Little Miss Flat Head

Faith has my hair, poor kid.  It's flat and straight and does not take a curl.  I've been told by many mom's that nothing beats the foam rollers, but I can't keep her from ripping them out in the night.  We needed  another option.

On Sunday I dropped my flat iron on the floor and shattered the ceramic plate, which meant I needed to rush out and pick up a new flat iron.  While I was at the store, I saw they had a mini flat iron that I thought I'd pick up for curling Faith's hair.  I've read online that some people think the flat iron works better than the curling iron.  It worked!  Sunday afternoon I curled her hair and it held until she took her nightly shower. 

Monday, I curled it, but it didn't take as well as I'd hoped.  I think that was my technique more than anything.  It's a learning curve.  Still, it was far better than her stick-straight, limp hair that she refuses to let me pull back.  Here she is just before school, and it was just as bouncy after school.  It held all day, that little bit of curl that I managed to get in.

YAY!  Today we figured it out!  I wish I had taken a close up, but I was in a hurry this morning and just rushed her out on the porch for her daily pre-kindergargen photo (yes, we're still doing that every morning!) 

Anyone have any product tips on what to use to hold the curl?  Today was a heat shield and just plain old hairspray.

Not Sleepy

I had a client call this morning to let me know her dog's been feeling a little touchy for the past week and needed an acupuncture treatment.  That was no trouble whatsoever, except I'm cookie mom for Faith's Daisy troop and I promised the troop that I would not leave the walls of my home all day today so they can pop by at their convenience to pick up their daughter's cookies.  Instead of meeting my client at the clinic, I asked her to come over to the house around 2pm for the acupuncture.  I figured that I'd be able to get the twins down for a nap and then focus my attention on the dog.  Sleeping twins are quiet twins.

You know what happens with the best laid plans.  Exactly.  Eva was quiet in her room, but Cawood, not at all.  Bangs and crashes came from upstairs as I was trying to take care of this sweet little dog. . . I took the easy way out and tossed Cawood down in the basement with his daddy.  He wasn't tired, and he didn't need a nap - or so Cawood said, anyway. 

As soon as that patient of mine left, I went downstairs to see what little man was up to. 

Here you go: 

I'm not sleepy! 

I don't need a nap.

Kindergarten Love

Poor little Faith has been madly and hopelessly in love with Isaac in her class all year long.  Isaac has always been friendly enough, he is a very sweet boy, and absolutely adorable to high heaven, but never really interested in Faith.  Don't get me wrong, Isaac has always liked Faith, but never liked her liked her.   

All year long, Faith has wondered why Isaac doesn't like her, and all year long I've told her she has to knock off the "I love Isaac" stuff.  She writes "I (heart) Isaac" on all her papers, she's sent him little love letters, she's even refused to play games in class unless she's allowed to be on Isaac's team.  Faith loves Isaac.

I've explained to her that she really needs to treat Isaac like he's any other boy in class.  A nice boy who she likes as a good friend, but no big deal.  Just a boy, the same as Andrew, Tyler, Peyton or Ian.  She didn't believe me.  All year long she's told me no, she couldn't do that.  She just loves Isaac too much to pretend she doesn't. 

These past few weeks she has quit with the Isaac stuff.  She even told *me* she doesn't like him anymore.  I was in school today for the 100th day of school and I talked with Mrs. Harvey about it.  Faith's just not that into Isaac anymore.  What a relief for Mrs. Harvey!

I totally should not be spilling her secret, but come on!  She's five.  When she's a teenager I'll keep my trap shut.  A few minutes ago Faith told me that Isaac loves her.  She said he writes "I Love Faith" on all his papers now.  He really likes her.  True enough, when I was at the school during lunch, little Isaac was glued to her side.

Faith smiled slyly at me and said, "You have to be sneaky with boys.  You can't let them know you like them." 

I asked Faith, "So do you still like Isaac?"
Faith answered, "Oh yeah.  But he doesn't know that."

McCloud Nature Park

Faith's Daisy troop visited McCloud nature park to earn their wildlife badge on Sunday.  Only 4 of the 11 girls in the troop made it, but it was still a good time.  The girls talked about the state flower, tree, bird. . .

