Junior Mints

That 4ft+ laundry pile I wrote about just about overtook me.  What made it so overwhelmingly large was last week's battle with the stomach flu.  What made it even worse was a middle of the night episode that landed and splat atop all the freshly pressed and cleaned church clothes that were so neatly laid out.  I too became a target of such messes, so did my bed.  Even our dog got sick but his bedding had to wait outside on deck for the few days the washer was occupied.  It was worse than my last laundry episode.   

I may have remained cheerful in completing my homemaking tasks on the joyful day of our anniversary but by Thursday I was fed up with the laundry, messes, clutter, and just feeling overwhelmed.  I even shouted at the laundry as I approached it to be sorted and spot washed.  During this moment of frustration, one of my young boys put his arms around me and consoled me saying:  "Don't worry Mom, you've got people on your side".  That is just what I needed to hear - that is what I call a "Junior Mint".

You see I don't really like candy but I love Junior Mints.  They are just the right size and offer the perfect ratio of chocolate, sweetness, and minty flavor.  They are refreshing, especially for one who has a bad taste in their mouth.  So it is with the funny little things kids say.  When in our adult world we are feeling down and frustrated, or maybe a bit too serious, it is the "Junior Mints", or funny things our kids say that give us a refreshing perspective on life. 

So this notebook was purchased months ago from Costco to record just that.  I do have journals for each individual but with six kids its hard to remember who said what and when.  But my Junior Mints notebook is always in reach and ready to record the funny things the kids both say and do.  It is filling up quickly.  

In response to the "Don't worry mom, you've got people on your side", the people may be little but its great to know they are on my side.  I just may teach a few of them how to do laundry this week.  

And one more "Junior Mint", just for fun.  From the mouth of our 4 yr old:  "I'm not sure what its gonna feel like when Obama is president.  It might feel like another country but I forgot which one.  But it might feel like the United States is rolling.  Like it is rolling like a car.  But I really wanted Jeff Morrow   to be president"  (there were many signs for this local politician in our neighborhood).

So here's to all the funny and amusing things kids say, may they help us not only get through our daily chores and also lift us as we face the uncertainty of the future.   

10 Great Years!

It is snowing today, it looks like we could end up with at least six inches.  The dishes are dirty and the laundry is fast acumuluating as well, I think I'll end up with at least 24" of each (actually I just measured and there is exactly 4 1/2 feet of laundry to fold and about 3 feet that needs washing - I hope the accumulation has stopped for today).  

But it is a beautiful day and my heart is full.  I can't help but smile as I care for our children and complete my tasks about the house.  I feel I am the luckiest woman in the world to have a husband who not only cares for me but also makes me laugh everyday.  I smile also in the memory of the life and adventure we have shared so far.  

Who would have thought I might marry that boy from Mrs. Brockhouse's first grade class - I'm glad I did.  I could not have imagined what joy these years would bring.  Here's to many more years - a lifetime and forever.  Happy Aniversary Super Hero - I love you!

"Boating" Day

I took only two of the kids with me this morning to vote.  I called out to them asking "who wants to go with mommy to vote"?....... James and Maryanna both came running.  James noted that this was his third time accompanying me as I voted in a presidential election.  He said he does not want to miss one in his life and is still counting down the years until he can officially vote.

I didn't know what Maryanna was talking about when she asked if she needed her bathing suit.  I simply said "no honey, it is cold out there".  She then asked if we were going to get wet and I answered "maybe a little because it is raining".  Then she asks "we're going to swim in the rain"?  I respond "What"?   and it became clear that she misunderstood the invitation to go vote as "who wants to go with mommy to boat"?  But we were already in line by that time and the concept of voting was too much to explain.  I bought her a doughnut and pulled out her little Corolle doll catalog then sat her along side James who was reading the Wall Street Journal on some folding chairs.  She was good but just screamed for more doughnuts as we exited the building. 

So it was not as exciting as my voting experience in 2004 but still a great opportunity to teach my children about the importance of voting.  But you may want read about another individual's voting experience here.

The Aftermath

The results are in and it looks like all the children averaged about 2 1/2 lbs of candy each.  That is except for Clara who either did not climb out of the stroller for every stop, or already ate half her candy on the road.  The idea of letting the children consume all that candy makes me very uneasy.  But it was still fun to be out visiting with neighbors and also fun to sort, organize and calculate the loot.  After our math fun and a few favorite pieces the rest will be donated.

Some may think I'm a mean mom for taking away my kids candy.  But that picture of Clara above explains my reasoning - my children have a very low tolerance for sugar.  If I wish to keep my children content and cooperative, which is essential in the home school setting,  I must limit the consumption of sugary processed foods.

The above chart shows some interesting trends.  The older the children get the more aggressive they are in aquiring the candy but the less likely they are to eat it.  But we will continue the study over the next 10 years because we may find the girls don't follow this trend and will never out grow their sweet tooth.

 

Paul is wishing we had charts from our own Trick-or-Treating because he has several thoughts and theories about the economics and evolution of the holiday.  Maybe its time for him to start his own blog because his thoughts are more entertaining than mine.

Happy Halloween 2008

One of my favorite traditions growing up was our elementary school Halloween parade.  Since the kids are not in school we went to the zoo and had our own parade.  The weather was perfect and we practically had the whole zoo to ourselves.  

