Halloween

We successfully made it through Halloween. Maci was a cheerleader and Hannah was a monkey. And yes the monkey was Maci's costume. When she gets old enough to tell me what she wants to be - she can get her own costumes. She has discovered how much she likes candy and can be really annoying about it. It all started with our parading this summer. We would bribe her with a sucker for the duration of the parade. On Halloween Madeline took Maci and Hannah in the neighborhood. Hannah ate candy the whole time. She watches where I put up the candy and whines and whines and cries until she either gets the candy or I have to LEAVE the room. So we have really been practicing our teeth brushing.

Maci reads her first book

It is official. Maci can read okay maybe not read read, but she can read one book we have and okay the pictures help...but I'm counting it! The book is "Blue Hat, Green Hat" by Sandra Boynton.

I'm a Good Citizen

So most days at school I eat lunch with the K-2 group. It is always interesting. It is a difficult shift for the adults to get all the kids situated and ready to eat so the more of us the better. Lately I have been the open the milk lady. Seriously those cartons of milk are ridiculous to open. If I am having a hard time, you know it is going to be hard for a Kindergartener. Today after opening one girl's milk she very politely said "thank you." So I responded with "that was so nice of you to be polite." She says "well I am a good citizen you know!" No I didn't, but thank you for pointing that out.

Bye O Baby

I think one of the cutest things Hannah does lately is singing Bye O Baby. It is a song that Grandma Calista use to sing all the time. And during Hannah's fussy period of not wanting to sleep, I would sing it to her and rock. So now about anytime she rocks, she sings it. I love it.

The Observant Maci

Every day when I pick Maci up we spend the trip home talking about her day or any other subject she brings up. So a couple days ago after we had discussed the good and the bad of the things that happened, she proceeded to start on her test of how many questions she can ask me before we get home. This days topic - Next year and going to school. This year she just can't wait for the next year when she starts school. The converstation goes a little something like this...
Maci: What do I need to know to go to school? Me: you will need to be able to write your name, letter, numbers etc etc.
Maci: Who will be my teacher? That will be Miss Gott.
Maci: Is she the one that was wearing the green shirt and has a green cellphone?
Me: I don't know I can't say that I have checked out the color of her cellphone.
Maci: I think it is mom. Remember the time when I went to work with you and she lost her keys.
Me: Yes I do.
Maci: Yes that is her she has a green cellphone.
Me: (thinking....hmmmm could she be right. I have to know. Calling Miss Gott... Me: Angie? Her: Yes; Me: What color is your phone?; Her: Green.

Well this is when I realize the kid is super observant. Better watch out.

Computer Cleaning

So today our internet at work was slow and choppy so I decided to "clean" my computer files. I had organizing them just about as much as I do real files. It never fails as soon as you clean up (in my case that translates into throwing away, purging, or file 13 you can fill in the blank with your favorite)someone wants a copy of this or that. Really it has been on my computer since the first year here and no one has asked for it and you pick today the day I just "cleaned up" that file. But I don't learn - I keep doing it! Some of my favorite files I "cleaned up" today are to following....

Ice Cream Break

After doing 15 minutes of chores, I promised an ice cream break. Well we did the chores and went out on the newly remodelled deck (which is now complete!) with our ice cream. I have learned no one can share with Hannah. She eats her fair share and more. So I unwrapped her ice cream bar and she proceeds to BITE it until it was gone. And you would think wow a one year old would be full and not want more. OH you would be wrong. Upon the realization that her bar was gone she promptly headed toward her sister. At this point I feel for Maci I mean really she can't even enjoy her own ice cream in peace. Am I teaching her to eat fast before her sister gets to her? She reaches her sister and screams at her until she shares. And without even complaining Maci just gives her bites. What an great big sister!

P.S. Posting this thought for later reminder that she is a good big sister. I know I will need evidence when they are fighting at an older age...

Hannah Tricks.

Hannah Tricks
1. Giving High Fives
2. Eating Lots all the time!
3. Walking sometimes when she feels like it
4. Talking on her phone
5. Peek-a-boo in the curtains
6. Screaming mama at everything
7. Saying yum yum to whip cream
8. Unloading any basket in 5 seconds flat
9. Playing the Wii or pretending so with remote
10. Saying bye bye when she wants to go

Vacation

I told Maci that my office is going to be closed for cleaning next Monday. She told me she wanted to go on vacation with me. So I asked her where she thought we should go. She wants to go to eat and the library in Columbia. I thought that was a very simple request and we should be able to do that, however, tonight she told me it wasn't vacation unless you spent the night! I didn't really want to spend the night in Columbia. We will see...

