Tribal

Last weekend we renewed our membership to Wonderscope, which is a children's museum here. We were members from July 2007-July 2008 but didn't renew for various reasons (my #1 is that I swear Jillian got RSV there) and Mia's favorite class was going to be on a preschool day. But, our bank is right next to it and every time we go to the bank Mia Kate asks about it. Well one day when Brad was home we contemplated going there, but the cost for all 4 of us to go once, was a quarter of the price of a membership. So, we went ahead and renewed much to Mia's delight!

I took Mia on Sunday during Jillian's nap time and we had so much fun. It was nice to be able to focus on her instead of chasing Jillian. She loved the new H2Oh! exhibit and stated "Mom, Jilli would love this room." However, her favorite part was discovering the face paint in the art room. She sat there for a good half hour painting her face, and then mine. However, she did not want to take it off so I let her walk around with it on. Later in the car she said "Mom, in the ball room I saw a guy point at my face and said it had lines on it." So observant at such a young age.

She came home and Brad was sitting in the basement with the lights off, she turned them on and jumped out at him "AAUUGGHH" he screamed! She loved it! This picture is from Brad's phone.

Totally Unexpected

I expected Mia Kate to have a meltdown the first day of preschool. Did she? No.

She saved it for today. They were having a Teddy Bear Picnic, which I think she thought was going to be a party? I guess I broke her heart when I told her that parents weren't coming. I have no idea, but she cried (sobbed, limp body, flailing) for a good 20 minutes. Please note, she has never done this at school before. It is always a kiss and a hug and we are good to go.

It broke my heart to hear her sobbing "Please don't leave me." I brought her home after trying to calm her down for 20 minutes. She has to stay in her room the duration of preschool and lost privileges for today (t.v. and a sweet treat). Is this mean? I just don't want her to get the message that we can cry and go home. Well, I guess she did learn this because I let her leave, but the situation was out of control.

Our rule is that if you miss school, you stay home that day. If you can't go to school or work, you can't do anything fun. It used to drive me CRAZY when my students would miss school, but would go to ball practice that same night. If it is a Friday, you miss out on weekend stuff, except church.

She is in her room now reading tons of books and playing. This behavior was unlike her, hopefully she isn't getting sick. I am sick that this even went down.

Update:
1) She didn't get sick.
2) Her teacher called this afternoon to check on her.
3) She shared her story with her dad at dinner. Along with " I had to stay in my room the entire time of preschool." He asked if she would rather stay in her room or go to school, she replied "Go to school."
4) 3 hours is a long time in your bedroom

Sacrifice

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, beginning of the Lenten Season. A time for sacrifice, fasting, and repentance. I am sacrificing Facebook and sweets (except for Mia's birthday cake, which will always fall during Lent). I truly enjoy Facebook, only because it has allowed me to get back in touch with tons of friends and family. I enjoy reading about everyone's lives and seeing their photographs. Last night I went out to dinner with my friends from high school and most of our conversations were about what we had read on Facebook. The downside is that it is so addictive! I am giving it up for the sake of my family and my housekeeping. Back to good ole email for communication and I guess if you are wondering what the Reuter's are up to, you can catch us here!

Dishes

I wish I had the enthusiasm for doing dishes like the girls do! Last week Mia Kate was begging to wash a dish. I let her pull up a chair, but of course Miss Shortie Pants had to get her hands in too! They actually were entertained for at least 20 minutes and didn't get too much water out of the sink.

Eager

I must be eager for spring to arrive. Today after preschool pickup I surprised Mia Kate with a picnic at the park. While running errands I was quite hot in my coat and let Jillian take off her hat. We drove around with the sun roof open and the windows cracked.

Once arriving at the park it was freezing. I put my ear warmers on, plus the hat of my coat. Our park always seems 10 degrees colder than anywhere else. Needless of the temperature, the girls enjoyed the picnic and playtime. I enjoyed not having to clean my kitchen floor! Jillian was all over the place, yikes, she is a handful at the park.

Mom, what does K-A-T-E spell?

Mia Kate is becoming quite a letter expert. She has been writing "Mia" since last August, but now writes "Kate" and most other letters. She is starting to put it all together and write her name on anything and everything. In taking down my Valentine decor, she was allowed to play with these feather boas. This was her creation, all by herself. She had me close my eyes and "Voila! It is my name, but I didn't have enough feathers for the line on the A."

Hand Me Downs

In January 2007 I announced to my teaching colleagues that my investment in pink clothing was indeed a good one, we were having another girl! Despite different body shapes, Jillian has been able to wear all of Mia Kate's clothes, and most of her shoes.

Today I was sorting through my cedar chest of Mia's old clothes, preparing for spring, and was so sad. I lugged out the giant bag of what Jilli would be wearing this spring and was overwhelmed. Inside I found a "Big Sister" tee shirt, worn by Mia Kate when the Bug was born. Also, each outfit she wore to the hospital. The funny thing is that this is the first time Mia remembers that they were hers, she can even tell me where she wore each outfit. I was never sad before passing these items down, but this group was heart wrenching.

Jillian & Mia Kate about 5 minutes after Jillian came home.

Stomach Flu... by the numbers

1-entire can of Spot Shot
2-cans of Lyesol
3-baptisms I received by my offspring
4-quarts of Gatorade drank by Bradley
5 -pounds lost by moi
6-days it lingered around our house
7-pieces of cinnamon toast consumed by Mia Kate (she would eat nothing else)
8-number of times I called Brad on his cell, from my bed, on the house phone, while he was in the living room (ha ha ha!)
15-times I have smiled to myself visualizing Brad teaching Mia's Sunday School for me
20-loads of laundry in a 6 day period
60- seconds I was passed out on my bathroom floor until I awoke in my own "puddle"
100-years before I ever want to see or smell another chicken nugget again


FYI:
*I wasn't passed out unattended, Brad was right there, only holding Mia over the toilet. :)
*1 hour prior to my first "baptism" I bought a Costco size bag of whole grain chicken nuggets. My children will no longer touch them. Any takers?
*Brad announced that I "won the award" for being the whiniest? WHAAAAT? I think not!

