The Christmas Story

What comes to mind when you hear "The Christmas Story"?  Do you think of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus?  Maybe some shepherds or the wisemen.  Well, tonight, we had the privilege of seeing the Christmas Story starring, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and... the cow.  More specifically, A the cow.  That's right, every other little girl wanted to be an angel but A wanted to be a farm animal.  The reason-the cow got a whole costume and an angel only got part of one.  Makes sense...

This picture was taken during the actual pageant.  Cesar Augustus came up to read the first verse and give the decree that Mary and Joseph should travel to Nazareth.  As he was reading, this little cow came running up the aisle.  Mary and Joseph were unaware that there would be a cow waiting directly adjacent to the manger.  She held her ground with her arms resting on the manger while Mary placed the baby to rest.  She kept her eyes on him throughout the whole show.  Well, except when she temporarily excused herself from the performance to tell B. that he already took enough pictures. Since we were already laughing hysterically that she came up the aisle early, we almost fell out of the pew that she left her perch only to scold her father.

The manger scene, Mary, Jesus, and the Cow.  I think Mary was trying to convince her to step back out of the limelight.  That didn't happen.

Then, the Angels came up to surround the manger.  I think the cow was supposed to step back.  She did not.  In fact, I think she may have thrown a few elbows to maintain her important position.  

Next up, the shepherds.  The angels moved back to make room.  The cow stayed put.  Note:  she did remove her mask because it was, "too hard to see the baby."  We only know this because she mouthed it to B. from the stage.     

Finally, they invited all other children up to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  She did leave her perch  for this.  

 She came to the front to sit with her brother.  she sat with him through the whole song.  She reached down and kissed his little head several times.   

 She hugged him, loved on him, and prayed with him. I have never been more proud.  

Merry Christmas from S, B, K, and the cow....

calm before the storm

Christmas is busy.  I make a conscious effort to be calm and focus on what my pastor called the humble happenings of Christ coming when no one else was around.  It was no big deal, just Mary, Joseph, and some animals.  But, it doesn't work.  We end up running around shopping and baking and visiting.  I feel like we are getting ready for something every single night.  Don't get me wrong, it makes me happy, but it also makes me stressed.

This year is especially CRAZY.  Our moving date is Dec 29.  We first started this process last February so it is a LONG time coming.  But, I think I would have rather had any other week in the year but this one.  We are dividing and conquering.  B. is wrapping while I pack the kids rooms.  B. is taking down curtains while I am coloring Christmas pictures with the kids.

But, on Wednesday, glorious Wednesday, we didn't leave the house.  The kids woke up at 7:00 (super late for them) and then we came down for breakfast.  We didn't get out of our pajamas until 11:00.  K. wanted his binky and lovie so I put him in bed around 11:10 and he hung out in there reading books for over an hour while A. and I made and decorated salt dough ornaments all while listening to Christmas music.  All 3 of us took naps... from 1-4.  No one cried, no one rushed, and all was well.

Today, we start the final rush.  Nan and Pap came today and under our tree is FULL.  Tomorrow I work while the rest of the family will cook and will make Christmas crafts.  Tuesday we will do nothing but play and celebrate and love each other.  Then Wednesday... Wednesday starts the chaos.  We will pack the remainder of our house.  Thursday, B. and I have the final walk through and then we both have to work for awhile before making sure all of our 6 years of clutter is packed away.  Friday we have a wonderful team of people coming to paint and put up lights and blinds.  Then, Saturday the movers come and we head over the bridge.  I'm sad and happy all at the same time.  I'm excited and nervous.  I'm thankful, gracious, and overwhelmed.  Mostly, I"m trying to balance the chaos that is moving with the humble happenings in which I want my family to focus.

Merry Christmas from our REALLY bright tree.  I promise the star doesn't really look like we captured the northern lights and put them in our living room.  My camera is weird.

the response

After I wrote my blog yesterday, I got several responses from text messages, email, direct message on facebook. Oddly, this is a topic that people don't comment on publicly.  Maybe for fear of rebuttle or criticism.  Some were links to people smarter than me, to theologians and Christian pastors.  They made sense to me so I feel the need to share them.

