Aid and Grant were fighting over the tent this morning. To get back and his big brother, Grant climbed up on a stool and body dropped himself onto Aid, who had pushed him out of the tunnel of the tent. While I absolutely don't condone them physically fighting, I can't say I blamed Grant.
However, Grant was asked to go apologize to his brother. Which he did. Only to have Aid push him. Aid ended up on time out. As I was talking to Aid on time out, he interrupted me saying, "Well, mom it's just not a problem because I have something for him." He then proceeded to pull a tiny little crocodile from his underwear.
"Aid," I said, "You cannot carry things around in your underwear, it's kind of yucky." (I am trying very hard to stifle my laugh at this point.) "Well, Mom," he said, "It's just not a problem, because it's the perfect house for the crocodile!"
The conversations I never thought I would be having happen on a daily basis around here....
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Grass Is Not Always Greener
During bedtime we alternate reading to the boys. One night I will read to Grant, while Bob reads to Aid and then vice versa. This has worked well. Then me and Bob are both involved in bed time routine with the boys, who both get some one on one time with both parent.
Grant has thrown off this balance and is on a Dad ban during bed time. When it's Bob's turn to read to Grant, Grant refuses to sit with him and insists on reading with me and Aid. Aid has been more then ok with sharing his time as long as it doesn't interrupt it in anyway. So every other night for the past few weeks I have watched jealously as Bob read his book, still in the room, while I read books to the boys. Every night I think to myself, "Well, aren't you nice and relaxed with some down time." Sometimes I say it out loud. But always, by the end of the routine, I feel all warm and realize that I am the lucky one. Because some day they will not want me to read to them anymore, and I will be in our room reading my book and longing to be sitting in there with them again.
It's a constant decision to live in each moment with them, and harder to appreciate all of those moments. But I know that while the sleepless nights make it feel like forever, it's all going by very fast. Too fast. So tonight, I made my bitter comment, and then snuggled in with our favorites and enjoyed every single line read.
The grass is not always greener on the other side. Sometimes your grass is just right.
Grant has thrown off this balance and is on a Dad ban during bed time. When it's Bob's turn to read to Grant, Grant refuses to sit with him and insists on reading with me and Aid. Aid has been more then ok with sharing his time as long as it doesn't interrupt it in anyway. So every other night for the past few weeks I have watched jealously as Bob read his book, still in the room, while I read books to the boys. Every night I think to myself, "Well, aren't you nice and relaxed with some down time." Sometimes I say it out loud. But always, by the end of the routine, I feel all warm and realize that I am the lucky one. Because some day they will not want me to read to them anymore, and I will be in our room reading my book and longing to be sitting in there with them again.
It's a constant decision to live in each moment with them, and harder to appreciate all of those moments. But I know that while the sleepless nights make it feel like forever, it's all going by very fast. Too fast. So tonight, I made my bitter comment, and then snuggled in with our favorites and enjoyed every single line read.
The grass is not always greener on the other side. Sometimes your grass is just right.
Monday, January 10, 2011
His Own Little World
I was such a reader when I was younger. I still am, but not at the same intensity I was. I would always stay up too late reading. I very vividly remember getting busted by my parents...
"Karen, it is too late, please put the book away and go to bed."
(Yes, Dad....)
"Karen, give me the book...it is time for bed."
At this point, I would get up and find my back up book, hidden in a different location. I read by flashlight so they wouldn't see my light. But when my light got taken, I would use my second back up one. I loved nothing more then snuggling down into my little space, book in hand, and reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open.
Today we got Aid his own reading lamp. He kept looking up at it and smiling....about 20 minutes later I found him like this.
A whole new little world has been opened up to him. And if he is anything like me, he's in heaven.
"Karen, it is too late, please put the book away and go to bed."
(Yes, Dad....)
"Karen, give me the book...it is time for bed."
At this point, I would get up and find my back up book, hidden in a different location. I read by flashlight so they wouldn't see my light. But when my light got taken, I would use my second back up one. I loved nothing more then snuggling down into my little space, book in hand, and reading until I couldn't keep my eyes open.
Today we got Aid his own reading lamp. He kept looking up at it and smiling....about 20 minutes later I found him like this.
A whole new little world has been opened up to him. And if he is anything like me, he's in heaven.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Christmas in Portland
I am so happy that we got to home this Christmas. We didn't get to go last year for financial reasons and I had a really hard time with it. It cost us, but we made it back. And had such a wonderful time, despite a really cranky Grandma.
The highs: A beach trip with my husband, thumb print cookies, watching how happy Aid was with all his cousins, getting to see my friends, long talks with my mom, spending time with my nieces and nephew, playing outside in December, slumber party on our last night!
The lows? My Dad's truck being towed (not my fault), a speeding ticket for driving a whopping 35 MPR (sort of my fault), and having to say good-bye yet again. I think me and Aid are both still a little sad about it.
Here are some of the pictures! (Sorry for the overkill if you're on facebook)
The new kid table!
My brother reincarnated.
My siblings
My Dad and Bob took them swimming twice. They had a blast!
Aid's new thing is to do "crazy eyes" when you take a picture of him. It's pretty funny actually!
Two dates (and an overnight!) in two weeks. That my friends is a record.
Poor Aid....yeah, right. The kid got everything he wanted and then some. But on Christmas Eve he only got to open one present. Don't you feel bad for him?
