April 30, 2008

Margaritas and Mother's Day

Before bed tonight, Abby, Matty and I were all sitting in the livingroom, talking together. Then Abby busts this out:

A: Momma, there are not gonna be margaritas at the Mother's Day Tea. There's just gonna be water, and lemonade, and other stuff that kids and grown-ups can drink.
G:Who said there wouldn't be margaritas?
A: Mrs. P.
G: Why did she say that?
A: Because I said: "Mrs. P, are there gonna be margaritas? Because my mom loves margaritas!"

Matthew and I are laughing are heads off at this point.

G: Did Mrs. P laugh?
A: No, she just said we would have water, and tea, and iced tea and things that kids and grown-ups could drink.

Then Matty chimes in: "G, the lush."

Apparently, Abby asked this in front of the whole class. Maybe we will be the subject of the next PTA meeting...dun dun dun..."Parents who drink!" I wonder what her teacher thinks of me, but mostly I just think my kid is the awesomest. She makes me want to squeeze her tightly and kiss, kiss, kiss her face. What a riot!

April 26, 2008

picnic day fun


meow
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
We had fun at picnic day this year. Abby talked me in to having my face painted like hers at the orphaned kitten exhibit. We didn't leave with a cat. Noah is plenty of work--we don't need any more creatures in the house! Abby rode her bike all over campus. She giggled and scampered, slid down a big hill of manmade snow (with daddy), and talked to her brother about animals.

On another note, between now and mid-June, I'll be studying hard and preparing to take my Qualifying exams (written and oral "defense" of my dissertation prospectus). Matthew will be finishing a draft of his job-talk paper (the last of his dissertation). Because of this, I think my blogging energy will be very low. I'll do my best to check in again soon, but don't expect too much! Abby finishes Kindergarden on June 5th, after which she will be home until first grade starts up! We're excited about our new Nanny, Kate; she takes care of Noah 3 hours per day, 3-4 days a week. This seemed the best way to get study hours in without putting little Bean in daycare. He's not ready yet. He is still such a little guy and takes great naps at home and such. We love Kate! She is as sweet as can be and super-qualified! She graduates with her BA in Human Development this June, followed by her MA in early childhood ed. She is getting married in July and will be Noah's nanny through June. Noah seems pleased as punch to have a new (energetic and loving) friend!

That's it for now. I'll check back in later.

TWO WHEELS!


TWO WHEELS!
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Abby learned how to ride a bike without training wheels! She has gone from wobbly and tentative to confident (bordering on reckless) in just a week. She has yet to take a really hard fall, so she still has little fear. She rides all over the place!

Matty has done a great job teaching her and giving her lots of encouragement. It is so fun to see her ride!

April 11, 2008

Today I am ONE!


Today I am ONE!
Originally uploaded by gennabby.
Today is Noah's first birthday! We celebrated by having some delicious frozen yogurt. Cupcakes will come later when daddy gets home from his trip. Noah's Mia (G's mom) is spending a few days with us--giving G a hand with the gang.

It is hard to believe that a year has passed, but Noah perfectly completes our family. He brings us all so much joy--more than we thought possible.

April 5, 2008

dressing-room confessions

We went to the mall today: this is something we very very rarely do. We go once a year around Christmas time, but not in April!?! Anyway, we found ourselves (all 4 Pearsons) at Express (a clothing store for men and women) and I tried a few things on just for yucks. If I'm going to the trouble to try things on, I figure I ought to try things I normally wouldn't wear: such as a cute little black dress. You know, just to see how I look in it! Well, I tried it on in front of Abby, and we had the following conversation:

G: Hmm, this is cute but I'd never have anyplace to wear it!
A: Yeah, you'd have to get a divorce!
G: (After truly belly laughing and feeling thankful I hadn't just taken a sip of anything, lest I spray it all over the place) Where did you hear that word?
A: On Mrs. Doubtfire (a movie). If the dress were white, it could be like a wedding dress a little bit.

At first I thought she meant what I was thinking she meant: Yeah, daddy isn't going to take mommy anywhere that she needs to wear that dress. And, really, neither of us are into fussy dates--we like coffee dates, movies out, dinner together (alone), and an occasional destination date where we actually have something we want to see or experience together, like wine tasting or a bike race (or a Vols game). But these dates are rare; we're too busy for that level of planning. Maybe Abby was thinking that the dress would make a cute wedding dress, but that I wouldn't need one of those unless I remarried (which would, logically, require a divorce). So, I was shocked in the funniest way that she would even think about the concept. Man, my kid is a crack up.

potty water drinker all the day

I just caught Noah Bean standing in front of the potty: holding the rim with one hand, fishing around in the water with the other.

April 4, 2008

anticipatory grace

I've come to expect that anything we send to school with Abby for show-and-tell must be something we're willing to let go of forever. Most of the time these items come home in perfect condition, because Abby is very careful with them (and is gentle in general). But I know how she worries about disappointing us (no matter how much reassurance she receives from us that we will ALWAYS love her and that there is nothing she could do--not even the worst thing in the world--to make us not love her). So, now when I send her out the door with a show-and-tell item, I relinquish it. I give it up with thoughts of being happy to see it come home, but not devastated if there should be a mishap. This morning Abby took a sweet little glass garden ornament, which swirls when the wind blows it. I like this silly little thing; it's pretty and fun to have hanging around. But I told Abby that if it should break, I would not be angry with her. She already knows to be careful and doesn't need that reminder again, but when she is in away from me and I can't wipe her tears and tell her that "accidents happen," I want her to know not to despair or worry. She is forgiven. I recall hearing abut how my mom once brought a statue, a wedding gift to her mom and dad, to school. She had it on top of her flip desk, protected it all day long, and at the end of the day, flipped her desk up and sent the statue crashing to bits. She was forgiven and loved, perhaps even more for her dear heartbrokenness over the mistake. She's a grandmother now and is still so aware of that moment in which she experienced grace so long ago. I hope we can cultivate that kind of grace more and more in our household. Goodness knows we will have opportunities galore to do so with Noah getting more mobile; oh yes, and Matthew has a knack with fumbling glasses and dishes from time to time. :)