I sometimes have a life besides pain: Children

(Getting “hugged” from all 4 kids, on day 5 of the 10 day migraine, I wore sunglasses all the time.   Kate’s legs in purple stick out, Emily’s head is next to my cheek, and you can see her skirt between the boys.  )

Alex:  You were so excited when you saw the knife I bought you for Cub Scouts!  I know Dad was REALLY mad that it wasn’t a small pocket knife.  But you didn’t care that I just bought what the guy at the store said.  You were so happy for all the attention it got us.  (and was I the only one who heard the giggle in the leaders voice when he got to another boys tiny boring folding knife?).  All the big scouts crowed around to help YOU sharpen your knife.   When you asked why they were all watching you, one boy yelled, “because you have the best knife!”  or was it “most awesome knife”  I can’t recall.  But we both had fun. 

It was really great to spend some time with just you, and watch you whittle your first bar of soap.  Your Aunt Liza was great at that.

(Alex gives Dad his Father Day Card- a remote.  For some reason the “mute kids” button is broken)

Today you start Cub Day Camp.  Though around here they split it up into two camps. One 10-2, One 2-8.  You are going to the later, “twilight” camp.   Your first year was tough, because you were used to going to bed at 7:30.  You didn’t arrive home until after 9.  This year you’ll be fine.  Since bedtime is now punishment…as in, the kids can stay up as late as they want until they annoy us.  

(Alex is a happy helper while Grant puts up the digital antenna)

Emily:  8 is great!  As you get ready for baptism, you have changed.  You are more thoughtful when you’ve done something wrong.  You take time to feel bad, say sorry, and ask/pray for forgiveness.  You still LOVE food.  If you are hungry, you sneak something.  We find your wrappers/bowls upstairs, behind the dollhouse (how do you fit in there?), in the back of your closet, between the food storage shelves, or in an old box.    I don’t give you a hard time about it, because all your Zmolek family did that.  I guess even an unlocked pantry isn’t enough to calm that gene. 

(Emily licking the mixer after making her birthday cake.  It was late night on birthday eve, since I only had a headache (instead of a migraine) I got you out of bed to cook)

You’ve been cooking up a storm.  You made your own birthday cake.  It was so sprinkled with coconut and color that it looked like a Homer Simpson size donut.  You dipped marshmallows with Nanny Julie.

( Emily laughing as we sang Happy birthday)

The next day (Saturday) morning, we woke up to morning treats made by you.  Jelly on the bottom, chocolate chips, and of course, cereal.   It was the first thing I saw next to me as I woke up.  For some reason, it didn’t induce hunger.

(Emily’s hand made breakfast treat called “ruin your morning and spend the day cleaning up jelly” munchies.)

Katelyn:   You are talking so much more!  We can understand you 90% of the time!  Even more impressive is when we say the correct word, and you say it back perfectly. 

(Kate, how do you fall asleep like that?  Even while awake, you will sit with your legs like a W.   Gotta give props to the Richins double joints)

The speech therapy is paying off.   We are about to change therapists, again.  Teacher Beth is awesome, a very skilled lady.  But we are wasting each others time.    Until our family is emotionally ready to stop bottles, you can’t go further. 

(Katelyn, changing outfits as often as she changes moods.  She loves all of Emily’s outgrown dresses)

Daddy swears when quitting bottles is mentioned, since it’s the only sure way to calm you down.  And right now we need all the tricks we can use to keep the family calmed down.  We tried to take you off them (again).  You really liked the new straw sippy cups at first.  Then you wouldn’t drink.  Or eat.  And you got painfully constipated.  And you cried a lot.  so we gave up.  For the 4 or 5th time.    We love you, and are sorry for any damage done by having you so attached to bottles at  3 1/2.    You are so good, only taking a bottle in bed.  If you are upset, you ask for a bottle.  A few minutes later, you walk out holding the bottle.  You are calm, put the bottle in the fridge, and start to play.  I Love you!

(Kate eating her first McDonalds Breakfast the day we left California.  )Kate+food=happiness

Mark:  Today you had your adenoids removed and tubes put in your sick ears.  We hope your speech will improve.  You chatter all day, but we can’t make out a word!   You are a ray of sunshine and laughter in this house.

 

(rare night, Mark fell asleep in my arms.  I held him for hours, since I missed out on so many nights like this)  

I didn’t realize how a smile is stuck on your face until Friday.  You had your 15 month  shots the day before, and you were hurting.  You walked around the house with a frown.  The only chatter you made was crying.  Even running up to me and cuddling, you kept a frown on your face.  I was really glad to see it back the next day.    Please, please give me a name.  You can even call me Rachel.  Just call me something!  My last baby, and you don’t even call me mama. 

(Mark “loving” a popular toy kitty.  This must be at night, because usually Kitty is in Kate’s proximity.)

The children really do adapt.  They are growing fast than I can heal.  But my eyes and ears work.