Oh, my...I'm supposed to be going to pick Luke up, and, instead, I have to fix my eye makeup -- I laughed myself into tears. I had mentioned to Anthony that maybe he could help teach Ava to use the potty. This is the conversation I just overheard:
Anthony: "Ava! When you have to go potty, you just hurry to the potty and sit down, hold your peepee down, and go. It's easy!"
Ava: "My not have a peepee."
Anthony: "Oh. (momentary pause while he contemplates life without a peepee) Well, then, you just sit there and hold your nothing down."
Goofy kids.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The littlest Obama fan
My daughter is obsessed with Barack Obama. Not the man himself, as I don't think she'd recognize him if he presented her with a dozen Dora balloons. Skittles, maybe (much coveted, because they're only for using the potty), but that's about it. No, no -- she's fascinated with the words themselves. We were watching the DNC convention last night while trying to get her to sleep, and she kept popping up every time someone mentioned his name: "Mommy! He say Barack Obama!" I thought she might forget about it overnight, but not so. Talk radio is on a lot in our house, so that name is said a lot, and never without much commentary and rejoicing on Ava's part. I'll just add this to the litany of things that make Ava so happy she has to tell the world:
"Mommy, my saw a birdy!"
"Mommy, my saw Holly cat!"
"Mommy, my hear a fire truck!"
"Mommy, my see a garby!"
"Mommy, Anthony say poop!"
And now...
"Mommy, he say Barack Obama!"
"Mommy, my saw a birdy!"
"Mommy, my saw Holly cat!"
"Mommy, my hear a fire truck!"
"Mommy, my see a garby!"
"Mommy, Anthony say poop!"
And now...
"Mommy, he say Barack Obama!"
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Guess I should have thought of that one...
We're working hard on proper church behavior. I know it's tough for little kids to sit still, but come on -- we go to 7:30 Mass, and it only lasts about 45 minutes. Being relatively still and quiet isn't too much to ask for that short a time, is it? Epecially when they're barely awake.
Apparently so. The kids were already fighting on the way to church this morning -- and it's a really short drive, so they had to get at it as soon as we pulled out of the driveway. You know those big LCD signs they have on some interstates to warn you of bad road conditions ahead? Well, this was one of those, and it was flashing, "Danger, Danger! Humiliation and embarrassment ahead!". It was bad enough when we had anonymity. Or at least I thought we did, but then people at school started mentioning how they recognized us from church. Gulp.
So...I did it. I threw down a major gauntlet. I told them that I would not allow them to embarrass us in church and that, if they acted up, we'd leave -- and they would lose all privileges for the rest of the day.
It seemed to work. That took care of squirming, whining, begging to go home, wrestling on the pews, etc. The one thing I forgot to say? "Don't lick your brother's tongue in church!" And that about says it all.
Apparently so. The kids were already fighting on the way to church this morning -- and it's a really short drive, so they had to get at it as soon as we pulled out of the driveway. You know those big LCD signs they have on some interstates to warn you of bad road conditions ahead? Well, this was one of those, and it was flashing, "Danger, Danger! Humiliation and embarrassment ahead!". It was bad enough when we had anonymity. Or at least I thought we did, but then people at school started mentioning how they recognized us from church. Gulp.
So...I did it. I threw down a major gauntlet. I told them that I would not allow them to embarrass us in church and that, if they acted up, we'd leave -- and they would lose all privileges for the rest of the day.
It seemed to work. That took care of squirming, whining, begging to go home, wrestling on the pews, etc. The one thing I forgot to say? "Don't lick your brother's tongue in church!" And that about says it all.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
I feel for the families of superheroes...
...because it sure can be confusing never knowing who's going to be living in your house from day to day.
All children love to pretend. But when you put three so close in age in the same house, it's hard to keep up with. Especially when their alter egos change in midstream. And especially when they expect you to keep up with each alter ego's likes, dislikes, fears and abilities.
Dora and Diego are the most frequent guests. Ava is Diego, and Anthony is Dora (hey, at least they're consistent). But then Brand New Baby becomes Baby Jaguar, and Puppy becomes Boots. Yesterday they sent me on a quest for milk, and I had to ask for clarification. I didn't know if Anthony/Dora and Ava/Diego wanted real milk or the animals wanted the bottles with the fake milk and juice in them. Both, as it turns out.
