Krashin' the Korens

Yesterday we had planned to head to Madison to watch Harlan play soccer. The game was rained out, so we crashed the Korens and got some Kelly time.

Thomas and Veronica watched Sonny & Jonathon play baseball, and then tried for themselves. When Veronica went in, Thomas still wanted a partner, so I obliged. When Veronica came out he said to her, "We're having fun. We're playing baseball. Would you like to join us?"

Today we headed back to Madison for the Chataqua Arts Festival. My cousin Allie had a booth there including her gorgeous paintings, wood block print purses, quilts and pillows sewn from a foot-powered sewing machine (she lives without electricity). And, being the daughter of a clown, she made her own unique juggling balls to sell. She was generous enough to let Veronica and Thomas each pick one out. (My dad taught her dad - the professional - how to juggle!)

We ended the beautiful day with a visit to Mama and Daddy Gayle - and were delightfully surprised to spend some time with Sonja, Wes, Haniah, and Mikiah - who was showing off his brand new iPod Touch.

Our Little Stars

Fountain of Our Youths

I was asked at the last minute to speak to a Biology Senior Seminar class at Marian University about physical therapy. Judson offered to take the day off work so that I could do it - and then he offered to bring the kids around campus.

On the drive over, we told them a little bit about Marian.

• That's where Mommy went to school.
• It's where Mommy & Daddy met.
• It's where Mommy & Daddy got married.
• There is a special brick with Julianne & David's name on it.

This was pretty exciting news apparently. Veronica decided that when she gets bigger, she'll get married to Thomas.

Monkey'n 'Round

This morning Danny & Dawn arrived before the kids were awake. Danny popped in just to peak on the kids when Thomas opened his eyes. "You're here!" That turned into a snuggle fest.

Dawn worked on sketching the playroom's mural with chalk. Of course she needed a team of experts to help her.

Then, we went paint shopping with Dawn to find the supplies necessary to complete the mural (another weekend). That lead to wanting to paint for themselves. They liked Uncle Danny as a canvas.


Later in the afternoon, we headed south for Madeline's 8th birthday party. A day of lacking naps and over-indulging in cake and ice cream made for a whole new world of discovery on the ride home... pushing buttons. Each other's buttons. Thomas figured it out first - the power of the word, telling Veronica her pink shirt was actually blue. You'd think he'd just told her she wasn't going to live in our house anymore the way she reacted. Which, of course is just what fueled more. Then, she realized she could do the same with him. I never realized how long Arlington Avenue is.

The Clown Show

After their naps today, Veronica and Thomas told us they enjoyed the clown show...




Yes, we went to "the greatest show on earth." Didn't know what they would think once it started... can you say "overstimulation?" That's what I thought, but they handled it well. In a total gaze - full of enjoyment... especially for the clowns. That's the only time they weren't quiet - laughing at the clowns.

I believe Judson's favorite part were the SEVEN motorbikes riding around at top speed in a little orb.



So, maybe they did show some signs of overstimulation. The after-effects in the last five minutes of the show...

Homecoming

The kids have been away from home for over two weeks. I did get to see them in the middle of it all, and I know they were having a great time at Mamak and Pa's but the homecoming couldn't have been sweeter.

I was working in the kitchen when they walked through the door. Veronica was on auto-pilot. She ran straight back to the kitchen until she was in my arms. After some big hugs, she wanted to read a book. That's where not-quite-awake Thomas found us as Mamak carried him in from the car. With his lids half open he said, "Where's my Daddy?" When he understood that Daddy was at work, he insisted on "I want to hold Mommy." We read books together until the sleepy boy decided he wanted to go to his bed. The bed had an alternative affect on my somnolent son. He oohed and aahed himself awake be taking inventory of his room, his bed, and all the many creatures that were right where he left them.

Fruits of My Labor Day Weekend

Judson and I headed south to see the twins at my parents' house. It was a great weekend to be home, as we got to see my brothers and their beautiful wives as well!

On Saturday, Danny and Dawn made it there long before I got moving. They took the kids garage saling. When I arrived, after a week without seeing them, I got a lot of huge hugs! Thomas promptly introduced me to the "scary" (a good thing) dinosaur he got at a rummage sale. Veronica hopped in my lap and apparently was speaking "bunny" to me while showing off her new stuffed pet.

Later in the day, Thomas started throwing himself on the ground, into couches, or onto pillows, yelling, "MY BODY!" It took us a while to make the correlation: Earlier in the day, Danny was picking up each kid and throwing them onto a bed, letting them know it was a body slam.


On Sunday I was trying to sleep in, but I have never been so happy not to be sleeping in. Veronica and Thomas insisted on seeing me. Veronica kept stroking my arm and my belly while Thomas simply snuggled and sweetly whispered, "Mommy" over and over.


Thad and Paula showed up later. Thomas and Thad had a great time looking at a map, discussing the different routes they could take. Paula had fun with bath tub games with the kids. As Thad and Paula were leaving, Thomas became to interested in heading downstairs to say good-bye. However, he did holler back to Paula, "Bye! See you on the next street... on the map!"


On Monday, Danny made a quick trip back up with some friends to see the NV Rummage Frenzy. He made his friend pull over in Vernon when he saw a Curious George doll at a road-side sale. (Danny - a George fan himself - was known to keep close tabs on his George most of his life.) Danny walked into Mamak's house, held George out for Thomas. Thomas simply squealed, hugged George as tightly as he could, and then ran off to put George in his bed. He ran back to grab Danny and show him where he had George resting.

My Brother

Another relayed story from my recuperation:

Pa was talking on the phone. Veronica asked Mamak who he was talking to.

Mamak: "He's talking to his brother, David."
Veronica: "I have a brother David."

Melt My Heart

It's been six days since I've seen the kids. I'm in no shape to have them even climb on me right now, so I call a couple times a day.

They don't talk much on the phone yet - just stare at it. They "showed" me a couple pictures the drew, but no talking.

Tonight though, Thomas asked to talk to me and said, "I want to hold you, Mommy." Then I couldn't talk.

Mom insists that they don't get down much - in fact they just request me when they get told "no" by Pa or Mamak. I believe this, that's why I'm OK with knowing where they are - and I'm certain they are happy and feeling loved. But, geesh, I miss 'em. And I want to hold them too.