Friday Funnies

While watching the news about the student riots in London over tuition hikes, we were explaining to the kids why people were protesting. Going to university used to be free for everyone in the UK, but now they are raising fees and tuition. Stuart: Well, I'm just going to have to be rich. I'll have lots of dollars!

Our advent calendar activity(from a great book The ADVENTure of Christmas!) was what "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" mean and the phrases origins. We practiced saying Merry Christmas in other languages as well. We asked the kids if they could go anywhere where another language was spoken, where would you go?
Stuart: Mexico. Feliz Navidad.
Chase: Italy. Buon Natale.
Sabrina: Texas!

At the grocery story this week, Stuart picked up a gift card for Cracker Barrel, and with great breathy, longing pleaded, "Mom, can I have this for Christmas?"

In the car:
SJ: Mom, when I grow up I'm going to be a teacher at Central Christian School.
Me: You are?
SJ: Yea. I'm going to teach in Mrs. Kouba's room.
Me: That's what Mommy used to do. I was the music teacher. If you want to teach in Mrs. Kouba's room, then you must practice your piano.
SJ: Yes, I will. And then I'll be the microphone person. And they'll be two teachers. I'm going to teach them lots of songs like [singing] "Thy Word" and [again singing] "Good Morning, God."
Me: That's great, Sabrina.
SJ: Yep! It is great! I better get to practicing!

I know it's sideways...but it was too great not to share!

Not Me! Monday

Even though MckMama seems to be on a Not Me! Monday break, I will be sharing with you a few tidbits that DID NOT happen this past week.

SJ DOES NOT call her sister "Florence" and the doll "Fiona" when she plays house. She also DID NOT call her sister "Flower Garden" yesterday because of her Halloween costume. As in "Flower Garden, Flower Garden! Come here Flower Garden!" Nope, didn't happen.

I DID NOT use orange Kool-Aid to dye my oldest child's hair Ron Weasley red. These are not before, during, and after photos. Nope.

I DO NOT love his ginger hair so much! I especially HAVE NOT considered trying to convince him to actually dye his hair red. Nope, that would be silly.

He DID NOT get this idea because he read all of Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets in 4 days. We DID NOT catch him reading with a flashlight at 11:15PM one night. Nope!

Mompetition is NOT my new favorite place to go if I just need to laugh!

Stu DID NOT spend breakfast this morning telling me what his Halloween costume plans until college graduation. He DOES NOT like dressing up that much.

My favorite new phrase is NOT "You're confusing your opinion with knowledge." I HAVE NOT said this to my oldest child multiple times this week. I HAVE NOT considered making a T-shirt.

I DID NOT have an absolutely crazy day on Tuesday. It was not a day hijacked by all sorts of insanity. By the end of the day I DID NOT feel like Tina Fey in the movie Date Night. Michael DID NOT suggest to me that I might want to sit alone and drink a Diet Sprite. I DID NOT laugh so hard I almost had to pull the car over to be safe! Nope, it was not that crazy of a day.

And of course, Michael and I DID NOT go through the kids Halloween candy and take all the good stuff out. We would never feel that was our right as parents! Not me!

This IS NOT typical of our house. Nope. Always calm and controlled around here!

Happy Monday and Happy November one and all!

Beat the ground in a light fantastic round

My middle kids have been dancing for two years now. They absolutely love their dance classes; I absolutely love The Studio. We had been to another studio, but now we've found a home at The Studio. Kim & Amanda are a mother & daughter duo that love kids and love dance. They are fabulous dancers with great stories—Kim's grandma taught her how to juggle and walk on her hands! As teachers they walk the fine line of excellence without undue pressure.

Sabrina takes tap class right now. We may add ballet after the boys' soccer is over.

Watching patiently and watching her friend.

Her turn!

 

Concentration

Stuart is in the Boys' Tap and Tumble class (I only got pictures of tap this day)

With the "Big Guy" assistant teacher. It's always amazing to me how a group of boys changes when a guy is teaching!

I don't think our children will become professional dancers, but I do know they are learning how to control and move their bodies, how to follow directions, and how to move to music. These are life skills that they're learning in addition to simply loving to dance!

Weapon in the Clothing War

I have a four year old future fashion diva in my house.
We have avoided a lot of power struggles with a few strategies

1. The 2-3 choice option. "Would you like to wear this or this today?"
2. Choosing clothes the night before.

Choosing clothes at night has become more difficult now that Annalise is awake during nighttime routine. So now we choose clothes for the week over the weekend and hang them in the closet with these!



