Drew Funnies

The other day Drew said this on the way to school:
"Do you think the Chiefs are the best team in the AFC? Because they're not! It's the Chicago Bears. They have a really rich history."
Me: "Oh, really? Where'd you learn that?"
Drew: "I got a book at the library. They didn't have a Chiefs book so I got one about the Bears."

The other funny thing he said recently was after he saw me in my full-coverage, but very low-cut swimming suit. He said: "Oh, Mom. Don't you think that's a little big or something? I think you need to pull it up and tie it tighter!"

I love him!

Love notes and the rodeo

I kid you not, all of these conversations happened with my children within one hour.

Julianna made me a note that said "I love you" decorated with hearts and X's and O's. She brought it to me and expressed how much she loves me. Then she started to help me make dinner. She poured the milk into the mac and cheese for me and turned to load it in the dishwasher. When she did that she let the biggest toot ever go. Then she looked at me and said, "Thar toot was my 'I love you text to Daddy."

Two minutes later, Tom called and I told him what happened. He laughed and said, "She knows my language, I guess."

Then, just a bit ago, I was taking Drew to baseball practice. He's really tired from DNC camp this week and late nights with baseball games and rain storms. So, he says, "I have to start school in two months! I feel like summer just started and I already have to go back!" I tried to reassure him that there was two and a half months left of summer but he literally cried he was so sad that summer was going too fast. I changed the subject on him. I told him we better look up when the Pretty Prairie Rodeo was so we could plan to go. He asked if that was a good one and I told him it was Kansas's largest night rodeo. He thought for a minute and said, "Hm. So they will probably have all the best buckers and bulls that that one? I'm happy that you're taking me to that one and not just any old rodeo."

Then after a couple more minutes of driving, I got his sports glasses out for him and was wiping them off on my shirt. He was getting impatient and I told him, "Hang on, Buddy. I'm getting it cleaned off." He said, "You don't call me 'buddy' a lot. Dad does. He used to call me buddy all. The. Time." I asked, "Oh yea? Did you like it when Dad calls you buddy? It's kinda nice when someone gives you a nickname. Makes me feel loved." He answered, "Yea, I liked it. It didn't make me feel loved, but I knew he liked me."

These kids!

Nature Camp!

Drew went to his first day of nature camp today. It's his first year and it's a camp that both Tom and I loved as kids and then Lily's loved it too. He's been waiting for his turn for quite some time. Some of the employees were excited to see little Drew was big enough to come to camp. He received a nice welcome.

He was a tad nervous. He was asking Lily all sorts of questions about what would happen when he got there and where would he put his lunch. All his nervous questions made me smile because I can relate. The second born has the advantage of quizzing their older sibling before heading into new situations. I know I took advantage of that trick as a kid! My sister even drew me a map for my first day of high school. :)

I made him pose for a picture. He said, "Mom! It's not the first day of school!" Ha

Drew's birthday letter, Age 7

Dear Drew,

My, have you grown up a lot this year! I have to say, turning seven is a big year. You are not a little kid anymore. You've moved into the big kid spot and it shows. In some ways you are really showing your Stivers boy stripes. You are go, go, go all the time. Always trying to one up the gross factor, or the obnoxious noise factor, or the body-slam-your-sisters factor. What do I mean by Stivers stripes? Well, let me be honest, your dad and his brothers were known in childhood for being a bit rowdy when they got together. Well, who am I kidding? They are still known for getting rowdy when they get together. Grandma's lamps and furniture and ceiling fans can attest to this fact. Anyway, you don't have brothers to get wild with, so you try to toughen up your sisters and needle them into firework reactions. It's what you do when you're bored. The thing is Drew, you do not know your own strength and power. I have recently been on a mission to help you stop jumping on people full force or body slamming small people to the ground. You don't realize it, but one of these days, you're going to break someone and that sweet, sensitive heart you have will be broken. Why don't we try having a more gentle touch? It'd be good for you all around.

Speaking of your sensitive heart, I should really not go this whole birthday letter without mentioning it in more detail. Despite your rough and tumble ways, you really do have such a kind heart for others. This weekend you were hand making your valentines for your classmates. First of all, you were given the choice of hand making valentines or store bought and you chose to make each one for your classmates. Anyway, you spent time on each one thinking of each friend and what they like while making them their own personal card. That is such a thoughtful, kind way to be, Drew. I hope that you remain so thoughtful as you grow.

