Gemma Rose, 7 years old.

My Gemmi Ro,
you are seven.
seven years already of your kind and generous heart.
seven years of your silly, bubbling giggle.
seven years of twirling, fluttering, and tumbling.

it always feels as though we exist in a fairy tale story book when you're around, Gem. There's a little extra sparkle, a heap of theatrics, the lines between good and evil always clearly defined, regular breakouts of music and dancing, and almost always a happily ever after.

You are no damsel in distress though, my girl, you are almost always the hero in the story. I will spend my whole life trying to get you to understand that you need to secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others. It is often that I have to tell you, "Gem, you're trying to help too much now, honey." You are generous with your time, service, and kindness to a fault. The thought of anyone being offended by you makes you feel anxious. When your Dad and I have to drive separately somewhere, you worry yourself crazy deciding who to ride with because you don't want to hurt one of our feelings. Sleepovers at your friends' houses make you so happy but then you worry about how much Daddy and I will miss you. You told us over dinner the other night as just a side comment, "When one of my classmates break or lose their crayon, I let them have mine.....actually, I barely have any crayons left in my box in my desk because I've given so many away!" Dad and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. Roie, you need to take care of you too, baby.

 
You took it easy this year in sports because you told us that sometimes it gets too busy with everything we do. (boy, do we ever need that reminder regularly Gemma, thank you!) So you cheered for football season (me and Uch were your coaches!) and you signed up for AYSO soccer. No competitive cheer or indoor soccer because you wanted time to "play and be with my family."

Most of your friends are still all older than you by years/grades. Regularly, people are shocked to learn that you are only in first grade - both because of your height and your maturity. Dad and I forget constantly that you are only just now seven and we are always trying to remind ourselves that you are still just a little girl (even though you seriously might as well be 12 in the way we trust you and how you handle responsibilities).

You are less of a frilly, sparkly girl this year. You prefer leggings and a sports tshirt to dresses. You like your hair just in a ponytail and you are desperate for it to grow back again (after we got several inches cut off earlier last year). You still love hugs and dancing and snuggling but you ask for it less now and that's bittersweet; less neediness, but also stop growing up please. You love stories, especially about when you were little and when Dad and I were young and dating. You are always so eager to make sure that we know how much you love us. You say things like (when eating at a restaurant) "This is such good food - but not as good as yours mom!" or "That boy is so handsome! But not as handsome as Dad!"

You and Grey are either best best bestest best friends- not leaving each others' sides laughing maniacally at the weirdest jokes ever - or ready to choke each other and nitpicking everything the other one is saying. You and Violet play 'girlfriends' together with babies and purses, you whisper and giggle in the dark past bedtime, and you even started sharing your clothes with her (!). You two make my sister heart explode with your little tender moments that I only have the privilege to watch from the outside - but I know the power and love that is held in that hug of sisterhood. You baby Rusty probably the worst of all of us and he knows it. He calls you "my gemma" sometimes and girl, well, good luck with that. His curls and hugs around the neck and sweet smile can make you crumble into a pile of mush. You literally would do anything for him and I have to tell you all the time, "Gem, he's never going to learn if you keep doing everything for him!"

Your favorite movies are all 'kissing movies' like A Cinderella Story, Another Cinderella Story (lol), and most recently, To All the Boys I've Loved Before. You have fallen head over heels for musicals this year including Mamma Mia, The Greatest Showman, and Hairspray (big time crush on Link, but Gem, you are not alone in girls who have had their first major celebrity crush on Zac Efron!) You like watching baking/cooking shows on youtube and still ask to help anytime I'm in the kitchen. 

You are an independent little thing and the absolute most helpful child in our house. You are nearly completely self sufficient (hah!) and can even get almost everyone else ready too. You make us cups of tea (in the microwave), you get snacks and drinks for your siblings, you can empty and load the dishwasher, and you're the only kid not afraid to go into the basement by yourself to get something from the freezer for us. You can change diapers, clean a bathroom, and almost (so close!) learned to iron this year - but because you were trying to be too helpful (this is a theme of yours) you accidentally burned yourself when putting more water in it while it was still hot when I stepped out of the room. 

Grey told a silly joke the other day, "what did the snake say to the mailman?" (ssssss) which had us all giggling. And then Violet jumped in on the joke and asked "what did the pig say to the mailman?" (oink oink) and then you tried, "What did the turtle say to the mailman? ....(can I help you?") ....this is so typical of the kind of stuff you say, Gem, that leaves us all wondering -what in the actual hell are you talking about? while you sit there and just laugh at yourself. Being able to laugh at your silly, unique self, Roe, that is an invaluable skill - so hold on to it, my darling. Let your freak flag fly, girl - it's bold and bright and beautiful!

You still love playing school at home; you are always trying to enlist the babies in being your students while you sing strange little chants to them about keeping their hands to themselves and their mouths closed while walking in the halls (hahha, makes me laugh every time). I hear your teachers' voices and phrases parroted out of your mouth as you do your pretend read alouds and give instructions. I am so grateful that you have had amazing teachers that inspire you.

You are still working hard in school and math seems to come naturally to you. You have made progress in reading this year and you are so determined to get there. You still have a way to go until reading becomes more natural to you, but goodness girl - when you get a handle on this reading thing, you are going to soar. I can't wait to see you unfurl those beautiful wings and leap into uncharted land of learning and characters and new worlds. Oh Gemmi, how much you are going to adore reading.  I can't wait to do it together and the chats we will have and the worlds we can explore together through books. You are going to love it so much and I can't wait to watch how your dedication and persistence in trying finally pays off and you unlock that incredible padlock to the whole wide world.

