It is hard to be the middle child and this is why

I have posted many times that I am a middle child and what that means to me. It is a blessing to be the one in the middle. I also have a soft spot in my heart for my Abby, as she too is blessed (a debatable blessed, but I digress) with being the middle child.

This weekend, Abby earned her middle child stripes. I was running around the house with some Thanksgiving preparation work. I was holding baby Harper who had just had a big breakfast. Will caught both of us in action with his amazing camera work.

I guess I was swinging Harper around a bit too much during my mad dash around the house. Abby was under my feet but it was my sister who brought the situation to my attention. Becca, with a very disturbed voice said: "There is something wrong with Abby." I looked down at Abby and oh, there was something wrong with Abby. Harper had THROWN UP in Abby's hair. It was just a little baby spit up but it still counts as throw up when it in in your hair.

I got the throw up out pretty quick but I could not stop myself from taking a picture first. I tried not to laugh but could not help myself. Abby's face in this picture captures it all.

On nights like tonight, a Monday night, where Abby would not eat her dinner, got frustrated with everything, lied to me about her green beans and talked way to loud, I will think of this. When Abby and her three year old attitude are trying every bit of my patience, I give her one extra pass because she puts up with a lot as my special middle child.

I love to play with my brother and sister

Harper is a lucky little girl to be born into a family that has constant playmates available for her. There are times when the playmates are not so willing. While on the whole the Abby and Will are very good with Harper, it is hard for them when she is in their stuff...like here where she is chewing on parts of the Wii and standing in front of the TV.

I can't capture it on film well, but it cracks me up to see William or Abby trying to lift Harper to move her. They are frustrated that she is playing with their toys. Harper giggles and smiles as they pick her up (it is hard for them because they are not very big). They set her down at my feet and sigh with their hands on their hips: HARPER IS TOUCHING MY STUFF! The kids go back to the other room. Harper has not stopped smiling. She immediately starts crawling back over to their toys. I just settle down into the couch with a People Magazine to watch the fun and remember my own childhood with my own brother and sister. Kids, it does get better....when someone goes to college.

My stance on firearms

William held up his new toy, a small fake saxophone.

Will: Mom, this makes the perfect gun. Check how good it shoots.

Me: Oh yeah, that is great Will.

Will: Mom, did you know that there are real guns in the world?

Me: Really? Yes, Will I did know that.

Will: Why don't we have a real gun?

Me: Will, I don't really like guns. That is why we don't have a gun.

Will: Dad likes real guns.

Me: You are right Will, he does like guns. But I don't like guns.

Will: And you have to listen to girls or they will break up with you.

Me: I have no response. I have no idea what to say.

Halloween 2010

My Ninja, Princess and Love Bug were awesome this Halloween. They are the perfect age for the Halloween festivities which included a Halloween parade put on by my very cool neighbors in addition to the traditional trick-or-treating. For trick-or-treating we had a rockin time, complete with an impromptu Halloween sound track. The group we went with included:
1. My three kids, as I referred the them earlier: the Ninja, Princess and Love Bug
2. Two additional princesses (all three were in the same Cinderella dress)
3. Two storm troopers (one under 10, one over 30)
4. A Spiderman with no mask and Spiderman's dad who did wear the mask
5. A pirate
6. Dracula
7. The tooth fairy - who as answered the age old question of what you do with a prom dress that still fits. You get a wand, a set a wings and wear that dress again!
8. Three other adults who dressed as adults. Don't let the outfits fool you, I saw everyone in that group break out a dance move during the trick-or-treating event.
9. Matt and I were also there and yes, did not miss the occasion to dress up. Matt went as Tigger. Again. He reminded me that he has owned that costume for longer than he has known me. Wear it proud Tigger.
10. I purchased a Peeps costume online. I laughed at my own joke all night long as I told people I was going as a Sexy Chic.

Getting ready for this American tradition does take more time than I expected. My usual line about having three children: Having three is no more difficult than having one...it is just more car seats. I take that comment back when I was try trying to get ready by dressing three children in complicated outfits, get in my costume, pack drinks for Matt and me, pack a cooler for the kids, pack jackets for later in the evening when it gets cold AND make all this stuff fit in the stroller. For the record, I was on time for the Halloween festivities. I was sweating and so was Matt, but we had all three kids with us and we were ready to be away from the house for the next three hours. Yes, only a three hour tour. So worth it.