What I get for shopping on a Sunday..........

After mass we headed to Lowes to make a return. My days are numbered and I am trying to cross things off my list. I really don't want to drive around with a garbage disposal in my car for the next 4 weeks....

So anyway, we're in Lowes cruising the garden section because we feel the need to fill our hanging baskets. I am pushing one in the cart, one in the oven, and two are jumping at my feet. This little Hispanic lady looks at me with a big smile and says "Pleez...no more!" And then said something about six kids, whether she had them or her daughter had them I couldn't figure out. She then said something about "itz so bizzy!" Wow, thanks for that affirmation. And I wasn't even grumpy or ready to lose it at someone ( that would have been yesterday shopping for Easter outfits at Macy's) !

Anyway, I was sort of taken aback. I smiled and said I was the oldest of seven and sort whizzed away. None of the kids asked me about it later but I was pretty shocked. It was one of the ruder comments I have received. Grrrr.....I know I should just offer it up, but I am still looking for the perfect comeback in these situations!

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm

We've been without a TV for a while now. I guess its been about a month and I really haven't noticed.

I never set out to be totally anti-television it has just sort of happened. First we stopped letting the kids watch it except for movies on the weekends and then we moved here with so few channels and such bad reception that all we ever watched was GlobeTrekker on PBS and football. Then of course was the digital switchover and we were left with one pathetic channel. I didn't want to get cable and there was no funding for those little converter box coupons for the government so I went without. The fact of the matter is that since P. has been gone I can't recall ever watching the tv. We only have it on for "movie nights." (Before you feel sorry for me I can assure you that I waste a heck of a lot of time on the Internet!)

Long story short my coupon from the government arrived yesterday. I can go get my box courtesy of the stimulus package. I guess I sort of feel guilty. Why should the government (make that Joe Taxpayer) subsidize my ability to watch crap? I suppose I could just go buy a box outright and let the coupon expire but I don't feel strongly enough about tv to want to shell out $40 bucks so I can watch it.

Decisions, decisions. This whole thing of being "in the world, but not of the world" can be confusing at times. I know we're supposed to be countercultural and all, but I don't want to be going overboard. At least I have until June 22nd to make up my mind...that's the day the coupon expires!

Overheard....

Beanie is very chatty lately. She talks a lot....I heard her the other day and thought she was asking me something. "What did you say Bean?" Her reply: "I am just talking to myself!"

The other day I heard her talking about daddy. "My daddy. My daddy in Iraq. My daddy taking a nap in his girly bed!" When we skype with Daddy he's usually in his room sitting on his bed. For some reason, he has this cheesy white metallic headboard with the gold balls which the kids have dubbed the girly bed. And of course, the kid knows Daddy loves his naps!

I have created a cynic....

It is dental health awareness time for the under 10 set! Apparently the "tooth fairy" showed up at the Conqueror's kindergarten classroom, complete with outfit and wand. He was not impressed.

For those who don't know....we don't do Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. We avoided the issue for many years, but when questions started coming that I couldn't answer without lying, I just sort of came clean.

Anyway, the Conqueror was explaining to me, in a rather exasperated tone, how the "tooth fairy" came and "lied to all these kids that the tooth fairy was going to take their teeth. I mean, it is just so...so....(both hands up in some sort of Italian gesture)...so uncalled for!" I died laughing.

Scenes from family adoration....

in which I stupidly took the kids to mass first and got them Chic-fil-A complete with a shared milkshake in honor of the solemnity before arriving at the adoration.

*Biki has taken to burping for attention on a regular basis. After initially being concerned about her gastro-intestinal health I am fairly sure it is now a question of one real burp being followed by 100 manufactured ones. They always occur during church. Anyway, it was really great tonight, a whole chorus. When censured she claims she can't help it and then proceeds to do a few quietly and into her hand before commencing with the loud ones. I was becoming exasperated with all 3 of them and finally started giving her "strikes out"....let's just say she made it to strike 3- which means a punishment. Immediately after I whispered, "Ok, that's strike 3", i.e. you are going to get it, she lets another one rip and announces, "That's strike 4!" Holy terror! Good thing she redeemed herself later on and proceeded to say a Hail Mary out loud in front of the whole church as part of the rosary decade. May God put this tenacity to good use for the building of the kingdom! ARGH.

