R.I.P. Rhea Purrlman

I am not sure if you remember, but a few months ago we inherited a sweet little cat named Rhea Purrlman.  Well, she died unexpectedly yesterday, so it was a sad day at the Kee house.  It seems she had eaten something she was not supposed to.  We will all miss her, but Ceci especially will.

C. S. Lewis

Don't bother too much about your feelings. When they are humble, loving, brave, give thanks for them; when they are conceited, selfish, cowardly, ask to have them altered. In neither case are they you, but only a thing that happens to you. What matters is your intentions and your behaviour.

Whew.  

die hard (confession of a multitasker)

The other day, I had a revelation in the bathroom.

It's not what you think.

I was using the restroom at work, and I stood up, began buttoning my pants while also trying to flush the toilet with my foot.  At that very moment, I realized what I had become.  A compulsive multitasker.

It started slowly, and in all actuality, was born out of necessity more than anything.  I am not going to lie; I have always been a fan of efficiency.  Just ask my poor husband who, in the early years, was regularly reminded of the most efficient way to get to the grocery store/ fold towels/ pay the bills/ all the other things that could possibly be done more efficiently than he did them.  Once I became a mother, efficiency became more of a necessity than anything.  The pinnacle of efficiency, I am sure you would agree, is multitasking.  As a parent, I am constantly having to do more than one thing at a time.  Tuesday night, I was cooking dinner while trying to solve a riddle written by Henry and texting Brooke about plans for the weekend.  Yesterday morning, I was brushing my teeth, picking out Malcolm's clothes, and listening to him tell me a story about school.  None of this is new to any of you.  We constantly multitask in this country.  Some of it is good, some of it is not (read: texting while driving).

Really, I am not writing this to get on some anti-multitasking soapbox. While I am fully aware of both the benefits (hello, more time!) and the drawbacks (goodbye, ability to focus!), I just thought it was a little ridiculous that even though there were no children possibly in harm's way causing me to rush through my bathroom experience, I still found it necessary to flush the toilet with my foot while buttoning my pants.  It made me wonder what other ridiculous things I do that are left over from having small children.  (Rolling the empty shopping card forward and back while perusing the mustard,  swaying while standing in one place and having a conversation)  I guess its true what they say about old habits.

At any rate, I will make it a point to focus on one thing at a time, especially the riddles and stories, and maybe even in the bathroom.

Obsessed with Accuracy

The following statement was just made to me:

"I was putting these pants (points to pants she is wearing) on Rhea because I wanted them to smell like Rhea because I wanted to smell like a cat because I am pretending I 'm a cat."

If that doesn't sum up my daughter right now, I don't know what does.

Did you know I have a blog?

Oh my gosh.  I am so far behind in my blogging.  Also, does anyone know why my template is all messed up?

So, I'm not going to give you the last 2 months in pictures.  Most of you are my friends on Facebook, and you see plenty of them there.

All kinds of funny, random, interesting things have been happening to us, I'm sure.  I just can't remember any of them.

Let's see, my last post was October 9, right before a visit from the NC faction of the Kees.  One of the highlights of the weekend was a visit to a local farm, Roger's Farm.  There we enjoyed a giant bouncing pillow, the pony rides,  a corn maze, and an ingenious rubber duck racing invention that I want to build for my own yard.

I haven't blogged about how Malcolm had three different Halloween costumes.  First, he wanted to be a fireman for his school party. He didn't like it because the suspenders bovered him.  The we went to Trunk-or-Treat at Trinity, and he wanted to be a ghost.  That was a disaster.  Don't ever let your 4 year old kid be a ghost.  I know you.  I know what you are thinking.  Ghosts are classic!  A true piece of Halloween Americana!  Costumery at its finest!  And they are CHEAP!  Well, they also don't stay on very well, offer little to no peripheral vision, and are hot (a major disadvantage in Florida).   The next night was Halloween, and I was not going to let him be a ghost agan, but he was crying at the mention of being a fireman.  After a last minute text to my neighbor, he ended up as Spiderman with a mask that barely stayed on his giant head.  

Spiderman, the sleuth, and, no surprise here, a black cat

Aaaaand that's all I really remember from October.  I don't know about life where you are, but around here, October has become December junior.  Parties and festivals and birthdays.  It's ridiculous.  And exhausting.  

November came and is almost over even though I barely blinked.  We had the Jones stay with us at the very beginning of the month, and I snuck up on this:

They were out there sitting on the wall FOREVER.  Just giggling and talking.  Eily is one of Henry's best friends, and one he probably can't remember NOT knowing.  It is very sweet.

That same weekend was UF's Homecoming weekend, and Patrick and Henry walked in the parade with FLVS.  I did not get a good picture, otherwise I'd post it.  When they went by our rather large faction (Kee/Jones/McDermott/Barnett/McCready --about 10 adults and 10 children) we all yelled out their names and cheered.  You should have seen Henry's face!  It was awesome.  You may be wondering why he only brought Henry.  Henry is a trooper.  The other two would have never made it. Ceci would have started complaining in the first five minutes, and Malcolm would have been hungry the whole time.

