Thankful

No cute stories tonight. I'm just thankful for two amazing kids that call me Mommy. 

Payment

Shortly after putting the kids to bed, Gillian walked down the hallway and said "I gotta go to the bathroom." She did her business and started to walk back to her room. She left the lights on in the bathroom, so I stopped her and said "Did you forget something?" She smiled and said "Payment?" So on occasion I "charge" the kids for things. Like if they want to watch another TV show or an extra cookie. I ask them for a payment and I get a bunch of kisses and hugs in return. Anyway, I laughed and said "No. You left the lights on." She went back in the bathroom and turned off the lights. Then she started to walk past our room and again I stopped her. But this time I asked for payment. She came running in our room and gave me kisses and squeezies. 

Harry Potter

A few weeks ago, I started reading John "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." I did the same thing last year. But he really didn't really get into it. And it was hard to keep his attention. So I started reading it again. He loves it. He remembers what I read about and questions everything. Daddy asks every night about what we read. And John will give him a little synopsis. "He played quiddich and he caught the ball in his mouth! And he didn't fall!" "They had a dragon and they had to give it away!" "They had to go in the FORBIDDEN forest. And there was something drinking unicorn blood. And you know what? That's no good. You only get half a life!"

Last night, we finished the book. He told me "Harry Potter, the boy who lived twice! Two times he beat you-know-who!" I told him that there are movies of each book and that when we finish reading a book we can watch the movie. He is looking forward to seeing the movie, but he was very excited to start the second book tonight. I am very excited that he enjoys our special time together reading one of my favorite books. 

Sunday Hugs

Sunday morning, John came downstairs and immediately asked "Can I watch shows?" Daddy said "Yes." I said "No." John said "I guess I gotta pay you." I said "Yes. I gotta get all my hugs now. Because, I know you won't believe this, but at some point you won't want to give Mommy hugs or kisses." He came over and climbed in my lap and gave me a big hug. He said "I would never not want to give you hugs." Daddy and I laughed. We said "One day you won't want to. And you will not like Mommy and Daddy. But that's ok, because it won't last long. And we will still love you eventhough you will think you know better than us." He still didn't believe us. But I got a super tight hug as payment for letting him watch shows. 

Awesome

Tonight I was making my bed while the kids were watching one more show before bedtime. I had them sitting on the hope chest while I worked on the bed. John offered "Can I help you?" Gillian said "She don't need our help!" I said "I've can do it myself. Why can I do it myself Gillian?" She said "Because you awesome-sauce!" Not the response I was expecting. But I'll take it!

My boy

Seven years ago right around 6 am, Daddy and I were on our way back to the hospital. We had gone the night before, but my labor didn't progress so they sent us home. But this time we knew it was time. So much for knowing, my boy didn't arrive until 7:13 pm. He changed our whole world. Daddy and I officially earned our titles of Mommy & Daddy and Duncan became a big brother. 

John is an amazing little boy and I am a proud Mommy. I love watching you grow.  Happy 7th birthday to my boy, my little man, Gillian's big brother, the thinker, the practical one, Duncan's little brother, to our John Daniel. We love you super big much!

No boys

Gillian and I had a girls night. No boys allowed! Daddy was working late tonight and John is spending the week in Myrtle Beach with Mimi and Poppy. This morning I told Gillian that we could go out to dinner, just the two of us. She said "Yea. No stinky boys!"

We went to Panera. Nothing fancy, just two girls hanging out. I asked her about school today. She said "I was good. But someone was not. It was Ellis. He throwed a ball at us. And it hit Ryan in the head and he cried. Ellis was bad. And they told his mommy!" I asked her about the rest of her day. She couldn't tell me anything else. Last night I gave her a manicure and a pedicure. I asked "Did everyone love your nails?" She said "Nobody say anything. And they dirty now. I got paint on them when I paint my cactus." 

We ate dinner and did a little shopping and then went home. We got to watch Sofia the First before it was time for bath. Gillian was in the bathtub when Daddy got home. Daddy said "That's it. No more girl party!" Gilly said "Stinky Daddy!"

Love my time with my little lady. 

Lunch

Most days John takes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school. We always tell him what's available for hot lunch. Today I told him that lunch was pasta. He said "Yes! I'll buy." Daddy also talked to him about lunch and told him that there was chicken patty sandwiches on the menu today. 

Everyday Mrs. Belena asks the kids if they are buying lunch or if they brought lunch. If they are buying then she gives them their lunch card and asks them what they are buying. 

When I picked up John from school today I asked him about lunch. He said "It was good. But I like the other thing that they had today too!" I said "Oh the chicken patty sandwich?" He said "No I had the sandwich." I was confused. He said "I didn't know what baked ziti was so I said chicken patty!" Yup. That's my fault. I should have said the pasta was baked ziti. Oops. But he said "It was good. I would get it again!" 

writers block

I have writers block.  My kids are wonderful and amazing and normally provide me with lots of cute little stories.  But I have nothing.  The past couple of days have just been typical days with nothing out of the ordinary or special.  While there has been nothing exciting going on in my house, there have still been plenty of giggles, snuggles, talking and love.  I am one lucky Mama. 

