My Day in Numbers

4: The number of hours I spent at work.
2.12: The price of two waffle cones at TCBY on Waffle Cone Wednesday...and the cost of a fun date with Lizzy.
1: The number of times I chased Lizzy around the block. She took off on her bike and just kept going. Morgan and I ran behind her.
22: The number of times I yelled at Lizzy to stop when she was riding her bike around the block.
22: The number of times Lizzy ignored me on that trip around the block.
93: The number of naughty words I mumbled under my breath while chasing Lizzy around the block.
3: The number of times I cursed Paul's name for filling Lizzy's bike tires with air. The flat tires slowed her down.
4: The number of neighbors I've warned about Lizzy, and told to send her home if they find her wandering around the neighborhood.
12: The number of neighbors I still need to warn.
2: The number of times Jake hit me in the face with a basketball.
11: The number of times Lizzy disappeared this afternoon.
2: The number of times Lizzy hid so well I couldn't find her. Once was inside a cooler in the garage, once was behind the garage.
41: The number of times I wanted to laugh at Lizzy's antics, but bit my tongue instead. I hate to encourage her.
3: The number of locks Brad put on the gates to keep Lizzy contained in the backyard. She hasn't figured out how to open the locks yet, but she can, and will, open a gate and escape.
2: The number of cans of green beans I made for supper.
0: The number of loads of laundry I did today.
110: The number of minutes I got to spend with one of my very best friends this evening. Granted, we were working on a project that whole time, but we still got to see each other, and that counts.
5: The number of years my sweet neice Emma has been alive. Happy birthday Emma!
39: The number of minutes I talked on the phone wtih my sister.
0: The number of naps Lizzy took this afternoon.
5: The number of Max and Ruby episodes Lizzy watched before finally falling asleep tonight.
10: The number of additional minutes of Max and Ruby I watched before realizing Lizzy was sleeping.
 0: The number of regrets I have about how I spent my day!

Broken Bone #2

Nearly a year ago, I wrote a blog about Lexi's first broken bone. I remember being surprised that it was her, not Jake or Lizzy, who was the first to break a bone. Lexi had tripped in the parking lot after school and ended up breaking her wrist. She's done it again. Lexi has broken another bone.

Lexi had a busy day on Saturday... a volleyball game and two basketball games. During the second basketball game, she fell and landed on her finger. I could tell she was hurting, but it wasn't until after the game I realized it was her finger. The first words out of her mouth after the game (which her team lost in overtime) were "my finger hurts". I was sitting by two nurses, so I had them look at it. They said to ice it and take an Advil. They were hesitant to say more than that because when a girl on their team hurt her finger last year, they thought it was just jammed....four days later she was at the hand specialist because her finger was broken on the growth plate.

Lexi iced it faithfully on Saturday night. She didn't want to miss Sunday's games so she said she would just tape it for the games and deal with it afterwards. It was pretty bruised on Sunday morning, and after the second game on Sunday it looked pretty bad. I took her to our family doctor this morning. They did three x-rays and determined it was just a bad sprain. He instructed her to tape it and ice it for a week and if it wasn't better in seven days, to come back. By the time I got back to work, I had a message from the nurse. The doctor had second guessed himself and had a radiologist check the x-ray. Together, they decided it was indeed broken.

Lexi was not happy when I broke the news to her after school. We had to go back to the doctor and get a splint. She has to wear that for three weeks and keep it taped for another week after that. That puts us  to her birthday. I joked she will have a sore finger until she's 11. She didn't laugh.

The good news is it's a small break (obviously, if at first they didn't think it was even broken). But the bad news is, it's broken enough to mean no volleyball for three weeks, which is the rest of the season. There could be one more basketball tournament....Lexi is praying that's not for at least three weeks. She would die if her team played without her. Playing the flute will be difficult for a few weeks.... it's hard to push the correct keys with a splint on your pinky finger! But, it's important she takes care of this small break. The doctor could tell she was upset about not playing volleyball, so he explained if she lets it heal now, it will be fine in a month. However, if she hurts it again before it's healed, she will need surgery. She did not like that idea, so I think she will wear the splint and cheer her team from the sidelines.

I do feel bad for the kid. Two broken bones in two years, both on the left hand. She obviously takes after her dad, who broke several fingers playing football, as well as both legs and both arms as a kid. So far her breaks have been minor. I'm hoping they stay that way. And, like I told Lexi, it could be worse... she could have a cast. Lizzy feels bad for her big sister... she's been talking about Lexi's "poor, poor pinky"

I think she has a pretty high pain tolerance...Lexi played two basketball games on Sunday, as well as part of a game on Saturday with a broken finger. But that didn't slow her down. She played just as hard as always and played great games. The tape on her finger was the only clue that something was wrong. For the record, her team won both games and took third. And let's face it, telling people you broke your finger playing basketball is a lot less embarassing than telling them you broke your arm when you tripped in the parking lot!

