Swim lessons and Grandma Bonnie

Macy is off track again for another couple of weeks so I signed the girls up for swim lessons.  Macy was so excited.  She could hardly wait for Monday.  Kelsey balled for 10 minutes when I signed her up.  She said she didn't like swim lessons and she wouldn't go.  I told her this is the one thing I am forcing her to do at 4 years of age.  I even bribed her with a new swim suit if she would go twice without crying.  Eventually she said, "Fine. I will go to swim lessons."  Monday has come and gone and she keeps asking why she couldn't go to swim lessons today and when did she get to go to swim lessons.

After swim lessons we went to see my Grandma Bonnie.  I have saying we would visit for months now.  Monday I finally kept my word.  We had a good time.  We played Old Maid and ate all her chocolate covered raisins.  I asked her about when she had met my grandfather.  I still need to get some details but she admitted that she didn't like my grandpa at first.  It took a long time for her to finally agree to go out with him.  It was 2 years before he proposed and most of that time they did things in a group because she didn't care much for him.  She said it was a good thing he was so persistant and stubborn because she might have been an old maid.  She claims she was awkward and backward around boys back then.  She said she was really shy.  She also had an amazing set of girl friends that she had gone to elementary, junior high and high school with.  At that point in her life she was having so much fun doing things with them that marriage and dating were not on her mind.  This same group of friends continues to get together to this day.  She says she doesn't know what she would do without them.

After that little visit we stopped by the mall.  There is something about the mall that causes us to not look our best.  Here is a picture of Braden.  In the picture you can't really see the blood that is smeared under his eye from when he scratched himseld with his long fingernails.  His hair is all over the place from his nap and of course he has pulled off one sock in the car.  You add his bump to the mix and he looked like a wreak.  I wonder what people thought of this poor child.

After Braden gouged himself, I took the time to clip everyone's fingernails.  I have no idea why but Macy and Kelsey cry out that is hurts.  When Macy was little she would cry saying it hurts.  Kelsey has picked up on this and sometimes they will specify which toes I can and can't clip because it hurts.  I far as I know there are no nerves in nails.  I sure hope they grow out of this.  It is like when I come their hair.  Some days the hair will be so knotted and they don't even notice the comb.  Other days the comb will give the slightest tug and they give a blood curdling scream.  I just don't get it.

It May Be Time to Move On

There are days when I wonder if Brian's parents are ready for us to move on. This thought usually occurs on days when my kids pick all the unripe plums from the tree, or when I find buggers wiped on the wall, or when there is crayon on the wainscoat, or when there are stickers all over the bunk bed, or when the kids are running laps around the couch screaming at each other and Braden joins in. This thought occurred again when I found more damage. The above mark is completely unintentional. They stuck a window gel sticker on the wood and the pink leeched into the grain. It is not coming off anytime soon. Kids don't mean to destroy things but they do. That is why I told Brian that we are going to completely remodel our next home once all the kids are grown and out of the house. If they want to come back Brian and I will really have to think long and hard.

Braden is not becoming shy about mischief. His favorite destinations are the girls' room, the shower (he likes to climb inside and shout), and the garbage can in the bathroom. His new love is the stairs. The other day I ran upstairs to change the laundry when I came out of the laundry room I found Braden at the top of the stairs with the biggest grin. He was very impressed with himself. I know have a hard time keeping him away from the stairs. The gates don't work for the staircase so I have had to move a big trunk in front of them to keep him from going up. It drives me nuts to see that trunk there but if it keeps the kid safe. I have had to pull out cabinet locks. He broke the first lock I put on. I am hoping it broke just because it was older.

Things sort of change with the third child. This kid already likes to have 3 meals a day. He has eaten chicken nuggets, hamburger, lunch meat, apple, oranges, eggs, etc. There is no holding him back. With other kids, I waited until they were at least one before giving them those things. He is also decent at a sippy cup. It took the girls awhile to grasp that concept. The things that happen with the third. The next big step, whole milk. My grocery budget can't wait for the savings next month. Does a new shirt for mom fit in the category of "grocery"?