Is She Random or Common?

I sat my alarm clock for 4:00 in the morning with the hopes of seeing a fairytale wedding!  Through sleepy eyes, I was able to stay awake long enough to walk Kate down the aisle to one of my favorite anthems, I Was Glad!  Even hummed along to the alto part!  Needing to go to work in just a few short hours, I gave up!  Both girls were a little disappointed I didn't get them up for the festivities but during breakfast we were able to see the new couple appear on the balcony.  Merritt glanced up from her waffle to reply, "That random girl only loves him because he's a prince!"  I'm guessing she heard so much coverage of Kate being a commoner and chose her own vocabulary to describe the situation!  She may be random/common but she's beautiful and handled the day with such grace!  Reminded me of another random woman, an American actress who became royal many years ago! 

Hey Jude, I love you!

Allergies and sleepless nights have left me feeling and looking haggard and reaching for more Diet Cokes than I had hoped!  As I finished up my lunch and headed back to class, I brought along my half empty Diet Coke can.  As I entered the kindergarten classroom, my favorite little boy said, "Mrs. Hughes, can you drink Diet?"  Not sure what he was alluding too, I asked, "What do you mean?"  A little worried about his response, thinking that I wasn't supposed to have a canned drink in the classroom, Sweet Jude replied, " I can't drink Diet because I am too young!"  He went on to say, "Aren't you too young?"  Whatever you say, Sweet Jude and I think I just received the compliment of a lifetime because I am certain I am older than your Mother!

Too Excited To Sleep

The girls had a hard time going to sleep tonight as they anticipated what might be in their baskets in the morning!  I overheard Merritt tell Morgan to hurry and go to sleep so Santa could tell the Easter Bunny to visit our house! Wonder if the Tooth Fairy came along for the ride?

Back Pack Treasures

I always find special school work in Merritt or Morgan's backpacks when I am desperate for a smile!  Today was no different.  After a rather difficult day with Merritt yesterday, I was pleased to find this treasure!  Assignment was to write about what she can do on a rainy day!  She chose to "play with my sister Morgan." and "paint with my Mom."  Notice the canvas on the easel in the picture on the right!  Not only am I glad I am passing along a love of the canvas, I am thrilled she wants to do it with me!

How Could I Ever Forget You?

Over the last 2 weeks, our household has seen a major change....Momma has gone back to work!  It all happened quickly after I saw a job posting at the Elementary school where I have been substitute teaching.  I am now a child specific aide working with a kindergartner!  Great fun but great changes!

During dinner the night before my first day, Merritt seriously asked me, "Momma, will you remember me tomorrow!"  As my heart began to break, I quickly reassured her that of course I would remember her!  Merritt quickly replied, "What about next week, will you remember me then?" Still quick to answer I said, "Merritt, of course, I will remember you next week!"  Still experiencing a breaking heart, I wondered how in the world can I get out of this job commitment!  Merritt then asked, "What about next month, will you remember me then?"  Determined we were headed to therapy, I replied, "Yes, yes, I will remember you next month!"  She quickly replied, "Well, what about next year?"  "Merritt, I will remember you as long as I am on this earth!" I replied as my heart completely broke, wishing Scott were home to pick up the pieces!

Merritt then said, "Knock, knock!"  Glad we were on to a new subject I happily replied, "Who's there!"  With a devilish grin on her face, Merritt replied, "See, you already forgot me!"

Kindergarten Haiku

Merritt wrote this yesterday in class:

Sister

Fun, playful

Sharing, pretending, loving

Always beside me everywhere

Morgan

So sweet!  I guess she really does listen to me!  When they are arguing I tell them to take a good look at one another because family is all we have in this world worth anything and they will be together for the rest of their lives so start getting along!

So Happy Together

Morgan turned to me today and said, "You know, Max sure has become part of our family!" Yes, he has, I thought as I wiped the allergy induced tear from my eye! What fun we have already had with him and what hopes we have of many more fun times! Later in the day, Merritt asked, "Why did we get Max?" I quickly replied, "Because you and Morgan have always wanted a dog!" "Oh yeah!" she said. What I wanted to say was deeper than that. But I think they already know the answer! Because your mother loves you so much that she happily takes her allergy medicine now and readily has eye drops or inhaler on hand so you can make all your colored pictures come to life. All those doodles of sweet girls walking a dog or playing frisbee are now our reality! All the "if I had $50 dollars, I would buy a dog" stories are now your reality! And for the record, I rock Max to sleep each night just like I did both my girls. He has found a special spot in my heart! Maybe my allergies are worse or maybe the pollen count is high! Who knows for sure! All I know is, yes, Max has become a part of our family!

That's How Cinderella Rolls

The last day of Spring Break was spent preparing for the ball! "Cinderella" arrived in style! Her "horse" drawn "carriage" and "footman" were great sports!

The Birds and The Bees

After lunch yesterday, Morgan brought up the day Merritt was born. Being an emergency C-section, it was quite the event! Hearing Morgan's recollection and retelling from a 3 year old's perspective was fun. Merritt replied, "Sounds like the world stopped the day I was born!" It sure did! At least for your family!

This conversation led to Morgan asking how a woman knows it's time for the baby to be born. I tried to explain contractions and "water breaking" in a simple way! Whew! This led to Merritt asking, "Do you have to have a husband to have a baby?" Note to self and children: Save these conversations for when Momma isn't driving! I took a deep breath and said, "No, you don't have to have a husband to have a baby but in our family, we would like for you to have one before you have a baby!" She replied, "So, you don't have to have a husband to have a baby." "No, Merritt, you don't have to have a husband but it does take both a man and a woman to have a baby." Morgan quickly interrupted, "Can we stop this conversation before it goes too far! Mom's not ready to have the "birds and the bees" talk with us and I'm not ready to hear it!"

