Kenya Sisters

I've nicknamed my group of buds that I met at the Embassy in Nairobi my "Kenya Sisters."  We had the opportunity to meet up this weekend (thanks Abby for flying down from Cananda and Kendra for driving up from S.C.!)  We enjoyed great food, funny stories, games and enjoyed each other immensely.  Every time we all make it a point to get together, there are always unforgettable times.  It was wonderful.  

This week Jonathan was in Brussels.  He brought back some delicious Belgium chocolates!  Also this week, we celebrated Easter with the kids today since Jonathan was home and we wouldn't be together for Easter.  We colored eggs and had a hunt.  Austin did ask the infamous question while opening eggs filled with goodies, "Why eggs?  Bunnies don't lay eggs."  He also informed me that the Easter Bunny that appeared at our church Easter Egg Hunt was not the real Easter bunny-it was just a costume.  Oh no...my heart panged a bit in fear that Santa and other fictional holiday icons might not have a chance in a much shorter time than I'm ready for!

This week Austin's school had a book fair. Now, I know most schools have book fairs, but I just don't think they're right.  I LOVE Austin's preschool, but he'll come home and have this "wish list" filled out of his first, second and third choice book picks.  Each book is marked up since the preschool gets a cut.  So Austin comes home with the notion that he's going to get one of his books he's picked out and is on his wish-list.  I've bought into this for awhile now, but this time, I gently explained that I would rather take him out to ice cream and he can choose a book at the bookstore when we go sometime.  I just don't think its right that kids can walk around almost like in a toy store and have a wish list, and if they can't/don't get a book due to whatever reason, they're upset because they just don't understand--the book fair does such a good job getting the kids so excited about the products.  Austin took it very well that we don't always have to buy what's on his wish list and that the school does this to raise money.  

Ashley is so funny.  She's starting to do this "tooshie" dance, where she'll spread her legs when music comes on, put her toosh real low to the ground and shake it really quick back and forth.  So funny!  She's also very much in the "I do it" stage.  I could turn a page of a book and she'll stop me and want to turn it for herself.   Or comb her own hair or put on her own clothes/socks/shoes.  If I try to change them because she's dressed like a ragamuffin, I am the one that doesn't win.

I have been what Oprah calls a "Schlumpadinka" this past winter.  I used to wear jeans or slacks, skirts, each morning after I'd shower.  But ever since Christmas ended, the weather's gotten colder and to stay warm I wear a velour track suit about everyday of the week.  Or I keep my workout clothes on from the morning.  Why dress to impress?  I never thought I'd feel this way.  But really the only places I go during the day is to the gym and to take Austin to and from preschool.  So that's what I dress for.  To impress no one and to only be warm in this cold weather and be comfortable.  I must note too that since my hubby is gone most the time I don't feel like I have to get all ready all the time...I guess I might change that if he were home to see me in my clothing slump he'd probably be sicked out.  Anyways, Oprah had a show where women considered themselves as schlumpadinkas and I was fully expecting it to be women who wanted a makeover because they were still wearing clothes from college or wear 'mom' jeans or just weren't in the year 2008.  NO!  Much to my horror, I could have been on the schlumpadinka makeover show.  They re-clothed women that wore hats, and workout clothes just like me! 

A few funnies this week:

Austin: Our home teacher has really blonde long hair and pulls it nicely back in a ponytail.  He came over and delivered a beautiful message with his son and asked Austin many questions and I was so impressed with how much Austin knew about the resurrection and many staples of the early days of Jesus.  (Thanks Primary!)  So our home teachers complimented Austin and that made him feel great.  So I was combing Austin's hair tonight after his shower and I told Austin that this week we had to get him a  haircut and he replied back, "No, I want to grow my hair long like my home teacher.  It's so nice."

Austin: I've been teaching Austin to stop eating when you're full and to "listen to your body", not to eat just because something tastes good.  Well, we were eating pizza and I admit I went back for more than I should and as Austin is patiently waiting at the table to be excused I tell him to wait until everyone's done eating, he saw me grab another piece and his eyes got huge and said, "now Mommy, are you listening to your body?  Are you eating just because it tastes good or are you truly hungry?"  I put that piece back.

Ashley:  "Teletubbies Mama!  So 'cited!"  My daughter has hit the freaky teletubby faze.  She giggles to herself as she watches the little farting creatures.  