We also had not one but THREE parties that weekend.  It is so hard being popular.  One of them was a baby shower to which I brought Ceci.  I thought she would enjoy the games and crafts and such.  She sat in the corner and read most of the time.  Until she discovered she could sneak down to Ansley's room and read in quiet.  I almost forget her there.

On Veteran's Day, my friend Allison and I took our children (six between us) to the Jax Zoo like a couple of crazy people.  It wouldn't have been so bad if the rest of Jacksonville hadn't also decided to go to the zoo that day.  They have this awesome play/ climbing area, but it was a madhouse.  I just prayed the whole time that I would be the one to leave with my children.  It was impossible, no exaggeration (you know me; I'm no exaggerator), IMPOSSIBLE to keep track of them.  Anyway, I did leave with my own children and no extras (the last thing I need).  We also got to pet stingrays, eat funnel cake (after washing our hands) and ride the train.  All in all, we had a really good time.

Things mellowed out after that.  We had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving here in town with the James and Koppich families.  We got our tree on Friday, decorated it, made cupcakes, and watched Elf, which the kids thought was hilarious albeit baffling.  We ordered Chinese with the Bachmann's on Saturday and let our kids run around screaming in the yard in the dark.  I had wanted to do a little shopping to support Small Business Saturday yesterday, but I am nowhere near knowing what I am getting anyone for Christmas.  I will tell (warn) you that we are planning to do a primarily local/ handmade Christmas.  I am disgusted with the shopping excess of the holidays, and it was only exacerbated by the Black Friday extravaganzas.  Opening a store at 9:00 PM or midnight on Thanksgiving Day is unnecessary and is in direct opposition to EVERYTHING Thanksgiving is about.  It is about being thankful for what you have and enjoying time with family NOT getting the best bargain.  This is a free country, and everyone has the right to buy whatever they want.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  But I think the culture of our country is more than a little embarrassing sometimes.  

Well, that is all for now.  See you in 6 weeks... 

I was never very good at leaving.

It is Sunday morning.  I slept in until 8.  Patrick and Malcolm are still sleeping at 8:55.  Henry made my coffee.  Ceci made her own toast.  This is awesome, right?

So why do I regularly miss the old days of stay-at-home mom baby/toddlerhood?  Yes, the days when I didn't get a full night's sleep EVER.  The days I ate mainly leftover kid food and PB & J.  The days I stayed in my pajamas half the day playing choo choos and coloring.  The days I didn't have to leave the house if I didn't want to.  The days spent at the park, at playdates, on walks, and at the gym with friends.

Maybe I just don't like working outside the home.  I love my job, though.  Maybe I am mourning leaving that phase.  I don't think I really want another kid.  I don't want to be pregnant.  I certainly don't want an infant.  I think I just can't believe that phase is over already.  It went by really fast!  I made a point to pay attention and savor things, and it still went by fast.

Don't get me wrong, where we are having a lot of fun over here at the House of Kee.  I am appreciating this stage too.  And paying attention.  And savoring.
 
All I am saying is it surprised me how much leaving that stage has affected me.

That's just where I'm at.  (Yes, I know I ended that sentence with a preposition.)

Evening conversations

Malcolm:  I wish I was a mom.
Me:  Oh, really?
Malcolm:  I wish I was a boy mom.
Me:  A dad?
Malcolm:  No.  A boy mom.
Me:  Well, a boy mom is called a dad.
Ceci:  Are beaks mouthes and noses?
Me:  Um, I think so.
Malcolm:  I don't want to be a dad.  I want to be Malcolm.
Me:  You are Malcolm.
Ceci:  I am going to draw you a picture.
Malcolm:  I'm going to draw you not a picture.

Man, I'm going to miss this age.

I just asked Malcolm what I should type.  He said the following:

Please don't scratch my foot.
Go home.
Go all to Old Mc Donald's farm.
I love Mc Donald's.
Go to bed.
I just sinkted up a story of me going on a train that is Gordon.

fun is relative

Last night at dinner, we were doing "best and worst part of the day."  Henry's best part of the day was getting his tooth pulled at the dentist.  It was not that his day was that bad.  He seriously, genuinely enjoyed getting his tooth pulled at the dentist.  He loves our dentist that much.

I was going to write more, but I am being requested.  (Which is why I have not written anything in so long.)  And I have to make dinner.  Maybe later....

It is appalling what passes for a balloon animal nowadays...

Yes, a magician made this for our 6 year old daughter when she asked for a kitty cat.

mamakee shared an Instagram photo with you

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"Well, the curlers sorta worked..."

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Sweet Malcolm

spongehair

Going old school with the hair styling technique. She asked me if I did this to my hair every night.

just an update...

We survived the first week of school.  There were a lot of tears and meltdowns, but I eventually pulled myself together.  

Here is Ceci outside her classroom.  Since she is in a multi-age class, she has the same teacher she had last year in kindergarden.  She will be with this teacher for K-2nd.  

Here are all the characters posing outside Ceci's classroom.

Here is Mr. Third Grader (sniff).  He was pretty excited even though his buddies were all in other classes.  He will see them when he goes to reading, though, so that's a plus.

