Yesterday as we were leaving Church we went to visit the Christmas manger scene in our parish courtyard.
Some one(s) had left a few small gifts for Jesus - a candy cane, 2 apples and a dollar or so. We pointed them out to the children and Clare asked if I had any presents to give the baby Jesus in my purse.
No, I replied, not much in there, nothing that would make a good gift.
I got distracted for a moment by Gregory - who was attempting to grab the light shining on the manger and when I looked back Clare had given her own present to Jesus.
Clare put down the toy that she had been playing non-stop with since she had received it in her stocking - a little puppy that looks just like our neighbor's real dog. It is one of her prize possessions at the moment, the thing she cannot sleep without, the one who eats meals with us and gets dragged everywhere.
The sight of that little dog right next to the Christ-child was so touching. The smile on Clare's face was angelic.
We told Clare she should retrieve her puppy, that it was okay. Jesus would accept her present anyway. The statue couldn't really enjoy it.
I've been thinking about this since and wondering at the lesson Clare has taught me, and pondering in my heart - what present do I have to give the Christ-child this year? And am I willing to just give it to Him in an instant like she did when she thought He might delight in it?
Monday, December 29
Sunday, December 21
Joyful Mysteries Anyone?
We let Gregory bring his football into Mass today. He was pretty good, and as usual started rummaging through my purse looking for things to fiddle with.
I decided to pull out a plastic rosary that he is allowed to play with at Mass. But it became an unintended distraction.
Gregory decided it was a hoop to throw the football through.
I think the couple behind us was laughing at us, and the couple in front of us was just annoyed. Something about the football that rolled under the pews and under their feet several times.
I decided to pull out a plastic rosary that he is allowed to play with at Mass. But it became an unintended distraction.
Gregory decided it was a hoop to throw the football through.
I think the couple behind us was laughing at us, and the couple in front of us was just annoyed. Something about the football that rolled under the pews and under their feet several times.
Friday, December 19
Friday Quick Takes Vol 5
---1---
Clare's last day of school was yesterday until early Jan. This does not make her happy - her teacher told me too. In circle time Mrs. E mentioned that they would have 2 weeks off. At this Clare's face darkened and she scowled. You never have to guess about what emotion Clare is feeling, her face tells it all.
---2---
To celebrate John finishing finals on Wednesday - we ate at a Chinese restaurant for lunch. The fortunes were great:
John's - You have a lively family.
Gregory's - An angry man shuts his eyes and opens his mouth. (totally sounds like a toddler tantrum)
Clare's - You must struggle as hard as you can for what you want.
Clare responded to hers with "I can do that."
---3---
We are blessed with very nice landlords. When we moved in we were having a conversation about kids vs. pets. Knowing what my children can do to homes, I imagined that pets were better, but they insisted that children were.
This week, I had to call them to ask the paint color of several walls in the house. My first thought - pets don't draw on the walls. Their response - it's no big deal. My guess is that they wouldn't be as thrilled if we weren't willing to paint over the murals before we move out.
---4---
My literary error of the week.
I've started reading Moby Dick via Dailylit.com, and I was telling John about how much I was enjoying it.
Me: You know, I didn't really enjoy the Scarlet Letter, but I've been surprised by Hawthorne's writing style here.
John: Ummm...didn't Herman Melville write Moby Dick?
---5---
John's a little upset - a few quick takes ago Gregory had learned to catch a football. This morning John threw the ball to him several times and Gregory did not catch it. In fact, Gregory started doing ballet poses. Not what John was hoping for.
I think that was partially influenced by getting to sit in Clare's ballet class and watch for 15 minutes this week. Gregory was entranced.
---6---
My parents have flown in from Belgium to visit for Christmas. At the moment I don't think they have seen any family. My mother had a doctor's appointment and she has some kind of rash on her chest.
The doctor said she had only seen something like that once when she was in India. She proceeded to give my mother several drugs and very specific directions on how to take care of it. If it does not begin to heal by tomorrow - my mom will need to check into the hospital for treatment of this mystery infection.
Needless to say none of the grandchildren are allowed to see Grandma right now, neither am I. Hopefully it will clear up. If you get a chance say a little prayer or 2. My mom has some health complications and I know this isn't what she had planned on for Christmas.
---7---
It is 10:30 pm here, and I think Gregory has finally fallen asleep and I can go to bed. This is the first time I can remember him staying up so late. Clare is visiting her other Grandma tonight and I think that was part of it. He kept waiting for her to show up and go to bed. But after 2 hours, I put him back in bed for the 5th time, turned off all his lights, and now it is quiet.
Good night to all - Sleep in peace and Rise with joy!
Clare's last day of school was yesterday until early Jan. This does not make her happy - her teacher told me too. In circle time Mrs. E mentioned that they would have 2 weeks off. At this Clare's face darkened and she scowled. You never have to guess about what emotion Clare is feeling, her face tells it all.
---2---
To celebrate John finishing finals on Wednesday - we ate at a Chinese restaurant for lunch. The fortunes were great:
John's - You have a lively family.
Gregory's - An angry man shuts his eyes and opens his mouth. (totally sounds like a toddler tantrum)
Clare's - You must struggle as hard as you can for what you want.
