Merry Christmas...

...From the Reel Family... This is all of Eric's siblings (and their spouses), nieces, nephews and one great nephew...

(we are actually missing 3 people, but who's counting?)

Daddy Day

Ever since Eric came back home from working on the road, his shift has been four 10's with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. That means Eric gets all day Friday with Caitrin to himself. She has declared every Friday "Daddy Day". They have their special routine: she wakes up and snuggles with him while he drinks his coffee, the older two and I head off to school/work, they venture out to a local coffee stand, cruise the town paying bills/running errands, come home and veg out for the rest day (must be awful).

This morning, while enjoying my coffee, I watched Caitrin walk right past me and crawl up on Eric's lap. Without even being told, it's like she knew instinctively that it's Friday and it's HER day with dad. Once my cup was empty, I proceeded my routine of getting ready. All the while, those two continued to sit there and have their own little conversations, playing and giggling. I took a small moment to absorb what they were doing, and I couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy. But I know all to soon it will have to end.

I asked Eric what he was going to do next year when she starts school. He just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. I could see by the look on his face he didn't want to come to that realization just yet either. I know he looks forward to that day just as much as she does.
One by one they all are slipping through my fingers as I try to hold on just a little longer.

Conversations...

With these, it's feast or famine...

Background: When potty training Trent, he chose to sit down to go potty. And up until recently he continued to sit down. Which was really nice for me since I didn't have to be so grossed out when cleaning the bathroom.

I've mentioned before that our household has an open door policy, it's not always pretty...

Eric was walking down the hall to go to the bathroom. When he got to the bathroom (door was opened) he accidentally walked in on Trent. Apparently he was standing up, peeing.

Eric: Dude, when did you start standing up? You usually sit down.
Trent: When I became a man.
Eric: Okay???

At some point in time he's had a right of passage... just not sure when.

Happy 30th!

Happy Birthday, Babe! Enjoy your 30's!

Conversations...

Back ground: We had parent/teacher conferences last week. When talking to Trent's teacher, she asked if he had a temper. I told her that he can blow up and it isn't pretty when he does. She mentioned that he had gone to the intervention room towards the beginning of the year in regards to his temper. I voiced that I was never notified of him being in trouble, (nor did he volunteer this information), and wasn't happy about it. When asked what he did, she just told me she couldn't remember and it really wasn't a big deal because it never happened again, whatever it was. So that night when Eric got home from work, we sat Trent down to ask him what went on...

Mom: Trent, do you remember towards the beginning of the year, when you went to the intervention room?
Trent: Yeah...
Mom: Sooo...what did you do?
Trent: I went there for wrong doings.
Mom: Yes, son. I know that. What did you do to get sent there?
Trent: Listen mom, that was the past and we are moving forward from here on out.

I just sat there, with my jaw dropped...
I looked at Eric wanting some help, he just shook his head and said "let it go babe, he does have a point."

Conversations...

Setting: Driving to school with Caitrin in the back seat

Caiti: Mom, I want to be three again.

Mom: Why? You who cries every morning because you're not five.

Caiti: Just because...

Mom: "Because" is not an answer. Why do you want to be three again?

Caiti: Three was more passionate *sigh*

Really!?! Where did that come from???

Dance for Caitrin

I thought I'd try it again this year. Last year, she was only in two classes before I pulled her out because she just stood there, petrified, the whole time. She PROMISED this year that she'd dance. Her problem is stranger anxiety. She freezes when people are around that she doesn't know. This has been an on going battle since she was 3 months old.

She was all excite to go, had been begging me all day if it was "dance time". When we got there, (no surprise), she froze. I had to peel her off of me just so she could stand in the middle of the room. It broke my heart because she had a tear in the corner of her eye the whole time.

At first, she had her back to everyone. As the class progressed she slowly turned to watch the other girls. About the last five minutes, she completely turned. There were a few times she looked like she was going to mimic the teacher, but then froze again. This was a huge progression from last year.

I explained the situation to the teacher and she said she'd keep at her. When class was all said and done, Caitrin expressed that she wanted to go next week. I won't be allowed in the class room, so we'll see how that goes. The recital is in January, I have a feeling my child is going to be "that" child that either just stands there, or is crying behind the curtain.