Boo Hoo!

After a particularly trying day, I was delighted to receive news that Linus was accepted into the school we really wanted her to attend beginning in first grade. Unfortunately, their waiting list is l-o-n-g, and if we declined to enroll for the remainder of the year, her chances of getting in for first grade would pretty much be less than zero. Thankfully, the trying part about today concerned her current school, so moving her to the other school will be easier.

Here's the kicker though--Linus is in a half day program right now. I LOVE having her in a 1/2 day program! I know I need to get over myself, but I'm rather sad that she'll be attending school full days now. On the bright side, we took her to get her uniforms this afternoon. Talk about cute. Oh my goodness, the child OWNS that uniform!

Lolly is doing well. She's growing well and filling out nicely. She adores her sister. And Linus adores her. I'm rather blessed!


Happy October, y'all!

Genius, Lazy, or Just Plain Wrong?

Linus wanted to learn to tie her shoes for a while, but she was having a little bit of trouble.  In a brilliant move, her teacher has what she calls Fun Friday.  One component of Fun Friday is students get to take off their shoes and just wear their socks IF they have demonstrated the ability to tie shoes correctly.  Nothing works like a great incentive for Linus. She started school on a Thursday, and by Friday morning she was able to demonstrate to her teacher that she could correctly tie her shoes.  Her teacher was thrilled with her quick mastery, and so were we.  

Naturally with Linus it doesn't end there.

One afternoon as her teacher was helping Linus into the car, she thanked Linus for being such a good friend to her classmates and teaching them to tie their shoes.  It brought a smile to my face.  My sweet little girl was helping her friends tie their shoes so that they could join her on Fun Fridays in just their socks.   I was so proud.

This week I was in her classroom for a while.  I noticed other children tying her shoes.  I was surprised at first, then a bit worried when her teacher mentioned that Linus rarely ties her own shoes anymore.  I asked Linus about it that evening, and was caught off guard by her response: "Of course they tie my shoes, Mama."  When I asked her why 'of course' she looked at me like I was not so bright. "It's a good thing, Mama. Practice makes perfect, so I let them practice on my shoes."  I asked her if she thought that was nice.  "It's nice because I'm helping them.  It's smart because I don't have to do it."

Extra Sad

Death has brought deep sadness to our house yet again this year.  

Yesterday morning a friend passed away very unexpectedly. To say it was shocking news is an understatement.  She was just a tad bit older than me, active, and health conscious.  She is the mother to two small children; one is Linus's age, the other is only two years older.  How do these things happen? I just don't get it.  

I'm really uncertain as to how to approach it with Linus.  She still is grieving the loss of Pop.  Her poor little mind is trying so hard to wrap itself around the concept of death, but it's more than she's ready for right now.  I'm scared that when I add the death of my friend (who is also the mother of her friend and one of her MDO teachers), she'll translate that to my mortality.  

Please pray/think good thoughts for my friend's family.  They are a fabulous family.  It's really hitting my group of friends hard too, though I know our pain pales in comparison.

Extra Honored

Monkling gave me this award a few days ago. I've been a bit busy lately, so it's taken me quite a while to post it here.  I think most of y'all know Monk, but for those who don't you really should stop by her blog some time.  She's witty and compassionate. What a great combination!  I absolutely cannot visit her blog without laughing!  :)

So here's the rules:

*Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are kick-ass bloggers.

*Let them know.

*Link back to Mammadawg.

*Link back to the person who gave you the award.

I'm awarding this award to:

Daisy because of her kind heart and quick humor

Alice because her writing kicks tail and she makes me think

Katherine because she shares yummy easy-to-follow recipes (with pictures!) 

Melissa because her photography is amazing (I hope it was ok to share that blog!)

Eddie because even though I don't know him in person, English accents simply kick ass, so even though his blog definitely qualifies, his accent wins it!  Hey Eddie, if you don't have that delightful accent, please don't let me know!!!

Why? Because they kick ass.  Here's the thing though---if I read a blog, I pretty much think it rocks. I won't waste my time if I don't enjoy it, so I could pretty much list my whole blog roll here.  I narrowed it down to five because the rules told me to, and I'm a rule follower.  

 

Extra Gross

***Warning: The story below is GROSS!!!***

How do you know your husband deals with gross bodily functions at work all day and has become immune to the vulgarity of them?

When your child has a serious pukefest spewing from the mouth and nose, and your husband cleans her up with his right hand while finishing a sandwich with his left! Ewww!  It was Lolly, so it was just a massive formula puke, but still, he could have done it with Linus too.  EWWW!!!

Another Update

My family has returned to NOLA.  Thankfully most returned to power and homes in good condition.  My sister wasn't so lucky.  She's dealing with the nightmare we all know as insurance.  She has no power, which doesn't sit too well with a pregnant lady with two small children.  She has an amazing attitude though and doesn't complain.  Ever.

At my home, things are settling down.  The differences in my two girls are already apparent.  Linus only cried when she was hungry, and it was just a little snort most of the time.  She didn't hate being held, but she MUCH preferred socializing, which meant she wanted to face out so she could see the action.  Linus was very scheduled from the beginning.  She hated being swaddled---she was all about freedom.  She loved baths and being naked.   Linus never complained about a dirty diaper ever.  NOTHING bothered Linus.

Lolly? Completely opposite in every way.  She's a fussy baby.  She insists on being held constantly.  She snuggles up and buries herself in your neck (which I love!).  She's about as non-scheduled as one can get.  She isn't happy unless she's swaddled, and she loathes baths and being naked.  You know the second her diaper is dirty, and she fusses until the diaper change is completely over.

Speaking of which, she's furious because I put her down, so I've got to run and see if I can make her happy again...

A Little Update

Family still here.  They have no power at their homes.  

My sis had the most damage that we know of yet.  A tree fell on her house.  Thankfully they are all ok.  Unfortunately, the house didn't do as well.  

Lolly is loving all these people holding her.  I'll pay for it when they're gone!  Funny, they all disappear at bedtime, so I'm still very sleep deprived.  

Linus is loving the company too.  She's been an entertaining distraction to everyone! :)

More later.