February 20, 2000

Steven's birthdate is an easy one to remember 2-20-2000. Ashley's would have been just as cool if I hadn't been so impatient! Her delivery was scheduled on a Monday morning which would have been 3-3-03. Cool huh? (At the time I hadn't noticed such details) But when my doctor told me that Friday morning was available, I snatched it up! I'm sure many of you can relate--the last few days of pregnancy feel like weeks, and a few days early sounded wonderful! Her birthday is February 28th, 2003. Still a wonderful day. As you can see, we are celebrating two birthdays this month. Steven was nine on Friday, and Ashley will be six come Saturday. Sometimes I can't believe I've been a mother that long! It's hard to remember what life was like before children. They are all little miracles. The very best days of my life are the days each of my children were born.

Happy Birthday Steven! We love having you in our family!

Here's to parenting...

I love this little girl! She's a piece of work--actually, that would be an under statement! Perhaps it's just the age (4), or maybe we're in for a 'ride' with this one. For the last two years of her life she has simply believed that rules and expectations do not apply to her. When she's hungry, she helps herself to anything she wants any time of the day or night--even if it means climbing cupboards, scaling shelves, and hiding in her secret places to eat it! She refuses to participate in household chores--Ashley usually ends up carrying most of the weight when it comes to cleaning their bedroom or toys, etc. She has a bottom lip that can hang below her chin in 'pout position' and a temper that would scare a watch dog! She kicks doors, screams, throws toys or food or whatever is nearest to her when anger strikes! She's learned how to manipulate situations and usually blames her siblings for anything gone wrong. It is a daily battle getting her to wear a seatbelt in the car or to brush her teeth. Avery is also very cute and can be awful sweet. She'll talk your ear off, sing and dance for hours, stay up most the night then sleep until noon if you let her. To this day, I don't believe she has EVER listened to an entire bedtime story! She is my only child who will eat fresh vegetables--not all of them, but a few. She actually likes to eat carrot peelings! She adores her dad and still looks very much like him. The other day Ryan was encouraging the kids to get their daily chores done. Of course they were complaining about having to work so much and NEVER getting to play. Avery, after listening to Steven and Ashley murmer (remember, Avery doesn't work...so she wasn't worried about the expectation herself), finally piped up and said "Oh, Steven, for 'sell heck!' just do your work!" Pretty funny! Though I'm a bit embarrast to say, I'm sure she learned that one from me (we won't quote the exact words). I can't get away with anything! Kids do and say as we do.....I'm not confessing that I also throw things, kick doors, scream, and eat anything I want---but some days, I sure wish I could! Here's to parenting! One wonderful day after another.......

Another Ashleyism...

We had quite a few friends over for the Super Bowl--with kids and all we probably had thirty people here! Great game, good food, and great company. The next morning Ashley walked into the kitchen for her morning hug. A few seconds later she said: "Mom, why did all of our friends (from the party) just throw their trash in our yard?" I didn't know what she meant. I turned to look out the door--sure enough, garbage everywhere! Paper plates, cups, etc., etc. strung across the back porch and from one side of the yard to the other! It was a mess! An animal must have scavenged through the garbage sacks we left on the porch. The more I think about her comment, the more I laugh! (The nerve of our friends to just throw their garbage out the back door! How rude! LOL!)