Oh John!

John has the best comments and insite. Here are a few of my favorite comments from the past couple of weeks:

Daddy asked John "Who do you want to help with your shower? Mommy or Daddy?"  John replied "I'll settle with you Dad."

We have been trying to teach John to say excuse me when he wants to say something while Daddy and I are talking. Tonight he said "Excuse me." Daddy acknowledged him and he started talking while I was talking. He then turned to me and said "Excuse me, I'm talking to Daddy now!" 

The other night John fell asleep in my bed, but he woke up in his bed. The following morning, he said "I thought Daddy would have just rolled me over!"

The girl in the purple dress

Last week, Gillian and I watched Tangled for the first time.  We loved it.  She unfortunately has a hard time remembering Rapunzel's name.  So she constantly asks me "Who's the girl in the purple dress?" 

Tonight, I was tucking her into bed, and she asked me to snuggle with her for a few minutes.  As we were snuggling she asked "Who's the girl in the purple dress?"  I said "Rapunzel."  She said "She was a baby and a witch took her.  She make her hair magic.  And the girl growed up and her hair got long and long and long!  When she sings the hair glows! And then a boy comes.  Him cut her hair with a part of a mirror!  And then the witch's hair goes all white.  And her a witch again.  Her is not the mom!  Then the girl gets to stay with the boy!"  I love her little synopsis of the movie. 

Buddy's Adventures in 2013

Our Elf on the Shelf, Buddy, returned the day after Thanksgiving. When we were in Disney World, I asked Aunt Betty to check our mail for us. She went to the house the Friday after Thanksgiving and found Buddy sitting on the couch eating M&Ms and Oreos and drinking soda. She took a picture and sent it to me.

When the kids saw the picture, John said "Ask Aunt Betty make a letter to Buddy and let him know we are in Disney World!" Gillian said "Him spilled his nemems!" Aunt Betty let us know that she left Buddy a note and that she would check back later to make sure he wasn't making a mess. John told Aunt Betty "If he isn't there tomorrow then we will let you know if he is in our room!" The next day Buddy wasn't in our room. But Aunt Betty searched our whole house and finally found Buddy. He had a little message for the kids.

The next day (our last day in Disney), Aunt Betty went to our house and found Buddy with a note.

John was very curious, he kept saying "I wonder what's inside the package!" And "I can't believe that Mickey sent him a letter!"

On Monday, December 2nd, when we arrived home from our trip, Buddy was waiting to greet us.

John was so excited to see Buddy and even though Buddy was high above him, he said "That's what was in the box! Mickey sent him ears!"

On Tuesday, December 3rd, we found Buddy with all the new toys that John and Gillian got on their trip. Buddy was still wearing his Mickey ears. Daddy and I think that Buddy was asking the toys if the kids were good on their vacation.

The next day, the kids found Buddy in the kitchen. He made a little swing. Gillian said "Him made it out of toilet paper!"

On Thursday morning, the kids found Buddy. He was having a race with some cars and toys. Buddy was in the lead!

On Friday, December 6th, the kids found Buddy in the kitchen.  He was making marshmallow snowmen!  John said "Mommy!  He is using your food markers!"

 

The following day, the kids had a hard time finding Buddy.  He was on Mommy's hutch hiding in John's lacing shoe.  I said to John "I think Buddy wants you to learn to tie your shoes."  He said "Sorry Buddy.  I tried.  I just can't do it!"

On Sunday morning, Buddy left the kids a craft project.  Buddy may have been a little ambitious leaving two projects for the kids to create.  We had a hard time focusing on one.  But it was a snowy day so it was a good day for an indoor project.

 

 

On Monday morning, Buddy lined up all of Gillian's My Little Ponies.  He was riding Princess Celestia and leading the pony parade.  Gillian was not happy.  She cried.  "Him's taking all my toys!"

 

 

The next morning was a snowy morning.  John's school was closed and Daddy decided to stay home with both of the kids while I went to work.  Unusually, Gillian was up before John and she found Buddy riding John's croc down the banister.  She said "Him's going to fall!"  And she was right.  He did fall.  By the time John woke up, Buddy had fallen on the steps.  Gillian was not happy about Buddy's fall and she made Daddy carry her up and down the stairs past Buddy all day.

 

Buddy must have hurt himself in the fall, because the next day we found him in one of Gillian's Barbie beds.

 

Buddy recuperated and on Thursday morning, we found Buddy hanging from the attic cord.  He also left a pillow on the floor in case he fell!  Smart thinking Buddy!  That morning, John walked past Buddy and into the bathroom.  He came out of the bathroom looked up and said "Buddy!  You were behind me the whole time?!?!" 

The next day, Buddy was dreaming of warmer weather and he made some new friends too!