I made them in (gasp!) Microsoft Word—sadly the only program on my computer I can create anything in!




I cut them out, took them to FedEx Kinkos (my new favorite place!) and had them laminated them for $2!

We choose clothes, socks, shorts, whatever goes with the outfit. We hang the tags on the outfits in her closet.



She feels in control every morning when she puts on the outfit. This is what avoids the conflict!


As a teachery side note, she is sounding out the initial sounds of the words and remembering the order of the days of the week.

So until we go to school uniforms (please!) this is my secret weapon in the clothing war.

(This is not an original idea. I've seen this on a blog a few years ago, but I can't remember where. She was a mom blogger/graphic designer with a way better design than mine! Feel free to use my mediocre designs.)

Birthday Party-Fancy Nancy Tea Party

The table set with cake, juice, tea, tiny sandwiches (cream cheese & jam or peanut butter & jam with the crusts cut off), fruit salad, flowers, and of course fine china.




The girls' activity packets-their name, its meaning, and their monogram to decorate, a crown, a bow, and baubles.


The cake. I used small ramekins to bake the cakes and layered them like a regular layer cake. In case you're wondering, yes I am crazy enough to use my wedding china with 4-year-olds. I live on the edge like that.


My favorite part-the party favors! I bought a set of white canvas bags and iron on initials from Hobby Lobby. I also bought a mugs that came with coloring inserts. That's what I used to make the name inserts. Each favor—$2.50


The Ladies after our game of Make Nancy Fancy.


We did play another few fun song games, but I don't have any pictures!



At the Table


Cake Time




Presents



I planned for the girls to arrive with their invitations and find their names at the "coloring table". That way the girls were doing something as the other guests arrived and I chatted with the moms. Each packet had a crown (downloaded from http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/princesscrown.html) and several Fancy Nancy "printables". There are a ton to choose from at http://www.fancynancybooks.com/#/kids/fungames/6/. I did the bow and the baubles. I also included their names to color. I used the inserts from the mugs as a template. In Microsoft Word (because I have nothing better!) I used the font "perpetua" for their names in bold, italic, and outline. I put the meaning of the first name in the upper right corner and their monograms (that's fancy for initials) in the bottom left, both in "Edwardian Script". The box had crayons, colored pencils, and stickers. I decided against markers since they were wearing their "finest frocks".

After they finished coloring we played "Make Nancy Fancy". Once again, http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensimages/game/fancynancycoloring.swf, color and print as large as you can. We did 11x17. I cut paper bows from a sheet of contruction paper, but I'm sure you could do something more exciting! I did a circle of tape on the back and you play just like pin the tale on the donkey, except of course with a fabulous pashmina (you know, fancy for scarf).

We then used the scarf to travel to where we played our singing games.
Down in the Valley (a partner game where they mimic their partner's created motions to the song)
Snail, Snail
An Elephant Goes like This and That (not very fancy, but they're 4! You've got to be silly)

We then went back to the coloring table because some of the girls wanted to color on their bows more. About 5 minutes after that, we had our tea at the table. The girls at with their pinkies up and were very polite. I did make real tea in the teapot, but we drink a lot of tea in our house, so S was used to that. I did have juice for the other girls. At this point I had planned on making stars with a tracing of their hand, but we ran out of time, so we went for cake and presents instead!



I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a Fancy Nancy prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, click here. But more because my daughter is obsessed with Fancy Nancy!

Friday Funnies

This week, Sabrina wins the doozies:

Sabrina: Mom, When will I be 100 years old?

Me: Your birthday, 2106

Sabrina: I think that's too high a number.

Me: You don't want to live to be 100?

Sabrina: Well, then, I could sit in the back of the van all the time!



Driving into London's driveway, admiring the flower bushes:

Mom, those white flowers are so pretty! I think they're called "fiascoes".


In the bathroom with Sabrina:

Me: Sabrina, where are you underpants?

Sabrina: Oh, I took them off and accidentally put them in the toilet. And then I accidentally flushed them. But that's ok, I've got more in my room.

Quick Remembers

Been so busy recently, but just a few things I want to remember

Retelling the story of Cinderella with Samantha, Sabrina, and Sophie Grace:

Sabrina: What's the prince's name?
Me: I think it's just Prince Charming
Sabrina: I think his name is...mmmmm....Prince Greenflower. Yes, Prince Greenflower.