Gemmi, 

I am so lucky to get to be your momma.
to watch you and be inspired regularly about patience and generosity
I am so proud of the girl you are
and humbled to even think of the girl you are going to continue to be
I hope to be a little more like you everyday.
Gemmi girl, you are something else.
I love you forever and ever
and ever for all the days
even when you're way taller than me
and changing the whole wide world
my roie, I will love you.
momma

Gemma Rose, six years old.

my dearest Gemmi Ro,
you are six! as I say every year, it seems impossible that you are not older. you are so kind and patient and thoughtful - my darling - I swear sometimes I think to myself, "I need to be more like Gemma." Daddy and I sometimes look at each other in awe of your patience and generosity. You are so so kind and understanding, Roe, more than any of us deserve. You ask us how our day is going, you help clean up, and you do chores with zero whining or complaints. You do the things that need done with a steady persistence and you care for those around you, it's as simple as that to you - but you're only six and you already understand that so it shocks us regularly.

School was a bit of a rough start, but we knew that it would be - despite how hard you worked to be ready. You were so lucky to get your teacher who has championed for you and your learning since day one. (Mrs. Roman, we are so blessed that you are in our lives). Gemmi, you have practiced tirelessly and you have never given up even when at one point in the middle of the year, as we were practicing reading sentences, you looked up at me with tears in your eyes and said, "Momma, everyone else in the class can do this easier than me." I gave you a hug and we had a long conversation about how we all are good at different things and we all struggle with different things. That little chat was all you needed to lift your chin and get back in there.

The progress you have made this year, academically Roe, has been staggering. We are so proud of you - less because of how amazing your report card is - but more because of how hard you worked and hung in there. Our tenacious little girl.

You also have a dramatic side that can make us all a little batty too though. You feel things so immensely that you jump off the train at cuckoo-town and we have to give you a speech about not being too upset or too silly or too theatrical. Sometimes I hear my exact momma-speeches (tone and all) come out of your mouth and I am immediately reminded that I too need to sometimes not be too upset or too theatrical when parenting you four kids (thanks for the regular reality check, Gem).

Your favorite way to play is pretend school and you need no playmates to do so. You pull up a little chair and carry over a tall stack of books and a big wad of scratch paper and a pen and get started. For hours, you mimic your teacher's voice in the chair; 'reading' aloud the books and marking attendance on the scratch paper. You love doing homework pages, and pretending to type on old laptops/keyboards. I can never find any of my pens, markers, or tape because you are constantly stealing them for your mobile 'classroom.'

All of your best friends are two or three years older than you (#typicalGemma) and you still love all things teenage girl - nail polish, purses, boyfriends, kissing movies, dancing, selfies, etc. You cheered this year with Turners All Stars and took to it like a fish in water. You have always been physically strong (still true) so learning about cartwheels, roundoffs, and toe touches have been a dream come true. You've spent most of the last year upside down in either a cartwheel or a handstand up against the wall. You are also playing soccer and are a tough and determined little cookie but also aware and a team player - passing to teammates and giving them space when they have the ball.

At six, you can do your own ponytail, ride a bike without training wheels, rollerblade (not great, but you're determined), do a flip on the trampoline, make toast and eggs independently, and fold clothes. You still like to be tucked into bed and fall asleep to the sound of my voice reading aloud from whatever book I am reading. Your favorite movies are love stories (A Cinderella Story, Zombies, and Descendants) and you'll eat almost anything without complaint but you love croutons and ranch dressing best. You are still our snuggle master and if you're having a tough day, the fastest way to  perk you back up is with a hug or a snuggle on the coach with a book, or a twirl in the kitchen to some music.

Early this school year,  you learned that the word 'flesh' means 'skin' and right away you made the connection that calling a particular crayon 'flesh color' (like some of your classmates do at school) was not very nice. You said, "but not everyone's skin is the same color!" Several times this year, I have heard from your various teachers about how you maturely and matter-of-factly explain to your classmates that you don't feel comfortable calling it 'flesh color' and that you call it peach instead. 

You help opposing soccer players up off the ground and ask if they're okay. You ask how to respond in a nice way to a classmate who says you're not her friend anymore. You share your own anything every single time someone else doesn't have. You know how to wait your turn, you let younger kids go first and cannot stand to see someone cry or sad. And when Greyson makes a bad choice and needs to be punished (even when the bad choice was directed at you) you beg for Daddy and I to punish you instead so that your big brother doesn't have to feel upset. 

My little kindergarten human rights warrior, this world doesn't deserve you - but it needs you so badly. 

my darling Gem,
You are everything good and kind and generous in this world.
I am so vastly grateful to get to be your momma.
you, my bright shining star girl,
you will love and snuggle the bad right out of this world.
I am so proud of you Roey.
I will be loving you forever
even when you're so big
your momma.

Gemma Rose at five years old

my dearest Roey,

five.
five!!
it seems impossible both because it's happened too fast and because surely you've been older than five for forever now.  If we get asked one more time if you're our oldest child by a random stranger again I think Grey's going to pull his hair out!  (he dislikes being asked if you two are twins only slightly worse).

