It is absolutely gorgeous outside right now. I told Curtis to take notice, because it isn't like this on Christmas Eve very often. Snow is falling softly and steadily. The city is glowing. Everything is beautiful and magical. It's like a postcard. Or a movie scene.
This morning we were finally successful in chatting with Daddy via Skype!
Abuela and Papa arrived this afternoon. We watched Christmas TV, baked goodies, made chili, ate goodies.
Church started at 4:30. It was a very nice service, and we were amazed to be finished by 5:40. Curtis and Carl both went up for the children's message. Curtis sat and colored through most of the service, and Carl went to play in the nursery. We sang "Silent Night" with our lit candles; one verse was in German. Curtis concentrated very hard on keeping his candle straight. I always think of my grandmother during "Silent Night." At home, we always raised our candles on the last verse, which we didn't do here. My dad was pleased that we sang "Thy" instead of "Your." I got a little choked up, but I was very proud of myself that I didn't cry!
We drove home through the snowy streets and had supper. Curtis was begging and begging to open presents. So I finally let the boys open their Christmas p.j.'s and a Christmas book. Curtis was pretty excited about his Super Mario jammies, and Carl squealed over his monster p.j.'s. Curtis got The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (which he was reenacting all day), and Carl got The Polar Express, which Papa promptly got to read.
The boys are trying to share a room tonight. Currently they're still giggling and chatting after almost an hour.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Christmas Programs, 2010
Sunday School Program, Dec. 19
Probably the best Sunday School program I have ever seen. Each group of kids sang one song. Between the songs was the nativity play--with a twist. Curtis and Carl's group sang "Mary Rode a Donkey." They were so cute standing up there! Carl knows the song but got a bit of stage fright and didn't sing too much during the program. He had Kiki, his snuggly toy, with him, and he did the clapping. Curtis stood serious and straight as a soldier and sang the song very nicely. I wasn't sure whether I should go get Carl, or leave him with his teacher, but as soon as I saw what was happening with the nativity scene, I knew he'd be ok. He was on his teacher's lap in the front row, watching the manger scene transform into Toy Story 3 characters!! Hilarious! Mary and Joseph were Barbie and Ken; Woody was a shepherd; Buzz Lightyear was the angel; the three Wise Men were the 3 blue and green aliens. Carl was mesmerized! It was a very cute play and fun to watch the boys in their pageant debut!
Preschool Program, Dec. 21
Fortunately, I purchased some raffle tickets this year, and we WON. Front row seats, baby! The whole thing was just precious. Absolutely adorable--all the little angels, sheep, donkeys, etc. Curtis was Joseph's donkey, and he literally sat at our feet until it was time to go on stage. He was so proud to be doing his part, and he smiled and waved at us several times. When all the kids marched in, he walked right in front of us, and Carl was excited to say hi to him. Then Carl looked at his costume and said, "Curtis is a rabbit! Hi, Rabbit!" Even Curtis cracked up over that. All the kids knews their parts very well and sang their songs so nicely. They were all really well-behaved. One little girl in the front row was falling asleep, which was so cute, too. The whole experience was an absolute delight. Soooo glad we had those great seats! And we all enjoyed the cookies after the program.
Probably the best Sunday School program I have ever seen. Each group of kids sang one song. Between the songs was the nativity play--with a twist. Curtis and Carl's group sang "Mary Rode a Donkey." They were so cute standing up there! Carl knows the song but got a bit of stage fright and didn't sing too much during the program. He had Kiki, his snuggly toy, with him, and he did the clapping. Curtis stood serious and straight as a soldier and sang the song very nicely. I wasn't sure whether I should go get Carl, or leave him with his teacher, but as soon as I saw what was happening with the nativity scene, I knew he'd be ok. He was on his teacher's lap in the front row, watching the manger scene transform into Toy Story 3 characters!! Hilarious! Mary and Joseph were Barbie and Ken; Woody was a shepherd; Buzz Lightyear was the angel; the three Wise Men were the 3 blue and green aliens. Carl was mesmerized! It was a very cute play and fun to watch the boys in their pageant debut!
