It's not the holidays until the kids start begging for presents every minute of every day. This is the first year where both Hayden and Lucy completely understand the concept of Santa and Christmas.
Our Elf on the Shelf, Story, has been hanging out for the last several days...though I'm not particularly "into" the whole thing. For instance, I'm not interested in Story being "bad" while we sleep. I saw one blog where the Elf supposedly spent the night baking cookies and left the whole kitchen a mess.
Um, no thanks. First of all...I don't want to be up all night baking a bunch of damn cookies and two, that stupid red Elf isn't the one that has to clean it. I have to clean it. I have plenty of floors, tables, clothes and kids to clean without a destructive Elf adding to the mix. Santa's Helper, my ass. Where's Momma's Helper?!
/rant off
I took Hayden shopping so she could pick out her own present for Lucy and her Dad. It was almost too much for her to handle. Lucy just had to have a La La Loopsy doll ("well actually, Momma, I want one...") and Daddy? Daddy needed a toy. Or a "boy mirror". Or a Nutcracker (*snicker*). Or a Barbie Dream House.
I'm not entirely certain that Hayden totally understood she needed to pick out something THEY want, not something SHE wanted them to have. It's okay though, we compromised and she did a good job. Can't tell what she bought though! It's a secret!
On the way home we discussed Christmas and presents and Santa's list. "Momma, if Santa slices your head off, you are on the Naughty List."
My girls love to draw, color, paint, fly their art flags!
Far too often, their canvas has been a wall or a door or the dining room table. Like last week when Brad thought it would be a good idea to give them assorted Sharpie's for coloring ornaments at the dining room table. Seriously - how did he think this was a good idea?After they had the Sharpie's in their hot little hands (unbeknownest to me), he came over and sat on the couch with me to go through digital pictures. For 30 minutes.
Imagine MY surprise when they were finished and I went over to find the entiredining room table colored with Sharpie. There were several portraits of our family, some hearts and a lot of "H's". Brad started to yell at them...something about "you know better than that!" to which I immediately went off on him with my own version of "YOU should know better than that!"
In related news, rubbing alcohol and a soft rag rubbed gently on a table will remove Sharpie from stained wood.
Please, pass the wine.
Yes, the whole bottle.
But...the writing and practicing is a good thing ultimately because Hayden is getting good at writing her name.
Proud of herself
She told me that's a picture of her. That's my little one eyed, spiky haired, giant eared, freckled, no body kid.
Montana State Bobcats vs. University of Montana Grizzlies - the longest running rivalry in college football. There is no love lost at all between these two.
With Brad being an MSU alum (with both is undergrad and Masters from there), we are most definitely a Bobcat household. It's not a far cry for me to root for them as my college mascot was also the Bobcats.
Our girls, since pretty much Day 1, have been clad in MSU Bobcat gear.
Lucy ~ our Montana State Cutie...
It's all sweet. :)
Go Cats!
There's also a little cheer that the MSU folks do about the Griz. A little something like "Eat shit Grizzlies, GO CATS GO!"
Of course we had to teach our girls...but we did adjust the words ever so slightly...because it's not totally appropriate to teach them to curse. It's always better when they learn that by example...haaaa
Back in the spring, Hayden had gotten her hair trimmed. She'd never had one so she had about 4 inches chopped off to get it nice and healthy. Her hair is beautiful and silky and long. She's good about pulling her hair up to brush teeth, eat, dance, et cetera.
Lucy? Not so much. Every day since her hair was long enough, I have pulled it back in a rubber band. And every day that I did that, she took it out within 30 minutes. Unlike Hayden, Lucy's hair does not fall beautifully to the side of her face in a natural part and wave. Lucy's just straggles and hangs in her eyes, her snot, her mouth, her food, stuck to her face...you get the picture.
I made a decision to take her for a haircut and install some bangs on that forehead of hers. I spoke of sparkles, juice, and a treasure chest of goodies that the Salon offers good little girls who sit still in the chair. Hayden remembered this and told Lucy all about it.
