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Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Homework, the drive to crazy, Advent & More

A few weeks have slid by since I wrote something, and mainly because I have not had a fully functioning brain. At least, it appears this may be the problem. There are days when I can say that a busy schedule, sick child or little sleep has compounded the problem (and you girls may read this & had assumed that I have always been this way). I seem to remember a time when my brain functioned at top speed - as Abi would say. Unfortunately this is not the case lately. In the midst of all of this, 'normal' life has proceeded & with it some great, funny, & frustrating moments. Here are some of those moments.Stella, you are not much of a talker, but you LOVE to sing and you are FULLY engaged in all Dora, Diego & Little Einstein videos. It truly is fun to watch you sing, answer Dora's questions, & pat-pat-pat with Little Einsteins. You are also taking on the role of big sister with Chloe & Claire, and it is ALWAYS in their best interest to follow your plan. You are quite 'persuasive' with them - praise God we are not an Italian family with Mafia connections. You are pretty attached to me when you have not found something to do, and as much as I LOVE to snuggle with you . . . having you literally attached to me all day long gets a bit draining. So today as I peeled you off of my leg for the 20th time I said, "Stella you are going to drive me crazy!" Jillian overhead and asked, "When are you going?" "What? Where?" I responded. "Crazy" was her reply. Ahhhh, mommy needs to be more careful with what comes out of her mouth!Abi, you are so amazingly smart, and I CANNOT believe what you are learning as a first grader. You have homework every night, and I'm amazed at what you know. But I have to admit that there are some nights (usually involving math) where I just don't think I can take it. I know I'm not the most patient woman (no laughing please), and it's not like I'm homeschooling (no judging please), but I'm not sure it's a good sign that I end the homework time perspiring & a bit sarcastic. Granted, having Stella bust in every 5 minutes to 'experiment' on the computer or Chloe & Claire banging on the door with toys can be a bit distracting; but number patterns & graphs have never been so difficult in all my life.
Chloe & Claire, it is truly amazing to see how quickly you girls have grown. The funny thing with 3 older sisters is that you want to play with all of their toys - forget the baby stuff. You also want to play how they play - including Stella - who LOVES to tackle. So Chloe has taken up chasing Claire, and tackling her. Surprisingly, you actually like this Claire - until Chloe lays on you. Then when you try to get up and can't, you b/c annoyed & begin to yell. Chloe lets you up, begins to chase you, and the cycle continues. It is incredible to watch how you make each other laugh, and it is incredible to watch how you steal each other's toys. Ahhhh, all day long.

Chloe your new 'thing' is to sing part of the Messiah. Yes, Handel's Messiah. I am practicing it for our church choir, and it is often playing in the background. So there is a part that goes, Wonderful, and the next line is, Counselor. Yep, Chloe you sing Counselor. Ok, it doesn't sound exactly like Counselor (I didn't say you were a musical prodigy), but you get the notes right on - pretty impressive I say.
A few days ago I got down all of our Christmas decorations. You girls are SUPER DUPER DUPER EXCITED about the lights and Christmas. It actually hasn't been too hard getting lights up . . . I never took the outside lights down from last year. Yep, we are one of those families who keep their Christmas lights up ALL year long. Who really notices? Besides I think laundry kept taking precedence over climbing onto the roof. Actually Tia Kelly put them up for us last year, did such a good job that I didn't need to take them down. Sweet!
Girls, we have entered into the season of Advent. Basically means we are preparing to celebrate Jesus' birth. I have to confess that I am still learning how to do this. Grammy bought the Veggie Tales Nativity Scene, and I thought we would set it up, each day in advent discuss a piece until we get to the baby Jesus (or baby asparagus in this case). But the pieces are already scattered around the house. I seem to work well having a plan of action, a goal, a book to read, a devotion to follow, a ritual to complete. Now, none of this is bad - but at times I get so focused on . . . the plan, that I seem to miss the awesome simplicity of this season. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. That whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." Pretty awesome, huh?
God may the expectancy of celebrating Your Son's birth permeate everything we do so that there is a deep overflowing joy, peace, fellowship, and service in all we do!

9 comments:

Danyele Easterhaus said...

cute post...i was totally missing you! i lvoe the pic of the air pump phone! signs of things to come, i'm sure!!! and have a merry christmas...may you get some peace...and when you figure out how to slow down, let me know.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

This was so sweet...I loved the stories and the pictures...and I love seeing my Z-man pat pat pat too!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Your kids are so so so adorable! You take really good photos, too. They capture a story in the still.

Laura said...

I say "you are driving me crazy" too much too. I guess there is worse to say though.

I have to agree with Az you take great photo's.

ASHLEY said...

WHAT BEAUTIFUL GIRLS YOU HAVE...I AM NEW TO YOUR BLOG AND I LOVE THE PHOTO UP TOP WITH ALL THE SANTA HATS.....TOO CUTE!!!! I BET YOU ARE A BUSY WOMAN!!!!

dlong said...

Tracy, I love reading your posts and know it will be so special for your girls, even if you are going to be visiting crazy sometime soon! You always take beautiful pictures too, love the Christmas photo.

Fine Art by Jennifer said...

Hey I just viewed your blog through a comment you left on my cousins'. I have 5 daughters too...monoamniotic twins (10 years old) and a Boxer (girl, no doubt). Although mine are spaced more than yours. Awesome idea to write to them. That's why I blog too, so I won't forget these glorious days.

Cotton Wool & Silk said...

Tracy -- I have looked at your girls in several pictures -- you're right, they have many looks. But they are all right up there in the beautiful category. To me, Abi and Jillian have acquired much of what makes both your and Arturo beautiful/handsome people. Stella looks the most like you! She is gorgeous (they all are). And Chloe and Claire look the most like "pure Arturo" to me. Merry Christmas to all of you. Kate and Sarah are coming to NY for a visit next week. Can't wait.

Debra said...

what a great post and I love the picture.

I too need to be more careful with what I say. I am feeling like a lousy mom today. (I have been home with the kids minus the trip to FL) for th past 5 out of 6 weeks BY MYSELF.. I am pretty much toast!)

Homeowrk = STRESS. just wait till they hit 3rd grade. It's like you go from 10 minutes of homework to 30 minutes in ONE YR!