The Best Family Day Ever

We took an impromptu trip with the kids to the fish hatchery today.  Nick had the day off, and we had no plans, so it was a no brainer.  The kids were so excited when we told them we were going fishing with both Mommy and Daddy.  We stopped to pick up some lunch at the store and then headed to the kids pond.  Christian took a long nap in the car on the way as Tes methodically chanted "Are we there yet?"  I just smiled in the front seat.

When we got to the hatchery, Nick started to set up all the fishing gear, and I lathered the kids up with sunblock.  Nick and Tessie made their way over to the kids pond, and after I got Christian in his walker, we slowly followed them.  I set Christian up on the grass at the edge of the water and locked all the wheels on the walker.  It would have ruined the day if he rolled into the pond.  Nick handed him a fly rod with no hook, and he started to happily cast while he said "To the sky, to the water."  Nick cast a spinning rod out for Tes, which was rigged with a lure, and then handed it to her to reel in.  The kids were in heaven.

We took a break from fishing to eat our lunch, and we all munched happily while we watched the birds and the clouds.  Nick had cast the lure out into the middle of the pond while we ate, and suddenly, it went under.  He grabbed the rod and handed it to Tes, and we all cheered as she reeled in the fish, a first for her.  Christian jumped up and down in his walker, and Tessie looked serious as she landed the little rainbow trout.  Nick took it out of the water to show the kids, and we congratulated Tes.  Just as he was about to release it, Tessie said "Ok, lets eat it now."  We laughed, then told her we thought we should put it back.  "No, I want to eat it." she said, mater-of-factually.  Nick and I were a bit stumped.  Catch and release fishing is something that is pretty ingrained in our fishing practice, not to mention the fact that this fish was a stocked trout, and not too tasty looking.  Nick managed to release the fish by convincing Tes that this way, someone else would have a chance to catch it.  "Okay," she said, shrugging.  "We can eat a different one."

A while later we hooked another fish, and Christian got to reel it it, with a little help.  We had a perfect record, and it was time to quit while we were ahead.  Before heading home, we took the kids over to the hatchery to feed the fish.  They loved it, and we had to refill our stash of pellets a couple of times.  Tes had to go potty before we left, so I took her into the bathroom at the hatchery.  While I was standing in the stall with her she said "Mom, this was the best family day ever!  I'm glad Daddy didn't have to go to work today."  I smiled and agreed with her, wholeheartedly.  It was more than the best family day ever, it was beautiful. 

Mother's Day

It has been an absolutely wonderful Mother's Day.  I woke up this morning to the sounds of my children over the baby monitor.  Tessie was telling her brother about Mother's Day, and how it's a day when you draw pictures and pick flowers for Mommy.  Just then I heard the new coffee maker beep, telling me the coffee was ready.  How perfect.  I spent the morning snuggling with the kids, doing a little cleaning, and talking on the phone to my mother and mother in law.  When I lay Christian down for his nap after lunch, I whispered to him that I loved him and I was lucky to be his mom.  He whispered back, "I know that."

While he was sleeping, Tessie and I worked in the garden.  She helped me mix top soil and composted manure, and looked radiant all covered in dirt.  We hadn't finished when Christian woke up, so I brought him out in the stroller, and he watched us plant cauliflower and peas, while he gathered rocks in his lap.  When he asked to play in the dirt, Tessie flattened out a spot for him to sit, and they dug and played with tractors while I finished planting.  They both helped me water, and as I carried Christian back in the house he said "That was so fun."  I couldn't have agreed more.

Another mom friend and I had dinner plans, and the dads were going to feed and watch the kids.  I got the three of us cleaned up, and we drove over to meet Nick at our friend's house.  On the way there the kids kept up their angel routine, gushing about what a great day they had, and how much they loved me.  I was glowing when we walked in the door.  My girlfriend and I had a fabulous dinner, a great bottle of wine, and a lot of uninterrupted conversation.  That is priceless, believe me.  We came back to happy, but tired, kids and husbands.  I got the kids in their jammies, we said our goodnights, and headed home.  Both Tes and Christian were sound asleep by the time we pulled into our driveway.  I carried them to bed, one at a time, and gingerly tucked the covers up around their chins.  Then I stood there and stared at them.  This was the greatest Mother's Day.  I am so in love with my family tonight, I can't begin to quantify it.  All I can say, is that I am truly, and beautifully, blessed to be a mom.

