March is here! Spring is near!

It looks like I'm on a once-a-week blogging schedule these days.  I'm okay with that.  March is off to a good start.  The kids started chore charts on Monday.  I know it's long overdue, but even if my kids were ready for them, I wasn't.  It's hard work to keep children on task, much harder than just doing everything myself.  But we all know that can't last.  I love how the kids' rooms and the basement are always vacuumed and tidy nowadays.

I'm participating in the March photo-a-day challenge on Instagram (Are you on Instagram?  Can I follow you?).  Yesterday's theme was "up":

Not a cloud in the sky, buds on the pear tree, and sixty-something degrees.  It was a beautiful day.

Today's theme is "fruit":

Stephen is a fruit lover like his mother.  Most recently, he has found joy in eating grapefruit with a spoon (no sugar) and then squeezing the juice into his bowl for drinking.  Rachel tells me this is a favorite of Grandpa Z.'s too.

Stephen is doing pretty well with his chore chart.  He drags his feet sometimes and sometimes I raise my voice (I hate when I do that), but the kid is four.  I think he'll get used to it.  It just takes fourteen days to start a habit, right?

Mei Li is doing well with her chore chart.  She just goes down the list, checking off each one until she's done.  It's pretty remarkable to me because I am not like that at all.  I wish I was.

Mei Li told me the other day that she wanted to be a mom, a fabric store lady, an artist, and a musician. Of course, the fabric store lady idea came to her as I was cutting fabric for some bunting.  I wonder how her dreams will change.

Mei Li has become quite the little mother.  The other day, she gave Mi Na the incentive of a bumpy ride if she would hold still while I got her dressed and did her hair.  When Mi Na did hold still, she exclaimed, "Yay, Mi Na!  You earned a bumpy ride!"  Mi Na knew the drill and toddled over to sit on Mei's tummy for the bumpy ride. 

Mi Na is talking up a storm.  Her knock-knock jokes have evolved.  Blankie, orange, cheese, and others now knock on the door.  The punchlines range from silence to a huge cheesy smile to a big, fake "ha ha ha!" said in her deepest voice to sound like her dad. 

She asks me probably five times each day, "Where's daddy?"  When I respond that he is at work, she just says, "oh" and then smiles.  I love the stage she is at.  I love her little toddle, smile, voice, and laugh.

Just in the last couple of days, Mi Na started saying "yes."  Well, it's more like "yeth," which means we might have yet another lisper in the family!  I can't wait.  It think lisps are so cute for little kids.

Steve is busy with tax season, but at night we get to be together after the kids are in bed.  Top Chef just ended (I'm so glad Paul won), and so now we just have Parenthood.  Steve usually comes home earlier on Mondays (for Family Home Evening) and Fridays (just because) and then we have him all day Sunday.  So far, it's been very doable, but then again, what choice do we have but to just do it?  I don't complain like I used to, so I guess that means I'm growing up a little.  Isn't that great?

A memory with Stephen

On November 30, I took Stephen to his four year checkup. He knew he would need shots, but surprisingly, he didn't protest much about it beforehand.  When the time for poking came, he sat on the table, and I held his upper body close to my chest.

The nurse gave him two shots in the right arm.  Then he looked up at me with wide eyes, biting his lower lip that was pointing downward, trying to stop the tears that were clearly forming in his eyes.  Oh it just broke my heart! At this very moment, the memory brings tears to my own eyes.

Before the two other shots in the left arm, he tried slowly moving his arm away, but the nurse told him to keep it still.  So he did.  After the last two pokes were done and over with, he buried his face in my chest and let loose all of the sobs that he was holding in. We stayed there, holding each other for what seemed like a very long time.  I felt so bad for him, but was so proud of him for being brave.  And, I am happy that he found comfort in his mother's arms.

Baby Guy

If you've read this blog for a while, you'd know that we called Stephen "Baby Guy" until he was about two and a half.   We don't call him that anymore.  His cheeks used to be so huge and everyone loved them.  He's still got a little bit in his cheeks, but he's even losing that slowly.  

Tuesday was Stephen's first day of preschool.  The night before, Steve gave Stephen a father's blessing, just as he did for Mei Li when she went off to kindergarten and the couple years before that when she went to preschool.  It's a beautiful tradition, among other important things, and I'm grateful that Steve worthily holds the priesthood to give such blessings.

Stephen expressed once that morning that he didn't want to go to preschool.  But we all got ready and went.  I parked and the four of us walked in together.  We dropped him off at his classroom.  My heart swelled with pride as he put his backpack in the bucket, gave me a hug and kiss, and confidently and happily walked into his class.  There were no tears from me.  I didn't cry when Mei Li went to preschool, but there is always a pang with every change.   Oh, how I love that boy!


Then it was just the girls at home for a couple of hours.  I put Mi Na down for a nap, helped Mei Li with reading, cleaned, and put dinner in the crockpot.  It was amazingly quiet.  Quiet is good sometimes. 

