Let It Snow!

 This morning we got a 5:15 am wake up call from the Superintendent announcing that school was canceled.  We had gotten almost 18 inches of snow and are still expecting another three to five today.
The girls sat in the window watching the snow fall and talking about what they would do in it.  Kimber wanted to "slap the snow off the tree" and Addie wanted to unpack all of the snow clothes so she could run and play in it.  We did agree on one thing to do, stay in and bake Christmas cookies and paint village houses.  They may want to run and play but I'll stay in where it's warm.

'Tis the Season

Thanksgiving has come and gone and the Hatch family has officially started our Holiday preparations.  The lights are on the house, the village is on the mantle, we have got two of our three trees up and the stockings are hung. 

Tonight while unpacking the decorations the girls were oozing with excitement.  I was able to catch them each enjoying the lights.  The train station they are looking at above has fiber optics and changes from orange to green to blue to pink and so on.  It's mesmerizing to them.

I also caught Little Lucy with nothing but a pair of tights on enjoying the lights of the garland tree.  Addie decorated it and for now it's the only tree with ornaments she can reach.  I know I'm taking a risk and it will probably all come down before the end of the week but it's fun to look at for now.

What's Cooking. Or Not.

I tease Jared that the only things he can cook are pancakes (Bisquick mind you.  Who can't use that?) and steak.  He just doesn't like to cook.  One time when we were first married I begged him to have dinner ready for me when I got home from work.  I learned quickly that that probably wasn't wise and never asked again!  He browned some hamburger, added frozen broccoli and cauliflower and served it with tortillas.  It was interesting to say the least.  Since then I have done all the cooking.  I don't share that to embarrass him but because we have since laughed about it and he admits it's not his thing. 

Well the other day we were talking about his cooking (or lack thereof) and I told him I hope nothing ever happens to me because my kids are either going to die of starvation or McDonald's overload.  Really I know that if it came down to it he could do it but it would take some learning.

Fast forward to tonight.  We're driving home and got on the subject of my sister Annie's cooking.  I bragged that she is a great cook then Addie says that Annie is the best cook in the whole world.  Jared quickly said "what about Mom?  Isn't she the best cook in the world?"  Addie quickly backpedaled and agreed.  Then Jared said "what about me?  Am I not the best cook in the world?"  Addie's reply was priceless.  "I bet your Ramen is pretty good."

I love my kids.  They keep things real.

Dramatics

Addie never ceases to amaze me with her dramatics.  She is such a sweet little girl and is the biggest help to me but there are times when I am not sure I know who she is.  Take yesterday for example.

I had made my girls popcorn and let them watch a TV show because I had a very important call to make which I knew would take a while.  After the show was over I was still on the phone and they were off playing.  I saw some popcorn on the floor and asked Addie to please pick it up.  That simple request turned my sweet little Addie into a crazy hormonal-like beast!

"You were just being so nice and now you are being so mean.  Why do you get mad at me?  You hate me!  You just said you hate me!"

I was totally caught off guard.  I had asked nicely for one simple little favor.  In fact I was especially kind because I had someone on the other end of the phone line listening to my every word!  And yet, he probably heard Addie's yelling(because she was yelling her every word) and assumed I had her by the hair of her head swinging her from side to side forcing her to pick up the popcorn.  All I could do was laugh and walk away.

A few minutes later Addie had the popcorn cleaned up but informed me she had left me two notes in the kitchen cupboards.  I was too distracted by my phone call and instantly forgot about them until I was getting dishes out for dinner.  Here is what I found-

"Mom is too mean.  You are the worst Mom.  I do not like you."

I was shocked!  Then I found this-

"Addie Kay Hatch.  Do not touch."

 She saw me find them and all I had to say was "Addie.  Why did you write this?"  The tears started flowing and she ran right to her room.  I have found with Addie that the worst punishment is to let her sit and stew for a bit before confronting her.

She came in and apologized and it wasn't long before I opened the cupboard and found this-

"I am sorry."

And my personal favorite-

"You can touch."

I debated on whether or not I should post this but Addie did genuinely apologize and learn a lesson from it and I hope someday she can look back and laugh.  Because I did!

Addie's Accidental Solo

Today was our ward Primary Program. That is a special sacrament meeting where all the children ages 3-11 sing the songs they have learned through out the year and each child recites a phrase of some sort that has something to do with what they have learned during the year.

Kimber was asked to say something she was thankful for. She said she was "thankful for gardens that give us food." Addie's line was "Through the restoration of the Gospel and the Prophet Joseph Smith we received the Book of Mormon which is another testament of Jesus Christ."  Both of the girls said their parts perfectly. They spoke slowly and clearly.

Addie was also asked to sing the second verse of "I Wonder When He Comes Again"  as part of a quintet.  It was Addie, another little girl named Taya and three boys.  Addie practiced and practiced but kept mixing up the words so when this morning came and we were cramming in one last practice as she got her hair done I was thankful to know Taya would be there.  Taya is a sweet little girl with an amazing voice but at the program practice yesterday her voice drowned out everyone else.  I figured if all else fails no one would hear Addie because Taya would be the only person anyone could hear.  But to my surprise we got to Church and Taya wasn't there!  She was home sick.

When it was time for the song Addie proudly pranced up to the microphone.  And I mean right up to the microphone.  I was sitting on the stand behind her with some other kids and I dropped my head and thought, "oh no!  This could be really embarrassing!"  I though surely the chorister would move her back but she didn't.  I made eye contact with Jared (isn't it ironic that the one time in the last four years that he actually gets to sit in the audience I have to be on the stand?) and I cuuld tell he was having the same thoughts.