Posted on The Learning Curve by Danny
"Even on this day, the professionals have taken to the radio, TV, and internet, discussing how we can explain these situations to our kids and how we process them with each other. I have a friend that I’m currently walking through the gospel with, and I’ll guarantee you that the next time we’ll talk, he’ll bring up today’s shooting. Theologians call it the problem of evil: how do you reconcile the horrific crimes and pains of the world with an all loving God? How can my friend trust a God who allows children to die? How can someone be so deranged, so evil, that they would walk into an elementary school and start shooting?

The only answer is sin. The only remedy is the cross. The only hope is Jesus.

As the people of God processes this day, let us not fall into the trap of naming issues that are not issues. Let us not discuss gun control or early warning signs or tighter security in schools. While all of those discussions have a place, we must take the time to call evil evil. We must point people to Jesus. And we must give people space to ask hard questions and be satisfied that we will not know all the answers.

 My main question has always been that of "God's Plan"  Doesn't he already know what is going to happen? If so, why doesn't he stop these things?  Well, I think that God does have a plan.  I have a plan too and it changes everyday when my children take a longer nap or throw a fit so that I can't get somewhere on time.  sometimes it changes because one of my patient's cancels an appointment.  What I'm getting at is that my plans are often influenced by someone else, a person with a different plan that forces me to change.  God gives us free will, he loves us and he wants us to follow him and to ask him before we act, but he gives us free will. This is where sin comes into play.  This makes God's plan have to change and the only hope is that he can turn evil into good.  Take this awful sin and use it to bring people closer to him.

Another response that I was given.  This is from Kellerquotes.com

One of the great themes of the Hebrew Scriptures is that God identifies with the suffering. There are all these great texts that say things like this: If you oppress the poor, you oppress to me. I am a husband to the widow. I am father to the fatherless. I think the texts are saying God binds up his heart so closely with suffering people that he interprets any move against them as a move against him. This is powerful stuff! But Christianity says he goes even beyond that. Christians believe that in Jesus, God’s son, divinity became vulnerable to and involved in – suffering and death! He didn’t come as a general or emperor. He came as a carpenter. He was born in a manger, no room in the inn.But it is on the Cross that we see the ultimate wonder. On the cross we sufferers finally see, to our shock that God now knows too what it is to lose a loved one in an unjust attack. And so you see what this means? John Stott puts it this way. John Stott wrote: “I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?” Do you see what this means? Yes, we don’t know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, but we know what the reason isn’t, what it can’t be. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us! It can’t be that he doesn’t care. God so loved us and hates suffering that he was willing to come down and get involved in it. And therefore the Cross is an incredibly empowering hint. Ok, it’s only a hint, but if you grasp it, it can transform you. It can give you strength.

So, though God is greater than us.  Though he is able to do things that I will never understand, he has put himself into our shoes before.  If anyone understands the loss of a child in a horrible manner, it is him.  He has been there and it happened for us.  So, let's not put blame on him, let's use him to give us strength.

Another thing was a video of some big christian minister that I don't even want to name.  It was talking about how we have kicked God out of our schools and then we wonder why he is punishing us within the school system.  I think his speaking is one of the many reasons why people don't have faith.  I have a good friend that is not a believer. Many of the things he says make sense to me but the most important is,  "How do I know what is true when even Christians can't agree?"  My answer there is that I don't think this christian was praying for wisdom before he spoke.  I mean really, God was punishing innocent kids so that we would pray in our schools.  Because that makes sense.  Lets just think humanly for a minute... If I want my child to come to me for help, would I punish her for staying away/  Just imagine if I said, "A. you didn't come ask me for help so go sit in time out until you want to talk to me".... What?  I just sent her away, she's not coming closer.  

Finally, the last came from my ever so logical husband.  It came as I was being so fearful and stating that I never want to send my children to school.  So, here are the statistics, 33 people died in school shootings this year.  40 kids died from televisions falling on their heads.  Yes, I know this is over simplified, but it rings true.  We are questioning God, we are questioning our schools, we are questioning ourselves because of a horrific tragedy.  That is what it was, a tragedy.  Not a way of life.  My kids are just as safe at school as they are here with me.  I have to give them the light of God and let it shine through them.  Then pray for their safety and hope that no sinner changes God's plan.  If it does, pray for comfort and peace and that good will come out of it.  

