It's all very Smurfy!

Natan's new favorite thing is being Jokey Smurf. It goes something like this:

Natan tells you in his Jokey Smurf voice, "I have a surprise for you!"

You respond with, "For me? Thank you!"

Natan says, "Pwoohhhhhhh!" hysterical laughter follows.

Maybe this link will help out:

Jokey

Had dinner at the Olive Garden yesterday--used a gift card. Two different tables complimented the kids on their behavior and I must say, that' a great feeling! We had waited an hour in the car until they could seat us, and we didn't sit down until after 8:00 p.m. We had a blast!

Vinny can say his ABC's, with some help of course, and Mimi is teaching him to count to 10!

Revving up for our CNY party...should be interesting!

Have I mentioned lately how annoying cell phones are? Nothing specific, just general annoyance. Sitting with someone and being on your phone is rude, especially at a restaurant or in a car. We jump down kids' throats of they do not say "please" and "thank you" but it's OK to text or talk anywhere, anytime??? Rude.

Happenings...

George: "Mama, why can't we touch fire sticks?"

(pregnant pause in the back seat...)

Mimi: "Because you will fire yourself."

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Driving home from choir, an Elton John song came on.

Mimi: "That's the man on the Muppets!"

George: "Yeah--you know--Uncle John! The guy with the pink shoes"

Mimi: "Can we go see him? Or did he die like Michael Jackson?"

Good thing it's a quick ride home...

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The Gaymans are here and the kids are wound for sound!

Natan has taken a liking to Uncle Neb--calls him "Buddy" and must say "Excuse me, Buddy??" a hundred times a day!!!!

Vinny is TALKING!!! Crazy amounts!

We are still thick in the world of Smurfs. Call me crazy, but I kind of like it!!!

It's smurfalicious!

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Tomorrow we are taking Uncle Neb to the World of Coke, Centennial Olympic Park and of course, the Varsity before they head back to Canada. Leaving the sisters home alone...I'm sure they'll squeeze one last trip to Target in!!!!!

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Natan...and a few other things

So...Natan had his four year well-check this past week. I am very pleased with the report--flourishing language, improved eye contact, weight and height catching up! Yay!!!

I am also pleased that we received a referral to a pediatric developmental specialist. There were still a couple of issues that the doctor suggested we have checked. Would rather know there is something or nothing, than sit and do nothing at all...

She told me it's OK to step in and prevent people from reacting negatively to him, and deal with those people firmly. I've been doing that more, but always with that hesitation of not wanting to make a scene or god forbid--hurt someones feelings! She told me to go with my instinct and continue with what we're doing--I'm his mother and know what's best. Thank you!!!!! Validated!!!!!!

All in all, it was good...

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Mimi has inherited my impatient gene. She is waiting for "Lovey" to come home, and doesn't understand why it has to take so long. I second that!!!!

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Vinny is keeping us in stitches! He now loves to sit at the piano, playing ever so lightly (with the occasional banging!), while singing, "Tinkle, tinkle, stah, tinkle..." and then claps for himself. Repeat several times...you get the picture!

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George is on Day 5 wearing his spider costume. We practiced what to say if someone picked on him. Mimi assured me she would help him if that happened!!

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Natan came downstairs this morning singing the theme song to the Smurfs....enough said!

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Getting ready for our big visit from Great Aunt Gail and Great (well, mostly great!), Uncle Neb--really looking forward to the visit!! GAG can go shopping with Mum, and Uncle Neb has an incredible staying power with kids--can play the same game over and over and over...

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G'night...

Hugely random stuff!

Reading "Against Medical Advice" about a boy's struggle with Tourette Syndrome--excellent book.

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NPR had a great piece about the great job that Captain Sullenberger did saving the lives of 155 people. Truly a hero. What Jason and I both commented on was his humility. He said he just did what he was supposed to do--followed the rules.

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Ever had a medical student perform a pap? It's interesting...

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Yes, these are unrelated. Hence the asterisks.

Just stuff...

Mimi has announced/decided that she does not plan on going through puberty. She was a little more specific, but I'll spare you the details!!!!

Natan is talking up a storm and making more and more sense!! His appointment was cancelled on Friday, so we'll try again this week...

