My mama job requires all kinds of talents. Feeding, clothing, and convincing children they want to do things they don't want to do (eat some vegetables!) requires some creativity and talent. Today at lunch, I was trying to convince Gemma to eat some bananas mixed with sweet potatoes. She wasn't buying it and I was wearing more sweet potatoes than she had eaten. So,method #1? Distraction.
Mama: old McDonald had a farm. Eieio. And on his farm he had a cow. Eieio. With a moo moo there
Amelia: wait! Stop! I didn't want to do a cow!
Mama: what?
Amelia: I didn't want it to be a cow. I DON'T WANT IT TO BE A COOOOOOOW!
Mama: (inward eye roll)
Mama: what did you want it to be?
Amelia: old McDonald had a wife!
Mama: a wife?
Amelia: a wife.
Mama: But, what would a wife say on the farm?
Amelia: (silence for several beats) I love you!
Mama: okay then!
Amelia: or, pick up your socks
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Sleepy
William wanders out of his room. It is late- 11 or 11:30 at night. He sleepily wanders into the bathroom. I get up to go assist. William sleeps so deeply that when he gets up he sometimes has trouble waking up enough to....well let's just say get the job down well. I go in the bathroom and find him bumping around with his eyes shut. Typical. I hug him to me and guide him toward the toilet.
"You don't have to help me with this anymore mom."
(a pause before my brain comprehends what he is telling me)
"What?"
"This. I don't need help with this anymore mom."
oh. hmmm. really?
I help him wash his hands and shuffle him back to bed. And I contemplate. He might not actually need my help with this anymore.
"You don't have to help me with this anymore mom."
(a pause before my brain comprehends what he is telling me)
"What?"
"This. I don't need help with this anymore mom."
oh. hmmm. really?
I help him wash his hands and shuffle him back to bed. And I contemplate. He might not actually need my help with this anymore.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The Last Day of Preschool + BIG dance show
Today was a BIG day for Ms Amelia! She had her last day of preschool for the year AND her big ballet dance show! Preschool was a water and ice cream extravaganza. I knew it was going to be tricky to keep her in good spirits for her big performance - I think we did it!
Grandpa Heidt drove in for the big dance show all the way from Minnesota - what a special treat! If you asked me to drive 7 hours for a dance routine under 3 minutes, I would have said no. Lucky for us, Grandpa thought that sounded like fun!
I was so proud of Amelia's hard work on preparing for the dance show. We practiced every day, several times a day. She knew the routine by heart (and so did our whole family. Even Gemma could do parts of the ballet routine). When her song started, William started singing along and Gemma got so excited she started yelling. It sounded a lot like, "Go Amelia". John and I chanted the moves under our breath. Which was hard, because we were holding our breath throughout the whole routine. She was flawless. She showed no fear and hit most of her steps. She didn't smile, but she also didn't cry and she clearly wasn't afraid. I'd like to share it here, but the dance teacher has asked us not to post on the internet. So I won't. But, I wish I could. Because I am so very proud.
When she was done dancing, I was so relieved. I have been very stressed about the dance show. I was worried she would be scared. Or refuse to go on stage. Or fall. Or forget the steps. Or cry. And that wasn't all. The preparation for the dance show has revealed I have a few hang ups and insecurities I wasn't aware of until now.
The ballet teacher is strict (as one would expect, and then no more) and has a list a mile long of rules* for the dance show. One rule was hair was to be in a bun. No bangs are allowed. (hang up alert.). I don't do my own hair. Ever. In all seriousness, I do not comb or brush my hair. I run my fingers through it and most days it ends up in a ponytail or some other quick arrangement that prevents the baby from yanking on it and keeps it out of my eyes. For some reason, a bun felt like someone asking me to quick do some calculus. I have never had a calculus class. So, I did what anyone in the day and age does. I turned to youtube and watched several informative videos on putting hair in a bun. This helped, but the mere thought of a bobby pin would still make my heart race and palms sweat. This wasn't something I could screw up. It had to be perfect for my girl. Lots of things could potentially go wrong with a dance performance, but it wasn't going to be my fault. I did not want to be the responsible party for ruining her dance show.
The list of rules also called for light stage makeup - nothing heavy (hang up alert). Whaaaaat? I wear chapstick and occasionally mascara along with under eye concealer for those dark, dark circles. When asked, the teacher clarified she would like some pink blush (or whatever color I had on hand. HA!), some red lipstick (not pink, purple, orange, coral, or other color. Just use the plain red I have in my collection. HAA again!), and some light eye makeup.
To sum it up, I survived and faced down my fears of not having it just right for my girl. It turned out right and she fit in with the other little girls. Amelia was delighted by the number of "practice runs" I required to develop my confidence. This girl will happily wear obscene amounts of makeup every day of the week. Not that I will let her.