You, Gemmi, have always been trying to be older than you are - even since you were only one week old flashing those bonafide smiles at everyone.  You walked at ten months and have been chatting off all of our ears as soon as you realized you had a voice that could communicate.  You have always acted older than you are and yet, every year at your birthday I am shocked that we are celebrating another year of the brilliant, shining star that you are.

Our Gemmi, who feels each emotion with every single cell in her body.  The joy that floats off of you, I swear, comes with it's own sweet melody that can be heard in reverberations from your belly laughs.  And the tears, my sweet girl, you hold the curse (and blessing) that comes with an empathetic heart that feels all the worlds' sorrows (and beauty).  Sometimes you look at me and whisper, "I don't want to be crying, momma, but my eyes are just doing it." We've had plenty of talks about how sometimes we cry when we're sad, or mad, or so happy even.  We have plenty more of these talks to come.

Gem, you are also our little emotional barometer, you can walk into a room and immediately know who needs their hand held or a smile without anyone speaking a word.  You try to distract during arguments in your effort to diffuse and you lean down to give hugs and kisses for anyone who feels the tiniest bit of sadness.  

But make no mistake, you will also stand in brave defiance should anyone think for one moment they could wrong one of your siblings....'not without going through me first' say your set eyebrows and stoic mouth. 

You still love babies and I find purses and diaper bags all over the house filled with babydoll supplies and real diapers and old cellphones that lost their chargers long ago.  I gifted you my old planner this year when I got my new one and you'd have thought I gave you a million dollars.  You love acting like a grown up (especially a mom, hence babydolls) and you like scribbling over all my old to do lists and pretending you have places to go and grown up things to do.

You are so caring and nurturing - it is in your deepest heart of hearts to take care of people.  I feel so very blessed that my kids, your siblings, get to have you as their sister, Gemma Rose.  And a tiny part of me feels peace to know too that someday when I'm not here, my other babies will still have you. I pray everyday that you will find someone who takes care of you like you take care of everyone else, my sweet darling.

You still are, probably always will be, our resident snuggler.  Always, you have some part of your body touching some part of someone else's body; even if it's just making sure your foot is resting on ours while we share the couch (but usually it's your entire body leaning on us precariously so that the slightest movement will send you toppling).  Your unspoken philosophy is that hands are made for holding and arms are made for hugging and snuggling.  If you need a little pick-me-up during the day, a twirl and a dip can change your whole attitude. 

With the exception of the leaning-on-people, you are otherwise incredibly balanced and strong.  You can do cartwheels and round-offs and we're working on a backhandspring (so slowly but promising already).  You can do a perfect push up, have six pack abs, and the freestyle dance moves you throw out, girlfriend, they are legit.  

And, Roey, our performer girl who brings theatrics and dramatics to any situation.  Who makes three to four wardrobe changes a day, who knows the importance of faking a smile to get the picture taking over with, who practices her British accent while reading books to her baby brother, and who can win any family lip sync contest hands down...to that Roey Girl...I'm telling you - when William Shakespeare said, "All the world's a stage," he was speaking to someone like you.

You be you, Gemmi Rose Studer.
We are all just lucky enough to bask in the light that shines out of your eyes.

happiest fifth birthday, my beautiful old-enough-for-kindergarten girl (!!)
i'll love you forever and ever
even when you get so big
mum.

my favorite photo from 2015

There are all kinds of mommas out there.  Some of us are really great at helping out at school and bringing in the best classroom snacks.  Some of us moms can clean and organize like nobody's business.  Some of us plan amazing parties, and some of us seem to balance it all effortlessly.  It takes all kinds of us mommas - so be proud of whatever it is that you bring to your village!

Personally, I'm the kind of mom that has her camera or phone out to snap pictures of the big events and of the everyday normal, boring stuff.  Our family yearbook is one of my very favorite things to create and is the biggest motivation to have my camera ready to snag the photos of what our days feel like right in this moment of very young kids where the days pass by in a bizarre and loud blur.  I'm the girl receiving regular reminders that my phone storage is low due to photo capacity.

When I was happily browsing Social Print Studio and daydreaming about my next purchase, I started wondering about choosing a single favorite photo from 2015.  I mean, could it even be done, just one single favorite photo?

I took a lot of photos that I really love over the course of 2015, it was a big one for us, after all.  We traveled to the Dominican Republic for a family vacation, we celebrated our baby's first birthday, our son started Kindergarten...it was a record year!  Even though I have loved tons of pictures from last year, it didn't take more than a few minutes to zero in on the number one favorite capture.  Out of all of those major events, my favorite photo actually comes from a regular moment on a regular day with our two girls.

I am one of three sisters, and for all my life, I will be grateful to be a sister of sisters.  For all my life, I will be grateful to be a mother of sisters.  A complete dialogue of a secret, silent language occurs within a glimpse between sisters.  Our husbands sit among us with furrowed eyebrows as the three of us hold entire conversations without ever finishing a sentence in it's entirety.

As with all siblings, there is a loyalty that runs deeper than comprehension, born into our bones through shared DNA and childhood memories.  But with sisters, that loyalty is laced with understanding and empathy and forgiveness.  I see this already in our girls at only four and a year and a half and my heart swells with joy and relief.  They will always have each other, and hopefully they'll also adopt their, future cousins and sisters-in-law into their little circle of giggling and shared desserts and unfinished sentences.