Package!

Papa mailed Maci a package in the mail yesterday. She was so excited to open it up and see what was inside it. It had her very OWN pens (I had taken away all her pens after she wrote on the wall of her closet), notebooks, cookies, and a bag of gummy worms. She loved all her treasures. Dad is out of town so we having girls' night in with a movie. I was hanging out with Hannah and Maci was in her chair eating gummy worms. Then the movie ended and it was bath time. Maci told me that her tummy hurt. I asked why and she kept saying you know mom it hurts. What kind of hurt I kept asking and she kept responding with you know. I didn't know. I know now. The you know tummy ache is quickly followed by projectile vomiting. My good OCD girl did manage to keep it off the carpet and she was screaming for my assistance. She has grown up so much from the last time we had the pukes. I assumed she ate too many gummy worms and it made her puke. However, we were up and down all night and had a couple sheet/clothes changes before we finally went to sleep around 3 a.m. After the second set of projectile puking I decided she must have a flu bug. Then first thing this morning Jeanne called and said she had been sick all night too. So we are hanging at the homestead today with a slight fever and upset tummy. Guess it wasn't the gummy worms after all.

Dr. Visit

Maci did go to the doctor last week. She is 37 3/4" tall and 33 pounds. She is growing right out of her pants. Good thing it is close to capri season!

He is not satisfied with the amount of meds she is on and her still having issues. So we are headed back to STL for additional allergy testing. He wants to do a second run of test. We may be exposing her to something everyday and not knowing it. Each year does get better and better. But she is on adult doses of meds and still having issues. He can't add meds so he wants to make sure we are not missing anything. I keep hoping for a simple fix! High hopes I know. I just want to get her out of her bubble.

I hope to have an update in mid-April.

After her doctor visit we did get to go to the BIG library. She loves that place. Next time she wants to check out the kid computers. This time she made a friend and played order up (aka restaurant game). She loves the kitchen there.

Wanted: A REAL Princess

Today on the way to Jeanne's house Maci requested a real princess. I asked "What kind of princess?" Her response "you know mom a real one." I asked "Like real - like a person?" She said "Yes mom." very matter of fact. So I proceeded on with the conversation mostly because I couldn't believe she was serious. And secondly to see if she really thought she could really request a real person? So I asked which princess. She wants Belle. And no I don't have access to her phone number only my friend Shana does. And that is because my friend Shana took her daughter to see Belle and had a picture of Belle on her phone. So after hashing all this out, I asked "why do you want a real princess?" She replied "well mom she could sleep with me and I would share my bed with her. And then I wouldn't want to sleep with you all the time!"

So where does one pick up a real princess? She would like that and a skateboard for her birthday.

Happenings...

I can't believe I haven't mentioned that we have had tons of snow. I think because I am a firm believer in positive postings. I keep forgetting this is a journal to reflect on years later. So the last month not only have we spent most of our time at home sick - there has been lots of snow. I have burned lots of calories clearing the driveway. Max even got our car stuck in the driveway. I am done with the snow and hope it is done with us too. Although I do like a snow day off from school!

Hannah is crawling, but not good crawling yet. She gets where she wants in a larger circle now. I am not good at the milestone happenings, because I think they must have perfected the task to call it. And with babies one day they can't do it and it seems like the next week they are a pro. They are quick little learners.

Maci & Hannah spent last evening with Leah, Madeline & Stella. Derek and I had an meeting to attend. Maci was wound up when we got home and took a good hour to settle down. As the babysitters were leaving Maci gave her hugs out and gave Stella a big hug. Stella was so excited, because Maci usually only gives those hugs out to Madeline. Hannah loves for us to get home when we are away. As soon as we enter the room she is working her little hands impatiently waiting for you to get to her.

Hopefully spring will bring fun postings!

Busy Busy Sick People

We have been busy being sick here. Hannah had her first hospital visit for several days with RSV. It is a good thing we have most of the hospital equipment at home because I was ready to get home. The last couple days both of them have been running a fever.

So we have been spending lots of time at home. The other bonus is the weather has been snowy and cold so we didn't have to get out in it. The last two days have been snow days at school, so we wouldn't have to leave anyway.