*No flash photography, no video recording on ground level (balcony only), no posting video on internet, no glitter, no perfume, no nail polish, tights must match dance shoe, assigned shoes must be worn. All students must remain backstage for the entirety of the show. Rules. Gotta love them.
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| The Boston Tea Party girls! Their dance started with a little tea party...with real china. Eek! This one is from the dress rehearsal Wednesday night |
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| Amelia in her dance outfit after dress rehearsal |
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| She was so beautiful in her costume! again, from Wednesday's dress rehersal |
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| Amelia's invented ballet poses - Wednesday dress rehearsal |
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| Another Amelia creation from the Wednesday dress rehearsal |
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| Last day of 3 year old bee room preschool |
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| On the front step with her backpack. Will she put it on? No. |
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| Back to more ballet poses |
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| Gemma running away from me |
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| Amelia the night of the show |
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| Amelia at home right before the dance show |
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| Amelia's class during the awards portion of the show |
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| Grandpa Heidt and Amelia (with a William bomb in the back) |
Grandpa Heidt drove in for the big dance show all the way from Minnesota - what a special treat! If you asked me to drive 7 hours for a dance routine under 3 minutes, I would have said no. Lucky for us, Grandpa thought that sounded like fun!
I was so proud of Amelia's hard work on preparing for the dance show. We practiced every day, several times a day. She knew the routine by heart (and so did our whole family. Even Gemma could do parts of the ballet routine). When her song started, William started singing along and Gemma got so excited she started yelling. It sounded a lot like, "Go Amelia". John and I chanted the moves under our breath. Which was hard, because we were holding our breath throughout the whole routine. She was flawless. She showed no fear and hit most of her steps. She didn't smile, but she also didn't cry and she clearly wasn't afraid. I'd like to share it here, but the dance teacher has asked us not to post on the internet. So I won't. But, I wish I could. Because I am so very proud.
When she was done dancing, I was so relieved. I have been very stressed about the dance show. I was worried she would be scared. Or refuse to go on stage. Or fall. Or forget the steps. Or cry. And that wasn't all. The preparation for the dance show has revealed I have a few hang ups and insecurities I wasn't aware of until now.
The ballet teacher is strict (as one would expect, and then no more) and has a list a mile long of rules* for the dance show. One rule was hair was to be in a bun. No bangs are allowed. (hang up alert.). I don't do my own hair. Ever. In all seriousness, I do not comb or brush my hair. I run my fingers through it and most days it ends up in a ponytail or some other quick arrangement that prevents the baby from yanking on it and keeps it out of my eyes. For some reason, a bun felt like someone asking me to quick do some calculus. I have never had a calculus class. So, I did what anyone in the day and age does. I turned to youtube and watched several informative videos on putting hair in a bun. This helped, but the mere thought of a bobby pin would still make my heart race and palms sweat. This wasn't something I could screw up. It had to be perfect for my girl. Lots of things could potentially go wrong with a dance performance, but it wasn't going to be my fault. I did not want to be the responsible party for ruining her dance show.
The list of rules also called for light stage makeup - nothing heavy (hang up alert). Whaaaaat? I wear chapstick and occasionally mascara along with under eye concealer for those dark, dark circles. When asked, the teacher clarified she would like some pink blush (or whatever color I had on hand. HA!), some red lipstick (not pink, purple, orange, coral, or other color. Just use the plain red I have in my collection. HAA again!), and some light eye makeup.
To sum it up, I survived and faced down my fears of not having it just right for my girl. It turned out right and she fit in with the other little girls. Amelia was delighted by the number of "practice runs" I required to develop my confidence. This girl will happily wear obscene amounts of makeup every day of the week. Not that I will let her.
*No flash photography, no video recording on ground level (balcony only), no posting video on internet, no glitter, no perfume, no nail polish, tights must match dance shoe, assigned shoes must be worn. All students must remain backstage for the entirety of the show. Rules. Gotta love them.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
11 Months
Gemma turned 11 months old on Thursday. Can you believe it? With it being a Thursday, which is when Kelly works during the day and at night, things got a little crazy. On her way to work, she texted me saying "I wasn't able to take Gemma's 11 month photo today. Can you go outside and take a few?"
Well, now I'm stressed, because typically Kelly takes the monthly photos, and you've probably seen that she does a terrific job. I have some mighty big shoes to fill. Hopefully, if I just took enough photos, I could get some good ones purely by coincidence. Even the blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.
One thing to notice is the curly hair! The weather warmed up, the humidity came in and BOING! Gemma went from her straight hair, to having little ringlets around her head. Looks like she may be taking after Mama and big sister, Amelia.
I put Gemma down and she stood there, but would not move. I think the grass may have been a little prickly on her feet.
William and Amelia were also outside during this photo session, and Gemma was very distracted with all their antics.