Ashley: The difference in emotions between girls and boys-its incredible.  When I read stories to Austin when he was 2, he just followed along.  When I read them to Ash she looks at the pictures and takes note of emotions on the expressions of the characters faces.  Before I can even read what's going on, she'll say, 'Oh no' or 'so scary' or 'so happy'.  I know adult men that can't read body language or expressions on females faces and they're 32.....  

Happy Easter!

Angie

It's March!

This week everyone was free of illness!  Knock on wood.  It was great.  I'm just thankful one day at a time.  Eureka!

Jonathan:  He came back from China this week!  He'd been gone all week and endured the 13 hr time change by working the very next day.  Ugh.  Although he did bring me some beautiful black pearls.  Jonathan surprised the kids that he was home by disguising his voice like a character on Spiderwick through Austin's door.  There was silence then a very nervous Austin swung the door open and tackled Dada in pure joy.  Ashley was stunned for a second then very quickly wanted to be in Daddy's arms every second.  She brings books to him to read to her, and booboos are much worse because Dada gives them a ton of attention.   We then went to IHOP together!

Angie: I had the opportunity to go to the temple this week on ward temple day.  It was so nice going.  The feeling I get there, the promises made.  Thanks Robyn and Erika for making the child care so friendly!  I also had so much fun making yummy banana bread with Austin and Ash.  I'm trying really hard to let them help me out whenever they volunteer.  They have so much fun and it teaches me some patience!  I have so many friends that let their kids help them cook, stir, mix, paint, do crafts....thanks for my great examples!  It really is more rewarding when they help.

Austin:  Austin has a trio of sailboat pictures on his wall.  One night I walked in and one sailboat frame was replaced with a picture of Jesus and a boy that I'd had in his closet.  Austin had found it, hung it up himself and put a heart sticker on Jesus.  He was so proud of his new wall-hanging.  He said, "This way, Jesus is looking over me when I sleep."  It will be a permanent fixture in his room.  

On Thursday of this week, the wind was blowing so hard and the temperature was in the teens.  It was so cold!  I had just put Ash down for a nap and I was just about to take a snooze myself (I was so warm and snug under the covers) when the phone rang and it was Austin's preschool.  My heart stopped, because normally when they call, it's because of some sort of breathing problem.  But this time I answered and the lady said, "Austin's breathing fine, but there's been an accident."  I thought he fell and chipped his front tooth or something.

She says, "He went to pass gas, but something more came out.  So he probably needs a new pair of underwear."

"Oh," I say.  Now you have to realize Austin gets so upset at the tiniest little mark on his undies and I just imagined Austin with a tiny millimeter skid and making it into this huge deal. I waited about 30 minutes and belabored my getting up into the harsh elements, waking up Ash 30 min into her 2 hr nap just to give Austin fresh undies.  Isn't that horrible?  I felt like if he didn't have a good sized hershey squirt, I'd be upset!  By then it was 2:30 and I pick him up for the day at 3:30 anyway, he's going underwear-less for the past little while (its not like he's never done that at home) why not wait another hour?  Bad, I know, but true.  I did wake Ash and myself and deliver the skivvies.  The skid was decent, but not worthy of the trouble.  However, I am glad about the school calling me instead of having my child waller around in dirty undies all afternoon.  Sorry Austin.

Ashley: Ash still runs away.  She flees from the scene.  Any chance, she escapes.  This week it was hiding in Target circulars in the clothing section, and running out of Coldstone about 20 feet ahead of me and 20 feet from a parking lot.  She thinks its a fun game and that nothing can happen.  If I can see her face, while I'm running to get her, a couple times I've giggled too because her face is SO excited!  If she only knew how dangerous it was.  I don't giggle when we're near parking lots.  It's when she's running through a Target store, I leave my cart to chase her and her pink little moon boots are carrying her as fast as possible as her fine wispy hair is gathering wind and is in every which direction and her face is just screaming FREEDOM!!!!  

Ash is also all girl in the sense that she hates having her hands dirty, won't eat "finger" food, rather has to eat with a fork or spoon all the time.  She screams when she gets something on her clothes or spills food on the table.  No messes!

One last cute moment:  After the delivery of the underwear, I did have an hour to kill so I got the car washed and let Ash pick a treat inside the gas station.  She picked up a lollipop for herself and then picked one out for Austin.  She said, "me and Autee."  It warmed my heart to know that she's already thinking of her big brother.  I don't remember ever picking out any candy for any of my brothers when I'd go into convenience stores with my dad to get a treat.  I'm glad Ash does that!

Happy First week of March!

Angie