Scenes from Noella's Second Birthday
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Happy (almost) Birthday Noella!
We celebrated Noella's birthday with a small party on Thursday. It was fairly simple (pizza- aka "pit-sey"- salad, and cookies) and very fun. I have some cute pictures that blogger is not letting me upload to the website, so you can imagine Noella's angelic and sauce smeared face until the application decides to work again. The official day is the 23rd, so there will be another celebration soon.
I submitted the last of my grades for the semester on Friday afternoon, and am enjoying a few deep breaths before diving back into work for the next semester. I have even watched two entire movies this weekend, and only checked my email about twice a day. Strange.
I always get nervous to see emails from students after I post their grades, generally expecting messages that read "Hey %#*@&, why the *&^# didn't I get an A?" I was so genuinely pleased to open the emails (at least so far) and read messages along the lines of "Thanks and have a nice break!" I'll take messages like that any day!
We celebrated Noella's birthday with a small party on Thursday. It was fairly simple (pizza- aka "pit-sey"- salad, and cookies) and very fun. I have some cute pictures that blogger is not letting me upload to the website, so you can imagine Noella's angelic and sauce smeared face until the application decides to work again. The official day is the 23rd, so there will be another celebration soon.
I submitted the last of my grades for the semester on Friday afternoon, and am enjoying a few deep breaths before diving back into work for the next semester. I have even watched two entire movies this weekend, and only checked my email about twice a day. Strange.
I always get nervous to see emails from students after I post their grades, generally expecting messages that read "Hey %#*@&, why the *&^# didn't I get an A?" I was so genuinely pleased to open the emails (at least so far) and read messages along the lines of "Thanks and have a nice break!" I'll take messages like that any day!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Mutiny
In the 20 minutes that it took to leave our house, get Mariel from ballet class, and return home, the dogs managed to wreak havoc on our home. They have been so well behaved for the past few months that now I can only think that they have been biding their time and plotting.
First, I spotted the plastic bag of (cloth) dirty diapers from Noella's day at daycare. They actually shredded a CLOTH diaper to get at the... well... you can probably guess. Given Marley's love for poopsicles this time of year, I can only guess that it was her. Next, the tupperware that had been on the kitchen countertop that had also contained the remnants of spaghetti sauce was found in the dining room. It no longer had any sauce inside, but at least they also seem to have cleaned off the floor. Then Mariel found a container of white-out on the floor from my work bag which I had brought home- and the bag was still on the bench where I had carefully placed it. The tupperware from my lunch that had also been in said bag was nowhere to be found, and despite very LOUD threats to the dogs (apologies to the neighbors) neither of them would tell me where it was. Eventually I found it, with half of the lid chewed off, under the ottoman. The dogs have not moved from their beds in an hour, and Hudson is still shaking. I don't feel sorry for them at all.
The human girls also seem to have been plotting, although it is a much less malicious plot. For reference, see my post from last week about their recent love of vegetables.
Today, they both decided at dinner that they no longer like:
green beans
carrots
broccoli
shrimp
and linguine.
This made my dinner of shrimp and veggie pasta a remarkably unsuccessful venture.
In the 20 minutes that it took to leave our house, get Mariel from ballet class, and return home, the dogs managed to wreak havoc on our home. They have been so well behaved for the past few months that now I can only think that they have been biding their time and plotting.
First, I spotted the plastic bag of (cloth) dirty diapers from Noella's day at daycare. They actually shredded a CLOTH diaper to get at the... well... you can probably guess. Given Marley's love for poopsicles this time of year, I can only guess that it was her. Next, the tupperware that had been on the kitchen countertop that had also contained the remnants of spaghetti sauce was found in the dining room. It no longer had any sauce inside, but at least they also seem to have cleaned off the floor. Then Mariel found a container of white-out on the floor from my work bag which I had brought home- and the bag was still on the bench where I had carefully placed it. The tupperware from my lunch that had also been in said bag was nowhere to be found, and despite very LOUD threats to the dogs (apologies to the neighbors) neither of them would tell me where it was. Eventually I found it, with half of the lid chewed off, under the ottoman. The dogs have not moved from their beds in an hour, and Hudson is still shaking. I don't feel sorry for them at all.
