Cordelia's First Sleepover

Sweet Cordelia has had something of a rough time adjusting to first grade; there are only 5 girls in her class and the others "already paired up," she told me one night, as I tried not to cry. She's in the odd position of being both orders of magnitude smarter than her classmates, but much less mature socially. She's coming along, though — she is now part of a Cardinal Montessori Girl Scout troop, which she absolutely LOVES. Last night, her friend Elena had her 8th birthday party — a slumber party! Or, a "spajama party," as she adorably called it.

She was extremely nervous about sleeping over — even though there was a "sleepover badge" to be had — so we made sure she knew she could call us ANYTIME and we'd be there to get her. But she was a trooper and stayed all night!

She didn't get to sleep until 1:30, though. So today there was much drama, then some histrionics, then some melodrama, and many many tears, and finally she fell asleep around 6:00. Elena's mom sent me these cute pictures from the party…clearly, she's a brave mama!

  

Baby Bubby and Brother Buddy

Cody's joy in having a little brother is matched only by his frustration at having little sisters. They all dote on Gabriel, but Cody still turns to me regularly and says, "Isn't he just … amazing? Thank you so much for carrying him here from heaven." He can't wait until GW is bigger so he can teach him to play football, tennis, soccer, and Battleship. :)

They look SO MUCH ALIKE it's freaky. And, somehow, Gabriel has become "Bubby" around the house. I think it's a derivation of "Buddy," which JVL calls Cody all the time. However it came about, he's now either Gabriel or Bubby. (When he drools, Emma calls him "Bubbles.")

Both Bubby and Buddy are adorable, and getting more so every day.

  

 

         

I Know They Appreciate Me

Cody: Mom? One of the things I love about you is how when Gabriel throws up all over you, you tend to keep it on you and off the glider so I can sit down and not get covered in puke.

Me: Aww. Thanks buddy.

 

Cody: Patties Superfan

So Cody has developed an intense love of football--which is great. It's totally organic. I didn't force anything on him. He seems to have picked it up at school. What this means is that we now go outside most afternoons and toss the pigskin. I've taken to explaining offensive sets to him, and routes. And it means that we're watching lots of football together. Which is awesome.

It also means that he has adopted a team. And because he's Pop-Pop's grandson, he's decided that he's officially for the the dominant franchise of the last 14 years. He's a Pats fan. A Pats superfan. Like, with his own flag and everything.

I can't help thinking that that's how this guy started out:

Last night we went over to Sean and Monika's place to watch the Divisional round where the Patriots hosted a feisty Houston squad. Sean let Cody where his authentic pro-gear Brady jersey. Sean went with his Coach Mumbles hoody. Here they are doing an impression of their idols before the game:

Note the thoroughly confused Faith.

The only problem was that the game didn't start until 8:15 pm. And didn't finish until 11:30. Here's what he looked like at the two-minute warning.

Note the bottle next to him.

Go Patriots.

Omg I Have 4 Kids?!

         

Just Because

 

Baby Buster

 

Magic Mirror

    

Emma Reads Emma

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Emma Elisabeth (Ann Seton)

Emma's taken to calling herself "Emma Elisabeth Ann Seton" lately. We've been wall to wall with sick kids, but here are a few sweet E moments from the past few weeks…

The Abbreviated Grand Old Flag

Seen and Heard, Fall 2016

Emma: "Mommy, when is Gabriel's invisible cord going to fall off? I can still see it."

Emma: "Mom. Do you know how to play Wizard's Chess?"
Me: "No! In fact, I don't even know how to play regular chess."
Emma, disappointed: "Oh. Well, do you know how to use binoculars?"

Me: "Time to clean up the playroom, Cora!"
CML: "I didn't mess it up."
Me: "Everyone did, so we will all work as a team — but it needs to get straightened up."
CML, scornfully: "I think you and I are having some creative differences about this."

Emma: "When my bunnies hatch from my belly, I am going to feed them from here [points at nipples] too!"


CJP: "Mom? Do you ever run out of milk?"
Me: "Nope. My body makes as much as he needs."
CJP: "That's so cool. You're like a cow, but for Gabriel!"
Me: "Thanks, buddy. I do my best."
CJP: "It's kind of amazing how that works, isn't it?"
Me: "Completely amazing."
CJP: "God made you women really complex."
Me: "You have no idea."

CML, stumbling downstairs to use the bathroom at 2:00 am while I was nursing G: "Wait, Mom? You have to feed him at night, too?!"

Me: "Oh, Emma. What a great picture! You're becoming quite the little artist."
Emma: "Well, I have watched a lot of Bob Ross. I'm basically just like Bob Ross!"

In no particular order — I'm just slapping these here while I have a few moments — behold some of the cutest children in Virginia.

 Cora's new glasses! (Just like Grandma Robbie's!)

 Sensing a theme?

 

 Gabriel's first vest!

 Gabriel does not lack for affection. Or noise.

 Firt smiles for Daddy!

 First smiles for Pop-Pop!

 Emma the fairy.

 OMG Cody is SO HUGE.

 Finishing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

 This one is a long story.

 Where's Emma?

 The kids were browsing videos while I browsed wine, and here's what Cody begged for:

 He is Pop-Pop's boy! I couldn't stop laughing.

 Cora did her own hair.

 At Chuck-E-Cheese, "Where a Kid Can Be a Kid!" Or, as I say, "Where a Kid Can Get the Stomach Flu!"