 

 

On Saturday morning, John found a little note from Buddy along with a movie and some window clings.  He had a hard time finding Buddy, but Gillian spotted him right away.  "Him's up there!"  And there he was on top of the curtains in the kitchen.

The kids spent the night at Grandma's on Saturday, December 14th and when I picked them up on Sunday, they immediately asked "Where's Buddy?"  "Did you see him?"  When I said "No."  John said "Did you see anything unusual?"  I love that they were excited to see what Buddy was up to.  We found him when we got home.  He was just chilling in a jar on Mommy's cabinets.

 

 

On Monday morning, the kids found Buddy sitting on top of the refrigerator.  He had his hand covering his mouth.  I thought he looked like he was hiding a smile.  John wasn't sure.  The kids decided to have cereal for breakfast and when John went into the fridge to get the milk.  He pulled it out and said "I think it's bad!"  The milk was green!  I told him, "It's not bad.  Buddy got into Mommy's food dye.  Remember I was decorating cookies last night."  John was unsure about using the green milk, but not Gillian!

 

The following day, we found Buddy in John's room.  Buddy was having a snowball fight with Captain America!  Mommy was happy that Buddy kept all the sugar and marshmallows on a tray and not on the dresser!

 

 

Wednesday morning, Buddy was not in John's room or the bathroom or Mommy & Daddy's room.  John was ready to give up, but then he went into Gillian's room.  They found Buddy on Gillian's canopy.  Mommy thinks Buddy was to be in a cirque!

 

Thursday morning, Buddy wasn't hiding.  He was sitting on a table in the living room.  He was sitting in a Barbie chair ("Him's always takes my toys!") and he had a little note.  The note said "I have hidden 10 candy canes.  Can you find them?"  The kids had so much fun running around the living room looking for the candy canes.

On Friday morning, Buddy was very sneaky.  Buddy tends to hide high in any room, but this morning he was low.  We have a large ruler in the kitchen that we use to measure the kids (thanks Pinterest) and Buddy decided to measure himself too!  John asked Daddy "Can we add Buddy?  Please?" (also, the ruler is in the kitchen by Duncan's bed.  But Duncan was very good with his little visitor and didn't bother him all day!)

 

 

Saturday morning, December 21st, John found Buddy in the living room.  But Buddy looked different!  "He's got a mustache!  And he made us mustaches!  He must really like us."  We had a lot of fun with the mustaches (even Travis the turtle)! 

 

Sunday morning was Buddy's Clues.  Check out my post about Buddy's Clues!

Yesterday, Monday December 23rd, Buddy made an igloo out of marshmallows.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of it.  I know.  It was the second to last day of Buddy's adventures and I didn't get a picture.  It's a rookie move.  Oh well.

 

This morning, John had a hard time finding Buddy.  But after searching everywhere (and a little help from Mom) he found him in the Christmas tree.  We decided Buddy wanted to be in the tree so he could help Santa when Santa arrives tonight. 

 

 

Merry Christmas Buddy!  Can't wait to see what you are going to do next year!

the moon and the sun

Tonight leaving school, Gillian said "It's dark outside.  Is the moon out?"  I asked her if she could find the moon.  As we got in the car, she said "There it is!  I see it!  Mommy, you see it?"  I told her I couldn't look for it while I was driving, and I asked her to describe it to me.  She said "It looks like a feather."  I guess that makes sense.  Tonight it looked like a thin crescent. 

As we were driving to get John, she told me "The moon and the sun are my friends.  They like me.  They know I help fix your washin' 'chine!  They follow me.  Him is my friend!"  A few weeks ago, Daddy picked up Gillian from school and the two of them went to a local appliance store and bought a part for my broken washing machine.  In the car that night, Gillian told Daddy "The sun is following me.  The sun is my friend.  Him knows I gunna fix Mama's washin' 'chine!"  Daddy and Gilly did fix my washing machine that night, and weeks later she remembers that she declared the sun and the moon her friend because it was following her in the car. 

Missed the bus

We were about a minute too late to get the bus this morning. As I locked the front door, I saw the bus drive past our street. It was totally my fault. I should have gotten us outside earlier. But I thought, it's Monday so the bus would probably be late. Well I was wrong. I told John that we missed the bus. He was so mad. "Are you sure?" I said "Yes, I just saw the bus drive past. Number 15!" John shook his head, "My bus is number 2!" Yes, the school has numbered his bus as bus two, but the bus is actually 15. He said "What are we going to do now?"  I told him "Get into the car and I'll drop you off." He said "Great! That's not the same as taking the bus!" He can be so dramatic. I explained to him that I can drop him off at school and he could wait in the cafeteria until it was time to go to his classroom. He said "I don't want to. I'm going to be the only one in the cafeteria!" I explained to him that he would not be the only kid and that lots of kids get dropped off. He pouted until we got to school. We waited outside school until they opened the doors and then he ran inside. He didn't even slow down to give me a kiss. 

Tonight I asked him if he liked getting dropped off or taking the bus better. He said "The bus is longer!" Thanks. That explains everything.