Ad Nauseum
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
"___, you are not ___'s mom!"
"___, you are not ___'s dad!"
First Full Day of School for Everyone
A good family friend recently asked Jonathan, "When is Mary going to do the 'Happy Dance'?"
TODAY!!!
Descriptive Terms
I love to hear the words Kola sometimes chooses. They are not standard English, but they make perfect sense.
Carbonation in soft drinks makes them taste “spicy.”
If a boy has a short crewcut, he is "balded."
"Mom, be careful on the [wet] steps. They're 'slippy.'"
Propellers on an airplane are called “windmills.”
When it stops raining, you "little" your umbrella.
Learning
Four years ago, at the orphanage in Kirovograd, we saw a taxi pull up to the gate and a small child about four years old disembark. As a new arrival, he was very apprehensive, and as soon as the staff finished working with him, he mingled with the children in the yard. In no time at all, he burst into loud screams and tears. Immediately about thirty children surrounded him, reassuring him and offering him candy. They could not bear to hear him cry.
________________________
This morning at breakfast, it was VERY GOOD to hear David say,
"Kola is screaming and crying for no reason. Nobody did anything to him!"
That's a big improvement from the usual response from our children that we are treating Kola badly or even abusing him. They are starting to learn that little children have tantrums when emotions overwhelm them.
After working this morning with Kola, we narrowed the problem down to two possibilities. His big brother Paul played in his first football scrimmage, shortly after breakfast, and Kola had overhead comments from the coaches that football is a dangerous sport. After the scrimmage, we drove to Kola's elementary school to see the sign on the door announcing his teacher's name. With "Mrs. Farmer" firmly planted in his consciousness, and Paul safely finished with the game, Kola returned home much happier than when he left.
Parenting, Part II
I'm glad the joys outweigh the challenges.
Parenting
At times, it's hard business.
Another Anniversary
sight-seeing and fishing at Navy Pier
McDonald's lunch and snack
swimming and playing at a Lake Michigan beach
Yesterday, we celebrated four years together as a family. I also made my New Year's resolution, which feels more appropriate on August 18 than January 1.
Colors
I've heard that as we get older, we become more and more like our parents. For years, my mom has usually worn a cotton robe and clogs around the house. My morning uniform is very similar--cotton robe and crocks. I actually alternate two cotton robes--identical batik robes in green or blue given to me by a Filipina friend. They are getting quite worn, but they work very, very well. I wore the blue one a lot on our trip, so it was nice to pull out the green one this week at home.
_____________________
Kola lost his first baby tooth yesterday and proudly placed it under his pillow. This morning, he triumphantly displayed his dollar, telling us that the tooth fairy had visited him. I asked him if he had seen her. "Yes!"
"What did she look like?"
"Very tall--nine feet!"
"Do you know what she does with the teeth?"
"She had a necklace and a toe ring strung with teeth. Mine was on her toe ring."
Was it my imagination? I think he glanced at my robe as he told me:"And she was green!"
Not-So-Quiet Desperation
Over the years and through example, Jonathan's mother taught me the cardinal rule of discipline: distraction.
This afternoon, with my five youngest children in tow, we picked up Grandma and Grandpa Stahlke at the airport. On the way home, excitement ran so high in the van that I asked the kids to sing "Hundred Bottles of Beer on the Wall." Besides the interminable repetitions, we also experienced full volume and as many tempos as children!
Beginnings
The day I left for college still resonates in my memory. The packed car waited in the driveway while my family sat down to a marvelous breakfast. Mom served the best Belgian waffles I've ever eaten--they absolutely melted in my mouth. After eating, and with hugs and kisses, Dad and I began the long road trip from Houston to Rock Island, Illinois. As the oldest child in my family, my leave-taking marked the first time that our close-knit group of five would change forever.
For each person, the elements of a special event differ. Paul left early a few days ago for high school orientation, which for Walther H.S. is a two-day retreat at a local church camp. Paul didn't want any breakfast, but the two of us stopped at Dunkin' Donuts on the way, and I let him choose anything he wanted. A few minutes later, with his suitcase and a Pepsi in hand, he slowly walked into the school to wait for the bus. I wished him good luck and rejoiced silently as my oldest child began an important new venture.
Sleep Deprivation
On the big trip to Oregon, our six-year-old Kola melted down about once a day. Of course, his schedule was off due to traveling, but we didn't realize the full impact on him until the day after we arrived home.
Kola slept and slept that first morning. Finally at 10:30 am, Jonathan had to wake him--with some difficulty. Evidently, Kola knew he was finally back in his own bed and could relax . . . and relax . . . and relax . . .
Miles and Miles
A prior shopping trip at an Oak Park dollar store provided relief on long days of riding with six kids and a dog in a crowded van. I usually waited until the inevitable fights broke out to provide a distraction with the following "surprises." I got the idea from Kathy and Rich Fischer, who provided similar gifts for our train trip to Texas a few years ago.
(FYI, the place names are the towns in which we slept.)
Friday, July 17small notepads for drawing or journaling
Madison, WI
Saturday, July 18an entire pack of gum
Sioux City, SD
Sunday, July 19postcards from Wall Drug
Custer, SD
Monday, July 20pop bottles from Mt. Rushmore with "U.S. president" labels
Gillette, WY
Tuesday, July 21tiny cowboy and Indian figures (16 for each child)
West Yellowstone, MT
Wednesay, July 22fishing licenses for Yellowstone National Park
West Yellowstone, MT
Thursday, July 23postcards from Yellowstone
West Yellowstone, MT
Friday, July 24Junior Ranger activity books from Yellowstone
Mountain Home, ID
Saturday, July 25reading materials from the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center
Sandy, OR (site of partial family reunion for the Stahlkes)
Tuesday, July 28blueberry picking near Albany, OR (gift from Uncle Dave and Aunt Gale)
Waldport, OR
Saturday, August 1postcards of Oregon
Klamath Falls, OR
Sunday, August 2travel activity books
(One book was a children's atlas of the United States, and for each page I wrote down the name of the child who found the first car with a license plate from that state. By our return to Chicago, they found all but Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Virginia.)
Elko, NV
Monday, August 3card games
Green River, UT
Tuesday, August 4pack of gum (for altitude issues in the Rocky Mountains)
Fairplay, CO (site of partial family reunion for the Bensons)
Friday, August 7candy bracelets
Gothenburg, NB
Saturday, August 8puzzle books
Des Moines, IA
Sunday, August 9punch balls (what was I thinking?)
Chicago, IL
