Wordful Wednesday, December

Veronica

Someone in V's class must be talking about other holidays... V keeps running around the house yelling, "April FOUR!

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On 12/18… Veronica came out of her bedroom, well after bedtime, every 10 minutes for over 2 hours. She was amazed she learned how to snap and had to show me.

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Me: Veronica, you are becoming a wonderful artist.
V: I know. Aunt Dawn taught me.

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Thomas

Thomas's Joke for the night...
Why did the bubble gum cross the road?
Because it was stuck to the chicken's foot!

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While watching The Little Drummer Boy, “Bad guys don't usually sing, right Mom?"

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T: Mommy, I wrote you a book. (Hands me a folded piece of paper with scribble on it.)
Me: Can you read it for me?
T: It's called "Cutting for Stone 2". No, "Cutting for Stone 3." It says, "They were cutting for stone, and when there were no more trees, they did not cut anymore.”

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All Together Now…

We were discussing which adult was going to take the kids to the library this afternoon as we both felt under the weather.
V: I know. You can both stay here and rest. Thomas and I can go by ourselves.
Me: Who's going to drive?
T: Well, I don't know how to get to the library (we were speaking of Glendale), so I guess Veronica can drive.
V: But if it's our library (Irvington), I don't know how to get to that one, so you can drive.
Case closed.

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Early in the morning, snuggling in bed with me...
V: I'm so energized!
T: I'm so hydronated!
V: What is hydronated?
T: It's when something falls off your head.

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Speaking about his friend who plays very energetically, "He needs to be careful with my toys. They are very delicatated."
V: What does 'delicatated' mean?
Me: 'Delicate' means that they can get hurt or break easily.
T: Yeah, because they are made in China.

The Fivest

About every other hour Veronica stands up to show me how tall she's gotten or something new she can reach.

The last time I said, "You're the biggest."

She responded,”No. You mean I’m the fivest.”

Feeling Five?

After months of wanting to turn five, the reaction to being five is a little different.
Thomas isn't sure he wants to give up being four. "I like being four."
Veronica stated tonight, "It's been a rough day. I'm nervous about being five. It's a little scary."
They are still pretty thrilled with being five. Sleep tight, my Bittersweet Babes.

Wordful Wednesday, November

Veronica

V's response to her friend who has a strawberry allergy: "Well, I'm only allergic to alligators.”

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You know when the kids spent the entire weekend with Aunt Peggy. Veronica, telling me about where she bought her new "motor"(bi)cycle... "You don't live in my town. I got it there. I live in Brown County.”

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I was telling Veronica to be patient as I was older than her before I could snap my fingers

V: I'll be able to when I'm 62?
Me: Yes. How old do you think I am?
V: 23.

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Thomas

Responsibility? I'm a Star Wars character - not a wild goose chase!

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Mom, can I ask you a question? Why do hunters... Well, you know... um... Well, why do they.... You know... well... Let me think of a question.

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My favorite Thomas word right now: "Poinky"
It seems to translate to pointy or pokey.

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All Together Now…

V:I'm sooooo permanent!
T: I am haberjized!

When you wish upon a star…

I was showing Veronica something outside when she spied the first star of the evening. I explained wishing on a star to her. She told me, "I only wish that Julianne and David could come down."

Ah, my third-born preemie doesn't even know that today is the 6th anniversary of the day we buried our 1st and 2nd born preemies. Ironic how all this falls into prematurity awareness month...

Wordful Wednesday

Thomas

While listening to “Werewolves of London with kids,” Thomas interjected, “Werewolves travel to Africa.” I asked him, “Where did you learn that?” He replied, “Costco. But no, they travel to Egypt. Not Africa, I think.”

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Veronica

“Mom, how do you spell ‘a-ok’? I already have an ‘a’. What's next?” (I make her figure out each letter, then...) “What's after k?"

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This is Thomas. He is crazy.

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We're playing school. When it's grown-up time we go to Disney World and color.