When Ava is Diego, she speaks of herself in the third person. But she can apparently change identities (and pronouns) mid-sentence. "Mommy, watch Diego! See, my learned this in school." And there are times when I'm quite certain I've been speaking to Diego all morning only to have her look at me like I've lost my mind and say, "My not Diego. My Ava!"
And then there are the times I come running at shrieks of "Mommy!" only to be looked at like an intruder and told, "You're not the mommy. Luke's the mommy." Great. Luke -- you take over changing diapers, wiping bottoms, and washing milk cups (give me a dirty diaper over a dirty milk cup any day). I'm going to Starbucks.
All children love to pretend. But when you put three so close in age in the same house, it's hard to keep up with. Especially when their alter egos change in midstream. And especially when they expect you to keep up with each alter ego's likes, dislikes, fears and abilities.
Dora and Diego are the most frequent guests. Ava is Diego, and Anthony is Dora (hey, at least they're consistent). But then Brand New Baby becomes Baby Jaguar, and Puppy becomes Boots. Yesterday they sent me on a quest for milk, and I had to ask for clarification. I didn't know if Anthony/Dora and Ava/Diego wanted real milk or the animals wanted the bottles with the fake milk and juice in them. Both, as it turns out.
When Ava is Diego, she speaks of herself in the third person. But she can apparently change identities (and pronouns) mid-sentence. "Mommy, watch Diego! See, my learned this in school." And there are times when I'm quite certain I've been speaking to Diego all morning only to have her look at me like I've lost my mind and say, "My not Diego. My Ava!"
And then there are the times I come running at shrieks of "Mommy!" only to be looked at like an intruder and told, "You're not the mommy. Luke's the mommy." Great. Luke -- you take over changing diapers, wiping bottoms, and washing milk cups (give me a dirty diaper over a dirty milk cup any day). I'm going to Starbucks.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
It's the little things...
Who knew I'd be so excited about Anthony making it through his first diaper-free day of school without an accident? I didn't realize how much I had worried about this all summer until I saw him there in the carpool line wearing the same clothes he had on this morning. The poor kid has had a tough time with the potty. He's terrified of that flushing sound. I have a few choice words for the person who invented those darn automatic things that have traumatized my child and eroded his trust in me ("I promise I won't flush it until you walk away..."). He was so proud of himself: "I went two times! And one time I got it all in there and not on the flo'!". Like I said, it's the little things.
Ava had a great first day, too, but she's pooped and not as talkative as Anthony...but then, few people are.
Ava had a great first day, too, but she's pooped and not as talkative as Anthony...but then, few people are.
I knew it was a small school, but...
This cracks me up! It started at registration, when people I'm quite certain I've never met not only knew my name but the street we live on. Today, the very nice gentleman (whose name I know only because I read his ID tag) who held up the carpool line for me yesterday greeted me by name and said, "Luke's teacher told me that he told the class it's going to rain all day today." My poor kids....they're not going to be able to get away with anything!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Ah...routine
While Luke takes after his daddy in his mechanical ability, he takes after me in one respect -- we're both far more comfortable with the routine of the school year than with summertime loosey goosey-ness. For me, getting back in the school routine is like .... you know, I don't have a good analogy to use anymore. Once upon a time I would have said kicking off my high heels and putting on my favorite slippers, but I can't even remember the last time I've worn heels. Or I could compare it to putting on a pair of jeans that's so old and worn they've long since conformed to your shape -- but shape is no longer a constant in my life; it's a variable. So let's just say I love routine. My days have a shape and a purpose again, and that's a good thing.
Of course, it changes tomorrow. That'll be the little kids' first day of school, and it will be my first free day since Anthony was born (since by the time he was old enough for MDO, Ava was here). I wonder how long it will take me to stop running to the living room every couple of minutes to see why they're being so dangerously quiet?
Of course, it changes tomorrow. That'll be the little kids' first day of school, and it will be my first free day since Anthony was born (since by the time he was old enough for MDO, Ava was here). I wonder how long it will take me to stop running to the living room every couple of minutes to see why they're being so dangerously quiet?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
First things second
It occurs to me that my entries may be more meaningful if I share something of my children's personalities. Their blooming little selves are too complex to be truly summed up in a paragraph or two, of course, but this is what stands out the most to me at this particular moment.
