Things that make you stop and think

1. Splenda when eaten out of the sugar bowl becomes a clear, near super glue type substance on the container and countertop.

2. That McKenna is the smiliest baby of them all.

3. If I feel one of them crawl into our bed in the early morning hours and I get kicked in the head, it will be, hands down, Evelynn.

4. If I lose Caelan, I should always start by looking up.

5. That weird things happen when Keith is gone: my children quit sleeping, they fight more, the dog ignores me, mice infiltrate my home and die in random places, it will snow or the lawn will need to be mowed, a toilet will need to be plunged at least once...

6. That I will have moments when I don't know how to respond or should refrain from saying the first thing I think of:
      ~ "I need bandaids for my eyes."
      ~ "It's okay. Accidents happen." An accident happens maybe 10% of the time
      ~"It's okay, Caelan. That's a big mess, but Mom will clean it up."
      ~"I have donut in my belly button."
      ~"Can I listen to you now?" Sure, anytime. Generally said after they've been in trouble for not listening.
      ~"Evelynn did it," says Caelan even if we're talking about her own dirty diaper.
      ~"McKenna did it," says Caelan if I don't take the previous explanation. Middle child? Yes.
      ~ "She's eating dogfood."
      ~" What color is Clifford the Big Red Dog?"
      ~"What is your name Mama (or Caelan, Evelynn, etc.)?"
      ~"She's allright, Mama. I just (insert: hit, pulled, bit, pushed, etc.) her," said amidst the other's tears.
      ~"I'm a reindeer princess with a cow."
     
7. Only Caelan can watch T.V. while standing on her head.

8. Evelynn will sing a song regardless of knowing the lyrics. She makes up her own.

9. Every night my kids will think there is always something more important than actually going to sleep.

10. Every night Evelynn will include "thank you for our Christmas tree" in her prayers, even months, years since the first time she was thankful for it.

11. If I let them, they would eat yogurt by the gallons.

12. My children are extremely social and count many adults as their friends. Oh, how they love their special people.

13. I am so blessed to have my children and those special people in my life.

There are MANY more things I've learned since having children, but this is just a smattering. I'm sure there will be other posts along these lines.

Impish, Definition: Caelan

I have yet to grasp a way to define my Caelan in written word. Her list of adjectives and characteristics seems infinite. 'Impish' is the latest word I have added to the list. What else can I say when I see that glint of mischief in her eyes? She is queen of the deadpan stare down, but her eyes tell a story of their own. You can see the laughter, the ideas, the plans, the devilish pranks but very rarely can you see the logic (it's all her own) or predict what she will do next. Every once in a while I get the feeling that she's about to do something, but whatever that is, I still have no clue in figuring it out beforehand. Very rarely can I read the plans that she has in mind.

A couple of days ago, I sat down to sort the mail but soon found Caelan in my lap instead. Facing me, she had the deadpan 'I'm about to do something' look. I know because she has a small dimple at the corner of her mouth. This is the only physical outward sign that she's up to something. She doesn't always have it except in moments when her plans are too joyous for her to contain. No smiling, no laughter-- just a dimple and shining eyes. I stared back. We watched each other for about five minutes. Her eyes never shifting from my face and the dimple ever present. I finally began to catch on. "You better not lick me, Caelan." She giggled. Aha! I was exultant that I knew what she was doing before actually doing so. She immediately regained her composure. No giggles and still watching me. I had the hardest time not laughing. For whatever reason, Caelan thinks it's hilarious to lick people who are least expecting it.

We watched each other for another five minutes or so. I now can visualize the meaning of 'dancing eyes.' Her eyes were swimming in mirth. "I'm serious," I said not adept at keeping my smile and laughter in check, "Do not lick me." Her eyes never left my face and she giggled again. A few more minutes passed. Evelynn walked in and asked me something. Turning to answer Evelynn, I felt my middle child's tongue licking me from my jaw, up my cheek, my temple and then my forehead. Her laughter was uncontainable. She was beside herself. She had conquered time and patiently waited for her one moment to fulfill her plan. Yes, impish.

