How to Cook a Turkey (2012 edition)

Every year we celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends from story hour with a big lunch (all the holiday foods - turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie). The story hour teacher always takes pictures of each of the kids and asks them how they cook a turkey. You can read last year's recipes here. This year, Second Daughter and Second Son refused to give a recipe, but the other two had some interesting suggestions.

First Daughter (6 years old):

1. Get a turkey.
2. Buy it.
3. Cook it in the stove for 30 minute at 10 degrees.
4. Eat it.

First Son (8 years old, just a month shy of 9):

1. First, get some baby turkeys.
2. Wait until they grow up.
3. Grab a turkey, if you can.
4. Break off all its feathers.
5. Then you add some spices and some grease to it.
6. Put it in the oven at 298 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Cook it 38 minutes.
8. When the time is up, take it out, stuff it with onion (if you like).
9. Then take off a leg, wing, breast, whatever you prefer.
10. Then eat it. Enjoy!

Enjoy indeed!

What I Loved About Last Week (38th Ed.)

1. First Son won an honorable mention in a contest with The Catholic Company! We already spent our gift certificate - on a new Glory Story CD (selected by First Son) and a statue of Mary for our prayer shelf.

2. Second Son can jump!

3. Second Son says "Shee-dee" for First Son's name and Second Daughter's name, which is hilarious because it's nothing at all like their names. Second Son knows this, because he cracks up laughing whenever he says it.

4. Donuts and sprinklers were back this week!

5. On the Fourth of July, we had planned to go to the science museum, but they lost power! The kids were mollified with ice cream. Then we went to Grammy's house for a water balloon fight (with Kansas Dad, not me; I had the camera) and firecrackers. Second Son quickly decided the firecrackers were no fun at all. When he started crying, "No, Daddy, no!" whenever Kansas Dad went to light a new one, I decided to take him inside. He did like the little snappers, though. He wanted more when his box was gone.

6. Second Son says "sit" but begins with an "sh" sound instead of "s." It's really funny, though it's good the kids don't get it yet.

7. Our summer reading program took a field trip to a children's theater productions. Second Daughter was enthralled with the shimmery dress. Second Son was just mesmerized by the whole thing.

8. The kids went to a day camp at our parish this weekend hosted by a group out of Nebraska. Second Son and I enjoyed a quiet day just the two of us. We listened to a lot of Bob and Larry CDs.

9. My parents celebrated their 40th anniversary this weekend!

What I Loved About Last Week (26th Ed.)

We had a crazy busy week last week with two doctor appointments, a speaking engagement for Kansas Dad one evening, an evening meeting for myself, the usual evening class, soccer practice for two kids, basketball, choir, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, story hour (with snacks, two dozen hard-boiled eggs and show and tell), a rescheduled soccer game during the week...all during a little thing called Holy Week. I'm tired just writing about it.

1. Healthy children - In the past few weeks, we've had many opportunities to consider how blessed we are in the health of our children. First Son has probably only been sick, even with a cold, a handful of times. He went in this week to establish a file as a new patient with a new doctor and I had occasion to think again of his remarkable health.

2. Wonderful friends willing to juggle children with us. On evening last week we had four people who needed to be in three different places. With a bit of convoluted driving and passing children and soccer equipment between friends everyone was where they needed to be and I think only one person was late.

3. Our first irises bloomed on Holy Thursday. Last year the first one was on Easter. Oh, how I love our irises!

4. I took First Son and Second Daughter to Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. They did fairly well. Then we came home and read stories about the Passion and I let the children use the Resurrection Eggs to their great delight.

5. We took the children to the Easter Vigil. I joked to Kansas Dad that it's been seven years since we took any of our children to the Vigil (First Son was just an infant) and it might be seven more years. Father aimed for about an hour and a half, but the Mass was closer to two hours and fifteen minutes. Second Daughter napped through a lot of it but Second Son was awake the whole time. At the end he was so adorable. We were in the back of the church when he looked up brightly at me and asked, "Abba dabba abba dabba abba dabba bye bye?" He charmed me with his beautiful smile which clearly said, "Oh, I know you love me so much you're going to take me outside now to play." When I said, "No, sweetie, it's not quite time to leave yet," he responded by saying "Arggg!" and slapping his thighs. Then we repeated it five seconds later. When we got home, everyone tasted the Resurrection Cookies and marveled at the empty tombs before the younger three all cried for thirty minutes as we got them all ready for bed.

