Abbie

Abbie enjoyed preschool this year. We were able to carpool with neighborhood friends, Benji and Pearson. She has adored these boys, especially Benji. In fact she might have a small crush, but I don't think she knows those even exist, so she just loves purely and it is sweet to see.

I must admit that some of my best laughs of each day came from picking up this cute bunch and listening to their conversations. 4/5 year olds are the funnest age! Still cute, full of personality and fun facts to share, and not too lippy.

Here is Abbie with head teacher, Megan on the last day of lab. Megan and her student teachers made the classroom activities so fun this year. Abbie enjoyed all her days and was quite a leader to her friends. She gets along with most people well.

We are all signed up for a few more weeks of preschool for the summer. The boys are joining us and I will continue to watch Benji daily until his mom returns from work. The system works out well and Abbie loves having a play buddy for the day. 

My Dancer?

She had to wear this lovely number

Abbie has been begging to take Ballet. We made her wait until this fall for new classes to begin. She is attending a Jazz/Tap/Ballet class at Dance Illusion. I love this studio because they offer fun and good technique. Two important requisites for loving and learning dance.

Abbie might be my dancer. She loves it and is learning quite well. I love to sneak peaks at her practicing. She is the youngest in her class, just a tiny thing, but quite capable. I know she loves it because just last night at the park, she spent her entire time "performing" on top of a picnic table.

So far we have enjoyed commuting by bike or feet downtown to dance in the afternoon. Class is before school lets out for the older girls, so the time and exercise has been nice. I particularly enjoy perusing the bookstore across the street while Sunny sleeps. One day I walked across town to the bank. Let us hope the snow stays at bay for a while.

Abbie's last first day of preschool

On the morning of her first day of preschool, Abbie was chomping at the bit to go. She could not wait. When I attempted to take some pictures, there was no holding still for long.

So far she is enjoying her time away from home and tells me "school is so fun mom..."

Last Tuesday as we were getting ready, I reminded her she needed her show and tell item. She said she didn't want to take anything. Next thing I hear she is coming downstairs saying "mom, I got some ponies for ho and tell". I busted a gut. Her antics make my mornings. She is such an animated, funny, charming little girl.

This year for preschool, we are carpooling with two other people. It is extremely nice. It is equally as entertaining to hear the children converse on the way home. I love age four. It truly is my favorite age of children.

Cravings

2 months. 

Sunny Buckets rolled from her back to stomach this afternoon. With a swift turn of her hips she plopped on her belly like a beached whale, back arched, enjoying her new view. She was stunned, I was excited and then immediately sad. My baby is growing up. As a way of monitoring progress in my children, I crave these events- first smile, first laugh, first roll- until they happen. Then I want time to still and seal up the newborn cry, fisted fingers and wobbly head so I can witness it forever.

No such luck.

Now I'm on to craving toy interaction, sitting up and rolling for travel. Such a bipolar cycle to place myself in.

--------------------------

Lib the snorkler

Tomorrow marks the last week of summer. I am singing hallelujahs to school beginning. To a schedule of which to gauge my days. Having four children has made me crave a schedule. Wake, breakfast, three out to school, feeding, naptime- FREE TIME FOR MOM!, pick up Abbie, errands/work/playtime, more naptime and feedings, kids come home, homework, piano, soccer, dance, run here and run there, throw in dinner then bedtime to get ready for the next day. I assume this schedule will make more time for other things like better focused family time and exercise, but I know the days will continue only with 24 hours.

Knowing myself, a week into my new great schedule and I will be dying for summer to begin again. Never thought I'd say it, but I miss the summers with toddlers. Those lazy days without schedule and with whim on our side. To bad those are a thing of the past.

School clothes are bought, last minute fun is planned and throbbing trepidation is settling in. Aspen is at her last year in Elementary School, Lib finds herself behind before she even begins 3rd grade and Abbie has her final year of preschool. Growth times three.

