Munchkins helping make pie crust
Watercolor painting is fun
Night prayers: Leesie is wearing a lace veil to look like "Mama Mary"
Johnny and Annelise took their nap-time to sneak into the bathroom and take the Vick's vaporub and smear it all over themselves, their hair and their clothes. Needless to say when Mom checked on them and discovered this, she was very disappointed and frustrated that they have gotten into such "trouble" again. It was Sunday after all, a day of rest. I wanted to stop trying so hard to make their life so good, when they didn't want to listen to me. They just needed to stay in their beds (cribs) to rest for one hour. I guess that was asking to much on this afternoon. It's been a long couple of weeks in terms of discipline and constant redirecting and testing. Just normal stuff, but on this day, they didn't see this was just one mess so unnecessary. (Unlike the crafts, the laundry, the attempts to help in the kitchen, the very understandable, or at least predictable messes.) So when they were discovered they each pointed at each other and said, "He/she did it!" They agreed that Annelise gave John the container, and then did both their hair. Then he took it from there. I just imagined Adam and Eve in the garden. I wanted to banish my children from this pretty nice little paradise I have been striving to give them in this home. Instead I gathered myself and they were given a "consequence", and a bath, redressed and tucked back into quiet time in their beds. Johnny could tell I was frustrated and said, "Mom can I hold you?" (Meaning hold me please, cause I know I made you mad.) Leesie kept saying, "We smell good Mommy, don't we?" Mmmmm, well all of our sinuses were clear that's for sure. I smelled good too before we were done. Johnny looked like some 50's dude with slicked back oiled hair before the bath. He still looked a little funny that evening. Annelise had watched Mom put "stuff" in her hair and I think she was practicing on them both. So Mom asked Dad for a "break" to go out without the kids and catch an unfettered moment. It was just what was needed, to step back and realize these adorable little people won't be this hard forever.
Looking back, ten diapers each a day didn't last forever. Instead of dwelling on this I miss their tiny warm bodies wrapped up smelling so sweet. I miss nursing her and snuggling him with his bottle and just gazing into their eyes. Such innocent and dependence. The next stage of "two scoops" didn't last forever, having them sleep each on a shoulder of Mom's and being able to carry them comfortably for long periods everywhere, are now gone. Watching them crawl with their little hips wiggling, and wide eyes seems long gone. Watching them learning to walk and fall, and starting their first words with such effort seems so far away. Never having a moment without them needing to be held, even clinging to me at all times is so far gone I have almost forgotten. They now run fast, they dress themselves, they weigh about 70 lbs. together and so it's an effort to carry them both very far. They don't really want to be carried near as often either. They speak in little sentences, with very definite opinions. So now having little people who delight in their little accomplishments and who run across the room and leap into Mom's arms, and show that they feel the world is complete and good when Mom affirms them, these days won't last forever. The days of being so important and so cherished, and sometimes so tired, will one day be so missed. So the price of a few small disasters and little rebellious moments doesn't seem so bad. Looking back on their journey of heart pounding moments, we've only had one "taste" the liquid detergent, one over-eating of toothpaste, one ingestion of hand lotion, all relatively harmless. We've been blessed that no one has had to go to the emergency room, except for a broken leg. Instead, we've made it through many situations unscathed, or rather protected by their little angels.
Just a couple days ago I decided to stop by Urgent Care to do a strep check for a very bad sore throat. Instead of being challenging, which I wasn't sure how I would handle, they were adorable. They needed something to do with all the waiting. I had forgotten the coloring books and small reading books. So I asked them to recite me their nursery rhymes, which they chanted and sang for the longest time while the doctor had us waiting. She came back when we were done to gush over their entertaining and adorable qualities. She didn't need to. They sang in harmony, and I felt guilty for ever once being frustrated with their angelic faces. They are so adorable, and fun, much of the time. But they are growing and learning, and trying new things too. They are developing their own autonomy and I sure know it. Learning includes falling, being redirected and being loved and forgiven. I'm thankful for all these wonderful moments, of growth for all of us. It is hard to be patient, and a good guide with the learning moments. But with grace it will happen. We've logged in a hundred plus hours of nursery rhymes, countless snuggles and cuddles and silly songs, and now dozens of time outs and consequences, and all things considered, not a one was wasted.
Our little neighborhood is very child friendly during halloween. It's not creepy or scary thankfully, since the creepy, scary thing just doesn't appeal to us. One neighbor throws a party in her yard, and many people put out chairs and light their fire pits, fill bowls of treats and bring out warm drinks and reconnect. The adults chat, and little and big kids walk the neighborhood looking for treats. The houses are all lit up and full of decorations, and the beautiful season of colorful leaves is winding down and we all sense that the cold is almost upon us. Our kids love any opportunity to dress up, and go out. They know this is the Eve of All Saint's Day, and we read to Joseph about the traditions of begging for a soul cake, of honoring the memories of those who are our real heroes for their goodness, holiness and heroism. We have given up most all sugar, so I was wondering about the need for trick or treating. For us now it's mostly about what we've made it: the fun of dressing up, talking with neighbors and little friends (before the freezing cold weather comes and we just wave by car). For the little munchkins, this was an extraordinary night, they could get to ring every neighbor's doorbell (that alone was a treat to do), then to say "Twick or tweet" and be handed candy, sometimes big candy, left them wide eyed. They also noticed they got to walk not just along the sidewalk but sometimes in the street at night. ("Oh Mom, we're in the street, and it's so dark!") Then they also got to see other "dress ups". They only ate two small pieces of candy and they just had lots and lots of fun being the little princess, the little knight, and Peter of Narnia. Mom had fun dressing them. Dad got to give out candy in his little chair on the front lawn and greet the kids, until it became cold and he headed inside. "Mom, lets do this every night!" was the request from Johnny. Joseph surprised us by declining an opportunity to extend to a bigger neighborhood with some friends. Thankfully it's not all about the candy for him either. He loves being Peter in his Prince Caspian garb. I live seeing my kids dressed in noble costumes that inspire them. Plus they double as Saint's costumes too. We came back and had a little princess party for our big girl. More on that soon. It was a busy night. The next day was a Saint's party at our church, and another Saint's party later in the week. We had a fun night, with healthy kids, and beautiful weather, and almost a full moon too.
