Camping...McCarthy style

Is it normal for a 4 year old boy to prefer to sleep on a pile of pillows at the foot of his bed with a canopy of beach towels over his head than to sleep in his bed? I find it odd and frustrating, and having never been a 4 year old boy, I just can't relate. This has been going on for over two weeks now and I am over it. Particularly since the top of the "tent" (e.g., one edge of the beach towels) is tucked into his underwear drawer and he fusses at me every single morning for wrecking his tent when I open the drawer to pick out his clothes. But it is one of those things that just isn't worth doing battle over. Another night in the tent it is....

Stubborn as a mule

I don't know how I ever got through the first 36 years of my life without a 4 year old guiding me along. We have had exactly 2 homework assignments from pre-k and already Evan has decided that he knows more than I do. His teachers sent home a "Bb" worksheet yesterday and asked that we work with Evan on his technique. He is apparently doing just fine tracing the dots to make the Bs, but he is not going from top to bottom with his strokes. He likes to make the straight line from bottom to top and then go back to the bottom to start the "bubbles" as I called them. So, we sat down this afternoon to work. As I tried to instruct him on how to properly trace the dots from top to bottom to make Bs, he informed me that I was absolutely wrong. He also informed me that the curvy lines are NOT called bubbles. When asked what they are called, he thought for a long time and finally said they are called circles. It is going to be a LONG 14 years....

Girls are from Venus, Boys are from Mars

My kids are so different. Since we got home from school, Evan has done nothing but crash things into other things and make big sound effects. Pressley has been obsessed with her baby doll and stroller. After she poured my bottle of water all over the doll trying to "feed" her, I went and got her a real baby bottle. That kept her occupied for a while. Then, when I was reading to Evan, Pressley disappeared upstairs. I found her trying to put one of her own diapers onto the baby--luckily a clean one.... Anyway, I found a real newborn-sized diaper in her changing table drawer and she is thrilled to have a new diaper for the baby. Seriously - they could not be more different.

I got nothin'...

I wish I had something witty, funny, insightful, or profound to say tonight. But, I got nothin'. I am likely just too tired. Perhaps I'll be inspired tomorrow.

Aqua Fit

When I joined the gym, the guy that signed me up told me that they have this fabulous Aqua Fit class. I asked if the class was mostly comprised of elderly ladies and told him that my previous experience with water aerobics led me to believe that this demographic would be widely represented. He told me that the instructor is so good that people of all ages and fitness levels attend the Aqua Fit class. He lied. There were exactly 3 0f us under 40 this morning. Old ladies aside, I liked the class. The instructor was good: not an old lady and super-fit. I found the class to be one of those things that you can tailor to your fitness level - not that my fitness level is ALL that superior to the old ladies, but I did keep up a lot better than most (OK, all) of them, if I do say so myself. I think I'll go back next week. After running/walking on the treadmills with the Barbie and Ken dolls who have their machines set at 6.8 while mine is set somewhere between 3.2 and 3.8, this was a much-needed fitness ego boost. I don't know why, but the Barbies and Kens always seem to choose the machines right beside mine. I always select a nice isolated treadmill with no one on either side so I can sweat and suffer in peace and solitude. The next thing you know, here comes some chick in short shorts, a jog bra, and a blond ponytail to sprint right beside me (in my yoga pants and baggy t-shirt). Why do they do that?

On a serious note

Last night was a rough night for me. I could not sleep. I do struggle with insomnia from time to time, but last night was different. Sleep was difficult because my heart was heavy.

My biggest fear in life is losing my sweet husband or one of my precious children. Yesterday, my mom gave me the People magazine with the story of Steven Curtis Chapman's tragic loss. Many of you may know the story: Chapman, a christian singer, adopted 3 daughters from China when his 3 biological children were teenagers. In May of this year, one of the biological sons was returning home and parking his SUV when the youngest adopted daughter (only 5 years old) ran out to greet him. He did not see her and backed over her, killing her. The account of the pain and loss this family has suffered (most of all the son involved in the accident) made me weep. Their story of courage and faith only made me weep more deeply. (Sweet Evan walked over and said, "Mommy, when you finish reading, can you come help us build our tower? So, I immediately set about the business of playing with and tickling my own kids, and my mood was lifted.)

Later, after the kids were all tucked in, I was blog-stalking and happened upon a link titled The Story of Audrey Caroline. Even as I clicked, I knew the story would not be happy and that I was asking for it. I spent the next 30 minutes reading about a christian couple who was pregnant with their 4th daughter when, at their 20 week ultrasound, they found out that she had multiple maladies that would certainly claim her life either in utero, during delivery, or shortly after her birth. The doctors recommended terminating the pregnancy, but this couple of faith decided that they would keep the baby until God took her. Audrey Caroline was born in April of this year and lived only a couple of hours. The family's story was similarly tragic and similarly inspiring. They have used their tragedy to tell untold numbers of people about the hope that only Christ can give.