So today Maci had been in the house for several days and has been wearing me out on the talking talking talking. She just talks, sings, and makes noise to hear herself! So we did the wii fit to burn up some of her energy. Then later I went downstairs to the treadmill to run since I missed exercise class. Maci ran beside me on the treadmill for several of the minutes pretending to listen to her ipod. She was miffed that I wouldn't spend an hour in her room looking for her princess ipod. I just wouldn't. She didn't seem to mind pretending.

Hannah has been spending lots of time on the floor. She is so close to crawling. We have the rocking and pushing but no forward motion. I haven't encouraged it too much as I still need to get the gate on the basement door!

I am hoping we will be fever free tomorrow so we can break out of our bubble just enough to go to Jeanne's!

Hannah waves bye-bye

Hannah waved goodbye to Madeline tonight. She then did it again for Leah. So it wasn't an accident. She really can do it! She was so proud of herself afterwards - smiling from ear to ear. I don't know who was more excited me or Madeline?

Hannah gets her first tooth!

Hannah chomped down on my finger tonight and has a rough little tooth edge here!

This week we have been home because big sister is sick. We did pretty good this year. This is our first time having to stay home sick. Our fever was 104 last night. When she decides to be sick she does a good job of it!

We have lots of updates we need to get on here, but Hannah doesn't want me to type much tonight.

SNOW DAY!!

Maci already loves snow days. She was so excited this morning when she found out we were staying home. She requested panpakes (pancakes) for breakfast with Grandma Mary (aka Aunt Mary) strawberry jam. After eating her Mickey Mouse panpakes (two of them), she went off to do her makeup. She is getting better at "staying in the lines" with her makeup. I wish I would have taken pictures the first day she was doing it. The makeup was like a mardi gras mask on her face. All over the general eye area. Today she did much better - I did get a picture for you to see.



We have big plans today. I have to do the laundry and clean up the house (which is almost not worth it - as it will just get messy again). Then we think Madeline is going to bust out of her house in the blizzard and play wii with us today. Tonight we plan to have family movie night with hot chocolate, popcorn, and oranges. So on with the serious plans!

Oh and I have real work I need to get done. I best get it out of the way before all the fun activities. I bet mom wants me to get her new computer set up today. And Mr. Perkins thinks I need to scan and email a super important form. Derek thinks I need to find some paperwork for him. And I want to get local tv. Wow that is too much stuff. The local tv rant I will save for another day. I hate the stupid local tv issues.

Chef Borardee vs. Real Thing

Christmas break is coming to an end. I don't really want it to end, but who ever does. I have half way put up the decorations, so after we take down the tree this afternoon it is time to get ready to get back to the real world.

Today we have spent the day cooking and playing with our new toys. Maci got makeup and hair stying toys. Grandma Betty also got her a locking journal. She has played with those for almost 2 days straight. We have awesome blue sparkly eyes and pretend curled hair. I got up this morning and made her cinnamon coffee cake. Then Derek decided to call some of the hunters and get an authentic Italian tomato sauce. It has been cooking all day. The house smells great and the sauce taste great too! Then we decided to make ravioli. We (okay I) made artichoke/cheese ravioli from scratch. I like my Kitchenaid because I like to use it to make bread - I hate getting the sticky all over my hands. I should have know as I started the egg well with the semolina flour it was going to get messy, but I still wanted to do it. Well it was a sticky mess and I never done it before so I don't know if the consistency was correct. But then I used the lasagna noodle disc off my Kitchenaid pasta maker, and squished out some pasta. It made them a little thick, but we tested a few and they are great. After Maci tested a few, she told me I was the best mom ever. After thinking about all the things we did this break I then realized she had canned ravioli for the first time and homemade ravioli all in the same week. Now how can I go back to Chef Borardee now?

New Camera

Derek bought me a new camera. So we have been doing photo shoots about every hour on the hour! Maci likes to do pictures as much as I like to take them of her. My brother claims the mirrors in our house are going to make her self obsessed. For those who don't know we have two HUGE mirrors that came with our house. They are so big they make me uncomfortable. It took me several weeks to get use to all the different angles of reflections. I would jump at shadows thinking someone was standing in living room. I about peed my pants several times! Self obsessed or not she is really stinking cute...here is a couple preview photos.