Every night at bedtime I tuck you in and we have a snuggle. I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to have this time with you, but I cherish it. Every night during this time I ask you what your favorite part of the day was. And every night you tell me one good thing about your day and then you tell me, "This. This is my favorite part of the day. What was your favorite?' Not only do you make my eyes misty with your answer about how snuggling with your mom is your favorite, but you are also sweet enough to extend your kindness by asking me about my day. That is a very lovely example of you being such a kind, grown up kid. It's nice of you to ask me about my day. Thank you.

So, mushy with the birthday letter again this year. What can I say? I have great kids that are easy to love. I will continue to enjoy being your mom (on the days that you've gotten enough sleep!). You are growing into a fine young man and I am so proud of you.

 

 

Love,
Mom

For the ladies

Tonight while brushing teeth we had this conversation:

Me: Julianna, you need to brush really well. You guys are visiting the dentist in a couple weeks. You don't want cavities!

Drew: We're going to the dentist soon?! YESSSSS! I LOVE GOING TO THE DENTIST! We get toys there.....and fancy rings for the ladies.

[Fancy rings for the ladies? Ha!]

Drew's first day of first grade letter

Dear Drew,

First grade! What are you thinking getting so old that you have to go to first grade!? I'm not ready! You are ready, though. Well..... all summer you said you didn't want to go to school anymore - to please not sign you up to go again this year. But then you met your teacher. All bets were off after that and you were dying to get to the first day. And you loved every minute of it. I'm so glad!

These are a few of the things you shared after school today:

1. We made this special juice that is supposed to help you not be nervous. The only time I was nervous all day was when I thought I might not like that juice. But I did! And I have the ingredients, Dad! So we can make some.
2. I am keeping my folder in my bag and my teacher said that every time we bring our folder back in our bag to school we will get a sticker on it. There was one boy last year that go so many stickers that it covered the whole outside and they had to start putting them on the inside. I think I'm going to get that many stickers too. I remember last year that I took my folder every day so I think I can probably do that again this year.
3. I played with Jaron and recess. And a little bit with Carter and Mitch. (Was it good to see them? Did they have a good summer?) Yes. They all looked so different! Everyone looked so different. And Jaron has gotten way taller this year. Last year he could walk under the slide like this (you hunched over), but this year he can't even do that! He's gotten so tall! (Oh, is he taller than you now?) Well, no.
4. To Lily: You like learning at school?! Like reading and science and all that stuff? Like LEARNING?! I just like recess and when we watch movies or something. Mostly just recess.
5. I missed you, Mommy. Can we do the kissing hand tomorrow? We read about the kissing hand at school and did you know that it doesn't even wash off with soap? We didn't do it today so I just kissed my own hand and then put it on my cheek.

Drew, you should know that Julianna missed you desperately. She talked a lot about you and how much she missed you. You are a great brother and it shows because your sister loves you very much.

Like I told Lily in her letter, I'm not going to get mushy on you. I just want you to know that you are awesome. You are going to have a great year and I am so looking forward to your confidence growing this year as you see all that you can learn. I hope this year you notice that learning can be fun and you don't have to be perfect. I hope that you know that it's okay to be yourself because you are awesome just the way your are. It requires no showing off to make people like you. Promise. You are totally cool, dude.

I love you.
Love,
Mommy

romantic painting

Tom and I do not celebrate Valentine's Day like other couples. We do not do flowers and candies. This year we decided to direct our Heart Day funds into our home remodel budget. So on Valentine's Day the whole family had dinner by candlelight and I gave the kids a small gift to celebrate. (Drew and Julianna got goggles and Lily a swim cap.) After we gave them the gifts we explained to them that mom and dad were going to be painting the living room for our gift to each other. We explained that it was a lot of work to paint a living room and wasn't that a nice gift?