6. On Easter Sunday, we slept in, had a leisurely breakfast of Reeses's peanut butter eggs, Resurrection cookies and waffles. Then we went to church for the Easter egg hunt where Second Son won the prize (a little bubble maker toy). We had a lovely lunch with Grammy and Paw Paw and then the children had yet another Easter egg hunt in their yard. This is an annual tradition the children love, full of all the best candy. They also received a few select summer clothes, including Lego Star Wars pajamas for First Son. Second Son slept through the second egg hunt and had little interest in the eggs we left for him, but he was very happy to climb into the driver's seat on the sly as we were packing the van to leave.

Waiting for the church egg hunt

Second Son, happy at last

What I Loved About Last Week (23rd Ed.)

1. Soccer! Basketball! Soccer! First Son and First Daughter both started playing spring soccer and attending an elementary basketball camp. So now we have soccer practice one night a week (the kids are on different teams, but Kansas Dad is coaching First Daughter so practice is at the same time as First Son's team), basketball for two hours once a week and soccer games galore on the weekends. It's a bit overwhelming for this mama, but so very good for the children, especially since I am not very excited about running around outside with them. Also, you know, team sports can be difficult to learn when there are only four kids and two of them are three years old and one year old.

2. Second Son's first knock-knock joke:

SS: Knock knock! (Yes, he really says this.)
Mama: Who's there?
SS: Monkey (Well, maybe not quite, but it's the closest approximation to the sounds he made.)
Mama: Monkey who
SS: whooo whooo

3. First Son had his reading practice for his First Communion Mass. He'll be reading the petitions, which we've been practicing diligently. I wasn't there, but Kansas Dad said he did well. First Communion is in less than a week!

4. I snatched a little time after my Catechesis class on Saturday to do a little shopping. Wonder of wonders, many of my clothes were getting too big! I didn't find any fabulous dresses to wear for First Communion and Easter, but I did find a nice pair of jeans that's (wait for it) two sizes smaller than I wore in December. (I think part of that is a trick by the brand, but we'll enjoy it anyway).

5. Kansas Dad was stopping by a local store to buy coffee for his coffee class (yes, you read that correctly) and I asked him to buy a few teas for me. The list was online, so I wrote them down for him. The kind lady at the shop complimented my selections. Well, you know they're going to have my business for the foreseeable future. (I've tried the first of my four teas and it is indeed wonderful.)

What I Loved About Last Week (20th Ed.)

1. First Daughter lost her first tooth! Last Wednesday night, Kansas Dad started to brush her teeth and realized it was missing. She hadn't even noticed. She thinks it fell out while she was eating dinner and was consumed. The Tooth Fairy left a dollar for her anyway.

2. Second Son has developed a habit of exercising with Kansas Dad and me. While we're working out, he'll try to march with us or raise his hands when we do. When he gets very excited, he runs circles around us until he falls down dizzy, giggling away.

3. Clean laundry! Our washing machine, which was less than four years old, died a premature death this week. After almost three full days without washing anything (in a house with six people, one of whom wears cloth diapers), I ran the new machine for an entire day.

4. While the girls spent a night with Grammy making cookies, Jello jigglers and watching a movie, Kansas Dad and I took First Son (and his brother) out for a special dinner and then watched the three original Star Wars movies one right after another with just a break for sleeping a bit in the middle of the second one. It was remarkably fun to watch First Son watching them for the first time. It was also a nice quiet dinner. It's amazing how civilized dinner can be without a three year old.

5. Second Son has decided it's funny to point to himself and say "Dada" or "Mama." He just laughs and laughs.

What I Loved About Last Week (17th Ed.)

1. Second Son has always loved the dog. He's recently started trying to lead the dog around. For those who don't know Moses is real life, he weighs over 60 pounds and is nearly taller than Second Son. It's hilarious to watch the baby grab a hold of the collar and pull with all his might while the dog ignores him. Then the dog sees something interesting and wanders off, dragging Second Son behind, laughing hysterically.

2. Second Son is saying a new word or two each day. He is obviously saying "Jesus" and "Amen." He doesn't say "mama" very often, but he can. I've also heard him say "mo-om" like all those other kids.

3. Second Son yelling "Hooray!" or an approximation thereof along to When You're Happy and You Know It (his current favorite song).

4. Second Son has learned that taking off his pants is funny. I'll give you three guesses for the three people who initially taught him this was funny and then encourage him to do so on a regular basis. (Not that you need a hint, but they're the same three people who taught him it is funny to run away from any grown-up who indicates it's time for a diaper change.)