"You have to sit still because she has scissors and you will cut your ear if you don't sit still. I got a beaUTIFUL pink butterfly ring because I was a good girl and sat still all by myself!" Half truth. She was not well behaved at all and she sat on my lap the whole time.
As we sat on the couch waiting for Lydia the Haircutting-Cutter (Hayden's term), the girls were kind of quiet and checking things out. Finally Lydia said "who wants to be first?"
Lucy: "I DO!!! It's MY turn and I go FIRST!!!" And off she ran, hopped up into the chair and immediately sat still and straight.
Off goes the back scraggle.
wtf. I can never get her to sit still.
This salon is awesome - it's very shabby chic inside and it changes every time I go in. It is in an old warehouse and very "shabby chic". They do the coolest things! Plus, the staff is amazing and they pamper you. But anyhoo...
Lucy kept a constant eye on the mirror and what Lydia was doing.
See? Shabby chic. Just like Lucy.
When the cutting was done, Miss Lucy had some rockin' bangs, a shoulder length bob, a pound of silver sparkles in her hair and a new semblance to Cleopatra.
Queen of Denial.
I have to get use to it. Cutting her hair made me want to drink massive quantities of wine. She looks adorable but she looks so different. Older, wiser, more mischievous (oh shit).
Hayden had a quick trim and also received a pound of sparkles (which are now all over Brad and Brad's truck).
No bangs for THIS ballerina.
I had promised Happy Meals if they behaved in the salon...secretly hoping they would not behave. They chose this night to behave and were rewarded with Happy Meals and time to play in the McD's playhouse thingy.
Bad idea. SCREAMING children everywhere. Mine refused to wear the required socks because they were slippery. At one point Lucy was stuck in the very top, looking out of the plastic window banging and crying "MOOOOMMMMMAAAAA!" Fortunately, a sweet older girl went up and got her for me. We didn't stay long after that.
Back in July, we had to bid farewell to the enormous Siberian Elm in our backyard because it was, uh, diagnosed (?) with Dutch Elm Disease. It was a sad day when we scheduled the removal because we had hoped to build the most epic tree house ever for the girls. There was going to be a suspension bridge, pulley's, a rope ladder, zip lines and even electricity. At least that had been the plan. Saying good-bye to the tree meant saying good-bye to the tree house dream as well.
That HUGE mass off branches is all Siberian Elm. It was enormous.
With the tree coming down, we opted for Plan B. A shiny new play set with a climbing wall, rope ladder, slide, swings, trapeze, and tower. After delivery, the giant boxes sat in the garage until after the tree was down (another 2-3 weeks). Poor Hayden and Lucy would go into the garage and sit on the boxes, looking at the picture of the set and saying "can we swing and slide now?". We kept telling them, "as soon as the tree is down, we will put the set up. We promise!"
The stump ~ beautiful ~ but it had to go too.
Eventually, the tree was down and the new swing set was up and all was right in toddler world.
Not quite finished - tower, rope ladder, 3rd swing and accessories had not been installed yet.
Fast forward to this afternoon. Brad and Hayden had gone for a walk through the neighborhood. We had some heavy snow last week; not a lot of it but enough to break some branches. Throughout the area there are many Siberian Elms, most of which probably need to come down as well.
As father and daughter walked along, they came to a tree that was indeed being taken down. Hayden stopped and looked at Brad and said "Are they getting a new swing set too?"
Because when a tree comes down, it must surely be replaced with a swing set.
Several weeks ago, one of my most favorite blogs on the planet held a little contest. Amber at Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures asked her readers to submit a story that they would like to see "crappified". She would then select three winners and use their stories, her pictures, and create magic.
