Liv is holding her hands up to me and doing the "pick me up sign"... (for her that means pulling her fingers in and out of a fist... Do you get the picture?) But I just HAVE to get a new Anika-ism on the blog tonight...
Scene: Breakfast
Characters (literally): Dirk & Anika
Time: just after breakfast
Setting: Kitchen, during post-breakfast clean-up
Dirk: this kitchen is SUCH a mess (grumpy face)... am I going to have to spend the whole weekend at home just to clean it up??
Anika: (from hallway) Daddy, ....
Dirk: (not hearing Anika) I mean, look at this... there is baby food on the floor. There is goo all over her chair.... Actually, there is goo on EVERY chair....
Anika: Daddy...
Dirk: Yes?
Anika: Daddy, I haven't ever seen your smile 'afore. I would really like to see your smile.
Dirk: (laughing...)
Anika: See daddy, I saw your smile when you were laughing!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Daytona 500! Nascar season has begun!
We are DE Jr fans, so of course we hope he wins today... even though Thor isn't quite over the fact that he changed cars, sponsors, or his number (88 instead of 8)... life goes on!
Valentine's Day
Valentine's day was very sweet... I helped Thor get a box ready to take to school for his Valentine Party... along with cards and "tatoos" for all his classmates. I really need to remember earlier next year to be more creative with his box. He wanted to make a Dale Jr. Nascar out of a Kleenix box.... UM.... well.... since we didn't even start the box until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, I told him he'd have to be OK with A BOX... he could draw whatever he wanted on the side in the morning while he ate breakfast. It was all OK... but he informed me he really wants a Dale Jr. car next year!
Anika was very focused on flowers this Valentine's Day. She commented at least 3 times earlier in the day that Daddy should really bring some flowers for her since it was Valentine's Day. (I don't think she could remember if Dirk brought me flowers last year or not??) Well... Dirk came home from work... carrying a rose and a box of chocolate... Anika lit up like a Christmas Tree... "Daddy, you brought me a flower for Valentines Day... I love flowers... I'm so glad you brought ME a flower!!"
Dirk was a little surprised, but mentioned to Anika that the flower was for me...She wasn't completely happy... but decided she could SHARE the flower with me. (smiles)
Rice Update
Rice called on Valentine's afternoon to wish Anika a Happy Valentine's Day. (actually my brother, Layne). It was hard to keep a straight face. Anika wasn't concerned or excited... just very matter-of-fact... "oh, Rice...Yes, Happy Valentine's Day..." and that was that...
Later she asked me, "mom, what are those words you say when you are wedding?"
After a few more questions of what she meant, I realized she was talking about wedding vows... "I take you Anika" etc. She was quite seriously listening, then announced... "OK, I'm married now... but I'm not having a honeymoon." I raised my eyebrows (how did she know about honeymoons??) and said, "OK.... but what would you do IF you were going to honeymoon?"
"Oh, I don't know... but I'm not going to."
Hockey Update
Thor is excited about his last few days of hockey. We have practce tonight and Monday. Then a game next weekend (Sat at 10a.m.). Unless they find room in the schedule, this is pretty much the end of the season. It has been a great time... watching the coaches take a group of boys would couldn't even stand up on skate the first night... to now participating in games that actually feel like a hockey game! Especially when you get to watch your child make a goal a time or two! At the same time, I won't complain about getting to sleep in on Saturday mornings anymore!!
Valentine's Day
Valentine's day was very sweet... I helped Thor get a box ready to take to school for his Valentine Party... along with cards and "tatoos" for all his classmates. I really need to remember earlier next year to be more creative with his box. He wanted to make a Dale Jr. Nascar out of a Kleenix box.... UM.... well.... since we didn't even start the box until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, I told him he'd have to be OK with A BOX... he could draw whatever he wanted on the side in the morning while he ate breakfast. It was all OK... but he informed me he really wants a Dale Jr. car next year!
Anika was very focused on flowers this Valentine's Day. She commented at least 3 times earlier in the day that Daddy should really bring some flowers for her since it was Valentine's Day. (I don't think she could remember if Dirk brought me flowers last year or not??) Well... Dirk came home from work... carrying a rose and a box of chocolate... Anika lit up like a Christmas Tree... "Daddy, you brought me a flower for Valentines Day... I love flowers... I'm so glad you brought ME a flower!!"
Dirk was a little surprised, but mentioned to Anika that the flower was for me...She wasn't completely happy... but decided she could SHARE the flower with me. (smiles)
Rice Update
Rice called on Valentine's afternoon to wish Anika a Happy Valentine's Day. (actually my brother, Layne). It was hard to keep a straight face. Anika wasn't concerned or excited... just very matter-of-fact... "oh, Rice...Yes, Happy Valentine's Day..." and that was that...
Later she asked me, "mom, what are those words you say when you are wedding?"
