Kindergarten Princess

This morning I sit on my couch not really ambitious to tackle the day. The kids...all 4 of them....have been sequestered to their rooms for the next 10 minutes. We were on vacation last week and these are the days of the post vacation blues:) I was thinking of avoiding the Java this morning in an attempt to become more healthy...but it will have wait for tomorrow:)

So, I thought, "why not reminisce?" Well, my mind void of coffee is only able to reminisce to about 2 weeks or so.

I thought I would walk down memory lane to June 11th, 2009 when my little girl graduated preschool.

I hate saying that. I hate my kids going to kindergarten. Really because it represents that life is about to get harder. The 3 year thing is giving me a run for my money, but it's all self-contained to one little body against the world. School age brings all the little bodies of the world against your precious bundle of joy:)

Soooo, here are a few shots of my lil' Sha Sha pomping and circumstancing.

She sat on the stage the whole time with her leg crossed. We couldn't stop laughing. She was such the little lady.



Here is a rare shot of the sisters together. I'm still praying for some type of love to develop between these two:)

Nana and Pop were there to celebrate the grand event.

Daddy and his Sha Sha have grown so much closer over the last year. He loves this little girl so much.

Sha Sha was with her teacher Miss Chris over the past 2 years. She has learned so much. I am very sad that Sha Sha will be leaving this school. Her teacher Miss Chris is THE BEST hands down. I wish I could bring her along for the next 13 years of school:)

I'm very proud of my Sha Sha. I look forward to seeing my little girl mature into a beautiful young woman. I do not look forward to the 1st day of school this fall. I d-r-e-a-d it. Don't worry, my little girl thinks I'm ecstatic about her move to kindergarten. It's just a secret between me and my cyber world friends:)

I love you soooo much Sha Sha....I'm so proud of you!

A masterpiece in the making

I'm always hestitant to make bold statements.

No, let me re-think that and re-phrase that.

I'm always quick to make bold statements, but hesitant to admit that I made the bold statement:)

So, I'm hesitant to recall that I loved my 3 year old twin "thing".

I now look at them 12 hours a day and find rare moments of cuteness in the their interactions. Perhaps it's because it consists of 12 hours of picking, agitating and swatting each other.

Lil' Rocker still love his Yao Yao. He pays the most attention to her out of the others. However, she ignores him a lot. PURPOSELY I may add....which adds to my aggrevation of it all. Every morning it is the same thing...

Lil'Rocker wants to play with Yao Yao.

So he says her name over,

and over

and over

and over.

And as he says her name she stares straight ahead...shifting her eyes from his view.

Finally, I will step in and say, "Yao Yao...do not ignore Lil'Rocker...he is talking to you."

Of course, I get a swift "No".

I sigh.

I walk away.

And then everytime I hear a cry. Which is ALWAYS Yao Yao because Lil'Rocker once again hit her.

Why? Why do children get enjoyment out of annoying each other?

Or is the real plan for them to work in cahoots to drive me to the nuthouse?

And of course, whenever the Rockstar Nurse calls home from work, I answer the phone with a rushed annoyance.

"Which one of them is it now?" he always begrudgingly asks.

And usually I have no idea which ONE it really is....only because the events all start to blur together that I have no idea which one really started the downfall of my insanity.

Was it Lil'Rocker who was caught sneaking yet AGAIN to the little potty with poop smeared all over him, the carpet and now the potty?

Or was it Yao Yao, who in an oddly defiant mood decided that she was not going to use the potty I have no idea why and defiantly stands beside the potty and with an evil eye aimed straight at me she pees all over my floor. What?

And yes...I did spend time with the Lord tonight...asking for forgiveness for my hasty and rash thoughts, words, actions with my 2 precious gifts straight from Him:)

In all seriousness, I do love these 2 And I know they both were brought into our family by God for a specific purpose. But wow. I don't remember age 3 being so difficult.

God is molding me and shaping me into something incredible with this whole thing....I'm going to be a masterpiece if I come out of the fire:)

"The Bomb"

When I met my Rockstar hubby 12 years ago, there were so many things that attracted me to him. One of the things that held the most allure for me was his desire for kiddos. He was an awesome uncle and his dreams for his own children made me all woozy.

Somethings we imagine about marriage don't hold true. We often come to it with rose colored glasses that leave us feeling disillusioned and confused when we are able to see beyond them. I am no exception to sporting around my pink- tinged spectacles.

However, in the area of fatherhood, my husband did not disillusion me in any way. He is an amazing father. I know he struggles with his adequacy as a parent just as any of us do, so I wish I could express to him without written word how proud I am for his being a daddy to our kiddos. But this is how I do it best...and even then all my thoughts and feeling don't flow like they should.

Of course he is working today on his day of days. But he will have 4 smiling faces and squealing voices when he arrives home tonight to remind him that I am not the only person that thinks he's "the bomb" .

Thanks for being the dad you are. Thanks for being you.

Randomness

Several weeks ago, Sha Sha had her dance recital.