Persuasion According to Evelynn

         "If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect." ~ Benjamin Franklin

Evelynn has, for a long time, been comfortably and happily sleeping in her room which she calls the "Green Room." She loves her room and is very proud that it is hers (and not Caelan's, too). This room was once the guest room, and while we were attempting to move her into her own room and her own bed, we found that she preferred this room. This was the room Grandma & Grandpa and Mema & Papa stayed in when they came to visit, and I'm sure the king sized bed she sleeps in has something to do with her love for her room. She curls up in the middle of it every night and whispers, "This is my room, and it's my favorite color." So she chose her room and since it meant she went to bed in her own room and fell asleep without problems, the room was hers.

Last night she went to bed as usual. Content but definitely not ready to go to sleep. At about 10 o'clock, I heard her quietly saying, "Mom, I need you." I tried to ignore it thinking she would eventually go to sleep. She repeated herself becoming louder each time. Afraid that she was about to wake her sisters, I went in to see what she needed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, little feet kicking, she smiled, "I was calling for you. I need you." She's just too cute, I thought as I said, "What do you need?" Tilting her head to the side and using her sweetest, low voice asked, " Can you sleep with me?" I explained to her that she needed to sleep in her bed and I in mine. Dropping her eyes, she pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. She said, "Ok..." with every ounce of heartbreak she could manage to fit into that one word.

At this point, Keith came in to see what was going on and laid down next to her. She was somewhat satisfied that someone laid down with her. "I have an idea," she said, "Daddy can sleep with me." Another explanation conveying the "no" was almost too much for her. She rolled over so she wouldn't see us. Her lower lip now protruding, trying her hardest not to make a sound or cry. Her eyes were rimmed with unshed tears-- and being the person that I am, I had to smother my laughter. She was still for a few minutes before saying, "Daddy, can you sleep in my bed?" Keith didn't verbally agree, but we were both thinking that maybe he would just stay in there until she went to sleep. Realizing that her Daddy was settling in to her bed, she jumped up and put her arms around my neck, "Mom, I can sleep in your bed with you now. Daddy's sleeping in my bed."

The Barometric Pressure

    I have decided (elegant pause and for purposes of causing suspense and adding importance to this post) that atmospheric pressure does not encourage happy/healthy behavior in this family when it fluctuates. I am not claiming to be a scientist (definitely not my forte) or even claiming to understand more than a layman's knowledge of barometric pressure. I know that when cows are lying down, it's not a good day for fishing and that when it's overcast and rainy, I get a headache and my children are incredibly needy. I have no idea where I got the cows and fishing idea. It's a memory from many years ago on a farm in Texas, but if you ever get a chance to test that theory, let me know.
    Headaches and needy children are tried and true theories. Today is a perfect example, a day that has enough 'proven' evidence to back up my claim. The sun was shining this morning, but was quickly covered by dark, gray rain clouds. The darker it has become outside, the more my head has hurt and the more my children have pushed the limits of my patience. (Of course I understand that there is some sort of relationship between a mother's headaches and bad behavior that can happen regardless of the barometric pressure.) I wouldn't really call their behavior 'bad' though, just needing me-- a lot. They suddenly find themselves incapable of doing anything for themselves (and that includes Caelan), they are whiny, they want to be held, they want to be carried, and they walk around with their own little rainclouds hovering over their heads.
    In the first hours of the day, Evelynn couldn't get dressed by herself this morning. Caelan refused to wear the clothes I put on her. McKenna did not want to hold her own bottle. What is going on here? #1. They all know this is our regular routine. #2. They all had problems with it and all fell apart in pathetic crying and dramatic collapsing in the floor or crib. (Not to get off subject, but if hell has weeping and gnashing of teeth, I want no part of it, especially if it's anything like the weeping drama of three toddlers.) Evelynn has pretty much stayed to herself but her patience level is at zero. Caelan has loathed any attention I have given to McKenna, even going so far as to inform McKenna "This is MY Mama," several times. McKenna has been a combination of Evelynn and Caelan, not very patient and more than willing to shove Caelan right back when Caelan is attempting to extricate McKenna from me. There are moments of reprieve (when I've sent them to their beds for time-out; better known as "Mom's Time-out.") It maintains sanity-- and allows me the opportunity to wax eloquent on blaming a bad day on the weather.