My hopes are:
     *That Aspen settles in with some good friends before middle school and enjoys her last year of        innocent childhood consisting of Barbies, running around in swimsuits, and not noticing the opposite sex.
     *That Lib continues to enjoy learning... label free, and absorbs enough to process then spill back out... enough.
      *That Abbie will let loose, play, learn by doing and enjoy her last year of freedom until the ABC's and 123's are crammed into her charming little head, forever.
      *That Sunny and I will take more walks together. More naps. Maybe even take her first bike ride just as soon as she sits up!

Thoughts on the day

-Felt good today, for a 33 week pregnant lady. I'll take it.

-Aspen tried out for the school talent show, and made it. She performed today playing "Fur Elise" on the piano. It was a perfect rendition (with a few nerves which made it a quick rendition) just like she promised it would be since we straightened her hair last night, in preparation. In fact, her exact quote was "I feel more educated when my hair is straight". She also said it helps her get A's and do better at anything she is does. She even went as far as to promise her straightened hair would help deliver a solid performance today. She may be on to something.
I was proud of her. She did great.
I think straight hair gives her attitude and boy did we see a lot of that today. Attitude is good when harnessed, really difficult to deal with when not. I'm thinking that today she could of also auditioned for the Disney Channel and made it. Drama, drama and attitude mixed with more drama. Love her still.

-When giving her a bath today, Abbie asked me not to clean her wiener. "No worries, I won't because you don't have one. You're a girl silly". Where does she get this from? I'm totally blaming it on Liberty since minutes before Lib told me her's was clean. Here I thought I've been giving the girls proper terminology and trying to teach them differences in boys and girls. Hasn't worked so well, apparently. Sure made for a good laugh though!

What's on her mind?

While watching The Little Mermaid Abbie pleaded, "Mom, I want to be a human too!"
 Further into the movie: "Mom, can you make me a mermaid?"

Handing me her pink singing cell phone Abbie said convincingly, "Mom, call someone... it's fun!" with one of her famous crooked smiles.

Whispering astonishingly during the Sacrament- "Jesus died... for me?!" 

"Mom, I want cookies for befast. Mom, can you make me cookies for befast?" 

Lovely

Chiga and her main sqeeze

Chiga Mariga turned THREE!

Three weeks prior to her big day all Abbie could talk about were cupcakes. "I want cupcakes mom!"
"What do you want for your birthday?" Mick would ask.
"Cupcakes!"
This became a fun, sometimes hourly conversation between the two of them.

Not a hard kid to please. I granted Abbie her cupcake wish times 24 with Doree on top. Abbie loves Doree. Come to think of it, who doesn't love Doree? So lovable, so sweet- even as a (cup)cake topper.

Once a week when Mick goes to Young Men's the girls and I have been having dance parties- complete with strobe light and loud dance tunes like All The Single Ladies. We typically end up doing some country swing. I assume the male lead and the girls each beg me to dip and spin them. Good times all around- that is until the strobe light makes most of us sick. Excluding Abbie. She could dance forever.

So the morning of Abbie's party, I asked her what she wanted to do when all her guests came to celebrate. She requested a dance party. Sure enough, as soon as we turned on the tunes and people started jamming, she lowered her head and sat down on the floor, completely embarrassed. I don't think we made it through one song. It was a fun try, but we'll have to stick to dance parties on girls night.

Now three, she was able to open presents with efficiently, thoroughly enjoying all the cute clothes. My favorite was watching her open her present from Liberty. Pulling out several items from a giant bag, one by one with awe and smiles, never realizing they were her very own toys from the basement! The perks of having a toy store located downstairs. I'm all about recycling.

 
Sure love this lady.
So happy she's three.
Thanks family, for coming to celebrate.
I appreciate you keeping my child in cute clothes this season!

"Babies Don't Keep"

Yesterday mom said that she and grandma could not believe that Abbie will soon be three. I remarked how proud of myself I was that Abbie was turning three and I wasn't pregnant or had a baby!

Huge milestone in the last nine years. Huge! Especially when babies turn two and the urge to turn that toddler back into a baby escalates into thinking I need another one.

See why I'm so proud of myself? I faired the urge well.

