All I Want for Christmas

Thanksgiving happened (along with some furnace drama, a fabulous visit from the K family, tamale-making, and a trip to the MN History Museum), but for now I'll leave you with this:


It's a good thing my 7-month old niece will be here in less than a month, because the babies in this house are dropping like flies.

Afterlife

Yesterday, while driving in a car with my sister, Ruby asked what makes someone die. I tried to explain the need for a heart to pump blood to all your organs and a brain that work so you can think and feel. This lead to a conversation about what it's like after you die, and it's pretty complex territory - especially for someone (like me) who is not religious. It's especially difficult when you have someone like Cecilia in the car who is not satisfied with answers that start with, "Some people believe that..." She will ALWAYS stop you and ask, "Is that what YOU believe?" Oy.

In an effort to explain what I believe, I talked about how little I know, and focused on what I hope. I hope I get to see my grandpa again someday because I'd give anything to have one more conversation with him. But until I find out, I have to keep him alive in my heart and with all the happy memories I have - and someone can never leave you for good if you keep them alive in your heart. And Ruby wanted to know if your heart can get all filled up so there is no room left, but I assured her that your heart has an endless capacity to love, so there is no danger of that.

It was a deep, serious conversation and I found myself getting a little choked up talking about my grandpa (my sister may have, too). And then, because children are perfect and wonderful, the girls each asked a question at the exact same time:

Ruby: Is being dead like The Corpse Bride?

Cecilia: How do you spell "through?"

Conferences

Last week we attended conferences for both girls - Kindergarten for Rubes and 3rd grade for Cici. We knew going in that the feedback would be primarily good because A) we have good kids and B) if not, we would have heard about it by now. And that's exactly what happened -- we heard they are terrific students, hard workers, and eager learners, and we were (are) very proud.

Ruby's teacher showed us drawing after drawing noting Ruby's use of vibrant color (they really are quite pretty). And as she did this she talked about what a happy kid Ruby is -- that you have to be a happy kid to make such pretty pictures. "She's just such a happy kid..."

Cecilia's teacher talked about how well she was doing, particularly in math, so we quickly got up and left because surely this could not be about OUR daughter. As it turns out, two math-impaired individuals can indeed produce offspring that excel at math. Who knew?

But what warmed my heart the most -- and we heard this in both conferences -- is that the girls are both leaders in the classroom. And even when I asked if perhaps the teachers meant bossy, I was assured that it's not bossiness as much as it is leadership.

I love this.

And then later that day I took the girls grocery shopping and they turned into horrible little terrors from the underworld destroying everyone and everything in their path, namely my sanity.

So... [shrugging]

Victory

Mornings around our house can be chaotic and harried in the way - I imagine - that they are for most busy families just trying to get through the week. There is a sequence of events that takes place so that everyone can get out the door at the right time, with the right things, and ready for the day. I'm sorry to say that our routine isn't perfect and sometimes there is a last minute scramble for shoes or homework or a snack, and there have even been times when yelling is involved. (GASP!)

I will say, however, that ever since Cecilia started going to school I've been committed to the idea that our children should not leave the house all stressed out or - even worse - in tears. I can't protect them from the daily trials and tribulations that happen to everyone, but at the very least I can make sure they walk out the front door feeling calm, safe, and loved. This can be a real challenge on days when everyone wakes up crabby and cereal gets spilled and homework is lost and clean socks are nowhere to be found and we're out of coffee. But in the 30 seconds before Cecilia walks out the door (she goes first), I muster all my strength and pull it together so that she knows - no matter what - things are okay. If it's been a particularly rough morning, I find that a well-timed fart joke turns things around pretty quickly.

Which brings me to today. Today was just one of those magical days when it all just worked. The girls had breakfast, got dressed, brushed teeth and hair, packed up their school things, and there was no yelling or crying in the process. Everyone remembered lunches and snacks. Everyone left on time. Everyone left with a hug and a kiss and a smile. Everyone was clean.

So today, along with being grateful for veterans, I'm going to be grateful for the small victory that is a peaceful morning. Sometimes it's the little things, right?

Halloween 2010

Hey, does everyone else know it's November? And, how did that happen?! Nevertheless, here are some pics from a fun-filled Halloween weekend.

"Ruby ruby."

Made a funny discovery last night. Was looking at our iTunes music library when I noticed a new playlist had been created. At first I thought Cici might have made it, but I should have known better, since it was titled "Ruby ruby" and contained exactly one song - a cover of "Ruby Tuesday" . . . .

Short Orderers.

Dadam: What kind of cereal would you like for breakfast, Ruby?
Ruby: I would like Frosted Mini-Wheats, but since there's not enough left for a whole bowl I'll take a mix of Frosted Mini-Wheats and Cheerios.
Dadam: Okay. And you, Cecilia?
Cici: I would like exactly the same mix, but hold the Frosted Mini-Wheats.

Baldish?

Ruby [to Dadam]: You and Mommy have a good marriage, because she has long hair, and you have baldish hair.