Blessed Mother, Blessed Child

We've had a bit of a rough week, with one thing and another, and horrific allergies compounding our general state of disgruntlement. The other day, because I could not face the pollen, we went to church to visit the ladies in the office, to play with fire light candles, and visit with Mary and Jesus. Cody was enraptured--no one else in the whole church! We sat near Mary and we talked about how much she understands little boys and their moms, and the frustrations they sometimes have. I told him he could talk to her about his problems and ask her to help him with his struggles. He started to talk very softly, then asked if Cordelia and I could maybe go somewhere else, because he needed to just talk to Mary alone.

So we did. He was probably there a full 15 minutes. I could see him inching closer, and could hear just the slightest sound of his voice. He just sat, and gazed, and chatted. And my heart filled--I wish I had that relationship with him right now, but I'm glad the Mother of all mothers is standing in. She's way better, anyway. Probably has something to do with being full of grace.

Regina caeli, ora pro nobis.

Planning Ahead

I asked Cordelia yesterday what special treat she might like for her birthday. Without missing a beat, she said, "I would like cupcakes in a dump truck! Please!"

Excavator Talk

Cody and I did our night-time bonding this evening by watching videos of various excavators in his bed, on the iPad. In the middle of a movie featuring a Gradall excavator, he turned to me and issued the following:

"Dad, the big advantage a Gradall excavator has over conventional excavators is its telescoping boom."

And the funny thing is, he's right.

Pink Snow

Our beautiful weeping crabapple tree in the front yard is absolutely magnificent when it blooms. Unfortunately, it only blooms for about 5 days out of the year. Doubly unfortunate, this year that period coincided with a day of driving rain followed by a day of crazy wind. Oh well...maybe next year! The kids loved the pink snow effect, though.

Boys Will Be Boys

Most of the time I don't think I'm that great a mom. And that with every passing day I wreak more havoc on Cody's psyche by figuring all this parenting stuff out as I go. But I think my no TV, no video games, no electronic devices, no movies strategy is actually working the way I intended. He is now happy to entertain himself for long periods of time, just digging in the dirt. He does this every day, for as long as he can get away with it.

It looks disgusting and pointless, but there's a whole thing happening here. When I picked him up from school the other day, he was on the playground digging in the mulch, and one of the teacher's aides said she asked him if he would rather play on the playset, and he answered her, "Oh no! I am really busy right now. I am in the middle of excavating. I have to dig the foundation for the cellar of a new skyscraper, and then another one for the Washington monument." Kids, dirt, and imagination.

Also, lots of baths, and laundry. : )

Getting Four Kids to Pose is Harder than it Looks

Violet, Brenna and Kim spent Thursday afternoon with us--a happier foursome you never did see!

Here's Brenna -- her first time on our swing set!

She's loving it -- even more so when her big sister pushed her!

It was a lovely afternoon, until witching hour hit and the wheels fell of the Last cart. Roughhousing (a concept which poor Violet found utterly unfamiliar and unpleasant) devolved quickly into...Cordelia biting her. Not hard. No giant marks like she leaves on Cody. But that's not the point. There was a serious time-out, she faked some remorse, then laughed about it the rest of the night. Then, when sternly reproved for such behavior, she let me know how she feels about my authority by biting Cody. Then she bit herself. At which point, Hopsy was taken away for the whole night. When I went in to get her in the morning, she looked at me innocently and said, "I can have Hopsy back? I bit Violet. And, I bit Cody. And, I bit my leg! And my foot!" I said, "Was there an apology in there somewhere?" She plastered on her contrite expression (obviously fake) and said, "Sorry! I am all done biting people today!" with a bright smile.

Digging for Slimys

Behold.

Note how far away I am. Yes, that's right...I was inside. Making dinner. While they chose--as a unit!--to play outside together a little longer.

I knock wood even as I blog.

To Go With Your Mom Jeans...

Seen at the playground this afternoon. Believe it.

Her child, by the way, seems to be wearing bunny ears. Which probably doesn't mean anything about her future.

Things You Never Thought Would Come Out of Your Mouth...

...but now that you're a mother, they roll off the tongue with ease (if perplexity, and occasional horror and disgust):

• "Take the screwdriver out of your sister's hair."
• "Did that black bean just come out of your nose?"
• "No, sweetie. Your vagina is in the front."
• "We do not put our teeth on other people's bodies. Ever."

Out of the Mouths of Babes

CML: Sometimes Cody's difficult. Sometimes Daddy's difficult.

Me: Sometimes Cordelia is difficult.

CML: No!

Me: Sometimes even Mommy is difficult.

CML: Mommy is difficult.

