Country Song

Brian has the flu. Sierra has lice. Cormac has an eye infection. My car is broken. My bathroom sink is clogged. I completely forgot that I was signed up to read to Luke's classroom this morning. It is freezing outside, and I have to host a slumber party for six eleven year old girls tomorrow night.

Angels (flying to close to the ground)

Luke has been thinking about religion a lot. He is really into saying his prayers, and is full of questions. The other day he was telling me how he believes some things about different religions, but not other things. For example, he doesn't believe that the earth was created in six days or that Adam and Eve were the first humans. I told him that he's right, science shows us these are only stories, and it's smart not to take them literally. He also told me he doesn't believe in angels. I was telling this to Brian later, and Autry loudly interrupted, "But Daddy's an angel, so if Luke doesn't believe in angels, he doesn't believe in Daddy!"

The five year old.

Autry turned five a few days ago. To mark the occasion, she has started wiping her own bottom, which is great... Autry at five is tall and lanky and always draws a lot of attention everywhere we go with her beautiful red curls. She is very graceful and fast, she might be our most athletic child. She is an amazing climber and is always throwing herself onto unsuspecting victims and wrapping her arms around their necks. She loves her dance class, which is basically like a mother's day out. She is there Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and dances ballet, tap, sings, does crafts and imaginary play, and eats lunch. Her teacher is Mrs. Emily. Autry was a baby bird in the winter play, which was "Are You Our Parents?" Autry is dramatic and hilarious - she always has the perfect accent or raised eyebrow for any occasion. She tells really funny jokes and is always making us crack up. She is also extremely sensitive, which is so sweet when she uses that gift to nurture, and can be frustrating when her feelings are easily hurt. She cares very deeply for her friends, family, and pets. She is very attentive and loving, always offering hospitality and help. She loves to be read to, puzzles, playing with Bogie, holding babies, barbies, webkins, dress up, makeup, playing outside, painting, dancing, singing, princesses, playing soccer, riding her bike and skateboard. She and Luke are amazing friends, they wake up early every morning before school so they will have time to play together before Luke leaves. She can make Luke laugh (and cry) harder than anyone. Autry and Sierra couldn't be more different from each other, and kind of drive each other crazy some times, but other times they are able to play together very well. Some of her favorite friends are Ally, Aiyana, Saida, Naomi, Jack, Rell and Otis. She wants to be a doctor and a mommy when she grows up. I couldn't hope for a better companion, I am really going to miss having her with me during the day when she starts kindergarten next year.

Mexico part dos

Ay-yi-yi! So... Now that months have passed... Basically, Punta Mita was a nice, relaxing trip. The surf wasn't all Brian had hoped for, but he did get out there and give it his best. Sierra went out with him a few times as well. We watched a lot of soccer, ate a lot of Mexican food, played on the beach, went for walks, swam in the pool... Luke and Autry both started swimming well for the first time. We slept in, watched movies, played games, cooked. Victor and Neda joined us for the second week. We chartered a boat with a funny Austrian named Rudy as our guide and went snorkeling and saw the blue footed boobies. "You like zee boobies?" We also chartered a little boat on another day to take us to a different surf spot, where the kids found hundreds of little hermit crabs. One day we hopped on the bus to check out another little town and do some shopping. The kids were wonderful, we only had to threaten to tie Sierra up like a goat on the roadside once. It really is a lot more fun traveling now that they are a little bit older.

Pillow talk

Autry - "Luke, wake me up real early so we can play."
Luke - (With blankets over his face) "Ok."
Autry - "At half o'clock!"
Luke - "Ok."
Autry -"When I go 'beeeep' you'll know it's time."

Autry - "Beeeep."
Luke - "It's time!"
Autry - "No! That was just to show you."
Luke - "Ok."

Some days I feel like I must be doing something right

This morning Autry came rushing in from playing in the front yard with some of the neighbors. "Mommy, can you help me get 6 cups of water because everyone is running a lot and must be thirst!" (She says thirst instead of thirsty) We fill a pitcher and get 6 cups and she carefully takes them outside. A minute later, "Mommy, can you show me where the bunny grahams are because I want to bring everyone a snack, too!" She is such a thoughtful and caring person, it makes her momma proud... AND, Sierra just got everyone ready for a bike ride, got them drinks, AND did an entire load of dishes with out being asked!! Both Brian and I aren't feeling well, so she decided to pick up the slack. AND Luke and Autry made me the cutest get well cards! Sweetness!

The seven year old.

My sweet, wonderful, brilliant, funny, handsome, thoughtful boy turned seven this week. I'm his mother so I can use as many adjectives as I want... He's having a good year. He likes his teacher (Mrs. Flagiello) and is doing well in school, although lately he says he hates writing. I think he gets bummed because practicing handwriting is a drag. He loves math, science, art, and music. He has started playing the piano and seems to have a knack for it. He has also started to really get the hang of soccer, much to Daddy/Coach's delight. He considers himself a soccer superstar. He still has no problems with self esteem. He started swimming pretty well this summer in Mexico. He was the ring-bearer in his cousin Mercy's wedding in Aspen and his Aunt Jessie's wedding in Martindale. He plays with Legos and his Webkinz quite a bit, still makes story books, and loves to read Peanuts cartoons. We have heard him calling his sister a "blockhead" more than once... His best friend is his cousin Jack. He also likes to play with his friends Tobin, Isaac, James, and Linus. He is such a good, beautiful boy.