Sha Sha is not a princess. She does not enjoy frilly things. She loves pink but does not like dresses. She loves her nails painted but hates her her hair done.

So, it does not take a childhood psychologist to determine that Sha Sha would not embrace being a ballerina. This was her 2nd year of dance....and most likely her last.

Sha Sha will probably not be signing up for competitive sports anytime soon either. Sha Sha is not what you would call a natural athlete. Perhaps she gets her athleticism from her mom. Am I being sarcastic? Just look at the picture of a flamingo....do they look like they would be kicking around soccer balls? lol

However, Sha Sha continues to love horses. She is obsessed with them. God created us each differently. And as much as I think it's cute to see her twirling around in a custom made tutu, that's not what she is about. So, hopefully this summer she will be able to start galloping through fields on her hero Black Beauty.

This post was to just show some pictures and blah blah about how my kids are so cute, BUT it's turning tangent-like and a bit random.

So, I think I will keep the flow of randomness and tangentness going.

Sha Sha and the Ringleader. These 2 break my heart. I know I said before that they are best friends...but they really are. Yes, they fight like crazy sometimes. And yes, the Ringleader picks on Sha Sha. And yes, Sha Sha annoys the Ringleader. However, for the most part they get along well. Just last night, Sha Sha said, "Mommy, I just love the Ringleader. He my best friend."

The Ringleader would never confess that Sha Sha is his best friend. However, when she is gone for a day, every hour you hear, "umm mom....when is Sha Sha coming home?"

I just love those two.

And my boys.....nothing much to say other than I think they are the best, the cutest and the cuddliest boys in the world.

And this little guy....aaaaghhh! Can you hear my irritation from wherever you are? I have to restrengthen my resolve with him by staring at how darn cute the little guy is. He is still a little stinker. There are other words I could write, but this is a family friendly blogsite. :)
It's hard to believe that one Lil'Rocker could have so much defiance in him. I STILL am not allowed to touch Lil'Rocker. Well, specifically when daddy is around, because EVERYTHING is about daddy. I can't undo his car seat straps, I can't get him out of the car, I can't hand him a drink or offer him food.

And to actually hold and cuddle him?

I'm sorry...I had to stop laughing.

No. I am not allowed to hold him. Even at bedtime...even if dad is NOT around.

However, tonight he allowed me to sit and hold him...there are breaks in his resolve. And just this week he allowed me to read him a book at naptime. Wow!

And before anyone types their Dr. Phil diagnosis of what is going on....uuuuh we know what is going on. Mom and dad left and came home with a 3 year old sister that was transplanted into the middle of his little cushy world.

It's ok though...it's just a phase (I think)...and he has been a very easy kiddo up until now....so I'm due for some roughness.

And Yao Yao? She continues to adjust well. Yao Yao is definitely a princess. She loves frilly and loves music and loves to dance. So next year, you will probably see her donning a tutu. (this photo is her being mesmerized by the dancers)

And here we are.

The Rockstar Nurse and I are terrible about getting our photo taken together...we just never do. And really, this is the most important one of all because without us, there would be none of the above.

And it's all because 2 people fell in love:)

Summer is all most here....

Summer.

I have never looked so forward to summer since my kids started school. Unfortunately, our summer does not begin until the middle of next week. I am counting down the hours with anticipation....my kids are not that pumped...I am!!!

Before my kids started school, the summer felt like a hot continuation of the same ol', same ol'. I could never understand my friends that were excited for their kids to be done school.

But now I understand. There is nothing like surrounding yourself with a chorus of screaming, fighting and squabbling in the 90 degree humidity. lol

No seriously, I am not a patient mom. I really am far from it. I have a LONG way to go with patience and anger.

I have a long way to go with self sacrificing.

But I do love having my kids home.

And I love no schedules and no homework.

I have to say that lately I must admit that I am ready to be done adding kiddos. Of course, there is no decision to be made with that considering the R.N. is DEFINTELY feeling done:) Part of me feels relief. There is only 2 more years and ALL of our kids are in school.

But that same fact brings me to tears in an instant.

I am not ready to be done this stage of life. Where the simplicity of things brings such joy....

like splashing in a kiddie pool.... And sitting on lawn chairs entertains everyone for hours....

An ice pop is treated like gold....When finding a helmet that fits brings such joy....

When looking goofy is ok.....

And riding bikes all day is like a grand adventure....

Even now I well up with tears knowing that these careless days of summer are so quick to be gone.

And maybe I will be ready to continue adding to our family in a year or two.....when I can appreciate a toddler's tantrum more....
And I can deal with tears with sympathy instead of annoyance....

But for now, I am trying to concentrate on what is here and what is now...and what I have.

That of course being tons of these....

And loads of this.....
And plenty of these....
So I sign off for now because I am glancing out my window and seeing Lil' Rocker hitting Yao Yao with a broom.

I am not kidding.

And now they are all standing beside me staring in my face and begging for a cool pop.

It is only 10am.

Oh the joys of summer:)