This is how the conversation went

We are at the breakfast table the other  morning and this is what I heard as my back was turned.  They both had cereal with milk that morning which is key to the conversation.

Symeon:  Marin do you know what milk is?
Marin: No brother what is milk?
Me thinking this ought to be good I am interested to hear what he has to say
Symeon: Cow pee
Marin: Cow pee? with great inflection
Me: laughing hysterical
Symeon: Yup cows pee milk that's how we get it
Marin: oh
Me:  Milk is not cow pee.  Cows pee and they give us milk they are not the same.
Symeon: starts laughing so I am not sure if he knew that and was pulling one over on his sister or not


Skip forward a couple of days to this conversation:

Marin: Mommy I want to go to San Francisco so I can sleep in the top bunk of a bunk bed (history last time we went to San Fran I would not let either of them sleep in the top bunk in our condo because they both fell out of bed often at that point)
Me:  Well I don't think we are going to San Fran anytime soon.  There are bunk beds in other places besides San Fran.
Marin:  Oh yeah I would like to get bunk beds in my room.
Me:  Marin there is nothing wrong with your bed I know bunk beds are fun but we are not going to buy just because.  Remember we have been talking about some kids do not have beds and they sleep on a pile of clothes.
Marin:  Yes Mama that is sad but I would still like bunk beds.
Me: (Switch tactics) Marin bunk beds are expensive where are we going to get the money for bunk beds.
Marin:  From cows
Me: Did you just say from cows?  (laughing)
Marin:  Yes
Me:  How are we going to get money from cows? (still laughing she caught me off guard)
Marin:  Because they pee milk
Me:  I'm not sure how that will get us money?
Marin:  Because they pee milk (a bit of indignation and a bit louder like obviously I just didn't hear her because if I had I would have made the obvious connection)
Me:  (I am really laughing at this point)  I finally just had to remind her that cows don't pee milk and that we don't own a cow.  (We were so far from the bunk beds she just moved on)


Today:

Marin woke up and this was our conversation:

Me:  Babes look out the window
Marin:  oh snow
Me:  yes can you believe it snow on May 1st
Marin:  it is May?
Me: yes
Marin: oh yah Symeon it is my birthday today
Me:  Marin it is the first day of May your birthday is May 16th in a couple of weeks
Marin:  starts crying my birthday is in May and today is May so today is my birthday
Me:  hugging and loving I know it is hard to understand but it is a little bit until your birthday
Marin: can't today be my birthday crying
Me:  Not today (but in an attempt to redirect) I chose the topic of class pictures at preschool and what she wanted to wear.  Crisis averted as she began to consider her wardrobe options.  I will have you know she went with a cute sun dress in the middle of a May snow storm.

Babes' cast

So our dear Marin girl had a bit of a terrible fall.  Of course this was way back in November since my catch up was delayed by lots of travel, tons of illness, and major computer problems.  We are all finally feeling better, our travel is done for a bit, and I bought myself a MAC so I do have a bit of learning curve but I am hoping I will love it when it is all said and done.  I have not given up my quest to catch up or move forward so we will see what life curve balls come along.

Anyway our sweet Babes has a tendency to climb all over stools, chairs, tables, couches oh just about anything so I am surprised it took this long for an ER visit.  Shawn was standing right next to her and believe it or not she was not climbing.  I was facing her across the kitchen and she was slightly behind Shawn so he could not see her going down and I was just not quick enough.  She was pushing her stool away from our island when the leg caught on the floor.  She went head forward into the island smacking her forehead as she went down and the stool kicked out behind her.  Her feet were tucked in the stool so when it landed it popped open her toes.  It was the weirdest injury.  When we got to her there was blood all over the floor and she was crying a sound I have never heard from her lips.  Her face was purple from the impact and as we scooped her up we could not find the injury finally she screamed my foot and I looked down and saw the flesh from inside her toes hanging outside her toes.

