Real Life

Some version of this conversation takes place daily, here's today's:

Queen: Careful, those pancakes are hot.

Princess #3: No they're not. And even if they are that's okay.

Queen: Okay, I'm just warning you so you don't burn your hands or mouth.

Princess #3: Ouch!!! Those are hot!!! MOM!!!

Seriously people. Every.single.day.

A Pleasant Surprise

So Princess #1 is starting to show her age. She is developing an avid interest in all things tweener-something I can remember and relate to. She is trying to figure out what all the hoopla is about things that other friends find important and I can appreciate that. To that end, I am trying to keep an open mind when she asks if she can watch, "iCarly" or "That's So Raven", or my all-time favorite, "Suite Life", basically anything that the Disney Channel is trying to sell her age demographic on. (Any sarcasm read, was implied.) I'm impressed that she's not buying into all of it, it proves she has enough common sense to navigate her slice of the world with both eyes open.

My parents have given her a subscription to Clubhouse magazine, (which I heartily recommend). She devours it! My favorite column is "High Voltage", where kids can write in and ask questions about popular books, music/music groups, movies, etc. The reply they get is Christ-centered without judgement. Excellent!!

I am coming to a point, honest.

Well, today as she was helping me with apples, I asked if she wanted to choose the Pandora station. She wanted to know if she could listen to Jonas Brothers or TobyMac. I asked why Jonas Bros. and she brought out a Clubhouse and flipped to the "High Voltage" article that featured a question about the group. She told me that the magazine didn't think that the J.Bros. latest CD was all that great, but that their older CD's were worth a listen. I was skeptical, as I am with all boy bands, having had a memorable, if not short crush on NKOTB, before I discovered a more discriminating taste, but I said sure we'll give them a try. To my surprise, they weren't too bad, as far as boy bands go. One song in particular we both really enjoyed. It was fun to share this discovery with her. Best of all, is knowing that she feels that I am willing to give things that are important to her a chance before dismissing them.

I think that some great groundwork for our future relationship was laid today. And that in my opinion is one more huge positive for continuing our homeschooling adventure.

Happiness Is NOT . . .

. . . hearing a crash, followed by the sound of glass breaking and then catching the unmistakable aroma of nail polish wafting up the stairs at 5:45 am. Crappy, crappy day.

You Know She's Growing Up When . . .

. . . she won't get on the barrel horses at the state fair anymore of her own free-will. And when you do talk her into getting on one, "just for old times sake" and pull out the camera, she freaks and hops off before you can capture the moment(okay.ahem. blackmail.).

Part of Me

As many of you know, my standard answer to most all questions and/or comments relating to my children's physical features or actions is to say with a smile, "I was just the womb." However, there are days that I hear or see something that is such a part of me and who I am that I can't help but be amazed.

A case in point. Last night, Princess #3 came banging in the back door for the second time, this time without a word to the King or I, she muttered (my Mom would add "under her breath") all the way to the bathroom, turned on the faucet and proceeded to clean something, muttering all the while. In amongst the mutterings I caught some of these words: stupid (Of course! Her current swear word of choice.), dumb dogs, foot, poop, good grief, shoes, wash, I could go on, but I'm sure you can get the gist. I just started laughing (silently obviously), not wanting to interrupt her quiet rant, because it was so decidedly something that I would do and have done or will do that it struck my funny bone.

And just so you know, the King will corroborate this one, as he was kind enough to point out the similarities, just in case I had missed myself . . . in her!

Best Friends Are We . . .

. . . my sister and me!!
Princess #3 and the Prince have such a fun relationship. She is so patient with him and he thinks she hung the moon--oh and that everything she does is hilarious! It makes my heart so happy that already they are such great friends.

Seven Months and Counting!

Today marks the start of our sweet Prince's seventh month. We're on that slippery downward slope to that first birthday. Whew!

Here are some new or not so new things about our boy.

. . . he likes noises. Squeaks are still the best though.

. . . he sleeps through the night (has since 8 weeks bless his little heart).

. . . he sits by himself, preferably surrounded by toys and best of all sisters.

. . . he likes to roll to his belly and get up on his knees.

. . . he loves Cheerios. So much that once he catches one, he keeps his pinchers in his mouth til it has dissolved!

. . . he loves to be outside, especially if there is a breeze. He will lift his face toward the breeze and just be still.

. . . he wears 6-9 - 12 month clothes and 9-12 month shoes, and size 3 diapers.

. . . he likes to ride on mama's back in the mei tai, especially to play soccer with his sisters.

. . . he soaks 4 bibs a day, at least.

. . . he is experiencing his first cold.

. . . he love love LOVES his sisters.

. . . he love love LOVES his mama and daddy.

and they all love love LOVE him back!!