I sent Mei Li off to school and then rushed over to pick Stephen up from preschool.  He was smiling when he came out of his classroom.  I asked, "How was preschool, bud?"  He responded, "It was SO much fun."  He told me about playing inside and about playing outside, but didn't remember anything else.  I was so happy to hear that he loved it.   These kids are just growing up, and there's nothing I can do to stop it.  I'm glad they're doing a good job of it, though.  They make their mother awfully proud.

A new best friend

Steve's in Boston.  He comes back tonight, but Stephen has found a replacement best friend in Steve's absence.

Stephen's bribe arrived at our doorstep yesterday.  It was a brand new Buzz Lightyear with talking abilities, a laser, and pop-out wings.  Stephen received this as a reward for wearing his goggles during the last swim session.

I tried to bribe him two swim sessions ago (great parenting, right?).  He told me he wanted a Buzz with a laser, but then when the time came to put on the goggles, he said he didn't want a Buzz (?!!!!).

I tried again.  It worked.  He wore his goggles even though he didn't want to.  He no longer flailed about in the pool and his swimming improved.  I was on the hook for a FIFTY-DOLLAR TOY!!!!

Stephen waited a whole week after the swim session ended for Buzz.  His anticipation grew and when he finally got his hands on Buzz, he exploded with excitement.  He played with Buzz all afternoon and all evening.  He said goodnight to Buzz and gave him a hug before bed and carefully put him away in the toy bin.

This morning, I learned that Buzz was worth much more than fifty bucks.  I woke up to Mi Na's screaming and was surprised that Stephen wasn't the one to wake me up.  I checked his bed and saw that he was gone. Then I heard him playing around in the basement with Buzz.  I'm not sure how much extra sleep I got, but I'm grateful for it.  I wonder how long the excitement will last.

A Big Day

 Ears pierced.

First father and son camp out.

I really am thrilled for Stephen.  He's been looking forward to the camp out all week.  I feel a little sad about such permanent decisions as ear piercings.  Even though I could take those earrings out now and let those holes close, it wouldn't change the fact that I took her to Claire's and let somebody poke holes through her perfect ears.

I felt the same way about cutting all of my babies' hair for the first time.  When I trimmed Mi Na's bangs a few months ago, I instantly regretted it and cried.  They didn't curl the way they used to and there was no going back.  I suppose there's a name for my disorder.  Mei Li and Stephen are certainly happy to be growing up.  I will be too.  I just need a day or so to get used to all of it.

Still I'll always, always keep the memory of...

the way you say "De Nyork" (New York)

your dimpled, big cheeked smile

your finger sucking and bear blankie nuzzling

how you like sleeping on the floor the best

your love of all sports

your need for speed on your bike

your cute mad face (cute mostly in retrospect)

how you always want to be the one to pray

how in each prayer, you express gratitude for each member of your family

your high-flying, destructing, and fighting tricks

your snuggling

how you love rousing hymns for bedtime instead of calming lullabies ("The Spirit of God" and "The Iron Rod")

how today you picked me a flowering weed and told me that I was so pretty.

the way you tell us the story of "Mortimer"

Stephen, I love you just. like. this.

Still not over

For five days, Mei Li took several naps a day, had to be carried almost everywhere, and only consumed Gatorade and water.

On Monday, I was thrilled to see this:

Mei Li was pretending to be a ballerina! She hadn't touched her toys or dress-ups for so long and it just made me so happy to see her smiling and playing again.



Well, now it's Stephen's turn. He got the bug and he's been unable to keep any food or liquid down. He's been lying down whenever and wherever he can and he wants me to hold him all the time. I kind of love that. He took a couple of naps today and watched Cars. Mei Li seems all better, except for the pink eye part!

When both Stephen and Mi Na were napping, I weeded our garden and put mulch down (finally!). Mei Li helped me a little, but she mostly played in the sun and built a dirt castle. At one point she said, "Ah! Spring is good!" Spring is good. I loved being out in the warm sun gardening. Spring will get even better once we're through with the sickness and tax season.

When I put Mei Li to bed tonight, I asked her to pray. She prayed this sweet prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Please bless that Stephen won't be sick anymore and that he won't get anyone else sick.

Please do it now.

Please help him to get better.

Haven't you ever done that? When something is so hard that you just need Heavenly Father to put a stop to it right this instant! Mei Li wasn't in any pain herself, but she sure does care a lot about her little brother and his well-being. I love that little girl.

I just really hope that Mi Na doesn't get sick. While I'm at it, can I not get sick? Steve too?

I'm going to count gardening as my workout for the day. That and running up and down the stairs a gagillion times for laundry. I'm wiped. I'm going to bed now.

Z Weekend!

Friday was awesome. Stephen was my dream boy all day long. In the evening, we went on a mommy-son date. Lucky me.

I took him to the mall, in the date car, for dinner and a peppermint shake from Chick-fil-a. We followed dinner with a carousel ride. He chose the black horse. I sat on the horse next to his. He noticed how when I was up, he was down, and when he was up, I was down.

When we left the mall, it was very windy and cold. I scooped him up and held him tight to keep him warm. He put his head on my shoulder and I loved it. My baby guy.

