Reese has learned to count money in school! He came home with a homework page last night, and quickly completed it without assistance! Wow! I am so proud!
Mark was embarassed in class yesterday. And I'm afraid it's my fault. During the English lesson, he felt something weird in his sleeve. When he pulled it out, it ended up being one of Mommy's nylon knee-highs! Ooops! Must have snuck in there during the dry cycle. The whole class saw it and laughed. But, being the cool kid Mark is, he easily laughed along and played it off well. Sorry Mark! I owe you!!!
Marina likes to pull the chair over to the counter, climb up, and raid the snack cupboard! Little sneak! She also has a new fascination with Barbie Princess movies. So, she is constantly asking me if she can watch Swan Lake or Repunzil. Her other new favorite is Charlotte's Web (or as she says, Charlip's Web). She spent her own b-day money on these movies. And she loves when we set up the laptop in her room so she can watch them while she plays.
Showing posts with label Marina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marina. Show all posts
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Girl Scares Me!
Little Marina is the social butterfly to top all others!
She will strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone! ANYone!
Unfortunately, she proved this to be too true the other day...and it scared me!
Ryan & I had purchased a new bed for our master bedroom. When the furniture guys arrived, the first one was just as wide as he was tall. About a 300 pound man, I'd guess. Very jolly and nice. But a stranger to us, and a very large, intimidating one at that! Upon their arrival, little Emma immediately asked me to hold her. You know, the normal thing for a 3yr old girl to do when a strange man enters the house. But not Marina! Oh no! She was way too interested in what we were doing to think about being shy!
After I showed the man to the bedroom, we were going to return downstairs for the furniture. Emma was on my hip, and Marina asked for me to carry her down too. (More out of jealousy than anything else). I said, "No, honey, I'm holding Emma. But how about I hold your hand instead?" When she pitched a mini fit, the man (at the top of the stairs) said in a deep, gruff voice, "How about I carry you down?" It was more of an effort to make Marina take my hand...but oh no! She looked up at him and cheerfully said, "OK!" Then she climbed the five steps up to him and allowed his huge self to swipe her up and carry her down the stairs! The whole way down, she was chatting, "What's your name? I'm Rina. It's my birfday!" The poor man apologized, and explained that he didn't think she'd really take him up on his offer! Oh boy! He doesn't know this little, social, trusting Marina! While I'm glad she can make friends so easily...it's also very scary to think about how easily she will go to a stranger. From now on, she must hold my hand in public, at ALL times!!!
She will strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone! ANYone!
Unfortunately, she proved this to be too true the other day...and it scared me!
Ryan & I had purchased a new bed for our master bedroom. When the furniture guys arrived, the first one was just as wide as he was tall. About a 300 pound man, I'd guess. Very jolly and nice. But a stranger to us, and a very large, intimidating one at that! Upon their arrival, little Emma immediately asked me to hold her. You know, the normal thing for a 3yr old girl to do when a strange man enters the house. But not Marina! Oh no! She was way too interested in what we were doing to think about being shy!
After I showed the man to the bedroom, we were going to return downstairs for the furniture. Emma was on my hip, and Marina asked for me to carry her down too. (More out of jealousy than anything else). I said, "No, honey, I'm holding Emma. But how about I hold your hand instead?" When she pitched a mini fit, the man (at the top of the stairs) said in a deep, gruff voice, "How about I carry you down?" It was more of an effort to make Marina take my hand...but oh no! She looked up at him and cheerfully said, "OK!" Then she climbed the five steps up to him and allowed his huge self to swipe her up and carry her down the stairs! The whole way down, she was chatting, "What's your name? I'm Rina. It's my birfday!" The poor man apologized, and explained that he didn't think she'd really take him up on his offer! Oh boy! He doesn't know this little, social, trusting Marina! While I'm glad she can make friends so easily...it's also very scary to think about how easily she will go to a stranger. From now on, she must hold my hand in public, at ALL times!!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
This week...
This week was quite a roller coaster ride for Mommy and Daddy!
(Starting from the youngest) Little Marina learned that shoving mini lego pirates' gold pieces up her nose nostrils is very unpleasant, makes her nose hurt, and makes Mommy very upset and anxious. In the process, she also learned how to blow her nose, with her mouth shut. (Thank the Lord, that's all it took to get those things out!)
Sweet Reese learned how to write the letters 'z' and 'w.' He also learned that, if he pulls a chair from the table to the counter, he can climb onto the counter, stand up, and reach just high enough to pull the big blue bowl off the top of the refrigerator. (That is, the big blue bowl that holds the remaining Halloween candy). Hmm...little Sneak!
Marky-Mark has had the roughest week of all. On Wednesday, he fearfully came home and showed me a behavior slip that stated he was to serve a silent lunch the next day...for spitting from up on the monkey bars. Not a huge crime, but still disrespectful and against the rules. So he accepted responsibility and served his punishment. Thursday, he came home from school visibly shaken, with yet another behavior slip. This time, he did something much worse. In an effort to make kids laugh, he had held up his snow glove, and pushed all the fingers down except the middle. I had to read it a few times to let that one soak in. Not MY kid!!! Not at a CHRISTIAN school!!! I told Mark I was going to let Daddy handle this one when he got home from work. And Mark said, "Oh no! That's the worst!"