Illustration by Amber Dusick
I submitted a couple of stories because I happen to think the my children are hilarious. When I received the email that she picked on of my stories, I was so stinking happy that I couldn't see straight. I think my return email to her was something along the lines of "OMFGHAHAHAHHAOMGHAHAHAHA"...or something.
So anywho ~ she selected one of the favorite stories from Hayden when she was learning to talk. Here is Amber's post:
Ridiculous The story was the brief explanation I gave to Amber, the drawings are all her.
This is so getting printed out and hung on a wall. A huge thank you to Amber!
p.s. This blog has just sort of been my place to keep stories I want to remember and show my girls when they grow up. I was fine with Amber posting the blog link to the post she did but I did not expect 1700 visitors to show up in two days. So...hello people that came to visit! Since I know you are here from Crappy Pictures...I know you are fabulous and funny because the comments on her blog are just as great as the blog most days!
I was driving home with my girls and some, uh, person cut me off. It's possible that I may have used an expletive at this time (which is of course, a complete shock to those that know me).
It's 7:00am.
Lucy is sitting on the kitchen floor putting her shoes on.
Brad is in the refrigerator getting his lunch ready for the day.
Hayden is carrying a pumpkin cookie around the kitchen and saying she's taking it to show "the kids" at school.
I've had a frazzled, throw my hair in a ponytail, get dressed quickly, forget my lunch kind of morning.
Until Hayden speaks.
"Momma, are you going running?" Aw, cute! She sees my ponytail and thinks I'm going running.
"No...why?"
"Oh. Your hair looks like crap."
Crappy Hair.
And then my husband pipes in to stick up for me:
"Hayden! You can't say that to your mother!" Aw, he's so sweet ♥ "Only I can say that to your mother!"
My little girls aspire to be like their Daddy...and they should. He is smart, kind, generous, funny and has a million other qualities that the girls would be lucky to possess.
The other day we were getting ready to go to the store and I reminded Hayden that she needed to go to the bathroom before we left. She is always okay with this and that day was no different. Except it was.
She went into the bathroom and dropped her pants and undies into a heap. She then proceeded to put the lid up. This is where things went a little bit awry. Rather than turning around and climbing up to pee, she decided that she had to pee like Daddy.
So there she stood, facing the toilet and searching for the body part that she simply does not have. I told her she'd need to sit on the potty because that's what girls do. What I got in return was an emphatic "NO. I PEE LIKE DADDY. I'M STANDING UP TO GO PEE." Oh please, let there be wine in the wine rack...
We don't have boys...we don't have Tinkle Toys! We have a little princess potty for Lucy and the big girl potty that we all use. How do I explain that girls don't have the parts we need to pee standing up (without making a giant f*cking mess)?
Ergh.
I try again and tell her that she needs to sit down but she is insistent that she must. pee. standing. up. At this point, she's bent over and searching her girly parts for anything that she can get a grip on to "aim" at the toilet. I'm a little panicked and waiting for a question I really don't feel like answering. She's searching. I'm sweating and trying to figure out what her next move will be. She's really searching and I'm at a complete loss.
Just when I think she's going to ask me something or just start peeing and hope for the best, she looks at me. She shrugs. Then she climbs up on the toilet and pees...like a girl.
Ohhhhh thank you. I had visions of being the first mom in history to have to teach a 4 year old how to use a Go Girl. Of course, she would use it as some sort of new-fangled princess telescope. Or a hat.
Do you ever have one of those moments with your children where you look at them and can see their future as clear as day?
You know what I mean. Little Johnny is putting the finishing touches on the most epic Lego skyscraper that has ever been and in that moment, you see it. You see Big Johnny, 25 years down the road, sitting at a drafting table and finalizing the blueprints that will become the most popular building on the planet. Ever. It will be award-worthy and he will be wildly successful.
Have you had these moments?
I had one this afternoon:
"woo woo!"
Sitting in the back of a KPD squad car. They were just a little too happy to be there.
Lucy: "You don't speak like that and say shut up!"