After a few more questions of what she meant, I realized she was talking about wedding vows... "I take you Anika" etc. She was quite seriously listening, then announced... "OK, I'm married now... but I'm not having a honeymoon." I raised my eyebrows (how did she know about honeymoons??) and said, "OK.... but what would you do IF you were going to honeymoon?"
"Oh, I don't know... but I'm not going to."
Hockey Update
Thor is excited about his last few days of hockey. We have practce tonight and Monday. Then a game next weekend (Sat at 10a.m.). Unless they find room in the schedule, this is pretty much the end of the season. It has been a great time... watching the coaches take a group of boys would couldn't even stand up on skate the first night... to now participating in games that actually feel like a hockey game! Especially when you get to watch your child make a goal a time or two! At the same time, I won't complain about getting to sleep in on Saturday mornings anymore!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Feel the THUNDER!!!
Yes, the team name is THUNDER!! Too funny that Thor is the little thunder man!! Anyway -- we finally have pictures of Thor at hockey thanks to dear Bethany. If it were not for Bethany, I would have no pictures of my family on the most important occasions!
We had a great weekend when Bethany flew out to visit. Anika was quite excited to pick her up at the airport... most excited to ride the escalator up and down... don't you wish you got excited about such simple things?? We had a lovely lunch at Bully's Blends the first afternoon... a shopping trip with Jan at the mall... pizza supper Friday nights... followed by Jane Austen movies into the wee hours of the night.
Saturday morning was the afore mentioned hockey game (yes, I've been watching too
many Jane Austen movies..."afore" means "previous"). Hockey is great fun for all of us, usually short and sweet. Practices and games are limited to 1 hour... but it is just COLD in the arena (of course, it's hockey). But we had fun anyway.
Saturday noon mom and dad made lunch for all of us. We had a lazy afternoon of reading and napping. Then in the evening Bethany and I went to the Cinema to attend the 7pm showing of National Treasure. (doesn't Cinema sound so much better than the Movie theater? Especially when you say it with a British accent??) Of course, Theater would be more in keeping with J Austen's era... but then I'd have to spell it "theatre" like any good Englishman. Anyway, after the movie we sat and talked at Starbucks for a long time...(maybe 1 1/2 hrs?)
Sunday was church, lunch on the go and Superbowl party at Ted and Jan's house. It was a lovely afternoon in Hot Springs, even if Holli and gang didn't make it for the party. Theo is still just too little (he was just at 3 weeks then) to be exposed to the "crud"... and there were too many of us not feeling 100% ... not worth taking the chance.
Monday we stayed home almost all day - watching Jane Austen again (Pride and Prejudice takes 6 hours!!)... hockey practice in the evening, etc. Tuesday morning I dragged her along to MOPS with me... then a nice lunch at the Delmonico Grill downtown, a few hours of walking through some Antique shops downtown... and back to the airport by 2:30.
Whew... i'm tired just remembering it all!! Anyway, it was fun! Glad you could make it dear B! (I think I used to call her "bethany-booters" when she was Anika's age...?? ) Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that ONCE AGAIN, she was mistaken as MY daughter... that hasn't happened for a lot of years now... maybe all the white in my red hair is not helping matters??
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Anchors Away...
Thor, Anika and I spent the evening at the RC Swim Center. It's one of our top family favorite activities, especially in the winter months. Anika was such a "big" girl, going on her own 100% of the time (with the help of a life jacket). I didn't know what to do, not having to hang onto a little one. Dirk stayed home with Liv since both are recovering from the winter "crud."
So... just wondering if any of you other family and friends have experienced "help" and accountability from your own children? We are trying to get Thor out of the habit of saying "oh darn"... (I think he must have learned it at school... not that it's the worst thing to say... but we prefer other euphamisms). We suggested replacing it with "oh snap." (ala "truedog" from the TobyMac CD Portable Sounds).
Here is the kicker... I have a habit of saying "oh crap."(bad?? not so good?? or something in between) I guess comparing "darn" and "crap" I do have to admit c-r-a-p probably has more disgusting origins...
Tonight when we got out of the car I dropped my keys on the very cold and icy groud... "oh crap" slipped out before I could even thing. The next second Thor was looking at me, quite disgusted and asked,
"Mom, did you say 'oh crap' or 'oh snap?"
I won't share my answer for fear that some of you will be disappointed in me (as I am in myself). Oh SNAP!! this is going to be hard.
PS: a dear friend and mentor told me once that if you really HAD to use a not-so-nice euphemism you had to spell it and whisper it. Unfortunately, I know God will still hear me... even if all I do is THINK about it.
OH SNAP!! This is REALLY going to be hard.
PPS: just discovered the identity of Rice (read previous blog). I'm pretty sure his name is Bryce... and he is a pretty adorable little boy... but I'm not planning any weddings just yet.
So... just wondering if any of you other family and friends have experienced "help" and accountability from your own children? We are trying to get Thor out of the habit of saying "oh darn"... (I think he must have learned it at school... not that it's the worst thing to say... but we prefer other euphamisms). We suggested replacing it with "oh snap." (ala "truedog" from the TobyMac CD Portable Sounds).
