Saturday Morning Books

This morning I was reading to Roses #2 and #3, and H decided it was a good photo opp.  I have to admit that I don't really like the Dora book we were reading.  But, we were having a good snuggle session on the couch, something that can really only happen on the weekends.  So that's a good thing!
Last night H and I went to my cousin Jim's 50th birthday party.  My uncle hosted the party at Somerset Country club.  It was a lovely evening.  I did not know that our nanny, Tam, who is Jim's daughter, was born at home!  During the "open mic" part of the party, where people told stories about Jim and wished him a happy birthday, Tam told the story about being born at home.  Wow!

Three Rocks In The House

Tonight the Roses formed an impromptu rock band, with their dad's tennis racket bags. Here they are "in the house," rocking OUT!They each made their best rock star pose. Here is Rose #1. Note the Billy Idol-esque crinkled up eye:

Here is Rose #2, pouting in her rock star like magnificence:

Here is Rose #1, patiently explaining to me that she is a rock star:

Here is Rose #3. Apparently she thinks that you play guitar with your belly:

And here is Rose #3 again, looking very cute on the couch.

She always likes it when her big sisters play with her. That is why her smile is so wide. Rock Stars In the House!!!

The 3-Day Closing Ceremony

Yesterday was the closing ceremony for the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day.  My sister Charity and her friend Andi walked this year.  We went to the ceremony and it was so powerful, the way that the crew and medical staff came up the dual columns, and then the walkers.  H was on one side, and he spotted Charity and Andi in the crowd:

This shot is much neater up close, but it does show the fabulous venue.  We biked down to the ceremony and got our exercise and our inspiration all at the same time.
Yesterday at church our ministers and congregation handed out $10,000 to the congregation to bless the world.  I am trying to find good ideas for my $4o.  I would really like to come up with something neat and inspiring.  Ideas, anyone?

p.s. we are so glad to hear that the Nguyen twins seem to be doing better in the hospital.  We are thinking about you!

Almost 10 Years

H and I were married October 10, 1998. We were married at a turbulent time in our church's history, when a beloved minister was close to resigning her ministry. But, she stayed around to marry us (and to finish up other work). I picked one of her books off my bookshelf yesterday morning before I left for work. Almost my only leisure reading time these days is on the train to and from work. Anyway, her book, Souls Magnified, contains several of the sermons she delivered at our church. Reading those words brought me right back to a time in our lives that was so fresh, so new, and so much simpler than today.

We had no kids. No kids! We could do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. And yet, I remember that I always felt busy. I don't remember why, or what I did, but I was always busy. We were on the verge of starting our married life together, and we had no idea what we were getting into. We probably still don't, and that's lucky. How could we ever have imagined that we would have three children, ages 2, 4 and 6, when we were standing so confidently, so innocently, so happily, at the altar in church? How can we know what is yet to come?

I want to say a few more things about the book and the luminous writing in it. Gretchen Thompson, the minister who married us and who published her sermons in this book, had such a beautiful way of telling a story, of making the divine personal, of tying the mystery right back to our very own everyday, pedestrian lives. To her own life. That's why I loved to listen to her - I knew she was telling the truth, talking about what really happened to her and how she made it mean something. She listened to what things mean on a deeper level than I ever have a chance to listen. Her stories leave me, left me in awe.

Gretchen disappeared hastily from our church's life. I have thought a lot lately about writing her a note, thanking her for a beautiful wedding ceremony, telling her that we are still here, still going strong. We still love each other. Thank God for that.

Parent Information Night and the Student Council Debacle

Tonight was Parent Information Night at Rose #1's school. We went to hear about first grade academic expectations, and to get our questions about homework, processes, etc. answered. Rose #1 is in a solid school. The teachers are so committed, the equipment is top notch, and the parents really care. It is a school for gifted and talented kids. Rose #1 is having trouble settling down for her homework. I think this is driven by several factors. One, she is really, really tired. Her teacher said tonight at Parent Information Night that she likes to see the kids in bed at 7:30 or 8. As if! We are barely done with dinner by 6:45. So, the shame spiral starts again - working too much, worried too much about things outside my house, when really my focus should be here at home on my kids. Ugh.

Rose #1 was sick yesterday, and was sent home from school at about noon. Apparently yesterday her teacher announced that today would be the day she would select student council representatives. Each child was supposed to prepare a speech. Only one girl remembered, and she was the one chosen. (This was not Rose #1.) Rose #1 was devastated that she forgot. She was sobbing. So, I convinced her to write a note to her teacher tonight to make her best case for being selected as the student council alternate. Rose #1 asked me to call her teacher to see if I could convince her to select Rose #1 for the alternate - but - I am NOT a helicopter parent - I said no, it was her deal to figure out.

Rose #1 is timid in interesting ways. She was worried about presenting the note to her teacher. She told me that she gets embarrassed about these things. It reminds me so much of me, I can't stand it! I hope I can guide her to be more confident.

Update on the Roses

Rose #3 is potty training! She does not want to wear diapers anymore, ever. She loves to say "go potty," mainly because it gets a rise out of any grownup in the vicinity. A surefire way to get Mom or Dad to run to the potty with you, so it must be good. I believe, I really believe, that my 6+ years of buying diapers is coming to an end. Hooray! Hooray! I wish you could see her sturdy little body that looks so grownup without that diaper bulge!

Rose #2 is adjusting to 4-year-old kindergarten. She reported that her teacher yelled at the kids today. When I asked why (in an alarmed tone of voice, I am sure), she first reported that it was because Mrs. S. didn't feel good - she had a tummyache. She then allowed as how it might have been because when Mrs. S. rang the "cleanup" bell, all the 4-year-olds ignored it. Rose #2, in case you were wondering, was either in the bathroom at the time, or sitting on the rug. I am not sure if she was supposed to be sitting on the rug or cleaning up. It is difficult to decipher the goings-on in the 4-year-old kindergarten room from the point of view of the 4-year-old kindergartener. I am sure Mrs. S. could tell me exactly what was going on!

Rose #1 is getting into the groove of having homework every night. Tonight I was late coming home from work and H had Rose #1 taking an inventory of the canned goods in the pantry for homework. H, an engineer by trade, disposition, and profession, really wants Rose #1 to be adept at mathematics. I say, Go for it! I think that is great homework. We have also done things like - take a phenology walk, write a story, read aloud, be read to, etc. etc. Rose #1 and I are reading the Little House books. After a bit of cajoling - they are books about a girl, after all, and Rose #1 is the ORIGINAL tomboy - she loves them. So do I. I hope she will always remember that we read those books together.

Rose #1's Homework Story

9/15/08
Once upon a time there was a woman who could not find a job. One day she went to a school and she got a job and she became a first grade teacher!
The end
by [Rose #1]

The accompanying picture has the principal saying: "You may have this job," in a bubble above his head. The first grade teacher is about 3 feet taller than the teacher and she has very red lips, blonde hair and masacara-ed eyes. I remarked that she looks very beautiful and Rose #1 said, "She has to! She has a job interview!"