He started giving me excuses, but I cut him off right away, saying, "Mark, if you start making excuses, you are only going to put yourself in more trouble! You know you were wrong. Just accept responsibility, Man-up and serve your punishment, and then move on knowing that Daddy and Mommy still love you!" So he quietly endured the agony of awaiting Daddy's return home (and inevitable punishment).
Being the wise father he is, Ryan had a very good talk with Mark. We realize that Mark doesn't understand the gravity of what that gesture means. So, I guess you can add that to what Mark learned this week...that sticking up a middle finger is like swearing at someone. He looked appalled when we told him that! He'd known it was a bad gesture. But didn't know HOW bad. Then Ryan reminded him that everyone in the 4th grade will probably hear about this little stunt. And Mark was equally appalled (and humiliated). Today, Mark intends to go apologize to his teacher, as well as his circle of friends, for not setting a good example and for doing something so wrong.
And Mommy learned that she should never think, "My child would never...." because you just never know. What's most important to me is that my kids would know they can come to us when they screw up. Even when they screw up big time. And we will hold them accountable for their actions....but we will also stand behind them and love them no matter what. I hope this instance can be the beginning of that kind of relationship with our eldest son.
Phew! Thank goodness it's the weekend!
(Starting from the youngest) Little Marina learned that shoving mini lego pirates' gold pieces up her nose nostrils is very unpleasant, makes her nose hurt, and makes Mommy very upset and anxious. In the process, she also learned how to blow her nose, with her mouth shut. (Thank the Lord, that's all it took to get those things out!)
Sweet Reese learned how to write the letters 'z' and 'w.' He also learned that, if he pulls a chair from the table to the counter, he can climb onto the counter, stand up, and reach just high enough to pull the big blue bowl off the top of the refrigerator. (That is, the big blue bowl that holds the remaining Halloween candy). Hmm...little Sneak!
Marky-Mark has had the roughest week of all. On Wednesday, he fearfully came home and showed me a behavior slip that stated he was to serve a silent lunch the next day...for spitting from up on the monkey bars. Not a huge crime, but still disrespectful and against the rules. So he accepted responsibility and served his punishment. Thursday, he came home from school visibly shaken, with yet another behavior slip. This time, he did something much worse. In an effort to make kids laugh, he had held up his snow glove, and pushed all the fingers down except the middle. I had to read it a few times to let that one soak in. Not MY kid!!! Not at a CHRISTIAN school!!! I told Mark I was going to let Daddy handle this one when he got home from work. And Mark said, "Oh no! That's the worst!"
He started giving me excuses, but I cut him off right away, saying, "Mark, if you start making excuses, you are only going to put yourself in more trouble! You know you were wrong. Just accept responsibility, Man-up and serve your punishment, and then move on knowing that Daddy and Mommy still love you!" So he quietly endured the agony of awaiting Daddy's return home (and inevitable punishment).
Being the wise father he is, Ryan had a very good talk with Mark. We realize that Mark doesn't understand the gravity of what that gesture means. So, I guess you can add that to what Mark learned this week...that sticking up a middle finger is like swearing at someone. He looked appalled when we told him that! He'd known it was a bad gesture. But didn't know HOW bad. Then Ryan reminded him that everyone in the 4th grade will probably hear about this little stunt. And Mark was equally appalled (and humiliated). Today, Mark intends to go apologize to his teacher, as well as his circle of friends, for not setting a good example and for doing something so wrong.
And Mommy learned that she should never think, "My child would never...." because you just never know. What's most important to me is that my kids would know they can come to us when they screw up. Even when they screw up big time. And we will hold them accountable for their actions....but we will also stand behind them and love them no matter what. I hope this instance can be the beginning of that kind of relationship with our eldest son.
Phew! Thank goodness it's the weekend!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Hide and Seek
Yeah, they are cute alright. But they are also little stinkers! Partners in crime! Their newest antic: hiding silently from Mommy until she goes into panic mode, searching every floor of the house.It's happened twice now. I'll come downstairs to a silent family room. No kids in sight. The back sliding door is cracked open to allow a breeze. And I'll call for Reese and Marina, receiving no answer. I'll call louder. Nothing. I'll peek outside, check the basement, look back upstairs, EVERYWHERE. And just when I'm ready to call the cops, I hear little giggles behind he couch. In a spot that only little munchkins like them could actually fit into. Relief! Then anger! Then laughs, because they are so adorable, crouching into that small spot. Like two little peas in a pod. Luckily, they haven't figured out any other spots to hide. So now I know to always check there first. Stinkers!
Monday, September 29, 2008
More football...sorry!
Mark's team took on New Lenox on Saturday...and they won! The final score was something like 33-12. A very exciting game! That concludes their regular season with a record of 5 wins and 3 losses. Now we have a 'by' week, then on to the playoffs. Fun times.
