So, this past weekend, I was in a great deal of pain that the first doctor I saw said was likely a result of having too many children. Brian explained to the girls that I was in pain from having babies. The result? This conversation with Charlotte.
Charlotte: Mom, I prayed to God not to give me a baby in my belly, so I won't end up like you.
Me: But then you won't be able to be a mommy like me.
Charlotte: Are there like orphanages in Georgia?
Me (not sure where we are going with this): I don't know. There are shelters where some kids live who don't have parents.
Charlotte: Mom, when I'm grown up, like a teenager -
Me: Teenagers aren't grown ups.
Charlotte: Ok, when I'm a grown up, like a grown up, will you please take me to a hopeless shelter, so I can pick up my kid? I'm just going to get a kid from the hopeless shelter. You know, where kids are that no one wants. Then, I'll just bring it back to our house here.
Later that same night....
Charlotte to Emma: I'm going to have a kid, but I'm not going to get married.
Emma: You have to get married to have a baby, Charlotte.
Charlotte: No, I am just going to get my kid from the hopeless shelter. You can get kids there. You can get married, Emma, but I am not. I am not having a baby. I'm having a kid from the hopeless shelter. You don't even like kissing, Emma, so why do you want to get married?
Result: Emma is thinking of getting a kid from the "hopeless" shelter.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
A Belated Birthday Blog for Cristina
I've realized for awhile now that I missed a birthday blog for Cristina. Let's face it, the child has a crappy birthday - December 26. Everyone is too hung over from Christmas cookies and presents to even consider birthday cake and birthday presents. I admit that even I have to dig deep to find the motivation to bake a birthday cake on Christmas day. But, since I am an amazing mom and all, I make sure to deliver for my little post-Christmas baby, Cristina. Well, I delivered a cake, but it takes me three weeks to write a blog.
Anyway, Cristina is finally three. I think it is quite fitting that at three, she has reached the third percentile for height and weight. In short (pun intended), we have a little midget on our hands. While short in stature, she is not short on personality. The child is hilarious. She has a funny little sense of humor and loves to give hugs, kisses, and attach herself like a magnet to her parents. She wants desperately to keep up with her big sisters and when she can't, she is more than happy to torture the one younger than her. She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Scooby Doo, and dressing up like a princess....and going out dressed like that.
We love our little princess and especially love to hear her talk. She has the highest little voice and it sometimes takes me a second to figure out what she is saying, but it doesn't stop her from talking. Her favorite time to talk to me is when I am in the shower. "Mommy, are you in there? Are you done yet? Are you okay?" Such a sweet, compassionate girl! In this picture, she is hugging a snowman that was part of a store display. The display also had a inflatable merry-go-round with Mickey and friends that she really wanted to ride and I had to convince her that it wasn't for kids. You can just see it in the background.
We can't wait to see what fun Cristina will bring to our lives in 2012. Doesn't she just look like fun?
Anyway, Cristina is finally three. I think it is quite fitting that at three, she has reached the third percentile for height and weight. In short (pun intended), we have a little midget on our hands. While short in stature, she is not short on personality. The child is hilarious. She has a funny little sense of humor and loves to give hugs, kisses, and attach herself like a magnet to her parents. She wants desperately to keep up with her big sisters and when she can't, she is more than happy to torture the one younger than her. She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Scooby Doo, and dressing up like a princess....and going out dressed like that.
A Clement Girl Tradition
Hmmm....what have we got here?
Let me get a closer look.
I hope you don't mind. Just checking out your music collection.
Hmm...wonder what my options are here?
Reba McEntire, Bob Dylan, Wallflowers?
So many choices. It would really help if I could look at them all at once.
Oh, yeah, this is so much better. I'm really feeling the music now.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Vampires from Romania
This was our dinner conversation tonight....always amusing talking with the girls.
Me: I was asking Cristina why she keeps waking up at night. She said it's because she is a bat....vampire bat.
Emma: Vampire bats are real. They live in Romania.
Charlotte: We are never going to Romania. There are vampires in Romania.
Me: Who told you that?
Charlotte: Ms. Shuli told me there are vampires in Romania. There are vampires everywhere in Romania.
Me: Not everyone from Romania is a vampire. Mommy has a friend from Romania and she isn't a vampire. You've even played with her kids.
Charlotte (eyes as big as saucers): With vampires?!
Me: They are not all vampires.
Charlotte: Yes, they are. We are never going to Romania. I am not going to visit Romania ever. Daddy, if you ever get a ticket to Romania, just...just...just throw it in the trash can. We are not going to Romania. If policemen go on vacation to Romania, they are going to be attacked by vampires. We are never, ever going to Romania.
Brian (trying to change the conversation): There are wolfmen in Minnesota. Big hairy wolfmen.
Emma: Are there wolfmen in Georgia?
Me: No, we just have Republicans.
Emma: What are Republicans?
We have so much left to teach our children.....