The human girls also seem to have been plotting, although it is a much less malicious plot. For reference, see my post from last week about their recent love of vegetables.
Today, they both decided at dinner that they no longer like:
green beans
carrots
broccoli
shrimp
and linguine.
This made my dinner of shrimp and veggie pasta a remarkably unsuccessful venture.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
Quick thoughts on food
Our diets have taken a strange turn in the past few weeks.
I, for one, would prefer to eat nothing but meat and fatty food. I think about bacon constantly. For lunch today, I ordered and devoured my very first double bacon cheeseburger ever. Not only did I eat it faster that you would believe possible, but I almost immediately wished that I had another one. I exercised an immense amount of willpower and did not get a second burger. I went home and ate tortilla chips dipped in sour cream instead.
At the same time, the girls are fixated on vegetables. Broccoli, green beans, you name it. I never in my life would have imagined a parent actually saying to a child at the dinner table: "If you want more broccoli, you have to eat some of your steak." This happens, with some variation (with green beans and chicken, for example) several times a week. Maybe there is some sort of nutritive osmosis at work here, and the kids and I just have to balance out between the three of us somehow.
Our diets have taken a strange turn in the past few weeks.
I, for one, would prefer to eat nothing but meat and fatty food. I think about bacon constantly. For lunch today, I ordered and devoured my very first double bacon cheeseburger ever. Not only did I eat it faster that you would believe possible, but I almost immediately wished that I had another one. I exercised an immense amount of willpower and did not get a second burger. I went home and ate tortilla chips dipped in sour cream instead.
At the same time, the girls are fixated on vegetables. Broccoli, green beans, you name it. I never in my life would have imagined a parent actually saying to a child at the dinner table: "If you want more broccoli, you have to eat some of your steak." This happens, with some variation (with green beans and chicken, for example) several times a week. Maybe there is some sort of nutritive osmosis at work here, and the kids and I just have to balance out between the three of us somehow.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Follow up...
Just wanted to share that, amazingly, the whole Christmas card promotion things really worked. And you can expect a really snazzy card in the mail- I just ordered them.
I am always suspicious of these sorts of promotions, because I have nagging doubts that they are just some bizarre scam or joke, like those emails that ask you to forward to 12 people OR SOMETHING HORRIBLE WILL HAPPEN TO YOU. Really, it doesn't. So, in this case, something good actually came out of it. And I am pretty pleased. And you will be too, when you see the girls' smiling faces.
Of course, all of this supposes that I have the energy to address the cards and buy stamps and mail them out. This has to fit into my very challenging requirement of sleeping as much as possible. The past two days after a week off for Thanksgiving break have been hard. I mean, how am I expected to function on less than 10 hours of sleep? Seriously?
Just wanted to share that, amazingly, the whole Christmas card promotion things really worked. And you can expect a really snazzy card in the mail- I just ordered them.
I am always suspicious of these sorts of promotions, because I have nagging doubts that they are just some bizarre scam or joke, like those emails that ask you to forward to 12 people OR SOMETHING HORRIBLE WILL HAPPEN TO YOU. Really, it doesn't. So, in this case, something good actually came out of it. And I am pretty pleased. And you will be too, when you see the girls' smiling faces.
Of course, all of this supposes that I have the energy to address the cards and buy stamps and mail them out. This has to fit into my very challenging requirement of sleeping as much as possible. The past two days after a week off for Thanksgiving break have been hard. I mean, how am I expected to function on less than 10 hours of sleep? Seriously?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Christmas Card season
We had holiday portraits this morning and are starting to think about holiday cards! This year I am planning to do a Shutterfly card, in part because of a great promotion for bloggers to get 50 free cards if we write about their holiday collection (Thanks, Karyn!). The major dilemma is how to match their beautiful offerings (Shutterfly holiday cards) with our potential photographs. Too many choices! Some options on our side from today:
Or from their session at school: 
We had holiday portraits this morning and are starting to think about holiday cards! This year I am planning to do a Shutterfly card, in part because of a great promotion for bloggers to get 50 free cards if we write about their holiday collection (Thanks, Karyn!). The major dilemma is how to match their beautiful offerings (Shutterfly holiday cards) with our potential photographs. Too many choices! Some options on our side from today:
The odd blessing of this year is that we have fewer cute portraits than last year (when choosing between them was just impossible). Still, I think that we have some wonderful options. I am also quite amazed that I have so many good pictures of them looking wonderful together- perfect for a Christmas card. I am thinking that we will have to go with one of the multi-photo cards on the Shutterfly site. And just for a quick trip down memory lane, here are two photographs from last year:
They look so much more grown up this year! How fast that happens.