Clare responded to hers with "I can do that."
---3---
We are blessed with very nice landlords. When we moved in we were having a conversation about kids vs. pets. Knowing what my children can do to homes, I imagined that pets were better, but they insisted that children were.
This week, I had to call them to ask the paint color of several walls in the house. My first thought - pets don't draw on the walls. Their response - it's no big deal. My guess is that they wouldn't be as thrilled if we weren't willing to paint over the murals before we move out.
---4---
My literary error of the week.
I've started reading Moby Dick via Dailylit.com, and I was telling John about how much I was enjoying it.
Me: You know, I didn't really enjoy the Scarlet Letter, but I've been surprised by Hawthorne's writing style here.
John: Ummm...didn't Herman Melville write Moby Dick?
---5---
John's a little upset - a few quick takes ago Gregory had learned to catch a football. This morning John threw the ball to him several times and Gregory did not catch it. In fact, Gregory started doing ballet poses. Not what John was hoping for.
I think that was partially influenced by getting to sit in Clare's ballet class and watch for 15 minutes this week. Gregory was entranced.
---6---
My parents have flown in from Belgium to visit for Christmas. At the moment I don't think they have seen any family. My mother had a doctor's appointment and she has some kind of rash on her chest.
The doctor said she had only seen something like that once when she was in India. She proceeded to give my mother several drugs and very specific directions on how to take care of it. If it does not begin to heal by tomorrow - my mom will need to check into the hospital for treatment of this mystery infection.
Needless to say none of the grandchildren are allowed to see Grandma right now, neither am I. Hopefully it will clear up. If you get a chance say a little prayer or 2. My mom has some health complications and I know this isn't what she had planned on for Christmas.
---7---
It is 10:30 pm here, and I think Gregory has finally fallen asleep and I can go to bed. This is the first time I can remember him staying up so late. Clare is visiting her other Grandma tonight and I think that was part of it. He kept waiting for her to show up and go to bed. But after 2 hours, I put him back in bed for the 5th time, turned off all his lights, and now it is quiet.
Good night to all - Sleep in peace and Rise with joy!
Wednesday, December 17
Elf Yourself
Last year, I saw Elf Yourself videos on several different blogs. I thought they were fun and cute and made a few.
This year, I actually remembered them and went looking for them online. While I am hoping to find a way to embed the video on the blog at the moment you will have to settle for the link.
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/difsaOS4bpHbkF6lYZfe
Enjoy! And if you're up to it, go make a video too. They always make me chuckle and they're pretty easy.
This year, I actually remembered them and went looking for them online. While I am hoping to find a way to embed the video on the blog at the moment you will have to settle for the link.
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/difsaOS4bpHbkF6lYZfe
Enjoy! And if you're up to it, go make a video too. They always make me chuckle and they're pretty easy.
Tuesday, December 16
Saving the World
Clare came into my bedroom with a pad of paper pretending to check things offs of a list.
Clare: Mommy, the girls in my class and I are going on a trip to save the world and you have to come with us and make sure we have everything.
Me: Hmmmm (if I ignore this conversation, will I have to do anything?)
Clare: We need food and clothes and a gun, in case we need to shoot an animal for food
Me: A gun? Where are we going?
Clare: And head bands, and lotion, and lamps, and flashlights -in case it gets dark, and beds - oh we can use sleeping packs...and OH!
Me: Hmmmm (slight interest - not too much, I might have to get up).
Clare: Little House on the Prairie!! We must take that - it will tell us what we need to do and we can look at the pictures if we can't read it. Like this - you can do this for us (pointing to an illustration.)
Me: They've built a well, I don't think Mommy can make one of those.
Clare: And sea shells and buckets, and...Gregory can't come with us!
Gregory: (suddenly looks up and says with disapproval) Eehhh!
Clare: Well he can come, but only 2 year olds can come, no babies.
She continues to chatter about her trip meandering through the room with her ever-growing list.
Mommy's thinking this sounds like a pretty intensive trip - Mommy, Clare, six other 4 year olds, and Gregory. I've never seen a movie where the hero saves the world with a group of 4 year olds. Would make for an interesting plot, can you imagine the twists? ;) My guess is the heroine would be pretty tired by the end.
Clare: Mommy, the girls in my class and I are going on a trip to save the world and you have to come with us and make sure we have everything.
Me: Hmmmm (if I ignore this conversation, will I have to do anything?)
Clare: We need food and clothes and a gun, in case we need to shoot an animal for food
Me: A gun? Where are we going?
Clare: And head bands, and lotion, and lamps, and flashlights -in case it gets dark, and beds - oh we can use sleeping packs...and OH!
Me: Hmmmm (slight interest - not too much, I might have to get up).
Clare: Little House on the Prairie!! We must take that - it will tell us what we need to do and we can look at the pictures if we can't read it. Like this - you can do this for us (pointing to an illustration.)
Me: They've built a well, I don't think Mommy can make one of those.
Clare: And sea shells and buckets, and...Gregory can't come with us!
Gregory: (suddenly looks up and says with disapproval) Eehhh!