Choose Your Battles

To say Lizzy is independent, would be an understatement. She is very stubborn, very opinionated, and very independent. That's why I've learned to choose my battles with her, especially when it comes to clothes. I don't even argue anymore. So when this was her chosen outfit yesterday, I said fine...and we headed to Lexi's basketball game. Flowers, stripes...and the shoes... take it all in... oh, and the lopsided ponytails (ok, that is my fault)...

No, the shoes don't match, and yes, they are both left shoes. But they are both pink. That should count for something, right? I tried to correct her before we left, but Lizzy informed me "my like them like this". Enough said.

Lexi was a little horrified, but everyone else got a kick out of it, Lizzy was the center of attention, and, the best part....we were on time! Had I argued with her and forced her to wear something that matched, we would have missed the first half of the game.

And, in Lizzy's defense, the other sparkly shoe was buried in the toy box, so there was no way she would have found it yesterday morning. She did find it today, and went to the games wearing matching shoes. But, had she chosen a mismatched pair again, I wouldn't have argued.

A Couple More

More Lizzy quotes that are just too good not to share:

Me: Lizzy, we have to bake a cake today. It's Dad's birthday tomorrow.
Lizzy: OH MY GOSH!
Me:  I know..it's pretty exciting. He's going to be 35.
Lizzy: OH MY GOSH! Daddy is old!
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Lizzy was not happy about taking Jake to school this morning. As he climbed out of the van she yelled "Get out of my van, you big ding dong!".
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Lizzy's newest song: "Mary had a little poop, little poop, little poop."
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Lizzy: Mom, you're awesome.
Me: Thanks Lizzy. Why am I awesome?
Lizzy: Because you buyed me this jewelry box.
It was a cheap painted box on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $2.  See, awesomeness doesn't have to cost a fortune!

From The Mouths of Babes

Remember the tv show "Kids Say the Darndest Things". It was a popular comedy show hosted by Bill Cosby from 1998 to 2000. Cosby's show was based on a popular feature of Art Linkletter's television series,"Art Linkletter's House Party". In both shows, the host asked kids, usually between the ages of 3 and 8, questions. Their answers were always funny, and oh so honest.

I've discovered I have my own version of that popular tv show right in my own home. Every single day I hear the most amazing, and most hilarious, things. Most of the time, it's from Lizzy and Jake, my two with the most personality. Some of the things that come out of their mouths are simply too funny not to share. Here's a sampling from just the past couple of days:

Me: Jake, it's St. Patrick's day, don't you want to wear something green?
Jake: Nope.
Me: You might get pinched.
Jake: I know. That's my plan.
For the record, everyone in Jake's class pinched him, even the girls. Although he will never admit it, he liked it.

Me: Lizzy, your shirt is on backwards.
Lizzy: My know. My like it like this.
Conversation over. The shirt stayed backwards all day.

I was frantically searching for a check I needed to deposit in the bank. I couldn't find it, and quietly mumbled "dammit", completely forgetting Lizzy was with me, and that little ears hear everything. I was quickly reminded when Lizzy loudly asked "Why you say dammit, Mom?". I wanted to laugh and I wanted to swear again. Instead I gave the obligatory speech about not saying naughty words.

Speaking of naughty words, that same night at supper I made a comment about something being "shot". Jake instantly questioned me, but instead of saying "shot", he said "shit". He didn't even realize what he had said until Lexi and I gave him "the look". His face turned bright red, and he apologized for the rest of the night.

Lizzy is on a dress kick. She wears dresses and tights every day, no matter the temperature and no matter if they match. Today she wore last year's Easter dress, tights and sparkly shoes to the grocery store. A lady commented that she looked like she was ready for Easter. Without missing a beat, Lizzy replied "Nope, my ready for summer time." Aren't we all.

Me: Lizzy, tell me a story.
Lizzy: Once upon a time, Swiper the Fox farted in Princess Lizzy's face. The end.
Me: Um, that's a good story. Can you tell me another one?
Lizzy: Nope, all my words already came out of my mouth.

There are more. I could be here all night if I wrote down every funny thing my kids say. I love that they have so much to say and that they are able to express their thoughts. I'd love to get inside their heads and find out what they're not saying. Or maybe it's best I don't know everything they think. What I do know for sure, is there's no way Lizzy will ever run out of words. She's got a lot to say, and I love hearing all of it.

