When Princess D got home today she was disappointed no one called on HER during their field trip, even when she had her hand raised. She always had the best questions after all. Then she flips to excited D, fishing in her backpack to get out the envelope of note cards with recipes that her teacher trusted her with to get to me for the auction's kindergarten cookbook. She was just sure I'd love her recipe. Then we had pizza for lunch.
"Mom, how'd you know there was cheese in the crust?"
"Because it said so on the box. It's really good cheese too."
"Yeah, I know. Cheddar! Mmm. We should save those pieces for the boys when they get home."
"Really? I don't know, it's really good."
"Yeah, I know. That's why they should have some too."
At that moment, my daughter really was royalty.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I love living in the now.
When I was an older kid/young teen, I thought I was born into the wrong generation. Now I know better.
It's so nice to live in modern times. Our dishwasher died a while back, and while doing dishes by hand for a family of eight seems like a massive chore, at least we have running hot water. When families our size were common, water was pumped from outside or brought in from a well or creek, then heated on a stove, possibly wood burning, and then washed by hand.
I'm grateful we have washing machines and dryers.
My thankfulness for the microwave oven will never cease. It's amazing to cook veggies in the bag they come in to perfection, then throw it away, to be able to make a final decision on dinner and thaw the meat quickly and safely the same day, and make single serving cake in two minutes and thirty seconds.
I love having the internet to connect with friends miles away instantly, keep posted on activities, and yes, play games on. I remember our first computer when I was a kid. It was an ADAM and I was in middle school. We still did our reports on my friend's electric type-writer with spell check. The full transition to computers really didn't hit full speed until I was in college. Yet I felt like a caged tiger when our home computer had been down the last couple of weeks.
While I thank Mr. Bell for the original telephone, I love my mobile phone more. Texting, being able to send pictures instantly, and having a way to stay in touch w/ kids at sports practices...what more can there be?
What new things will come out over the next thirty years that will revolutionize our lives like those of the last?
What will our children take for granted that we see as a privilege?
What do we take as a necessity to life that others can't even dream of?
Every day is a gift.
It's so nice to live in modern times. Our dishwasher died a while back, and while doing dishes by hand for a family of eight seems like a massive chore, at least we have running hot water. When families our size were common, water was pumped from outside or brought in from a well or creek, then heated on a stove, possibly wood burning, and then washed by hand.
I'm grateful we have washing machines and dryers.
My thankfulness for the microwave oven will never cease. It's amazing to cook veggies in the bag they come in to perfection, then throw it away, to be able to make a final decision on dinner and thaw the meat quickly and safely the same day, and make single serving cake in two minutes and thirty seconds.
I love having the internet to connect with friends miles away instantly, keep posted on activities, and yes, play games on. I remember our first computer when I was a kid. It was an ADAM and I was in middle school. We still did our reports on my friend's electric type-writer with spell check. The full transition to computers really didn't hit full speed until I was in college. Yet I felt like a caged tiger when our home computer had been down the last couple of weeks.
While I thank Mr. Bell for the original telephone, I love my mobile phone more. Texting, being able to send pictures instantly, and having a way to stay in touch w/ kids at sports practices...what more can there be?
What new things will come out over the next thirty years that will revolutionize our lives like those of the last?
What will our children take for granted that we see as a privilege?
What do we take as a necessity to life that others can't even dream of?
Every day is a gift.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Cooking w/ Si Guy
Every mother has those moments where she just swears that she "knows" her young child's destiny. Never mind what we "know" may change several times in the course of a year or week, we just do. Right now, my thought is that maybe Si will be some kind of chef. Here's some of his recipes for today.
Chex crumble.
Take 1 box of Chex cereal and dump onto carpet. Proceed to roll over with toy trucks. If that doesn't get a fine enough breading for your apple slices, scoop up handfuls onto the entertainment center and smash with hammer from "Whack a mole" game.
Smoked Salt
After mom makes popcorn in the air popper, dump kosher salt into top. I was going to plug it in again but she took it away. Meanie.
Applesauce:
Take a couple of apples and put them in the blender. Run away giggling.
Cleaner cocktail.
Take Jet Dry that mom forgot to stick back in cleaning closet and pour into blender. Add some cereal for good measure. Watch mom panic and take everything away.
Yes, this has been a real quality parenting day......
Chex crumble.
Take 1 box of Chex cereal and dump onto carpet. Proceed to roll over with toy trucks. If that doesn't get a fine enough breading for your apple slices, scoop up handfuls onto the entertainment center and smash with hammer from "Whack a mole" game.
Smoked Salt
After mom makes popcorn in the air popper, dump kosher salt into top. I was going to plug it in again but she took it away. Meanie.