Time does fly. Seems like just yesterday I had a newborn. I miss those days. Some moments, like the other night when Abbie fell asleep in my arms, make me want to do it all again. Usually that's when I awake from my pleasant daydream to a child whining, and I'm reminded that babies grow up. Babies are a cakewalk compared to independent children. Just when I feel I've got a child figured out, they up and change on me. So much work, but worth it all!

Besides, I've had dreams of doing this lately- now that I have a (almost) big three year old and no baby! I'm always amazed at mothers who do both simultaneously. How do they do it?

P.S. Here's a poem I just love. This is for you Mick when you come home to a household disaster and wonder what in the freak just happened in your eight hour absence.

BABIES DON'T KEEP

Mother, oh Mother,

come shake out your cloth,

empty the dustpan,

poison the moth,

hang out the washing

and butter the bread,

sew on a button and make up a bed.

Where is the mother whose house

is so shocking?

She's up in the nursery,

blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little

Boy Blue (lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).

The shopping's not done

and there's nothing for stew

and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo

but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.

Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?

(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing

will wait till tomorrow,

for Children grow up,

as I've learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs.

Dust go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep......

~Author Unknown ~

A Bowl Full

This morning Abbie wanted Cheerios.

I obliged, poured her a bowl full and proceeded to grab the milk.

"Don't dwown 'em, mom!", she pleaded.

After a few bites of solid crunch she relented and requested milk.

Tweet Tweet

All the birdies left the nest this morning. Now the house is eerily quiet.

 For the past month, Abbie has been wearing her backpack each day with anticipation of school. Naturally she demanded to wear a dress on the first day. Today's choice: the "porpl dwress" with a "boo".  Mrs. Smartypants fashionably chose a coordinating white boo.

 After our morning routine Abbie headed out to her first day of two year old lab- aka: playtime with playmates, or toddler work. My favorite moment was when she had a melt down knowing the girls left for school and she was not with them. Jumping in the shower I reminded her broken heart and tearful eyes that we had to drive to her school... in a few minutes. She did not take this well, as her eyes were still puffing when I ventured out of the shower.

With the near empty minivan we drove up to the University. Making a loop and pulling up to the school doors, teacher Tasha greeted us, took Abbie from her car seat, and led her through the rain into school. Would have loved that picture. Her happy little stroll melted my heart.

Little does Abbie know I was taking pictures of her through the observation glass. Every mom loves the observation booth. In the first 20 minutes, she had only gotten into two fights. No girl likes her broom stolen, especially by a boy trying to clean her house. 

And Then There Was One

Chiga- our singing, dancing, swimsuit wearing prodigy

Never a non blurry photo with this little lady. She's continually on the move. Singing, dancing, changing clothes... running running running.

"I dancing", "I singing", are frequently sung while dancing circles.

Her little voice is priceless, which reminds me I need to get it recorded.


I'm down to one child for 6.5 hours a day. The hours pass with perks and setbacks. Perks because what can you not get accomplished with one child verses three? And setbacks because I'm so rusty with entertaining a two year old! Abbie keeps my appendages strung out. One arm catching a tilted cup she's filled herself, the other arm scrubbing urine soaked carpet. Two legs chasing after the hem of her newest outfit (deep breath). Parenthood is harder work in the thirties.

My entertainment helpers are sorely missed while they are at school.  

Having a third child really set my bounce back, back. But amid my new running regimin (ie: chasing Abbie), productivity has increased around the Perkins home. I'm finally feeling the satisfaction of getting things done, which could be a small miracle after 2.5 years.

Lately I've attempted these fine skills again: cleaning- the deep kind, baking edible wheat bread, dusting, household organization, meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry in two days, and sleeping. Okay, maybe laundry in three days, but that is far better then baskets sitting in my living room for weeks on end. Oh, and I did attempt to make my own pickles from garden cucumbers, and since they are divine! that more than makes up for an extra day of laundry littering the living room.

My hats off to all mothers who maintain the above skills after having three children. Or one for that matter.

