Funny Cassie

I frequently use the funny things that come out of the kids' mouths as my status updates on Facebook. However, it occured to me that I need a more permanent way of keeping track of them. So I decided to blog about some of them, particularly because Cassie is at an age where really funny stuff keeps coming out of her mouth.

This afternoon over lunch she said, "I'm three" while holding up four fingers. Then she said, "Daddy is four." I said, "No, Daddy is 38, I am 35. How old is Chaser?" She said, "35." Her brother would be horrified.

Last night, as I was rocking her before bed, Cassie said (pointing to a tutu hanging in her room), "Mom, what's that?" Me, "It's the tutu I made you for your first birthday." Cassie, "I have to put it in my bottom for it to come out?!" Me, "No, it's a tutu. Not a toot. Ballerinas wear tutus, not toots." Cassie (laughing) "You're right Mommy. They don't dance in toots."

Perhaps my current favorite phrase of hers is "hi-ness." She's not referring to herself or any of us as royalty. Rather, it is a combination of the words hiney and penis and what she uses to refer to her big brother's boy parts. As in (post-bathing or while changing clothes), "Chase! I see your HI-NESS!"

Another time I was rocking her, she popped out w/""Mommy, I want Santa Claus to pull my finger." I had to tell her that if she asked him for that, that might be ALL he'd get her...

As picky of an eater as my girl is, there are a few foods that bring her joy. Like when she saw her soft taco from the Bell and said, "Oh, it's beautiful!"

Of course, few things top this one. "Mommy stop tickling Chase he's my brother! Mommy! STOP! HE'S MY BEST FRIEND!" Cutest sentence ever uttered by my three year old. And apparently, Mom doesn't trump big brother in tickle wars.

They're quite a pair. Just before my trip to Boston/DC this summer, Chase pointed to my suitcases and said, "Is that what you're taking to Boston?" Me, "Yup." Cassie, "Are you not taking us?" The answer was, "NOPE!"

Shortly thereafter, Cass and I had this conversation. Me "Who loves you soooo much?" Cassie "Peter." Me "Who else?" Cassie "Oh, Mama!" Pete is Chase's BFF and the love of Cassie's life. No, really. Every time she sees him, she says, "Pe-tah, you have to buy me a big diamond (makes a diamond sign w/her hands) so we can get mare-weed." I suspect that may be why Pete would rather play at his house than ours....

Of course, she usually redeems herself w/one of these: Cassie "Mommy, you are MY big honey. I am the little honey." And mades me laugh with one of these: "Mom, you're a pirate. And I'm Captain Cassie." Announced out of nowhere as she polished off her Happy Meal... Food is a unusually good source of funnies. Upon seeing a Nutra Grain bar (instead of her usual Fiber Plus bar) for breakfast one morning, Cassie announced, "But this isn't good for my butt." Perhaps I should lay off preaching about the value of fiber a bit...

Chase has been known to pop out a few gems of his own. Last weekend while driving past Lindenwood, Chase said to his BFF, "I'm going to be a KA at Momwhat'sthenameofthatcollegeIwanttogoto?" Me: "Westminster?" Chase, "Yeah. I'm going to be a KA at Westminster." Those of you who read this and know me well, probably aren't the least bit surprised that he knows his future Greek affiliation far better than the name of his future college. Of course, Cassie just says she wants to be in Mommy's sworwity at Mommy's college. Perhaps it would be easier for Chase to do the same, subbing Dad and fraternity...

Aunt Judy--consider yourself warned, you won't like this one. One walk around the neighborhood last month, Chase and I were discussing politics (a neighbor's bumper sticker started the conversation, lots of tea partiers in my hood) and he said, "You know a good name for Obama? Mr. Wrong!" I don't mention it often, but the kid does have a Mensa-level IQ. And is obviously smarter than most of the voters in our great land...;)


And then there are the moments where he's just like his Daddy and she's just like her Momma. "Aww, Cass--you look just like your favorite Princess!" (Whispered) "Mom--who's her favorite princess? MOOOOOM! Who is it?" "Snow White." "Cass, you look just like Snow White." "No I don't. I blonde."
Right now she's singing happy birthday to herself (Happy Birthday to Dear Cassie...) and then blowing out candles on her cake. Which is really a T-Rex turned on its side. I miss that kind of imagination. And the ability to hand out insults that don't really seem like insults unless you're in one the joke. Like when she said this to me: "Mommy, I a princess and you a stepmother!" Um, no. If you're a princess, that makes me the Queen, sister. But in her world of Disney princesses and evil stepmothers, stepmother is the biggest insult EVER.
 
That's the best of my QOTD since April. I'm going to try writing them down as they happen...but now, it's NAPTIME for a certain Princess. Which means time to put laundry away for a certain evil queen...

What a weekend!