That's what this photo shines out for me; that secret language between sisters.  The mutual admiration and love and reverence that sisters extend to each other.  I imagine I will spend the rest of my life looking out at our two girls sharing a glance just as this one and I'll understand that secrets are being passed, even though I'll never quite know exactly what those secrets are without asking.  And that's just fine, because I'm content in knowing that they have each other, that I have a lifetime of motherhood to watch their relationship grow and flourish.
Our girls.
I will love this photo forever.

--

I have been a fan of Social Print Studio for a few years now, they have excellent products and make ordering prints of all of those instagram photos that tend to get stuck in cyberspace rather than printed super easy.  For two years, I have created and printed a collage of twelve of my favorite photos for the year to display in our staircase photo wall.  And the mini square prints are perfect to tack into our kids' baby books of all those magical little moments that is kind of what instagram photos are for.   One of my favorite and most unique Christmas gifts was the tearaway calendar that my brother in law gifted me once.  All of these thoughts are my own, and seriously, check them out - I can promise you that SPS is awesome.


ps. scf, i love you.

Gemma Rose at four years old

Dear Gemmi Ro,

at four years old, you are the pixie dust to our lives.  it's as if we can see an actual sparkling trail you leave as you twirl, skip, flitter, and float about the house, the way you move sometimes, it appears maybe you do have little fluttering, invisible fairy wings that keep you hovering a few inches off of the floor...

...or maybe those are your high heels that you proudly click about the house pretending to be a 'grown up' with your painted fingernails and smudged on lipstick talking about how you and Daddy are getting married.  Goodness, do you love your Dad.   You ask him to dance and buy you gummy bears and daily pick out his morning suit and tie.  I look at you two with giggles and send out little prayers to the days when you're fifteen and you're breaking his poor little heart into a million pieces.

You are our family snuggle master, always ready to squeeze into tiny spaces on the couch next to anyone and share their air.  You have no preferences as to who you are sitting with - me, Dad, your brother or sister or our pets.  You're always pulling over the blankies and getting 'all snugly and cozy.'

I call you my shadow and have to remind you about twenty times a day that sometimes mommas need space.  I can't turn around without bumping into you.  You are very helpful and so eager to do things independently.  You've mastered feeding the dogs and getting them water from the bathroom sink.  You like making your own waffles, using butter knives and scissors, and making scribble notes in notebooks that you leave all over the house claiming that it's your work.

And girlfriend, can you ever talk.  From the moment you wake up until the moment you finally close your eyes, you have so much to say.  The stories and questions are endless and Dad and I find ourselves repeating (especially at mealtimes), 'Gemmi, please be quiet for a couple minutes." The other day at lunch I said, "Gemmi, why are you talking all the time?" to which you answered, "I love to talk Mum. And eating.  And snuggling.  So if we could eat lunch on the couch with a blankie and talk too.  That's like the best day ever in my whole life."

Talking about getting bigger and being a grown up is some of your favorite discussions.  You can't wait to drive a car and have a purse and buy stuff and be a mommy, and, obviously, marry Daddy.  But if somehow that conversation leads to ME being older (ie. your kids' grandma) then you half yell, half cry telling me that it will NOT be like that because 'you're NEVER getting old mom! and i'm never living in a different house and i don't want to talk about this ever again!" thank you, my sweet four year old gemmi ro...i will hold on to you saying this when you are eighteen and counting down the days until you get to move away.

You currently have your first bonafide crush of your life.  I'm counting it as legit because occasionally you'll completely out of the blue, wonder aloud if he's thinking about you and send little whispered wishes out into the universe that he'll come to rescue you when you're in danger.  by the way, your crush is the fairy prince Cornelius from the animated movie Thumbelina.  this has been going on for three weeks.

We were listening to the music channel on tv yesterday, having a good ole fashion, no holds barred dance party, when 'Sorry' came on and you caught sight of the picture of Justin Beiber and whipped your head around to me with big round eyes.  I burst out laughing immediately, recognizing this face as my own tween self and said, "what?" to which you pretend fainted onto the ottoman saying dramatically, "He's SO handsome!"  Good Lord, do we have trouble coming.

At four years old, we are already catching glimpses of tween Gemma, in all your hair obsessed ('does my hair look crazy'), best friend jealousy ('I don't want her to play with anyone else but me!') and i-want-a-boyfriend talk.  This week, you've even pulled out the line - 'You're ruining my life!' even though you don't quite understand the gravity of the statement but you definitely know that it means someone (me) is doing something you really don't like (asking you to clean up the mess in your room).  Your current favorites movies/shows are Thumbelina (um, hello Cornelius), Teen Beach Movie 2, Disney Descendants, Princess Sophia, and Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse.  You've requested a 'make-up' party for your birthday, so we're doing movie star make-overs with a photo booth, you are over the moon about the three new lipsticks and the glitter cupcake icing you got to select for the party.

Gem, you have this life that bubbles up and out of you in the brightest and most honest way.  You act out tenderly and maternally to anything smaller than you, mimicking me as you push back Violet's hair, kiss her on top of her head and whisper, 'you're a good baby.'  You make up the words to books and little songs that mostly include words like:  lovely, fantastic, and magical.

You love to have us watch you doing your made up dances and gymnastics routines, your pretend songs and dramatic reenactments of your favorite love stories, but only us.  Right now it is only reserved for immediate family as you suffer from severe stage fright if you know people are watching you, going so far as to break down into tears.  You demand a spotlight, baby, but I'm kind of glad that you just want to share your full sparkling spirit with us for now.

