Heaven

Out of the blue, as I was getting ready for work yesterday, Ali came in my room and asked me where Heaven was. I tried to explain in five year old terms that it's not a place like McDonald's or Grandma's house, but a place your soul goes after you, er, die. Then she wanted to know when she was going to die. Then she started crying. "What if I get there before you? Who will take care of me? Nobody will love me there! I will miss you too much! Who will give me breakfast? What if it's BORING?!" Nothing I said would stop the tears. In fact, all my answers seemed to add to her hysteria. It was one of those difficult parenting moments where I just wanted to hold her and cry too! Finally I told her that it's just a big, complicated concept for someone who's five and when she's bigger we can talk about it some more. How do you tell a five year old not to worry about it? Then I suggested she call her Grandma. (When you can't fix it, pass the buck... )

This conversation with Ali reminded me of my worries as a little girl. Countless nights spent fretting over the depletion of the ozone layer, global warming and house fires. I would lay in bed and prioritize my sister and stuffed animals. Like, if our house was on fire, first I would rescue blankie, then Leslie, then Bear, but the rest would probably burn. My parents, of course, would have the sense to save themselves. Then my guilt would force me to spend an hour singing, "You are my sunshine" to all the stuffed animals and toys that wouldn't make it.

I must have been an over-informed kid. No more church for Ali. Just kidding....

Mia's Mothering

Here is a little girl obsessed with babies. I can't pretend that I don't know where she gets it! Baby Pierce and all his accessories are her new favorite play-things. She wants to hold Pierce, feed Pierce, rock Pierce, kiss Pierce, burp Pierce and watch Pierce sleep. The other kids are in the pool, but Mia is watching Auntie Leslie feed Pierce. And when Pierce is napping, Mia uses his bottles to feed her baby dolls she has strapped into Pierces' carseat.

She swaddles up her babies and carries them around the house making "shushing" noise. Mia still refers to James as her "baby". My favorite phrase from Mia lately is "Drop me off Baby's howse, otay? Right now!" She says this as we load up into the car for any errand...

Here are the girls in their playroom on an average afternoon; Ali is in full dress-up gear and Mia is mothering her favorite baby. Mia has a very diverse brood, and "Black Baby" is her favorite. Yes, that is her name given by Mia. She picked up on the most obvious distinguishing characteristic and her favorite babies became "Black Baby" and "White Baby". It's all very cute when we're at home, but when baby accompanies us to the grocery store, it can get a little uncomfortable... "No cry Black Baby!!" "No, no White Baby, no hit! Say sorry!" "No treat White Baby." "My Black Baby nappy. Shush, shush... " It sounds really bad, especially that last part.. "nappy" is "napping" except Mia doesn't get the "ing".

Ali's mothering techniques come across a bit more bossy. There is always a consequence for babies and sisters that do not follow directions. Everyone usually ends up in time out for something....
Ali has pretty much ditched her dress up trunk and now raids my closet for acceptable attire. You may recognize this dress from mine and Joe's vacation photos...

Mommy News

You may or may not know that I have been considering going back to school for a while... Joe finally got tired of hearing about it and said, "Send in your application already! See what happens!" Well, I was accepted! I'm terribly excited and terribly anxious about what the next three years are going to be like! I should complete my program with a master's of science in nursing by 2012 and then plan to practice as a nurse midwife. Your prayers as I get started would be greatly appreciated - and then if you could pray for my sanity for the next three years...

Kindergarten!

Today was Ali's very first day of Kindergarten! We were all very excited to see her start school - Ali is ready to be a big kid, Mia is ready to play with Ali's things, and Mom and Dad are ready for a few hours of quiet!! Ali is in Mrs. Knudson's class from 8-11am. She has decided after today that that isn't enough time. Funny... I was thinking the same thing!!

And what does a new Kindergartener do on her first day of school? Well, she says she talked to the kids at her table, but she doesn't remember their names. Then she was supposed to draw a picture of anything she wanted, so she drew a heart, a picture of her teacher and the words "I love you 2". Then they went on a gingerbread hunt only to find their classroom full of gingerbread cookies at every table when they returned! Then they went outside and waited for their moms and dads. Sounds like a great day, huh?

Started the day with a good breakfast of pancakes, pears and milk!

"Mom? Why are you taking a picture of me eating breakfast?"

"Cause you've never eaten breakfast as a Kindergartener before!"

Then she brushed her teeth till they sparkled..

"I haven't brushed my teeth as a Kindergartener before?"

"That's right!"

Perfect hair, new dress, new shoes, new backpack! She's ready!!

Could she be any cuter??

We have arrived at Kindergarten!

(A picture is worth a thousand words, isn't it?)

The cafeteria is called "Kids Way Cafe".

Little sister got in the car after helping see big sister to class and began shuffling through Ali's sticker book chanting, "Ali no mad at me! Ali no mad at me!! Me play Ali toys!"