George apologized to me in the bathroom at Walgreens the other day "for growing up." I assured him it's OK, but not to do it too quickly!

Vinny is adding words daily, and getting into as much trouble as he possibly can. I asked him the other day, "Do you want to go in the corner?" and he walked over to the corner and pulled himself up onto the chair. We don't spank, and our kids do not behave any worse than kids we know whose parents beat them daily! Gotta have a corner, though!

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Nana has introduced them to the Smurfs--is it terribly wrong that they watched an entire volume today?? And can sing the theme song? And can quote lines that Gargamal and Big Mouth the hungry giant say??

No judgement, please!

Snow Day!!

Jason is home today due to possible inclement weather.Yay!! About him being home, that is!

What bugs me?? Non-Southerners who make fun of Southerners when things are cancelled due to weather in the winter. OK, it bugs me when Northerners make fun of Southerners...

We are not equipped here for ice or sleet, or any of those wintry weather things. Why put people at risk just so that some damn Yankees won't make fun?

Wait a minute...did I just speak against the Yankee??

I get why school's close the night before--so much easier than scrambling around in the a.m.

What i don't get is why Jason's school calls at 11:00 p.m., instead of just posting to the website and letting him check himself.

Some people (in our house) actually go to bed early, because they have kids who get up before the sun.

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Today is Natan's four-year well check. I have my list of questions, some samples of some things he has drawn, and a pad of paper to write down everything our awesome doc tells us. Love her, and am looking forward to going ahead with whatever he needs.

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Mailing dossier today.

Fed Ex'd fingerprints to immigration yesterday.

I hate waiting.

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Current books recommendations:

1. The Lovely Bones. Awesome book. Don't know that i will see the movie, since I am usually disappointed. The book was phenomenal.

2. The Cellist of Sarajevo. I can only read in chunks. War kind of gets you down after awhile. Imagine living it and not just reading about it.

3. Push. The book that was made into the movie, "Precious." OMG, as they say. Disturbing. Heart and gut wrenching. Couldn't put it down!

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Kids just came downstairs. You would think there were 8 inches of snow out there!!! George: "Wow--look at all the snow!"

It's late...I'm rambling

New baby girl coming has been officially named "Lovey" by Mimi who has claimed serious ownership as the big sister and only girl!

Ready to mail our dossier paperwork this Friday. Have to check and double check...

I-600 and I-600A off to Immigration...then we wait!!!!!

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To those of you who knew I have been without a voice for months and months (on and off since I was preggers with Vinny), turns out that it was acid reflux. A little daily Prilosec OTC and we're good to go!!

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Vinny is talking up a storm--can now say "Sa Sa" and "Uncadane" on the phone when talking to my sister (Sa Sa) and brother in law (Uncle Dane). His name is not even Dane. It's Dwayne. But I will never think of him as that. He will always be "Dane" or "Dean" since that is what they first called him!!!!

"Elmothithe"--that's "Elmocize" with a lisp, and yes, he is addicted!!! Sorry...

"I won ge dow"--I want to get down.

"Doe" is George

"Mei Mei" is actually Mimi, which is what Mimi came from originally--it was George who changed Mei Mei to Mimi. Now I'm rambling!

"Nah" is Natan.

"Powdoo"--powder.

His newest thing has been to peek in his diaper on the change table and say "Wow!" Not sure why...not sure I want to know why!!!!!

OK, it may be time for bed. When the Vinny dictionary comes out, I must be tired!!!!!

Plus, you should see what my spell check looks like!

Have I mentioned how cold it is here???

Happy 2010!

Pizza...sparklers...Auntie Mame! Happy New Year!

No resolutions.

No need.

I kind of like the way things are.

Except that I will stop taking crap when it is not even remotely deserved. Not so much a resolution as much as just a commitment to myself.

Things to look forward in 2010:

1. Trip to ET to meet new daughter.

2. Gaymans coming for a visit.

3. Blue Noodles.

4. A new adventure in the fall for Mimi & Jorge.

5. Did I mention that trip to ET??????

In 6 weeks, we'll celebrate the new year that the kids really get excited about.

Year of the Tiger!

Grrr......