No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Growing Pains

Yesterday, I got out an old home video for the kids to watch. This one was a video of Emma's birth. Don't worry, nothing too graphic. But, Emma was immediately concerned with all the pushing that was going on. She became very interested in how much pushing it took, and did it hurt etc. After a few minutes, Emma got very upset and was crying and extremely worried.

"I don't want to be a girl," she said. "I don't want to push out a baby!"

"Well Emma, you're only five and you won't have to worry about it until you're a lot older."

"But, mom," she replied immediately, "I grow really fast!!!!"

Dynamic Range

Sibling sweetness

I didn't always appreciate siblings. Growing up, I sometimes wished I was an only child. I remember being so annoyed when my mom made me play with my little sister. Or, as a teenager when my sisters would use my stuff (gasp). I really wasn't the best sister in the world and regret not appreciating my siblings more. As an adult, I just love my brothers and sisters. I love visiting them, calling on the phone and talking and hearing about what they're up to. I really think they are so fun to be around and I miss not being close to them.

Now that I'm a mom, I'm so happy that my kids have each other. It's so much fun to hear Emma and Sydney upstairs playing and giggling. Today, when picking up Emma from dance, Aiden ran to her yelling "Emma, Emma," and gave her a big hug. The teacher had to stop class so he didn't get knocked over, but we all thought it was so sweet. I just took a video of Sydney helping Aiden go on the slide in our backyard. The girls have learned how to actually help Aiden and I'm loving that. They will let him play with them (this is a loose use of the term play) and he just bursts with pride feeling like a big kid. He copies them a lot and we've talked a lot about being a good example. So, I'm not sure if my kids will appreciate their siblings until after they all move out, but I sure appreciate it for them. How lonely to be an only child. How sad. There is nothing greater than brothers and sisters. Too bad we are not always sweet and nice to them. They really do become your best friends.

Shhh.... It's a secret.

I was helping Emma with her homework tonight. Upon completion I made sure she wrote her name at the top of the page.

As she carefully printed her full name she commented:

"Names always start with capital letters. Also, beginnings of sentences."

Then in a very serious voice she turned to me and whispered, as if she was sharing a very important secret:

"And days of the week too."