Adam is on an interview trip to Connecticut. I'm hanging out with the kids in the normalities as we await our next locale.
Walking through the nature park...
Adelaine: "Mama, there was a weird chocolate on the ground."
Anna: "Do you mean the poop?"
Adelaine: silence
Anna: "Hunny - let's not trust those little hunger instincts just yet, k?"
Adelaine: "Oh"
Lukas has been into super heros and some of them are a bit scary, so I thought I'd give "Bibleman" a try. Yeah it is super cheesy and I made fun of it in college, but the kid isn't even 5 yet. He won't know any difference, right? Wrong:
Lukas scans the cover of the library dvd out of the stack of other movies
He smirks
He casually comes over to me
Lukas: "Mama, is this your movie?"
Anna: "No, I got it for you. He is a superhero."
Lukas: "Ohhhh...so you love it."
Anna: "Whatever, Lukas - it is for you."
Lukas: "Ohhh....so it is YOUR movie. Go ahead and watch it Mama, I know you love it."
I glare at him
He smiles and walks away
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Simply Irresistible
I've been trying not to encourage Lukas' wily ways recently with any positive feedback because the sassy looks, potty jokes, and sneakiness in overboard amounts is just not appropriate and ....honesty, just starts ticking me off. However, once in a while, I am surprised by his strategy that I irresistibly give him some props:
- A couple of days ago, in the morning, when we were all getting ready to leave, Lukas randomly (or so I thought) hugged Adam. I noted it, only thinking maybe he misses Adam with all the extra work and travel he's done lately. A little later, Lukas casually asks Adam, "Where are your socks Daddy?" Not thinking much about it, Adam reaches in his pocket (where he'd put his socks while coming downstairs) to find a keychain had replaced his socks. Wow - both on the planning and casual, effective follow-through of Lukas and also - Wow - on how we won't be sending Adam to any countries in the near future prone to pick pocketing.
- Tonight - my mom (who was visiting) was getting crawling under the covers to get in bed - only to find 5 little animal toys neatly placed on her sheets for her to lay on in surprise. What love and respect I have taught my children for their elders.
Adelaine has gone a bit overboard these days too - yes - in sarcasm, but more so with the whining, interrupting, constant question asking (usually of the exact same question over and over...which of course, I'm just thrilled about and would never snap at, ever). However, she has also been incredibly cuddly (which I just eat up) and verbally affirming ("Mama, I love you...Mama, I love to snuggle you.....Mama, you're so cute...etc etc). My favorite though, by far has been sleeping with her. Adam has been out of town a bit recently and it is a no-brainer to bring that girl in bed with me. She wants to sleep holding my hand and she pets my cheeks like she is an old woman cupping a little girls' face. I just lay there and can't even believe that this is my girl.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Unfortunate R's
Red: Today Lukas put paint in the air humidifier. Yes - it is very fun to see red mist float gently upon the carpet we didn't want to replace before we moved. It is more fun to see the color red mommy turns when she sees it. Not sure which experiment results he was after - the mist's or mommy's.
Religion: Lukas has two different little alien toys in the back of the car. The two toys are kind of "fighting" eachother. Then Adam and I hear him say, "I'll get you. I'm the Holy Spirit. HA HA HA (evil laugh)". Adam calmly (as Adam is always calm) turns around and says, "Hold on there, son. Let's chat."
Religion: Lukas has two different little alien toys in the back of the car. The two toys are kind of "fighting" eachother. Then Adam and I hear him say, "I'll get you. I'm the Holy Spirit. HA HA HA (evil laugh)". Adam calmly (as Adam is always calm) turns around and says, "Hold on there, son. Let's chat."