Good thing I get some daily payback in calorie reduction, kisses, hand holding, cuddling, "lu shew's", being an ouchi healer, and leisurely walks to the park.

Now, on to voice recording.

Crve and Sparky

Meet Crve (pronounced Carvie)...

...and her side kick Sparky, sometimes with a silent s.

They've renamed themselves today.

Happenings

Today I told Mick, If I hear the name Mom one more time...
(only to be interrupted with MOM! MOM! MOM! from three little voices)
... I think I might go crazy!

Thank goodness for a killer training schedule and a nice run to calm frazzled mommy nerves. Often times I have to wonder where did Jen go amid all this mothering? I miss her.

In the words of my friend Ola- sometimes I have to go in and look at my kids while they are peacefully sleeping in order to remind myself how much I love them. Tonight I did just that. I am one blessed lady to have such great children. Each one teaches me so much. I love them dearly.

*****

Back when I was on blog strike:

After three consecutive seasons of soccer, a miracle happened. On her last game of the season, Aspen approached the goalie with a firm handle on the ball. Anticipating a catch, the goalie moved forward and out of her box. Instead, Aspen's foot lobbed the ball up and over the goalies head, and as Mick and I held our breathe it rolled as slow as a turtle into the net. I dare say I have never wished so hard for a seven/eight year old to NOT get to a ball in time. I may have even wished out loud, opps, sorry goalie!

Mick and I were so proud of Aspen. The smile on her face showed the exhilaration on behalf of all three of us. Too bad the video recorder was on sleep mode, and no matter how slow the ball rolled into the goal, the camera's wake up was ten times slower. It will be a moment long remembered anyhow.

*****

On the same day, Liberty crossed off two huge mile stones by attending her last day of kindergarten and learning to ride her bike without training wheels. All she has asked me since is "Mom, can I go out and ride my bike!"



It's a double edge sword. My baby is growing up and will soon enter ALL DAY school- SAD!, but not playing the shuffle game of the kindergarten schedule will be a blessing. I will miss Liberty during the day. She is continually happy and such a great child to have had around. Abbie will miss her too. Her and I will have to soak up enough of Liberty this summer, to charge our batteries for fall, winter and spring when she will be away at school.

I adored Liberty's teacher this year. Mrs. Simmons helped Liberty learn and grown so much in such a short amount of time. I'm grateful for her patience and attention to Liberty's needs. Even the aid, Mrs. Larsen was fabulous!

*****

(Make-up artist)

Abbie is a cute little fart. She's talking up a storm lately! Where ever her sister's go, she wants to go too. If not, she will let me know her frustration by yelling and running into her room for a good, long, LOUD cry. She is still pooping her panties on a regular basis, which has me in fits- but I'm praying she will snap out of that anytime soon. Praying real intently.

She can be tremendously needy, whiny, and demanding. Certainly those characteristics might turn into great strengths such as compassion, empathy and determination. The challenge as her mother, is remembering that this too shall pass. She has now passed from her crib to a toddler bed, soon she will be scoring her first goal, riding bikes by herself and no longer be needing me as much. Breaks my heart but makes me happy all the same. I'm learning to take her fits all in stride. Some days being easier then others.

*****

Medusa and her Sweet Nemesis, Pippy.

In honor of Dr. Suess on his birthday, crazy hair day was instituted at Ellis.




















We went with mythical and fantasy instead of Whosits and Whatsits.
Fitting for my crazies on crazy hair day.

Top moment of the day:

Liberty with her upside down braids came pouncing in the van upon pick-up, with a walloping AWWWWWWWWWWWWW! aimed at Abbie (usually they run lovingly into each others arms).

Abbie's eyes widened in confusion and fear, recognizing perhaps Liberty's familiar eyes and smile from last night, though something was visibly different. A frightened high pitched squeal was released from Abbie's abdomen when Liberty's flaming red hair lurched straight at her.

I shut their door and laughed my way to the drivers side door.

Other bonuses to potty training...

1. Calorie burning, cold sweat, sprinting trips to the potty (nearly every 10 minutes, some days) that mostly result in false alarms. Just in case I had the urge to sit down instead of doing some sprint training.

