Change In Plans

You've all seen the idea of four gifts floating around the interwebs. I've always liked it. We do small and simple for Christmas, so it's not all that different from our norm. This year I decided to embrace it. Easy enough, right?

We explained to the ladies the concept, and that it mimics what we were already doing. We also assured them that would be visiting family at Christmas too [read: you'll have plenty of craps]. Walking through each of the items the girls understood and were happy to offer an idea or two. That was until we reached need.

They didn't quite grasp the idea of need. Husband and I tried to explain it. He likened it to needing new pants, something that has happened recently thanks to growth spurts. They assured us they had all the clothes they needed, and that clothes fell under something you wear. Sigh.
We are fortunate, very fortunate, to not have our children know true need. They understand that other children aren't so lucky. They can list needs, and understand that theirs are met, but I'm still not sure they totally grasp the idea. I'm going to call that a win!

So to better fit our needs, we will scrap need. We are fortunate to be a family without need. Instead I am going to sub in something to share. Something we can share with our sister, family, or friends. Fits nicely with the season and with how I hope to raise these wonderful ladies.

So what are you Christmas plans?

It's now the end of November and I have only half a list complied for our Acts of Kindness calendar. Yikes!

A Way With Words

She silently slipped away, up to her room. I went about cleaning up the pieces. A few moments later her sister appears to announce that the offender is upstairs, crying.

I rather loudly announced that perhaps it would be a good idea for the teary-eyed child to come discuss her tears with me and continued to tidy. Her decision to hide behind the sofa hadn't been her wisest. An unfortunate consequence of this endeavor was the falling of the curtains. Had it only have been the curtain rod this would not have been such a hoopla, but in her stumble my little ballerina managed to bend the bracket that holds the rod AND rip it out of the 100 year old plaster wall. Of course these are details that only interest me and while I successfully held my tone, I'm sure my body language accurately reflected my true feelings. 

So the little person appears, wrapped in a blanket with red eyes. She says she's upset because she believes I'm mad. I gently inform her that she is correct. Then the tears start and out comes: 

I don't belong here because I make everything worse. 

I think my heart stopped. She certainly has a way with words! It was about that time that I got teary-eyed and we had ourselves a nice heart to heart. I built that sweet child up with every piece of wonderful she possesses. Mistakes help us grow and no one is immune. I believe she walked away knowing she was desperately wanted and truly belongs here and no where else. 

So as I sit here listening to the shower shenanigans of two little ladies I have this new hidden fear in the pit of my stomach. Do you really think I would disown you over a curtain rod ever?

Out of the mouths of babes. 

Daily Life

While stuck home with a sick little lady for the second day in as many weeks I started sorting through the ladies' bedroom. 

Wow!

It used to be an in-and-out process. Tidy, sort, and on to the next. Now they have So. Much. Stuff. It's not that they have all that many items, it's just that the items are so much more complex. The puzzles went from 24 to 250 pieces. We no longer have a few books, we have a few book series. We don't have a doll, we have a doll and care set. We don't have blocks, we have leg.os and magna tiles. Everything has pieces and parts. They have to be separated, sorted, and properly stored. 

So. Much. Stuff. 

So I was excited to come across the family books I made the ladies when they were 3-ish. It was a pleasant reminder of simpler times. 

But whoa! Who are those kids?! 

What happened to us??

On To The Next

Now that halloween is over...

Obligatory picture

Mother Nature and Merlin the wizard are already moving on to the upcoming holiday, and not thanksgiving. To be honest, so am I. It's hard not to when Christmas advertising and displays now roll out before halloween. Gah!

So here I am struggling with Christmas already. I like to keep things simple and small. I am also at a loss. The older they get the more we seem to stray from or rebel against the generally accepted and popular gifts kids this age get. 

Then this popped up.

Mother Nature's favorite instrument. 

It is a state of disrepair, and has been for some time. Both of the ends have come off. It is scratched up, wobbly, and has been beaten to death. But she loves it. So much so that she has asked for another!

A quick amazon search has turned up some better options, although less colorful, so I think I have bagged a smile for Christmas already! Now if only I could find out what to wow a wizard with!