Give Thanks to the Lord

As I've said before, I don't get very much info from Mags on what goes on at preschool. However, I overheard her singing this song in the playroom last night and asked where she learned it...

"Oh. We learned it in music class today."

There is nothing sweeter to me than to hear her singing scripture...combined with her natural joy and exuberance it just makes my heart burst. I also love seeing Howie start to join in!

Hopefully this fills your hearts with thankfulness also, as we head into Thanksgiving week.

Trick or Treat?

Halloween was a bit of a disaster this year.

Maggie's face says it all:

This was taken at the Trick-or-Treat our little downtown area hosted. Maggie was completely freaked out by the older boys with masks on, and spent the entire time IN the stroller WITH the hood pulled all the way down.

The arrival of Sandy and 12 straight days of 40 and rain eliminated real trick-or-treating.

Fortunately, the kids are at ages that they had no idea they actually missed the real event. And we came out with about ten pieces of candy total.

Row, Row, Row your Bops

For some time now we've been talking about taking the kids out in Bops' rowboat out at the local park. Finally, a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon provided the perfect opportunity.

"I'm sailing! I sail! I'm sailiiiiiing!"

Back Seat Driver

Family

I was shocked the first day of preschool when Maggie came home with HOMEWORK. (After being in the swing of things for a couple of months now, I am glad to report this is not the norm.) I was even more shocked when I discovered that quite a few of the homework assignments were not so three-year-old friendly. So much for not doing their homework for them!

The assignments also tend to be quite vague. I currently have a construction paper "feather" with the instructions to decorate any way we'd like...and be creative! What does that mean?? Some parameters would be helpful! Also among my favorites was a blank photo album page saying that each child needed to make a "family" page. I don't remember the details of the instructions, but they were more vague than the feather.

I really did not want to make a page that looked like it was out of Martha Stewart magazine (even though I would have LOVED to do that)...I wanted Maggie to be involved as much as possible. So I printed and cut and she (with a little help) put the pictures on the page. Here's our final product:

It's not the fanciest or most creative (to be fair, I remembered at 8 am the morning it was due - only my mother can truly appreciate this), but I absolutely love it! I was struck as I was printing the pictures and looking at it later that every single one of these people is significant in Maggie's life...mom, dad, brother, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. What a blessing!! I do not take it for granted that my children have so many people speaking into and affecting their lives who love them so much.

I also love that a "my family" page that just included me and Gary and the kids would simply not be complete...even Maggie would tell you that.

On the subject of family, we've had some fun family visits this fall that I thought were worth documenting. My mom's quick visit surrounding Maggie's magnificent birthday was sandwiched between two "auntie" visits.

First, Kirstin, Jay and Briscoe came the weekend before for Kirstin, Jay and I to do a triathlon together.

Our support crew.

Briscoe was able to join us for Howie's Little Gym class.

There were LOTS of cuddles and hugs.

The following weekend, Auntie Kat came to visit. We were happy to initiate her into the world of everything kid/baby...which she will be encountering all too soon.

It was a full week, but full of great memories...we were sad to see everyone leave.

Well Checks

I took the kids in for their 3 year and 18 month well-checks at the doctor a couple of weeks ago.

For anyone wondering, it is NOT easier to do a "2-in-1" appointment. Lesson learned.

Yes, those are my naked children. On the floor. Of the doctor's office. Playing with the plumbing.

Here are a few updates (medical and otherwise) that I thought might be of interest, especially considering my lack of blogging lately.

Howie - 18.5 months
Still a little runt. Continues to hang out in the 10th percentile for weight and 50th for height.

His lack of size does not slow him down one bit. The kid can motor! He is constantly on the move...running, climbing, jumping, dancing...

Speaking of dancing...he's picked up a few playtime habits from the girls that are starting to raise a few eyebrows.

After quite a few months of me agonizing over his speech development, (I was having conversations with Maggie by now!) he seems to have turned a corner and his communication is really taking off.

Favorite words:
- "HOT!" (EVERYTHING is hot.)
- "Yeah." (The answer to any yes/no question.)
- "Good." (The answer to any "how" question.)
- "DUH-DUH!" (Aka "Truck truck." The kid practically has a seizure every time he sees one.)
- "Ah-dee." (He doesn't say it often, but this seems to be his name for Maggie. He LOVES his sister.)

Favorite foods:
- Pretzels
- "Jooooce"

Favorite books:
- Richard Scarry's "Cars and Trucks and Things that Go" (shocker)

"Where's Goldbug?"