The girls were asked to draw a plant or animal that represents them.  Faith chose a deer as her symbol because she says she likes to be in the woods. 

Side note for Papaw:  As we walked into the nature center, I commented to Faith how McCloud park would be a nice place to hike this summer.  Faith agreed and added, "We should bring Papaw up here and he can teach me to shoot deer."  I told her, that's hunting, not hiking, and she's not allowed to kill anything until she's 18 years old.  She replied, "Eighteen?!?!  Oh man!  I want to go hunting with Papaw!"  13 more years, and she won't need my permission.

DJ wasn't there with us, but after Faith and I made it home I told DJ if we ever build a house I want a wall like this.  It backs up to a wooded area and the park has set out all kinds of feeders for the wildlife.  You can just sit on benches and watch the birds, squirrels and raccoon's feed all day if you'd like.  Talk about peaceful.  I loved it.  Faith did too.

One more patch; one more thing these girls have seen and done.  Add it to the tunic. 

**************
Open Mouth, Insert Foot

I'm cookie mom for the troop this year.  This means that the parents have been to our house to pick up this, or drop off that.  Anyway, after the nature park thingamabob was finished, one of the girls dad's came up to me and told me he did the landscaping on our house ten years ago. 

Me:  Oh, I bet it was beautiful ten years ago!  It was a little overgrown by the time we bought the house so my husband pulled it out and started over. 
Daisy Dad:  I noticed.
Me:  Had you seen it recently?
Daisy Dad:  Yes.  It was my job to maintain it every year. 

It's not like we were the only one's who thought it was overgrown.  Neighbors out on their evening walks were applauding DJ and thowing cheers and encouragment his way as he ripped that stuff out.  It was too much! 

I can prove it:  here's a link to the video I posted the day we moved into this house.  Watch the first 32 seconds.
http://djflorencefamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-montage-6710-at-onetruemediacom.html

Disney on Ice

YAY!!!  We've been looking forward to this for a month!  Saturday I took the kids downtown to see Disney on Ice with Faith's Daisy troop.  Yup, that's right!  Me and three small children in a crowd of thousands. . .

It didn't start out well.  Traffic was ridiculous and parking was worse.  Long story short, we found a spot immediately across the street from Conseco Fieldhouse (except it's not called that anymore, it's Bankers something or another.)  Anyway, I tried to pay our $10 parking charge but there was nobody to pay.  Worse, the guy parked next to me pointed out that we were both parked illegally, but there was so much snow you wouldn't know that unless you knew that.  Anyway, the guy and I both risked it and we went inside for the show, but I did call DJ and tell him I may be towed. 

We found our seats: 

 We ordered seats late and we were pretty high up, but still I was impressed with how well we could see.

 Check this out:  By 100% coincidence, we were seated one section above Matt, Miki and the girls (who were there with Girl Scouts also, so maybe that had something to do with it.)  We did not get the chance to visit with one another, but I did send them a text pleading with them to please, please, please not leave the downtown area until I knew if my car was towed or not.  They were kind enough to agree to that. 

It was an awesome show!  Spectacular.  I was amazed at how well it was done, and then I told myself I shouldn't have been surprised as it is a Disney show after all.  If there is one thing Disney knows how to do, it's put on a show.

Cawood and Eva did very well during the first half, but they were bored and past nap time during the second.  The second half was a trying time for me.  Faith did well through the whole show, of course.  We got through it, and rushed outside. 

Guess what?  There were cop cars everywhere, lights on, patrolling the traffic (in preparation for the Superbowl, it's even more congested than normal downtown right now.)  Even with all those cops around, my car was still just where I left it, and there was no ticket on the window. 

Probably because I spent the entire show praying to our Lord, Jesus Christ, every Saint I could think of and my late Grandparent's to keep it safe.  I'm not sure who helped us out up there, but THANKS!

A Ripped Black Man

A a few weeks ago, DJ asked me to buy him one of those "shake weights" as seen on TV.  Wal-Mart had them for $30, so while I was there doing some grocery shopping, I tossed it in the cart. 

He's been doing the six minute workout for a few weeks now and it's working.  DJ is getting ripped.  He's still in the early stages, but that husband of mine stepped on the scale last night and for the first time in his entire life he broke 150 pounds (150.4, to be exact.  YAY!!!)

