That last post was getting a bit long, so I wanted to break it up a bit. Please this brings my total of blog posts to 3 this month.
A car game that we also play, Robert with more enthusiasm than I, is Fortunately/Unfortunately. This is a great game, and while maybe not the best for the car, it still works pretty well. It begins with someone starting a story. For instance:
Robert: Mary Ann, Rose, Peter, and Mommy and Daddy were all at home when Unfortunately a dragon came to the front door to eat them all up.
Katie: Fortunately, we locked the door so the dragon couldn't get in.
Mary Ann: Unfortunately the dragon blew fire and burned it down.
Rose: Fortunately we all had secret hidings spots, like under the coach, so the dragon couldn't find us.
Peter: UNFORTUNATELY (caps his) mumble, mumble, mumble MONSTER!
Robert: Unfortunately...
Rose: No, Dad you are Fortunately
Katie: Rose, Peter's doesn't really count, because we don't know what he said.
Robert: Unfortunately, the monster found our hiding places.
Katie: Fortunately, his head was too big and his arms were too small and he couldn't reach us.
Mary Ann: Where exactly are these hiding places were a dragon couldn't get us?
Katie: Um, use your imagination.
Mary Ann: Hmmmm...fine. Unfortunately, the dragon was able to tear up the hiding places so he could get to us.
Rose: Fortunately, ummm, ummmmm, ummmmm, the dragon didn't get us.
Peter: UNFORTUNATELY! Mumble, mumble, whisper, whisper, Darth Vader....MONSTER!!
Robert: Unfortunately...
Rose and Mary Ann (together): Daddy, Peter did Unfortunately, you're Fortunately!
Robert: I don't know what Peter said, so I'm still going to do Unfortunately.
Rose and Mary Ann (togehter): *sigh* Fine.
Robert: Unfortunately, the dragon got us and ate us all up
Katie: Fortunately, the dragon had Rose's stomach bug and threw us all up and we were okay.
*General cries of "Ewwww, Gross! That's so Nasty!"
Mary Ann: Unfortunately, some of the throw up got on Rose's pinkie.
Rose: Hey!!
Peter: UNFORTUNATELY!! MONSTER!!
Katie (sensing a general deterioration in the game): Fortunately, everyone was covered in throw up, so the dragon didn't want to eat us anymore and went home. The End
So who's up for Road Trip with the Reddigs?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Car Games
We are rapidly becoming "one of those" families who virtually live in our mini-van. At least it feels that way, since to go any where seems to involve the packing of snacks, drinks, blankets, and books in the car, whether this be to the grocery store, school or a visit to grandparents. And I have definitely caught myself think of the van as one more room to clean.
That being said, I don't necessarily think that because we spend time together as a family in the car multiple times during the week (day) is necessarily a bad thing. We're all trapped in there , and while Mary Ann has kind of started doing her own thing by reading a book or two or three, for the most part it's pretty nice to be in there together. There's lots of discussions that come up, the most impressive recently has been multiple re-tellings of Romeo and Juliet, thanks to Mitzi mainly for gifting a CD with Taylor Swift's song (which by the way gets replayed about 4-5 times in a row each time it comes up in the queue, and this is per Peter's request). Usually the discussion ends with us telling each other that the monk and Romeo and Juliet are all pretty stupid and if everyone had just calmed down a bit and talked the whole tragedy could have been avoided. But far be it from a virtual soccer mom and a few precocious grade school kids (and toddler) to rewrite Shakespeare.
This might gross out a few, but another activity in the car we engage in is dead skunk bingo. This is played when we drive to school on the aptly named Dead Skunk Road which is known to most Lee Summitians as Lee Summit Road. But the road was re-christened because of the presence of a dead skunk on the side of the road. I usually don't point out the roadkill I see, because, well it's gross and a little sad. But something about this dead skunk just kind of tickled my funny bone (which is a favorite phrase of Rose's, thanks to Grandma). One day last November I was driving just Mary Ann and she seemed a little down, so I told her about the dead skunk. She too was diverted by the idea of this skunk. The next day with all three in the car and Aunt Mitzi, I was able to slow down enough that I could point it out to them. Of course this backfired because Rose saw it, but Mary Ann delayed looking out her window, due to reading, and wound up missing the fascinating sight of this deceased animal. This resulted in 24 hours of bragging rights for Rose about how she "saw the dead skunk, and Mommy you weren't going to fast for me to see it." Luckily, the dead skunk remained by the side of the road for nearly 3 months, giving us all ample opportunities to see it and also note how long it had been there. That particular skunk has now disappeared, but a new one has now appeared to keep us entertained. And Peter makes sure to ask if we are going to be taking the road and seeing the dead skunk in the morning.