Another cool thing to share about the Shutterfly site is the other gift options that they offer, like calendars or mugs. We have also done stationary notepads before, which were very cute even if my mother in law was concerned about using them up because they were so cute.
Happy Holidays to all! Look forward to your very own card in the mail someday soon-
Thanksgiving
Here is a brief run down of our Thanksgiving, in pictures. There is no pictorial evidence of tantrums, fights over baby dolls, or me falling asleep on the couch at 6:30, which I am sure means that none of those things happened.
Morning craft project (with a very serious Noella):
Mariel's turn:
Some of the results:
Another project:
Snack/ lunch during the Patriots' game. Mariel ate most of the cranberry goat cheese, Noella focused on the gorgonzola. Patrick and I got a few bites in, too.
The girls. And yes, if you are one of the few people that Mariel did not insist on calling to tell the news, that is snow outside. We went from tornado warnings in the middle of the night to snow in the afternoon.
Relaxing and cuddling in front of the TV. This was actually an affectionate moment, as opposed to our normal wrestling.
A (not so great) photo of the Thanksgiving table. The ghostly hound in the background is Hudson, wondering how she can get her share.
Happy Holidays!
Here is a brief run down of our Thanksgiving, in pictures. There is no pictorial evidence of tantrums, fights over baby dolls, or me falling asleep on the couch at 6:30, which I am sure means that none of those things happened.
Morning craft project (with a very serious Noella):
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Third times a charm
There are a few things that are different about my third pregnancy. For one thing, when people ask how far along I am or similar questions, I often have no idea. I know that I am, in fact, pregnant and that I will have a baby in the spring, but the interim steps are a little vague. Not quite the same as with Mariel, when I diligently read up on what was happening every week and sometimes every day.
Patrick is much more accustomed to some of the ongoing annoyances of having a pregnant wife. He is not surprised when I become deeply overwhelmed by tasks such as finding my phone charger or getting a humidifier out of the basement. He is also taking my total absentmindedness much easier this time around. On Saturday I took the girls to the mall, telling him I would be back in an hour so that he could take Mariel on another errand. The second I got in the car I promptly forgot, returning over two hours later with starving, tired children and surprised that he had not already accomplished said errand.
As for me, I am generally less worried about the pregnancy than I ever was before. For a constant worrier, this is a new experience. But now it seems silly to worry- from weight gain to changing tastes to nosebleeds to ligament twinges, I have been there before. And recovered just fine. And my babies turned out just fine. Twice. And if something is not going to be fine, I have somehow realized that it is absolutely beyond my control, and worrying about it will get me nowhere. I only wish that this sense of assurance and faith could somehow expand beyond the arena of pregnancy! Perhaps on my third time through life? Maybe I need to consider a conversion....
There are a few things that are different about my third pregnancy. For one thing, when people ask how far along I am or similar questions, I often have no idea. I know that I am, in fact, pregnant and that I will have a baby in the spring, but the interim steps are a little vague. Not quite the same as with Mariel, when I diligently read up on what was happening every week and sometimes every day.
Patrick is much more accustomed to some of the ongoing annoyances of having a pregnant wife. He is not surprised when I become deeply overwhelmed by tasks such as finding my phone charger or getting a humidifier out of the basement. He is also taking my total absentmindedness much easier this time around. On Saturday I took the girls to the mall, telling him I would be back in an hour so that he could take Mariel on another errand. The second I got in the car I promptly forgot, returning over two hours later with starving, tired children and surprised that he had not already accomplished said errand.
As for me, I am generally less worried about the pregnancy than I ever was before. For a constant worrier, this is a new experience. But now it seems silly to worry- from weight gain to changing tastes to nosebleeds to ligament twinges, I have been there before. And recovered just fine. And my babies turned out just fine. Twice. And if something is not going to be fine, I have somehow realized that it is absolutely beyond my control, and worrying about it will get me nowhere. I only wish that this sense of assurance and faith could somehow expand beyond the arena of pregnancy! Perhaps on my third time through life? Maybe I need to consider a conversion....