5. My new closet! The coat closet suffered disaster last week when a whole set of hooks came tumbling down. At one point, we had coats, hats and mittens for four kids piled waist high (my waist) in the closet. Kansas Dad and I went to a store and bought some shelves, rods and baskets. Then, he spent Monday night installing it. Now the coats hang, the baskets contain the hats and mittens and I'm breathing a little easier. Along the same lines, the knob fell off in our shower. Kansas Dad and I spent a few days turning the hot water on and off with pliers, but he bought all the stuff to fix it when we bought the shelves and then fixed it right away.

6. Being able to help a friend. It's nice to be able to set aside some lessons and run over to a friend's house when she needs a little help.

7. "The British Are Coming!" This cry has been ringing out in our house at random times as we begin our study of the Revolutionary War. First Daughter keeps asking what team we want to win. (Seriously, she asks almost every day. I'm not entirely sure how to answer.)

8. Our own room! Second Son moved into the kids' room this weekend. Kansas Dad spent an afternoon taking the crib apart and reassembling it. Now we just need to finish moving all the shelves, filing cabinet and, well, everything but the bed, out of the office so the girls can move in there. They are excited. Maybe that will be the news for next week! (Though I think Kansas Dad is going to have to address the washing machine, which is making a mysteries clanking noise as the drum rotates.)

Wishes

A few days ago, First Son asked me what I would request if I could have anything in the world. Then he said, "I'd want a space shuttle and all the Hero Factory Legos I want. Not all the Hero Factor Legos, just the ones I want."

Yeah, you wouldn't want to fill up too much of the space shuttle with Hero Factory Legos.

The Range Kids Meet Ballet

Today, Grammy treated me, First Daughter and First Son to The Nutcracker. I think I was in fourth grade the last time I saw a ballet (and it was The Nutcracker). The kids had seen it on video (an actual recording of the ballet) and read a book or two about it but seeing it live is very different.

First Daughter was remarkably engaged during the performance. She's only five but her attention rarely wandered. First Son, on the other hand, was ready to leave at intermission. (Really, and was upset when we said we had to stay.)

To top it off, just as the professional New York ballerina was performing brilliantly as the Sugar Plum Fairy, First Son turned joyously to me and whispered loudly in my ear, "This is the music from the Ford commercial!"

I kid you not.

I will say this; he was quiet, he was attentive and he did not complain (much). But I think First Son would be content if he didn't see another ballet for a decade.

After the performance, we were lucky enough to go backstage with the mother of two of the principles (is that right?) who graciously and beautifully posed with First Daughter for a picture. (Grammy has connections.)

On the way home First Daughter said she wanted to be in the ballet someday. Sigh. At least somebody appreciated a bit of culture today.

What I Loved About Last Week (9th Ed.)

1. Second Daughter's rendition of America, the Beautiful in which she sings, "God shed his light on me!"

2. First Daughter's drawing from Sunday School - this wonderful drawing of herself with the words "I am a child of God."

3. Second Son has started making some sounds! He will neigh and baa. He also might have said "cheese," "drink," and "yes." But I'm going to pretend he hasn't because I'm still waiting to hear "Mama."

4. First Daughter's reading. She impressed me this week by reading a word my finger was covering, having glanced at it long enough to see and remember it. She is apparently reading much better than her performance in lessons would indicate. She wiggles, giggles and stares into space, but she is learning to read. We're still using The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading but I'm breaking up the lessons because she drags them out much too long. Ten or fifteen minutes is really my limit.

5. Butterflies! All of our pupae hatched beautiful painted lady butterflies. We're feeding them sugar syrup and I'm wishing we'd done our butterfly unit earlier in the year so we could release them. Maybe we'll order some more caterpillars in the spring.

6. Our last choir practice of the term followed by the concert. The children did a wonderful job, except for Second Daughter who stood at center stage and entertained the crowd. At one point she turned completely around and faced the rest of the choir for a whole song. At another time she was twisting back and forth, twirling her skirt, attracting the attention of the little girl next to her who promptly began doing the same. She also left the stage and returned on her own whims a few times. Sigh. The other parents were very kind.

7. A baptism! Our sweet little goddaughter was baptized this weekend. It was a wonderful ceremony. Our priest invited all the other children close and gave the oils and candles and books to them to hold so they all felt like a part of the ceremony. It is such a blessing to have godparents and godchildren in our very own parish; we are truly becoming one family in Christ.

