Ten Years Later...

I was talking on the phone to my brother the other day.  As we talked, I could hear his four-year-old girl laughing and talking and asking her Daddy questions, trying to get his attention.  Also, as we talked, I interrupted him twice so I could tell my girls (again) it was time to turn off the TV and brush their teeth for bed.

"And, brush really well," I said.

And, my brother said, "Wait, how old are they?!  Fourteen?  Are you telling me that ten years from now I will STILL have to be telling my baby girl to brush her teeth, and to do a good job?"

"Well, sorry," I said, "but, yes, unfortunately.  It's very frustrating."

"Only then," he continued, "I won't be able to brush her teeth for her and put her to bed?"

"Well, yep, that doesn't work anymore.  They're kind of big."

"Aw, man."

"I'm sorry," I consoled.  But, really, I might have been talking to myself.

Cutest Elephants Ever

Cinderella had a friend over a couple of weekends ago.  She told me she didn't have a plan of things to do with this friend except maybe cook something delicious and eat it (and why isn't that a good plan?) ;)  She asked her friend if she had any ideas, and Princess R had lots of ideas.  And one involved sewing.  And we have a sewing machine.  How perfect!

The project was a bit more than R bargained for, and Cinderella was a bit apprehensive about tackling the project (I think because she's had more sewing practice and could more clearly see what they were getting into) but after a few kinks, we worked it out.  And aren't they adorable?  Here they are at school wearing their creations.  Love them (the shirts and the girls.)

Woot!

Well, it has happened.  I survived the year that I had been dreading since the doctor assured me that the two tiny babies in my womb were indeed girls.  I remember thinking, "But, how will I survive three teenage girls?!  A fifteen-year-old and two thirteen-year-olds?  That year might be hell."  Well, I don't want to brag or anything, but we are all still alive!  Woot!  So I sort of feel like King and I deserve an award or something.  Really.

The kicker is, I don't think it is over. Considering all three girls have their iPods taken away, and two are grounded from the computer this week, I think maybe, those long years ago, I should have worried about more than just the past year.  Oy.  And, they are GOOD kids, which I am so grateful for.  I can guarantee that I would be dead now if they weren't.  Or in jail.  (Probably in jail.)

I don't mean to sound all doomsday or anything. We definitely have some really great, fun times.  They are all delightfully funny, joyful, smart girls.  It's just that we never know when those girls will appear for an extended period of time.  It is sort of like waking up every morning and playing a game to see which of your delightful daughters has morphed into a hormonal ticking time bomb.  Which one do you have to treat gently?  And will the one who was joking with you last night be in a joking mood this morning, or did her funny sense of humor completely disappear as she was sleeping?  It's a gamble, I tell you.

Oh, but I love them.  More than anything.  They are the light of my life.  It sometimes feels like a strobe light.  But, it's my favorite light.  :)

Fourteen

I cannot believe how fast the years have flown by.  These two are such great kids.  And still loving their footie pajamas. :)

14 years

8 years

5 years