Don't Go Changin

Last Friday I got the kids dressed and ready to run on a quick trip to see Papa after their naps. As usual, when I want to get out and do something like that, Greta sleeps an extra hour. But, we got on the road and buzzed right to Warrensburg, even if it was a little later than I had hoped. I was bummed that the ice cream parlor would be closed, but we were taking my dad double chocolate brownies and a big huge tin of peanuts...And it was dinner time.

We listened to Greta's favorite CD. ABBA. Yep. She likes ABBA, and she means it. She started with a healthy obsession to Mamma Mia, and then heard Dancing Queen, which was on repeat for several days and now she has moved on to several others on ABBA Gold. Nothing but the best. The greatest hits, people.

We got to see Papa. He has been sick for a week or two, and we caught him on a bad day. He just wasn't feeling good and was on an antibiotic, but was still suffering. He has had a head cold, a urinary tract infection and the antibiotics to treat that give him an upset tummy. Now he has a deep chest cold. We stayed for about an hour and made him tea and chicken noodle soup. Then he was ready for bed so we called a nurse to tuck him in, and were back on the road.

It made me cry to see him so miserable. Besides being sick, it is so hard to not be at home, and I know the veteran's home is nice, but it is not home to him. And this is where the ABBA comes in... Greta was in the backseat saying, "Don't go changin' mamma." "Don't go changin' mamma" "Mamma, don't go changin'." I have not a clue, but it must be ABBA. I turn it up and flip the mirror so she can't see me being all sad driving us home. While all these thoughts about the visit are playing through my mind, this little voice in the back seat is singing louder and louder, every single word to every single song and suddenly I have a revelation.

There is a reason for everything, and hearing Super Trouper come out of the mouth of a 2 year old was meant for me at that moment and it brought me back to a better place. And, to ABBA, and to Greta, I am thankful. And, incase you are still wondering, "Don't go changin'" is what Greta calls track number 5, "Way All Your Wuv on Me". Another goodie.

I think hearing Greta sing ABBA would make Papa feel better, too. I am working on a recording. "Greta sings ABBA". It might remind you of Buckwheat singing the hits, and is worth a serious listen. You'll want it on your ipod.

Wheels of Fire

The pictures aren't so great, but the moment was. I took Greta and Jack to Tot Skate at Skate City and we had a wonderful time. (Until Jack crawled up the Ski Ball game!) I think she is ready for the derby.

Bouncing Queen

Against my better judgement, I let Greta bounce with the wild children. And she LOVED it! Look at her! Wild thing.

Onward

I keep starting this post and deleting it because I sound like a fake cheese ball. I wanted it to go something like this - Here we are, a family of four... wrapping up a summer of memories at the pool with the awesome water slide that brought me back to my youth... But, I don't want to sound so put on. I know that everyone reading this had all of those great summer memories - fresh cut grass and dew on your feet in the morning. The smell of grills heating up and hot dogs and lemonade and ice cream cones dripping down to our elbows....The fireflies, the locusts, the thunderstorms...

But, the way the sun shines into our house is changing - I can tell you that fall is sneaking up quickly and all that I mentioned will be a distant memory... Like next week. We move onward to marshmallow season, as Greta calls it. We bought the kids new fall shoes and hoodie sweatshirts and all of the pretty colorful sweaters are showing up in the stores. I feel excited about it! I am looking forward to taking Greta trick or treating this year! She knows what to say and is ready. She says, "Twick or tweet me pweese." She is going to be a spider - picked it out herself and wears it everyday for a romp around the house. She crawls on her hands and knees like a spider would and comes up to me, directly at my feet, and says, "Excuse me, may I get by?"

Next week Jack turns one year old. I am in disbelief. I have never seen time move this fast. It just doesn't seem possible. It also doesn't seem possible that it has been a year since I have gotten to sleep more than 3 hours in a row. Jack still sleeps like a newborn. When I tell people this, some seem shocked and sad for me. Some look at me like I am crazy to let him manipulate me this way. Some seem annoyed that this is still our story. As of lately, I sit and hold him and nurse him in his dark room and I remember how tiny he was and how by next year, this special time we get together will be another one of those distant memories. I love the way he looks with his eyes shut and his little hand on me and his little mouth breathing out that sweet baby breath. You seriously can never get enough of that stuff.