CJP, calling in from the other room: Don't worry Mom! Even when you are being difficult, I still love you all the way to the moon and back. Believe it or not.

"I want to go to Occoquan and see the construction site! And the ducks! And the waterfall! And have cookies!"

The above was not from Cody, but Cordelia. She's a girl after Cody's own heart. We spent Friday afternoon wandering around and had a wonderful time--behold, they are actually bonding.


Then we went to visit the waterfall. There was a man fishing with no shirt on, and Cordelia helpfully shouted, "That man took off his shirt! He will take off his pants too!" I assured her not to worry about that one.

(Clearly, I couldn't decide which picture was the cutest.)

But then we stumbled on the best part of the day: "Mom! It's a Bobcat skid-steer MINI-LOADER!" (that was in unison)

I told Cody he could go touch it. Heaven.

Top O' The Mornin' To You!

This morning I took the kids for a long adventure in Old Town. It was pretty much all highlights.

We breakfasted at Buzz (look how BIG he is now!) and then spent an hour at our old playground, where I built endless sand cities and the kids yelled, "And now it is time for the demolition!" (Followed by Cordy: "I want another city! Build it for me. Now. Please!") She also discovered--and loved--the see-saw.

Then we headed out for a picnic by the river. But before we could stake out a table, we saw....

Yes. A backhoe loader. ("See the backhoe loader Mommy! I want to go follow it!" And that's....Cordelia.) We followed it many, many blocks as it worked its way along the riverbank, picking up tree stumps and driftwood and then dumping them into a dumpster.

The absolute best was when the backhoe wouldn't start, and the "backhoe gentlemen" opened it up to, according to Cody, "make sure that the radiator is not all jacked up." A moment later, one called, "I think I'm going to need a screwdriver!" Cody fairly trembled with joy. They ate their lunch right there, on the move. Easiest meal ever.

Then we went to see the nuns at the Catholic bookstore. Cody had a particular purchase in mind and could not be dissuaded. One of you lucky readers will soon possess something very special. I'm not sure you'll want it, but you'll cherish it anyway, because he is fully convinced that you want it and it's perfect for you. : ) After he chose it, he non-sequitored right into, "Sister Sophia? Do you have a toilet here? Could I please use it? I really have to go to the bathroom."

It was, all in all, a wonderful morning. Later in the afternoon, we spent a happy hour weedingand digging up earthworms, then counting and naming them. All of them were named Slimy. It went something like this:

CJP: Here's another one! (wielding it in my face)

Me, weakly: That's great. Hi, worm.

CML: I am a little a-scared of him! I don't want to scare him! I want to see him! His name is Slimy. Hi Slimy!

CJP: Two Slimys plus two more Slimys is four Slimys.

CML: They are all Slimy!

Just Overheard

CJP: Mom! I'm doing a great job cleaning up the toys so we can get right to our Dyson vaccing.

CML: I am coming! I want to help you! I will do it with you!

CJP, diplomatically: That's okay Cordelia. You don't have to help me. I can be self-sufficient.

CML: I want to! I am coming. I will help you!

CJP: Basically, I don't want you to help me. I'm very sorry, but I need you to stay away from me. You will just make it messier.

CML: I want to make it messier!

CJP: Moooooooommmmmmm!.....

The Many Sides of Cordelia Last

Sweet, funny fashionista...

Take no prisoners Mean Girl.

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid, and a Mom Can Get a Migraine

Last week marked the first official visit to Chuck-E-Cheese. Against my will. But Cody's school was having a fundraiser, and when I picked him up after school he said excitedly, "Mom! Can I go to Chuck-E-Cheese today? I'd really like to go to Chuck-E-Cheese. [pause] What's Chuck-E-Cheese?"

"Chuck-E-Cheese! Go to Chuck-E-Cheese!" Cordelia repeated eagerly.

I hemmed and hawed but then he went in for the kill: "My friends will be there and also Ms. Leavesley and I would really like to go play with them." Since, as far as I can tell, he never talks to anyone at school who isn't Ms. Leavesley, I thought I should take advantage of the rare desire to socialize with other kids.

The experience was a season in Purgatory hit.

Cody experimented with all sorts of stuff. Above, "Mom! I am on the ark just like Noah!" Below, "Mom, is there any way you could possibly open this machine up so I can play with those little excavators?"

Watch out, Aunt Hannah...another Super Shot star in the making!

Cordelia, on the other hand, was more of a one-trick pony. All she wanted to do was "go back on the horsie! Do it now!" The mini merry-go-round was an instant classic. Here she is on ride 3...

Ride 8...

Ride 11...you think I'm kidding?

How could I say no to that face? Sure, Birdie. Here's token 15. Go for it.