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The new ride
I feel like a mom. Funny how it was not having the two kids or expecting a third that makes me feel like this, but the van does.
Also....
The girls and I went to the mall for a quick gift buying expedition this morning. We were a little surprised to meet Santa there. Mariel asked for a scooter (to which Santa eloquently replied: "OK") Noella refused to speak to him, except to show him her snack and proclaim "BAGEL" several times. Will we find a box of bagels under our Christmas tree? And, honestly, is there anything else that would make Noella as happy as unlimited bagels?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Toy Gnomes
Yesterday evening, a conversation between me and Mariel:
Me: "Why is there a big pile of sand next to and under the couch?" (not asking about her shoes, sitting next to the pile).
Mariel: "I don't know. It was someone else."
Me "Noella?"
Her "No. Must have been someone else."
Me "Who else could it be? Daddy?"
Her "No. I think it must have been the toy gnomes. Yes, mom, it was the toy gnomes."
Me (wondering where this would go. "Oh, ok. I guess that is what happened." I swept up the sand.
A few minutes later she told me she did not think it was the toy gnomes and it might have been her, by mistake. But she sort of forgot about it. And she forgot that she was not supposed to dump the sand out of her shoes in the house. I said that I was glad that she told me the truth, because otherwise the toy gnomes would have gotten in trouble for something that they did not do. They might not even have been allowed back. She agreed that she made a good choice by telling the truth, and said that she would try to remember where to dump her sandy shoes for the next time.
I am very relieved, because if I had to ban toy gnomes from the house I would have to come up with some new creature to threaten to take away toys. For my sake, I hope the toy gnomes continue to behave themselves.
Yesterday evening, a conversation between me and Mariel:
Me: "Why is there a big pile of sand next to and under the couch?" (not asking about her shoes, sitting next to the pile).
Mariel: "I don't know. It was someone else."
Me "Noella?"
Her "No. Must have been someone else."
Me "Who else could it be? Daddy?"
Her "No. I think it must have been the toy gnomes. Yes, mom, it was the toy gnomes."
Me (wondering where this would go. "Oh, ok. I guess that is what happened." I swept up the sand.
A few minutes later she told me she did not think it was the toy gnomes and it might have been her, by mistake. But she sort of forgot about it. And she forgot that she was not supposed to dump the sand out of her shoes in the house. I said that I was glad that she told me the truth, because otherwise the toy gnomes would have gotten in trouble for something that they did not do. They might not even have been allowed back. She agreed that she made a good choice by telling the truth, and said that she would try to remember where to dump her sandy shoes for the next time.
I am very relieved, because if I had to ban toy gnomes from the house I would have to come up with some new creature to threaten to take away toys. For my sake, I hope the toy gnomes continue to behave themselves.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Behind
I am not a good blogger this week- you will all have to forgive me.
As some of you already know, we are expecting Flaherty baby 3 in May. When I found out in early September, I called Patrick at work and announced it with this news: "We are going to need a van."
This (the pregnancy, not the need for a new vehicle) means that I am very excited, and very worn out. I am torn between wishing the time would fly and needing it to slow down. I find myself in a very busy few weeks at work (so of course, I spend my time wisely on my late night at work by... blogging) looking ahead to the long list of things that I would like to accomplish by the end of the semester. Some are possible, some are absolutely necessary, and some are not very likely to happen. At home, I have a constantly evolving to do list, although thankfully most of those items are far from necessary.
While all of this competes for my limited energy, along with the two girls, dogs, Patrick, and general day to day needs, I am afraid that the blog may suffer. So be forgiving if it takes me some time in between posts these days. I have a baby to grow.
I am not a good blogger this week- you will all have to forgive me.
As some of you already know, we are expecting Flaherty baby 3 in May. When I found out in early September, I called Patrick at work and announced it with this news: "We are going to need a van."
This (the pregnancy, not the need for a new vehicle) means that I am very excited, and very worn out. I am torn between wishing the time would fly and needing it to slow down. I find myself in a very busy few weeks at work (so of course, I spend my time wisely on my late night at work by... blogging) looking ahead to the long list of things that I would like to accomplish by the end of the semester. Some are possible, some are absolutely necessary, and some are not very likely to happen. At home, I have a constantly evolving to do list, although thankfully most of those items are far from necessary.