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Soul Search
I think I already know my children's theology:
Lukas was in back of the car singing his version of patty cake as "potty cake" (...again with the potty humor, but it actually rhymed and everything). I didn't have any quick natural consequences off the top of my head so I think I said something lame and slightly guilt-ridden like: "Lukas, I really don't like your potty talk. It makes me sad to think that your head and heart might have too much of these words in them" Then I see in the rear view mirror him clasp his hands together and put his folded hands in front of his face and say, "Dear God. Please change my heart.....I try to be good, but I forget." (I'm still not sure if he was sincere or sarcastic - I think a mixture of both, since I've seen both sides of him in prayer). Then Adelaine, the victorious Christian says, "No Lukas, say 'Thank you God for changing my heart. Amen." Well - they just exhibited the two sides of faith that Adam and I waffle between in our own lives. I feel like Lukas, but want to be Adelaine. wow
Lukas was in back of the car singing his version of patty cake as "potty cake" (...again with the potty humor, but it actually rhymed and everything). I didn't have any quick natural consequences off the top of my head so I think I said something lame and slightly guilt-ridden like: "Lukas, I really don't like your potty talk. It makes me sad to think that your head and heart might have too much of these words in them" Then I see in the rear view mirror him clasp his hands together and put his folded hands in front of his face and say, "Dear God. Please change my heart.....I try to be good, but I forget." (I'm still not sure if he was sincere or sarcastic - I think a mixture of both, since I've seen both sides of him in prayer). Then Adelaine, the victorious Christian says, "No Lukas, say 'Thank you God for changing my heart. Amen." Well - they just exhibited the two sides of faith that Adam and I waffle between in our own lives. I feel like Lukas, but want to be Adelaine. wow
Mind Reader
I am always surprised when I can read my kids' minds (and grateful when I am able to deter misbehavior with it).
Adelaine: On her birthday she came to me and said, "Happy Birthday Mama". I was surprised and said, "Silly girl. It is YOUR Birthday" She very knowinly said, "I know" Not sure what to do, I said, "Happy Birthday Adelaine" "Thank you," she said - satisfied. I then clued into her reverse psychology techniques: "Mama, you are beautiful." .....Oh...SHE wants to be told SHE is beautiful and doesn't necessarily think I am beautiful. To affirm her now (but wanting to talk about this technique later, I just said,"Adelaine, you are beautiful." Again satisfied, but pretending to be suprised, she said, "OHHHH....thank you"
Lukas: As I am on the computer upstairs and the kids are to be napping, I see out of the corner of my eye, a little boy tip toeing into Adelaine's room with a cup full of water and visions of a wet, screaming sister. I just snap my fingers and point to him. He sadly turns away and defeatedly says "Sorry."
Adelaine: When Adelaine was younger she would out of the blue tell us she DIDN'T do something (which told us she in fact just DID that very thing). ie: "Mama, I didn't go potty in my pants." "Oh....so, did you just go potty in your pants?" "Yes." ....Of course I imagine her as a teenager randomly coming to me and saying, "Mama, I didn't do drugs at the party." Right.
But these days, her tactics are different: she will just try to tell me what she did was okay, as if saying it makes it true: She comes to me after I hear Lukas' scream: "Mama, it is okay for me to hit Lukas." Nope...actually it isn't and now I know you just did it kid!
Lukas: I see him holding a balloon animal dog....I see him examine it and start snickering. I roll my eyes and just say, "Come on Lukas, it is the dog's tail." "Oh" he says, sheepish.
***by the way, I know I share a lot of potty humor on this blog. Lukas does have consequences for it and isn't strangely obsessed with it - I just think he has gotten easy laughs with little verbal effort with it. I also think that it is genetic, as I still snicker at some potty humor. BUT, Adam and I don't talk about body parts and bowel movements all day long, I swear.
Adelaine: On her birthday she came to me and said, "Happy Birthday Mama". I was surprised and said, "Silly girl. It is YOUR Birthday" She very knowinly said, "I know" Not sure what to do, I said, "Happy Birthday Adelaine" "Thank you," she said - satisfied. I then clued into her reverse psychology techniques: "Mama, you are beautiful." .....Oh...SHE wants to be told SHE is beautiful and doesn't necessarily think I am beautiful. To affirm her now (but wanting to talk about this technique later, I just said,"Adelaine, you are beautiful." Again satisfied, but pretending to be suprised, she said, "OHHHH....thank you"
Lukas: As I am on the computer upstairs and the kids are to be napping, I see out of the corner of my eye, a little boy tip toeing into Adelaine's room with a cup full of water and visions of a wet, screaming sister. I just snap my fingers and point to him. He sadly turns away and defeatedly says "Sorry."
Adelaine: When Adelaine was younger she would out of the blue tell us she DIDN'T do something (which told us she in fact just DID that very thing). ie: "Mama, I didn't go potty in my pants." "Oh....so, did you just go potty in your pants?" "Yes." ....Of course I imagine her as a teenager randomly coming to me and saying, "Mama, I didn't do drugs at the party." Right.
But these days, her tactics are different: she will just try to tell me what she did was okay, as if saying it makes it true: She comes to me after I hear Lukas' scream: "Mama, it is okay for me to hit Lukas." Nope...actually it isn't and now I know you just did it kid!