At that point we headed to our local ER.  I was trying to keep her calm and Symeon so I directed him to get his shoes and coat on and a blanket for Marin.  I carried her to the car with paper towels catching the stream of blood.  Shawn drove us and I held her in the back with Symeon running commentary the entire time about all the possible things they might do to her a shot, an X-ray, cleaning the wound, stitches (he has obviously been to the ER a few times since he had a list of things they do to you) but every thing he said just made her scream more so we encouraged him to talk about some other stuff so he brought up the popsicles you receive at the ER.  This did nothing to appease the poor girl.

When we arrived we were taken right in X-ray for a broken foot which it was not thank goodness and then her toes were sprayed with a numbing agent because they had to scrub them clean.  I must admit the nurse made me so mad.  Marin finally passed out from exhaustion leaving her popsicle to melt much to Symeon's dismay.  The nurse began scrubbing her toes which I realized she had to do and Marin began screaming and kicking at the nurse with her good leg and the nurse said I don't know what the problem is she can't feel and I said oh I think she can feel it.  Honestly if Marin had landed one of those kicks I would not have minded.  We had to hold her down which was terrible but we got through that I thought she would get stitches but guess what they can't stitch kids does so they glued them shut with all the tissue hanging out to say it was gross would be an understatement.

We have been to this ER so many times they don't even collect our info they just escort us in and we always joke one of these times the social worker is going to know on our door and ask us a few questions.  Well I thought this was the time.  Shawn took Symeon to get something to eat and when I looked out the door the social worker was coming and stopped to talk to the guard in our area.  They were chatting and pointing our direction I felt my heart skip even though I knew we didn't do anything wrong it was still a weird feeling.  I watched her come our direction and luckily she went in the room next to ours.  Avoided that one but I still hold my breath each time we go.

Well finally they decided a cast was needed because any pressure would break the toes open again and again and the risk of infection is high with kids feet so next the cast.  Marin slept through the entire cast process and soon we were on our way home.  Marin was such a trooper through the whole process.  Now of course we were leaving for a 10 day trip back East in two days so through most of that trip we had to carry her everywhere she had to go and she got lots of attention in the airports mostly good but some people obviously thought one of had broken her foot which was frustrating.  Her foot was so swollen we had to buy crocks she could get her foot into after the cast so off we went to find some and luckily we did in mid November.

Overall she is good as new a couple of scars on the bottom of the feet but who cares although she does remember the pain because every once in awhile she still brings up her boo boo toes and the ER so to  the at nurse I guess she could feel it!

Here are a few pics of our sweet girl during the drama of her day.

Oh the popsicle she fell asleep licking it and I removed it from her mouth and hand.  So sad!

What to do with a very very active 3 year old who can't put any pressure on her foot, can't go to school, and a Mama who is trying to pack a family of four to leave on a 10 day trip to multiple locations with multiple scene changes.  Well she watched a bit more TV and IPAD time then I would normally allow but we all survived.

We also had limited wardrobe choices which made everything especially packing a bit more challenging.  Oh I forgot to mention she also had a concussion from when her head hit the island.   Overall it could have been much worse and  I would like to say she had developed a healthy fear of climbing but that is just not the case.  ER docs I am sure we will see you again soon.   

God's Whisper

I have this amazing friend who bought a 10 acre farm in the hills of Virginia.  She has made the house liveable again, she is fixing up the property, she is writing, she is hoping to create a retreat for others, and she has a great dog.  I went to spend 5 days with her on the farm and I loved every minute.  The sad part is the only picture I have was of me and her dog.  We had a blessed time together celebrating her birthday and her new home.  I am so proud of this amazing woman and I feel so blessed to have her in my life.  God's Whisper is the name of the farm and it reminds me often to listen to the whisper God is placing in my own heart. 

No naps but when she's out she's out

Marin has not taken naps for about a year but when she needs a little extra sleep (which is not often) she passes out wherever she is, sleeps hard and God help us if we have to wake her up.  Here is one of our favorites she is out cold snuggling with her Eagles pillow pet. 