That being said, I don't necessarily think that because we spend time together as a family in the car multiple times during the week (day) is necessarily a bad thing. We're all trapped in there , and while Mary Ann has kind of started doing her own thing by reading a book or two or three, for the most part it's pretty nice to be in there together. There's lots of discussions that come up, the most impressive recently has been multiple re-tellings of Romeo and Juliet, thanks to Mitzi mainly for gifting a CD with Taylor Swift's song (which by the way gets replayed about 4-5 times in a row each time it comes up in the queue, and this is per Peter's request). Usually the discussion ends with us telling each other that the monk and Romeo and Juliet are all pretty stupid and if everyone had just calmed down a bit and talked the whole tragedy could have been avoided. But far be it from a virtual soccer mom and a few precocious grade school kids (and toddler) to rewrite Shakespeare.
This might gross out a few, but another activity in the car we engage in is dead skunk bingo. This is played when we drive to school on the aptly named Dead Skunk Road which is known to most Lee Summitians as Lee Summit Road. But the road was re-christened because of the presence of a dead skunk on the side of the road. I usually don't point out the roadkill I see, because, well it's gross and a little sad. But something about this dead skunk just kind of tickled my funny bone (which is a favorite phrase of Rose's, thanks to Grandma). One day last November I was driving just Mary Ann and she seemed a little down, so I told her about the dead skunk. She too was diverted by the idea of this skunk. The next day with all three in the car and Aunt Mitzi, I was able to slow down enough that I could point it out to them. Of course this backfired because Rose saw it, but Mary Ann delayed looking out her window, due to reading, and wound up missing the fascinating sight of this deceased animal. This resulted in 24 hours of bragging rights for Rose about how she "saw the dead skunk, and Mommy you weren't going to fast for me to see it." Luckily, the dead skunk remained by the side of the road for nearly 3 months, giving us all ample opportunities to see it and also note how long it had been there. That particular skunk has now disappeared, but a new one has now appeared to keep us entertained. And Peter makes sure to ask if we are going to be taking the road and seeing the dead skunk in the morning.
Monday, March 12, 2012
How Time Is Going in Our Family
This post was titled by Mary Ann who is home from school today due to a "Construction Day" at school to connect electricity to the new additions being added to the school building. Of course if anyone reads this they will have no idea what we're talking about, since, except for Robert's valiant attempts to post on a tri-monthly basis, the self-appointed scribe in the family (me, i.e. Katie) has been on hiatus since December 2010. A situation I shall try and rectify. I've given up Facebook for Lent and my sister Liesel is blogging everyday, and in the interest of spiritual purification and sibling competition, I shall endeavor to blog on a more frequent basis. Perhaps, once a week, but let's not get too ambitious.
Mary Ann is standing here dictating information about our family to be updated and is adamant that I waste no more time in announcing our 4th pregnancy, due in August. Mary Ann wasted no time in announcing to all she knew that we were indeed expecting, so most likely you all already know. We are indeed very excited, and Mary Ann has nearly forgiven us for choosing to have another baby instead of adopting a dog, but Rose and Peter probably are still in deliberations over that. (Mary Ann would like it to be known that she does indeed still want a dog--a beagle)
Beginning this life in Lee's Summit has been a bit overwhelming, lots of changes in all areas of life to adapt too. (But, as Mary Ann reminded me just now our home is located on a cul-de-sac that celebrates a Block Party EVERY YEAR!!--happy thought, indeed!) It really is just in these last couple of weeks that I feel like I can look at the house and begin to think about a timeline of projects for it to make it more our own. Maybe it's nesting setting in early, but I'm feeling the itch to buy furniture and paint!
Though right now the most pressing issue in our lives is Peter's introduction to potty training, which is being encouraged through the use of Star Wars underwear, Star Wars stickers, a Potty Pirate video, and Skittles. All in all I'm pleased with his work, but can see I've mellowed a bit in my expectations of success and definition of failure since we went through the process with Mary Ann. In case anyone drops by (announced or unannounced) be forewarned that you will likely be greeted by a nearly naked boy.
