Flat Stanley

Have you all heard of Flat Stanley? It's a fun project that 2nd graders across the country do to learn about different areas of the country, and how mail works. Emerson colored his cutout of Stanley and knew right away he wanted to send him to his Great Aunts Lala (Laura) and Beth. He knew they would have fun with it and living in the D.C. Area, that Stanley would go all kinds of fun places. So we shipped him out. 

Stanley arrived safely, and after a long trip, was put right to bed in the lovely accommodations Aunt Beth set up. 

Aunts Laura and Beth took him all over...take a look...

 

   

 

They even took him out for Cinco de Mayo. 

 

 

This is where things get weird. While Jason and I were having our own adult celebrations at a restaurant, I got a call, and then texts from a Germantown, Maryland phone number. Turns out, the Aunties left Stanley behind. 

 

Emerson had the good idea to write his name and number on the back, so when Stanley was found by Lauren (27 yo, lovely gal from the D.C. Area) and her family, they quickly got in touch. 

Stanley celebrated the rest of Cinco de Mayo with his adoptive family, and I am pretty sure the adventure has just started for him...

Here he is at a derby party. 

 

Will #emersonsflatstanley go viral? 

When I grow up...

...I'm going to be a doctor. And a pilot. And a Disney World helper. And I'm going to be a zoo keeper. (Scarlet---March 2017, age 4)

...I'm going to be a scientist. (Emerson---March 2017, age 8)

I believe them both.

I can be your Mommy...

In response to me saying to Scarlet tonight, "Good night, honey pie." she says to me...

"Good night, mommy pie. You're the best mommy. And the best girl. And I'm sorry your mom died. I can be your mommy when I grow up."

This girl's love...abundant.

Scarletisms

My posts are less frequent, as life has been calling, but I happened to have a few blog-worthy conversations with Scarlet recently that were worth logging and blogging...

--------Earlier this week, while making Grover (the golden retriever) a card for his third birthday, she worked through the spelling of his name, drew his body, then in looking for confirmation instead of a corrected answer, matter-of-factly asked me, "He has nine legs, right"?

--------On the way home from school today (an unusual pick up of Emerson and Scarlet by me at the end of the school day), Scarlet asked why so many of our friends have three kids. I noted that in fact many of our friends and families DO have three kids and shared that we must just like kids so much wekept having them. Emerson asked, again, "But how do you make kids? Like, how do they get in your belly?" He's grown beyond the "Well, when moms and dads love each other, God gives us a baby in our belly." Fortunately, Scarlet answered on my behalf with, "I'm pretty sure you need honey."

18 months (+ a day)

We blinked and this little buddy turned 18 months. Yesterday. 

I'm not surprised that he's only at 80% for weight. He hasn't had a meal, ever, that hasn't includes throwing half of it on the floor, across the kitchen, and at his siblings. He's off the chart for height, trending just like big brother and sister. 

This pic captures his spirit. He's sweet and loving, but has a wild streak. There's this teeth-gritting thing he does when he gets wound up that makes me brace myself for whatever he's about to do. 

A trooper with his big sister and the smothery love she brings. 

He doesn't go for quantity, but eats well. Here he is stealing all his big brother's broccoli and strawberries. 

We love this little stinker and every minute we get with him. 

Scarletisms

"Daddy's funny, right Mommy? Like, a million funny."

"I hope I'm not getting sick. I have a lot of Bless Yous this morning."

While holding onto her swim instructor, "Thanks, I don't wanna drown." 

Evil Genius

Tonight, Scarlet asked me to braid her hair while I brushed her teeth. That sweetness is irreplaceable. Irreplaceable! 

After looking at her braids, she told me how she looked like Princess Anna. 

She then realized she doesn't have an Anna dress. I told her that's ok, she also doesn't have a sister like Anna

She then asked for both an Anna dress and a sister. I walked out of the bathroom, got on Amazon Prime, and ordered the dress.

Now, as I wrap up my treadmill workout, I realize I may have bamboozled by my evil genius 3-year old daughter. 

Sayonara Tonsils

Our little muppet, Scarlet, got her tonsils out in January. This didn't come as a surprise to us. Each ENT appointment (every 6 months since she got tubes at 6 months of age) we check and measure, and consider age and timing. Well, in December, with a clear airway obstruction issue, we knew it was time. The tonsils and the adenoids had to go. We are still getting used to her new voice, but this girl sleeps better than she already did, and snores a lot less! And once we got through those first couple days of meds, the rest was easy breezy.  

