~~WATER UNDER THE FRIDGE~~: Family

Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

Shenanigans

So, I haven't had this blog very long and I'm already lagging on my posts. I know you're all shocked by this. Still better than the bi-annual updates I was sending out before, right? Here's some catch-up from March and April...

We had a blast this year with St. Patrick's Day and April Fools' Day. Like any four-year-old boy, Hurry is a big fan of holidays that encourage mischief.

The leprechauns were up to their usual pranks by turning all sorts of stuff green and moving things to silly places. They hid their gold, too, but we managed to find it. (And eat it, since it was filled with chocolate.) Hurry told me about a book they read at school where the leprechauns ("wepper-chauns") used their magic to put the table and chairs on the ceiling. "I wonder why they didn't do that at our house...?" he mused. Maybe next year, buddy.

We went to a fun St. Patrick's day party (thanks, Marisa!) and the Hurricane was very proud of his crafts. He toted that shamrock guy around the house with him for 3 days. He also made a rainbow out of marshmallows, and as perhaps you can see he decided to sample one of the clouds. Good thing Elmer's glue is nontoxic!

Baby-cakes got some good mileage out of her green tutu in March.

On April Fools' there were hijinks galore. I played a lot of tricks on Hurry by switching things around the house and making the food crazy. I was glad I had extra apple juice on hand, though, because he was not keen on waiting for his juice to thaw out once he discovered it was frozen in place.

The best part was plotting with him for the jokes on Dad. We had fun setting up our snares and tripwires. Hurry still needs to work on playing it cool, though: "Hey Dad, why don't you go open that and get a cup?" (Cupboard filled with bouncy balls.) "Um, Dad, why don't you try to turn on the lights now?" (Taped.) ...Etc, etc. And he'd dissolve into giggles.

[Frozen] River of Lights

My apologies to those of you who are tired of Christmas-themed posts, but don't come back until January 1st because around here we ride the Yuletide right on through to the end of the year. This is because I love Christmas with all my heart. As I've mentioned, I think people are more like they should be at this time of year (except in parking lot etiquette and financial responsibility). In general, we are more open, generous, and joyful.

This time of year, we are also more likely to FREEZE when we attempt a family outing. We had an ice cold night of fun at the River of Lights last night. Yes, we did check the weather forecast before venturing out. No, we did not remember what "Feels like: 10 degrees"...actually feels like. Brrr!!!

In the end, Frank and Little Scout camped out inside while Hurry and I scuttled around to glimpse the spectacle of lights. Hurry loved it and didn't want to leave. His face was a frosty perma-grin, as documented below.

This truck was his favorite.

He asked if I thought they'd let him drive it.

"Do you know how?" I responded.

"Yep, it has a steering wheel in there for driving, see it?"

Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve, everyone! (Drive carefully!)

Christmas (Observed)

My husband had to work Christmas, so we moved everything up a day and celebrated on the 24th. It was fun to carry out all the traditions at our own house this year. Christmas carols, New jammies, Christmas storybooks, Luke 2 and talking about why the Nativity was so important.

Santa accommodated us and came a day early (we got all the good presents before they were gone!) We had a wonderful early Christmas day with just our family of four. Hurry was positively joyous, and Little Scout got a kick out of watching him bounce around the living room. She was enchanted with all the wrapping paper, ribbons, and toys, and tried to taste anything she could get her chubby hands on. Hurry kept saying how much he loved his gifts and that we better write notes to Santa and all our family to say “Thanks from these great presents!”

I feel so thankful for my blessings. I love how Christmastime helps us to be more like we should be. I love extra time with family, and laughter and good cheer. Above all, I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior of the world--for His perfect life, His abiding love, His profound sacrifice.

We hope you’re enjoying the beauty of this season, and wish you all the best. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Visitors

My parents, my teenage brothers, my sister and her family came for a pre-Christmas visit and we had a blast! Since we weren’t able to travel to see our families this year, I’m so glad some of them were able to come to us. (Love you guys heaps! Thanks for making the trip!)

Letting Go and Holding On

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. ~ HENRY ELLIS

So, this morning I was washing my cereal down with swigs of Dr. Pepper to somehow catapult myself through the day. ...Also, there was no milk in the house. I haven’t slept much the last few nights thanks to my adorable children. They’ve instituted a strict regime of crying out exactly every half hour, like sentries on a night watch.

Today, my almost four-year-old son--The Hurricane--used the shower curtain to channel all his shower water onto the bathroom floor. I was folding laundry in the room directly across, but it was several minutes before I noticed the subtle difference between the sound of normal shower and the sound of water pattering onto the linoleum. (I knew we should’ve re-caulked in there before it was too late!! ) The good news is that the bathroom floor is really clean now. The bad news is that the elliptical machine in the room right below also got a good rinse down. I might just get electroshock therapy along with my workout now.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that quote above, about letting go and holding on. There are a lot of things in my day-to-day life that I just have to leave by the wayside. Life can be hectic and frustrating. Milk spills. Chickens you already counted don't hatch. Appliances break. Sometimes on their own, and sometimes because your son tried using the dishwasher door as a trampoline. Let it go. (Well--discipline your kid, and then let it go.)

But other things I have to hold onto for all I’m worth. There are so many beautiful moments and so many blessings. I want to be paying attention so I don’t miss them. My baby girl's face lighting up anytime I'm near. Hearing her happy cooing and chattering. Being here to see all her little milestones. Watching Hurry learn new things each day and hearing all his imaginative theories about life. The fact that he says "yoodles" instead of noodles. A husband who is unfailingly kind. Tonight I tucked Hurry into bed, and as I was walking out of his room he said, “Mom?” I walked back. He looked at me with big, sincere eyes. “You are my mom. Forever and ever, okay?” Okay.