Oh my Babes Mcgee

So there is this commercial with a Dad leaning in the passenger window of a car talking to this little blonde haired girl about Marin's age sitting in the drivers seat.  The Dad is going on and on about safety and you think why is he saying all this to this baby and then when she answers so sweetly don't worry Dad you realize she is a young woman old enough to drive but in her Daddy's eyes she is still his baby.  I think it is such a sweet commercial but honestly Shawn hates it I think he might tear up a bit every time we see it.  He will often say I can't even think about it.  The Dad is left standing in the driveway as the young girl drives away waiving.  When I took this picture of Marin I was struck with how much it resembled the commercial and I flashed ahead in my mind to the day we hand her over the keys and pray.  Shawn does not like the picture anymore than the commercial.  Oh a Daddy and his baby girl. 

Animal hospital

All of these guys had a tough day in the animal hospital.  You gotta love the use of tissues for blankets. 

Specialists, specialists, specialists

Symeon has struggled every fall and spring with what we believed were allergies as did his pediatrician so this fall when they began she sent us to the Asthama and Allergy gurus to see what we could figure out.  Well I guess we got good news which is that he does not have any allergies not a single one.  Shocking to all of us yet there is something going on and we are trying to figure it out.  He has some sort of viral induced asthma and maybe some sort of sinus issue so we have spent the winter trying to figure out what will work for him because every month he is sick for 2 plus weeks which only leaves a short time of feeling well each month.  He has been a trooper through it all and we think we are getting close to figuring out something.  Here is the allergy skin test no fun but he did amazing.  They also said he had the lung power of a kid much older than him which made him pretty proud.

Our next specialist of the fall was the Gait Clinic at Children's hospital.  During the soccer season Symeon kept saying his hip hurt him and Shawn and I both noticed his gait when running seemed awkward.  When his pediatrician checked him she  noticed what seemed to be a problem with his hip.  Symeon was very pigeon toed and bow legged as a baby and although we were told he would outgrow it seemed something was still askew. 

Some good news and some things to watch. After a very thorough exam and lots of video and pictures of him walking running x-rays etc we found that Symeon did compensate his gait because he was so bow legged and walked so young.  He figured out early if he brought his leg straight through he would trip himself so he started swinging his leg out and it has become habit but also the way his hip has formed.  It is something he will outgrow and really only gets bad when  he is tired like going back to an old habit when you are fatigued.  The second part is what we will watch.  He has a twisted tibia in is left leg which still causes one foot to turn in slightly.  The doctor said 80% of all kids with this outgrown it by 7 or 8 years of age.  The ones who don't either seem to adjust and it doesn't bother them it bothers them and then it has to be addressed.  The only way to correct it is to cut his tibia untwist it and then let it heal.  It is a major surgery so we are waiting to see if he outgrows it.  As of right now he was glad to hear that his coordination far surpassed his age and he was fine to play soccer, run, and do all the things kids love to do. 

One part of the exam shocked me when the doctor said did Symeon walk early and I said yes and then he said does he climb alot, run alot, jump off things alot, and I said yes since the day he became mobile.  He laughed and said yup I would guess that is where some of the pain is coming from you have one coordinated active kid on your hands which was music to my ears. 

No sure why we buy toys

Symeon and Marin are notorious for spending large amounts of time with non-toy items using their imaginations to create all sorts of adventures and games.  I love this so much about them it is always a privilege and a joy to sit back and watch.  Well on this particular afternoon back in the fall they spent hours playing with this yellow rope.  In fact they spent much of the fall playing with it so we left it on the front porch for easy access.  The favorite game on this afternoon was tying the rope to each other and walking all over the place it was hysterical.  Our poor neighbor was concerned that it was dangerous I on the other saw no danger and to be honest it was probably the least worrisome game of the day for the two of them.  Perspective is everything! 

I love this series of some brother sister time

I love when the kids take the pictures...

Often you get some of the most flattering pictures of your self or not. 

 

 I am sure this hand and water bottle will be important years from now 

 Classic two butts of people you don't even know

Kindergarten is looming

I am going to take a break from my catch up posts to talk about what is in front of us right now although my organized nature likes the posts in chronological order my rational self knows it really does not matter.  So I am going to jump around a bit get down what I can and be happy with it.