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Judson was cracking himself up.

V: Why are you laughing?”

J: I'm laughing at something that was funny to me.

V: Why's Mommy not laughing?

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Convo

Conversation after they were in bed.
T: What do you call a monster that can't hear?
V: Thomas, do you want to play flashlight school?
T: Sure!
V: OK, I'm Mrs. Eaton.
later, chanted, T: Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Eaton, go away.
Together *Giggles*

Thomas’s Camping Journal

This weekend we went camping at Clifty Falls State Park. The kids were extremely excited. Thomas made a journal of things to do when camping. I hope to post pictures of us actually doing these things later, but I wanted to share this first…

We set up the tent.

This is Thomas looking for sticks.

Thomas looking for leaves.

Catching lightning bugs. (We didn’t actually do this one… maybe next time.)

Toasting marshmallows.

Brushing his hair. (I think this symbolizes getting ready for bed, although he never brushes his hair!)

Mommy reading stories to lots (!?) of people.

Looking at stars through the tent window.

Sleeping in the tent. (Thomas in his sleeping bag – his head on pillow with his teddy bear.)

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica

• “Oh my Heavens!” – her new catch phrase.
• I love you through and though!

 

Thomas

• Judson asked Thomas if he was finished getting ready for bed. (He’s easily distracted, we have to remind him to complete a task many times before it gets started). His response this time was, “I’m reading a book by accident!”
• Mom, that’s REALLY tall. Taller than a building, taller than a tree, taller than a skyscraper. Taller than Uncle Thad.

 

Both

They are really pulling for their birthday to be ASAP. The other day they were planning their birthday party in the car. Thomas wants to have his at Chuck E Cheese. Veronica would like to have hers in the school cafeteria.

while playing, Thomas picked up a girl toy and made it talk…

V: THOMAS! That sounds like a girl voice, not a boy!

T: Well, Veronica… I am a boy. I only have boy voice parts. My voice looks like this, see? (sings syllables)

V: You do it like this Thomas. (singing, “I love you.”)

T: I am a boy. I can’t do a girl voice.

And the winner is…

POOPY-POOP!

That’s exactly how they put it, often.

• And the winner is poopy-poop.
• Poopy-poop.
• Let’s make a poopy-poop sandwich.
• …and the variations are endless.

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica

Heard from the other room… “Dangit. DANGIT! Mom, you have to come here NOW!” I asked, “Why can’t you come here?” To which she answered, “Because I said ‘dangit’, That’s why you have to come now.”

While pretending to be a puppy, Veronica told me, “My name is Gorgeous.” Think she got this from Pa, who insists his name is ‘Good-lookin?”

chicken paddle = doggie paddle                      magnastics = gymnastics

“Mom, one time I saw someone reading a book when they were eating an apple. Could I try that?”

“Mom, you forgot to turn on your bling sneegle!” (turn signal)

 “I really like this song. Do you hear that bass, Mama?”

Thomas

During prayer the other night, this came out: “Angel of God, my Guardian Dear to whom God’s love commits me beer.”

A couple weeks ago Thomas told me, “mom, my name is not ‘Thomas’ anymore. I want you to call me ‘Super Thomas’ all the time now.” The other day when I called him ‘Super Thomas’ he said, “You don’t have to call me that anymore. I really like my name. Call me ‘Thomas.’”

“I love to sing beautiful songs to girls.” (After I complimented his singing to me!)

“Mom, I know why my wrestling moves are so hurty. It’s because she (Veronica) was born first and when I came out I was so long. That gave me a lot of energy.”

hang-a-bur = hamburger

Both

After going outside, Judson returned and said, “It smells like burnt toast out there.” To which Thomas asked, “What’s bird toast?” Veronica told me,

“Mom, it smells delicious out there. Want a taste?”