2. Concentrating on getting someone to the potty and spending more time in the bathroom leaves less time in the kitchen rummaging around for sugar, chocolate, or a favorite baked goods recipe.

Potty training is turning into a win/win, so why have I not lost pounds yet?

4-8 for today

On day three, Abbie finally decided to tinkle in the toilet.

DAY THREE!

Even then, she only made it to the pot 50 % today. I'm accepting the glass half full approach on this adventure. Only to insure my psyche that it could not get any worse. Or could it?

In reality, she still has yet to let loose the other end, and after three days- yep, it's bound to be a doozy.

Which reminds me, if anyone needs some first hand potty training experience before you attempt it with your own child- I would gladly give tomorrow's task to the first bidder.

Anyone?

She'll shower you with kisses and deliver diving hugs that linger with words of "I love you'" and "candy pees" with her innocent blue eyes.

Tempted yet?

Third Time Around

One soggy mess.
Two dirty rags.
Three attempts to quick dry, via blow dryer.
Four puddles.
Five pantie changes.
Six trips to the potty,
In Seven hours:

Is making me one crazy Eight!

Okay, so that was cheesy, but this potty training business might just kill me. Honestly. I keep reminding myself of all the money I'll soon be saving. That is the only bright spot in this process. Well... that and no more poop in the fingernails to contend with while changing diapers.

To think we have not even had a "poop" accident yet. When that occurs, I will be sure to:

Holler "9 11",
and count to Ten.

Valentines Day 12

I Love:

Abbie

Even though she is a terrible, TERRIBLE two, everyday, her sweet spirit makes me happy! Abbie is precocious, even more so then her eldest sister. It is so fun to watch her eyes light up when she discovers something new. I love her voice, her personality, and her love of her best friend- Mr. Blanket.

I love her. That she will still hold my hand and trust me with everything. I could not imagine life without her. To think I cried my eyes out for three days when I was told I was pregnant with another girl. I would not trade her for a million boys.

Never.

Ever.

Love you Chiga!

Among Other Humorous Things...

I came home from work this morning and Mick's first words to me were something like this "If your going to ask me publicly for a Christmas gift, you could at least tell me a size or give me a brand".
Like I'm going to publicly announce my size, you've got another thing coming Santa!

Then he said something like "You know some of the ladies at work read your blog and make comments to me; I don't want to be having conversations about breasts with the ladies at work".

So, Ladies at work, mums the word! Avoid all conversations about body parts from here on out. Also forget you read this, since Mick will likely kill me. 

*

Sometimes I say things that are better left in my head. Whoopsidaisy! This one was funny:

 While running at work this morning an engineer/tech -who had previously wrapped up the ab blade with bubble wrap so we could use it as a thigh master with extra padding- said something like, "You want some WD 40"? I said "Sure, spray a little of that between my thighs so they will just glide right past each other". His response, "I wasn't talking about your thighs, just the belt on the treadmill".

Like I really thought he meant my thighs...

He was a funny, good sport.

But really isn't WD 40 the quick fix for what ails you, kind of like Duct Tape? I know mom would agree.

*

Then, as Abbie was taking a bath she tooted and said "bubbles"! She tooted some more and said "I tooted!" each time after. In fear of what might happen next, I realized I needed to get her out quick. Just as she was washed and lifted out of tub, you can only imagine what came streaming down her leg and plopped right into the hot steamy tub. I held her there for a moment- waiting for the rest of my present- until her lips started to turn purple. Thinking she was done, we made our way to the rug to grap the towel when she remarked "I poopt, I poopt" in a distressed tone. "I poopt wite dare mom", as she stood freezing pointing to the present on the rug. So I held her bum up to the toilet. Big mistake. She FREAKED out and smeared her cute little poop basted cheeks all over the toilet.

Thanks for cleaning the bathroom this morning Mick. Too bad it was a few hours too soon. You would have enjoyed this mess!

*

Oh, and you don't even want to get me started on the dream I remember having ALL NIGHT LONG last night. It was a doozy.