Saturday was awesome too. I took the Mei and Stephen to run an errand while Mi Na napped and Steve did some work from home.

Next, we went on a chilly walk to the library so I could pick up the books I requested.


I think it's funny that we took two strollers to accommodate all three of them. Steve checked the score of the BYU game on his phone while we walked (JIMMERRRRRR!!!!)

(On a side note: Kelly L, do you remember giving me this GAP scarf for Christmas '98? Was that also the Christmas that Kelly H got me the BYU mug?)

I'm making a goal to not binge-read The Hunger Games. I haven't started it yet. I have started Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House, which I saw on a couple of my friends good reads list. I read the first seven pages and then jumped up and seriously started cleaning my house, probably not the right way, as I'm sure I will soon learn. I'm easily inspired.

This post is getting long. I need to devote an entire post to Sunday and its beautiful, glorious weather.

P.S.

We discovered these out in front on Saturday. Spring is coming!

What can I say about today?

I can say that it was not great.

I can also say there was a long list of crimes committed by a boy.

This boy?


Yes, this boy.


Hand vacuum contents all over new couch. Marker on the carpet. Purposeful splattering of yogurt on self, table, chairs, and floor. Purposeful spilling of water on basement couch. Not to mention three potty accidents, but I realize that I should not get upset at a three-year old for such things because they are, after all, just accidents.

When it comes down to it, I know it was all my fault. I was not engaged and attentive the way I usually am. I was distracted and determined to do all the laundry, put clean sheets on beds, clean the whole house, and sand railing spindles. Laundry and cleaning can't always be neglected, but spindles? Get with the program, Ie Li.

After Steve got home and we sat down at the table together, Mei Li asked me why I looked sad. I told her that I was tired. Mei Li and Stephen then proceeded to make silly faces and asked if that made me feel better. It did make me feel better. I especially loved the face where Stephen smooshed his cheeks in to make a fish face.

It reminded instantly of his huge baby cheeks. Sometimes I miss that baby. I also knew that I would miss this energetic, loud, funny, trouble-maker three-year-old someday.

Stephen and I made up by the end of the day. While Steve and Mei were on their daddy-daughter date, we snuggled and I gave him a lullaby concert. I sang him song after song after song. He requested the song "Baptism" three times. We talked about baptism after the third time singing about it and I asked him:

"Do you know who's going to baptize you, Stephen?"

Then Stephen's eyes got wide and he whispered intensely, "John" (as in John the Baptist).

I laughed and said, "no, you silly, Dad's going to baptize you. When you're eight."

"Oh." Then he laughed and smiled and sucked his fingers (some things haven't changed).

There were happy notes from today:

Stephen and Mei Li painted pictures for their art gallery.

Stephen put on a really funny dancing show for us.

While Mi Na and Stephen napped, Mei Li and I read books together and she practiced reading words herself.

We tickled and snuggled with Mi Na.

Mei went on her first daddy-daughter date with ice cream AND hot chocolate and she came home grinning and twirly. She's so big now. I couldn't help but scoop her up and hold her for a little while.


Stephen got out of his bed when they got home. So Steve read to them and it was cute.


Here's to an engaged and attentive tomorrow!

A Friday Night Date

with this handsome fellow.

We left the house around 8. He's at the stage where if he takes a nap, he's not tired until 9:30 or so. I was about to get him into the minivan, but he said he wanted to take Dad's car. I was happy to oblige. Dad's car is, after all, the date car.

On the way to McDonald's, this was our conversation:

Me: What was your favorite part of the day?
Stephen: When I went to bed.
(I was puzzled.)
Me: You mean when you took a nap?
Stephen: Yeah.
Me: You LIKE taking naps?
Stephen: Yeah.
Me: I like taking naps too!
Stephen: Yeah, me too.

When we got out of the car, Stephen said, "Mama, look!" as he pointed to the dark sky. "Stars!" I realized then that my kids don't get out to see the moon and stars very much. I thought that was sad. I looked at the stars with him and instantly found three bright stars in a row, Orion's belt. I told him about it and he said he could see it too.

We got a happy meal and ice cream. We played with his hockey toy on the table and had a grand time. I asked him again what his favorite part of the day was, and he said, "eating ice cream."

As we were leaving, Stephen said, "this was fun!" Outside, he again told me to look at the sky. "Look, the moon! It's silver!" He was right. It was spotted with gray clouds, but it shined brightly behind them. On the way home, he shouted out every time he saw the moon peek out from behind the trees, and then he wondered why the moon was following us all the way home. I used to wonder that when I was a little girl.

We played with his toy for a little while inside the house, and our date ended when I put him to bed and sang "Edelweiss" to him. For the past few nights, "Edelweiss" is the only song he'll let me sing to him because it's a "boy song." I kissed him goodnight and he happily went to sleep.

I love my Stephen. What a sweet boy he is.

Keeper

I took this picture last night after books and exclaimed to Steve, "This one's a keeper!" (referring to the picture). I showed Stephen the picture on the camera and he asked, "Am I a keeper too?"

Yes! You wonderful, funny, smart, sweet boy, you are a keeper! You are the keeper-est boy there ever was.