First (hopefully ONLY) broken bone

A week ago Friday, I got a call at work that Amelia had hurt herself on the playground at school. I went to pick her up and decided to head to the ER to have her checked out. Sure enough, the ER reported that she had a minor fracture of her radius (forearm) and they put on a temporary cast/splint. (Note: it was missions week at school, and all the kids were invited to wear a 'native' costume - I don't dress Amelia in a Mandarin outfit every day!) We were supposed to follow up for a permanent cast later, but in true Amelia form, she was only concerned that we not miss seeing the musical Annie, which we had tickets for that evening and had been looking forward to for weeks.









On Wednesday, we had an appointment to see the orthopedist to put a more permanent cast on. Imagine my surprise when he said not only had Amelia fractured the bone, but the arm was actually dislocated from where it joins the other arm bone up by the elbow. So...on Good Friday, we were at our local hospital, where Chunie underwent general anesthesia to have her arm set. She charmed all the nurses, but was less than thrilled when she came out with a bright yellow cast (she had repeatedly requested purple, but apparently the OR was fresh out of purple). All in all, she is fine. She will be in her cast for 4 weeks. The good news is her cast is waterproof and supposedly won't be stinky by week 4. We'll see!

The Chunster's Politics

I debated not adding this post to the blog, but I figure, hey, it's my blog, and this is my version of a baby book. So here goes. I will say for the record (hey, the record is important in my line of work) that I most certainly believe in being
prayerful and supportive of whatever person is the chosen leader. Please don't take any of this to imply disrespect.

The Chunster loves Obama. There, you have heard my secret.



As you might imagine, I hail from the Land of Dubya, not only in geography, but in spirit and philosophy also. I am unashamedly Republican, and so is my family. We call 43rd "Uncle George."

So...back in Sept, I was trying to teach Amelia to say "we are republicans," anticipating Papa's pride. And then it happened. Out of the cherub's mouth comes: "Mom, you may be Repubwican, but I am Democrat." Yes, on speaker phone. Yes, with Papa on the other end. Thud. Trying to make the best of the circumstances, I suggested to Amelia that, on the other hand, she might need to be 4 before declaring a political party.

Then came the actual election. My preschooler fell head-over-heels for Obama. She began telling me to "shush" when he is on the news. She went crazy when she saw his photo (yes, we had to purchase the Time Magazine commemorative edition). She asked me once, "don't you think our new Pwesident is handsome?" And of
course, she prays for him every night. She once told me that he sits next to God and talks to Him. I hope so!!!

To top it off, in a West Texas airport crowded with people, when the TV was showing Dubya's goodbye speech, my very tactful 4 yr old LOUDLY announced "he's outta
here!" Yes, I got the stink-eye from my fellow West Texans.

Several weeks back was the Presidential Address. My Chun-bug was SO thrilled. She grabbed her commemorative magazine and claimed her spot in front of the TV. She actually stood and cheered when the audience did. (Okay, my mom did call her to point out some people were seated and not cheering and those people were Republicans. Amelia said, "my mom didn't clap either" - at least she's catching on.)



We tried to explain redistribution of wealth, and she was briefly concerned about the safety of her Ratatouille bank, but when we assured her that nobdy was coming to take it away, she recovered. As she was watching the President with adoration, I decided I should photograph this magical moment.



Finally, Amelia asked if she could use the camera. Assuming she want to take my picture, I handed the camera over. However, the Mama as a subject has now been usurped by one much fairer: Our President. Yes, the Chunster photographed
her magazine cover, featuring President Obama. She even began playing "presidential motorcade" with her cars (I happened to buy a presidential limo play car when I was in D.C. for work...back when Uncle George lived in the White House.)



This might be funny if it weren't completely and totally true. How does a Mama lose her political influence before her child turns 5?

And Papa has recovered from his near heart-failure: he actually bought her a t-shirt that says "Little Democrat." No, I have not yet let her wear it in public.


Amy

Enough already...my self-esteem can't take it!

When Amelia was 2 and learning the difference between "big" and "little" she used me as an object lesson: "Mommy, I have a yittle skirt 'cuz I have a yittle bottom. You have a BIG skirt because you have a BIG bottom." I accepted this observation because she was applying new knowledge to daily life (yeah!) and because it happened to be true (ugh).

When she was 3, and learning the word "blonde," she told me, "but Mommy, your hair isn't bwonde. It's GWAY." Gray hair at 31? My heart skipped a few beats, but I moved on.