The next series of photos I think are kind of funny, since they show a bunch of different faces that Gemma made in a rather short period of time.
About this time, the neighbor came out with her two kids. Now, there were five big kids to watch running, and riding around. Photography session over.
Well, now I'm stressed, because typically Kelly takes the monthly photos, and you've probably seen that she does a terrific job. I have some mighty big shoes to fill. Hopefully, if I just took enough photos, I could get some good ones purely by coincidence. Even the blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.
One thing to notice is the curly hair! The weather warmed up, the humidity came in and BOING! Gemma went from her straight hair, to having little ringlets around her head. Looks like she may be taking after Mama and big sister, Amelia.
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| The one photo where you could actually see the sign |
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| What the 11 months sign looked like most of the time |
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| Doing a little yard work. |
I put Gemma down and she stood there, but would not move. I think the grass may have been a little prickly on her feet.
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| Yes! She finally is looking at me and smiling! |
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| Well, at least she's still smiling. |
William and Amelia were also outside during this photo session, and Gemma was very distracted with all their antics.
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| William stop! Don't go in the street! |
Father's Night
The preschool was divided into stations. Crafts in one, snacks in another, photos and stories in another, and games in the last one. Apparently there was a theme to the party. It was Western night, and you were supposed to dress up! Oops!
In the game room there was Nerf guns to shoot at targets. Play-doh, dress up clothes, and a sunflower seed spitting game. Amelia's first choice was the Nerf guns. Who would have guessed?
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Amelia conversation
I feel like Amelia says plenty of cute stuff, but as the neglected middle child, she doesn't get as much written down here. So, on Wednesday, the two of us were driving to ballet class (a ten minute drive) when the following conversation took place:
Amelia: I want to listen to the dinosaur music.
Mama: The dino music is in the other car, I don't have any dinosaur music here.
Amelia: Can we please listen to dinosaur music?
Mama: Thank you for being so polite! I still don't have any dinosaur music.
Amelia: Then I want to listen to Car Talk .
Mama: What?
Amelia: Can we please listen to Car Talk*?
Mama: That is only on the radio on Saturday mornings!
Amelia: I just love that show.
The same evening on the way home, we had the following conversation:
Amelia: Do you remember when Grandpa Heidt was a baby?
Mama: Nope.
Amelia: Can you tell me about Grandpa Heidt was a baby?
Mama: I think I know some stories about Grandpa Heidt when he was a baby. He used to have very curly, beautiful hair.
Amelia: So you remember.
Mama: No. Grandpa's sisters told me about his curly hair and about when he was a little boy.
Amelia:Grandpa has sisters?!?!?
Mama: Yes.
Amelia: Do you remember when Grandma Kim and Grandpa Kevin were babies?
Mama: nope.
Amelia: You don't? Why?
Mama: Grandma and Grandpa are older than Mama. So, I wasn't born when they were babies.
Amelia: What? You DO remember, right Mama?
Mama: (are we home yet? we hit every.single.red.light) No, I can't remember that because I wasn't there when they were babies.
Amelia: Where were you?
Mama: Hey! Let's play the letter game! I'm looking for a letter A.....
*In short, Car Talk is a public radio show featuring two brothers who discuss car repair and other car related topics when they aren't insulting each other. I admit John and I are big fans.
Amelia: I want to listen to the dinosaur music.
Mama: The dino music is in the other car, I don't have any dinosaur music here.
Amelia: Can we please listen to dinosaur music?
Mama: Thank you for being so polite! I still don't have any dinosaur music.
Amelia: Then I want to listen to Car Talk .
Mama: What?
Amelia: Can we please listen to Car Talk*?
Mama: That is only on the radio on Saturday mornings!
Amelia: I just love that show.
-----
The same evening on the way home, we had the following conversation:
Amelia: Do you remember when Grandpa Heidt was a baby?
Mama: Nope.
Amelia: Can you tell me about Grandpa Heidt was a baby?
Mama: I think I know some stories about Grandpa Heidt when he was a baby. He used to have very curly, beautiful hair.
Amelia: So you remember.
Mama: No. Grandpa's sisters told me about his curly hair and about when he was a little boy.
Amelia:Grandpa has sisters?!?!?
Mama: Yes.
Amelia: Do you remember when Grandma Kim and Grandpa Kevin were babies?
Mama: nope.
Amelia: You don't? Why?
Mama: Grandma and Grandpa are older than Mama. So, I wasn't born when they were babies.
Amelia: What? You DO remember, right Mama?
Mama: (are we home yet? we hit every.single.red.light) No, I can't remember that because I wasn't there when they were babies.
Amelia: Where were you?
Mama: Hey! Let's play the letter game! I'm looking for a letter A.....
*In short, Car Talk is a public radio show featuring two brothers who discuss car repair and other car related topics when they aren't insulting each other. I admit John and I are big fans.
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