Last weekend Tom finished the living room painting (including two coats on the ceiling) and this week he had moved on to the kitchen. Last night he finished the kitchen and had moved the painting down the stairs and started on the family room. Tom is doing all the painting himself, as he is very particular about how perfect it needs to be. I am helping in other ways. I'm the gofer and the 'help wherever I can' person. But, to be clear, Tom has shouldered the brunt of the project, obviously.

Ok, now that you have the background of our Valentine's Day, you can fully appreciate the conversation I had with Drew this morning. Drew came down into the kitchen and looked around this morning. When he went to bed last night the kitchen was half done; and when he woke up, the kitchen was completely finished.

Drew: Geez, Mommy. You're going to have to do something really big for Valentine's!

Me: What? Why?

Drew: Because Dad has, like, painted the whole house!

I wish you could hear how flabbergasted Drew was that Tom had 'like, painted the whole house'. It is still making me laugh right now.

Snow Day 2013

Dear children,

 Today is your first snow day in recent memory. The last snow day we had was in April of 2009. So far we have about 12-14 inches of snow on the ground and there is more to come. I thought you guys might get a kick out of reading about this day later. A snow day is one of the ultimate nostalgic days of you childhood.

This morning Drew woke me up and six o'clock a.m. He was quiet for awhile, but started talking at about 6:30 and didn't stop until seven. He spent that thirty minutes filling me in on the Civil War, George Washington, Abe Lincoln, the Revolutionary War, Mount Vernon, and the Statue of Liberty. He kept confusing Lincoln for Washington...but otherwise, he was right on. He told me why Abe had a beard and that it is said that Washington is the "Dad of the United States". No one can say that Drew isn't learning plenty in kindergarten, huh?

I forced you guys to wait until later in the morning before you could go outside in the snow. I said it was because I wanted it to warm up a bit, but really I was stalling so that you wouldn't be done with snow by 8:30 in the morning. Drew and Julianna went out to play in the white stuff a little before 10 and had a great time with the toy dump truck and bulldozer pushing the snow around. You guys stayed out there for almost an hour, I think.

Lily. Oh, Lily; Miss Sensory Sensitive, proclaimed she wasn't going in the snow. But eventually she couldn't resist it and went out in all of her snow gear. She was already annoyed enough with all the snow gear before she stepped outside....so it's not surprising that she only lasted 15 minutes out in the snow. It's okay, Lily. I wouldn't have lasted that long. I hate to be cold and wet. Yuck.

 Once everyone was inside, you guys enjoyed a bit of hot cocoa with a squirt of whip cream on top. It was a huge hit, let me tell you. Lily was also late to join that party, so I didn't get her picture.

I am shocked to report that the TV was not used as a device for distraction until I suggested a movie after lunch. You guys have kept yourselves busy with other things, and actually have been getting along quite well.

Yesterday I was maybe dreading this day just a bit...it was only because you guys came home from school and bounced from ceiling to floor for 3 straight hours. And because I caught Drew drinking honey from the honey bear. And everyone was screaming and fighting with each other. However, you guys have pleasantly surprised me. We've had a good day so far. I think the next thing on the agenda is for us to bake a cake.

Much love on this snow day,
Mom

I pledge allegiance

Drew was in a grumpy mood today. At bedtime he was being rude and disrespectful. I took something away as a consequence. He was upset, but rather than just get mad, he 'pledged allegiance' that he wouldn't do it again. I'm not sure, but I think he was trying to say something about promising or crossing his heart. His consequence remained despite his pledging allegiance over and over again.

A storm is coming soon (freezing rain and snow) and Tom had to work late tonight and Drew had a 4:30 appointment in Wichita. All of these factors contributed to our crazy evening. Interestingly, Lily was the most mellow I've seen her in an evening....well, maybe ever. I hope it doesn't mean she's coming down with something....

Memories from today

This is just a post so that I can remember the little things that were happening to us in life.

Drew was making phone calls with his play phone. He spoke with a man name Harold and another man named Larry. He was giving orders and told Larry to swab the decks. We do not know anyone by these names, and they are so out of the ordinary for a kindergartener to know, that it struck me as funny.

