The Linda Family

My babies are growing up.  Growing up WAY too fast.

I met Ashleigh at school when she got out today.  I took her backpack and handed over her car seat and overnight bag.  She’s off for her first big girl sleep over birthday party.  I’m trying not to be a nervous wreck, really trying hard.  We ‘know’ the parents from drop off, pick up, and school gatherings, but it’s not like I *KNOW* the parents.  I’m praying their movie of the night is a G rated experience and not something I’ll have to deal with the results of later. This is the kid who thinks Toy Story 3 is too scary.

I walk in the front door and am greeted by Bekah.  I had left her at home with Wes because she was napping.  She proceeded to tell me that daddy had a hot dog.  A hot dog.  Last time she said that word it was pronounced ‘Aah-gosh’.  I have it on video somewhere.  I must find it.  I used to make her repeat it over and over because it was so cute.  I noticed last week that she started pronouncing her friend Caleb’s name properly.  Two weeks ago he was Qualeb, last week it was Caleb.

My babies are growing up.  It goes by way too fast.  Someone PLEASE find that pause button!

Kids are funny. My kids make me laugh all the time. I need to record it more. Here’s today’s example.

Wes is out running errands so we can have a fun family afternoon. Here’s the conversation I just had with Ash….

Me: What do you want for breakfast? French toast sticks, pancakes, pop tarts….
Ash: Um….CHICK-FIL-A!!
Me: Well, that’s not happening. Daddy has the car out running errands and they stop serving breakfast soon.
Ash: Don’t they have that call them up to order and they bring it to you thing?
Me: (trying to control my laughter) Um, no.

Oy! Wonder who is teaching her about delivery…..

Ash’s school is very into green living and they love the school garden.

The Kindergarten class doesn’t get to plant the Veggies, they are in charge of the plants around the garden that encourage pollenation.

They have spent time all year learning about the creatures that pollenate. They studies butterflies, fruit bats, honey bees, lady bugs, etc.

Today they had a pollenator sale. They kids were asked to bring in quarters and they could choose from items decorated in pollenators. 

Ashleigh went to school with 8 quarters and came home with bubbles and a ring. 

She had a friend who really wanted a ring and a barrette, but her mom forgot to send money, so Ashleigh bought her two things too.  Her words were that it didn’t seem fair that she had 2 things and “P” had none, so she wanted “P” to have some things too.

I was so proud of my generous little girl. Plus, the sign is super cute! Way to go Ash!

Today was a strange day.  Ashleigh did not have school (professional development day for teachers) so we had a girl’s day around the house.  I did some cleaning, they did some playing, I did some work, we caught up on last week’s American Idol.  You know, the usual.

Both girls were in rare form today.  Ashleigh was amazingly helpful, and she only whined a little this morning.  She really was not happy that Bekah got to watch Sesame Street when it was on at 9:30, because this took away from her Idol time.  I promised her we would watch Idol, but we were also going to watch Sesame Street.  There were a few sisterly fights over toys here and there, and neither one really wanted cooperate with my desire to take some photos of them, but all in all, Ashleigh had a GREAT day and I was so excited about how helpful she was being.

It was a good thing, because Bekah has hit 2.  HARD.  She is quite stubborn and will hear nothing about what you want her to do, it is only what she wants to do.  Oy!  She gave me a run for my money today.  I’m hoping after a few rough days she’ll figure out that doing what mommy says you may not do is not a good idea.  (I know, but please let me live in my fantasy world for a LITTLE bit, k?)

Of course, it all fades away when dinner begins.  Tonight we sat down to eat and after I put food on the girl’s plates Bekah folded her hands and said, “Jesus, food, Amen.”  My eyes welled up with tears as I was so proud of my little girl.  Two may be the age of stubborn and seeing what they can get away with, but it’s also the age of finally being able to express themselves and understand and put things together.

A few moments later Ashleigh began singing her grace, and Bekah tried her best to join in.  She doesn’t know the words, but she does know the tune and she made up words and hummed right along with her big sister.  Those are the moments that make me a proud & happy mommy.

It’s been a strange day around here, and when I was making dinner at almost 7 o’clock right on time this evening Ashleigh and I had the following conversation-

A: (whining) WHEN is dinner ready?

Me: I really don’t know. I’m hurrying, but I defrosted the wrong spaghetti sauce and I’m waiting for the water to boil for the pasta and then I can put the bread in the oven and I’m so sorry I’m apparently having a rough day and I just can’t seem to get dinner right. (sigh)

A: Mommy, would a hug help?  How about 6 hugs?

Me: 6 hugs sounds perfect.  Thank you.

A: Ok, 12 hugs it is.

She gave me my 12 hugs and went downstairs to play in the playroom.  I went back to trying to defrost and heat the spaghetti sauce, rush the water to boil, and getting everything else ready to go.

A few minutes later I was given a card.  A card my special little girl made for me.

And the translation (with her spelling since she is only 5, she spells phonetically and isn’t big on spacing or punctuation):

Dear Mommy,

I love you. I am sory tate you are haveing a ruf day today. I love you so much il never stop loveing you so much.

Love,

Ashleigh

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Yeah, as I read it my eyes filled up with tears.  When I start to get frustrated with the lifestyle we’ve chosen, and the fact that our parenting style means I don’t get to leave my 2 yr old who still needs me to head away to Vegas for a girls’ weekend.  It also means that I’m still up at night with the 2 yr old who needs me at 2 AM.  Sometimes I get burnt out and exhausted.  Moments like this just remind me why we parent the way we do, and that it really is all worthwhile.  I’m such a lucky mom.