Shortly after her 4th birthday, Amelia was watching cartoons, when she bellowed from the living room, "MOOOMMMMYYY!! COME HERE!!!! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!!!!!!!!"
I thought maybe something was on fire, so I ran in post haste. Instead, it seems she wanted me to see a commercial. "MOM," she said, "You NEED this." What on earth could I need so badly, you ask? Well, friends, it was a commercial for ProActive. The acne solution. As Alyssa Milano was extolling the virtues of this amazing product, Amelia had the phone in her hand and was preparing to dial the 1-800 number. She explained to me "Mom, your face boo-boo will go away and your skin will be cwean and shiny." This is probably good news for the advertisers of ProActive - even a 4 yr old understands your product. But YES, I was insulted. One small flare up, and The Chunster was staging an intervention.

But not one of these prior events compares to last night's. Yes, The Chunster outdid herself this time.

Every day, when I arrive home in the afternoon, that whirlwind of a Chun-bug hurls herself at me and squeals "MOMMY! YOU'RE HOME!!!" with her arms outreached to be picked up. I freely admit that she is 4.5, and too heavy and too old for this, but she's my one and only, and I am gonna keep picking her up and kissing her until they wheel me away to the Home. But I digress.

Yesterday, one of favorite parts of the day took a turn for the worse, when, during pick-up/huggy time, Alarmist Amelia gasps, "WHAT is in your nose?" She then proceeds to put her little hand under my chin and tilt my head heavenward so as to get a better view. Finally, she pronounces the verdict: "MOM! I think you have a nose hair." A NOSE HAIR?????? I am a 32 yr old woman who believes in good grooming. I took Downy wrinkle-releaser to China, for crying out loud. I do NOT have nose hairs!!!

I can live with being a big-bottomed, gray-haired, acne-covered woman. I REFUSE - adamantly REFUSE - to take on the nose hair label.

And that's all I have to say about that.


Amy
Harried but not hairy mother of The Chunster

Jumping for Joy!

The Chunster was high on life this week. Here, she is practicing her ballet leaps (or, baway yeaps...as she says!) before Dancing with the Stars.

Is it Springtime yet?

It sure felt that way last week! It was even warm enough to don swimwear and play in the sprinklers. Alas, following some blowing dirt and now a cold-front with sleet, it doesn't feel that way anymore. West Texas weather is Crazy!

Introducing Timothy!

Meet Timothy! Timothy is the classroom puppet. Every Friday, Timothy gets to go home and spend the weekend with someone who has managed to not change his color from green ALL week long. Needless to say, Timothy has NEVER been to our home...until this weekend!

Every week since August, the Chunster has announced on Monday morning that she is going to be really good and not have to change her color or sit in thinking time. Every week, this goal has eluded her. This week, she had a new sense of determination. Last week, she mentioned it every day. Over the weekend, she talked and prayed about it. On Monday, she proudly announced she had not changed her color. On Tuesday, she met me at the front door with the same news. On Wednesday, she proclaimed that her new, big girl tennis shoes must be "Behaving Shoes" because she had made it 3 whole days. On Thursday, we cheered and high-fived because we had made it through Day 4.

On Friday, I was on pins and needles ALL day. First of all, she wanted to wear her new, sparkly (read: hideous) pink shoes for Valentine's Day. These are not her "Behaving Shoes" - but they are new. I told Amelia that ALL shoes over a size 9 are "Behaving Shoes." She went and checked the box, and sure enough, her pink, sparkly shoes are a size 9.5 (shocker!).



Also, Friday entailed singing Val-o-grams, a pizza party, and way too much sugar. I just wasn't sure that the necessary amount of self-control could be exercised on this day, but Chunie and I talked about how hard it would be to be calm, and not jump, and not talk, and listen and mind. She said she could do it. AND SHE DID!!!!



The Mama is SOOOOOO proud.




Happy Valentine's Day!

Random January Fun

Happy New Year!

We have just been hanging out and playing a lot in unseasonably warm weather. I am also realizing that some kids are born with gentle, sweet natures...and some are not. My Chun-bug has always been more on the "stubborn" than "sweet" side of things, but lately I am just seeing more and more of her natural strong personality. Where I was a very compliant, naturally obedient, people-pleaser kind of child, The Chunster is extremely strong-willed. She really just wants things done HER way. She is spirited, determined, opinionated, and often oppositional. She is also very, very bright. All moms think this about their kids, but I will say it. I am rearing a smarty-pants. Enjoy the photos and pray for the Mama that must help mold this personality!