You whine? You lose an eyeball.

I'm a sucker for a system.

Diana gave us this great responsibility chart. But its big, chunky magnets for each block made it a challenge to record TWO kids' weekly accomplishments.

After failing to find any small magnets, I resorted to making my own using little craft eyeballs and sticky-back magnetic strip. Amelia's are pink, and Evelyn's are yellow (coordinating w/the colors of their "blankies.")

We fill in the whole week at one go, and the goal is to keep all your eyeballs. (Notice the "no whining" blocks have DOUBLE the eyeballs of the other blocks...we all go through phases...)

I'll let you know how it goes. So far it seems very motivating, and I must say, it can really re-direct all our attitudes when I say out loud, "Think about what you're doing--do you want to lose an eyeball?"

Amelia's new exclamation

"What in the holy maraca??"

We'll probably not encourage its use, but it made us laugh.

This is another VA Beach Christmas picture. We were going to a Starbucks (where the girls posted themselves as Door-women, saying, "Welcome to Starbucks" or "Have a good day!") and outside a little shop Amelia posed as "a statue."

We've been playing "the statue game" since San Francisco 2009. They freeze in position and I notice "the most beautiful/adorable/lovely statue of a little girl I've ever seen, how I wishI had a real one just like it." Then my wish comes true. :)

As of Sunday--she is seven!

It is SO hard to believe. It seems so recent that she was piling toilet paper in the bathroom for fun--and yet it was just this past Sunday that she was eating her birthday breakfast of waffles wearing the sparkly headband Great Aunt Betty sent her.

She loves school. She's never had a moment's hesitation about going. In most social situations, she dives in effortlessly and with her big personality leaping and flapping all over the place. She will give you enthusiasm and excitement, and if you are homeless she will want to give you everything she has. (She spots homeless people from a mile away, and always wants to know what money or food we have in the car to give them. And now she is able to read their signs. And it always breaks her heart.)

I'm not sure I've ever heard her talk about someone she doesn't like.

We had a little party here a week before her birthday--a few friends & Grandma & Opa for cake & ice cream, then we all walked up to a local school that shows outdoor movies every Friday in the fall. The movie was "Up," so we asked all the guests to bring balloons instead of gifts, and we took this big bunch up to the movie and gave them out afterwards--it was a lot of fun. Then Anna and Aidan spent the night, which is ALWAYS fun. The hardest part is always keeping the level of enthusiasm from exploding into something beyond my ability to control.

We love you, Evelyn Grace. Happy birthday!

Personalities

One of Evelyn's classmates invited us to her street fair near the Farmers' Market--it is the same street cousin Kate & Jay used to live on--and it was AWESOME. There were lots of fun things to do for free, and the atmosphere was so family friendly. (Keep in mind it is the city version of family friendly, which means you see mothers nursing babies without coverups, parents with tattoos and dreadlocks, and children dressed in 100% organic clothing.) The girls had a blast.

And I love how the face paintings they chose belie their personalities: the shy daughter as the fierce tiger and the out-going daughter with the dainty vine of flowers on her cheek.

Working Hard

If play is a child's work and necessary for healthy development, then we're doing just fine over here.

The newest obsession is playing "School." They each set up classrooms, and come downstairs in line (moving one animal at a time) to go to music in the living room or art in the bathroom. (Who knew the bathroom was so artistically inspiring? If they've actually MADE anything in art, it's been flushed, because there's no evidence.)

Finally, there's planning time, where the teachers prep the next day's coloring pages and peruse the texts.

It's all quite adorable. Get to work, girls!

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands..." (I Thess.4:11)

And I thought it might be funny to throw in II Thess. 3:10, so you know how seriously we're taking the work these girls are doing: "If a man shall not work, he shall not eat."

And that reminds me of Evelyn reviewing memory verses tonight. She asked me why people are always called "he" in the Bible. I said that it didn't really mean boys only, but is just a way of talking about people in general. Then she reviewed James 2:10 as"But whoever will keep the whole law, yet stumble in one point, he--OR SHE--is guilty of all." (Emphasis hers.)

Sending Them Off

There they are. Our girls. Heading off to their first day of First Grade and Kindergarten this past Wednesday.

I can hardly believe it. I can hardly stand it.

And yet with every passing phase, I seem to enjoy them more and more and more.

Just LOOK at them, would you? This photo has launched itself into my current #1 favorite. How I love these girls.

Alike but Different

Yesterday in the car the girls rubbed their heads with their blankets, with wicked effect. The short haircuts they got a month ago lent themselves perfectly to it. (The short cuts, when not teased into 1960's bouffants, remind me of pictures of my grandmothers from their 1920's childhoods. It's adorable, and Amelia LOVES that it requires less brushing.)

So check out these pink dresses. We went to the thrift store so I could buy some "beachy" clothes for our beach-themed VBS last week. Evelyn found this lacy satin number and could hardly contain herself. "Oh MAMA!! Look!!! It's BEAUTIFUL!! Oh, MAMA!!! Can I have it?? REALLY?!?!? Oh THANK YOU, Mama, THANK YOU!!"

