Ski Bunnies

Matthew and I went skiing on Friday. My little man is a great skier and I was scared amazed! He zipped down the slopes, turning and stopping when he wanted. He had NO FEAR! As I fixed his helmet strap for 100th time, I mentioned that it was driving me nuts. He smiled and said in his cute and animated way, "Its driving me nuts too! And I'm ALLERGIC to nuts!" I laughed right out loud and gave him a big hug :)

Aliya and the Chipmunks

Aliya got a new CD for selling a Reader's Digest in the school magazine sales drive. It is the Alvin and the Chipmunks CD. I have heard the entire CD 4,256 times through, (that's estimating) and a few select songs more than that.
In a way, Alvin's character and the CD are appropriate representations of our little life here. Instead of the well known "AAAAAALLLLVIIIIIIINN!!!!!!" that Dave yells to get Alvin's attention when he goes off on a tangent, I often find myself saying (not yelling so much as being obnoxious to actually get her attention) AAAAALLLLLIIIIIIIIYYYYAAAAAA when she goes off on a tangent. These tangents are usually after a task has been discussed (clean up time) and involve escaping to her bedroom, making a new mess, and/or hiding toys as a way of 'taking care of them'. Much like Alvin, Aliya has always got an agenda, her enthusiasm is boundless and despair bottomless. She always has off-the-cuff play ideas, which she narrates to her brother, (so he'll know what to do) and can come up with an injury that is probably the worst anyone has ever had. She often forgets to limp or baby her injuries and then forgets about them before too long, or until next time. Never and always are well used words in her vocabulary! "I never get to play what I want" and "he always gets to pick first" are some examples. Also, like Alvin, Aliya is the leader of the group she is in. She'll take the lead and start playing, dancing, singing, marching, etc.
After 2,225 times of Alvin and the Chipmunks playing through, I asked Aliya what she knew about the Chipmunks.
Aliya: "Alvin is aways getting in trouble, Simon is smart, but Theodore is the smartest and nicest. He is always reading a book. "
Me: "Oh I like him the best then. We want husbands like that someday, dont we?! A smart and nice man who reads a lot."
Aliya: "Well, um, Eric is like that Tarsha. He's smart and nice. He can dance and sing..."

She lost me after that. I am so glad her Eric is everything she wants him to be. I hope she finds this in a real man someday and is not disappointed! :)

I rented the Kit Kittredge movie from redbox for $1 a night! I had the kids later last night, so after dinner we watched it. Kit lived during the Great Depression and her parents took in borders to make ends meet. One of the borders -a lady- was always introducing herself to men, mentioning she was Miss not Mrs., and inquiring about if these men had wives. Kids don't notice these things, but after several obvious gestures, I giggled and said, "She is looking for a husband!" Matthew didn't miss a beat and said, "Just like you!" Yup, just like me... but I hope I don't act like this lady did, she was truly obnoxious!

The boy is feeling better. He missed soccer yesterday but cried when I said skiing would be a lot of work for him. He chirpped up after getting his sister at school and so I got him ready for skiing lessons. I figured the worst that could happen was he would need to stop lessons early. Oh no, he got through lessons like a champ and did great. I caught some on camera and will upload later.

"anybody wanna cuddle?"

Matthew was sick today. He stayed in bed and slept on and off, between coughs, until 12:30pm. I actually woke him up by getting him dressed for a doctor appointment. It was a well visit, but good timing. Samantha and Robbie (neighbor kids - who Matt LOVES) came over to play outside with Aliya. Matt was sorely disappointed when he got home and I felt sad for him. I invited them in to have hot cocoa and so Matthew could see them. They were running, jumping and hollering around the house, but Matt just sat in the chair with a smile. I could see he was tired and didn't have any energy, but also didn't want to miss anything. I recommended Samantha read him a story. She did, and he laid down on the couch and fell asleep. I woke him for dinner because he hadn't eaten all day. I told him I would make whatever he wanted, because I wanted him to eat. He opted for a waffle and some Sprite, and I added cantaloupe. After eating it, he said ever so sweetly to Aliya and I, "anybody wanna cuddle?" I scooped him right up and we cuddled until his mom took over when she got home.

Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

For ever and ever.

Amen

Thank you Lord for my job, especially during this economic crisis when others are losing theirs hourly. Thank you for my family, my friends, and my health. Thank you for the opportunity to go to school, the time off my employers give me so I can, and the car I have to drive there. Thank you for the friendships I have made here and the friendships I have in Maine. Please keep my people safe and healthy as sickness runs ramped. Please help Matthew feel better so he will be able to go to skiing tomorrow. He will be sorely disappointed in me if he can't go.

