Thankful for the Little Ones

Last year we had a fire that destroyed or damaged 95% of all we had. Including our home, a 40 foot storage container, a truck, and the shop/shed . We woke up, not because of a fire alarm, but more than likely the rumbling blaze that had taken over the front porch. After getting the little ones outside the door, I went in to get a cell phone and their blankets (only 2 out of 3). I did not think of the car keys at that time or computers or even the back up disks. Quickly we moved over to the neighbors yard and I went back to get more items. Very hot, thick black smoke came pouring out of the door, so I thought that I would hold my breath and go in. After opening the door again and sticking my face in, I thought whatever else that was left in the house would stay there and I would stay alive for my children.

The neigbors were wonderful, and so was the volunteer fire department ( they even found one burnt key that went to the one non-burnt vehicle). In the following days the community was really supportive. Family was a great relief and very helpful. A local group of girl scouts used their cookie money to buy important and useful items. For young women, but really still girls, they were amazing and I am grateful and proud of them for being so thoughtful. They have even given us Thanksgiving dinner, because they have kept us in their thoughts. For all involved, thank you.

From all this one realizes even more strongly that stuff is stuff. At no point were my children burnt or chased by smoke, and this is something I am thankful for daily. We have move a few times and camped a bunch and they know that no matter where we are, as long as we are together as a family we are home. Attila was really the only one vocally aware of the destruction of the fire. It was not until a couple of weeks after the fire that he spoke up declaring his hatred for the fire. Normally I don't want him just hating because he is upset with something, but I let him go with it. He said that he would "Kill the fire." When I asked him how, he very seriously said that he would do it "With Firemen."

I love that!

The Power of the Little Goddess

Athena stands here unaware of the attention she is recieving from a rather large sea turtle. He seems to be taking in her very essence, yet she is oblivious to all but the joy of running barefoot and free.

Lately the poor lass has been suffering from teething pain and gets rather beastly in her sleep, waking up and crying at various times in the night. She does not like being hungry at all. Even so if she is having a hunger fit and I have her use words, she will stop in the middle of the drama, smile and say, "Juice Please." Just as sweet as Scarlet O'Hara could.

In the rain and mud she has kept up with her older brothers. Of course there is always the deficiency in minerals in her diet so she also eats mud whenever allowed (Here meaning not watched every little micro-second). Truly, I feed her well and she gets vitamins in the morning.
Attila and she love to jump on the bed and play, "Where's Athena." With Nobu, she and he swap food. Each tries to eat out of the other's bowl, so it comes out about even.

Lately she thinks it is great fun to pull my hand to her mouth, and try to bite it. I do not find it as fun if I am not paying attention and she gets a bite in. Geezo Peezo, that girl has some sharp teeth and a strong jaw. Athena has also decided to practice magic. I believe she is studying Houdini. As tight as her carseat can be adjusted is nothing for the little one to get out of. Did I forget to mention she does this as the car is moving down the road? Love that girl.

Two Hand

A vision of my children going through some rite of passage is very strong to me. On this particular day my firstborn and I were painting. He had all day wanted to go to this sandy area that is much of the time (for that the very next day) covered. After painting and just prior to the clean up, my hands were full of paint so I put one print on his chest. He then wanted another.

He struck me as so beautiful, and the name Two Hand came to mind, then it became his for now. Attila was quite proud of this and will still respond to the name, even though he washed the prints off so that it was a secret. May I not be tresspassing on his secrecy, but I do not want to lose this moment to time and unexcusable business.

Today we drove to the snow and met some very kind and genuinely warm hunters. I was proud of Attila's presence and politeness. He has so many wonderfully poignant or funny comments. A few weeks ago as a reward, I asked him what he would like. Normally that is chocolate milk or something of that caliber. That particular day he wanted, "A Shot of Bourbon!" Hmmm Noooo. He had to try again.

Some day he will earn and choose his own name. Sure love that boy.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirates Life for Me

Aye, Ye Mateys

All the pirate fervor led to a viewing of Dead Man's Chest and a trip to D-Land with the first ride being the Pirates of the Carribean. Currently, Attila is currently corresponding with Captain Jack Sparrow, who initiated contact with Attila with a note asking for assistance with a mathematical problem in which he, Jack, had 7 pennies, but Captain Barbosa was requesting 20 pennies in return for a precious stone. Attila was very excited and proud and did the math and counted out the pennies for Jack. Later, after writing thank you notes to the grandparents, he wrote Jack a note back asking for Captain Jack's help with his army tank.

I am hoping this is making sense to you as it is an exciting adventure for this boy who while working on skills is getting a little something to look forward to, and is fulfilling his pirate nature. It amazed me, how he was not shy at all in expecting the pirate Captain Jack to also help him.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub, 3 Warriors in a Tub

One of the greatest and most productive playgrounds is a bathtub. It is amazing how long a child can be amused, cleansed, relaxed,... Oh, and they smell so much better after they are done.

In truth, I love to smell my little ones. Always. Studies have been done, showing that mothers will be able to pick out the T-shirt their child wore, based on the smell. Even though we rely on eyesight and hearing to obtain more obvious information, the sense of smell is stronger than we think.

The smell of rain, cut grass, coffee, orange peels, the ocean. Now it is often someone's diaper. Hopefully not mine. Kidding, I better not be close to that one, as I will be turning 40 this year.

This was almost 6 months ago. Athena is around 1 year at this time. Can you tell how much Best Big Brother loves her?

Beach Boys

Ok, so this is from the past. A little sarong, a dog house and the psuedo-stucco background of the house are the base of a first time adobe photoshop rendering. As many of you know, our home burnt down last year and many relatives sent photos that were given them. Thank you. Things I had thought lost are now refound. Sure makes me want to give out more photos , so please understand if I do. In fact, grandmas, we just got back school and soccer photos. It was a first for both.

Athena has yet to be immortalized in a scene with her brothers. It is difficult to get all three together at one time. Great credit must be given to those photographers who can get many little ones to smile, or even look at the camera at the same time.

Last night, celebrating Halloween, we had a Secret Ninja, a Knight and a little Sorceress. Attila very excited, yet polite had the Trick or Treat and Thank you's down smoothly. Nobunaga got out Trick, but mostly Bye bye and the understanding that he must grab the biggest handful of sweets possible and try to invite himself into the welcoming homes. Athena had absolutely no words for anyone, but did know to hold her bag out and point to the treats and look very seriously into the eyes of the treat hosts. She was practicing hypnosis and I think it worked.

Boo!