Sometimes all three of my kids nap at the same time and when this miracle of miracles occurs, I run around frantically doing 45 things in the time allowance for 3. I have a never ending to do list, but I like it that way. I am a list maker. They keep me organized and make me feel on task. Plus, at the end of the day, I love to see all the scratches through the things I got done. With three kids, I'm all about the multitask. I return phone calls and text messages while waiting in line for pre school pick up. Although I am never on the phone when Marin gets back in the car. Then we all greet her and ask about her day and tell her how much we missed her while she was gone.
John is on a pretty good schedule now. It's a loose, my sister is in ballet now so I'm going to have my first nap in my car seat, type of schedule, but it's a schedule none the less. He takes 3 naps a day. His first one is about an hour after he wakes up, the second in the afternoon while Emilie naps, and the third is in the late afternoon. We try to stick pretty close to an eat, play, sleep schedule, but again, sometimes we all have to be flexible.
Marin has just this week, I think given up her nap for good. Now she has quiet, independent play during Emilie and John's afternoon nap. This means that she is allowed to draw or write or read or do whatever she would like (other than tv) but she has to do it on her own and she needs to do it quietly. She likes it. And I think its good for her. Marin loves to draw pictures, use tape, cut, staple, color, write and then send mail. We've spent a lot on postage and tape. :) Who says no one sends a real letter anymore? Marin would send 10 a day if I let her. She also reads and writes many sentences on her own, and can sound almost everything out. What she doesn't know how to spell, (like because), she asks. And many times she remembers for the next time. She has excellent handwriting and a crazy good memory. Marin also LOVES to sing and dance. She learns songs word for word after only hearing them once. And she and Emilie love to put on shows together on the stage that Jason made them for Christmas (complete with a real curtain, real hardwood floor, spot lights on a dimmer, and accent lighting!). In addition to preschool and "church school"- one afternoon at the lutheran church- Marin is in gymnastics, ballet, theatre class and library class.
Emilie is a pistol. She's funny, and smart and imaginative and fiery. She loves to breastfeed her babies, (although I've also seen her do this from her stomach) and play pretend. She loves anything with a handle and likes to "pack". She is extremely verbal and reports things back with hand motions and facial expressions to boot. She likes to work on her "baputer", go to grandma and grandpas and snuggle. She's almost always the first one awake in the morning announcing, "Mommy, I'm awake!! It's morning time!!!" Emilie is "friends" with everyone she meets. If she sees someone in Target, for example, that she has seen only one other time before (including in the parking lot 3 minutes prior) she announces, "That's my friend! He's nice to me!" Recently we were at Aunt Vee and Uncle GUB's house. We passed a worn down farm and Jason said, "Oh, there's old Willy Waller's house." Because I had never heard of him before, I asked, "Who is Willy Waller?" and Emilie pipped up immediately, "Willy Waller's my friend." I said, "Oh yeah?" And she said, "Yeah. He's nice to me." Emilie is in ballet and library class and she goes two days a week to "school".
Jason doesn't want the girls to ever grow up. Of course, neither do I. But sometimes they will do something that seems so grown up and Jason will joke, "Marin, I thought I told you not to grow up!" She laughs and laughs and says that she has to grow up so she can be a (doctor, ballerina, wild kratt- whatever her future career aspiration of the week is) but that she is never going to get married and she's going to live with us forever. Emilie, however, asked me recently if she could "pease have a fancy wedding when I grow up?!"
One day at nap time I heard a little commotion upstairs so I went up to investigate and I found Marin in Emilie's bed, both of them giggling like crazy. If that isn't a symphony of music to a mom's ears, I don't know what is. I always tell Jason, in the end, all our three kids will have is each other. So if they sometimes join forces against us, as long as they do it amicably and respectfully, it's almost adorable.
Yes, every day life is often a little nutty and I would be nowhere with out my lists. But it's the little moments that make life so truly grand. The many cards and pictures from Marin with "I love you Mommy" written at the top. Or one of Emilie's epic snuggles, or a giant toothy grin from John. It's seeing the girls playing house together or practicing their sashay in circles around the living room, or working together to try to get me to make mac and cheese for lunch. It's watching them love their brother so genuinely and kiss his forehead so sweetly. Those are the moments of pure and abundant joy in my life. And they are the moments that I cling to on the not so joyful days. But thats another post... :)
John was Baptised on Sunday during a very special ceremony at Old St. Patrick's in Chicago. This is the same church were Marin and Emilie were baptized, and it is a very special place, and is the oldest public building in Chicago. I am delighted that John was welcomed into our faith in such a wonderful church. Father Tom Hurley officiated the ceremony and it was very lovely and joyous. Six other children were baptized at the same time, although it still felt very thoughtful and unique for our John John.