I nearly had a panic attack as I wondered why God would lead me to read these two accounts of tragic loss in the same evening. I just can't think about it. Unfortunately, I know a lot of folks who have had to endure unspeakable suffering with their children. I marvel at the strength these folks display and the testimonies of God's grace they are able to share through their pain. I thank our Lord that he never throws circumstances at us that he doesn't also provide us with the strength to endure. However, I pray fervently that I will never have to experience such loss (or such strength) first-hand. I am glad that God has given me a spirit of empathy and compassion, but sometimes I do wish it came with an off switch.

On a lighter note, here is a photo of Pressley, who found a pair of Evan's shorts while I was typing this entry and insisted on wearing them.

"Gangsta' Pressley"

The return of Lightning McQueen

Yesterday was a much better day than Friday. Evan went right into his classroom and sat down, so he earned his Jibbit back. For the record, it was Sally (the girl car from Cars) that I took from him Friday and returned on Monday. Not Lightning McQueen. I had to leave something else to threaten that was nearer and dearer to his heart than what I originally confiscated. Anyway, we took Sally with us to school yesterday, and as soon as Evan sat in his chair like a big boy, I took his shoe off and returned the beloved Jibbit. Today... well, today was not bad, but it was not as easy as yesterday because there was no instant gratification (a.k.a: bribe) for cooperating. Sigh. Corin and I are still learning what works and what doesn't as we muddle through figuring out this parent thing.

This afternoon was a lovely afternoon. I have figured out that the period between 2:30 (when school gets out) and 7 p.m. (when Corin gets home from work) is just too long to leave unstructured. So, today we went to the pool. The kids were great. We showered them off before we left and put on dry clothes, so I was able to immediately start cooking supper when we got home. And, they were tired enough to sit in front of an hour-long episode of Diego and just let me cook in peace. We need more afternoons like this one. Must find more free after school activities....

Evan's first golf outing

Today was a busy day. We went to church, Sunday school. and then lunch with my parents. I had a baby shower to go to at 1 p.m, so I left lunch early for that. Meanwhile, Corin took the kids home after lunch for naps. Corin had played golf yesterday with his law school crowd and Evan was jealous, so Corin told Evan that maybe the two of them would play today. Now Pressley was jealous. GO PLAY GOLF!! she cried, over and over. So, at 4:30 this afternoon, the whole family headed to Cross Creek (where Corin and I lived during our early married years) to play at the par three course over there. My job was to take pictures, keep Pressley from getting clobbered with a club, and to whisk her away when she'd had enough. Turned out she had enough after 2 holes. I forced her to endure a 3d hold so I could get a few more pictures, but then I took her back to the clubhouse for some juice. All in all, it was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Although, it would have been more pleasant had the humidity been less that 100%. I've attached a few photos below and more are linked at the left.

Daddy helps line up the first shot.

How cute are they??

Evan pars his first hole (with a little help from Corin).

Pressley poses as if she had parred the hole.

First week of pre-k

Well, our first week of pre-k is over. Thank goodness. It was a week of highs and lows. After missing Tuesday and Wednesday because of his fever, Evan returned to school on Thursday and had another banner day. I spent my free time working out with a personal trainer (the freebie you get when you join the gym) and running errands. Then I picked the kids up, we went to the park...it was lovely. Cut to Friday. At the breakfast table, Pressley asks what the plan is for the day (not exactly in those words) and I tell her we are taking Evan to school and then going to the gym. Pressley was very excited about going to the gym, what with the expectation of beeing fed Cheetos at 9 a.m. and all. Evan was not amused. He got it into his head that the gym must be this magical, mystical place that he was missing out on. I tried to convince him that it was no such thing, but he is stubborn and tends to believe what he wants to believe. That set off a chain of events that was most unpleasant. I tried to be perky and encouraging and sympathetic to coax him into his classroom at school, but that didn't work so well for me. So after the 10th time that he refused to enter his classroom with the stubborn statement "I don't LIKE school!", I started threatening and counting and whatever else I could think of. I finally resorted to threatening to spank him. Yes, we spank in our house. It did not go as planned, however, since the whole way down the hallway toward the bathroom for the spanking Evan was yelling, "You're going to HIT me!! You're going to HIT me!!" Yes, indeed I was. I'm ready for my mother of the year award now!!

