Wordful Wednesday

I can’t believe I haven’t posted a Wordful Wednesday Since OCTOBER! Here are some highlights I found from my Facebook posts…

Veronica

• Singing in the other room: "(to the tune of O’ Christmas Tree): O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, (to the tune of Where is Thumbkin) How are you? How are you?"

• Protective sister... Twins are playing with a friend, I hear Veronica shout, "HEY!!! Don't call him TOM! His name is Thomas."

• She’s the little chatterbox at bedtime. Thomas sometimes complains that she won’t let him sleep. Many nights after she’s exceptionally verbal, I’ll hear her suddenly and very sadly break out into tears. When I investigate, this is the reason: “Mommy, Thomas isn’t answering me!” I assure her it is because he is asleep.

• Mommy, boys pee backward. We don’t because we’re girls. And, if we get pee on the seat, we clean it up. Boys don’t know how.

• Surprisingly from the little girl who always plays grown up roles, can’t wait to be 5 (muchless 4): "Do we have to grow up? Why can't we grow down?"

Thomas

• ‎'Lil guy really is into reading now. I think he's even doing it in his sleep! Went in to check on him and heard him say, "OK, well what does that say?"

• While combing Veronica's hair, she screamed as normal. Thomas gave me a scary glare and furiously said, "What are you doing to MY SISTER?!?!?!?"

• Mom, police only shoot at the bad guys... and dragons.

• To Judson who was struggling with the lyrics to Frosty the Snowman: "Daddy, I'll teach you the words when you are six."

• My son's response to throwing up the other night? "I don't like that, Mommy. It's a problem for me." He went on to explain further: "It's not a problem for the potty, it's a problem for me. Not the potty." I know, son. I wasn't worried about the potty.

• While reading a book about the first Thanksgiving to the kids…
  Me: Those are Native Americans, or Indians.
  T: Is that an Indian Necklace? (Pointing to the necklace around the Indian's neck.)
  Me: Yes.
  T: (quite excitedly) That's just like us! He's in Indian-necklace, just like we're in India-naklis (Indianapolis).

Both

• The kids have been watching Aladdin and his "teapot".

• V: Mommy, this house is stringy.
  T: Yeah, we need to buy a new one. It's stringy.
  After some investigation, I found a web of my invisible sewing thread throughout three rooms of the house.

• Listening to the kids play with super heroes: "Follow that star!! Let's get to Bethlehem!!"

• Me: Veronica, you're so busy!
  V: Yes, I'm almost dizzy.
  T: I'm getting play dough all over the city. Mom, I just want to be a snowflake.

Iced in for Two Days–A Duet

Girl Time

I was fortunate enough to spend a weekend with a good friend. Her husband gave her a "girls' weekend" for Christmas, and, because I have an awesome husband who encourages these things, I reaped the benefits!

We had a wonderful time. We played games, took a nap, went shopping in stores we would never dream of enjoying with the kids. I felt so chic staying downtown with a nice view...
We had good food...

Wait. That's not what I ate. That's from the antique mall we visited.

I missed the kids, but I knew they were having a great time with Daddy. They even sent me proof:

I received a text that told me Veronica's last words on Saturday night were shouted out in my direction: "We love you, Mommy! You're our pal!"

We met up with our families at the Little Flower Open House where I was instantly attacked by two beautiful four-year-olds who seemed to have grown an inch in a day and a half. Veronica stayed snuggled on my lap during presentations while Thomas worked diligently on "fixing" my hair.

After a little lunch reunion at home, Veronica went shopping with me for some girl-time, leaving the guys to their own thing. We found some tap dancing shoes and dance clothes for our new class at a consignment shop. Veronica did not want Thomas left out. She helped me pick out a tie for Thomas.

We proceeded to Meijer where she put her baby (now named Annie) in the seat of the cart and pushed (or pulled part of the time) the cart throughout the entire store. While in the cold food section, Veronica opened each refrigerator and freezer for me. She would also open the one next to it just to make sure we didn't need anything there. She gave me detailed lists and stories and outlines on how we shop, why we need things, what girls do.

We we got back to the car, she had to put her baby in her car seat of course. And she had to do it TEN times. I caught some video the last time. They grow up so fast.

