Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A Moment In Time

How often do I count the minutes before I can put the kids to bed? How often do I pray for the kids to just.stop.talking? I came home from work today....well, really this started yesterday....Daughter announced yesterday that tomorrow (today) she was going to take pictures of us in front of the Christmas tree. All fine and dandy, except yesterday we forgot, and she only remembered when it was time to go to bed. Of course. So I told her we could do it in the morning.Which we didn't, because it's always a war zone around here in the mornings. Getting ready for work, for school, for life. So, fast forward to evening, when I walk in the door after a full day of from work. The kids assail me, which is typical. And heartwarming. Until it's not. After wrestling with all three kids in my work clothes,  I go upstairs and change into something more comfortable. We sit down to dinner, and Daughter announces that we haven't taken pictures yet, and in order for her to take pictures, we all have to dress up. What?! I had just changed, so I told her she could take pictures of me as I am. And she refused. Of course. No pictures if we don't dress up. I was firmly standing my ground. Suddenly I realized that Husband was nowhere in sight. And then, there he was. Walking down the stairs in a suit and tie!

The kids were in the other room, and I knew what I had to do. I went upstairs and put on a dress (and spanks). Husband rocked it by putting on some pandora tunes on the iPhone, and a party was under way! Daughter was so happy, and here is the evidence of our everyday moment gone glamorous:







 




Tonight was one of those perfect evenings that I hope to never forget. It was what makes parenting worth it. I am so grateful to Daughter for staying true to the end result she wanted, and I am so grateful to Husband for taking that extra step to motivate me. Because the truth is, if it were up to me, it would have been pretty mundane tonight.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Short and Sweet

Just a few rambling thoughts today. Expect to see more of these in the future. This month has been a smorgasbord of achievements for the kids. Baby is signing oh so much! He is cutting 5 teeth at one time, and is still smiling. What an awesome kid.

Daughter is swimming on her back and Son has finally let go of his fears of floating, and has started swimming (with flotation device)! Daughter is always awe-inspiring in her thoughts; two favorites to share:
  • God gives Ded Moroz (Father Frost) presents to give to everyone
  • the day it snowed (finally), "God finally listened to me!"
 which spawned the lesson that God never sends anything that we don't need. If He didn't send it, that means it is not a benefit to us. If she doesn't remember that tidbit, I hope that at least I will!

Son is ever the constant fame builder. A photograph of him is featured in Elizabeth Jordan's art exhibit in NYC. We will be attending a reception on February 3. 


On another note, Son's teacher also submitted some of Son's own photography to an art show called Downright Art! featuring artists with Down syndrome. Son's artwork was accepted, and they will be part of an exhibit in March! More info on that to come.