Julianna has been showing signs of being able to read for awhile now. She has obsessively been writing her letters whenever she has a pen and paper. Last week she wrote her first word independently. And I don't mean just writing letters I tell her to make a word. She actually sounded out a word herself and wrote it down without my help. The word was 'pan'. Since that day I have noticed that she can remember the short vowel sounds for a, e, i, and o. Yesterday I wrote about three dozen short vowel words on a piece of paper and she sounded out and read every single one of them. This seems totally crazy to me...but I'm looking forward to seeing what she figures out next.

My children are all about running lately. I went for a run first thing in the morning yesterday and when I got home they wanted to run too. They like my treadmill more than I do and Lily ended up running 1.4 miles on it yesterday. There is a running club for kids 8 and older and I'm thinking it'd be a good club for Lily to join. She needs practice making friends and the running could be a natural help for her ADHD. The other two children ran too, but not nearly as much. I'm ready for the long, warm summer days where all they do is run and play.

Tom finished up a big part of a painting project on Sunday. He has all the walls and the trim in the living room painted. The next step is to finish the second coat on the ceiling. He is currently building himself some stilts so that he can move more easily while painting so high up. I'm looking forward to getting my furniture back in the room to see how it looks. I'm being patient though -- and grateful to Tom for all his hard work. Tom is a very careful painter and I think it looks great. We have lived here almost two years and I'm so excited that we have started some of the projects that will make this house look the way we want our home to look. It's not going to be an overnight thing, but when we're done, it's going to look great. :)

The Queen

Drew woke up on the wrong side of the bed. This is the conversation we had at 6:40 this morning.

Drew: Can I watch TV?

Me: When you're ready for school. You need to have your shoes on, teeth brushed, and eye exercises done.

Drew: UGH! Why do I have to do my eye exercises? I HATE that!

Me: Sorry. It will only take you 15 minutes and you'll still have time to watch TV afterward. Bring me the ball for you first exercise.

Drew: Why do I always have to do EVERYTHING?! You never do anything! Do you think YOU'RE THE QUEEN OR SOMETHING?!

Me: In that case, you can spend some time in your room adjusting the way you speak to me. I'm going to have my breakfast.

I want everyone reading to understand that I in no way condone this behavior. However, it does make me laugh to think about it. It's funny to me because I understand it. I know what it feels like to be so sensitive and emotional. I know what it feels like to think that your mom does nothing for you and is only there to make your life more difficult. I knew I would have a kid similar to me in this way. I just didn't think it would be my son.

On the 100th Day of School

Today on the 100th day of school, my children had the perfect morning. They got dressed, ate breakfast, and had hair and teeth brushed with no problem. It was a lovely morning. I thought that since the 100th day is a day to celebrate, I would give a report on how things are going at school.

Lily hasn't missed a day of school. She has worked hard this year to make good choices at school. She recently went through a medication change and tried her darnedest to do well at school without it. She gave a valiant effort, but in the end we saw that she was truly benefitting from the medications. She did get a new one and it's working.

I heard from Lily's teacher a few days ago that Lily is doing very well at school. Lily's teacher is proud of Lily's improvement when it comes to working in groups. She told me that she usually puts Lily in pairs to work so that she doesn't become overwhelmed. However, last week Lily worked seamlessly in a group of FIVE students. She was a member of the team, she allowed others to contribute, and at one point they were all drawing on the paper at once. I am so proud of her!

Drew has also not missed a day of school. He loves it so much and loves having so many friends to play with everyday. He has recently started reading books independently, and asking for more at his level. This is a huge deal because early in the year I could  barely get him to read the required 3 page books sent from school. At first I thought maybe he was having trouble because of an inherited learning disability; but I think he was actually having trouble because of an inherited eye problem. He has been doing eye therapy for two months and the change is amazing. Obviously, because he loves to read by himself now. :)

Yesterday, on day 99, Drew lost his first tooth. He was so proud that he had pulled out himself at rest time. He said all the kids wanted to come and see the tooth after he'd pulled it out. I don't know what the chances are, but so far two of my children have lost their first tooth in Mrs. Law's kindergarten class instead of at home. He was excited to put the tooth under his pillow and wake up to some shiny quarters.

Julianna has not gone to school 100 days, but she is doing wonderfully and loves school. She is keeping me laughing and testing her limits just a bit. I love being home with her these last two years before big kid school. It's such a blessing.

make a note

Lily:* Have you made a note on the calendar that the first and second grade music program is the 5th of February?