While all of this competes for my limited energy, along with the two girls, dogs, Patrick, and general day to day needs, I am afraid that the blog may suffer. So be forgiving if it takes me some time in between posts these days. I have a baby to grow.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Happy Halloween!
I flew back Sunday morning after a quick getaway to Florida with friends from college. It was a lovely (and warm!) weekend with lots of relaxing and eating. As much as I would have liked to stay, I had to be home for Halloween night.
We had a fairy princess (of course) and a pig. For the past two weeks, every time that Noella put on her pig costume or even saw her costume she ran around yelling "MOOO!" and laughing hysterically. Of course, as soon as I tried to document this via video, she reverted to "OIK." Still cute, but definately not as funny.
We went to our neighbor's house for dinner and a little costume party. There were multiple princesses, all with nice coordinating outfits.
Our favorite part of halloween here is the joke telling that all the kids do to get their treats. Mariel insisted on a fairy joke:
What is a fairy called when she has not taken her bath?
Stinkerbell!
We did not have a true favorite of the night this year. The two most popular jokes of the year:
How do you wake up Lady Gaga?
Poke her face.
Why did the football coach go to the bank?
To get his quarter back.
And the winner for the most inappropriate joke of the night (told by a girl I would guess to be about 8)
Why couldn't the witch have any children?
Because her husband had a hollow weiner.
I flew back Sunday morning after a quick getaway to Florida with friends from college. It was a lovely (and warm!) weekend with lots of relaxing and eating. As much as I would have liked to stay, I had to be home for Halloween night.
We had a fairy princess (of course) and a pig. For the past two weeks, every time that Noella put on her pig costume or even saw her costume she ran around yelling "MOOO!" and laughing hysterically. Of course, as soon as I tried to document this via video, she reverted to "OIK." Still cute, but definately not as funny.
What is a fairy called when she has not taken her bath?
Stinkerbell!
We did not have a true favorite of the night this year. The two most popular jokes of the year:
How do you wake up Lady Gaga?
Poke her face.
Why did the football coach go to the bank?
To get his quarter back.
And the winner for the most inappropriate joke of the night (told by a girl I would guess to be about 8)
Why couldn't the witch have any children?
Because her husband had a hollow weiner.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Update on our weekend:
Patrick worked a bit on our soon to be fully functional and newly renovated downstairs bathroom. He also got taken out to lunch for cheeseburgers. Tomorrow is his 35th birthday. He is not a cake person, so I made pumpkin pie (from a pumpkin, not a can) for the event. Hopefully the pie experiment tastes as good as it looks!
Noella clipped a lanyard with a clip for an ID card to her tongue, an experience that I somehow found to be sort of horrific and funny at the same time (with an ice cube or two she felt just fine). Right now she is attempting to sleep without her pacifier. We told her we lost them and don't know where they are. If she keeps fussing like this all night, I think I might remember very soon.
Mariel had an afternoon playdate with our neighbor, B. They worked on a haunted halloween gingerbread house, which is now covered in orange icing and candy. It was very entertaining to listen to them talk while they crafted. I am also constantly amused by the way that they greet each other. You know how the stereotypical romantic movies has the long lost lovers dramatically running into each other's arms? This is what these two girls do, nearly every time they encounter one another. They call out the other's name and race to hug/ tackle each other. Despite the fact that they live two houses away and see each other virtually every day. On the weekends, sometimes multiple times a day. Parting can also be just as dramatic, despite the fact that they will likely see one another within 24 hours.
Tomorrow is pumpkin carving and hopefully not much else!
Patrick worked a bit on our soon to be fully functional and newly renovated downstairs bathroom. He also got taken out to lunch for cheeseburgers. Tomorrow is his 35th birthday. He is not a cake person, so I made pumpkin pie (from a pumpkin, not a can) for the event. Hopefully the pie experiment tastes as good as it looks!
Noella clipped a lanyard with a clip for an ID card to her tongue, an experience that I somehow found to be sort of horrific and funny at the same time (with an ice cube or two she felt just fine). Right now she is attempting to sleep without her pacifier. We told her we lost them and don't know where they are. If she keeps fussing like this all night, I think I might remember very soon.
