More Marleigh

I know it probably gets old, me always posting the things she says, but I just don't want to forget some of these things.  What better way to make sure I remember, than to put them on the blog?

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Marleigh:  Here.  Please watch my Barbie's while I go shopping.

Me:  Okay.  I'll keep an eye on them.

Marleigh:  You're Barbie-sitting!!!  (followed by uncontrollable giggles.)

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The other morning after preschool, Marleigh was admiring houses.

Marleigh:  Oh.... I'm going to live in that house when I grow up!!!

Me:  But I'll miss you!

Marleigh:  Well, I'm kinda like God.  I'll always be with you in your heart no matter what.

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Last night, I was cutting up a cucumber from my garden.  Kade was in the kitchen with me watching.  He started getting very upset and repeating "La-eee!!!  La-eee!!!"  I couldn't figure out why he was getting so upset.  Marleigh walked in and figured it out instantly, "It's okay, Bubba.  That isn't Larry the cucumber from Veggies."

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My flowers have been a little neglected lately.  This morning, there was a nice, gentle rain.

Marleigh:  Mom, I bet this refreshing shower will perk your beautiful flowers right up!

And that is verbatim!

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Marleigh normally eats in the mornings at preschool, but it was canceled this morning.  Last night she was asking me where she was going to eat breakfast, so I told her Rebecca's.  She thought for a moment then said to me, "Ya know, Mom, Rebecca feeds us all the time.  I think it would be nice if we took her donuts for breakfast tomorrow."  So we did.  :)

My Little Ballerina

Marleigh had her first dance class yesterday.  I mentioned to Rebecca, our daycare provider, that I would be a little early to pick up the kids, because Marleigh had dance class.   Rebecca's niece dances, and had some dance clothes she had outgrown.  They were kind enough to let Marleigh borrow them. Rebecca even put Marleigh's hair up in a perfect ballerina bun.   Marleigh could hardly contain her excitement. She was dancing around Rebecca's living room when I went to pick the kids up.  

I thought Marleigh might be a bit apprehensive when we arrived to the dance studio.  We went in and found her room.  I told her I had a few errands to run, but would be back.  She turned to me, gave me a kiss and said, "See you in a little bit, Mom!"  Sometimes she seems so much more grown up than 4 years old.  

Poor little brother thought he was going to dance, too.  Kade watched as Marleigh walked into the studio and started fussing and kept saying, "I dance, too!  I dance, too!"  He so much wants to do everything big sissy does.  

Kade and I ran a couple of errands and returned to pick Marleigh up.  She came out of the studio beaming.  As soon as Kade saw her, he went running to her, "My Sissy!!!"  

She chattered the whole way home.  "Mom, they measured my feet!  I am going to get real ballerina slippers!"  

"Mom, we played Duck, Duck, Goose. And they went 'duck, duck, duck', and when they said 'goose', you had to jump up and run.  My tutu swirled around when I had to get up and run!"  

And then, because she is such a caring little thing, stopped talking about dance and said, "I forgot to ask, Mom.  Did you have fun at Aaron's?"  

Took this ol' Mama a minute, but I figured it out.  "Honey, we ran some errands.  We didn't go to Aaron's."  I'm not even sure she knows an Aaron!  

That girl just makes me smile.    :)

Kade

He climbed up on the platfrom under our dining room table and yelled,
"I'm hiding, Mom!"

Oh, this little boy.  He sure is quite the character.  Always on the go.  Always pushing the envelope.  Always pushing his Mama's buttons (and the buttons on the dishwasher, washing machine, etc). He is so incredibly inquisitive, determined, and independent.  I admire those three qualities in him so much, yet they are also my biggest challenge.

 I struggle daily with parenting this cute little fella.  I want him to grow up into a man of God and to use these qualities in a way to glorify Him.  I know that it is Marc and I's responsibility to try to get Kade to that point.  I just wish there was a road map guiding us along the way.

