Getting Ready for Lacey

Today Lacey celebrates her 8th birthday.  Two years ago we were getting ready for Lacey, though now I have to stop and laugh that we ever thought we could "get ready" for Lacey.  We are still getting ready - getting ready for the  unexpected questions, behaviors and evolving personality that are all a part of Lacey.   I thought a long time about what to do for Lacey's birthday blog.  I finally decided that it should be a collage of our past year as a family.

There are so many ordinary conversations that make me laugh every day.  Sometimes, things slip out of one of the kid's mouths and go unnoticed.  Other times, I am lucky enough to be part of the communication.  Often, there are bits of conversations that I laugh over and savor for days.    Here are just a few:

"Are these cool or warm colors?"    Lacey, while pointing to a pile of crayons.  This is such clear evidence that she is Cassie's sister.

After getting caught for telling quiet a whopper, Lacey said, "Well, wasn't it close to the truth?"

After completing disregarding something I asked her to do, Lacey offered, "I don't think I understood your English." 

According to Cassie, Lacey's fallback phrase is "I don't know."

At the movie theater

On a daily basis, Lacey asks, "Mommy, Cassie wants to know if we can _______________,"  You can fill in the blank with any of about 100 things to which Cassie knows the answer would be "NO!"

"Are we having spoletti for dinner tonight?"

"Mommy, can I have a 'loo loo woopsie' doll for my birthday?  I want one that looks like Cassie."

"Cassie, do you want me to help you clean your room?"

The other day Lacey was singing, "Who let the dogs out?  Woof woof.  Who let the dogs out?  Woof woof.   Who let the cats out?  Meow meow.  Who let the cats out?  Meow meow.  Who let Cassie out?  Help! Help!"  Even Cassie had to laugh.

"Ballerina of the Day" at dance class.

 A number of times this year Lacey brought notes from the teacher citing a misbehavior that had occurred in class.  For example, some of these notes read, "I touched my friend today," and "I was playing in the bathroom today."  I've never received notes like this for Cassie and didn't really know how to respond.  We had to try to narrow down the behavior and then decide whether it was serious.  "I touched my friend" translated into, "I didn't feel like using paper towels so I dried my hands on another child's shirt."  And, "I was playing in the bathroom," really meant, "I thought it would be funny to hide from the teacher so I climbed on top of a toilet and hid in a stall while everyone else went back to class."    We discovered that Lacey has an incredible capacity for blaming someone or something else when she's put on the spot.  So, we work on being honest and accepting responsibility for one's own actions.  And, later we laugh.  

At the cabin - the girls are wearing orange hats because it was hunting season.

On the way to Uncle Bob's cabin - the girls surprised him with a wagon full of water balloons.

I struggle to determine what Lacey really likes and to find an area in which to direct her energy and talents.  The reality is that she gives 200 percent to everything she does. 

Lacey managed to sling water balloons farther than anyone else.

As I was selecting photos for this blog, I realized that almost all my photos now are of the girls together.  That speaks volumes for their relationship.  Take a look at some of these photos.

Cassie using a puppet to help Lacey with her penmanship.

Enjoying Gaby

Christmas

Easter

 For so long, Lacey was fiercely independent.  She has finally begun accepting eager advice, including fashion advice, from her older sister.

En route to a violin concert, Lacey is robed in Cassie's hand-me-downs - a maxi dress, denim jacket and beads.

Sharing enthusiasm over Cassie's birthday presents.

Author's Night at school - Lacey read a story that she wrote.

Cassie admired Lacey's schoolwork.

The sisters

Dancing Sisters

It's time for the annual dance recital. I can hardly believe that this will be Cassie's 8thl!  Of course, each recital is special.  But, this year holds the extra excitement of being Lacey's first.  And, she has savored each step of the process.  The excitement began in January, when the girls were measured for costumes.  In April, after raising their right hands and vowing not to eat, drink play or sleep in their costumes until after the recital, they finally got to bring their costumes home. 
The real excitement began this weekend.  Saturday morning found me standing in line in the parking lot near the dance studio.  It was 8:00 a.m. and ticket sales were scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.  Last year, I had joined the queue around 9:00 a.m. and stood in line for three hours.  I thought maybe by arriving earlier, I'd spend less time in line.  As soon as I found my place at the end of the line, I regretted telling Les that I didn't need a chair or a jacket.  The torrential downpours of the night before had left the ground soggy and dropped the temperature by about 15 degrees.  I plopped down on the curb and opened my book.  During the next four hours, I chatted with my new friends in line and listened to stories of folks who had arrived as early as 6:00 a.m.  Meanwhile, "helpers" made their way up and down the line shouting directions , "Cash or check only, 10 ticket limit per family!"  One kind soul offered to be a line holder for people who had to use the restroom.  By noon, I had four tickets clenched in my hand and was running for my car.

