show!

The precision in which that jingle bell is dancing is amazing!

Sing your heart out, Gobbles!

Meanwhile, the lobster has her eyes on your pal's little bro!

The weekend before Christmas started off with a playdate at Mooshie's house, with over half my girls' kids there.  It was so much fun to watch them interact and enjoy the girls' company after all these years.  It's comforting that even though we don't see each other as much, we can still fall back into it like old pals. 

More playtime - ready to go!

Chaos!

The girls' kids minus 4.

Couger

Every year the days immediately surrounding Christmas are mass chaos with families, travelling, and presents - the kids are so lucky to have so many family members that love and care for them.  First up we had Christmas with my family, where the kids were of course spoiled with a ton of stuff from their wishlist and more.  We spent all day at my mom's opening presents, eating, playing, and just enjoying the comfort and coziness of the holidays.

After all this Christmas celebrating we almost forgot about presents!



Yes!  Shoes for my collection!

Gee thanks grandmom, a hat.

Just like the dinosaur I got for my friend!

Of course we smile at pictures of us!

Trying on my new stuff

Wrapping that man around my finger

After a quick school Monday, we loaded up the puppies and the kids to head to Hazleton to stay with our in-laws overnight to Christmas Eve.  The visit was another whirlwind of visiting and presents, so many presents.  I love watching the Lobster Roll and her cousin Poozers grow up together and interact like best friends when they see each other.  Gobbles doesn't seem to mind the attention the girls get, because he gets plenty of his own as well.  This year, with another snowstorm coming through, we packed up early and were on the road before dark.  When the sun went down, Gobbles loved trying to search the night sky for Santa's sleigh, pointing out all the lights that were possibilities.  For weeks after Christmas, the Lobster would tell us, Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, far far away!  

We've said it once and we'll say it again - double. trouble.

Even the Lobster and Poozers have their moments

Pure sweetness!

Now on with the snack!

Gobbles stuck in the middle!

Standing on my tiptoes to get close!

The next morning, the kids actually slept in a bit before realizing that Santa had come.  When they realized there were more presents; however, they made up for lost time.  Gobbles tore through the presents so quickly, tossing over his shoulder clothes and anything else he didn't find interesting.  The Lobster was more fascinated by her pink bicycle, which was just like the spiderman bike Gobbles got, only smaller.  She kept sitting on it with excitement, while Gobbles finished up with his presents and moved on to hers.  We ended the morning at church where the Lobster Roll spent her time back and forth in the potty and Gobbles enjoyed listening to the singing.  Their favorite part was the recessional hymn, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, which they refer to as "The Charlie Brown Song" since they heard it first on Charlie Brown Christmas.  Later on we celebrated with my family, aunts, uncles, cousins, and their kids at a big party at my uncle's house.  Even though we don't see them often, it's always so much fun to get together with them.


Santa Came!

How'd he make it through the chimney with all this crap here?

The $ store chalkboards from our stockings were our 3rd favorite gifts!

Learning to read... or at least to push buttons

Happy and ready for our annual church visit

Ready to ride!

Destroying my great-uncle's newly renovated house

Hey M - we match!

This guy looks friendly!

Wow they have a pool too?

Our other bikes - testing them in the kitchen!

Post Christmas with our "cousins"

Getting the hang of it!

The Lobster is not one to be outdone!

A week later we celebrated new years to close out the holidays.  We were invited to a party at our neighbor's house where she had about 30 adults and 45 kids running around.  It was a lot of fun and I'm sure will be even better once the kids get older.  The Lobster, being the youngest one there, kept alternating with wanting to play in the basement and wanting to hang out with me and hubs.  She did pretty well going up and down the stairs and hanging with other kids (where Gobbles was the whole night), but I would get nervous during some of the stair trips.  After all, it was way past her bedtime to begin with.  I think she also liked being the center of attention in the room full of adults before running to the basement steps again.  One of the neighbors reminded me to relax, she's ok, but I think he didn't realize that she wasn't even two yet, considering she was speaking in complete sentences to him.  Both of the kids made it to midnight and celebrated with confetti and karaoke before we called it a night.  It was the perfect end to a fantastic holiday season.

Where the party at??

Looks like it's under the table!



Happy New Year!

yup.  That was a party.

Starting off the new year right!