Summer is here! Not that it is ever anything but in South Florida, but still.
We're planning to take full advantage.
Devon's five-hours-a-week school lets out mid-May, so I'm savoring these last few girls only mornings. The girls have developed a swing addiction and a preference for their own instead of back-to-back in one.
It's so nice to walk with the girls instead of putting them in a stroller, like we have to if Devon is with us. I keep thinking that at some point I will have to develop a plan for outings with all three on foot. Baby leashes? Hold on to the rope?
Three years old means learning how to serve others. Mommy's Big Helper feeds Carrie her oaties sometimes.
Melina is not interested.
Mommy tries not to mind the extra mess generated by a helpful boy. She's trying to teach her kids that serving others makes for a happy heart. At the rate she is going, she should be very happy by now.
Carrie is very impressed by big brother, and always wants to do what he does.
Sometimes Devon wakes up silly in the mornings. Sometimes he Skypes with Grammy:
Devon: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Grammy: Are you having a crazy day today, Devon Boy?
Devon: Yes
Grammy: What made your day so crazy?
Devon: God
At a birthday party, Devon gets a wipe and goes after the chocolate cake on the girls' faces. Onlookers are amused.
Devon: These are MY girls. They are not your girls. They are MY Carrie and Melina.
He gestures to the correct girl with each name, so I am wondering if he is finally starting to tell them apart.
Remnants of chocolate cake are still on the girls' faces after Devon's scrubbing, but we swing anyway. Carrie and Melina have to make do in the same swing when Devon is around, but they don't mind.
Devon is usually the one to suggest that we wake the girls up in the morning. The first fifteen minutes with all three awake are usually the sweetest in my entire day. Devon is tanked up with Mommylove and Daddylove from waking up earlier and enjoying some undivided attention, so he is exceptionally patient and charming with "the girlies".
We usually go into the girls' room together and help them take their Gucks off. Then the three amigos get busy: reading books, passing their sippies back and forth, or just climbing on the cribs and laughing hysterically.
One morning last week Devon found my phone and had fun talking to Siri.
Devon: Siri, I WANT TO TALK TO MY DADDY!
Siri: Please say the text of your message to 'Dad'
Devon: holds the phone up to Melina
Melina: Uh-oh
Devon: sees the 'send' button appear on the touchscreen and pushes it
Siri interpreted Melina's exclamation as "Hi!" and didn't know that my dad and Devon's dad are two different people. That is how my children independently texted a greeting to Grandpa at 5:55 am California time.
Oops.
Poor Siri. She has a hard time understanding what my children are saying to her. I had to screen capture this little gem last week.
I'm pleased by the strides the kids are making in the important skills of sharing, turn-taking, and keeping hands to oneself. They've been hard lessons these past six months.
We watched Orb win the Kentucky Derby three weeks ago, sniffling a bit because the kids don't remember their Old Kentucky Home.
Two weeks ago was Mother's Day. My best gift was Craig taking Devon to do the grocery shopping, and their faces when they came home and presented me with my flowers.
Last week was Daddy's Birthday. Craig turned 40 with a celebratory trip to the zoo and an 80's dance party as we made our Sunday Soup Night offering. I know, right? Friends are always surprised to know Craig is 40. Whether he's playing hide and seek with three shrieking littles or bringing his Thriller moves out of mothballs, he never acts his age.
This week's blog wouldn't be complete without noting that my nights have gotten hectic again. Melina is teething, and Devon has inexplicably started nightwaking again, running to get me several times a night. It's so much more difficult than newborn night feedings with tiny snuggles and a silent house to enjoy.
Insult to injury that the offender is, without fail, up early and ready to be a handful because they didn't get enough sleep. I marvel that more sleep-deprived parents don't fall asleep at the wheel from the general exhaustion they experience. I know I shouldn't be driving today!!!
Staring into my morning coffee after yet another night of screaming, I ponder how the experience gives us something in common.
Right now, I want MY mommy to hold me until I fall asleep.
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