We made mailboxes for outside our bedroom doors this week. They have been making each other a lot of mail. Veronica was complimenting Thomas on what he had drawn her, telling him how much she’d treasure it and what a good job he did. Thomas came out of the room and I said, “You guys are good buddies.” Thomas replied, “Yep, that’s why we LOVE being twins!”

I love how “modest” these four-year-olds can be. When complimenting them, Veronica will nonchalantly say, “I know.” Thomas will answer in an exasperated tone (as if this is the most basic piece of information everyone shoud know – I’m awesome), “I knooooooooooooooooooooooooow.” To never lose that self-confidence…

Veronica: I want to be a pony!    Thomas: But I would miss my sister.      Veronica: No, you won’t. I’ll be YOUR pony!

Sally

We’ve known for about a month that we were going to have a 3 night, 4 day guest in September. This guest was so exciting that I started a calendar for the kids – specifically so they could check (three times a day or more) how long it would be before we were hosting and what we’d do in the meantime. And then, they day came. She came…

 

SALLY

She received a very warm welcome,

top notch care,

and she had a great time. The kids had a great time too. They were more than willing to share with anyone who would listen that “we have a dog.” Veronica would use a very commanding tone with “Sal” and give her treats to show she was proud of Sally for obeying this tone.

Because Sally didn’t care to sleep in the twins’ room, the twins had a campout each night on the living room floor with her. For three nights in a row, a four year old did not end up in our room overnight!

As much fun as Sally had, she was, however, ecstatic to see Peggy at the end of the four days.

A Walk on the WILD Side

Thanks to the Children’s Museum and the Ft. Wayne Zoo partnering up for a couple weeks, we were able to go to the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo free of charge. I had heard wonderful things about this zoo in the past. and Oh.My.Goodness. GREAT zoo!

321Family, Flesworthy, and the Kringalings caravanned our group of Wonder Twins (plus the fab “baby” Caroline) and got up close and personal with some wildlife.

 

 

We also encountered some wildlife more common to the Indianapolis region…

There were some great interactive stations for the kids.

I wish I could say that all our time was spent marveling that we were walking the same path as the kangaroos, or that birds were swooping at our heads, but the truth is, six four-year-olds together is quite wild. So wild, we don’t even need to look at the exhibits – we’ll just live the wild life!

APPLES!

Class field trip today. We hiked and searched and picked.

and packed.

and were proud.

We even created our own recipe of caramel apple cookies. YUM!

A Decade

Today we celebrated a decade of Madeline! And, we were so happy to do it!

We got the cousins together. You can see the excitement in Thomas’s face.

Jayden was more than happy to party.

Special guest, Kahanna, showed up the two days before her first college classes!

We love celebrating this family… for decades to come.

First Overnight Retreat for the CCC

CCC… Cousins’ Club. That’s what the kids have been calling it for months. Each time we get together and they have their standard incredible time. Well, we made it happen – that sleep-over the four of them have been talking about. Amy and Brad’s anniversary was approaching, and well, that is one of my FAVORITE DAYS! (Judson and I met at their wedding!) So, as I owe all the glory that is the Kring-a-lings to this union, we thought we’d celebrate by letting Amy and Brad have the evening to themselves.

These kids all get along so well. Even little Emma was given a role in the CCC. They all had official titles, you see. (treasurer, president, secretary, etc.) Each person had an ‘office’ in which they carried out their duties.

We had a lot of good, clean fun…

We snuggled up for a movie…

And of course you know a good time’s been had when we see chalk outlines on the sidewalk…

Wordful Wednesday

VERONICA

• As I was leaving to teach my first Anatomy Lab, Veronica stopped me. “Mommy? You are going to teach, right? Well, if you can’t think of any crafts for them to do, we can talk about it later.” My little curriculum developer.
• In the tub, singing: “Legs, legs, glorious legs.”
• Asking me to role play with her, Veronica told me I could be Veronica “because I know you like to be Veronica… because I have long hair.”