Then, I decide to show Charlotte my vampire teeth and she freaks out when I bare my teeth at her. She goes running from the room. Brian finally coaxes her back to show her that she has the same vampire teeth that I have and tells her he married a vampire and she is part vampire. So, now, Charlotte wants to go back to school tomorrow and tell Ms. Shuli that she is an American vampire.
Me: I was asking Cristina why she keeps waking up at night. She said it's because she is a bat....vampire bat.
Emma: Vampire bats are real. They live in Romania.
Charlotte: We are never going to Romania. There are vampires in Romania.
Me: Who told you that?
Charlotte: Ms. Shuli told me there are vampires in Romania. There are vampires everywhere in Romania.
Me: Not everyone from Romania is a vampire. Mommy has a friend from Romania and she isn't a vampire. You've even played with her kids.
Charlotte (eyes as big as saucers): With vampires?!
Me: They are not all vampires.
Charlotte: Yes, they are. We are never going to Romania. I am not going to visit Romania ever. Daddy, if you ever get a ticket to Romania, just...just...just throw it in the trash can. We are not going to Romania. If policemen go on vacation to Romania, they are going to be attacked by vampires. We are never, ever going to Romania.
Brian (trying to change the conversation): There are wolfmen in Minnesota. Big hairy wolfmen.
Emma: Are there wolfmen in Georgia?
Me: No, we just have Republicans.
Emma: What are Republicans?
We have so much left to teach our children.....
Then, I decide to show Charlotte my vampire teeth and she freaks out when I bare my teeth at her. She goes running from the room. Brian finally coaxes her back to show her that she has the same vampire teeth that I have and tells her he married a vampire and she is part vampire. So, now, Charlotte wants to go back to school tomorrow and tell Ms. Shuli that she is an American vampire.
Monday, January 2, 2012
What I learned from Streaking
Okay, now that I have your attention, let me just say I am not referring to running around naked. The streak I am referring to is the Runner's World challenge to run at least one mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.
1) The hardest part of working out consistently is getting started. Once I made it to the gym or out into the neighborhood, it wasn't hard to get a mile in and I'd say more often than not I did more than the minimum.
2) It is easier to run in rain than in wind. The rain does add to the chill factor in December, but is no comparison to 25 mph wind gusts.
3) I really do dislike small yapping dogs. Once in my neighborhood, a little dog was yapping all around my heels and I'm sure I looked ridiculous trying to get away from it. The same thing happened when I went for a run in Abbeville. Big dogs didn't give me a moments notice, it's only the little ones that seem to get annoyed at my presence.
4) I am definitely a Taurus. The stubborn Taurus in me wouldn't let myself give up even when I would have rather stayed in the bed or in the warm house rather than go running.
5) I like exercising every day. I'm going to see if I can keep it up for a year. Eek! Not necessarily running every day because I'd like to spice it up, but I'm going to try to do something every day. 40 days down, 325 to go.
1) The hardest part of working out consistently is getting started. Once I made it to the gym or out into the neighborhood, it wasn't hard to get a mile in and I'd say more often than not I did more than the minimum.
2) It is easier to run in rain than in wind. The rain does add to the chill factor in December, but is no comparison to 25 mph wind gusts.
3) I really do dislike small yapping dogs. Once in my neighborhood, a little dog was yapping all around my heels and I'm sure I looked ridiculous trying to get away from it. The same thing happened when I went for a run in Abbeville. Big dogs didn't give me a moments notice, it's only the little ones that seem to get annoyed at my presence.
4) I am definitely a Taurus. The stubborn Taurus in me wouldn't let myself give up even when I would have rather stayed in the bed or in the warm house rather than go running.
5) I like exercising every day. I'm going to see if I can keep it up for a year. Eek! Not necessarily running every day because I'd like to spice it up, but I'm going to try to do something every day. 40 days down, 325 to go.
New Year's Resolutions - Kid Version
So, last night, I thought it would be fun to have dinner on our fine china, toast the new year in with some sparkling grape juice, and talk to the girls about New Year's Resolutions. The girls were thrilled with the sparkling grape juice enough to make me wonder if they are going to grow up to be little lushes. They really enjoyed toasting each other, while we waited on the baked ziti to cool off. (I've given up on collard greens and black eyed peas bringing me prosperity in the new year.)
Anyway, I told them we were going to talk about resolutions for 2012. Of course, the first thing out of their mouths..."What are resolutions?" I explained that resolutions are goals for the year - something that you would like to do.
Emma's resolutions: 1) To go to Chuck E. Cheese's. 2) To go to the World of Coke.
Charlotte's resolution: To go to a fancy restaurant and do cheers. (By cheers, she means toast everyone at the table - not act like a cheerleader and draw unnecessary attention to our table.)
Cristina's resolution: I don't want to do anything. (This is pretty much what she does already, so I'd say she is set to accomplish this one.)
