Five O'clock News

We open our news cast with an update on Little Bambino...

who started out as a poppy seed.....

....and apparently is now as long as an english cucumber (not to be confused with a common cucumber)


We have continuing coverage on the famous seamstress, Madeline.  She is working feverishly for upcoming Fashion Week.  Here is runway model Lauren modeling one of her pieces -- the pencil skirt.  In a ladybug print, which apparently is trending.

In other news, it was reported that during devotions today - betrayal was the topic - Ron used Judas as his example.  Madeline said, "Dad, what about Peter?" 

In a momentary lapse of reason, Ron said, "Well sure, I guess he could be an example too."

And her response:  "You guess?  Ummm, 'I don't know Him', 'I don't know Him', 'I don't know Him' ....Cock-a-doodle-doo!  Hello?"

And that's where we leave you tonight folks.  Thanks for tuning in.

Harlem Globetrotters

Ron and I took the big girls to the Harlem Globetrotters last week.  Now, I'm gonna be completely honest here, it was not my favorite event.  

(shocking, I know)

We took them to dinner beforehand which was the best.  However, the actual event.....well, let's just say I'm not that into Magicians of Basketball.

Aside from watching the girls (and Ron!), the most entertaining part of the night was texting back and forth with Bex.

(middle of our converstaion)

have you seen these guys?  its like the nba on steroids....except many say the nba is already on steroids....so its like watching the nba.

it might be because I have a raging case of morning  all-day-and night sickness....but I'd rather watch paint dry.  ....or sniff paint.  that might put me out of my misery.

Needless to say, I don't plan to follow them on their tour.  I am glad the girls had fun....and so did Ron.

Maddie - are you on the court with these guys?

Counting to 20

Madeline is teaching Lauren to count to 20.  

She wrote a song to help her and I managed to snag it long enough to post here:

(to its own - and quite original - tune)

Counting to 20 can so fun.....1,2,3,4,5

Then comes 6,7,8,9,10

And then comes 11,12,13,14

Here comes 15

Maybe 16

Also 17

Then comes 18

What about 19?

The last one is 20!

Oh, how I like to count with Lauren

Will you count next time with me?

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Gotcha Day!

Gotcha Day! is a term used in the adoptive community to describe the day when the adoption is finalized.  Today was Maximus' Gotcha Day and we all headed to the court house for this momentous occasion. 

Gotcha Day! was about to take on a few extra meanings.

We arrive early (of course!  I wouldn't want to make a scene with GLAM now, would I?) and I park the car and tell the kiddos to unbuckle and unload.

I am contemplating whether to take the double stroller, going back and forth, with a mental list of the pros and cons.  Finally deciding that pushing 2 toddlers (with the other 2 in tow) through a court house will be less obvious (and require less energy) than toting them on my hip(s).  

We get inside the court house and see that "Adoption" is on the 2nd floor.  Easy enough.

Upon arriving, I double check to make sure this is where the Honorable Judge Spicer will be holding his proceedings.  It pains me (again) to report that we are not in the correct building.

Gotcha.

Apparently, there is another Family Services building where Judge Spicer bangs his gavel and since this is his court room, we will go to him.  How do you get there, again?

We head back out and down a block to the correct location.  We meet Max on the way -- looking dapper -- and maintain our composure.

(read: try not to breathe like you just finished a marathon)

Upon entering the 2nd building, I quickly realize the double stroller was a VERY. BAD. IDEA. This building is much smaller and the security area is about 6 inches from the front door.  We bid Max adieu (mainly to save him from embarrassment) and begin the rigorous process of de-clothing, I mean coating, and putting everything through the security scanner.  

Gotcha.

I can't even re-live the tugging/wrenching/heaving process it took to get said stroller through the security check point for fear that I will break out in hives.  

Gotcha.

Once I think we are (OMGoodness-finally) done, I am detained for questioning as the officer needs to see the "EpiPen" in my purse.  After a lot of digging, I finally produce a Matchbox car and am released.

Gotcha.

Did I mention I am sweating profusely at this point?  Really.  Who needs Pilates?

In the end, the proceedings went beautifully (Gabe has a massive bowel movement in his diaper) and Max was a complete angel (Lauren keeps saying, "I thirsty!") during the entire thing.  It got a bit teary eyed when Sam and Jen (Abby keeps asking to sit beside me) were asked to explain their commitment and bond to Max.  

Gotcha.

Photo Tag

I was photo tagged and apparently I am to post the 6th picture from the 6th album on my computer.  

Of course its my husband being a goof ball....per the usual.

In lieu of "tagging", I will let you choose to participate.  Come on, its fun!

(in case you think this has anything to do with me being too lazy to officially tag and link up your blog, you are wrong.  I do not have a barnacle - aka Gabe - attached to me.  Nope.  So, if you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.)