Anyway, just a day or two ago, we were in the great room together and the TV was on.  This commercial came on.

DJ: That is what I'm going to look like in June.

Me:  You are going to be a ripped black man in June?

DJ:  Yes.  I'll be so tan I'm black and ripped like him. 

Awesome.  Keep an eye on the blog this summer.  I'll keep you updated.

Best Friends

We've had a big weekend full of girl scout stuff, and I'll be showing you all those pictures this week, but for now I simply want to blog this sweet little moment of twindom (before I forget and also to chronicle it for future times when Eva will deny such a thing ever happened.)

8pm.  Bedtime.  The thing is around here, if children disappear and become silent around bedtime, sometimes bedtime gets pushed back a twenty or thirty minutes.  On a weekend silence and good behavior can buy them an hour.

Regardless, Eva, in her attempt to evade the sandman, just grabbed Cawood and tugged him in the direction of Faith's room (AKA, the playroom.)  She said, "Come on Cawood. You're my best friend." 

Awww.  Melt a Momma's heart.

Pet Care Products: Shameless Plug For Your Business

Hello everyone, I'll keep this quick because this blog is supposed to be about the kids, right?

I've opened an online pharmacy for veterinary products.  I have the pharmacy set up so that the products are price-matched to 1-800-petmeds; every 60 days prices are evaluated and adjusted to match so you know you are getting a low and fair price.  I'm asking you (my friends and family) to browse the selection and order anything that you would normally purchase at the pet store, Wal-mart, etc from the above link instead.  Even Frontline is now over-the-counter so you can purchase that through me also, if you so choose.  Vitamins, joint supplements, probiotics, even Hill's pet food is available.  I've even chosen to offer equine products so if your horse needs something OTC, it's available for you.  I believe orders >$39 ship free.

You can also get your prescription medications from the same link/website.  Obviously, that's great for those of you who live close and use me for your dog/cat's primary medical care.  If you're far away, let's keep the prescriptions with your vet - it's safer that way.  If you are close and would like me to be your vet - I can promise you won't find one you like better. I'm giving my patients and clients TLC that is absolutely unmatched. 

Thanks for your support!

Cat $#!+

11:17 AM
Catherine,
Faith decided to write shitl on a piece of paper this morning. I am not sure that she was doing it intentionally or if she was just trying to write a word, but when I asked her to read what she wrote to me she wouldn't and told me she didn't remember. I did get her to tell me what she said and asked her if she knew if it was a bad word or not and she said yes. I told her I would let you know. I am sending the paper home in an envelope with her so you can see it and ask her what she was trying to write. It's not a big deal she wasn't saying it around all of the others or anything, I just thought I would let you know. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Mrs. Harvey

 
12:35 PM:
She does tend to turn off when she thinks she's in trouble so I can see her not wanting to discuss it. That's not a word used commonly around our home (although my husband will fuss about "cat shit" when he cleans the boxes. . .) She and Cawood (little brother) are very seriously obsessed with bathroom humor right now, so maybe that has something to do with it. Who knows? Anyway, I'd be surprised if she meant any harm by it, but I'll tell her to not use the word.


Catherine Florence

2:14 pm
I didn't think she did, but when I asked her to read it she tensed up like she thought she was in trouble. I also couldn't make out what the rest of the sentence was supposed to say. Like I said not a big deal, just thought I would share.

She also fell and hit her chin on the table this afternoon. She went to the nurse and seemed fine before we left, but she does have a scratch.


Mrs. Harvey

6:48PM
I suppose we now know where she learned the word.
 
Catherine Florence

**********************

Edited to add:  Faith finally told me she didn't know what all the fuss was about.  She was just trying to write a story about a cat shelter when she got in trouble.  Poor girl. 

The Mailbox

Would you believe the trouble this mailbox has stirred?

I haven't really mentioned this on the blog because it's not my mailbox and until last night it's really not been my problem. 