Monday:
Stuart: Mom, I want to go on a date with you. Can we go on a date?
Me: Sure that would be great. We'll have to wait until Daddy gets back in town.
Stuart: Let's go Saturday.

Tuesday:
Stuart: Where are we going on our date?
Me: I don't know. Where do you want to go?
Stuart: I want to go on a doughnut date. Can we go on a doughnut date?

Wednesday:
Stuart: Mom, don't forget about our doughnut date on Saturday!

Thursday:
Stuart: Mom, we're still going on our doughnut date on Saturday, right?

Friday:
Stuart: Don't forget! Tomorrow is our date.

Saturday 7:15AM:
Stuart: Mom. Mom. Mom! Can we go on our pajama, doughnut date now?
Me: Stuart, I'm sleeping. We can go after we all get up.

Saturday 10:00 AM:
Stuart: Mom, let's go!

We did have a great time on our date!


Chase had his first chess tournament on Thursday and won both his games. He was very proud of himself that he moved from 125 see to 120!

Ten on Tuesday

1. Michael and I are looking a really busy January. He is working Saturdays just to keep up. He has 3 trade shows in January. He will be gone in Atlanta the entire last week of January. More on that later.

2. I'm contemplating getting family pictures taken this spring. We've not had family photos since I was pregnant with Sabrina. Any suggestions for family photos in St. Louis with kids our kids' ages.

3. We've taken down the Christmas tree, but not finished putting away all the decorations. My goal is MLK weekend!

4. My 4 hours of sleep from Saturday night is really catching up with me. I'm a touch crabby and trying to hide it.

5. I've been studying a small bit on missionaries that go to Islamic nations. It's no surprise that this has been a much debated topic for centuries. I read an two contrasting positions on the topic. Charles Foster writing in 1845 said that we shouldn't hold Mohammad to the standard of Christ, but rather Moses. I found this argument a complete fallacy. Why should we not compare Mohammad to Christ? He is the standard by which we are all compared; therefore, we all fall short because of Christ's standard of perfection. Without his sinless divinity, there would be no gracious salvation. Romans reminds us "there is no distinction [among people]: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Moses was judged by the standard of Christ, therefore; so should Mohammad. Just a little something deep for y'all.

6. Samantha has been playing a game she had as a kid with the children. I don't remember the name of it, but it has to with fantasy monsters and ambushes and my kids love it. Sabrina gets bored of it and walks away about half way through.
7. Chase typically is quite grouchy when I pick him up from school. I don't know why this is and bothers me; however, I am not responsible for his attitude, and I can't really change it. But today he hopped in the car and said, "I'm in such a good mood I want to tell you all about my day and all my others days!"

8. We've decided Chase is not going to participate in chess tournaments this year. With what our January is like (it' s only 6 weeks) and having a 4-month-old, it's just a bit much. But I grieve a bit for him. Being an only child until I could drive (yes my sister just graduated from high school), sometimes it's hard for me to make choices where one child has to sacrifice for the good of the family. I know he's only 7, and he has many years left to compete, but it's hard for me to ask him to give up an opportunity.

9. Sabrina is totally into Fancy Nancy books. We have to read Fancy Nancy everyday. Sabrina can tell you that a fancy word for shiny is iridescent and aubergine is a fancy word for purple. Also that RSVP means "Répondez s'il vous plaît" or please reply.



10. Stuart is really learning how to read. Chase was so different. He could read a book by himself without help at 3 1/2. Stuart is 5 1/2 and his journey to literacy has been so different. His education is such a group effort! And in some ways, more satisfying because of the greater effort. But it is just as exciting to listen to him struggle with a word and finally succeed!

Just a bonus picture

Not me! Monday

Yep, Monday, Labor Day, and a week of things I did NOT do!

While feeding the baby, I did NOT discover that size 1 diapers are much bigger than newborn diapers. I did NOT discover this leak by a huge wet spot on my shorts. I did NOT continue to wear the shorts the rest of the day. I certainly did NOT wear those shorts the next day.

Stuart does NOT insist that whenever Annalise cries, that she needs to burp. When she cries really hard, he does NOT say that Annalise wants him.

Chase has NOT discovered that he can play games on our iPods and Michael's work phone. One of those games is not Ms. Pac Man. This was NOT my favorite game as a child!

I do NOT not remember when I showered last. I am NOT using the excuse that I'm doing laundry and don't think that there will be enough hot water.

I am NOT totally eating up these girls together!