Deep in my Heart

Veronica: Mommy, does God live inside me?
Me: Yes, he's in your heart.
Veronica: (places her hand on her chest, eyes widen) I feel him!


****
Thank you, God for knocking on our hearts to show us you are there.

DANCE!

We decided to try out a local community center's dance class. I'd heard nice things about it as in it wasn't over-priced and the parents help with costumes and backdrops for recitals to keep the costs low. I'd also learned that the teacher was really good. I figured it was a good way to introduce the kids to it since they'd been putting on dance shows for me in the evenings.

Veronica, who had asked to take dance lessons after being on stage for the Christmas recital, suddenly was scared to death of the lessons. "I don't want to be on stage!" Even assuring her that she did not have to do a recital was not enough. Thomas said he didn't want to do it at all. I told them they could both watch the first time.

We went with our friend, Kasey, who is normally the MOST outgoing of the three. All three were very shy in meeting the teacher, but perked up when she had them trying on tap shoes. The girls liked walking around in their tap shoes, but when the class started - they stayed in the back for most of it. Kasey ventured out after a while and did a few things. Thomas, on the other hand, was right by the teacher's side. He did everything she did, move for move, like he'd taken lessons for a year! The teacher commented on how good he was. I didn't tell her Dick VanDyke taught him everything he knows.

When class was over, all the kids got a piece of candy... but those who participated got an additional piece of bubble gum!! Veronica and Kasey insist they will dance next time.

The Show Must Go On

First ever Christmas pageant. For us anyway. Unfortunately, Judson's father had an emergency surgery the day prior. Judson was right where he needed to be, caring for his mother and father. So, we were missing him dearly and praying for Daddy Gayle.

The morning of the show, both kids said they didn't want to do it. Therefore, I urged Judson not to think twice about staying in Madison - especially since we didn't know if they'd even go on to sing their two song. (Up on the Housetop and Jolly Old St. Nicholas).

We got ready for the party with our friend and classmate, Kasey.


Veronica proudly picked out the new outfit her godmother, Aunt Peggy, got her for her birthday. And, she let Kasey's mom do her hair - and didn't complain about it! :)

The kids proudly marched onto the stage when it was showtime. Everyone started with a good amount of confidence.

However, the pre-3 and pre-4 classes were to go first, but there was no announcement made that they were beginning. So the noisy gym continued to echo everyone's conversations. I think this was a little intimidating. That, on top of me sitting on the floor in front of the first row snapping pictures, was a little too much for Thomas. I noticed when they were done shaking their fingers at "don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say," Thomas's finger kept shaking... at me. Then I noticed he was saying something different than the rest of the class. "Don't look at me. DON'T LOOK AT ME! MOMMY.... Don't look at me!!"

I turned my head away. When the song was over, the pre-3 class sat down on the stage to listen to the pre-4s sing. When it was time to stand up, Thomas didn't stand completely, didn't sing and hid behind the girl next to him.

Veronica, on the other hand, made this statement after the show: "Can we take dance lessons so we can be in another recital?"

Talking to Strangers

Today I watched my children walk up to a complete stranger, sit on his lap, and take candy from him!

That's right - we visited Santa Claus, and it's the first year the kids have been into it.

It's a really nice set-up. Breakfast with quiet Santa in the corner. Not overwhelming for our kids last year - wanted to look but not touch. Veronica watched one friend walk up to him and immediately walked over to wait for her turn.

She let Santa take the lead, he guessed right - she wants dolls. Baby dolls and Barbie dolls.

Thomas was working hard on gathering the nerve. Santa eventually inticed him with the job of jingling the bells.

Thomas then shared that he wanted three costumes: 1) Black Spiderman; 2) Bumblebee Transformer; and 3) Superman.

Veronica didn't want to leave and plopped down for a front row seat to listen to the other kids talk to Santa. She was quiet entertained by it.

We then joined our friends for crafts, including cooking decorating.

Later in the day we were talking about their visit with Santa. Thomas felt like he'd made a real connection apparently, "Some people call him Santa, but I call him Saint Nicholas." Santa's not such a stranger anymore!