Now, I promise to return to the daily antics of toddlers next post.

processing

Yesterday, I was working.  I had entered a patient's home and found him reading 2 Chronicles.  This book of the Bible, is a "chronicle" of the entire history of God's people from Genesis through Kings though is written from the view of a priest.  As we were working on his posture and using his core muscles, we changed the subject and were just talking about how he was doing etc.  After the session was over, I got into my car and checked my phone.  Its a habit... Anyway, I saw the news that there was yet another school shooting and that 20 people had been killed.  I was stunned.  I immediately texted my mom since she had my children just to see what they were doing.  Just to know that they were safe.  Then I sat for a minute and allowed myself to feel for all those parents that probably already had gifts under the tree for their children.  The parents that had dreams and wants for their children's futures.  The parents that are now spending their time wishing they never sent their children to school.

I had 2 patient's after that and, of course, I had to go on and treat them and try to help them get the most out of life.  All the while, I was trying to process my greatest faith question.... Does God really have a plan for everyone?  If there is such a plan then was this really supposed to happen?  If a plan is so set in stone, then what is the point of praying?  I'm sure that so many of those parents have prayed for the safety and well being of their children night after night.  Who knows, maybe the parent of the shooter has also prayed the same for him. I talked to a few people about this last night and the main gist is that we don't know.  That with faith, we can sometimes see the good that comes out of horrible situations after, but that there is no way that we understand.

This morning, I opened up the Bible to 2 Chronicles.  The first chapter is about Solomon, son of David as he was established as King.  God came to Solomon and said "Ask for whatever you want me to give to you."  Solomon asked for wisdom.  He wanted wisdom and knowledge to guide and govern a nation of people.  With that, God thanked him for not asking for tangible things, for not asking for wealth, honor, death of enemies.  He gave him wisdom to lead and gave him all of those other tangible things as well.

God spoke to me through my patient today. He led me to this chapter and I'm taking it to heart.  Prayer is important.  I still don't know the answer to my "God's plan" question but I'm asking for wisdom.  I'm asking for wisdom to lead my children in a life of faith and to help lead others as we are processing the latest tragedy in a world that is so imperfect.

For now, I will continue to pray for peace and comfort for all of those families in CT.  I pray that they can feel God's presence and somehow go forward in their lives.  I pray that the rest of us hold our children tighter and feel even more grateful for the gifts that we have been given.

PS.  I will return to your previous scheduled programming of toddler antics next post

PPS. photo courtesy of www.emilystlouisphotography.zenfolio.com  She's awesome... got get some pictures

happy anniversary!

18 years and 2 weeks ago, B. asked me to "go out with him."  It was a whirlwind romance filled with long phone calls and passing notes in the hallway.  Then, one fateful lunch time, he bet one of his friends that I wouldn't kiss him.  He bet a cheeto.  That's right, I was only worth 1 small cheeto.  Well, I heard about it and since I was too scared to kiss him with such dramatics, I chose to slap him instead.  I mean, who bets a cheeto.  So, that was the end of the romance.  Well, for 2 weeks.

I don't remember what happened over the next two weeks but I'm sure it had to do with teenagers calling each other and making a big deal over nothing.  Then, on the Dec. 13, it culminated with B. holding my history book hostage until I promised to "go out with him" again.  Then we kissed and I didn't slap him.  It was our start.  (I do have some pictures from that time, but it would take a lot more time to scan and upload them than I have this morning)

We obviously didn't know that 18 years later we would be building a house for our 2 kids and 2 dogs in our town with parades and farmer's markets.  We had no idea that the probably $30.00 ring he bought me from Claire's or The piercing Pagoda on our first Christmas (Yes, I'm rocking it today on my index finger), would then progress to engagements, wedding rings, and anniversary bands.  But, I'm so happy that that he thought I was worth it to try again.

I could not ask for more!  Happy fake anniversary!

more k drama

From my past 2 posts, you know that my kiddo is a bit of a 1 year old dare devil.  He runs, jumps, and soars without any fear.  So, needless to say, I've been waiting for the day when he makes his next ER visit.  This time, B and I were being treated to a 4 day minivacation courtesy of John Deere (man do I love that company) while my mom stayed with our children at home.  She asked for 2 things before we left 1) an insurance card and 2)the phone number for the hotel.  I left the first and told her I didn't even know where we were staying for the hotel.  It is 2012, only to myrtle beach, and we both have cell phones.  She agreed.

