May
22
The Sign-Up Sheet
by Leslie
This has been hanging in the living room for a few weeks now.
It says:
Regester today!
Join the most awsomist club envented. Join Julia Grimmett to fun, feasts, fests, and gifts, and a whole lot more!
Your child will be particeapating in something with violence, not too much – violence, challenges, worthiness and coolness. This is probably for someone that is so awsome, wich is everybody in this family, that you can see it even if they don’t say anything. This club is ruled by Julia and if you choose to particapate, you must see her imedietly. Grownups, if you participate, will be in a different group.
This is just stuff you really needed to know.
Sensirly,
Julia G.
I cannot bring myself to take it down. I love it too much.
May
21
The D Word
by Leslie
I left the keys in the ignition of Dave’s car in the start position yesterday, apparently. I don’t remember doing this, but it was an easy way to add some adventure to our morning today. We got to search for his keys AND find a dead battery! Like a treasure hunt, but without the fun.
That’s not what I even really wanted to tell you, though. It’s what I had to tell you, because when I do stupid things, it makes me feel better to laugh about them and Dave’s not laughing, yet. He’s jump starting the car from the lawn tractor.
Anyway, this is what I wanted to tell you.
Thanks to a generous gift and gentle encouragement from a beautiful friend, I’m giving cloth diapering a try.
Doesn’t Jackson look dapper in his diaper?
My mom used cloth diapers when I was a baby, and it wasn’t until after Lucy came that I really understood that it was something people still did. I thought it was an “olden days” sort of thing, like making all your own bread. Sure, it’s fun to make your own bread, but it’s not convenient to do every day. It may not even save you money. But so far, cloth diapering seems sort of simple. I keep wondering if there’s some key element I’m missing. I’ve seen so many articles and videos about it and was even invited to a cloth diaper party once to “try and figure it all out!” Of course, I didn’t really read those articles or watch the videos and I didn’t go to that party, but the knowledge of their existence was enough to place a shroud of mystery over the whole thing. Plus, I don’t know many people who do it, but some that don’t have suggested that it’s complicated and time-consuming.
My experience so far is that it’s less work than when Lucy started wearing underwear, but still had a lot of accidents.
I’m going to try it a while before I decide to invest in the next size diaper.
I’d love to hear about your diapering experiences. Do you use disposables or cloth or a combination of the two? What brands do you use? And what about baby wipes? Can you believe it took me until child number four to ask these questions?
May
19
Three Things That Happened Today
by Leslie
1. Julia and Lucy had a piano recital.
They were just as proud of the number of cookies they ate at the post-recital reception as they were of their performances.
2. I pulled the world’s largest splinter out of the heel of Lucy’s foot.
Look at that thing! And it was straight up in there. We both screamed when it came out.
3. Bee swallowed a penny. Again.
May
17
The Difference 30 Seconds Can Make
by Leslie
I dropped Lucy off at school on Wednesday and when we walked into the room, a blonde-haired boy spotted her, broke into the biggest grin his face could hold, jumped up and shouted, “LUCY!!!!” He ran to her with arms open and they hugged tightly, bouncing up and down and giggling. They were so happy to see each other.
“That’s my friend, Mom” Lucy beamed. Her heart was full. She gave me a quick kiss, tossed a, “Bye, Mom” over her shoulder and took off to play with her friend. (This friend is the one she told me she would marry one day, if they “grow up at the same time.”)
If there’s a small child who loves you, chances are you’ve been greeted like that and you know how great it feels. That’s how Bee and Lucy welcome me just about any time we’ve been apart. Julia used to do the same thing. Used to. It’s part of growing up, I guess. You don’t often see such exuberant greetings among adults, save for military homecomings and long-awaited reunions. Still, I’m afraid I’ve been a bad example, anyway. When it comes to the passionate expression of emotions, anger probably tops my list, though that isn’t an accurate reflection of what’s in my heart.
It wasn’t so long ago that I jotted a note to myself to be sure to let my children know I’m happy to see them – to stop what I’m doing for a few seconds and take the time to make eye contact, smile and greet them when they get up in the morning, come home or enter the room I’m in. I realized I was actually struggling to stop typing on my computer or scrubbing the toilet or making dinner to properly acknowledge them. Dave, too. I’m not sure why it’s hard. In fact, it seems silly that I need to improve on giving deliberate attention to the people I love so much and spend most of my time caring for, but I do. Watching Lucy with her friend reminded me of that.
It really doesn’t take all that much to make someone feel sure of your love for them.
Lucy is due to be home from school soon. When we hear the door open and Phoebe goes running for it calling, “Lucy, you’re home,” I’ll be right behind her. She won’t have to search for me to tell me she’s back. I’ll hug her hello and I’ll kiss my husband. On the lips. For more than thirty seconds.
May
14
On Friday, I attempted to take all four kids – for the first time since I’ve had four kids – out with just me, and the van blew up. There was what seemed like a little explosion under the hood, then it lost power, and when I pulled over there was all kinds of fluid leaking out. The kids were pretty sure we were going to die or at least have to spend the night there, and then it started to rain. It was really pouring by the time Dave showed up to get us. We had to wait for my mom to get there, too, because we all won’t fit in one car. So, I still haven’t been out anywhere with just the kids and me all by myself, because the world isn’t ready for that, I guess. The universe said so by killing my van.
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