So, the first birthday of Jack is planned and we are so excited for him. This time we have learned to keep the first birthday small and sweet and save the big parties for when the child can say thank you for coming. Greta will be 3 in December and she is anticipating Goofy at her party... Anybody know him? or where I can find him? I pay cash! Cash money!!

Ok, now back to the cheesy... I have been reflecting on our family of four and how grateful I am for our health and all of our laughter, and all of the insight and courage I have gained from them, even the drooler. Maybe especially from the drooler. He falls, lays there for a second and then gets right back up and goes for what he was after in the first place. He definitely has things to do. I am so glad to do them with him. Onward, we go!

Roses

When she was just born, she looked like a perfect little rose bud. I called her Rosey Posey. I almost named her Rosey, but I recall Derek's strong aversion to Rosie O'Donnell putting the name Greta in the lead. And, as the saying goes, she is still just as sweet as Greta than she would have been by any other name.

We went to Loose Park today. It was a gorgeous day with a bright blue sky and sunshine and a cool breeze. The roses were so fragrant. The playground was cheerful. Greta still giggles and kicks her legs in the swing. And Greta challenges herself. She is afraid of walking across any type of grated material...like the metal grating that are the floors of most playgrounds. She got halfway up today and melted into a little scared lump calling, "Mamma, mamma, I need you!" I ran to her and she clung to me so tight and together we went down the slide to the safe, soft ground. But, by the end of our playtime, she made it to the slide herself and her smile was like the sunshine when she appeared by herself at the bottom. We had a great day.

And, Jack ate a rock. I think he liked it.

11 Whole Months!

11 Whole Months!, originally uploaded by DerekandRebecca.

Jack Boyer is 11 months old now! He is such an entertainer.

A Little Baking, A Big Mess

We decided the best thing to do this morning after breakfast was to make a mess. We got out the mixer and the flour and then coated our fingers and cheeks with sugar. We made banana brownies. What fun it is to bake with a two year old and a shrieking baby! No, but seriously, it is so good for me to let loose and let a mess happen, and have fun. I measure the ingredients and Greta pours them in. She loves to sniff the vanilla and lick the brown sugar when I am not watching her. She holds the eggs and I help her crack them on the side of the bowl. And, Jack beats the heck out of his high chair with measuring cups.

And, then a funny thing happened. The doorbell rang. It was the nice Jehovah Witnesses....again. They were peering at me through the glass in our door, and waved. I quickly moved my glance to the bowl of mashed banana and quickly tried to decide what to do. I wish they hadn't seen me. I wish they hadn't seen me see them wave. I had to answer the door. They brought me a Bible. They like me. Maybe I am the only one that will talk to them.

In this lies my problem. I think it is great that they want to share their faith, but in this day and age, as a stay at home mother, I don't feel safe when strangers knock on my door and peer in at me. I don't like intrusion when I am trying to keep a schedule with a baby and a toddler. I don't like it when my doorbell rings 20 minutes after I have gotten Jack to sleep and he is woken for the rest of the day and I no longer have a break to brush my teeth and take a shower. I have tried to be polite and decline their doorstep Bible study, and then find that 2 weeks later another couple are ringing my bell, grinning at me over their Bibles and copies of "Watchtower". I am grateful for all the Witnesses have done for freedom of speech. I am grateful for their stand against Hitler and Nazi Germany. I admire their faith and dedication, but I loathe their persistence in trying to convert a tired, stay at home mom that is trying to keep a baby from falling down the stairs and a toddler from peeing her pants while they read me just one more scripture.

They leave me no choice. After Greta's nap we are going to color a "NO SOLICITING" sign for our door. I hope they can read crayon.

So, back to my kitchen. After the Witnesses left me. I ran back into the kitchen to find Greta had poured the vanilla down her front. Good thing the bottles are so tiny. Jack thought it was a riot and he was clapping and dripping spit. Thank goodness for a sense of humor.

Alter Ego

She is my super hero. She protects me from the pesky Jehovah Witnesses that come knocking on my door weekly.

And, last Saturday, she went to a birthday party, dressed just like this. No Jehovah Witnesses were at the party, lucky for them.