"Thank you, Morgan!" a relieved Momma replied!

Morgan, you also helped me realize now isn't the time to give you the All About Me book I just bought!

Good Things

Found this recent school work of Merritt's which of course made me smile!
I love that I made the list, sort of! Even though Mom's macaroni and cheese comes in a certain blue and yellow box! So, what are your Good Things? Merritt pretty much covers what would make my list: nature, accessories, food, celebrations, friends and best of all, family!

Love Hurts

Merritt begins every morning the same; breakfast and playtime with her buddy Max! The first morning of Spring Break was no different. As they had their morning tussle, Max nipped at Merritt. She quickly replied, "I love you Max but sometimes love hurts!"

I Love You Like...

Yesterday, a dear friend and mentor to Scott lost his son-in-law in a brutal and cruel way. As I struggle to make sense of this, I stumbled across some of Morgan's recent school work. When someone's life is cut short, it shakes me to the core and makes me realize how precious our moments are and how much I oh so love my family! Morgan summed it up better than I will ever be able to!

I Love You Like...
By Morgan

I love you like bunnies love to hop.
I love you like Mrs. Lott loves to shop.

I love you like a monkey loves a vine.
I love you like a star loves to shine.

I love you like pages love a book.
I love you like a fisherman loves a hook.

I love you like ink loves a printer.
I love you like mittens love winter.

I love you like sand loves the beach.
I love you like a teacher loves to teach.

I love you like a kid loves good grades.
I love you like a bed loves to be made.

I love you like the wind loves to blow.
I love you like the stars love to glow.

I love you like a flower loves petals.
I love you like a runner loves medals.

I love you like a boat loves sailing.
I love you like a letter loves mailing.

I love you like a winter day loves to be chilly.
I love you like a clown likes to be silly.

I love you like cats love mice.
I love you like lemonade loves ice.

Wow! My children continue to amaze me each and every day! Thank you Morgan for these special ways to say, "I love you." And oh how I love you and my family and my friends! Thank you for reminding me that we need to tell one another we love them and for giving me fun ways to say it!

Lost Valentine

Do you ever have those days when you feel like you are spinning your wheels? Nothing being accomplished on the "to-do-list?" Hopelessly wondering if you are making a difference, being the mom or person you need to be? Well, today was one of those days for me! Until I found this guy, an elephant Merritt made at Parent's Night Out at church the other night. Sunday at church, the children's director asked me if I had seen the elephant as she was beaming from ear to ear. "Oh, yes! So cute!" Well, I had seen it, but not really! When I found it today, I remembered her smiling face and wondered what did she see so special in it that I hadn't?


His precious ears held a precious message to me and Scott from Merritt and quickly answered my question! Yes, I am serving a purpose and making a difference! Even if the laundry isn't all folded and the kitchen counters are piled to the sky with school papers! She won't remember all the laundry I did, meals I cooked or dishes I did. Those aren't the reasons she wrote "I Love Mom" and "I Love Dad" on those precious elephant ears! Thank you sweet Merritt and thank you sweet elephant for letting me find you today!

Snowzilla 2011 Versus The Flu

I can't believe that until last year, our last snow was 10 years ago and now the girls have enjoyed it twice! How great is that?!?! If you ask the girls, "Great!" they would say!

Despite strep throat last week and currently the flu, we bundled up and spent a short
time in the beautiful snow having snowball fights,

making Snow Angels,

and smiling a lot! Thanks Snowzilla 2011, you beat the flu better than Tamiflu!

Mom with her Snow Angels

And Dad with his!

What better time to introduce the outdoors than after it snows! Max loves being outside but not sure about the snow! He walked around on just his front two paws for as long as he could!

The Commish

Scott was recently appointed by the Governor to the Civil Service Commission representing our area of the state. Prior to reporting for duty, a friend and district judge administered the oath of office. Two special Bible carriers were present! Wow, their resumes sure are growing! Way to go Scott, Mr. Commish!

Oceans of Fun!

Morgan's third grade play was Go Fish! She and several of her friends were "clown" fish! They all did a great job with the singing, dancing and delivery of lines. It was not only fun, but delivered a wonderful message. The play centered around a tiger shark who wanted to be friends with everyone. All the other ocean creatures were afraid of him because she was a shark. Through the lines and songs, they learned that everyone can be friends despite their differences. In this day of bullying, it was a wonderful lesson for us all!

Literary Ball

Each year the kindergarten classes participate in a Literary Ball. Each child is presented as a character from a story. Merritt chose to be The Gingerbread Girl from the recent classic, The Gingerbread Girl! Her partner, Wyatt was Hubie from the series The Black Lagoon. After their formal presentation, they danced a waltz and then had a literary snack of Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Kabobs, Rainbow Fish, Swords in the Stone and Peter Pan's Never Land Punch. It was a fun event and thanks to strep throat, Morgan was able to attend!

Introducing Maximus Elmore

And so our family grows.... Coming home tomorrow is Maximus Elmore, "Max." Morgan has wanted a puppy for as long as she has known how to say the word and Merritt followed right along! With my allergies, I have resisted but this Christmas, a big gift was under the tree! We are all very excited and nervous! I feel like I am about to be a new mother again and from what I hear I'm not far off the mark! Sleepless nights and pitiful cries are in our future, I hear! The things we do for our children!

On the 50th day of kindergarten, Merritt wrote, "If I had $50 I would buy a dog!" Looking back through Morgan's kindergarten papers, she wrote the same thing! Well, add a 0 to that $50 and voila, a dream is coming true! Stay tuned and pray!