So kindergarten is looming over our heads.  In our city there is a complicated choice in process that you  honestly start the year before read a ton, visit schools, ask friends, etc etc etc and then you are still a bit confused.  I guess it is a good problem to have so many great schools that you can choose from but honestly overwhelming.  In the end Shawn and I came up with some criteria that are important to us and excluded the rest.  One of the first ones commuting time you see we can choice into any school in the city which is crazy because that could make our commute time for school 45 minutes or more one way.  Since Shawn and I have never commuted to our jobs we are  not going to start with grade school.  We also wanted a school that would be a good fit for Symeon and Marin since we want them together.

Blah Blah Blah there was a list so I spent the good part of the fall touring schools public, charter, and private.  Everyone has their opinions on school believe me I have heard quite a few but when it comes down to it as parents we all just have to do what we think is right for our kids and what matches our values of life.

Since Symeon had told me on multiple occasions that he did  not want to go to kindergarten and I am a  Mama who is anxious to send him I am using the term looming to describe this transition.  I know it is the fear of the unknown for both of us that has us a bit scared.  You know as a Mom I want to raise a confident adveturesome loving child who will bound off to kindergarten with a smile and hopefully a hug but there are these moments when it is dark and quiet and I am looking at him sleeping in his bed that I never want to send him anywhere I can't go with him.  There are these moments when I hope he holds onto me for dear life and I hug him and protect him from the world.  I must confess they are only fleeting moments but they are still there.

Maybe it is hard as mothers because time is so fleeting and it seems like only a few moments ago he was snuggling in my arms as I rocked him to sleep.  I remember so clearly his birth, his first steps, his first bath and whole litany of  his firsts.  I know that when he is sad and sick he still wants me to hold him.  Maybe it is because I love the way his tiny hand feels in mine when we walk together and I am all to aware that someday his hand will be much bigger than mine and it feels like that day is coming so quickly.  Maybe these moments we remember so clearly that he hardly notices make it hard to let go even if it is just a little at a time.  In these moments I am reminded the prayer I prayed many days before Symeon was born and before I knew he was my sweet guy "God please let me hold this child loosely, help me love this child and help me let this child go."  I guess when I prayed this prayer I was thinking more of letting go when he was grown not all the little moments of letting go that would happen through his life but I am holding strong to this prayer help me God please let me hold Symeon loosely, help me love him with my broken never ending love, and God please help me let Symeon go."

The last three words were hard to write but necessary for this Mama especially because he has turned a corner and is excited about kindergarten probably because we cleared up a misconception he had where he believed he would be living at school and not with us anymore.  I told him kindergarten was all day so in his mind he thought he would live there so finally one night when we were getting ready for bed he asked me when he was going to see me since he would be going to kindergarten and who would put him to bed.  I almost started crying when I realized what he thought but he beat me to the tears and said he would miss me to much.  I cuddled him in my lap and explained how kindergarten worked and with a sigh of relief he hugged me.  I probably would not have wanted to go either oh wait I didn't want to go to kindergarten either.

Just a few other stories of kindergarten and life with this amazing little guy who has grown so much this year.  On Sunday he went to his first play date at a friends house all by himself.  He has never wanted to do that but these are good friends who live just a few blocks away so with my cell number tucked in his pocket just in case off he went.  I almost cried when I left him but sucked it up and about 2 hours later a little earlier than we agreed I got a call saying he was ready to come home.  When we were driving home I told him what a great job he did and asked if he had fun.  He  went through all they had done and how much fun he had and then he warmed my heart when he said Mom I had Miss Jess call you because I wanted to come home.  I said yes I know and that is okay you can always call us and we will always come and bring you home.  Then he said Mom I missed you that is why I wanted to come home and I told him I missed him too.  A Mama and her son letting go a little at a time but still missing each other in the process.

On Saturday he had a kindergarten assessment at the one private school we are considering.  I won't go into tons of detail but this school is amazing and the philosophy fits with our values so well.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.   Anyway he went to the class with some other kids for a couple of hours while we chatted with the other parents.  I told him how it would be and he said okay Mom I am good at staying somewhere with out you just like preschool.  Right I said and what happens at the end and he said you always come and get me right.  Good after the time was over he came running out found us hugged us and said I want to go to kindergarten and I really want to go here.  Sigh of relief for us all so we will see.

