ADHD

The other day I was at Home Depot with all three boys - again - and the cashier saw Jack and Win running circles around the cart.  She said, "Wow,  your kids are really hyper."  I just said, "No, they just have a lot of energy," and I walked out of the store feeling very proud of myself for not getting annoyed.  I think boys get labeled "hyper" when really they just need to run.  I have done it myself, admittedly, but at that moment I had to see the situation as it really was: they needed a physical outlet in the freezing 1 degree weather we had had all week long.  Who can blame them?  You can only run so many times back and forth in our little basement playroom.  So, for one moment I felt in control as my boys got out a little pent-up energy (and probably bothered everyone else in the store).  

The next day, I took all three to the grocery store (we were having our main floor bathroom torn out and had to get out of the way for a week).  When I walked up to pay the cashier said, "we saw you coming and said to each other, 'Three boys!  I wonder what her day is like!'"  I laughed and just said, "pretty wild at times."  I couldn't lie, but all of you mothers with three girls must feel life is pretty wild too, right?  Well, I'm okay with wild boys that need to run, but I wouldn't mind a thoughtful, quiet girl someday, if the rumors are really true about girls...

Art Education

We thought this was so funny with the nudes in the background - little did he know.

Over Christmas we took the boys to the Art Institute of Chicago as much for our enjoyment as to introduce the boys to some of the most amazing and important pieces of art in the world.  I love this museum.  I have been there many times with different groups of people, but this is the first time with the kids.  I learned that the whole basement floor is geared towards children. You can try on armor, make crafts, re-create a piece of art with blocks, and sit in the reading room with all the picture books and little pint-sized nooks and crannies.  The best part, however, was the audio guide for kids.  I listened to a bit of it and it was fantastic.  Jack learned who Abraham Lincoln was from the guide, and of course from the pretty incredible sculpture of him.  

For those of you who have read Freakonomics you know the authors' opinions about the value of taking your kids to an art museum:  they aren't getting as "cultured" as you may have hoped - just stay home and read together.  I have to believe that showing the boys Seurat's gigantic "La Grande Jatte" up close will teach them about pointillism (in a very basic way), or coming eye-to-eye with the sculpture of an open-mouthed, roaring lion wrestling a Roman god will teach them about stone, movement, and emotion, all far better than looking at a book of art on our laps.  Can't I hope for maybe a love and respect of art?  Perhaps a burning desire to study art history?  I'm not really that idealistic, but maybe they will actually sense from Christian and me our love of the art we saw and remember that aspect of the trip.  But, who am I to go against pages of research?  Just a mom - and moms always know best!  So...who's up for round two?

First Sledding Outing Of Their Lives

Jack was elated to try out his new sled. Winfield chose to sit in the car. Even Charles went down the hill with Christian without a tear, but his cheeks stayed red for a couple hours after we got home.

Ahh...Presents

I remember Christmas morning growing up - "goldenrod" for breakfast, lining up youngest to oldest in front of the sheet curtain that hid the living room and all our presents, and of course the sheer chaos of eleven people opening gifts, wrapping paper everywhere, squeals of delight, and lots of thank yous.

Our first Christmas in Wisconsin was much quieter than the Marriott household, but we had our share of squeals, wrapping paper, and even thank yous. The boys got up early, ate lots of candy, and stayed in their pajamas all day. It was a truly wonderful day.

Winfield helped clean up the wrapping paper in his new garbage truck.
Charles tried out as many toys as his brothers allowed him to get close to.

Jack got exactly what he wanted from Santa: a storm trooper helmet and blaster. He was so thrilled and our house has been Star Wars central since Santa came. He even wanted to wear it to bed. Now that is the true sign of a perfect gift, in my opinion. Christian got the boys a Wii, but we all know who he really bought it for. Admittedly, I have even gotten into it and Christian has yet to beat me in boxing.

Meeting The Big Guy

Heather Waibel's family joined us along with the Marriotts for a breakfast buffet with Santa at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. When we walked in the tables were all set for specific parties. They said, "Oh the Mitchells, yes you're that big table in the middle." It looked like the table was set for 20 people, it was so long and the chairs so big, that I began to feel a little embarrassed, but as the families arrived the whole party was relaxed and the day was all about the kids. That was really important to me because I'm not really the Yacht Club type. It's all a bit stuffy, but this event, my first since we joined in the fall, showed me that this place is very family oriented and can actually be really approachable. I still avoid telling people that we have a membership at the MYC, but I think I'm warming up to the idea now. Anyway, the food was great, the entertainment was great (kid songs w/ a "music man"), and Santa was awesome. I loved having friends and family with us. It really made the day for me.

The Milwaukee Marriotts are growing into a nice-sized group, aren't we?

Charles just did not know what to think of this man with the white hair going every direction. He just stared and stared until he had had enough and began to cry. We thought he looked so precious though.

Jack looked forward to meeting Santa for weeks leading up to this breakfast. The fact that he got a real present from Santa didn't hurt the relationship any either. (Jack calls it his "icky Spiderman guy" and it really is frightening). Santa asked him all about what he got last year (a Packers uniform - actually that was two years ago), so Santa launched into listing off key players on the team, none of which Jack knew. He just kept nodding.

Winfield had been very indifferent about Christmas, until the presents came out. He loves gifts and anything just for him, but he had no requests, no wish list and was happy with anything. He was a little unsure about sitting on Santa's lap, but once he opened his present, everyone and everything around him disappeared. He carried it around and had a ball.

It was a really wonderful event that we will definitely do next year, and every year after that. Jack said later, "Mom, the Santa at the Yacht Club was the real Santa! I know he was." Ahh the magic of Christmas.

Winfield Turns Three!

Driving his car through the cake.

He tried to blow out the candles but ended up spitting all over the cake instead. Wall-e!! He loves the character, but is scared of the movie.

I can't believe our little Win is growing up. We had a very quiet party for him - just us and Marriott's (minus Adam who was doing his Black Friday duty for Kohl's at 4 am and then off to work to report). We had car races with medals, cake, and Lightning McQueen decorations. He seemed so pleased with everything and so were we.

Win is sort of the glue in our family. He is Jack's favorite playmate, happy to oblige him in any kind of imagination. He is a buddy to Charles, always hugging, snuggling, and yes, smothering him. He is our agreeable and loving middle child who demands very little and always tells the truth. In answer to my, "who drew all over the wall?" he will cheerily say, "It was me!" I think Winfield sees the world very black and white - it's either right or it's wrong - and that is rather refreshing. I'm not saying he is not difficult at times. He is incredibly stubborn, but we can always count on a kiss or hug from Win and I think every family needs a snuggler like Winfield. (Anyone ever read "5 love languages?" Winfield would be 100% in the physical category). The other day he said to me, "Oh Mommy, your haircut is very beautiful!" I hadn't cut it, but it was so lovely to hear that from my own child. I love our Win.

Klode Park on Thanksgiving

Hands in pockets to keep warm.

Happy even when it's cold.

An artsy picture taken by my brother, Adam. Beautiful Lake Michigan.