Every mailbox in my neighborhood is a cedar pole with a beige box.  They all look the same, except they are 20+ years old and all in various levels of disrepair.  Our HOA covenants require us to have a particular shade of beige mailbox, X number of inches from the ground.  My next door neighbor, last summer, built a brick mailbox post, stuck a beige mailbox inside, X number of inches from the ground, and called it good. 

Trouble is: the homeowners association, or I should say the board, does not like his mailbox and they are suing him to take it down.  This lawsuit has potential to cost homeowners in my neighborhood tens of thousands of dollars, or more. 

Because this is my next-door neighbor, I've been kept fairly well informed.  I called our HOA treasurer in October and I've also taked with the boad president last month some time.  I can't really keep straight which board member told me what, but the message was the same, here's the gist of my Q&A:
Me: Why haven't I been notified about this lawsuit?
Board member:  It's none of your business.
Me:  But I could receive a special assessment bill one day of a thousand or more dollars and I do not get a vote in the matter?
Board member:  That is why you elect the board.  We make the decisions.  You are welcome to serve on the board.  Elections are in January.
Me:  Could you please notify the homeonwers by official letter about this suit?  I think they have a right to know.
Board member:  No.   

So why doesn't he take it down?  Number one, it's three feet deep and solid concrete.  More importantly, our neighborhood also doesn't allow pool houses, basketball goals, swingsets, pickup trucks (seriously - we are forbidden to have a pickup truck of standard modern hauling capacity on our land even if we keep it parked within our garage). . . in short, almost every home has a violation or more.  If everyone else can keep their violation, why can't this homeowner keep the mailbox?  Especially since the mailbox truly falls within the covenant restrictions?  It's the right color, and the right number of inches from the ground, afterall. . .

The truth of the matter is, certain members of the board do not like my next-door neighbor. 

Anyway, this is how it circles back around to us:  Last night at the annual homeowners association it finally came to head.  There were neighbors present that had no idea of the mailbox situation, and only about half the neighborhood showed up to the meeting - so there are plenty of people who probably still don't know.  We went back and forth on the mailbox and ultimately the neighbors decided that all violations need to be removed in the next 60 days: swingsets, basketball goals. . . everything that was not approved.

DJ stood up and explained the situation as he saw it:  The prevous owners of our home had an unapproved retention wall built.  DJ had our pool plan approved, so our pool is fine, but the pool sits on top of that retention wall.  Basically, this plan of removing all violations in the next 60 days would mean we need to tear down our retention wall, which will collapse our pool. 

The neighbors saw reason on that and realized that's not going to work out well, so everyone else can keep their violations too, for now. 

The decision that was made:  we'll send out an official letter to every homeowner.  What a great idea!
 

Now I know why a good client of mine laughed in my face when I told her where I live,  "Hahahahaha. . . you live with the crazies."

Weekend Photos

Cawood asked for blueberry muffins.  Blueberry muffins he was granted.

Just because I think she's so pretty:

We had a little bit of snow dumped this weekend.  Do you think Eva, maybe, wants to go play in it?  (We didn't because Faith was home sick on this day.)

DJ and I have a big picture hanging above our bed from our wedding day.  It's a picture of the two of us in the Church.  Eva often tells me that I'm being a princess and Daddy's being a prince in that picture.  I also have a little 4x6 picture of DJ with infant Faith and Ali hanging on my bedroom mirror.  Excuse the picture of the picture - it was the best I could do on a moment's notice.

Anyway, last night I was snuggling Eva in my bed.  She pointed to my mirror.  In it Eva and I were reflected, also the wedding picture above our heads.  The picture of DJ, Faith and Ali was tucked in the uppermost corner of the mirror.  Eva said, "That's Daddy. . . " (I expected her to finish as she usually does, ". . . being a prince.")  Instead she finished her sentence, "That's Daddy, when he cared about animals." 

Who's The Boss?

I was standing in the kitchen, DJ near our bedroom door across the house and Cawood in between us.  We were all in a line, but I was just an observer: this is purely a father/son moment.  Cawood was doing something, and I have absolutely no recollection of what it was, but DJ did not like it. DJ told Cawood to stop, knock it off, whatever. 

Cawood pointed his little not-quite-three-year-old finger at his daddy and said, "You don't tell me!" 

I could see DJ's expression - he was absolutely holding back laughter, but instead he scooped up Cawood, put him in time out and then came downstairs to laugh at Cawood. 

