Racism

Sigh.

Racism makes me angry. It makes me sad. It makes me crazy. It. Well.

Sigh.

But it exists, and because I agreed to, we agreed to have the family we do, I knew that it was something I would need to explain to my precious babies early on and that some day, probably multiple days we would need to deal with it up close and personal.

But how does one go about explaining that to your 3 and 5 year old? Or even younger. I've been thinking about it for a good while. Like since their birth...but haven't broached it. Who would want to? I sure didn't, and its easy to put it off.

Today however, today, it slapped us in the face. Well, me anyway, the comment didn't make sense to my 5 year old it was directed too. Mostly because of another incident involving her friend at preschool that reduced her to tears. It was a "fabulous" day there. Sigh.

Today while I was making lunch, S came to me and said, ***** said she doesn't want to touch my skin because its brown not white.

I wanted to cry. I didn't then, but I am now, S is safely ensconced in her bed napping.

I asked a few questions about it, but mostly S was puzzled as to why.

I decided it was time to lay it out there and give her tools. I told her what this girl said was racist. And then explained that some people believe that they are better then others because of their skin colors. But we know that this is not true at all. God made us each uniquely, some things about us make us like others, lots of things about us make us unique. Color or skin does not make you better or worse then anyone else. Its just what is.

I told her also that its NOT ok for people to talk like that at all. And if happens again she needs to tell the teacher right away. I think I will send a note to her teacher over it as well.

S wasn't upset by this, puzzled, but not upset. I know the day will come where ignorance will speak louder and more hurtful and slam into her bruttely. I won't be able to stop it. This wasn't it. It was just a tiny taste.

I hate it.

3 Year old Silliness

I love my 3 year old and every thing about her. She is the happiest person I've ever met. Sometimes she starts laughing, genuie laugh, only because she heard someone laugh and thought she would just join in. I am very blessed to spend days with this special soul. I need to record some of her here as these days with her are quickly passing for sure.


This started as a full sized potato, she was determined to peel it and did so giggling and laughing at her attempts that didn't exactly go the way Mom's did. She never once got angry or frustrated. I have much to learn from this child.


Today we were in a restaurant, a very kid friendly one in which many farmers come for lunch nearly every day. Mom was taking a little bit to long chatting with a friend...and G wander a few tables away, (trust me, this is OK in the place) and introduced herself to a Grandpa type individual. I then just watched out of the corner of my eye, and she made this man smile again and again as she explained the wonders of her pink pig ballerina piggy bank. It was a beautiful thing.



Did I mention she has a special flair for dressup? she was quite pleased with this outfit. (ignore dog who suddenly needs brushing, and the bum in the chair LOL)

Funny/interesting/words of wisdom from the 3 year old:




*** The night prior we had gone to see a living stations of the cross presentation by the kids in Wednesday religion class put on:

G: Mom, remember those solidiers last night, the ones that killed Jesus, I think maybe they were bullies

M: I think your right G




*** At Target striking up conversation with check out lady say, 50ish)

Lady: Hello there!
G: do you know me??
L: well no...
G: I'm G! and I'm 3 cause I had a birthday!
L: wow! 3! you've almost caught up to me!
G: then you will be three too?
L: LOL
G: then will you turn chocloate like me too?


definate pause by me the writer of the check....

L: yes, I like chocolate too!

NO idea if she couldnt' understand her (definate possibility) or just used grace to steer things in a different way. Oy.


**** G sits behind me in the truck so I can hear all of her chatter....today she and I took a little road trip. In the past we have had talks about why Mom can't go super fast as there are rules to how fast you can go and if you break them the policeman will give you a ticket. So today, we picked up a very slow care in front of us, G noticed that I applied the breaks and slowed down. I knew this because suddenly from the back seat there was this directive:

MOM! Go medium and get around this car!!




She's a kick, I'm glad I have her to brighten my days!

She did it!!!

H started piano 18 months ago nearly exactly to the time where she participated in the finals for MMTA (Minnesota Music Teachers Association). She has taken to piano like a duck to water. I have little understanding of such a thing as I have never taken to ANYTHING like a duck to water. She amazes me. What I admire most is her "aw shucks" sorta no big deal, its just something I do, kind of attitude.

I got the results mid morning yesterday, and she was indeed selected to participate in the Honors Concert that will take place in Minneapolis in June. We will need to hoof it to the cities for 3 rehersals prior to this concert and she will need to learn a new piece of music and have it memorized in a months time. When I explained what will be required of her if she chooses to participate, she calmly says, "OK"

Why did I think she would be anything BUT calm. When I called her at school to tell her, (something I've never done...call her at school) she just says, "cool" When I explained to her that this was REALLY cool...like jump up and down and squeal cool...she just giggled. A quiet little giggle. I said, no! I'm serious! start jumping up and down and squealing! She just said, "Mom!" in that whiney sorta way pre adolescent girls prefect.

Anyway. I'm proud of my girl. So far she seems to really enjoy this part of piano. I want to carefully encourage her to keep up with it, while not burning out either. Hmmm....

In the middle of writing this, said child calls me from school to ask me about an assignment due today at school. Something I've never heard of or seen around here....and I'm cleaning the house today (hence the blog post lol) Apparently this is a rather largish assignment with some largish consequences attached for not completing it.

Sometimes, the gifts we are given, hers being a general take things as they come calmness come around and slap us in the face in the form of deadlines and such. She manages to pull it off though.

This piece she played for 3 contests now, this piece, well, it was tanking big time days before the first contest. She pulled it together though!!

My guess is she'll figure this one out too.

Now, do I go vacume or shop for formal dresses for my 9 year old......

First Tooth!

This is the before....Sophia was DETERMINED that this tooth was coming out tonight...she had wiggled and wiggled it for days. She tried to twist it, but it hurt to much to do so and just wanted it OUT. So, Dad said he would do it. This is the anticipation smile.....

The decided grabbing it with a napkin would be the way to go, and they gave it a good try, but it wouldn't give as the napkin made Dad's finger to slippy. They decided to go the old fashion bare finger grip.

THAT WORKED!!!!!!

Borrowing from a friend....

Lame. Yeah, lately, I have all these ideas to jazz up the ol blog...but I"m lame.

I have ideas for posts....the weighted blanket, the basement project, hearing God, wrestling and piano contests, cute sayings from the outgoing 3 year old.....but alas these posts seem locked in my head at the moment. I am writing this to make an out loud promise to get them out, so they won't be lost forever!

:D

In a perfect world.....

As UNICEF continues its "agenda" in Haiti....here is another prespective.



http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2010/03/i-need-adoption.html


Its easy for a group such as UNICEF to act as though it were a perfect world. In a perfect world, they are right. There is no need for adoption. There are no empty homes longing for children. In a perfect world.....

But, dear UNICEF CEO's, we don't live in one. There are many true orphans in Haiti, longing for homes. Who are you to deny them one????

Helpful 9 year olds

Me: I have clearly lost my mind (mubbling to myself mostly)

H: (helpful 9 year old) Oh, I know where it is...

Me: really? where?

H: its still in your bed, would you like me to go get it for you? (said in a perfectly serious and helpful tone)

Me: um, no, thats ok dear, but thank you

H: sure Mom, no problem