Sunday’s Snow and Snares

I gave myself the day off work today. Most of the week actually, but today was the only day that really counted. Tuesday, when I’d often work, there was no school and Veronica was running a temp of 103. Thursday, when I work at times – also no school… and then the sky fell.

I’d originally taken today off to visit my father-in-law who has been home a couple weeks from rehab now. Alas, Thomas has a cough (likely just his questionable asthma), so we thought we’d stay away from the guy who’s still recovering from major surgery.

That left us all four home on the same day with no plans. I can’t remember when this happened last time. We let Judson sleep in while the kiddos and I did puzzles and read books. Veronica helped me make lunch while Judson and Thomas crashed their hot wheels.

We used our Groupons to all visit the Rhythm Discovery Center for $8!! The kids were a little overwhelmed by the noise of it but still had fun!

We parked at Circle Center. While we were walking back through, a dinner at Johnny Rockets sounded grand. Waiting for our food, the kids both thanked us for a wonderful day.

We shared a milkshake. Veronica insisted that we share the actual milkshake cup as well. She explained, “I know exactly how I want to do this with my Mommy. I saw a picture of it at Target.”

On the way out, Thomas kept running circles around me, saying, “I love you, Mommy. I don’t deserve you!” I was a little alarmed by this, but Judson assured me he got it from Beauty and the Beast.

We had an evening of jammies and play planned out as we parked in front of the house… until we stepped foot outside the car. The snow was perfect for packing, and it wasn’t too cold to play.

We painted the snow a little.

And played in it a lot.

My favorite parts? 1) Bombarding Judson while he’s down. (Don’t feel too sorry for him. He plopped himself down there – that’s how we got the idea.); and 2) How no one flinched when I fell down…

We went in to warm up with some warm cocoa and Thomas summed up the day.

The Sky is Falling!

Yesterday started out grand. School was cancelled due to the excessive ice everywhere, but people we finally starting to try out the roads. Judson said it wasn’t too bad, so we, along with some of our twin friends decided to utilize our Rhythm Discovery Center coupons and burn some energy.

We woke early, so we enjoyed a tea party with our personally hand painted tea set (compliments of Aunt Peggy).

Next, the sky fell. Literally. An ice dam formed on our roof, forcing a deeper layer of melting ice to head through our roof and ceiling.

Fortunately, Mom and Dad were able to take the kids that evening so I could focus on saving as much as I could and calling contractors.

We drove to Edinburgh to meet Mom. Thomas insisted that I take pictures of the gorgeous sunset.

However, I was scared to death the whole drive down. The 3-4 inch layer of ice I could not get to budge on the roof and hood of the CRV suddenly seemed like a deadly weapon.

We beat Mom to McDonald’s where I started to try and chisel at the ice again. A national guardsmen who had just finished a three month tour in Kuwait came over and offered to help. He started hitting the ice. (That’s how I got off what I did originally, but apparently I wasn’t strong enough to get the thickest layers.) The twins were still in the car and he laughed at Veronica’s bewildered look at his actions. I glanced to notice Thomas in the backseat, helping… air-boxing.

Mom was such the martyr that she took on the kids to a play date I had scheduled with two other sets of her sisters’ grandchildren. I was sad to miss it as I cherished time with my cousins (these kiddos’ mothers). I did get sent pictures of the occasion…

Upon our return I went to check on our neighbors. She fell yesterday and broke her shoulder. He is still recovering from a massive stroke. They still had the Christmas presents they’d been trying to get to Veronica and Thomas. They went them home with me. Of OURSE we had to open them asap. They were thrilled to receive “the thing I’ve always wanted” (both their words). Thomas got a hot wheels crash curve set and veronica got a princess costume – complete with HIGH HEELS (“I never thought I’d get these!”) and clip on earrings. She named herself Princess Melataina.

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.