In the name of equity, I searched for a similar dress for Amelia. Finding the striped frock, I took it to the end of the aisle where she was picking through toys. I held it up and asked if she wanted a pink dress, too. Amelia stood at the other end of the aisle and stared at it, then stated in a loud, flat tone, "Love it."

I love when their personalities are so juxtaposed. Like yesterday when they picked snacks at the convenience store. Evelyn chose a bag of Doritos (she calls them "Fire Chips" because they come in that red bag.) Amelia chose gum.

Or when they do things that surprise me, as when they were choosing pictures to hang on their newly-painted pink bedroom walls. Amelia chose a painting of trees & flowers, and Evelyn chose a wooden carving of a conquistador on a horse rearing in aggressive attack-mode over an unfortunate infidel. I'll have to post pictures.

Aloha Kindergarten!

Evelyn's farewell to Kindergarten was Hawaiian-themed, well-ordered, and very touching. The kids all processed seriously, two-by-two to that Hawaiian singer, "Izzy's" version of "Over the Rainbow." (In other words, I had a lump in my throat from the get-go.) Each class performed, everyone was well-behaved (well, except for parents who could NOT stay in their seats or "hold all applause until all the names have been called." In their defense, it's pretty hard to hold one's enthusiasm for an enthusiastic five or six year old!) and they put together a slide show of photos from the whole year. Then they sent each family home with a DVD of it! Amazing.

Congratulations, Evelyn. You made it through kindergarten. When you met your teacher last August you told her that your dream would be "to learn to read books." Your dream has come true. You can read. You can write. You have shown qualities of concern for others and a willingness to be everyone's friend. You have loved school (especially dance class), and are ready for 1st grade (except that you heard they don't get "choice time" at the end of their day.) Good job! Or, as you would write in one of your many cards, "Good jod!"

Melt my heart...

Evelyn was sick w/a fever Sunday, so we kept her back from school yesterday to recuperate. When putting her to bed last night, she asked if she thought she'd be well enough to go to school today. I told her she'd probably be well enough.

"Well, even if I can't go to school, Colette could sing my part in the program," she said nonchalantly.

"Your part?" I asked. She'd come home with the lyrics of the Annie song, Tomorrow, typed on a piece of paper last week, and I figured the class was singing it for the little music program during Arts Week this week. "Are you singing that song by yourself?"

Sure enough, she had a solo. The camera ran out of memory, but you'll get a little taste--I was so proud of her! Even though her music teacher did a few rhythms differently than the soundtrack (which we've been listening to for a good two years now), she just kept going and suddenly...there were tears in my eyes. Seems my girls are making me cry a lot lately, tears of wonder and joy.

The strong willed child...in writing.

First, let me thank everyone for praying for Alan's hernia surgery and recovery. It was a week yesterday and he's doing a bit of driving, has logged two long days running the board for a recording session at another studio, and is slowly healing. He is still uncomfortable, not sleeping well, and stiff from staying in limited positions, but he is already so much better than a week ago. Thank you also for praying that I would be a better nurse...more on that later. It's been a good week in my own heart and my love for my husband.

On another note, Evelyn's been writing a lot lately: letters to friends & family (and sometimes e-mails), stories, books, and has enjoyed putting random thoughts onto sticky notes.

A week or so ago, she and I were having a mildly heated discussion about a sandwich I wanted her to finish. I was weighing how far to take it (not wanting to make a mountain out of a molehill, yet still wanting her to know that food is a resource we have to use wisely), when she stormed off her kitchen stool and into the dining room.

I let her go, and turned to do some dishes. A minute later she stomped back into the kitchen, marched over to me, and said in a firm, angry voice, "Here! Read THAT!" as she stuck this sticky note on my shirt:






















I would like to say I have no idea where she gets this, but the good laugh my parents got out of this story says otherwise. I'll have to ask my in-laws how much blame the Blackmans get. :)

Spirit Week at Evelyn's School

Last week's "Family Olympics" at Evelyn's school was kicked off on Wednesday with a whole-school parade around two city blocks. Each grade created its own banner and carried it as they chanted and sang on their route. I have no idea why, but I got choked up! See Evelyn just left of center in her yellow shirt? She was SO excited to see me on the parade route, and I was SO excited to see her. I can't believe she's almost done kindergarten.

I just look at our girls these days and get choked up. Usually it's from behind--following them as they walk (or run) ahead, and shake my head in wonder that they are so tall, so old, and so...ours. What a responsibility parenting is!! More and more I am aware of my need to trust God every single day, to turn over to Him the temptation to worry that I'm messing my kids up for good, and just seek His face, His face, His guidance in His Word and hope for daily wisdom and grace. He is sufficient! And wow does He give joy!

Self Realization

Today Amelia looked in the mirror and said, "Wow! I really DO look five!"

And darn cute, too. Here she is on Monday morning with her mouth full of birthday doughnut on the ride to school.

She turned five today.

She loves to read aloud to her "class" of dolls and stuffed animals (or invisible children), turning the book to face them so they can see the pictures that accompany her made-up stories. She makes up songs, too. And words. "Repungen" was the latest I can remember, although I regret I cannot recall its meaning.

