My Buddy

How I know Buddy is soaking it all in in the kitchen:

1. On seeing a bottle of white vinegar, he nonchalantly comments, "I love vinegar. You can use it to clean the floors, or you can use it to cook."
2. We were baking a cake, and I commented that we didn't have quiet enough sugar. "That's OK, Mom. Just use some honey instead."
3. I suggested we make cinnamon rolls for Hubs on Saturday morning. "Let's make them now!" When I suggest we wait, he explains, "But they always taste better the next day."

Missin' My Man

Hubs is plowing through his last week of Busy Season. Friday is the big day....And then I'll have him back again. Well, he will still have mandatory 55 hour weeks until the offical end, but that's nothing compared to what he's been doing.

So I remember that we made it through, Hubs has:
-missed Buddy's Christmas pageant at school
-missed Buddy's parent-teacher conference
-missed Buddy and Sister singing in church choir
-missed cousin T's birthday party (second year in a row there)
-missed taking Buddy to his Saturday morning tennis lessons for the last 3 weeks
-worked the last 2 Sundays, not even making it home for dinner this past Sunday
-worked every weekend since early January
-not made it home for bedtime since Christmas

He's been leaving for work around 7am, coming home around midnight, working from home until 2 or 3am., then starting again a couple hours later.

I miss him. The kids miss him. He's exhuasted and stressed, but we're almost there.

They really don't pay him (or me!) enough for this!

Another one on Sis.

In the car, out of the blue:
Sis: Mommy, when I'm a big girl, Buddy's gonna be a man, and we're gonna snuggle together.

It reminded me of a few months back, when were talking about getting her a "little girl bed". She requested one as big as mine and Hubs's, so that Buddy could sleep in it too. She really thinks that they're a couple! I think it's adorable, and it's so sweet that Buddy sort of plays along with it, humors her, even though he knows what the deal is.

The girl is so crazy, she really cracks me up most of the day. I don't know where she came from! I was shy and reserved as a kid, and I think Hubs was pretty even. But Sis. (breath) Sis is just....It's hard to explain. I've been reading and re-reading Raising Your Spirited Child over the last year. And that book pretty much sums her up. She's spirited for sure.

This and That

Buddy is off from school all week long! It's only 3 mornings per week, but he really loves it. As much as I love having him home, we're already missing the routine!

Sweet Baby has started throwing fits. Yes, at 10 months old, he's already learned to flail all o fhis extremities and scream in protest when I stop reading his "Diggers" book. Yup.

Sister is no longer "Sister". She is either "Carly", "Sleeping Beauty", or "Dora Princess." Make sure you get it right.

Hubs has been working like crazy. I'm worrying over him not getting enough sleep (3 or 4 hours a night for the last few!) and getting sick. But this is his 9th busy season, so I guess he knows what he's doing. I just can't wait til it's over, so I can have him back again. We all really miss him.

I can't believe it's already late-February! Back in Richmond, I'd be thinking that spring is here. Here in Jersey, though, you never really know. Carry me back to ol' Virginny....

PS Spell check isn't working, so forgive my spelling errors!

Becky is a Lurker.

I just found out my little sis has been reading this blog, but she's never left a comment. What's up with that, Beck? Why don'tcha drop a line to your ol' sis next time you're in Bloggyville. And that goes for anybody else who's out there....Hellooooooooooo??????????

Drink more milk.

We were playing a 'round the table game at dinner tonight. The catagory was "things that have milk in them."

Me: Sour cream!
Hubs: ice cream!
Buddy: yogurt!
Sis: Mommies!

Fashionista

Sister's Recent Outfits (why didn't I take phics!?!)
-To church last week: fuzzy tights, short skirt, raindbow sweater, pink cowgirl boots, pink sparkly purse, 2 pigtails (She couldn't find her purse on the way out the door. We offered her 9 others, but none would do. Finally, Buddy found THE ONE. But then she couldn't find her phone and keys. As a result, we were late to church!)
-Today to Buddy's tennis lesson: Leggins, tshirt, pink tutu/leotard with Disney princesses on top of the whole outfit.
-Yesterday's nap: Buddy's old construction-print pjs, with said tutu/leotard on top. She was sleeping beauty. And don't even dare to call her anything other than that.

A few things

Sis was getting dressed without any fusses at all....
Sis: I'm having great belistener!* I'm obeying Jesus!
Me: Yeah, Sis, great job getting dressed!
Sis: I forgive Jesus all my sins.
Me: Jesus forgives you of your sins?
Sis: No, I forgive Jesus all my sins.
No point in arguing, so I stop there.
*I think this is a combo of ""behavior" and "listener".

She seems to get her languge a bit mixed up sometimes....This type of thing happens every day:
Sis: When I was a Mommy, I went to Curves.
Me: When you're a mommy, you're going to go to Curves?
Sis: Yeah.

-Sis and Sweet Baby are developing their own little bond. They're playing together more, as they're interested in a lot of the same toys. We've been watching a lot of home moveies lately, and I'm remembering that Buddy and Sis were playmates from the beginning. But this time around, Sis is usually with her older brother...She seems so much closer in age to Buddy, but it's just the same difference with Sweet Baby.
-Sweet Baby discovered our play kitchen. He likes to pull up on it, adnd climb through the oven to the fridge, which is like a little tunnel. The kids are so amused my him. It's amazing to see them get excited for Baby's accomplishments and growth!
-Sweet Baby will be one year old next month! I really can't believe it. Mixed feelings there.
-Buddy is officially registered for kindgergarten! The process has been so smooth and organized. I've been thoroughly impressed with out school district. And as a former teacher in a mega-district, I'm pretty hard to impress!
-I'll post pics soon. Still learning the new camera....
PS Spellcheck isn't working, so forgve me!

Angelic

Sister, Sweet Baby and I were playing on the floor. Right out of nowhere, Sister scoots on over to Sweet Baby, gets close to his face, and whispers in the world's sweetest whisper:

"Always remember that God loves you, Baby."

And then she went back to playing. I was pretty sure I heard it right, but just to be sure I asked her, "Who says that, Sis?"

To this she replied, "Pastor does, Mommy."

She was repeating to her baby brother the blessing that Pastor often gives her during Communion. Now how sweet is that?

Princess Sister Speaks

Sister: Mommy, I'm a princess!
Me: Hello, princess! Please put your coat on.
Sister: No, princesses don't wear coats.
Me: Oh, really? Why not?
Sister: Princesses live where it's warm. They don't need any coats.

I learn something new every day...

Calzones

Dissolve 2 t. yeast in 1 c + 2T warm water.
Add 3c flour and 1.5t. salt.
Knead 8 minutes
Place in oiled bowl, covered for 60 minutes.
Divide dough into 8-12 pieces.
Roll each piece into a flat circle.
Fill half with toppings* of your choice.
Fold empty half over filled half.
Seal edges with a fork or fingers.
Bake 15 minutes (or until golden) at 425.