Day 2 of said minivacation, about 45 minutes after my somewhat relaxing facial; it would have been much more relaxing if I hadn't spent the time waiting in the lovely bathrobe reading an account of the ship wreck that happened earlier this year.  Who spends their time in a spa reading about a deathly disaster?  Anyway, I digress.  My mom called from the car on her way home from gymboree.  Apparently,  my little daredevil had run head first into a climbing apparatus.  Are you surprised?  As he bumped his head, he bit through his gum and, courtesy of Von Willenbrands disease, he was bleeding.. and bleeding... and bleeding. My mom was a rock star.  She first took him to the pediatrician who, thankfully saw him with in an hour, and apparently ruled out any head injury.  K.'s mouth was still bleeding but the pediatrician decided he wasn't going to touch his mouth.  He sent him on to the pediatric dentist's office.  So, my mom, again with rockstar status, loaded up her gps, dropped A. off at my friends home and drove the unfamiliar route to the dentist's office.  They gave him 4 stitches in his mouth, told them to feed him soft foods for awhile, and sent them on their way.  My dad had joined them at this point and told me that he held K. leaned him back and my sweet little boy laid still for his stitches.  He did, however, tell me that he was crying for mommy a bit.  rip my heart out...

So, it was about 5:00 by the time that we got the news that everything was fine.  My little guy made it through is second emergencyish situation and I wasn't even there. I will say that I'm grateful that my mom did so well and that there was plenty of wine available on said minivacation...

k.'s first story

This actually happened in October and I wrote then too.  I just never took the time to upload the video.  So, travel a month back and time and ...

We are getting ready to move.  Hopefully, our house will be done in mid December.  That means we have to get this one ready to rent out.  My dad and B. spent last weekend fixing up the house while the kids and I spent time with my mom at their new home.  They did A LOT of work but one of the biggest things was removing all of the baby gates.  No problem, we though, both kids are used to the steps at this point.

Turns out, we were wrong.  Literally 1 minute after B. put the fishing touch of paint on the newly spackled hole in the wall, K. rode his little car down. the. steps.  Needless to say, crying ensued.  It didn't last very long and luckily he wasn't hurt.  A few minutes later, he told B. what happened... his first story was very effective in 4 words.  He then told it to me and then since we all laughed, he told it over, and over, and over, and over.  Even the next morning...

His speech therapist will be so proud.

so many blogs, so little time

I've had things to write about swimming in my head for weeks but I just haven't found the time to write them. I'm hoping to roll out a bunch in the next few days because, well, K. is at an age where he is hilarious and I don't want to forget it when he grows.  A. is at a stage where she is trifling yet fantastic all at the same time and I also don't want to forget it.

I'll start with the genius that is my son.  This was taken the day after thanksgiving.  We were all eating dinner and then got up to begin the evening frenzy that is cleaning the kitchen, taking baths, getting lunches ready, and inevitably having one child do something crazy.  This was K.'s.

So you're saying he may not be a rocket scientist...

And, his crazy mom worked with people with brain injuries and was having serious anxiety this whole time...

I know how it happens now

B. and I. have instituted a strict 2 activity rule for our kids at least while they are young.  The background reasoning came from research that I found when I was working on a presentation for work that talked about the change in play in children stemming from receiving direction ALL the time. Basically, how will they learn to be independent and have an imagination when they have someone always telling them what to do.  Stand in this line here, kick this ball now, run through there etc.