THOMAS

• Thomas picked out a pair of shoes he was very happy with when shoe shopping. We wanted him to get them one size larger. After trying those on, he felt like he needed to keep shopping. His excuse not to get the ones he was originally certain about: “I don’t want those. They make me too fast. I’m afraid I’ll get hurt.”
• “What’s a Texas accident?” – Thomas inquiring after Judson mentioned someone’s Texas accent.
• “I know how to spell dot-com. Dot C-O-M.”
• “Grandma, we were talking, and we were wondering if we could stay with you for two weeks.”
• “We’re the best brother and sister!”

BOTH

V: I wish I could live in a castle.

T: I know how you could! If we were Lego people we could live in a castle.

PreSchool Starts…

The kids have been excited for weeks about the start of school, each day asking how long until the first day. They’ve missed their friends and probably the routine. They know their new teachers and seem happy about that as well.

Veronica was too excited to sleep last night. At one point, I heard hear cry out in a very pathetic tone, “Thooooom-MAS! I can’t sleep. Will you help me?”

They both woke it great spirits. Thomas admitted a little anxiety:

T: I’m a little nervous about a new school.

V: It’s OK, Thomas. Do you know who will be with you? It’s your favorite…

T: David.

V: Right! And guess who else…

T: Julianne.

V: And one more…

T: Jesus.

V: Jesus is always with you!

After that, they got ready without a hitch – no reminders needed to stay on task, no meltdowns, only smiles.

Veronica decided we needed to drive the three blocks (not a bad idea since we had to haul all their classroom supplies). We passed our friends walking on the way. Their toddler had fallen and busted her lip. As we walked in the school, V&T were still concerned. Veronica said, “I think I’ll tell our teacher what happened so she will know what is taking Kasey so long.” Thomas said, “I’m sad that Cecilia got hurt. We should pray for her.” And we did. We stopped and said a prayer in the doorway of the school.

In the classroom, there was no clinging to me (a little sad on my part). Thomas hugged me and said, “This is going to be the best new day ever!”

They both agreed it was a wonderful day. Mrs. Fleak said Veronica told her she loved her. This is a big feat as she is usually too shy to talk much at school!

 

We walked to McDonald’s after school for some ice cream where they told me about their days.

before and after school interviews

Holy Magic, Batman!

The story you about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the “innocent.” – Dragnet
Upon finding themselves in last-minute need of childcare, the parents of the Wonder Twins (Jayna – female, Zan – male) called upon a friend. The Wonder Twins were excited as this child, let’s just call him Boy Wonder, is a friend they both rank quite highly. Boy Wonder has a brother a couple years older than Boy Wonder and the Wonder Twins, we’ll call him Batman. Batman and Boy Wonder have an infant sister, Batgirl. For consistency sake, we’ll call the chief operating officer of this assortment of super-little-people, Ms Alfred, Batman’s trusted butler.
The Wonder Twins were dropped off in Gotham city at 8 am that morning, in the capable hands of Ms Alfred. All super-heroes were ready whatever they day may bring, so the Wonder Twins’ mother (Wonder Woman) went off to Metropolis to do her business. Upon returning to Gotham, Ms Alfred told informed Wonder Woman that she found Jayna in the Batcave  with the Boy Wonder. Ms Alfred stated, “I think they were K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”
Boy Wonder puffed his chest out in pride and declared, “Yup, that’s what we were doing.”
Ms Alfred looked unbelievingly at Boy Wonder and inquired, “What were you doing?”
Boy Wonder replied, “What you spelled.”
“What did I spell?” asked Ms Alfred.
Boy Wonder shrugged his shoulders and said, “I dunno.”
On the way home, Wonder Woman asked Jayna, “Ms Alfred said you and Boy Wonder were in his closet. What were you doing in there?”
Jayna got a sly grin on her face and answered, “Talking.”
“About what?”
“….bunnies.”
“Does Boy Wonder like bunnies?”
Jayna quickly replied, “Actually we were talking about dogs.” Fortunately, Zan was being attacked by a mob of sleepiness and was screaming in the adjacent seat – subject changed.
Later that same evening, Jayna confessed to Wonder Woman, “Mom, actually… we kissed – but it was MAGIC!” 
Not sure weather to call in the Justice League, faint, or laugh, Wonder Woman simply asked, “Magic?”
“Yeah, we kissed and it was magic so we turned into kitties.”
“Oh – you kissed so you could turn into kitties. Where did you kiss? On the cheek? Head?”
Matter-of-factly, Jayna responded, “Lip to lip.” She was quick to clarify, “But we did it like this (puckers up with lips protruding as far away from her face as they can) so we didn’t get any germs.” Then, after some thought added, “I guess kissing on the cheek would be safer.”