I took a picture of Malcolm on his first day, but it is in front of the sign to his school (complete with address and phone number).  I wasn't thinking.  I don't like to post stuff like that on my (public) blog.  

Patrick started his new job this week.  He didn't have students until Thursday.  I wish my first week went like that.  I have 75 students. Now, we all know that number will drop after this week.  Everybody comes to class the first week.   I don't know why I am whining, anyway; I used to teach twice as many.   I'll tell you what, I was EXHAUSTED.   It is just the adjustment period.  I am not used to talking and walking for three hours.  I love having all my classes during the day, though.  (No more night class - yea!)

I am going to be testing out mobile blogging, just to warn you.  Patrick and I got new phones.  He needed a new one for his new job, and me, well, I was just in the right place at the right time!

I have some b-day pics from Malcolm's 4th to upload.  Stay tuned!  

addicted to car-portraits

We can't stop taking pictures of ourselves driving the car.  (By we, I mean I.)

heading to the beach 

beach again and a weird angle that gives me enormous shoulders 

Headed to Orlando this past weekend for a (raccoon-free) visit with Len and Regan Moyer

I didn't really think of it until I re-read the raccoon post, but by going down to Orlando this past weekend, we unintentionally commemorated the one year anniversary of what was (so far) the most unusual thing that has ever happened to me.

my new virtual husband

Why do we look so happy?  Somebody got a new job...

Hit it!

Maybe you don't know this, but Patrick is coaching t-ball for Malcolm's team.  (Insert comparison of sports for the young and herding cats.) This past Thursday was our first game.  Here we have the coach and the boy:

I had to man the bench since Coach Patrick had to be the umpire (as the umpire, it was his job to get them to bat in a safe manner and to sweat all over them, apparently),  and Coach Beau was at first (waving his arms and shouting the the batter's name.  He actually worked in tandem with Coach Patrick who had to remind them to run).

It is a good thing I am a teacher by trade and can manage multiple children because sitting on the bench proved to be much more difficult than it would be for, say, me.  I believe I made the following statements:

Hats are for wearing not hitting.
We don't lay down on the bench.  
Where is the batting helmet? (about 22 times)
You don't need your mitt to bat.


I guess sitting on a bench is not as intuitive as I thought.

Malcolm at bat:

Since our bench was along the third base line, it was also my job to direct the children to home plate, as they seemed to forget to go home and instead bee-lined for either Mommy or the bench.

A good time was had by most.  I just wish someone had told me the amount of exercise (and sweating) I'd be doing.

Consider yourself warned.

Go Marlins!

somebody won't be biting into any apples any time soon

 She talks with a cute little lisp now too.

some things never change

2008

2011

Henry is still making a goofy face, and Ceci is still talking while the picture is being taken.

Rocket Teeth

Overheard recently:

You know what guys?  When we play criminal, this should be the new jail.  (Ceci.  I had no idea they played "Criminal."  Let's hope that game doesn't stick to adulthood.)

Let's play Mom, teenager, and baby.  Henry, you're the baby and Malcolm is the teenager.  Henry, you get in your crib.  Malcolm, get your backpack and lunchbox, it is time for school!  (Ceci.  How many teenagers carry a lunchbox??)

Mommy, I want to butt head you. (Malcolm.  And he meant headbutt...)

Because I love him.  (Malcolm, when asked why he missed Daddy, who just went to Publix.)

Okay, chicken!  I'm tired of you and your chicken games! (Ceci, to her chicken leg, as she was trying to get the meat off of it.)

I think I am going to win for best design.  (Henry, after we decorated his rocket he made for the Cub Scout Rocket Derby.  Guess what?  He did!)

Ceci's front tooth has been incredibly wiggly for a week now.  All crooked and turned.  She is not an easy tooth loser.  She cries and whines when it gets dangly, and I can't bear to look at the thing.  Well, this morning, it was hanging there, and she was crying, and our friends Meredith and PJ were in town.  Meredith keeps trying to bribe Ceci to let her pull the tooth out.  "Come on, Ceece, I'll give you a dollar.  That, plus the dollar from the tooth fairy will be two dollars!"  Ceci was a rock.  No way was she letting Meredith pull out that tooth.  So, then we tried some active/ violent activities like Pass the Pickle and Freeze Dance.  No luck.  We decided to go to the playground for a while and then to the mall because the children were relentless in their desire to go to the mall playground.  En route, Meredith gave Ceci one of those really hard granola bars.  "this will do the trick," she told me.  All it did was make it even wigglier.  It was hanging by a thread, and Ceci wouldn't even play because she wanted it out so bad.  Finally, I added my 60 cents (because that is all I had in my purse) and left to take Hazel and Malcolm to the bathroom.  I came back and thank you, Jesus, the tooth was out.  She finally let Meredith yank it out.  Whew!

I love it when they are missing those front teeth!

Pool lust

We swim at Nana's pool.  A lot.  I look forward to the day we have our own to sit by in the evening while enjoying cocktails/  an engrossing read / fun pool time with kids.  (those are listed alphabetically, not by order of preference.  Surely not!)