A. has tried dance, swimming, and gymnastics. If you remember, she initially HATED swim lessons and it was the bane of my existence.  She sometimes liked dance and sometimes hated it (much to my chagrin since I danced for years in middle and high school)  So far, she has loved gymnastics.  On her first day, despite the fact that I walk in with my scrubs on and about 7 files to do paperwork, I loved watching her.  I loved how she paid attention to her teachers and how she seemed to have more adventure than many of her other classmates.  When the class was over, the teacher came up to me and said that she was amazed at how strong A. was.  A. could hold herself up on the bar for an "angel hold" on her first try.  I smiled and said thank you when another mom chimed in, "if she works hard, she can probably make preteam."  and there you have it, I almost got sucked in.  What, the elite 4 year olds?  In my mind, she was standing on the podium for her gold medal.  If the manager had followed with, only 4 classes a week for $1 million dollars, I might have taken out a loan.  It actually took A. saying, "Mommy, I'm dressed." to get me out of the gym and back to reality.  Reality that she doesn't need to find her passion at age 4 and I don't really want her to.  Reality that though she may be strong, she is also really, REALLY tall which doesn't make for a gymnasts body.

So, for now, A. will keep doing her 1x a week classes and we'll see if our new town has a gym in it's near by surroundings...

this season

The upcoming holiday season means a lot to most people.  Here is a list of priorities for our family
1) First and foremost, this season is celebrating the birth of Jesus and how we want to keep him as a focal point in our lives.
2) Not having selfish kids-- I think this is going to prove quite a challenge.  A. is already making Christmas lists. This in itself is not an issue because I also make lists and one of my favorite things is to make lists of what I want to get for other people.  The problem is that after she wrote/drew 4 things on a piece of paper (doll, locket, ice skates, doll house) she asked for my computer to look for more things because she "didn't have much stuff."  What?  I tried to go the route of making a list of what she might want to get for other people.  She said, "they all have enough stuff".  I just got annoyed and said, "honey, so do you."  So, I'm not sure what to do about this.  I know that 4 year olds are naturally selfish but couldn't my kid be kind, and compassionate instead?  This is going to be quite a challenge...
3) decorating- When we moved from my favorite place to live, Richmond, up to this place we now call home, we had a brief stint in an apartment with lawn chairs as furniture.  Said apartment did not have a working oven and my husband refused to complain and get money off of our almost $2,000 rent.  This happened to be Christmas of 2006.  That meant that we did not decorate at all.  The whole season felt soooo different.  Since that time, we have had "Christmas house."  We have 3 Christmas trees, stockings by the fire, 3 nativity scenes, garland, and wreaths galore (I was going to post a picture but apparently this blog has exceeded it's picture limit... I'll mess with that later).  This year, we are in a time of transition again.  We are closing on our new house on Dec 27.  That means the room that usually holds the stockings and trees is holding boxes.  The garland and wreaths that usually make me so happy make me cringe because it is yet another box to pack on Dec 26.  Me, the lead Christmas elf, wants to tone EVERYTHING down and my family, mainly my husband, is fighting this idea.

I guess having a calm quiet Christmas with grateful children who love Jesus may be a romantic idea in my mind when we are packing up, moving, working, and carrying on all of our traditions. On second thought, look at everything I have to be thankful for:  so many people who love my kids and want to buy them gifts, a new house, a job that I sometimes love, and a whole house to pack.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

an addition to the family

Yesterday, after church and lunch, 5 minutes before nap/quiet time, I showed A. this little creature on the ground.

 Little did I know that this would evolve into an all day project and a new love for my little mama.  She immediately started asking if she could keep it and said she had the perfect home.  Her idea for the perfect home was the pewter cross that her Godmother gave her for her baptism.  uuummmm, not so much.  Luckily, K.'s babysitter had this little gem of a habitat just sitting in her garage waiting for someone to call it home.

Daddy may have been trying to get the back yard ready for possible renters to come look but, instead he helped A. get dirt and water and leaves, and parsley all ready for the home of our new little pet.  

Just in case you want to get to know her better, here are some facts about our little pet:

1) Her name is Jewel because she really liked crawling around A.'s fake ring that she was wearing.  Now she has jewels in her habitat.

2) She has several tricks.  She can make a C, J, G, and even form a bridge out of her body

3) She loves A. (according to A.)

4) She loves parsley and sticks (again, according to A.)

Since Jewel found her new home, she has been on a walk, has her own place at the dinner table, and has entertained A. for hours on end.  

this morning, before A. came into my room, she went down to check on Jewel.  When I went down to get breakfast, A. had already set up their trays so that they could sit next to each other.   

momma and her baby

K. checking her out.  He's not allowed to touch her though.  A says, "He might squish her all up."  Its a legitimate fear.  

probably too much information

K. may hate me later for blogging about this, but it was a CRAZY morning that just means that I need to share.

 Yesterday, our morning started just as any other Friday.

