Mom...why...??

4-year-olds are so inquisitive.  Sometimes I love it and sometimes it can drive a sane person crazy (not saying I'm sane or anything).  Today I had to laugh.  Carrie Underwood was the artist of choice in our car ride.  And during one particular song, Mr. A asked:

"Mom, why did Jesus take the wheel?"

Well....

Termites

This picture came up when I did a Bing Images search for termites.  It's much more appetizing than everything else that was on there.  In any event, we have them.  Ugh.  All around our front door and now they have made their way inside to the molding around the front door as well.  They are nasty, ugly, and downright awful.  Why do I have to spend my money on things like getting rid of them and re-building my front door frame?  I had better plans for those dollars.  Thanks, varmits!!

Good Reads

I finished two really good books on vacation.  Both were great for different reasons (one was fiction and a new world to get lost in, while the other was my self-help, how to build up my family read that my sis-in-law shared with me), but in case you're looking for a good one, I'd recommend them both:

1 - The Help, Kathryn Stockett

2 - The Book of Nurturing: Nine Natural Laws for Enriching Your Family Life, Linda and Richard Eyre

I do love good books!

The Good Stuff

Have lots to catch up on and have some posts saved for publishing once I go private, but I just have to say a few things that have been on my mind:
1 - It's hot.  It was 90* today.  87* yesterday. 
2 - My kids need sunscreen to play outside.  Really?  It's April!
3 - Mr. A's allergies are in high gear - Children's Zyrtec, I thank you.  :)
4 - Miss M is a jibber jabber finally and it's so much fun.  A few of her latest:

• "meees" = please
• Me-mo = Nemo
• Nana, Papa, Dada bye bye
• "Mou, mou" = Mouse, Mouse (her favorite book from Valentine's Day)
• Mah, Mah = More
• Sigh = Outside
• Ba = Batj
• Mech-Mow = Marshmallow
• It Dow = Sit Down (while patting the ground right next to where she's sitting)
• "Mon" = C'mon

Her brother talked for her for so long that it's been delightful to hear her say things other than "touchdown" and Ma Ma, Dada.

5 - Baby Seamons has no name.  That's normal for our children (remember, we like them to be game time decisions), however we usually have a narrowed list by now.  For this one, however, the list is long and probably not so distinguished.  We should do something about that.

6 - I really like this phase where both of my children enjoy being together.  They play made-up games with one another, they swing side by side on the swingset, they draw pictures on the sidewalk with their fresh chalk, each telling me what they're drawing (usually a spaceship by Mr. A and a "bee-bee" by Miss M).

7 - I think I like Easter better than Christmas.  The hype isn't as grand, but the traditions are so much fun.  We watched skydiving Easter bunnies, dyed Easter Eggs, played Easter Bunny with mean jelly bean/marshmallow trails directing our kids to their Easter baskets (done lovingly by their sweet father), and Easter egg hunts in the front yard (Mr. A found 19 of the 20 eggs.  Miss M found her first one, shook it, heard some things rattling in it, took it down to the sidewalk, sat down, and promptly ate the 10 Starburst jelly beans inside - she could not be bothered to find more unless it meant stealing them out of her brother's basket after he had found them all). 
And, the meaning of Easter is so sweet and simple - it's not the newness of life that we celebrate at Christmas, but it's the hope of forever that comes with celebrating the Resurrection.  He lives.

8 - I miss hanging with my DH 24/7 like we got to do on vacation.  He's kind of fun to be with and discuss life plans with.

9 - I miss the sand between my toes, the lazy beach reading where time does not matter, and the life where my biggest decision was what flavors were going to be on my shave ice.

10 - I'm happy to be home with my kids, though, sleeping in my bed (although I miss the crashing waves that lulled me to sleep), and worrying about other things.

That's all for now.  10's a good number for lists.  I should stop there.   

Privacy, Please!

We are going private. Would love to make sure anyone who wants to keep up on our crazy lives gets to, though, so leave your email in the comments and I'll make sure to send you an invite! Thanks!

Mr. A's Omnipotence

We are going to consult Mr. A from now on before making any big/rash decisions. Clearly he knows what he's talking about!

It's a GIRL!!

We're so excited for Miss M to have a sister to fight about, I mean, share clothes with, dress Barbies together, and be best friends with when they're like 25! :)

And, according to our ultrasound tech today, if the older child NEVER wavers in his/her prediction (and Mr. A was FIRM), then they are always right! So, take it for what it's worth, but our money's on Mr. A!

