Noticing {Day 25}

Some Quotables -- Things they say that I don't want to forget:

When we are going to do something (go upstairs to get dressed, go outside, etc.), Austen often says, "Mama, let's do it!" or "Let's do this, Mama!"

Austen passed me on the stairs, breathing hard, carrying things from the play kitchen. "I need to go feed my animals. I'm sorry, I can't meet with you right now."

When Austen wants to say "I'm not," she often says "I amn't."

If you tell her something, she may respond with "Got it" or "of course."

Kaitlyn was talking to me while I was getting ready in the morning, and A came downstairs. K pokes her head out of the bathroom door and says, "Oh hey, Mereina." They are constantly making up names for each other, and they often end in "eina." I've also heard Kaitlyn call Riley Ameina. They are just so matter-of-fact about it. 

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Last night, I put lights up in the girls' rooms while they were downstairs. They were SO excited to see them at bedtime. Thank you, Grandma Bonnie, for their first room Christmas lights--they are in love. I used to decorate my room every year, and the lights were my favorite part. Turn them on in the dark, put on some Christmas music, and color me happy. 

Austen wanted to take my picture:

Apparently, when my parents brought them home this evening, Austen rushed upstairs, put on jammies and turned her lights on. "I'm going to bed. Good night!"

(We unplug them when they fall asleep, and Aust came stumbling in our room at 4:30 this morning, "My candy lights are off." I put her sleep walking self back to bed and got another 30 minutes.)

Nutcracker Pandora station = my heaven. It just warms my heart. It also makes me sad...I don't know if my Grandpa Ed actually played the Nutcracker on their old stereo or not, but my memory thinks he did. They definitely played "traditional" Christmas music, which I think is at the root of my love for it. 

As I get older, the holidays become more and more bittersweet. New, sweet moments in the present, but an ache for those who aren't with us anymore; cozy traditions that are no longer possible.

Even watching the Grinch - Mama's forever favorite - with the girls brings with it a longing for Grandma and Grandpa's condo, with the lights on the Lanai and the mini Christmas tree with the spinny ornaments. 

Ahhh...I love the holidays, I do. They just hold a more vast meaning in my "old age." I've been learning to embrace it--to sit in the dark in front of the tree, taking in the music and simultaneously feeling overjoyed and excited for my own girls while holding a lump in my throat for holidays passed.

Will my overly sentimental ways ever cease??

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In other news, we now have TWO egg layers! I'm pretty sure it's Wendy (white) who decided to join the party today. 

Jeff texted me to let me know we had two eggs, and I called him immediately. Instead of saying hello:

"You just can't contain yourself, can you."  Nope!! Yipppeeee!

The girls were playing hide and seek with Daddy and Austen comes scrambling down the stairs to find a hiding spot. I can't give a description to do it justice, so just trust me that it was so flippin' cute/hilarious. She couldn't decide where to hide as they were getting closer to 20. After changing her mind on the closet, she dove under the table just in time:

No, she doesn't use a binky. This was left at our house over a year and ago and she'll pop it on every once in a while:

Kaitlyn read us two entire Bob books at bedtime all.by.herself. Proud parents! I don't care what she's "supposed" to be doing, yadda yadda--we are just so proud of her for figuring it out! 

And she was proud, too. Not a whole lot that's better than that.

 

Then Austen picked the Grinch. That's my girl. 

I'm pretty sure the idea of these things was that they would be shorter. Short-winded I am not. No going back and editing...I'm sure this whole thing is a mess--good night!