Applesauce:
Take a couple of apples and put them in the blender. Run away giggling.
Cleaner cocktail.
Take Jet Dry that mom forgot to stick back in cleaning closet and pour into blender. Add some cereal for good measure. Watch mom panic and take everything away.
Yes, this has been a real quality parenting day......
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ten things I like about each of my kidlets. :)
Si Guy-
his curiosity, his smile, his very sunny personality, his eye communication, his verbal expressiveness, his ability to play cooperatively with his sister, snuggling him after Mr. M is up in the morning, that he never gives up on learning new things, his love of the outdoors, his chubby baby hugs around the neck
Princess P- her domesticity, her love of color, her "order" to her day, her ability to share a room mostly peacefully, her adoration of fairies, her excitement about church, her love of a good story, her "fashion sense", her helpful nature, how her whole face lights up when she's happy
Princess D- her attention to detail, her "Max grin", her moxie, the things she thinks of/talks about, how open she is with us, her JOY, her love of Sunday School, her curly blonde hair, the way she "reasons" things out, her love of people and ease in showing it.
Chip- His "Odie" nature, His sweetness, his almost constant good mood, his laugh, his semi-toothed smile, his desire to please, how much he loves all things outside, his sociability, his likability, his high energy enthusiasm for life
Bob- his sensitivity, his smarts, his organization abilities, his seeing "everybody is a friend", his success academically, his ability to entertain himself, his desire to learn, his love of truth, his pride in knowing Christ, and yes, his intensity.
Our oldest- How everyone he meets just loves him, his learning persistence, his moments of "grown up" behavior, his moments of extremely childish behavior, his peace-maker nature, his balanced personality, his love of books, his laugh, his willingness to share his "take" on issues,
how he takes other peoples feelings seriously.
I'm really blessed to have the children I have. I know I use this as a "therapy board", but really, they're all great kids.
his curiosity, his smile, his very sunny personality, his eye communication, his verbal expressiveness, his ability to play cooperatively with his sister, snuggling him after Mr. M is up in the morning, that he never gives up on learning new things, his love of the outdoors, his chubby baby hugs around the neck
Princess P- her domesticity, her love of color, her "order" to her day, her ability to share a room mostly peacefully, her adoration of fairies, her excitement about church, her love of a good story, her "fashion sense", her helpful nature, how her whole face lights up when she's happy
Princess D- her attention to detail, her "Max grin", her moxie, the things she thinks of/talks about, how open she is with us, her JOY, her love of Sunday School, her curly blonde hair, the way she "reasons" things out, her love of people and ease in showing it.
Chip- His "Odie" nature, His sweetness, his almost constant good mood, his laugh, his semi-toothed smile, his desire to please, how much he loves all things outside, his sociability, his likability, his high energy enthusiasm for life
Bob- his sensitivity, his smarts, his organization abilities, his seeing "everybody is a friend", his success academically, his ability to entertain himself, his desire to learn, his love of truth, his pride in knowing Christ, and yes, his intensity.
Our oldest- How everyone he meets just loves him, his learning persistence, his moments of "grown up" behavior, his moments of extremely childish behavior, his peace-maker nature, his balanced personality, his love of books, his laugh, his willingness to share his "take" on issues,
how he takes other peoples feelings seriously.
I'm really blessed to have the children I have. I know I use this as a "therapy board", but really, they're all great kids.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Kid cooking
Our kids all have different ideas of what it is to cook.
Si Guy thinks stealing all the eggs out of the fridge and then cracking them wherever is cooking, especially if it involves stirring in something else, like gatorade.
Princess P is in the sandwich phase. She's so proud she can open a jar and spread her own subutter without making too big a mess.
Princess D wants to use a can opener, but still settles for pushing buttons on the microwave.
Chip can open cans, use the microwave from start to finish, crack eggs, sort of measure dry goods, and stir.
Bob wants to use the stove, but really isn't quite tall enough yet, but has mastered heating waffles in the toaster oven.
Our oldest can do about anything except use the mandolin, but whether he wants to is another story. He of course, pouts that dad won't let him use the mandolin.....
Maybe I should let the six of them get together and plan and cook a meal.
Nah.
Si Guy thinks stealing all the eggs out of the fridge and then cracking them wherever is cooking, especially if it involves stirring in something else, like gatorade.
Princess P is in the sandwich phase. She's so proud she can open a jar and spread her own subutter without making too big a mess.
Princess D wants to use a can opener, but still settles for pushing buttons on the microwave.
Chip can open cans, use the microwave from start to finish, crack eggs, sort of measure dry goods, and stir.
Bob wants to use the stove, but really isn't quite tall enough yet, but has mastered heating waffles in the toaster oven.
