Tuesday, December 09, 2008

we are easily amused

There has been a lot of joyful noise coming from our house the past few days.

First and most importantly, it appears that ALL of our four-year-old children are now using the potty in the manner for which it was intended, for any and all business operations, between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM.

Some of our four-year-old children are even going so far as to wake up in the middle of the night in order to use the potty. The only thing that would make me happier is if they didn't feel the need to wake me up from a sound sleep and inform me of their great accomplishment, opting instead to save their awesome news for the morning.

Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to fit a pony in our backyard.

***

Keeping with our tradition of opening a new Christmas book every night, last night the children opened a book about the nativity. Charlie and I were in the middle of cleaning up from dinner when we noticed that the girls had draped receiving blankets over their heads and William was hugging his Baby Panda and saying, "Welcome Baby Jesus! WELCOME!"

The children stopped their rejoicing just long enough for William to ask, "Mom, how did Jesus get out of Mary's tummy? Do you have a picture of that? I want to see a picture of the baby coming OUT of her tummy. CAN YOU SHOW IT TO ME?"

I told him that we have a lot of Christmas books but I can pretty much guarantee I don't have anything in our collection that shows a picture of that - exactly. But that was a great question, and when did it happen that he became so filled with inquries and observations I'm not yet prepared to discuss?? What about, "Why is the sky blue? Why are trees green?"

Why are Joe-Joe's so yummy?


***

This coming Saturday, Elizabeth, Carolyn and I will be joining two of my fellow triplet moms and their daughters on an outing to see The Nutcracker. Charlie will be taking William on a father-son outing to see the famous ballet, the following day.

In an effort to teach the children a little about the story ahead of time, I bought them The Nutcracker Christmas book, we have been listening to the soundtrack and I have shown them various scenes from the ballet on YouTube. When we were at a store this past weekend, I also picked them up a variety Nutcracker ornament pack so that they are familiar with the character.

Last night, after Charlie and I had a glass of wine, we sat down and looked at these various ornaments in closer detail and I thought I'd jot down some of our observations.

Our assumption is that this ornament is Mail Carrier Nutcracker. The theory is supported by what appears to be a mailbag that the children have broken off.


We have no idea who this Nutcracker is supposed to be. Perhaps College Graduate Nutcracker? Or maybe Working at the Voting Poll Nutcracker? We can't tell if that white thing he is holding in his hand is a a voting box for ballots, or a diploma.

This is surely Rat Nutcracker. He lost his arm less than five minutes out of the box. That's the price to pay for coming home to a family with four-year-old triplets that want to see if he can do a cartwheel.

Charlie and I are divided on whether this is Doctor Nutcracker or Nurse Nutracker. My original assumption was doctor; Charlie's was nurse. His argument is that doctor's don't wear hats with red crosses. My argument is that nurses don't wear pagers. But maybe they do? Either way, I'd be slightly frightened if this medical professional ever came in to my room carrying a needle.


My assumption was that this was Fire Chief Nutcracker. Charlie's assumption was that this was S&M Nutcracker. "Bark! Bark like a dog!!"

And this ornament had us both laughing so hard we couldn't even talk.

The poor girl. Or boy? Or boy dressed as a girl and posing as a ballerina?

The girls love anything that wears a crown and carries a wand.

So we've named it Princess Pat.

16 comments:

  1. bwaaaahaahhahahah....thanks for the good laugh :) wow. those are some "nice" nutcrackers...

    My mom took me to see it for my christmas present when i was 8 or 9 or so. I must say I will be quite impressed if you get them to sit through it. I was bored to tears after 20 mintues and constantly was asking when they'd start talking, which of course I was highly disappointed at that answer :)

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  2. That is hilarious! We have named our one and only Nutcracker, Bob. I am now thinking of officially changing his name to S&M Nutcracker... so much more fun! I would love to see a picture of Pat and Fireman (S&M) Nutcracker together - OMG - did I just say that out loud?

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  3. I look just like Princess Pat when the kids eat all my Joe Joe's.

    Way to go on the POOP IN THE POTTY! That's awesome.

    My girls are dancing IN the Nutcracker tomorrow and I've done absolutely zero preparation for it. We have rehearsals at 11 and the performance at 5. All I know is I have to make sure they are in spot 2 and spot 3. That's all I've done. Spot 2 and 3.

    Now you've got me all stressed out!

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  4. Wow that is a quick turnaround, all three using the potty. Here's to hoping that all continue to do well. It probably won't be long before Henry wants to use it also and then you will be rejoicing.
    As for the nutcrackers...I have always thought they were just scary looking. Hope you all enjoy the show though.
    Kathy

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  5. Hmmm. I was thinking that last one was Mommy nutcracker.
    At least around this house lately, it could apply.

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  6. Thank you, THANK YOU for a great morning chuckle.

    On a more important note: Joe-Joe's, how I love thee, I could almost wax poetically. To my unfortunate dismay our move from the Northwest to Nebraska has completely denied me of the delicious experience. Eat a few for me, I'll run the extra mile for you tonigh, promise!
    - Melissa

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  7. Hahahahahaha! Your blog needs to have warnings of where there is a possibility of spitting either food or drink out of your mouth while reading.

    Princess Pat. Priceless.

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  8. I had a sneaky peek at your blog today during a classroom lull and had to hide from the children as I had tears streaming down my face. The further I went on the harder it was to hide my mirth until I got to Princess Pat - and then I lost it. I had to go and sit outside in the frost and ice until I could breath again. Just as I was getting it together I was joined by my co-teacher in similar dire straits. All day we have cheered each other through christmas play rehearsal hell games lesson by mouthing "Princess Pat" at each other.
    We may never recover!!
    Thank you!!!!!

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  9. Aw, I totally love that they were playing nativity!

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  10. Thanks for the good chuckle! I am so going to be looking out for my own pack of nutcrackers!

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  11. I dont usually post i just read but i wanted to let you know that some nurses do carry pagers....the nurse who is in charge of the floor for the shift carries a pager and so do respiratory therapists....Just thought i would share a bit of info with you :)

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  12. BWhahahaha! Laughing so freakin' hard here. LOVE the Nutcracker stories.

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  13. Hilarious! Bark.... oh you crack me up. Have a great time at your outing, we haven't gone in years!

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  14. Oh and congrats on the pooping success!

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  15. What's that? Princess Pat!

    Too funny! Thanks for the chuckles.

    So glad that they are all using the potty! Way to go!

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  16. Too funny! I love the androgynous nutcracker!

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