faux eczema

Lately my kids' skin has been so dry. Every inch of their bodies are sore and dry and cracking.

I couldn't figure it out. After their baths, I'd lather them up head to toe with lotion but it was not helping.

Then I looked at my lotion. Here's a picture. See if you can see what I saw.

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Need a closer look?

That's right... my so-called-lotion was really body wash. For weeks, I had been rubbing body wash all over my kids and letting it soak into their skin.

I think it's time for a vacation... and maybe an eye exam.

big girl

Ari has been my most agile child. She figured out rolling, crawling, standing, and now walking earlier than any of my other children. I honestly think it's because she's got herself a pair of super fun siblings that she wants to follow around.

When she took her first step, tears popped into my eyes. She is growing up too quick. Walking is what big kids do and Ari is just too little. However, I am excited. Once it gets warm, we live outside and if Ari's walking, maybe she won't be as interested in eating rocks, dirt, and bugs. It's worth hoping...

Here's a video of Ari walking. I laughed when I heard Halle whining in the background for more bananas. A momentous thing is happening and Halle is worried more about food.

...and the new princess is...

As I walked into Halle's room the other day, she had a confession to make - she had drawn on her wall. I hadn't noticed it, but upon closer inspection I saw the drawing and had to hold in my laughter. Apparently, Halle thought it was about time there was a new Disney princess. Among the pictures of Snow White, Belle, and Tiana, there was a new little curly-haired princess drawn - a self-portrait.

I'm excited for the royalities to start rollin' in!

lists

Zach’s school requires that each child’s parents log 30 hours of volunteer work every year at the school. This forces me to volunteer when, honestly, I probably wouldn’t. However, I love it. I love watching Zach interact with his friends. I get to watch him learn. I get to know his teachers. I get to hear straight from their mouths how Zach is doing. I get to see what and how he is learning. I get to see how the classroom is run. But my favorite thing about volunteering is I get to hear stories about Zach.

I talked with Miss Sammy today and she said Zach’s reading group is learning about lists. Miss Sammy explained to the group that she makes lists every day so that she doesn’t forget the things she needs to do. Zach piped in, “My mom forgets everything. She definitely doesn’t use a list!” I laughed and laughed. He is so right. Just yesterday he had swimming lessons and I forgot to bring a towel for him. Who does that? Apparently, me. I guess I need to start making lists.

Here is Zach's list for getting ready to go to the moon:

 



I love that he takes a detour to Mars to kill alins (aliens) and then flies to the moon like he's supposed to.

pickle juice

If you're familiar with comedian Brian Regan, you may be familiar with the skit he does about his kids. Brian talks about when you have kids, you have to string together sentences that you never thought you'd have to aim at another human being. This is true - I'll vouch for him. I will give you an example in a second, but first listen to the skit. You'll hear what you need to hear in the first couple minutes, but the entire thing is humorous.

On Sunday, I was making lunch for Halle. She had asked for a ham and cheese sandwich with a pickle on the side. While making the sandwich, I placed the pickle jar in front of her. She twisted off the lid on her own. Quite impressed, I kept watching her. She removed a pickle with a fork. After a couple bites of the pickle, she stuck her hand back in the jar, dunked the pickle into the brine, and then smiled as she licked the vinegary goodness off her twice-dipped pickle. Upon seeing this, I said something I never thought I’d have to say to another human being: “Halle!! No double dipping your pickle!” She just laughed. That girl loves her pickles!

Oh the joys children bring!

random pics

Here are some random, but cute, pictures I found on my camera:

Ari LOVES the dishwasher. She loves to pull out all the silverware and suck on each piece individually. I figure this is okay because I've got Grandma Allan blood in me and I prewash all my dishes before they go in the dishwasher. Plus, compared to eating off the floor, the dishwasher is a step up.

When I told Halle we were going to our local high school's production of The Little Mermaid, I promised her I would make an Ariel costume. This is what she got. Luckily, she doesn't know her mom really can't sew, thus the costume's a bit iffy.

This view cracked me up so I had to snag a picture: Zach doing his homework dressed as Captain CTR. I hope channeling all that "rightness" helped with those math problems. Such a cute kid.

be my valentine

At the beginning of February, the kids decorated "mailboxes" to which secret love notes could be delivered. Usually, these ideas that I find flop but Zach and Halle really loved writing and receiving love notes.

Zach would finish up his shower at night so he'd have time to write Halle a note before she got out of the bath. One night, Zach delivered Oreos to my room as my love note. Halle drew pictures and wrote notes to Zach while he was at school, and then made sure he checked his mailbox right when he got home. I loved watching my kids write love notes. I also loved taking the time to write down the things I love about my kids.

Some notes to Zach:

• My favorite thing about you is... your laugh. Everyone smiles when you laugh hard. (Love, Dad)
• The thing I most admire about you is... your ability to see the good everywhere and in everyone. (Love, Mom)

Some notes to Halle:

• My favorite memory of you is... when we went on our date and saw Brave. I love spending time with you! (Love, Dad)
• One of your best attributes is... that you're so compassionate. You always think of others first. (Love, Mom)
• I think you're funny when you... be crase (Love, Zach)

One night when Brandon had to work late, the kids and I made a love banner for him. I let the kids write what they wanted and I loved how it turned out.

 

 

In case you can't make out some of the writing:

• I like you because you play wii (from Zach)
• He's fun (from Halle)
• You find me (from Zach)
• You let me suck on your head (from Ari)
• I {heart} dad because he plays with me (from Halle)

It's been my favorite Valentine month because of all the love going around... and the Oreos didn't hurt either!