*Beanie was jumping over the pew in front of us multiple times and I couldn't escape as I had been boxed in on both sides. She just kept climbing with her legs up in the air. When the deacon gave a little reflection on Lent and Easter he mentioned something about Easter coming soon. Well, she heard that. She holds up both hands, yells "Easter's coming soon!" and then puts them on her face ala "The Scream." Then she repeats this multiple times. We finally went to the back for a while.

* During adoration Beanie was obsessed with the fact that Jesus got moved out of the "gold box" which I kept describing as the tabernacle. Well, at the end as Our Lord is being put back she yells out, "They are putting Jesus back in the microwave." Not exactly....but in her defense our microwave is stainless steel....so there's a correlation.

*During mass earlier after communion Bean was watching the distribution of the Precious blood intently. She then announced to me, rather loudly, "You didn't get your blood of Christ!"

Every kid should have a backyard....

I can say that because we went six years without one and didn't know what we were missing!

This is awesome....I open the door and they all run outside for hours. Genius....why didn't I know about this earlier?

I get little gifts on a regular basis. Biki never fails to bring me dandelions or other flowers and yesterday Beanie handed me something green, very proud of herself. "Here Momma, this is for you!" "Thanks Beanie!" Big smile. "You're welcome!" And she was out the door again. She loves the independence the yard brings her. She mucks in the creek in her "cow boots", actual rain boots with cows on them, and just sits on the little bridge watching the water flow by.

We have had a few mishaps-waterlogged socks, shoes, and pants etc. and a ban has been issued on all inside toys leaving the house. But otherwise, it has been glorious. They use the shed in the back as a playhouse and stay out for hours at a time, coming in only for bathroom breaks and water. They insist on eating as many meals out there as possible too! I know this weather won't last, but I am hoping they will keep this up for the summer. At least we have a lot of shade to keep out the hot sun.

Next project, a garden!!

Marriage Madness

Nothing like an upcoming family wedding to get everyone excited!

After the news broke I was getting asked a million questions. "Will we take an airplane? Yes. Will I be in the wedding? Hold your horses, mommy didn't even have a ringbearer or a flower girl. Will I get a new dress? Possibly. Will our cousins be there? Yes.

People were crying when they realized they wouldn't be attending the celebratory brunch. Like I was going to drive to Chicago 38 weeks pregnant with no Paul. I love you guys and all but....

The cutest wedding mania story concerned Beanie. She doesn't miss a trick and absorbs everything. She may not have any wedding experiences to draw on but she immediately got what was going on. So on Sunday morning Biki decided to dress Beanie in the flower girl dress she wore as a flower girl in the last family wedding. Beanie was very proud of the little pink and white dress and showed it off like a real pro. I think she gets lessons from her big sister. Anyway, we're on our way to mass and Beanie starts bawling when she realizes where we are going. Turns out she thought she was going to the wedding!!! For some reason she gets that Daddy doesn't come home for a while, that vacation is after Daddy returns, but thinks the wedding is tomorrow. So cute!

We also heard a rumor that the happy couple wanted to have their wedding at San Juan Capistrano which we have been reading about lately in the lovely book Song of the Swallows by Leo Politi. I highly recommend the book if you can get your hands on it. I am eyeing a copy on ebay! When the kids heard about the possible location they went bonkers! The conqueror's eyes were literally as big as silver dollars. They all wanted to know if the swallows would still be there since they leave in late summer. We have been searching for footage of their arrival on St. Joseph's day but haven't found it yet. Anyway, the excitement mounts hourly around here!

Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss, Pt. 2

I asked children to go wash up before dinner. No problem, right? I have been trying to be better about this recently.

Anyway, Beanie ran in first, ostensibly to get the job done. Biki came in a few seconds later and announced, "Gross! Beanie's putting her hand in the toilet!!" She was using toilet water to wash her hands!! I guess that whole concept of using the stool to reach the sink was too much for her.

I really wonder how many times this has happened before. What's even more disturbing is that certain parties have a real hard time with the "Wipe, Flush, Wash" mantra. I often find a toilet in need of a flush. YIKES.

Stealing an idea......

I thought it would be fun to have my kids answer the same questions as some of their cousins. They are written in age order- 1=The Conqueror 2=Biki 3=Beanie. Various children wandered in and out during the questions and they were a little distracted at times!!

The major themes emerging are that I like Chinese food and have a temper. No surprises there!