But, this was only the beginning.  Today, we had to make the early church service because this afternoon the girls had recital photos!!!  Lacey's group photo was scheduled for 12:40 p.m.  We raced through lunch and Cassie helped her into her costume.  With about 20 hairpins, I finally managed to get her hair into something resembling a bun.  Although I minimized her makeup - lipgloss only - I had  to wipe it off her cheek as we headed out the door.  Surprise!  The teacher had made a change to the schedule and Lacey was now supposed to be photographed at 4:10.

We returned home and I helped her out of the costume.  At 2:45, we began again, this time getting both girls ready.  We put glitter on eyelids and Cassie was treated to a little eyeliner.  Once again, I got Lacey's hair clamped down and sprayed.  We entered the studio, which by now was full.  Dance bags were flying and parents were fighting for a place to sit.  I gave Cassie a tissue to blot her lipstick and suddenly noticed that she looked like a raccoon.  Oh, why did I bother with eyeliner?  I fumbled for another tissue and began rubbing at her face.  Cassie chose that moment to let me know that her ballet shoes are too small.  Finally, Cassie's group photo was taken. Then, during the 30 minute wait for Lacey's class, I had to redo Lacey's hair twice.  I will admit that as we walked out the door I was starting to ask myself if it was really worth it.  Then, Cassie leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Mom, I have the little sister I've always wanted."   

For My Mom

Mother's Day is approaching, and for days the girls have been sharing hushed secrets while leaving a trail of craft supplies in their wake.  Although not wanting to get sucked into the commercialism of this day, I don't mind getting a little recognition.

At the same time, the door opens to a little self doubting.  "Am I a good mother?  Do I sometimes make bad decisions?  What can I do better?"  And then I wonder, "If it's so much work with two kids, how did my Mother ever do it with four?!"

Mom, as you know, sometimes things can be a little rough.  And, clearly, we never outgrow the need for our mother's advice.  So, Mom, here are a few questions for you:

Does it really matter if the kids sleep in their clothes once in awhile?

Does it really matter if the kids sometimes have a piece of candy with breakfast?

Why do kids always wait until 9:00 p.m. to tell you they need to take brownies to school the next day?

At what age are kids supposed to be able to sit quietly through church?

Would it be really rude of me to put my feet on the music teacher's coffee table during Cassie's violin lesson?

How am I supposed to react when I find a dirty sock in the pantry?  (I know what you're thinking, Mom.  But, in our house the pantry and the laundry room are on different floors.)

Is it okay if I occasionally seek parenting advice from the "Junie B. Jones" books?  (I'm serious here.  Lacey presents some amazingly new challenges.)

How many times a day can I say, "Why don't you go look that up on the Internet?" before the kids begin to realize that maybe Mommy's not really busy, maybe she's just not that bright?

How many times a day is it okay for me to say, "Go ask Daddy?"

Am I a bad mother if I fall asleep while reading a bedtime story?

Do you think it's really strange that I sometimes fold laundry just to keep myself awake?

Finally, is it normal for me to daydream about going grocery shopping alone?

Thanks, Mom!!

Happy 11th, Cassie!

So, Cassie, today you are turning 11.  You have long been anticipating this day because you believe turning 11 on the 11th has some special significance.  But, I have to tell you that every day with you holds special significance for me. 

I adore your sense of style.  You have an incredible ability to draw and paint.  You are a gifted storyteller and writer.  I am enchanted with the graceful dancer that you are becoming.  I admire your musical accomplishments.  And, I am in awe of your Tae kwon do skills. 

I love that you see beauty in the mundane.  I love when Lacey looks at you, her eyes brimming with admiration and says, "Wow, Cassie!"   I love that you are not afraid to be different.  Most of all, I love your sense of fairness and your desire to make the world a better place. 

Happy 11th Birthday!