Luke (The Engineer and The Wise Old Sage)
Luke is most definitely his daddy's son. He has a natural instinct for seeing how things work, how they fit together and what the possibilities are. When he was ready to ride a two-wheeler, he asked his daddy for a wrench and took off his own training wheels with no discussion whatsoever. He also builds the most amazing creations from blocks, Legos and anything else we leave lying around.
Luke is also coming into his own in the role of big brother (thus The Wise Old Sage persona). He loves explaining the workings of the world to his young siblings. I especially love it when he does this while we're on the road, because then I can giggle in secret. Case in point: We were driving somewhere one day, and Anthony said something that was factually incorrect (I don't remember what, and it's not important, anyway). Luke quickly corrected him: "No, no, no, Anthony. You don't know. I know a lot of things because I've already been to 4K. Maybe when you grow up to be 5, you'll know a lot of things, too." Give him a few weeks of 5K and he's bound to be insufferable.
Anthony (The Newscaster)
Anthony will give a running commentary of who, what, when and where to just about anybody -- any time, any place, appropriate or not. It usually starts something like this (you have to say it really fast, no pauses or breathing allowed, with hands waving dramatically): "Hi my Anthony and this is my sister Ava and my friend (don't ask me to explain that one) Luke and this is Ava's baby Brand New Baby and this is my puppy Puppy and Luke has Ambulance Dog and Baby Jaguar but he didn't bring them. My 3 and Ava is 2 and Luke is 5 and we just started school and we go to a brand new school close to our house...
You get the picture. If he thinks it, he says it. Which is kind of nice in a way, because we don't have to try to guess what he's thinking like we do with Luke.
Ava (One of These Things Is Not Like the Others)
Ava is the only girl, the only blond, the only one who will eat whatever you set in front of her, etc. She's just different, bless her heart -- wonderful and amazing, but different from her brothers. And they're starting to take notice. When Luke is at school, she and Anthony are inseparable, but when Luke's home, Anthony's testosterone takes over, and he joins Luke in tormenting her. Their favorite game right now is to see how many times they can send her running to me for denial or reassurance. It usually goes something like this:
Ava: "Mommy, my a bad guy?"
Me: "No, Ava, you're definitely not a bad guy."
A few minutes later...
Ava: "Mommy, my doody?"
Me: "No, Ava, you're not doody."
And then...
Ava: "Mommy, my a loser?" (Well, it actually sounds more like "woozoh".)
Me: "No, Ava, you're not at all a woozoh, er, loser."
This cost the boys their TV privileges yesterday, so hopefully they'll find TV more compelling than pestering Ava. For a few days, anyway.
It's also obvious that she's very comfortable with "boy toys". While she does love her baby, she also loves cars, trucks and trains. It's funny to witness such an angelic-looking little girl looking at things through boys' eyes. For instance, she has these very girly pjs -- pink with a pattern of clotheslines full of clothes. She calls them her train car jammies. Really. She thinks the clotheslines are train tracks and the clothes are train cars. Poor kid -- she'll either be a very confused little girl or one tough cookie (that which does not kill you makes you stronger).
So now you know the cast of characters. Stay tuned for more episodes!
Luke (The Engineer and The Wise Old Sage)
Luke is most definitely his daddy's son. He has a natural instinct for seeing how things work, how they fit together and what the possibilities are. When he was ready to ride a two-wheeler, he asked his daddy for a wrench and took off his own training wheels with no discussion whatsoever. He also builds the most amazing creations from blocks, Legos and anything else we leave lying around.
Luke is also coming into his own in the role of big brother (thus The Wise Old Sage persona). He loves explaining the workings of the world to his young siblings. I especially love it when he does this while we're on the road, because then I can giggle in secret. Case in point: We were driving somewhere one day, and Anthony said something that was factually incorrect (I don't remember what, and it's not important, anyway). Luke quickly corrected him: "No, no, no, Anthony. You don't know. I know a lot of things because I've already been to 4K. Maybe when you grow up to be 5, you'll know a lot of things, too." Give him a few weeks of 5K and he's bound to be insufferable.
Anthony (The Newscaster)
Anthony will give a running commentary of who, what, when and where to just about anybody -- any time, any place, appropriate or not. It usually starts something like this (you have to say it really fast, no pauses or breathing allowed, with hands waving dramatically): "Hi my Anthony and this is my sister Ava and my friend (don't ask me to explain that one) Luke and this is Ava's baby Brand New Baby and this is my puppy Puppy and Luke has Ambulance Dog and Baby Jaguar but he didn't bring them. My 3 and Ava is 2 and Luke is 5 and we just started school and we go to a brand new school close to our house...