My youngest baby is NOT 2 weeks old. It does NOT feel like she's always been a part of the family.



Leave your own "Not me!" antics in the comment section!

Friday Funnies

While changing Annalise's diaper & cleaning her cord:
Sabrina: Mama, can I help?
Me: Sure, baby.
Sabrina: (Handing me the rubbing alcohol) Here, Mama. Here's the dry up juice.


While Stuart is playing and Annalise is hanging out on a blanket:
Stuart: Mom, has her raisin fallen off yet?
Me: Raisin?
Stuart: (Pointing to her cord) You know, her raisin.

Sabrina was dropping food on the floor while she & Ruth were eating at the table:
Me: Sabrina, don't drop things from the table. That makes a mess on the floor. If you drop something on the floor, you will need to pick it up.
Sabrina: Na, mom, Miss Lisa will get it.

Sassy Molassy Sabrina

Weddings on the mind...

I think it's a combination of the age and their aunt getting married, but the married talk around here is getting hysterical.

You may remember Stuart's declaration of future marriage to Ruthie a few weeks ago and Sabrina's serious dismay at that idea. Well, the next week he changed his mind and said he was going to marry Ella. He decided since Ella is almost five, she would be better than Ruth who is three.

Today the topic came up again in the car today.

Sabrina: Stuart, are you still going to marry Ruthie?
Stuart: Noooo. I'm marrying Ella.
Sabrina: But I want Ruthie to be my sister (she changes like he does!)
Stuart: I'm sorry, Sabrina, I'm going to marry Ella. We're going going to go to the church and ask the principal if we can get married and then we'll live somewhere and have some little kids.
Me: You know, Stuart, you need to ask Ella's daddy if you can marry her.
Stuart: Why?
Me: Because that's what boys do.
Chase: Does Ella have to ask Stuart's daddy?
Me: No.
Boys: Why?
Me: Well, boys are supposed to protect girls and until a girl gets married, her daddy protects her. So you need to ask him.
Stuart: (distraught) But! What if he says "no"?
Me: Well if you asked him now, he probably would say no. But when your older and out of high school, you could ask.
Stuart: Ok, I guess I'll just have to wait and ask later.
Sabrina: BUT I WANT RUTHIE TO BE MY SISTER!

How in the world are we going to have discussions when then there's a another voice in the conversational space?

Friday Funnies

Stuart: When I grow up, I'm gonna marry a girl.
Me: Yep. Do you think you already know who she is?
Stuart: I don't know. Maybe I could marry one of Sabrina's friends.
Sabrina: My friends at First Friends? [her mom's day out]
Me: Like who?
Stuart: Maybe Ruthie. I could marry Ruthie.
Sabrina: NO, NO, NO! You can't marry Ruthie! She's my friend!
Me: Sabrina, it's OK, then your friend would be your sister. Like Aunt Melissa and me.
Sabrina: [extremely long pause and then disbelievingly] No, Ruthie's my friend not my sister.
Chase: [from the back seat] I'm still not likely to marry.


And just a fun picture of the possible future Mrs. Whitmer & Sabrina

Wordless Wednesday (a day late)

Not me! Monday

Before the fun, 5 month old Stellan is very ill. He has been in the PICU for a week with SVT (super high heart rate) and he is not improving. Please pray for this baby and the family.


I DID not pout at all this week that some complications with my pregnancy grounded me in St. Louis for Spring Break, canceling a little jaunt to Memphis.

My daughter Sabrina did not decorate my entryway with lipstick. I was not whiny or pouting at all. I DID NOT sit on the floor and cry because of feeling overwhelmed. I DID NOT call my husband or friend in tears.


I DID NOT order pizza online so I didn't need to prepare food to feed my children. They had NOT watched 5 hours of videos. Of course they didn't b/c they have a limit of 30 minutes of screen time a day. Five hours would be ludicrous. During that 5 hours they DID NOT watch Monsters, Inc. twice in a row. I DID NOT completely throw all my parenting instincts out the window.

Have a great week and please pray for Stellan.

The Dangers of Toddlers and Lancome

Sabrina's morning activity today.
Notice the Starbucks gift card attached to the door...


After make-up remover and a bath...her skin is still stained with Color Fever Lipstick in Daring Rose and Le Rouge Absolue in Luxe. This isn't even close to what's on her legs!



After two hours, half a roll of paper towels, a full bottle of full strength Sol-u-Mel, dish soap, and elbow grease.

The Angel aftermath