1. What is something mom always says to you?

1-Clean up.
2-How was your day?
3-I am the moma.

2. What makes mom happy?
1- Obeying.
2- a baby.
3-make cookies for W.

3. What makes mom sad?
1- whining.
2-being bad.
3-orange juice.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
1- by saying something funny
2- when you say bebe
3-like orange juice ( I think we're losing steam here!)

5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?
1- eat candy
2-play with dolls
3- i am a mom.

6. How old is your mom?
1- 23
2- 22
3- 4 ( I love my kids!)

7. How tall is your mom?
1- 55 inches
2- So big.
3- 40

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
1- movies
2-toy story
3-cinderfella

9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
1- do something with the girls
2-go to the playground

10. What is your mom really good at?
1- softball (?)
2-making dinner
3-hot cocoa (she was fed this answer)

11. What is your mom not very good at?
1- soccer
2-basketball


12. What does your mom do for her job?
1- help around the house
2-help us
3-toothpaste

13. What is your mom's favorite food?
1.china express can I help you?
2. P.F. Changs

14. What makes you proud of your mom?
1- helping us around the house
2- playing games

15. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
1- a space girl
3- moma

16. What do you and your mom do together?
1- snuggle buggle, kiss-kiss and daddy hugs
2-play games
3-play

17. How are you and your mom the same?
1- we both have blue eyes
2- with numbers
3-me

18. How are you and your mom different?
1- I am a boy and you are a girl
2- B/c I have brown hair and you have a little brown and and a little blonde

19. How do you know your mom loves you?
1- she gives me snuggles and kisses
2- gives me hugs
3- Um, I know.

20. What does your mom like most about your dad?
1- she loves him
2- playing games

21. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
1- P.F. Chang's China Bistro!!
2- Panera

22. What is one thing you wish you could change about your mom?
1- Her being angry. (YIKES!)

23. What would your mom do with a million dollars?
1- Buy a rich house.

24. What do you wish you could go and do with your mom?
1- play soccer
2- do Irish dance

25. What is one thing you hope never changes about your mom?
1- that her skin never changes (he's talking about wrinkles!!)
2-being nice

Bean....waking up

Her first words this morning:

"I wanna get my feet washed at church!" I knew immediately she was talking about Holy Thursday. Being a wimp and not wanting to get into the theological implications of women getting their feet washed on the male priesthood, apostolic succession, etc. I didn't really answer anything more than "oh, I don't know...hmmm."

Undeterred, she responded, "I ask Fr. Jerry?"

Flashback....for those who don't know....when Adele was 2.5 we did a noon Holy Thursday mass at the Walter Reed Hospital Chapel. It was an extremely small crowd and they were asking for volunteers for the feet washing. The Conqueror initially wanted to do it and then backed out. But Biki, in a sudden burst of fearlessness, exclaimed she wanted to do it and was up there before I could stop her. Of course everyone thought it was so cute and I was mortified...but she did the whole thing and walked back to her seat triumphant. Perhaps they have been sharing all this with Beanie.

I can do that!!!

For weeks, Biki has been getting into trouble for using paper towels for various projects around the house. I find my canned goods swaddled in the pantry, various baby dolls mummified, and dress patterns cut up everywhere.

The other day I lost it and reiterated how she was NEVER to touch paper towels again. Her response, "Mom, can you please get me paper towels for my birthday?"

No problem. What an easy kid. One roll of Bounty and a princess cupcake coming up this July!

Maybe she's been reading greek tragedies on the side...

This morning I asked Biki about the 1st sorrowful mystery and she had no clue what the agony in the garden was at all.

Later on as we passed the only Catholic bookstore in town, lame as it is, I wondered if they sold those little St. Joseph story books on Lent. I remarked aloud that I haven't been doing my job since she hadn't learned about the agony in the garden. "Yeah," she volunteered from the back seat, "I really like Agony, he's one of my favorites and I want to learn all about him!"

Skype, It isn't all it is cracked up to be....

Tonight at the dinner table we had a glass carafe full of water. All of a sudden all 3 of them start crouching down trying to look and talk to each other while looking through it. This was a game they had obviously played before, but not in my presence.

When asked what they were doing they replied they were "skyping" with each other. The conqueror even performed a little rendition of the skype test call.

Needless to say, our last few video skypes with dad have had seriously poor quality! Oh well, it is better than nothing!!