Friday night we headed down to Main Street for dinner. We were a family of five that night since Chase's BFF Pete spent the night with us. The kids loved playing in Frontier Park and the boys and I went down on the river banks, something I've never done despite living in St. Charles County my entire 35 years. Chase also got his coveted, much wanted Pumas that night. Saturday I got some Mommy/Chase time. We rode our bikes to a nearby park (Jamie was home with Cass), rode home, headed out to the dog park w/Sherman, came home w/a super muddy dog and shoes. Then we headed over to the beautiful home of friends from school/baseball. We had a fabulous time!!!! Everyone poked fun at me for bringing along my latest work in progress (baby blanket for a friend)--but when the sun went down and temps dropped, they were jealous of the blanky on my lap! And I FINALLY finished that thing yesterday and started on a new one for Hayden (blew through six skeins of yarn on it and must go buy more yarn today).

Yesterday we headed to Cuba to spend some time at the lake. Sherman LOVES the lake. He swam, retrieved, did a little mousing...BLECH. The kids had a great time, too. They played in the sand (Cassie announced, "I at the beach.") and rode the jet ski with Aunt Stacy. Aunt Stacy also (bravely) took the kids out in the canoe--and stayed upright! We are so looking forward to having her move closer in the coming months!!!! We got home late last night. Chase is at baseball practice right now, Cass and I need to hit up Joanne's for more yarn. Then I'm planning on spending the rest of the day in my own backyard--crocheting and reading! The deck/fence/playset are finally stained and I'm ready to enjoy the backyard for a few weeks, until it is too cold to be out there!

Jenn sent me this book last month and I'm really enjoying it!

Rest In Peace, Lyndsey

Last night Cassie and I attended a visitation for 20 year old Lyndsey Ellis. Lyndsey joined Alpha Chi Omega at William Woods not quite three weeks ago. Her big brother Ryan dates a junior in the chapter. Lyndsey suffered from scleroderma and complications from it killed her one week into the school year. I vividly remember a conversation with her father on Bid Day. Her parents were so excited and her dad and I talked about how fun Dad's Weekend and Parent's Weekend is in the sorority house (her big brother is a PIKE at WWU but Mr. Ellis was looking forward to adding sorority activities to the fraternity ones). That conversation has haunted me all week. Last night at the visitation, Mr. Ellis told me that Lyndsey's two weeks at William Woods were her happiest in the last five years (since her diagnosis). It is hard to describe the combination of pride and pain I felt at that moment. Pride because I know what Greek life can do for individuals. I've seen shy young women blossom into leaders ready to take on the world. And I'm so proud of my women and my chapter for providing that experience for Lyndsey, as short as her time there was, I'm grateful she had it.

Of course, that comment was excrutiating to hear because I am a mother. I can't imagine the depths of the Ellis family's agony, and I pray I never experience it firsthand. As great as her week was, I can't help but wonder why she couldn't be with us longer. I think of all the things she missed and it breaks my heart. I keep reminding myself that I can't see God's plan and while it is difficult to understand why He calls certain angels home sooner than others, I have to trust Him. I pray that Lyndsey's family and her sisters will find peace and comfort in their memories of Lyndsey and that God will provide peace in their hearts.

The women sang "In This Very Room" at the visitation last night and the funeral this morning. Yet there is another song that comes to my mind when I think of Lyndsey.

"So tonight while you sleep, may God bless you and keep you as you dream of our fraternity." Rest in peace, sweet Lyndsey.

Crazy week!

We've had an absolutely insane week thus far. Cassie started acro/ballet/tap on Monday morning. She was SO excited! Last week we had to get tap shoes & ballet shoes and leotards and tights and all that fun stuff. Our neighbor Jessie dances competitively at the studio, so Cassie was extra-excited to dance where Jessie dances.

I think she really enjoyed herself, you can see her right next to the teacher stretching before the acro segment. In case you were wondering (I certainly was) acro for toddlers involves log rolling down the mat. The rest of it looked like herding cats. Whatever they're paying that teacher isn't enough! She's got her work cut out for her!

I just discovered Sprout On Demand. Seriously? How did I not know that there were oodles of Sesame Street episodes On Demand? Not to mention Disney On Demand! Parenting just got a whole lot easier...                

Monday was dance class and a very late night for Daddy. Tuesday was school for both kids and the dentist for Mom and Chase. Chase had a cavity to be filled and I needed a cleaning. I'll be back next week because I also have a cavity. :(  I'm so lucky to have my Dad--he picked Cassie up from preschool and ran through Mc D's for lunch. Chase had a smoothie (dentists orders--no chewing) and Cass & I had Happy Meals. She was SO excited that Grandpa picked her up but had lots of questions for him. (Where is YOUR car? Where is my mom? Can we go to YOUR house?)

Today Cass started her "other" school, which is really my bible study time. This is my fourth session and we both really enjoy it! We went straight from that to the allergist for my shot, to Target (for new sunglasses & bread), to our church (for projector issues) to home, where I sorted clothes my sister wants me to resell for her while waiting for Chase to get off the bus. It was an early release day for him, so we had a house full of boys until about an hour ago, when they headed to Peter's house. Of course as soon as I sat down (I spent naptime cleaning, doing laundry and adding new foam to the loveseat cushions)--Cassie woke up from her nap.