Aid was in heaven. He had cousins who were completely willing to sit and read his dragon book wit him.
This was our New Years Eve slumber party! Complete with tents!
To say we had a good time is a gross understatement. It was a wonderful holiday and we can't wait to go back. Aid has big plans for Grandpa Mac (hint: it involves the pool).
On a side note, I feel horrible that I don't have pictures of our Bures Christmas. My camera was still in the shop (thank you Grant) so I have not a single picture. But we had a wonderful time on this side too. We are blessed to have so much family who love us.
Merry Christmas!!
The highs: A beach trip with my husband, thumb print cookies, watching how happy Aid was with all his cousins, getting to see my friends, long talks with my mom, spending time with my nieces and nephew, playing outside in December, slumber party on our last night!
The lows? My Dad's truck being towed (not my fault), a speeding ticket for driving a whopping 35 MPR (sort of my fault), and having to say good-bye yet again. I think me and Aid are both still a little sad about it.
Here are some of the pictures! (Sorry for the overkill if you're on facebook)
To say we had a good time is a gross understatement. It was a wonderful holiday and we can't wait to go back. Aid has big plans for Grandpa Mac (hint: it involves the pool).
On a side note, I feel horrible that I don't have pictures of our Bures Christmas. My camera was still in the shop (thank you Grant) so I have not a single picture. But we had a wonderful time on this side too. We are blessed to have so much family who love us.
Merry Christmas!!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Home is Where the Heart Is
We have been constantly torn. Oregon or Minnesota? We have two families whom we love very much and want them to be a part of our regular every day lives. (Well, ok, maybe not every day but you know what I mean!) We have friends in both places who mean the world to us. There is no easy answer. When we lived in Portland we idealized Minnesota and wanted to spend more time here. Now we live here and I find myself longing to be back home. We go around and around and around and there is no answer that feels right. Either way, we end up missing people that we love.
My friend has been going through an awful custody battle. She was with an emotionally and verbally abusive man. There were some physical incidents, but the brunt of the abuse was what he did to her on the inside...where no one could see. She finally found the courage to leave and he made her pay for that decision. Right now they have a horrible visitation schedule set up because she received poor counsel and was desperate to see her little girl who had been ripped away from her. It's been incredibly difficult to watch her and her little girl go through this. She stayed with us for a little over a month because he would not leave the home; so on her days, her daughter would stay here as well. They became a part of our family. We care about them that much.
Very recently she got her home back. He moved out. To say that I am happy for her would be a gross understatement. But tonight I realized how much healing is in front of them because of all of this. Her little girl was afraid to go to her house. She now associates her home with where her father lives. And when she has gone there in the past month, it was to be dropped off and again taken from her mother. I listened to the fear in her voice as I walked them back to their house after dinner at ours, my heart breaking. She cried the entire way and begged her mom not to leave her. When we got to their house I did my best to let her know that things are changing and that this is once again the home she shares with her mother. It can once again be her safe spot in the world.
But I cried all the way home. I cried because this little girl is afraid of what has always been her home. This little girl is constantly afraid of not being able to be with her mother. This little girl doesn't know what is going to happen tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. And her mother can only do so much at this point to make things right for her. I hate him for taking her security away from her; but I know in my heart they will both be ok. I know how strong her mother is and that is what will get her through this.
I walked in and cuddled and read books with my boys. I sang songs long after they had fallen asleep. I tucked them in tightly and kissed them. And I found myself realizing that at the end of the day it doesn't matter where we are. As long as we are together and we all feel safe and supported and loved....we're home.
Whether that is in Oregon or Minnesota...
My friend has been going through an awful custody battle. She was with an emotionally and verbally abusive man. There were some physical incidents, but the brunt of the abuse was what he did to her on the inside...where no one could see. She finally found the courage to leave and he made her pay for that decision. Right now they have a horrible visitation schedule set up because she received poor counsel and was desperate to see her little girl who had been ripped away from her. It's been incredibly difficult to watch her and her little girl go through this. She stayed with us for a little over a month because he would not leave the home; so on her days, her daughter would stay here as well. They became a part of our family. We care about them that much.
Very recently she got her home back. He moved out. To say that I am happy for her would be a gross understatement. But tonight I realized how much healing is in front of them because of all of this. Her little girl was afraid to go to her house. She now associates her home with where her father lives. And when she has gone there in the past month, it was to be dropped off and again taken from her mother. I listened to the fear in her voice as I walked them back to their house after dinner at ours, my heart breaking. She cried the entire way and begged her mom not to leave her. When we got to their house I did my best to let her know that things are changing and that this is once again the home she shares with her mother. It can once again be her safe spot in the world.
But I cried all the way home. I cried because this little girl is afraid of what has always been her home. This little girl is constantly afraid of not being able to be with her mother. This little girl doesn't know what is going to happen tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. And her mother can only do so much at this point to make things right for her. I hate him for taking her security away from her; but I know in my heart they will both be ok. I know how strong her mother is and that is what will get her through this.
I walked in and cuddled and read books with my boys. I sang songs long after they had fallen asleep. I tucked them in tightly and kissed them. And I found myself realizing that at the end of the day it doesn't matter where we are. As long as we are together and we all feel safe and supported and loved....we're home.
Whether that is in Oregon or Minnesota...
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