Mariel had an afternoon playdate with our neighbor, B. They worked on a haunted halloween gingerbread house, which is now covered in orange icing and candy. It was very entertaining to listen to them talk while they crafted. I am also constantly amused by the way that they greet each other. You know how the stereotypical romantic movies has the long lost lovers dramatically running into each other's arms? This is what these two girls do, nearly every time they encounter one another. They call out the other's name and race to hug/ tackle each other. Despite the fact that they live two houses away and see each other virtually every day. On the weekends, sometimes multiple times a day. Parting can also be just as dramatic, despite the fact that they will likely see one another within 24 hours.
Tomorrow is pumpkin carving and hopefully not much else!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
What my children have recently taught themselves:
Mariel-
to tie her shoes
to whistle (OK, she had some help from her dad on this)
to put a ponytail in her hair
Noella-
to strip herself naked and pee all over her bed
A sample of our morning commute songs:
In the darkness, with diamonds,
Glow GLOW Glow GLOW
In the darkness, with diamonds,
Glow GLOW Glow GLOW
....
I have a friend
named Glee
she goes
Under the (cajun?) sea
and she is happy
and everyone
loves her!
Mariel-
to tie her shoes
to whistle (OK, she had some help from her dad on this)
to put a ponytail in her hair
Noella-
to strip herself naked and pee all over her bed
A sample of our morning commute songs:
In the darkness, with diamonds,
Glow GLOW Glow GLOW
In the darkness, with diamonds,
Glow GLOW Glow GLOW
....
I have a friend
named Glee
she goes
Under the (cajun?) sea
and she is happy
and everyone
loves her!
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
And the magic begins to fade...
Last month, I blogged about our mysterious inability to prevent rattlesnakes. Patrick and I have had a good long run of complete authority, with the ability to cure boo-boos or create helpful creatures with the right touch of creativity. Toy gnomes, for example, visit our house every so often to take toys that are left out at night. When they take a toy, they get to keep it until they grow bored of it (so you had better hope it is not a really exciting toy). Then they bring it back. They are unquestionably real in our house.
Two nights ago, Mariel woke up with nightmares and came crying to our bed at 3:15.** She ended up sleeping there with Patrick and I went to her room. This DOES NOT happen at our house; unless someone is very, very ill everyone sleeps in their own beds. This is mostly due to my intense need for personal space and inability to sleep when someone is touching me... but that is a whole new topic. Back to Sunday night/ Monday morning. All family members involved woke up tired, and so Monday night I had a bedtime plan. I sprinked Mariel's entire room with dream dust to keep the bad dreams out. I did it again. And again, scooping more and more imaginary dust off of her dresser. I tucked her in and left. When I came back an hour later she was still awake.
"Mom, it did not work." she said, sadly. "I can't sleep because the dreams will come back."
"I can put more dust out." I said, attempting to be convincing. "I must have just not had enough in my hands."
"Oh, Mom, no." she replied. "That was just imaginary. It does not really work."
And so Mariel got to fall asleep in our bed. Which did not happen until 10:30. The good news is that tonight she was so exhausted that she climbed right into her own bed and fell asleep right away. Let's hope there are no nightmares tonight, as I don't know what my next response will be now that my magic powers have faded.
**- The nightmare was apparently about wolves chasing her, biting her arms and trying to eat her. It sounded pretty scary to me.
Last month, I blogged about our mysterious inability to prevent rattlesnakes. Patrick and I have had a good long run of complete authority, with the ability to cure boo-boos or create helpful creatures with the right touch of creativity. Toy gnomes, for example, visit our house every so often to take toys that are left out at night. When they take a toy, they get to keep it until they grow bored of it (so you had better hope it is not a really exciting toy). Then they bring it back. They are unquestionably real in our house.
Two nights ago, Mariel woke up with nightmares and came crying to our bed at 3:15.** She ended up sleeping there with Patrick and I went to her room. This DOES NOT happen at our house; unless someone is very, very ill everyone sleeps in their own beds. This is mostly due to my intense need for personal space and inability to sleep when someone is touching me... but that is a whole new topic. Back to Sunday night/ Monday morning. All family members involved woke up tired, and so Monday night I had a bedtime plan. I sprinked Mariel's entire room with dream dust to keep the bad dreams out. I did it again. And again, scooping more and more imaginary dust off of her dresser. I tucked her in and left. When I came back an hour later she was still awake.