Everyone says three-year-olds are harder than two-year-olds.  Faith's always been pretty easy, but the twins are definately becoming a little bit more defiant as time rolls on.

You don't tell me. 
Three has unofficially arrived. 

Family Movies

I don't know how many of you know the details of DJ's family past.  Long story short, he had a perfect childhood with married parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, the works.  It wasn't until college that his parents divorced and both of his parents remarried in the decade of the 2000's. 

The kids, of course, don't understand this.  Because Faith came in 2006 - actually Faith was about 3 months old at DJ's mom's wedding, they haven't known it any other way.  I can't remember the year that Dwayne married Robin but it was a few years before Joyce married Doug (the only reason I remember Joyce and Doug's year is because of Faith.  I'm not good with any dates that happen pre-kids.  I date things by the pictures I take and I didn't start taking pictures until Faith arrived.)  The kids just know that they have two sets of grandparents on that side, Nana and Papaw; Momma Joyce and Daddy Doug.  It's just how it is.

For whatever reason, DJ pulled out a DVD of some old family movies from when he was little.  As far as the kids knew, everyone was represented.  Joyce's mom, "Nana" was in the video and without question the same "Nana" to the twins.  They didn't notice that the Nana on video was about as different in appearance from the Nana they know and love, they simply knew "Nana" was there.   Daddy said it was Nana, so it must be true.  Papaw was there and so was Momma Joyce. 

Only one person was missing, and after about 20 minutes Eva finally asked, "Where's Daddy Doug?"

Apologies

I was on the couch on/off reading a paperback book while Faith sat/stood/leaned on the couch back with her feet on my belly.  Between paragraphs we were talking about her two new loose teeth and she started being silly.  That child of mine pushed her bare feet right along my c-section scar grabbing the skin of my lower belly as she pushed.  OUCH! 

I cried out, "OW Faith!!!  Ouch!  It hurts!  Stop, you are tearing my skin. . . "

She laughed and twisted harder, pushing her feet deep into my belly and pulling them apart with all her might. 

I screamed loud enough that DJ came running from downstairs and the twins from upstairs to see what was going on.  I jumped to a stand and told DJ that Faith was ripping my flesh with her little bare feet. 

I turned to Faith and asked, "Why would you do that?  I told you it hurt and you just did it harder." 

Faith ran upstairs.  She looked upset, but I didn't chase after her.  Instead, I checked my belly, made sure my skin was ok (bright red and painful but otherwise ok) and returned to my book (Stephen King's "The Stand.")

I must have been lost in it's pages.  A few minutes later I caught a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye.  I looked up and Faith was sitting on the opposite couch.  She pointed in the direction of my head.

I turned to look and found a little Sleeping Beauty coin purse had been placed next to my right ear.  A piece of paper was sticking out.  I pulled out the little note and it read:

I,m sory

Cards

I know I told you Faith had made cards for a few kids in her class.  More and more asked for them, so she kept making them.  I did grab Tyler's and take a picture of it to show you what she's doing. 

Tyler's card says: Tyler, You are the cutest kid in our class. Love Faith

Tyler is absolutely the cutest kid in the class.  He's SO CUTE he makes you want to snatch him up and take him home for your own.  He's a good four inches shorter than the next shortest kid, and he has this great big shining personality.  He just smiles all the time and makes all the other kids laugh.  He's amazingly cute. 

Guess what?  That card Faith made Isaac?  He made her a thank you card for her card.  Faith was just bursting with excitement over this.

It says: Thanks for the card.  Love, Isaac.  

(And you'll notice he drew lots of hearts as well.  Oh my.  This is kindergarten, remember!)

All Cookied Out

I don't think I mentioned to you that I'm "Cookie Mom" for Faith's Daisy Troop.  I'm not sure how that happened, but I'm excited about it and we're going to have a thousand or more boxes of cookies in my dining room in about two or three weeks. . . .

The girls weren't allowed to start selling until Saturday, but Faith was VERY excited!  She even told me she wants to give up gymnastics for this session so that she can use her weekends for Girl Scout activities.  OK, kid.  You've got it! 