You are truly like a little pixie with your long eyelashes and your xylophone voice, and your rotating wardrobe of mainly dresses (the twirlier the better!).  You can't be bothered with whether you know the right words for your lip sync routine, or if you know what letter is called what, or what the rules to any game is.  You only care if everyone is smiling and if there is 'hot gum' for you, and if everyone is being family and hugging and if we can please talk some more and be happy together.

Oh, gemmi, you are so much like me and also so very different from me.  it's like I know all the words to the song, but the melody is different; which makes it both so beautiful and mystifying to watch you grow.

Roey, girl.  we are so very proud of you.
i love you forever and ever.
even when you keep getting so big,
mumma

Kid Chatter

Greyson: I'll be a good Dadda some day
Mum:  I think so too, buddy.  How many kids do you want?
Greyson:  Probably three boys and three girls
Mum:  That sounds nice
Greyson:  I think the boys should be named:  Lightening, Prince, and Antler.  And maybe the girls can be named Princess, Castle, and how about, Sendalia

Gemma:  Let's talk about something.
Mom/Greyson/Dad:  Okay, like what
Gemma:  Let's talk about Lulu's skin
(Lulu is our cat)

The kids are in charge of composting our veggies and they take them out to the hillside and use the vegetable pieces to build "Bunny Caves" for the wild rabbits.


Greyson and I were walking the dogs back in the fields behind our house.
Mom:  I'll hold both Bullet and Trixie's leashes for a little while, in case there are deer back here and they want to run after them.
Greyson:  I can hold Trixie
Mom:  I know, but I don't want Trixie to pull you too hard if there's a deer and then you'll have to let go of her leash because she'll run to the deer.
Greyson:  So
Mom:  Well then maybe the deer will be afraid and think it needs to fight Trixie and it will kick her in the face or something
Greyson:  oh, okay I get it.
Mom:  cool
Greyson:  Because then maybe Trixie's teeth would get knocked out and then the tooth fairy would bring her a bone for her tooth and then Trixie and Bullet would fight over it.

After Greyson got on the bus for the first day of school and Gemma and I were both crying.
Gemma:  I thought you said we were going to CATCH the bus!!!
Mom:  Honey, that's just how you say that Booboo was going to get on it
Gemma:  No!  I thought we were bringing the bus home and Greyson was staying!

At the Tough Mudder, Gemma realized I had moved from the spot where she thought I was standing and instead found an older woman sitting there (the woman recounted the following conversation to me later).
Gemma:  have you seen my momma?
Woman:  I don't know, what does she look like?
Gemma:  Well, she looks like me.
Woman:  Does she have a baby in a carrier on her belly?
Gemma:  Yes!  She does!
Woman (pointing): Is that her?
Gemma:  Yes!  Thank you!

a young family watches a meteor shower

3:52am

Mom:  Sweetheart, do you want to see the falling stars?
Daughter:  yes, mumma
Mom:  okay, you'll have to wake up then and come with me
Daughter:  can we catch them?


Mom:  You're supposed to make a wish when you see a shooting star.  How many wishes do you think we'll get to make tonight?
Daughter:  eight
Son: one hundred and ninety and fourteen


Mom:  Oooh!  we saw a big on while you guys were getting the blanket!
Son:  Did it fall in our yard?


Son:  Hey, look!  the dipping thing!
Dad:  yep, you're right!  The big dipper!
Son:  it's cool that the stars make things in the sky


Son:  it looks like we're looking up at a big city up there in the sky, huh?


Daughter:  wow!  do you see that blinking green one?
Son:  Gem!  That's just the dog's collar


Mom:  close your eyes! I'm going to take a picture
Daughter:  why close our eyes?
;;flash;;
Daughter:  don't ever do that again, Mumma!

Son:  What did you wish, Mom?
Mom:  that everyone in the whole world would choose kindness
--
Daughter:  I wished I could be a human
Mom:  You are a human, silly!
Daughter:  no, a human who makes ice cream.
Mom/Dad/Son:  mmhmm, good wish.
--
Son:  I wish I could see the boulders in space
Dad:  you mean like an astronaut?
Son:  Yes!
Mom/Dad/Daughter:  mmhmm, good wish.
--
Mom:  what about you Dad?
Dad:  I wish for a blanket


Daughter:  what's that blinking one moving?
Mom:  It's an airplane
Daughter:  wow!  Up there with the falling stars, it better be careful!


Son:  you know, Gem, there are aliens flying in some of those meteors
Daughter:  oh, okay.
Mom:  What!?  no.  Grey!


Dad:  I'm cold, what do you guys think, one more meteor and back to bed?
Mom:  that sounds good, it's almost quarter after
Dad:  over that way I saw a whole bunch of little ones
Mom:  but the biggest ones I saw were over here
Dad:  well what are you going for here, size or quantity?
Mom:  I'd take one big one over a bunch of little ones every time
Dad:  that's what she said


Daughter:  oh! I saw one.  it was so fast though
Mom:  must of been, I didn't see it
Daughter: yea, it's all the way to the Dominican Republic now.


Mom:  thanks for watching the meteor shower with us, guys
Dad: that was pretty cool, huh?  that was a lot of shooting stars!
Son:  and a lot of wishes! maybe everything will be mixed up tomorrow
Mom:  because of everyone's wishes coming true?
Son: yea
Daughter:  maybe! I think it will switch all of our beds around
Dad/Mom/Son:  .....
Daughter:  that would be funny.


4:17am

Kid chatter

These two.