I know you have a plan for me and I am eager to fulfil my purpose Lord. Help me to see it clearly and be the girl you want me to be. I often wonder if it will be Guatemala, Africa, or the good ole US of A where I end up. I wonder if I will meet my husband before I go, will I meet him there? Do I know him or are you still preparing him for me? The only thing I know Lord, is that I am content in knowing you have it all planned. Thank you for all you are and all you have made me.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

P.S. Thanks for at least cluing Matthew in on the whole husband thing, even if you haven't filled me in yet. He hasn't asked lately why I am not married and why I don't have children, and this is a good thing.

Stempershoot!

Stempershoot? Whats stempershoot, you ask? Well its stewardship actually, but who could expect a 4 year old to remember a BIG word like that?! We started the Crown Financial Ministries lessons this week. There first lesson is on stewardship: taking care of what we have because it all belongs to God. We watched a short video, read a little (from the Bible and a workbook) and discussed what stewardship means. The kids both got it and tried very hard to find ways they have been, and will be good, stewards. Then, as a follow-up, I kept asking them (every few hours) what the word was and its meaning. Matthew put on his thinking face and then blurted out "Stempershoot!" Love, love, love these children!

We also started the give, save, spend aspect of the Crown lesson. Aliya got $1.35 from the Tooth Fairy and they both got $0.50 for helping take down their Christmas tree. I paid them with change so we could split it up to put different amounts in each container. Matt and Aliya both enjoyed this part! We'll have to see how they like taking it out of the give container and giving it at church! :)

Ski lessons started this week. It was cold but they sure did look cute all dressed up in ski gear. The girl was not so impressed (as you can see), but the boy was excited. They had lessons for an hour and the first thing they both said to me when they saw me was, "I'm hungry Tarsha!" I was right on it and have never seen them eat everything in front of them so fast. Note the little green ski passes on their zippers. These have all their info, name, b-day, emergency contact, allergies,etc. I mention this because by mistake I put that both Matt and Aliya had an allergy to nuts. But really, Matt has an allergy to nuts and Aliya is allergic to bunnies. Her response to this was "Tarsha I feel strongly about this tag!" Of course she feels strongly about this. I mean with all the bunnies on ski slopes in MA, why didn't I mention her allergy to them on the sign-up sheet for ski lessons?! We'll see if she still feels as strongly about it next week.

It was time for the boy to get a haircut again. His hair was getting in those beautiful baby blues, and we can't have that! I took him to Snipt-its, this incredibly cool-for-kids hair salon. We don't have these kinds of places in Maine, and my mom or aunt always cut my hair while growing up, but I would have appreciated this kind of place as a child.

On Saturday, I brought the kids with me to volunteer at the church. Aliya made some cards but Matthew said "I want a different job." They made a friend and played while I finished my crocheting.

A new start - 2009

Miss Aliya lost her first tooth! She is pretty proud, as she announced when I saw her on Sunday "It happened last year Tarsha! It was still December!" Apparently it happened at 8:30pm on Dec. 31st, so technically she's right! I was on my computer when she came into my room and crawled right in with me. So, I turned on my web cam to capture her full cuddle and the space where the tooth use to be! :)

Today was day 2 of the normal schedule after such a long vacation. Matt and Aliya were right back to there old routine like they hadn't missed a beat. However, Aliya has found some great new listening ears and a longer attention span! Imagine that?! I couldn't be happier! Samantha (and her constant needs) remain a top priority and topic of conversation. Believe it or not, Samantha needs a winter coat and ski suit. Who would have thought?! The kids start ski lessons on Thursday and Aliya is insisting Samantha join her. I tried to talk to her about needing to have some Aliya time to focus on Aliya skiing, to no avail. I'll have to defer to Mom and Dad on this one.

Matthew is so excited to ski. He went with his Dad on Sunday and was disappointed he couldn't go on the jumps with the snowboarders. Have I mentioned this was his first time on skis? He is now the proud owner of all the gear, so I expect in no time, based on his athletic ability, he will be on the jumps with the snowboarders! :)

I made American Chop Suey for dinner. I haven't been mixing it up and adding new things lately, so I decided to try again. Matt asked me "have I tried it before?" I told him he had eaten all of the things in it, and liked them, so he should like it. He said "OK Tarsha, I'll eat it ALL!" And he did! That's my little man!

I brought Matthew to a Dermatologist appointment yesterday. He has eczema and has been itching/scratching/digging at night a lot. He looked so cute in the johnny. I meant to take a picture, but it started and was over so fast, I didn't get a chance. He was anxious about going and kept telling me (as if telling me over and over would make it true) "Tarsha they aren't going to give me a shot, just some special lotion to stop the itching and make me feel better." I made sure to clarify with the nurse and the Dermatologist, as soon as they came into the room, that there were indeed NO SHOTS, just special lotion to stop the itching and help Matthew feel better.