You Know What I'm Talking About

Some of us are more organized than others. It's just a fact of life. I used to be really organized. REALLY organized--you know, to the point of being slightly annoying. (You can ask my college roommates.) Somewhere along the way, I joined the other camp. I think I sort of creeped over, moving my sleeping bag closer to the line until one morning I woke up in the disorganized camp. There are days I don't mind being in this camp. The company is nice, a bit more relaxed. Today I wanted to be in the other camp. You see, I'm trying to find a password to something so that I can set up something else.

Where am I going with this? We're coming up on a new year. I'm not going to make a long list of resolutions. Instead, I'm going to try to inch my way back to the "organized camp." I wouldn't say I'll end up in the other camp by the end of next year, but I just want to get close enough so that I can hear the campers on the other side. Are they having some kind of really organized party over there?

Another Year

Now that I'm *gasp* almost ready for Christmas, I have all this time to be nostalgic about another year almost gone. I think the kids might actually be growing up. Sigh.

My lovely, sweet, creative friend (who now lives in a toastier climate) took these pictures of the kids when she came for a visit. I think they really capture the kids' personalities.

Kid #1: The "first born." As a typical "first born," she carries the weight of the world. She is learning to do it with grace and ease. She has her dad's keen mind, and I don't doubt she will achieve great things. She is trying to find her own style, and I am realizing that I have to let her do this. (I need an entire post dedicated to this subject.)

Kid #2: The "middle child." He is adaptable and has a tender heart, but makes his presence known. His imagination is a gift. He loves to make giant messes, but never has the "strength" to clean them up. (His words, not mine.)

Kid #3: The "little boy." He still loves lots of snuggles (thank goodness), but wants to play with the big kids too. He makes us laugh A LOT--three year olds are famous for that. He swears he will never leave me.

Kid #4: The "baby." We've probably already ruined her. She only needs to whimper and her wish is granted. Everyone bows to her command. She is beginning to assert herself, but we're still curious about her personality. She mostly toddles around wondering what everyone else is doing.

I wonder what they'll be like next year?

The Scale Has Been Tipped

It's official! Four of us have glasses.

Two of our lovely offspring have been "blessed" with some genetic mutation that appears to be on both sides of the family. (I usually just blame Mike for all defective genes, but I'll take some credit this time.) They are "lucky" enough to get to wear glasses. Sadly, the one child who doesn't need them walks around wearing his 3-D glasses with the lenses popped out.

Little Luke got glasses several weeks ago. I was very worried that he would not leave them on, but he can ACTUALLY SEE so he has been just fine. I think they have made him more popular with the ladies. As we have been out-and-about during the holiday season, many people have commented that he looks a lot like Ralphie. I might just have to buy him a Red Ryder BB Gun.

The Set Up

Every year I have a picture in my mind of the family decorating the Christmas tree. It goes something like this: The tree is magically put together ahead of time. (I think an elf must do that part.) One by one, we take out the ornaments and pass them from person to person admiring each of them and telling stories about their origin. There is music playing in the background and we start singing to some of the songs. I smile and find it charming that one of the kids has put all the ornaments on one branch. That's so cute, I tell myself. After all the ornaments are on the tree, we sit together in the living room and sip the hot cocoa that I made (from scratch) in our holiday themed mugs. We also have those delightful homemade marshmallows that I saw Martha make on t.v. Everyone says, "These marshmallows are the best."That is not exactly how it happens (ever). Here is how it really goes: The tree takes longer than expected to assemble so the kids become restless and begin hurting each other with parts of it. Once the tree is finally assembled, everyone fights over what ornaments belong to them (usually at least two of the kids are crying as a result). Ornaments that bear any resemblance to candy are eaten by the smaller children. (We haven't had glass ornaments or ornaments with hooks since 2006). We forget to turn on the Christmas music. All of the ornaments are put on the VERY BOTTOM branches and we are not allowed to rearrange any or we are hit with the wrath of Luke. I try not to let this bother me, but IT DOES. Everyone gradually wanders off since I didn't have time to shave the chocolate for the homemade hot chocolate. And I didn't buy any holiday themed mugs.

My new tree skirt! It matches the stockings.

We put the stockings up with duct tape again this year. I highly recommend it (unless you have a wood mantle).

This is my favorite new decoration. Felted wool "goody gumdrop" garland. I better stop calling it "goody gumdrop" garland or someone might climb on a chair and try to eat that too!

I need a vacation

I'm exhausted from my vacation!

Here's some tidbits:

Ruby screamed a horrible, gut-churning, four alarm scream on the airplane (both ways). Some people said, "Oh, poor thing. Her ears must be hurting." Others shot us looks that could have killed entire countries. We did our best. If anyone knows of some kind of escort service where you fly separate from your children and safely meet them at your destination, I'd be interested.

Luke wasn't old enough to do the Jedi Training Academy and he was crushed. I told my sob story to one of the workers and they arranged a special backstage meeting with Darth Vader and two Storm Troopers. All the workers thought Luke would be scared when they came out to meet him, but he was ready to do battle. (I'm still confused about whether or not Mike named him after Luke Skywalker. He denies it, but he insisted on that name.)

We were rockin' the blister pads by day two, but no one complained about it. It was hotter than sin, but no one complained about that either. We were one sweaty, happy family.

I was picked to be in the Indiana Jones Stunt Show. I displayed amazing acting ability and I'm sure they'll be calling me any day to come back and be a regular. We might be moving.

We came home with some fun new toys and super cute farmer tans. What more could we ask for?

They're GONE!

They are on the bus. Actually, by now they are in their classes, I hope. Here's how it all went down...
I'm still obsessed with homemade chalkboards, so that's what we gave the teachers for the first day. (I think this obsession has something to do with the fact that they take three minutes to make and I always seem to be short on time.) Here's the breakfast table (the night before). This year I stole my sister's idea and painted letters that I will use next year. That way, I can decorate around them, but not have to "reinvent the wheel" every year.

The paper on the table said, "Hope your day goes write!" Sophie happily informed me that I had not used the correct form of the word. Then Reed asked if Sophie was smarter than me.

Sophie was practicing her times tables (as I tried to keep from laughing). Reed asked me to tell him lots of stuff that he might need to know before first grade. Darling children, maybe you should have done this BEFORE BREAKFAST ON YOUR FIRST DAY!

Reed packed his giant pencil in his backpack. I told him that would be for home and he said, "But mom, the school supply list said I have to bring pencils." I'm sure his teacher would have LOVED it if he showed up with that on the first day!

School

Yes, I'm ready for school to start. I'm excited for the "break." It will be easier to do errands and keep the house tidy with fewer kids. I imagine there will be moments of quiet (and I LOVE quiet).
We went up to the school today to see the class lists. Both of the kids have been anxious about who will be in their class and who their teachers will be. Reed was pleased to find out that he has two friends in his class. Sophie was relieved that she got the teacher she wanted. I caught her quickly wipe a tear when she located her name. In that moment, I was reminded that I'm not going to be there when school starts. I will miss lots of things. I cannot control who is nice to them and who is not. I cannot hug them when they are sad. I cannot play with them at recess when they can't find a friend. I cannot cheer them on when they need a little encouragement. I won't know every detail of their day.
Despite all of that, I have lots of hopes for this school year. I hope that they will make new friends. I hope they will be kind. I hope they will respect their teachers. I hope they will ask lots of questions. I hope they won't write on all their clothes with dry erase markers (Reed). I hope they will eat the lunch I pack them. Mostly, I hope they will be happy.
I'll be there at the end of the day asking all kinds of annoying questions and counting down the days until summer comes.