A Walk Around the Yard

My parents came into town last night to watch Tessie in her debut ballet performance, and spent the night.  My dad is very busy, and often when they come up for a night, they hurry home first thing in the morning.  This morning, however, they hung out for a while.  We had a long, leisurely breakfast, and then when Nick went to work, the kids, my parents and myself, went outside to play.  It was a beautiful morning, and it felt great to be outside and the kids were excited to show my folks the garden.  I left Christian playing with my mom at the sand box, and Tes and I took my dad on a tour of the backyard.  I showed him my raspberry bushes, and where I want to plant my future orchard.  We talked about all the work Nick and I had been doing on the property, and all the work we planned to do.  Tessie showed him all the cool places she liked to play, and danced around in front of us as we walked.  It was so wonderful to spend a little time with my dad, showing him the things I'm doing, and take so much pride in.  We ended the walk at the slide, where Christian was laughing hysterically as my mom helped him slide down, over and over again.  They couldn't stay for much longer, but as we waved at them as they drove off, my soul felt warmed by the wonderfully beautiful visit. 

The Most Beautiful Ballerina

Tonight was Tessie's first ballet recital.  For weeks she has been talking about it, dancing around the house, and brimming with excitement.  As the day grew nearer she practically vibrated.  As it turned out, Tessie had a dress rehearsal two hours before the actual performance.  I was going to have to get her to the rehearsal, pick her up a half an hour later, get something to eat, have her back an hour later, and then stand in line for tickets.  The closer it got to go time, the more nervous I became.  I started to panic that I wouldn't have something she needed, so I searched the house for her tights and ballet slippers, and breathed easier once they were in the bag.  We did a test run of her hair and make up, yes she had to wear makeup, but it was only a little blush on her cheeks and eyelids and some lip gloss.  I felt confident that we were ready.

Nick and I got her to rehearsal just in time.  She looked so cute walking in with her hair in a tight bun, and her ballet bag on her shoulder.  She was very serious as she said goodbye to me, and I started wistfully after her as she was whisked backstage, my stomach in knots.  After the rehearsal she was very quiet, but she told us it was fun, and that she was still excited for the recital.  We dropped her back off at the theatre after dinner, told her that we couldn't wait to see her dance, and waved goodbye.  Then we stood in line with the rest of the parents and community members, and waited to see Tessie's minute in the spotlight.  We were nowhere near prepared.

Tessie is in the youngest class, and they were dancing as ladybugs.  At the end of the first act they came tiptoeing onto the stage with a couple of older girls, and my heart instantly melted.  Tes looked so sweet.  She was near the back but we still had a good view as they started their dance.  Then Tes must have decided she didn't like her spot, because she came right to the front of the stage.  She moved around a few times, before ending up next to the older dancer, and directly in front of her cheering section.  Meanwhile, all the other ladybugs were actually doing a fantastic job of dancing.  Tes didn't seem concerned with the steps, however, as she scanned the audience.  I was holding my breath.  Then she spotted us.  She broke out into a giant grin, and started waving and pointing at us.  The entire audience, who were already laughing, let loose.  She was a riot.  I was laughing so hard that the video I was taking shook the whole time.

Suddenly, Tessie remembered she was supposed to be dancing, and she hurried to find the right spot to stand.  She was very concerned about being in the right place, and started to ask the older dancer if she was right.  The poor little girl standing next to her looked utterly exasperated.  She did manage to pull of one move, however, and it was great!  They ended the dance by skipping sweetly around the stage, with Tes trailing behind in more of a gallop.  Then the little ladybugs lay down on the stage and went to sleep.  Tessie managed that one just fine.

