Survivors

Sometimes mispronunciations can be a good thing. Lately, whenever I make something that the kids don't like to eat, Luke and Erica tell me that it tastes like "bark." I am pretty sure they mean barf, but I'm not going to clue them in. I would prefer to think that I have very nature-oriented kids who could survive in the wilderness by eating tree bark - but only if they had to. Because by their tone of voice, I can tell they sure don't like it.

Hatch Teeth or Pizza

Conversation from the van:

Alex: Luke, what do chicks use to get out of the egg? This is the joke one.
Luke: No answer (at least nothing that makes sense)
Alex: Hatch-ets...But, do you know what chicks really use? They use a hatch tooth.
Mom: Alex, how do you know that?
Alex: Well, I do actually pay attention in school. I'm not thinking about pizza like some people.

So, now I'm wondering - who are the kids who are thinking about pizza? And, exactly how much time does the typical third-grader spend daydreaming about pizza?

What's Wrong with 6:43am?

I have finally figured out why I am always running late in the morning. I have a strange compulsion to only get out of bed at an 'exact' time - 6:45 is okay, 6:43 and 6:46 are not. And, to further complicate things, I don't like to crawl out of bed in the middle of a song. So, the alarm goes off at 6:31 - already missed the 6:30 option. I usually doze until about 6:43, then I have to wait a couple of minutes because it's an 'odd' time. Then, it's 6:45, but it's the middle of a good song. Then, 6:48 - an 'odd' time. And, at 6:55, you might as well wait until straight up 7:00. And, then 7:00 rolls around, but it would be just plain wrong to pass up a morning snuggle from one of the kids.

So, how did it get to be 7:12? It's way too late to wait for 7:15 and the end of the song. So, I'm starting my morning late and all of kilter because I have to get up at an 'odd' time in the middle of a song.

Maybe I should set the alarm for 6:27.

They are not socks...

This morning Alex was getting ready for school and announced that he was putting on his 'sweat absorbers.' I cracked up and said, "Alex, you are so cute!" Um, not exactly the right thing to say to an almost-9-year-old. He quickly set me straight and informed me that he is not cute. I told him he was right - he is not cute, he is clever!

And, I wonder if his feet are really that sweaty. I've never really noticed them being smelly, and I was even on duty to trim his toenails just yesterday. Things that make you go "hmmmm."

Snapshot

The kids change so quickly, and I've found that I love re-reading these snapshots of the little things they're doing at a certain point in time. So, here it is:

Alex

• Reading at a 5.7-8.0 AR level. That means my third grader is reading at a 6th-8th grade level. I wonder what he could do if he actually liked to read!?? Maybe he's coming around..he has been loving a 3-book series called Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
• Just took second place overall at the Pinewood Derby for the second year in a row. And, the three boys all worked together to build two cars - one for Alex and one for Luke. Alex didn't mind Luke's participation at 'his' Derby at all.
• Has a nickname - A-Rod. His friend Ryan gave him the nickname, and he's pretty pleased about it. He's been becoming better friends with Ryan, which is a good thing. Ryan is a really nice kid, and the two of them seem to get along really well.
• Favorite color is orange.

Julia

• Has been relatively healthy for the last couple of months. Most of December and all of January were good for her. In fact, she did NOT get the stomach flu when the rest of the kids had it. And, she's had healthy lungs. She does have a bit of a cough now, but it has certainly seemed as though the daily Pulmicort and Albuterol as needed are keeping her much healthier overall.
• Seizures have been okay, but not great - certainly not the kind of seizure control we would like with three meds and her VNS. It's time to re-evaluate things - whether that's with Dr. Colan or moving her neuro care to Children's. There are a couple of new meds out, so maybe one of those will be the ticket.
• Has been enjoying more time in her Little Room. In fact, we've all been spending more time downstairs since the Wii is now down there.

Luke

• Oh my goodness, listening to that boy is so darn entertaining. It's like he's got a 85-year-old man inside of him sometimes - his comments are insightful and really smart and kooky and he can just ramble on and on. A couple of examples: Today, he was doing a "Where's Waldo" book with Grandpa Stern. he took a break to get his hair cut, but Grandpa was supposed to keep searching. Grandpa tried to sneak a quick cat nap in, and Luke busted him - "Grandpa, you're not supposed to have your eyes closed!"
• Another example: Last night, Matt and I went out to dinner, so Grandma and Poppa Ertl came to babysit. Luke was looking forward to doing puzzles with Grandma. We were doing some quick grown-up visiting before Matt and I left, and Luke was getting impatient (an understatment). Finally, after about 5 minutes of grumbling, he asks Grandma, "Do you have glue on your seat?"
• The kid is a whiz at Mario Kart Wii. He can watch his position, his driving and his 'prizes' while giving a running commentary. "I'm really good at this track. That turtle is a pretty good driver, but I can beat him. I don't tell any of these guys my tricks. They don't tell me their tricks, and I want to beat them. I found a shortcut. If anyone asks me, I can tell them my tricks. But, no one ever asks me..."
• Friendly, friendly, friendly. Happy, happy, happy. Smiley, smiley, smiley. He can charm adults and kids, he makes friends so easily, and just has a love for life. He can also be incredibly relentless when he wants something, and very, very messy. I hope we can keep the crazy annoying stuff in perspective so we don't dim his wonderful light.
• Competitive - wants to be the first person in the house, the first to get his food, the first to give Poppa a hug.
• Usually gets along really, really well with Erica. The two of them can play for a long time without any issues. But, there's been a little more fighting lately. Combination of Erica getting more independent, and Luke wanting his chance to be the boss of everything (since Alex always lords over him.)
• Favorite color is pink.

Erica

• Still a major jabber jaws. Can put together 3-4 sentences in a row, have a decent conversation...she has a lot of her mother in her.
• Can count to 13 reliably.
• Is learning her ABCs.
• Recognizes numbers up to 10, all of her shapes, and all of her colors (except occasionally mixing up green and yellow). Thank you little purple Barney computer - she loves that thing. She does sometimes pretend to get things wrong or asks for help if we're not watching her closely enough for her liking.
• Grabs your head to turn it toward her if she wants your attention. Also says "Knock, knock" to get your attention.
• Gives super squeeze hugs.
• Loves Strawberry Shortcake. Also likes Dora, Diego and ponies.
• Loves to dance.
• Does the sign of the cross when she hears the bells in church.
• Is nearly over her fear of Father Rick and really warming up to him. Loves to get a special blessing from him when we go up for communion. Funny stories - the first time she got a blessing, as we walked away, she announced loudly, "Father like me!" At one point, she thought the blessing was the host and tried to wrangle one away from Father. The next week, when I said she could get a blessing from Father, she said, "I eat it?" She is very disappointed if we are on the side opposite of where Father gives up communion and she doesn't get a blessing.
• Loves to announce her whole name - Erica Hope Rosner!
• Gives 'super squeeze hugs' - she hugs your neck so tight and it is just the perfect hug!
• Favorite color is purple.