Princess for a Minute or Two

Gage and Leila watched with me as Prince William and Kate made their debut onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace. We didn't watch much of the coverage (sleep is still so priceless around here) but what we did see excited Leila and Gage-- to see a real, live Princess! In the moment, Gage asked where my princess dress was from the day "when you married daddy?"

In the spirit, I dug it out (it's been on the same hanger in the same garment bag since my wedding night) and showed it to him. They were both really excited and Leila especially liked all of the beads and pearls. I didn't turn down Gage's request to put it on and be a princess-- and was pretty excited that it still fit after six years and two babes.

They sat on our couch with their eyes shut until I made my entrance and we all shared a little dance together until I hung it back up!

It's always fun to feel like a princess and it sure did bring back some amazing wedding day memories-- every wedding is a royal wedding... no matter how it's pulled off :) (and, it reminded me that I for sure need to get it to the cleaners!)

Can't be a Lake kid without...

Swimming, of course! This winter has been so cold, so long and our spring has not turned out to be much different. So we had to get creative. That, or this momma was going on a hiatus! We joined the YMCA, which has absolutely stellar swimming facilities. In fact, Gage will be starting month-long swimming lessons next week. (not to replace MoCo swimming lessons, of course, as he is already talking about those.)

When we go, we usually stay only for about an hour and that hour does our kids in! Yesterday was Leila's first chance to go swimming. (we were sidelined by storms the first time we tried to take her) She couldn't stop smiling and saying, "that's so cool, momma!" The indoor pool is exactly what our kids need to get them (therefore me) through this soggy spring and ready for our summer.

Gage has been a water hound since day one, but we've had to really limit Leila's water fun due to excessive infections, and now tubes. Because her year with the tubes is near, I'm a little less cautious about giving the girl what she needs, which is a lot of romping room. The fact that it's in a pool is just an absolute bonus. Gage has been doing a pretty good job at trying to practice what swimming stuff he knows and we've kept him where he can touch just so he can play. Until lessons begin, I'm not worried about much else than giving them some fun times!

I have two more weeks left in my school year and then I think I'll be balancing swim time with Austin Lake work time. That's a glorious start to Summer 2011, I do believe!

Easter tidbits, unedited, unorganized

This year the kids searched for Easter Eggs in Silk Stocking. We were lucky that the afternoon stayed rain-free and about a dozen or more kids participated. Noteworthy of this year's egg hunt-- no bonnets, no dresses, no frills... both kids were wearing their Carhartt's bibs and rain boots. Both kids were filthy before the hunt even began--Grandma and Poppy broke out new bicycles for them for Easter and they rode them all over the basketball court in Buzzard's Hollow... when taking a break from playing on the new Playground Extravaganza, of course. But, back to the point of hunting eggs:

Their egg hunting style might be analytical for the personality, too. Gage--very meticulous on his hunt; he wanted only boy colored eggs, and even more specifically, he wanted mainly John Deere Green eggs (which is just his way of saying green). He wasn't as worried over quantity, but, rather, quality mattered most to Gage. He still snatched up quite a few and absolutely had a ball doing so.

On the other hand (in the other corner), was Leila-- She charged strong and didn't stop until she had uncovered every last egg in the campground. When the 1-3-year old section was mulled over, she charged into the big kid's hunt. Her basket was loaded. Quite surprisingly, she didn't stop to even investigate and chomp on all that sweet loot as she went along. This came as a shocker to me. I thought for sure she'd find one, open it and eat it before moving on. But, just as her personality is charging and quick, she strategized to save all that loot for the privacy of her home.

Easter was not only about hunting eggs and eating sweets of course. We enjoyed much needed family time to relax (can't do much work in the rain), to gather and eat, and to feel the blessings bestowed upon us in this life. My kids were full of hugs and "Happy Easter!" all day long.

As no work is to be done on Easter Sunday at Austin Lake, and it's been that way for a long, long time, even Bill and Austin--who thought they were sneaking away without working--got stuck in the mud while in the Kubota. One day these workaholic boys will learn, just as the workaholic boys in front of them. :)

Their Drama

My complaint box stays empty on days like the other day when the biggest drama was over Gage and Leila arguing over the word baby vs. toddler. Gage is very sure that Leila is no longer a baby and, indeed, is a toddler--and should be addressed as so. Leila is very sure that she is the baby. When Gage argued that point with her and insisted that she is, in fact, a toddler, Leila was even more distraught (making her 'mad' face) imploring that she is not a toddler, she is LEILA JEANNE CABLE. Gage stopped the presses when he then said, "sister, that is not what you are, that is just your name."

A Growing Girl

Just looking at the little photos published on the side and paying attention to how little Leila was is just making me question where the year has gone.

It's been a year since Easter, since our trip to Naples, and almost a year since our trip to Michigan. In that year, Leila has grown a little hair, a little height, and a lot more vocal and a lot more sassier. (Don't mistake my descriptions of her for an idea that we don't embrace and love her for her sassiness... but, hey, facts are facts and this is a history book.)

I'm not sure, really, how to steer her into cooperation and reasoning ability. It just isn't working out the same way as it did for Gage. One thing I have learned (which is a no-brainer, but hindsight is 20/20) that once she receives over-the-top praise for good choices and behaviors, she's wrapped around your finger and wants to please you. A simple praise or comment, like what works for Gage, just doesn't convince Leila to do well. I think this is partially what makes her girlishness--after all, she's always been sensitive so it makes sense that she'd also be sensitive to praise and comforts.

