"Dirt Don't Hurt"

We have a sayin' way down south in Alabama, "dirt don't hurt." This means that getting a little dirty now and then can be good a good thing. I am reminded of my tomboy childhood growing up on the outskirts of Auburn, AL. When my best friend, Andi Renden, and I would come home filthy from a long day's playing outside, I never once remember my mom (a MAJOR neat freak) complaining. What I do remember however was having to strip down to my undies and wash all of the dirt off with the cold hose before coming inside. It was always worth it though. Sometimes, I am kinda sad that kids today don't get that kind of freedom- you know the kind where you are out exploring nature, having adventures in your imagination, playin' hard and gettin' dirty. I know that Wyatt feels the same way. That's why we neglected our infinite "To Do List" to take the kids camping last weekend.

This was our first time to Big Bear Lake. It was beautiful! We will definitly be going back. Wyatt is happier in the mountains than anywhere else on earth I have decided. The kids had a great time too. Saddie (our Golden Retriever) probably had the best trip however. You have never seen a dog so happy as when Saddie was with her peeps, eatin' charred hotdogs, swimmin' after ducks in icy waters. Rachel and James were completly occupied the whole time with just simple things (watching ants, putting sticks into the fire, riding in the kayak on the lake, climbing trees). It was cool to see them learning to love and admire nature the way we do. The only thing that would have made the trip better was if James and I had not gotten a touch of the flu (we still didn't want to leave even after getting sick). It was a good reminder to me that I might actually be a better mother if my kids are dirty than if they look perfect and clean. They need a chance to be kids right? Sometimes, Dirt don't hurt!

"MY Rachel!"

Up 'til now we have not put our kids in big beds. Yes, that means our 3 year-old have been in cribs (and loving it) until recently. I am not ashamed. It seemed like they always did better that way and with the impending move, we were putting it off. Until recently... James (who hardly sleeps now) has been waking Rachel (who needs lots of beauty rest) up too often. The result is a cranky little girl. In fact, several mornings this week we were hearing (at about 6:15 am), "Rachel, WAKE UP!" Her grumpy responce is, "GO AWAY JAMES! I'm SLEEPING!" We finally decided to split the twins up at least when it comes to bedtime.

So, Rachel was getting to take naps in our spare bedroom. She was very excited and ready to sleep in her big, "special" (her favorite descriptive word) bed. The naps were going so well, that on Sunday night we decided to put Rachel in the separate room for the whole night. They were both very tired from staying up late with guests, so they went right to sleep. You know as a parent, every once-in-a-while everything seems to work out and a brief moment of harmony is achieved? I thought this was it. I was WRONG!

The first night, Wyatt and were just settling down to sleep and Rachel started screaming. I thought that she had woken up scared from being in a new place. I wish. Instead, she was vomiting all over her new, big girl bed. The same bed that I foolishly still had made up for guest with 3 quilts and countless pillows. Yuck! It was a huge mess. After cleaning her up, she went back to sleep in her crib. Strike one!

Last night (#2), we put them down in their separate rooms. Again, Rachel was so happy to snuggle in her new, bed. James was feeling a little left behind and cried for a few minutes before falling asleep. A little later, we went to sleep as usual. 4:11 am- James is screaming. "Oh no, now he is puking," I thought as I rushed to him in my just woken-up-out-of-a-dead-sleep delirium. Rushing into the room, looking for another huge mess, I rush past James and to his crib. All clean. Huh? I turn to James, no puke. And then I start to listen to him, "I want MY Rachel!" he is screaming frantically. You woke me up for that? Still screaming, I try to put him back into his crib and explain about Rachel sleeping in her big bed. By then Rachel hears all this and comes in saying, "it's OK James, I'm sleeping in my special bed." She helps tuck him in and kiss him goodnight again and then runs back to her big bed and falls back to sleep. Strike two! What will tonight bring?

I am amazed however at their beautiful bond. James loves and depends on his sister so much. Rachel knows just how to reassure and calm him. Throughout each day, often there is more fighting between them than not. Moments like this make me realize that they are building a sweet, genuine bond despite it all. They have history.

Springtime at Lake Skinner

We had a lovely springtime afternoon on sunday at Lake Skinner. It is beautiful there right now- very green with lots of wildflowers. The kids love being outside. It is fun to watch them discover all of nature. Who knew that a stick could be so much fun.