Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Counting...

according to Gabriel...

....eight, nine, ten, your welcome, twelve...

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Farewell Friend

7 years ago, you came into our lives. A shy and sweet thing, you were also a giant fluff ball with big blue eyes. We said goodbye to you yesterday afternoon. We couldn't watch you suffer anymore, a ghost of your former self. So instead of remembering those last few months of sickness, thinness and matting fur, I want to remember you at your best:

- Sitting with your head inside a lamp, your nose mere centimeters from the light for warmth - you would sit there so still for long stretches of time.

- Fetching a toy in your mouth (or a lost sock) and carrying it around in your mouth, meowing loudly to let us know of your discovery.

- Rub, rub, rubbing yourself against our legs, especially in the mornings.

- You were not a lap cat, but those rare occasions you would jump up and snuggle on our laps for just a moment before jumping down.

- When we let you outside, you would instantly lay down and on the concrete and roll around - just like you did with catnip.

- Later on with the kids, you patiently let them pet/hit you and pick you up and carry you, even though you didn't like it and had claws.

I waited so long to be able to have a kitty and you were the best one I could have imagined. Goodbye my feline friend, you will be missed!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Church Response

On Wednesday, we went to Holy Day Mass (Ascension Thursday, technically). It was a 7pm mass, which is a really hard time with 3 kids, who normally go to bed between 7:30-8pm. We sat in the cry room, but we still want our kids to attempt to be quiet during "church time." They don't have to be perfect, but we did have to stop some rigorous high-step dancing and circling the room from Gabriel.

Of course, ANY loud noise is fascinating and funny to the two year old. So, anytime he found something that was loud, he tried to do it over and over. He kept trying to push a screechy chair across the floor. He scratched his hands along the wall. He continued to jump. He slammed the book box lid. He rattled a lock.

Finally, he sat still long enough to hear us respond, "Thanks be to God." What repeatedly followed was an enthusiastic barrage of, "THANKS BE TO GOD," responses.

A "THANKS BE TO GOD," with a jump and fist in the air.

A "THANKS BE TO GOD," followed by a little laugh and grin.

A "THANKS BE TO GOD. THANKS BE TO GOD. THANKS BE TO GOD," during the Our Father.

It's really hard to stop a toddler who is so excited about thanking the Lord, especially when you are trying to suppress your own laughter.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Peescapades

Dog. Cat. Dog. Cat. Dog? Cat? Dog?! Cat?!

I wish I knew which one did it, so I can give 'em the kiss of death. Perhaps I need to back track a little...

The day started out as any other regular day. I got up and got the kids' milk ready. I went in their room and told them they could get up. It was 7:15 AM. I started to feed Logan and Josh let the dog out of his kennel. The cat was meowing and the kids were drinking their milk and being rambunctious. I finished feeding the baby and got up to let the dog outside. It was 7:30AM.

I held the baby and checked my email. I turned on some morning cartoons for Krista and Gabriel and they began enjoying Super Why. I got up and changed Logan's diaper and got Gabriel dressed because he wanted to go outside. I laid Logan down on his floor play mat and helped Gabriel go outside to play. It was 8:15AM.

Logan became fussy and I picked him up. His back was wet and so was the floor mat. A feeling of dread crept over me as I looked in horror at what was covering my child. Animal Urine. Yellow, Smelly, Disgusting. I was disgusted.

I gave Logan a bath. It was 8:25AM.

Now, I don't know who the culprit is, but these are the facts:
-The dog was let out of the kennel by Josh before I normally let him out. Thus, he had to wait to go outside (as I fed the baby) and was running around the living room and had to pee.
-The cat was suspiciously laying by the pee stain when the baby was laying on the floor mat. This makes me think she did NOT do the crime or why would she lay right by the evidence? Although, cats are known to be sly.

I'm 90% sure it was the dog, but I don't know if I'll ever know for sure. I just don't want it to happen again, ever.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Gabrielisms

Some of my son's favorite catch phrases:

"I don't can't do it!"

"I too heavy." (this applies to a fear of falling off a chair or something that feels unstable to him)

"Go Meat!"

"I not for kids?" (when he leaves his paci in bed because kids don't need a paci during the day)

"I so funny!"

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Miss Sparkle

Miss Krista is getting ready for picture day in her recital costume...

...with a little attitude...

...and a tongue made for concentration!
.