Our oldest can do about anything except use the mandolin, but whether he wants to is another story. He of course, pouts that dad won't let him use the mandolin.....
Maybe I should let the six of them get together and plan and cook a meal.
Nah.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tiny tots
This morning my toddlers are at the forefront. They really don't give me a choice some days. For if I dare to pay attention to anything else, say the phone call concerning our booth sale for Girl Scout cookies this weekend, they team up and spring/scream into action.
"Mine!"
"No , Si-guy! Miiine."
As they fight over the parallel bars, I mean racks to the toy box.
Right now, since I just sat down it's
"apple? Hungry?"
Um, we get lunch after picking up sissie, remember, just a few more minutes.
And no, you can't use the knife and cutting board your big brother left out when making lunch.
And what if I NEED them to do something....
Princess P, pants! They match your dress.
"No, white. see?"
"I'll get you white socks."
"No!"
"Okay, ten more minutes and then we need to put on pants and socks."
So Si races ahead of me with his "I'M being good" smile screaming "PANTS!" and proceeds to climb in his dresser drawer to find them. Then he goes to the "sock basket" in my room, and proceeds to look for a match by grabbing a sock he likes and throwing the others out of the basket until he finds it's mate. "OOk! A pay-er. ToooO!"
And so another morning flies by. Now it's time to get shoes and Princess D.
"Mine!"
"No , Si-guy! Miiine."
As they fight over the parallel bars, I mean racks to the toy box.
Right now, since I just sat down it's
"apple? Hungry?"
Um, we get lunch after picking up sissie, remember, just a few more minutes.
And no, you can't use the knife and cutting board your big brother left out when making lunch.
And what if I NEED them to do something....
Princess P, pants! They match your dress.
"No, white. see?"
"I'll get you white socks."
"No!"
"Okay, ten more minutes and then we need to put on pants and socks."
So Si races ahead of me with his "I'M being good" smile screaming "PANTS!" and proceeds to climb in his dresser drawer to find them. Then he goes to the "sock basket" in my room, and proceeds to look for a match by grabbing a sock he likes and throwing the others out of the basket until he finds it's mate. "OOk! A pay-er. ToooO!"
And so another morning flies by. Now it's time to get shoes and Princess D.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Me vs. the vacuum.
Today I woke up ready to go. I made GF pancakes, got the older kids launched in time, and the younger ones occupied with toys. Then I was off to do battle with our little vacuum.
Our "real" vacuum broke beyond repair shortly before Christmas, so the mini-spot clean sized one has been filling in. So far we've been through three belts. Poor thing just can't stand up to the mess of so many kids. Today, it was not the belt. It was a clog.
I was prepared. I had a ziploc bag for screws, two screw drivers, and, oh, Hi guys. Two assistants.
Princess P and Si Guy were just fascinated by the magnetic screwdriver...the one I needed to use. Then they wanted to hold the screws. Then they "helped" empty the bin and look through the detached hose to make sure it was clear. No, I didn't let them use it as a telephone. Mean, I know.
An hour later I called dh because I couldn't get the brush roller back in.
His first words. "Good luck, I usually wrestle with it for about ten minutes before I get it in."
As I'm getting ready to hang up, begging for any last minute advice he says' " Oh yeah. One of the rollers has two flat sides on one end. Make sure they get lined up right."
Three minutes later, holding the vacuum upside down in an almost indecent arrangement between my legs, I get it in. Finally.
I turn it on. I clean a 2x2 square foot area, and I start to smell burning. Ack. The hose. Oh well. Dh can deal with it when he gets home.
Our "real" vacuum broke beyond repair shortly before Christmas, so the mini-spot clean sized one has been filling in. So far we've been through three belts. Poor thing just can't stand up to the mess of so many kids. Today, it was not the belt. It was a clog.
I was prepared. I had a ziploc bag for screws, two screw drivers, and, oh, Hi guys. Two assistants.
Princess P and Si Guy were just fascinated by the magnetic screwdriver...the one I needed to use. Then they wanted to hold the screws. Then they "helped" empty the bin and look through the detached hose to make sure it was clear. No, I didn't let them use it as a telephone. Mean, I know.
An hour later I called dh because I couldn't get the brush roller back in.
His first words. "Good luck, I usually wrestle with it for about ten minutes before I get it in."
As I'm getting ready to hang up, begging for any last minute advice he says' " Oh yeah. One of the rollers has two flat sides on one end. Make sure they get lined up right."
Three minutes later, holding the vacuum upside down in an almost indecent arrangement between my legs, I get it in. Finally.
I turn it on. I clean a 2x2 square foot area, and I start to smell burning. Ack. The hose. Oh well. Dh can deal with it when he gets home.
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