Lukas: I see him holding a balloon animal dog....I see him examine it and start snickering. I roll my eyes and just say, "Come on Lukas, it is the dog's tail." "Oh" he says, sheepish.
***by the way, I know I share a lot of potty humor on this blog. Lukas does have consequences for it and isn't strangely obsessed with it - I just think he has gotten easy laughs with little verbal effort with it. I also think that it is genetic, as I still snicker at some potty humor. BUT, Adam and I don't talk about body parts and bowel movements all day long, I swear.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Backseat Backtalk (Parental Discretion is adviced)
It amazes me the things that I hear from the back seat and the range of emotions that they invoke. This was this week's menu:
Adelaine: "Mama, my boogers are green".....(queasy feeling invoked) - I indeed look back and they are green - deeply green...however not from mucus telling of a viral infection - green telling me that she just shoved a green marker (now the 2nd time) up her nose. It also tells me of what the rest of my day looks like with it (since I've lived it once before), beyond the banishment of markers. I know that she will in fact sneeze or wipe her nose in a public setting having green snot everywhere. Do I explain to the disgusted onlookers that they don't need to get a swine-flu booster, but it is only Crayola at its best? hmmmm the choices
Lukas: "Mama, did you say "boob"?" while cracking up. (annoyed feeling invoked) "No, Lukas, I looked in my mirror at you and said, "BOO". "Oh, so you DID say "boob"?" with a smirk. "Lukas, knock it off. I didn't say it. If I did, I'd have to go into the bathroom since it is a potty talk." "Oh..right, so you DID say it, okay Mama, okay. Bummer for you" sarcastically. Silence. Not sure what to do.
Adelaine: spontaneously yells "THANK YOU GOD! THANK YOU FOR DADDY'S WORK! YOU'RE A GREAT GOD! I LOVE YOU GOD!" (surprised, grateful feeling invoked.)
Lukas: "Mama, are you proud of me? I didn't do anything mean to any kid at school....but, I didn't do anything so so so nice either. You still proud of me though?" (Compassionate feeling invoked)
My favorite backseat fun: when we sing loud to music and I see in the rearview mirror the kids cracking up at eachother mouthing the music and doing different funny dances to it. LOVE IT!
Adelaine: "Mama, my boogers are green".....(queasy feeling invoked) - I indeed look back and they are green - deeply green...however not from mucus telling of a viral infection - green telling me that she just shoved a green marker (now the 2nd time) up her nose. It also tells me of what the rest of my day looks like with it (since I've lived it once before), beyond the banishment of markers. I know that she will in fact sneeze or wipe her nose in a public setting having green snot everywhere. Do I explain to the disgusted onlookers that they don't need to get a swine-flu booster, but it is only Crayola at its best? hmmmm the choices
Lukas: "Mama, did you say "boob"?" while cracking up. (annoyed feeling invoked) "No, Lukas, I looked in my mirror at you and said, "BOO". "Oh, so you DID say "boob"?" with a smirk. "Lukas, knock it off. I didn't say it. If I did, I'd have to go into the bathroom since it is a potty talk." "Oh..right, so you DID say it, okay Mama, okay. Bummer for you" sarcastically. Silence. Not sure what to do.
Adelaine: spontaneously yells "THANK YOU GOD! THANK YOU FOR DADDY'S WORK! YOU'RE A GREAT GOD! I LOVE YOU GOD!" (surprised, grateful feeling invoked.)
Lukas: "Mama, are you proud of me? I didn't do anything mean to any kid at school....but, I didn't do anything so so so nice either. You still proud of me though?" (Compassionate feeling invoked)
My favorite backseat fun: when we sing loud to music and I see in the rearview mirror the kids cracking up at eachother mouthing the music and doing different funny dances to it. LOVE IT!
Friday, February 5, 2010
All EYES on Adelaine
So, all eyes were on Princess Adelaine today during her little-girl princess playdate party with her favorite little girl friends (though she missed Lucy and Heidi who couldn't come). She felt very loved. I also love this age because she is estatic about every gift (granted she did score some sweet stuff, so maybe she didn't pull out the whine because of that)
All eyes were also everywhere else the last few days as Lukas found my googly eye-stickers (for crafts) and placed them around the house (which I was surprised to find each time). 2 were on the faucet so as you turned on the water, it looked like a snake spitting. 2 were on the trash can so that the lid of the trash can was like a mouth, and so on and so on... I surprise him then in putting 2 on the toilet lid so the toilet was like a mouth. I heard him laugh in the bathroom when he saw it. It was only today that I found 2 eyes very inappropriately placed on one of my shirts. Good thing I noticed it or 2 eyes would have been facing on EVERYONE else and then all eyes on the horrible mother.