Back to Work

It's been awhile since I updated this blog... over a month, actually. It's not because I haven't thought about it. I think about writing all the time... I have so much to say.... but no time to put my thoughts into words! I have a few minutes now, so will try to put my thoughts for the past month into words. I am still a list writer, so much so, that my thoughts and potential blog topics have been scribbled on my daily to-do lists for the past month. For lack of a better way to organize my thoughts, and a lack of time, I will share them in list form:

1. Work sucks. Not my job specifically, just the idea that I have to work sucks. My return to work has been challenging, difficult, and yet rewarding. My job has changed. When I went on maternity leave, I was producing and anchoring the Noon Report. Now, I am the education reporter. I am still part-time, which is usually 20 to 25 hours a week and truly is best for my family. There's no way I could work full-time and be a good mom (my hat is off to moms who can work full time and still be great moms.. I have no idea how you do it.) It is still so hard to leave my little girls every day. I miss them like crazy when I'm working, and Lizzy has been throwing fits when I leave. She got used to having me around all day, every day during my maternity leave. Those fits break my heart, even though I know she stops two minutes after I leave. Morgan doesn't seem to notice when I'm gone, but she always greets me with a big smile when I return.... I find myself rushing home just to see that sweet smile.
2. Coffee and Diet Coke make life better. I've tried cutting back, but I have come to peace with the idea that I can not function without my morning coffee and my afternoon Diet Coke. I think my family appreciates it when I satisfy my need for caffeine. I'm not the nicest person when I haven't had my coffee or my Diet Coke!
3. I like routine. I loved the routine of being home everyday.. my biggest concerns were getting the big kids to and from school and practices on time. The rest of my days were dedicated to my little girls...napping, eating, diaper changes and playing. My how that has changed! Our days are crazy, unpredictable and never the same. I miss the routine of being a stay-home-mom. The good news is, so far, we've managed to handle the unpredictable days and nights just fine. Morgan is pretty good at sleeping through the buzzer at basketball games, and Lizzy actually looks forward to volleyball games and seeing Lexi's friends.

4. Kids grow up way too fast. Yesterday I cleaned out Morgan's dresser. I put away the zero to three month outfits that should have been put away a month ago. I also got rid of some three to six month outfits, and dug out the six month outfits. Lexi got Morgan ready for bed last night, and put her in one of the six month outfits. I almost cried when I realized how well it fit. At least six times over the weekend, I heard Brad comment how fast Morgan is growing, and how big she's getting. He's right. It really does seem like just yesterday she was born. It also seems like Lexi was a baby just the other day. She will be 11 in a few weeks, and she also is growing so fast. It makes me sad to see my babies grow up, but at the same time, it's fun to see the awesome young people they are turning out to be.
5. I don't understand wrestling. Jake spent the last two weeks wrestling. He practiced every day after school and had two wrestling meets. I went to both, and cheered loud. But I really had no idea why I was cheering. I just don't get the sport. What I do get is that Jake had a great time, learned some new moves, and was pretty excited about the whole experience. Now he's talking about doing another session. I'm totally fine with that. Maybe the more wrestling I watch the more I'll understand. Maybe. I'm not holding my breath.

6. Volleyball is fun to watch. While I don't understand wrestling, I do understand volleyball. Lexi is in the middle of her volleyball season and she's having a blast. I am having a blast watching her pick up this sport. She's never played before, and she was worried she wouldn't be any good. Lucky for her, she's got some natural athletic ability and has picked up the game quickly. The girls still have a ways to go before they're ready for the state championship, but for fifth graders, I think they're kicking some serious butt.
7. Lizzy picks up everything. I know kids repeat everything they hear, but sometimes I forget that. Lizzy is always there to remind me she's listening. The other day before school she walked around the house asking Jake and Morgan "what's your problem?". Of course she used the snottiest tone ever and I wondered if I really ask that question a lot, and if I also use a snotty voice. Better work on that. Or at least teach her to do as I say, not as I do!
8. RSV is icky. None of my kids have ever had RSV before, until now. I took Morgan in a few weeks ago (sorry, don't remember when... I've lost all track of time!) because she was coughing, sounded raspy, and at times was having a hard time breathing. Our doctor didn't do the test, because it's a terrible test (a swab that goes down the throat and out the nose...yuck) but said she had all the symptoms. Because it's a virus, there was no medicine that could help. We had to tough it out, prop her up while she slept, and give her lots of hugs. The worst part is, if she could just blow her nose and spit, she would have been fine. Unfortunately, she's too little to get that concept (I still have a hard time getting Jake to blow his nose!) so we all suffered. She is finally feeling better and we are all glad for that... time for these tired parents to get a few hours of sleep! Lizzy and I also had colds, but we are also feeling better. I'm praying the rest of the family doesn't get anything. We've been relatively healthy this winter, and I hope it continues.
9. Brad is a pretty great guy. Really. He's been great. He's helped with sick kids, done the dishes, cooked supper, and driven the kids to practice, just to name a few things. I'm lucky to have him. I realize and appreciate that even more, knowing that in a month or so, he will be working long construction hours and I will be doing the running, cooking, and bed time all by myself.
10. Time flies. I have so much more to write, but time flies. The clock tells me it's time to get the little girls ready to go pick up the big kids. So I will stop for now...my hope is that I will get back to this blog before another month passes. But... like I said.. time flies!