They are pretty funny (among other adjectives I could think of - HAH).  Here's a little sampling of the best quotes from them over the past few months that I've been compiling to share. Hope they bring a smile to your face too :)

-----

Gemma slammed her head off the door frame while attempting a gymnastic move and so I was snuggling her

Gemma:  when will my booboo get better? 

Me:  my grandma always said it would get better before you get married 

Gemma:  did you have any booboos when you got married?

Me:  nope, they all got better!

Gemma:  well I know what could make me better right now, true loves kiss

On the second to last Friday in Lent

Greyson:  boy!  Fish sure makes ya fart! 

Singing old macdonald to Violet and the kids were supplying the animals on the farm so I could do their sound in the song. 

Me:  old macdonald had a farm e I e I o

And on his farm he had a...

Gemma:  unicorn! 

Me:  gem. What does a unicorn say?

Gemma:  magical sounds? 

Greyson (whispering to his sister):  I won't tattle tell on you ,okay Gem. 

Greyson (aloud): I spilled the paint downstairs

Dad: did you? 

Greyson:  well I'm not telling on my sister

Me: you write on paper. Not on couches, not on walls, not on your own body, not on the floor. ON PAPER!

Gemma:  Lord in Heaven, help me. 

Me:  Grey! What's that banging sound?

Grey: what sound?

Me: the one that sounds like you're dragging something down the steps

Grey: um, I think it's your imagination.

While sitting at the breakfast table waiting for Brandon to come down dressed for work.
Gemma:  my handsome boy is going to come down soon!

Outside playing:
Gemma (mumbles something)
Greyson:  did she just say 'hell no?'
Me: I hope not, that's a curse
Gemma:  no I said, 'Aww shi...." (Trailing off while looking at me sideways)...I mean oh God!
Me: Gem, still both curses.

While sitting on her grandfather Chum's lap, Gemma spilled half a bottle of water on the both of them
Chum:  Gem!  It's all over my shorts!
Gemma:  Well it's all over MY FEELINGS!!

After Grey refused to apologize nicely to his sister for kicking her in the face on the trampoline
Me:  That's a shame because you know Karma works fast, my friend.  Something bad will happen to you now since you chose to be unkind to your sister.
(about ten minutes later at lunch)
Grey:  what's on my hair? I can see something
Me:  Um, looks like a little spider
-spider jumps down on a web onto Greyson's nose -
Grey:  Mom!
Me: (sweeping it off) Got it.
Grey:  Omigosh, was that the karma?!

Love, Greyson and Gemma

kid survey about their Mumma

There is a kid survey going around the internet that is incredibly sweet (thanks Shelly for sharing it!) The idea is that, without any prompting, you ask your kids each question and write down their responses. 

The thing that maybe is the most endearing part about the stuff that kids say is because there is usually the smallest hint of wisdom to their words - at least if only because it comes from a perspective that adults can't see anymore; we've lost along the path of growing up.

So, here is a bit of sometimes funny, sometimes insightful bits and pieces of what kind of mumma my kids have:

Greyson, age 5
1. What is something mom always says to you?  you are special

2. What makes mom happy? being good

3. What makes mom sad?  being bad

4. How does your mom make you laugh?  she tickles me

5. What was your mom like as a child?  she liked to play kickball

6. How old is your mom?  21

7. How tall is your mom?  shorter than Daddy

8. What is her favorite thing to do?   do exercise

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?  she goes to races

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  talking about the weather

11. What is your mom really good at?  writing and doing letters

12. What is your mom not very good at?  making Violet happy when she's putting her clothes on

13. What does your mom do for a job?  I don't know....what?

14.What is your mom's favorite food?  shrimp

15.What makes you proud of your mom?  when she went in the race

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be?  her name would be 'Johnson Fairakin'

17. What do you and your mom do together?  we go on special dates and eat

18. How are you and your mom the same?  we have the same brain

19. How are you and your mom different?  different hair.  and you're bigger than me

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  she always be's nice to me

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  she just loves him

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  her sister's house

23. How old was your Mom when you were born?  21



Gemma, age 3
1. What is something mom always says to you?  Don't Yell!

2. What makes mom happy?  make her toast

3. What makes mom sad?  the butterflies flying away

4. How does your mom make you laugh?  make funny things

5. What was your mom like as a child?  she yelled

6. How old is your mom?  3, like me

7. How tall is your mom?  this big (with her arms outstretched)

8. What is her favorite thing to do?  make pizza

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?  Daddy's here then

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?  being on Mickey

11. What is your mom really good at?  doing computer things

12. What is your mom not very good at?  doing bad things

13. What does your mom do for a job?  carrying Violet

14.What is your mom's favorite food?  chicken

15.What makes you proud of your mom?  sleeping

16. If your mom were a character, who would she be?  Action!

17. What do you and your mom do together?  sleeping and going to the store

18. How are you and your mom the same?  this is taking too long

19. How are you and your mom different?  Mum!

20. How do you know your mom loves you?  her give me snuggas

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?  marrying him, giving him kissas and huggas

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?  to the store

23. How old was your Mom when you were born?  16

kid chatter

Some funny chatter heard over at the Studer zoo crew to brighten up your Monday morning...

Greyson:  When will I get a girlfriend?
Me: um, maybe when you're fifteen
Greyson:  How long will it take to get fifteen?
Me: a very long time
Greyson: no, like how many sleeps?

