Ink for thought?

Hasn't everyone had it happen to them? The first time in three kids, I feel pretty lucky. I know a friend that I used to babysit for who was a pediatrician her daughter ingested some perfume, so it happens to the best of us right?
Two days ago, I looked down at my hand and I had a black stripe on it, then on the carpet were some black marks. I cleaned both up as much as possible and went on about my way, curious to know what it was but not investigating. TODAY Julia had been playing around while Grace and I were reading and we look down at her hand and mouth and they are black! NOW I know I need to investigate as I may be making a trip to the emergency room. All three of us become detectives and go in every open room and search on our hands and knees, finally the culprit emerges...We got a new printer and the old printer is sitting on the floor at toddler level with some black ink on the cover. After a call to the super cardiologist, he deems she will be fine and here we are. WHEW!

The love of reading, is it inate?

About two months or so ago, I couldn't get Julia to sit still for a book, I felt tremendous guilt as I certainly had not read to her nearly as much as the other two. Then suddenly there it was, now she LOVES books and wants you to read to her all the time. She will sit still for the longer board books and she wants you to read the same one over and over and over. All three of my kids have a wonderful love of books and reading, I am so thankful.

Our Thanksgiving was great! I went to my friend's house and there were lots of teenagers to entertain the older two. It took Julia awhile to get used to the dogs, one pug dog in particular, but then she warmed up and pranced around the house like she owned it. It was a wonderful celebration with great food, great company (minus the ex husband, who invited him?) and a great time.

Today is an ice skating lesson and more packing. Next week at this time we will be sailing away on the Disney Cruise and we are all so excited! I am sure I will get LOTS of exercise chasing the 18 month old on the decks!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

I will follow my friend and also give thanks before the food clouds my thoughts.
I have a wonderful family who especially my mom and brother are wonderful listeners and that is hard to find sometimes. I am very thankful that I have a wonderful relationship with both of them.
I have just absolutely great, caring friends that I have met at every stop along the way in every place we have been. I sometimes lament that I have been so blessed to have lived so many different places and met special people that have brought a new dimension to my life.
I have the most wonderful husband, who is awesome at giving me the time I need away and supporting me in raising the kids. I truly feel that I am lucky.
I have been very lucky in life. Sometimes I think when we get married, especially in our 20s that who knows what will happen and whether you will continue to grow together or apart. So I married a great man and luckily we have continued to grow together and still have the same interests, good food, good conversation, when he is in a talkative mood, but most of all he supports me in everything I do and I sometimes have some crazy ideas.
My biggest blessings on this earth are my three beautiful, healthy, happy, very unique children. I love seeing the world through their eyes and they are such gifts to me. Sometimes I dont' feel like I have enough patience, but it is incredible how that unconditional love prevails.
As Grace heads to bed (the other two are already there) I ask her what she is thankful for and she says, her teacher, her family, her friends and your classmates.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

The TCM at its best........

So my two great skating buddies,(meaning their daughters also go to skating) and I have joked about becoming Texas Cheerleader Moms. We had no idea that we aren't even close!!!! Read on....Grace and I went to Portland for her second skating competition. She did GREAT and had fun and got FIRST place!!!!! After the results are posted you go up and she gets her picture taken with the other girls, in this case there were four total. I stood next to a mom that I had briefly talked with earlier about how to do hair, etc. She immediately turns to me and says "These judges are HORRIBLE!" and I say "WHY?" she says "Because they placed my daughter in fourth place and I personally think she skated better than YOUR daughter!" This is absolutely the time when you wish you were on your toes and could think of something great to come back with, but no being in SHOCK, I moved away from her and went to ask my seasoned friend if this was the world I was getting into. I think the our coach that was down there with us was a little apalled that I had told Grace about the situation, but you know what she said "Mommy you should have told her that her daughter skated beautifully and so did yours." Maybe we need to learn more lessons from the young. More stories to follow I am sure, but next time my skin will be thicker!!!!
I call Kurt on friday night and ask what they have been doing and he presently says "Well I read about 5000 books to your daughter." I certainly did not need to worry, but about two months ago, I couldn't get her to sit still for a book and I thought it was all my fault that she was the third kid and I had not read to her like the others. No Need To Worry!!!!
Kurt is right in his glory. He got his little computer guru. Long before we had kids, Kurt would spend hours playing a computer game called Diablo. NOW he has a perfect little boy named Caleb to play with, they are in their glory!!!
Me? Well I am finishing up addressing my Christmas Cards, the absolute only thing I can do on time. All for now! As my good friend says "Toodles!!" You know who you are!!!