Tomorrow is more school for both of them. Friday I've got a blood draw because last night my scale hit a number I don't normally see until my second trimester. And I'm not pregnant! I am really tired and cranky though, so I'm thinking it's just my thyroid and that I probably need to up my dosage of synthroid. I hope it's my thryroid. Otherwise I need to up my cardio and quit being such a bitch. Taking more meds is infinitely easier than that.

I have to add some pics from this weekend for my sister to steal. Hayden and I were accidental twins at Brew's party this weekend. I'm not even going to pretend there is a family resemblance in this pic, but how cute is she? I'm glad Jamie didn't get a shot of me knocked on butt, which is what happened when she plopped down on my knee the first time!  Next is Bomb and Cassie. Bomb was saying that Cassie is his best friend. Apparently best friend is different than best buddy. Cooper is Bomb's best buddy. Cassie is Bomb's best friend. They're five months apart (almost to the day) and I love how close they're getting as they get older! I'm off to figure out dinner...

Making a liar out of Mama

This morning while I was getting ready for Grandma Mildred's funeral, I was dealing with some other stuff. Jamie came in a bit huffy and asked why I was doing what I was doing because it wasn't my job and I certainly wouldn't get any recognition or credit for doing it. I replied that I don't do very many things for recognition or credit, if I needed that, I certainly wouldn't have jumped onto the Mommy track where I don't get a paycheck, much less engraved hunks of crystal like he gets every year. I figure if the kids are productive members of society and stay out of prison in a few decades, I've done okay. But motherhood isn't exactly for those seeking/needing instant gratification.

A few hours later, we were driving down to Rolla for the funeral and Chase hands me a magazine from the back seat. It was open to an Operation Smile ad. Chase had LOTS of questions about cleft lip/cleft palate. I answered his questions, but was honestly anxious to crank up the iPod again. Just as I was getting ready to do that, his voice came from the backseat. "Mom, will you send them $50 from my DS fund?" I said, "Chase, you only have $100 in there." He said, "I know. Those kids need it more than I do."

So then Jamie looks at me smugly and said, "Yeah--that beats a chunk of engraved crystal any day of the week." It does. But I can't take credit for what's in his heart--that's all Chase.

Interestingly, as much as I hear that he looks like his Daddy, today I saw some pictures of his Grandpa Jim...I've seen lots of pictures of my husband as a child, and I would never confuse those with pictures of Chase. But the pictures of Jim at that age? Like I was looking at my kid. CRAZY!

Jamie's cousin Jerri gave a beautiful eulogy for Grandma Mildred. Mildred was a humble, kind, gentle soul. And an amazing cook--her strawberry pie was amazing. But the thing I will remember most about Jamie's grandmother was how she lived her faith every single day. She loved the Lord and she lived like it. She wasn't superior and didn't put on airs. She was who she was, and who she was was a Godly woman. I am grateful that Jamie shared her with me the last 13 years.  And I truly hope that if I am fortunate enough to have 93 years on this Earth, that my life will be celebrated as hers was today.

An Ordinary Life

I don't think it ever occured to me as an undergraduate overachiever that in less than a decade and a half, I would feel a sense of accomplishment putting all of the laundry away. While the four of us generate quite a bit of laundry, I never really considered that such an ordinary chore could give me such an sense of accomplishment.  Yet every week, as I finish, I think "SUCK IT, LAUNDRY! I WIN AGAIN!" My husband is managing millions of dollars of other people's money and I'm smug about the laundry.

I don't really think I ever considered as an undergrad how much I would enjoy homemaking. I've spent enough time on internet message boards to know that the art of homemaking is no longer considered an art. My (single sex) alma mater dropped its home economics major several years before it went co-ed. I honestly doubt there is a home economics major or minor anywhere in the US these days. It occurs to me that perhaps, in our fight for gender equality, we have done ourselves a great disservice by trivializing a role that very satisfying for some people. I am an intelligent, capable woman. There are many things I could be doing well if I wanted to work outside my home. I have chosen instead to focus my efforts on my family and my home. Many women (far more intelligent, capable, and educated than me) are dropping out of the work force and rediscovering what it means to be a homemaker. They too are finding satisfaction in the mundane tasks of everyday living: putting laundry away, preparing meals, keeping a tidy home. It is not glamourous. It isn't always fun. But I find it immensely satisfying nonetheless.

Chase's Room

I finally got around to updating Chase's "big boy" room. I painted on Thursday (mostly while Cass was at preschool). On Saturday, we went shopping in Dad's basement and took my Mom's old childhood desk off his hands. I stripped the green & black faux finish she applied before I was born, sanded it all, and painted it. Chase picked out new hardware for it at Hobby Lobby. He also picked out fabric and the baseball accessories over the bed. I sewed all day yesterday (love the fringe I found 60% off at Hancock Fabric on a thread run) after church. This morning I made his headboard (that would be spray painted foam core) and put all the pictures on the walls.

I think this will age better than the baby blue & construction/cars/trucks thing he had going. He is THRILLED and so very proud of all my hard work. Mad props to my Dad for his hoarding tendancies. I make fun, but I've benefitted greatly from all my "shopping" at his place. And the desk is sturdy enough that Chase's grandkids may well be using it in 50 years...