Notes

I see it has already been more than a month...boy, that went by fast! I guess I'm not doing so well on the writing more frequently goal I set for myself. That's the way a LOT of things have been going around here lately...who am I kidding...for a LONG time now. I'll just keep trying!!!

Here are some random thoughts, observations, and things that make me smile.

If you ask D what a rooster says, he will very joyfully tell you, "clock-a-loodle-loodle-loodle-loodle-loo.

D practically lives on his hand-me-down, ride-on, International Tractor. It's a foot powered one. He loves it... as did its first owner, my now 16 year old nephew. There is a "storage" area under the seat. The seat (roof of the tractor) lifts up and little farmers can carry things with them while they are riding. For D, it is usually his favorite blankie, stuffed bird "Teet-teet", stuffed penguin "Pingid", or his lambie...AKA "Nambie". If he is told to get his boots on so we can leave, he rides the tractor to the porch for his boots. He rides up next to his boots, puts one on, spins the tractor around, and then puts on the other boot. When it is time to leave, he rides the tractor to the door and parks it there to await his return. When it is time for bed, he rides the tractor to the bottom of the stairs and parks it at the base of the stairs for his return in the morning. He LOVES it. Of course, C did too. What's not to love...tractor, storage, rolling along. I'm going to miss it when he outgrows it. I love the pure joy both of the boys find/found in riding it.

Spring is almost here and the kids are so very ready for it. They have really enjoyed playing in the snow, but they are ready for mud, bikes, sandboxes, swings, and everything outdoors. I am too. They played outside today for a while. They were in the sandbox...trying not to get muddy...playing with the dump trucks, bulldozer, road grader, excavator, and shovels. It was like finding long lost friends! They came in red faced, invigorated, and so very, very, happy! I was pretty happy about it too. They had a good time, and didn't even get all muddy...I am so very proud! Of course, I don't always discourage playing in the mud, but the mud is still a bit too cold.

B and C have been playing together, happily and willingly, more frequently. Are pigs flying somewhere? I don't know if it is simply their personalities or their age difference, but much of the time, they are at odds. They are the best of friends or worst of enemies. They don't seem to find the middle ground very often. Lately though, they have been spending time in that middle ground. It is really, very nice to see. Some day, I think they will be very good friends.

All four of our kids have Bitty Babies, and the girls each have a couple of AG dolls. A, B, and C have all been playing with their dolls together. It is amazing to watch. I feel that learning to care for their "babies" will some day help them to care for their real babies...even the boys. C takes such good care of his "Baby Clyde". He can be so rough and tumble one moment, and so very gentle the next. Today, C told everyone that they would need to be quiet for a while because Baby Clyde was sleeping and he didn't need to be woken up...and he was sure to give gentle reminders as needed. Though the girls are growing out of the baby play, especially A, the three older kids have been playing with the dolls pretty regularly. They even brought down the doll crib, high chair, and extra doll supplies, for everyone to play together. (The girls do have their limits...the boys simply cannot play in their room!) I'll take it. It is worth the extra clutter of the baby paraphernalia to see the playing and growing right before my eyes. I will surely miss that someday too!

The Daddy recently got a laptop computer. (I know...we are on the cutting edge of technology in this house) On the computer is a chess game. None of us no how to play chess. A found the game when exploring the Daddy's computer and began exploring how to play chess. She didn't know what she was doing, but kept trying none-the-less. The Daddy tried to help her with what little knowledge he had of the game. He remember being shown the game as a child but never really learned. So, I went to the library and found a great, user friendly book about chess. Together, A and the Daddy have been trying to learn how to play chess. It is so nice to see our 11 y.o. daughter and her Daddy bonding over chess. After 40 games, they won two in a row against the computer. They haven't won any more...yet. They keep trying, and are doing it together, and it melts my heart.

B is growing in her friendships. She was never really a loner, but rather played with everyone. She was never alone on the playground. She was always happy, but didn't really have a particular friend or friends she preferred to play with. I think that is good in many ways, but she didn't seem connected to her schoolmates at all. She still seems to be friends with the majority of her classmates, but she is now more connected with a number of kids in her class. Both boys and girls. Maybe I am just hearing their names more frequently. Regardless, it is nice to see her so happy and enjoying school and her classmates. She is sweet, and fun, and really is a great person.

C is avoiding going to bed lately. He wants to stay up until Daddy goes to bed. The Daddy told him to get his teeth brushed and to go potty so he could go to bed. Of course, C told the Daddy that they would be going to bed at the same time. The Daddy informed C that it was past his bed time and he needed to get moving. To this C replied, with his hands on his hips and shaking his head, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! What ARE we going to do with you?" Of course we were both thinking the same about C!

I am so proud of all four of our kids. I think they are amazing. I love them so much!

I am also so very proud of my parents. They are both retired now, and are currently enjoying an extended visit to Hawaii. They are loving life and enjoying the fruits of their labor. They are trying new things, meeting new people, and living in the moment. I am so happy for them!

I have been letting stressors in my life get the better of me much too often as of late. It is really nice that I am blessed with the company of these amazing people that are so full of reminders of how good life can be!

Another blessing for all of us is that the Daddy has been home EVERY night for the last two weeks! Trucking can be difficult that way, being gone over the road...especially with children. We really miss him when that happens! So, we are really appreciating that he is HERE, with US! Yay, Daddy!!!!

More later...I should get a little sleep.

...because tomorrow, as C says, is a brand new day!!!