Gemma: I'm going to kick your ass
Me:  Gemma Rose,  ass is a curse!
Gemma:  ass is a curse?
Me:  yes so stop saying it
Gemma: but my ass is getting out of here
Me:  Gemma! No more
Gemma: but what about his ass?
Me:  stop saying ass Gemma Rose
Gemma:  you said it.

Greyson:  I love you, Mum

Me:  I love you honey

Greyson:  I love you so much I have a smile in my heart! 

While painting our nails with glitter nail polish- 

Gemma:  look!  Sparkle-la-lees!

Me:  so fancy! 

Gemma:  I'm painting them for my daddy so you can look beau-full.

Me:  What do you want to be when you're a grown up?
Greyson:  Can I be a doctor?
Me:  Sure!  There are lots of kind of doctors:  there are kid doctors, grown up doctors, doctors that get babies out, doctors that do surgeries and cut people open and stitch them back up, doctors for animals
Gemma:  Can I be a Dr. Seuss?

Greyson:  Gemma, what's your football touchdown dance?
-Gemma stands up-
Me:  Here, honey - catch the ball for the touchdown
Gemma:  no
Me:  you have to catch the ball first
Gemma:  no
Greyson:  Gem!  You have to get the touchdown first
Gemma:  That's not my point!  I'm doing the dance part only

Gemma:  Knock, Knock
Daddy:  Who's there?
Gemma:  a fly
Daddy:  a fly who?
Gemma:  Momma hates it.

Gemma:   I want yogurt ON my waffle
Greyson:   Well that's unusual

Greyson:  Mum, do you get dead if you go in tomatoes?
Mum:  what?
Greyson:  If you go in a tomato, do you get dead?
Mum:  I don't understand what you're asking me.  Go in what tomatoes?
Greyson:  Like the girl on the Wizard movie
Mum:  that's called a tornado!  

Gemma:  Knock, Knock
Daddy:  Who's there?
Gemma:  Bullet  (our dog's name)
Daddy:  Bullet who?
Gemma:  Eat a bone.

Gemma Rose, our three year old

Dear Gemmi Ro,

Darling, you are a lot of things:
my second child
my first daughter
our resident comedian
a little Momma to anyone (or thing) smaller than you
a true beauty
a little spitfire who don't take no crap from nobody, man
a clever sneaky little trickster
a roughneck wrestling tomboy
a princess in dress up girl fancy clothes
a story lover
a make-up thief
a snuggler
a breaking heart filled with empathy for anyone in need or hurting
a caring and doting big sister
an up-for-anything little sister
the fault line in your Daddy's heart that can bring all of his toughness crashing down with a bat of your eyelash
and my mirror; I see me before and You someday and everything that I'm doing right or wrong right now.

You, darling, are truly something.

But on this birthday, your third sweetheart, you are my startling and terrifying reminder that time slows down for no one.

Ever since you came bursting into this life you have been in a high speed chase to keep up with your big brother.  I feel like every time I've tried to reach out and hold you still in the moment  - to stare in awe at the wonderment that is this age right this minute - you wiggle out of my grasp and go on tackling the next thing that feels too big for you.

And now you're three!  My second baby; my little Gemmi Ro is three!  I just don't know how that happened; how time moved that quick.  (You'll understand what I mean someday when you are a momma).

Right now, your favorite color is purple.  You love playing with babies, but mostly you prefer to run around the house playing 'Bigfoot catcher' or 'SpyKids' with Grey while you guys get into things that aren't yours and wreck the place.  You ask that me or Daddy 'pet you' while you fall asleep (rub your back or belly) and your body moves blissfully and automatically if you hear music.  You love lipsyching (even though you rarely know the words), and you finish your prayers every night with 'thank you for the playgrounds and oceans.'

You still like to be held and cuddled, but you also are the first to offer affection to others; you talk baby to Violet and ask to hold her and if someone is sick or tired you 'pet them' and cover them with a blanket.  You crave independence and feel immense pride when you can do new things on your own.  Recently you've (somewhat) mastered:  making pb&j toast, changing Violet's wet diapers, using the broom & dustpan, and stirring the cookie/cake dough without making a huge mess.

I am so fiercely proud of your empathy and capacity to feel for others.  Although that will be a burden to carry for your life, baby - it is one that seems to be lacking in our world and I am so so proud that you seem to have it deep in your bones.

Just keep being You, baby.

Maybe that's it.  Maybe being you IS growing fast and moving quick; twirling, dancing, and skipping while the whole rest of the world marches on in a steady pace.

Maybe forever, we'll say 'there goes our Gemmi, ribbon dancing in a tutu and camo rainboots; on to her next adventure.'  I sure hope so, because stereotypes and expectations be damned.  Our Gemmi will just do her own thing as she pleases.

We love you Gemmi Ro so so much it hurts us sometimes.

Forever and ever.
even when you get so big.
your Mumma.

Senior Night calls for a kid interview!

In honor of the Blue Jays Senior Night game tonight (and last home game of the season, whew!  that went fast!)  I interviewed the Blue Jays two biggest fans about our favorite team and coach.

What is your favorite part of basketball season?
Gemma:  Going with my Dad on the bus (with the players after away games)
Grey:  Going to practice and going to the locker room like the players.

Who is your favorite player?
Gemma:  Jake
Grey:  Drew and Billy and Dante....well, all of them, Mum!

Do you want to play basketball when you grow up?
Gemma:  Yea
Grey:  Yes!  and then when I get done with college, I want to be a coach too.  Like Dad.