Yesterday Lukas surprised me more appropriately by putting a walkie talkie on next to me while I was cooking for Adelaine's party and then went upstairs with the other one. All of a sudden there was music around me and I didn't know where it was coming from, but it was Lukas upstairs playing instruments into his walkie talkie so I would be surprised and laugh. It worked.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Polar Opposites
"Question" (In Dwight voice): "Do opposites attract?"
"Answer: No they do not"...in fact they repell one another in horrer and disgust
So, I've been noticing how different our kids are:
Lukas is quiet and reflective
Adelaine tells you EVERYTHING she is thinking, and then tells you it again, and then again
Adelaine is a morning person: a loud, boisterous morning person
Lukas is a night person: a quiet, still awake-forever person
Lukas is not into sports
Adelaine will bounce any ball or bounce herself anywhere, anytime
Lukas wants to stay home all day
Adelaine asks constantly, "Where are we going?....and then where?...what after that?"
Adelaine responds to Love and Logic choices such as "Do you want the orange or the carrot first?" with joy and glee saying "I love BOTH oranges and carrots"...then squeals
Lukas responds to Love and Logic choices such as "Lukas, you can have a pickle after you eat your carrots" by giving them back to me and saying "Mama, you can have a kiss after I get my pickle." then winks at me
Adam and Adelaine were gone on a trip to Pennsylvania to see family, and so while he got some amazing quality time with her enjoying family, riding horses, etc....I was home with Lukas, doing crafts, having fun with friends and letting him sleep in my bed. So, in light of their differences, I shouldn't have been surprised when, on the way to the airport, I asked Lukas "What are you going to say to Adelaine when you first see her?" (of course thinking "I miss you" "Nice to see you", etc). His response, "I'll tell her, 'Please stop talking." At least he was polite about his anticipated chatty car ride home.
So, today - our first day back together was rough. Lukas annoyed he can't get a word in edge-wise...and her trying to hug and affirm everything he says and does (and then trying to continue to kiss him when she realizes he is annoyed with her). In typical Adelaine style, we picked up Adam from work and before I get to ask, she says, "Daddy, did you have a good day? I love you Daddy, I missed you Daddy, Daddy, I want to snuggle you." And in the rear view mirror, I watched my son, roll his eyes, and just glare at the goody goody sister beside him. I couldn't help but feel for him a bit. It must be hard for them when they don't understand one another at all.
"Answer: No they do not"...in fact they repell one another in horrer and disgust
So, I've been noticing how different our kids are:
Lukas is quiet and reflective
Adelaine tells you EVERYTHING she is thinking, and then tells you it again, and then again
Adelaine is a morning person: a loud, boisterous morning person
Lukas is a night person: a quiet, still awake-forever person
Lukas is not into sports
Adelaine will bounce any ball or bounce herself anywhere, anytime
Lukas wants to stay home all day
Adelaine asks constantly, "Where are we going?....and then where?...what after that?"
Adelaine responds to Love and Logic choices such as "Do you want the orange or the carrot first?" with joy and glee saying "I love BOTH oranges and carrots"...then squeals
Lukas responds to Love and Logic choices such as "Lukas, you can have a pickle after you eat your carrots" by giving them back to me and saying "Mama, you can have a kiss after I get my pickle." then winks at me
Adam and Adelaine were gone on a trip to Pennsylvania to see family, and so while he got some amazing quality time with her enjoying family, riding horses, etc....I was home with Lukas, doing crafts, having fun with friends and letting him sleep in my bed. So, in light of their differences, I shouldn't have been surprised when, on the way to the airport, I asked Lukas "What are you going to say to Adelaine when you first see her?" (of course thinking "I miss you" "Nice to see you", etc). His response, "I'll tell her, 'Please stop talking." At least he was polite about his anticipated chatty car ride home.
So, today - our first day back together was rough. Lukas annoyed he can't get a word in edge-wise...and her trying to hug and affirm everything he says and does (and then trying to continue to kiss him when she realizes he is annoyed with her). In typical Adelaine style, we picked up Adam from work and before I get to ask, she says, "Daddy, did you have a good day? I love you Daddy, I missed you Daddy, Daddy, I want to snuggle you." And in the rear view mirror, I watched my son, roll his eyes, and just glare at the goody goody sister beside him. I couldn't help but feel for him a bit. It must be hard for them when they don't understand one another at all.
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