Since we were all the way out in New Lenox for the game, we decided to grab some lunch as a family, when Mark's game finished, and then we returned to the field to catch the Varsity game (another slaughter win!) while Mark played around the bleachers with some of his teammates.
Lots of football families spend the entire day on the field, as they have several kids on the various team levels. Next year, Reese will be old enough to join Superlight, and Mark will continue to play on Lightweight, which means we will have 2 games to sit thru. Then, when Marina is 6, she will be old enough to cheer for Superlight...and by then Mark will be on Varsity, so we will be one of those families spending the entire day on the bleachers, supporting our kids.
I really don't mind tho. It's so fun to hang out with other football families, and cheer each others' kids on. And it's fun to see Reese and Marina proudly cheer for their big brother. It's also a good excuse for Ryan and I to sit close on the bleachers, like we did in high school, and share a pack of M&Ms or some nachos. lol. Good memories. Good times.
Since we were all the way out in New Lenox for the game, we decided to grab some lunch as a family, when Mark's game finished, and then we returned to the field to catch the Varsity game (another slaughter win!) while Mark played around the bleachers with some of his teammates.
Lots of football families spend the entire day on the field, as they have several kids on the various team levels. Next year, Reese will be old enough to join Superlight, and Mark will continue to play on Lightweight, which means we will have 2 games to sit thru. Then, when Marina is 6, she will be old enough to cheer for Superlight...and by then Mark will be on Varsity, so we will be one of those families spending the entire day on the bleachers, supporting our kids.
I really don't mind tho. It's so fun to hang out with other football families, and cheer each others' kids on. And it's fun to see Reese and Marina proudly cheer for their big brother. It's also a good excuse for Ryan and I to sit close on the bleachers, like we did in high school, and share a pack of M&Ms or some nachos. lol. Good memories. Good times.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"These are a few of my FAVORITE things..."
The scent of Marky's thick, buzzed haircut. It smells like a cushiony foam pillow mixed with shampoo. The way his freckles dance across the bridge of his nose and his belly laugh when his dad cracks a joke. The way he wrestles with his little brother, taking a beating from the 5yr old that is out for real blood, while keeping his cool and his sense-of-humor at arms' reach.
Watching little Reese sleep, all snuggled up in our bed. His fine silky hair draped across the pillow. The way he scrunches up his tiny, little nose when he laughs. And his shyness that rears its head up when we drench him with tickles and attention and compliments. The way he always busts out with random rhymes from school or quotes from movies.
Marina's chubby little neck that I could kiss on all day long. The way she sets up all her toy animals in a straight line on the coffee table with total precision and care. Her eyelashes framing those jeweled-blue eyes that make me want to melt. Her frown when she's unhappy that can easily be turned into dimples with a quick tickle or swinging embrace.
Watching little Reese sleep, all snuggled up in our bed. His fine silky hair draped across the pillow. The way he scrunches up his tiny, little nose when he laughs. And his shyness that rears its head up when we drench him with tickles and attention and compliments. The way he always busts out with random rhymes from school or quotes from movies.
Marina's chubby little neck that I could kiss on all day long. The way she sets up all her toy animals in a straight line on the coffee table with total precision and care. Her eyelashes framing those jeweled-blue eyes that make me want to melt. Her frown when she's unhappy that can easily be turned into dimples with a quick tickle or swinging embrace.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Nasty! Nasty! Nasty!
We're out on the football field. Practice as usual.
Marina says, "Mommy! I have to go potty!"
I'm annoyed at her choice in timing, yet happy that the potty training is working. So, we walk to the port-a-let that is at the edge of the field. I HATE using those things.
So nasty!
When we step inside, I tell her sternly, "DON'T touch ANYthing! Keep your hands to yourself!" As I'm laying paper down on the seat, I look over at her.........
........and to my DISGUST, she is bracing herself with the urinal! YES! Her hand was IN the urinal! Nasty! Nasty! Nasty!
We bolted from that Pit-Of-Germs and quickly flagged down another football Mom who happened to have antibacterial gel in her purse. Let me tell you, I used almost the entire bottle on her little hand, trying to wipe away any memory that her hand had touched that filthy thing! Oh, the stories we have, out on that football field!
Marina says, "Mommy! I have to go potty!"
I'm annoyed at her choice in timing, yet happy that the potty training is working. So, we walk to the port-a-let that is at the edge of the field. I HATE using those things.
So nasty!
When we step inside, I tell her sternly, "DON'T touch ANYthing! Keep your hands to yourself!" As I'm laying paper down on the seat, I look over at her.........
........and to my DISGUST, she is bracing herself with the urinal! YES! Her hand was IN the urinal! Nasty! Nasty! Nasty!
We bolted from that Pit-Of-Germs and quickly flagged down another football Mom who happened to have antibacterial gel in her purse. Let me tell you, I used almost the entire bottle on her little hand, trying to wipe away any memory that her hand had touched that filthy thing! Oh, the stories we have, out on that football field!
