School Registration

...for Speed for the 2015-16 school year:

Foster Care: Not applicable.

Stalling Tactics

from Chickadee's bedroom:

"Mommmmmmmmy! I need help! I need you!"
What do you need?
"I need help with a hug."
Ok, hang on a second please.

(after more than a second when I didn't go in her room):
"Come ON, Mommy! You need to help me with my hug!!"

Enter room to help with the hug:
"Mommmy, you keep bothering me. Why you keep coming in here?"

It's Not for Lack of Trying

...that our house still has a "vacancy" sign.

This week alone:
5 and 7 year old siblings
6 year old girl
3 and 6 year old siblings
5 and 7 year old sisters
and one missed call.

Anyone else want to sign up to foster? Apparently, there is still a need....

A Visit with Junebug

We got a surprise call this evening and an invitation to meet at a park to play with our Junebug. She lives far, far away from Austin, so that she was here was a lovely surprise.

The kids were so excited. They got Junebug's old cup out in case she wanted water and planned what she would want to do at the park.

We played for a few minutes before Junebug arrived, but when the kids saw her pull in, they ran.

When Junebug got out of her car, she ran.

She ran past Chickadee, who managed to grab a hug.

She ran past Sunshine, who tried to grab her hand.

She ran past Speed, who I thought was the real target.

She ran right into my arms and it felt like...I found my missing piece.

The kids fought over who would hold her hand, who would push her on the swing, who would sit beside her on the slide. Her mom said: They sure love them some Junebug!

And she wasn't lying at all.

We miss Junebug. She comes up in conversation every single day. We often laugh about things she used to do, or we just pretend that we are her (usually saying "no" over and over again). I am so grateful that her family actively seeks keeping us in her life.

Not Three Yet

Chickadee is still a mouther. If it fits in her mouth, in it goes. She has been wanting beads in her hair for quite some time. I have told her that she has to wait till she is three because then I "know you won't put them in your mouth."

Last night was hair night. Her hair was already parted in many, many parts because she had box braids for easter. I decided that since the parts were already there, it was time for beads.

Over one hour later, a beaded Chickadee head was complete.

Chickadee's first words when looking in the mirror:

"I THREE NOW, MOMMY!!!!!"

Um, no, you are not three yet.

"Uh-huh. You say I be three, I get beads. I get beads now, so I three!!"

I'm not ready for you to be three, but you are ready for beads. That is called a compromise.

"Oh. Ok. Thank you, Mommy! I like my beads!"

The New Reason to Tantrum

Until about 2 weeks ago, Chickadee went into a tizzy if I flushed my own toilet. Or flushed her toilet. Or didn't flush it when she wanted me to.

I noticed the other day that I am finally flushing my own toilet. :)

Now the discussion is:
"Mommy, you wanna pee on my pee?" (as in, don't flush it before you pee?)
"Mommy, don't pee on my pee, K?"
"You go first. I like pee on your pee."
"You go first but then I flush it. I don't want to pee on your pee today, OK?"

One day, I might pee alone again.