Lessons at the Waffle House

I planned a crock pot meal this weekend. I bought loads of chicken.

I was joyfully anticipated not having to cook for the entire week, just like my friend Jen.

Unfortunately, and yet, not at all surprising, my overly-optimistic plans did not turn out very well.

The first words out of Anastasia's mouth were, "Why is this rice crunchy?"

My husband was quite loyal. "I'm sure it's not Mom's fault, the crockpot messed it up."

I glared at him.

"I really do love it!" he beamed, shoveling in a fork-full, then downing it with an entire glass of Coke.

Isabella tried to make me feel better too. "After a while, your mouth just kind of gets used to it and you don't even notice the taste!"

I hate to think what they would say if they were trying to hurt my feelings. Would anybody like me to send them some chicken and rice casserole! We have lots and lots!

But, I digress from the real story.

The real story is about how we went to the Waffle House (because my cooking is just so great that we needed a break from it). I have been kind of grumpy this past week. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the cold, dreary weather. Maybe it's because Victoria has decided that sleep is not on her agenda, so I am in torpor (isn't that a cool word!). I just haven't been very appreciative of what I have lately. I've kind of been dreaming of being in Hawaii.

Our waitress at the Waffle House was really special. Busy as she was, she took the time to smile at all her customers, even when they didn't spare her a glance. She was so nice to all my kids. She asked them their names and called them all "sweet babies". She never even gave Francesca's funky forehead a second glance. She brought everyone extra eggs, that she "just happened" not to need. She even stood by while we said our prayer and then boomed out "Amen!!!".

"We gotta give her a huge tip.", I whispered to Travis.

When the waitress brought us our bill, she paused, the check fluttering in her hand above us.

"I just don't feel right about giving you this bill." she said. "I'm going to pay it myself."

I was stunned. I know waitresses at the Waffle House make very little. I'm sure she had her own family to take care of, yet she insisted on paying our bill. We tried to give her a tip and she wouldn't even let us do that. She didn't have much, but she was giving to us, to me, the big whiner. She wasn't complaining that things were tough. No, she was thinking of someone besides herself.

"I just feel led to do this.", she insisted, over and over, as she hugged us good-bye, like a long-lost friend.

I felt so humbled. God was certainly giving me a good kick in the pants. Our sweet waitress sure brought out the sun for me that day.

The girls are going to make her cards and I think I may order a waffle and pay her $30 for it.

Maybe she would like some chicken casserole?

Overalls

Is there anything cuter than a little one in overalls?

Especially a cutie who finally learned how to do "The Wheels on the Bus"

and "Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Here is "Three Little Kittens"

Language seems to be really clicking for Victoria. She understands a lot, she can sign things, but still, no real sounds. She loves to stare at people's mouths, trying to figure things out.

Here she is pitching a fit! She's still cute!

Don't worry Catherine, you are still cute too!

The Mystery of the Hair Bows

Recently, thanks to the guidance of my super organized friend, Carol, I have started the long process of creating harmony with the things in my house. I gave the pencils their own container (they like it much better than being thrown on the floor), threw away old pots and pans, put all my band-aids together and even matched up my measuring cups (for what reason, I don't know, because it's not like I cook with them). I was thrilled. Everything had a place and I actually was able to find things when I needed them. What a crazy concept.

My children, however, was not so quick to deviate from their chaotic ways. I would find markers strewn about and then somebody (accidentally) broke the lid of my craft bin.

The last straw was yesterday. I needed some cute red bows for my three little munchkins. I had five minutes before I had to leave for the party, but not to worry, I knew exactly where they were.

Except that they were not there! (I'm sure you are all just shocked.)

I could't believe it. I had organized everything, so what was the deal???!!! I searched and searched. Finally, we had to go to the Valentine's party with one orange hair bow, a green barrette and poor Victoria was left with her hair in her eyes.

Isabella admitted later that she had stashed the hair accessories in her room to beautify her dolls.

"Bring me your shoes." I ordered.

"Are you gonna put the hair clips on them?" she asked.

"Nope. I am going to hide them so you have to look for them, like I had to look for my stuff!" I chirped.

Her sisters stared at me, amazed at my brilliant idea (or perhaps shocked that I actually had an idea).

"You'd better hurry.", I continued, "because we're leaving for Mcdonald's in exactly ten minutes and if you can't find them, then you have to stay home."

Everyone gasped while I set the timer.

My kids are not real good lookers, so I did give her the hint that the shoes had been hidden upstairs. Still, the minutes ticked by, her feet frantically dashing up and down the hall.

Anastasia spoke in a whisper, "Mom is getting kind of picky about her stuff".