You get the picture. If he thinks it, he says it. Which is kind of nice in a way, because we don't have to try to guess what he's thinking like we do with Luke.
Ava (One of These Things Is Not Like the Others)
Ava is the only girl, the only blond, the only one who will eat whatever you set in front of her, etc. She's just different, bless her heart -- wonderful and amazing, but different from her brothers. And they're starting to take notice. When Luke is at school, she and Anthony are inseparable, but when Luke's home, Anthony's testosterone takes over, and he joins Luke in tormenting her. Their favorite game right now is to see how many times they can send her running to me for denial or reassurance. It usually goes something like this:
Ava: "Mommy, my a bad guy?"
Me: "No, Ava, you're definitely not a bad guy."
A few minutes later...
Ava: "Mommy, my doody?"
Me: "No, Ava, you're not doody."
And then...
Ava: "Mommy, my a loser?" (Well, it actually sounds more like "woozoh".)
Me: "No, Ava, you're not at all a woozoh, er, loser."
This cost the boys their TV privileges yesterday, so hopefully they'll find TV more compelling than pestering Ava. For a few days, anyway.
It's also obvious that she's very comfortable with "boy toys". While she does love her baby, she also loves cars, trucks and trains. It's funny to witness such an angelic-looking little girl looking at things through boys' eyes. For instance, she has these very girly pjs -- pink with a pattern of clotheslines full of clothes. She calls them her train car jammies. Really. She thinks the clotheslines are train tracks and the clothes are train cars. Poor kid -- she'll either be a very confused little girl or one tough cookie (that which does not kill you makes you stronger).
So now you know the cast of characters. Stay tuned for more episodes!
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Tale of the Dueling Storytellers
So today was Luke's first day of kindergarten. I know the supermommy myth insists that all moms of kindergarteners are heartbroken on the first day, but let's be honest. After a summer of lugging all three of them with me every time I need a gallon of milk (when the heat index outside is 106, you can imagine what it's like inside the van) -- and don't even get me started on getting gas -- I'm ready for the necessities of life to be a little easier. So today was a cause for celebration (made easier by the fact that Luke was sooooo excited).
Anyway, I decided to celebrate by taking Anthony and Ava for a walk, something I haven't done all summer (I'm a little too daunted by the prospect of taking three kids for a long walk in a double jogger). I thought it would be nice and peaceful, but I should have known better. McCain and Obama have nothing on these two when it comes to vying for attention (and for the last word). Here's a sample of what I heard for the duration of the walk:
Ava: Mommy! When my was a grown up, one day my climbed a tree and then my bumped into the sky and then my fell down and then my didn't know and then my didn't know AGAIN!
Anthony: momEEEEEEEEEEEEE! One day when my was a daddy, my climbed a tree and then my fell down and then my got hurt and then my laughed and then my went up to the sky and then my climbed a tree AGAIN!
I spent most of my supposedly rejuvenating walk allocating speaking times (the distinguished toddler from Germantown has the floor...). Next time I'm just going to the gym so I can watch campaign coverage on TV. It's nowhere near as brutal...and those TVs have a mute button.
Anyway, I decided to celebrate by taking Anthony and Ava for a walk, something I haven't done all summer (I'm a little too daunted by the prospect of taking three kids for a long walk in a double jogger). I thought it would be nice and peaceful, but I should have known better. McCain and Obama have nothing on these two when it comes to vying for attention (and for the last word). Here's a sample of what I heard for the duration of the walk:
Ava: Mommy! When my was a grown up, one day my climbed a tree and then my bumped into the sky and then my fell down and then my didn't know and then my didn't know AGAIN!
Anthony: momEEEEEEEEEEEEE! One day when my was a daddy, my climbed a tree and then my fell down and then my got hurt and then my laughed and then my went up to the sky and then my climbed a tree AGAIN!
I spent most of my supposedly rejuvenating walk allocating speaking times (the distinguished toddler from Germantown has the floor...). Next time I'm just going to the gym so I can watch campaign coverage on TV. It's nowhere near as brutal...and those TVs have a mute button.
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