Constant Beginnings

The Halloween festivities are in full swing here. We attended a "Fall Festival" at my school on Thursday evening and today we enjoyed a "fall festival" at the girls' school. We've managed to keep their costumes a secret until Wednesday when Claire spilled the beans. She was doing so well at keeping the secret, I almost thought she wasn't our child for awhile ;) Claire dressed as "Pinkalicious" and Mya was a cupcake. My Mom and Dad bought Claire the book, "Pinkalicious" for her first birthday. It has been an on-going hit with our girls. They both have the entire book memorized. It is such a cute book where this girl named "Pinkalicious" loves pink. She eats too many pink cupcakes and turns pink, which she is thinks is simply beautiful then red, which is less than favorable. She eats her vegetables to turn alleviate her pain. In the meantime, her little brother is envious and devours the last one, then turns pink too. It is a ...

We've been working on potty training Mya since this summer, although I will be the first to admit it has been a half-hearted effort.  Consequently, it isn't going as quickly as it did with Claire who was trained at 2 years, 1 month after only 1 weekend. However, I am pleased to say that she only had one wet diaper yesterday after naptime and so far today, we are dry. I've tried M&M's/chocolates in the past, but nothing seemed to make a difference. This weekend, they've been gold. She isn't so great about letting me know she has to go potty (generally raises the roof after the fact, though), but I am reminding her frequently. Now she's working for stickers or chocolates. Whatever works! I am hoping to have her fully trained by the time Chris returns. We shall see.

It has been awhile since I've written about each child, so I think I better catch up. So much has changed... Dearest Claire, You have blossomed into a beautiful four year old. You are one of the kindest children I've seen. You share, help others, and take care of Mya. You've really become a good listener and work hard at doing the right thing. We are still sorting out the meaning behind "accident" and "on purpose," consequently, Daddy and I are left trying to piece together each version and figure out which word truly applied. For example, the other day I picked you up from school and you had a mark just under your right eye. Ms. Kim told me that there was an accident report which stated that another child tried to take a shovel away from you, which resulted in the shovel hitting your face. When I asked you about it, you told me that Daniel was trying to take the shovel away and that it hit your face "on accident." Later when retelling the st...

Yep. Holding hands. Words cannot express the love in my heart! This girl is such a clown! She's got personality like no other :) Wow, we are almost into November and I am becoming more and more deliquent in keeping this blog updated. Chris left on Saturday for a 5 week class in Mississippi, so it is just the girls and I. I am well versed in the sometimes single momma thing, but I also started taking classes for my Autism Specialist certification, which means another ball has been thrown in the air in addition to the other four I am left to juggle. Oiy. It has been interesting. Thankfully, the girls have been very understanding and allow me a little time each night to read and respond to the required posts. I have also discovered the convenience of a book light as I try to turn the pages of my  text ever so quietly so as not to disturb our little sleeping cherubs. (One of the perks for them of Daddy being gone is I let them sleep in my bed! They l...

We are below the 9 month countdown until we leave Korea, so we are trying to prioritize what we want to see and do and make a plan. Everland is a Korea must do! It is the Korean Disneyland and the Korean spin of hands on fun makes it better than Disney in alot of ways. We spent the weekend in Seoul, relaxing and spending time together as Chris is off to the States next week for another month long class. Thankfully it is his last one while we are stationed here, but I am really over being the single parent. He just wrapped up the end of the fiscal year, which meant long, long hours of work (even longer than his usual 12 hour days), so again, I am very much OVER this. Anyway, we spent today at Everland focusing on the animal section. They have a safari that I had been it! It was a great experience and hearing Claire and Mya ooo and ahhh over each animal that came close to the vehicle was wonderful. The safari featured lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, bears, and ligers. The animals wan...