The Two Types of People

    I have learned, after having three children, that there are two types of people. Type One: Those who believe some parents incapable of raising their children and verbally point out the parents' missteps and Type Two: Those who respect the parent for undertaking the responsibilities of parenthood and keep their critiques to themselves. I had the great fortune (maybe?) of meeting both today.
    From my experiences, I find that I am predisposed to meeting the Type One(s) of the world. It's like I wear a sign that says: "Hey, this woman with three little kids, needs you to critique her parenting and control her actions. ASAP." I say this because I have some of the most bizarre experiences when I'm out and about, and from what I can tell, the situations I find myself in are unique to me. My friends just laugh and wonder how I attract all the 'know-it-alls.'
    Take today (which happens to be one of the best examples on record now), I was completely accosted by Type One at Target. Now, I love Target and I shop there once a week (as some of you know). I completely enjoy my weekly Target experience. And this woman totally ruined it. When we go to Target, I get the cadillac of carts (the one with the two extra seats in front). Evelynn and Caelan sit right in front of me and, up until today, McKenna sat in the 'regular' child's seat of the cart. We didn't get too far when McKenna stood up. Brannon rule: When you start standing up in the seat of the cart, you ride in the cart so you can stand up. McKenna has only been standing up for a couple of weeks; she loves it and she doesn't move, not even to sit down. She was positively thrilled to be standing up (some of you saw the photo I posted to FB).
    About 15 minutes later, I walked past a woman, her husband, and their one child, somewhere between Caelan and McKenna in age. This woman is Type One. She immediately told me that I should watch my child (McKenna) because she could fall out of the cart onto the floor which could result in a trip to the ER. I politely ignored her, and had an inward laugh after I found myself thinking "I've been in the North way too long" because I was offended that a stranger dare speak to me. She doesn't know me, she doesn't know my kids. I walked on.
    I went on with my shopping. Now, Caelan does not sit still very long. At some point she will hang on the bar that also pushes the cart. She just hangs, no swinging from it, no trying to climb/stand on it (surprising, I know), and I put my hands over hers as we go so I know if she starts to slip. Type One appears out of nowhere. "You really need to make sure your children are sitting down. She (Caelan) is not safe." At this point I kind of give the woman the 'look.' You know, the one that says "Are you for real? Are you really telling me that I'm not caring for my children properly?" I less politely ignored her and moved on.
    I needed a few things still but was really just in the mood to leave Target at this point, especially after I realize Type One is stalking me. I decided to finish up at Wegman's (grocery store), so I went to the Target check out. No sooner had I stopped at the counter, stalker Type One took her place in line behind me. You have to be kidding me, right? Things start unraveling. Caelan decided to hit Evelynn with a little gardening shovel that was from the $1 bin. I took the offending object. Needed to pay for it any way. Yes, my sweet Caelan pitched a fit. See where this is going? Type One tells me "You really need to make sure your children take a nap, especially that one (pointing at Caelan)." Ummm, my blood is starting to boil. Whatever. We can make it out of here without an altercation. Politeness is no longer there. Just ignore this person.
    But wouldn't you know that the person in front of me is taking forever. To get Caelan to stop crying, I have the girls help me put the items up on the counter for the cashier. The girls love to do this. The crying stops. Apparently, however, when the girls stepped off the cart, Caelan's vest fell on the floor. Type One dramatically picks it up and hands it to me. Then in a very condescending tone tells me " YOU almost forgot this." Uh, thanks. My kids would have picked it up when they got back in. Mumbled my thanks and continued to ignore. Okay. How much longer in line? Relief is in sight! It's my turn!! All my items are just about bagged up and in my cart. We are almost out of here and away from Type One, but she finds one more opportunity to question my ability to parent. She reaches into my cart and grabs the two Barbie mermaids that my daughters brought in with them to amuse themselves and says, "You should really make sure you pay for these before you leave the store." I'm done. Completely. Who is this woman anyway? She reached into my cart, in my children's personal space? Oh, no, ma'am. My response to Type One? "Those are Happy Meal toys they brought in with them and I think it's time for you to mind your own business." Funny part about this? She looked at me completely offended that I would say that to her.
    Type One's story happens to me fairly frequently. It seems that the purpose is to make me feel like a careless mother, one who is insane for having three so close in age, and for bringing them into public. And while I know these things aren't true, I do tend to go about my business in trepidation, thinking that there will inevitably be someone to completely ruin my shopping experience. That's how I entered Wegman's. Anxious that my children would go crazy and that I would have a throw down with the next busy-body that crossed my path. Wegman's was great. There were no major meltdowns, no craziness, no kids hanging off the cart (but here the girls ride in the 'car' so it's way more cool and they get to see the train). It was pleasant-- a relief after Target. Then we get to check out. McKenna is way overdue for a nap but her fussiness is somewhat pacified with snacks and my keys.Evelynn and Caelan start playing "touch me not" and getting upset with each other. Really just typical sibling stuff. I notice the woman in front of us is watching them scuffle. I wait anxiously, praying she doesn't say anything about their 'behavior' or that I should really be doing something I'm not. She doesn't say anything until she catches my eye. It's then she says "I had three really close together. They are much older now, but I remember that age and how much fun it was." I feel my eyes burn. Thank you, Type Two.
   