5:45 am- I woke up and contemplated going down to work out.  However, since it was Friday, I knew that the trash truck would be there in 15 minutes thus making sure everyone in the Collins house was awake.  I was correct.
6:05- A. came into our room saying, "Hi, Mommy." and K. from his bedroom going, "Ma. Ma"  So we started the day.

6:10- I go in and change K.'s diaper.  I see a strange red lump on his testicle.  He is saying "oweee" everytime that I get near it. I immediately call B. since I figure he is more of an expert on testicles than I am.  He agrees, says its probably nothing and tells me to call the nurses line.

6:15 am - The lovely nurse asks if I've called before and then looks up my name and sees the names of both of my children.  Then proceeds to ask me how A.'s head is after she fell off her bed... 2 YEARS ago.  OK, so I have called a lot... We talk for a few minutes and then says that we should have that checked out right away.  She asks me questions about it making me torture my poor son who at this point is willing to fall off of the changing table just to get away from me.  I think the nurse is sparing me from the possibilities of what it could be.  She says calmly that we should call our doctor and if not we should go to the ER.  OK.... I wasn't expecting that.  I call B. back and he wasn't expecting that either.  We agree to wait until our Dr. office is open and go there first.

The next hour goes typically.  I get the kids breakfast and go get my shower.  we are all moving a little slower since I know there is no way that I'm going to make it to my 9:00 patient.

About 7:45- I come down stairs after getting ready and gathering the kids clothes and see this...

My little girl has decided that she is a surgeon and cut a slit in the 1 remaining pumpkin with a combination of a butter and a grapefruit knife.  She's scooping out the goo and saying, "You'll feel better soon."  I again, wish that I could be a stay at home mom and let her continue this.  I envision a doctor's kit and setting up chairs for a waiting room.  Instead, I remove the knives and giver her a bigger bowl along with a 10 minute warning before we need to get dressed.  

Meanwhile, I call the doctor as soon as it opens.  They agree that he needs to be seen and are squeezing us in at 8:30.  That's right, 30 minutes from that exact moment when I told A. she could play for 10 more then get dressed and go to school, which just so happens to be 15 minutes away.  

CRAP

We kick it into high gear.  The pumpkin and bowl go outside and wait for later in the day.  A. gets herself dressed and I go to change K.'s diaper and clothes.  Imagine that, the lump is gone.  Great... I'm going to rush over there and the doctor will think I'm insane... I decide to go anyway since a testicle lump is apparently a big deal.  

8:05- We finally get out the door to drive 15 minutes out of the way to drop A. off at school before coming back across the street to make our appointment.

8:17- we pull up at school (yes i was speeding).  A. decides this is the day that she will be sad when I leave her and asks for hug after hug after hug.  

8:18- my heart rips out of my chest as I leave her telling her I don't have time for more hugs...

8:20- I'm driving so fast to the doctor that K. is saying "WWWEEEEEEEE" in the back seat.

8:33- we pull into the parking lot and I run up the stairs with him only to realize that I forgot the HSA card.  They decide to bill us and we finally sit down to inevitably wait.

8:48- they call us back and K. looks like such a big boy walking up to get weighed.  He doesn't know what is about to come.  

8:51- The doctor examines him and then gives me a brief developmental history of testicles. Apparently, K.'s testicle appendecis was tworked and needed untworking.  This appendecis is not useful and doesn't really matter.  However, if it had been the entire testicle, he would have lost it.  The doctor did assure me that if one is lost, the other enlarges to take over.  uummmm... thanks for the comfort... maybe.  The untworking is surprisingly easy and not painful 

Anyway, we rushed and rushed and this little guy is thankfully just as sweet and innocent without a giant testicle.   

mommy's rule about messes

On Sunday, A. went to Sunday School.  Before I start with the story, let me just say that I was super impressed that with only a few questions from her teacher, she can recount the story of Moses. Anyway,  Sunday was their last week with Moses and they were talking about the 10 commandments.  They started with how the commandments were God's rules for people.  Each kid had to say a rule that they follow.  A's rule was, "messes are ok, but you have to clean them up."  Though I don't think that this rule is nearly as important as though shalt not kill, I'm pretty excited that it was her number 1 rule.