Who do you think would win a basketball game: Daddy or the Blue Jays?
Gemma:  Blue Jays
Grey:  Daddy

You or the Blue Jays?
Gemma:  Me!
Grey:  Blue Jays

What is something Daddy says as a Coach?
Gemma:  Let's go Blue Jays!
Grey:  Jays on three, 1, 2, 3, JAYS!

What kind of coach do you think Daddy is?
Gemma:  a Happy Coach!
Grey:  He's an awesome coach because he teaches the team cool basketball moves.

Do Daddy's players listen to him?
Gemma:  Yes
Grey: (laughing)  um, No.

What's the coolest thing about basketball?
Gemma:  Playing basketball!
Grey:  All the cool moves, like when the player throws it up to the net and the other guy dunks it.  What's that called again, The Loopy Loop?  It's called an Alley-oop.  Oh yea, Alley-oop

What will you miss now that basketball season is ending?
Gemma:  The snacks
Grey:  I going to miss shooting hoops at practice.  I'm going to miss all the players too.  But they're invited to my birthday party, remember?

What do you want to tell the Blue Jays tonight for the game?
Gemma:  I'm Gemma, please can you bring me presents?  Thank you.
Grey:  I love you!  I hope you win today!  And I hope the other team doesn't win and you guys do.  So, can you please do the Alley Oop move?  Billy, you have to throw the ball to Charlie and then Charlie you pass to Drew and then Drew, you come over and dunk it...okay?  And here's what I have to say (deep voice):  Jays on three, 1, 2, 3 JAYS!!!!

stories from Booboo & Miss Ro

It has recently been just non-stop hilarity over here from my two big kids.  For some hump day laughs, please enjoy these two little comedians.

chocolate milk at New Years

While brushing my hair

Gemma:  you looking beautiful, momma.

Me: Thanks honey for fixing my hair

Gemma:  okay, now I need scissors

Me:  Gem.  No.

walking towards the steps to go downstairs

Gemma:  It's okay, Momma, I'm just going to cut MY hair

Me:  Gemma.  I said No.  You cannot use scissors right now and you definitely can not cut your own hair!

Gemma:  I don't understand you.

Me:  Come back in here, honey.

Gemma: (stomping in room) I don't care!

While discussing his basketball birthday party (in APRIL; 3 months away)

Greyson:  and Daddy's whole basketball team is invited

Me:  Hah, okay, sweetheart

Greyson:  and you need to put on their papers for inviting  (breathless) You...can...sleep....over!!

Me:  Um, I don't think that's going to work, buddy.  There's too many, where would everyone fit?

Greyson:  The littlest player, Mark* can use my sleeping bag.  

Me:  And what about Gabe*?  He's so long, where will he sleep?

Greyson:  I have a great idea!  Under our bunk beds!

*names changed to protect players' identities  (hahha)

Greyson:  Mom!!  Gemma said a fairy stole her make-up

Gemma:  A fairy did take it.  He picked it up and flew it away with his wings!

Greyson:  What other colors are lions?

Me:  I think just orange, yellow, and brown.  I've never heard of a white or black lion.

Greyson:  There are white ones in Antarctica

Me:

Greyson:  there are!  

Me:  where did you hear that?

Greyson:  Daddy told me

Me:

Greyson:  you didn't hear us because we were sneaking downstairs talking quietly

Me:

Greyson:  okay, I'm telling a lie, but I know there are white lions in Antarctica.  I just know inside my heart.

Momentarily angry at her grandfather Chum

Gemma:  You are the child and I am the genius!

While I was attempting to scrub paint off of the carpet bedroom floor

Me:  Grey, this is a really big mess, buddy.  Why weren't you being more careful with the paint?

Greyson:  I was in a panic

Me:

Greyson:  Well, remember I'm an elf because of my ears are pointy.  And I was in a panic because I didn't know why I wasn't at the North Pole

Me:  

Greyson:  Okay, I'm not an elf, Mom, I'm just growing.

We have a saying around here when the kids start repeating whine-requests 30 times in a row that goes something like "How many times do you have to say it?" and the kids answer "One time."

So while we were getting ready for bed and I was feeding the baby

Gemma:  Momma, I.want.you.to.hold.me

Me:  sweetheart, as soon as Violet eats, I will put her in her bed and hold you forever and ever

Gemma:  Momma, hold.me

Me:  Gem, honey, in just a minute.  lay down and wait for me.

Gemma:  I.want.you.to.hold.ME!

Me:  that's enough Gemma Rose

Gemma:  How many times do I have to say it, Momma?  Five Times?  Yes, five times!!  Hold me, hold me, hold me,

Me:

Gemma:  hold me, hold me, hold me,.....

After nearly breaking his neck doing a front flip on the couch

Me:  Grey!  Are you okay?!  Why would you do that?!

Greyson:  (laughing hysterically) It's okay Mum, I'm just re-dick-lee-ous

Gemma:  (all sung)

Here are my babies

Momma, I brought you some besketti (play spaghetti)

And this is my Momma's happy valentines

with coooooooooookies 

they taste so nice

but greyson cannot have any

stop looking at me greyson!

I am playing with my babies

not youuuuuuuuuuuu

Here's hoping your Wednesday is filled with laughter - from all of us here at the Studer Zoo Crew, but especially this little darling angel girl who giggles and makes raspberries at her 'reedickleeous' big bro and sis all day :)