Bright and early Saturday morning Faith and I called a handful of her relatives to see if they would like cookies.  At 10 am we started walking the neighborhood.  That sweet girl walked the neighborhood for *SIX HOURS* selling girl scout cookies!!  She sold 105 boxes as of Saturday at 4pm.  That's a lot of cookies, when they are being sold one or two boxes at a time. 

Anyway, the two of us had a few "disagreements" during that six hours, and I'm sure our neighbors think I'm the most demanding Daisy mom ever.  If a neighbor had looked out their window on Saturday afternoon, they would have likely seen me and Faith on the sidewalk.  I was giving her a good talking to and gesturing sternly. . . Faith was nearly in tears, shaking her head, "No! NO!  NO!!!"  And then we'd move on and sell to the next house. . .

The truth of what was happening was I kept telling Faith, "You've been selling for two hours. . . three hours. . . four hours. . . six hours. . . it's time to go home."  And Faith would start crying and say, "No Mommy!  Please!   I want to sell more cookies!"  Finally, after six hours, Faith could hardly walk so I scooped her up and carried her home. 

105 boxes to half the neighborhood.  Of course, the work is only half-done because now we have to deliver 105 boxes.  Faith also knows we have more neighbors to visit, so she may make me do that this coming weekend. 

Anyway, Sunday she went to CCD and Mass.  That poor child refused to go to Children's Mass downstairs (which she usually LOVES!)  Instead she sat with me and nearly fell asleep in the pews.  We were home just after 11:30 and she slept until 4:30.  Mackenzie and Madeline (and Matt, Miki and my parents) had stopped by for a short visit, so the cousins played for an hour or two, and then Faith went back to sleep on the couch.  I was blaming the cookies sales for her exhaustion, but by bedtime she had popped a fever.  I called the school, excused her from class on Monday and kept her home.

She did ask me to take her to the doctor because her eye had a sharp, stabbing pain.   We did that yesterday afternoon.  It's just a bug and she'll be fine. 

She better be. . . her very first field trip is tomorrow: the kids are going to see the play "Brown Bear, Brown Bear."  She's super excited.

Kindergarten Letters

This morning Faith, looking all guilty, shoved two pieces of paper in her backpack.  I pulled them out and she had made two cards.  She was a little embarassed about it, but she showed me that she had made a card for Lilly and for Isaac last night, two little kids in her class.  

I wish I had taken a picture of the cards, and I thought about it, but like I said, she was embarassed so I didn't want to add to that.  Anyway, both cards had intricate little pictures on the front of flowers, bugs, and animals, and both cards on the front said "Kindergarten." 

I opened them up.  Lilly's said something to the effect of, "I hope you have fun on the field trip next Wednesday and you have a good birthday in April." 

Isaac's said, "When are you going to like me?"  Poor Faith.  Isaac's just not that into her.  Poor Isaac. . . Faith is *really* into him. 

Anyway, when I dropped Faith off at school this morning, Lilly was in the car in front of us.  The girls met on the sidewalk and joined hands to walk into the school.  I did take a picture of that for you. 

The Twins Are Playing Twins

How funny is this?  Eva, playing with her "Eva doll" and Cawood playing with his "Cawood doll."  Yes, they were named originally: kind of like when Eva and Cawood were born and Grandma gave Faith a set of twin baby dolls.  Faith also chose to name her twins Eva and Cawood.  We have two sets of baby doll twins in our house with the same name. 

In case you can understand the language of two, almost-three-year-olds:  They are talking about how the Cawood doll has jeans, a pocket, and an ipod (pretend) in the pocket.  Eva doll matches Cawood doll. 

Sleeping Twins

Last night before bed Eva told me she wanted to sleep with Cawood.  Eva's not a very good bed-sharer.  She thinks about things, talks, giggles, snuggles. . . that girl just simply will not go to sleep when there is someone else in bed with her.  However, I told her she was welcome to go to bed with Cawood, but she must go to *sleep.* 

I put them to bed, kisses and prayers. . . I knew I was going to be back in that room in 10 minutes to direct Eva back toward her own bed.  I was wrong. 

An hour passed and I hadn't heard a peep from Cawood's room.  I snuck inside and this is what I found: