A Little Peek Into Our Lives...



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wow! Today I realized that I haven't posted anything in over three weeks! So, naturally I began to ponder what in the world I've been doing since I haven't been posting. I really don't know for sure. I know I try to post on Sunday afternoons. So, the first Sunday that I didn't post was because we were at the deer lease. The second Sunday was the day after the Syrup Festival. My older girls went home with my mother, and I slept most of the day. Last Sunday Chad and I went to Houston to a funeral. So, although on first thought it seems like we haven't done anything, we have been very busy. Oh I know...the Sunday I slept doesn't really count, but hey a Mom needs a break some time!

So, what's new in the life of Bob and the Girls? Taylor is reading fairly well. Kennedy is reading very well, including things that she probably shouldn't be reading. Blake is sitting unassisted. Blake has also perfected an ear-piercing scream when she realizes she is in a room alone (or thinks she's alone). She has also realized that the oldest Dickerson sister can't stand to hear the littlest Dickerson sister even whimper!

Miraculously, Kennedy and Taylor have been getting along fairly well lately. Now, don't get me wrong, we still have days when they are not allowed to speak to each other on the way to school because they've argued too much before we even drop Blake off at her "school". But, in general, Kennedy has matured into this protective big sister who truly wants to help Taylor. I'm a mean mom, and I make the girls prepare their own lunches. Let me insert a "Mother of the Year" story here...

A few weeks ago, I had to go to a workshop. When I picked the girls up from school, Taylor said that Mrs.Tambrea had given her some popcorn. I asked why and she said, "cause I didn't want to starve to death". So after investigating with Taylor, Kennedy, and Mrs.Tambrea, I learned the truth. Kennedy had packed lunches for the girls. She SAID we didn't have any groceries so they each got a bottle of water and package of cheese crackers. Apparently during lunch Taylor explained to Mrs.Tambrea that she was going to starve to death. Mrs.Tambrea inquired about what she had in her lunch and then went to compare with Kennedy. Kennedy explained to her that her mom hadn't bought groceries and that all that was at home was the crackers and water. Fortunately Mrs.Tambrea looked out for my kids and provided them with some choices of "side dishes" such as popcorn, etc. Completely humiliated, I explained to Tambrea that we did have food in our house. I had moved the fruit cups from one cabinet to another and the juice boxes were in the floor where I sat them, not the refrigerator drawer. Tambrea was super sweet when she said that she knew my kids weren't starving. And, we did have a talk about preparing appropriate lunches and asking for help if needed!

So, back to packing lunches. Recently I found this note written on a tiny sheet of paper and stuck in the top of Taylor's lunch box.

Taylor
Is kendergarton fun? I bet it is. Just wated to say, Hi! Love U Tater tot. Love Kennedy

That tiny little paper makes my heart proud. I always wanted a big sister. I had no idea how special a sister really could be!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Who knew?

What.A.Day. That pretty much sums up this first MONDAY in November! Don't get me wrong. It was not a bad day, but it was a day.

Many of you continue to read my blog (I hope) because you are anxious to know what my silly girls have said or done recently. Well, sit back and enjoy!

First of all, let me fill you in on one of the most precious, sincere, and honest moments of all time. On Halloween night, our friends were over to Trick or Treat with us as "The Gang". Remember the pumpkins? Yes, it was those two girls, Amanda, and our three girls. Kennedy is always trying to get Sadie to spend the night. Sadie has "tried" to spend the night several times that I can recall. However, she hasn't quite made it all night. Okay, she hasn't even made it until 11PM yet. But, as a former "I tried to spend the night" kid, I am very sympathetic and love that she trusts me to get up in the middle of the night and take her ALL the way home if she really needs to go home. (Oh, and she did live right across the street on all of those attempts except the very last one. Wasn't I nice to take her home ALL the way across the street?) Interestingly, Taylor and Sophie have no problems spending the night with each other or probably even going home with a stranger from Wal-mart. Taylor had already been in to ask if Sophie could spend the night on Halloween. Amanda and I told them that Saturday night was not a good night, but we would get them together really soon. Within just a few minutes, Amanda began the process of gathering candy, buckets, costume pieces, shoes, kids, etc. to wrap up the evening. Sadie was ignoring Amanda's request to pick up her things. I jokingly asked Sadie if she wanted to spend the night since she didn't want to get her stuff together to go home. She quickly began to pick up her loot as she said, "Mrs.Shannon, we both know". I love that kid!

This afternoon, we had "who knew" moment number one in the car. With the mild weather, I had all four windows about 1/3 of the way down. The big girls were in the very back of the vehicle singing, talking, and then laughing...and laughing...and laughing louder. As I looked into the rear view mirror, I saw Kennedy with green apple bubble gum from her forehead to her chin and ear to ear. Naturally, I asked, "Kennedy Nicole, what are you doing?" She giggled as she began to pull the gum from her face (and hair) and said, "I blew a bubble!" Taylor echoed with "a BIG bubble!" A few minutes later Kennedy said, "We need to tell Pa about a new rule! Never blow a bubble when the window is down!" I'm not sure if I posted, but several weeks ago, Pa and Taylor made a rule that you should never spit into the wind. I think Kennedy's rule trumps Taylor's rule. At least the spit doesn't require scissors when you get home!

Who Knew #2...
Monday, November 1. Seems like just another day, right? Well, let me just say that I had the bright idea to take all three girls to the grocery store by myself with a list as long as Taylor is tall. When we got to the store, Taylor was talking 100 miles per hour telling me all the things that we needed to remember to get even if they weren't on the list. As I was listening to her chatter, gathering the necessities, and trying to keep everyone safe (as Taylor dressed herself in the parking lot), I unbuckled Blake and picked her up out of the car seat. At that very moment, my heart stopped! I had taken her out of the car seat...at Wal-mart. Now, this wouldn't be that big of a deal if she was a little older, but she can barely sit up. She has N.E.V.E.R been into a store without her car seat unless we had the stroller. Naturally as I tried to rewind and put her back into the seat the back arched, legs stiffened, and squeal escaped! So, I decided we'd just take a chance and see how it goes. She did quite well for about 35 minutes. Thirty-five minutes would have been sufficient on most trips to Wal-mart. However, no one remembered to send me the memo that said that 85% of the county would be shopping for groceries on the first day of the month. Imagine the scene...baby on hip, cart overflowing with groceries, Taylor in tumbling clothes bouncing all over the place, Kennedy trying to "drive" the really heavy,full cart, and approximately 2500 people in a store with a maximum capacity of 500. Fortunately, my knight in shining mechanic uniform rode in on a gray Chevrolet truck and saved the day.
The first of the month is apparently a busy shopping day for many people. Who knew?