I know this rule came to her mind because I must say it 100 times a day.  And, I also allow my kids to make more than the average messes.  Here is a prime example...

We left town a while ago and my parents had both kids for the weekend.  i game my mom a recipe of clear glue and liquid starch to make this gooey mess. I guess it wasn't a huge success, according to my mom, but the picture were pretty cute (no, I don't have any of them).   I saved this gooey mess in a tupperware to see if it could again be fun on another day.  We used it one other time with cookie cutters for about 15 minutes and then again put it away.  Still not a super success like I was expecting.  Well, during frankenstorm, K. needed a little something to keep him entertained for a bit.

He pulled this apart and rolled it and stamped it for a good 20 minutes.  This is good for his little attention span.  It was going so well that I started to get a little lax.  K. looked at B. for a second and stretched the mess over his eyes and said "glasses" well it sounded more like "gase" but I digress.  I then left his immediate side to go get a tissue and this is what I came back to...

 I tried to pull it out for a few minutes as he was screaming before realizing that it was no use.  There goes his forever unruly yet so adorable hair.

 good thing Daddy was home to perform the cut, I don't know if I could have brought myself to cut it...

look how calm and pathetic he looks

note the remnants of the goo on his hands.  sooo sad

A.'s response to her brother's new hair cut

He kept saying, "hair" and trying to touch it all day.  When he saw himself in the mirror he was pretty confused.  He just pointed at himself, then his hair, then himself, all will a very sad face.

The crazy thing, I put the goo back in it's box for use on another day. ... After all, messes are ok as long as you clean them up.

maybe a tie

I recognize that this is going to sound dumb, but I like big storms.  I love hunkering down with no obligations or plans except being together with the only rule to stay safe.  I recognize this is because I have never truly been in danger and i am very grateful for this.  So, these past few days were really fun to me... but Sandy definitely left some blows.

Here's the story of our battle against Sandy...

Sunday night after naps, Emily and Brayden came over to escape their house surrounded by huge trees to ride out the storm.  A. and K. are so excited that they are having not only 1 but maybe 2 sleepovers that they declare hurricanes the most fun ever...  A. as a result must have project after project after project to stay entertained and not trying to pick up one of the boys and squeeze them.  So, we start project 1) spider eggs. Immediately after we finish, she starts crying, throws a fit, and subsequently gets sent to her room because the boys weren't included in the project.  Though the eggs turned out well, We'll give that point to Sandy. Score: Sandy-1. Team Collins-0

hard boiled eggs cracked and then sat in black food coloring.  Once peeled they look like spider webs.

The rest of that night went well and all kids slept really well.  We'll count that as a score for us.  

Score: Sandy -1. Team Collins- 1

The next morning, it was 0900 and the kids were already getting a little stir crazy.  They took all the couch cushions off and jumped, jumped, jumped for about 30 minutes.  Well, A. and K. jumped, Brayden counted to 3 then said jump while subsequently lifting his shoulders up and then doing a trust fall into the cushions.   The rain had just started here and we had power.  We'll go with no score on this one.

 While the kids were entertained, I thought it would be a good time to call all my patients and tell them that Sandy has cancelled therapy for today.  However, I realized I left all of the important things in my car.  So, running in the rain it is...  Sandy-2, Team Collins -1

 A- got jealous in my running in the rain and decided that she also should brave the storm.  But, only as a true superhero and one that enjoys water.  So, Ming Ming wonder pet made her jaunt outside.  She wanted to do it again later as the storm got worse yet opened the door, heard the wind and ran to the complete other side of the house.

 The rest of the day was pretty normal, filled with projects (more on this in another post), snacks, naps,and either pajamas or nonmatching clothes.

Brayden clearly overwhelmed by the Collins kids put himself and his mom in timeout for no reason. 

 We will give the overall score for the afternoon to the Collins team- Sandy -2, Team Collins-2

Right before dinner, we decided it was pumpkin time.  Every kid loved it, the pumpkin seeds were awesome, and our pumpkins turned our really well.  