Hayden: "If I had a million dollars you could still not say shut up!
Lucy: "I can't pick it up - YOU pick it up."
Hayden: "I'm going to pick up ALL these markers because you are being a ding dong"
Lucy: "I'm. Done. I'm going to color on you"
Hayden: "No NOooooooo!! MOOOOOO-OOOOM! Lucy colored on my foot."
Lucy: "I'm gonna color on your head."
Thank you for being washable.
I am really not completely sure what that was all about because I was checking Facebook doing housework. I am often amused by the conversations that they have with each other. I am also often horrified at how perfectly they mimic my husband and I when we are scolding them or impatient. Arms on hips, head cocked to the side and the tone, omg the toneof her voice. Do I really sound like that? Shit.
Once again, Hayden was in the bathroom and hollered for me to come see her. "Momma! Come here!"
I'm not sure her obsession with carrying on a conversation while pooping, but she thinks it's great.
I went into the bathroom and sat on the floor so she could tell me whatever she needed to get off her chest. As she chatted, her hind end was acting like a little machine gun.
Rat-a-tat-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat
I couldn't do anything but laugh. When she realized I was laughing at her tooting, she looked at me with her chin jutting out a bit and said:
"You like that? You want some more?"
wtf
If that weren't enough, when she was done with here rapid fire, she ran out into the living room to inform her daddy that she is "Tootie McFartPants".
Dr. D: "Hayden, what is your favorite green food to eat?"
Hayden: "Kale chips."
Dr. D: *long silent pause with raised eyebrow at me* "I've never had a 4 year old, or any kid for that matter, say 'kale chips'"
Nut luvs her some kale chips.
Parmesan Kale Chips (nom nom nom)
38.8 lbs
40 ¼" tall
Perfectly healthy child with great vitals, perfect hearing and so far, perfect sight. ♥
Dr. D did suggest that we meet with the fine folks at Glacier Neuro to be evaluated since Hayden's tonsils are ridiculously humongous! We have had a few issues with her sleep and snoring so it's a precaution to get her checked out. Depending on the outcome, she may have a sleep study done and then we'll go from there. I'm not worried ~ she's a little trooper.
Wasn't she just this tiny little thing that I brought home from the hospital and stared at, not being able to believe that she was mine? I certainly had no idea what was in store for me over the next four years.
Little toes ♥
One of my all time favorites ♥
I remember those days like they were yesterday but they suddenly and sadly seem so far away. I miss that tiny little precious baby. I miss sitting quietly while she lay on my chest and softly slept. I miss caressing the top of her little head with my lips, thinking there couldn't possibly be anything softer. It's amazing she had any hair at all up there. So many kisses.
She grew so fast and turned into a little spit fire with a flair for fashion.
Always in a tutu. Always.
Before too long, she also became the greatest big sister on the planet when we welcome Lucy into our lives in January of 2010. It was instant love, an unwritten bond, a promise to always side with each other against the evil forces known as Momma and Daddy.
The Holloway Girls
They started their adventures with each other right away and grew into a quite a pair of rascals. There is no shortage of tutu's, pink, sparkly things or laughter in our house. Ever. My little Peanut was growing fast and turning into a sweet little girl right before my eyes.
All piggies, all the time.
My baby girl.
I haven't spent much any time around children in my life. I was an only child and even though I had cousins, there were no little kids. I think one of my biggest surprises of motherhood was the fact that children will entertain you 100% of the time. They are amazingly sweet, incredibly innocent and completely hysterical.
There have been some bumps and bruises along the way. And one Blue One.
Love♥
Princess Chef Hayden...taking a call.
Hayden's heart is filled with love, joy and adventure. For that and for all that she is and all that she will become, I am so proud of her.
Bushwhacking. In a skirt. MY kid.
The Official "I'm a Hiker" pose.
My beautiful little girl.
So grown up.