Preschool Program, Dec. 21
Fortunately, I purchased some raffle tickets this year, and we WON. Front row seats, baby! The whole thing was just precious. Absolutely adorable--all the little angels, sheep, donkeys, etc. Curtis was Joseph's donkey, and he literally sat at our feet until it was time to go on stage. He was so proud to be doing his part, and he smiled and waved at us several times. When all the kids marched in, he walked right in front of us, and Carl was excited to say hi to him. Then Carl looked at his costume and said, "Curtis is a rabbit! Hi, Rabbit!" Even Curtis cracked up over that. All the kids knews their parts very well and sang their songs so nicely. They were all really well-behaved. One little girl in the front row was falling asleep, which was so cute, too. The whole experience was an absolute delight. Soooo glad we had those great seats! And we all enjoyed the cookies after the program.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Curtis learns about sacrifice
OR: the babysitter quit yesterday
I know I should have seen this coming, but I kept hoping against hope that the brief mention of "going back to school" was only a whim brought on by a bad day in the stay-at-home-mom/nanny world. Apparently not. The house of cards crumbled yesterday when the sitter told me she would not be returning to work after Christmas. After an hour or so of selfish thoughts of "What am I gonna do?!?!" I got down to business and actually figured out what to do.
Curtis has been attending preschool every morning on the west side of Springfield. My teaching job is 5 miles east of Springfield. There is no way I can drop him off and get to my own job on time. Hence, the nanny. However, for the remaining 5 months of the school year, I'm not really excited about bringing another stranger into my home and going through all that period of adjustment again (and who's to say the next person would stick it out the whole 5 months?)
It seems the simplest solution is to put both boys in daycare in the morning, and Curtis will have to switch to the afternoon preschool class.
When I set this up for him today, I could tell he really liked the idea of all 3 of us leaving together in the morning, starting a new school, and going to the same school as Carl. Then I told him he could still go to the other preschool and be in the Orange Room in the afternoon. It took about a minute until it dawned on him--his lip trembled and big tears started rolling, "But that means I'll never see my friends again! I'll never get to see Charlie!" Broke my heart, because of course that's the reason I wanted to keep him right where he was, if I could.
So then we had our lesson about making sacrifices. I told him that when a soldier has to go away from his family, everyone else in the family has to make sacrifices, too, and this is the one Curtis has to make.
I know I should have seen this coming, but I kept hoping against hope that the brief mention of "going back to school" was only a whim brought on by a bad day in the stay-at-home-mom/nanny world. Apparently not. The house of cards crumbled yesterday when the sitter told me she would not be returning to work after Christmas. After an hour or so of selfish thoughts of "What am I gonna do?!?!" I got down to business and actually figured out what to do.
Curtis has been attending preschool every morning on the west side of Springfield. My teaching job is 5 miles east of Springfield. There is no way I can drop him off and get to my own job on time. Hence, the nanny. However, for the remaining 5 months of the school year, I'm not really excited about bringing another stranger into my home and going through all that period of adjustment again (and who's to say the next person would stick it out the whole 5 months?)
It seems the simplest solution is to put both boys in daycare in the morning, and Curtis will have to switch to the afternoon preschool class.
When I set this up for him today, I could tell he really liked the idea of all 3 of us leaving together in the morning, starting a new school, and going to the same school as Carl. Then I told him he could still go to the other preschool and be in the Orange Room in the afternoon. It took about a minute until it dawned on him--his lip trembled and big tears started rolling, "But that means I'll never see my friends again! I'll never get to see Charlie!" Broke my heart, because of course that's the reason I wanted to keep him right where he was, if I could.
So then we had our lesson about making sacrifices. I told him that when a soldier has to go away from his family, everyone else in the family has to make sacrifices, too, and this is the one Curtis has to make.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Curt-isms
Curtis asks, "Mommy, what do you want for Christmas?" I say, "Oh, just a big hug and kiss from my boys...and maybe a day without fighting." He gives me an incredulous look and says, "That is never gonna happen!" with a huge grin on his face.
Curtis says he only wants to read one book tonight and then play Legos. I say, "OK" with a sigh. He says, "Mom, just because I only want to read one book doesn't mean I don't love you or want to spend time with you. It just means I really love Legos."
12-13-10
At lunch, Curtis said, "Mommy, I know a bad word that Daddy taught me." I said, "Did he teach it to you, or did you just hear him say it?" Curtis: "I just heard him say it, but now I learned it." He leaned over the table to whisper in my ear, "It's 'sh*t'!" Enormously proud of himself.
Curtis says he only wants to read one book tonight and then play Legos. I say, "OK" with a sigh. He says, "Mom, just because I only want to read one book doesn't mean I don't love you or want to spend time with you. It just means I really love Legos."
12-13-10
At lunch, Curtis said, "Mommy, I know a bad word that Daddy taught me." I said, "Did he teach it to you, or did you just hear him say it?" Curtis: "I just heard him say it, but now I learned it." He leaned over the table to whisper in my ear, "It's 'sh*t'!" Enormously proud of himself.