She'll be collecting Easter eggs again soon and, fortunately, we won't be taking her on any big trips that involve an airport soon... I'm not sure what's to come of our summer: will she be too headstrong to survive the ways and means of the Austin Lake rules and lifestyle of a Cable or will she blossom socially and revel in all of the excitement and adventure that comes at us on a daily basis? I know she may still not have patience for long ski boat outings, but, in the end, I'm sure she's going to give us the best of the above mentioned scenarios. Anyways, what kind of girl would she be if she didn't have inconsistent moods and behaviors? :)

Good view

We've just returned home from Gage's Easter Party at school. One story I want to share before I forget comes on the tails of my last post about his glasses.

Mrs. Byers told me a story about a boy who had brought in his sister's pink sunglasses, lenses popped out, and decorated with all flowers and such. The boy pulled Gage aside, took him over to his backpack, pulled out the 'glasses' and put them on. Then he told Gage that he "had glasses just like [him]!"

The little guy didn't care that they were pink, that they were busted out sunglasses, or anything. He cared about having a connection with Gage and the fella wore the glasses all morning. At the end of the school day, he shared with Gage that he could put the lenses back in and have sunglasses, too! He was so proud of himself.

Hearing this story made me very, very happy about the year Gage has had and the friends that he's made. It's a great end-of-the-year anecdote about how good kids really can be towards one another.

Gage's Lessons

Gage's new glasses will be coming any day now in the mail. When he first started wearing glasses, he was just shy of his 3rd birthday. I was then, and still am now, amazed at how cooperative to wear his glasses he has been since minute one. He always surprises me at the best of times (most needed of times) to be mature and mindful.

Just recently the idea that his prescription may have changed resurfaced. I've embraced that feeling that makes me feel like I'm always a nag or picking out something wrong because, truthfully, it's always worked out for the best for us and we've avoided drama because of that persistence.

After an exam, we learned that his vision needs were changing. Now, I know I've worn glasses/contacts since 6th grade and all too often each yearly exam came with a new prescription. But, there is something different about it being my child in that chair and the fact that my child hasn't even entered kindergarten yet. He'll be just fine with new glasses, although he is starting to realize he's "the only kid in [pre] school that wears glasses... and we assure him that won't always be true. But parents have constant emotions going on that kids are not cognisant to.

His attitude keeps my worry bugs away and my husband's positive attitude (and the fact he teaches middle schoolers every day) keeps my emotions in check, but the big picture to this story is how true it is that parents just only want the best for their children. We, as adults, who have 'been there, done that' are so tainted with memories and images and scenes of uglier days of our past, that without purpose we project into the future. Unlike the kids, who at 4 seriously just take one day at a time. We can learn a lot from these little tykes.

So, when the package arrives with new glasses, bifocals and all, the Cable family will celebrate what a lucky day we've been given! Parents have to do what parents have to do and the Cable parents will probably have to have a pizza and breadsticks night... because, after all, that's what happens around here on a lucky day. And, I'm learning that taking one day at a time has far more excitement than always worrying and preparing for the 'what-ifs'

Letters to My Daughter

Dear Leila,

Tonight, as promised, I crawled into bed with you to hold your hands because you had done everything just as your father had asked of you. I wanted to hold true to our promise. I know in my head that I should not have snuggled in bed with you as you fell asleep because habits like tonight are impossible to pursue on a nightly basis. But, there was that feeling in my heart that told me to take the moment and quietly enjoy you, your baby's breath, and your warm hands.

You should know that tonight I watched you fall asleep as your music played in the background, and I wondered about the young woman you'll too quickly become. Your long eyelashes lay still and your button nose took in slow breaths. You have beauty that I hope you grow to understand to be much deeper than your skin. I wonder if you'll appreciate the arts, be a ballerina in muddy galoshes, and compete in athletics.

As your mother, I'm not only one of your teachers, but I am also your student: learning about your likes and preferences, your passions and sensitivities. You are empathetic, though tenacious, and a child of love. Will you stand up to bullies? Will you help others who may need your strong voice? Will you know that there will never be a time that you have to hide or keep things from your father or I?

Miss Leila, at 2-years old the world is yours. You're the fighter in the family, the one to point out injustices and to look to your brother for comfort. Will you grow together and keep each other close? Will you create the family experience with one another that holds on through valleys and peaks? Will you truly understand that your father and I would absolutely move Heaven and Earth to see that you and your brother are well?

Currently, you are not boggled down by video games, texting, and gossip. You are not distracted by technology and stereotypes. You are roaming at your own pace, creating your personality as you go. We are here to guide you. Support you. Push you. Hold you. Just as I did tonight.

Thank you for loving me.
Mom

Of Course They Are

We had three or four fun spring-like days before the rain, snow, and cold became the norm again so of course our kids are sick. The blog-worthy piece about this particular sickness is what it's done to Leila: It has stopped her cold in her tracks; no playing, no eating, no nothing. She has simply been curled on the couch, on my lap, on my shoulder, and back onto the couch. I've never received so much one-on-one loving from her and I hate to know how badly she must be feeling, but I secretly don't mind all of the snuggling that she's been doing, not to mention all the sleeping.

Here's hoping spring makes another, more permanent, entrance soon.

Keeping Record

On April 2, 2011, Gage chose to go to McConnelsville over going to the "Dinosaur Museum" (Carnegie Museum of Natural History). Then, on the way, he stated with conviction: "Mom, when I get older I want to work in the concession stand!"

We'll see how he feels about that at 14.