Happy Birthday, Hayden. You are my best heart ever ♥
I don't know as I remember the exact minute that Nut fell in love with dancing, but it did happen sometime last spring. For the longest time there were only princess dresses and tutu's that they would dress up in but something clicked. Now Brad and I are treated (often) to "Balance Shows" by the girls.
Ballet (n.)
1. A classical dance form characterized by grace and precision of movement and by elaborate formal gestures, steps, and poses.
2.
A theatrical presentation of group or solo dancing to a musical
accompaniment, usually with costume and scenic effects, conveying a
story or theme.
3. A musical composition written or used for this dance form.
4. A company or group that performs ballet.
Balance Show (n.)
*ahem*
Anyhoo...Nut has been asking to take dance classes with her BFF, "Brookie". So, in the beginning of the summer, we signed her up at the Academy of Performing Arts here in town. She is to have one 30 minute class a week. In each class, she will be doing 15 minutes of ballet and 15 minutes of tap.
We took her to Open House a few weeks ago so we could buy her shoes. The ballet shoes are beautiful little rose colored leather slippers. They make no noise at all. I love them very much. The tap shoes? Shiny black patent leather. With metal on the bottom. That make a TON of noise, especially in a home with all hardwood floors. Errrrrgh. No tap shoes allowed in the house. Period.
Day One of dance class came and Nut may have been more excited than I have ever seen here. I was a little bit weepy, I can't lie. It was really strange to think that my little baby girl was about to start something that is all her own. It wasn't even just that she didn't need me for this, I would not be allowed in the room at all. I would be stuck in the lobby with the other Dance Mom's (nooooooooooooooooooooooo....) watching my sweet little girl on closed circuit TV.
On the big day, I left work early and picked her up from daycare to bring her to class. She had picked out her exact outfit the night before. I had thought she would certainly pick pink but no, she went all Black Swan on me. In the dressing room at APA, I told her that it was time to get dressed and she sighed heavily and said "Oh Momma....I am going to be so beautiful."
The Black Swan
We then moved to the lobby to wait for class to begin and the other girls to show up. Lots of little girls with masses of blonde hair piled on their heads coupled with lots of pink and lots of glitter. Soon enough, BFF Brookie showed up with her mom and brother and the screaming and giddiness commenced.
Hayden & Brookie
Fortunately, there wasn't long to wait for class. They had introductions and we could see them doing some steps in the room but before long they came running out for the shoe change.
Or something like that. One breath, a hundred words. Sheer excitement.
We could see them on the TV and Brad was pleased that the first movement they do is something that the long jumpers do. So naturally, Hayden will be a world class long jumper before long.
30 minutes, class over. The excitement was almost too much and she was not happy to remove her beloved tap shoes since I only allow her to wear them for that 15 minutes every week.
We did hear all about the class later that night and she even showed me what they practiced. I was very impressed because she knew probably 5-6 little steps after only that small class. I know she won't forget them and she's already asking if she can go to dance class again tomorrow.
I wonder what our "Balance Show's" will look like from here on out now that Hayden can be a professional choreographer?
Hayden started preschool today. I am still in shock about this as I'm certain my little Peanut can not yet be old enough to be in school!
She has been looking forward to this for weeks on end, knowing that she would be doing lots of writing and reading and learning. Her favorite book at home this summer was a Pre-K workbook that Brad bought for her at Costco. She'd spend hours tracing numbers and letters, connecting dots and problem-solving.
The benefit for us (well, for me really) that helped ease my anxiety about school is that she is able to attend preschool at Mindy's house which means no change of venue and she and Lucy will remain in the same location.
I bought Hayden a few little outfits and new dresses thinking she would like to wear them on the first day. Alas, she wanted to wear an old hand-me-down Hello Kitty dress with a hole in it, paired with a bright blue bow. She sure worked it though...always striking a pose. I'm not entirely sure what is going on with Lucy, who also picked out her own 4th of July outfit for the occasion. *sigh*