Showcasing her tonsils a couple months before surgery. 

Our pre-op patient. This was after happy meds, and before she told her ENT that he had a big nose. 

Popsicles for days. Seriously.

Post-op check up...doing great! 

Leo - 15-month well check

Leo had a big week...and it's only Wednesday! 

We started Tuesday morning with his 15-month well check. And, he's well. A little mad at being poked, prodded, and stuck, but well. He weighed a little less than I thought, and what my arms and back tell me, but still tipping the scales with hefty percentiles. And man is he tall!

Bright and early this morning, we headed to our ENT surgery center for tubes. In step with big bro and big sis, Leo just can't shake infection and ridiculous infection. Scarlet was 6 mos and Emerson 14. And I'm not sure if it was that one month difference or just personality, but Leo was our best waker from anesthesia. I always prepare myself for the worst with kids coming out of it, because it's awful, and he did great. Cranky, but recovered so well! After breakfast and a 5-hour nap, Leo was ready to rock. 

Raise your digital glasses with me...Here's to fewer (or no!) ear infections! And here's to meeting our deductible in April! 😏😂😬😁😭

Emersonisms - March 2016 Edition

"Does Justin Bieber sing when he plays basketball."

"Do you have to say God bless you to people when they sneeze in church?"

"Do they dress so fancy because they're rich?" (Upon seeing the Jackson 5 in their sparkly heyday) 

The variety, and depth, never cease to amaze me.

Something on the Books

I was reminded of my own lack of blogging when I read a friend's recent post. And while I can't promise weekly, monthly, or even bi-monthly posts, I do promise to never give it up entirely. One thing I need to start doing again is jotting down my notes of conversations, funny goings on, and funny quotes so when I do have time to write, my material is at the ready.

Most recently I was just sharing this story with a friend and co-worker, and realized how much I miss sharing these funny "isms" from my kids. Social media is great for keeping up on family, friends, and friends' kids, but those photos and funny tidbits aren't quite captured there.
_____________________________________________


We have always been people who like to have "something on the books." We have vacation goals, and general plans, for the next few years with kids, and it's so great to book something and start thinking ahead to (in this case), the salt, sand, chlorine, and sun.

Last week, Jason and I booked our summer trip...a long overdue return to Naples. My parents bought there 14-some years ago. Most years we were averaging 2-3 trips down, but then everyone started having babies, getting married, and life got in the way of getting to our home away from home.

So, flights booked. This will be Leo's first trip to Naples, Scarlet's second or third, and Emerson's fifth or sixth.

After booking flights, Jason, at dinner, decided he was going to tell the kids. We are generally very honest with our kids. And I've always said my honesty is my greatest strength, and weakness. I am the one, though, who is usually pushing back on premature info sharing with kids. Not because they can't handle the information, but because they can't handle the amount of time between now and then.

August. We're going in August. It's February. That's eons away for kids, especially a precocious three year old. Since Jason shared our trip plans, and that we're going on a plane, a few of the 514 questions we've received from Scarlet, include:

• Who's going to live at our house while we're gone?
• Can I bring my My Little Pony and her brush on the plane?
• Can I pick out my outfit for the plane?
• In the morning, are we going on the plane?
• Where will I go to school in Florida?
• Where will Grover live?
• Where am I going to sleep?
• What does our new house look like?
• Will my toys be at our new house?

Because we've been there before, because we refer to it as the Naples house (as in Poppy's Naples house), and because we've driven our vacations for as long as Scarlet can remember (Hilton Head trips, Tennessee, Destin, etc.), getting on a plane is apparently a life-changing event. Life changing, as in we are relocating. Forever.

I can deal with the questions...because, at least we have something on the books!

This was during one of Emerson's first trips to Naples. Ready to take flight...

Leo is one!

Well, our littlest tater tot turned one. On Thanksgiving! Hard to believe we've been so lucky to have this perfect little addition to our family for a full year. Yet, I can't recall in the least what it was like before Leo. Funny how that works.

Leo came into the world our smallest. Almost a full 2 lbs smaller than Scarlet and Emerson. He has made up for lost time, in the past 12 months. He weighed in at 26 lbs at his one-year well check. He's off the charts in height, trending similarly to Scarlet and Emerson.

"How big is Leo?"

Our sweet boy is just that. Sweet as pie. With 7 little chompers, he has a toothy grin that melts our hearts. He also has a way of smiling with his eyes. And his dimples match his warm giggles. I think he has already mastered a characteristic that will get him far: charm. He's adored by his big brother and sister. While they make no bones about sibling angst with each other, they have permanent soft spots for Leo. Hoping this lasts!