Change change change fun and hard.  Symeon has a friend at preschool who just recently has caught his eye.  Symeon plays really well with girls probably because of Babes and because he does not like to play rough.  This little girl has been in his class for two years but recently we have seen her at the playground and at dance class.  Well today when we walked into school he saw her and got this silly little smile on his face and whispered her name.  It was so sweet his first crush!  He has other girls he plays with and said hi to them but her name was said with reverence and when she saw him  she got the same silly little grin and said his name as well.  So sweet and like a time warp I flashed ahead so many years and yet stood there watching as she came up to him and he did something silly and she laughed.  He didn't even say good-bye to me and when another little boy tried to call him over he ignored him he only had eyes for Fiona and she only had eyes for him.  My Mama heart melted and I thought ahhh life so full, so wonderful, so much love to give and receive embrace it Symeon enjoy it love it and live it fully.

They love sleep overs

A jedi at the library

While we were on our girls trip Symeon enjoyed a fun afternoon at the library with Shawn.

Marin had a fun day at home can you tell...

 Working on her art project dressed up like Tinker Bell

 Similar to her Mama she had a few projects going at the same time

Even the entry way was a needed space where she was reorganizing her back pack.  I love this girl!

We did some yard clean up

 You can tell by Shawn's face that yard work is one of his favorite things to do

You can tell from Symeon and Marin's faces yard work is one of their favorite things to do. 

Symeon is a hard worker and he loved raking up a bunch of leaves.  

 

Our first early snowstorm before Halloween this year

Here's my snow eating girl.  She loves it although she will eat snow in parking lots and off the sidewalks black snow, grey snow, not any yellow yet which is good .  We have finally found a middle ground only white snow in our yard and then she can eat as much as she wants. 

We did other things beside Halloween in October like Soccer

Soccer was another big time investment in October.  We enjoyed our Saturday morning games and Wednesday practices for Symeon and Tuesday afternoon practices for Marin.  They both had great coaches and really nice kids on their teams.  Here are few highlights of the season

Symeon's final game and team picnic

 Symeon and his buddy Jack

 Park Hill Pirates

 Happy Soccer Dance

 Listening to the coach say such nice things about each of them.  So sweet!

 The proud kiddo with his trophy and medal

The house we went to had a zip line in their yard and Babes loved it.  Here is an action series to show the pure delight.  

 

Marin's Fab 4 team

 She loved soccer this year.   She was very competitive and really fast.  She focused this season and rarely put her shirt over her head and ran around the field unlike her Spring time soccer experience where her shirt was over her head most of the time.  We are looking forward to the Spring season starting up soon. 

Finally Trick or Treat night

By the time we got to Halloween night Shawn and I were about Halloween'd out but the kids were still going strong.  We went around our neighborhood for the first time and it was so much fun.  There were tons of decorations, kids everywhere, an overall fun community time.  We interacted with lots of neighbors and just had fun.  Some friends joined up and we met up with some neighbors so it was a group.  After they all left we went out a bit on our own just the four of us and it was so much fun.  The kids loved handing out candy as much as ringing bells. 

 They both wanted to be good guys.  Symeon a Jedi Marin Super girl.

 A wayward Teddy Bear was giving Super girl some grief.  

 I love this picture because the Teddy bear is clueless of the epic battle.  

 The first house.  

The funniest part of the whole evening was when we believed we had locked ourselves out of our house.  We were several blocks from home when we realized we did not have our keys then we weren't sure if we had closed our front door.  So Shawn ran home to see and he passed our friends who said you know your front door is wide open we came up on the porch to say hello but no one was there we weren't sure whether we should close it.  We are  so glad they didn't since our door locks automatically which would have meant a call to a locksmith during the evening.  It all turned out fine and when Shawn finally got back I found my keys in my sweatshirt pocket.   Ooops sorry honey!

 Waiting for trick or treaters to come 

 When it got to late they came in and waited by the door.  I don't think they wanted the evening to end but at some point we finally had to call it a night and close the door on Halloween month 2012.  It was fun but I was glad to see it finally end.  

The last house farewell Halloween fun see ya next year!