James was Indiana Jones (with the pieces found garage saling) but there was no need for new costumes for the other kids, there were enough hand me down costumes to go around.  William was Superman and had a great idea to keep his jammies on underneath so he could save time like Superman and be quickly changed for bed later tonight, Peter was Spiderman but has already changed his costume 3 times today, Maryanna was a chicken because she says she doesn't like princesses and just wants to be funny, Clara was the elephant, and Henry was a skeleton (I painted the bones on for Peter when he was a baby - I used an anatomy book).  I had thought to wear James' spider shirt from last year but after Cathy's party I discovered having extra arms while needing to care for the all the kids actually gets in the way.

But I decided it is now time to start investing and working on adult costumes.  I was inspired by what Marie' created this year for her sister- in law.  There are just too many projects to do and too little time.  

 

 

Wordfull Wednesday: Elections

I am quite bothered by the contention that is up roared each election season. For some reason this year it seems worse than ever. There are signs drawing lines between neighbors, cars with bumper stickers that in themselves could induce road rage, and commercials that have caused my now 9 year old to ask "Mom, why do the Presidential candidates have to say such negative comments about each other"? The tension is so great it feels as if we are at war amongst ourselves.

I wish those up for election displayed more of the characteristics of a true leader instead of just representing their respective party. I wish I had better insight and knowledge about our government and constitution so that I could be more credible as an influence for good when my children, friends, family and neighbors inquire of my politic beliefs. I wish that as Americans we all had greater understanding of the vision our founding fathers had for this nation.

Without much room for discussion or explanation here is how I feel about the issues.  Few of our nation's biggest problems can be solved by politics or government.  Rather many can only be solved by strengthening the basic building block of society: our families.  Sadly, it seems like the idea of strengthening families hardly enters into the political discourse anymore, despite overwhelming evidence that many of today's most pressing issues (education, crime, etc) are a result of the disintegration of the family, and an abandonment of the principle of personal responsibility.  Our country should protect our right to freely choose our own path in life, but somewhere along the way, some have erroneously interpreted that to mean freedom from the consequences of our choices as well.

I also believe "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great" (Alexis de Tocqueville). I may not be able to change our nation as I wish but I can certainly teach my children to be "good" and in turn hope that they, their children, and their children's children will become a portion of what makes this nation "great".

I also believe it is our duty to study and ponder the issues and vote. On a lighter note here is my recollection of voting in 2004.

It was cold and rainy that morning in Charlotte, NC. Paul was still working as an investment banker for Wachovia which means we barely saw him and he barely saw the light of day. If he voted it was most likely by absentee ballot. I on the other hand had all day to vote.

Having only three children at the time I thought it would be no problem to bring them along to the polls -it would be educational! The kids were just barely 5, almost 3 and 10 months at the time and can't say if they could today recall that "educational experience". I on the other hand remember it well.

Like I said it was cold and rainy. Our designated voting spot was in the basement of a Methodist church on Randolph Rd. The line to enter the building wrapped around the parking lot but I told my kids a little rain wouldn't hurt us as long as we had coats and hats on. I slowly pushed the stroller along the line as the boys jumped in puddles near by. Finally we reach the doors only to discover crowded stairs! The other voters were quite kind and passed my stroller down to the end where it would be waiting. It was just harder to contain the young children there on the stairs then in the rain.

But finally we reached the open room where we still stood in line. That is everyone except for our almost 3 yr old William who wandered to the light switch. Just as I dashed out to grab him he hit it. Remember this was in a basement. Everyone gasped and shouted out, even those under the curtains in the process of their votes. Then he hit it again and again as if to turn the room in to a disco. I grabbed him and apologized to the entire room then was allowed to cut right to the front where the voters, exhibiting their southern charm, only chuckled at this curious little boy.

But it wasn't easy to fit my three kids under the curtain. They were swinging and swishing it all around me. I had to be quick but could barely think through my selections. We got out of there quickly, with one kind voter who carried the stroller all the way up the stairs for me.

In the car I discovered James (age 5) was covered in stickers and I then asked him what he thought of the process. He said he was sure a certain candidate would win. When I asked him why he said because he put in 10 votes for that individual in the kids vote box. I suppose it was time for some more teaching. The poor little guy was so disappointed when I told him #1 your votes don't count until you are 18 and #2 you only get one vote. He has since been counting down the years until he could officially vote.

I remember watching the votes being tallied at 5:30 am the following morning at on the gym on the elliptical machine.

I suppose this year I will not attempt to bring six kids to the polls. I also hope that watching the results will get me back on the elliptical machine.

On another side note I would like to add a bit of history about the home we are living in. It was built in 1962 and for years was not only the center of many boy scout activities but also the neighborhood voting location. Old neighbors have told me how they use to line up on our very stairs before casting their votes. Perhaps my interest and excitement in this years elections is emanating from the history in the walls that surround me. We have remodeled quite a bit but above is an image from the original mailbox which we kept in its place- a patriotic one.

Toddlers in the Kitchen

Well I didn't really load these pictures in the right order but here's how the story goes:

I was on the phone chatting with my Mom and spoon feeding Henry a bit of baby mush. Maryanna joined us at the table and I was so surprised at what she was eating I quickly got off the phone and asked her about it. She said she made it. She also poured herself a glass of water. At first I was upset that she got into the food without permission and was actually preparing myself to clean up a huge mess all over the counters. Upon inspection however, all I found was another plate of food complete with a fork. She said she made it for Daddy. I was impressed and thought it actually looked kind of good. But we saved it for Daddy.

Unfortunately it did not last long enough for Daddy to enjoy. With my back turned again (this time for a diaper change) Clara had joined in on the salad action. She stuffed the prepared salad into her crocs, and began consuming it right out of those dirty little shoes. .