As they stood up to explosive applause, Tes jumped up and down, waving at us with all her might.  My heart had never been so full.  At intermission I walked to the stage door, and caught her as she came rushing towards me, her face lit up with exquisite joy, and I told her I had never been more proud of her.  She may not be the most disciplined ballerina, but as far as I'm concerned, she has the most beautiful spirit I have ever seen.

She spotted us!

The move

Night night ladybug

Thanks to my dad for getting these, and many other, great shots.  I was too busy laughing.

Magnets

I got my degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in language arts, specifically early reading.  This means that aside from having a great love of learning and literature, I also have a great interest in the literacy of my children.  Luckily for me, both of my children love books, being read to, and exploring words and letter sounds.  We play a regular game of naming words that start with random letters or sounds, and every time they smile with pride at their knowledge, I am doing mental cartwheels, in other words, I am in heaven.  Today Tessie took our game one step further, and I just about lost it.

She was playing with refrigerator magnets, arranging them into matching letter and color rows.  I know, she is already a little nerdy, but I like her that way.  She started putting magnets together and asking me what words she was making.  The first word was IZJ.  I sunded it out for her, and when she crinkled her nose at the odd sound combinations, I reassured her that it was okay, she was just making nonsense words.  Then I asked if she wanted to spell some real words like CAT.  She agreed enthusiastically, and a new game was born.

We said each letter's sound by itself, then she picked the letters (by herself) that made that sound.  She placed them next to one another, then together we blended the sounds to make the word.  "Cat!" she said proudly, pointing to the word she had just made.  We high-fived, then started changing the first letter to make different rhyming words.  She spelled CAT, HAT, PAT, and BAT, before tiring of the game.  I stared at the words on the fridge as she walked away, and thought no combination of letters had ever been more beautiful.

True Love and a Chicken

Nick wasn't feeling well today, and though he had originally planned on coming into work with me, he ended up staying home. I called to check on him throughout the day, and he pretty much felt bad all day. Poor guy. When I got home with the kids I asked how his day went. I expected him to tell me that he rested and watched some movies, which he did, but I didn't expect what he said next. One of my chickens, the smart one, flew the coop. She was wandering all over the yard. When I'm home and she gets loose, yes this happens a lot, she comes to find me, and I return her to her sisters. But she doesn't like Nick, and he really isn't fond of her. So my husband, my sick husband, spent a good part of his afternoon chasing down my chicken. He returned her safely to the run, beautifully unscathed. If that's not true love, I don't know what is.

Back to Sleep

Christian has pretty much always been a good sleeper, the first six months not being considered.  But what he has not been good at is falling asleep on his own after being woken up.  Especially in the middle of the night.  It became pretty much impossible once I weaned him.  If he woke up at night I would spend what felt like hours, sitting next to his bed, shushing and soothing him.  Then I would literally crawl out of the room on my hands and knees, while holding my breath.  Don't laugh, you know you've done it too.  This worked about half the time, the other half would find me back in his room, repeating the same ridiculous scenario.

This pattern leaked a little into our bed time routine.  I always tell the kids a story, then sing them a song, after I tuck them in.  I was having to back out of the room while I was still singing, then close the door as I said goodnight.  As soon as I left the room, Christian would start to yell after me, although he almost always quieted down within a few minutes, then fell asleep.  It worked, but was hardly the way I wanted to send my kids to bed.  Lately, everything has changed. 

I don't know exactly when I started, but I stopped going in the room when Christian woke up during the night.  I would stand in the doorway, and shush quietly and continuously until he was quiet.  That changed to standing in the doorway and calling softly to him that I was there.  Soon, I didn't even make it to the door before he had fallen back asleep.  The last few nights I have actually been able to go in his room, fix his covers, and kiss him, without causing a scene.  It's like magic.  Just now, when I put the kids to bed, I sang a little song, then kissed them each goodnight.  I snuggled Christian up, and said goodnight.  "Night night Mama.  Love you." he said with a smile on his face.  I left the room grinning in spite of my exhaustion.  Sometimes your hard work does, in fact, pay off.  And when it does, it is a beautiful thing.