The only time H-man is NOT on the move is sometimes when he's sick. Which, unfortunately for him (and for us) is quite often.

I'm probably the last mom to hear about this trick, but if not, it will SAVE YOUR LIFE.

I will leave you with this H-man randomness...walking around IN a lampshade.

Maggie - 3 years
Even though she was a runt herself for much of her babyhood, this girl has grown! She is at the 85 percentile for height and the 80th for weight...she towers over most kids her age.

Our latest nickname for her is "Super Why" because of the amount of questions she asks in any given day/situation. She is curious, inquisitive and thoughtful.

Caught saying lately:
- "Dad, I've got a hypothesis for you...why do you have to go to work?"
- "I think I'm coming up with a cold."
- (While talking on Skype to her Aunt, referring to her dog-cousin who was sniffing the floor)
"What's she doing?"
"She's looking for food crumbs that Briscoe has dropped on the floor from her seat so that she can eat them. It's one of her favorite things to do."
"Oh yeah. That's one of Howie's favorite things, too."

She is loving preschool. I don't know that I've ever seen her even turn around when the teacher takes her out of the car. I rarely hear anything specific about her day. When I received the monthly "newsletter" from the teacher, I was SHOCKED to hear all that they were learning about and doing in class, because Maggie certainly isn't giving anything away.

Favorite things:
- Princesses (esp. Belle)
- LONG dresses (via the above)
- Dress up (via the above)
- Watercolor paints
- Baby Allison
- Dancing
- Go Fish

Favorite books:
- Olivia Saves the Circus
- Angelina Ballerina

The kids are both starting to appreciate each other. They generally love playing together, and most of the time whining is heard because one of them wants the other to come play, or one is playing a little too closely. Thankfully, they are both pretty much into the same things right now.

One of my favorite things of late is to hear a "conversation" between the two of them. It basically consists of Maggie doing a non-stop stream of consciousness monologue and How inserting, "Yeah," whenever she pauses for breath. Not to gush, but it is SO. CUTE.

I know there's more. MUCH more. But hopefully this gives you a glimpse into our crazy life and our crazy kids...who are clearly changing and growing faster than I can type.

The Princess and the Pea

Being Three

It's true! We now have a three-year-old in the house!! Sometimes it feels like a thirteen-year-old - drama and unpredictability seem to be the general expectation for our days. But there's also tons of fun and silliness.

The day started off with a bang. Gramma came in town the night before, and the morning also included George's donuts and a visit from sweet friends.

We were fortunate to have so many visitors in town that week! In addition to my mom, Mimi and Bops, Gary's sister Kirstin, her husband Jay and their sweet sweet sweet baby Briscoe were able to join us in celebrating the Mags. It was quite the party and Maggie handled it all splendidly.

I made cake (or rather brownie) pops in lieu of cake. They were a huge hit until the next morning when Maggie asked me, "Hey - where was my cake??" "Um, I thought you would like cake pops more." "No. I want a cake."

After the party died down, the energy was still going. Gramma helped explore some of the new gifts.

We're thrilled for Maggie to be one year older. She continues to add so much joy and laughter to our lives. As she grows older, she only becomes more fun and an even better companion - to all. Happy Birthday, sweet Mags! We love you!!

Tunnel Vision

First Day of School

Maggie started preschool this week!

I will be the first to admit, I was not exactly sure how this would go.

Fortunately, the first day (Tuesday) was shortened, and Mom got to come along.

The second day (today/Thursday) was a normal period, with a normal drop off, and I was braced for tears and already anxious for the poor teacher who would have to pry her hands off the door to the car.

Instead, it was as if she knew that she wasn't going to be able to ask me any questions for the next two and a half hours and tried to fit as many as she could in the five minutes we sat in line.

"Where's my teacher? Is that the playground? Will we get to go on the playground? Who's that lady? Why is she so old? What's that little boy doing?...etc." (If you are reading this straight through, that's about how fast the questions were coming.)

And then, when it was our turn and the teacher appeared, Maggie screamed (out of joy, not anger), and grabbed her hand and literally DID NOT TURN AROUND.

I guess what we say around here is true...the only predictable thing about our children is how unpredictable they are.

Many people have asked throughout the week if I've been sad. The answer is NO! Maggie is so ready for this, and like most of her milestones so far, I am thrilled for her to experience something new that I know is going to grow and challenge her and that she will LOVE. I am SO PROUD of you, Miss Maggie!!