Me: Yes, I have. Thanks.

Drew:** Next time you make a note, say that Drew did this on a day in January. [Makes the rock n roll sign and waves arm around.]

Me: Will do, will do.


*Yes, as a matter-of-fact, she did use these exact words in this exact order. And, yes, I do believe she is sometimes a small adult.

**Yes, as a matter-of-fact, Drew did do this exact thing on Sunday. It made me laugh for at least 10 minutes.

I know that Drew isn't making a rock n roll sign in this picture. But this picture makes me laugh for a different reason.
Drew....oh, Drew. You and your sour face make me laugh.

Outtakes of the Family Photo Shoot

 



These are the outtakes from our recent family picture session. We didn't hire a fancy photographer because it was last minute, for fun, and we wanted to try out my sister, Aunt Flash's, new camera. We took the pictures at the shop of Johnson Sheet Metal, my dad's family business since 1921. It was lots of fun and we got some great shots. Julianna (I know she wants to be called Jae, but I'm going to secretly call her Julianna for as long as I can...but that's another post.) Anyway, Julianna gave us the best outtake faces. She is one expressive child!



 

 

 

This is what we did when we were told to be goofy.

My sister accidentally turned on her automatic picture feature and it took 10 or so pictures right in a row. Julianna and I decided to be goofy for all the pictures.

There could be a whole book of Julianna faces. She is possibly the most expressive person ever.

Aren't we so funny?

Someone said something hilarious.

This is Tom's favorite picture of me from the day. Don't I look cool?

I don't know where Lily learned this goofy face.

I love this picture.

I guess this is where Lily learned that goofy pose from earlier.

Oh, Julianna!

I hope we take more time to take these family pictures. They are priceless. They will look great in the next edition of my blog book. My goal is to turn each year of the blog into an actual book. I love the idea of having a collection of my writings in an actual book for my children to hold onto and read in the years to come. Actually, they aren't really allowed to read the blog yet. I'm not always sharing things on the blog that they are ready to read about. They will have to wait a few years before they can see what Mom really thought about this stuff. :)

our week

Monday we celebrated Drew birthday day with some low key hanging out. I had a doctor's appointment first thing in the morning so I arranged for the kids to have two of their favorite young people over to babysit them. They had a great time with nerf gun wars and making forts. At one point Lily fell and scraped her knee. It bled and she was so excited because that meant she could look at her blood under her microscope.

For Drew's birthday dinner he chose oatmeal and toast. I was so happy with this choice. I was tired that evening and I needed something easy to make for dinner. Plus, as I explained to Drew, oatmeal is one of my comfort foods. I explained what comfort food meant and he said he already knew that. Then he explained that oatmeal was also one of his comfort foods because that was what he'd eaten the day he passed out. What my kids remember always amazes me...even if I know that those memories will eventually be replaced with multiplication facts and state capitols.

This week was also the week that Julianna put together some really amazing outfits:

I guess her outfits depend on what gender mood she's in. In one of these pictures she's a boy and in one she is a girl. I bet you can't guess which is which.

 

 

This week Lily grew up just a little bit more and got braces. She likes the idea of being grown up enough to have braces. But the reality of them isn't as fun. She is in a little bit of pain, plus she has a bead on the roof of her mouth to help with her tongue thrust. The bead gets in her way and makes it difficult to talk. Once she gets used to it, it should help to correct her speech and lesson the pressure she puts on her front teeth. But the part where she has to get used to it and actually correct her speech might be a long road for her. I will get back to you on that.

 

One more thing this week. Monday, as I mentioned, I had a doctor's appointment. It was an appointment with my optometrist because I've been having terrible eye aches that sometimes are so bad that I have to just go to bed and sleep them off. It finally had gotten so bad that I called the doctor. Well, my usual doctor was out of town. So I saw the other doctor in the practice and that doctor just happens to be a guy that I've known for my entire life. His mom and my mom were in business together when she was pregnant with me and his sister is my oldest friend in life. It was nice to see him. He ran every test he had and did a thorough exam. The only thing he found was that I am actually seeing colors differently out of my left eye. My left eye is the one that happens to be the one giving me trouble. Out of my left eye it seemed like the red color I was looking at had a shadow cast over in in grey. Dr. Ben told me that this could be a sign of MS and referred me to a neuro ophthalmologist to find out more. He is pretty sure that it has something to do with my optic nerve but didn't really have a less scary explanation for the color difference or eye aches I'm having. I'm nervous, but have realized within the last 24 hours that if it is something like MS that is giving me problems, I will not start living differently upon diagnosis. So I'm trying not to think about it and staying busy with my usual chores.