I would never want to change anything about Kade. His exuberance is contagious.  But, he needs rules, discipline, and consistency. So much time right now is being spent correcting him.   Sometimes, I even feel a bit bad for being on his case all the time.  He is usually not doing anything that is outright wrong or mean spirited.  Normally, it is Kade being curious, pushing the limits, and having zero fear.  That is what makes it such a huge challenge for me. Finding the line of correcting him just enough, but still letting him be who God made him to be.

I am far from the perfect parent. I have my less than stellar moments and get upset and frustrated, although I am really working on it.  Slowly, my patience is growing.  Once again, God is using one of my children to help teach me a lesson in patience. The days can be exhausting.  Often, I feel like the only thing I accomplished all day was correcting Kade.  But I know these days are numbered, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I pray that by investing the time now, in his early years,  we will make things easier down the road.

Getting ready for KSU Football

Last night, Marc and the kids were getting ready for some KSU football.  They watched K-State videos for almost an hour.  I'm not sure who was pumped up more, Daddy or the kids!  Here's just a few short videos.  

This one was towards the end.  Kade showcases his great footwork (future KSU lineman, right there), and then is so tired, so he is playing in Sissy's hair.  

Poor, Marleigh.  She basically gets mauled by her little brother.  She is so tolerant of him.  

You can hear Kade yelling, "Purple!"  

I missed the very beginning of them watching the KSU videos.  Marleigh spotted the cheerleaders, and was so excited, "Daddy, look!  The K-State Cheerleaders!  That's what I want to be when I grow up!"  Looks like instead of cleats and a mit, we'll be needing skirts and pom poms!  And that's fine by me.  You can be whatever you want, sweet girl!  

Eye Check Up + Weekly Weigh In

Yesterday, we headed back to Wichita for yet another eye check up for Miss Marleigh.  We have still been patching her left eye every day for two hours.  I can't say it enough... I am so impressed with how well she does with wearing her eye patch.  I have patched one of my eyes just to see what it is like, and it is very challenging, and I have near perfect vision.

I am thrilled to report that her eyes are now both 20/20, while wearing her glasses.  Please keep in mind that just ten months ago, her right eye was 20/70.  I almost jumped up and down I was so excited!  We will continue the course we are one right now, patching 2 hours each day.  We will check her in October, and if she has maintained the 20/20 in both eyes, be will begin slowly reducing the patch time until we find the perfect maintenance level of patching.  If we patch it too much, her good eye may become weaker.  If we don't patch it enough, then it will more than likely grow weaker again.  The doctor said we want to for sure maintain the 20/20 in both eyes for a while, then try to gradually taper off wearing the eye patch to see if her eyes can maintain on their own.

What trip to Wichita is complete without a little shopping?  Marleigh is getting more and more opinionated about what she wears.  She has been begging for some sparklie shoes, so I obliged.  She was over the moon happy about them and wore them the second we got out of the store.  Hey, they weren't my first choice, but her reaction was well worth it.  Little girl is growing up and should be able to pick out some of her own clothes.  :)

She wouldn't take them off once we were home, either.  And then had to try them on with her jammies!  Love how something as simple as shoes can make her whole day!  

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Two weeks into my little mini challenge to be healthier.  I am down another 2 pounds!  Yay!  Mainly I ate a little better, but also exercised twice, which is huge for me.  Still no running, yet.  That is this weeks main goal.  Make myself run at least once!  

Kade 2 year well check

Yesterday, we had Kade's 2 year well check.  He is 40 pounds and 38 inches tall.  Still off the charts in both categories.  The doctor was impressed with his verbal and motor skills.  About half way through the exam, Kade looked at him and said, "I'm done. Come on, Mom.  Let's go."  He just isn't one for sitting still more than a few seconds.  :)


Very grateful for my strong, big, healthy boy!

Week 1

How did week 1 go?   Fail!!!  

The idea of putting it here on the blog for some accountability?  Success!!!  I feel awful for letting a whole week slip by and doing NOTHING.  

I did eat a little better and when I weighed myself I am down 1/2 lb.  I guess that is better than gaining!  Onward and upwards for week 2!!!