Clare: Well he can come, but only 2 year olds can come, no babies.
She continues to chatter about her trip meandering through the room with her ever-growing list.
Mommy's thinking this sounds like a pretty intensive trip - Mommy, Clare, six other 4 year olds, and Gregory. I've never seen a movie where the hero saves the world with a group of 4 year olds. Would make for an interesting plot, can you imagine the twists? ;) My guess is the heroine would be pretty tired by the end.
Monday, December 15
Haunted Houses and Shoes
Visiting Clare's class and helping out is always a treat and you never know what the kids are going to tell you or where they get their information.
Child 1: Did you know that there are real haunted houses?
Me: No. Tell me about them
Child 1: I saw one on TV yesterday.
Child 2: Ghosts - Haunted houses have ghosts
Me: Oh?
Child 1: And the one I saw had a President staying in it
Child 2: Ghooooosts
Me: A President?
Child 1: And he was attacked - they tried to kill him.
Me: A President was attacked in a haunted house? (shock in my voice)
Child 1: Yeah - someone threw some shoes at him. It would have been funny if he had caught them and thrown them back
At this point I have to stop myself from laughing - the news would be much more interesting told from the point of view of a 5 year old. I wonder how he got Bush's visit to Baghdad and a haunted house intertangled.
Child 1: Did you know that there are real haunted houses?
Me: No. Tell me about them
Child 1: I saw one on TV yesterday.
Child 2: Ghosts - Haunted houses have ghosts
Me: Oh?
Child 1: And the one I saw had a President staying in it
Child 2: Ghooooosts
Me: A President?
Child 1: And he was attacked - they tried to kill him.
Me: A President was attacked in a haunted house? (shock in my voice)
Child 1: Yeah - someone threw some shoes at him. It would have been funny if he had caught them and thrown them back
At this point I have to stop myself from laughing - the news would be much more interesting told from the point of view of a 5 year old. I wonder how he got Bush's visit to Baghdad and a haunted house intertangled.
Sunday, December 14
The Morning Wrestle
Clare has always had strong fashion opinions. It was a struggle to get her to wear most clothes, until I gave in to her tastes. Luckily her tastes are ultra conservative - long frilly dresses, tights, and girly-girly. I don't think she will ever want to wear something that says "juicy" on her bottom - mainly because it wouldn't be feminine enough for her. In fact the more old fashioned and poofy the dress is in cut, the happier she is.
When we found out we were having a boy with Gregory, I gave a sigh of relief. It meant (at least in my mind) that this new little person would be more accepting of whatever I chose to dress him in.
I mean, how many little boys do you hear about that insist on wearing certain clothes? I've heard of one or two - but mainly it's things like the colors matching, etc.
Gregory however has surprised me. He is pickier about clothes than Clare. He desires one motif on his clothes - football. Preferably Redskins football. He has a total of 2 Redskins onesies plus 4-6 other football themed onesies or shirts. Sometimes the non-redskins shirts won't cut it. And I spend each morning wrestling a screaming, unhappy 2 year old into his clothes. When I bought his wardrobe I wasn't exactly thinking along the lines of NFL.
Once he's in them, he settles down and seems to forget all about it. (Which is good, Clare would cry for at least an hour and if I didn't watch her, remove the offending articles of clothing as quickly as possible.) But each morning I gear myself up for the fight - especially on Sundays or other days where I'd like him to look like something other than a die-hard sports fan.
When we found out we were having a boy with Gregory, I gave a sigh of relief. It meant (at least in my mind) that this new little person would be more accepting of whatever I chose to dress him in.
I mean, how many little boys do you hear about that insist on wearing certain clothes? I've heard of one or two - but mainly it's things like the colors matching, etc.
Gregory however has surprised me. He is pickier about clothes than Clare. He desires one motif on his clothes - football. Preferably Redskins football. He has a total of 2 Redskins onesies plus 4-6 other football themed onesies or shirts. Sometimes the non-redskins shirts won't cut it. And I spend each morning wrestling a screaming, unhappy 2 year old into his clothes. When I bought his wardrobe I wasn't exactly thinking along the lines of NFL.
Once he's in them, he settles down and seems to forget all about it. (Which is good, Clare would cry for at least an hour and if I didn't watch her, remove the offending articles of clothing as quickly as possible.) But each morning I gear myself up for the fight - especially on Sundays or other days where I'd like him to look like something other than a die-hard sports fan.
Friday, December 12
Quick Takes - Photo Edition
I haven't posted in weeks. We've been so busy - so here is the Quick Takes Version in Photos
One - Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing
Two - Gregory's Birthday
He's 2 now - and loved this cake! Guess what he loves and obsesses over?
Three - Cookie Day #1-Clare
Three A -Cookie Day #1- Stephanie
One of our gracious hosts making more cookies
Four - Cookie Day # 1- Gregory
Five - Baby Corrina
I'm getting my baby fix - she is soooo sweet!
Six - Cookie Day #2
Seven - Puppy Sitting
Isn't Cash the most adorable puppy? The kids wore him out - when his owner came he was falling asleep on a pillow.
If you want more info or pictures - you'll have to check out facebook...it's easier than blogging. ;)
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