Here is the kicker... I have a habit of saying "oh crap."(bad?? not so good?? or something in between) I guess comparing "darn" and "crap" I do have to admit c-r-a-p probably has more disgusting origins...
Tonight when we got out of the car I dropped my keys on the very cold and icy groud... "oh crap" slipped out before I could even thing. The next second Thor was looking at me, quite disgusted and asked,
"Mom, did you say 'oh crap' or 'oh snap?"
I won't share my answer for fear that some of you will be disappointed in me (as I am in myself). Oh SNAP!! this is going to be hard.
PS: a dear friend and mentor told me once that if you really HAD to use a not-so-nice euphemism you had to spell it and whisper it. Unfortunately, I know God will still hear me... even if all I do is THINK about it.
OH SNAP!! This is REALLY going to be hard.
PPS: just discovered the identity of Rice (read previous blog). I'm pretty sure his name is Bryce... and he is a pretty adorable little boy... but I'm not planning any weddings just yet.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
What does Rice look like??
For those of you who haven't heard yet... Rice is Anika's imaginary friend. He had breakfast with us this morning... sharing Anika's chair (and cheerio's) with her. We had quite the conversation about Rice on Sunday, on the drive down to Ted and Jan's house for the Superbowl. I thought some of you might get a kick out of this account....
Anika started the conversation a few days earlier informing me that she wasn't going to marry Grandpa Alan anymore, now she had decided to marry Rice. I mentioned that Rice would have to ask her daddy's permission to marry her....
She came back a few moments later and declared that Rice had asked his daddy, and it was OK, so they could get married. I reminded her that Rice would have to ask HER daddy's permission... thinking this would end the converstaion.
Fast forward to Sunday in the car with the family.... I think we first got on the subject of what Rice looked like. Anika was a little vague, mentioning Rice was a real boy in her pre-school class (must have been last year a Zion when she went to preschool for a few hours a week). She said "I thought he looked good. So in a shy voice I said 'hi.' And Rice was nice and helped me build a castle."
We did get out of her that Rice has black hair. She kept saying "I know what he looks like." And we kept asking her what else... to which she finally said, "you can't see him, he is imaginary." (what do you say to that??)
Of course the subject of her marrying Rice came up again... so she asked Dirk if he would let her marry Rice. Dirk was trying to say "no" without really saying "no"... He said maybe he wouldn't like Rice, that he didn't know Rice or what he looked like, or maybe Rice wasn't "good enough?" Anika even gave Rice a voice for a moment and said "Mr. Dirk, can I marry Anika"... and when Dirk wasn't saying Yes right
away, Anika said "please daddy say Yes."
Needless to say we were all trying to swallow our laughter. I guess at one point Dirk finally said... "maybe... someday." That was good enough for Anika.
When we got to Ted and Jan's house we were sharing a little with Jan about our entertainment for the ride... so Anika started sharing all over again about her friend Rice. Anika said they were asking Dirk if they could get married... Jan asked what he said... Dirk started to comment something that sounded like a "no" ... to which Anika quickly broke in and said "Too late... you said 'someday." So I guess the matter was settled in HER mind!!
Anika started the conversation a few days earlier informing me that she wasn't going to marry Grandpa Alan anymore, now she had decided to marry Rice. I mentioned that Rice would have to ask her daddy's permission to marry her....
She came back a few moments later and declared that Rice had asked his daddy, and it was OK, so they could get married. I reminded her that Rice would have to ask HER daddy's permission... thinking this would end the converstaion.
Fast forward to Sunday in the car with the family.... I think we first got on the subject of what Rice looked like. Anika was a little vague, mentioning Rice was a real boy in her pre-school class (must have been last year a Zion when she went to preschool for a few hours a week). She said "I thought he looked good. So in a shy voice I said 'hi.' And Rice was nice and helped me build a castle."
We did get out of her that Rice has black hair. She kept saying "I know what he looks like." And we kept asking her what else... to which she finally said, "you can't see him, he is imaginary." (what do you say to that??)
Of course the subject of her marrying Rice came up again... so she asked Dirk if he would let her marry Rice. Dirk was trying to say "no" without really saying "no"... He said maybe he wouldn't like Rice, that he didn't know Rice or what he looked like, or maybe Rice wasn't "good enough?" Anika even gave Rice a voice for a moment and said "Mr. Dirk, can I marry Anika"... and when Dirk wasn't saying Yes right
away, Anika said "please daddy say Yes."
Needless to say we were all trying to swallow our laughter. I guess at one point Dirk finally said... "maybe... someday." That was good enough for Anika.
When we got to Ted and Jan's house we were sharing a little with Jan about our entertainment for the ride... so Anika started sharing all over again about her friend Rice. Anika said they were asking Dirk if they could get married... Jan asked what he said... Dirk started to comment something that sounded like a "no" ... to which Anika quickly broke in and said "Too late... you said 'someday." So I guess the matter was settled in HER mind!!
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