When I Obey...Lessons from Nemo

Let's face it. We all look up to Nemo around here. Mr. A loves his magic fin. Miss M loves to say his name, "Meemo. Meemo!!" and DH and I love the lessons he helps us to teach.

This week's lesson as discussed while Mr. A and Miss M took their evening bath.

"Mom, do you know what?"

"What?"

"Nemo didn't listen to his daddy and so do you know what happened to him?"

"What?"

"He was SCOOPED up by a human diver and he taked Nemo to P. Sherman's office - far away from his daddy."

"Uh oh. So, what does that mean?"

"If I not listen to my daddy then I will be scooped up by a human diver, Mom, and not get to see my daddy for a really long time and I not like that."

"So, what should you do?"

"Listen to my daddy and be obedient and then I not be scooped up by a human diver."

"Ok. Sounds good to me."

"Ok, Mom. You like that?"

"Like what?"

"You like that I not be scooped up by a human diver?"

"Yes, I like that very much."

Thanks, Nemo.

Overdue

Some of you may recall my friend, Sarah, from her 2008 "Accidental Ridiculous Hawaiian Tourist" costume (it was seen in the background of another picture, but was a classic). I know this is almost 6 months old, but I laugh every time I see it and couldn't not put it on my blog.

This past Halloween Sarah was a hen. She takes Adult Halloween costumes to a whole new level in my opinion. And, she has the utmost of confidence in doing so. Thanks, Sarah, for being so inspiring - and entertaining.

Kim S, Sarah S, and Me - Halloween 2009

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

I know I've been posting a lot about Mr. A lately. I guess it's like that when he's the one that talks the most and the things he says are pretty darn funny.

Last night after he had said his prayers and asked that the baby in my tummy be healthy and safe, he sat up on his bed before I sang him a song and we had an interesting conversation.

"Mr. A, this is your last chance. We find out on Monday what the baby is. Do you still think it's a girl baby?"

"Yes, Mom. I already told you."

"You sure it's not a boy baby?"

"Uggh. Yes, Mom. It's a girl baby."

"Ok. What should her name be?"

"I not know, Mom. You tell me when she comes out of your tummy and then I pick her name."

"Any more ideas?"

"Umm...maybe Tasha?"

"Maybe."

"Mom, how come you not have 7 babies?"

Laughing out loud, I replied "And where would those 7 babies come from, Mr. A?"

Smiling, he replied, "Your tummy, Mommy!"

"That's a lot of babies to be in my tummy at one time. Would they be boy babies?"

"No, Mom. They be all girl babies."

"That's a lot of girl babies, bud. Then, you wouldn't have any brothers. And you and Daddy would be the only boys."

"But, what about you, Mom?"

"I'm a girl and Miss M is a girl."

"Oh. Then maybe we have 2 kinds - boy babies and girl babies."

"Ok. What would we name them?"

"Tyrone, Austin, and then Pablo would be the boy babies. And Uniqua and Tasha would be the girls."

"But that's only 5 names and there would be 7 babies."

"Oh, then Dora and Diego!"

Perfect. We would have the complete Nick Jr. family. I didn't want to disappoint on this special night, but just in case you're wondering, there will not be 7 babies coming out of this mommy's tummy - ever. Sorry, Mr. A! :)

Your-UH-g-WHY?

I'm trying to look on the bright side. It has been sunny and warm everyday since I arrived here. I've never been down this far South before and it's beautiful! Montevideo is a modern, yet classic city with interesting food, lots of meat, late meals (lunch at 4, dinner at 10 - it's killing me), nice people, eclectic shopping, and plenty of smokers (ech).

I was even able to make a side trip to Punta del Este (a beautiful beach town akin to Miami where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean and the sand between my toes was pure bliss).

Back to my bright side comment. So, of the 6 days I'm spending here, I only "needed" 2 days of sun. Good news - got 4 days. Bad news - the 2 days we needed only coincided with 1 of the 4 sunny days. Today it is raining and it needed to be sunny. Boo.

Still hoping that tomorrow will be ok and I will be able to fly home to see my babies. I miss them! Mr. A said to me last night, "Mom, I not see you so much!" So cute. I see you Saturday.