Justice - is that the right word?

Happy Valentine's Day
from the Grandkids, and Omi and Papa!

Aren't they looking cute and snuggly?

OK, so about justice. Here's my story and you can chime in if you think justice is the right word.

Obviously, at age 21 months, Claire is too young to have "learned" about justice. Yet it is already part of who she is. I find the whole inherent or inherited or learned/taught behavior fascinating, things I didn't have time to think about when my own kids were little.

Claire makes sure at every moment of the day that I treat Brody exactly the same as I treat her, and that he gets exactly what she gets, eats exactly what she eats, gets in on the photo or video if I'm shooting, gets to listen to me read a book if she does, has his shoes on, doesn't cry in his playpen and so on throughout the day.

I know I'm just a proud and bragging grandma (hey, this is my blog, it is called Omi Annie, it is about my grandchildren, so deal with it!), but this is pretty special behavior, if you ask me! And the knowledge that this is who Claire is for the rest of her life is amazing. Guess some of you will know who else in our family has this trait. And guess her siblings and cousins will benefit for the rest of their lives. Thanks for caring, Claire!

A Winter Soup Recipe for You

I'm going crazy with blogs this month?? Chicken Soup is wonderful for cold days, so here's a version I ran across that sounds yummy!

Greek Lemon Soup with Chicken
1 rotisserie chicken from the store (cooked, ya know)
6 cups chicken broth
6 egg yolks
1/3 cup orzo pasta/rice
1/4 lemon juice
pepper

In large saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add orzo and boil until tender (8-9 min). In a bowl, beat yolks, slowly whisk 1 cup of the hot broth into eggs. Then add the egg mix to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened (5-7 min). Add 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken (or all of it if you like), lemon juice and pepper to taste.

Yum, right?

Turning 50

Some insight I've recently run across and translated into Annie-life language.
The truth is, I have lived 50 years alongside people and things and places that I love.
I can still see my mother's face, laugh with my sisters and brother,
hear my kids chatter with each other,
and kiss and hug my grandchildren.
I can still enjoy a sunny winter day,
turn my pillow to the cool side and hope for one more last good dream.
It is too late to rewrite my life, too late to do anything but live it out.
Even if I got to live it all again, from the beginning,
I would still live it imperfectly, raggedly, shamelessly, in my own skin.
It is a hard and bitter thing, a life, but so loathsome to leave and so stupid to regret.
(stolen from Rick Bragg and reworded)

Trip to the Mall

On Friday, Aunt Sue helped me take the 3 little ones to the Mall. It was quite an adventure. They were totally ready to get out of the house. Cabin fever had set it, big time. Those cold days indoors were getting to us all. Brody and Claire enjoyed driving their own firetruck around the Mall, steered by Aunt Sue. I carried Max around in the Baby Bjorn (his socks kept falling off, so we stowed them so they wouldn't get lost). C & B enjoyed cheerios and Kix while they drove around and then we stopped for frozen yogurt (and a bottle for Max). They both enjoyed the play area; Claire always a little cautious, but waving hi to everyone, Brody's first time and he was like an old pro, running around to each toy and not worrying about strangers. 5 kids in a car? No problem for Brody, he must not have a "personal bubble" yet. The new van worked like a dream for transporting everyone in a safe and fun way. However, I would NOT endeavor this without help! Thanks, Aunt Sue (or Aunt Who, as Claire likes to say). Not surprisingly, lots of people noticed us and commented on how brave we were, and how cute our kids are! Several thought, again, that Claire and Brody were twins!

The Helpfuls

So many funny thoughts...

Claire repeats everything, but one of her new words this week is helpful, and she really is. She fetches things with minimal guidance (like burpers, towels, washes, nuks, water cups) and also every tiny little piece of dirt she finds.
Brody is on a helpful kick too, he hands me all the things he finds that he knows he shouldn't have. He acts all innocent, like, here Omi, aren't I helpful? Today the most helpful item was the runny diaper I had just taken off Max and hadn't wrapped up yet. Runny on Omi, and all over Brody's shirt and pants, now he is down to his jeans and stud-muffin white pocket tshirt (don't tell the girls it is a onesie)!

Brody is noticing Max more these last few days. Today I caught him laying his head on Max's blanket-wrapped legs and just laying there looking up at Max, so sweet.

I don't know what their parents are feeding these kids, but the number of poopies a day seems to be growing, not to mention the tooting!

Claire has been playing a lot this week with Stella, one of her babies. She alternately bombards Stella with love and attention, and then later wonders where she is (where did you leave her) acting very alarmed that Stella is missing.

Brody loves the toy kitchen, he spends most of his alone playtime there. His other favorite toy is the cell phone. He gets excited over every "call".

They have both learned to belly laugh, they crack each other up constantly.

Claire is all about justice. She watches me and makes sure that Brody gets everything she gets. Every other bite, every other turn, up into the high chair at eating times, out of the high chair after every eating time. But, if Brody should drop a cheerio, she doesn't hesitate to pick it up and eat it, cuz she eats 'em faster than he does. They copy each other, no matter what silly thing they think up to do.

Claire rides the sheep, Brody lays his head on it and loves it up.

Note: kids this age don't know what tomorrow is. I told Claire Sue (she calls her Who) is coming tomorrow, so she has been watching the door all day and asking for Who.

Brody is very good at putting things in... in anything. However, he is also very good at taking things out, like right after Claire and I put toys away. He doesn't quite get the "clean up" song yet.

Brody is a bruiser, but he needs plenty of snuggle time too.

Brody doesn't crawl at all anymore.

Max isn't a fan of tummy time, but he is a fan of the other kids' activities.

Speaking of poopies...

Coffee-Mate Game Party at Dockens

We had such a good time at our Coffee-Mate afternoon party! Played a new version of Cranium and then Texas Hold Em. Lots of good sweet and salty treats were enjoyed by all, as well as coffee and flavored creamers, of course!
#CMFFFParties

Future Olympian

Claire recently finished up her first gymnastics class. She received a medal, just like in the Olympics - we are so proud!

When it Rains, It Pours

Claire napping on Auntie Beff's sofa.

Max happy in his little racoon suit.

Brody and Claire making a mess.

3 cousins.

Brody enjoying the family playhouse.

A Few New Shots

Here's our Baptism Boy, Max.

Then a shot of the birthday boy, Brody, turning 1 and walking!

Papa with Brody (and his daddy),

and Omi with (camera shy) Claire.

Life is good these days with all three grandbabies in Omi Daycare, but the days are busy, with never a dull moment.

Today I have just Brody at his house, Whitney has the day with their kids.

I was thinking about how this all is working out. I have always been a person that is comfortable in anyone's home. That is a big plus in this new part of my life, where I spend every day in someone else's home. I enjoy my days at Bethanie and Barry's house; making a cup of coffee in Barry's coffee maker, doing the laundry, freezing meals for Brody, playing with Brody's toys. I also so enjoy my days at Josh and Whitney's house; fresh cups of coffee in the Keurig, doing the laundry, running from one toy room to the other with the kids, going outside to play on nice days. They all have beautiful and comfy homes and I appreciate how they make me feel at home. Yep, this is all working out just great!