Note that there were no more kids at the table yet there were pumpkins and wine glasses.  They needed some independent play time!

 This score definitely went to team Collins- Sandy- 2, Team Collins- 3

Finally, some nice Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin for some relaxation as dinner cooked.  Even K. sat still for awhile.  Team Collins is doing really well!!
Sandy-2, Team Collins- 4

Then, after dinner, Sandy delivered her sucker punch.  As we were putting the kids to bed the power went out as loud gusts of wind were passing by the windows.  A. subsequently screamed and did not want to lay down.  K. laid down but was up at least every 30 minutes over the next few hours as the wind would slam into the windows.  Brayden broke our hearts with his requests until he finally said, "momma downstairs, please."  So, we ended up sitting by candle light with 2 kids on our laps until around 10 pm.  Now I kind of give this one to Sandy but how sweet are tired cuddly kids in pajamas by candlelight.  The only problem was the ping ping ping that we began to hear coming from our bay window.  That ping ping turned into loud splashes in 3 buckets, bubbles on the wall, and finally a car ramp to guide the water away from the wall and into the bucket.  We'll give Sandy 2 for this one.

So, we ended up with power back by 4 pm the next day, lots of time with our family and friends and some really awesome pumpkins and eggs.  We will count our blessings and think about all of those that did not fare as well.

PS. yes, I know K. had a different haircut from beginning to end.  more on that next post.

get your pillows ready

My husband has a very random platform.  He feels that people need to register their fandom when they are young.  No, fairweather sports fans.  No jumping on the bandwagon.  To go with this, he doesn't think there should be any 20-30 year old Ravens fans.  Who were these people cheering for before the Ravens .  Did they just abandon an old team?  According to B.'s platform, this is illegal and unfair.  So, for better or for worse, my kids are registering as Redskins fans.

They know RGIII's face and point to him whenever he is on TV.  K. can see any Redskins slogan and says, "foba".  A. even saw that Chris Cooley was coming back to the skins on the news and immediately and independently picked up the phone and called her father to tell the news.  

On game days, they play "put your pillows up." Every time something good happens, they stop what they are doing and run to the nearest pillow and hold it in the air.  It started with our redskins pillow.  But, since we only have 1 of those, any pillow will do.  

  Get your pillows ready.  It's GAMEDAY!!!

good morning sunshine

Another blog confession:  I HATE bed time.  There is a lot to do in a short amount of time I mean, we expect potty, brushing teeth, changing clothes etc all in a matter of a few minutes.  What kid transitions that easyily?  But, even though I know it's hard for everyone, I find myself frustrated EVERY night.  "A. brush your teeth."  "K. come here."  "A. brush your teeth." "K. come here."  I'm like an awful broken record.  Here is my solution...

Belle's first list

It started with snack, potty, night nights, and mommy medicine.  She added on face, book, and something else that I don't remember.  The point is, it worked. She was super excited to cross off her list and I was quiet and not yelling.  So much better.  Now, the only problem is that she wants a list for everything.  She wants one for her morning routine, for things to do before dinner.  Pretty much, I'm spending my time writing what we are doing instead of doing it. I'll chalk this up as a somewhat success.

As much as I hate bedtime, I LOVE the morning time.  My kids do wake up too early, but they are as sweet and as happy as can be.  A. wanders into my room and, though at least half of the king sized bed is available because B. leaves so early, she squeezes her body right next to mine.  She usually says, "Good morning, I had a good sleep."  On a good morning, when we don't have to rush around for work, she cuddles for 15 minutes then plays on my kindle for a few more before she forces my half asleep body to wake up and start the day.  She is also actually quite philosophical.  The other morning, we had a discussion about why Jesus walked around when he could fly up to heaven.  I mean, once you can ascend into heaven, what is the point of using your feet when you come back to earth.    

Her new morning routine, written on a list of course, is tea in the morning.  We start with tea in our big mugs.

Then, she insists on putting the tea into her tiny, tiny only 1 sip at a time mugs.  

  At least she shares with her brother.

My late riser- he usually gets up between 6:45 and 7.

 Then, they cuddle on the couch.

 See why mornings are so much better!!!