First Snowfall of the Winter
OR: We need to go shopping for some weather-appropriate accessories!
On Friday afternoon, we walked up and down the street and played in the backyard before naptime. It was 45 degrees, and we wore our lighter jackets. We investigated the neighbors' decorated tree and the Charlie Brown figures down the street.
This morning we woke up to a couple inches of snow and the COLD wind blowing. Curtis was already dressed for church, but he changed clothes and went out to play. He was so excited! Both boys loved the snow. They were squealing and stomping around.
We were supposed to go see "Journey to Bethlehem" tonight, but it was just too cold. Instead, we went to Kmart and bought boots, coats, and warm clothes. I let the boys look at the toys, and they spent a good 15 minutes shrieking over every Lightning McQueen car on the shelf. It was pretty cute.
On Friday afternoon, we walked up and down the street and played in the backyard before naptime. It was 45 degrees, and we wore our lighter jackets. We investigated the neighbors' decorated tree and the Charlie Brown figures down the street.
This morning we woke up to a couple inches of snow and the COLD wind blowing. Curtis was already dressed for church, but he changed clothes and went out to play. He was so excited! Both boys loved the snow. They were squealing and stomping around.
We were supposed to go see "Journey to Bethlehem" tonight, but it was just too cold. Instead, we went to Kmart and bought boots, coats, and warm clothes. I let the boys look at the toys, and they spent a good 15 minutes shrieking over every Lightning McQueen car on the shelf. It was pretty cute.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Our first trip to FitClub
OR: I haven't felt so self-conscious since junior high.
Seriously. What more do I need to say?
The boys liked the child care, and I feel so healthy after working out, although I probably won't be able to get out of bed in the morning.
Seriously. What more do I need to say?
The boys liked the child care, and I feel so healthy after working out, although I probably won't be able to get out of bed in the morning.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Parade, Sat. Dec. 4, 2010
Or: the top of my long johns sure look funny sticking out of my "sits lower on the waist" jeans
I dressed the boys in pajama bottoms, sweat pants, 3 shirts, coat, hat, and gloves. Fortified with donuts from our neighborhood donut shop, we headed downtown for our 2nd annual viewing of Springfield's Christmas parade. It was at least 10 degrees warmer this year than last, and we had a much better spot for viewing. The boys were all about the candy, of course, and at this point (our 4th or 5th parade of the year) have become quite the little scavengers. They scored an obscene amount of candy and other goodies (Goofy gel clings! Warner Bros. bean bag toys!). The local politicians were out in full force. I shook hands with 2 mayoral candidates and waved to a couple other friends in the parade. Seeing Santa Claus at the end was anticlimactic compared to all the candy.
There's nothing sweeter than hearing two little voices say, "That was fun, Mom! Thanks, Mom, for taking us to the parade!"
Our first non-Daddy "Daddy Day" was a success.
I dressed the boys in pajama bottoms, sweat pants, 3 shirts, coat, hat, and gloves. Fortified with donuts from our neighborhood donut shop, we headed downtown for our 2nd annual viewing of Springfield's Christmas parade. It was at least 10 degrees warmer this year than last, and we had a much better spot for viewing. The boys were all about the candy, of course, and at this point (our 4th or 5th parade of the year) have become quite the little scavengers. They scored an obscene amount of candy and other goodies (Goofy gel clings! Warner Bros. bean bag toys!). The local politicians were out in full force. I shook hands with 2 mayoral candidates and waved to a couple other friends in the parade. Seeing Santa Claus at the end was anticlimactic compared to all the candy.
There's nothing sweeter than hearing two little voices say, "That was fun, Mom! Thanks, Mom, for taking us to the parade!"
Our first non-Daddy "Daddy Day" was a success.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
St. Louis City Museum, Sun. Dec. 5, 2010
WOW. That's all I can say. What a place. Easy to get to, easy to park, not crowded, definitely worth the $12 ticket.
The boys just attacked the skate park ramps and slides: up, down, around, repeat. Then Carl discovered the ball pit. He loved swimming around in there, although it was funny to watch what a struggle it was for him. He also enjoyed rolling around in the room full of sponges. Run, dive, and knock down the tower! Curtis liked the art center and all the climbing tunnels and slides. We were all tired at the end of the day!
The boys just attacked the skate park ramps and slides: up, down, around, repeat. Then Carl discovered the ball pit. He loved swimming around in there, although it was funny to watch what a struggle it was for him. He also enjoyed rolling around in the room full of sponges. Run, dive, and knock down the tower! Curtis liked the art center and all the climbing tunnels and slides. We were all tired at the end of the day!
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