Monday, October 29, 2007

Party reflections

The last couple of times I've tried to post pictures, I've encountered errors preventing such displays.  Grrrr.  I wanted to share a couple pictures from the girls' birthday party last night!  They looked so cute in their rhinestone "3" and "4" shirts--thanks, Laura!  They had a good time at "McKenna and Anna's Pumpkin Patch" where each kiddo got to search the back acre for a pumpkin to decorate.  There were some adults who may have questioned the use of permanent marker as means for decoration, but all jackets and children and pants came out unscathed so far as we could tell, Samuel included.  Amazing.  The weather was absolutely perfect for hot dogs over the fire pit and hot chocolate with colored marshmallows (Anna's request).  We all had a good time during this joint birthday party.  Perhaps the girls won't remember that we used Colts plates at their party.  That's one of the drawbacks of being a girl with a fall birthday in the Clark family!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Average day

Things I chuckled at today...

McKenna telling Anna to "Hustle!" when they were washing their hands before dinner...

Anna saying, "I can carry my own ketsup" when I put her in bed after falling asleep on my bed...

Watching Samuel play without making eye contact with me after I told him it was time to get out of the bathtub.  I could just see him thinking, "If I don't make eye contact she'll forget that I'm here and I can just sit here and play in these bubbles forever."

The kids and I actually skipped the state cross country meet today.  We had a huge Saturday breakfast and nice, lazy morning instead. They are quite excited about their birthday party tomorrow afternoon.  They helped me create their pumpkin patch in the back acre this afternoon.  What a fun weekend...

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

It's nice to be wanted

This afternoon Chris and I took the kids to the zoo--we love doing this, particularly on a beautiful fall day!  We took in the Oceans exhibit first, and it was by far my favorite today.  Samuel just loves watching the sharks.  He could do this all day.  Today was a little different, though, because he didn't want to watch them alone.  Every time I left his side to see what the girls were up to, he'd run over to me, say "Mama!" and pull me back over to the shark tank.  He must have done this a half dozen times!  Talk about heart warming...

And we realized that our fearless McKenna does in fact have a fear or two.  As we approached the snake exhibit, McKenna insisted on being carried and then whispered in my ear, "It's going to be dark.  And I don't like snakes."  When I felt her clutching me tighter with every step toward the snakes, I figured she was serious and she and I got to sit that one out.  What a blessing it is to enjoy these moments with my children!  

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Long time coming

McKenna was so excited today to have her first hair cut!  She chattered all morning about sitting in the princess car and watching Dora and getting to be a big girl.  All went according to her plan until she decided to swap Dora for a princess movie.  And oh, did she feel like a princess by the time she was done!  She had two braids, sparkles in her hair, four barrettes, and bubbles in the air!  She showed off her new 'do to Daddy (at work) and was so proud of herself!  



Monday, October 22, 2007

Celebrate!

Today we celebrate ANNA'S FOURTH BIRTHDAY!!  We had a fun time yesterday with family, cake, balloons (including the Happy 60th Birthday balloon that I accidently purchased), and gifts.  I am anxious to get home from classes today so that we can enjoy the birthday dinner that Anna has requested--peanut butter and jelly!  Actually, we're going to let McAllister's make her dinner.  The rest of us, I assume, will have something from the regular menu.  I can't believe that it's been four years since I first held Anna to my chest and kissed her sweet head.  It has been exciting and I can't imagine where we'll go from here.  Today's challenge is to focus on the joy of her life and the fun that we've had without being sad that she's outgrowing the same things that I sometimes get anxious for her to outgrow.  Make sense?  At any rate, Happy Birthday, Anna!


Saturday, October 20, 2007

Songs and such

Our kids love to sing!  Since my official "Chrismas music season" begins on October 1, it's been lots of carols in the van!  Samuel's favorite is currently "Little Drummer Boy".  I just love to hear him "pum" along!  McKenna is just the cutest thing when she sings "O Come All Ye Faithful".  The funniest thing is when she is singing along and STILL  mixes up the pronouns.  She'll sing, "O come let us adore he..." every time!  Anna just loves the old Psalty Christmas tape.  If it wasn't just about worn out when my sisters and I finished listening to it, it certainly will be by the end of this Christmas season.  (Did you know that you can't download Psalty from Rhapsody?  Evidently there's not much demand.)  Her favorite songs are about wrapping herself up for Christmas (for Jesus) and telling the world that Jesus was born.  She's got the point, that's for sure!   McKenna got her words mixed up on another song today that made me laugh.  (When DOESN'T McKenna make me laugh?)  The lyric said "my God is a great God" but McKenna sings "my God is a great guy".  That He is, little one!

