Heptadecagon

She doesn't get much face time around here, especially by herself. This one is for the aunts, great-aunts, and grandparents! Hope you enjoy it. It is fuzzy because Tara took it with her phone. Her cuteness still shines through, though!

Melina had ideas of what she wanted to do after nap today. Melina: Shoe? Me: Okay, you want your shoes on? Please go get them. [Melina ran off to get her shoes, came back to me, and sat down.] Melina: Side? Me: You want to go outside? Well, okay. [Melina ran off to get her coat, came back to me, and looked for help with the coat.] Melina: Wee? Me: You want to swing? No, not today. Let's go out in the front instead. Amazing how three words: shoe, side, and wee, can constitute a conversation, but they did. I told the story to Tim and he knew exactly what she was saying. The progression of language fascinates me with every child we have. Melina was disappointed not to be able to swing today, but thankfully, the girls put her on the sled, and she was able to go "Weeeeeeee!"

I need to start keeping a list of things that Aaron says. Today's bit of wisdom from Aaron was: Boys are dimmer; girls are lighter. What?!? I just had to share that with someone, and since Tim is coming home late tonight, I picked you. Aren't you lucky? P.S. We had a nice Christmas in Michigan. We also had a nice Christmas back here, since Santa dumped a ton of stuff at our house, too. All that and the boy with the red hair still wonders why he didn't get a red robot.

I've written before about the different comments people have made when I have been out with the kids. The one I heard today made me laugh out loud. We were exiting the doors of a local restaurant in front of a couple that looked to be in their late sixties/early seventies. Woman: Are they all yours? Me: Yes Woman: You have a wonderful family. [How does she know? She only thinks I do because they are cute. Of course, I am biased when I say they are cute, but it is allowed, right?] Me: Thank you! Man: We had five. Quit while you are ahead! I didn't see a slap on the arm from the woman, but that is what I'd have done to Tim if he'd said the same thing. No biggie -- gave me a good laugh.

I am beginning to wonder from which planet 5 year old boys come. My sweet 4 year old boy (not completely innocent) morphed into this alien of a 5 year old. I'd really like to know how that can happen so quickly. I am not going to bore you with the details of our issues as of late, but check back frequently if you'd like a good laugh, or, if you just want to feel better about your own family situation. Perhaps it has to do with his red hair?

There are several things that I have discovered over the last two weeks. 1. As per my earlier post , single parenting is tough work. I think I do not appreciate Tim as much as I should. Nor do I tell him that, I am sure. 2. The house is neater with one less person around. 3. I have much less laundry with one less person. I could not figure that one out until I realized that a pair of socks, a pair of underwear, and one T-shirt a day (along with towels, work shirts and pants) can really make a difference. 4. I do not like cleaning the cat litter, but do not mind taking out the garbage on Thursday night. The dog doo -- I didn't even get to that one. Tim is supposed to return home tomorrow. I can't wait to see how the kids react when they see him get home.

We had an early visit from Santa this year. Or else his little elf came on by. According to the girls, it must have been his elf that left a note from Santa on their beds. The note essentially said the following: Dear Zoe and Talia: Have you been good this year? I want you to be honest. A little elf has told me that things at home have been a little loud. Please try to listen to your mommy a little better. She listens to you and tries to help you be good children. She also loves you very, very, much. I want to bring you good things, so please do your best. See you soon. Love, Santa The girls were amazed at the fancy writing (thanks to wonderful computer fonts). They figured out that Santa (or his elf) must have stopped by when the girls were at school and the rest of us were at Meijer. Will it help? I hope so. I think they did a little better yesterday. Aaron realizes that he might be getting his own note if things don't shape up around here. You can call me a bad parent; ...