What did you love about last week?

Answer: Uh Oh

Question: What is Second Son's first word?

Not Mama. Not Dada. Uh Oh.

Maybe it doesn't count. Is "uh oh" really a word?

No Beeping Here

Second Daughter, as she peeks out of her bedroom long past bedtime: But I'm not beepy, Mommy. Not at all.

Time for What?

Kansas Dad, sitting at the table after dinner: Well, I guess it's that time.

First Daughter: Is it time for S-O-P-I-O?

Learning About Rocks

Yesterday, we ate the results of one of our science experiments: rock candy.

First Daughter: "Mommy, I like rocks, but I don't like rock candy."

Finger Food

Second Son is eating finger food -- picked up with his own fingers!

Scooped up and crammed into his mouth would better describe the process.

The important thing is: He's getting food from his tray into his mouth without one of us. Life just got easier. And messier.

In other news, it's so windy Kansas Dad had to chase down the top of our charcoal grill. He also had to wear a hat and gloves to take care of the chickens.

Second Daughter tried to con Kansas Dad into a second bedtime story by claiming that she had picked one and Boots (Curious George in a pink dress) picked the other. He was not convinced.

Second Daughter-isms

Sleep is "beep." She puts her babies in her bed, turns off the lights and announces to us all that her babies are "beeping."

Finger is "ninger." At least once a day, one of her "ningers" needs a band-aid (so she says).

My is "I." Stuck is "tuck." "My tuck! My tuck!" (This cry is usually preceeded by her climbing into the baby's exersaucer.)

Christmas with Second Daughter

"Missmiss lights!"

"Missmiss trees!"

"Missmiss tongs!"

"Merry Missmiss!"

A Satisfying Day

This morning did not start very well. I discovered Second Daughter had undressed herself sometime during the night and then gone back to sleep with expected results for a 26 month old not even close to potty training. Of course, Second Son cried the whole time I was cleaning her up and covering the bunk bed ladder with cardboard (so Second Daughter would not climb up every time she walked into the room and thought to herself, "Oh! We have bunk beds. I should totally be up there right now!").

Things got back on track, though, and we ended up with a lovely day. We finished all of our lessons, even catching up a little on history and catechism. We enjoyed choir as always and I had dinner well on the way when Kansas Dad got home. I needed a day like today.

Some funny stories from the day:

We played outside for a little while in the gorgeous sunny fall weather. I suggested marching around the house and First Son insisted we do so seven times while he hummed music from one of the Jericho videos. I joked to First Daughter, "I hope our house doesn't fall down!"

She replied, quite seriously, "No, we won't yell at the end."

Later, I read one of the fables from Aesop's Fables for Children: Includes a Read-and-Listen CD (Read and Listen) to First Son. In the fable, a man and a lion are walking together and arguing which is greater, man or lion when they come upon a statue. It shows a man conquering a lion so the man uses it as further proof for his argument. The lion says it would be a different statue if a lion had made it.

First Son narrated the story. I then asked (out of curiosity, not worrying too much if he really understood the moral), "What do you think the statue would look like if a lion had made it?"

He answered, without hesitating, "Wobbly."

Not So Much Fun

This morning, I have a dentist's appointment. I had asked Grammy if she could watch the kids mainly because I didn't think I could adequately control Second Daughter from the confines of the dentist's chair. I gave the older two a choice: come with me to the appointment or stay and play at Grammy's house.

First Daughter considered for a while, "They both sound like fun."

Surprised, I responded, "You know, you wouldn't be getting your teeth cleaned. You'd just be watching Mommy get my teeth cleaned."

"Oh, I guess I'd rather play with Grammy then."

Now that's a girl who loves going to the dentist.

Still More to Learn, but a Good Start

Today, First Son's teacher was a little late to his PSR class. A friend, as she was dropping off her daughter, teasingly asked the class, "What's the first commandment?"

First Son answered immediately, "Honor thy father and thy mother!"

No, that's the fifth, but at least it is one of the commandments.

Well-Timed Recovery

First Daughter: I want Sprite to drink.

Mama: Sprite is only for when you're feeling sick.

First Daughter: I'm feeling a little sick right now.

Mama: Well, if you're feeling sick, you can't help Mommy make cupcakes for the birthday party tomorrow.

First Daughter: I'm only feeling a little sick. I'll feel all better right before it's time to make the cupcakes.