We had an excellent time this morning at the cross country semi-state, having a picnic outside (one advantage of unseasonably warm weather), making a leaf house, and having a family cross country race around the yard.  (Nana won thanks to her crafty course-altering skills.)  Anna insisted on being called "Hannah" while she pretended to be a high school girl in a race.  We all had to yell for her and cheer "go millers!" every time she ran by us.  I got Anna's birthday cake (honey pie pony) made with Carrie's help with the horse's design and the girls' rhinestone birthday shirts are made, thanks to Laura's finess with the iron. 

All this, and my anatomy studying still awaits.  Here I come, sarcomeres!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Anna's doings

Last night Chris got to play with his toys...he installed a new HDTV in our bedroom.  (There are certainly some perks to electronics retail!)  The girls were also quite excited this afternoon.  They watched Strawberry Shortcake and without me saying anything about what kind of TV it was, Anna exclaimed, "This TV has bright colors!  I like it!"  

The birthday countdown is in full gear.  For months Anna has been wondering how many birthdays (of family members) will be celebrated before hers.  She has known for a couple weeks that it's been three more birthdays until hers.  Two happen this week and one next week.  She's just beside herself!  And it was so encouraging to Chris and I this week when she told us WHY she's excited about turning 4.  She told us that she just can't wait to have a birthday cake and balloons and seeing her friends.  She never mentioned presents.  We know that she has a memory like a steel trap so it's not that she doesn't associate gifts with birthdays.  We're just glad that in her mind, that's not the important part.

Now, for Anna's contribution to the post...

cgyk2t4gl bigggcbn  cvhryyieqzfu  ANNA

And McKenna, too...

qqqwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooo
llllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaassssssjhhhh7jyhgjtjghmhgjhkjhkj7u8i8iiu8i7i6gtgggju8uiiuikkyhhhh



Friday, October 5, 2007

New Name

McKenna must have princess-on-the-brain today.  I just asked her to do something and she replied, "Yes, your highness."  Oh, my. 

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Joys

One of the joys of being a mom is taking care of sick little ones.  Anna had a really rough night last night--she must have gotten the bug that has been making the rounds with our friends from church.  It's no so great to walk into a dark room and be overcome by the smell of vomit.  It is, however, absolutely wonderful to be called upon to help.  Anna and I spent nearly all night snuggling, rubbing her back, chatting about how God has the power to heal our bodies, and watching movies.  Mary Poppins at 4:30 with a sickly little girl is a lot more fun than you'd think.  As strange as it may sound, I am so thankful to have had the chance to have that special time with Anna.  I'm also very thankful that her little body seems to be just fine now.  I am very aware right now that health is something not to be taken for granted.  

Another joy of being a mom is hearing, "Mommy, I wuv you" from a very "wigglish" (her word) McKenna.  She is just the sweetest thing.  Her squeaky little voice and angel face are enough to make me smile all day!

And Samuel...he loves his routine.  He loves to go to bed at night, but not without his snuggle time.  He lays his head on my shoulder and I can just feel his little body relax completely.  A year ago night time was still stressful with him.  He went to bed easily, but staying asleep was an entirely different matter.  Now, his bedtime routine is a joy for me--I look forward to it every day.  The great thing is that he seems to look forward to it as well.

Chris.  What a guy!  He's so excited to spend an entire day with all three kids every week while I'm in class.  He absolutely loves it.  He smiles when he talks about how not every dad gets this opportunity.  I smile because not every daddy would want this opportunity.  Even today, when Anna was puny, Chris was up early (!) to take care of her and get a jump on his favorite day of the week.  THAT is a joy as well.  

I am so blessed...