Then the song started and Addie began belting out the words.  She was the ONLY one we could hear and amazingly said all the words right and stayed on key!  I was so proud of her.  Her hard work paid off!  Our Aunt Jeanie came to Church to see the girls participate in the program and her face was beaming.  Sweet little Addie had no idea she was singing a solo but she nailed it!

Good job Add!

The Heels

Warning: this post is slightly dramatic.  It may cause a few eye rolls and probably a "gimme a break" or two.

Remember these heels I bought recently?   Well, I finally wore them for the first time today.  It took me a while because it took a lot of preparation to do so.

When I bought them at the store I simply slipped them on my feet to make sure they fit right and did the height check so i wouldn't be taller than Jared.  They fit and I was still shorter than Jared.  But I mad a horrible error.  I didn't try walking in them.  Once I got home and put them on I took a few steps and realized I would be a terrible mess if I wore them out without learning how to walk in a pair of actual high heels.  That four inch heel was more than I could handle.

Enter YouTube.  I began watching videos on how to walk in heels.  They really weren't helpful at all.  So I started wearing them around the house every now and again for a few minutes at a time.  I even ran the vacuum in them once or twice.  I figured if I can vacuum with them then surely I could walk the halls at church for a few hours.  It sounded reasonable at the time and I managed to learn to walk without wobbly ankles and stiff knees.  

So this morning I slipped them on thinking I was finally prepared.  I concentrated as I walked in to church making sure I didn't look foolish and as though I had sore thighs or something.  I even had to get up and walk out twice with Lucy (mind you, we sit in the very front in the second pew) and made it just fine.  And the compliments.  Girls were loving them! 

Then something happened.  I noticed my big and second toes on my left foot were numb.  And my big toe on my right foot was beginning to feel sore from rubbing on the side of the shoe.  And it didn't stop there.  I had to conduct Sharing Time in Primary and my feet were beginning to ache as I made my way to the podium and back to my seat numerous times. 

Finally the ball of my foot began to ache so badly that I found myself taking baby steps and walking slower than Lucy.  When Church finally ended luck would have it that i had to go from one side of the building clear to the other to find Jared and back again to get to my truck.  I seriously could hardly walk to the truck and was praying a car didn't drive into the parking lot because I wouldn't be able to hurry.  Then again being hit by a car wasn't sounding so bad either at that point.

I finally got in and removed the shoes from my feet, all the while whaling like an animal in distress.  I told the girls my feet felt like they were going to come off and Addie told me she knew what would made them feel better.  A foot rub!  She sings my song. 

I drove home complaining the whole way.  I told the girls they should have warned me and not talked me into buying the blasted shoes.  Then I got home and wanted to cry because I had to put the shoes back on.  My hands were full and I had to carry Lucy in leaving me no choice but to put the shoes back on my feet and try to make it to the door. 

I walked very slowly cringing the whole way.  Once I hit the laundry room I did the thing I hate that my girls do, I took my shoes off and left them right there.  Then I tried to readjust to walking flat footed.  My feet were sore.  Plain and simple.  Very sore.  My tender feet ached every time I took a step and they hit the tile.

My mind turned to all the ladies who wear orthopedic shoes and suddenly they didn't sound so bad.  Then the soreness started to wear off and I realized my thinking must be clouded because that really does sound bad! 

So for now I am retiring the shoes.  Yes, they are so cute and yes, I loved they way they looked but until I forget about how miserable I was and once again think I am ready to wear them again they will live in my closet.  And I will enjoy that foot rub Addie promised to give me.

Visit with Beth

 In September Lucy and I were able to fly to Wisconsin to spend a few days with one of my best friends in the whole world, my sister Bethany.  They are living there for a few years while her husband finishes up medical school. 

After arriving in Milwaukee and making my way through the airport I finally saw my sister and felt like crying.  I was so excited to see her, I can't even explain!  It had been far too long. 

The drive to her house was incredible.  She lives just over an hour from the airport and I have to say it's one of the prettiest hour-long drives I have ever taken.  The green fields, red barns and farm houses were amazing. 

Once I got to her house it was so fun to see the kids.  I haven't seen her two older kids in over a year and they had grown so much.  They instantly fell in love with Lucy and she was thrilled to a have all the attention for once.  Her youngest, Hyde, and Lucy are only three months apart and it was so fun to watch them interact.

 Lucy also loved the backyard.  It seemed strange to me but no one has fences.  I don't think I saw one single fence the whole time I was there.  Everyone takes care of the their lawns and is respectful of other people's space. 

 On the 24th Ivy celebrated her third birthday.  She became my little sidekick while I was there.  She has a Minnie Mouse voice and says the cutest things.  I miss her so much!

Later that day Beth and I took a walk around her neighborhood.  The scenery was beautiful and the leaves were beginning to change, making it even more pleasant.

Getting away to see Bethany was quite the undertaking.  It took massive preparation to leave my family for almost a week but it was all worth it (including trying to teach Jared how to do a ponytail.  That deserves it's own post).  Beth is a wonderful hostess and hardly let me lift a finger the whole time.  It was a far cry from my usual life as the only real responsibility I had was to care for Lucy.

Now that I know things won't completely go to shambles while I'm away, I'm already thinking about my next getaway.