"And you!!!" I boomed, on a roll, "The same goes for you if you touch my things without asking.

Isabella finally did find her shoes and we dined on apple pies and fries (see, I told you I didn't need measuring cups), but I think they really learned something this time.

Maybe.

Does anyone have any other ideas on how to get kids to listen and respect others peoples things?

Anyway, Catherine is keeping her shoes close to her tonight.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

When a day starts with chocolate, I will even get up early!!!

Isabella and Anastasia had a party at their two-day-a-week school. I was so proud of myself. We have tons and tons of socks with all kinds of flowers, kitties, owls, etc. that are thrown with reckless abandon in a big basket. I actually managed to find matching Valentine socks for each kid. Even I wore red socks. I felt a real sense of accomplishment (is that pathetic?).

Did someone say "icing"?

Francesca hung out at the food table during the whole party.

Some of the kids were scared of Francesca because of how she looks. But the more I talked to the kids and the more questions they asked, after a while, she became just one of the gang. I really think that people, me included, don't really know how to act with someone who looks or acts different. Once we can all learn about the person and their differences, it doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore.

My husband was a real hero today because he took us to my favorite restaurant, Red Lobster.
The girls got a "Shirley Temple".

What a guy, balancing a kid and paying the bill at the same time.

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! I would love to hear about how you all celebrated!

An Upcoming Wild and Crazy Ride

I have still been pondering the pros and cons of having Victoria's hips re-located. The doctor said to plan on having the surgery sometime in October or November of this year, so I figured I would have plenty of time to worry, I mean, research.
(Catherine, the doctor, is doing a cleft palate repair on her doll, in her pajamas with boots.)

In the meantime, I thought I should go ahead and schedule her surgery to fix her thumbs. Her thumbs are supinated, which basically means they rotate the wrong way. She can get her whole hand into lots of small spaces, but having supinated thumbs is not so helpful in picking up things or writing etc.

I figured scheduling this surgery would be a no-brainer, but, as I have said before, my kids like to bring lots of surprises and excitement to my life.

The doctor actually said he wants to schedule the hip surgery for April, as in two months from now. Also, he wants to do one thumb surgery at the same time.

Ok, I'm thinking, deep breathing, visualize a calm scene, grab for a Hershey's bar, go to my happy place......Freak out!!!

I am a worrier, this is true, but I tried to focus on the fact that maybe this was some kind of sign that I should do the surgery.

But what if I make the wrong decision for Victoria?

Then, I remembered that Francesca is supposed to be scheduled for her 2nd fingers and toes release in April too. Travis was planning on taking her to Texas this time so I didn't have to leave Victoria.
(After 7 weeks, Francesca still has one finger that hasn't healed. She is getting very good at yanking off the bandages; she even uses her teeth. See the masking taped to the sock!)

Two kids in casts for over a month at the same time. No problemo. Yipee!!!

We'll just move all the beds downstairs and order fast food for six weeks. It'll be a party.

We can do it!!!!! Piece of cake.

Right???

The Tinker Toy Philosophy

As I watched my three youngest playing with Tinker toys today, I noticed that their creations seemed to reveal their future professions by how they played.


Victoria definitely has the makings of an engineer. She loves to figure things out.

She takes her work very seriously.

Little Catherine made a microphone out of her Tinker toys. She belted out some serious tunes. Notice the hands on her hips? She has attitude +. Perhaps she'll be a rock star? Or maybe a talk-show host?

Then there's Francesca. Sigh......maybe someday there will be a job that calls for eating sticks?

Dunkin

(Probably, I am the only one who delights in doughnuts so much that I am doing an entire blog post about them, but, well, they are pretty awesome.)

The temperature here in Atlanta has taken a plunge. I really should live in Hawaii. I also have a weird thing about coats. No matter how cold it is, I don't like to wear a coat, so we decided not to venture out into the sub-zero weather (ok, it really wasn't that cold!).

Luckily, we had some heart-shaped provisions.

Guess who only eats the icing?! I always got pink frosted doughnuts as a kid, so the tradition continues!

The babies were thrilled to just touch the doughnuts. I don't think they realized they were for eating.

Victoria did manage to snatch a sprinkle and she was satisfied.

Though she did sign "more". Look how hard she is concentrating. She scored quite a few more sprinkles.

Francesca was just thrilled to drink out of her cup. Such a big girl! She will be three in two weeks.

She was happy to eat her cheese sandwich. Aren't they easy to please!

Thank you all so, so much for your out-pouring of comments and support on my last post. All your thoughts meant a lot to me! I am now armed and dangerous for the next time someone feels the need to offer unsolicited advice. Busy-bodies beware!