Grass Flavored Ice Cream

Aunt Dawn set this up for the kids yesterday... The dialouge is completely their own.


Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

Wordful Wednesday

Veronica

• After decided that she wanted to play the older sister, “I’ll be six. Is that when you have white hair?”

Thomas

• toy reaction (toy section - at Target)

Both

After an ultimatum about them exiting their room “one more time” after bedtime, Thomas creeps out with a self-portrait. “It’s me, Mommy. So you won’t miss me when you are at work.” And Veronica? She sneaks out to sign “I love you” and blow me kisses. I didn’t stick to my threat.

Of Science and Fashion

We joined our good friends at the Children’s Museum today. After lunch we were able to watch the world’s second largest  water clock change to one o’clock. Quite a feat, really. A lot of physics involved. There four plopped themselves down and took it all in. They listened intently to the explanation.

When the presentation was over and all the water  had been moved to it’s appropriate places, Thomas approached the docent with questions. Then, he proceeded to look at the diagram and explain (as best he could) the workings of the clock to her. Kasey and Veronica joined right in. They all gave a pretty good dissertation.

The docent told Thomas he could be a scientist. I echoed her sentiments, and he replied, “No, Mom. Remember? I’m going to be an eye doctor.” I mentioned that he’d be a scientist if he studied the eye. He talked about going to school for it. Then, “Or no, Mom, maybe I’ll be a knight.

I replied, “I don’t know where any schools are for knights around here.”

Of course, he knew the reason. “No, Mom, I know what knights do. They fight. I don’t have to go to school for that.”

After all that science, we had to go learn a little about fashion. We headed to the Barbie exhibit where the girls worked hard at play and Thomas enjoyed being a photographer. As we were readying to leave, they started an activity where the kids could participate in a fashion show. They taught them how to walk the cat walk and even primped them up. They could tell Thomas, the only boy at the special event, wasn’t into the make-up and offered him the job of official DJ. He even got to scratch records. Thomas took his job quite seriously. Kasey and Veronica were seriously shy.

Strawberries!

Here we go! Off to pick strawberries…

Veronica is happy to lead Cecilia on her first strawberry picking excursion. She has been so attentive to Cecilia lately, taking her hand when we are out places.

Possibly the world’s best strawberry-picker here. He was giving lessons to the other kids.

Jennifer and her iPickberries app.

How five four-year-olds and a two-year-old can happily entertain themselves.

Yes, it can be done. Just don’t expect it.

Cooling off at the pool after a rough morning of berry picking eating.

And, this is the grand finale (before the shortcake anyway).

Just Another Weekend in Southern Indiana

 

We went south this weekend for a visit with the grandparents. All four.

We visited the celebrity in Madison…

That, of course was cause for Thomas to request a photoshoot.

We got some extra-lovin’ on Mama,

and some playtime with Daddy Gayle.

Back and Grandma and Pa Struck’s, Veronica was very comfortable and please that Grandma let her live out her daily role play… as a puppy.

Of course, the trip would not be complete without beating up on devoting special attention to Pa.

 

Afterall, he is the Boogie Man. The kids had the following decree posted to his refrigerator. (Thomas started it, then dictated the rest to Grandma.)