First "Real" Haircut!

If I could only put into words the sassiness that face expresses...

She loved getting her haircut! I think she felt really pretty too. She told me not to cover up her hair with her hood when we were leaving because it was too pretty. I feel the same way when I leave the hair salon. After the style, or lack of style, that I had her parading around with, I know she felt like a new woman when she left. I love pig tails and ponies, but the poor little thing always had something in her hair. When she didn't it was in her face and just everywhere. Hopefully now we can have a down day every now and again with no accessories required. Growing out your hair is always awkward, but especially so when you are growing it out for the first time, ever.

Hair, wild hair, or no hair she's beautiful to me.

Just a quick side note: The kids got down for a late nap today, because we were out running errands. It seems with my kids, if they miss the typical napping window, they have a hard time going down. Well today was no exception. After several grouchy return visits into their room, which they share until we are comfortable with moving them downstairs, I came down to do some work. Carson raced down a few minutes ago shouting, "She's naked. Maisy's all the way naked. I saw her." Sure enough, waiting upstairs was my little princess completely naked and so proud of herself. She will be in her crib until she is 10. I can't imagine what she would do if she get out of bed. Being as spirited as she is, she has yet to escape her bedtime prison. Thank goodness.

Star Student

This week Carson was the Star Student in his preschool. On Monday we were invited to his class for a Star Ceremony. He was crowned and shared some information and pictures with the class. He had a sheet of questions to answer prior to his ceremony. We were instructed to write their answers and not coach them, which was very difficult for me when he responded "9 inches" to the question, how tall are you. Other than that one, he was very factual. At present he wants to be a football player when he grows up, his favorite color is red, his favorite book is Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?, he likes to play Power Rangers (according to him, but I haven't seen him with those in months) and he is special because he eats all his food and helps his mom and dad. It was fun to see him in a school setting interacting with his friends and teacher. He did great. I am really proud of him. I think he will be a good student, at least in elementary school. He's fairly shy and wants to do the right thing. I just hope he doesn't grow out of that.

My Snow Angels

We awoke to a surprising 3 inches of snow this morning, which is a big snow for us this year. The temperatures were nice, so we played in the snowy sunshine. We got to use our snowman kit and built a nice looking snowman. Then we made a fort. Following a short snowball fight, we headed indoors.

In preparation for our upcoming ski trip, Carson and I headed out to practice. We have a small "mountain" nearby and he got his first dose of the slopes. There were a few tears shed at first. Either everything comes naturally easy or overprotective mother prevents too much of a struggle for her son, so working through difficult tasks isn't his strong suit. However, this one he couldn't and wouldn't let him quit on. Sure enough...he got it! I am not saying he is going to be an Olympic skier or anything, but he can get down the hill. I was tremendously proud of his dedication to task and his good attitude. I was also proud of my patience during the lesson together. I have learned, the hard way, that it is very difficult to teach your own children. But, am making a very conscious effort to enjoy teaching him and make sure he enjoys learning. Today was good for both of us. He now loves skiing and thinks he is the best kid skier ever. I love his sense of confidence! As for me, I didn't lose my patience, but pulled every muscle known to man getting him to ski. It was a great day, one I will remember forever.

Here's a peek at my talented son! Ignore my high pitched film voice, but if you listen, you can hear him commending himself, in spite of my hopes for more speed.

Hi-Yah!

Since spring will be coming some day soon, I hope. We are actively involved in daily exercise getting our buff bodies ready for summer. Sometimes it is pilates, sometimes a run outdoors, today was Tae Bo. My little boxers held their own with the work-out warriors, shedding their shirts as the exercise got more difficult. As I sweated along side them, Maisy lost interest and wondered off. When she rejoined us, she was completely naked. What a sight! Carefree, nude and doing Tae Bo. Not many people can pull that off. Needless to say, I had to pause the work-out to catch my breath. I think that dose of laughter was the best ab work-out I got all day!

Playing House

This is something I do not want to forget. One of the kids favorite things to do with me is play house. I don't know how it turned into this elaborate make-believe story, but it is quite complicated. I am the mother. My name changes from session to session because no one cares enough to remember what I name myself. However, Tom and Claireese always remember thier names, along with the names of our 5 babies, Ava, Sarah, DeDe, Sally, and Elmo. We also have a pet snake, which makes such sense considering how much my children love animals. Ha! His name is Henry. "Tom" is the father figure of the family at the age of nine, because as he reports our Dad died in the army. "Claireese" is usually in charge of the babies and falls down a considerable amount in the crowded area that is our home. More often than not, "Tom" has to go to town for supplies and is attacked, but saved luckily by "Claireese" and her doctor kit. By the time he makes it back to the cabin, I have to wrap his ankle or wrist with an ace bandage to help him heal. The antics would go on forever, I think. "Claireese" loves to dim the lights for nighttime, so we all sleep in a tent together at bedtime. Tonight had an interesting spin though. "Tom" learned his friend, Kenzie, had been kicked out of her house. (I didn't even know he knew what kicked out meant. ) So, she had to come stay with us. Hmmm...this Kenzie stuff is really serious.
Even though I dread the actual invitation to play house. Once I'm invovled it is so funny to hear their imaginations at work. It reminds me so much of when I was a kid. Our neighborhood version of house was Orphans, similar no parent concept, which I think is weird. Depressing, actually. I think I would have liked Carson and Maison if I was little with them. They are really a lot of fun.

