True story - Paperclips and parenting 101

"If you don't put that paperclip down you're going to poke your eye out.  Then there you'll be in the back seat of the car trapped in your car seat with your eyeball poked out.  And then, because you are 6 and 1/2 and you can't help yourself, you'll pull the paperclip and your eyeball right out f your head.  Then where will you be?  Sitting in the backseat with your eyeball on the end of a paperclip and you'll just keep staring at it with your good eye and screamin' "AHHHHH!!!!!!"   Do you think your father or I will care?  No, we're just going to be getting the story ready in our minds.  The story that we will forever taunt you with year after year as well tell it every holiday season.  It will be known as, '2011, the year Noah poked his eyeball out screwing around with an unbent paperclip in the backseat of the car' story.  Is that how you want to remember your 7th Christmas on this earth?  Yeah, I didn't think so, give me the paperclip and find something better to do with your time."

True Story.   

I'm thinking about giving out parenting advice in 2012, clearly I've got the communication skills down.  

Holiday Greetings 2011

Greetings from the Pacific NW. 2011 had many ups and downs. We are so grateful to our friends and families who were there to celebrate with us during the good times, and who lifted us up during the not-so good times. We hope 2012 brings you and yours much love and laughter. Below we hope you enjoy some random journal entries (in no particular order) of Carol Ann’s from 2011. Merry Christmas!

I realize that there are more important things going on in the world, but someone just told me I look like David Cassidy ala his Partridge Family days, might be time for a haircut.

Happiness tonight = Lucy wanting to snuggle on the couch with me until she fell asleep.

Why was I laughing hysterically at the kids crying at the breakfast table this morning? Noah was crying because he wanted to help his "favorite" sister by getting her a fork and Lucy was crying because her "favorite" brother wouldn't just let her do it herself. Generosity and Independence. Can't get much better then that on a Monday morning.
　
Happiness tonight = hearing the kids cracking each other up with nonsensical knock- knock jokes. All from their room where they are "sleeping"
　
Guess who’s husband continues to get a 4.0 in grad school?
　
Because it was so much fun the first time, Im going to do it again. Surgery #2 today! Can you feel the excitement ?
　
William (Bill) C Smith Sept 16, 1933- Sept 27, 2011.
Thanks for taking me fishing, sharing your love of books and music with me. I hope there's a never ending library wherever you are.

11 years ago today our eyes met across that smokey room.. This summer we’ll celebrate 9 years of marriage. That’s pretty awesome.
　
Today was L's first day of preschool. She was so excited! But, leaving her in the classroom, my big girl suddenly looked very small. I wanted to scoop her up and bring her home.

Home. Tumbled and jumbled on the couch with the kids. Now about to snuggle on the couch with my hubby and a beer. It's good to be here.

Patrick’s play, Continuum, had a terrific read at JAW this summer, I am so proud of him.
　
Holy cow! 3 weeks in the hospital and I can fit into my wedding dress again. I wouldn’t recommend this diet to friends and family, but I’m not going to complain.

I love that my kids believe I have the power to make the cross-walk change with my magic.
　
Cool misty morning. Perfect for our last summer walk to the library. Now we all sit reading quietly our pile of books. I'm so luck to have a family who loves to read as much as I do.
　
While never one to encourage the wasting of ice cream (horrors!) I am pleased to report that Lucy abandoned her bowl in favor of picking and eating some late pea pods. She announced they were much better then ice cream.
　
"Argh, who art thoo" - Noah
"WHAT!?!" Mommy
"Argh, who art thoo, that's pirate and middle ages for who are you" –Noah
　
The pie Patrick made me for my birthday this year had chocolate, raspberries, blueberries and whip cream. Oh, and some lemon.... it was awesome. I’m a lucky woman.
　
Took the kids outside tonight, they were whining about the heat. So, instead of baths I hosed them down. Seemed to make everyone happy.
　
Listening to the soundtrack of "Oklahoma" with the kids this evening. We came to the dream ballet and the kids were dancing, until the gunshot and the thunderstorm. Suddenly two scared kids... the power of music and the imagination. Luckily they stuck it out and it was once again, "Oh what a beautiful mornin’" Can’t wait to share the movie with them.

Happiness is playing Go Fish with the family. The giggle factor is very high.
　
Why is it no matter where the Stage Manager sits in the room, the Director will stand directly in front of them during blocking rehearsals?

Lucy still hates the noise of firecrackers, as well as lawn mowers, vacuums and just about anything that makes loud noises. Lucky for her Grandma W had a pair of earmuffs for her to wear. I think she’s going to wear them everywhere now!
　
"I am like the cockroach, surviving all the extinctions" ~Noah

Lucy has announced for her birthday in January there will be a princess bowling party, but without the pizza, that’s just for a boy party. She’ll have humus, thank you very much.