 

In an effort to stay busy and meet new people, I've joined a book club with my friend Myca. Last night was our first meeting. It was fun and I like all three of the other members. :) I have to say that I might be the only one that obsessively reads but they were all excited about getting started. In the end, we decided on a book that I had already read and loved. It's called The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. It's a great book club book and has everything a great book needs. If you haven't read it, you should. It is my Top Book of 2012 choice. It is a Young Adult novel that you don't have to be young to enjoy.  I would recommend it to all of you. The best part about the book club besides the people and the books has to be the name of our club. It makes me laugh just sitting here thinking about it. We call ourselves the Lit Lovers, which is probably the funniest thing ever.

 

 

Drew turns Six





 Dear Drew,

 

Okay, so your six now. What a year you've had. I have to be honest. You're starting to become a little more complex. Some days you are delightfully fun and sweet and eager to please. And some days you are the angst-y middle child that I recognize as myself. You still make me laugh - even on the days you are filled with angst and think that I make rules just to make your life miserable. Or that I don't make any rules for the girls, only you. And life is so unfair! I have a feeling it's going to be a pattern for you that I'm going to fight against for a long time. I understand it, but am frustrated by it just the same. Life is all about perception and if you perceive that I am out to get you... then I will, in fact, seem to be out to get you. I hope that you don't hang on to this pattern. And since I know a thing or two about that mentality, I hope I will be able to help you to see that you are loved and cherished and amazing and we love you just the way you are.

 

This year you started kindergarten. You are friends with every person in your class. I am not surprised one bit by that fact. Your teacher is always reminding me what a kind, sweet boy you are. You are very careful to always do the right thing and use your manners. You are clearly setting a good example for your peers and have already be rewarded for that by being named the Hawk Walker - an award given to kids who are making good choices and setting a good example. I love that you are so good at making friends. But I also love that you have such a strong moral compass. You are very good about following along with fun with your friends. But if they decide to break rules or act crazy, you usually don't go along with it. That is such a good thing. It is so good to be comfortable enough with yourself to know when it's better not to go with the crowd.

 

 I have also learned that you are amazingly good finding friends with good character. At your birthday party this weekend, my house was full of the sweetest boys in your class. That really made me feel great about sending you out into the big, bad world. :)

 

Speaking of going with the crowd, you are pretty obsessed with dressing just like everyone you have deemed "cool" at your school. You mostly go for skater chic...and pull it off quite nicely. In fact, you just got a new baseball cap for your birthday that you wear with a flat bill to the side, cocked at just the right angle to imply total awesomeness. The one gift that you asked for for your birthday was a new pair of shoes. You were very specific. High tops, with a big tongue that you can tuck your jeans behind. You are totally hip, dude.

 

If I had to pick things that you're into right now, I would say: basketball, fashion, and nerf guns. In that order. Your absolute, most favorite thing to do right now is shoot baskets with the neighbor boy. If he isn't home, or isn't outside, you will dribble in our driveway until you see him. And if he isn't home, and their car isn't in the driveway, you shoot baskets by yourself. It's basically the only thing you will ever do by yourself...as you are a kid who likes to be with people. At. All. Times.

 

Drew, happy birthday. You are one super awesome kid. I love you more than you can know. Enjoy being six, dude! I know I will be soaking up every moment I can have with you.

 

I love you.

 

Love,

Mommy (I figure I can get away with being called 'Mommy' by you only a little while longer.) 

  

 

So

So buff and manly!

You're saving your money for a bigger boogie board. I'm not sure it will work at the lake. But, good luck anyway.

You say this is your dog face.

What amazing running form you have.

Still best buds. Also, Drew, you always manage to display your meals on your face. How is that?