I said that Ella's resolution should be to start walking. Emma looked at me like I was crazy and suggested that she needed to learn how to crawl first. Brian commented that Emma's resolutions are a lot like mine - very realistic and manageable to accomplish - unlike his own, which are usually grandiose like lose 100 pounds or renovate the entire house.
After chatting for a bit, I explained to the girls that resolutions weren't just about places you want to go, but something you could do to be a better kid. Charlotte and Emma then got very excited and said they could go to the American Girl store more often. I couldn't help but shake my head. Clearly, I wasn't going to get any promises out of them to keep their room clean or be nicer to their sisters.
Anyway, I told them we were going to talk about resolutions for 2012. Of course, the first thing out of their mouths..."What are resolutions?" I explained that resolutions are goals for the year - something that you would like to do.
Emma's resolutions: 1) To go to Chuck E. Cheese's. 2) To go to the World of Coke.
Charlotte's resolution: To go to a fancy restaurant and do cheers. (By cheers, she means toast everyone at the table - not act like a cheerleader and draw unnecessary attention to our table.)
Cristina's resolution: I don't want to do anything. (This is pretty much what she does already, so I'd say she is set to accomplish this one.)
I said that Ella's resolution should be to start walking. Emma looked at me like I was crazy and suggested that she needed to learn how to crawl first. Brian commented that Emma's resolutions are a lot like mine - very realistic and manageable to accomplish - unlike his own, which are usually grandiose like lose 100 pounds or renovate the entire house.
After chatting for a bit, I explained to the girls that resolutions weren't just about places you want to go, but something you could do to be a better kid. Charlotte and Emma then got very excited and said they could go to the American Girl store more often. I couldn't help but shake my head. Clearly, I wasn't going to get any promises out of them to keep their room clean or be nicer to their sisters.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Running Streak
I read a Facebook post from Runner's World just before Thanksgiving about a challenge to run at least one mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. The thought is that most people lose a lot of their fitness during this time because they don't make the time for exercise in all the craziness of the holidays. So, on a whim, I decided that I was going to sign on for the challenge. Not that there is any reward besides the satisfaction of successfully completing 38 consecutive days of running. I have 10 more runs to go to complete my streak!
I have to share this funny story regarding day 18 of the streak. Brian was out of town, but had planned to come home early, so I'd have time to run in the afternoon. Well, it ended up that he wasn't going to make it back as early as he intended, so I had to get creative to get my mile in with four kids in tow. I put Cristina and Ella in our double stroller and told Emma to get her bike and Charlotte to get her scooter. I figured I could push the stroller along side them while they rode. Well, Charlotte decided that she didn't want to take her scooter, which she is really fast on. She wanted to take this old tricycle instead. I tried to convince her of her scooter prowess, but she was steadfast that she wanted the tricycle. I knew it was a mistake, but I really wanted to get my mile in, so I relented.
We headed off for the mile. We were maybe 1/3 of a mile from the house with multiple starts and stops with me running ahead and then back to drag Charlotte along. Finally, Charlotte says,"this tricycle is really not my thing. It's just not my thing." She was struggling to keep up and wanted to just run. So, I did the only thing I could think of short of abandoning the tricycle on the side of the road. I picked up the tricycle and let Charlotte run home. So, yes, I was the crazy women running in the neighborhood holding a tricycle and pushing a double stroller! Trust me, it wasn't easy, but it was better than pulling Charlotte on the tricycle while pushing the stroller or constantly running back and forth with the cumbersome double stroller. I really felt like I earned the mile on day 18. Thankfully, most of the runs have been easy in comparison to this one.
I have to share this funny story regarding day 18 of the streak. Brian was out of town, but had planned to come home early, so I'd have time to run in the afternoon. Well, it ended up that he wasn't going to make it back as early as he intended, so I had to get creative to get my mile in with four kids in tow. I put Cristina and Ella in our double stroller and told Emma to get her bike and Charlotte to get her scooter. I figured I could push the stroller along side them while they rode. Well, Charlotte decided that she didn't want to take her scooter, which she is really fast on. She wanted to take this old tricycle instead. I tried to convince her of her scooter prowess, but she was steadfast that she wanted the tricycle. I knew it was a mistake, but I really wanted to get my mile in, so I relented.
We headed off for the mile. We were maybe 1/3 of a mile from the house with multiple starts and stops with me running ahead and then back to drag Charlotte along. Finally, Charlotte says,"this tricycle is really not my thing. It's just not my thing." She was struggling to keep up and wanted to just run. So, I did the only thing I could think of short of abandoning the tricycle on the side of the road. I picked up the tricycle and let Charlotte run home. So, yes, I was the crazy women running in the neighborhood holding a tricycle and pushing a double stroller! Trust me, it wasn't easy, but it was better than pulling Charlotte on the tricycle while pushing the stroller or constantly running back and forth with the cumbersome double stroller. I really felt like I earned the mile on day 18. Thankfully, most of the runs have been easy in comparison to this one.
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