We started our celebrations one day ahead with plans of dining out and a night of no kids. After naps we all piled into the car and drove to grandma and grandpa’s house. There we played and worked until 5pm. Both Frank and Timmy are having their first sleepover. We arrived at the Chuckanut Manor earlier for our seafood buffet. It was not yet crowded so we got seats next to the window overlooking the railroad and the bay. We ordered some wine and started our feast. It was delicious. The dungoness crabs - I had an entire one, the oysters, the cocktail shrimp, the fried scallop balls we all so good. I did have a few leaves of the ceasar salad to balance out my meal. After three plates full I was stuffed. Then we ordered dessert and shared a creme brulee.
We drove home and watched a movie without any worries of children sleeping. And then we slept in without worries of children waking up. So we got up at 8am. We got a new bike rack and was ready to go explore the Tommy Thompson Trail when Pat and Larry called with gifts of a filbert tree. We had some food and waited for them. Then we all headed out together and rode the trails. It was so nice to have someone show us around.
After naps grandma and grandpa came over and returned all the children to us. Then Nat cooked up some fabulous smoked ribs for everyone. With corn bread and corn I was stuff for another night.
Couldn’t put it down. Wonderful story about a priest’s struggle and rise to success. Most of it is around the building of a cathedral. The stories around the blacksmith, his children, a princess and her father’s downfall and the power struggles of the knights and lords.
The little one is violence in the home!!! His mode of operation is throw, scream, and hit. And then cute in between, but there is extensive throwing always at mealtime. “No, don’t throw it on the floor… give it to mommy!” is returned by a grin and fake-handover, only to throw to the floor 10 seconds later. Or, the beat-to-the-punch approach, where after “No, don’t…” it’s already on the floor. “oh sorry mommy, I didn’t quite hear you.” right. Aside from the flinging, Timmy likes to eat one food group per meal. For lunch, only meat. And then dinnertime, only vegetables. never mind that lunch was corndogs and dinner was steak… it’s all about the luck of the draw.
Frank is playing baseball with mom. “H is a ladder!” sez Frank. Indeed, but we were discussing how to swing when the ball is within range. Perhaps concentration is a skill to work on later…
It’s been over 2 weeks now that the kids are up before 6am. At first it infrutiated me, especially when Frank would be loud and Timmy would wake up from the noise. Then I spend the day grumpy at Frank and Timmy is clingy cuz he is tired. I’m not sure if it was a magazine article or just talking to other moms (maybe alittle of both) that gave me a new perspective. It’s all about attitude and appreciating what you have. Seems like most kids in Frank’s school have been sleeping less due to the sunshine we are now getting. Most of them fight the bedtime and can’t wake up for school creating a different challenge for other moms. One day Nat got up when Frank was up at 5:30 and they played outside. Ran in the sprinkler, drove the bikes and just played and of course made a run to the donut store. I got my sleep and so did Timmy. Frank was happy. Nat was more tired but the day progressed smoothly. Another reason why he is the best dad and husband.
So with my new attitude this week has been pleasant and fun. I get up and play with the kids and gets everyone to take naps since the early awakenings can’t be stopped even if the room is made pitch dark. And now I wake up automatically around 5:30. I have been programmed by my kids. Often Frank and Timmy will play “with” each other for some time. They read stories, drive trucks, take out every toy they own and spread it from one side of the room to the other, especially the ones with many pieces.
I get up and sit there and watch them. One morning I was just laying on the floor and Frank asks “what’s wrong mommy?” I told him I was tired. Then Timmy crashed a truck on the feet and Frank said “no Timmy. Don’t crash on mommy’s leg.” Then he turned to me and said “Poor mommy. Are you ok?” and patted my feet very gently.
This morning I thought I wouldn’t miss this for anything. Sleep is overrated. Today Frank took out the Junior Boogle game and started to spell using the cards. He says, “mom, this is car, do you know how to spell car? it is C-A-R, car” while pointing to the letters on the card. I was like WOW! Then he went on and did several more of the cards. One was a bird but he said it was a birdy. So I explained why it only spelled bird and how birdy is spelled. Then he spelled five and said “five is spelled V F like Frank F-I-V-E. Like L-O-V-E spells love.” Then when Nat got up Frank was spelling dog. He read the card and said “D-O-G is dog, not dad, dad is spelled D-A-D”. I was like WOW again.
Two days ago he got up and wanted to read Dr. Seuss. I just played along. He said “I’m going to read What I saw on Mulberry Street and The Lorax“. Then he turned to the page and said “oh this is the first page. What I saw on Mulberry Street. I saw a shorse (Frank’s H is pronouced SH). Then I saw a Zebra. Pulling a motorcycle. No, it’s a snowmobile. Then an elephant.” At this point I was running around looking for the camcorder so when I returned I missed a bunch. He was at the end of the story and said “then I went up the stairs home and told my dad I only saw a shorse. The end.” Here is us trying to get him to read it again on film. Never as good the second time. But that’s why it was worth it for me to loss some sleep.