When that didn't work either, I took away one of his beloved Jibbitz out of his Crocs. Took his Croc off right in the middle of the hallway and took Lightning McQueen clean off his shoe. THAT got him. Still, he was not cooperative until one of his teachers mercifully intervened. He has been promised the return of Lightning McQueen if he is cooperative tomorrow morning. We'll see how that goes.

The irony of the whole thing is that, when we got to the magical, mystical gym, Pressley cried. Seriously!?!?!

Not exactly according to plan

Today was supposed to be Evan's second day of pre-K and my first day of solo errand-running in quite some time. Sadly, around 1:30 this morning, that plan derailed. I was very disappointed both because Evan seemed to have a great time at school yesterday and I hated for him to miss it already and because I was so looking forward to going to the grocery store all by my self. It is a much faster process when you don't have to pause to tell somebody to "stop that" every five seconds.

Nevertheless, Evan came crawling into bed with us at 1:30 a.m., burning up with fever and coughing pitifully. None of us slept well: Evan because he felt so bad and us because he was kicky and cough-y and, well, just so darn hot. So, this morning, instead of taking him to school, I kept him home and took him to the doctor. We have also been concerned that his shingles have not completely cleared up. (If you have been around Evan, please be assured that we have repeatedly been told that he is not contagious as long as the rash is covered. The doctor told me last week, in fact, that nursing mothers with shingles can actually continue to nurse an infant so long as the rash is covered.) Anyway, the doctor said it looked like he had developed some skin irritation on top of the shingles because they are located under his arm in an area that gets a good bit of friction when he swings his arm. The cough is apparently not croup and his throat looked ok, but we earned ourselves an antibiotic to treat the skin irritation secondary to the shingles and to ward off any potential strep throat. So hopefully, he is finally on the mend. Poor little guy!

On a happier note, my aunt sent me some photos we took of the kids this past weekend at the lake. We found out that Pressley is quite the little thrill-seeker. She loves the jet ski and the boat. On the jet ski, she insists on going "faster, faster"; and on the boat, she enjoys sitting in the bow like a hood ornament with the wind in her hair. She does get concerned from time to time that her pigtails might blow away, but otherwise, she is in her element. Evan is a little more reserved. He enjoyed the boat and jet ski, but his favorite part of the lake experience appeared to be running full speed the length of the dock and off the end without slowing down. (Photos also linked at left.)

Pressley rides the jet ski with her daddy

Evan waits patiently for daddy to return to finish the ride after stopping (at Evan's insistence) at a little island beach

Pressley also enjoyed "helping" Lynn ice Lindsey's Happy Birthday Cake

A new chapter

Evan started pre-k today. It was not nearly as traumatic for me as it was for moms who were sending their kids to new schools with lunchboxes, backpacks, and school uniforms. For us, it was merely a return to a familiar place to promote to a new classroom since we were fortunate enough to get into the lottery-funded pre-k program at the Frazer Center - where Evan has been since he was 15 months old. Nevertheless, it is a new chapter in our lives and we are excited to watch Evan grow and learn (apparently he's even going to learn French).

Pressley and I started our own new routine this morning. From now on when we drop Evan off at school, we will head to the gym so I can work out and she can play in the Kidz Klub. She throughly enjoyed herself this morning and when I returned, she was covered in Cheeto dust, so I know she had a good time. Riding toys, books, slides and cheese puffs - what more could a 2 year old ask for?? As for me, I have eliminated as many excuses to keep me from going to the gym as possible. Since I have to drop Evan off before 8, I no longer have to get up early to work out. In fact, with this new schedule, I'll actually get to sleep a little later since all I will have to do is roll out of bed and into my workout clothes before taking him to school. Since I can take Pressley with me, that will not provide an excuse either. So, when you see me, ask me if I've been going to the gym 5 days a week. My answer better be YES.

There are still a few kinks in the routine that we'll have to work out. For example, Pressley has had 2 mini-naps in the car today, but no real nap. I will try again to put her down after we pick Evan up at 2:30, but who knows whether that will be successful. My hope is that Evan is so exhausted from his first day of big boy school that he will nap too. Is that too much to hope for?

Cute kid stories...

My kids have been awake since 5:30 this morning and I am grumpy, so I am needing to remind myself of why they are so dear. Last night I went out to dinner with some of my dear friends from college. Since I am not allowed to be out of Pressley's sight for even a moment, she was with me in the bathroom as I flat-ironed my hair to get ready to go out. I love my flat iron, but every once in a while it will decide to grab one or two hair and just rip them out. Last night was one of those times. So I was standing there saying, "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow...." and Pressley looks up at me with this look of pure concern and says, "Happeen Mommy? Happeen?" (Translation: what happened mommy?) So I tell her I pulled my hair and it hurt really bad. She rushes over to me and throws her arms around my leg and then plants a kiss right on the back of my thigh (with the mmmm-uh sound effect) and says "I sorry Mommy." How sweet is that?