She is tenacious, persevering, and fiercely independent. "No! I can do it!" is a frequent statement, usually accompanied by a swift turn of her shoulders away from my attempts to help.

She thrives on one-on-one attention, and begged me to tell her "birth story" over and over in the car this morning on the way to school. (The part she gets the biggest kick out of is that she was born NAKED! She didn't even have any UNDERWEAR on!! This cracks her up. So does the fact that, when she was born, Evelyn was still wearing diapers and could only say "Buh.")

Amelia loves to snuggle, loves hugs, and melts my heart every time she clings to me and says with gritted teeth, "I love you so much I can hardly stand it!!" Funny, I was thinking the same thing. I can hardly stand how precious you are. I can hardly believe you are my daughter and that the Lord has entrusted you to me and Daddy. I am so proud of you. You are so smart and sensitive. Your skin is SO soft. I love your questions about God, and I hope that we keep asking and exploring those questions together with openness and honesty. I hope you always know that you are one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

You are five today. Happy birthday, Amelia Margaret. :)

My Favorite Distractions

Last week I took the girls to one of Alan's concerts for the first time. They'd heard him play outdoor festivals, but this was the first formal one. Anticipating them getting itchy, I brought stuff for them to play with and was prepared to entertain them myself.

I was making faces at one point, having what I thought was a lot of fun, when Evelyn leaned up to my ear and whispered, "You should probably stop doing that, Mom. It's kind of distracting."

Most Recent Obsession

I was telling a colleague at Battle Monument School about Evelyn's love of her wedding dress Christmas present, and she reminded me that two of our teachers were getting married this coming summer. "They might have wedding magazines to pass along," she suggested.

Well, they did. And for a while my dining room floor looked like this. The girls have meticulously cut out every bride from every magazine, glued or taped them to construction paper, and (get this) numbered them.

I've overheard the most adorable (but very serious) conversations. They usually start with questions such as, "Amelia, which one do you like better, #24, #41, or #73?"

The Peace, Love, and Joy Assembly

I tried WAY too many times to upload the video of Evelyn in a dance last week, but I think it was just too long. It didn't matter that Evelyn was in the back row, quite obscured (I kept my eyes peeled for glimpses of her bobbing ponytails), and that I had a hard time even seeing her--I was so proud! She was selected to participate in it for the "Peace, Love, and Joy Assembly" and I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. (It also makes me smile to write "Peace, Love and Joy Assembly." You gotta love charter schools.)

The most moving segment of the assembly was a little 1st grade boy who read--w/amazing feeling--the most famous parts of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. That speech is SO powerful. The place erupted and rose to its feet at the end. I cried big, boo-hoo tears of wonder sitting in that very diverse crowd--"sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners" sitting down "together at the table of brotherhood...."

Our two daughters...

...are very different from one another. As seen by the juxtaposition of their artwork.

Evelyn, the idealistic realist whose lovely house is symmetrically girded about with flowers, clouds, blue skies, and birds.

And Amelia, who prefers to express herself a bit more abstractly.

Of course, I could stare at them both all day. I think they ooze beauty, creativity, and personality. Hence they are the current exhibit in our proud gallery--via scotch tape on the kitchen wall.

The Kindgergarten B-day

Here's Evelyn w/her class's "guest reader" this week. (I'm sure the kids appreciated that I honed my Julia Childs accent watching YouTube for cook's voice in "Plum Pudding for Christmas.") She'd dipped pretzels in chocolate (with help from Grandma and Amelia) for her classmates as a birthday treat.

Evelyn was so cute introducing each of her classmates to me (their hands are on the book), and it was great to put faces with the names we hear about so often. We've been impressed with her young teacher and with the Tunbridge School in general, which is good, because we trust them with a very special six year old five days a week. :)

Six years ago today...

...we became parents of Evelyn Grace. I'll post pictures soon of the visit to her classroom this week, her little party in the park yesterday and our day at Six Flags today. But for now, I'll simply thank God for her:

- zest for life
- extreme enthusiasm
- readiness to laugh
- insatiable appetite for being chased
- insatiable appetite period
- desire to run on the sidewalk alongside our departing guests' cars as they drive away down the street
- love of stories, books, and movies
- way of, as my brother Jon put it, "Giving you what you need."

Thank you, Evelyn, for giving us yourself so unabashedly, enthusiastically, and so early every morning. :) I am reminded here that when we called Aunt Barbara and Uncle Diego to announce her birth, Uncle Diego (for whom the name "Evelyn" was unfamiliar) was heard in the background saying, "They named her WHAT?!? 'Avalanche?!?'"

We've been sliding adventurously down the slopes of parenthood ever since.

I Can Hardly Stand It!

This is about my favorite picture of the girls EVER. Alan took it on his phone one day when they were at the zoo. It makes me clench my teeth and groan with joy every time I see it!! (Do other people clench their teeth and groan with joy? I hope so.)

There they are. Sisters. Hugging each other. Smiling. Outside. On a rock. I can hardly stand it!!

UURRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH! (That is a clenched-teeth groan of joy, FYI.)