Cookies with Cam

This afternoon my sister and niece came over for a visit. It was perfect timing because we had planned to decorate Valentine cookies during naptime. Mia and Cam "cut out" some of their own and did a lovely job decorating. They were like little old ladies, Cam would blob up some dough and pass it to Mia and she would place it on the cookie sheet. Bry and I set them up with a frosting station and they frosted away. Not sure how much they snuck in, but they had a great time together.

Preschool Party

This morning we celebrated Valentine's Day at Mia Kate's preschool. Her little parties are so calm compared to the ones I used to monitor in the 4th grade. Mia Kate really enjoys the fact that I am able to come and participate. Jillian believes that she is in preschool and was very disappointed that she didn't have a bag of Valentine's.

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday, to me it doesn't matter if you have a spouse/partner/whatever, but showing love to everyone. I remember in junior high we had love-grams and I never got one and felt like such a loser. I am trying very hard to make Valentine's Day special for the girls, and hope that they never feel loserish if some boy doesn't send them a love gram!

Jillian

My Sister and Me!

Foam sticker crafts, the perfect project for preschoolers.
Conversation heart towers.



Jillian's favorite part of the party, juice boxes. I think this is her second one in her life, the other at the Halloween party. Maybe more, but I don't buy them. She spent about 2o minutes sitting in this chair sucking on an empty box, such a deprived child.

Hot Dog

Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog.......the girls' new favorite cartoon, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I was doing my morning load of laundry and found the girls watching their show. Of course, they always gather the coordinating stuffed animals per show. Mia "helped" Jillian into the laundry basket. Interesting?

Of course, good ole' stuffed dog Mildred made it in the picture too!

Good ole' Jilli!

Tonight the family went to out for a quick dinner. Brad and I spent 6 hours, yes six, hanging the pictures and putting back together our freshly painted basement. Jilli slept for 4 of those hours and MK was our helper. We settled into our booth, Jillian has advanced to a booster seat instead of a high chair. Anyways, our food arrived and 3 of us lifted our forks, sweet Jillian didn't, instead she folded her little hands, looked at us, and said "Pray?" Of course, we then bowed our heads. What a sweetie and a reminder of the innocence of children. This was the best part of my day!

Cute Kids.......Crazy Mom

Before you watch this video please be warned. I contemplated publishing this, but Jilli is too darn cute and she won't do it again on camera. This is Jilli at 20 months doing her version of the Rock Chalk Chant, she does this when she sees a Jayhawk. This is Mia Kate at 3 1/2 doing her version of a Jayhawk cheerleader, she does this whenever she feels like it. This is Brad at 31 sitting in his chair, providing a voice, he does this every night. This is Staci at 29 doing her version of the Jayhawk band, she does this on request, only for her children. This is my family, we are crazy. So, be warned......

1. My voice is annoying, especially when I start singing.
2. The video is sideways (Please note that for 2 years the only way to view my videos was on my camera, which I could easily turn. Didn't know when I would ever be able to download. Don't waste your time making fun of me, Brad already did it for you. I also know that I am crazy.)
3. Since this was filmed, my children were saved from my singing and received a CD with KU spirit songs.
4. Mia Kate still wants to see the videos mid-filming.
5. You can't take Jilli home, even though she is adorable, she is my little bug.

ABC's

Oh, I wish I could turn back the clock. This video is the sweetest of Mia Kate singing her ABC's at 27 months. This was a couple of weeks after all of my post baby help had left and it was just me and the girls. My first days as a true stay at home mom. I love Mia's chubby cheeks and her voice, so innocent. Jilli was rocking peacefully, a rare moment for her.

Family Book Night...and some rambling.

Last Thursday Mia's school hosted a Family Book Night. We traveled to 3 different rooms where we heard a story at each one, and did an activity. Mia was so proud of her school and loved each story and activity. We made counting books, feathery tails, and dinosaur masks. Jillian thought she owned the place and made her home in each room. Bless her heart, she wants to go there so bad. Each morning when we drop Mia off, she stands at the door to Children's Day Out and seriously whimpers.


At the end, the girls each got to chose a book to bring home, they both chose a book about dogs. My girls (meaning Mia, but Jillian is catching on) are terrified of dogs, yet they want dog books and sleep with stuffed dogs.

Mia loves the purple dinosaur mask, she calls it "Miasoraus" and adds a fierce growl to the end. I am really loosening up because I let her wear it out to eat on Friday. Her pants even had some black mark on her tooshie, and her shoes had a huge tear in the fabric. Later Brad told me that the waiters were making fun of her hat. It is kind of funny, but why did I not catch on?

Nice.

To be honest, Brad's company closing down wasn't pretty. But getting to bring home is computer wasn't too shabby. Can you imagine the possibilities for two monitors? Apparently this makes engineering work easier. I thought he brought it home for me to facebook and blog at once, silly me. Actually, I have only used it for downloading my videos, I couldn't break my laptops heart, we are in a very good relationship.

She's got moves!

This is going to be fun! My camera has tons of videos of the girls on it. The reason I have never shown them is because my laptop has Windows Vista, which apparently isn't compatible with my camera's video system (or many other things). However, our new get up allows me to download. So here we go, my first video, Mia Kate dancing up a storm. By the way, she was 27 months in this video, it was right after Jillian was born.