about that house

Dear Crazy Stalker Person who reads my blog trying to find my family:

I know that you saw the picture of my new house, and have spent hours combing real estate listings to find my address. And now you've found it, so you can come get us.

HAH! We aren't buying the house. The inspection was ghastly, and we're not rich enough to fix the problems (or insane enough to try).

It's not clear where we'll live now, but we're working on it. And my husband is working, and my mom is home to take care of me and my girls, and that's good enough for right now. You can start looking for us again soon,

Sincerely,
me

balance of power

For the first time in four months, there are fewer adults than children in this house. My husband is off at his new job, and my parents are out of town. I think they understand the ramifications, and are taking advantage of it. The balance of power has shifted, and they seem to be in charge. This does not bode well for our future...

a good spanking

Sometimes, when Kiddo is pushing Michael to the edge, he offers that he will give her a good spanking. We are not spankers, so this is largely a vent for him. He often follows up that comment with the reflection that she doesn't even know what a spanking is.

I now have proof.

After wiping her bottom today, her little bottom cheeks were just so visible, that I patted them firmly for a bit. After a moment she asked: Why are you clapping my bottom?

Later, after another visit to the bathroom, she wanted to clap her bottom again.

un-ka-dann

Here is Babs with some of her favorite people.

She likes my brother (the one holding her) so much that during the Christmas festivities, when so many uncles were here, she called all men of a certain age "un-ka-dann." This name was applied to all uncles, and even some of her older cousins (age 7 1/2). But, if I were learning to talk, all of their names would have sounded the same to me too.

Although he and his lovely wife spent a week with us for Christmas, he's been gone for over a week now. But today, one of my mom's piano students showed up. My mom exclaimed her name, which happens to be my sister-in-law's name.

I was in the kitchen holding Babs when the student walked in the door. Upon hearing the name, Babs face lit up. She squirmed down, and started running for the door calling "un-ka-dann! un-ka-dann!"

(To avert great sorrow, I redirected her attention to the family photo, so she could think fond thoughts of the family she now knows and loves, thanks to Christmas holidays.)

my role

Today we went pretend grocery shopping. We started with Kiddo making a list. First we put what Babs wanted, I decided bananas. Then we listed what I wanted, I needed rice. Then Kiddo handed me the list, informing me that "You're the buyer, so you make the list." She wanted potato chips.

After we made our grocery list, she made a list for the Art Store. This included paints, a container, and wood to build a... what was that thing for drawing? An easel? Yes, an easel.

Then she went pretend shopping and got everything she needed.

winter allergies

Four or five days ago Kiddo developed a hacking cough and a slightly runny nose (much to the chagrin of my visiting family I'm sure). She really sounded bad. As both her dad and grandpa seem to be dealing with lingering coughs I was even more concerned. But other than the cough, nothing much seemed to be wrong, except maybe she was tired.

Today I wondered - is it allergies? I gave her an allergy pill. She hasn't coughed since.

I'm grateful for little voices in our heads, impressions really, that tell us what is true - truly a gift of the Spirit.

wise girl bearing gifts

Babs dressed as a wise man for the nativity. (More on that fantastic tradition later.) This girl will melt your heart (when she's not melting your patience).

(ps - I included the promised picture on the Santa post.)