   

The Beauty of Childhood

Why are we so in awe of the imaginations of children? At one time we experienced the fantasies, the dreams. Somewhere in our formative years we were led to believe we should let go of those ideas; they weren't real. That there are more important things to think of. That the responsibilities of life are far more important than our dreams. I think we are in awe because we want to experience a free imagination again, an imagination not encumbered by duty or what's feasible.

Evelynn spent a couple of hours today in dreamland, and while it's so simple, I want to go there.

"Mom, I want to live in a castle. I need a small door though, to fight the bad guys. And I need a sword, like Frodo, so I can hit the bad guys. And I need something for my tummy. How about Princess Snacks? Can Caelan live in the castle with me? Caelan do you want to come in? Mama will make you a castle. I need a red castle. Nevermind, I need a pink castle. And Daddy can live there, too, so he can hit the bad guys with his sword. And I need a forest and I will eat berries. I will walk in the forest. Want to come with me? I need friends in my castle. My name is Evelynn and I'm the princess. No, I'm the queen because I want a crown. I need a yellow crown, 'cause I might need to be mad sometimes. But I won't always be mad. I will be happy. Can my friends come in the forest with me? But we can't play right now because it's raining in the forest. Chaucer can live in my castle, too, and play in my forest. McKenna can play, too. Caelan will be a princess. Maybe she can be a queen like me? And she could have a crown. I have to make her crown. And I have my hedgehog. He will live with me in my castle. He has fire in his eyes. His name is Fire Hedghog. You can pet my hedgehog. Be careful, he can stick you. I love my hedgehog. Come on Mom, we're going to my castle."

When do we leave? I'll be there.

"If you have built castles in the sky

Let not your dreams go to waste;

Just build the foundations under them."

— Henry David Thoreau

When that day comes I shall Futterwacken vigorously.

I just knew that Evelynn would love to see Alice in Wonderland! We have watched every preview available on YouTube and have watched and rewatched the Futterwacken scene many, many times. Over the course of the last two days, Evelynn has told me "When my daddy gets home, we're going to see Futterwacken." Yes, she has retitled the movie. Her eyes stay glued on the Mad Hatter while he is on screen and she loves Cheshire Cat.

Today was the big day for Evelynn and Caelan. I found a theater that was still playing "Alice in Wonderland," but they had to go to Lancaster to see it. Evelynn was quite animated about it when she got home. This is her summary:

"The Jabberwocky had little elbows, but he was big (demonstrates by throwing her hands out wide). He had really big wings that he flapped. He was a bad guy, and the Red Queen was with him. His tongue was like a tail. He licked with it. He went up the castle. The princess (Alice) waved the sword at Jabberwocky. His head broke. It came off. The princess broke his head. The Hatter did Futterwacken. And Daddy told me to be quiet."

No mention of the Cheshire Cat. Apparently the Jabberwocky is the new thing.