Question of the Day

Guess what my Car Questions were today?

Mom, who shot Abraham Lincoln?  What was the name of the other President that was killed?  And why?

Wikipedia is soooooo much better at this kinda thing than I am:

Abraham was shot by John Wilkes Booth

Unfortunately, 3 other U.S. Presidents were assassinated: 

James Garfield

William McKinley

John F. Kennedy

There were also attempted assassinations on 12 additional Presidents, the latest of which was sitting President, George W. Bush.  He has had 2 attempted assassinations.  The first was outside the White House in 2001 and the 2nd was during a speech in Tbilisi, Georgia.  Both men were convicted.

(oh, and that was for your reading pleasure.  My kiddos got the very simple-- and vague-- answer.  As well as a few questions of my own like, Where did you hear this? and Why is it coming up?)

Hippopotamus Diet

Seems like a bit of an oxymoron, doesn't it?  

We were headed to the zoo yesterday when one of the kids asked me what hippos eat.  Now, I looooooooove these questions when I'm near Mac. 

(nothing wrong with looking like Super Mom occasionally)

The car is an entirely different story.  I stalled for time and then replied, "Grass?"

I went on to explain that they eat lots of different things (random guess) and would everyone like to find the hippos as soon as we get to the zoo (can't remember where they are despite bimonthly zoo visits) and there we can read the exhibit because it will tell us everything they eat. 

(right?)

As I finish outlining our (rather brilliant) plan of attack, Lauren pipes up from the back seat, 

"Or, we could just Google it Mom."

Right.

I think they're onto me.

Monday, Monday

You know its going to be a good learning day when you've already answered these questions and breakfast isn't even over yet:

Mom, is American Girl doll stuff so expensive because of shipping?

Mommy, did I come out of your womb with that hat on? (looking at birth photo)

And finally.....

Mom, do you think the little girl I donated my hair to last year is still wearing her wig?

Random Tuesday

Here are a few moments from the day.  Or, as my friend Bex tags her blog entries:  

Random. Totally Random.

Abigail is showing me a self-portrait she painted in her art class.  I noticed it is signed, 

"Abigail P. Scherer" 

and I'm pretty sure her middle name is still "Marie."

When asked about it she said, "I changed my middle name to 'Peaches' since that's what Dad calls me."

Wonder if I should hold off ordering a new birth certificate and social security card until she's for sure on this one?

Lauren was helping me make lunch (with Great Harvest bread for anyone wondering. Ok, I am cracking myself up as 2 friends emailed this week to ask what my obsession was with GH)  She started telling me how she can't wait to be a Mommy someday and make sandwiches for her little baby.  "I'm gonna make those teeny tiny ones like you eat when you drink tea."

Hmmmm.  Didn't realize you knew what crumpets were.

Madeline was working on Time-Order Charting (part of story drafting) and decided to chart out making a sandwich. 

(Wow, we do a lot of eating/thinking about eating/preparing for eating around here)

Her Time-Order Chart was as follows:

Make a PB & J Sandwich

1. One piece of bread

2. Add peanut butter

3. Add jelly

4. Slap a piece of bread on top

I corrected her paper by adding "organic" as needed.  I'm kidding.  Seriously.

I'm racking my brain trying to think of something Gabe did today.  I'm all about equal opportunity.  Oh, I got it.  He screamed my name for 45 minutes from his crib during nap time. And threw out all his blankets onto the floor.  And shook the crib bars which I could hear from anywhere in the house (believe me, I tested this one.) 

Yep, that's what he did.  My boy.

Random Thoughts

A few random things that happened today:

First off, can I give myself a tip and not wait an entire year next time to buy Thum??

Thum is the wickedly nasty lacquer you paint on if you want to break the thumb sucking/nail biting habit.  The main ingredient is cayenne pepper extract and let me tell you, its hot.....and nasty.  It instantly took me back to 1979.  Unfortunately, I was a bit more spirited (that's such a sweet way to describe myself at 5 yo) than Ellie and I would gnaw on my thumb until the lacquer wore off and then I was good-to-go.  Thumb sucking resumed.

Anyway, I finally picked some up last week and made a big deal of Lauren painting it on.  

Did it work?  Like. A. Charm.

She has not to much as put that thumb anywhere near her mouth. This, after 3 1/2 years of consistent thumb-in-the-mouth.  She is so proud of her paint job each day and refuses to "mess it up by getting it wet."

Are you kidding me?  I can't believe it is this easy.  I am still waiting for this to blow up in my face.  And for the bargain price of $2.79 and about 6 minutes of my time.

The other hilarious part of my day was when I came downstairs to find a sign on the front door. The girls love to make signs...especially when we are having company over.  Well, I went out to read it and here's what it said:

"Do to others as you would have them do to you!"

Our (former) Pastor is coming for dinner tonight.  

Brown-nose much?