"Houseless" but not Homeless

Since our escrow has been delayed (due to an incompetent mortgage broker) at least three, maybe four weeks. We are between homes, and living in a hotel for the time being. I feel disoriented, isolated, and sad. I worry about keeping the kids happy, fed and clean in our new transient life. However, Carter expressed to me today he is not at all unsettled. We were eating dinner in a restaurant, and when Carter was done, he asked to go home. I felt a pit in my stomach, and told him we would not be going home, but back to the hotel. He said, "The hotel is home mommy, because you are there."

Home is less about the walls the surround us, and more about the people we are surrounded by. Carter understands that already, and I hope he never forgets.

Crazy Day

We made an offer on a new home, it was accepted, and then we left for four days at Disneyland. Needless to say, this created a whole new level of work for me when we returned home. And, just for fun, Cameron needed his polio vaccine. So in addition to unpacking, decompressing from the Magic Kingdom, and comforting a fussy baby, I am struggling to compile paperwork for the lender. It is all very exciting but stressful.

Carter is capable of great moments of insight. It really is quite a gift for a five-year-old. He looked at me, clearly seeing the stress on my face and said, "Being a mom is a hard job for just one person, isn't it mom". My heart just melted, and I told him it is, but he is worth it all. I love him, and the person he is becoming.

LOL

Cameron laughed out loud for the first time several times last night. I took him to a Bunco game. He sat in his car seat watching several other moms talk and laugh. Pam was telling an animated story about the peacocks that plauge her in-laws neighborhood, and he laughed at her gestures. We all, in turn laughed at him, and he laughed back at us. That repeated itself several times. It is so rewarding to hear you children laugh. I remember vividly the first time I heard each of them laugh. I cannot imagine anything more delightful than a happy baby.

In referance to the above entry

Carter told me a few days ago that he is no longer "complicated". Very cute.

Humility

It is bad enough to have a toddler throw a tantrum in public, this morning my toddler did it over an intercom, for hundreds to hear.

Carter was constipated this morning. Sorry to announce that over the Internet, but I want all to understand how this started, and that I could not possibly have planned to avoid it. We all waited in the car, some more patiently that others. Gracie was particularly worked up. When Carter was ready, we headed off to kindergarten, and arrived four minutes late. Not much, but enough for Carter to be marked absent on the role call. After taking him to his class, I had to march Gracie and Cameron off to the office for a tardy slip, and to correct the absentee mark, or he will not have a hot lunch. We step into the lobby as the Principal (a kind and forgiving man) is giving the morning prayer over the loud speaker. On the counter of the lobby is a stuffed rhino. Gracie is instantly attracted to it, and asks for it loudly. Noticing the microphone, I try to hush Gracie, which is not what she wants, because she wants the rhino. Now all deteriorates rapidly, and her screams can be heard in the background, over the intercom, for the pleasure of the entire school.

I am sure my daughter's purpose in childhood it to teach me humility. After this is all over, and she is grown, I will not find much embarrassing.

Carter's first day of Kindergarten

Carter started Kindergarten today. Our morning was remarkably uneventful, and smooth. He was happy to go, and didn't resist being separated from me. Every parent is working themselves out of a job, and I watched my first born began to negotiate life on his own today. I am so proud of him. He is growing so quickly now, gaining more Independence, making decisions on his own.

Gracie is nearly potty-trained. Only the occasional accident, and usually because I forgot to remind her. All in all, the process was quick, only about three weeks, and mostly her idea. It would have to be her idea in order for her to go along with it.

With my two oldest growing so fast, I am happy to have my baby to cuddle. I would be pretty bored without Cameron.

LIfe at home with my three kids, 5 and under

It might be easier to post my day online, than to write a bunch of emails everyday. Since I try to keep up, although lately that is harder and harder, I decided to start a blog. Seems fun and easy, but we will see . . .