Lots of love in this picture.

His dark blonde curls are concentrated toward the back, and he's a little sparse still on top. His clown hair matches his personality, though.

Always playin'.

Turns out, he's as ornery as the other two. He will do anything for a laugh and gets wild on a dime. This mostly occurs at the dinner table. Despite throwing food and drink for laughs, he's still getting enough in, based on his growth chart. He's also adventurous and isn't afraid to get himself stuck in a precarious situation. He's often climbing to the top of things, then grunting until someone comes to help him down.



What a fun first year we've had with our little pumpkin. Onto the next!

Pumpkin traditions

I love pumpkins. I love fall. And I love traditions. Add all that up and I'm SO happy! Oh, and cider slushies. The best. 

We love a good pumpkin farm outing! Especially with our nearest and dearest. 

Yes, you are bigger than last year! 

I mean...come on. How cute?!?!

He found one he likes. 

Did I mention it's all you can carry for a set amount? Look at Emerson mimicking Jason. And me trying to save the little girls' lives!

These two. Buckets of trouble. 

My heart. 

And...we're out. (what you can't see, is I have Leo in the bjorn in front of me) 

Boomboxes

Most every day after school, once I've rounded up all three tater tots from their respective schools, Emerson, Scarlet, Leo, and I rowdily sing, "House Party" by Sam Hunt. We all know at least most of the words, but we sing so loudly that you really can't tell where we mess up. It's one of my favorite parts of each day.

You know it, right?

We'll have a house party, we don't need nobody...turn that TV off, break that boombox out...we'll wake up all the neighbors, till the whole block hates us...till the cops show up, try to shut us down...if you're gonna be a homebody, we're gonna have a house party..."

After about a month of routinely singing this, a "Scarlet-ism" that emerged from the front part of that chorus, and from the back seat of my Buick...

"Ok, Mommy, but what's IN the boombox?"

:)

I'm not sure we were singing "House Party" in this pic, but I love it. So let's just say we were.

An apple pie without cheese...

Do you know the end of that phrase? If you're a Flowers, you probably do. It's what my Grandpa Flowers used to say.

"An apple pie without cheese..."

"...is like a hug, without a squeeze."

I don't know if it's a Bob original, or if he learned it from somewhere. Either way, I can't eat apple pie without thinking of it. More on this in a minute.

Fall has fallen around here, and it feels amazing. Crisp air. Cooler nights. Fresh apples!

We didn't get a chance to pick yet, but have a dear neighbor who offered to pick Honeycrisp apples for us in the very short window they are available. With two giant bowls of fresh apples, I knew just what I would make. Last weekend, included two loaves of banana apple bread. Sliced with cream cheese. Amazing. This weekend, with one giant bowl of apples remaining, I got my pie supplies, pulled out my Mom's recipe box, and got to work. 

These two pies have filled the house (and maybe the neighborhood) with the most amazing smell that a Yankee Candle could never rival. I hope they are half as delicious as they look and smell. And it was a lovely treat to see my Mom's dainty and precise handwriting (just like her) on her recipe card. 

And back to that saying...we don't serve apple pie in this house without a fresh slice of cheddar or Colby jack alongside it. 

No Cavity Club...siblings allowed!

Emerson has a growing collection of No Cavity Club t-shirts from our pediatric dentist. And now, Scarlet has started her collection! 

For the love of the game.

Em loves baseball. Seriously. Loves it. 

 

It's his third season, and he's so much fun to watch. He plays hard, works hard, and has a blast doing it. 

I don't know that he has a favorite position, but he's pretty darn good at most of them. He prefers infield, but is reliable in the outfield. And tomorrow, he's pitching for the first time! We are all a little nervous. 

When I say this kid can't get enough baseball, I mean it. After a game, he comes home and throws to the pitch back. When his friends come over, he wants to be sure they are bringing a glove. And there's not an evening that goes by that he doesn't ask one of us to throw with him. 

Did I mention the boy get the bats out? Sometimes I look at him and he seems like a little kid just smacking the hell out of the ball. 

And, I'm certainly biased, but I'm confident that he has the cutest little butt on the team. Which is enough for me. 

Emerson is third from the right. This was his good buddy Will's birthday party at the Clippers' game. 

Cheering on his big brother. (See that rumpus on first base? Ser, the cutest.)

Love his energy. Love that he has fun. Love him.