The Evan story is a little old, but still deserves to be told. Last Saturday after we climbed Stone Mountain, you may recall that we went to a birthday party. Evan was standing there at the party eating cake with some of his buddies from school that he hasn't seen much this summer. They were all covered in frosting from head to toe, so Corin approaches Evan with a wet napkin to clean him up. Evan looks up to see Corin coming and then looks at his buddy Robert, lowers his voice about an octave and says (in a mob movie accent), "We've been ratted out, boys!" We knew he had to be quoting from a movie, but couldn't place the quote. He said it again later that day (to no one in particular) and I got the chance to ask him where he had heard that before. He told me that is what the penguins say in "Madagascar" when they get caught escaping from the zoo. Too funny. That one is going to be a movie buff like his daddy and a movie quoter like his mom.

OK. I'm less grumpy now. This blogging thing is so therapeutic.

Last days of summer

My sister is back at school already for pre-planning, so my mom has Will for three days (Abby is staying with her other grandmother). So, together, we have been trying to keep the kids busy since everyone knows that bored children are much more likely to drive you mad. Yesterday we went to Fernbank to see the Polar Bears and Penguins exhibit. It was cute. The kids got to dress up like penguins and slide down an "ice" slide, they got to put on polar bear paws and walk around on their hands, and they got to play a little game where you are supposed to "catch" fish as they light up - a little like whack-a-mole without the weapon. Then we went to the permanent discovery rooms and let them play some more. Good times were had by all. There are more pictures at the link to the left.

Today, we took the boys (Pressley was at school) to the Botanical Gardens. Had we not climbed Stone Mountain on Saturday, I would say it was really hot out there today. However, given Saturday's experience, I guess today wasn't so bad. The BG has a new exhibit called Sculpture in Motion or some such thing. There were some neat sculptures, but as you might imagine with a 4 year old and 7 year old boy, we spent most of the time in the children's garden area. They had another fun day. Tomorrow, Will and GranNan are coming to go to the pool with us. One last hoorah before Will starts 2nd grade and Abby starts kindergarten on Thursday. Evan doesn't start pre-K until next Monday, but that is soon enough for me. I am looking forward to having some alone time, but I can't believe my little boy is growing up so fast. Luckily, he is still going to the same school where he has always been. There is no uniform or backpack or lunchbox involved quite yet, so I can still pretend he's not in real school. I digress. Anyway, there are also photos from the BG linked at the left, but there are not great. My camera battery was dead, so I had to use my camera phone. There is a BIG difference in the quality....

Aren't weekends supposed to be relaxing?

We have had another busy weekend. Yesterday morning we were sitting around discussing what we should do before the birthday party we were all going to at 4pm. For some insane reason, we thought that climbing Stone Mountain sounded like a fun family activity. Those of you who know me well will realize that I really must have been having a moment of insanity to agree to that, but it was all in the name of my new pledge to live a healthier lifestyle. (I'm also eating salads almost daily, which is a stretch for me, but that is a story for another day.) Anyway, we left the house shortly after 11am and headed to the park. On the way, the temperature reading in the car said it was 91 degrees outside. Lovely. But we pressed on. Surprisingly, we made it to the top without incident. Pressley mostly rode on Corin's shoulders. Evan and I walked all by ourselves without being carried at all and with very little complaining. I don't know if that was a bigger feat for him or me. I was very proud of both of us, but he was the only one who earned a diet coke for the accomplishment. I had packed a picnic lunch for us to eat at the top of the mountain (which Corin also carried...thank goodness I married a pack mule). It was a lovely picnic even though it was hot as hades, I sat in a bed of fire ants, and Evan fretted the whole time that his sandwich would fall off his plate and roll off the mountain. We really did have a very good time despite the heat. We made it down safely without any of us (and by that I mean me) injuring ourselves and having to be rescued. We will definitely do it again, but I vote we wait until fall.

When we got home, we had just enough time to strip off our sweat-soaked clothes, shower off and go to the birthday party. The party was just down the street and also outside. It was a fun party, but since Corin and I had dinner plans (an honest-to-goodness-grown-up-night-out), two hours later we were once again stripping off sweat-soaked clothes to take a quick shower and get ready for dinner. It was worth it though. We had a lovely time with Shay, James, Stephanie, and Jason. It is always good to have a conversation without having to stop 6 times to say, "Honey, you'll have to wait your turn. Can't you see that mommy is talking?"

Today was church and another birthday party, naps (well, attempted naps anyway), and then the pool. Aren't weekends supposed to be relaxing?