Love is in the Air!

Every Valentine's Day, I make lists of all the things I love. This year, I decided to publically admit to all the things I love about my family. The things that are such part of our daily routine, that I could possibly take for granted, but realize some day they will cease to exist as they do now.

I love the sound of little feet running/pounding through the house.
I love the smell of baby shampoo and wet hair.
I love the feel of smooth little "bongos" just out of the tub.
I love the look on her face when I figure out what she is trying to say.
I love to hear him playing, when he thinks I'm not listening.
I love to wake them up in the morning.
I love the unanticipated hug or "I love you".
I love listening to him read, as laborious as it is at times.
I love comforting them, when no one else can.
I love their feet and hands.
I love his creative imagination.
I love how she asserts herself.
I love listening to them talk to each other through the door.
I love cuddling up to watch a movie with them on either side.
I love surprising them. The smallest things, with the right introduction, can be the biggest treasures.
I love hearing Momma.
I love how much they love my parents.
I love his coarse, think hair, that he desparately wants to spike.
I love her sense of style.
I love his smile when you mention his little crush.
I love her frustrated fuss, when things don't go just her way.

I love him for providing for us.
I love him for finding me pretty, always.
I love him for kissing our kids all the time.
I love him for thinking Maisy is the prettiest girl in the world.
I love his big strong hands.
I love how I feel in his arms.
I love knowing we are safe with him.
I love his predictability.
I love that he is so simple.
I love his silly pick-up lines.

I love the way he sticks out his tongue when he concentrates.

I love how he puts up with all my moods.
I love his boyish sense of humor.
I love that he is a guys guy.
I love the way he smells, most of the time.
I love his honesty.
I love how he understands me.
I love to argue with him.
I love to talk to him too.
I love how his eyes move when he is really thinking about what I said.

I love how in their own way, they have all made me a better person.

Maisy Loves...

lip gloss
babies
Bubby
juice
candy
phones
purple
dresses
Nemo
princesses
tights
holding Momma's hand at night
"Smile" book
cookies
cheese
lotion
jumping
Daddy
Nanny/Pa
Mimmi/Poppa
wipes

Carson Loves...

gum
baseball
trains
super heros
Mommy, Daddy, and Little Sister
Sprite
playing on the computer
Sponge Bob
to draw
preschool
football
spaghetti
Ba Donka Donk song
Uno
Paradise Park
being loud
running and falling down
scrambled eggs
reading books
watching television
chocolate long johns
being outside
skipping naps
pizza

SNOW Sad!

After another evening of snow dancing and spoons under pillows, we awoke disappointed again. We aren't asking to miss school, we just want enough snow to build a good snowman. Poor Carson cried this morning when he saw our pathetic "3-5" inches we were promised. The grass was still clearly visible. Obvious even to an excited 4 year old there wasn't enough snow to play. So, it looks like this will be the only snowman of the season. Poor, Bubby!

"Is That Funny?"~Maisy

Some things I've heard lately and a brief explanation. :)

"I can't go to preschool looking like this."~Carson referring to the microscopic scratch beside his eye.

"I am soakin' tall."~According to Carson that means really, really, really, really, really, really (there were a lot more really's when he defined it) tall. I think it goes back to being soaking wet, but that's the best I can do. I appreciate his creativity. I invented some of my own words as a kid too. "Banky" is still a favorite. "Slicky" is another one he likes. He uses it when describing cooked meat like chicken or turkey. It is why he doesn't like it.

"Is that funny?" ~Maisy's most commonly asked question, usually following misbehavior.

"Did you see fire coming out of my shoes?"~Carson is still convinced flames come out of his shoes when he runs. He likes to make sure I notice them.

"A,B,C Next time won't you sing with me."~Maison's version of the alphabet song. We have a ways to go with that one. Nevermind she can identify almost all of them. But when we sing, you would think I was speaking another language.

"Poop on Pop"~The other title Dr. Seuss considered for Hop on Pop...according to Maisy. She would probably listen better had he chosen that one.