"Mom, it did not work." she said, sadly. "I can't sleep because the dreams will come back."
"I can put more dust out." I said, attempting to be convincing. "I must have just not had enough in my hands."
"Oh, Mom, no." she replied. "That was just imaginary. It does not really work."
And so Mariel got to fall asleep in our bed. Which did not happen until 10:30. The good news is that tonight she was so exhausted that she climbed right into her own bed and fell asleep right away. Let's hope there are no nightmares tonight, as I don't know what my next response will be now that my magic powers have faded.
**- The nightmare was apparently about wolves chasing her, biting her arms and trying to eat her. It sounded pretty scary to me.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Meramec State Park
We spent last weekend at Meramec State Park with a group of friends and a lot of small children. It was fun, loud and exhausting. A nice part of the "plan" is that while there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get together, there is also lots of time for people to split up and do what they want. Saturday morning we did just that.
Noella and I went for a hike in the woods
Patrick and Mariel went fishing on the river
And then the four of us hung out by the river. The girls spent a lot of time throwing rocks in (apparently much more satisfying than fishing).
Later in the afternoon, the kids and parents tie dyed shirts, socks, handkercheifs, you name it. This is the start- more clotheslines were added as the afternoon progressed.
Later we went for a 90 minute tour of a cave. It was good exercise and a bit of an adventure- a lot of tight spaces to get through, especially for me with Noella strapped to my back!
There were three girls around the age of four on the trip, and they spent a lot of time hanging out and coloring in the play tent. Don't let the tent fool you- we really stayed in beautiful cabins!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Morning Commute: A Rock Opera
Every morning, whether it is Patrick or I dropping the girls off at daycare, we are treated to a song. Mariel's flair for drama can be overwhelming at times, but her creative songs often make our day. This morning, it was in a volume and style that would have made Freddie Mercury proud.
Good morning SUN!
I love God and to share with my friends
I love my friends
I share my love with God
I share my love WITH MY FRIENDS!
Its like a playdate with my heart.
Every day.
While Mariel sings Noella accompanies with:
MAMA!
DADA!
DOG-GY!
over and over, in the manner of a percussive instrument.
Every morning, whether it is Patrick or I dropping the girls off at daycare, we are treated to a song. Mariel's flair for drama can be overwhelming at times, but her creative songs often make our day. This morning, it was in a volume and style that would have made Freddie Mercury proud.
Good morning SUN!
I love God and to share with my friends
I love my friends
I share my love with God
I share my love WITH MY FRIENDS!
Its like a playdate with my heart.
Every day.
While Mariel sings Noella accompanies with:
MAMA!
DADA!
DOG-GY!
over and over, in the manner of a percussive instrument.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Some photo updates:
This is what our backseat often looks like:
Mariel falls asleep easily in the car; Noella pretty much never does (even, say, on two day journeys to New York). So Noella usually just laughs at Mariel while she flops and drools.
On our trip to CT, however, we seem to have rented a magic car:
This is what our backseat often looks like:
Mariel falls asleep easily in the car; Noella pretty much never does (even, say, on two day journeys to New York). So Noella usually just laughs at Mariel while she flops and drools.
On our trip to CT, however, we seem to have rented a magic car:
We need to get one of these for ourselves.
At my brother's house we celebrated Mariel's half birthday with-what else?- chocolate cake. She got to do the sprinkles on top of Kate's delicious icing.
While the girls did not go to the reception for the wedding (Mariel went to the church, Noella napped) they did enjoy the rehearsal dinner, referred to as the "big party." There were a few games, and Noella was very, very interested in playing the basketball game (which is meant for probably 10 and up). Grampy helped her out:
The wedding was gorgeous, as were the newlyweds. They danced the night away, including the most entertaining and well choreographed first dance that I have ever seen. (This is not it, just a picture that I snapped later!)
Final update: Noella is moving up. The crib disappeared today, and she is sleeping out in the open on her crib mattress, with the intention of moving up to her regular sized mattress shortly. She fell asleep without much of a protest, even when a certain parent decided to barge into her room and take pictures with a flash.
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