My Name is Mud (aka M-O-M)

On her last report card, Amanda recieved all VGs, or Very Goods (the politically correct way to give an A in elementary school). To reward her, I purchased some cool chalkboard wall decals to put up in her room. While she was at school, I applied them and then lovingly wrote, "I love you -Mom" in one of the clouds.

When she got home, she was pretty excited about being able to write on her walls. She was not as excited about my little message, however. She asked if she could erase it and when I asked why she replied, "It's sooooo humiliating!" I asked her what was so humiliating about "I love you -Mom" and she clarified that by saying, "the MOM part, can I just erase the MOM part?". So here is a picture of her new wall decals....minus the humiliating MOM.

Southern Delicacies

Since Dave was born and raised in the deep South (Covington, LA and Selma, AL) he has eaten a variety of weird animal products. I believe some of those delicacies include gator and squirrel. So, when Alison got a new Leapster game about the new Disney princess Tiana she was super excited that she was able to "cook" daddy's favorite dish....Dumbo!

We were a little confused at first, knowing that elephants, specifically small, flying ones, are not typically eaten anywhere. Then we realized that she was referring to gumbo, a regional treat that does not involve eating any large mammals.

Alexa's First Haircut

"What hair?!" you might ask. I know, the poor kid has not been follically blessed. My mother firmly believes in old wives tales, however, and so we set off to get her hair trimmed in the hopes that it would grow back faster and thicker. Here are the pics of her first trim.

What are you doing lady?

I am SO not liking this.

This bow stinks.

It's My Birthday and I'll Cry if I Want To...

Alison is turning four tomorrow. She is having her first "real" birthday party with friends as opposed to family. The princesses, in full regalia, are set to arrive at 10am. Of course, this all may be moot due to the fact I was called to pick her up early from school since she barfed in the playhouse...

In preparation for her princess party, I went to the Disney store today and purchased an Aurora ball gown with matching "high heeled" shoes for her. When I got home, she saw the gigantic Disney bag and begged to see what was in it. When I told her it was for her birthday and that it had to be a surprise, she insisted that she would forget what was in it by tomorrow so it would still be a surprise. Well, that ploy didn't work, and now she is running around the house lamenting how much we hate her.

Yes, life is hard for a soon to be four year old.

That's My Name...

As I sit here typing this, my youngest is wailing "mama, mama, MAAA MAAA!" over and over and over again. I'm amazed it's actually registering in my brain. From the minute the girls wake up in the morning, until now as they resist going to sleep...it is the one word that is said a million, sometimes a trillion times each day. Sometimes it precedes a simple request like, "mom, where's breakfast?" other times a demand, "mom! wipe my bum!" (from my preschooler). The most infuriating is the times when they seem to say it just to say it, "mom?" and when I say "what?" there is no response. That tends to happen in cycles...mom? what? mom? what? mom? WHAT?!!! By the end of the day, after one of those cycles I tend to sing in my head..."that's my name, don't wear it out...that's my name, don't wear it out...that's my name, don't wear it out." The funny thing is, as weary as I get of hearing it I know that is really the most meaningful name I could ever be called.

Just Keep Smiling

Just keep smiling girls...and totally disregard the fact that your sister is screaming bloody murder. We need to get a cute shot of you in the snow, damn it!

Excused Absence

Dave and I are what you might call non practicing Catholics. There was a time when we did attend church regularly, but as we had more and more children, we went less and less frequently. The recent Christmas Eve mass just illustrates why we have been absent in church for the past several years. Even with my parents and brother to help out, it was quite the experience.

Several minutes into a very crowded service, Alexa decided to take a dump. With at least an hour of church left, Dave had no other option but to fight his way through the crowded pew, through the hordes at the back of the church, into the freezing parking lot to change a stinky diaper. And, if you know my children, it doesn't take a lot space for them to get injured. A little while later, Ricky pokes me and with a look of alarm informs me that Alison is bleeding. Yes, she has managed to somehow scratch her cheek in the 1 foot x 1 foot space between pews and neighboring parishioners. As I scramble to find something to staunch the blood, the nativity play starts. I'm relieved because hopefully it will hold everyone's attention for a bit. It does, but Alison is very concerned that someone is going to DIE in this play, and says so very, very loudly. And much like anything they are bored with, like long car rides and grown up conversations, Alison asks several times in a loud voice, "Is this almost over? Can we go home now? I'm bored!"

Hopefully, in a few years, we can make a return to church, but I think for now we'll have to be absent. (And I think Father Matthew would thank us for that!)