Great-Grandma Mary

Dear Jett and Kai,

Just before Christmas your great-grandma Mary passed away. You are so young, you won't remember how she loved you, but we will remind you. She was amazing, and she loved you.

Mary Lucille Purcell Johnson

97 glorious years

Waiting for Colin

Right now, at this very minute, I am sitting in a dark Labor and Delivery Room while my sweet sister-in-law tries to sleep, and her steadfast husband sits in a chair next to the bathroom, trying to read in the bathroom light. Somehow I've gotten the best seat in the room - the recliner - and I hope tomorrow, when we are all telling our stories about Colin's birth, neither Jenny or Brian remember that I was the one who got the comfy chair.

This morning I flew around the house getting ready to meet Jenny and Brian at the hospital, and just before I kissed the boys goodbye I remembered that I never finished making the paper snowflake decorations for Jett's preschool holiday party tomorrow.

"Charlie!" I called from the bedroom. "The last thing I have to do before I leave is show you how to make the snowflakes!"

I left Charlie standing at the kitchen counter, one half-made snowflake in his hand, the rest of the pieces piled on the counter, Jett on a bar stool pulling all of the tape off the role, and Kai racing his cars all over the floor. Needless to say, I gave them all three quick kisses and flitted out the door without looking back.

I have a new nephew to meet! Come on out, Colin! It's been 12 hours and counting. We can't wait to meet you!

What I Learned Today

Even three year olds can outsmart a discipline chart.

For Jett, pushing Kai over has gone from an occasional occurance to a professional sport. In an effort to bring it back down to accident level, I created a discipline chart. I can't take full credit for this chart, because I know I got the idea from some book somewhere, but anyway, this is what I did.

I drew 3 sad faces in a row and tried to make them look like Kai. At the end of the row I drew a picture of "treats" - ice cream, candy, etc. In the next row I drew another sad face and next to that I drew a pair of scissors to symbolize arts and crafts time. In the next row I drew another sad face and then drew a picture of a T.V. Do you see where this is going?

First push, I gave him a warning. Second push, another warning. Third push, no treats. Fourth push, no arts and crafts. Fifth push, no TV. Thankfully he's never pushed more than three times in a day - the chart was working wonders and I didn't have to take away anything but treats. "Wonderful!" I thought. "Easy!" I laughed. "Too easy!" Jett replied back, in a shriek.

Yesterday Jett didn't push Kai over. Instead he dug his dirty nails into his brother's sweet cheeks and drew blood. What the ?

That discipline chart needs an obvious upgrade, Jett needs a theoretical slap-down, Kai needs a kiss, and I need to lay down the law. Laying down the law is such a drag.

Decking the Halls

Decorating the tree in the morning, before all hell broke loose. Jett hung the ornaments on the tree so carefully, and Kai kept ripping them off. Meltdown!


Christmas lights at night? Who can resist such a charming sight? There were happy by dinner time.

Orange

and not looking at the camera.

Jett and Uncle Dave

Thanksgiving Dinner

Today I'm thankful for my brother, Kai.

I've taught him everything I know, like how to eat a chicken nugget.

Don't feel bad, Kai. They didn't give me any turkey either.

Shh! Don't complain. At least we didn't have to eat the broccoli.

That's what I'm talkin' about!