Mary Ann and Rose recently completed a session of swimming lessons. For the first time I saw them swimming out on their own in the middle of a pool with the life guard actually still on on the edge of the pool watching them, instead of centimeters away. It made me realize how much my girls are growing up and honestly how unprepared I am to let them start doing things independently from me.
We are also in the throes of making a tremendous decision on the purchase of American Girl dolls for the girls. After much debate and consultation with Santa Claus, it was decided that he would not bring the desired doll on Christmas, but rather the girls and I would make the purchase after Christmas, with the girls contributing a portion of the cost from their saved gift money and allowances (more on how allowances are earned and my admiration for families that successfully give their children allowances and have them complete chores for said allowance later). This past Saturday we visited the American Girl store with Nana to see for ourselves these wondrous dolls and make a choice as to which doll to purchase. The girls (and I'm pretty sure Nana, traitor grandmother that she is (which, Mom, is meant very lovingly)) were absolutely enthralled, especially by the little doll hair salon and spa, where they could bring their dolls to have their hair and nails done and probably get a massage too. I was slightly appalled and the sight of the store and the business it was doing made me question whether the economy really is in such a sorry state after all. (Last mildly political comment for a bit, I promise)
I'm actually very sure that 2 of these dolls will be taking up their residence in our home in the not too distant future (I admit I do feel some guilt over the whole dog/baby issue), but if they want their hair done, that will be coming out the girls' pocket books.
Cheers and Keep the Faith, folks!
Mary Ann is standing here dictating information about our family to be updated and is adamant that I waste no more time in announcing our 4th pregnancy, due in August. Mary Ann wasted no time in announcing to all she knew that we were indeed expecting, so most likely you all already know. We are indeed very excited, and Mary Ann has nearly forgiven us for choosing to have another baby instead of adopting a dog, but Rose and Peter probably are still in deliberations over that. (Mary Ann would like it to be known that she does indeed still want a dog--a beagle)
Beginning this life in Lee's Summit has been a bit overwhelming, lots of changes in all areas of life to adapt too. (But, as Mary Ann reminded me just now our home is located on a cul-de-sac that celebrates a Block Party EVERY YEAR!!--happy thought, indeed!) It really is just in these last couple of weeks that I feel like I can look at the house and begin to think about a timeline of projects for it to make it more our own. Maybe it's nesting setting in early, but I'm feeling the itch to buy furniture and paint!
Though right now the most pressing issue in our lives is Peter's introduction to potty training, which is being encouraged through the use of Star Wars underwear, Star Wars stickers, a Potty Pirate video, and Skittles. All in all I'm pleased with his work, but can see I've mellowed a bit in my expectations of success and definition of failure since we went through the process with Mary Ann. In case anyone drops by (announced or unannounced) be forewarned that you will likely be greeted by a nearly naked boy.
Mary Ann and Rose recently completed a session of swimming lessons. For the first time I saw them swimming out on their own in the middle of a pool with the life guard actually still on on the edge of the pool watching them, instead of centimeters away. It made me realize how much my girls are growing up and honestly how unprepared I am to let them start doing things independently from me.
We are also in the throes of making a tremendous decision on the purchase of American Girl dolls for the girls. After much debate and consultation with Santa Claus, it was decided that he would not bring the desired doll on Christmas, but rather the girls and I would make the purchase after Christmas, with the girls contributing a portion of the cost from their saved gift money and allowances (more on how allowances are earned and my admiration for families that successfully give their children allowances and have them complete chores for said allowance later). This past Saturday we visited the American Girl store with Nana to see for ourselves these wondrous dolls and make a choice as to which doll to purchase. The girls (and I'm pretty sure Nana, traitor grandmother that she is (which, Mom, is meant very lovingly)) were absolutely enthralled, especially by the little doll hair salon and spa, where they could bring their dolls to have their hair and nails done and probably get a massage too. I was slightly appalled and the sight of the store and the business it was doing made me question whether the economy really is in such a sorry state after all. (Last mildly political comment for a bit, I promise)
I'm actually very sure that 2 of these dolls will be taking up their residence in our home in the not too distant future (I admit I do feel some guilt over the whole dog/baby issue), but if they want their hair done, that will be coming out the girls' pocket books.
Cheers and Keep the Faith, folks!
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